Definition of Radiant Barrier

Radiant Barrier

A radiant barrier is a reflective surface, on or near a building component, that intercepts the flow of radiant energy to and from the building component.

Radiant Barrier System

A radiant barrier System (RBS) is a building section that includes a radiant barrier facing an air space.

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier

Plastic film used to prevent moisture from passing through unfaced insulation. Both 4- and 6-mil polyethylene are preferred because they are less likely to be damaged during construction.

Radiant Heat

A heating system which uses hot water, steam pipes or electric resistance coils to heat the floors, walls or the ceilings of a room.

Foil-Faced Vapor Retarder

Created by coating a foil-backed paper with a thin layer of asphalt adhesive. The coated side of the foil-backed paper is then applied to the un-faced insulation material. The asphalt adhesive bonds the foil-backed paper and the insulation together.

High Voltage System

See Electricity.

Kraft-Faced Vapor Retarder

Created by coating kraft paper with a thin layer of asphalt adhesive. The coated side of the kraft paper is then applied to the unfaced insulation material. The asphalt adhesive bonds the kraft paper and the insulation together.

Low-Voltage System

Provides security, entertainment, communications, environmental control, networking, and other functions generally powered by a signal cable, phone line or data cable. Is not typically metered.

Reflective Insulation System

Reflective Insulation system is formed by a combination of low emittance surfaces and air spaces that provide reflective cavities, which have low levels of radiant energy transmission.

Vapor Retarder

Helps control the amount of moisture passing through the insulation and collecting inside exterior walls, ceilings and floors.

Preferred Rates

As non-smoking rates caused a major reduction in the cost of life insurance in the early 1980's, the emergence of preferred non-smoker rates in 1998 has caused another noteworthy reduction in rates. A growing number of insurance companies are offering better rates which go beyond simply looking at gender or smoking habits. Other health related factors such as physical build, lifestyle, avocation and personal and family health history indicating longer life expectancy can add up to significant cost savings to new life insurance applicants. Make certain to ask about these new preferred rates.

Preferred Beneficiary

used in older contracts to confer the same rights as an irrevocable beneficiary. Applied to family members.

Unearned Premium

Premiums paid for coverage not yet provided.

Single-family home

A detached house.

Air Space

The area between insulation facing and interior of exterior wall coverings. Normally a 1" air gap.

Building Code

A comprehensive set of laws that controls the construction or remodeling of a home or other structure.

Central Air Conditioning

A System which uses ducts to distribute cooling and/or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and which is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet.

Construction Documents

All drawings, specifications and addenda associated with a specific construction project.

Crawlspace Foundation

The space between the ground and the first floor of a home, usually no higher than four feet.

Crawlspace Vent

An opening to allow the passage of air through the unexcavated area under a first floor. Ideally there should be at least two vents per crawlspace.

Faced Insulation

insulation with an attached vapor retarder (kraft paper or foil-backed paper).

Fiber Glass Insulation

An energy-efficient glass fiber product manufactured by Owens Corning to ensure the best thermal and noise control performance available.

Forced Air Heating

A common form of heating with natural gas, propane, oil or electricity as a fuel. air is heated in the furnace and distributed through a set of metal ducts to various areas of the house.

High Voltage System

See Electricity.

Insulation Density

Denser insulation products have more fibers per square inch and, therefore, give you greater insulating power through higher R-values.

aterial used to cover the interior framed areas of walls and ceilings

Low-Voltage System

Provides security, entertainment, communications, environmental control, networking, and other functions generally powered by a signal cable, phone line or data cable. Is not typically metered.

Metal Insulation Support

16" or 24" wire rod or crisscrossed wire to hold floor insulation in place.

Radiant Heat

A heating System which uses hot water, steam pipes or electric resistance coils to heat the floors, walls or the ceilings of a room.

Reflective Insulation System

reflective insulation System is formed by a combination of low emittance surfaces and air spaces that provide reflective cavities, which have low levels of Radiant energy transmission.

Un-faced Insulation

insulation with no attached vapor retarder.

Walk Through

A final inspection of a home before "closing" to look for and document problems that need to be corrected.

Related to : home, mortgage, insurance, homebuyer, real estate, property, buy home, home insurance, financing, home financing, home buyer, first time homebuyer, homes, homebuying, credit, condo.