Do you know the difference between a thermal bridge and a thermal break? Although these terms are often mistaken for one another, they actually have opposite meanings.
Thermal bridge
A thermal bridge is a part of the construction that has a higher thermal conductivity than the materials around it. It is essentially a path of least resistance that heat can use to enter or leave the building envelope, thus decreasing the thermal resistance of the whole construction.
There are three ways heat can transfer through the building elements; conduction, convection and radiation. In the case of thermal bridging, heat is moving by conduction, and the rate at which it moves is determined by temperature difference at each end of the thermal bridge as well as the thermal conductivity of the material that makes up that bridge.
Since the heat is entering or escaping the building, it is clear that the effect of thermal bridging is a decreased thermal resistance of the building, which leads to increased energy costs and reduced occupant comfort.
Thermal break
A way to mitigate thermal bridging is to add a material with lower thermal conductivity, like insulation, between the building elements to prevent the flow of heat. This is what is known as a thermal break. An efficient thermal break that prevents thermal bridging is a continuous layer of insulation.
Continuous insulation, as the name suggests, is not interrupted by materials that have high thermal conductivity. Rigid board insulation, which does not need a framed system for support, is an example of continuous insulation. Continuous insulation slows the heat movement through the building elements, improves the performance of the building envelope, and helps you achieve better energy efficiency and provide better occupant comfort levels.
Alongside the building fabric minimum envelope performance requirements for walls, roofs and floors, the regulations within the UAE also requires all new and refurbished air-conditioned buildings, to mitigate thermal bridges. Thermal bridges include connection points between concrete or steel beams, external walls and columns and around doors and windows, which enable the flow of heat from outside into the building, must be eliminated or insulated to reduce the amount of heat transfer. For further advice on the many solutions available, please contact Kingspan Insulation LLC.