Foamglas cellular glass: a high-performance thermal insulator that retains its properties for decades

With regard to the search for energy savings in buildings and the fight against global warming, the thermal insulation of opaque walls (floors, walls, roofs) has become an essential subject. However, various European studies have demonstrated that the thermal performance of buildings, after thermal renovation, can deteriorate over time.

The fact that thermal insulating layers are likely to lose thermal efficiency over time poses a crucial problem, with considerable energy and financial implications. It is, therefore, important to choose an insulation that is durable in the long term and maintains its performance throughout the life of the building. Among the many insulators available on the market, FOAMGLAS cellular glass^® stands out for its high-performance technical qualities. Made from 66% recycled glass and other mineral materials, by high temperature foaming in the presence of carbon, FOAMGLAS^® is made of small glass bubbles that are 100% airtight and moisture-proof. It is therefore a solid and stable material which has zero permeability to humidity. Thermal conductivity of FOAMGLAS cellular glass^® is also low (0,036 W/mK), which makes it a very efficient non-combustible material. In addition, FOAMGLAS cellular glass^® has a very low thermal expansion coefficient (9.10-6 m/mK), which allows the insulating plates to be glued together, thus guaranteeing thermal continuity and avoiding any circulation of air or humidity.

The implementation of FOAMGLAS cellular glass^® is flexible depending on applications on floors, walls or roofs. The plates can be installed dry, by gluing or with additional mechanical fixing. In “optimal thermal performance” mode, the plates are glued to the support and glued together to ensure a total thermal barrier without circulation of air or humidity.

One of the main advantages of FOAMGLAS cellular glass^® lies in its resistance to humidity. The airtight and watertight glass bubbles ensure that the material remains dry, thus preserving its thermal conductivity intact over time. Analyzes carried out by the FIW Design Office on FOAMGLAS samples^®, taken from five European buildings, showed that the thermal resistance of FOAMGLAS^® was equal to that of its date of manufacture, even after several decades.

Another key advantage of FOAMGLAS cellular glass^® is its absence of settlement under compressive stress. On roof or ground, even subjected to significant loads reaching 50 T/m², FOAMGLAS® does not settle, which guarantees constant thermal performance. This high compressive strength also makes it possible to do without additional protective layers for flat roofs.

Longevity, a crucial aspect of sustainability

The fact that FOAMGLAS insulation^® has a lifespan of 100 years* means it does not need to be replaced over the life of the building. This significantly reduces the consumption of resources, energy and emissions generated by the production, transport and recycling of new insulation.

Sustainability is often associated with concepts such as the circular economy and recycling. However, longevity is also an important aspect that is often overlooked. A durable solution should be able to stand the test of time without requiring frequent replacement.

In the case of FOAMGLAS cellular glass^®, its longevity translates into reduced maintenance costs and peace of mind regarding its continued performance. Even in the event of renovation of the waterproofing membrane on a flat roof where FOAMGLAS insulation^® is installed, simply peel off the membrane without touching the insulation, which remains in place and continues to play its role in improving the energy efficiency of the building.

In conclusion, to ensure durable thermal insulation over time, it is essential to choose insulation that maintains its performance over the long term. FOAMGLAS cellular glass^® stands out for its exceptional durability, resistance to humidity, lack of settlement and ability to maintain its thermal properties throughout the life of the building. With a declared lifespan of 100 years*, FOAMGLAS^® offers a reliable and economically advantageous solution for controlled heating consumption.

* FDES – EPD-PCE-20200300-IBB1-EN, published by the IBU