Thermal bridge

A thermal bridge is created when materials that are poor insulators come in contact, allowing heat to flow through the path created.

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Insulation around a bridge is of little help in preventing heat loss or gain due to thermal bridging; the bridging has to be eliminated, rebuilt with a reduced cross-section or with materials that have better insulating properties, or with an additional insulating component (a thermal break).

Classification in construction

In construction, thermal bridges are classified as:

• Repeating thermal bridges - where bridges occur following a regular pattern, such that made by wall ties penetrating a cavity wall.
• Non-repeating thermal bridges - such as the bridging of a cavity wall by a single lintel
• Geometrical thermal bridges - at the junction of two planes, such as at the corner of a wall.

See also

• Thermal conductivity