We spend most of our time indoors, whether it’s at home, in the workplace, at school or during our leisure time. Therefore, it is hugely important that buildings provide us with a comfortable and salubrious environment, and that we opt for materials that have valuable technical features such as thermal insulation. In this article we discuss the concept of thermal comfort and the role Viroc plays in achieving it.
Thermal comfort: What is its impact?
A comfortable environment with a pleasant temperature is vital for our well-being and productivity, and will also lead to lower and more efficient energy consumption, which is increasingly important nowadays.
The concept of thermal energy is not merely a matter of a given temperature; it is related to quantifiable and non-quantifiable factors. The quantifiable factors include the temperature, air speed and humidity level, while the non-quantifiable factors are dependent on personal preferences, education, habits and so forth. Therefore, what makes for a comfortable environment varies depending on the acclimatisation in question or the local surroundings.
Technically, we can say that the thermal comfort of a building essentially depends on three aspects:
- Thermal comfort index
- Quality of the surroundings
- Efficacy of the technical systems
The climate gives rise to heat transfer from the outside to the inside of the building, through walls, roofs, floors, doors and glazed surfaces. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to improve the thermal comfort of constructions is to take measures involving the shell of the building, selecting appropriate materials and construction solutions.
How to improve thermal comfort and Viroc’s role
In architectural and civil engineering designs for the construction of buildings, decisions can be taken that lead to improved thermal comfort. We highlight the application of thermal insulation through the use of natural fibre or polyurethane sheets, appropriate orientation of the façades and glazed surfaces, and construction systems such as ventilated façades, where Viroc is an ideal material.
Viroc is a wood and cement composite panel called Cement Bonded Particle Board that has excellent thermal resistance properties and acts as an insulator, both for cold and hot temperatures. Complete, versatile and easy to install, Viroc is suitable for construction projects that intend to guarantee thermal comfort, as the panels can be applied both outdoors (façades), and indoors (walls, floors and ceilings).
Viroc can be used in several construction phases of a building, such as a structural item, combined with other materials and solutions or not, or it can be used as the final finish of surfaces. In the latter case, its industrial aesthetics are extremely well appreciated as a finish for concrete surfaces in any of the six available colours.
As for the shell of the building, Viroc is suitable to use in ventilated façades systems on metal or wooden frameworks. It can also, if combined with insulation and finishing materials, be an integral part of construction solutions as lining for external fencing, internal walls, floors and ceilings, contributing to an effective thermal insulation system.
Viroc panels are adaptable to different climatic conditions and meet a wide range of international standards, with the goal of providing the ideal thermal comfort for each location and usage, in both cold and hot countries.
Find out more about Viroc panels, their technical features and their wide range of uses and applications.
