This is part 3 of how to install AtticFoil brand radiant barrier.
In the first two parts I covered the basics of radiant barrier and starting the install
process.
In this video I'm going to cover how to deal with things like cross supports, blocking,
hips & valleys, roof vents, and attic ventilation.
When you encounter cross supports, you can either wrap them or stop the foil on one side
and then start again on the other side.
I think it's best and easiest to wrap them to get as complete coverage as possible.
You may have the jack supports coming down, just cut slits around those to allow the flaps
to come up and over the cross supports, then just staple wherever you can.
Try to keep it level so your next piece can just overlap and keep going to the top.
Blocking occurs when you have a block of wood in between the rafters.
you can either just cut a slit on both sides for the air to keep moving upward or you can
droop the foil down an inch or two to keep the foil from kind of hitting a "dead end."
It will go underneath the blocking but continue to the top of the attic.
A hip or a valley is usually in a corner and the rafters dead end at an angle into the
corner called a hip rafter.
Here's a trick to get a perfect fit into a hip: run the foil across, like you're doing
a normal install and then wrap it around the corner and extend the foil about 5 or 8 ft
(a couple of rafters) past the corner.
Then what you want to do is cut the foil straight down and use that hip rafter kinda as a cutting
board.
Then, you're going to have a piece off to one side, flip it over and that angle should
line up perfectly to where you just cut.
Then staple it a couple of rafters off to one side and if you need to keep going, just
start a new piece and go all the way down to your next stopping point.
Now where the hip rafters come into the corner rafter, you'll need to cut either a small
hole or a slit; you want air to be able to slide out of there and continue on to the
roof.
Basically you don't want to create a dead end.
What should you do about gable ends?
Gable ends are the flat ends on some roofs, or some attics.
There's generally two types of roof styles: there's the hip style, which is basically
a pyramid, or four slopes, with a top cut off or there's gable style.
Gable style is more of a barn style; generally you've got two slopes and then the flat ends
on either end.
The rule is: if a gable end catches sun, you want to put foil on the attic side of that
gable wall.
As far as the heat, gables are just part of the roof, except in a vertical position.
What you're going to do is simply run AtticFoil across the face of the studs inside that gable
wall, leave a gap at the top and the bottom so that air can flow freely behind that wall,
and if you've got any end vents, or gable vents (which are the triangular vents at the
top), don't cover them.
Finally, let's talk about attic exhaust ventilation.
The easy way to describe what you need to do when it comes to installing AtticFoil is
that if you have a hole in your roof, whether it be ridge vent, wind turbines, static vents,
what have you, if there is a hole in the roof, you want to have a corresponding hole in the
AtticFoil directly below the hole in the roof.
Now whether or not you have ridge vents, you need to leave at least a couple inch gap along
the ridge.
If you leave more, it's ok as far as attic ventilation but it will reduce your overall
coverage and heat rejection a little bit.
Hot air will move between the foil and the roof deck and end up in the top of the attic.
Essentially it's going to pool in the top of the attic and then it's going to seek its
way out, either through the ridge vents, wind turbines, static vents, fans, or the gable
vents.
You just need to cut a hole in the foil below any vents in the roof.
Just cut a hole about the same size as the hole in the roof.
You want air to be able to flow freely through the attic as though the foil is really not
even there.
Now is a good time to mention something about attic ventilation.
Attic ventilation is really simple.
You have holes in the bottom of your attic and you have holes in the top.
Air SHOULD come in the bottom, move through the attic and out the top.
However, the number one issue I've seen throughout the years are either dirty, or clogged, soffit
vents.
Most soffit vents have a little wire mesh behind the louvres and over the years the
wire mesh either gets completely clogged from dirty stuff in the air or from being painted
over a bunch of times.
If the soffit vents are clogged, then usually no air can come in to the attic.
It doesn't matter how many holes you have in the top of your attic unless air can get
in, no air is going to get out.
There is an easy way to clean most soffit vents.
What you need is a nylon brush, kinda like what you use for cleaning the wheels or tires
on the car and brush the bottom of the soffit vents.
Also, check to see if the hole behind the vent is actually cut to about the size of
the vent.
A lot of times the hole is real small compared to the size of the vent.
If this is the case, a lot of times it's easier to just pull them down, re-cut the holes and
install new soffit vents.
What about covering garages and porches with radiant barrier?
There is usually not a lot of energy savings when doing garages and porches, however, there
is a HUGE difference in comfort.
You'll actually notice the benefit of a radiant barrier more underneath a non-air conditioned
space.
Porches and garages will feel like a big tree just landed over the roof.
If comfort is important, then definitely you want to cover both the garages and the porches.
I hope you enjoyed this video and you've learned everything you need to know to get up in your
attic and install AtticFoil brand radiant barrier.
We have tens of thousands of customers who have already installed AtticFoil and who are
experiencing a more comfortable, and energy efficient home.
Remember, at AtticFoil.com, if you have any questions, we're always just a phone call
away.
We have a staff that can help you with any technical questions or problems you may have.
For more information, visit AtticFoil.com, your complete online source for radiant barrier
foil.