South Kansas City Answers: What is Thermal Bridging?

South Kansas City Answers: What is Thermal Bridging?

At Koala Insulation of South Kansas City, we receive a lot of questions about insulation and its benefits. One of the most effective uses of insulation is to combat thermal bridging. However, many homeowners are unfamiliar with what this phenomenon is, let alone how it can affect their environment. While insulation and air sealing are often considered "out of sight, out of mind", the preventative measures they contribute to are even less apparent.

Unless you have thermal imaging equipment readily available, you won’t be able to see areas that are contributing to thermal bridging. Before you become concerned with every wall cavity and ceiling joist, though, it’s important to learn the basics of thermal bridging, how it can affect your home, and the impact insulation has on reducing its effects. Our insulation experts at Koala Insulation of South Kansas City have developed a breakdown of the basics and important facts of thermal bridging to get you and your household one step closer to becoming insulation experts!

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. 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 heat to pass through.

For example, during the winter when you’re trying to warm up your home, the heat will freely pass 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, quickly replaced with the frigid air you’ve been working against. Problematic wall studs, uncovered joists, and improperly insulated structures that are the perfect candidates for thermal bridging contribute significantly to these problems by allowing heat to bypass your efforts.

Why Is This A Problem?

When your home is poorly insulated, the structure isn’t protected from irregular temperatures, the stack effect, 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. One of the biggest threats this poses is increased energy usage; because of the unregulated heat transfer, your home suffers from irregular temperatures. This leads to 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 moisture, the resulting water droplets can lead to mold, rot, 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 in serious jeopardy.

How Insulation Stops Thermal Bridging

Insulation helps to create a thermal break, providing a barrier between the structure and heat. In some existing homes, simply finding the right material to cover these joists and studs can help reduce heat transfer through the structure. However, many homeowners will find in older homes, there are plenty of areas that can lead to thermal bridging - this wasn’t a prevalent concern in construction until recently. 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 your new home or business, 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.

Answer Insulation FAQs with Local Industry Pros

Many homeowners are surprised to learn just how significantly insulation and air sealing impacts their comfort and safety. 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. 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.

When you're looking for local experts that can help you save money while also expanding your homeowner knowledge, Koala Insulation of South Kansas City has a team of local professionals ready to assist you and your household. Our insulation technicians are dedicated to bringing our community a cost-effective and energy-efficient service while also answering commonly asked questions about insulation and air sealing that can improve your comfort and safety. By offering free evaluations, we provide a detailed breakdown of your home's current condition to give you an opportunity to make an informed decision that takes into account your schedule and budget. Contact Koala Insulation of South Kansa City today to learn more about the impact of insulation and air sealing on your home.