Thermal Insulation Systems of the Future

During the BEST1 (2008) and BEST 2 (2010) conferences, a shift in the design paradigm that requires a systems approach to build ecologically correct, durable, energy-efficient enclosures that contribute to a good indoor environment became evident. A systems approach leads to airtight and highly insulated enclosures that allow drying to the outside. The emergence of new, moisture-breathable, no-crack renderings that we called eco-wrap, which fall between strong and rigid cement-based plasters on one end of the spectrum and flexible and thinner-than-3/16th-inch EIFS lamina on the other end was highlighted. The BEST 3 paper, previewed here, connects all these concepts into one thermal insulation system of the future that links building physics with current practice and recognizes the need for new exterior insulation systems that are suitable for both new buildings and existing building retrofits.