SW CHICAGO Blog

Explaining Irregular Temperatures: What is Thermal Bridging?

For some homeowners, being involved in what they consider the “technical side” of their home can feel like a daunting task. Regardless of whether you’re involved in the construction of your new home or you’re living in the heart of a historical district, having a better understanding of your home’s insulation and air sealing can contribute to the health and well-being of your household. One of the most important areas to be familiar with is the phenomenon of thermal bridging. 

Without the right thermal imaging equipment, you won't be able to see the parts of your home that are contributing to a thermal bridging issue. However, before you become concerned with every wall stud and ceiling joist, it's important to understand thermal bridging, its effect on your home, and how you can use insulation to reduce the problem. At Koala Insulation of Southwest Chicago, we cover a lot of “out of sight, out of mind” issues that could hide the root of many common discomforts and damages. Our team of industry experts has broken down the basics of thermal bridging in order to help you and your household take one step closer to being insulation pros! 

What is Thermal Bridging?

Thermal bridging is basically defined as the movement of heat through a conductive material. Conduction is when heat is directly transmitted through a structure when there is an imbalance of temperature between two areas such as when your home is a different temperature than the outside air. The most common example of a structure that allows thermal bridging would be your wall studs. This conductive material is the path of least resistance for heat, creating a "bridge" for the energy to pass through, whether it's heat escaping your home during the winter months or entering during summer. 

During the winter when you’re trying to warm up your home, the heat will freely pass outside through conductive structures where there’s a difference in temperature. This can lead to the stack effect in your attic: as heat rises, a poorly insulated attic will allow the heat to escape up through the ceiling and roof and will quickly be replaced with the frigid air you’ve been working against. Problematic wall studs, uncovered joists, and improperly insulated structures are the perfect candidates for thermal bridging and contribute significantly to these problems by allowing heat to enter or exit your home.

Why Is This A Problem? 

When your home is poorly insulated, the structure isn’t protected from the stack effect, irregular temperatures, and heat transfer. Even if you have effective insulation between joists and floorboards, if the structures themselves aren’t covered, they act as a gateway for the heat to easily pass through. Due to the unregulated heat transfer, irregular temperatures can cause higher utility bills. This is due to the increased use of your HVAC system in an effort to match the temperature on the thermostat. 

Another significant problem thermal bridging can pose is the threat of condensation and moisture damage. When warm air interacts with cooler surfaces and condenses, the resulting water droplets can lead to rot, mold, and damaged insulation. While mold growth and bacteria can lead to potentially serious health hazards, damp wood can attract pests like termites, dust mites, and carpenter ants. With the additional threat of rot, the structural integrity of your home could be put in serious jeopardy. 

How Insulation Stops Thermal Bridging

Insulation helps to create a thermal break, which provides a barrier between the structure and heat. In most existing homes, it’s as simple as finding the right material to cover these joists and studs to help reduce heat transfer. However, in older homes, there may be plenty of areas that can lead to thermal bridging; this is because thermal bridging wasn’t a major concern in construction until recent advancements and research in the industry. Adding a continuous layer of insulation is one of the most effective solutions for reducing thermal bridging, with regular inspections and maintenance to reduce deteriorated or damaged material. 

In new construction, you also have the option of building with SIPs (structural insulated panels) or framing with advanced techniques that reduce the use of wall studs without harming the structural integrity of your building. When working on the development of your new home or business building, it's crucial to consult industry experts that not only have experience in energy-efficient practices but can also provide advice on reducing energy usage through preventative measures. One of the best ways you can get ahead of additional costs is by staying involved in the early processes, implementing practices and methods that will support your building envelope for years. 

Ask Your Southwest Chicago Pros

Thermal bridging may seem like a technical industry term to some homeowners - but it’s a very important topic for you to understand! Knowing more about the phenomenon affecting your house and the protection insulation and air sealing provide gives you the opportunity to make informed decisions. Not only does the material help reduce heat transfer and thermal bridging, but it also reduces the entrance of outdoor pollutants, regulates temperature, and increases savings in energy usage and costs.

At Koala Insulation of Southwest Chicago, our team of insulation professionals is experienced in helping to make our community safer and more comfortable. However, we also prioritize cost-effective solutions that also make neighborhoods more energy efficient. By offering free evaluations, our team can help you and your household target pain points and potential problem areas by breaking down the current condition of your home’s insulation. For more information on how Koala Insulation of Southwest Chicago can help improve your environment, contact our team of industry experts today and schedule your free evaluation.