Method of installing radiant barrier or insulation

A method of installing a self-supporting radiant barrier or insulation between roof joists or wall studs secured to an exterior building surface. Flexible and resilient strips are positioned in an inwardly bowed condition between adjacent roof joists or wall studs. A radiant barrier or insulation is positioned between the adjacent roof joists or wall strips in a bowed condition in engagement with the bowed strips. Thereafter, flexible and resilient rods are positioned in a bowed condition in engagement with the roof joists or wall studs, the radiant barrier or insulation and over the bowed strips to secure the radiant barrier or insulation to the underlying bowed strips and the adjacent roof joists or wall studs. The bowed strips, radiant barrier or insulation and the bowed rods are all located within the interior surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of installing a radiant barrier or insulation and, more particularly, to such a method for installing the radiant barrier or insulation between roof joists or support studs.

Description of the Background Art

At the present time, radiant barriers or insulation are typically installed extending over roof joists or support studs with staples or nails secured to the interior surface of the roof joists or wall studs. Such an installation provides the required air space needed for radiant barriers, for example, but makes it difficult to install drywall or any wall covering over the roof joists or wall studs if it is desired to convert an attic or other area into a living space. Accordingly, a need has arisen for a new and improved method of installing a radiant barrier or insulation between roof joists or wall studs which is not subject to the above described disadvantage. The method of the present invention meets this need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the method of the present invention, flexible and resilient strips are installed in an inwardly bent position at a desired spacing between the outer surfaces of the roof joists or support studs to provide an air space with the adjacent outer surface such as a roof or wall. The strips are positioned within the inner surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs and may be formed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic or the like.

A radiant barrier or insulation of the self-supporting type is then installed between the adjacent roof joists or wall studs in engagement with the inwardly bowed strips and is disposed within the inner surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs.

Thereafter, pointed flexible and resilient rods made of any suitable metal or plastic material are installed over the radiant barrier or insulation with their ends in engagement with the roof joists or wall studs. The rods are installed over the inner bowed strips to support and maintain the position of the radiant barrier or insulation on the strips within the roof joints or wall studs.

In this manner, all of the radiant barriers or insulation are installed within the roof joists or wall studs so that drywall or other interior surfaces can be secured directly to the interior surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs when it is desired to construct or modify an interior living space. No other tools or fasteners are required for this installation method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a prior art method of installing a radiant barrier or insulation10over the interior surface of roof joists or support studs12with connecting members such as staples or nails14secured to the interior surface of the roof joists or wall studs12. Such an installation provides the required air space needed for radiant barriers but makes it difficult to install drywall or any wall covering over the interior surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs12if it is desired to convert an area into a living space.

In accordance with the new and improved method of the present invention as shown inFIG. 2, flexible and resilient strips16are installed in an inwardly bent position at a desired spacing between the outer surfaces of the roof joists or support studs12to provide an air space with the adjacent outer surface such as a roof or wall18. The strips16are positioned within the inner surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs12and may be formed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic or the like.

Thereafter, as shown inFIG. 3, a radiant barrier or insulation10of the self-supporting type is then installed between the adjacent roof joists or wall studs12in engagement with the inwardly bowed strips16and is disposed within the inner surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs12.

As shown inFIG. 4, thereafter pointed flexible and resilient rods20made of any suitable metal or plastic material are installed over the radiant barrier or insulation12with their ends in engagement with the roof joists or wall studs12. The rods20are installed over the inner bowed strips16to support and maintain the position of the radiant barrier or insulation10on the strips16within the roof joints or wall studs12.

According to the present invention, all of the radiant barriers or insulation10are installed within the roof joints or wall studs12so that drywall or other interior surfaces can be secured directly to the interior surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs12when it is desired to construct or modify an interior living space. No other tools or fasteners are required for this new and improved installation method.

FIG. 5illustrates one embodiment of a flexible and resilient strip16for use in the method of the present invention.

FIG. 6illustrates one embodiment of a flexible and resilient rod20to be used in the method of the present invention. The rod20is provided with pointed ends for firm engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the roof joists or wall studs12.