Experimental and theoretical investigations on infrared reflective insulation

from Bauphysik 1/2011

Gerd Hauser, Matthias Kersken, Almuth Schade, Herbert Sinnesbichler

Some manufacturers of IR-reflective insulation products claim, that their products feature a high insulation quality that cannot be described by traditional methods of building physics. In situ measurements are carried out to verify. Two different roof systems are investigated parallel: one with mineral wool, the other with IR-reflective insulation.

The results of the in situ tests are compared to those of traditional laboratory measurements. Further the examinations are completed by dynamic calculations. As a result it follows from all investigations, that the roof with IR-reflective insulation shows a typical characteristic of insulation with lower quality. The values of the traditional measurement match with the results of the in situ measurements.