How does ASTEC compare with “traditional” insulation?
First, “traditional” insulation is meant to be mass insulation for protection against heat transfer by conduction. ASTEC protects against heat transfer by radiation. Both mass insulation (i.e. fiberglass wool, polyurethane foam, etc.) and radiation control coatings (i.e., ASTEC) have value and one does not necessarily replace the other. In many cases, radiation control coatings complement mass insulation to give it added value benefits. “Traditional” insulation (i.e. fiberglass wool) is usually installed on the underside of a roof or inside the walls of a building and absorbs heat from the roof’s exterior surface. Since heat always travels from a “hot” environment to a (relatively) “colder” environment, the absorbed heat energy transfers into the building where temperatures during sunlight hours are normally lower than the ambient air temperature. Where mass insulation is applied to the exterior surface of the roof (i.e.
First, “traditional” insulation is meant to be mass insulation for protection against heat transfer by conduction. ASTEC protects against heat transfer by radiation. Both mass insulation (i.e. fiberglass wool, polyurethane foam, etc.) and radiation control coatings (i.e., ASTEC) have value and one does not necessarily replace the other. In many cases, radiation control coatings complement mass insulation to give it added value benefits. “Traditional” insulation (i.e. fiberglass wool) is usually installed on the underside of a roof or inside the walls of a building and absorbs heat from the roof’s exterior surface. Since heat always travels from a “hot” environment to a (relatively) “colder” environment, the absorbed heat energy transfers into the building where temperatures during sunlight hours are normally lower than the ambient air temperature. Where mass insulation is applied to the exterior surface of the roof (i.e. polyurethane foam), the same principles of heat management apply.
