Thermal Penetration
The most frequently cited problem with steel framing is the potential for what's called "thermal penetration." Steel conducts energy (heat, electricity, etc.) about 200 times more efficiently then wood. If there is a clear pathway between the steel framing and the outside environment, heat will flow very rapidly through the metal towards the cooler area. It will flow in during summer and out during winter. To stop this unwanted heat transfer, you need a "thermal break," or a barrier between the frame and the outside. Reflective foil insulation performs this task very effectively.

Thermal Break
Steel-Kits supplies reflective foil insulation for both the walls and roof of all of our homes. This insulation system consists of thin blankets which are installed between the frame and the outer wall and roof coverings (siding, steel roof panels, decking, etc.). These blankets wrap the entire house and provide an effective barrier to thermal penetration. In the years we have been selling homes, we have never had a customer complain of heat transfer problems; in fact, we have countless reports from people that our homes are exceptionally energy efficient.

Radiant Heat Loss
In addition to providing a thermal break for the metal frame, reflective foil insulation will vastly improve the energy efficiency of your home. Most houses rely exclusively on mass insulation products like fiberglass, cellulose, and polystyrene. These materials work very well to stop some types of heat transfer, but they fail to counteract the most serious type. Heat can be transferred in three ways:
• Conduction: the transfer of heat by contact between two surfaces, like a pan being heated on an electric range. Conduction accounts for between 3% to 7% of the heat transfer through walls and roof.
• Convection: the transfer of heat via the movement of gasses or liquids, like the steam rising from a pan of boiling water. Convection accounts for up to 20% of the heat transfer through walls and as much as 45% of the heat loss through the roof (because hot air rises).
• Radiation: the transfer of heat via the movement of electromagnetic energy. The most obvious example is the heat of the sun, but all objects with temperatures above absolute zero radiate heat, the hotter they are the more heat they radiate. Radiation is the only method of heat transfer that does not require a medium; it occurs in the vacuum of space as well as on earth. Radiation accounts for up to 50% of the heat transfer through a roof and 85% of the heat transfer through walls. Just as importantly, it is responsible for about 90% of the heat gain in the summer

Radiant Barrier
Most unwanted heat transfer in a house occurs by radiation, and typical mass insulation products have virtually no effect on it. On the other hand, reflective foil insulation can almost totally stop radiant transfer. It is made of two layers of aluminum foil with an inert material in between them. Aluminum foil reflects 97% of the radiant heat that strikes it, which is why it covers so many of the materials used in outer space (gold foil is also used in space because it is an even more efficient heat reflector). The inert material creates an air space that prevents heat being transferred between the foil layers by conduction. Reflective foil insulation will have a dramatic impact on your home's energy efficiency. For example, a foil blanket in a roof can mean a 20 degree difference in attic temperature during summer.

Solarguard
There are several brands and types of reflective foil insulation on the market, and almost all of them perform very well. However, Steel-Kits exclusively supplies a brand called Solarguard because of a unique feature we believe makes it the best product available. Whereas all other foil insulations use plastic or foam as the inert material between the two foil layers, Solarguard uses a ¼" layer of fiberglass. First of all, the fiberglass is itself a mass insulation and will increase the overall R-value of your home. More importantly, it will not burn. We believe that if you are going to use fireproof steel to frame your home, you should not undercut this benefit by attaching flammable materials to it. That is why we recommend products like Densglass if you are going to use sheathing and why we supply Solarguard. Like your steel frame, these products will not support combustion, making your home a safer shelter for you and your family. Solarguard is also perforated on both sides to prevent moisture from being trapped between it and your wall covering. Studies estimate that Solarguard adds the equivalent of an R-8.5 to your walls and R-10.5 to your roof.

Additional Insulation
Although Solarguard reflective foil insulation counteracts the most important source of unwanted heat transfer, the other types of heat transfer are still significant, and we encourage our customers to use a conventional mass insulation as well. We recommend a fiberglass blanket with fireproof Kraft paper backing. Our 6-inch exterior wall studs (8 inch on some models) will allow you to achieve an additional R-19.