The use of insulation materials in walls and enclosure structures

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　　Building materials and thermal insulation materials are the most fundamental prerequisites for achieving energy efficiency in buildings, and various countries have adopted a large number of new types of building materials and insulation materials in construction. Solid bricks have been widely replaced by hollow blocks and perforated bricks. In hollow block walls, in order to improve their thermal insulation performance, it is necessary to block the airflow in the hollow spaces formed between the blocks, and loose insulating materials such as expanded perlite, granular glass wool, or granular mineral wool should also be filled into those gaps. 　　In the building envelope, whether for commercial or residential buildings, insulating materials such as lightweight and efficient glass wool, rock wool, and foam plastics are used throughout. There are basically three forms of wall insulation: internal insulation, external insulation, and sandwich insulation. The wall structure of residential buildings consists basically of an outer layer of wooden or plastic wall panels, followed by a layer of rigid foam plastic; inside that is the standard core of the wall, such as a wooden frame structure. Glass wool insulation batts or mineral wool insulation batts with high thermal resistance values are laid between the wooden frames, and then gypsum boards are nailed to those frames; this approach allows the thermal conductivity of the wall to be kept within the range of 0.35–0.50 W/(m2•K). Another typical wall structure involves using high-pressure air to blow fibrous or lump-shaped glass wool into the cavity of hollow blocks or pre-built hollow walls, filling the cavity tightly; this approach also provides excellent insulation. 　　Application of insulation materials on rooftops In foreign countries, spire roofs are commonly used in residential buildings. In the attic space beneath such spire roofs, channels for air circulation are installed; these channels not only facilitate air flow but also serve to provide some level of insulation. At the same time, above the ceiling, glass wool or mineral wool mats are usually installed, or loose insulation material is blown in directly into that space; in some cases, ceilings made of composite materials consisting of insulation materials such as glass wool or rock wool along with decorative finishes are simply hung in place. 　　Application of air barrier technology in buildings Air penetration in buildings is an important factor affecting energy efficiency. Water vapor generated inside buildings can cause leakage in the building structure, walls, and roofs; condensation can reduce the effectiveness of insulation materials, thereby diminishing their energy-saving capabilities. Therefore, abroad, great emphasis is placed on preventing the penetration of water vapor into walls and roofs in the design of building structures. Common methods used include: (1) laminating a plastic film or metal film on one side of glass wool or rock wool panels, with this film facing the side that is at a higher temperature during heating seasons. (2) Lay the plastic film directly on the already placed insulation material, with its side facing the side with the higher temperature. 　　Furthermore, to prevent air infiltration, special construction designs and treatment methods have been employed at the junctions of walls and roofs, walls and floors, as well as foundations and floors. Gaps and holes around pipes and wires must be sealed using various sealing materials. Currently, the average air leakage rate for commercial buildings abroad has dropped to around 0.5 times per hour. 　　The use of insulation materials in floors: In most buildings abroad, there are basements and underground spaces, and the floors of these living and functional areas are not exposed directly to the external environment, which creates favorable conditions for insulating these living spaces. However, if the basement and underground spaces are not heated, there will still be a considerable amount of heat lost through the floors on the first floor, especially in winter. Therefore, high-density insulation material still needs to be filled beneath the first-floor floor of the building. At the same time, a certain thickness of rigid and semi-rigid insulation material is laid between the concrete floor in the basement and the foundation and soil. "Application of insulation materials in walls and enclosure structures Building materials and thermal insulation materials are the most fundamental prerequisites for achieving energy efficiency in buildings, and various countries have adopted a large number of new types of building materials and insulation materials in construction. Solid bricks have been widely replaced by hollow blocks and perforated bricks. In hollow block walls, in order to improve their thermal insulation performance, it is necessary to block the airflow in the hollow spaces formed between the blocks, and loose insulating materials such as expanded perlite, granular glass wool, or granular mineral wool should also be filled into those gaps. 　　In the building envelope, whether for commercial or residential buildings, insulating materials such as lightweight and efficient glass wool, rock wool, and foam plastics are used throughout. There are basically three forms of wall insulation: internal insulation, external insulation, and sandwich insulation. The wall structure of residential buildings consists basically of an outer layer of wooden or plastic wall panels, followed by a layer of rigid foam plastic; inside that is the standard core of the wall, such as a wooden frame structure. Glass wool insulation batts or mineral wool insulation batts with high thermal resistance values are laid between the wooden frames, and then gypsum boards are nailed to those frames; this approach allows the thermal conductivity of the wall to be kept within the range of 0.35–0.50 W/(m2•K). Another typical wall structure involves using high-pressure air to blow fibrous or lump-shaped glass wool into the cavity of hollow blocks or pre-built hollow walls, filling the cavity tightly; this approach also provides excellent insulation. 　　Application of insulation materials on rooftops In foreign countries, spire roofs are commonly used in residential buildings. In the attic space beneath such spire roofs, channels for air circulation are installed; these channels not only facilitate air flow but also serve to provide some level of insulation. At the same time, above the ceiling, glass wool or mineral wool mats are usually installed, or loose insulation material is blown in directly into that space; in some cases, ceilings made of composite materials consisting of insulation materials such as glass wool or rock wool along with decorative finishes are simply hung in place. 　　Application of air barrier technology in buildings Air penetration in buildings is an important factor affecting energy efficiency. Water vapor generated inside buildings can cause leakage in the building structure, walls, and roofs; condensation can reduce the effectiveness of insulation materials, thereby diminishing their energy-saving capabilities. Therefore, abroad, great emphasis is placed on preventing the penetration of water vapor into walls and roofs in the design of building structures. Common methods used include: (1) laminating a plastic film or metal film on one side of glass wool or rock wool panels, with this film facing the side that is at a higher temperature during heating seasons. (2) Lay the plastic film directly on the already placed insulation material, with its side facing the side with the higher temperature. 　　Furthermore, to prevent air infiltration, special construction designs and treatment methods have been employed at the junctions of walls and roofs, walls and floors, as well as foundations and floors. Gaps and holes around pipes and wires must be sealed using various sealing materials. Currently, the average air leakage rate for commercial buildings abroad has dropped to around 0.5 times per hour. 　　The use of insulation materials in floors: In most buildings abroad, there are basements and underground spaces, and the floors of these living and functional areas are not exposed directly to the external environment, which creates favorable conditions for insulating these living spaces. However, if the basement and underground spaces are not heated, there will still be a considerable amount of heat lost through the floors on the first floor, especially in winter. Therefore, high-density insulation material still needs to be filled beneath the first-floor floor of the building. At the same time, a certain thickness of rigid and semi-rigid insulation material is laid between the concrete floor in the basement and the foundation and soil.