Lämpöeristävät

Lämpöeristävät refers to materials used to reduce heat transfer. These materials are crucial in various applications, most notably in building construction to maintain indoor temperatures and improve energy efficiency. By minimizing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, lämpöeristävät contribute significantly to reduced heating and cooling costs, as well as a more comfortable living or working environment.

Common types of lämpöeristävät include mineral wools like glass wool and rock wool, which are fibrous materials produced from molten glass or basalt. Foamed plastics, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS), are also widely used due to their lightweight nature and good insulating properties. Natural materials like cellulose, derived from recycled paper, and sheep's wool are also employed as sustainable insulation options.

The effectiveness of a lämpöeristävä material is measured by its thermal conductivity, often expressed as a lambda (λ) value. A lower lambda value indicates better insulating performance. The thickness of the insulation also plays a critical role; a thicker layer will provide greater resistance to heat flow. Proper installation is essential to ensure the material functions optimally and to prevent thermal bridging, which can compromise the overall insulation effectiveness.