A radiant barrier can be an insulation helper for your attic

A radiant barrier has become a useful way to keep your home cooler in the summer by reflecting the sun's heat up so it doesn't enter your attic, and in the winter by keeping the heat within your home, inside the living area.

It is very cost-effective and will pay for itself in energy savings in a short period of time. It also qualifies for a tax credit because of its energy-saving qualities.

A radiant barrier can be added along with a new roof as part of the decking, or it can be added to the inside of the attic as a retrofit. Most of us will be using the retrofit installation, and this comes in two basic forms - paint and foil sheeting.

The paint is specially formulated to reflect the heat, and is applied directly to the underside of the decking within your attic. It can be sprayed or rolled on, and can be a do-it-yourself project if you want to save even more money. Paint stores are your best source for this material.

The reflective foil sheeting is a little more effective, but also a little harder to install. When you purchase this material, the heavier the material, the better. It will be more effective and less likely to tear. Heck, we've even heard of people using heavy-duty aluminum foil from the kitchen, but we don't recommend this.

There are two ways to install this type of material. One installation calls for it to be placed on top of the insulation that is on the floor of the attic. In cooler climates, this can be fairly effective, but it limits your access to the attic since it's easy to tear, and walking around on it would be practically impossible. It's best if you can leave an air gap between the insulation and the foil.

The other method of installing the foil material calls for it to be attached to the front of the rafters overhead. This can be done with staples. You need to make sure that you leave an air space at the bottom of the roof and at the peak so that air can flow behind the foil.

Do everything you can to cut energy bills, and you will benefit in the long run - maybe sooner than you think!

Out of paint sticks?

Paint is a mixture of several ingredients and must be thoroughly mixed before use. Unless you just got home from the paint store, this is something that takes some time to be done properly. Do the job quicker with a stirring attachment for your drill. If you don't have one, create one from a wire coat hanger. Just straighten out the hook at the top and push the center of the bottom up as you pull the two ends down. You should have two loops that point downward and a straight rod at the top, which you can chuck into your drill. You can stir the paint quickly with this new attachment. Just be careful not to go crazy and make a big mess at the same time! Splatter art is something you want to see on a canvas, not on your walls!

Another painting trick

Dropcloths will protect a floor from paint drips and spatters, and should be used whenever you are painting inside your home. If you are painting separate pieces, place them on top of a dropcloth to protect your floor. But here's another little tip to keep the dropcloth from sticking to the item you are painting: Install a few small tacks on the bottom of what you are painting to keep it raised off the cloth; for example, one for each chair or table leg. This boost will let you paint all the way to the bottom of the piece so that you can get the job done quicker and with less mess. You can use nails, tacks or even bulletin-board pins.

Super hints

• Even after you wash your hands, the smell of solvents and other chemicals still can be present. But if you rinse your hands with mouthwash, the smells will go away, just like they do in your mouth.

• Freeze milk jugs filled with water to take on your camp outs. The large ice packs keep your ice chest cool, and when they melt, you'll have extra drinking water when you need it.

• I have a large bank of windows in my bedroom and wanted to create a custom cornice for them. I didn't want to try to hang a wooden unit up there because of the weight. I used foam insulation panels. I cut them to the design I wanted, and then covered them with batting and fabric. I installed a few metal corner brackets to hold the cornice and, voila - a custom cornice that weighs only a couple of pounds and looks great, if I do say so myself.

Q. We have canvas awnings over our windows. They have been up for a long time and are starting to show mildew stains. How can we clean them?

A. Your manufacturer should be able to help you. Most recommend using a mild soap and water to clean them. Bleach can be used on some but may discolor others. If cleaning them removes their waterproofing, apply more. You can buy the waterproofing in a spray-on can and just apply it directly to the awning after it is clean and dry. This also will prevent stains from coming back so soon.

Q. We need to expand the living space in our attic this summer. We plan to install foam insulation panels over the batts on the side walls. Do we need to cover this with plastic before putting up the drywall?

A. If you buy the foam panels with a foil face, then you don't need a vapor barrier. If it doesn't have a covering, then, yes, it's a good idea to add one.

Q. How can I clean my glass oven door? The oven is old and has years of grease baked onto it, and I can no longer see through it. What will get this mess off the glass?

A. We suggest oven cleaner, applied to the glass according to the label directions. Use a razor-blade scraper to get the baked-on grease off the glass. It will take some work, but it will come off.

Reader tips

• I tried washing my siding with a small power washer that I had. It worked fine, except for a couple of places where the dirt was caked on. I used a paint roller on an extension pole to scrub those spots clean. It worked really well, so I thought I would pass this tip on to you and your readers. It helped me get the job done, and more quickly than I had thought. The house looks really great now. I didn't realize how dirty it was until it was cleaned.

• Our sunroom used to have indoor/outdoor carpeting on the concrete floor. It was glued down and was a major production to get up. After cleaning the floor and getting it smooth again, it still had some stains on it, so I decided to paint it. I found a base paint for concrete. It was a two-part epoxy paint, and it is very tough. Then my wife got creative and painted a "rug" over that. We put two coats of clear sealer over that to protect the new "rug." It looks fantastic! It will be easier to clean, too!

• I've found a way to keep my shower clean a little longer, and the kids actually enjoy helping me do it. I put a car squeegee in the shower and asked them to wipe down the walls after they finish showering. They like to do it, and it does keep the walls free from soap scum.

• I like the pegboard in my garage, which has exposed studs. But I didn't do a full panel on the wall. Instead, I cut it in half and placed it about midway up the wall, leaving it open at the top. After installing the hooks and tools, I put my garden tools with long handles behind it, between the wall studs. The storage is great and leaves me plenty of room for parking.

• My old doorbell makes a great alert for me in the workshop. I had to replace it with a new one, so I installed the old buzzer in my shop. I put the old doorbell push button in the kitchen for my wife to use. Now when my wife needs me, she just buzzes me. I can be there to help or get the phone if I have a call. It really comes in handy.

Shop talk

• The Ryobi 18-volt One+ System has more than 40 tools now. The cordless tools all use the same battery-and-charger system, so they are completely interchangeable. This allows you to save money and time by having a battery charged and ready to use on any of the tools. Tool batteries won't overcharge, because of the Intelliport Design. Ryobi has packaged some starter kits that include battery, charger and a variety of tools together with a tool bag to save you even more money. Check them out at your Home Depot store or online at www.ryobitools.com.

• Connexx Tapelight is a neat way to light up a wide variety of places in your home. The system components consist of separate light bars that can be connected together and are wired to a switch and transformer, which is then plugged into any outlet. The LED lights are super-energy-efficient and have color-correcting lenses so they look more like standard incandescent bulbs. They wire together with no tools required, and are easily mounted with double-sided tape, included in the kit. You can use one light strip or as many as 24 wired together. They are perfect for under-counter, baseboard, cabinets and other places like this. Basic kits start at $30, and add-on lights are only $8 to $10 each. To find out more about Tapelights, go to the website and view the video at www.tapelight.com or call (888) 827-3544.

• Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' website at thesuperhandyman.com.