Strategies and Materials to Combat Thermal Bridging

architecture - engineering - construction

Strategies and Materials to Combat Thermal Bridging

January 11, 2024

With escalating energy costs, the quest for efficient insulation materials that curtail energy transfer has intensified among homeowners and builders.

Even with superior insulation, the specter of thermal transfer lingers, especially when thermal bridging occurs between a structure's interior and exterior.

To thwart thermal bridging, creating a seamless, continuous insulation barrier around the building's exterior is paramount. Employing the right materials and strategies can accomplish this with efficacy and confidence.

Unlocking the Power of Rigid Insulation Panels

One compelling method to ensure continuous insulation and impede thermal transfer involves installing rigid insulation panels across the exterior. These panels, compatible with most cladding types, effectively stave off common sources of thermal bridging when installed correctly.

Enterprises like Kingspan offer a line of products specifically designed to combat thermal bridging by enveloping the exterior, including frames. Unlike insulation limited to between studs, these panels mitigate thermal bridging over uninsulated areas, curtailing energy loss.

Combatting Moisture Build-up with Insulated Sheathing

Insulated sheathing acts as a formidable opponent against thermal bridging by covering the entire exterior, encompassing framework and studs.

Manufactured by industry leaders like Kingspan, insulated sheathing comprising synthetic materials is engineered to resist moisture build-up. Its impermeability to air and moisture safeguards a building's performance, reducing energy loss attributable to thermal bridging.

Elevating Protection with Seam Tape

Even with insulating panels or sheathing, thermal bridging might persist at breaks in insulation. Seam tape intervenes by preventing air and moisture transfer at these points, upholding the integrity of continuous insulation.

Fortifying Your Roof's Defenses

Under-insulated or uninsulated roofs account for substantial heat and energy loss in buildings.

Incorporating insulation boards beneath roofing material effectively counters thermal bridging in roof design. This additional insulation layer not only curtails energy loss but also mitigates attic overheating, prevents ice dams, and extends the roofing material's lifespan.

Addressing Vulnerabilities: Windows and Doors

Any breach in a building's insulation, especially through windows and doors, presents an opportunity for thermal bridging.

Sealing seams around these openings with caulking, opting for insulating glass or foam-core doors, and utilizing insulating curtains or blinds are essential steps to mitigate energy loss through these areas.

Preventing Thermal Bridging with Continuous Insulation

Effectively combating thermal bridging remains pivotal in managing energy costs. Employing the appropriate continuous insulation methods across a building's entirety helps prevent this form of energy loss.

Homes fortified with robust continuous insulation not only improve efficiency but also enhance comfort, thereby augmenting their overall value. To delve deeper into this topic, explore the Kingspan knowledge article on Strategies and Materials to Prevent Thermal Bridging.

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Company: Kingspan Insulation LLC

Product: Flashing

Source: https://www.kingspan.com/us/en/knowledge-articles/strategies-and-materials-to-prevent-thermal-bridging-knowledge-article-en-us-ca/

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Strategies and Materials to Combat Thermal Bridging

Unlocking the Power of Rigid Insulation Panels

Combatting Moisture Build-up with Insulated Sheathing

Elevating Protection with Seam Tape

Fortifying Your Roof's Defenses

Addressing Vulnerabilities: Windows and Doors

Preventing Thermal Bridging with Continuous Insulation

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