R
VOYAGEUR GRAND Wood Insert
C. Calculating Alternate Floor Protection
Material
Thermal Conductivity: k value
The k value indicates the amount of heat (in BTU’s) that will flow in 1 hour through 1 square foot of a uniform mate- rial 1 inch thick for each degree (F) of temperature differ- ence from one side of the material to the other.
The LOWER the k factor means less heat is being con- ducted through the
The k value of a material must be equal or smaller then the required k value to be acceptable.
(BTU) (inch) (foot2 (hour) (oF)
Thermal Resistance: R value
The R value is a measure of a material’s resisteance to heat transfer.
R value is convenient when more than one material is used since you can add the R values together, where- as you can not do this for k value.
The HIGHER the R factor means less heat is being conducted through the
The R value of a material must be equal or larger then the required R value to be acceptable.
Converting k to R:
Divide 1 by k and multiply the results times the thickness in inches of the material.
R = 1/k x inches of thickness
Converting R to k:
Divide the inches of thickness by R. k = inches of thickness/R
Calculatons:
Example: Floor protection requires k value of 0.84 and 3/4 inch thick.
Alternative material has a k value of 0.6 and is 3/4 inch thick.
Divide 0.6 by .75 = k value of 0.80. This k value is smaller than 0.84 and therefore is acceptable.
September 25, 2012 | Page 33 |