Lesson 1Expanded and extruded polystyrene (EPS/XPS): thermal performance, compression, moisture resistance, use in walls and floorsThis part reviews EPS and XPS traits like heat blocking, strength under load, damp resistance, and lasting use in walls, floors, and below-ground parts for Eritrean builds.
EPS vs XPS manufacturing and typesThermal resistance and aging effectsCompressive strength and creep limitsMoisture uptake and freeze–thawWalls, slabs, and below-grade detailsLesson 2Fire performance, VOCs, and indoor air quality considerations for insulation materialsThis part checks fire behaviour, smoke and toxins, chemical off-gassing, and air quality effects, plus tests, labels, and plans to cut occupant risks in Eritrean homes.
Fire tests, Euroclass, and NFPA ratingsSmoke toxicity and halogenated foamsVOC sources in insulation productsEmission labels and certification schemesVentilation and enclosure strategiesLesson 3Thermal bridge mitigation materials: insulated plasterboard, thermal breaks, continuous insulation principlesWe look at materials cutting heat bridges like insulated boards, breaks in structure, and full outer layers, with details for slabs, balconies, and gaps in Eritrea.
Identifying linear and point bridgesInsulated plasterboard use and limitsStructural thermal break materialsContinuous exterior insulation conceptsDetailing at balconies and slab edgesLesson 4Mineral wool (glass and rock wool): thermal conductivity, sound absorption, fire behavior, typical applicationsThis part explains glass and rock wool makeup, heat flow rates, sound soaking, fire safety, and matches to uses in walls, roofs, fronts, and service spaces in Eritrea.
Glass wool vs rock wool compositionThermal conductivity ranges and testingSound absorption and density selectionReaction to fire and Euroclass ratingsTypical wall, roof, and cavity usesLesson 5Reflective and radiant barriers: how they work, when to use in hot climates, compatibility with ventilation and air gapsThis part covers reflective barriers, their need for low shine and air spaces, fit for hot Eritrea areas, roof fits, install errors, and links to airflow and damp control.
Radiant heat transfer fundamentalsLow-emissivity surfaces and agingRequired air gaps and orientationsUse in hot roofs and attic spacesVentilation, dust, and moisture issuesLesson 6Acoustic panels and resilient channels: absorption coefficients, decoupling methods, placing in partitions and ceilingsWe check sound panels, flexible channels, and separation systems, on soak rates, fix conditions, side paths, and best ways for walls, ceilings, and upgrades in Eritrea.
Absorption coefficients and test methodsPorous vs panel absorber behaviorResilient channels and decoupling rulesControlling flanking transmission pathsPlacement in walls, ceilings, and studiosLesson 7Cellulose and natural fiber insulations: thermal/acoustic properties, hygroscopic behavior, ecological considerationsThis part covers cellulose, wood fibre, natural types, their heat-sound traits, damp buffering, install ways, lasting, and green life-cycle factors for Eritrea.
Types of natural fiber insulationsThermal performance and heat capacityAcoustic behavior in light assembliesMoisture buffering and mold controlLife-cycle, sourcing, and recyclingLesson 8Vapour barriers, vapour control layers, and breathable membranes: sd-values, placement strategies for cold and mixed climatesWe clear up vapour blocks, control sheets, breathable films, sd-rates, spread vs leaks, right spots in cool-mixed Eritrea weather, and usual fails.
Diffusion, permeability, and sd-valuesVapor barrier vs control layer rolesMembrane placement by climate zoneAirtightness, leaks, and drying pathsCase studies of moisture failuresLesson 9Polyurethane and PIR board: high R-value per thickness, flammability, vapor behavior, use in roofs and thin retrofit situationsHere we study PUR and PIR boards for high insulation per depth, closed cells, fire-smoke, vapour hold, and details for roofs, fronts, thin inner upgrades in Eritrea.
Foam chemistry and blowing agentsR-value per thickness and agingFlammability, smoke, and fire codesVapor resistance and condensation riskRoof and retrofit detailing examples
