Thermal insulation

The term thermal insulation is used to indicate the construction or

provisions by the way of which transmission of heat from or in the
room is retarded. The aim of thermal insulation is to minimize the
tranfer of heat between outside ans inside of the building
Advantages of thermal insulation
Comfort- keeps the room cool in summer and hot in winter
Fuel saving- since heat transfer is minimized , therefore , less fuel
is required to maintain the desired temperature.
Prevention of condensation-results in prevention of condensation
(or moisture deposition) on the interior walls and the ceiling
Prevents the freezing of water taps in extreme winter, and heat
loss in case of hot water system
Heat transfer: Basic definitions
Heat transfer can take place by three ways:
Conduction: direct transmission of heat through a material. The
amount of heat transfer depends on:
i) Temperature difference
ii) Thickness of solid medium
iii) Area of exposed surface
iv) Time for which heat flow takes place
v) Conductivity of the medium
vi) Density of the medium
Conduction, the most common means of heat transfer in solids, is
the transfer of heat through atoms and molecules that are in direct
contact with one another, when there is a temperature gradient
between them. Materials with high thermal conductivity, such as
metals, transfer nearly all of the heat via electrons, whereas
materials with low thermal conductivity insulators transfer
nearly all of the heat via phonons.
Reasons for insulation.

does not require maintenance.

Is more comfortable. Floors are warmer, and temperatures are
more uniform throughout the house. Thermal insulation of

buildings is merely one means of achieving indoor comfort and

energy-efficiency. Weatherization and thermal mass are others.
Absorbs outside noise and is quieter.
Convention: heat is transmitted by convention in fluids and gases,
as a result of circulation.
Radiation: heat is transferred by radiation through space in the
form of radiant energy. When the radiation strikes an object some
of the energy is absorbed and transformed into heat. One of the
ways of reducing heat absorption from radiation is to introduce a
suitable reflecting surface
In si units, thermal conductivirty is measured in w/m0c
Resistivity to heat tranmission equals to the reciprocal of former

Resistivity of some materials:

I) Brick:0.87
ii) Plaster: 1.725
iii) Cork: 18.20
Thermal insulating materials
1.Slab or block insulation:
2..5 cm thick and 60x120 cm in area
3.Made of cork board,mineral wool , vermiculite, cellular
glass,cellular rubber, saw dust, asbestos, cement
4.Fixed to walls or roofs
Blanket insulation:
1.Flexible fibrous rolls
2.Made from mineral wool, processed wood fibres, cotton, animal
hair, available in thickness of 12 to 8 mm
3.Directly spread on the wall or ceiling surfaces
Loose fill insulation:
May consist of fibrous materials like rock wool, slag wool, cellulose
or wood fiber wool, filled loosely in the studding space
1.Bat insulating material:
2.Similar to blanket insulations except that they are small in size
but of greater thickness
3.Spread on the surface of walls and ceiling
Reflective sheet material:
i) They have high reflectivity and low emissibility, offering high heat
resistance
ii) Solar energy striking reflective surfaces get reflected and
amount of heat which may get transmitted is greatly reduced
iii) Cosists of gypsum boards, steel sheet , aluminium foils and
sheets
Light weight aggregate:
i) Heat resistance of concrete can be greatly increased by using
light weight aggregates like blast furnace slag, burnt clay
aggregate , vermiculite
For glass
i) Light coloured surfaces reflect sun rays
ii) Glass transmits larger part os suns rays
iii) After 10 hrs. omly 1% of the energy of sun rays warms in
internal air through external walls
iv) Projecting roofs, shutters and external blinds give best
protection
OTHER

I) For roofs covered with corrugated asbestos, battens spaced to

leave gaps should be provided at eaves
II) Roofing felt should be laid on perforated glass fiber linked to
ventilators

Thermal insulation of exposed walls

Methods
The thickness of wall may be increased
Cavity wall by constructed may be adopted, of external walls
The wall may be constructed out of suitable heat insulation
material provided structural requirements are met
Light colored white wash or distemper may be applied on the
exposed side of the side
Thermal insulation of exposed doors and windows
Reduction of Incidence of solar heat,
External shading, such as louvered shutters, sun
breakers chhajjas.
Internal shading such a curtains and Venetian blinds.
Reduction of heat transmission.
Where glazed windows and doors are provided,
reduction of heat transmission may be achieved by providing
insulating glass or double glass with air space or by any other
suitable means.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:1. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION BY Dr.B.C.PUNMIA

2.BUILDING CONSTRUCTION BY SUSHIL KUMAR
3.INTERNET