Hudson - Litchfield News

4 Home Improvement - April 16, 2010

www.tatebros.com

Residential - Commercial

Hudson, NH 603.882.0527

Tate Bros. Paving

TATE

1969

Y40

ears

2009

PAVING CO. Fax: 603-598-6786

Radiant barriers – a brilliant way to reduce your cooling costs

Guaranteed Quality Work for over 40 years!

DRIVEWAYS - PARKING LOTS

Excavation - Grading - Screener Rental

Government Stimulus Package 30% ENERGY CREDIT

Time is Running Out- 09 Energy Credit

NORTHEAST EXTERIORS

of New Hampshire, Inc

Our Company specializes in installing and repairing roofing, vinyl siding, insulated replacement windows and doors, gutters, exterior trim accessories.

Our Construction Team is professionally trained and has more than 30 years experience in residential remodeling in southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts,

Our Products are quality engineered for performance, durability, and appearance.

Our Service Commitment is what makes

Northeast Exteriors of NH superior to other Home Improvement Companies.

We take most anything in trade! Ask for details.

15 TanguayAve Nashua, NH

info@next-nh.com

ROOFING - VINYL SIDING - CUSTOM ENTRY DOORS REPLACEMENT WINDOWS/DOORS - GUTTERS

FREE REPAIR ESTIMATES/QUOTES

603.886.NEXT(6398) 800.520.2247 www.next-nh.com

What is a “radiant barrier?” Well, accord- ing to the U.S. Department of Energy it’s a way to reduce your monthly energy bill. Radiant barriers are designed to help block the summer heat from reaching the inside of your attic and home, and blocking heat means less energy costs to cool your home in warm weather. “With an effective radiant barrier, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature,” says David Drew of Nashville-based LP Building Products, a nationally recognized leader in the field of resi- dential energy efficiencies. “This can save energy and lower the cost of cool- ing your home, as well as make your home more comfortable regardless of the season.” However, not all prod- ucts that claim to create a “radiant barrier” provide the same level of perfor- mance. To learn more about LP’s radiant barrier sheathing product, visit LPCorp.com. The most cost-effective form of radiant barrier is a thin layer of aluminum attached to the underside of your roof deck material. When the sun heats up your roof in the summer, the aluminum blocks much of this heat so it cannot radiate into your attic.

Ideally, the home builder will select roof sheathing that already in- cludes a radiant barrier. In these cases, it is important to select a perforated (or incised) sheathing that will block heat, but not trap construction moisture in the wood.

It is also possible to install a layer of alumi- num to an existing home. The aluminum is simply stapled to the roof trusses or rafters. Homeowners are cautioned not to allow an installer to apply the aluminum sheathing to the attic floor. Although

this is easier for the installer, a radiant bar- rier can lose its effectiveness in less than a year if dust is allowed to accumulate on the surface. Studies have also shown concerns with moisture development and the alumi- num being too close to electrical wiring and fixtures.

When correctly installed, radiant barrier sheathing and retrofit aluminum material will block up to 97 percent of the heat that radiates off your roofing materials from entering the attic space. This can lower the temperature of your attic as much as 30 degrees and reduce your cooling bill up to 17 percent during the summer months. A variety of paints also promise to perform a similar function, but with lesser results. These paints are infused with ceramic or aluminum powder and can be sprayed onto existing roofing materials. “Homeowners are often tempted to select

paint over retrofit aluminum materials because it is less expensive to install in an existing home,” Drew says. “However, ho- meowners should be aware that these paints do not technically qualify as a radiant bar- rier under today’s industry standards, even if they say ‘radiant barrier’ on the product.” “Be sure to do your homework before

purchasing one of these paint products,” says Mary Edmondson, Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association’s executive direc- tor. “If it’s being called ‘radiant barrier paint,’ beware.” Homeowners can check the quality of a paint product by examining the label for an

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