Do radiant barriers provide R-value?

Radiant barriers work by reflecting radiant heat rather than insulating against conductive heat flow, which is what traditional insulation materials do. They typically consist of highly reflective materials, such as aluminum foil, which effectively reflects radiant energy away from living spaces.

Because radiant barriers do not resist heat flow in the same manner as insulation that has a measurable R-value, they do not contribute a significant R-value. The effectiveness of radiant barriers greatly depends on their installation and the surrounding environment, particularly in warm climates where they can reduce cooling loads by preventing heat gain from the sun.

In summary, radiant barriers do not provide R-value in the conventional sense and are considered a different type of energy efficiency measure. They are most effective when used in conjunction with traditional insulation but are not classified as insulation themselves.