AUBURNDALE, Fla. - A radiant barrier from Fi-Foil can significantly improve thermal performance of buildings with metal roofs and reduce overall cooling expenses by as much as 11 percent, according to studies by the Florida Solar Energy Center.

Fi-Foil's product, Radiant Shield, when installed under metal roofing reduces the high infiltration of heat from the sun into the building envelope, which is common with most roof systems. A metal roof radiant barrier application includes a 3/4-inch air space. The perforated version allows vapor transmission.

Once installed, the radiant barrier will not permit the roof's heat to radiate into the building materials below. Radiant Shield used as a metal roof radiant barrier reduces radiant heat transfer up to 97 percent and radiation is the dominant form of heat gain and loss.

In food storage building applications, Radiant Shield assists in the reduction of ambient air temperatures. Radiant barriers also can delay absorption of afternoon heating from the sun into a building until after periods of peak energy demand, saving on energy costs from utilities that assess a premium for energy consumed during the hottest hours of the day.

Using the Radiant Shield in commercial roofing systems can also provide buildings that are more comfortable places to work, and allow the use of smaller air conditioning units for cooling.

For more information, visit www.fifoil.com.

Publication date: 09/11/2006