Review of Various Types of Insulation Materials Used in Buildings
Thermal performance of the building envelope has always been a priority for building designers and owners. Today’s requirements—based on the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB)—do not specify which type of thermal insulation should be used, but rather indicate the minimum performance requirements based on U-values.
The selection of the insulation material used in roofs or exterior wall assemblies is a critical step in ensuring adequate thermal performance of the building. Various insulation types will be presented, along with their individual strengths when used in building construction. Conventional construction types will be reviewed in terms of their overall thermal performance.
Learning objectives
Understanding the concept of U-value and the difference between
U-value, R-value, and effective R-value
Recognizing various thermal insulation types and identifying their individual strengths when used in building construction
Recognizing the impact of construction type on overall thermal performance
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SOPRA-ISO insulation boards, engineered to provide improved thermal resistance, are made at our state-of-the-art, LEED® Silver manufacturing facility.
SOPRA-XPS is a closed-cell, strong and versatile foam insulation made of rigid flat panels. It is mainly used as thermal insulation for foundation systems, parking lots and inverted roofs, including rooftops and green roofs.
SOPRA-SPF is a high-quality product designed for interior and exterior insulation applications, whether commercial, industrial, or residential.
SOPRA-CELLULOSE insulation is made of 85% post-consumer recycled newspapers. It acts as a protective shield to reduce the transmission of heat and sound. Efficient and environmentally friendly, SOPRA-CELLULOSE will reduce energy consumption and improve comfort under a wide range of climatic conditions.