aluma-foiltm radiant barrier systems (rbs) - Service Partners

Aluma-Foil TM RADIANT BARRIER SYSTEMS (RBS)
Attic Installation And Safety Instructions
Getting Started
Please observe the following housekeeping and safety tips
when installing RB in your attic.
Go through your attic and check for the following:
• The area to be covered is free and clear of loose material.
• Set or bend nails as necessary.
• Be sure all lightboxes, transformers, motors and vents are not covered. If you lay the RB
down be sure and cut around these objects.
• Make sure there is no exposed or damaged wiring. If so, repair the damage before installing.
• Make sure your attic is well ventilated and do any other housekeeping chores, such
as filling voids around vents and blocking with existing insulation.
Safety Tips
• Do Not work in your attic in the hottest part of the day. Begin in the early A.M. while
it is still cool.
• Use a dust mask at all times.
• Wear safety glasses or goggles.
• Wear head protection if necessary,
• Be sure you have adequate lighting.
• Do not step on any joists or rafters that are not solid. Do not step on blocking at all. Use solid
supports such as 12" x 48" pieces of 1/2" plywood or boards that are 2" x 6" or greater in
size.
• Do not attempt to stand or lay on existing insulation.
• Work in pairs whenever possible.
Failure to follow these safety tips may result in serious injury and expensive damage to your ceiling.
Tools And Equipment Required
• Tape measure • Scissors
• Portable lighting • Marking pen
(drop cord or quartz lights)
• Safety glasses
• Portable fan (if necessary) • Utility knife
• Stapler (squeeze type, electric or air) • Movable supports (to stand on)
• Head protection (if necessary) • Enough RB to do the job.
• Dust masks

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR Aluma-Foil & Aluma-Foil Plus RADIANT BARRIER
Before You Begin
Be sure you have the following tools and materials:
A. Proper amount of ALUMA-FOIL or ALUMA-FOIL PLUS radiant barrier
B. Tape measure, drop light, shears, utility knife and stapler (mechanical, electrical or air-squeeze or hammer type)
C. Two movable support surfaces such as 2' x 3' x 1/2" plywood or 1" x 12" x 3' piece of wood (lengthen for 24" O. C. trusses)
Safety Practices
Be sure you observe the following safety rules:
A. DO NOT lay RB on top of exposed electrical wiring or boxes.
B. Make sure trusses or rafters are sound before placing your weight on them.
C. Be sure you have adequate ventilation and lighting. A dust mask is suggested.
D. Protective headgear (bump cap) and safety glasses are suggested.
WARNING: DO NOT attempt to stand or lay on existing insulation. Failure to follow these instructions can and may result in
serious injury and damage.
Laid Down Installation (Fig 1 )
1. Roll out. and cut enough RB to prevent unnecessary trips in and out of the attic.
2. Start your first piece in the farthest corner of the attic. Be sure and move it as close as you
can towards the end of the eave area if you have one. We suggest you lay the RB across
the ceiling joists.
3. Lay each additional piece approximately one inch away from the last piece. This allows
added ventilation for moisture moving out of the house below into the attic area. (A)
4. Cover all areas, such as vaulted ceilings, knee walls and exposed ducts for heating and airconditioning.
(Fig. 3 below)
5. It is not necessary to staple or tape the RB in place in this installation unless you need to
secure a piece in place or repair a tear.
6. For this type of installation, and in specific geographical areas, continued exposure to dust
over a period of years may reduce the performance of your product. Should you experience
decreased performance, simply turn the product over.
Figure 1: Laid Down Application
WARNING: Use only the Plus perforated product in the laid down application. The spacing and perforations will prevent
moisture from being trapped under the RB without significantly reducing the performance.
Truss Or Rafter Mounted Installation (Fig 2)
1. Measure, roll out and cut the RB as needed in sizes that are best handled by two people.
2. Whether you start at the top or bottom remember to leave three inches (3") between the
RB and existing insulation at the bottom and six inches (6") between the two pieces of
RB at the ridge or peak (Fig. A). This allows proper ventilation of your attic area.
(Fig. 3 below)
3. Staple the RB approximately 6" - 8" on center on all wooden members using a 1/2" or
9/16" crown staple with 1/4" or 5/16" leg. (C)
4. It is not necessary to overlap the product or tape the seams. Cut around wood members
as necessary. (B)
5. In this application it is very important to cover all small (knee) walls and gable end walls
6. Be sure to cut around all vent openings in the roof, or gable end wails, after covering
those areas.
Figure 2: Bottom of Truss Application
Ventilation (Fig 3)
1. Because ventilation can greatly enhance your RB
performance, it is important to consider the following:
A. Where no existing ridge or gable vents exist you
should install one system or the other. Consult vent
manufacturers instructions for proper location and installation.
B . Where no soffit vents exist, be sure ridge, pan or
gable end vents are of adequate size to properly
ventilate area.
NOTE: Exposed Ducts- Regardless of the installation method used, you should always cover any heating or
cooling ducts that are exposed in the attic, garage or in underfloor crawl spaces. This will greatly reduce heat loss
in the winter and lower your air conditioner running time in the summer.