Evaluation of the Thermal Performance of Recycled Cotton Fabric as a Sustainable Insulation Material in Cold Climate Buildings

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master in Architecture and Energy, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

This research investigates the thermal performance and building-scale energy implications of recycled cotton fabric used as a sustainable insulation material in cold-climate constructions. It responds to the urgent need for low-carbon and circular solutions in the building sector by assessing physical measurements and modeled energy outcomes for a cotton-based insulating layer. Laboratory experiments were conducted under steady-state conditions using a custom heat-flow apparatus and multiple thermocouples to obtain reliable temperature profiles across samples prepared at varying layer densities. The measured average thermal conductivity for the recycled cotton specimens was approximately 0.046 W/m·K, a value consistent with high-performance natural fibrous insulations and attributable to the material’s porous microstructure and air-retention capability. Reproducibility tests returned relative deviations under five percent, validating the experimental protocol. Observed steady thermal gradients and uniform heat flux patterns indicate that, within the tested temperature range, conductive processes dominate and the material exhibits stable insulating behavior over extended periods. Complementary material characterization included density and specific heat measurements, which were integrated into the subsequent building energy model. From a sustainability standpoint, reusing post-consumer cotton reduces textile waste streams and decreases demand for virgin polymeric insulators, aligning with resource conservation and circular-economy objectives. This experimental evidence establishes recycled cotton as a technically credible insulation candidate and provides robust input data for building performance simulations. The study also documents practical considerations for sample preparation, moisture control during testing, and edge-sealing methods to prevent delamination, which together improve measurement fidelity and inform scalable manufacturing pathways for building applications and supports informed specification by designers and practitioners.



In the modeling phase, experimentally measured thermophysical properties were incorporated into EnergyPlus to estimate annual heating and cooling loads for a representative building in a cold semi-arid climate. The simulation contrasted an uninsulated wall with assemblies containing a twelve-centimeter recycled cotton insulation layer at different effective densities. Overall, total annual energy consumption declined by approximately thirty-four to thirty-five percent for cotton-insulated assemblies compared to the uninsulated case, with heating demand accounting for the majority of savings. Analysis of surface heat fluxes demonstrates that the cotton layer substantially reduces conductive heat loss in cold periods and dampens indoor temperature fluctuations, thereby enhancing thermal comfort and lowering operative loads. Minor variations in cooling demand were observed in some configurations owing to changes in thermal mass and transient heat transfer, but the net impact favored energy savings. The agreement between lab measurements and modeled outputs, with discrepancies below five percent, validates the approach of using experimental inputs in whole-building simulation workflows. From a sustainability perspective, recycled cotton insulation shows promise as a low-cost, low-embodied-carbon alternative when local textile waste is available. However, for broader adoption, critical knowledge gaps must be addressed: the influence of moisture absorption on thermal performance, long-term mechanical behaviour under cyclic loading, fire-resistance properties, and full life cycle environmental impacts. To translate laboratory findings into practice, pilot-scale installations, monitored field trials, and standardized preparation procedures are recommended so that performance, durability, and compliance with regulatory requirements can be demonstrated in real buildings. Such evidence will support policy incentives and market uptake of recycled insulation.

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References

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Journal of Fine Arts: Architecture & Urban Planning
Volume 30, Issue 4
December 2026
Pages 37-47

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