Radiant Barrier Calculator
Radiant barrier reflects summer heat back out of the roof deck. It shines in hot climates. Enter your attic footprint and roof pitch for roll counts and savings.
Your project
Covers cuts, compression and odd bays. 10% is the usual default.
Your results
- Roof deck area to cover
- 1,478 sq ft
- Rolls required
- 3 rolls
- Staples estimate
- 370 staples
- Material cost
- $325
- Expected cooling savings
- 12%
- Best value verdict
- Strong payback
500 sq ft per roll
Roughly every 4 sq ft
Highest in hot, sunny climates
Estimates use typical US material and labor pricing. Confirm quantities against the coverage chart on the bag before you buy.
Gear for this job
Radiant Barrier Foil Insulation
Radiant Barrier Foil Insulation Roll – 1000 Sq Ft (4 ft x 250 ft), Double-Sided Perforated Reflective Heat Shield, Heavy Duty Thermal Wrap for Homes, Garages, and Metal Buildings
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Radiant Barrier Insulation Roll, 1000 Sq Ft Perforated Attic Foil | Double Reflective Heat-Blocking Foil, Heavy-Duty Thermal Barrier, Easy DIY Install, Heat Shield & Energy Saver for Home Attic
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RadiantGUARD® Radiant Barrier Xtreme Attic Insulation 1000 sq ft, 4 x 250ft
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Reflective Attic Insulation Roll
AtticFoilㅤ – SuperPerf Radiant Barrier – 45” Wide / 1500 sq ft | Tearproof Breathable Lay-Over Foil Insulation with Large Perforations–Designed for Use Directly Over Attic Insulation
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Double Bubble Foil Insulation Roll 24" x 125' Radiant Barrier | Reflective radiant barrier for attics, roofs, walls, garages & HVAC. Aluminum foil blocks radiant heat;.
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Ultra Heavy Duty 10mm Reflective Insulation Roll - Premium Foam Core Radiant Barrier for Energy Conservation -Commercial Grade Soundproofing Thermal Shield for Indoor and Outdoor (24" X 25')
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Staple Gun Insulation
Upholstery Staple Gun Heavy Duty, YEAHOME 4-in-1 Stapler Gun with 4000 Staples, Manual Brad Nailer Power Adjustment Stapler Gun for Wood, Crafts, Carpentry, Decoration DIY
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Arrow T50 Heavy Duty Staple Gun Kit with 3750 Pieces T50 Staples | All Chrome Steel Stapler with 3750 Pieces T50 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" Staples, for Upholstery Professional Projects
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Bielmeier Cordless Electric Staple Gun for Light-Duty Upholstery Craft DIY | Compact Handheld, Works on Fabric Softwood Cardboard, T50 STAPLES UP TO 3/8, Rechargeable Battery, Easy Load Quick Release
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How this calculator works
- Roof deck area = attic floor area × pitch multiplier
- Rolls = deck area ÷ (roll width × roll length)
- Savings % depends on climate zone — hot zones benefit most
Frequently asked questions
Does a radiant barrier work in cold climates?
Barely. It reflects summer heat gain, so payback is real in zones 1 to 3 and marginal from zone 5 north. Cold-climate money is better spent on attic depth and air sealing.
Should radiant barrier be stapled to the rafters or laid on the attic floor?
Stapled to the underside of the rafters is standard — laying it on top of insulation collects dust, which kills reflectivity within a few years.
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Roof deck area to cover
1,478 sq ft