The finite volume scheme and complex Fourier analysis methods are proposed to determine the thermal capacitance (defined as the product of density and specific capacity) and thermal conductivity for a building construction layer using the monitored inner/outer surface temperatures and heat fluxes. The overall heat transfer coefficient for the air gap, and the convective heat transfer coefficient for air gap surfaces and room surfaces are determined by the linear relationship between the surface convective heat flux and the temperature difference. Convective heat flux is obtained by removing the thermal radiation flux from the total surface heat flux. Finally, the predicted surface heat fluxes using the calculated thermal properties and ASHRAE values were compared with the measurements. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.