Go Bottom

Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
Ricknd
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 31 North Dakota
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-02-07          124202


Hey folks,

I'm considering insulating my floor joists with Reflectix (5/16" bubble wrap with aluminum foil on both sides). From what I've read it's supposed to work well at preventing moisture from rising into the home through a dirt crawlspace ... which is what I have. Additionally, it's supposed to insulate relatively well. I'm told I could simply cover the dirt with 6 to 10 Mil plastic however I like the idea of doing one thing Installing the Reflectix and getting two things back ... insulated floors and a vapor barrier.
Has any one had any experience with this stuff?
Thanks in advance for any help.

Rick






Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
Peters
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3034 Northern AL
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-02-07          124207


Rick;
The moisture needs to move both directions. If you have a complete barrier on the floor boards you can have condensation water trapped against the floor. Sealing wood with a water tight barrier is always a problem. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
JasonR
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 142 Northern Indiana
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-02-07          124208


Reflectix is pretty good stuff. I used it under my heated concrete floor to reflect the heat up (see pic #5 of my pics). I also used it in addition to 4" thick insulation when insulating my barn. I had to slit the reflectix in that instance - to avoid a double vapor barier with the 4" insulation and the reflectix. I does a great job of "reflecting" the sun during the summer months, and also reflecting the heat in during the winter months. For comparison purposes, my 50 year old house (1200 sq. foot) costs more than 50% of what my 3200 sq' foot barn costs to heat, which has a 'leaky' overhead door (my barn is also my office - so it's the same temperatur of my house).

When I poured my foundation, I ran some tubing from my house through the foundation (heated pour). Where the tubing was exposed outside, I wrapped it in reflectix to prevent heat loss. When it snowed, the reflectix collected snow before the grass, even though there was tubing carrying 100 degree water inside of it!

Hope that helps.
Jason ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
Ricknd
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 31 North Dakota
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-02-10          124336


Thanks for the info folks.
I do have couple questions about the relectix for Peters or any one else who’d like to wade in. The reflectix isn't placed directly against the floor ... it's attached to the floor joists nearest the dirt crawl space, creating a dead air space. This is supposed to reflect radiant heat back up into the living area, simultaneously drying any moisture trapped in the dead air space ... at least that's how I read it.

Question 1.
Do you still have reservations about installing reflectix give this method of installation?

Question 2
Any other ways to address moisture rising up from a dirt crawl space?

Thanks again for your help
Rick

....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-02-10          124338


You can always lay a barrier directly on the soil in the crawl space. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
Ricknd
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 31 North Dakota
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-02-10          124339


Your right K, and thanks for the info, however if the relectix works as advertised it's supposed to eliminate moisture and insulate at the same time. Nice two for one if it works.
Be interesting to hear from someone who's used this stuff in a crawl space application and how it turned out uh.

Rick

....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-02-10          124340


I was just addressing your second question of how to address moisture rising up in a crawl space, not the benefits of reflectix. Here in the pacific northwest it's common to place poly sheeting directly on the soil in a crawl space. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
Ricknd
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 31 North Dakota
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-02-10          124341


K,

Hmm ... Did you notice how they insulated the floors?

And thanks again for any/all input

Rick

....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-02-10          124343


Fiberglass between the floor joists. I'm not sure if it's faced or if they used a sheet of poly under there somewhere. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
kwschumm
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5764 NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2006-02-10          124344


Ya know, if I was retrofitting something to a crawl space I'd get a quote on what it would cost to spray icynene foam under there. For finished space they always shave it to fit the cavities but in a crawl space you wouldn't have to. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
Ricknd
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 31 North Dakota
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-02-10          124346


K,

I'm not familiar with icynene foam but I like the idea of someone else handling the job ... just have to see how costly it is. Then sell the idea to the wife ;-)

Thanks again K

Rick ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo



Reflectix Insulation

View my Photos
sloancon
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 16 North Carolina
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2006-02-12          124434


You shouldn't need much vapor barrier in crawl. Here in NC we're required to put down poly and have foundation vents. More vents required without poly. It's kinda like the attic not having vapor barrier because of the ventilation requirements in the attic. If crawl space is bad damp you would probably be better off fixing that probelm. Probably need some grading or just run off downspouts away from foundation. To much moisture in crawl will effect framing before it effects the flooring. ....


Reply to | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo


   Go Top


Share This







Member Login