I’m in the planning stages of replacing the cedar shake roof on my 1982 house located in Carbondale, CO (81623). The house has cathedral ceilings under the roof in all areas. As far as I can tell at this juncture the shakes are stapled/nailed onto plywood sheeting. Is there a manner that I can install a two-way radiant barrier during the re-roof process? We own a sizable portion of a community solar farm and have solar hot water panels on the house, so our energy bills are pretty low for a 4000SF, all electric house.
Also, I remember just enough about radiant energy to be dangerous from past physics classes, but I don’t understand why an air gap is necessary? Seems to me that a radiant barrier is a radiant barrier no matter where it is in the construction column? I’m sure you are correct on the air gap issue, I just don’t understand it, be that as it may, if I lay a radiant barrier on the plywood sheeting would corrugated steel on top of that provide enough air gap to be effective? My desire is to keep our radiant heat in during the cold months and the sun radiation out during the summer. Any means to that end that don’t require major reconstruction?
Answer
A radiant barrier’s reflective surfaces will only reflect heat in the presence of an airspace. When in contact with another surface it will conduct heat. Your suggested application will result in no significant thermal benefit. We suggest you consider install furring strips to provide the needed air space.