Building a house is a multi-step process that requires many factors to be considered, including the thermal insulation or energy efficiency of the building. Properly designed and constructed walls are key to maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the building throughout the year, whether in the cold of winter or the heat of summer.
What are the best materials to use to build a warm house and ensure proper insulation throughout the year? Keep reading to find out!
A house that can withstand the local climate? Build it with SYSTEM 3E
SYSTEM 3E is not just technology - it is a totally innovative approach to building in every aspect. Instead of wasting time, money, and nerves during construction, this solution can prevent many problems and mistakes. Crooked walls? Poorly laid insulation or poorly skilled masons who fail to live up to expectations? With SYSTEM 3E, these are all things of the past.
But first, let's explain what SYSTEM 3E is. It is a modern technology that allows the construction of walls from specially shaped elements, the main component of which is perlite. Perlite is what gives this solution the 3E characteristics: energy efficiency, economy, and environmental friendliness.
The structure itself can be erected in just one day, completely seamless thanks to the Morse taper. No mortar or adhesive is required when using 3E elements. The elements are placed on top of each other and the walls are built "dry". This is currently the only technology of its kind in the world.
SYSTEM 3E, using perlite, is a versatile solution suitable for the construction of modern, energy-efficient single-family homes as well as larger multi-family or public buildings.
Why is perlite a great building component?
Perlite has many qualities that make it an excellent material for building houses. Surprising? Not at all! But let's start with what perlite is.
It is a rock of volcanic origin, formed by the hydration of cooling lava. This makes it a natural material that contains large amounts of water and is incredibly resistant to fire. When heated, perlite increases its volume - up to 20 times. The material that is created by preheating is called expanded perlite. It looks quite similar to polystyrene foam - it is in the form of white clusters.
Such perlite is known precisely as a good insulator, but it is still little used. SYSTEM 3E is a technology that popularises the use of perlite in construction. It is the material with the lowest coefficient of thermal conductivity compared to other materials such as polystyrene, mineral wool, or silica aerogel.
What else should you know about perlite?
In addition, it is durable and resistant to weathering and the effects of time, which means a long-lasting building and no maintenance for a really long time.
Good insulation - comfortable living in any conditions
The thermal insulation of a building depends on several factors, including the properties of the materials used for the walls. The better the insulation, the less heat is lost in winter and the less the interior heats up in summer. Choosing the right materials is therefore crucial.
If you build walls with SYSTEM 3E, you save money all year round! It's as much about both the construction costs, i.e. the materials for putting up the walls, as about the savings at a later stage, like the daily energy used to maintain the desired temperature in the building. Combined with renewable energy sources, including solar panels, and a heat pump, the house will be energy-efficient and place with a low carbon footprint. It will be good both for you and the Earth!
Why is perlite and SYSTEM 3E the perfect choice? Its micro-bubble structure makes it an excellent thermal and sound insulator. In addition, perlite is non-flammable, non-rotting, and durable. It provides a comfortable living environment in all weather conditions. Without the need for artificial insulation or additional cooling.
Building homeostasis
It is also worth noting that buildings constructed with perlite strive for homeostasis, i.e. maintaining a stable internal state, by regulating moisture and temperature levels in a natural way. Thanks to the regulating properties of perlite, a 3E building can achieve a harmonious thermal and moisture balance, resulting in a more comfortable living environment for the occupants.
Perlite is a material with excellent moisture-regulating properties. It has the ability to absorb excess moisture from the air and release it when humidity levels drop. In this way, perlite helps to maintain optimum indoor microclimate, which is key to a healthy and comfortable living environment.
The absence of polystyrene, which can promote moisture build-up and mould or mildew problems, is an asset that promotes comfortable living in the home. Do these properties make you want to replace ordinary brick with perlite block?
Save energy with perlite
Perlite is an extremely energy-efficient material. Thanks to its thermal insulation properties, it is possible to reduce the amount of energy required to heat or cool a house and lower the electricity costs. Walls made with perlite provide a stable temperature inside the building, which translates into lower energy consumption.
Where does this energy efficiency come from? In this case, it comes from the porosity of the component. Perlite has closed air bubbles in its structure, which is an excellent thermal insulator. The main reason for this is that air is a poor conductor of heat and its presence in pores or insulation spaces inhibits heat transfer. The more closed air a given insulation material contains, the better it insulates the building.
Perlite or polystyrene? There is only one answer
How to protect the house from cold or heat? People rarely opted for single-layer walls. This was primarily due to the fact that they had to be very thick in order to meet energy standards. Unwilling to lose living space in the house, people chose a relatively thin partition, which they then insulated with polystyrene foam or wool.
As environmental awareness increases, people want to move away from artificial materials or chemical components that are not good for health, and the planet, flammable and simply... less safe! Perlite is therefore the ideal answer to today's demand for homes that are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and attractive in terms of sustainable construction.
Heat conduction and perlite
What do you need to know about the thermal conductivity of this material? Traditional thermal insulation products such as mineral wool, EPS polystyrene, and XPS extruded polystyrene are commonly used. The thermal conductivity λ[W/mK] for pure expanded perlite granulate is 0.045-0.059 W/(mK) (according to SI J/(msK)), while other thermal insulation materials, e.g. polystyrene, are 0.031-0.042 W/(mK) and mineral wool is 0.030-0.045 W/(mK).
A single-layer perlite wall is all you need to create a safe, healthy, and warm home. Inside, the temperature is always optimal, whether it is winter or summer. This means maximum thermal comfort for the occupants and lower energy bills.
Good to know
Walls built with SYSTEM 3E technology are only 35 cm thick and have a U=0.198 coefficient.
Insulation properties and time
Ever wondered how perlite performs over time? As a material, it is virtually... indestructible. Surprising, isn't it? Its stability is of the highest order. It's a material that's been around for millions of years, so why shouldn't it perform well in construction?
Perlite is simply the most stable material on the market - it retains 100% of its insulating properties over time. It has consistent structural integrity and thermal conductivity. It is simply unique. In comparison, many other materials lose this stability over the long term:
The thermal resistance of polystyrene foam drops by up to 43% (from 2,485 m 2∙K∙W -1 to 1,424 m 2∙K∙W -1) after approximately 5,000 days of manufacture.
The thermal resistance of rigid polyurethane drops by up to 27.5% (from 2.579 m 2∙K∙W -1 to 1.897 m 2∙K∙W -1 ) after 5,000 days.
Choosing the right wall materials is crucial to the effective thermal insulation of a building. Thanks to its excellent thermal insulation properties and durability, perlite is the perfect material for building houses that protect against cold temperatures and hot weather, while contributing to energy savings and sustainability. So if you are looking for a material that offers maximum living comfort, SYSTEM 3E is an excellent choice.
With our solution, you will keep your home warm! Bet on SYSTEM 3E - the technology that can reduce heat loss and provides good space to live in.