Green Term Defined: Thermal Bridging

Green Term Defined: Thermal Bridging

Missing-Insualtion-2

Thermal bridging is one of the biggest problems we have when trying to create a high performance home. It is imperative to find an economical solution for walls that eliminates any thermal bridging from inside to outside the home. Thermal Bridging is where heat occurs across more conductive components in an otherwise well-insulated material, resulting in disproportionately significant heat loss.

encapsulated crawl

Thermal Bridging can occur when using wood studs, steel studs, pre-engineered metal building, Insulated Concrete Forms, and even SIPS. In 2012 the building code in Virginia recognized this as an issue for code minimum buildings adding new requirements. To build the least energy-efficient possible building (code minimum) you have to either add additional insulation in your walls or wrap your building in a insulation blanket such as rigid board insulation. The minimum attic insulation has also increased dramatically over the last several years to meet code minimum. There are many places where bridging happens in a home including door and window frames, studs, attic access panel, trusses, nails, and even foundation walls can have issues. There are products that perform better to eliminate these challenges, but it sometimes takes a different way than builders are used to doing construction details.

HouseWrap

There are challenges with adding more insulation, from diminishing returns to vapor movement. A keen understanding of building science is needed to deliver the best possible solution for health, durability, energy-efficiency, and budget. The biggest challenge I encounter are builders that have always done it another way and don’t want to change for fear of it not working.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Related Posts

Now hiring: Office Manager / Bookkeeper

Now hiring: Office Manager / Bookkeeper

Now hiring: Office Manager / Bookkeeper Gaines Group Architects is growing again. We believe strongly in being in ...
Variety is the Spice of Life

Variety is the Spice of Life

The variety of architectural projects we have the opportunity to work on is fairly amazing. The types, locations, ...
Seeking Community-Oriented Architectural Designer

Seeking Community-Oriented Architectural Designer

Now Hiring: Architectural Designer Location: In-Person, Harrisonburg and Charlottesville   About the ...
Check Out These Renovations in Charlottesville and Wintergreen

Check Out These Renovations in Charlottesville and Wintergreen

Two exciting renovations are underway in Charlottesville and Wintergreen! Check out the in-progress photos ...
10 Things To Do Around Your Home This Fall

10 Things To Do Around Your Home This Fall

The beautiful Virginia leaves are changing to oranges and yellows, and fall is upon us. As we slip into cozy, ...

Discover more from The Gaines Group Architects

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading