Integrating Insulation and Surface Finishes into Concrete Walls and Floors
Concrete is traditionally considered a structural element. However, available concrete systems integrate insulation and concrete into one system.
These systems have the benefit of providing continuous insulation and concrete to reduce energy loads. This combination reduces thermal bridging often found in steel or wood frame construction and provides continuous air and thermal barriers. Examples include insulating concrete form (ICF) systems and insulated precast sandwich panel walls. These concrete systems are a resource efficient method of providing thermal mass, insulation, and low air infiltration.
Martha Van Geem, Principal Engineer and head of Building Science & Sustainability at CTLGroup, authored this article for The First International Conference on Building Energy and Environment in 2008.
Other Insights by this person
- Understanding ASHRAE 189.1
October 5, 2011 - Martha VanGeem Quoted in livebetter Newsletter
January 20, 2011 - Testimony for House Committee Hearing on “Options and Opportunities for Onsite Renewable Energy Integration”
November 15, 2010 - In Your Crowd, Who Stands Tall?
September 1, 2010 - Right Start, Right Result: Beginning with the Site
June 1, 2010 - It’s More Than Design: Construction & Building Operation
June 1, 2010 - Energy Efficiency: Building on Standard 90.1
June 1, 2010 - Green Design Trends: The New Green Standard
April 12, 2010 - Solar Reflectance Values for Concrete
August 1, 2008 - Comparison of the Life Cycle Assessments of an Insulating Concrete Form House and a Wood Frame House
January 1, 2008 - Achieving Sustainability with Precast Concrete
February 1, 2006 - Energy Efficiency of Concrete Homes
June 1, 2005 - Life Cycle Inventory Of Slag Cement Concrete
January 1, 2004 - Using Concrete to Maximize LEED Points
November 1, 2002