Gulf Coast Insulation uses the latest innovation in radiant barrier technology - HeatBlock Ultra. Why does Gulf Coast Insulation choose to carry only HeatBlock Ultra? We've have found that the water-based, low emissivity product is an excellent replacement for foil or metalized plastic film radiant barriers and, in many situations, it's the only economical solution. Since HeatBlock Ultra is an installed applied spray, there is little to no retrofitting required and can be applied to enclosed areas. Here's a few quick facts about our radiant barrier product:
Does not block cellular or antennae signals as can occur with foil products
- Low emissivity, high reflectivity
- Excellent investment, normally saves 8-12% of AC costs, improves comfort levels
- Improves efficiency of existing insulation, Permeable, does not trap moisture
- Only economical way to retrofit radiant barrier to existing structures
- Increase the value of your home
Sprayed-On HeatBlock Ultra Radiant Heat Barrier?
Applied on the underside of the roof deck from inside the attic. It is a water based paint that blocks 81% of the radiant heat gain from the roof into the attic.
What Is a Spray-On Radiant Barrier?
Our Spray-On Radiant Heat Barrier is essentially a "liquid foil". We all know that foil is a heat barrier. Only available to commercial contractors, it is an environmentally safe, water-based low-e paint called Radiance e.25.
How does a Radiant Barrier work?
Whether you chose to have the Radiant Barrier Paint sprayed, your home will be more comfortable and energy efficient. Our radiant barrier paint has an "e" value of 0.19. This means it reflects or "blocks" 81% of the Radiant Heat transfer from the roof into the attic and then the home. The Radiant Barrier Foil has and "e" value of about .03 meaning it will reflect or block nearly 95% OF THE HEAT GAIN!! This is similar to having a Giant Shade Tree instantly land in your yard! By reducing the radiant heat gain, the attic temperature is cooler by as much as 20-30 degrees. More important than the attic temperature is the reduction in radiant heat transfer into the attic and home. The best way to demonstrate this is to ask - Would you feel "cooler" sitting in the SHADE on a 100 degree day or sitting in the SUN on an 80 degree day? Most would agree they would rather be in the shade even though the air is hotter. The bottom line...A radiant barrier will act like shade for you home. This means less heat gain into your living space and a cooler, more energy efficient and comfortable house with lower electric bills.
A radiant barrier will help stop the heat at the source. Think about this. Where does most of the heat come from on a hot summer day? The sun of course. The heat from the sun drives right through your roof, your attic and into your home. A radiant barrier acts like a mirror or the reflective sunscreen you put up in your car. A radiant barrier saves you money on your summer electric bill and can usually pay for itself in between 2-5 years.
How is it Applied?
We enter your attic and spray the underside of your roof deck with a spray-on radiant barrier. There is no mess inside the house, minimal odor, and the spraying process usually takes only several hours. Call today to discuss your particular situation and how a radiant barrier can help you. 281-564-5432 or 888-83-ATTIC
Why is it Applied to the UNDERSIDE of the roof?
At first it does not make sense, but think about this. If you hold a mirror up to the sun and reflect the light on your arm you would SEE the light, but you would FEEL the heat. The sun emits both visible light and invisible infrared energy. It is the infrared energy that is being reflected that you feel, NOT the light. Now where is the shiny reflective surface on the mirror? ON the bottom!! Spraying the bottom of your roof deck will produce a similar effect as the mirror. The heat will be reflected away from your attic and living space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a radiant barrier?
A radiant barrier (materials usually consisting of a thin sheet or coating of a highly reflective material) reflects up to 97% of the “radiant” energy that comes from the sun. Radiant energy is generated by the sun and travels through space and does not create any heat until it strikes any object. This energy would normally conduct through your roof, radiate to your insulation and then into your home. By applying HeatBlock-Ultra Radiant Barriers to the underside of your roof deck, you can lower your utility bills and increase your comfort.
Q. How much money will I save if I install radiant barriers, insulation, and ventilation?
This depends on the existing condition in your attic. If you have little or no insulation then the upgrade alone can save you 30% on heating and cooling costs.
A. Radiant Barrier can save you from 8 – 15% depending again on the existing condition. Not many numbers are given for ventilation. However, it makes sense that moving that hot air from your attic will save you money.
Q. What are the 3 modes of Heat Transfer?
1. Conductive: Heat transfer that results from molecular-level kinetic energy in solids. We try to control this type of transfer with insulation and thermal mass.
2. Convective: The transfer of heat by the circulation or movement of the heated parts of a liquid or gas. Proper attic ventilation allows cooler air in at the eaves and expels hot attic air from the roof ventilators. It also removes moisture.
3. Radiant: Heat transfer that moves energy by means of electromagnetic waves. Two surfaces of different temperature are all that’s needed to pass radiant energy. When matter absorbs radiant energy, heat is produced.
Q. What else can I do to save money and make my home more energy efficient?
- Replacement windows or at least caulk around them.
- Weather strip doors.
- Change your energy provider, if you are still with the primary retail electric provider then you can save by switching to a more competitive supplier.
- Energy efficient light bulbs.
- Upgrade your air conditioner (this can be expensive) or at least keep up with regular filter changes and yearly maintenance to ensure proper function of the system.
- Install a programmable thermostat.
- Set your thermostat at a higher temperature in the summer and lower in the winter.
- Install ceiling fans and then change your thermostat. You will feel as cool as before.
Product Photos.
Attic with insulation and no radiant barrier
Half of the inside of the roof sprayed with HeatBlock-Ultra
The finished product. Note that the rafters do not need to be covered. HeatBlock-Ultra
To provide the Houston & Fort Bend County area with the best service possible, Gulf Coast Insulation staff is comprised of expertly trained technicians. Gulf Coast Insulation is an approved contractor of the energy efficient Owens Corning L77 Insulation, Radiant Guard, attic ventilation, energy conservation evaluations, and the radiant barrier HeatBlock-Ultra. We can answer your questions and begin installation HeatBloc-Ultra and Attic Insulation today.
Radiant barrier foil insulation is unlike mass insulation that merely slows down or resists heat transfer. A radiant barrier BLOCKS radiant heat. Heat always moves to colder areas by natural law - the problem is how to keep the heat in the winter and how to keep it out in the summer. There are three ways in which heat moves from warm spaces to cold spaces: CONDUCTION is the direct heat flow through a solid object such as a wall or a ceiling. CONVECTION is heat movement through air, occurring when air is warmed. The warm expands, becoming less dense and rising. RADIATION is the movement of heat rays across air spaces from one warm object to a cooler object. The heat we feel from a wood stove or a quartz space heater is radiant heat. ALL OBJECTS AND BODIES GIVE OFF RADIANT HEAT.
