What is thermal conductivity and why does it matter in home insulation?
According to the definition, thermal conductivity is the physical quantity that characterizes the ability of a material to transmit heat when subjected to a temperature difference.
The concept was introduced by the French researcher Joseph Fourier in the 19th century. In practice, thermal conductivity helps us to know how well a house is insulated or how efficient the materials are in terms of thermal conduction. In Romania, most buildings are inadequate in terms of thermal comfort, resulting in high energy consumption to ensure the minimum conditions of the microclimate parameters during the winter.
The importance of thermal insulation and the evolution of energy requirements in construction
This problem stems from poor design on the one hand, and the fact that time is taking its toll on construction and materials on the other. As a result, reducing or even eliminating heat loss should be a major priority for any homeowner.
Over time, the following trends have been recorded in the field of ensuring energy protection: increased attention has been paid both to achieving superior microclimate conditions and to reducing the consumption of energy resources for heating buildings.
- The level of requirements imposed on the thermal and energy performance of buildings has increased progressively, in stages, as the economic power of different countries has increased.
- Significant progress has been made in improving thermotechnical calculation methods, with high-precision methods being provided for in more and more normative acts in different countries.
Emphasis is placed on the most correct thermo-energetic conformity of buildings, from the early stages of design. In most advanced countries, verification of thermal insulation performance has been introduced using global thermal insulation coefficients.
This criterion can be applied in all design stages with different degrees of decision, making it possible to design a correct composition of buildings from an energy point of view from the beginning. Recent studies carried out at the European Community level show that approximately 40% of national energy consumption is consumed in the built environment.
The specific thermal resistance of the external walls is determined taking into account their composition.
Thermal rehabilitation of buildings and the advantages of SANDWICH thermal insulation panels
In order to achieve energy savings, a first essential condition is the improvement of thermal protection of buildings. This objective can be achieved through a thermoenergetic conformation of the new buildings and through the thermal rehabilitation of the buildings from the existing fund, built on the basis of the old hygrothermal norms.
The use of high-performance thermal insulation materials in the construction of new buildings, as well as during their operation or during repair works, allows increasing the thermal resistance of the closing elements and reducing thermal energy losses.
The general principle of thermal rehabilitation of the closing elements of a building consists in increasing their resistance to thermal transfer, corresponding to the current standard performance level, by applying thermal insulation layers, of high hygrothermal efficiency, with high durability and having as few negative side effects as possible from a technical and economic point of view. Such a solution can be the use of high-performance thermal insulation materials such as SANDWICH panels. These are usually applied as prefabricated closing elements, being fixed on a metal frame with self-tapping screws.
This system has a number of advantages that we cannot ignore:
- The necessary increase in the degree of thermal protection is easily achieved because the materials used (sandwich panels) have a very low thermal conductivity (approximately 0,02 W/mK).
- SANDWICH panels being very light, the weight gain is also very small, which is an advantage, especially in areas exposed to significant seismic actions.
- Applying SANDWICH panels does not reduce the usable area.
- Being prefabricated panels that are screwed together, they can be easily dismantled and reassembled.
- The construction time of buildings made of such panels is at least two times shorter than the construction time of buildings made of traditional materials.
The benefits and performance of SANDWICH thermal insulation panels
Following the theoretical and practical studies and analyses, it was found that:
- Exploitation for a period of 20-25 years proved that the efficiency of the thermal insulation of SANDWICH panels was not modified, being close to the initial one, a fact untouchable by any other thermal insulation in construction.
- Rigid polyurethane foams have closed cells, making them impermeable to air and moisture.
- Energy saving the heating requirement is approximately 50%.
- The panels are hardly flammable, belonging to the C2 combustibility group.
- SANDWICH panels have light weight (between 7,2 and 13,84 Kg/m2), which leads to a much lighter resistance structure and good maneuverability during assembly.
- Savings in material and labor as well as reduced commissioning times substantially reduce investment costs.
SANDWICH panels are used in the construction of container walls due to their lower cost compared to other methods, increased resistance and easy assembly. They are good thermal and sound insulators and have high weather resistance. If we compare the panels with wood or other types of material used for walls, we can see that they have a much lower weight, thus reducing the risk of affecting the strength of the structure.
SANDWICH panels – The optimal solution for energy-efficient constructions
In conclusion , we can say that SANDWICH thermal insulation panels are the most recommended solution to achieve an energy-efficient, well-insulated construction, providing superior insulation at the most affordable price. That is why the containers have walls made of sandwich panels mounted on a strong metal structure.
