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About Bill Hutson
Expertise
Founder and President of Table Talk Foundation for Better Living Inc. a non-profit organization aimed at making free home repairs for the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged. I have extensive expertise pertaining to cost effective rehabilitation and repair in older homes as well as all phases of newer residential construction.

Experience
Remodel and rehab contractor from 1979 to 1993 specializing in restaurant remodel and home restoration. Jobsite troubleshooter assisting residential contractors through KA Components, Mid America Truss, and Kerkhoff Associates from 1993 until 2002. Contractors' consultant 1990 to present. Used as a construction expert in the local court system. Registered contractor with The Fedral Government, FEMA and several insurance companies. Master Carpenter at Table Talk Ministries a non-profit organization aimed at making free home repairs for those who could not ohterwise afford to have them done.

Organizations
Table Talk Foundation for Better Living Inc. www.tabletalkministries.org Founder/President.

Publications
Features have been published in Fleet Owner's Magazine, Trucker's News Magazine, The Daily Clintonian Newspaper, The Hoosier Topics Newspaper, and The Banner Graphic Newspaper several times. We have also done features on WKJK and WREB radio stations. WXIN 59 Indianapolis, WTHI 10 Terre Haute

Education/Credentials
Northwestern State University

Awards and Honors
"Make a Difference Award" from WTHI channel 10 in Terre Haute Indiana. We have recently received the Fueling Good prize from Citgo where we won free gas for a year, that will help us in our efforts to make homes warm, safe and dry for our elderly and disabled neighbors. We were recently featured on WXIN 59 in Indianapolis on their "Paying it Forward" segment, mainly because I pay for 90% of the repairs that Table Talk makes from my own pocket.

Past/Present Clients
We focus our attention to the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged. We are receiving clients from 1 Federal and 5 State Agencies, 9 different public and private organizations plus multiple churches and hospitals.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Home Improvement--General > Reflective Foil

Home Improvement--General - Reflective Foil

Expert: Bill Hutson - 11/6/2009

Question
I have looked up on the internet the use of reflective foil as a radiant barrier over existing insulation in my home. The home is about 20 yrs old and originally has fiberglass installed between the joist in the second floor. A couple yrs ago I had blown-in cellulose added and I believe I have ~R50 total in my attic.

I'm told that reflective foil will be beneficial. I plan to order material on-line and to install my self, if you agree with this approach.

The reflective foil will be laid directly over the existing installation. I'm not sure if the overlap needs to be taped. I've seen conflicting advice. I've also been told to only staple the ends. The foil will not lay directly on the roof joist because the blown-in material is above them.

What's the best approach for attachment, how and where?

I'm also told that the foil type that is perforated allows moisture to escape so there will be not moisture trapped under the foil.

I've found two potential suppliers: Arma Foil and EcoFoil. They seem similar, but would you make a preference of one over the other based on their specifications.

What about their claim to reduce the cost of both AC in the summer and heating in the winter? Is the installation of reflective foil a cost effective approach. I live in Pa so we have cold winters and hot summers.

Any other pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks, Richard Garland

Answer
Richard,

I'd say R-50 is pretty darn good, I have never used this foil, but, I did look into using it a few years ago and I believe that it stapled right to the rafters on the bottom side of the roof sheathing, not laying on top of the insulation, it works by reflecting UV rays, and being installed directly to the rafters gives it a better point to reflect the rays.

As for where to buy it, shop for your best dollar.

R-30 is code here in Indiana, so R-50 is really good, you probably won't even notice anything extra.

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