The article introduces the basic requirements for properties of materials using phase change in construction. These substances are known as PCM. Furthermore, the article deals with the possible chemical composition of the PCM, the advantages and disadvantages of phase transitions.

Coloured photovoltaic cells are occasionally used in architectural applications. Their wider utilisation is currently limited by the lower efficiency compared to cells with an optimal anti-reflective coating. Research is focused on desing and manufacturing of anti-reflective coating, which besides of required color will have minimised the reflection in the infrared.

The article describes some of the results of the research project R&D SP3g522107 – Full renovation of panel buildings in the low energy standard, which was carried out by EkoWATT with the support of the Ministry of the Environment in the years 2007-2010. One of the main instruments described is the parametric model, which allows the evaluation of a large sample of virtually generated building probabilistic methods, a case study of a renovation of a panel building to a passive standard using a grant with a 8 year investment return and also, an internet application that easily allows to add a panel building to a computer model and test the effects of the saving measures.

The current market is over saturated with different technologies and products that promise to rocket return, versatile use and effect for everyone. As it is the truth is a complicated thing and this article does not even look for it. Each technology certainly has its place, but if the specifications is thoroughly examined. The aim is (on a simple example) to compare seemingly incomparable. Custom effect of insulation of the facade versus applications of controlled ventilation with heat recuperation in classic family house.

At the moment, an amendment is being prepared for the ČSN 73 0540-2 standard. The proposed changes have still not been made public, but are being in final period before publication. So it is good time to introduce at least some expected changes.

Corrugated sheets placed on girders are very often used in industrial construction as roof envelopes. However, their application is sometimes accompanied by failures namely both from dewatering point of view and heat-moisture regime in roof envelope. As example is demonstrated the roofing of steel hall with saddle roof and parapet and valley gutters which is analyse in this paper. The paper is also documented by the calculation of rainwater-flow by deflected gutter and it is completed by the design of maintenance.

Among other things, the new version of the EPBD calls for more substantial improvements in the energy performance of buildings – gradual, until up to almost zero level by 2020. Such buildings are not likely to be feasible without high-efficiency ventilation systems, the proper functioning of which is conditional to an excellent airtightness of the building. Relevant experts from all over Europe understand that ensuring the conditions for the gradual improvement of airtightness in common building practices is a common challenge and task.

At the moment, an amendment is being prepared for the ČSN 73 0540-2 standard. The proposed changes have still not been made public, so this article will not comment in detail about them. We will focus on this issue in future articles. We want to pay attention to chapter 7, which deals with the air permeability of the building's envelope and the tightness of joints, which seem to conform to the current revision of the standard, meaning that, unlike other chapters, these changes are merely cosmetic.

This article is referring to former article called Examination of building underground of block of flats in light of civil heat engineering [3]. It extend previous article by other variants of detail of giving thermal insulation on foundation constructions and basement parts from exterior of building. This article concentrates on solving of these others details of building underground. The type of this block of flats is the system BP-70. This article deals with differences of continuance of temperatures and water vapour pressures on various types of the foundation and basement part of a building with thermal isolation too.

In relation with the transition to European standards, as of March 2010 the standard CSN 73 00 35 Loading of structures becomes valid for the group of standards EN 1990 Basis of design, strength and durability and EN 1991 Actions on structures, constant, variable, extraordinary. The Czech versions of these documents are have been available since 2004-2008. The amendment in the map of snowy regions was received with a relatively high awareness. This amendment resulted in the appendixes CSN 73 0035 and BS EN 1991-1-3 Actions on snow, in effect since 1-1-2006. The current overlapping of CSN 73 0035 with CSN 1991-1-4 Actions on wind thus far, has not resulted in any critical reaction. This contribution should warn designers against an insufficient number of anchors for contact insulation, something that very often occurs. This number depends on the wind load, which in turn, is dependent on normative values. These are listed in a separate standard and are increasing, just like the snow loads.

Thermal properties of enclosure walls have considerable impact on energy consumption of block of flats. Nowadays the proposal of insulation thickness in thermal insulation composite systems is often underestimated. This article is focused on proposal of optimal thermal insulation thickness in light of economy and energy performance.

These times are characterised by the current issues associated with the declining reserves of raw materials and energy sources, with global climate change and the excessive pollution of soil, water and air. All this significantly affect the production of building materials. It is known that the construction and proper operation of buildings is one of the main consumer and energy sources of environmental pollution, and this not only during the building process, but during all the stages of their existence. These trends are reflected in the research and development of new structures and materials. This happens not only in developed countries, but also here, where our focus is slowly shifting from energy-intensive technologies to those based on organic materials. It is actually them who fulfil most of the requirements for sustainable development. Thanks to its origin and good qualities wood should be unambiguously classified.

In the last few years more and more construction companies have started to project and build wooden houses, some even with more than one floor. However, during the design of the structure they often forget the requirements of ČSN 73 0532, that deals with impact and noise insulation. The problem lies in the fact that, in practice, the only methods used are those to determine the weighted sound reduction values for silicate based structure, while they will fail in a wooden construction. This paper presents a computational procedure for determining the airborne sound reduction of cellular type soffits. When designing or renovating buildings a comprehensive account of all aspects should be given (construction, structural, architectural, financial and others). Nowadays the financial aspect is very crucial and therefore, more and more clients are interested in the energy performance of buildings. However, in terms of comfort of the people living in the interior the aspects of acoustics, lighting and heating are more important.

Room ventilation means securing a supply, usually of outdoor air, that will contain negligible or lower concentrations of pollutants, such as those that are produced in the room. The article gives examples of simulated production of pollutants in rooms.

I am very often asked what issues are still being addressed at the seminars on passive houses, because they have all been already resolved and these buildings are pretty common abroad. The truth is that in other countries the construction of low energy buildings started in the 1990's. However, their ecological, technical and energetic aspects are still evolving. The building structure itself is improving, as well as the insulation systems, heating, ventilation and new building materials and technologies are becoming more sophisticated. It has all gradually come to houses that consume almost no energy. Let's have a look at some of the aspects of the developments.

Sophisticated heating solutions lead to the fact that if at any given stage of the thermal insulation a TRV is properly fit and adjusted and, at the same time, a sophisticated substation solution is installed, one that will “know” how to prepare and maintain the required parameters, mainly during the heating season, then there will be nothing to renovate or solve during the lifespan of the heating station, other than adjusting the temperature and hydraulic parameters correctly.

From a large group of wood-damaging fungi, only a few species participate on degradation of wood built in various building constructions. In spite of that, these species often cause significant damage by their activity. The contribution summarizes knowledge gained during surveys of various wooden constructions of buildings in the last ten years. It describes vulnerable places of constructions with frequent occurrence of wood-damaging fungi, usual extent of damage, causes of creation and development of infestation by wood-damaging fungi and the most common directions of their further spreading. The contribution contains also statistical analysis of generic structure of wood-damaging fungi in particular vulnerable places.