Thermal Resistance Calculator

A tool for calculating the total thermal resistance (R-value) and heat transfer coefficient (U-value) of multi-layer materials.

Composite Wall Assembly

Calculation Results

Total Thermal Resistance (R-value)

0.00 K·m²/W

Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient (U-value)

0.00 W/m²·K

R-Value Contribution by Material Layer

This chart dynamically shows the thermal resistance of each layer to help you visualize their contribution to the total R-value.

Fundamentals and Data

Dive into the core concepts and find a searchable table of thermal properties for common materials.

What is Thermal Resistance?

Thermal resistance (R-value) is a measure of a material's ability to resist the flow of heat. A higher R-value indicates better insulation. It's crucial in building design and thermal management to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling.

Key Concepts

  • Thermal Conductivity (k): An intrinsic property of a material that measures its ability to conduct heat. Low k-values mean the material is a poor conductor (a good insulator). Units: $W/m·K$.
  • Thermal Resistance (R): The resistance of a specific thickness of a material. Calculated as Thickness / Conductivity. Units: $K·m²/W$.
  • Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient (U): The reciprocal of the total R-value ($U = 1 / R_{total}$). It measures how well a building element conducts heat. A lower U-value is better. Units: $W/m²·K$.

Common Material Thermal Properties

This table provides thermal conductivity (k-value) data for common building materials to serve as a reference.

Material Thermal Conductivity (k) [$W/m·K$]
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