Posted by:
chris_harper2
at Wed Dec 20 15:47:28 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by chris_harper2 ]
It is an insulation of sorts. Specifically a radiant barrier that reflects radiant energy.
Since almost all reptile cages are heated with some sort of radiant heat source (although I do remember seeing a Burmese python breeder who had a basement full of cages heated by forced air ducts...) Reflectix and other radiant barriers are a great way to keep heat in.
Don't be fooled by their low R values. Those are determined through standardized tests that apply more to forced air heating devices.
I discovered Reflectix when I needed a fire-resistant insulation to line the walls and ceiling of a temporary snake room in the garage of my last house. The room was 7x7x8 and had two exterior walls with no insulation. The other two walls were interior to the unheated garage and also not insulated.
I stapled on layer of Reflectix on the ceiling, walls, and hollow core door of the room. I did nothing to the bare concrete floor.
I was able to heat that room to 85* during a South Dakota winter with a 750 watt radiant heater and it would even cycle on and off on days it was so cold water would freeze in the garage.
I started to test the stuff and was amazed at how effective it was. The one downfall to all radiant barriers is that they lose their effectiveness over time due to dust build up in wall cavities. But since Reflectix is fire-rated you can have it out in the open and make sure it stays clean.
For most of us, it is great for insulating cages by wrapping them. It also can be hung from the ceilings in small rooms to create warm and cool areas. Or you can insulate small rooms with it like I did.
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Current snakes:
0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)
1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)
2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)
1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)
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RE: Chris Harper has me addicted to refl - chris_harper2, Wed Dec 20 15:47:28 2006
