Yes! Not only does Reflectix do a great job in reflecting radiant heat from the sun, but it is also effective in keeping out the cold. We have two small RV windows in the back of our van and at night in cold weather environments, cold air pours into our van through the windows.
Does reflectix stop cold air from blowing into your home?
Reflectix can help with any areas where cold air is blowing into your house. While caulking is the recommended procedure for this, there may be situations where a large expanse of Reflectix will stop airflow. Because Reflectix is so flexible, it can be wrapped around pipes and heating vents.
Does reflectix work when covered?
Yes, Reflectix seems to work when covered, and some people have designed their own window covers using two layers of this material. The key to having the Reflectix work when covered is to maintain a sealed air gap between layers. Once you have that air gap, your R-value for insulation goes up quite a ways.
How does reflectix help you sleep better?
Sleeping bag aid - if you like to sleep under the stars, then Reflectix will help keep the ground chill from entering your bag during the night. It will reflect away that cold, helping you stay warmer and sleep better. This is one of the main uses for this product.
Is reflectix a good thermal blocker?
So, when you see a product like Reflectix, it seems to be a relief to all of that hassle. It's small, tidy, clean, and best of all, it offers thermal-blocking R-values of up to R-27.
What is the R value of Reflectix?
What is reflective insulation?
Can you use Reflectix insulation in a cavity?
Can you insulate with Reflectix?
Can you use Reflectix over fiberglass?
Is Reflectix a competitor to fiberglass?
Is Reflectix insulation good for exterior walls?
See more
Does Reflectix keep cold in?
And in the past we've mentioned the value of Reflectix – that wonderful insulation that looks like reflective silver bubble wrap – for keeping warm during cold winter nights in our Roadtrek. Reflectix is equally valuable for keeping cool on hot sunny days.
Does reflective insulation keep heat in?
Unlike mass insulation, reflective insulation is able to keep heat in and reflect heat away. Mass insulation material like fiberglass and foam merely slow down the transfer of heat; they do not reflect heat away, nor do they keep heat in. Reflective insulation has the ability to control the transfer of radiant heat.
Does Radiant Barrier Keep cold out?
A radiant barrier combined with traditional insulation and proper caulking and sealing stops heat from escaping when it's cold making your home warmer and more comfortable in the winter.
Does Reflectix still work when covered?
No, it is not efficient once you cover it. It needs an air gap between the reflective surface and the radiant heat source. If you cover it directly, the fabric will heat up accordingly and the reflectix is not a good choice to deal with conductive heat.
Where should reflective insulation be used?
In walls and other areas where space is limited, reflective insulation is often the best choice. The only thing reflective insulation needs to function is an adjacent air gap. The air absorbs the heat and acts as an insulator. You may also find that radiant barriers can expand the use of space in your home.
Which way do you install reflective insulation?
The foil insulation goes on top of the moisture barrier, followed by the roof covering. If you use bubble foil or rigid foam insulation, it also goes on top of the moisture barrier. Remember that there has to be an air space between the foil and the roofing.
How much does Reflectix insulate?
It's small, tidy, clean, and best of all, it offers thermal-blocking R-values of up to R-27. As it turns out, Reflectix is not a competitor to fiberglass. It's a different kind of insulation for different applications.
Is a radiant barrier worth the money?
Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.
Which is better radiant barrier or insulation?
But if you must decide between the two, there is likely a clear winner: the radiant barrier. It is more effective, will give you more energy savings, and will provide you with more reliable in-home comfort.
Which way should Reflectix face?
3:105:19The Correct way to Install Reflectix on your Campervan or RV - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that you'll have this space in between the reflectix. And then the wall down in the ceiling willMoreSo that you'll have this space in between the reflectix. And then the wall down in the ceiling will go on underneath that.
Can Reflectix damage windows?
Reflectix is a great product when being used for it's intended use as a reflective insulation or radiant barrier. It is not intended for use in residential or RV windows. When used on the inside it can break any window whether it is single or double pane.
Which side of Reflectix faces out?
outwardWhen it's hot out, we want to keep the heat out of the van. The window coverings are placed such that the Reflectix side is facing outward, to reflect the sun's rays. In the cold, with the Reflectix facing inward, it helps to keep heat trapped inside the van where we want it.
What is the R value of Reflectix?
Behind brick, Reflectix has an R-value of R-3.4. Behind aluminum or vinyl siding, its R-value is R-2.5. So, even though Reflectix functions best with airspaces, there are some applications where it is impossible to add airspaces, such as around pipes, vents, and water heaters.
What is reflective insulation?
What Reflectix Insulation Is. Found in the insulation aisle, Reflectix comes in tightly spooled rolls of shiny, reflective , foil-look insulation that resembles bubble wrap. There is no metal content; it is all plastic. Reflectix is a little thicker than a quarter-inch (5/16-inch).
Can you use Reflectix insulation in a cavity?
Reflectix can be used as wall cavity insulation —but tacking it to the centers of the studs in each cavity is a laborious process. Traditional fiberglass insulation is easier and faster, and it will insulate better. The key to using Reflectix properly is to understand how reflective insulation works in the first place.
Can you insulate with Reflectix?
Reflectix lets you insulate spaces that might ordinarily go uninsulated because it would be prohibitive to insulate them with fiberglass. You might have a cold workshop with heat escaping through the roof. Stapling a layer of Reflectix along the rafters will cut down on some heat loss and stop air infiltration.
Can you use Reflectix over fiberglass?
One benefit of using Reflectix over fiberglass insulation is that Reflectix resists mold and mildew well. If it does develop mold and mildew, it can be cleaned off. When fiberglass insulation becomes moldy, it must be discarded.
Is Reflectix a competitor to fiberglass?
As it turns out, Reflectix is not a competitor to fiberglass. It's a different kind of insulation for different applications. You'll still want to install fiberglass, foam, denim, or rockwool in your home's large wall and ceiling cavities. But Reflectix can supplement those types of dense insulation with reflective insulation to provide ...
Is Reflectix insulation good for exterior walls?
Reflectix's stated R-14 R-values for exterior walls are good only if the Reflectix is paired up with R-13 fiberglass batt insulation. If you do not provide air space, Reflectix has less insulating value.
What is Reflectix products?
Reflectix® products are some of the most diverse, energy-conserving building materials available, with over forty verified applications for residences, industrial/commercial buildings and agricultural structures.
Why does fiberglass not produce different R values when tested up or down?
The primary reason that fiberglass does not produce different R-values when tested up or down, is that fiberglass (batts) do not exhibit internal convection. Where within a reflective insulated assembly, the convective component influences the amount of heat transferred based on direction (Up and Down).
Why is my attic so hot?
The shingles are heated by the sun and (by conduction) the heat is transferred to the plywood decking which in turn emits (radiates) 82% of this energy to the interior of the attic.
Do you need an air space for a radiant barrier?
Radiant barriers by definition do not require an enclosed air space to provide benefit. This application (radiant barrier) is typically installed in a ventilated attic.
Is Reflectix radiant barrier reflective?
For either a reflective insulation or a radiant barrier, an air space is required on the reflective side of the product. (Most Reflectix® products are reflect ive (shiny) on both sides.) The radiant barrier’s benefit is derived from the interaction of the low emittance surface with an air space.
What material lets in light?
One was a vinyl mesh material which lets in some light, and allows you to see out (see photo), and also a solid vinyl cover. The mesh cover is our favorite. It helps reduce heat – though not as good as the solid cover – but the advantages of letting in light and allowing us to see through it is worth it.
Does Reflectix have insulation?
It doesn't have the insulation value of Reflectix, but it folds, easier to store since the window is so large. But you can help out more by using an outside cover when possible. We got two wrap-around covers that cover the front and door windows from the previous owner of our Roadtrek.
Is Reflectix good for cold weather?
Reflectix is equally valuable for keeping cool on hot sunny days. The greatest source of heat when the sun is shining is the windows.
Why Insulating Your Camper Van So Important
When we first purchased our Ford Transit, our brand new commercial van was simply an empty metal shell. And when our new van was parked throughout the day, we noticed that the inside temperature would fluctuate quickly to either extreme.
Camper Van Insulation Theory
Although it is not the purpose of this article to go into heat transfer science, it is important to learn the basics of insulation theory to understand why insulating your van is important and how to insulate the van effectively.
Areas To Insulate In Your Camper Van
When you’re standing inside your empty van thinking about how to tackle your camper van insulation project, the whole thing can feel daunting. After all, the inside of an empty van can feel quite big and empty! But when you tackle each different part of the van separately, insulating the entire van feels much more doable.
Camper Van Insulation Materials
Below is a list of 6 camper van insulation materials we recommend and use in our own van. We describe each material, where you can purchase them, and talk about the pros and cons of each material.
How We Insulated Our Van Conversion
In this section we discuss how we used the above 7 insulation materials to properly insulate our camper van. We understand that everybody had their own camper van insulation strategy that works. But in our 2+ years on the road (and counting!), we know that our van has been insulated very well.
Do You Need A Vapor Barrier When Insulating A Camper Van?
When we were first planning our van build, we watched numerous YouTube videos of people insulating their vans and then putting up a vapor barrier over the insulation. Perplexed by this, we did more research.
Compliment Your Campervan Insulation With A Heating Source
Having awesome van insulation will allow you to travel in much cooler weather than you would otherwise. But eventually, no matter how good a campervan’s insulation is, the van’s interior WILL get cold. Cold air will always find a way in eventually.
What is the R value of Reflectix?
Behind brick, Reflectix has an R-value of R-3.4. Behind aluminum or vinyl siding, its R-value is R-2.5. So, even though Reflectix functions best with airspaces, there are some applications where it is impossible to add airspaces, such as around pipes, vents, and water heaters.
What is reflective insulation?
What Reflectix Insulation Is. Found in the insulation aisle, Reflectix comes in tightly spooled rolls of shiny, reflective , foil-look insulation that resembles bubble wrap. There is no metal content; it is all plastic. Reflectix is a little thicker than a quarter-inch (5/16-inch).
Can you use Reflectix insulation in a cavity?
Reflectix can be used as wall cavity insulation —but tacking it to the centers of the studs in each cavity is a laborious process. Traditional fiberglass insulation is easier and faster, and it will insulate better. The key to using Reflectix properly is to understand how reflective insulation works in the first place.
Can you insulate with Reflectix?
Reflectix lets you insulate spaces that might ordinarily go uninsulated because it would be prohibitive to insulate them with fiberglass. You might have a cold workshop with heat escaping through the roof. Stapling a layer of Reflectix along the rafters will cut down on some heat loss and stop air infiltration.
Can you use Reflectix over fiberglass?
One benefit of using Reflectix over fiberglass insulation is that Reflectix resists mold and mildew well. If it does develop mold and mildew, it can be cleaned off. When fiberglass insulation becomes moldy, it must be discarded.
Is Reflectix a competitor to fiberglass?
As it turns out, Reflectix is not a competitor to fiberglass. It's a different kind of insulation for different applications. You'll still want to install fiberglass, foam, denim, or rockwool in your home's large wall and ceiling cavities. But Reflectix can supplement those types of dense insulation with reflective insulation to provide ...
Is Reflectix insulation good for exterior walls?
Reflectix's stated R-14 R-values for exterior walls are good only if the Reflectix is paired up with R-13 fiberglass batt insulation. If you do not provide air space, Reflectix has less insulating value.
