Basically, there are two different types of double-sided radiant barrier products in the marketplace:
We offer both radiant barrier types because each offers slightly different characteristics that some consumers prefer over the other.
The newest metalized radiant barrier version was introduced to the radiant barrier industry recently as a way to meet the newest fire test requirements adopted by the ASTM. When the new test methods were initially introduced, the radiant barrier foil products in the marketplace failed the new fire test. The newly created metalized radiant barrier PASSED the new fire test and thus became the new industry standard.
Shortly thereafter, we were able to manufacture a new foil radiant barrier that passed the new ASTM fire test and were happy to bring this much loved product version back into the marketplace thereby giving us two different radiant barrier products for our customer to choose from.
Quick Differences Between FOIL and METALIZED
Cross-section of Layers | ||
Reflectivity of Radiant Heat | 97% | 95% |
How It Feels | feels and behaves like kitchen foil | feels and behaves like reflective potato chip bag |
Durablity | excellent - cannot be torn | excellent - cannot be torn |
Results after Crumpling into Ball | stays crumpled | wants to open back up and lay flat |
Shop our Xtreme radiant barrier |
When determining which product to use, it's really just a personal preference at this point as both our metalized and foil are both excellent quality products that reflect 95-97% of radiant heat, are extremely durable and pass the required fire test.