Analysis of thermal bridges in insulated masonry walls: a comparison between vacuum insulated panels and expanded polystyrene

The paper presents a comparative study between the thermal performances of a couple of masonry walls with no insulation and then insulated with vacuum insulation panels and expanded polystyrene. The research purpose is to demonstrate the superior thermal performance of the vacuum insulation panels compared to common thermal insulation, in initial state and even after 25 years in service. It also provides the steps to determine the effective thermal resistance of the buildings elements insulated with vacuum insulation panels, considering both local and geometric thermal bridges. Results emphasize that even after 25 years in use, the walls insulated with vacuum insulation panels with reduced thickness possess a greater thermal performance than that of the walls insulated with expanded polystyrene with common thickness. This is one of the reasons for which this material should be improved and developed further for the future buildings envelopes.