Sunday, December 29, 2013

Excellent In-House Using Radiant Shield

By Christina Smith


Radiant shield stabilizes internal conditions by preventing heat gain or loss through radiation. It is made of a layer of aluminum that is cross woven with polyethylene material. This makes it suitable for harsh environmental conditions where temperature control is paramount. It is effective because of its light weight and the fact that it can easily be manipulated depending on the situation. Films that are not perforated are also used as vapor barriers.

The market has provided films of different widths ranging from 18 inches to 26 and 48. Minimum adjustments are required when these films are used in construction and other radiation prone areas. The shields are fitted on both commercial and residential housing units. They also are effective in improving the quality of frame structures. Their degree of application varies depending on the purpose and the environment.

Heat is lost or gained into a house through the ceiling, wall or the floor. The heat is lost or gained through convection, radiation and conduction. Contractors emphasize on conduction and convection leaving out the need to adequately protect interior space against radiation. Internal conditions or the house are therefore difficult to control. The heat coming into the house or escaping from the house makes it difficult to maintain constant temperatures.

The shield has an aluminum lining on one side that keeps radiations away. This is up to ninety percent of radiations that would affect heat levels in the house. Complete insulation requires total coverage and consideration of all the areas where heat might be lost or gain entry into the house. Temperatures in the room are thus predictable and stable. The foil is easier to install during construction.

An air barrier of about three inches is important to make the foil work more effectively. Measures should be taken to prevent dust accumulation. This is especially important if the air space exists on both sides. The foil should be a reasonable distance away from any enclosed space or the aluminum lining should face downwards. Dust makes the surface less reflective which reduces its effectiveness.

Some of the areas where the shields are used include on windows to reduce emissivity. The material is prepared by laminating a polyester film through a metalized process. Depending on the amount of metal used on the surface, it will control heat to a certain extent. It is this surface that resists the transfer of heat towards the interior or away from the house.

Houses that have installed these shields enjoy long term benefits including reduction of their utility bill. The house consumes less energy to control internal temperature and other conditions. This means less expenditure on electricity or the other sources of energy. It results in more comfortable houses with reduced peak conditioning load.

A radiant shield works by maintaining constant internal temperatures through heat retention and reflection of radiations away from the house. The metallic foil has also been used to contain or keep off vapor from rooms. This works best if it is not perforated. It is placed on the ground or on basement walls to keep off moisture. It is an incredible tool for enhancing stability of interior spaces and controlling energy expenditure.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment