A theoretical approach proposed in the literature has been used to develop a new radiative heat transfer model based on the tetrakaidecahedric representation of open cell metal foams proposed by Lord Kelvin. The analytical approach has been combined with numerical simulations based onto ray-tracing Monte Carlo method. An iterative matrix algebra implemented procedure has been used to consistently calculate the coefficients involved in view factors. The radiative conductivity of foams has been evaluated by means of the proposed model. Predictions are compared both with experimental results from the literature, obtained on several metallic foams, and with predictions given by an existing simpler model based on a cubic representation of the foam unit cell. The agreement of experimental results with predictions derived by means of the proposed model is good and far better than that with predictions by the simpler model. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.