What is a thermal bridge
A
thermal bridge is, simply defined, a loss of
heat or cold. It occurs when, in a localized area of a building, there are
energy leaks. This is due to issues in the structure of the home or the presence of a
thermal bridge in windows. It is one of the major causes of
energy loss in the facade and, therefore, in the building.
What is a thermal bridge in construction materials
To eliminate
thermal bridges, high-quality
construction materials must be used, as well as skilled labor. Therefore, at
Aislamientos Suberlev, a Valencia-based company specialized in
thermal insulation, we manufacture products that help prevent
energy loss. In addition,
Suberlev not only offers materials to improve insulation but also provides various devices to achieve significant
energy savings. This savings is achieved by harnessing
solar energy and reducing consumption from the electrical grid, as is the case with
solar tubes.
When does a thermal bridge break occur
A
thermal bridge occurs when, in the construction of the house, there are points or areas where energy is transmitted more easily than through the rest of the structure. One of the most common
energy leaks is the existence of a
thermal bridge in windows.
Condensations
One of the most common problems associated with the existence of
thermal bridges is the
condensations that can occur in your home.
Condensation arises from the temperature difference between, for example in winter, the warm interior of a house and the cold outside air. Due to this
temperature contrast, an excess of water vapor known as condensation occurs.
Heat loss
Just as happens with
condensation, if there is a
thermal bridge in our home, there will be
heat losses (or cold). Therefore, it is important that if we have the heating on and the room is not warming up, we check the possibility of the existence of a
thermal bridge that is causing
energy leaks or
heat loss.
How to measure and identify an energy leak
One of the most reliable tools to measure and identify where the
energy losses in the building are located is the
thermal cameras. These are cameras with infrared technology that capture, via
radiation, the temperature differences in their field of action. They are ideal for inspections in
construction or for locating and verifying
insulations. They also detect energy losses, water leaks, dripping, etc.
The image above is of a
thermal camera. In this image, areas in blue can be recognized, indicating cooler temperatures, and others in red, indicating warmer ones. Our company,
Aislamientos Suberlev, also offers training courses, including
thermography.
Materials to avoid thermal bridges
Some construction elements that are suitable for avoiding thermal bridges are
thermal break windows, as well as quality
insulation systems in the building. At
Aislamientos Suberlev, we promote
thermal insulation of homes and buildings with our materials, such as
projected cork and thermal paints.
Types of thermal bridges
There are different
types of thermal bridges, depending on where they are located and the causes that give rise to them. Some of them are:
- Column integrated into the facade;
- Corner column;
- Surrounding opening;
- Shutter box;
- Meeting of facade with slab;
- Meeting of facade with roof;
- Meeting of facade with ground in contact with air;
- Meeting of facade with base.
Depending on the type of
thermal bridge, it will need to be treated in one way or another.
Conclusions
After discussing the various characteristics and causes of thermal bridges, we can draw the following conclusions:
- One of the main reasons for the generation of thermal bridges is the lack of insulation in windows;
- To avoid consuming a large amount of energy and incurring significant costs at the end of the month, at Aislamientos Suberlev we recommend applying materials that help thermally insulate;
- Depending on the type of insulation needed, one product or another will be required.
Therefore, if you are thinking about thermally insulating your home to eliminate or avoid thermal bridges, you can contact us.