TROPICAL DESIGN

Prepared by: ARCHT. JEYCARTER A. TILOY, UAP

THE HUMAN BODY AND
METABOLISM
The human body’s control mechanism operates to sustain life by
maintaining a constant temperature in the deep body organs. This deep
body temperature is maintained by the combustion of food. This heat
production is expressed as calories per square meter of the body
surface and is known as metabolism. The standard unit of metabolism,
the met, is defined as the heat produced by a typically seated object
under non-fasting conditions which is equivalent to 50 calories per
square meter per hour

When an individual becomes very active, metabolism increases. During

hot conditions, a point is reached when the body can no longer respond
in dissipating the heat rapidly enough. Under this condition, body
temperature rises and fever is induced.

When cold conditions are encountered there is increased metabolism

and expenditure of energy. Body reserves are exhausted rapidly and
other means of protection have to be resorted to.
The hypothalamus located in the brain is the control mechanism that
sets the body defenses in motion. It is stimulated by hot and cold
monitors situated mainly in the skin and the blood. The means of
protection that is brought into play when extreme temperature
conditions are encountered by the body consists of:

1. Vasometer regulation which is mainly the change in the amount

flowing through the skin.

2. Sweating or sweat secretion.

3. Shivering.

One characteristic of the human body is that it can readily adapt to

changes in climatic conditions. One of the most common methods is by
adapting the type of clothing as a protecting from extreme elements.
Clothing has high insulating value in terms of controlling the body’s
thermal environment.
The CLO unit is the unit of thermal insulation required to keep a seated
subject in a comfortable state in an atmosphere of 21˚C with a relative
humidity of 50% and an air movement of 6 meters per minute.
In order to establish the value of CLO as a unit of
thermal insulation, Herrington and Winslow
investigated the relative comfort levels as human
being experiences when thermally insulated with
varying CLO units and temperatures but making
relative humidity and air movement fixed. They found
out that the nude male was comfortable in an
atmosphere of 26.76˚C
NUDE MALE 86˚F 26.76˚C
1 CLO UNIT 70˚F 21.11˚C
2 CLO UNITS 54˚F 12.22˚C
3 CLO UNITS 38˚F 3.33˚C

Evidently each CLO Units adds about 16˚F (8.89˚C)

insulation
Solar loading impact on human thermal comfort

M + Qn + C – LE = 0
 Metabolic Rates for various activities
The metabolic rate, or human body heat or power
production, is often measured in the unit "Met". The Activity W/m2 W1) Btu/hr1) Met
metabolic rate of a relaxed seated person is one (1)
Met, where Reclining
1 Met = 58 W/m2 (356 Btu/hr) 46 83 282 0.8
Sleeping
The mean surface area, the Du-Bois area, of the
Seated relaxed 58 104 356 1.0
human body is approximately 1.8 m2 (19.4 ft2). The
total metabolic heat for a mean body can be Standing at rest 70 126 430 1.2
calculated by multiplying with the area. The total
heat from a relaxed seated person with mean surface Sedentary activity
area would be (office, dwelling, 70 126 430 1.2
school, laboratory)
58 W/m2 x 1.8 m2 = 104 W (356 Btu/hr)
Car driving 80 144 491 1.4
Graphic profession -
85 153 522 1.5
Book Binder
Standing, light activity
(shopping, laboratory, 93 167 571 1.6
light industry)

Teacher 95 171 583 1.6

Domestic work -
shaving, washing and 100 180 614 1.7
dressing
1.9
Walking on the level,
110 198 675
http://www.shapesense.com/fitness- 2 km/h
exercise/calculators/resting-metabolic- Running 8-9
rate-calculator.aspx
Activity
Human Metabolic Rate
(W/m2) (Met)

Laying down 46 0.8

Sitting, relaxed 58 1.0

Standing, relaxed 70 1.2

Sitting activity (office work,

70 1.2
school etc.)

Standing activity (shop,

93 1.6
laboratory etc.)

Moving activity (house

work, working at machines 116 2.0
etc.)
Harder activity (hard work
at machines, work shops 165 2.8
etc. )
 Clothing and human comfort

The insulation of clothes are often measured in the unit "Clo", where
1 Clo = 0.155 m2K/W
Clo = 0 - corresponds to a naked person
Clo = 1 - corresponds to the insulating value of clothing needed to
maintain a person in comfort sitting at rest in a room at 21 ℃ (70 ℉)
with air movement of 0.1 m/s and humidity less than 50% - typically a
person wearing a business suit
 Heat Discomfort Zone

Maximum recommended work load

Temperature Relative Humidity (%)
oF oC 30 40 60 80
80 27 Very Heavy Very Heavy Very Heavy Heavy
90 32 Very Heavy Heavy Moderate Light
Not
100 38 Heavy Moderate Light recommen
ded
Not Not
110 43 Moderate Light recommen recommen
ded ded
Not Not Not
120 49 Light recommen recommen recommen
ded ded ded
 Heart rate, energy expenditure

Body
Heart Rate Work
Energy
Elevation Duration
Effort Level Typical Tasks Expenditur
(beats per Restriction
e
minute) (hours)
(watts)
riding bicycle at 10 km/h, canning
paint, raking leaves, making
Light 0 - 35 70 - 175 none
drawings, machining light objects,
sewing by hand
building brick wall, cleaning boiler,
planing softwood, sheet-metal
Moderate 35 - 55 175 - 260 >2
working, soldering, using
screwdrivers, walking on level
digging trenches, using sledge-
Heavy hammer, stoking furnace, metal 55 - 75 260 - 420 < 1 to 2
grinding, walking up 5% gradient
shoveling sand, using
jackhammer, stacking concrete
Very Heavy 75 - 90 420 - 700 < 1 to 2
blocks, stone masonry, climbing
normal stairs
Extremely sawing wood, climbing vertical < 0.25 to
> 90 > 700
Heavy ladder 0.3
 Heat Index in degrees Fahrenheit
The heat index can be calculated as
tHI = -42.379 + 2.04901523 t + 10.14333127 φ
- 0.22475541 t φ - 0.00683783 t2 - 0.05481717 φ2
+ 0.00122874 t2 φ + 0.00085282 t φ2 - 0.00000199 (T φ)2 (1)
where
tHI = heat index (oF)
t = air temperature (oF) (t > 57oF)
φ = relative humidity (%)

Caution - Fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity

2) Extreme Caution - Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical

activity
3) Danger - Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely. Heat stroke is possible with prolonged exposure and/or

physical activity
4) Extreme Danger - Heatstroke/sunstroke is highly likely with continued exposure
Wind Chill Index - Wind Velocity km/h and degrees Celsius
The "Chilled" air temperature can also be expressed as a function of wind velocity and
ambient air temperature as
twC = 13.12 + 0.6215 ta - 11.37 v0.16 + 0.3965 ta v0.16 (1)
where twC = effective "wind" temperature (oC)
ta = air temperature (oC); v = wind velocity (km/h)

"Chilled" Air Temperature (oC)

Ambient Wind Velocity (km/h)

Air
Tempera 5 10 15 20 30 40 50 60
ture ( C)
o

10 10 9 8 7 7 6 5 5
5 4 3 2 1 0 -1 -1 -2
0 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9
-5 -7 -9 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16
-10 -13 -15 -17 -18 -20 -21 -22 -23
-15 -19 -21 -23 -24 -26 -27 -29 -30
-20 -24 -27 -29 -30 -33 -34 -35 -36
-25 -30 -33 -35 -37 -39 -41 -42 -43
-30 -36 -39 -41 -43 -46 -48 -49 -50
-35 -41 -45 -48 -49 -52 -54 -56 -57
-40 -47 -51 -54 -56 -59 -61 -63 -64
Wind Chill Index - Wind Velocity mph and degrees Fahrenheit
The "Chilled" air temperature can also be expressed as a function
of wind velocity and ambient air temperature as
twF = 35.74 + 0.6215 ta - 35.75 v0.16 + 0.4275 ta v0.16 (2)
"Chilled" Air Temperature (oF)
Ambient Wind Velocity (mph)
Air
Temper
ature 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
( F)
o

40 36 34 32 30 29 28 28 27
35 31 27 25 24 23 21 21 20
30 25 21 19 17 16 14 14 13
25 19 15 13 11 9 7 7 6
20 13 9 6 4 3 0 0 -1
15 7 3 0 -2 -4 -7 -7 -8
10 1 -4 -7 -9 -11 -14 -14 -15
5 -5 -10 -13 -15 -17 -21 -21 -22
0 -11 -16 -19 -22 -24 -27 -27 -29
-5 -16 -22 -26 -29 -31 -37 -34 -36
-10 -22 -28 -32 -35 -37 -41 -41 -43
-15 -28 -35 -39 -42 -44 -48 -48 -50
-20 -34 -41 -45 -48 -51 -55 -55 -57
-25 -40 -47 -51 -55 -58 -62 -62 -64
-30 -46 -53 -58 -61 -64 -69 -69 -71
-35 -52 -59 -64 -68 -71 -76 -76 -78
-40 -57 -66 -71 -74 -78 -82 -82 -84
Hypothermia
1. Hypothermia - "a decrease in the core body temperature to a level at
which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired." - Medicine
for Mountaineering
2. Conditions Leading to Hypothermia
Cold temperatures
Improper clothing and equipment
Wetness
Fatigue, exhaustion
Dehydration
Poor food intake
No knowledge of hypothermia
Alcohol intake - causes vasodilation leading to increased heat loss
Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms
of the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment. Heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness
after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are commonly known
forms of hyperthermia. Risk for these conditions can increase with the combination of outside temperature,
general health and individual lifestyle.
Lifestyle factors can include not drinking enough fluids, living in housing without air conditioning, lack of
mobility and access to transportation, overdressing, visiting overcrowded places and not understanding how
to respond to hot weather conditions. Older people, particularly those with chronic medical conditions,
should stay indoors on hot and humid days, especially when an air pollution alert is in effect. People without
air conditioners should go to places that do have air conditioning, such as senior centers, shopping malls,
movie theaters and libraries. Cooling centers, which may be set up by local public health agencies, religious
groups and social service organizations in many communities, are another option.
Health-related factors, some especially common among older people, that may increase risk of hyperthermia
include:
Being dehydrated.
Age-related changes to the skin such as impaired blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands.
Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted
diets may be at increased risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor.
Reduced sweating, caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and
blood pressure drugs.
Taking several drugs for various conditions. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed
medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.
Being substantially overweight or underweight.
Drinking alcoholic beverages.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening form of hyperthermia. It occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and
unable to control its temperature. Heat stroke occurs when someone’s body temperature increases
significantly (generally above 104 degrees Fahrenheit) and has symptoms such as mental status changes (like
confusion or combativeness), strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, or
coma. Seek immediate emergency medical attention for a person with any of these symptoms, especially an
older adult.
Why do we build buildings???

THEN, people desired a certain minimum level of

COMFORT, but would modify clothing or expectations as a
function of the weather.
NOW, people people expect to be held at a constant level of COMFORT,
in spite of the weather or location (in the world).
The Effects of Climate on People
Major elements of climatic
environment which affect human
comfort are:

-Air temperature
-Radiation
-Air movement (Wind Speed)
-Humidity

“Thermal Comfort – that condition

of mind which expresses
satisfaction with the thermal
environment.”
ASHRAE Standard 55-66
Bodily Heat Transfer
Heat Gains:
•Metabolism (conversion of food to activity
and heat)
•Absorption of Radiant Energy
•Heat Conduction Toward Body

Heat Loss Through:

•Evaporation
•Conduction
•Convection (Wind Chill Factor)
•Radiation
Shelter and Environment
•Shelter is the main instrument for fulfilling the
requirements of comfort. It modifies the natural
environment to approach optimum conditions of
livability.

•The architect's problem is to produce an

environment which will not place undue stress upon
the body’s heat-compensation mechanism

•It is NOW the task of the architect to make utmost

use of the natural means available in order to
produce a more healthful and livable building, and to
achieve a saving in cost by keeping to a minimum the
use of mechanical aids for climate control.
The Comfort Zone
The Comfort Zone refers to the range of temperature conditions of
air movement, humidity and exposure to direct sunlight, under
which a moderately clothed human feels “comfortable”.
This will be different for Indoor versus Outdoor conditions.
This will be different for different cultures and climate conditions -
what are people used to??

As Architects we use our

buildings to not only create
comfortable indoor
environments, but also pleasing
and useful spaces outside of our
buildings.
Where do people want to sit?
The Comfort Zone
The comfort zone is
the kidney shaped
area that defines the
range of conditions
within which North
Americans express
no great objection.

However, the
intersecting red
lines show the temp
and RH that we
strive for in our
interior
environments,
winter, summer,
Arctic, Florida!
This
adaptation is
from
“Design with
Climate” by
Victor
Olgyay, first
published in
1963.
One of the biggest adjustments that must be made in trying to design
buildings with less dependency on mechanical heating and cooling, is
the adaptation of human expectations to have their environments held
at a constant Temperature and Relative Humidity.

All indoor temp and RH that falls outside

of 23C 35%RH calls for mechanical and
electrical intervention!!
i.e. $$$ and fuel
 World Climate Regions

The same climate definitions are used world-wide. Differentiated climate impacts the
types of buildings that are appropriate (or not!).
Climate and Indigenous Housing
Roofs tell
us a lot
about
housing.
Flat roofs
are to
sleep on
in hot
climates.
Pitched
roofs shed
rain. Low
slope
roofs hold
snow….
Climate and Indigenous Housing
In its most fundamental form, housing is shelter – a system of
components designed to mediate the existing environments (which is less
than satisfactory in some way) into a comfortable and satisfactory
environment. Historically, shelter has been built

•to reduce the range of local climatic variations;

•to avoid some of the heat of the sun in hot climates,
•to conserve heat in cold climates,
•to welcome the breezes when they can provide desired
cooling,
•to avoid winds when they serve to compound the problems
of an already cold environments,
•to admit light in sufficient amounts for task lighting and to
keep out excessive or unnecessary light.
THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLIMATE CONSCIOUS INDIGENOUS
HOUSING AND “SHACKS” THAT ARE THE RESULT OF POVERTY.

…although there may remain remnants of climate effective indigenous strategies...

Poverty can result in a forced combination of old and new materials.
 Cold Climate: Indigenous Housing

Cold: The severity of this climate suggests that cold temperature and wind
conditions alone dictate the building sitting, form, organization and wall and
window construction. Designing for all other conditions (sun, summer breezes,
and humidity) are subordinated to the demands of the cold.
Also characteristic of indigenous housing is the tendency to use natural,
renewable, low energy materials (although if populations grow too
quickly, materials such as wood may not be adequately replenished). Such
housing has a limited environmental impact.
This also affects the type of labour and tools that are used in
construction, and typically meant inability to use “power” to assist in
the building process.
Such housing does result in interior environments that would not be up to
modern North American comfort standards. But perhaps we are aiming too
high, making the gap between the environmental comfort level provided by
indigenous solutions too far below our own expectations.
The igloo was able to keep the sleeping bench above freezing, with limited use
of a lamp and the body heat of the occupants. Most modern houses are so
large that occupants are quite incapable of altering the interior temperatures.
The tundra -- where are
the natural building
materials??
Extreme Northern building is also affected by Permafrost. Dwellings
may not allow heat to escape into the ground as thawing will destroy
the permanently frozen condition of the soil and the building will
“sink” rather than “float” on top of the soil.
These ancient Irish buildings used a similar shape to the igloo, but in this
case, stone was plentiful - so these became permanent habitations.
Temperate: Indigenous Housing
Temperate: The summers
are hot and humid, and the
winters are cold. In much of
the region the topography is
generally flat, allowing cold
winter winds to come in
form the northwest and
cool summer breezes to
flow in from the southwest.
The four seasons are almost
equally long.

This housing maximizes

flexibility in its design in
order to be able to modify
the envelope for varying
climatic conditions.
Similar
techniques are
seen in
temperate
buildings
worldwide.
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Fl"!JU'• 3.10: Noftl Amollean lndl8n Upl (a) ale», and (b) front conJlgured lot
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Mongolian YURT with collapsible “pantograph”side walls, and felt mat covering.
Hot-Arid: Indigenous Housing
Hot-Arid: Located in the desert
region that spans California,
Arizona and Nevada, the climate
is characterized by extremely hot
summers and moderately cold
winters. The cold season lasts
from November until March or
April, with January temperature
between 0 and 15 degrees C. A
small amount of precipitation
occurs during the winter. The
summers are extremely hot and
dry, with great temperature
variations between day and night.
This “diurnal” temperature swing
is used to moderate the interior
building temperatures.
Hot arid buildings use the mass of the building to moderate the heat flow
through the envelope. Occupants move out to the roof to sleep if it remains
too hot indoors in the night.
Historic pueblo type
building in Chaco
Canyon, New Mexico
c. 1075 CE
Taos pueblos, some dating
back to the 17th century
and are still in use today.
These buildings do not employ “insulation” and have very limited window
openings so that the sun cannot enter. They use reflective colours to keep what
little light is let in. Small windows also exclude ventilation as they wish to
exclude the hot daytime air from entering the building.
Mesa Verde used the natural landscape to take advantage of the winter
and summer sun. Winter sun penetration heated up the masonry and
kept the buildings warm. The cliff shaded from the summer sun, keeping
things cooler.
Desert housing makes use of dense materials (stone/adobe) to store
heat. It does get quite cold at night.
 Not all hot-arid buildings are
made from stone or adobe.
Other accommodations are
required when there is no stone,
nor water with which to make
mud bricks. Water is too scarce
to be wasted in making a
building… in this case, shade is
optimized.

Bedouin tent
 Hot-Humid: Indigenous Housing

Hot-Humid: is characterized by high humidity and warm summer temperatures.

Day to night temperature swings during the summer are insignificant because of
the extensive humidity and cloud cover which prevents surfaces from re-radiatio
to the night sky. Very mild winters make for a short heating season. Sunshine
available all year. Often a lack of breeze.
Hot-Humid: Indigenous Housing
Hot-Humid: Indigenous Housing
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Buildings are also
elevated to protect
their occupants from
animal predators.
Conical thatched grass roofs top circular dwellings built with
interlaced fiber siding , Village in New Guinea
Plentiful materials are compromised in
urban areas, as shown in the construction
of these “favelas” in Brazil, which use
found, cheap, modern materials -
sometimes what the rich throw away.
Density does not permit air circulation.
Kandy shacks - Sri Lanka
A combination of natural and salvaged materials.
Climate Responsive Architecture

Pompeii: House of the Vettii Tangier: inside a Medina House

“We must begin by taking note of the countries and

climates in which homes are to be built if our design for
them are to be correct. Once type of house seems
appropriate for Egypt, another for Spain…one still different
for Rome…It is obvious that design for homes ought to
conform to diversities of climate.”
Vitruvius, Architect 1st century BC
Climate Responsive Architecture
Indigenous structures are valuable subjects for study
because of their ingenious use of available materials and
technology to produce houses which provide a
remarkably high degree of thermal comfort in sometimes
hostile environments.

Vernacular architecture has grown out of simpler forms

of indigenous building as done by more primitive
cultures, and usually includes the same set of climate
responsive parameters and similar materials but using
somewhat higher technology in the construction.

Typical “modern” 20th century architecture has

characteristically thrown out all of the lessons of both
indigenous and vernacular building and relied on
mechanical heating and cooling to moderate the interior
environment with complete disregard to climate.
Indigenous:
•Originating and living or occurring naturally in an area or
environment.
•Intrinsic; innate.
•Bound to its geography.
•Using traditional, typically non-mechanized construction
methods.
•Almost always pre-industrial
Vernacular:
•Being derived from an indigenous building style using local
materials and traditional methods of construction and
ornament.
•Almost always post-industrial, using modern construction
methods.
Ongoing cultural adaptation of a style (sometimes
indigenous).
•For example, Native American pueblos are indigenous and
Mexican courtyard housing is vernacular.
 Climate Responsive Architecture
“…true regional character cannot be found throughout a
sentimental or imitative approach by incorporating their old
emblems or the newest local fashions which disappear as
fast as they appear. But if you take…the basic difference
imposed on architectural design by the climatic
conditions…diversity of expression can result…if the
architect will use utterly contrasting indoor-outdoor
relations…as focus for design conception.”
Walter Gropius

What we as architects are aiming for is to take the climate motivated,

environmentally sustainable/valid ideas and practices, from both
indigenous and vernacular building, and to incorporate them into a
current architecture that clearly responds to issues of climate (and
comfort) in the design of the building.
 Actual Pueblo in use near
Taos, New Mexico
(vernacular)

Early Hopi Indian Pueblo

reconstruction
(indigenous)
Modern building being marketed as a “pueblo” -
“modern climate conscious adaptation” (how sustainable
or effective not determined!)
Vernacular Architecture
Vernacular architecture tends then
to be building that grows out of
indigenous practice and is adapted
to somewhat more 20th century
building.

“City of the dead” Cairo, EGYPT

In some cases urban
pressures have
compromised valid
climate based design
strategies. The “pink”
town makes good use of
courtyards and building
shading to create a
cooler place. The stacked
buildings on the left
retain the small windows
but expose more of
themselves to the sun.
Hot-arid buildings that use only nature to
modify their interior environments continue
to use indigenous traditions that include
small windows and walls with thermal mass,
and no insulation.
This modern building
makes use of the hot-
arid method that
employs small
windows and creates
an “airy” interior by
opening up courtyards
and spaces on the
inside of the building,
that are constantly
shaded.
In various climatic
designs, thermal mass
(stone, concrete, brick,
adobe) can be used as a
“thermal sink”. ie. The
materials have a high
capacity to hold heat and
so the heat that comes to
the interior of the space
gets absorbed by the
building materials and
NOT the people.
People are 80% water,
which also has a high
thermal capacity.
Wood is an insulator so
does not absorb heat.
This particular
development in
Mexicali had many
good indigenous ideas
in mind. It used local
materials and building
methods. But for
perplexing reasons,
failed to “work” or
appeal to the local
residents.
So, in spite of the best
intentions, some
modern adaptations
of traditional building
methods will not
work.
 *-'- -
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These more contemporary city
based hot arid houses make use
of courtyards to cool the house
environment. The plants not
only provide physical cooling,
but also “mental” cooling. This
becomes highly important in
architectural design.
In this case the courtyards are more to the exterior of the building and
also provides spatial separation and “privacy”.
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River dwellings, Amazon
sultry
still
little air
movement
or very
windy
stormy
What can we learn from local traditions? Bamboo is one of the
fastest growing, renewable natural materials...
Missionary guest house, Dar-Es-Salam, Tanzania

A contemporary building that is

conscious of the wind and rain
and uses modern materials to
replicate some effective
indigenous traditions.
sun.

Courtyards
provide shade.
Light coloured roof reflects heat.
Trees moderate cooling.
Southern plantation houses with large shaded porches.
Louisiana houses of both rich and
poor(er) use shutters on the windows
to allow air flow while maintaining
security.

Shot-gun houses
The traditional dog trot house is characterized by two log houses with a central
connecting passageway, a porch at either side, and a chimney at each end.
Developed in response to its environment, the dog trot house is successful in
providing cool shaded space in the Southeast's hot, humid climate. This is
accomplished primarily through its successful passive ventilation strategy.
By studying more historic
vernacular types that worked well,
we can re-learn the principles that
made these buildings effective.
Logan House, Tampa, FL
This relatively modern building has
become a model for a new kind of
vernacular based upon ventilation
strategies for hot-humid climates - that
were derived from indigenous hot-humid
buildings.
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Cold climate houses can take
varying attitudes towards their
roofs. In some cases “stops” are put
on the roof to hold the snow in
place (so it does not slide off) and
the snow is used as extra insulation.
The roof must be stronger to
prevent structural collapse due to
this extra weight.
Our natural found environment donates very little in the
way of renewable or natural materials that will make the
design and construction of modern comfortable houses
very easy.
Creating a warm, moist environment in a harsh, cold
climate puts ourselves quite at odds with physics.
 cellulose
fiberglass

Insulation is the only

real way to keep the
heat in. Some types
are more
environmentally Sheep’s wool
friendly than others.
polystyrene