RADIANCE™ - MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BACKGROUND:
What is Radiance Low-E Wall Finish and Radiance
Low-E Decking Radiant Barrier?
Radiance Low-E Wall Finish is an interior wall finish that
reflects radiant energy, keeping buildings warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Radiance
Low-e Attic & Decking Radiant Barrier is a coating which can be applied on the plywood
decking in attics.
How does Radiance Low-E Wall Finish work?
Radiant energy is constantly being generated by everything
around us. In the winter, about 95% of the radiant energy generated in a room is
absorbed into the walls and escapes to the outside via conduction. In a room coated
with Radiance Low-E Wall Finish, about 40% of the radiant energy is reflected back into
the room, saving energy costs and keeping the room more comfortable.
In the summer, the sun is a primary source of radiant
energy. It heats the exterior of buildings, and this heat is absorbed into the walls
and eventually emitted into the inside rooms, making the interior feel even
warmer. Conventional insulation merely slows this process... it does not stop the
radiant heat transfer. Radiance Low-E Wall Finish applied on the interior of a
building's walls will not allow about 40% of the radiant energy to be emitted into the
room.
What about ceramic Coatings?
Ceramic Coatings are not comparable to Radiance Low-E Wall
Finish, since they are mainly intended for exterior uses (roofing and waterproofing
applications). These products work by reflecting visible light. They must be white
to work, and have a much thicker build than Radiance Low-E Wall Finish. They have a
very high e-value, thus do not work as well in managing radiant energy.
What kind of testing has been done?
Radiance Low-E Wall Finish underwent extensive testing in
some of Europe's most respected laboratories before its European introduction in 1996.
Independent research labs have confirmed the emissivity values of the product.
Radiance has also been tested by independent laboratories in the United States as
an interior coating.
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