INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR RADIANT BARRIER (RB)

 

 

Before You Begin

Be sure you have the following tools and materials:

A.  Proper amount of ALUMA-FOIL SUPER PLUS radiant barrier.

B.  Tape measure, drop light, shears, utility knife and stapler (mechanical, electrical or air-squeeze or hammer type)

C.  Two movable support surfaces such as 2' x 3' x 1/2" plywood or 1" x 12" x 3' piece of wood (lengthen for 24" O. C. trusses)

 

Safety Practices

Be sure you observe the following safety rules:

A.  DO NOT lay RB on top of exposed electrical wiring or boxes.

B.  Make sure trusses or rafters are sound before placing your weight on them.

C.  Be sure you have adequate ventilation and lighting. A dust mask is suggested.

D.  Protective headgear (bump cap) and safety glasses are suggested.

      WARNING: DO NOT attempt to stand or lay on existing insulation. Failure to follow these instructions can and may result in

      serious injury and damage.

 

Laid Down Installation (Fig 1 )

1.  Roll out. and cut enough RB to prevent unnecessary trips in and out of the attic.          

                  

2.  Start your first piece in the farthest corner of the attic. Be sure and move it as close as you

     can towards the end of the eave area if you have one. We suggest you lay the RB across

     the ceiling joists.

 

3.  Lay each additional piece approximately one inch away from the last piece. This allows

     added ventilation for moisture moving out of the house below into the attic area. (A)

 

4.  Cover all areas, such as vaulted ceilings, knee walls and exposed ducts for heating and air-

     conditioning. (Fig. 3 below)

 

 5.  It is not necessary to staple or tape the RB in place in this installation unless you need to

     secure a piece in place or repair a tear.

 

6.  For this type of installation, and in specific geographical areas, continued exposure to dust

    over a period of years may reduce the performance of your product. Should you experience

decreased performance, simply turn the product over.

                                      Figure 1:  Laid Down Application

                                                                                                                                                           

            WARNING: Use only Super Plus perforated product in the laid down application. The spacing and perforations will prevent

                                    moisture from being trapped under the RB without significantly reducing the performance.

 

        Truss Or Rafter Mounted Installation (Fig 2)

1. Measure, roll out and cut the RB as needed in sizes that are best handled by two people.

 

2. Whether you start at the top or bottom remember to leave three inches (3") between the

RB and existing insulation at the bottom and six inches (6") between the two pieces of

RB at the ridge or peak (Fig. A). This allows proper ventilation of your attic area.

(Fig. 3 below)

 

3. Staple the RB approximately 6" - 8" on center on all wooden members using a 1/2" or

9/16" crown staple with 1/4" or 5/16" leg. (C)

 

4. It is not necessary to overlap the product or tape the seams. Cut around wood members

as necessary. (B)

 

5. In this application it is very important to cover all small (knee) walls and gable end walls

 

6. Be sure to cut around all vent openings in the roof, or gable end wails, after covering

those areas.

 

       Figure 2: Bottom of Truss Application

 

Ventilation (Fig 3)

1.  Because ventilation can greatly enhance your RB

     performance, it is important to consider the following:

 

A.  Where no existing ridge or gable vents exist you

should install one system or the other.  Consult vent

manufacturers instructions for proper location and installation.

 

     B . Where no soffit vents exist, be sure ridge, pan or

     gable end vents are of adequate size to properly

     ventilate area.

 

          Figure 3: Ventilation