CountryPlans Forum

General => Owner-Builder Projects => Topic started by: flyingvan on February 04, 2012, 07:23:57 PM

Title: Radiant Barrier
Post by: flyingvan on February 04, 2012, 07:23:57 PM
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BUIcEwBomhY/Te5ud9GCXVI/AAAAAAAABaE/RRaCuzNvD9M/s400/gable+radiant+barrier.bmp)

   This is a very inexpensive way to add to the efficiency of a structure---radiant barrier material.  True, you can buy the OSB with a mylar layer, but you waste an awful lot of it in cut-offs.  This stuff is two layers of reflective material laminated onto bubblewrap.  It's astounding---on a hot summer day, just standing under the sheathed roof was way cooler.  It came in 48"x25' rolls.  I used it on all the rafters, the gable walls (anything higher than the living space), even on the porch rafters to help reflect heat away from the porch.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOFRAskovh8/TdfaWeW1sKI/AAAAAAAABZs/zD4Qj6eUmGw/s400/gable3.bmp)

   After framing, just roll it out and staple it to the rafters and studs---even out over the eaves.  Do it kind of loose so the material sags a little.  Make sure the space between the radiant barrier and the living space is ventilated so moisture can escape--it won't go through this stuff.

  (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcKJjlePnUs/TdfRuQOIv9I/AAAAAAAABZg/Og88Ay3v3VE/s400/gable1.bmp)

    The Cuyamaca Cottage has some tricky steep angles in the roof---17:12 pitch, curved in places, 28' off the ground.  Cutting the sheathing in place was not possible---here's a trick to cut it safely on the ground and have it come out perfect.

    (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rcq_1Do05JI/TdfWkRMxMTI/AAAAAAAABZk/UIgSiocjTpM/s400/gable5.bmp)

   Climb up with a piece of the radiant barrier.  Roll it out over the section you need to sheath.  Staple it just enough to hold it in place (I like the hammer staplers, and I just tack it hard enough so the staple still sticks out some)  then just cut the radiant barrier with a box cutter to the exact shape of the section.  Now you can pull the staples and use the radiant barrier as a template for the sheathing, then go tack the radiant barrier in for real, and drop in the cut sheathing over that.
Title: Re: Radiant Barrier
Post by: flyingvan on February 04, 2012, 07:28:15 PM
Oh and I learned the hard way to always wear sunglasses when using this highly reflective material, unless you build at night....