Terracotta demonstrates excellent thermal insulation properties primarily due to a combination of factors related to its composition and application method.
Based on its inherent characteristics and common usage in building envelopes, terracotta achieves good insulation performance.
Key Factors for Terracotta's Insulation Properties
Several elements contribute to why terracotta is considered a good insulator:
- Because of its rainscreen system: When used as part of a rainscreen facade, terracotta panels are installed with an air gap behind them. This gap provides ventilation and helps manage moisture, but also adds an insulating layer of trapped air between the exterior terracotta and the structural wall assembly.
- The insulating properties of the material itself: The fired clay material possesses natural thermal resistance, meaning it slows down the transfer of heat through its mass.
- Also the porous nature of the clay: Terracotta is inherently a porous material. These tiny air pockets within the clay structure trap air, and still air is an effective insulator. This porosity reduces the material's density and thermal conductivity compared to denser materials.
These three key aspects – the rainscreen system configuration, the inherent insulating qualities of the material, and the trapped air within its porous structure – collectively contribute to terracotta's effectiveness in reducing heat transfer and providing thermal insulation in buildings.
