Reflectix Vs. SmartSHIELD For Campervan Or RV Insulation

Choosing a solution to insulate your RV or repel heat from it is critical. It becomes more difficult when you face choices like Reflectix vs. SmartSHIELD.

What sets them apart from each other is the material they use. Reflectix has a double layer of aluminum foil and polyethylene, and SmartSHIELD uses closed-cell polyethylene.

Apart from that factor, there are other factors where both the options will differ quite a lot. Figuring those out requires you to go through an in-depth overview of the two products.

To help you with that, I have this detailed comparison that will help you find the perfect insulating solution for your campervan or RV.

Let’s get going, then.

A Quick Comparison Table

Specifications	Reflectix	SmartSHIELD
Materials	Double-layered polyethylene with two aluminum layers	Reflective foam insulation
R-value	14.3	15.67
Ease of installation	Easy application with tape and staples	It’s a bit tricky but easy to install
Features	Great vapor barrier	Vapor barrier and sound barrier

Key Differences Between Reflectix And SmartSHIELD

• Materials

The first thing to consider with these two choices is using the material for both.

The hard part is if you don’t know anything specific about the material and its effectiveness, you might have difficulty using one.

Going in with the Reflectix insulation for your RV, you get a double layer of aluminum foil on the outer part.

Then, on the inside, two layers of polyethylene bonded to the aluminum foil. These polyethylene layers provide the necessary strength on the Reflectix.

The picture is not so different with the SmartSHIELD either.

You get reflective foam insulation using closed-cell polyethylene. It doesn’t have double layering like the Reflectix, but it does the insulation quite well.

Now, the question is, what’s the difference?

The difference you get is with the strength. Since Reflectix has a double layering of aluminum foil and polyethylene, the strength you get from them is much higher. But if you don’t require too much strength for your project, then SmartSHIELD should work just as well.

• R-value of insulation

For those who don’t know about R-value, it’s a measurement of insulation capabilities. The R-value tells you how much resistance your insulation has to the heat flow.

So, when choosing an insulation material, it’s crucial to consider and compare the R-value of the available choices.

With Reflectix, you get an R-value of 14.3. In comparison, the SmartShield insulation has an R-value of 15.67. In simple terms, this means, SmartSHIELD has much more resistance to heat flow than Reflectix.

The real deal here is if the little difference matters or not. I would say no. This little difference in the R-value doesn’t matter that much. Both insulation choices can reflect 97% of radiant energy.

And for exterior purposes, having an R-value between 13 to 23 is more than enough for your insulation.

Considering all that, you can choose either based on the R-value factor. Still, if you want to nitpick and get a slight edge in the competition, you might lean more towards SmartSHIELD for its higher R-value.

• Ease of Installation

How easy is it to install the insulation on your RV? This is a factor that many people will consider before getting their insulation. The tricky part with these two choices is that they are both relatively easy in comparison.

Starting with the Reflectix insulation, you won’t have any trouble with this choice.

The insulation is super easy to install, and you have to follow the instructions for installation.

Try using painter’s tape instead of adhesives for installing this insulation. You can also install the insulation using staples.

In contrast, SmartSHIELD is all about following a process. You can do some things to make the installation process much simpler.

First, you must cut the insulation accordingly and ensure it fits the area you are trying to cover.

Then, you can tape down the edges of the insulation to complete the installation. Adhesives also work exceptionally well with this insulation.

I don’t think you can call one of them a clear winner in terms of installation. Both are pretty easy to install. If you don’t want to go through those tricky methods, choose Reflectix, as it’s more straightforward.  

• Features

Well, there are a lot of features that both of the choices offer. So, for the most part, they are pretty similar in that aspect. However, one slight difference may give one of them the edge over the other in this competition.

The SmartSHIELD insulation comes with a sound barrier and a vapor barrier. Comparatively, in Reflectix, you don’t get to see that sound barrier.

What does that mean?

It simply means that with SmartSHIELD installed, you can have a little soundproofing on your insulation.

So, this can be a factor that can help you choose SmartSHIELD over Reflectix. I mean, if you get a bit of soundproofing with your insulation, then why not, right?

Which One Is A Better Option For You?

There is no clear winner here by any means. Both are equal and similar in terms of quality, performance, installation, and use. You can hardly choose one over the other.

For a slight strength advantage, you may go for Reflectix. Still, even the difference there is shallow. So, it all comes down to which one you liked the most and which one had the perfect sizing for your necessity.

Also Read: Differences Between Puma And Keystone RV.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Wrapping it up, the whole debate of Reflectix or SmartSHIELD will keep going on until there is a clear winner choice from either of the brands. But as the brands and their products are right now, you can’t call one or the other a better choice.

Both of them are pretty equal in terms of most of the factors. Still, if you want a slight edge on the material strength, then Reflectix may be a good option.

But if you want better features, SmartSHIELD should be your pick.