66 EXTERNAL WALLS Low-energy Building Construction The thermal insulation characteristics of external walls is an important flement in the saving of thermal energy. The insu lation provided by low energy building consteue tion is greatly affected by the connections between the various building compo: nents. Significant heat losses can occur in these locations. Standard cross sections depicting various types of butiding materials indicate the insulation values which can be achieved. A large range of building materials are available, such as concrete, masonry, timber, insulation materials, plaster, cork, reeds and clay. Clay has proved itself as a building ‘material for thousands of years. It isthe most common and most tested material in the world anc, biologically and ecologically, is an exemplary. materia Finished clay "insulation products are now available ‘and are well suited. to today's level of technology