Lesson 1Expanded and extruded polystyrene (EPS/XPS): thermal performance, compression, moisture resistance, use in walls and floorsDis section review EPS an XPS properties, includin thermal performance, compressive strength, moisture resistance, an long-term durability, wid guidance fi use in walls, floors, an below-grade assemblies.
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 materialsDis section analyse fire performance, smoke an toxic emissions, VOC release, an dem impact on indoor air quality, plus testin standards, labellin, an design strategies to reduce occupant exposure.
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 principlesWi examine materials an strategies dat reduce thermal bridges, includin insulated plasterboard, structural thermal breaks, an continuous exterior insulation, wid detailin at slabs, balconies, an openings.
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 applicationsDis section explain glass an rock wool composition, thermal conductivity ranges, sound absorption behaviour, an fire resistance, den link dese properties to typical uses in walls, roofs, façades, an service cavities.
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 gapsDis section explain reflective an radiant barriers, dem dependence on emissivity an air gaps, suitable climates an roof assemblies, installation pitfalls, an interaction wid ventilation an moisture 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 ceilingsWi explore acoustic panels, resilient channels, an decouplin systems, focusin on absorption coefficients, mountin conditions, flankin paths, an best practices fi partitions, ceilings, an retrofit upgrades.
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 considerationsDis section cover cellulose, wood fiber, an other natural insulations, highlightin thermal an acoustic behaviour, hygroscopic bufferin, installation methods, durability, an ecological an life-cycle aspects.
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 climatesWi clarify vapour barriers, vapour control layers, an breathable membranes, focusin on sd-values, diffusion vs air leakage, correct placement in cold an mixed climates, an common failure modes.
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 wi study PUR an PIR boards, focusin on high R-value per inch, closed-cell structure, flammability an smoke, vapour resistance, an detailin fi roofs, façades, an thin interior retrofits.
Foam chemistry and blowing agentsR-value per thickness and agingFlammability, smoke, and fire codesVapor resistance and condensation riskRoof and retrofit detailing examples
