Reflective Foil Bubble Insulation R Value

When i wrote about my trip to the southeast building conference in july i mentioned how some products on display there really annoyed me because they re either bad to the bone or overhyped.

Reflective foil bubble insulation r value.

If you install 2 layers of a reflective insulation does the r value double. The rubber meets the road on reflectix s website where it says no air space no reflective insulation benefit. Double bubble insulation is the most effective bubble insulation with highest r value. 1 4 5 16 nominal thickness of foil bubble insulation.

The main one in the latter category is foil faced bubble wrap sold as insulation. Heat moves by 3 methods. With multiple layers of product and airspaces between each layer enhanced performance will be gained. Insulation s r value is a measurement how much resistance against conduction.

If the product is simply doubled with no air space between the layers a very minimal benefit is obtained r 1 1 per layer for the reflective double bubble. An r 1 1 is provided from the product itself for the reflective double bubble material. Any bubble insulation that is approximately thick can only achieve an average r value of 1 to 1 5 on its own. Standard insulation is tested as a material with an r value per inch of thickness for example r 13 for 3 5 quot.

In contrast reflectix is always tested as part of an assembly e g. Green building advisor recently wrote an article about foil faced bubble wrap and did a balanced job of it. Of owens corning fiberglass and r 5 per inch with foamular foam board. Our double bubble products are ideal for metal buildings where the control of condensation is necessary.

Reflective insulation and radiant barriers that are safe easy to install and thermodynamically efficient for new building construction. The r value of reflective insulation is measured within a system. The foil face bubble wrap manufacturers may have a fantastic product but they unfortunately market their product to an industry that is unaware of codes that restrict its use. Although prodex total is not a foil faced bubble wrap we will answer the author s question because foil faced bubble wrap is a reflective insulation that deserves a defense.

Key benefits of this foil faced double bubble include. All our reflective double bubble products. The r value of reflective insulation is not measured by the inch. Double bubble insulation provides the maximum efficiency and highest r value for bubble insulation.

Convection mass air transport conduction by touch radiation. Air space equals r value. Any additional r value is achieved by the use of dead air spaces around the reflective product or in used in conjunction with other mass insulation products like fiberglass foam etc.