Abstract
This study examines the thermal comfort properties of Alaca fabrics, a traditional textile produced in Burdur Province, using cotton yarns. 17 fabric samples were produced by varying warp-werp yarn counts, and the numbers of weft yarns. Thermal properties were measured using the Alambeta device, and the effects of these structural variables were analysed and optimised using the Box–Behnken experimental design. Results showed that finer yarns and denser structures increased thermal conductivity, while coarser yarns and multilayer weft structures improved thermal absorptivity and resistance due to increased porosity and air entrapment. From fine single-ply to coarse triple-ply configurations, thermal absorptivity increased by ∼400%, thermal resistance by 360%, and thermal conductivity by 214%. Warp yarn fineness influenced conductivity and absorptivity, while the number of weft yarns had a stronger nonlinear effect on thermal resistance. The study offers a reproducible optimisation approach linking traditional weaving with textile engineering.