Reflectix alternatives?

[olives]

Hi folks,

It seems a lot of folks use Reflectix or some similar product to improve thermal conditions. We are sensitive to lots of materials and it seems Reflectix likely won’t work for us (new plastic is generally not good for us; we tolerate it in small quantities, but wrapping our house with it seems like a bad idea).

Thoughts on using sheets of aluminum foil instead? Other ideas?

 

[CaptSquid]

https://www.insulation4less.com/Insulation4lessProduct-62-Prodex-Total-10M.aspx#fragment1

 

[EastCoastCB]

Hi folks,

It seems a lot of folks use Reflectix or some similar product to improve thermal conditions. We are sensitive to lots of materials and it seems Reflectix likely won’t work for us (new plastic is generally not good for us; we tolerate it in small quantities, but wrapping our house with it seems like a bad idea).

Thoughts on using sheets of aluminum foil instead? Other ideas?

If you glue mylar to bubblewrap you've just made your own "reflectix".

 

[Booyah45828]

Reflectix isn't so much the aluminum foil, but the air gap created by the bubble wrap.

So if you're using it internally, the aluminum foil is somewhat useless.

 

[JDOnTheGo]

Howdy Olives!

Reflectix is generally a poor performing product. There are a number of good evals online. As I recall, it relies on a huge air gap and is more about thermal "reflection" (reducing heat gain) than actual "insulation" (I could be wrong/mis-characterizing). In any case, better options include foam, classic insulation (fiberglass/denim), and air gaps. However; they all involve 'materials' so the trick is probably finding one that doesn't bother you.

I installed mylar behind windows that I was covering over to reflect the suns heat but again, it offers no insulation value.