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Foam glass conductivity in walls and façades: a calculation workflow

Thermal conductivity for walls and façades: evidence, application limits, detailing and acceptance.

In brief: thermal conductivity for walls and façades. The project outcome is that the design value is traceable from the data sheet to the installed layout.

Thermal conductivity: design task for walls and façades

In an external envelope, thermal conductivity becomes visible where the substrate, insulation and finish meet.

In walls and façades, thermal conductivity requires interfaces around openings and compatibility with finish layers; also check continuity of the insulation layer.

Thermal conductivity: application boundary in walls and façades

In walls and façades, thermal conductivity has an important boundary. A tabulated conductivity is not the thermal resistance of the finished construction.

For thermal conductivity in walls and façades, address this specific risk: an incorrect panel layout or an unprepared substrate.

Thermal conductivity: evidence for walls and façades

For walls and façades, the thermal conductivity source states: For D130, the declared maximum is 0.046 W/(m·K) at (10±1) °C and 0.048 W/(m·K) at (25±1) °C.

For thermal conductivity in walls and façades, apply this principle. The calculation must account for the test temperature and the condition of the complete assembly, rather than relying on one table value.

Thermal conductivity: detailing for walls and façades

The walls and façades drawing develops thermal conductivity through two decisions: fixing method and sequence of finish installation; then the panel layout.

For thermal conductivity in walls and façades, dimensions and interface materials belong in the design, not in an improvised site decision.

Thermal conductivity: inputs for walls and façades

Before assessing thermal conductivity in walls and façades, obtain design temperatures, moisture conditions, layer thicknesses, thermal bridges and the calculation method.

For walls and façades, the verifiable thermal conductivity requirement is to record the design temperature, adopted conductivity and value source in the design report.

Thermal conductivity: installation in walls and façades

The installation rule for thermal conductivity in walls and façades is to stagger the joints and protect the completed layer until the façade system is installed.

During walls and façades work concerning thermal conductivity, check installed thickness and continuity before the next layer hides the insulation.

Thermal conductivity: accepting work in walls and façades

Acceptance of thermal conductivity in walls and façades starts by matching delivery labels, drawings and the installed layout.

For thermal conductivity in walls and façades, close the identified risk with a photograph, measurement or record, not a verbal explanation.

The final walls and façades criterion for thermal conductivity is that the design value is traceable from the data sheet to the installed layout.

Thermal conductivity: conclusion for walls and façades

In walls and façades, foam glass delivers its thermal conductivity benefit through a coordinated detail, not one schedule entry.

The walls and façades workflow for thermal conductivity is to evidence the property, issue the detail, accept installation and retain concealed-work records.

Topics: foam glass, walls, thermal conductivity, NEOPORM

This material is informational. Final decisions on thickness, details, fixings and compatible compounds must follow the project documentation, current technical data sheets and the conditions of the specific facility.