Thermal bridge

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

Additional recommended knowledge

Daily Sensitivity Test

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

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