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The concept of thermal properties in a building relates to how a building manages heat. This encompasses characteristics that influence temperature control, energy efficiency, and the general thermal performance of the structure.

Insulation is a key thermal property because it determines how well a building retains heat in the winter and stays cool in the summer. Heat reflectivity is another important factor, as materials that reflect heat can minimize heat gain from sunlight, thus contributing to energy efficiency. Retention, in this context, refers to the building's ability to retain heat, which directly impacts thermal comfort and energy usage.

Building code compliance, however, pertains to the regulations and standards that a building must conform to during construction and renovation to ensure safety, structural integrity, and other non-thermal characteristics. While building codes may include provisions related to thermal properties, they themselves are not considered a thermal property of the building. Instead, they govern how thermal properties should be implemented or measured in construction but do not define the thermal characteristics of the materials used.