Thermal bridges are weak spots in the outer shell of your home, such as the façade, roof or floor. They occur in places where the thermal insulation is interrupted or where
building components do not fit together properly.
A problem in summer and winter
In your home, a thermal bridge means that the heat you generate is unnecessarily lost to the outside. At the same time, the warm indoor air cools down when it comes into contact with these cold surfaces.
This leads to condensation, resulting in unpleasant odours and mould. Not only is this unpleasant at home, it is also bad for your health and your energy consumption. All this is particularly noticeable in winter.
In summer, the opposite happens. Warm air can enter through the thermal bridges. On hot days, you want to keep your home as cool as possible. If warm air can enter, the temperature in your home will rise quickly.
Types of thermal bridges
Thermal bridges can occur anywhere in the home, although some places are more susceptible than others. You often notice them in rooms where you expect comfort, such as your living room, bedroom or home office.
- Breaks in the insulation layer are the biggest source of thermal bridges. Think of mortar residues or concrete beams above windows that run through the insulation layer. In older homes, this often occurs during renovations from different periods.
- Places without insulation also form a thermal bridge. In older homes, this is often seen around roller shutters or floor connections. An exterior wall that rests directly on the foundation or floor slab, without an insulating break, is a classic problem.
- Outdated exterior joinery is a lesser-known thermal bridge. These old window profiles do not yet contain a thermal break, allowing the cold to pass through unhindered. Thermal bridges can occur anywhere in your wall, although certain places are more susceptible to the problem.
How do you detect them?
Many thermal bridges are not immediately visible to the naked eye, but you can often feel them. Simply running your hand along potential thermal bridges can give you an immediate answer.
At home, rub your hand over a wall, ceiling or floor where you suspect a thermal bridge. If you feel a noticeable difference in temperature, this is a strong indication. Moisture spots, condensation on walls or mould growth often indicate thermal bridges.
No idea? Ask an expert!
If you have no idea where the thermal bridge is coming from, be sure to seek professional help, such as an architect, contractor or specialist company. They can carry out a thorough investigation for you. This is usually done using a thermographic scan, which reveals heat loss and helps you plan targeted interventions.
Repairing thermal bridges
Fixing an existing thermal bridge is not always easy, but it is essential if you want an energy-efficient home. Some interventions are quite feasible, such as replacing single glazing or outdated joinery.
It becomes more complex when insulation is missing or poorly installed in the cavity, or when interior and exterior walls touch each other. In some cases, it is sufficient to simply install insulation around the thermal bridge. In other situations, a continuous layer of insulation along the entire façade is necessary, for example in the case of an energy renovation.
Eliminating thermal bridges at the wall base or foundation is an almost impossible task. This work is technically complex and, moreover, the costs often outweigh the value of your home.