Uncoated medium density expanded cork boards for building façades and roofs: Mechanical, hygrothermal and durability characterization

Abstract

The use of more efficient and greener insulation products is a strategy that is being followed to achieve more sustainable energy efficient buildings. Given these concerns, expanded cork boards, which are 100% natural and recyclable, are being used more often as the only coating for building façades, without any additional protection.In this context, this work evaluates the performance of standard (90–110 kg/m3) and medium (140–160 kg/m3) density expanded cork boards to be applied as an uncoated solution for building façades and roofs. As the building envelope is exposed to external conditions (wind pressure, rain, temperature and moisture gradients, sunlight and mechanical loads), a wide range of laboratory tests were performed to evaluate their mechanical, hygrothermal and durability characteristics.It was found that the medium density cork board is more suitable for the uncoated external insulation of building façades and roofs, since it has a better mechanical performance, without compromising its hygrothermal behaviour. It was found that it is also resistant to long-term exposure to external conditions.