Insulation is an important requirement for every building. It prevents heat loss and ensures that the interior of the building is well regulated.
In prehistoric times people used animal skins, fur and wool for insulating their huts and tents. They also made use of plant related products like reed and straw.
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution profoundly impacted the way homes were insulated. The invention of steam heat systems and cast iron radiators made it possible to use better insulating materials like bricks, concrete and glass. It also allowed for standardized building practices and the production of mineral wool, which has superior thermal and fire resistance properties when compared to other natural insulating materials.
During this period of scientific and technological development in the 18th century, agrarian societies became more industrialized and urbanized, with machines replacing hand labor. Inventions such as the cotton gin, transcontinental railroad and electricity permanently changed society.
Mud was a common insulator during this time, used by Vikings and ancient Egyptians among others to insulate their structures. It is a good insulator, especially when it is thick and sealed in between logs to prevent air from entering the space between logs.
The Middle Ages saw little advancement in insulating material technologies. People would hang animal hides on their walls and thatched roofs to keep warm, which wasn’t very effective in damp climates.
The 20th Century
In the 20th century, a new type of insulation was developed called cellulose. It was made from plant materials like straw and reed, which are naturally insulating. As energy efficiency and sustainability became increasingly important, cellulose saw a huge boom in popularity.
Its main function is to reduce the flow of thermal energy in and out of a building. However, it can also perform acoustic and fire insulation and reduce vibrations caused by machinery. It is a popular in-fill wall system in half-timbered houses and can be used in cavity walls.
Asbestos was widely used in the industrial age as it can be rolled up and placed around pipes or steam engines to prevent heat loss. However, this type of insulation was a health risk, and people that were exposed to it were at high risk for lung problems.
Asbestos was replaced by other types of insulation, such as mineral wool and cellulose. The first commercially available mineral wool was invented in Wales by Edward Perry, who insulated pipes and ma- chines to reduce energy losses. Then, slag wool was manufactured from molten glass in 1885 in Manchester, and rock wool was made from limestone in Alexandria, Indiana, in the early 1900s. These are now some of the most commonly used insulation materials.
The 21st Century
The 21st century (also known as the XXI century) began on 1 January 2001 and will end on 31 December 2100. It will be a century marked by continued globalization, increasing economic power of the emerging economies, environmental concerns, terrorism and the rise of nuclear powers.
Insulation is a material used in building construction to reduce the transfer of thermal energy between inside and outside the building envelope. It can also be used to reduce the transmission of sound, and provide fire and impact insulation. Often insulation materials will be chosen for their ability to perform several functions at once.
The history of insulating materials can be traced back to prehistoric times when people needed to find ways to protect their homes from harsh cold temperatures. Ancient home insulation methods included using straw, mud and clay, animal hair, plant materials, dried reeds or seaweed, and various other natural products.
In the 19th century cellulose insulation was developed. The product was made from re-used paper, such as newspaper, and cardboard scraps. The material was processed to increase its resistance to moisture absorption, fire and vermin. It was used as core insulation in frame structures and spread worldwide.
In the 1920s builders and architects started to use hollow walls in their buildings. These were called cavity wall constructions and had better thermal properties than solid brick or concrete. At the same time artificial materials made from mineral, slag wool and fiberglass appeared. Engineers from Armstrong World Industries Inc. worked on cork substitutes and tried different blends of rubber and plastic.
Today
The insulating layer of a building is important to protect against the cold winter and the hot summer. It also functions to reduce the flow of thermal energy and to control the temperature inside the living spaces. Modern insulation materials are based on both natural and artificial materials and range from bulky fiber materials like fiberglass, rock or slag wool and cellulose to rigid foam boards and sleek foils.
In the late 1800s asbestos became a popular material to use for insulation due to its resistance to water, fire and electricity damage. However, asbestos is a dangerous substance and exposure to it can lead to lung diseases and cancers. Due to this health hazards, asbestos was banned in the early 20th century.
After that, many different types of insulating materials were invented. Some of the most significant innovations were fiberglass (1930s), mineral wool and slag wool (the latter was developed as an alternative to asbestos in the 1940s) and compressed straw products (Stamit) in the 1950s.
Nowadays, insulation materials are constantly changing and improving. Modern solutions include eco-friendly options such as cellulose insulation made from recycled paper, and spray foam or reflective insulation with radiant barriers. Furthermore, advanced super thermal insulation materials such as vacuum insulation panels and aerogel-type blankets are becoming increasingly common. These new types of insulation offer superior performance and greater versatility.