State-of-the-Art and Future Building Envelopes: Application of Low Emissivity Materials, Phase Change Materials and Vacuum Insulation Panels

Abstract

Increasingly strict demands for the use of energy in buildings have put pressure on the construction industry to look for new ways to improve the built environment. This study has investigated three technologies, low-emissivity (low-e) materials, phase change materials (PCM) and vacuum insulation panels (VIP), and provided a state-of-the-art review of commercial products of these materials. Though the materials have different effects when applied to buildings, they all aim to increase energy efficiency and improve thermal comfort for the inhabitants.For the mentioned materials, examples of how they are implemented in buildings have been given and research that have been conducted and research that is still being conducted have been investigated. Reflections on steps that should be taken for future research have also been investigated. Herein lies the focus on improving the current technology, possible new technologies and steps that are needed for the materials to achieve large-scale application in the construction sector.