Thermal Insulation

Reflectix Product Summary

Manufacturer:  Reflectix, Inc.
Address:  1 School Street, Markleville, IN 46056
Phone:  (800) 879-3645
Web Site: NONE

Product Name:  Reflectix
Insulation Classification: Radiant heat reflector
Thickness As Tested: .28"
Claimed "R" Value: 8.3 to 14.3 depending on type of installation.
Actual "R" Value (at product thickness): .67
Equivalent "R" Value (per inch): 2.38

Product Overview
Reflectix is comprised of two layers of plastic "bubble wrap" (visually identical to that used for packaging) laminated between two sheet of plastic protected aluminized foil.  It is one of the original, and most commonly available radiant heat insulations and can be found at many local hardware and building supply stores.

The product literature states that the claimed "R" values "include the effects of the 3/4" interior and exterior plywood, studs on 16" centers and all air spaces in the wall system".  It does not state what percentage of the total "R" value should be attributed to the insulation itself.   Like many manufacturers of reflective foils, Reflectix describes the performance of their product in terms of installations with "air gaps" but offers suggestions and photographs which show installations with no air gap.  For example, in a printed piece giving ideas for typical uses (separate from the specification literature which gives the claimed "R" values), Reflectix is shown wrapping heater/AC ducts and is attributed an insulative value of R-5.6 for this application. While the company does not specifically promote its product as being suitable for refrigerator box insulation, no effort is made to indicate that it is not.  After quickly reading over the wrapper, the salesmen at the location where we purchased the product (OSH Hardware) assured us that it would probably work very well for a refrigerator.

Notable Product Claims
Reflectix touts the insulation as a cure for many heating and cooling problems.  One of the more interesting "cures" can be found on the product's wrapper.  Beside a photograph of the product being stapled to the inside of a garage door the text explains that, "In the summer months, the garage door acts as a giant magnet for the sun's rays.  Installing Reflectix will speed the heat recovery time in cold climates/months, and will virtually deactivate the magnet effect in the warm climates/months."

Test Conclusion
The addition of this product to a refrigerator box will have virtually no perceptible benefit.

Return to the Home Page