Title: Why Thermal Bridging and Thermal Breaks Matter in Construction | ECHOtape
Headings: Why Thermal Bridging and Thermal Breaks Matter in Construction
Why Thermal Bridging and Thermal Breaks Matter in Construction
What is Thermal Bridging?
How to Prevent A Thermal Bridge
Common Ways to Reduce Thermal Bridging in Construction

Content: It affects sale-ability. It affects home comfort. So it’s a topic worth revisiting. What is Thermal Bridging? Thermal bridging occurs when a more conductive (or poorly insulating) material allows an easy pathway for heat flow across a thermal barrier. A classic example of this is the use of steel studs to bridge an insulated wall. The steel creates a pathway for heat to travel out of the home at a much higher rate than the rest of the wall. It’s often hidden—the most common is wall studs—but, you must keep it in mind when thinking about heat loss (and the heating bills) at your home. Areas in the wall assembly can transfer heat quicker than the insulation around it, like studs, plates, headers, and wall posts. In a wood stud wall with R-20 batts, thermal bridging can bring the effective R-value down as low as R-15.