How to Reflect Heat with Radiant Barriers

Heat Radiant barriers can be fitted to the rafters in your roof to prevent heat from escaping, and also to prevent the room from getting too hot. Radiant heat barriers are very easy to fit and they can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. Fitting a heat radiant system can make your home much more energy efficient since you don't need to worry about using as much electricity or fossil fuels to heat your home.

Step 1 - Preparing the Attic

You will first need to prepare your attic so that you can work properly and safely. Most attics are not boarded, meaning that it's very easy to put your foot through the ceiling. Use large boards that are big enough to span across the joists. Lay these on the joists in your attic to create a work area that is large enough to operate in. You will need to have access around the perimeter of your roof so that you can fix the heat radiant barriers onto the rafters in the roof. Don't attempt to balance yourself across the rafters when doing this sort of project, because you will no doubt end up having an accident.

Before you can work in your attic you might need to clear it from all the junk that's in there. You will also find it much more comfortable to work during an overcast day because it won't be too hot in your attic. Working on a hot day will be very uncomfortable.

Step 2 - Measuring Your Roof

You will need to measure the size around your roof to make sure that you have enough panels to fit all the way around the roof. Plan how the panels will fit, and make sure that they will be fixed into all of the rafters. Measure both the width and height of your roof.

Step 3 - Cutting the Heat Radiant Barrier

The heat radiant barriers can be cut to size using a knife or a saw. Make sure that the panels are cut to the right size so that they all fit together properly. This will ensure that they have the biggest impact on the efficiency of your property. The better these heat radiant barriers fit, the more efficient your home will be.

Step 4 - Fitting the Panels

Once you have cut the heat radiant barriers to size you will need to fit them to your roof. These will be stapled onto the rafters using a staple gun. Ensure that you fix directly into the rafters and use lots of staples. Before stapling, you might like to offer the individual panels up against the rafters to make sure that they will all fit properly. This will ensure that the panels are fitted securely and that they won't move. If there are any extra bits of heat radiant barriers you will need to trim them off. Any gaps between the panels need to be filled using caulking.