A technical and economic analysis of the thermal modernization of historic buildings using an innovative thermal insulating paint

Abstract

Due to the need for making the thermal modernization of buildings of historical value, where the Conservation Officer often does not approve the thermal insulation of the building’s facade with a traditional method using expanded polystyrene (EPS), an innovative paint has been proposed to be used, which can substitute for an EPS layer for the thermal insulation of buildings where everything that is the most beautiful is often situated on the building’s external facade. The article analyzes two different thermal modernization methods: the traditional method and the one using an innovative thermal insulating paint. During selecting the material, the main aspects were: material strength and durability, workmanship, the execution cost of a sample project, and the behaviour of materials during operation. All advantages and disadvantages of either of the external wall thermal insulation technologies are indicated. Cost calculation figures for the project under consideration carried out using the above-mentioned technologies have also been examined. It has been found that the technology using the innovative thermal insulating paint is fairly expensive and the obtained coefficients of heat transfer through the partition are not competitive compared to the traditional method using expanded polystyrene. However, by using the innovative technology for historic buildings, we are able to improve the aesthetic appearance of the facade and, at the same time, the thermal properties of the partition during carrying out a single project, while not spoiling the historical look of the building.