Natural Heat Insulation Materials

The last column gives rsi values normalised to a metre thickness.

Natural heat insulation materials.

Still others consider insulation green when it s made of natural materials source. Insulation materials run the gamut from bulky fiber materials such as fiberglass rock and slag wool cellulose and natural fibers to rigid foam boards to sleek foils. Typical values are approximations based on the average of available figures. Bulky materials resist conductive and to a lesser degree convective heat flow in a building cavity.

Another important consideration should be where the insulation will go. Mother s researchers show homesteaders how to make and install your own insulation creating a low cost good quality insulation using newspapers and a farm type hammermill. In practice the values will have been obtained using different methods and thicknesses. Clay coated straw has been shown to last over 700 years as a non deteriorating insulation.

Increase your r value by layering insulation. Insulation may be categorized by its composition natural or synthetic materials form batts blankets loose fill spray foam and panels structural contribution insulating concrete forms structured panels and straw bales functional mode. This man made material is 90 percent air but it is difficult for heat to pass through it making it excellent for insulation. The format of house insulation you need depends on where you put it and if you need to control moisture.

Cold areas require a higher r value like an r 49. Whatever your definition of green the best way to quantify how well insulation works is by its r value which measures its resistance to heat flow and ranges between less than r 1 and r 60. Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas to resist heat flow. The legend has it that samuel stephens kistler invented aerogel in.

Manufacturer isovlas application lofts timber frame walls intermediate floors roofs material flax polyester binder salts natural fibre content 80 per cent format flexible batts standard thickness. Rsi values and r values for various materials normalised to a one inch 25 4 mm thickness. The high specific heat capacity of the insulation helps to keep the building warm during the winter but cool in summer preventing overheating. Natural insulation regulating heat and cold one of the best low cost insulating materials is clay coated straw or other lightweight plant materials a light coating of clay acts as both a binder and preservative.

Layer more insulation over the old for more effectiveness. When choosing insulation most homeowners contemplate r value which measures resistance to heat flow.