How to choose the right thickness of fiberglass insulation board?

2025-12-28

In the construction industry, the choice of insulation materials is crucial to a building's energy efficiency, comfort, and long-term maintenance costs. Among these, fiberglass insulation boards, with their excellent insulation performance and versatility, are gradually becoming the preferred material for many construction projects. However, many people are confused about the thickness of fiberglass insulation boards: what thickness should be chosen to achieve the best results? Next, we will delve into the impact of fiberglass insulation board thickness on insulation performance and how to select the appropriate thickness based on different needs.

 Basic concepts of fiberglass insulation boards

Fiberglass insulation board is a thermal insulation material made of fine glass fibers. Due to its low thermal conductivity and excellent sound insulation properties, this material is widely used in building roofs, walls, and floors. Its superior performance not only effectively reduces heat loss from the building interior but also lowers energy consumption and improves the building's energy efficiency rating.

 Application areas of fiberglass insulation boards

Fiberglass insulation boards are mainly used in the following fields:

1. Residential buildings: Improve the energy efficiency of residences and maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

2. Commercial buildings: Achieve both energy-saving and noise-reduction effects in office buildings, shopping malls, and other locations.

3. Industrial buildings: Used in cold storage, water heaters, and storage tanks to ensure the thermal stability of materials.

 Relationship between thickness and thermal insulation performance

 1. Theoretical Basis

There is a certain relationship between the thickness of thermal insulation materials and their thermal insulation performance. Generally speaking, the thicker the insulation material, the stronger its thermal resistance and the better its thermal insulation performance. However, choosing an appropriate thickness is not simply a matter of "the thicker the better"; several factors need to be considered.

 2. Principle of heat conduction

The thermal conductivity of fiberglass is typically between 0.035 and 0.045 W/(m·K), meaning that each meter of fiberglass material can provide a certain level of thermal insulation. By changing the thickness of the insulation board, the thermal comfort of a building can be adjusted in different seasons.

 3. Influencing Factors

- Ambient temperature: In extreme cold or heat environments, the thickness of the insulation board needs to be increased to ensure indoor temperature balance.

- Building application: For special applications such as cold storage and air-conditioned rooms, thicker insulation boards are required to meet higher energy efficiency requirements.

- Economic costs: Increased thickness means higher material and construction costs, so a balance needs to be found between performance and cost.

 Guide to Selecting the Thickness of Fiberglass Insulation Boards

When selecting the thickness of fiberglass insulation boards, the following aspects should be considered:

 1. Construction Environment

The temperature and humidity of the construction environment will directly affect the required insulation thickness. In cold regions, it is recommended to choose a thickness of at least 100mm; while in warm regions, a thickness of 50mm to 75mm is usually sufficient to meet the insulation requirements.

 2. Architectural Design

Different types of buildings have different insulation requirements. For example, industrial buildings often require thicker insulation layers to resist significant heat loss, while residential buildings can achieve a comfortable indoor environment by choosing an appropriate thickness.

 3. Energy-saving standards

In recent years, more and more countries and regions have introduced standards for building energy conservation. Under these standards, there are usually specific requirements for the thickness of insulation materials, and choosing the appropriate thickness can achieve the goal of energy conservation.

 4. Construction and maintenance costs

When making a choice, in addition to considering thermal performance, ease of construction and maintenance should not be overlooked. On the one hand, while thicker insulation boards can effectively improve insulation performance, they may increase the complexity and cost of construction; on the other hand, choosing thinner materials can effectively save money while meeting requirements.

Summarize

Choosing the appropriate thickness of fiberglass insulation boards is crucial for improving building energy efficiency and energy conservation. By comprehensively considering environmental factors, building design, energy standards, and economic costs, selecting the right thickness is essential to effectively improve the indoor environment and reduce energy consumption. This article aims to help you choose the right thickness of fiberglass insulation boards and safeguard your building projects.