As 3D printed homes gain attention as an innovative construction technique, a common perception exists that these uniquely-built concrete structures suffer from being colder than traditional housing. Are 3D printed houses really cold? This stems primarily from a misunderstanding of their wall design flexibility and insulation customization potential. When optimized, 3D printed homes can achieve similar thermal insulation capabilities compared to conventional buildings and offer optimum comfort.
Thermal Performance Metrics: R-Values
A house’s insulation effectiveness ratings are measured using an R-value. This signifies the thermal resistance to conductive heat flow – the higher the R-value, the better heat is trapped inside. Common building materials have the following R-values per inch:
So plain solid concrete ranks among the worst insulators. This initially fuels perceptions of 3D printed homes being cold.
Default Thermal Properties of 3D Printed Houses
The concrete used in most current 3D printing construction exhibits:
- Low R-values: Usually under R-1 for typical single pass wall thickness
- High thermal mass: Dense concrete makes temperature change gradual
- High conduction: Easily transfers heat/cold through layers
This means unchecked heat flow through the unchecked walls, causing interiors to shift towards ambient external temperatures.
In comparison, the R-values of conventional housing:
So unmodified 3D printed concrete cannot insulate like traditional walls. But is this immutable?
Customizing Thermal Dynamics in 3D Printed Houses
No – The layer-based printing process allows modifying interior wall structure design to achieve far superior insulation performance. Various approaches exist:
1. Infilling Voids
- Inserting insulation foam or other fills into intentionally printed empty channels
- Avoiding heat-robbing air gaps
- Could achieve R-10+ values
2. Multi-Channel Walls
- Printing modular walls with repeated insulated voids
- Allowing flexibility in cavity patterns
- Repeated air gaps hinder heat transfer
3. Double Walls
- Separate interior and exterior wall shells
- Inner insulation-filled layer
- Mimics high efficiency conventional framing
4. Thick Insulation Layers
- Spray foam or rigid board insulation
- Applied to inner or outer wall surface
- Significantly boosts R-value
So through strategic wall structure enhancements, the thermal insulation of 3D printed houses can be transformed, overcoming notions of being inherently cold.
Optimizing 3D Printed House Insulation Performance
The customizability of 3D printing construction enables multiple paths to enhance warmth:
Wall Design
- Hollow voids, channels, honeycomb or waffle patterns
- Interrupt thermal bridges optimizing heat flow
Insulation Materials
- Sprayed polyurethane foams, mineral wool fills, aerogels
- Leverage highest performing options
Hybrid Layering
- Combine concrete printing with wood or frame infills
- Achieve layered insulation effects
Windows & Doors
- ENERGY STAR rated and thermally-broken
- Prevent conductive heat loss
Supplemental Equipment
- High efficiency heating and cooling systems
- Maintain comfortable temperatures
With deliberate thermal design choices, an R-30+ rated enclosure is achievable for 3D printed homes to match wood-framed houses.
Why the Misconception of Being Inherently Cold Exists
The myth of 3D printed homes suffering from being freezing cold stems from two root causes:
1. Assumption Concrete = No Insulation
As a masonry product, concrete evokes notions of damp, chilly basements. By itself, it performs terribly insulation-wise. But 3D printing enables completely transforming normal concrete’s thermal dynamics through wall structure manipulation.
2. Early Adoption Constraints
Initial projects focused primarily on proving build capability and structural strengths. Insulation customization became a secondary priority. Basic single layer concrete walls amplified this misperception. But the technology’s maturation brings far greater thermal customization abilities coming to the forefront.
So the early concrete-centric origins shaped an assumption of frigidness that persists. But in practice, the layer-based formation process provides abundant paths to surmount conductive thermal issues through creative insulation schemes.
Correcting the “Inherently Cold” Misconception
Hopefully this breakdown of the ample flexibility surrounding 3D printed house thermal tuning sets the record straight.
While their default concrete composition suffers poor insulation qualities, the incremental printing method enables countless options to introduce insulated cavities, stratified barriers and supplemental additions far surpassing any notions of being doomed to be freezing cold forever.
With thoughtful design taking advantage of the technology’s generative construction capacities, warm and cozy dwellings result.
So no – 3D printed houses should not be considered inherently cold. Instead, view their distinctive fabrication process as an opportunity to fully customize insulation dynamics, circumventing convective issues. The only limits are imagination and physics.
References
- An experimental study of thermal performance of 3D printed concrete slabs – ScienceDirect
- Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Strength and Thermal Conductivity of Extrudable Foamed Concrete and Preliminary Views on Its Potential Application in 3D Printed Multilayer Insulating Panels | SpringerLink
- 3D-printable aerogel-incorporated concrete: Anisotropy influence on physical, mechanical, and thermal insulation properties – ScienceDirect
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