What is a radiant barrier?

A radiant barrier is a reflective surface that prevents radiant heat from entering a home’s heat envelope. When infrared radiation from the sun hits a home’s roof, it heats up the roofing material, which then radiates that heat back out in all directions. A radiant barrier will reflect this heat back toward the roof, keeping your house cooler in the summer.
Radiant barriers have the most impact in reducing radiant heat gain during the summer. The U.S. Department of Energy says that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs by 5-10 percent in a warm, sunny climate. 

Radiant barrier:

• A cooler attic space means less heat moving to the cooler space below the attic.
• The hotter it gets the better radiant barriers work.
• The reduced attic temperature increases the efficiency of attic ductwork which prolongs the life of your heating and cooling systems because there are fewer cycle times.
• In warmer climates your may be able to reduce A/C requirements by up to ½ ton.
• Radiant barrier roof sheathing helps to improve comfort in the building interior during the warm summer months and reduces energy costs. Because heat always moves from hot areas to cold areas, radiant barrier sheathing also prevents heat transfer from the warm interior during the cooler winter months.

Because heat always moves from hot areas to cold areas, radiant barrier sheathing also prevents heat transfer from the warm interior during the cooler winter months.