# Radiant Barrier Sheets VS. Spray-on

**URL:** <https://forum.4specs.com/t/radiant-barrier-sheets-vs-spray-on/2592>\
**Category:** Sustainable Design Topics\
**Created:** [July 1, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/radiant-barrier-sheets-vs-spray-on/2592 "2014-07-01T15:17:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![trevorpan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@trevorpan](https://forum.4specs.com/u/trevorpan)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/radiant-barrier-sheets-vs-spray-on/2592/1 "2014-07-01T15:17:49Z")

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Hi,

Does anyone have a preference between the sheets or spray-on.

I recently came across the spray-on radiant barrier paint-like substance. Pretty interesting military invention.

And last weekend I went into an attic which had the sheets installed everywhere at the base of the rafters and ends of gable walls. In Arizona, it was surprisingly cool.

The application I have in mind is retrofitting an old attic.

Thank you,

Trevor

[http://www.trevorpan.com](http://www.trevorpan.com)

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**Author:** ![Davemetzger](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex047/user_avatar/forum.4specs.com/davemetzger/32/389_2.png) [@Davemetzger](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Davemetzger)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/radiant-barrier-sheets-vs-spray-on/2592/2 "2014-07-01T15:21:52Z")

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Sheets are best-suited to large flat areas. If there are many intersections, corners, offsets, etc, then spray will make for an easier application. The tradeoff is that you need to mask against overspray.

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**Author:** ![trevorpan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@trevorpan](https://forum.4specs.com/u/trevorpan)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/radiant-barrier-sheets-vs-spray-on/2592/3 "2014-07-01T15:39:54Z")

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Thank you Dave,

I see. So, as usual, “it depends”. Other than installation considerations, are you aware of any performance differences?

Trevor  
[http://www.trevorpan.com](http://www.trevorpan.com)

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**Author:** ![Phil\_Kabza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Phil\_Kabza](https://forum.4specs.com/u/Phil_Kabza)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://forum.4specs.com/t/radiant-barrier-sheets-vs-spray-on/2592/4 "2014-07-01T21:48:28Z")

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A couple of recent articles on BuildingGreen discuss your situation:

[http://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/radiant-barriers-and-reflective-insulation](http://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/radiant-barriers-and-reflective-insulation)

[http://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/ftc-cracking-down-false-r-value-claims](http://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/ftc-cracking-down-false-r-value-claims)

Despite the negatives, I have experienced the cool attic effect here in Florida and am looking into several retrofit products.