Questionnaire survey on the use of thermal insulation solutions in building facades of Portugal, Italy and Norway

Abstract

The use of adequate thermal insulation solutions in the opaque walls is one of the most efficient passive strategies towards the improvement of the buildings’ thermal performance. Nevertheless, beyond the thermal performance, a set of different performance criteria (i.e., hygrothermal performance, fire behavior, environmental footprint, among others) must also be considered when selecting thermal insulation materials. This study aimed to enhance understanding of the use of thermal insulation solutions in new construction and for the thermal retrofitting of building facades in Portugal, Italy and Norway. To that end, a questionnaire survey was prepared considering the relationships among the different Political, Economic, Social, Technological and Environmental criteria involved in the selection of thermal insulation solutions. The questionnaire was available online between November 2022 and February 2023 and respondents, primarily living and/or working in Portugal, Italy and Norway, were asked to answer questions related to the use and performance of different thermal insulation solutions. Results showed that different perceptions and levels of knowledge regarding the performance of several insulation materials could be ascribed to the respondent's country of residence.