ABOUT rFoil
- What is rFoil made of?
- rFoil is a heavy-duty radiant barrier sheet made up of a single layer of woven polyethylene material, bonded and sandwiched between two highly reflective aluminum surfaces.
- rFoil is a heavy-duty radiant barrier sheet made up of a single layer of woven polyethylene material, bonded and sandwiched between two highly reflective aluminum surfaces.
- Where is rFoil manufactured?
- Etobicoke, ON, Canada
- Etobicoke, ON, Canada
- What is the thickness of rFoil?
- 7mil
- 7mil
- Why would I use rFoil and not another radiant barrier foil?
- Ultra NT rFoil has been used for RF shielding inside walls for over 20 years, more than any other radiant barrier.
- Ultra NT rFoil has been used for RF shielding inside walls for over 20 years, more than any other radiant barrier.
- Why would I use rFoil instead of foil-backed drywall?
- rFoil is purpose-built for RF shielding, not just a radiant heat barrier like most foil- backed drywall. Joint conditions and interfacing with other surfaces, frames, penetrations, etc cannot be done with drywall, thus requiring the use of the flexible and durable rFoil.
- rFoil is purpose-built for RF shielding, not just a radiant heat barrier like most foil- backed drywall. Joint conditions and interfacing with other surfaces, frames, penetrations, etc cannot be done with drywall, thus requiring the use of the flexible and durable rFoil.
- What is the difference between rFoil and copper shielding foil?
- rFoil is comprised of aluminum and not copper.
- rFoil is comprised of aluminum and not copper.
- Is rFoil the same thing as tin foil?
- Although it seems they are the same in principle, rFoil is two layers of aluminum with a no-tear woven layer in between the two.
PERFORMANCE
- Is rFoil ‘rated’ for 80dB of RF shielding?
- Specification data shown is the lab performance. This does not indicate its RF shielding performance after installation. Final performance is dependent on many factors including installation method particularly at joints and overlaps, adjacent conditions and materials, and other shielding countermeasures.
- Specification data shown is the lab performance. This does not indicate its RF shielding performance after installation. Final performance is dependent on many factors including installation method particularly at joints and overlaps, adjacent conditions and materials, and other shielding countermeasures.
- Does perforated rFoil provide the same RF attenuation as the solid?
- While still very high RF shielding, the perforated version provides slightly less RF attenuation.
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- Solid rFoil: minimum shielding effectiveness (100MHz- 10GHz): 85 dB
- Perforated rFoil: minimum shielding effectiveness (100MHz- 10GHz): 67 dB
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- Why doesn’t a room with rFoil installed on all sides prevent a cell phone from working?
- Modern smart phones are very powerful and will boost signal to connect to the tower.
- Modern smart phones are very powerful and will boost signal to connect to the tower.
- What sort of RF attenuation can I expect after rFoil installation?
- This depends on installation method and adjacent conditions. Every building or room is very different and constructed by different individuals. Testing should be performed by a professional to determine final shielding effectiveness.
INSTALLATION
- What is used to adhere rFoil to drywall?
- Consult with the architect on the specific requirements for your customer. Spray adhesives, brush-applied adhesive, and even staples may be used if proper approvals are provided.
- Consult with the architect on the specific requirements for your customer. Spray adhesives, brush-applied adhesive, and even staples may be used if proper approvals are provided.
- Can I run drywall screws through rFoil and not hurt its RF performance?
- rFoil can be penetrated with drywall screws, however black phosphate fine threaded drywall screws are recommended. Drywall screws used to fasten the second layer of drywall must fasten to the same studs.
- rFoil can be penetrated with drywall screws, however black phosphate fine threaded drywall screws are recommended. Drywall screws used to fasten the second layer of drywall must fasten to the same studs.
- Can I use staples to adhere rFoil to the drywall?
- Some customers may allow this method, but it should be verified with the appropriate architect and security authorities.
- Some customers may allow this method, but it should be verified with the appropriate architect and security authorities.
- Will ceramic tile/adhesive adhere on top of rFoil?
- You must verify the adhesive being used will adhere to both rFoil and the tile.
- You must verify the adhesive being used will adhere to both rFoil and the tile.
- Will carpet tiles adhere on top of rFoil?
- Generally, yes self-adhering carpet tiles will sufficiently adhere to rFoil.
- Generally, yes self-adhering carpet tiles will sufficiently adhere to rFoil.
- Can I pour a concrete slab on top of rFoil?
- The aluminum metals in rFoil could react with the components/ingredients of the concrete mix. Any concrete ingredients that could react negatively to aluminum should be avoided.
- The aluminum metals in rFoil could react with the components/ingredients of the concrete mix. Any concrete ingredients that could react negatively to aluminum should be avoided.
- Can raised access flooring be installed on top of rFoil?
- Consult with the architect on this application. However RAF pedestals can be adhered to rFoil.
- Consult with the architect on this application. However RAF pedestals can be adhered to rFoil.
- Can spray fireproofing be applied on top of rFoil?
- Yes, however check with locate fire code and architectural requirements.
- Yes, however check with locate fire code and architectural requirements.
- Where/When/Why do I use the perforated rFoil?
- If approved by the security authorities for the project, the perforated rFoil may be used in partitions where one does not want to create a vapor barrier.
- If approved by the security authorities for the project, the perforated rFoil may be used in partitions where one does not want to create a vapor barrier.
- What is the difference between the standard metalized tape and 3M1170? When/where do I use either?
- The type of tape required is dependent on the accrediting officer for that project.
- The standard metalized tape is conductive only on the top surface. Whereas the 3M 1170 is highly conductive through to and including the adhesive. 3M 1170 may be used for patching gaps, holes, or tears.
- How do I overlap or join rFoil at the seams?
- Consult with the architect on the specific method required for your project. A flat 6” overlap between layers may not be sufficient to meet project requirements.
- Consult with the architect on the specific method required for your project. A flat 6” overlap between layers may not be sufficient to meet project requirements.
- How do I overlap rFoil at ceilings and floors?
- Consult with the architect on the specific method required for your Overlaps may vary from as little as 18”, or full coverage across a slab or deck may be necessary.
- Consult with the architect on the specific method required for your Overlaps may vary from as little as 18”, or full coverage across a slab or deck may be necessary.
- What do I do with rFoil at receptacles or switches?
- Consult with the architect on the customer’s requirements for this condition. Many times recessed outlets and other controls are not permitted to be recessed, and should be surface mounted only, including the servicing conduit.
- rFoil should not come in contact with the metal junction box.
- How do I patch holes or rips in rFoil?
- An additional rFoil patch with at least 6” overlap and tape. Depending on the size of the patch required, the 3M 1170 tape may be sufficient.
- Do I have to install rFoil across a reinforced concrete slab?
- Reinforced concrete slabs may provide moderate RF shielding. This should be field tested to confirm project-specific performance, as all concrete slabs are different. rFoil may or may not be required to be fully installed on the slab depending on project requirements.
- Reinforced concrete slabs may provide moderate RF shielding. This should be field tested to confirm project-specific performance, as all concrete slabs are different. rFoil may or may not be required to be fully installed on the slab depending on project requirements.
- What do I do when the rFoil meets a window or door frame?
- Consult with the architect on how rFoil should interface with frames.
- rFoil should only be grounded when specified by the appropriate security authorities.
- Does rFoil have to be grounded, and how?
- Consult with the architect on whether grounding is required, and the appropriate means and methods per that customer’s standard operating procedure.
- Consult with the architect on whether grounding is required, and the appropriate means and methods per that customer’s standard operating procedure.
- How much tape do I need when installing rFoil?
- This will depend on the project-specific installation method. Generally 300 LF of the standard aluminum tape would work per (1) roll of 48”x125’ rFoil.
- This will depend on the project-specific installation method. Generally 300 LF of the standard aluminum tape would work per (1) roll of 48”x125’ rFoil.
- What waste factor should I use when calculating how much rFoil I need?
- Waste depends on the specific installation method required. Overlap and/or the Z- fold will use a minimum 6” of rFoil on each side, thus resulting in about 25% waste.
Please contact us if you have other questions about rFoil or RF shielding.
