University of Bahrain

College of Engineering
Department of Architecture and interior design
Bachelor of Architecture Program
Environmental Systems 1- ARCG 216

Section 3: Thermal Insulation in

Buildings
 content
• Heat transfer; Conduction, Convection and Radiation
• Heat transfer in wall and roof cavities
• Thermal Insulation.
a) Reflective insulation.
b) Resistive insulation.
c) Capacitive insulation.
• Thermal Insulation, forms and types of insulation materials.
• Thermal conductivity.
• Thermal resistance and U-value.
• Calculation of the U-value.
• Heat transfer through transparent materials

1
 Heat transfer

Heat transfer is the transition of thermal energy from a heated

item to a cooler item.
Where there is a temperature difference between objects in
proximity, heat transfer between them can never be stopped;
it can only be slowed down.

2
 How heat energy is transferred?

3
 How heat energy is transferred through building
materials?

1. Conduction

Conduction is the transfer of

thermal energy from a region of
higher temperature to a region
of lower temperature through
direct molecular communication
between mediums in direct
physical contact.

4
 How heat energy is transferred through building
materials?
2. Convection
Convection is the transfer of
thermal energy by fluid
circulation or movement of the
hot particles in bulk to cooler
areas in a material medium.
This movement occurs into a
fluid or within a fluid, and
cannot happen in solids .

5
 How heat energy is transferred through building
materials?

3. Radiation
Radiation is the transfer of heat
through electromagnetic radiation.
No medium is necessary for radiation to
occur; radiation works even in and
through a perfect vacuum.

6
 Heat Transfer in Wall Cavity Construction

1. Heat transfer inside an unventilated air space in wall construction

takes place by long-wave radiation and convection current.
2. Heat transfer inside a ventilated air space in wall construction takes
place only by long-wave radiation.

External wall Hot air will

scape outside

Long-
Solar
wave
Solar radiation
radiatio
radiation n

Relatively
cool air

7
 Heat Transfer in Roof Cavity Construction
Up-wards heat flow Cold air outside
Long wave
1.Heat transfer inside an unventilated air space in Hot air radiation

roof or floor construction when the heat flow is

up-wards will take place by long-wave radiation
and convection current. Warm air inside

____________________________________ Warm air

2.Heat transfer inside unventilated air space in roof Long wave

radiation
or floor construction when the heat flow is down-
wards will take place only by long-wave radiation.
Down-wards heat flow
____________________________________
3.Heat transfer inside a ventilated air space in roof
or floor construction when the heat flow is down- Warm air Cold air
wards will take place only by long-wave radiation. Long wave
radiation

Warm air

8
 Thermal insulation

The term thermal insulation can refer

to materials used to reduce the rate
of heat transfer, or the methods and
processes used to reduce heat
transfer.

9
 Types of thermal insulation

1. Reflective Insulation
Reflective insulation works by increasing the reflectivity of the
external surface.

The ability of a material to absorb

or emit infrared radiation depends
on both the nature and color of its
surface. Dark and black materials
are good absorber while shine and
white materials are good
reflective.

10
 Types of thermal insulation

2. Resistive insulation
Resistive insulation, also called bulk insulation, insulates
against the transfer to heat simply through its resistance to
conduction.

Because air has one of the highest resistances to conduction,

the best resistive insulators are those that trap small pockets of
air within themselves

11
 Types of thermal insulation
3.Capacitive Insulation

30 deg. C 28 deg. C 23 deg. C 39 deg. C 32 deg. C 26 deg. C 26 deg. C 30 deg. C 28 deg. C

Heat flow Heat flow

Heat flow

outside inside outside inside outside inside

10:00 a.m. 21:00 p.m.

14:00 p.m.

As the heat enters one face of massive-wall, the first layer of particles absorbs some of
the heat before any heat would be transmitted to the next layer. This has a delaying
effect on the heat flow and a certain amount of heat would be stored in the wall. This
stored heat would then be emitted with a considerable time delay after the heat input
ceased., i.e. the time-lag. thermal storage capacity: the amount of heat which is
transferred through a material or a building component, ie., wall or roof, is determined
by the amount of the heat stored and the time for heat to reach the other surface of
the building component. The property of the material for storing heat is referred to as
thermal storage capacity. Generally, the greater the thermal storage capacity, the
slower will be the transfer of heat from one surface to the other.

12
 Time-lag and Decrement Factor

The reduction in temperature of the internal surface compared to the external

surface is known as the decrement factor.

30 deg. C 28 deg. C 23 deg. C 39 deg. C 32 deg. C 26 deg. C 26 deg. C 30 deg. C 28 deg. C

Heat flow Heat flow

Heat flow

outside inside outside inside

outside inside

10:00 a.m. 14:00 p.m.

21:00 p.m.

Decrement Factor:-
The decrement factor is the difference between the highest temperature of the external
surface and the internal surface. It reflects how much the indoor surface temperature
have been reduced as a result of thermal capacity of the construction.
DF = Ti max/To max

13
 Forms of insulation materials:-

Insulation materials could be

Granules (glass wool)
Soft blankets (mineral wool)
classified into four categories
according to their form; these
are:-
1) In the form of granules or
powder such as glass wool.
Liquid foam 2) In the form of soft blankets
such as mineral wool.
3) In the form of panels such as
expanded polystyrene and
foam concrete (light weight
concrete).
4) In the form of liquid foam
which could be introduced on
Panels (polystyrene) site such as polyurethane..

14
 Types of Insulation Materials
1. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation

A two component mixture comes together at

the tip of a gun, and forms an expanding
foam.
Applied to existing walls, new wall cavities
and unfinished attic floors
Used in existing structures , irregular areas
or areas with obstacles

15
 Types of Insulation Materials
2. Fiberglass bats and blankets

Bats are precut, whereas blankets are available in

continuous rolls.
Made of Natural or synthetic fibers such as wool, plastics
fibers, fiberglass
Applied to unfinished walls, ceiling and floors
Most suitable between studs, beams and joists

16
 Types of Insulation Materials
3. Loose-fill (including Cellulose insulation)

Loose-fill materials can be blown

into attics, finished wall cavities, and
hard-to-reach areas.
They are ideal for insulating existing
areas and to fill in corners and
irregular shaped areas.

17
 Types of Insulation Materials
4. Expanded polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) is usually white

and made of expanded polystyrene beads.

Applied to walls, floors and roofs. Created by the

expanding the polystyrene polymer.
Provides high thermal insulation levels.

18
 Types of Insulation Materials
5. Extruded polystyrene foam

Has air inclusions which gives it moderate flexibility,

a low density, and a low thermal conductivity and is
manufactured using an extrusion process of the
polystyrene polymer
Has higher insulation levels with low thickness. Can
come in different colors.

19
 Types of Insulation Materials
6. Glass wool

Glass wool is a form of fiberglass where very

thin strands of glass are arranged into a
spongy texture similar to steel wool. Could be
used for ductwork insulation and areas that
receive high temperatures. Poses no fire
hazards.

20
 Types of Insulation Materials
7. Mineral wool

They are fibers made from melting natural

or synthetic minerals. Such as stone, slag
(industrial waste). In addition to the
insulation feature it provided sound
insulation.

21
 Types of Insulation Materials

8. Reflective insulation

This type of insulation consists of a foil

face or bubble form.
Applied to walls, ceiling and floors.
Suitable for application with standard
spacing framing.
Most effective for downward heat
flow.

22
 Criteria for specifying thermal insulation materials

1) Performance in use; thermal insulation efficiency.

2) Durability; how long it will stay intact without the need for
replacement.
3) Balance between thermal mass and lightweight construction
4) Impact on building design
5) Buildability; how easy it could be introduced and integrated
with the related building components
6) Manufacture; how and where it is manufactured.
7) Disposal; how easy and safe it could be disposed without
harming the environment.

23
 Examples of average reflectivity

Materials Reflectivity % Painted Reflectivity % Painted Reflectivity %

Surfaces surfaces
Brick and 40 White wash 70-90 Light brown 55
concrete, light
Brick and 20 Off white 65 Medium brown 25
concrete , dark

Brick, white 75 Black 5 Dark brown 10

glazed
Concrete, smooth 35 Light yellow 70 Light blue 60

Tile, white glazed 80 Medium yellow 50 Medium blue 20

Aluminum, shiny 90 Dark yellow 30 Dark blue 10

Asphalt 10

24
 Thermal Conductivity

Conductive Insulation:-

The insulation property of a material or a building element is determined by

the thermal conductivity (k or λ) of the material. It could be defined as the
rate of heat flow (Watts) through unit area ( 1 meter square)
along unit thickness (1 meter long) of a material with a unit
temperature difference ( 1 degree C.) between the two sides.

25
 Thermal Conductivity

Conductive Insulation:-

the thermal conductivity (k) is measured in W/m-deg C. and is an

expression of a materials capacity to conduct or transfer heat, which is the
reciprocal of its resistance property ( r ), ie. k=1/r. Generally, high density
materials transfer heat at a higher rate compared to light weight materials
due to their high percentage of air, since air has a low k-value and is
regarded as a good insulator. the table below gives the density and thermal
conductivity (k) for different dry materials.

26
 Density and thermal conductivity of selected
building materials

Material Density thermal Material Density Thermal conductivity

(kg/m3 conductivity (kg/m3 (k) W/m-C.
(k) W/m-C.
Aluminum 2700 200 Clay 1600-2840 0.45-1.8

Steel 7850 60 River sand 1700-2000 1.3-1.5

Stone 2600-2800 2.3-3.5 Air (still) 1.2 0-.0.2

Light concrete 1000-1700 0.3-1.0 Water, 10 C. 1000 0.58

Dense concrete 2400 1.8 Mineral wool 20-120 0.03-0.05

Timber, light 400-500 0.15 Glass wool 20-120 0.03-0.05

Timber ,heavy 600-800 0.20 Polystyrene 20 0.03-.0.04

Earth block 1700-1800 1.0-1.2 Cellulose fiber 60 0.04

27
 Thermal Resistance

Is the measure of a material's ability to resist the heat transfer through the
material.
It is calculated by dividing the thickness of the material in meters ( d) by the
thermal conductivity (K or λ)

R=d/λ or R=d/K

RT=R1+R2+R3+….+Rn

Where n is the number of layers comprising the building component

28
 Air surface resistance

As a result of the natural convection current occurring between the

air film in close proximity with the surfaces, an effect of
temperature change is expected.
Air becomes a good insulator, and fixed values have been
calculated for to both the internal (Rsi) and external (Rse) surfaces
as well as any ventilated air cavities (Rair) in resistances to heat
transfer.

Surface Direction of Flow

resistance (Heat flow)
Wall m2KW Roof m2KW
RSi 0.121 0.166
Rse 0.059 0.059
Rair for cavity between 5-20mm 0.11- if cavity >20mm 0.18

29
U-Value
The U-value is the overall heat transmittance from warm air
to cool air. The rate of heat transfer will be affected by the
resistances of the two surfaces and the material of the
component (wall, roof, floor or window).Its unit is W/m. sq.
–deg. C.
U=1/RT
Thin layer of still air
resisting heat flow by
conduction

Warm Cool Air

Air

30
 Calculation of the U-value for a wall

Example 1:-
A wall is exposed to the external thermal environment is
composed of the following components;
a)Reinforced concrete (ballast) = 10 cm.
b)Unventilated air space high emissivity materials = 5 cm.
c)Plasterboard = 8 cm.
If the required U-value for walls is = 0.57 W/m. sq.-degree C.
a)Calculate the U-value of the existing wall.
b)Calculate the required thickness of expanded polystyrene.
Given that the thermal conductivity of the reinforced concrete
is 1.5 W/m-C ,and the plaster board is 0.16 W/m-C

31
 Calculation of the U-value for a wall

#
Building Thickness in thermal Thermal
Component or meters (t) conductivity resistance;
element (k=W/m.deg.C t/k= m2-oC/W 8 5 10

.)
Air space Conc.
wall
1 External surface - - 0.059 Plaster
board
resistance

2 Concrete wall 0.1 1.5 0.0667

(ballast)
Wall construction
3 Unventilated air - - 0.18
space

4 Plaster board 0.08 0.16 0.5

5 Internal surface - - 0.121

resistance

6 Overall thermal - - 0.9267

resistance

32
 Required thickness of thermal insulation
material
1. U-value of the existing wall = 1÷Overall thermal transmittance = 1/0.9267 W/sq.
m.-deg. C. = 1.07909 W/sq. m.-deg. C
2. If the required U-value is = 0.57 W/sq. m.-deg. C.,
3. therefore the required thermal resistance = 1.745 W/sq. m.-deg. C.
4. Difference in resistance = required resistance- resistance of the existing wall
5. Difference in resistance = 1.745 - 0.9267 = 0.827 sq. m.-deg. C./W.
6. Thickness expanded polystyrene = Difference in resistance X thermal
conductivity.
7. Thermal conductivity of Exp. Polystyrene=(0.03+0.04) ÷ 2= 0.035 W/m-deg. C.
8. Thick ness expanded polystyrene = 0.827 X 0.035 = 0.0289 meters
9. Thick ness expanded polystyrene = 2.89 cm. = 3.0 cm. or 30 mm.

33
 Required thickness of thermal insulation
material
8 5
10

Air space Conc.

wall
Plaster
board

3 cm
added
insulation

Wall construction

34
 Calculation of the U-value for a brick wall
with ventilated air space
Example 2:-
A wall is exposed to the external thermal environment is
composed of the following components;
i. Glass panel = 40 mm.
ii. Unventilated (airspace), cavity wall construction = 20 mm.
iii. Brick wall = 100 mm.
If the required U-value for walls is = 0.57 W/m. sq.-degree C.
• Calculate the U-value of the existing wall.
• Calculate the required thick of expanded polystyrene.
Given that the thermal conductivity of the glass panel is 1.02
W/m-C, and the brick wall is 0.84 W/m-C.

35
 Calculation of the U-value for a brick wall
with ventilated air space
# Building Component Thickness in thermal Thermal
or element meters (t) conductivity resistance;
(k=W/m-C.) t/k= m2-oC/W
1 External surface - - 0.059 Brick wall 100 mm.
resistance Air space

2 Glass panel 0.04 1.02 0.0392 Glass 40 mm.

3 Air space - - 0.11

4 Brick wall 0.1 0.84 0.1190

Brick wall with ventilated air space

5 Internal surface - - 0.121

resistance
6 Overall thermal - - 0.4482
resistance

36
 Calculation of the thickness of thermal
insulation
a)The U-value of the existing wall = 1÷ 0.4482 = 2.231 W/sq. m-degree C.
b)The required thermal resistance = 1 ÷ required U-value = 1 ÷ 0.57 =
1.745 sq. m.-deg. C./W.
c)Difference in resistance = required resistance – resistance of the existing
wall = 1.745 – 0.4482 = 1.306 .
Thickness of expanded polystyrene = diff. in resistance X thermal
conductivity of polystyrene. = 1.306 X 0.035 = 0.0457 m.
= 45.7 mm. = 50 mm. or 5 cm.

37
 Calculation of the thickness of thermal
insulation

Glass 40 mm.
Brick wall 100 mm.
Expanded polystyrene

Air space

Brick wall with ventilated air space

38
 Calculation of the U-value for roofs
Example 3:-

A roof is normally exposed to the thermal environment, is Roof tiles

composed of the following components, Cement mortar

Concrete slab
i.Tiles for roof = 20 mm.

ii. Cement mortar = 20 mm.

iii.Concrete (ballast) = 150 mm.

If the required U-value for roofs is = 0.3 W/m. sq.-degree C. and

the heat flow is downwards;

a)Calculate the U-value of the existing roof.

b)Calculate the required thick of Vermiculite, if its thermal

conductivity is 0.035 W/m-C

Given that the thermal conductivity of the roof tiles is 0.885

W/m-C, the cement mortar is 0.5W/m-C and the concrete slab
is 1.5 W/m-C

39
 Calculation of the U-value for roofs

# Building Component Thickness thermal Thermal Roof tiles

or element in meters conductivity resistance; Cement mortar

(t) (k=W/m-C.) t/k= m2-oC/W Concrete slab

1 External thermal
resistance
2 Roof tiles

3 Cement mortar

4 Concrete slab
(ballast)
5 Internal surface
resistance
6 Overall thermal
resistance

40
 Calculation of the U-value for roofs
Roof tiles
Cement mortar
Concrete slab
# Building Component Thickness thermal Thermal
or element in meters conductivity resistance;
(t) (k=W/m-C.) t/k= m2-oC/W

1 External thermal - - 0.059

resistance
2 Roof tiles 0.02 0.885 0.0226

3 Cement mortar 0.02 0.5 0.0400

4 Concrete slab 0.15 1.5 0.1000

(ballast)
5 Internal surface - - 0.166
resistance
6 Overall thermal - - 0.3876
resistance

41
 Required thickness of thermal insulation material
1. U-value of the existing wall = 1÷ Overall thermal transmittance =
1/0.3876 W/sq. m.-deg. C. = 2.5799W/sq. m.-deg. C.
2. If the required U-value is = 0.3 W/sq. m.-deg. C.,
3. therefore the required thermal resistance = 3.3333 W/sq. m.-deg. C.
4. Difference in resistance = required resistance- resistance of the existing
roof
5. Difference in resistance = 3.333- 0.3876 = 2.9457 sq. m.-deg. C./W.
6. Thick ness vermiculite = Difference in resistance X thermal conductivity
7. Thick ness vermiculite = 2.9457 X 0.035 = 0.1031 meters
8. Thickness of vermiculite = 10.3 cm. = 10.5 cm. or 105 mm.

42
 Modified Roof Construction

Roof tiles
Cement mortar
Vermiculite
Concrete slab

Modified roof construction

43
 Heat transfer through transparent
materials

• Transparent materials (glass and plastics) provided architects and

designers with the possibilities of visual connection between indoor and
outdoor and at same time protecting the indoor environment from dust,
rain, hot air, cold air and all pollutant substances

• Additionally glass is considered the weakest element in the building fabric.

The shortwave component of the light will be admitted to the buildings
heating up the interiors, while the longwave component of the
electromagnetic wave will be trapped within the glass panel. This maybe
beneficial within cooler climates/seasons, but will be problematic in hot
climates/seasons.

44
 Heat transfer through transparent
materials
In order to eliminate the effect of heat trapped and admitted to
building, special solar glazing panels have been adapted in the
building market.

Generally speaking and according to thermal properties glass could be

classifies into four types:-

1.Normal glass.
2.Heat absorbing glass.
3.Heat reflecting glass.
4.Hybrids

45
 Heat transfer through transparent
materials

Incident solar radiation is not fully Solar Radiation

transmitted through a clear glass. Part of 100%
it is absorbed and redirected to the
interior or exterior of the glass or
otherwise reflected.
Reflected Transmitted
The amount absorbed depends on the 8% 87%
type of additives and overall thickness of
the glass.
The amount reflected depends on the Reradiated Reradiated
surface nature and the angle of incidence 3% 3%
of the radiation.
Clear Glass

46
 Heat transfer through transparent
materials

Solar Radiation
Absorption is a function of the additives 100%
which give glass a tint or a shade.
Although less light is admitted to the
interiors, heat is not decreased
significantly as a result of the redirected Reflected Transmitted
radiation. 8% 43%

It is available in tints of grey, brown, green

and blue. Reradiated Reradiated
12% 37%

Heat Absorbing Glass

47
 Heat transfer through transparent
materials

The amount of solar radiation reflected
depends on the angle of sunlight striking
a window. The larger the angle, the less
transmittance.
Reflective films and mirror like
coatings can be added to the glass to
obtain the reflective effect.
Solar Radiation
100%

Reflected Transmitted
34% 30%

Reradiated Reradiated
16% 20%

Reflective Glass
48
 Heat transfer through transparent
materials
• Reflective glazing is better than heat absorbing glass in terms of
blocking solar radiation.
• However in cooler climates added benefits can be found while using
heat absorbing glass in winter as a result of redirected solar
radiation.
• Reflected glazing created a mirror effect of the surroundings such as
reflecting images of landscapes, clouds and buildings, creating
dramatic effect architectural facades .
• However, due to the reflection effect problems of glare and
additional reelected solar radiation became an issue for neighboring
buildings.

49
 Heat transfer through transparent
materials
Recently a better option of glazing is
available, called low-e glazing.
The low-e glazing is mainly composed of
multiple layer (panes) of glass where an
air/gas space is in between.
The first pane could be covered with
additives/coatings to screen a considerable
amount of solar radiation, while the interior
pane could be made out of clear glass. Thus
reducing heat entry but not compromising
light quality.
Currently triple and quadruple glazing is also
available in the market.

50