In construction, how is insulation defined?

Insulation is defined as any material that resists the passage of heat. This function is crucial in construction because it helps regulate temperatures within buildings, leading to energy efficiency and comfort. Effective insulation minimizes heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, contributing to a building's overall energy performance. Insulation can come in various forms, such as fiberglass, foam, cellulose, and more, with specific properties that determine their thermal resistance, measured by R-values.

In contrast, other definitions do not align with the primary function of insulation. Materials that enhance appearance focus on aesthetic value, those that support a structure play a role in structural integrity, and materials that absorb sound address acoustics rather than thermal resistance. Thus, the correct understanding of insulation's role is fundamentally linked to its ability to resist heat flow, which is essential for energy conservation in buildings.