Loft insulation and radiant barrier......

[Rk1]

Folks, I'm converting a loft space at the moment and will be insulating the eaves with traditional insulation, adding a foil radiant barrier, then finishing with vapour shield plasterboard. So, a couple of questions : a] What goes into the eaves first - the Insulation or radiant barrier and b] the radiant barrier - shiny side facing in or out , considering the plasterboard is foil backed ? Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance....

 

[Alastairreid]

Radiant barrier insulation is essentially thin sheets of polished aluminium that reflect the sun's rays and stop your home from overheating.

Whether this form of insulation also stops domestic heat from escaping in winter is debatable.

The Energy Saving Trust says our homes lose heat mainly through conduction, via walls and ceilings, or convection when badly-fitting doors and windows allow warm air to escape.

A spokeswoman for the Energy Savings Trust told me: 'We have not conducted research on the insulation properties of radiant barriers as a form of loft insulation. However what we recommend is the use of mineral wool to insulate a loft space.

'Heat loss through the roof is lost through conduction and in some cases some convection as excessive ventilation can lead to heat loss as well.

'This is prevented by creating a buffer between the outside and inside space. Mineral wool products have been designed as this barrier by using material which has a very low thermal conductivity level. To achieve the right amount of thermal resistance we recommend a thickness of 270mm [10.5 inches].

'Radiant barriers use their reflective surface to reflect radiant heat back into a room. The majority of heat loss through a roof is transferred through conductive means rather than radiation. Therefore, installing reflective material on the inside of your loft space will only reflect radiant heat and will not prevent conductive heat from escaping.

'Mineral wool loft insulation can save up to £150 a year off your heating bill and can be bought relatively cheaply. A number of energy suppliers, hardware stores and installers often have very competitive prices due to loft insulation being subsidised by the Government.'

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/...-insulation-worth-the-cost.html#ixzz2KULZ3rIM
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