Hygrothermal performance of well-insulated wood-frame walls in Baltic climatic conditions
This study investigates the hygrothermal performance of wood-frame walls in the Baltic region under varying moisture loads, comparing bio-based and conventional insulation materials. The research combines experimental climate chamber testing with DELPHIN simulations to assess moisture risk mitigatio...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25000322 |
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| author | Anatolijs Borodinecs Vladislavs Jacnevs Lakatos Ákos Staņislavs Gendelis |
| author_facet | Anatolijs Borodinecs Vladislavs Jacnevs Lakatos Ákos Staņislavs Gendelis |
| author_sort | Anatolijs Borodinecs |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the hygrothermal performance of wood-frame walls in the Baltic region under varying moisture loads, comparing bio-based and conventional insulation materials. The research combines experimental climate chamber testing with DELPHIN simulations to assess moisture risk mitigation, energy efficiency and mould growth resistance. The results highlight that bio-based insulations, such as wood fibre, outperform conventional materials due to higher vapour diffusion resistance (μ = 5) and superior moisture-buffering capacity. For instance, wood fibre insulation reduced the RHT-index by 30.6 % compared to mineral wool while maintaining mould indices below 0.71. Furthermore, the study identifies optimal wind-to-vapour barrier ratios, such as 1:2 for cellulose insulation, that mitigate mould risks in high-moisture conditions. The findings advocate for adopting vapour-open wall assemblies and bio-based materials to enhance building durability, energy efficiency and moisture resilience in cold climates. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-090a2b90f48646858d5e89f981337892 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-157X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-090a2b90f48646858d5e89f9813378922025-02-02T05:27:25ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2025-02-0166105772Hygrothermal performance of well-insulated wood-frame walls in Baltic climatic conditionsAnatolijs Borodinecs0Vladislavs Jacnevs1Lakatos Ákos2Staņislavs Gendelis3Riga Technical University, Latvia; Corresponding author.Riga Technical University, LatviaUniversity of Debrecen, HungaryUniversity of Latvia, LatviaThis study investigates the hygrothermal performance of wood-frame walls in the Baltic region under varying moisture loads, comparing bio-based and conventional insulation materials. The research combines experimental climate chamber testing with DELPHIN simulations to assess moisture risk mitigation, energy efficiency and mould growth resistance. The results highlight that bio-based insulations, such as wood fibre, outperform conventional materials due to higher vapour diffusion resistance (μ = 5) and superior moisture-buffering capacity. For instance, wood fibre insulation reduced the RHT-index by 30.6 % compared to mineral wool while maintaining mould indices below 0.71. Furthermore, the study identifies optimal wind-to-vapour barrier ratios, such as 1:2 for cellulose insulation, that mitigate mould risks in high-moisture conditions. The findings advocate for adopting vapour-open wall assemblies and bio-based materials to enhance building durability, energy efficiency and moisture resilience in cold climates.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25000322Hygrothermal performanceWood-frame wallsBio-based insulationWind-vapour barrier ratioMoisture management |
| spellingShingle | Anatolijs Borodinecs Vladislavs Jacnevs Lakatos Ákos Staņislavs Gendelis Hygrothermal performance of well-insulated wood-frame walls in Baltic climatic conditions Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Hygrothermal performance Wood-frame walls Bio-based insulation Wind-vapour barrier ratio Moisture management |
| title | Hygrothermal performance of well-insulated wood-frame walls in Baltic climatic conditions |
| title_full | Hygrothermal performance of well-insulated wood-frame walls in Baltic climatic conditions |
| title_fullStr | Hygrothermal performance of well-insulated wood-frame walls in Baltic climatic conditions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hygrothermal performance of well-insulated wood-frame walls in Baltic climatic conditions |
| title_short | Hygrothermal performance of well-insulated wood-frame walls in Baltic climatic conditions |
| title_sort | hygrothermal performance of well insulated wood frame walls in baltic climatic conditions |
| topic | Hygrothermal performance Wood-frame walls Bio-based insulation Wind-vapour barrier ratio Moisture management |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25000322 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anatolijsborodinecs hygrothermalperformanceofwellinsulatedwoodframewallsinbalticclimaticconditions AT vladislavsjacnevs hygrothermalperformanceofwellinsulatedwoodframewallsinbalticclimaticconditions AT lakatosakos hygrothermalperformanceofwellinsulatedwoodframewallsinbalticclimaticconditions AT stanislavsgendelis hygrothermalperformanceofwellinsulatedwoodframewallsinbalticclimaticconditions |