Use: Prodex 48 Inch, Fast Action, Perforated, 72 Inch, 24 Inch or 16 Inch. 

Equipment checklist: Reflective tape, utility knife, staple gun, Super Metal Sealant (Location 5).

The sun's heat is absorbed by a roof, heating the roof sheathing and causing the underside of the sheathing and the roof framing to radiate downward toward the attic floor. Applying Prodex Total R 16 will result in the heat radiated from the hot roof being reflected back out through the roof. Prodex Total also prevents the heat from the living space below from escaping through the roof -- This translates to a reduction in cooling and heating costs. The following images provide 5 possible locations for an effective Prodex Total Attic Insulation system. Prodex Reviews

Location 1: Prodex 48 Inch, 72 Inch or Fast Action  is attached to the bottom of the rafters. Tape seams with reflective tape. Location 1 may be used with either new construction or with retrofit of an existing house. With Location 1 the space between the roof sheathing and Prodex provides a channel through which warm air can move freely.

Location 2: Install Prodex 24 Inch or 16 Inch between rafters. Staple flange to side of rafters. Allow 1-3 inch air-gap between Prodex and sheathing.

Location 3: Prodex Perforated is laid out on the attic floor over the top of existing attic insulation. This area is susceptible to the effects of dust accumulation. This location is not appropriate when a large part of the attic is used for storage, because the Prodex surface must be exposed to the attic space. Also kitchen and bathroom vents and recessed lights should not be covered with Prodex.

Condensation of moisture can be a concern when installing any radiant barrier on the attic floor directly on top of conventional insulation. During cold weather, water vapor from the interior of a house may move into the attic. In most cases, this water vapor will not cause a problem because attic ventilation will carry excess vapor away. During cold weather, a radiant barrier on top of the insulation could cause water vapor to condense on the barrier's underside. Water would cause the existing insulation to become wet and loose some of its insulating value. To avoid this occurrence, use Prodex Perforated in location 3.

Location 5: New application where Prodex 48 Inch, Fast Action, Perforated or 72 Inch is attached to the underside of the roof deck. Tape seams with reflective tape.

Several companies offer sheathing products with aluminum foil laminated to it. You can make your own reflective sheathing with more insulation value. Just staple or glue (use Super Metal Sealant) Prodex Total to regular OSB or plywood sheathing.

• Cut openings below roof vents to allow attic air to vent.
• Cut 2" clearance around any exhausts.
• Cover gable end walls as well.

Notes: To obtain the best performance with Prodex installed in Locations 1, 2, 4, and 5, Prodex should also be installed over the gable ends. For attics that are open to the space over garages or carports, Prodex should extend eight feet or more into the garage or carport to achieve the same  effect as installing Prodex on the gable ends. It is not necessary to cover the gable ends in Location 5..

Since proper attic venting is important to obtain the best radiant barrier performance, some modification in the attic vents may be required. If no ridge or gable vent exist, it is recommended that one or the other be installed. Always check existing ridge vent systems to ensure that roofing paper is not blocking the vent opening. Check soffit vents to ensure that they have not been covered with insulation..

When installing Prodex, care should be taken not to compress existing insulation present in the attic. The effectiveness of the existing insulation is dependent upon its thickness, so if compressed its R-value decreases. For instance, an R-19 batt compressed to 3-1/2 inches (to top off a 2 x 4 attic floor joists) would reduce to approximately an R-13 batt.

Disclaimer: The installation instructions are only recommendations relating to the locations of Prodex. Insulation4Less/Prodex makes no claims that these construction systems are universally accurate. They are not intended to illustrate proper construction methods (which is ultimately the responsibility of the builder or contractor).