The integration of natural fiber in radiant barrier foil for roof thermal insulation

The installation of radiant barrier foil on roof is a common practice to minimize heat transfer in building envelope, especially when heat wave occurs. As the heat wave becomes more intense these days, modification on the existing radiant barrier foil is needed in order to make significant changes in temperature difference so that it will still be relevant to use. The modification includes the additional layer of coconut fiber that is sandwiched between two sheets of regular radiant barrier. Apart from that, the modification also includes sheet of felted human hair as the additional layer that is sandwiched between two sheets of regular radiant barrier. This study emphasizes on investigation regarding the viability of using coconut fiber and felted human hair as thermal insulation for roof. A temperature difference measurement was conducted through the implementation of USB temperature data logger to determine the capability of the modified radiant barrier to minimize heat transfer. From this study, it was found that the integration of coconut fiber and felted human hair in the middle, increases the capability to reduce heat when used as insulating element in comparison with the regular radiant barrier foil and the control set, as depicted by the significant indoor temperature drop in comparison with the outdoor temperature.