The terms thermal Thermal Bridge and a Thermal Break are often mistaken for one another, they actually have opposite meanings.
Thermal BridgeÂ
A thermal bridge is a part of the construction that has a higher thermal conductivity than the materials around it. It is essentially a path of least resistance that heat can use to enter or leave the building envelope, thus decreasing the thermal resistance of the whole construction.
There are three ways heat can transfer through the building elements, conduction, convection and radiation. In the case of thermal bridging, heat is moving by conduction and the rate at which it moves is determined by temperature difference at each end of the thermal bridge as well as the thermal conductivity of the material that makes up that bridge.
Since the heat is entering or escaping the building, it is clear that the effect of thermal bridging is a decreased thermal resistance of the building, which leads to increased energy costs and decreased occupant comfort.
A thermal bridge, also called a cold bridge or heat bridge, is an area or component of the fabric which has higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding materials, creating a path of least resistance for heat transfer. Thermal bridges can significantly reduce the thermal performance of a facade, increasing energy use from a building’s heating and cooling systems. If not accounted for, they can also cause unwanted condensation and comfort issues in a building. - National Construction Code.Â
