TVM Frequenty Asked Questions

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Will dust affect the performance TVM Reflective Insulation?
Layers of dust do have an effect on the material’s ability to reflect radiant energy. The degree of reduction in reflectivity has been debated extensively. Conclusions range from 7% to 18% reductions in reflectivity over 10 to 25 years.
Will TVM Reflective Insulation help prevent condensation?
Yes. TVM’s Double-Bubble products can help prevent the formation of condensation. The thermal break provided by the air bubbles prevents warm, moist air inside a building from interacting with cold air on the opposing surface. When installed correctly - with sealed seams - the risk of condensation can be reduced by using TVM Reflective Insulation.
Does TVM Reflective Insulation keep a substance cool as well?
Reflective Insulation does not necessarily ‘cool’ a substance. Rather, it prevents it from taking on heat. For example, an ice-cooler that is lined with reflective insulation can keep it’s contents cool by reflecting the Sun’s radiant heat away from the interior of the cooler.
How well does TVM Reflective Insulation work compared to fibreglass-based materials?
Reflective insulation will stop 96-97% of radiant heat energy (heat is radiated via infrared waves across an airspace). Radiant heat is often overlooked and misunderstood, as R-Values do not take it into account. Radiant heat transfer is responsible for up to 75% of total building heat gain or loss. Traditional Insulation products such as fiberglass, cellulose, and EPS foam board are effective in reducing convective and conductive heat transfer, but do little to prevent radiant heat transfer. Radiant heat energy can either be absorbed or reflected. TVM Reflective Insulation is faced with a highly reflective - metalized aluminum surface that effectively redirects this energy component.
What is the R-Value of TVM Reflective Insulation?
R-Value indicates resistance to heat loss, and measures a mass insulation’s ability to slow down the transfer of heat. R-Values indicate how well a product absorbs and retains heat energy, not how well it redirects it. Reflective insulation works by reflecting heat energy back in the direction of its source, and it’s true performance is not measured by the R-Value. Just as the absorbency of a raincoat is unrelated to its ability to repel water, the R-Value of reflective insulation is not fully indicative of its ability to insulate, and redirect heat energy.

The ASTM C236-1224 tests that determine a product’s R-Value yield the following results for TVM Reflective Insulation:
Down = R-15.2
Up = R-6.8
Horizontal = R-8.5

NOTE: These results are based on a nominal 2” x 4” enclosed wall cavity that has reflective insulation installed in the middle of the structure, between studs. All materials have three separate R-Values, as above, depending on the direction of heat flow. Many insulation manufacturers do not provide all three values when labeling their products.

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Will the reflective surface make my metal roofing hotter than usual?
The heat energy that the metal receives comes directly from the sun. No new energy is being created. Only existing energy, which has already been absorbed by the metal, is reflected back toward the source.
Reflective Insulation does a great job keeping heat out in the summer, but doesn’t seem as effective in keeping the building warm in winter, especially in unheated buildings. Why?
Generally, summer heat gain in metal buildings is primarily the result of radiant energy entering the building. Since reflective insulation reflects this energy, it is extremely effective at reducing summer heat gain.
When it is cold outside, the dynamics change. Unlike the summer months, there is not an intense source of radiant energy inside the building for TVM Insulation to reflect. Also, the concrete slab is wicking much of the heat energy away from the building during the winter. Radiant energy accounts for about one-half of the heat loss during cold seasons.
How can TVM Reflective Insulation perform if it’s so thin?
It’s a common misconception that insulation must be thick to perform. This is because R-Values are closely related to a product’s thickness. It is also a common mistake to only consider a material’s R-Value when choosing insulation. It’s highly possible for a thinner reflective material to provide better thermal performance than a thicker non-reflective product, even though the thicker product will have a higher R-Value.
Except for gold and silver, pure aluminum is the most reflective material on earth. The thin aluminum layer reflects radiant heat energy, and this ability is unrelated to the product’s overall thickness.
What is RADIANT heat?
Simply put, this is heat energy that is radiating through an airspace. If a surface is hotter than an adjacent airspace, it will cast off its energy in the form of infrared waves. These waves are not part of the visible spectrum and as such, are invisible to the naked eye. Consider that temperatures in a dark attic can rise to 150° F. This is due to the roof absorbing the Sun’s radiant heat energy – and in turn, radiating this heat into the dark attic space below.
Mass insulation products do little to hinder the flow of radiant energy. These materials absorb this energy and retain the heat until it is cast off into the building. As the Sun continues to provide energy, the interior of the building continues to receive it – in the form of heat.
Radiant energy can, however, be controlled. Certain materials - including metalized aluminum - have the ability to redirect these invisible rays. This is why aluminum is used to insulate airplanes, the space shuttle, and even the spacesuits worn by astronauts.

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I am building a warehouse that will not be heated or air-conditioned. Do I need to put any insulation in the building?
To avoid heat gain in the summer as well as condensation problems inside the building, it is necessary to insulate a metal building. The fact that the warehouse is not air-conditioned is even more reason to install a reflective insulation product.
Will the material compress and secure itself around screw holes?
Yes, the material will stay uniform and compress around the screw holes ensuring a snug fit.
How is the material secured to the purlins?
TVM Reflective Insulation is taped to the roof edge with double-sided tape, to ease installation. From that point, the material is simply draped over the purlins, and secured under the exterior metal.
Can I spray wash the material?
Yes, you can keep the surface clean by spray washing the insulation. However, power washing is not recommended.
What kind of tape works best with TVM Reflective Insulation?
We offer three types of reflective tapes:

• Metalized aluminum tape to seal the seams of reflective surface.
• White poly tape to seal poly-faced seams.
• Double-sided tape to attach the first course of reflective insulation to a roof edge.

How much tape will I need?
First, determine how many linear feet of TVM Reflective Insulation is being installed. This is approximately how much tape you will need. However, remember to allow at least 20% for tape overlap, scrap, etc. Rolls of TVM Reflective Tape are available in 2” or 3” widths, and lengths of 150’.
Do I need to tape the seams?
Taping the seams is highly recommended, especially if interior condensation is an issue. Heated metal buildings in colder climates are especially susceptible to condensation problems, as well as agricultural buildings housing livestock. As a rule, TVM Building Products always recommends taping the seams.
How is TVM Reflective Insulation installed?
Reflective insulation can be installed in numerous ways, depending upon the application. Regardless of the application, however, all reflective insulation products require and adjacent airspace of at least ¾”. This airspace ensures that all heat that is incident on the reflective surface is in radiant form. Aluminum facings, like the ones used in TVM Reflective Insulation products

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What if it rains on the material before it’s installed?
Deionized water (rainwater) has no affect on TVM Reflective Insulation.
What is the fire rating of the product?
Most TVM Reflective Insulation products are classified as Class 1/ Class A in accordance with the ASTM E84 fire test method. Some items also pass the NFPA 286 full room burn test.
How do animal fluids (urine) affect the material?
Both the white poly side, and the reflective side of TVM Reflective Insulation are unaffected by animal fluids. Both materials are non-porous, and chemically stable. There is no interaction or degradation that occurs when contact is made with animal fluids.
How easily will the product tear?
TVM Reflective Insulation is produced with linear-low density polyethylene, with very high tensile strength and puncture resistance. In normal applications, it is unlikely that the material will tear.
Can water get inside the bubbles of rFOIL™?
No. Each bubble is independent of the others, and polyethylene is a natural moisture and vapor barrier.
What if the bubbles lose their air?
It is highly unlikely that any of the bubbles will lose their air given the equal air pressure both inside and out, and due to the quality of polyethylene used. However, it is possible for bubbles to be punctured by sharp objects. However, each bubble is independent of the others, so if one is punctured, the others will still maintain air.
Can the bubbles go flat after TVM Reflective Insulation is installed in a building?
If the bubbles in the productcontain air when the product’s installed, it should maintain this air indefinitely. TVM Reflective Insulation is produced with high-quality, linear low-density polyethylene, which is an excellent air barrier. Because the air pressure inside the bubbles is exactly the same as the air pressure outside, there are no inherent forces in place that will promote deflation.