Thermal bridging is one of the major factors of heat loss in a building or home and is defined as a weakness (break) in the thermal envelope of a building. It is the path of conductivity between one side of the building envelope to the other, where heat can travel or be lost through building materials.
The impact of thermal bridging on internal comfort and energy efficiency is negated through the installation of a continuous barrier of insulation. This combats the effects of thermal bridging, limiting the amount of heat escaping or entering the building envelope via thermal bridges and achieving a higher energy efficiency rating.
To demonstrate how the total thermal resistance of parts of the building impacts different types of insulation materials, Kingspan Insulation enlisted Norman Disney & Young to conduct a thermal performance comparison assessment. The assessment compared the performance of a traditional wall lining system with bulk insulation against the Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard wall lining system.
The total system R-Value within a wall construction can be impacted quite significantly when thermal bridging is factored in. From their assessment, Norman Disney & Young were able to calculate the required thickness of insulation and total wall thickness necessary to achieve the required R-value targets according to NCC 2016. To do this, R-values total targets of 2.8 and 3.3m²K/W must be attained.
Click Below to Download the White Paper – Thermal Bridging: How to Manage it Using Continuous Insulation
The Key Benefits
Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard represents a new approach to wall insulation achieving these targets with up to 60% thinner walls (complete wall thickness) in comparison to the traditional wall lining system. This means when thermal bridging effects are calculated and offset, walls lined with Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard can be 170 mm – 310 mm thinner than walls lined with a traditional wall lining system (bulk insulation).
The study looked at a floor plan with 6 apartments (ranging between a 44m² studio, 50m² one bed or a 75m² two bed apartment) in a Class 3 apartment building project, comparing a traditional wall lining system against a wall system lined with Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard. Across each floor plate the external length of insulated wall was 41m. Based on a thickness difference of a 170mm wall, a 6.5m² floor footprint could be saved at each floor level, equating to 98m² across the 15 levels – the size of two additional studio apartments.
Keith Anderson, Kingspan Insulation Technical R&D Manager states, "The key feature that differentiates Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard wall lining system from a traditional wall lining system, is that the insulation layer in the former is not bridged by a higher thermal conductive material (e.g. steel studs)".
Overall, Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard delivers a thermal performance solution, with an efficient use of space, while reducing energy costs. Using Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard as a continuous layer of insulation helps manage the effects of thermal bridging and reduces wall thickness.
While real estate values continue to be at a premium, Australian developers and their design teams will continue to be under increasing pressure to maximize usable internal areas to boost returns on their investment. Every square metre of additional space created with the Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard produces a net gain in value.
To learn more about NCC 2019 changes regarding thermal insulation and how you can build better, contact our technical services team today on 1300 247 235 or email technical@kingspaninsulation.com.au.
