The reflective side of the board should be oriented to the exterior and the non- reflective white side should be oriented to the interior. EXCEPTION: If vinyl siding is to be installed over AP™ Foil- Faced sheathing, install foam boards with the white nonreflective side toward the vinyl siding.

Which way do you install foam board insulation?

If you're wondering whether to put the foil side of foam insulation board shiny side in or out, consider whether you want to make the space inside warmer or cooler. If you want to make the space warmer, the foil should face inside so it can reflect radiant heat back into the room.

Does it matter which way insulation board faces?

Regardless of whether fiberglass insulation is installed in a wall, attic, or crawlspace; the paper facing should always face toward the inside of the home. That's because the paper contains a layer of asphalt adhesive which prevents water vapor from passing through it.

What does the foil do on insulation boards?

Basically, a foil insulation panel works to reduce the heat transfer effect that occurs during thermal radiation. The reflective surface acts as a barrier to reflect the heat from one side of the panel, preventing it from transferring to the other side.

Which way does r tech insulation go?

The metallic facer on InsulFoam R-TECH may provide additional R-Value if it's facing a dead air space. If there is no dead air space, it doesn't matter which way the metallic side is facing. Placing the metallic facer towards an open-air space may allow the material to act as a radiant barrier.

Mistakes often made with rigid foam on exterior walls

What is the difference between pink and blue foam board?

Both are manufactured using the same process and contain similar chemical components. The two products also have the same insulating power. However, blue foam boards are manufactured by Dow Chemical Co. whereas the pink foam boards are manufactured by Owens Corning company.

Which side tin foil goes up?

Most people think it matters whether aluminum foil is used shiny side up or down, but the surprising truth is that it doesn't make a difference. The variation is a result of the manufacturing process—the shiny side comes in contact with highly polished steel rollers, and the matte side doesn't.

Which way does insulation go in an attic?

The best way to face attic insulation is always towards the heated part of the home since the paper facing consists of asphalt adhesive that serves as the vapor barrier. Installing it backward traps the moisture inside, causing it to rot and mold.

Which way does insulation face in a garage?

Typically, an insulated garage is warmer than the surrounding environment. Since warm air carries more moisture, the relative humidity inside the garage is higher than outside. So, it is advised for the vapor barrier to face the inside of the garage.

Do you need foil on insulation?

Foil insulation is worth considering if you have restricted space in your loft or roof space that means regular insulation is not viable. You will have to ensure there are good air gaps either side of the foil to get the best performance.

What happens if you install insulation backwards?

So if it is installed upside down, the paper moisture barrier can actually keep moisture in-between the paper and the sub-flooring. This can lead to mold issues, as well as structural deterioration. Also, the paper is flammable so not properly installing it can create a fire hazard.

Does foam board insulation need a vapor barrier?

Foam insulation usually does not require a vapor barrier. For some foam insulation types, such as closed-cell spray foam and foam board insulation, the insulation itself stops the movement of most water vapor.

How do you install rigid foam insulation between studs?

How to Install Rigid Foam Insulation Between Studs

1. Measure the Project Area. Measure the entire wall area to figure out the amount of rigid foam to purchase. ...
2. Measure Individual Cavities. Measure each bay individually. ...
3. Mark and Cut the Rigid Foam. ...
4. Install the Rigid Foam Insulation. ...
5. Seal the Gaps in the Insulation.

Why does tin foil have a shiny side?

“Where the foil is in contact with another layer, that's the 'dull' side,” Reynolds Kitchens explains. “The 'shiny' side is the side milled without being in contact with another sheet of metal. The performance of the foil is the same, whichever side you use.”

Why does aluminum foil have a shiny side and a dull side?

03/5​How aluminum foil gets two different sides

The side of the foil that is in contact with another layer ends up becoming the dull side, while the side which is milled without being in contact with another layer ends up becoming the shiny side.

Is the shiny side of foil non-stick?

"It makes no difference which side of the foil you use unless you're using Reynolds Wrap Non-Stick Aluminum Foil." Non-Stick foil actually has a protective coating on one side, so the company recommends only placing food on the side marked "non-stick" for maximum efficiency.

Should you tape foam insulation?

To serve as a drainage plane, the seams in the foam sheathing must be properly taped with sheathing and flashing tapes to provide continuity of the drainage plane at joints between panels. The tapes must be durable enough to prevent ingress of water at panel joints for the life of the system.