U-Values for Building Envelopes of Different Materials: A Review

In recent decades, the issue of building energy usage has become increasingly significant, and U-values for building envelopes have been key parameters in predicting building energy consumption. This study comprehensively reviews the U-values (thermal transmittances) of building envelopes made from conventional and bio-based materials. First, it introduces existing studies related to the theoretical and measured U-values for four types of building envelopes: concrete, brick, timber, and straw bale envelopes. Compared with concrete and brick envelopes, timber and straw bale envelopes have lower U-values. The differences between the measured and theoretical U-values of timber and straw bale envelopes are minor. The theoretical U-values of concrete and brick envelopes ranged from 0.12 to 2.09 W/m2K, and the measured U-values of concrete and brick envelopes ranged from 0.14 to 5.45 W/m2K. The theoretical U-values of timber and straw bale envelopes ranged from 0.092 to 1.10 W/m2K, and the measured U-values of timber and straw bale envelopes ranged from 0.04 to 1.30 W/m2K. Second, this paper analyses the environmental factors influencing U-values, including temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation. Third, the relationship between U-values and building energy consumption is also analysed. Finally, the theoretical and measured U-values of different envelopes are compared. Three research findings in U-values for building envelopes are summarised: (1) the relationship between environmental factors and U-values needs to be studied in detail; (2) the gaps between theoretical and measured U-values are significant, especially for concrete and brick envelopes; (3) the accuracy of both theoretical and the measured U-values needs to be verified.