Analysis of perlite and pumice based building insulation materials

•Insulation panels with perlite, pumice, and moss are developed and tested.•Theoretical analysis is supported with experimental study.•Thermal resistance and thermal diffusivity values are examined.•Perlite with pumice yields a light-weight insulation with good thermal resistance.•With increased moisture, thermal resistance decreased and diffusivity increased.

Insulation panels composed of perlite, pumice, and cement were fabricated. Perlite and pumice were used to achieve high thermal resistance, and low density. Experimentation was conducted for determining R-values of perlite-pumice-cement (PPC) panels at different moisture content values. Dry and moist sample panels were tested with and without soil and moss at the top where the one with the soil and plant coupling represents a green roof. Reverse heat leak method was used in determination of the R-values of the samples. Verification of theory was achieved via experimentation with an acceptable error range. Thermal diffusivity values of the developed samples were measured using flash method.