Thermal insulation is a technique in which heat transfer in buildings is isolated by the application of particular materials, in order to avoid unwanted temperatures. The types of thermal insulation are expanded mica, agglomerate of mineral fibers, agglomerate of wood fibers, agglomerate cork, mineral wool, glass wool, expanded polystyrene, rigid polyurethane foam, among others less popular.
Not all buildings are found in beneficial climates where temperature is stable and tolerable for man most of the time. For areas where heat or cold are considerable, external sources must be used to compensate for the interior temperature, such as resistance heater or their antagonist that are cooers coolers. While they are pleasant to have, these alternatives become expensive both economically and environmentally because of the energy demand they represent. This is where thermal insulation comes into play, which is part of the bioclimatic architecture aimed at reducing the environmental impact of a building. If you want to learn more about it, we invite you to read this ecology article where we explain to you What is thermal insulation and its typesin addition to the materials that are thermal insulators and what benefits this technique has.
What is thermal insulation
Thermal insulation is the Application of materials that maintain regulated and independent internal temperature of the external temperature. This is achieved by avoiding heat transmission from one place to another. By the thermodynamic law we know that heat moves to where there is lower temperature, so this insulating barrier is what it does is reduce heat, either to retain it or to avoid it. Sometimes it is often said that “the cold gets”, but this is wrong, since the heat is the one that moves.
Understanding how thermodynamics and the principle of the thermal insulation technique work, we will understand that this procedure is useful to prevent heat from summer not between buildings or homes, and that in the winter the heat does not come out from within and can be kept warm in front of the external cold temperature.
This thermal insulation technique can be applied to walls, roof or floor of a building. Thermal insulating windows can also be found. To thermally isolate there are a series of materials that we present below.
Types of thermal insulation
- Expanded Mica: Mica is a mineral and is highly insulating. To this end, it is sold in straws and since it is applied by expansion, it is essential that the area to isolate be horizontal. It is a good thermal insulator for roofs.
- Mineral fibers agglomerate: They are mainly manufactured by vermiculite, arlita or perlite, compressed under pressure to form panels or sheets of different thicknesses. It has the advantage that the panels are not flammable.
- Wood fiber agglomerate: It is an ecological option because it normally uses wood fragments that remain as waste of the cabinetmaking and carpentry industry. These pieces of wood, which can be from sawdust to parts of different sizes, are compressed to form panels.
- Agglomerate cork: The cork comes from trees, so this agglomerate is an alternative that can be recycled.
- Mineral or rock wool: It is a material similar to the fabric, but whose fibers are made of volcanic rock. It is achieved in panels. It has the great advantage that it is not flammable, and that in addition to being thermal insulator, it is also acoustic insulating.
- Glass wool: Also known as fiberglass, several fibers are overlap to create an agglutinated, united with resin. It is not flammable.
- Expanded polystyrene: They are thick sheets of what we know as Unicel. They can be achieved in different thicknesses and densities. Absorb moisture. It is flammable. It stands out as thermal insulation for walls.
- Extruded polystyrene: It is similar to the previous one, but does not absorb moisture, so it can be used outdoors and in places where there are snowfall. It is flammable.
- Rigid polyurethane foam: This foam is formed by combining two different components and carrying it at a temperature of 35 ° C in the place where it will be applied. The latter is done by injection or dispersion on the surface. It has the ability to adhere to a wide variety of materials. It does not absorb moisture. It is flammable.
All these materials have in common that they are very light, and that they have low thermal conductivity, that is, they are insulators by nature. In addition to the ability of each material, the thicker they are, the more insulating capacity there will be.
We can also classify the types of isolation according to the location. Thus we have:
- Interior isolation: It applies from inside out.
- External isolation: It is placed from outside in, such as tiles. This should always be resistant to moisture to prevent it from decomposing in case of defrosting, or rain.
You may also be interested in this article about the most ecological prefabricated homes than conventional ones.
Advantages of thermal insulation
- Thermal insulation is especially advantageous in latitudes of extreme climates, because The demand for external heat or cold sources decreases They consume energy, such as heater or air conditioners.
- This helps Improve the energy efficiency of a spaceand with that, decrease the ecological footprint. If you seek to have a more sustainable house, start with isolation is the first step. We recommend you read what energy efficiency is: definition and examples.
- On the other hand, thermal insulation Help reduce home expensesbecause the electricity receipts and the demand for fuels will be much lower.
If you want to read more articles similar to Thermal insulation: what is and typeswe recommend that you enter our category of other ecology.
- Elías, X. (2009) Industrial waste recycling. Madrid: Santos Day Editions.
- Tournus, J. (1980) The measures in housing. Barcelona: Associated Technical Editors.
