Kattotermi

Kattotermi is a term found in Finnish building physics and energy efficiency literature. It denotes the temperature-related behavior of roof systems and is used to describe how roof surfaces or roof assemblies respond thermally under varying weather, solar input, and indoor conditions. The term does not have a single, universally defined meaning in international standards, but it is commonly encountered in professional and academic Finnish discussions of roofs.

In practice, kattotermi may refer to several related ideas: the temperature of the roof surface, the temperature gradient across a roof assembly, or the overall thermal response of a roof to environmental changes. It is closely linked to issues such as heat transfer, solar gain, moisture management, condensation risk, and frost formation on roofing elements. Understanding kattotermi can help optimize insulation, ventilation, and waterproofing strategies to improve energy efficiency and long-term durability.

Measurement and modeling approaches used to study kattotermi include infrared thermography to map surface temperatures, installation of surface or embedded temperature sensors, and numerical heat-transfer simulations. These methods support energy audits, design of new roofs, and retrofit planning for existing buildings, where accurate characterization of roof temperature behavior informs decision-making.

Etymology and usage: the term combines katt o (roof) and termi (term or therm) in Finnish. It is most commonly used in Finnish-language technical literature and professional contexts. Because it is not a standardized term in international references, its exact interpretation may vary across sources.

See also: building physics, energy efficiency, roof insulation, thermal bridging, condensation.