On a sunny Florida afternoon, your roof gets hot. Really hot. A lot of that heat travels down into the attic as radiant heat, the same kind you feel on your face when you stand near a grill. A radiant barrier is designed to turn much of that heat back before it reaches your insulation and your ceilings.
What a radiant barrier is
It’s a thin, shiny foil, usually installed on the underside of the roof rafters or decking. The shiny side faces the open attic. It doesn’t take the place of insulation. Instead, it cuts down how much heat reaches the attic floor in the first place.
How it’s different from insulation
Insulation slows down heat that’s moving through it. A radiant barrier reflects heat that’s beaming across the attic. They do different jobs, so they work best together. The barrier handles the radiant heat from the roof, and the insulation slows down whatever gets past it. Our post on how insulation works explains the different ways heat moves.
Who gets the most out of one
- Homes with a lot of direct sun on the roof and little shade
- Homes with the AC air handler and ducts in the attic, which is common in Florida
- Attics that get very hot in the afternoon
Homes with heavy shade, or attics that are already well insulated and well vented, may see less of a difference. We’ll tell you honestly if it’s worth it for your home.
Why it helps your AC
When the attic runs cooler, the ductwork running through it stays cooler too. That means the cold air from your AC loses less of its chill on the way to your rooms. Your insulation also has less heat to fight. See our post on how attic insulation affects your HVAC system for more.
How we install it
We check your attic first, including the roof layout, venting and where your ducts run. Then we staple the foil to the rafters with the seams overlapped, keeping vents clear. Most homes are done in a day. Learn more on our radiant barrier page.
Common questions
Does a radiant barrier work with a tile roof? Yes. It goes on the underside of the roof deck inside the attic, so the roof covering on top doesn’t change how it’s installed.
Will it make my attic dark or trap moisture? No. Most attic radiant barrier foil is perforated so moisture can pass through, and it’s installed so it doesn’t block your attic vents.
Do I still need more insulation? If your attic floor is thin, yes. A radiant barrier works best on top of a good layer of insulation. Our post on what R-value a Florida attic needs can help you tell.
How long does it last? Installed under the roof where it stays dry and dust-free, it can keep working for a long time.
Find out if it fits your home
REINSULATE is a veteran-owned, fully insured insulation company serving Bradenton, Sarasota and the rest of Manatee County. Request your free estimate or call or text 941-705-0305.
