What is the best radiant barrier?

Insulation4Less compares Prodex to other radiant barriers. Some radiant barriers have no inner substance, some use air bubbles, some use fiberglass and one uses foam. The foam center of Prodex keeps it's thickness over time (doesn't collapse). It's unaffected by humidity and it seals around nails. These are just a few of the additional benefits of using Prodex. 

PRODEX TOTAL Insulation = reflective insulation + radiant barrier + vapor barrier ALL in One Product!

• R value 15.67  - unaffected by humidity
• 13/64 inch, 5 mm closed cell polyethylene foam covered on both sides with .0012-inch (00.03mm) aluminum foil facing.
• Emissivity 0.03 (the lower the # the greater the ability to reflect radiant heat).
• Reflects 97% of radiant heat (primary source of heat-flow)  
• 19dba noise reduction
• Seals around nails (no leaks)
• Elastic
• Keeps its thickness over time (doesn't collapse)
• Does not promote mold or mildew
• Does not provide for nesting of rodents, birds or insects
• Energy Star Qualified
• ICC-ES Recognized
• Member of US Green Building  Council
• Passes New E84-10 Flame & Smoke tests
• Over 2 Billion Square Feet SOLD World Wide!

The Prodex Difference continued...

Prodex has a high quality core that keeps it shape when exposed to forces. Under pressure, the Prodex micro-cells maintain the air and do not collapse in time.

Prodex 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 comparison of insulations in metal buildings. Prodex Total Insulation auto seals once it is fastened, screwed or stapled. This prevents leakage when a roof is nailed to a structure. Click for support information on Prodex sealing. 

Prodex dampens sounds when applied between two rigid elements. When applied in roofing applications this reduces the sound of rain fall. Only high frequency sounds.

Prodex combines elasticity and rigidness. Prodex Total 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.

This product is typically perforated and composed of two metalized surfaces sometimes with a mesh woven in for strength. Please view photo above. We don't feel comment on this product is required. 

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

   Prodex Total        Radiant double bubble     Radiant Single Bubble   Radiant foil only       

Single vs Double Bubble radiant barrier and Prodex:

We see little difference in the photos above between single bubble and double bubble radiant barriers. The latter simply has two layers of air bubbles (a balloon with a little extra air). We have a few customers that purchase bubble insulation rather than Prodex to save money. If your budget does not allow for the quality core of Prodex, we suggest you click to purchase single bubble radiant barrier. You'll get virtually all the benefits of double bubble while maximizing savings. We do not offer double bubble insulation because we aren't able to justify it's pricing relative to Prodex or single bubble. Bubble radiant barrier is compose of either one (single bubble) or two (double bubble) layers of encapsulated polyethylene air bubbles sandwiched between two metalized surfaces. Single bubble has a nominal measurement of 5/32 inch and double bubble measures 5/16". These measurements bare little resemblance to the effective measurement of the product. (Note pictures above). Prodex has a nominal thickness of 5mm (13/64 inch) closed cell polyethylene foam covered on both sides with .0012-inch (00.03mm) aluminum foil facing. Remember Prodex keeps its thickness over time.

Similarities: Prodex Total and Bubble Radiant Barriers:

Radiant single bubble, radiant double bubble and Prodex Total Insulation are suitable for metal buildings, pole barns, all parts of homes including: attics, crawl spaces, radiant floor heating, roofs, basements, garages and more. Each of these insulations also block radiant heat transfer (primary source of heat flow). All three of these insulations are most effective when airspace exists between the insulation 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 (foil only). Not sold on this website. We feel an insulation substance must be placed between two low emmisivity surfaces to improve performance.