Material library Materials Each material states what a source knows and what it does not. When thermal conductivity is not sourced it says “unknown” and that layer is not calculated. A specific product datasheet always takes precedence.
Substitutes Don't have this material? For insulation with a sourced λ the thickness for about the same layer resistance (R = d / λ) is calculated. That is not the same construction.
You don't have XPS foam board EPS foam board PIR / polyiso board Exterior plywood OSB/3 board OSB/4 board Interior plywood lining Bituminous membrane Roofing felt Plastic storage tote Wooden pallet Scrap lumber and old boards Thickness in the plan 20 mm 30 mm 40 mm 50 mm 60 mm 80 mm 100 mm
EPS foam board R 1.51 m²K/W → about 58 mm, conservatively 58 mm PIR / polyiso board R 1.51 m²K/W → about 37 mm Cork board Possible substitute requiring redesign: at least one material has no sourced thermal conductivity, so an equivalent thickness cannot be calculated. Wood fibre board Possible substitute requiring redesign: at least one material has no sourced thermal conductivity, so an equivalent thickness cannot be calculated. Mineral wool Mineral wool is only allowed in a fully enclosed assembly lined on both sides; this assembly does not provide that. Thermal equivalence is not structural equivalence. Water resistance can differ. Compressive behaviour can differ. Vapour behaviour can differ. Joint and fixing details may need to change. The selected product datasheet takes precedence over the planning value. EPS foam board must stay behind a protective lining. Wood sheets sheets Exterior plywood λ ≈ 0.17 W/mK range 0.1–0.18 W/mK · generic planning value
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity medium
Durability several years Edges and the base joint absorb water unless protected. Glue line and panel class must be rated for exterior use. Same planning λ as the engineered models. The selected panel datasheet takes precedence.
Reused material checklist → sheets Interior plywood lining λ ≈ 0.17 W/mK range 0.1–0.18 W/mK · generic planning value
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability several years Only behind a waterproof outer shell. Protects insulation from scratching and chewing.
Reused material checklist → sheets OSB/3 board λ ≈ 0.13 W/mK generic planning value
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability several years Edges swell when wet; edge sealing, coating and a roof covering are required. Do not leave exposed to direct rain without protection. Planning λ 0.13 W/mK corresponds to the tabulated value for OSB around 650 kg/m³; a specific board can differ.
Reused material checklist → sheets OSB/4 board λ ≈ 0.13 W/mK generic planning value
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity medium
Durability several years Still requires edge protection and a roof covering outdoors. Higher load class than OSB/3; planned thermally the same.
Reused material checklist → Solid timber m Solid softwood (battens, studs) λ ≈ 0.13 W/mK generic planning value
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity medium
Durability several years Do not use unknown old treated timber where the animal can chew. Framing, raising battens and corner battens.
Reused material checklist → Reused timber m Scrap lumber and old boards λ unknown Unknown species, moisture content and gaps between boards.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability one or two seasons Origin check required: no oil, chemicals, rot or protruding nails. Gaps between boards let wind through until covered. Accepted only after the reuse checklist.
Reused material checklist → pcs Wooden pallet λ unknown A pallet has voids and unknown moisture; it is not a controlled thermal layer.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability one or two seasons An ISPM 15 mark confirms only a phytosanitary treatment, not the pallet's history. Reject pallets with stains, chemical smell, mould or rot. The 1200 × 800 mm planning size is an assumption for common European pallets; measure yours.
Reused material checklist → pcs Wooden crate λ unknown Slatted with gaps; no controlled layer.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability one or two seasons Needs a waterproof outer wrap and an interior liner. Check staples and edges. The crate provides shape, not weather protection.
Reused material checklist →
Rigid foam sheets EPS foam board λ ≈ 0.038 W/mK range 0.0328–0.038 W/mK · generic planning value
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Animals chew and scratch it; it must not be an unprotected interior surface. Weaker than XPS against moisture and compression. Degrades in sunlight; protect from UV. Planning λ uses the conservative end of the sourced range.
Reused material checklist → sheets XPS foam board λ ≈ 0.033 W/mK range 0.0288–0.037 W/mK · generic planning value
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Must not be an unprotected interior surface. Degrades in sunlight. Same planning value as the engineered models (FIBRANxps 300).
Reused material checklist → sheets PIR / polyiso board λ ≈ 0.024 W/mK generic planning value
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity medium
Durability several years The source gives only an approximate value; performance drops at low temperatures and with ageing. Facing foil and foam must not be reachable by the animal. No sourced range; use the product datasheet.
Reused material checklist → Natural boards sheets Cork board λ unknown Šapice has no sourced generic value; a product datasheet is required.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Possible foam substitute with redesign and a datasheet.
sheets Wood fibre board λ unknown Value depends on the product; no sourced generic value.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability several years Absorbs moisture; fully enclosed and dry only. Only suitable in a fully enclosed assembly.
Fibrous insulation m² Mineral wool λ ≈ 0.0481 W/mK range 0.0361–0.0481 W/mK · generic planning value
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability several years Never exposed to the animal: fibres must not be inhaled or swallowed. Only in a fully enclosed assembly lined on both sides. Loses insulating value when wet. Usually not the best choice for small shelters because of moisture.
m² Glass wool λ ≈ 0.0577 W/mK range 0.0361–0.0577 W/mK · generic planning value
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability several years Never exposed to the animal. Fully enclosed and dry only. Same restriction as mineral wool.
Containers pcs Plastic storage tote λ unknown Thin wall of unknown plastic; Šapice does not invent a value for a generic tote.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability one or two seasons Cut opening edges are sharp; cover or sand them. Plastic cracks over time in frost and sun. Lightweight; must be weighted or secured. Actual shape and size depend on the product; models use a schematic envelope.
Reused material checklist → pcs EPS shipping box λ ≈ 0.038 W/mK range 0.0328–0.038 W/mK · generic planning value
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability one or two seasons Must be clean: no fish, medical or chemical residue. Cats scratch it; add straw and check for damage. Lightweight; weight or secure it. Wall thickness depends on the box; measure it.
Reused material checklist → pcs Old pet carrier λ unknown Unknown plastic and grille door.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability one or two seasons Vent slots and grille let wind and rain in; sheltered spot only. Emergency or transitional option under cover.
Reused material checklist →
Cardboard pcs Corrugated cardboard λ unknown Cardboard loses its properties when damp; no controlled value.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity high
Durability short term Emergency and short term only. Must stay completely dry; replace as soon as it gets damp or deforms. Acceptable only as an emergency solution with a waterproof wrap.
Bedding bale Straw Not modelled Bedding, not a controlled thermal layer in the calculation.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity medium
Durability one or two seasons Replace when damp, compacted or soiled. Do not confuse with hay. Default bedding for community-cat winter shelters.
Floor surfaces m² Rubber flooring mat Not modelled Thin floor layer; not counted.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Water must not stay trapped beneath it. Washable; good for dogs.
Reused material checklist →
m² Vinyl protective floor surface Not modelled Thin layer; not counted.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Edges must be fixed so the animal cannot chew them. Makes cleaning easier.
Roof coverings m² Galvanized sheet metal Not modelled Thin metal; heats up in sun, no insulating contribution.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Sharp edges; must be folded or covered. Gets very hot in sun; a poor summer shade without an air gap and ventilation. Roof covering above a board, never animal-facing.
Reused material checklist →
m² Polycarbonate sheet Not modelled Not counted.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Clear sheets let sunlight through; for shade use opaque sheet or add shading. Roof for rain shelters and feeding stations.
Films and membranes m² Bituminous membrane Not modelled Thin layer; not counted.
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Follow the product's minimum slope and overlaps. Must not be reachable for chewing. Roof covering over a board.
m² Roofing felt Not modelled Not counted.
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability one or two seasons Shorter service life than bituminous membranes; check for cracks. Low-cost roof covering for budget models.
m² EPDM membrane Not modelled Not counted.
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Adhesive and edge details per product instructions. Long-life roof covering.
m² Waterproof sheet or heavy bag Not modelled Not counted.
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability short term Traps condensation on the inside; never seal the entrance. The bag must not be reachable for chewing or entanglement. Construction film or a heavy refuse bag as the outer wrap of an emergency shelter.
Bricks and blocks pcs Bricks Not modelled Used only as raising supports.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Supports must be stable and level. Raising off damp ground.
pcs Concrete blocks Not modelled Used only as supports.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Stable support for larger houses.
Construction salvage pcs Construction offcuts λ unknown Mixed material with unknown properties.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance low
Moisture sensitivity medium
Durability one or two seasons Every piece must pass the checklist and be identified before use. Accept only with the owner's permission and known origin.
Reused material checklist → Consumables pack Wood screws Not modelled Fastener.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Tips must not protrude inside. For outdoor use choose galvanised or stainless.
pack Nails Not modelled Fastener.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Bent or protruding nails must be removed. Alternative to screws with a hammer.
pack Heavy-duty tape Not modelled Joining material.
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity medium
Durability short term Tape inside can be chewed; apply outside. For emergency builds.
pack Sealant Not modelled Joining material.
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Must fully cure per instructions before use. Exterior joints and edges.
pack Wood or foam adhesive Not modelled Joining material.
Animal contact Never reachable by the animal
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Foam adhesive must be EPS/XPS compatible (no solvents that melt it). Fully cure before use.
Hardware pcs Hinges Not modelled Hardware.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years For a service roof.
pcs Latch Not modelled Hardware.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance medium
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Keeps a service roof closed in wind.
m² Wire mesh Not modelled Not counted.
Animal contact Only behind a protective lining
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability several years Cut wires are sharp; fold edges or cover them with a batten. Protects ventilation openings.
pcs Flexible entrance flap (rubber, PVC strip) Not modelled Not counted.
Animal contact May face the animal
Water resistance high
Moisture sensitivity low
Durability one or two seasons The animal must push it easily; some cats avoid it at first. Reduces wind entry, especially with two entrances.
Qualitative properties (water resistance, durability, cutting difficulty) are Šapice design assumptions unless a source is listed.