foil backed roof sheathing - InspectionNews

Ron Bishop · #1 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 11:17 AM

Does anybody know what the foil backed roof sheathing is known as??

Jerry Peck · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 11:57 AM

foil backed roof sheathing

roof sheathing with radiant barrier attached

radiant barrier roof sheathing

The foil is a radiant barrier which is peel and stick attached to the bottom of the roof sheathing.

Jim Dull · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 11:58 AM

I believe it is called radiant barrier sheathing. There is an article about it at Fine Homebuilding - trusted residential construction, home design, and renovation articles, videos, magazines, and books

Ron Bishop · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2007, 01:56 PM

thank you kindly

Bill Wieczorek · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 07:27 PM

I recently saw a home where the sheeting was painted a silver color. This was on the back side of the sheeting. I was told they do that to reflect heat. Are they pulling my chain or is that something fairly new ?

Jerry Peck · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Wieczorek

Are they pulling my chain or is that something fairly new ?

Did any bells ring when they pulled the chain?

Actually, ... well, ... it 'seems to me' that silver paint would only reflect the heat in the attic back into the attic, and not have much effect on the heat coming through, then again, maybe it is like silvering on the back of glass ... it makes it a mirror, reflecting back out the way it came in.

I'd ask for some "documentation" on the paint, the process, its effectiveness, its application, and its acceptability for use as an approved product (i.e., *show me the product approval*

).

They should be able to provide *something* which backs them up, or I would not have any faith in it.

Bill Wieczorek · #7 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 08:34 AM

The guy building this monster is the general contractor and appears to be in over is head. He's overspent his budget for the framing and roofing and now it seems to have a problem paying the contractor doing the stucco. He's a painter by trade who thought he could handle this, he's finding out there's more to it then he can handle. Seems like he was sold a bill of goods when they painted the inside of the sheeting with silver paint.

I saw the home when an inspector friend was doing a draw inspection. By the way Jerry there were no bells when my chain was pulled, thanks for asking.

Jim Luttrall · #8 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 09:44 AM

Check out this link.
http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/..._FactSheet.pdf

Radiant barriers of the foil film type typically claim about 97% effective at blocking radiant energy, while paints are down in the 60-70% range.

On a new home I would spring for the radiant barrier decking, not too sure about the paint.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/EH/EH24500.pdf Here is a article that Jerry P. helped pay for.

Eric Shuman · #9 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 11:27 AM

I know this doesn't have much to do with the original topic but out of the 4 attics I have been in since Saturday (during afternoon inspections), 2 had the radiant barrier (foil type) in them and I could definitely tell a difference in the attic temperatures between those with the barrier and those without. All houses were similar in age and construction and the ones with the barrier were noticeably cooler judging by my sweat meter (shirt saturation

). I have yet to see the silver paint type unless you count the houses that had previous fires.

Eric

Jerry Peck · #10 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Wieczorek

Seems like he was sold a bill of goods when they painted the inside of the sheeting with silver paint.

By the way Jerry there were no bells when my chain was pulled, thanks for asking.

Bill,

That's the bell I was referring to.

Marcel Gratton · #11 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Shuman

I have yet to see the silver paint type unless you count the houses that had previous fires.

Eric

That's what came to mind...

imported_John Smith · #12 (**permalink**) 09-07-2007, 03:48 PM

The paints are beginning to gain popularity around Houston.

Check out the Oak Ridge National Laboratory web site for studies on performance of radiant barriers.

Energy efficient roof coating from Sherwin-Williams
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John Carroll · #13 (**permalink**) 09-13-2007, 12:59 PM

FYI-Some of the more progressive thinking builders in this area are starting to use radiant barrier as a underlayment for one coat stucco systems. It has the advantage of allowing the stucco subs to use the regular foam at the attic spaces instead of AIS board or R-Guard.

I'm sure the reduced heat is minimal tho, because they have yet to require the foil on the roof sheathing....oh, well, they are after all dinosaurs. I guess we should be thankful for the small steps...