The reflectix site provides a great range of information about this and about how it differs from other types of insulation.
Fiberglass attic insulation vs reflective.
Radiant barriers and reflective systems.
Next i compared adding an additional r 19 to my existing r 19 level of attic insulation vs installing radiant barrier and the results actually surprised me a little.
Air migrates from warmer spaces toward colder spaces and insulation is designed to help prevent or at least slow that migration.
The sun heats up the roof and then the heat is transferred by radiant heat across the attic space until it hits the attic insulation.
If your attic has a lot of nooks and crannies your best bet may be to use loose fill insulation made of fiberglass or cellulose.
Radiant barriers reflect radiant heat.
Both types of heat are trying to enter your home on a hot summer day.
Which is better will depend on the topography of the specific roof you re insulating.
Reflective insulation is significantly thinner than fiberglass insulation.
Remember traditional attic insulation has r value that works to slow conductive heat.