Review of Radiant Barriers: Double Bubble, Single Bubble  and Prodex Total Insulation

My name is John Ault and I am an HVAC contractor in Lexington, Ky. I have been using your Prodex product for a few years now and a I just wanted to let you know that it is a fabulous product. Makes my job a lot easier and look so much more professional than using a blanket fiberglass wrap. I use it as a duct wrap for residential and commercial installations. I also use it as an insulation barrier for the radiant floor installations that I do. I have attached some photos of the work that I have done with your prodex product.

 I couldn't believe it when I saw it I thought it was to thin to work boy was I wrong.
Very easy to install helped reduce the noise on the outside of the building it has been in the 20s this week I am using a 4000 watt electric heater and it stays nice and comfortable in my 25x25 building. Would highly recommend. I never leave reviews but i wanted people to know they can feel good to purchase this product. Randy Reyes

 "Hi,

After doing these installations we put in the Prodex 5mm insulation in our loft and side walls, to improve on energy conservation. We have been delighted with the results, so much so that we are really promoting this product at the open house.

We still have some material left  and will be handing out samples to visitors..

 Sarah Marlow, Freelance Graphics"

See photos of each product side to side: Click photo to enlarge 

           Prodex Total AD5  Radiant double bubble  Radiant Single Bubble    Radiant foil only       

Differences between Radiant Single Bubble, Double Bubble and Prodex AD5 Insulation: 

• Do you see a difference in the radiant barriers pictured above? What do your eyes tell you? One insulation product is composed of micro bubbles of closed cell polyethylene foam covered on both sides with .0012-inch (00.03mm) aluminum foil facing.  This insulation product has a high quality core that keeps it shape when exposed to forces. Under pressure, the micro-cells maintain the air and do not collapse in time. Which item have we been describing? Prodex Total AD5
• Do you see much of a difference in the photos above between radiant single bubble or radiant double bubble? The radiant double bubbles appears to have two layers of air bubbles while the radiant single bubble has one layer of large air bubbles. 
• One insulation product above is clearly the thinnest. We call it radiant foil only. Other manufacturers give it different names. It is no longer sold on this website, due to poor customer ratings. This product is typically perforated and composed of two metalized surfaces sometimes with a mesh woven in for strength.
• Radiant barrier price for the above items from least expensive to most expensive: Radiant foil only followed by Radiant Single Bubble. Radiant Double Bubble may be a fraction lower in price vs Prodex Total AD5. We suggest you go with Prodex if you're looking for the best quality product and go with radiant single bubble if pricing is your primary concern. click to purchase radiant single bubble insulation. We have yet to be shown how the second layer of air bubbles makes radiant double bubble appreciably better than the single layer of air bubbles. As a result, we do not offer radiant double bubble insulation. We aren't able to justify it's pricing relative to Prodex or radiant single bubble.  For Prodex pricing and ordering click radiant barrier cost. 
• Radiant Bubble Insulation is compose of either one (single radiant bubble) or two (double radiant bubble) layers of encapsulated polyethylene air bubbles sandwiched between two metalized surfaces. Radiant single bubble has a nominal measurement of 5/32 inch and radiant double bubble measures 5/16". These measurements bare little resemblance to the effective measurement of the product. (Note pictures above). Prodex AD5 has a nominal thickness of 5mm (13/64 inch) closed cell polyethylene covered on both sides with .0012-inch (00.03mm) aluminum foil facing.  
• Prodex AD5 meets the unique requirements of metal buildings and pole barns: Eliminates condensation, prevents radiant heat transfer (primary source of heat-flow) and its R-Value 15.67 is unaffected by humidity. Click for a comparing radiant barriers in metal buildings. Rima International. 2009-2010 "Its About Saving Energy" Building Awards Winner - Metal Building, Congratulations Prodex..."  click to read more about award.
• Prodex Total (Ad5) auto seals once it is fastened, screwed or stapled. This prevents leakage when a roof is nailed to a structure. Click support information on Prodex sealing. 
• Prodex dampens sounds when applied between two rigid elements. When applied in roofing, it reduces the sound of rain fall. Only high frequency sounds.
• Prodex combines elasticity and rigidness. Prodex AD5 has a high yield point, which means its considered elastic - It can be stretched during installation. That also adds the benefit of a clean look once installed. Click for more information on Prodex elasticity. 

Similarities:

• Radiant single bubble Prodex AD5 and radiant double bubble and all work well in metal buildings, pole barns and most areas of homes: roofs, attics, crawl spaces, walls, radiant floor heating, basements, garages, radon barriers and more. All three of these radiant barrier products are easier to install than mass insulations -- Tough to squeeze 6 inchss of fiberglass batt between the framing and sheeting in a pole barn or metal building. These insulation products also block radiant heat transfer (primary source of heat flow). These are most effective when airspace exists between the radiant barrier and the adjacent material. The R value of the system will vary dependent on the airspace size, direction of the heat flow and the conductive and convective properties of surrounding materials.
• Radiant barrier vs insulation: While other insulations resist or slow the flow of warm air, a radiant barriers reflects back infra-red energy from the sun so it does not penetrate the structure. It can also reflect back the radiant heat inside the house so it does not escape. The concept is simple: each unit of radiant heat energy that is reflected away from your home in summer and each unit reflected back inside during winter means less operation of your air conditioning and heating systems, less wear and tear on your equipment, and less money you pay in utility costs. Studies show that insulation with a radiant barrier can save as much as 15 percent on air conditioning costs.

 LOVE Prodex insulation!  No itchy fiberglass, easy to install and cut, takes up very little room so you can maneuver into tight spaces, I can't think of one negative thing.  I just don't know why I didn't know about this before.

KEITH SHERRY OLER

Hello, I was trying to find how to comment on product. I have been very satisfied with this product it installs very easily and the film is very strong it does not puncture very easily. It sticks to tape good. I used another insulation  that did not and it was not easy to work with but this stuff is great. Thanks Mr Waldron
 

 " My experience was great , fast shipping and my order was everything it was suppose to be. Thanks Reggie Doub"