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Architecture vocabulary · Sustainability and Environment

Thermal insulation

Meaning in architecture, with examples

nounCore term

In architecture, thermal insulation means: Material such as mineral wool, polystyrene or wood fibre placed in walls, roofs and floors to slow down heat passing into or out of a building.

In Turkish: ısı yalıtımı, mantolama

How it is used

Essential in energy-efficient design and in specifications. Insulation is installed, fitted or added, and its effect is shown by the U-value of the wall or roof. Insulating on the outside of the wall keeps the structure warm and avoids thermal bridges.

Example sentences

  1. We added 150 mm of thermal insulation to the roof to reduce heating costs.

  2. The old walls have no thermal insulation, so the flats lose heat quickly.

Common collocations

  • external wall insulation
  • roof insulation
  • insulation thickness
  • add insulation
  • U-value
  • passive designDesign that keeps a building comfortable using the sun, wind, shade and the building's own form and materials, so it needs little mechanical heating, cooling or lighting.
  • glazingThe glass parts of a building, such as windows, glass doors and glass walls, or the work of fitting glass into frames.
  • sustainable designDesigning buildings to use less energy, water and materials, to reduce carbon emissions and waste, and to provide healthy places for people over their whole life.
  • claddingThe outer layer of material fixed to a building's walls to protect it from the weather and give it its appearance, such as stone, metal panels, timber or ceramic.
  • green roofA roof covered with soil and plants over a waterproof layer, which slows rainwater run-off, adds insulation, supports wildlife and cools the surroundings.

More terms: Sustainability and Environment

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