E shield insulation - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

buddy110 · 10-04-2009, 02:56 PM

Anybody have any experience with this? Multi layer reflective insulation? Currently we have an attic cat machine and plan to use both to compliment each other. Opinions?

booschang · 11-03-2009, 09:49 AM

We install this frequently with rave reviews from customers. If you have access to it, there is a companion product that can be installed behind siding. Both are sold with energy savings guarantees (25-30%). Go for it!

rsosborne · 11-17-2009, 01:47 PM

I'm looking to do this as well but using Radiant Guard instead. Appears to be the same principle. I can't figure out why this product hasn't caught on. Do you think it is best to use it as a compliment to additional insulation?

buddy110 · 11-17-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsosborne

I'm looking to do this as well but using Radiant Guard instead. Appears to be the same principle. I can't figure out why this product hasn't caught on. Do you think it is best to use it as a compliment to additional insulation?

\
Yes. By itself it's not enough IMO. The best we can get is an r15

tomstruble · 11-17-2009, 05:07 PM

Buddy from what i understand its not very effective in our part of the country,i have no experience with it just going by what ive read from another forum,with enough ceiling insulation,attic temperatures are less important,there is also the possibility of moisture condensing on the foil

like i said just some info ive picked up

maybe run it past a building science pro

buddy110 · 11-17-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomstruble

Buddy from what i understand its not very effective in our part of the country,i have no experience with it just going by what ive read from another forum,with enough ceiling insulation,attic temperatures are less important,there is also the possibility of moisture condensing on the foil

like i said just some info ive picked up

maybe run it past a building science pro

I never considered the condensation but it seems to me if you have adequate ventillation you should be fine.

I think it may be more effective in a warmer climate but this saves in A/C costs here too. Also radiant heat is reflected back to its source much like a low e film so in theory it should reflect the heat that's rising in the winter.

There are two methods of installation. Ceiling install and roof rafter install. I wonder if a ceiling install would "trap" heat on the upper floor of a two story house in the summer??

tomstruble · 11-17-2009, 06:04 PM

i understand its more cost effective to add insulation the ceiling and if your going to increases attic venting the radiant insulation becomes less important

you really have to look at things as total systems instead of supposed values of different components

and if i was investing in energy upgrade equipment i would seriously consider referring to people educated in building science instead of how we think things should work together
seat of the pants engineering some times can do more harm than good
and take the ''testimonials'' and the ''marketers research'' with a grain of salt

jmo

buddy110 · 11-17-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomstruble

i understand its more cost effective to add insulation the ceiling and if your going to increases attic venting the radiant insulation becomes less important

you really have to look at things as total systems instead of supposed values of different components

and if i was investing in energy upgrade equipment i would seriously consider referring to people educated in building science instead of how we think things should work together
seat of the pants engineering some times can do more harm than good
and take the ''testimonials'' and the ''marketers research'' with a grain of salt

jmo

Good point. I don't know if your aware that Eshield is a multi layer reflective insulation. IWO.\, fiberglass sandwiched with radiant reflectors

tomstruble · 11-17-2009, 06:17 PM

no i checked the web site i understand what its supposed to do
Radiant barriers have been around for a long time

but they are only effective in specific places,other forms of more conventional insulation are probably more cost effective

did you know that tyvek has an attic wrap also?

we are all looking for that ''miracle''product that does it all

buddy110 · 11-17-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomstruble

no i checked the web site i understand what its supposed to do
Radiant barriers have been around for a long time

but they are only effective in specific places,other forms of more conventional insualtion are probably more cost effective

did you know that tyveck has an attic wrap also?

No I wasn't aware they did.
This RB system is a similar system used to insulate HVAC ducting.
I think I agree this is more effective for summer than winter, especially if your home (like mine) has no shade

tomstruble · 11-17-2009, 06:26 PM

point is with the more blown in insulation on the cieling you do
the less you have to worry about attic temps

now its possible they are more effective the less insulation you have

buddy110 · 11-17-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomstruble

point is with the more blown in insulation on the cieling you do
the less you have to worry about attic temps

now its possible they are more effective the less insulation you have

We try to sell both OC loose fill with E shield for a complete system. Probably overkill, but I like overkill.

What do you think of these foam systems that cut of all air?

tomstruble · 11-17-2009, 07:01 PM

well no air, no water vapor,no condensation
depending on the thickness the dew point should occure somewhere in the middle of the foam

a more viable insulation then the smoke and mirrors of radiant barriers

buddy110 · 11-17-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomstruble

well no air, no water vapor,no condensation
depending on the thickness the dew point should occure somewhere in the middle of the foam

a more viable insulation then the smoke and mirrors of radiant barriers

And then what happens when the foam is saturated? What about the chimney effect? Don't we want air to move through our homes? I know with a total foam system there's a need for air exchangers because the house is so air tight. I worry about walls rotting over time.

I guess I don't undestand the science of it all, but I also don't think RB is smoke and mirros either

I can see it in a basement especially around the perimeter and we use it for window installs.

tomstruble · 11-17-2009, 07:28 PM

foam doesn't let air pass to reach the dew point so moisture doesn't condense and yes with any insulation that match the r values of foam your probably going to need air exchangers

i didn't mean any offense with the smoke and mirrors comment
but if you don't know the science behind it,how do you know
where its effective,if it was the best thing since sliced bread you would see it allot more,like i said its been around in some form or another for more years than i know

but i guess its a high profit type of thing,and as long as you can control any kinds of condensation problems i guess it can't hurt
but i think it hasn't been proven to be cost effective in residential applications

in any case good luck with the new buisness

buddy110 · 11-17-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomstruble

foam doesn't let air pass to reach the dew point so moisture doesn't condense and yes with any insulation that match the r values of foam your probably going to need air exchangers

i didn't mean any offense with the smoke and mirrors comment
but if you don't know the science behind it,how do you know
where its effective,if it was the best thing since sliced bread you would see it allot more,like i said its been around in some form or another for more years than i know

but i guess its a high profit type of thing,and as long as you can control any kinds of condensation problems i guess it can't hurt
but i think it hasn't been proven to be cost effective in residential applications

in any case good luck with the new buisness

I took no offense and I'm not disagreeing either. Just trying to educate myself as much as I can. I like to try things in my own home first when I can. That's the next step