Important factors affecting the risk of mold growth in well-insulated wood frame walls in Northern European climates
(2013) Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings XII- Abstract
- Due to increased awareness of climate change and energy costs, well-insulated buildings have become more common. Furthermore, greater interest has been shown in using wood in building to produce more carbon dioxide-efficient houses. However, thicker thermal insulation in walls increases the risk of high relative humidity levels and the risk of mold-related damage in wood frame houses.
This paper presents important factors affecting the risk of mold growth in well-insulated wood frame walls in Northern European climates. Recent findings regarding important factors are first briefly summarized. The paper continues with a parametric study in which moisture-critical positions in traditional Swedish wood frame designs are investigated... (More) - Due to increased awareness of climate change and energy costs, well-insulated buildings have become more common. Furthermore, greater interest has been shown in using wood in building to produce more carbon dioxide-efficient houses. However, thicker thermal insulation in walls increases the risk of high relative humidity levels and the risk of mold-related damage in wood frame houses.
This paper presents important factors affecting the risk of mold growth in well-insulated wood frame walls in Northern European climates. Recent findings regarding important factors are first briefly summarized. The paper continues with a parametric study in which moisture-critical positions in traditional Swedish wood frame designs are investigated by using hygrothermal modeling. Traditional North European walls with insulation thicknesses of 220 mm are compared to walls with thicker thermal insulation and alternative designs. The influences of the different wall designs in relation to the risk of mold growth are compared using isopleth and a visual mold chart.
It has been found that there is a higher risk of moisture-related damage in thicker insulated walls. However, this risk could be reduced by choosing more suitable designs in which well-ventilated air gaps behind the cladding and exterior vapor-permeable moisture resistant thermal insulation boards are of great importance. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/5218722
- author
- Mundt Petersen, Solof LU ; Harderup, Lars-Erik LU and Arfvidsson, Jesper LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2013
- type
- Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Wood framed walls, Moisture safety
- host publication
- [Host publication title missing]
- editor
- Karney, Richard and Desjarlais, Andre
- pages
- 13 pages
- conference name
- Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings XII
- conference location
- Clearwater, Florida, United States
- conference dates
- 2013-12-01
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:84966642122
- ISBN
- 978-1-936504-61-9
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 0dc8a371-4ab1-411d-8ec2-13f8791038bf (old id 5218722)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-04 13:16:49
- date last changed
- 2022-04-16 05:45:50
@inproceedings{0dc8a371-4ab1-411d-8ec2-13f8791038bf,
abstract = {{Due to increased awareness of climate change and energy costs, well-insulated buildings have become more common. Furthermore, greater interest has been shown in using wood in building to produce more carbon dioxide-efficient houses. However, thicker thermal insulation in walls increases the risk of high relative humidity levels and the risk of mold-related damage in wood frame houses. <br/><br>
This paper presents important factors affecting the risk of mold growth in well-insulated wood frame walls in Northern European climates. Recent findings regarding important factors are first briefly summarized. The paper continues with a parametric study in which moisture-critical positions in traditional Swedish wood frame designs are investigated by using hygrothermal modeling. Traditional North European walls with insulation thicknesses of 220 mm are compared to walls with thicker thermal insulation and alternative designs. The influences of the different wall designs in relation to the risk of mold growth are compared using isopleth and a visual mold chart.<br/><br>
It has been found that there is a higher risk of moisture-related damage in thicker insulated walls. However, this risk could be reduced by choosing more suitable designs in which well-ventilated air gaps behind the cladding and exterior vapor-permeable moisture resistant thermal insulation boards are of great importance.}},
author = {{Mundt Petersen, Solof and Harderup, Lars-Erik and Arfvidsson, Jesper}},
booktitle = {{[Host publication title missing]}},
editor = {{Karney, Richard and Desjarlais, Andre}},
isbn = {{978-1-936504-61-9}},
keywords = {{Wood framed walls; Moisture safety}},
language = {{eng}},
title = {{Important factors affecting the risk of mold growth in well-insulated wood frame walls in Northern European climates}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/6083325/5218727}},
year = {{2013}},
}