Title: How to Reduce Thermal Bridging in Walls | Home Guides | SF Gate
Headings: How to Reduce Thermal Bridging in Walls
How to Reduce Thermal Bridging in Walls
Increased Stud Spacing
Two-Stud Corners
Get the Best Mortgage Rate for You
Single Top Plates
Continuous Insulation

Content: How to Reduce Thermal Bridging in Walls | Home Guides | SF Gate
How to Reduce Thermal Bridging in Walls
Home Guides
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Home
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Home Improvement
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DIY
By Ann Salter
Reducing thermal bridging saves on energy costs by minimizing the amount of heat transferred through the building envelope -- the floor, walls, roof, doors and windows separating the interior and exterior environments. A thermal bridge occurs in areas that are poorly insulated, such as when fiberglass batting insulation between wall studs is compressed or wet, or when more thermally conductive construction materials -- wood, concrete, glass and metal -- create a pathway for heat to travel through a wall. Increased Stud Spacing
Known as “advanced framing” by industry professionals, wall framing techniques using 2-by-6 studs with increased spacing between them can maximize insulation coverage and reduce thermal bridging while maintaining structural integrity. In most code jurisdictions, you can space 2-by-6 wall studs every 24 inches instead of the standard 16-inch spacing used for 2-by-4 studs. This reduces the amount of wood in the wall, allowing for more insulation and less overall heat loss from the building. Using advanced framing methods also saves money and resources by reducing the amount of lumber needed to build homes. Two-Stud Corners
Traditionally framed walls use three studs at the outside corner where two walls meet, whereas advanced framing practices include two-stud corners to reduce thermal bridging. Insulation performs at least three times better than wood, according to the Building Science Corporation, so using less wood at the corner avoids unnecessary cold spots in walls. The third stud at outside corners is often only needed to support drywall, but you can attach drywall on two-stud corners by first installing drywall clips -- small metal or plastic tabs that attach to a stud to help support drywall at a corner. Get the Best Mortgage Rate for You | SmartAsset.com
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