The paper discusses certain thermal insulation materials, which, according to national and foreign researchers, are capable of ensuring the utmost energy efficiency of vertical enclosures of buildings and works. Based on the comparative analysis of some of the main thermal insulation properties and performance characteristics, the most energy efficient materials were identified among the materials offered for consideration. The key benefits and drawbacks of these materials are further provided in tabular form. The point is made that the optimal selection of energy efficient materials shall be arranged as a comprehensive computer-aided process, because the market of modern thermal insulation materials is huge. The selection process shall include the ranking of materials based on specific criteria.
Keywords: energy saving, thermal performance, thermal insulators, liquid ceramic thermal insulators, composite foam, environmental performance