When choosing a material, you must consider:
-its low cost,
-its durability (resistance to wear, rust, fire, regular disinfecting and vermin, especially rodents),
-its danger if licked, touched or struck by the animal,
-its insulating ability: the thermal insulation power is rated by the thermal transmission coefficient K (the manufacturer lists the K rating on the product). The lower the K rating, the better its insulating qualities,
-its waterproof characteristics,
-its ease of disassembly.
Buildings that must be regularly heated and disinfected (boxes, whelping room, central corridor, quarantine, infirmary) require insulating layers covered with waterproof materials. The breeder can refer to the comparative table describing the insulating powers of the various materials before making his decision.