Thermal Radiant Barrier for Use in Roof Insulation

Abstract

A thermal radiant barrier and methods of use are provided. The thermal radiant barrier includes a first elongated planar member and first and second walls projecting from opposite edges of the planar base. When in use, the thermal radiant base is affixed to the underside of roof decking with the first and second walls being affixed to the underside of the decking. An air passageway from the soffit vent along side the underside of the decking is created to permit the air to be channeled from the soffitt vent into the attic area alongside the decking. The temperature of the air is controlled by using material of an R-value recommended by the construction code of the region. The thermal radiant barrier may include a second elongated planar member hingeably connected to the first elongated planar member at an angle equal to the angel between the rafter and joist in a roofing structure. The second elongated member is positioned underlying Batt insulation in proximity to the soffitt vent and soffitt baffle. The second elongated member has an R-value recommended in the geographic location. In use, the R-value at an area of compressed insulation is given by the R-value of the second elongated member.

1 . A thermal radiant barrier for use against the underside of a roof decking in between two spaced rafters, said thermal radiant barrier comprising:
 a. A thermal radiant barrier first portion including a substantially planar base, said substantially planar base substantially rectangular in shape; said thermal radiant barrier first portion planar base having a length l, a width w, and a thickness th, wherein the thickness th, is chosen in accordance with the material comprising the thermal radiant barrier such that said thermal radiant barrier first portion has a predetermined recommended attic insulation R-value for the geographic region,   b. a first sidewall projecting at an angle Θ from a first side of said planar base, a second sidewall projecting at said angle Θ from a second side of said planar base, said first and second sidewalls positioned opposite one from the other,   c. a means for affixing said first and second sidewalls to said underside of a roof decking, wherein said thermal radiant barrier forms an air passageway from a soffit vent, such that air is channeled from said soffit vent along the underside of said roof decking.   
     
     
         2 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said two spaced rafters are spaced apart by a distance d r , and wherein said width w, is substantially equal to said distance d r . 
     
     
         3 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially planar base overlays a soffitt baffle for channeling said air from said soffitt vent along the underside of said roof decking. 
     
     
         4 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal radiant barrier second portion connected to said thermal radiant barrier first portion, said thermal radiant barrier second portion including a substantially planar base substantially rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         5 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 4 , wherein said thermal radiant barrier first portion is connected to said thermal radiant barrier second portion by hingeable means. 
     
     
         6 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 5 , wherein said thermal radiant barrier second portion planer base includes length, a width, and a thickness, wherein said thermal radiant barrier second portion length and width are substantially equal to said thermal radiant barrier first portion length and width. 
     
     
         7 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 6 , wherein said thermal radiant barrier second portion thickness is chosen for thermal radiant barrier second portion to have a predetermined recommended attic insulation R-value for the geographic region. 
     
     
         8 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 7 , wherein said thermal radiant barrier second portion underlies a compressed portion of an attic floor insulation. 
     
     
         9 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 8 , wherein said compressed portion has an R-value less than recommended for attic floor insulation in the geographic area. 
     
     
         10 . A thermal radiant barrier of  claim 8 , wherein said thermal radiant barrier second portion underlies a portion of attic floor insulation, where said thermal radiant barrier second portion underlies an uncompressed portion of said attic floor insulation. 
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling the temperature of air on the underside of roof decking comprising:
 providing a passageway for air entering an attic through a soffit vent, said passageway for channeling said air along the underside of said roof decking, and   wherein said passageway is formed of a material having an R-value recommended for attic insulation in the geographic region.   
     
     
         12 . A method of  claim 11  further comprising providing a material under a compressed portion of an attic floor insulation, wherein said material has an R-value recommended in the geographic region for attic floor insulation.