Poly Pro®

Poly Pro® (CCMC# 13521-L)

Poly Pro is an EPS foam sheet product with a heat laminated aluminized film finish which greatly enhances the products durability and performance. The finish effectively makes Poly Pro a Reflective Insulation and Radiant Barrier.

Introduction to Reflective Insulation and Radiant Barriers

In order to maintain a comfortable temperature in a building one must reduce the heat transfer out of the building in the winter and reduce heat transfer into the building in the summer.
Heat is transmitted across confined air spaces by radiation, convection, and conduction. The goal of all insulation and barriers is to reduce heating & cooling loads. Reflective insulation and radiant barriers are products that perform this function by reducing radiant heat transfer thereby reducing heating and cooling requirements.

Conduction is the direct flow of heat through a material from physical contact, i.e. touching a hot stove element will burn your hand.
Convection is the transfer of heat in fluid, such as air, caused by movement of the heated air or fluid. i.e. warm air rising from a radiator (after the radiator has been heated by conduction)
Radiation is the transfer of heat or energy from a hot surface to a cold surface thru air or vacuum. Radiant heat is invisible and has no temperature. i.e. radiant heat from the sun on a sunny day travels thru a window, hitting a surface, and is absorbed causing a rise in temperature. Radiation between surfaces is through invisible, infra-red heat rays.

Heat moves thru wall cavities or between roofs and attic floors by radiation, conduction and convection, with radiation being the dominant method of heat transfer. A reflective insulation is an effective barrier against radiant heat transfer because it reflects almost all of the infrared radiation striking its surface and allows very little heat to be conducted thru it. Reflective insulations also have an impermeable surface which diminishes convective heat transfer. In contrast, mass insulation is not effective against infrared radiation because instead of reflecting or blocking the transfer it can only absorb it.

A reflective insulation system is typically formed by a low emittance material (aluminum, etc..) and an enclosed air space which provides highly reflective or low emittance cavities adjacent to a heated space. Reflective insulations are designed for installation between or over framing members and are applicable to unfinished floors, walls and ceilings. Applications extend to commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses such a s panelized wood roofs, pre-engineered buildings, pole barns, basements, crawl spaces, roofs, floors, etc.

Some reflective insulations are effective vapor retarders, one must be very careful to ensure they are installed properly within the structure. Appropriate installation ensures that all seams and joints are butted against each other and taped. This reduces the possibility of moisture condensation within the cavity. It must be clearly understood that although a radiant barrier reduces heat loss and gain thru the building envelope, it is not an insulation material per say, and has no inherent R-Value (see C518-04 in physical property table). The generally accepted definition of a radiant barrier system specifies that the reflective material face an open air space. The idea is that a radiant barrier facing an enclosed air space is a “reflective insulation” with a measureable R-value (see ASTM 1363 in physical property tables).
For more information on Reflective Insulation and Radiant Barriers please visit the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International website http://rimainternational.org

Sizes and Options

Poly Pro is available in more than just 4’x8’ sheets of up to 3” thick. Poly Pro can be ordered in sheet length of up to 30' long in 1/4" thickness increments. It’s also available in:
Fan Fold: Fan Fold Poly Pro is a continues sheet that is 4’ tall, 3/8” to 1.5” thick, and 50’ long. It is then “Fan Folded” back and forth into 25 - 4’ by 2’ sheets making it a continuous 200 sqft piece.
Rolled: Rolled Poly Pro is a 4’ wide roll of laminated insulation that is available in 3/8” to 5/8” thicknesses and 70' - 75’ long (depending on thickness) making each roll a continuous 280 - 300 sqft piece.

Availability

Poly Pro® reflective insulation is manufactured by AMC Foam Technologies Inc. in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is readily available for prompt delivery by the bundle or full truckload lot. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Ontario, and the upper mid-USA States are easily accessed from our Winnipeg manufacturing facility. Contact AMC Foam Technologies Inc. for a list of local distributors.