Using natural fibre insulators on green roofs: some considerations

Abstract

This study focuses on the application of coconut fibre insulators, an insulating material rarely utilized in the Mediterranean context. Despite its undoubted thermal performance, some queries are related with of his thermo-hygrometric behavior. More precisely, during the use of coconut for covering building for realizing green roofs, which represent a technological solution often adopted in the case of sustainable buildings or nearly zero energy building. Green roofs represent a valid constructive solution with high thermal performances, adopted in existing and new buildings. This paper investigates the thermo-hygrometric behavior of the concrete and Cross Laminated Timbre slabs, insulated with coconut fibreboards (CF) such as an alternative synthetic insulator, referred to a series of different green roofs scenarios. The results show that coconut fibre insulations are equally comparable to natural and synthetic materials. Therefore, coconut fibre could represent a good chance for realization of green roof having high thermal performance and hygrothermal behavior in the same time. This material could be an alternative solution to the normal synthetic materials actually used, in a perspective of sustainable architecture.