You may already know that radiant barrier is a very efficient way to maximize your energy dollars by keeping warm air inside your home during the winter and preventing hot air from entering your home during the summer. The magic is in the 99% aluminum film that covers a woven polyester mesh liner.
Radiant barrier works in conjunction with your traditional attic insulation to reduce airflow.
The same logic applies when the product is used elsewhere, such as in a chicken coop or kennel. Mass-produced doghouses may be made of durable plastic, but they offer little to no protection from frigid weather. Animals may be sheltered from the wind, but they have no way of retaining the heat needed to prevent frostbite, and they don’t feel comfortable.
If you build your own dog house, you have the opportunity to incorporate some insulation, to make it airtight, and some radiant barrier. When used on all four sides of a dog house, as well as the roof, foil insulation will reflect the dog’s body heat back to the animal, acting as a thermal heat source. If the dog house is raised off the ground (as it is in many parts of the colder states, where snow can come up), then there is also an opportunity to insulate the bottom of the dog house.
People can forget that their external animals are not really capable of taking care of themselves. Animals are highly dependent on humans to care for them and ensure they stay out of harm’s way. As committed pet owners, we must honor our commitment even when we take responsibility.