EcoFoil Double Bubble Foil Insulation is primarily used in pole barns, metal buildings, basement walls, crawl spaces, and storage units located in moderate and colder climates. Double bubble insulation combines the heat-shielding properties of solid radiant barrier with two layers of polyethylene bubbles, which acts as a built-in air gap that reduces contact between temperatures on either side of the product. The double layer of bubbles effectively combats the formation of frost and condensation that can occur when temperature differences are extreme on either side of the material. It's very thin (approximately 1/4"), lightweight, and installs easily with minimal equipment.
A radiant barrier and vapor barrier, all in one product
Not only does Double Bubble Insulation reflect radiant heat, when properly installed with tape it also acts as a vapor barrier, preventing the passage of moisture and other unwanted particles which can cause mold. In order to establish a vapor barrier, you must tape all seams and joints to prevent air passage, keeping moisture and other particles from passing through.
Radiant barrier vs traditional insulation
Radiant barrier bubble insulation works differently compared to traditional insulation like fiberglass and spray foam.
- Traditional insulation works to absorb heat and is measured by R-value. The higher the R-value, the thicker the material and the more heat it can absorb.
- Radiant barrier bubble insulation, on the other hand, reflects heat back to its source (whether that's your furnace or the sun.)
When used together, these two insulation types can provide a highly effective one-two punch that will keep your building warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
R-Value Of Radiant Barriers
Because these two insulation types have different purposes, their effectiveness is measured differently. Rather than rating by R-value, all radiant barrier products are measured by their reflective and emissive properties. When installed properly with an air gap on one side of the product, double bubble insulation will reflect heat away from your building in the summer, and keep heat in during the winter.
There are some companies out there posting big R-Value numbers for their radiant barriers, but those numbers are rating the entirety of the system—including the product, air gap, and other building materials. In reality, most radiant barriers by themselves have little to no R-Value. If you need to satisfy a building code of a specified R-Value, we recommend the use of a traditional insulation in conjunction with our radiant barrier in order to meet code. For more information on R-values, see our How It Works page or contact a member of our friendly service team via chat, by calling (888) 349-3645, or using the form here.
EcoFoil Double Bubble Foil Insulation is not to be used under concrete slabs. For under concrete slab or radiant floor insulation applications, we recommend EcoFoil Under Slab Insulation.