Case Study: How BlueTex™ Radiant Barrier Keeps a Nebraska Wood-Framed Shop Cool All Summer - Without AC

One customer in Nebraska shared his results after insulating his large metal shop building with BlueTex™ Foil/Foil Radiant Barrier. With a hot, humid Great Plains summer bearing down on an 81' x 40' building, his goal was straightforward: keep the interior comfortable during the hottest months without relying on air conditioning. 

Background: Large metal buildings are notorious for trapping radiant heat from the sun. Metal roofing and walls absorb solar energy throughout the day and radiate it into the interior, quickly turning a shop into an oven. For building owners who want to avoid the cost and complexity of running AC in a space that large, blocking that radiant heat at the source is the most effective solution.

Type of Structure: New 81' x 40' Wood-Framed Pole Style Building with Metal Siding

Install Date: Spring 2026

Location: Nebraska

Goal: Keep the interior cooler in the summer without the use of air conditioning

Product Used: BlueTex™ Foil/Foil Radiant Barrier - available in both 48" wide and 60" wide rolls - installed on the roof and side walls to block 97% of incoming radiant heat

Install Details: The customer installed the Foil/Foil Radiant Barrier over the roof purlins before the metal went on and on all 4 walls of the building for maximum benefit. 

He followed the install instructions on this page for New Construction Wood-Framed Buildings Installations and used the air gap on the interior of his building as the necessary air gap for the foil to work. Remember, it doesn't so much matter which side of the foil faces the air gap, as long as the foil faces air on one of it's side. Since this is a double-sided foil (reflective on both sides) he can choose to put the air gap on either side. Not only does this make installation easy and foolproof, it also gives the customer options on how he wants to make his insulation work for him. If he planned to add insulation for a fully-conditioned space, he would be best off creating the air gap between the foil and the sheet metal on the walls and roofing. However, since he's not using A/C, he can use the air of the interior of the building to utilize the foil's property of emissivity to stop the heat from coming in. Additionally, any of the corrugations in the metal pattern on the outside would also create little air pockets for the foil to reflect heat from its outside surface too! Covering both the roof and walls ensures the building is protected from radiant gain on all major surfaces.

Finish: The BlueTex™ was installed outside the framing so the interior of the building showed one of the foil sides between the framing. If he wanted, the customer could add additional insulation inside the building but it remains comfortable enough that he hasn't needed it.  

Results: The customer was thrilled that his shop felt so cool despite the high outdoor temps.

“On a 90° day the inside of the shop will feel about 70 to 75° and with high humidity outside the humidity in the shop is approximately 55%.”

That's a reduction of 15 to 20 degrees on a hot summer day - with no air conditioning running. The radiant barrier is also doing double duty on humidity, helping the interior stay noticeably drier than the muggy conditions outside. That’s a significant improvement without the use of A/C! 

This is exactly what a Foil/Foil Radiant Barrier is designed to do. By reflecting up to 97% of the radiant energy before it can be absorbed by the roof and walls, the building stays dramatically cooler throughout the day - and the customer gets to use his shop comfortably all summer long without adding energy-draining equipment or another bill.

Interested in keeping your shop, barn, or metal building cooler this summer without AC? Learn more or request a free sample here.

Interested in improving the look of your warehouse’s old insulation? Learn more or request a free sample here.