3-34 Environmental design

Table 3.36 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: impermeable materials
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Asphalt C 0.50 1700 1000
E 1.20 2300 1700
— poured T 1.20 2100 920
— reflective coat E 1.20 2300 1700
— roofing, mastic E 1.15 2330 840
Bitumen
— composite, flooring E 0.85 2400 1000
— insulation, all types T 0.20 1000 1700
Ceramic, glazed T 1.40 2500 840
Glass
— cellular sheet T 0.048 140 840
— foam At 50°C I 0.056 130 750
S 0.052 140 840
— solid (soda-lime) At 10°C C 1.05 2500 840
L inoleum T 0.19 1200 1470
Metals
— aluminium T 230 2700 880
— aluminium cladding D 45 7680 420
— brass T 110 8500 390
— bronze T 64 8150 —
— copper T 384 8600 390
— duraluminium T 160 2800 580
— iron T 72 7900 530
— iron, cast T 56 7500 530
— lead T 35 11340 130
— stainless steel, 5% Ni T 29 7850 480
— stainless steel, 20% Ni T 16 8000 480
— steel T 45 7800 480
— tin T 65 7300 240
— zinc T 113 7000 390
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) E 0.16 1380 1000
— tiles T 0.19 1200 1470
Roofing felt E 0.19 960 840
Rubber T 0.17 1500 1470
— expanded board, rigid G 0.032 70 1680
— hard E 0.15 1200 1000
— tiles E 0.30 1600 2000

Table 3.37 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: non-hygroscopic materials
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Carpet/underlay:
— with cellular rubber underlay E 0.10 400 1360
— synthetic E 0.06 160 2500
Foam:
— phenol C 0.040 30 1400
— phenol, rigid S 0.035 110 1470
— polyisocyanate S 0.030 45 1470
— polyurethane T 0.028 30 1470
— polyurethane, freon-filled S 0.030 45 1470
— polyvinylchloride S 0.035 37 1470
— urea formaldehyde C 0.04 10 1400
— urea formaldehyde resin S 0.054 14 1470
Glass fibre/wool:
— fibre quilt C 0.040 12 840
— fibre slab C 0.035 25 1000
— fibre, strawboard-like S 0.085 300 2100
Table continues
Thermal properties of building structures 3-35

Table 3.37 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: non-hygroscopic materials — continued
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Glass fibre/wool (continued):
— wool At 10°C Eu 0.040 10 840
At 10°C Eu 0.040 12 840
At 10°C Eu 0.037 16 840
At 10°C Eu 0.033 24 840
At 10°C Eu 0.032 32 840
At 10°C Eu 0.03 48 840
At 10°C Eu 0.031 80 840
— wool, resin bonded At 50°C I 0.036 24 1000
L oose fill/powders:
— cellulosic insulation A 0.042 43 1380
— exfoliated vermiculite At 50°C I 0.069 260 880
— floor/roof screed C 0.41 1200 840
— glass, granular cellular T 0.07 180 840
— gravel E 0.36 1840 840
— perlite, expanded A 0.051 100 1090
— polystyrene, moulded beads At 10°C A 0.036 16 1210
— roof gravel or slag D 1.44 880 1680
— sand I 1.74 2240 840
— stone chippings for roofs C 0.96 1800 1000
— white dry render E 0.50 1300 1000
Mineral fibre/wool:
— fibre blanket, bonded At 10°C A 0.042 12 710
At 10°C A 0.036 24 710
At 10°C A 0.032 48 710
— fibre blanket, metal At 37.7°C A 0.038 140 710
reinforced
At 93.3°C A 0.046 140 710
— fibre board, preformed D 0.042 240 760
— fibre board, wet felted A 0.051 290 800
— fibre board, wet moulded A 0.061 370 590
— fibre board, resin bonded A 0.042 240 710
— fibre, textile, organic bonded At 10°C A 0.043 10 710
— fibre slag, pipe insulation At 23.8°C A 0.036 100 710
At 23.8°C A 0.048 200 710
At 93.3°C A 0.048 100 710
At 93.3°C A 0.065 200 710
— wool S 0.038 140 840
— wool, fibrous D 0.043 96 840
— wool, resin bonded I 0.036 99 1000
Miscellaneous materials:
— acoustic tile D 0.057 290 1340
— felt sheathing E 0.19 960 950
— mineral filler for concrete S 0.13 430 840
— perlite, bitumen bonded S 0.061 240 840
— perlite, expanded, hard panels T 0.055 170 840
— perlite, expanded, pure T 0.046 65 840
— plastic tiles E 0.50 1050 840
— polyurethane, expanded D 0.023 24 1590
— polyurethane, unfaced At 10°C G 0.023 32 1590
Carpet/underlay:
— polyurethane board, cellular A 0.023 24 1590
— polyisocyanurate board A 0.020 32 920
— polyisocyanurate board,
— foil-faced, glass-fibre reinforced At 10°C A 0.019 32 920
— polystyrene, expanded (EPS) S 0.035 23 1470
— polystyrene, extruded (EPS) S 0.027 35 1470
— polyvinylchloride (PVC), expanded E 0.04 100 750
— vermiculite, expanded, panels T 0.082 350 840
— vermiculite, expanded, pure T 0.058 350 840
— silicon E 0.18 700 1000
Rock wool At 10°C Eu 0.037 23 710
At 10°C Eu 0.033 60 710
At 10°C Eu 0.033 100 710
At 10°C Eu 0.034 200 710
— unbonded I 0.047 92 840
I 0.043 150 840
3-36 Environmental design

Table 3.38 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: inorganic, porous materials
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Asbestos-related materials:
— asbestos cement S 1.02 1750 840
— asbestos cement building D 0.6 1920 840
board
— asbestos cement decking C 0.36 1500 1050
— asbestos cement sheet Conditioned C 0.36 700 1050
— asbestos fibre At 50°C I 0.06 640 840
— asbestos mill board At 50°C I 0.25 1400 840
Brick D 0.72 1920 840
D 1.31 2080 921
— aerated S 0.30 1000 840
— brickwork, inner leaf C 0.62 1700 800
— brickwork, outer leaf C 0.84 1700 800
— burned S 0.75 1300 840
S 0.85 1500 840
S 1.00 1700 840
— mud At 50°C I 0.75 1730 880
— paviour E 0.96 2000 840
— reinforced At 50°C I 1.10 1920 840
— tile At 50°C I 0.8 1890 880
Cement/plaster/mortar:
— cement D 0.72 1860 840
— cement blocks, cellular T 0.33 520 2040
— cement fibreboard, magnesium A 0.082 350 1300
oxysulphide binder
— cement mortar S 0.72 1650 920
Dry T 0.93 1900 840
Moist T 1.5 1900 840
— cement/lime plaster S 0.8 1600 840
— cement panels, wood fibres Dry T 0.08 350 1890
Moist T 0.12 350 3040
T 0.12 400 1470
Dry T 0.35 1650 840
— cement plaster S 0.72 1760 840
S 1.50 1900 840
— cement plaster, sand aggregate A 0.72 1860 840
— cement screed E 1.40 2100 650
— gypsum E 0.42 1200 840
— gypsum plaster S 0.51 1120 960
— gypsum plaster, perlite aggregate A 0.22 720 1340
— gypsum plaster, sand aggregate A 0.81 1680 840
— gypsum plasterboard D 0.16 800 840
S 0.65 1100 840
— gypsum plastering S 0.80 1300 840
— limestone mortar T 0.70 1600 840
— plaster T 0.22 800 840
T 0.35 950 840
T 0.52 1200 840
— plaster ceiling tiles E 0.38 1120 840
— plaster, lightweight aggregate D 0.23 720 840
— plaster, sand aggregate D 0.82 1680 840
— plasterboard C 0.16 950 840
— render, synthetic resin,
— exterior insulation T 0.70 1100 900
— rendering Moisture content 1% E 1.13 1430 1000
Moisture content 8% E 0.79 1330 1000
— vermiculite plaster E 0.20 720 840
Ceramic/clay tiles:
— ceramic tiles Dry T 1.20 2000 850
— ceramic floor tiles Dry T 0.80 1700 850
— clay tiles E 0.85 1900 840
— clay tile, burnt S 1.3 2000 840
— clay tile, hollow, 10.2 mm, 1 cell D 0.52 1120 840
— clay tile, hollow, 20.3 mm, 2 cells D 0.623 1120 840
— clay tile, hollow, 32.5 mm, 3 cells D 0.693 1120 840
— clay tile, pavior D 1.803 1920 840
Table continues
Thermal properties of building structures 3-37

Table 3.38 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: inorganic, porous materials — continued
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Concrete blocks/tiles:
— block, aerated E 0.24 750 1000
— block, heavyweight, 300 mm D 1.31 2240 840
— block, lightweight, 150 mm D 0.66 1760 840
— block, lightweight, 300 mm D 0.73 1800 840
Dry T 0.24 620 840
Dry T 0.25 670 840
Dry T 0.26 720 840
Dry T 0.30 750 840
Dry T 0.28 770 840
Dry T 0.29 820 840
Dry T 0.30 870 840
— block, mediumweight, 150 mm D 0.77 1900 840
— block, mediumweight, 300 mm D 0.83 1940 840
Dry T 0.31 920 840
Dry T 0.32 970 840
Dry T 0.35 1050 840
Dry T 0.40 1150 840
— block, hollow, heavyweight, D 1.35 1220 840
300 mm
— block, hollow, lightweight, D 0.48 880 840
150 mm
— block, hollow, lightweight, D 0.76 780 840
300 mm
— block, hollow, mediumweight, D 0.62 1040 840
150 mm
— block, hollow, mediumweight, D 0.86 930 840
300 mm
— block, partially filled, heavyweight, D 1.35 1570 840
300 mm
— block, partially filled, lightweight, D 0.55 1170 840
150 mm
— block, partially filled, lightweight, D 0.74 1120 840
300 mm
— block, partially filled, D 0.64 1330 840
mediumweight, 150 mm
— block, partially filled, D 0.85 1260 840
mediumweight,300 mm
— block, perlite-filled, lightweight, D 0.17 910 840
150 mm
— block, perlite-filled, D 0.2 1070 840
mediumweight,150mm
— block, with perlite, lightweight, D 0.33 1180 840
150 mm
— block, with perlite,
— mediumweight, 150 mm D 0.39 1340 840
— tiles E 1.10 2100 840
Concrete, cast:
— aerated E 0.16 500 840
S 0.29 850 840
S 0.42 1200 840
— aerated, cellular S 0.15 400 840
S 0.23 700 840
S 0.70 1000 840
S 1.20 1300 840
— aerated, cement/lime based S 0.21 580 840
— cellular T 0.16 480 840
At 50°C I 0.19 700 1050
— cellular bonded T 0.30 520 2040
— dense S 1.70 2200 840
— compacted, S 2.20 2400 840
— dense, reinforced S 1.90 2300 840
— compacted S 2.30 2500 840
— expanded clay filling S 0.26 780 840
S 0.60 1400 840
— foamed At 50°C I 0.07 320 920
At 50°C I 0.08 400 920
At 50°C I 0.15 700 920
— foam slag E 0.25 1040 960
Table continues
3-38 Environmental design

Table 3.38 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: inorganic, porous materials — continued
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Concrete, cast (continued):
— glass reinforced E 0.90 1950 840
— heavyweight Dry T 1.30 2000 840
Moist T 1.70 2000 840
— lightweight Dry T 0.20 620 840
Dry T 0.25 750 840
Dry T 0.21 670 840
Dry T 0.22 720 840
Dry T 0.23 770 840
Dry T 0.24 820 840
Dry T 0.25 870 840
Moist T 0.43 750 840
Moist T 0.38 770 840
Moist T 0.40 820 840
Moist T 0.43 870 840
S 0.08 200 840
S 0.12 300 840
S 0.17 500 840
S 0.23 700 840
— mediumweight Dry T 0.32 1050 840
Dry T 0.37 1150 840
Dry T 0.59 1350 840
Dry T 0.84 1650 840
Dry T 0.37 1050 840
Dry T 0.27 920 840
Dry T 0.29 980 840
Moist T 0.59 1050 840
S 0.50 1000 840
S 0.80 1300 840
S 1.20 1600 840
S 1.40 1900 840
— mediumweight, with lime At 50°C I 0.73 1650 880
— no fines E 0.96 1800 840
— residuals of iron works S 0.35 1000 840
S 0.45 1300 840
S 0.70 1600 840
S 1.00 1900 840
— roofing slab, aerated C 0.16 500 840
— vermiculite aggregate E 0.17 450 840
— very lightweight T 0.14 370 840
T 0.15 420 840
T 0.16 470 840
T 0.17 520 840
T 0.18 570 840
T 0.12 350 840
T 0.18 600 840
Masonry:
— block, lightweight T 0.19 470 840
T 0.20 520 840
T 0.22 570 840
T 0.22 600 840
— block, mediumweight Dry T 0.60 1350 840
Dry T 0.85 1650 840
Dry T 1.30 1800 840
— heavyweight Dry T 0.90 1850 840
Dry T 0.73 1850 840
Dry T 0.79 1950 840
Dry T 0.90 2050 840
Moist T 0.81 1650 840
— lightweight Dry T 0.22 750 840
Dry T 0.27 850 840
Dry T 0.24 850 840
Dry T 0.27 950 840
— mediumweight Dry T 0.32 1050 840
Dry T 0.54 1300 840
Dry T 0.37 1150 840
Dry T 0.42 1250 840
Dry T 0.45 1350 840
Dry T 0.49 1450 840
Table continues
Thermal properties of building structures 3-39

Table 3.38 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: inorganic, porous materials — continued
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Masonry (continued):
— mediumweight Dry T 0.54 1550 840
— quarry-stones, calcareous Dry T 1.40 2200 840
Miscellaneous materials:
— aggregate Undried D 1.8 2240 840
— aggregate (sand, gravel or stone) Oven dried A 1.3 2240 920
— building board, tile and A 0.058 290 590
lay-in panel
— calcium silicate brick S 1.50 2000 840
— granolithic E 0.87 2085 840
— mud phuska At 50°C I 0.52 1620 880
— tile bedding E 1.40 2100 650
— tile hanging C 0.84 1900 800
Roofing materials:
— built-up roofing D 0.16 1120 1470
— roof tile C 0.84 1900 800
— tile, terracotta T 0.81 1700 840
Soil:
— alluvial clay, 40% sands I 1.21 1960 840
— black cotton clay, Indore I 0.61 1680 880
— black cotton clay, Madras I 0.74 1900 880
— diatomaceous, K ieselguhr Moisture content 9% E 0.09 480 180
or infusorial earth
— earth, common E 1.28 1460 880
— earth, gravel-based E 0.52 2050 180
Stone:
— basalt T 3.49 2880 840
— gneiss T 3.49 2880 840
— granite T 3.49 2880 840
— granite, red E 2.9 2650 900
— hard stone (unspecified) T 3.49 2880 840
S 2.9 2750 840
— limestone E 1.5 2180 720
S 2.9 2750 840
At 50°C I 1.80 2420 840
— marble S 2.9 2750 840
Dry T 2.91 2750 840
Moist T 3.49 2750 840
— marble, white E 2 2500 880
— petit granit (blue stone) Dry T 2.91 2700 840
Moist T 3.49 2700 840
— porphyry T 3.49 2880 840
— sandstone E 1.83 2200 710
T 3 2150 840
T 1.3 2150 840
S 5 2150 840
— sandstone tiles Dry T 1.2 2000 840
— slate D 1.44 1600 1470
At 50°C I 1.72 2750 840
— slate shale T 2.1 2700 840
— white calcareous stone Firm, moist T 2.09 2350 840
Firm, dry T 1.74 2350 840
H ard, moist T 2.68 2550 840
H ard, dry T 2.21 2550 840
— tufa, soft Dry T 0.35 1300 840
Moist T 0.50 1300 1260
3-40 Environmental design

Table 3.39 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: organic, hygroscopic materials
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Cardboard/paper:
— bitumen impregnated paper E 0.06 1090 1000
— laminated paper A 0.072 480 1380
Cloth/carpet/felt:
— bitumen/felt layers C 0.50 1700 1000
— carpet, simulated wool E 0.06 200 1360
— carpet, Wilton E 0.06 190 1360
— felt, semi-rigid, organic At 37.7°C A 0.035 48 710
— bonded At 37.7°C A 0.039 88 710
— jute felt At 50°C I 0.042 290 880
— jute fibre At 50°C I 0.067 330 1090
— wool felt underlay E 0.04 160 1360
Cork: E 0.04 110 1800
— board E 0.04 160 1890
— expanded S 0.044 150 1760
— expanded, impregnated S 0.043 150 1760
— slab I 0.043 160 960
I 0.055 300 960
— tiles Conditioned E 0.08 530 1800
Grass/straw materials:
— straw board At 50°C I 0.057 310 1300
— straw fibreboard or slab S 0.10 300 2100
— straw thatch E 0.07 240 180
Miscellaneous materials:
— afzelia, minunga, meranti T 0.29 850 2070
— ebonite, expanded S 0.035 100 1470
— perlite board, expanded, A 0.052 16 1260
— organic bonded
— glass fibre board, organic A 0.036 100 960
— bonded
— weatherboard E 0.14 650 2000
Organic materials and their
derivatives:
— coconut pith insulation board At 50°C I 0.06 520 1090
— coir board At 50°C I 0.038 97 1000
— flax shive, cement bonded S 0.10 520 1470
— board
— flax shive, resin bonded S 0.12 500 1880
— board
— rice husk At 50°C I 0.051 120 1000
— vegetable fibre sheathing A 0.055 290 1300
Woods:
— fir, pine A 0.12 510 1380
— hardwood (unspecified) T 0.05 90 2810
Dry T 0.17 700 1880
S 0.23 800 1880
— maple, oak and similar A 0.16 720 1260
— hardwoods
— oak, radial E 0.19 700 2390
— oak, beech, ash, walnut Moist T 0.23 650 3050
— meranti Dry T 0.17 650 2120
— pine, pitch pine Dry T 0.17 650 2120
Moist T 0.23 650 3050
— red fir, Oregon fir Dry T 0.14 520 2280
Moist T 0.17 520 3440
— resinous woods (spruce, Dry T 0.12 530 1880
— sylvester pine)
— softwood D 0.12 510 1380
E 0.13 630 2760
S 0.14 550 1880
— timber At 50°C I 0.072 480 1680
At 50°C I 0.14 720 1680
— timber flooring C 0.14 650 1200
— willow, North Canadian gaboon T 0.12 420 2400
— willow, birch, soft beech T 0.14 520 2280
Moist T 0.17 520 3440
Table continues
Thermal properties of building structures 3-41

Table 3.39 T hermal conductivity, density and specific heat capacity: organic, hygroscopic materials
Material Condition/test Source T hermal Density Specific heat
(where known) conductivity / kg . m –3 / J. kg–1 . K –1
/ W. m –1. K –1
Wood derivatives:
— cellulosic insulation, loose fill A 0.042 43 1380
— chipboard At 50°C I 0.067 430 1260
— chipboard, bonded with PF Dry T 0.12 650 2340
Moist T 0.25 650 5020
— chipboard, bonded with UF Dry T 0.12 630 2260
Moist T 0.25 630 5020
— chipboard, bonded with Dry T 0.12 630 2260
— melamine Moist T 0.25 630 5020
— chipboard, perforated At 50°C I 0.066 350 1260
— flooring blocks C 0.14 650 1200
— hardboard E 0.08 600 2000
A 0.12 880 1340
S 0.29 1000 1680
— multiplex, beech Dry T 0.15 650 2300
— multiplex, North Canadian Dry T 0.12 450 2300
— gaboon
— multiplex, red fir Dry T 0.13 550 2300
Moist T 0.21 550 2300
— particle board I 0.098 750 1300
A 0.17 1000 1300
A 0.12 800 1300
— plywood A 0.12 540 1210
E 0.15 700 1420
— sawdust At 50°C I 0.051 190 1000
— softboard At 50°C I 0.047 250 1300
— wallboard At 50°C I 0.047 260 1260
— wood chip board, cement S 0.15 530 1470
— bonded
— wood fibres, compressed Y 0.055 320 100
— wood (soft) fibre, loose fill A 0.043 45 1380
— wood particle panels T 0.09 300 1880
T 0.12 500 1880
T 0.14 700 1880
H ard T 0.29 1000 1990
Soft T 0.08 250 2520
— wood shingle D 0.12 510 1260
— woodwool board, cement At 50°C I 0.081 400 1130
— bonded At 50°C I 0.11 670 1130
— woodwool roofing slabs C 0.10 500 1000
— woodwool, xylolite S 0.11 450 1470
— cement slabs
— woodwool E 0.1 500 1000
3-42 Environmental design

Table 3.40 Absorptivity and emissivity: impermeable materials

Material Condition Absorptivity Emissivity
(where known)
Aluminium Polished 0.10–0.40 0.03–0.06
Dull/rough polish 0.40–0.65 0.18–0.30
Anodised — 0.72
Aluminium surfaced roofing — 0.216
Asphalt Newly–laid 0.91–0.93 —
Weathered 0.82–0.89 —
Block 0.85–0.98 0.90–0.98
Asphalt pavement 0.852–0.928 —
Bitumen/felt roofing 0.86–0.89 0.91
Bitumen pavement 0.86–0.89 0.90–0.98
Brass Polished 0.30–0.50 0.03–0.05
Dull 0.40–0.065 0.20–0.30
Anodised — 0.59–0.61
Bronze 0.34 —
Copper Polished 0.18–0.50 0.02–0.05
Dull 0.40–0.065 0.20–0.30
Anodised 0.64 0.60
Glass Normal * 0.88
H emispherical * 0.84
Iron Unoxidised — 0.05
Bright/polished 0.40–0.65 0.20–0.377
Oxidised — 0.736–0.74
Red rusted — 0.61–0.65
H eavily rusted 0.737 0.85–0.94
Iron, cast Unoxidised/polished — 0.21–0.24
Oxidised — 0.64–0.78
Strongly oxidised — 0.95
Iron, galvanised New 0.64–0.66 0.22–0.28
Old/very dirty 0.89–0.92 0.89
L ead Unoxidised — 0.05–0.075
Old/oxidised 0.77–0.79 0.28–0.281
Rubber H ard/glossy — 0.945
Grey/rough — 0.859
Steel Unoxidised/polished/ 0.20 0.074–0.097
stainless
Oxidised 0.20 0.79–0.82
Tin H ighly polished/ 0.10–0.40 0.043–0.084
unoxidised
Paint
— aluminium 0.30–0.55 0.27–0.67
— zinc 0.30 0.95
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) — 0.90–0.92
Tile L ight colour 0.3–0.5 0.85–0.95
Varnish — 0.80–0.98
Zinc Polished 0.55 0.045–0.053
Oxidised 0.05 0.11–0.25
* See manufacturers’ data
Thermal properties of building structures 3-43

Table 3.41 Absorptivity and emissivity: inorganic, porous materials

Material Condition Absorptivity Emissivity
(where known)
Asbestos:
— board — 0.96
— paper — 0.93–0.94
— cloth — 0.90
— cement New 0.61 0.95–0.96
Very dirty 0.83 0.95–0.96
Brick Glazed/light 0.25–0.36 0.85–0.95
L ight 0.36–0.62 0.85–0.95
Dark 0.63–0.89 0.85–0.95
Cement mortar, screed 0.73 0.93
Clay tiles Red, brown 0.60–0.69 0.85–0.95
Purple/dark 0.81–0.82 0.85–0.95
Concrete 0.65–0.80 0.85–0.95
— tile 0.65–0.80 0.85–0.95
— block 0.56–0.69 0.94
Plaster 0.30–0.50 0.91
Stone:
— granite (red) 0.55 0.90–0.93
— limestone 0.33–0.53 0.90–0.93
— marble 0.44–0.592 0.90–0.93
— quartz — 0.90
— sandstone 0.54–0.76 0.90–0.93
— slate 0.79–0.93 0.85–0.98

Table 3.42 Absorptivity and emissivity: hygroscopic materials

Material Condition Absorptivity Emissivity
(where known)
Paper — 0.091–0.94
— white, bond 0.25–0.28 —
Cloth:
— cotton, black 0.67–0.98 —
— cotton, deep blue 0.82–0.83 —
— cotton, red 0.562 —
— wool, black 0.75–0.88 —
— felt, black 0.775–0.861 —
— fabric (unspecified) — 0.89–0.92
Wood:
— beach — 0.94
— oak — 0.89–0.90
— spruce — 0.82
— walnut — 0.83
3-44 Environmental design

Table 3.43 Vapour resistivity: impermeable materials Table 3.45 Vapour resistivity: inorganic, porous materials
Material Density Vapour Material Density Vapour
/ kg . m –3 resistivity / kg . m –3 resistivity
/ MN . s . g–1 / MN . s . g–1
Asphalt (laid) — Asbestos cement < 800 70
Bitumen roofing sheets — 2 000–60 000 Asbestos cement sheet, substitutes < 1600–1900 185–1000
Bituminous felt — 15 000 Brick:
— blast furnace slag < 1000–2000 350–500
Glass:
— calcium silicate < 1400 25–50
— brick —
> 1400 75–125
— cellular —
— dense > 2000 100–250
— expanded/foamed —
— heavyweight > 1700 45–70
— sheet/mirror/window —
— lightweight < 1000 25–50
L inoleum 1200 9 000 — mediumweight > 1300 23–45
— sand lime < 1400 25–50
Metals and metal cladding — > 1500 75–200
Paint, gloss (vapour resistant) — 40–200 Concrete:
Plastic, hard — 45 000 — blocks (lightweight) <— 15–150
— cast < 1000 14–33
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) — 800–1300 > 1000 30–80
sheets on tile > 1900 115–1000
— cellular < 450–1300 9–50
Rubber 1200–1500 4500
— close textured <— 350–750
Rubber tiles 1200–1500 — expanded clay < 500–1000 25–33
< 1000–1800 33–75
Tiles:
— foamed steam hardened < 400–800 25–50
— ceramic — 500–5000
— insulating <— 23–26
— glazed ceramic —
— natural pumice < 500–1400 25–75
— no fines < 1800 20
— polystyrene, foamed < 400 80–100
Table 3.44 Vapour resistivity: non-hygroscopic materials — porous aggregate < 1000–2000 15–50
— porous aggregate (without
Material Density Vapour — quartz sand) <— 25–75
/ kg . m –3 resistivity — slag and Rhine sand < 1500–1700 50–200
/ MN . s . g–1
Gypsum plasterboard <— 30–60
Mineral fibre/wool:
— glass fibre/wool — 5–7 Plaster/mortar:
— mineral fibre/wool — 5–9 — cement based < 1900–2000 75–205
— rock wool — 6.5–7.5 — lime based < 1600–1800 45–205
— gypsum <— 30–60
Phenol formaldehyde — 19–20
Stone:
Phenolic (closed cell) — 150–750 — basalt <—
Polyethylene foam — 20 000 — bluestone <—
— clay <— 75
Polystyrene: — granite <— 150–
— expanded — 100–750 — limestone, firm <— 350–450
— extruded — 600–1500 — limestone, soft <— 130–160
— extruded without skin — 350–400 — limestone, soft tufa <— 25–50
Polyurethylene foam — 115–1000 — marble <— 150–
— porphyry <—
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) foam, rigid — 40–1300 — sandstone <— 75–450
— slate <— 150–450
Urea formaldehyde foam — 5–20
— slatey shale <— > 3000
Tile:
— clay, ceramic <— 750–1500
— floor tiles, ceramic <— 115
— roof tiles, terracotta <— 180–220
Thermal properties of building structures 3-45

Table 3.46 Vapour resistivity: organic, hygroscopic materials

Material Density Vapour
/ kg . m –3 resistivity
/ MN . s . g–1
Carpet:
— normal backing — 7–20
— foam backed/underlay — 100–300
Chipboard: — 230–500
— bonded with melanine — 300–500
— bonded with PF — 250–750
— bonded with UF — 200–700
— cement-bonded — 19–50
Cork:
— insulation — 25–50
— expanded — 23–50
— expanded, impregnated — 45–230
— expanded, bitumous binding — 45–230
Corkboard — 50–200
Fibreboard: — 150–375
— bitumen-coated — 25
— cement-based — 19–50
— hardwood fibres — 350
— porous wood fibres — 25
H ardboard — 230–1000
Mineral/vegetable fibre insulation — 5
Multiplex 800 200–2000
— light pine — 80
— North Canadian gaboon — 80
— red pine — 875–250
— triplex 700 200–500
Paper — 500
Particle board, softwood — 25
Plywood — 150–2000
— decking — 1000–6000
— marine — 230–375
— sheathing — 144–1000
Strawboard — 45–70
Wood:
— ash — 200–1850
— balsa — 45–265
— beech — 200–1850
— beech, soft — 90–700
— birch — 90–700
— fir — 45–1850
— North Canadian gaboon — 45–1850
— oak — 200–1850
— pine — 45–1850
— pine, Northern red/Oregon — 90–200
— pine, pitch — 200–1850
— spruce — 45–1850
— teak — 185–1850
— walnut — 200–1850
— willow — 45–1850
Wood lath — 4
Woodwool:
— slab — 15–40
— cement slab — 15–50
— magnesia slab — 19–50