Do I Need Attic Vents With Radiant Barrier

If dust accumulates on the foil surface it will render the radiant barrier less efficient.

Do i need attic vents with radiant barrier. The ventilation in the attic should not be altered you need this to prevent ice damming and to keep the attic dry prevent moisture accrual. This is why radiant barrier combined with proper ventilation works to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Why an airspace is required for a radiant barrier. Damp insulation may support mold growth and eventually will lose some of its r value.

Radiant barrier does require and air gap to work to reflect heat just an air space gap. You can learn more about how that works here. You must ensure the attic ventilation is not blocked. Here is where many people screw up attic ventilation.

Radiant barriers require expert installation to work effectively. Then you need to add a radiant barrier over your insulation on the attic floor so you can stop convective looping in the insulation and help the home retain its heat. Air temperatures would drop but surface temperatures would not drop much due to the radiant heat gain. According to the department of energy installing radiant barrier on the floor of the attic can cause problems.

Do you need ventilation in order for radiant barrier to work. It may be an easier way to install radiant barrier but it can trap moisture between itself and the attic floor and cause the insulation to become damp. A radiant barrier works together with decent attic ventilation to drop both air temperature and surface temps. Having good attic ventilation helps to reduce the air temperature in your attic but having a radiant barrier helps reduce the surface temperatures in your attic.