In order to get an overview of the usage of aerogel insulation materials in the Swiss building industry, interviews have been performed with manufacturers, distributors, material users in the building industry. The gained information has been expanded using research of online publications and publications in scientific journals. In this way, the aerogel materials available and applied in Switzerland were identified. Different application possibilities of the found materials were localized and described. Furthermore, the most significant physical properties of those products based on the manufacturer's instructions were brought together. Finally five groups of aerogel materials were identified which categorize the materials with respect to their characteristics and their possible applications.

One example of an application in Switzerland was documented for each distinct material group. These were either obtained from the product manufactures or the executive companies. It was determined, which constructive conditions led to the selection of an aerogel insulation material. Furthermore, for renovations the improvement of the thermal envelope was approximately quantified in comparison with the situation before the renovation. The examples illustrate in which situations the usage of aerogel is worthwhile in spite of the high prices.

Since aerogel based materials are characterized by high construction- and market prices, it was demonstrated in which types of applications aerogel materials make a financial benefit possible. We also showed how high this is under simplified assumptions. For this, a new building in massive construction was considered in two different implementations: once with conventional ETICS with material wool as facade insulation and second as an aerogel ETICS. The insulation was designed for a u-value of 0.2 W/ (m²·K). A floor height of 3 m, a window surface area of 30 % of the facade and identical external measures of the building were assumed. The cost difference of the two materials of mineral wool and aerogel as well as the size of the additional space for the case of aerogel insulation was calculated.