NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CALICUT

AR4001-HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING

THERMAL INSULATION OF
BUILDING MATERIAL

SUBMITTED BY,
DRIYA G HARI
B150809AR
SEMESTER 7
ARCHITECTURE DPT
NIT CALICUT
1. INTRODUCTION
Thermal insulation is an important technology to reduce energy consumption in
buildings by preventing heat gain/loss through the building envelope. Thermal
insulation is a construction material with low thermal conductivity, often less than
0.1W/mK. These materials have no other purpose than to save energy and protect
and provide comfort to occupants. Of the many forms, shapes and applications of
thermal insulation, this section focuses on those that are commonly used for building
envelopes– i.e., floor, walls and roof, and have potential for South-South technology
transfer. These include industrial insulation products and the application of natural
elements as thermal insulation.

2. HOW INSULATION WORKS?

Insulation commonly through a combination of two characteristics:

• The insulation material's natural capacity to inhibit the transmission of heat &
• The use of pockets of trapped gases which are natural insulants.

Gases possess poor thermal conduction properties compared to liquids and solids,
and so makes a good insulation material if they can be trapped. In order to further
augment the effectiveness of a gas (such as air) it may be disrupted into small
cells which cannot effectively transfer heat by natural convection. Convection
involves a larger bulk flow of gas driven by buoyancy and temperature differences,
and it does not work well in small cells where there is little density difference to drive
it. In foam materials small gas cells or bubbles occur within the structure; in fabric
insulation, such as wool, small variable pockets of air occur naturally to form gas
cells.

3. PERFORMANCE

The most important aspect of an insulation material is its performance – that it

consistently provides the designed-for resistance to the passage of heat throughout
the lifetime of the building. Though the insulation manufacturer’s published
performance expectations will be an essential guide, other factors associated with
the ‘real-life’ installation of the material need to be considered as part of the design
process:

• Ease of installation – the ultimate performance will be determined by how

effectively a builder can install a material using conventional skills. For example,
insulation slabs need to be installed so that no gaps result either between adjoining
slabs, or between the slabs and other construction components that form part of the
overall insulation envelope, such as rafters or joists. Any gaps left over will enable
the passage of air and result in a reduction in performance.

• Shrinkage, compaction, settlement – Some materials are likely to suffer a degree

of dimensional instability during their installed life. In many instances this is
anticipated and can be overcome through careful design and installation methods. In
all other instances, the specifier should seek guidance concerning associated risks
from the insulation manufacturer – particularly where materials have not had an
established record of installed performance.

• Protection against moisture – some insulation materials will suffer a degradation

of performance when moist or wet. The designer should, through careful detailing,
ensure that vulnerable insulation is protected from moisture. If moisture is a high risk (ingress
or over 95% RH), then a suitably resistant material should be specified.

Insulation materials, particularly where 'green' specification is concerned, divide into

so-called 'natural' materials and 'man-made' materials.
When considering how to specify an insulation material in terms of environmental
impact, it is often the case that the 'natural' material is the most beneficial in terms of
environmental attributes. However, in some cases, the inherent efficiencies of man-
made materials can be included into the environmental equation to provide a wider
environmental benefit eg where space for insulation is at a premium such as in
retrofit.

4. COMMONLY USED MATERIALS FOR INSULATION

WOOD FIBRE - Industrially produced wood fibre insulation was introduced around
twenty years ago after engineers from the timber producing areas of Europe devised
new ways of transforming timber waste from thinnings and factories into insulation
boarding.

Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K = 0.038

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m /W = 2.5
2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 2100

Density kg / m = 160

3

Thermal diffusivity m /s = n/a

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = n/a

Vapour permeable: Yes

Cellulose (blown/sprayed)- Cellulose insulation is a material made from

recycled newspaper. The paper is shredded and inorganic salts, such as boric acid,
are added for resistance to fire, mould, insects and vermin. The insulation is installed
either blown or damp-sprayed depending on application.
 Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K = 0.035 in lofts; 0.038 - 0.040 in walls.

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m /W = 2.632

2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 2020

Density kg / m = 27-65

3

Thermal diffusivity m /s = n/a

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = 0.45

Vapour permeable: Yes

Wool (available in batts; rolls)- Wool insulation is made from sheep

wool fibres that are either mechanically held together or bonded using between 5%
and 15% recycled polyester adhesive to form insulating batts and rolls. The wool
used to manufacture insulation is the wool discarded as waste by other industries
due to its colour or grade.

Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K = 0.038

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m /W = 2.63

2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 1800

Density kg / m = 23
3

Thermal diffusivity m /s = = n/a

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = 6

Vapour permeable: Yes

Hemp (available in: batts; rolls)- Hemp fibres are produced from hemp
straw of the hemp plant. Most hemp is imported, but an increasing amount of home-
grown crop is becoming available. Hemp grows up to a height of nearly 4 metres
within a period of 100-120 days. Because the plants shade the soil, no chemical
protection or toxic additives are required for hemp cultivation. The product is
composed of, usually, 85% hemp fibre with the ballance made up of polyester
binding and 3-5% soda added for fire proofing.
 Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K = 0.039 - 0.040

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m /W = 2.5

2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 1800 - 2300

Density kg / m = 25 - 38
3

Thermal diffusivity m /s = n/a

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = 10

Vapour permeable: Yes

Hempcrete (available in: blocks; in-situ)- Hempcrete is a mixture

of hemp hurds (shives) and lime (possibly including natural hydraulic lime,
sand, pozzolans or cement) used as a material for construction and
insulation. Hempcrete is easier to work with than traditional lime mixes and acts as
an insulator and moisture regulator. It lacks the brittleness of concrete and
consequently does not need expansion joints. Hempcrete walls must be used
together with a frame of another material that supports the vertical load in building
construction, as hempcrete's density is 15% that of traditional concrete.
Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m.K = 0.06

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m /W = 1.429

2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 1500 - 1700

Density kg / m = 275

3

Thermal diffusivity m /s = 1.5 10-7

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = n/a

Vapour permeable: Yes

Cellular glass (available in: boards)- Largely manufactured from recycled

glass (e.g. windscreens) and mineral base materials such as sand and without the
use of binding agents. The ingredients are melted into molten glass, which is cooled
and crushed into a fine powder. The powdered glass is poured into molds and
heated (below the melting point) in a "sintering" process that causes the particles to
adhere to one another. Next, a small amount of finely ground carbon-black is added
and the material is heated in a "cellulation" process. Here, the carbon reacts with
oxygen, creating carbon dioxide, which creates the insulating bubbles in the
(material). CO2 accounts for more than 99% of the gas in the cellular spaces.

Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K = 0.041

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m /W = n/a

2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 1000

Density kg / m = 115

3

Thermal diffusivity m /s = 4.2 · 10–7

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = n/a

Vapour permeable: No

Straw (available in : bales, pre-fabricated units)- Straw is an

agricultural by-product, the dry stalks of cereal plants, after the grain and chaff have
been removed. Straw makes up about half of the yield of cereal crops such
asbarley, oats, rice, rye and wheat.

Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K =

0.08 (for loadbearing construction)

Thermal resistance at 350mm K⋅m /W = 4.37

2

at 350mm

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= unavailable

Density kg / m = 110 - 130

3

Thermal diffusivity m /s = unavailable

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = 0.91 (source ICE

database 2011)

Vapour permeable: Yes

Glass mineral wool (available in : batts, rolls)- Made from molten

glass, usually with 20% to 30% recycled industrial waste and post-consumer
content. The material is formed from fibres of glass arranged using a binder
into a texture similar to wool. The process traps many small pockets of air
between the glass, and these small air pockets result in high thermal insulation
properties. The density of the material can be varied through pressure and
binder content.
 Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K =
0.035

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m /W = 2.85

2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 1030

Density kg / m3 = circa 20

Thermal diffusivity m /s = 0.0000016

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = 26

Vapour permeable: Yes

Rock mineral wool (available in: boards, batts, rolls)- Rock (Stone)
mineral wool is a furnace product of molten rock at a temperature of about 1600 °C,
through which a stream of air or steam is blown. More advanced production
techniques are based on spinning molten rock in high-speed spinning heads
somewhat like the process used to produce candy floss. The final product is a mass
of fine, intertwined fibres with a typical diameter of 2 to 6 micrometers. Mineral wool
may contain a binder, often a Ter-polymer, and an oil to reduce dusting.

Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K = 0.032–0.044 (18)

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m2/W = 2.70 –

2.85

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K) = n/a

Density kg / m = n/a

3

Thermal diffusivity m /s = n/a

2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = n/a

Vapour permeable: Yes

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) (available in: boards, loose fill)-

Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene.

Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and
tough, closed-cell foam. It is usually white and made of pre-expanded polystyrene
beads. Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its
production being several billion kilograms per year.
 Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K =
0.034–0.038 (18)

Thermal resistance at 100mm K⋅m /W = 3.52

2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 1300

Density kg / m = 15 - 30
3

Thermal diffusivity m /s =
2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = 88.60 (16)

Vapour permeable: No

Aerogel-Aerogel is a synthetic porous ultralight material derived from a gel, in

which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with a gas. The result is a
solid with extremely lowdensityand low thermal conductivity. Nicknames
include frozen smoke and solid air, or blue smoke owing to its translucent nature and
the way light scatters in the material. It feels like fragile expanded polystyrene to the
touch. Aerogels can be made from a variety of chemical compounds.
Thermal conductivity/ λ (lambda)  W  / m . K = 0.014

Thermal resistance at 50mm K⋅m /W = 3.8 for 50mm

2

Specific Heat Capacity J / (kg . K)= 1000

Density kg / m = 150

3

Thermal diffusivity m /s =
2

Embodied energy MJ/kg = 5.4kgs / CO² per m²

Vapour permeable: No

5. FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND COSTS

Financial requirement for building envelope thermal insulation includes the costs of
the products and their installation.

The product and installation costs of thermal insulation are computed based on per
unit of area and per unit of thermal conductivity value. The installation cost for loose
fill products are lower than that of other insulation products, because it is easy to
install. However, due to the lack of additional protection from moisture and vermin
infestation, long-term durability is a consideration.

Maintenance costs for thermal insulation products is low and not even required for
cellular plastic products. In the case of mineral fibre and plant/animal derived
insulation, if the products do not perform as expected due to increased thermal
conductivity caused by moisture or vermin infestation, replacement is required.

For naturally-ventilated buildings in mild climatic conditions, roof insulation and west-
facing wall insulation are the most effective methods of preventing heat gain through
the building envelope, and thus have better return on investment compared to
applying insulation to the entire building envelope.

Use of straw bales and air gaps (in cavity walls) incur insignificant cost, except for
the thickness of the wall. However, long-term performance is an issue to look out for.
In developed and industrialised countries, mineral fibre products are cost competitive
compared to cellular plastic and plant/animal derived products. However, in
developing countries and rural areas, plant/animal derived products are more cost-
effective, because of the higher availability and accessibility of these raw materials.
Cellular plastic products are rigid, stable and performed well in the long term. They
require the least maintenance cost.

6.STATUS OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS FUTURE MARKET

POTENTIAL

Building envelope thermal insulation products have been widely used in temperate
regions. In many developed and industrialised countries, thermal insulation is a
regulatory requirement for energy efficiency and occupant health purposes, which
provide a fairly constant market for the thermal insulation manufacturers.

The market for building fabric thermal insulation products is not as large in hot and
humid tropical regions, where natural ventilation, not air-tightness, is a more
appropriate strategy for thermal comfort.

In this context the use of thermal insulation is not extensive, and the use of an air
gap in the cavity wall for the west facing façade to prevent heat gain from hot
afternoon sun is found to be sufficient.

Roof insulation, however, is applicable in all climate regions, including the hot
tropical bell. In the Caribbean, for example, roof insulation has generally been
accepted as a “proven energy conservation solution” with mineral (glass) fibre
generally the lead product.
7. CONCLUSION

Thermal insulation is a great solution to reduce energy consumption by

preventing heat gain or loss through the building envelope. This reduction of
unwanted temperature changes decreases the energy demand of heating and cooling
systems.

By incorporating thermal insulation in every elements of the thermal envelope: walls,

roofs and floors, you will maintain the energy generated inside your home while
improving the thermal comfort.

The most important thing is the walls, since for a typical house the walls will
lose around 30 to 40 per cent of heat. The roof comes in second place,
accounting for approximately 25% of heat loss. Then comes windows and doors
with 20% and finally, the floor.

Its concluded that when a building is well insulated:

 is energy-efficient, thus saving the owner money.

 provides more uniform temperatures throughout the space. There is less
temperature gradient both vertically (between ankle height and head height) and
horizontally from exterior walls, ceilings and windows to the interior walls, thus
producing a more comfortable occupant environment when outside temperatures
are extremely cold or hot.
 has minimal recurring expense. Unlike heating and cooling equipment, insulation
is permanent and does not require maintenance, upkeep, or adjustment.
 lowers the carbon footprint of a building.
CONTENT

1. INTRODUCTION
2. HOW INSULATION WORKS?
3. PERFORMANCE

4. COMMONLY USED MATERIALS FOR INSULATION

5. FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND COSTS

6. STATUS OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS FUTURE MARKET

POTENTIAL

7. CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

1. WIKIPEDIA - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_insulation
2. http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/insulation-materials-thermal-
properties/
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/thermal-
insulating-materials
4. https://www.thermaxxjackets.com/5-most-common-thermal-insulation-
materials/