Building in Use - Social Aspects

Indoor climate

The indoor climate can have a significant effect on an occupant’s sense of well-being and clay brick walls perform very well in this respect. Due to their very good thermal performance in solid, cavity and externally insulated walls, the temperature of the inside surface is high even when it is cold outside. It is important for comfort that the difference between indoor surface temperature and indoor air temperature is minimal. Air movements due to temperature differences or to imperfections in the external construction should also be minimal.

The porosity of clay bricks allows them to absorb moisture from the air when the relative humidity is high and to return this moisture when the indoor air becomes drier. In addition to moisture, clay brick walls can also absorb and store solar heat gains, a fact that can lead to a balanced climate in summertime. This is in contrast to lightweight constructions that often suffer from summer overheating.

Special attention must be given to thermal (cold) bridges such as may occur at corners and window frames, where surface temperatures are significantly lower. The clay brick industry can provide design solutions to minimise the effect of these details. For further construction details see VÖZ Baudetails.

Clay roof tiles contribute to:

hydrothermal comfort by protecting the building from solar overheating, rain and snow
acoustic comfort by reducing the impact noise of precipitations on the roof.

ťThe Clay Life Cycle
ť	Building in Use
	ť Economical Aspects
	ť Environmental Aspects
	ť Social Aspects
	ˇ Living comfort
	ˇ Indoor climate
	ˇ Safety
	ˇ Acoustic protection / sound isolation
	ˇ Flexibility in use

Š TBE-Europe 2005
www.staywithclay.com