Radiant Barrier Paint Must Be Selected With Great Care

By Lucia Weeks


Different jobs require different coatings. The term "radiant barrier paint" is commonly used to refer to low-emittance paints used to reduce heat loss in buildings. Most heat loss occurs where a large surface area is open to the air, where it will usually cool quickly. Low-emittance coatings or interior radiation control paints improve the thermal qualities of the surface by reducing radiant heat transfer.

Under strict testing specifications, demonstrations have shown that retrofitting a coating to structures made from steel sheets with fibreglass insulation already in place has an effect on heat loss. IR (infra-red) imagery scanning also confirms the fact that a material like this diminishes heat losses from frame houses with unventilated loft spaces. Thermometer analysis in attics of these houses further verified that loft temperatures were reduced after the use of thermal barriers, confirming that less warmth was being conducted through ceilings after painting. Condensation is unlikely to develop as the space between the coating and the roof will in all probability never attain the dew stage.

In today's more environmentally-aware social climate, reducing heat loss and the resultant energy savings are a double blessing. Diminishing energy resources and ever-increasing fuel costs make any possible savings very desirable. High conductivity materials need to be treated to cut energy wastage.

New sport centres and leisure complexes are typical kinds of contemporary buildings with prohibitive energy usage. During the winter, heat has to be held inside as far as possible, whilst during the summer months, heat must also be kept out. A sauna needs to be steaming and an ice rink icy.

The most acute degrees of heat transference - expansion and deduction - in man-made edifices result from radiant heat waves. This problem can be remedied cost-efficiently by the use of reflective insulation. Illumination needs are also moderated by as much as forty per cent using radiant barriers.

RIMs (Reflective Insulation Materials) are a good alternative to old-fashioned bulk insulation materials such as fibreglass or loose-fill cellulose. RIS (Reflective Insulation Systems) have measurable thermal resistances (R-values). These measurements prove the effectiveness of reflective insulation in minimizing heat loss in walls, ceilings, sub-floor spaces and air-ducts.

Technical documentation built up over nearly 100 years of research attest to the properties of reflective technology in reducing modern energy demands in buildings. Low-emittance surfaces are key to diminished energy costs. Proper installation by qualified professionals abiding by published standards and manufacturers' guidelines is essential to achieve the desired R-values. This also applies to providing the necessary thermal resistance ratings and water vapour resistance values.

Low weight, ease of handling and superior light distribution are further advantages of this sort of paint over and above its proven success in cutting down the fuel bills in residential houses and business properties. Regrettably, the classification of such a paint as stipulated by the American Society of Testing and Materials International (ASTMI) is currently not achieved by any of the available products. Many firms market their commodities using speech marks in order to separate their varieties of paint. The IR emittance reduction ratings of such paints mean that they might be more accurately described as "interior radiation control coatings".




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