BUILDING FABRIC 41


DON’T OVERLOOK THERMAL BREAKS


Paul Beech of Armatherm discusses the importance of understanding where thermal bridging can occur in housebuilding projects, such as around balconies, and why the solutions available should not be overlooked.


THERMAL BREAKS ARE NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL PRODUCT SOLUTIONS


hen you think of thermal bridging, it’s most common that you’d be considering steel framework connections or balconies, but they’re much more prevalent than you might think. From the very top to the bottom of any building, there is opportunity for thermal bridges to cause detrimental issues, including structural damage and mould issues; which are widespread in UK homes and need to be addressed. Not only is thermal bridging causing problems within the four walls of a building, but it can also contribute to increasing the carbon footprint of residential homes due to the increase in energy consumption to regulate temperatures and the energy lost via the bridged connection.


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In a time where new homes on the market are being built quickly to meet demand, what are the dangers of overlooking issues such as thermal bridging? A solution we’re seeing across the board to meet the ever-increasing


housing demand is high rise apartments and fl ats. o combat issues with indoor air quality and allow homes to have access to fresh air, many of these buildings feature balconies, and these are a prime location for thermal bridging issues. hese thermal bridging issues occur due to the conductivity of the materials often used in balcony projects, such as steel and concrete. If not isolated properly, these can provide the ideal circumstances for thermal bridging and subsequent issues, such as condensation, damp and mould, which can lead to major health problems for residents.


But balconies are just one of the visible culprits. Behind the render and beneath the fl oors, thermal bridging can cause serious issues with far-reaching effects. Lintels, parapets, roof connections, slab edges, wall penetrations and even within masonry, are all areas that can undermine a home’s thermal envelope. Without the correct specifi cation of thermal breas, these junctions become weak spots,


allowing warmth to escape and cold to creep in, or vice versa.


What’s more, the pressure to meet housing targets, especially in areas with high demand, means that some new-build homes are being delivered with speed prioritised over long term performance. According to the UK Green Building Council, around 80% of homes that will be in use in 2050 have already been built. hat means improving the performance of both new and existing homes is essential if the UK is to meet its net zero goals. Unfortunately, in the rush to build, thermal bridging is often left as an afterthought. It might not be visible on day one, but over time, it can lead to costly problems, both for homeowners and the wider environment.


It’s not just new builds that are at risk,


either. he UKs existing housing stoc is among the oldest in Europe, and many of these properties are being retrofi tted with new cladding, insulation or window systems. While these upgrades are vital


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