To effectively insulate a property, it’s important to eliminate thermal bridges.
Sometimes referred to as a cold bridge, a thermal bridge is a weak point in a property’s insulation.
Thermal bridges most commonly occur when there is a gap or hole in a building material where heat loss occurs. They also occur at areas near highly conductive materials like wood, metal and steel. Areas susceptible to thermal bridges include joints between the roof, walls and floor, and holes made for running cables and pipes through the building.
Why eliminate thermal bridges?
Benefits of eliminating thermal bridges from your property include:
- Decreases heat loss.
- Makes the property more energy efficient.
- Makes the property more comfortable.
- Reduces energy bills.
- Reduces risk of condensation, mould and damp problems.
How to eliminate thermal bridges from your property
Design and build with thermal bridging in mind– the most effective way to eliminate thermal bridges from your property is to take care when building or decorating to consider thermal bridges in the design and plan. Of course, this doesn’t help with any existing problems.
Fill cracks and gaps– If you discover any cracks or gaps in your property’s structure, then they should be sealed immediately by fixing or filling them.
Replace old windows and doors– Draughty old windows, doors and frames should be replaced with new and energy efficient UPVC versions.
Wall insulation– In some instances, thermal bridges are caused by less obvious problems than a hole in the wall or ceiling. If elements of your building’s structure are causing repeating thermal bridges, you can rectify them by installing wall insulation. Depending on your property type, either cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, or internal wall insulation may be suitable.
Foam spray insulation – If thermal bridging is present in your roof, spray foam insulation can effectively seal the roof, preventing air leakages and providing a vapour control layer to control condensation.
For more information about spray foam insulation, or to book a free consultation, give our team here at Metropolitan Insulation a call on 0800 028 4042.