How to Use BlueTex™ in an Open Carport for Heat Control
If your goal is to keep your open carport cooler by blocking heat—without worrying about sealing off the building for moisture control—BlueTex™ radiant barrier metal building insulation is an excellent choice.
Why BlueTex™ Metal Building Insulation Works So Well for Heat Control
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Reflects Radiant Heat: The pure aluminum layer in BlueTex™ reflects up to 97% of radiant heat (a form of energy transfer that happens when the sun shines on your metal panels & heats them up). When this heat is reflected, less enters your carport, keeping everything below the carport roof noticeably cooler.
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R-Value Isn’t the Solution: Although BlueTex™ offers about R‑1 insulation (a measure of thermal resistance), what really matters in a non-conditioned space like a carport is radiant heat control—not thickness. Learn more about why R-value doesn't always matter in these spaces on our R-Value Information Page.
Quick Terms Reference
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Radiant Heat: Think of it as warmth you feel from the sun or a hot surface—not the air itself. Metal roofs absorb heat and radiate it downward; BlueTex™ blocks that energy/heat.
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Air Gap: Even a small space (as little as ½ inch) between the foil radiant barrier layer and the metal panels on your carport is effective. This gap forces the heat to stay in radiant form, so the foil can reflect it away.
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R-Value: This measures resistance to heat flow via conduction. In a hot, ventilated space, it’s less relevant. Radiant barriers like BlueTex™ are far more efficient at cooling than just using bulky insulation.
How to Install for Best Results
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Attach the BlueTex™ to the underside of your carport roof, at the bottom of the purlins. This will create a small air gap between the BlueTex™ and the metal panels. This gap lets the heat reflect back toward the roof and prevents it from being directed onto your vehicles/storage. Use screws/locking washers to screw the BlueTex™ into the metal purlins along the roof and cover the entire underside.
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Don’t worry about moisture—since your carport is open-air, condensation isn’t a serious concern like it would be inside closed metal buildings. This means you don't have to tape the seams, but you can if you want it to look more finished. Either way you gain the cooling benefits without having to seal things up or add bulky R-value!
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Cover the side walls - you may have 2 or 3 walls on your carport and if you do, you should install BlueTex™ on those as well, unless they're shared with another building or are shaded. Use screws and locking washers here, just like the roof, and space them about 2' apart. The more wall surface you cover, the better your overall results will be.
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Leave the sides/ends open or install low-level vents or even a fan to push air through the space. If your carport is open on one (or both) ends, keep it open. We want air moving through the space to keep things dry and help lower that air temperature. If you have no way of air moving through the space (for example you have 3 walls and the roof), you can install a ridge vent or a fan near the open end. The vent allows warm air to rise and escape naturally and the fan pushes in cool outside air through the warm carport, keeping things cooler and dry.
With just BlueTex™ installed on your carport ceiling and the air flowing below, you’ll likely notice temperatures sit closer to ambient—about 10 to 15°F cooler than an uninsulated metal roof. Even without walls or HVAC, it’s a small investment for a major comfort upgrade!