5 Best Radiant Barriers

Radiant barriers are dynamic way-out to homeowners who want to regulate their household temperatures while reducing the overall cost associated with air conditioning.

Admittedly, “radiant barrier” is not the most common term. Consequently, some homeowners are not even aware that these products exist- the reason why we developed this useful guide so every household enthusiast can pick the best radiant barriers for their needs.

And since there are many varieties of radiant barriers, we’ve formulated a prolific-FAQs buyer guide to explain the various features to consider when choosing the best radiant barriers. So, make sure to check on them as you dock on the best product for your needs.

---

RadiantGuard Ultima- Best Overall

As the name suggests, the RadiantGuard Ultima literally is the ultimate radiant barrier for roof space.  It’s an attic aluminum foil and insulation house wrap that boasts a virtually perfect heat blockage and reflectivity of 97% and has reportedly dropped high temperatures by up to 400F.

Moreover, this radiant barrier blocks RF signals almost absolutely (over 99%), thereby securing any private information. Another extra perk from RadiantGuard is that it guarantees this commodity to be puncture and tear-proof.

The product is capable of such extent by incorporating woven Mylar scrim between the sturdy aluminum sheeting- yet the wall is still breathable, so you don’t have to fret about eerie critters, moisture collection or such.

A 1000 square feet of Ultima radiant barrier weighs spritely 28 pounds and is only 6.5 inches thick, which transforms the handling and installation process a breeze. The Ultima is a carcinogen, toxin, and fiber-free- reliably clean to be employed in hospitals and various sterile facilities. That brings about the sanity not to worry about health exposures either.

Coming down to ASTM compliant, the Ultima is fully submissive, plus it comes at a relatively economical price of $169 per 1000 square feet roll- best bang for your back, considering each turn features 250 feet of breathable, dual-sided, clean aluminum insulation.

Pros

•   Affordable
•   Easy to handle and install
•   Highly reflective
•   Puncture proof
•   Tear-proof
•   Reputable manufacturer

Cons

•   Not the most reflective

 

---

NASA Tech Commercial Grade Perforated Radiant Barrier-Premium Choice

The NASATECH brings you a tremendous sturdy wall of radiant heat blockage with its commercial-grade perforated radiant barrier. Great in buildings, both new and old and easily handled by construction crews and typical publics, this radiant shielding only missed the mark on our best overall pick following sporadic out-of-the-package issues reported by several users.

The NASATECH Commercial Grade leads the radiant barrier industry with nearly unbelievable reflectivity of 99.97%, implying that only three out of 10,000 radiant parts penetrate its 5-ply structure.

NASATECH composed this product with an extremely durable Mylar Scrim crammed in between a sheer number of top-grade aluminum layers. Thus this radiant barrier is puncture-proof, tear-proof, and arrives with a 120 days absolute money back free guarantee.

Contrary to its direct competition, the NASATECH Commercial grade radiant barrier is dual-sided, meaning that it has 99.97% reflectivity on both exterior and interior of the sheet- an ideal trait, especially for households, with both high and high-temperature extremes.

The NASATECH commercial grade is entirely, and to some extent, exceeds the ASTM compliant. It is a toxin, fiber-free, and carcinogen product that doesn’t tolerate the growth of bacteria or fungi.

Pros

•   Tear-prof
•   5-ply industrial build
•   Highest reflectivity
•   120 warranty with a money-back guarantee

Cons

•   Possible manufactures faults

 

---

USEP Diamond Radiant Barrier- Great Value

This is one of the most affordable radiant barriers from the radiant product family. At just $190, you get a 2000 square feet roll of the excellent radiant heat shield that features a durable build for any household.

When it comes to innovation, the USEP Diamond is a great example. While other models count on scrims, lousily woven fibers crammed within aluminum sheets, the USEP Diamond boasts a perfect varnished sturdy, tear, and puncture-proof structure film made of aluminum particles.

It is a new technique that presents a radiant barrier that’s bizarrely thinner and lighter, yet durable and practical like its classically crafted counterparts. Equally to NASATECH Commercial Grade, the USEP Diamond is dual-sided. Thus the radiant blockage is 95% on both sides, and can also help to minimize energy cost during summer and winter.

Pros

•   Lightweight
•   Tear and puncture-proof
•   No memory effect
•   Affordable

Cons

•   Too much for trivial projects
•   Less reflective

 

Arma Foil High Strength Radiant Barrier

The ARMA FOIL hits the beaming market as a radiant brand that you can trust and ultimately delivers on that assurance with their Arma Foil Strength Radiant Barrier. This is another excellent choice from the plastic-film family line-up. It is a radiant barrier that sets remarkable standards all-over the reflectivity and heat control industry.

By the same token utilized by other prominent brands, ARMA FOIL collects its High Strength structure of radiant barrier by sticking to a rich coating of aluminum particles along with polythene film.

Similar to that of USEP Diamond, the polyethylene film featured by this product is also exceptionally lightweight, puncture-proof and tear-proof, and prevents against “recollection effects” of other typical barriers. That means it doesn’t wrinkle or hold curved edges easily.

Despite being an ASTM standard and industrial grade, the Arma High Strength radiant barrier very compact and straightforward for any homeowner to set up. In fact, consumers commented that they loved the wide frame that enhances quicker and easier installation than most of its competitors.

While most radiant sheet rolls feature a 48 inches width, this one comes with 51 inches. The extra stretch makes the product considerably handy for larger areas like attic and garage wall. The 95% reflectivity efficacy will keep your household cool, calm, and collected during summertime and warmer during winter.

Pros

•   No memory effect
•   Ideal for larger projects
•   Industrial strength
•   Reputable manufacturer

Cons

•   Not the most reflective

 

---

Houseables Radiant Barrier Insulation

The Houseables Insulation is the best radiant barrier for external use. Thanks to its toughness, strength, and affordability that makes this product a jack of all trades, perfect for shielding virtually anything from radiant effects.

It’s a compact radiant barrier designed to fit an attic, under RV flooring, all-around your greenhouse, and even to embrace existing insulation.

With a sustainable 97% reflectivity rating, this radiant barrier is a real heat-shielding workhorse. With a $120 per 1000 square feet roll, the product brings you all the possibilities to shield all your possessions inside and outside your house from radiant effects.

Additionally, the Houseables Radiant Barrier is composed of a solid Mylar Scrim incorporated between durable aluminum sheeting. That means the product will last for a great course, no matter where you install it.

It is also compliant with ASTM in all respects, including reflectivity, fire resistance, corrosivity, smoke resistance, and permeability. It’s also breathable, so there will be no instances of fungi and bacteria build-up.

Pros

•   Versatile
•   Most affordable
•   Most affordable at its range

Cons

•   Not tear and puncture-proof

 

---

Buyer Guide- Best Radiant Barriers FAQs

Do Radiant Barriers Affect Cell Phone Signals?

Many of the radiant barriers manufacturers claim that their products can block up to 99% RF signals, which is a safety measure against theft of sensitive data and information. This much practical because of the metallic composition of such radiant barriers. Cell phone signals and RF signals are quite different. So you won’t lose any cell phone service from inside your house.

Do They Allow Moisture to Pass-Through?

Radiant barriers are typically perforated and breathable, thus allowing the passage of air and moisture without collecting the same on the sheet.

Can They Be Used for Insulation during the Winter Months?

These products are generally designed for heat reflectivity purposes, regardless of the source. That implies that the same radiant barriers used to reflect heat away during summer can as well trap the temperature inside the house during winter. For such cases, we advocate for double-sided radiant barriers, for instance, the NASATECH Commercial Grade.

What is the Maintenance of a Radiant Barrier?

Of course, any product meant to serve for long will call for some maintenance and upkeeps. However, radiant barriers are extremely easy to maintain. In fact, only rarely will they require a simple dusting should the attic space be poorly ventilated.

What Features to Consider when Buying a Radiant Barrier?

Reflectivity and Coverage

This is the most critical factor to consider since radiant barriers are primarily based on their contact area for efficiency. All radiant barriers highlighted in this guide meet and exceeded 95% reflectivity, which is the minimum standard as per ASTM. So anything short of that benchmark is below-par and certainly not recommended.

Type of Material

Another vast difference between radiant barriers is the type of material. While most brands usually employ aluminum foil on the core, some prefer using aluminum particle finishes instead of foil.

Nonetheless, some radiant barriers, like NASATECH Commercial Grade features woven Mylar Scrim to reinforce the sheet. Other products like ARMA FOIL utilize polythene to safeguard against tears and punctures. Since the foil method has been tried and found genuine, plus it exceedingly meets the radiant barriers standards; definitely, it can be a good investment.

ASTM Compliance

Make sure the radiant barrier fully complies with ASTM C1313, which states all guidelines for these products from tensile strength and reflectivity, to permeability and corrosivity. It is always better the one that meets and exceeds the ASTM standards.

Other features to consider include roll width, toxicity, humidity resistance, and reasonable warranty terms such as money-back guarantee. Also, you can ideally go for a substantial radiant barrier for added sturdiness.

Conclusion

Irrespective of which model best fits your needs, you can rest assured that your house, both whether inside or outside, it will benefit from it. The above-mentioned radiant barriers are the most affordable, just a one-time expense, and they will last for a great course, probably saving you from huge energy bills. They are the best radiant barriers available on the market.