Thermal Bridging – where are my problem areas By Chris Newman July 7th, 2011
The main problem with thermal bridging (also known as cold bridging) is that it can cause a focal point for condensation. This can be especially pronounced with well insulated properties as the treated surfaces remove less of the air moisture invisibly – i.e. condensation in such small amounts that you don’t see it. The cold spots from thermal bridging therefore can have an accentuated amount of condensation which can cause surface water and mould growth.
Heat loss through thermal bridging is usually relatively small – by definition a large area of poorly insulated fabric is no longer a bridge but a normal heat loss element! (caveat – for super insulated houses although the absolute amount of heat loss attributed to thermal bridging may be small it may be proportionally a large amount).
So, the question is, does our house have any thermal bridges to think about? Well, just a few 🙂
I’ve greyed out the extensions in the drawings below.
2. The current proposal is to insulate under the bay window on the outside as the wooden sash shutters can then be kept (renovating them is another job!) As much overlap as possible between the internal insulation and the external insulation where the bay starts.
3. The insulation will be continues along to the fireplace to stop the thermal bridge from the solid party wall.Please note that the pictures do not show the completed insulation installation. Foaming the gaps, taping the joints and levelled vertical battens are required prior to any plasterboard being installed.
5. At all the windows the insulation will be continued into the reveal to overlap with the sash boxes.
6. There will be an overlap between the external insulation of the original rear section and the internal insulation in the main part of the house.
7. The adjoining property is one storey lower and so there is a potential cold bridge diagonally downwards into our first floor. We are continuing the insulation down from the ceiling by around 50cm. An easy one to have overlooked!
8. Again the insulation is continued along the wall to overlap with the proposed infill.
10. The original rear section is slightly shorter than the main building. There is therefore a small area of solid external wall and so thermal bridge below which will also need to be addressed.