A study of cement tiles to prevent heat from the roof decks using foam waste

Abstract

 This research aims to study the heat insulation efficiency of cement floor tiles mixed with recycled foam for installation on concrete rooftops, which typically accumulate and radiate heat into the rooms below. Currently, Thailand generates over 2.7 million tons of plastic and foam waste per year, leading to significant environmental problems such as drainage blockage, harm to living organisms, and greenhouse gas emissions from disposal processes. Recycling waste foam for use as a construction material presents a sustainable approach to addressing this issue. In this study, used foam was mixed with cement and sand to produce lightweight, low-cost cement tiles with thermal insulation properties. Experimental results showed that the foam–cement tiles effectively reduced heat transfer through concrete rooftops, maintaining an average indoor temperature of 32°C under outdoor conditions with a maximum temperature of 42.6°C. The optimal mixing ratio of cement : sand : foam was found to be 1 : 1 : 0.05, providing adequate strength and light weight. Furthermore, the study found that the tiles should be elevated with 2.5 cm supports to allow air circulation beneath the tiles, preventing direct heat transfer to the rooftop surface and thereby enhancing the building’s overall thermal insulation performance.