Editorial team · Insulation, Partition, Ceiling
InfoWeb Marketplace · Editorial team
Published on 24 April 2023 · 4 min read
In summer, as soon as outdoor temperatures exceed 30°C, the main causes of discomfort felt in homes are mainly related to:
- The orientation and exposure of the house,
- The walls of the house when directly exposed to solar radiation, such as roofs and walls facing south or west.
- Hot air that becomes laden with moisture (approximately 14 g of water/kg of dry air) and generates 1 to 2 litres of water per m².
- The temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor air, which creates a flow of hot, humid air from the outside to the inside, the reverse of winter. During heatwaves, this reversal of the hygrothermal flow also increases the risk of condensation, particularly in the roof.
- The absence of indoor air cooling systems, such as dual-flow ventilation.
Properly insulating a home reduces heat transmission through the walls, limits thermal bridges and ensures airtightness. Roof insulation is therefore paramount, as the roof is the part most exposed to solar radiation in summer. It is estimated to receive solar gain equivalent to a heat flux of more than 1000 Watts/m2 for several hours a day, for at least 3 months a year. The roof surface can then reach a temperature of 65°C (tiles) to 80°C (slates), depending on the roofing material used. In terms of energy, a roof is thus subject to an energy flux 50 to 100% greater in summer than in winter. Wall insulation must also be considered, as nearly 25% of heat loss occurs through them. For walls, an insulation material with a thermal resistance greater than 3.7 m².K/W should be chosen. While most insulation materials today perform well in winter to protect against the cold, not all are equally effective in summer against the risk of the home overheating.
Designed to deal effectively with all modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation, moisture transfer), Actis reflective cellular insulation is as effective in summer as in winter, whether for external insulation (roof) or internal insulation (attics and walls). During the summer months, it prevents hot air from entering the whole home, even rooms under the roof where temperatures can quickly climb. In addition to their high and lasting intrinsic thermal performance, they ensure perfect airtightness and water vapour tightness, eliminating any risk of condensation. Fitted on their 2 faces with an integrated vapour barrier membrane, they also consist of cells separated by metallised, low-emissivity reflective films. In summer as in winter, the insulation's vapour barrier is therefore never on the wrong side, even when the heat flow reverses. Depending on the application, Actis offers, with its HYBRIS and TRISO-TOITURE ranges, an insulation solution for guaranteed summer comfort in every room of the home. Each reflective film in these products reflects 95% of infrared radiation, limiting heat penetration inside buildings as much as possible and thus keeping a home more comfortable in summer.
HYBRIS's reflective technology sends back up to 94% of heat as thermal radiation, ensuring great comfort even in high heat. Thermal studies indicate up to 2°C of additional coolness in summer (depending on the building configuration) compared with insulation without this technology. This performance is achieved through the very low emissivity of the reflective films, which is specific ACTIS know-how. In summer conditions, HYBRIS offers a 50% gain in thermal resistance through its solar factor, compared with insulation not benefiting from its technology (CSTB report no. AFF 21-53). During the summer months, they prevent hot air from entering the whole home, even rooms under the roof where temperatures can quickly climb. Installed along the rafters in the attic or on a masonry wall, the rigid cellular insulation HYBRIS offers high performance (R = 3,75 m2.K/W at 125 mm thickness) while using a minimum of interior space. Benefiting from the patented technology of reflective cellular insulation, it exploits the thermal qualities of air. Equipped with an integrated vapour barrier, it provides, in addition to thermal insulation (ACERMI certified), sound insulation and airtightness for the building. It is made from healthy, durable components, free of irritating fibres, and respectful of indoor air quality. Cradle to Cradle certified, it is 100% infinitely recyclable.
Supplied as a pack combining Triso-Hybrid', a flexible reflective insulation with integrated vapour barrier, and Boost'R Hybrid', a breathable reflective insulation with integrated HPV underlay, TRISO-TOITURE provides summer/winter thermal insulation with high thermal performance (R> 6,25 m² K/W), sound insulation and water and air tightness. It is certified NF EN 16012.
Summer comfort: Actis insulation solutions
InfoWeb Marketplace · Editorial teamPublished on 24 April 2023 · 4 min read
With global warming, heatwaves are becoming ever more frequent in summer. They often cause discomfort inside homes. In the current energy context, with electricity costs at an all-time high, insulating the home is therefore essential to fully enjoy excellent thermal comfort in summer without resorting to energy-hungry equipment. Whether for external or internal insulation, in a new build or a renovation, ACTIS reflective cellular insulation offers many advantages for ensuring summer comfort in the home, including in the attic.
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Insulating to tackle the main causes of thermal discomfort in summer
In summer, as soon as outdoor temperatures exceed 30°C, the main causes of discomfort felt in homes are mainly related to:
- The orientation and exposure of the house,
- The walls of the house when directly exposed to solar radiation, such as roofs and walls facing south or west.
- Hot air that becomes laden with moisture (approximately 14 g of water/kg of dry air) and generates 1 to 2 litres of water per m².
- The temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor air, which creates a flow of hot, humid air from the outside to the inside, the reverse of winter. During heatwaves, this reversal of the hygrothermal flow also increases the risk of condensation, particularly in the roof.
- The absence of indoor air cooling systems, such as dual-flow ventilation.
Properly insulating a home reduces heat transmission through the walls, limits thermal bridges and ensures airtightness. Roof insulation is therefore paramount, as the roof is the part most exposed to solar radiation in summer. It is estimated to receive solar gain equivalent to a heat flux of more than 1000 Watts/m2 for several hours a day, for at least 3 months a year. The roof surface can then reach a temperature of 65°C (tiles) to 80°C (slates), depending on the roofing material used. In terms of energy, a roof is thus subject to an energy flux 50 to 100% greater in summer than in winter. Wall insulation must also be considered, as nearly 25% of heat loss occurs through them. For walls, an insulation material with a thermal resistance greater than 3.7 m².K/W should be chosen. While most insulation materials today perform well in winter to protect against the cold, not all are equally effective in summer against the risk of the home overheating.
Summer comfort: the many advantages of active reflective cellular insulation
Designed to deal effectively with all modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation, moisture transfer), Actis reflective cellular insulation is as effective in summer as in winter, whether for external insulation (roof) or internal insulation (attics and walls). During the summer months, it prevents hot air from entering the whole home, even rooms under the roof where temperatures can quickly climb. In addition to their high and lasting intrinsic thermal performance, they ensure perfect airtightness and water vapour tightness, eliminating any risk of condensation. Fitted on their 2 faces with an integrated vapour barrier membrane, they also consist of cells separated by metallised, low-emissivity reflective films. In summer as in winter, the insulation's vapour barrier is therefore never on the wrong side, even when the heat flow reverses. Depending on the application, Actis offers, with its HYBRIS and TRISO-TOITURE ranges, an insulation solution for guaranteed summer comfort in every room of the home. Each reflective film in these products reflects 95% of infrared radiation, limiting heat penetration inside buildings as much as possible and thus keeping a home more comfortable in summer.
Hybris, for converted attics and walls
HYBRIS's reflective technology sends back up to 94% of heat as thermal radiation, ensuring great comfort even in high heat. Thermal studies indicate up to 2°C of additional coolness in summer (depending on the building configuration) compared with insulation without this technology. This performance is achieved through the very low emissivity of the reflective films, which is specific ACTIS know-how. In summer conditions, HYBRIS offers a 50% gain in thermal resistance through its solar factor, compared with insulation not benefiting from its technology (CSTB report no. AFF 21-53). During the summer months, they prevent hot air from entering the whole home, even rooms under the roof where temperatures can quickly climb. Installed along the rafters in the attic or on a masonry wall, the rigid cellular insulation HYBRIS offers high performance (R = 3,75 m2.K/W at 125 mm thickness) while using a minimum of interior space. Benefiting from the patented technology of reflective cellular insulation, it exploits the thermal qualities of air. Equipped with an integrated vapour barrier, it provides, in addition to thermal insulation (ACERMI certified), sound insulation and airtightness for the building. It is made from healthy, durable components, free of irritating fibres, and respectful of indoor air quality. Cradle to Cradle certified, it is 100% infinitely recyclable.
Triso-toiture, for external roof insulation
Supplied as a pack combining Triso-Hybrid', a flexible reflective insulation with integrated vapour barrier, and Boost'R Hybrid', a breathable reflective insulation with integrated HPV underlay, TRISO-TOITURE provides summer/winter thermal insulation with high thermal performance (R> 6,25 m² K/W), sound insulation and water and air tightness. It is certified NF EN 16012.