_______________________________________________________________________________________ Sustainable
Materials generation and energy consumption all contribute negatively to the environment.
These are two possible outcomes that enable solutions to combat thermal bridging to be implemented. However, the most sustainable practice would be to identify the areas where thermal bridging can occur in initial plans and prepare a solution to be put in place before construction starts.
Proactive planning
Typical areas where thermal bridging can occur are in applications such as balconies and canopies, cladding, column bases, and parapet roof penetration. Thermal break materials have been developed to combat this issue and because these areas are often loadbearing, they typically need installing at the beginning of the construction process.
In the race to reach Net Zero, thermal break materials will play an integral part in helping us achieve a sustainable future. With the burning of fossil fuels for energy contributing to over 75 per cent of greenhouse gases, it is essential that they are significantly reduced in the foreseeable future to meet goals. By implementing thermal breaks where thermal bridging occurs it will help to isolate the building envelope, working towards achieving continuous insulation, and reducing heat loss by up to 75 per cent, ultimately decreasing energy consumption, and therefore the burning of fossil fuels.
As the construction sector continues to delve deeper into sustainable practices, installing renewable energy resources and utilising eco-friendly products, it is vital that problems with buildings’ inefficiencies are addressed to help make reaching net-zero goals more achievable. It is daunting how close 2050 is, however, identifying where thermal bridging occurs and installing solutions can improve a building’ s energy efficiency by up to 27 per cent. By planning ahead and implementing these solutions now, it will also extend the longevity of the building, reducing the need for costly demolition or retrofit projects.
In conclusion, while the construction industry has made commendable strides towards sustainability and reaching Net Zero, it’ s clear that simply incorporating renewable technologies and eco-friendly materials isn’ t enough. Instead, architects must also address inefficiency issues such as thermal bridging. Thermal break materials offer a high-impact solution by significantly reducing heat loss and cutting down on energy consumption. By identifying potential problem areas early in the design phase and integrating thermal breaks from the outset, the industry can avoid costly retrofits or unsustainable demolition practices later down the line. Ultimately, proactive planning today is the key to building a truly sustainable tomorrow. ■
For a list of the sources used in this article, please contact the editor.
Paul Beech www. armatherm. co. uk
Armatherm™ is one of the leading suppliers of structural thermal break materials for the construction industry. The company’ s goal is to provide architects, structural engineers and building design professionals with effective solutions to prevent thermal bridging.
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