In today’s times, when we closely examine energy efficiency in our homes, the problem of thermal bridges is particularly significant. Their presence in a building causes heat loss, which in turn increases heating costs and worsens the thermal comfort of residents. In this article, we will take a closer look at this problem. We’ll write more about thermal bridges themselves, what consequences they have for buildings. We’ll also show how thermal insulation coatings can help get rid of the trouble relatively quickly. Let’s begin.
What are thermal bridges?
It can be said that thermal bridges are such “gaps” in a building’s thermal insulation. We can imagine them as places from which heat from the inside “escapes” to the outside. It does so in an uncontrolled manner. Where do they most often occur? Where materials with different thermal conductivity come together. For example, in places where the outer wall insulated with styrofoam meets the roof, which has poorer thermal insulation. Thermal bridges also occur between the floor and the wall.
Thermal bridges can also appear due to the negligence of bricklayers who applied too thick adhesive joints. The use of inappropriate or poor-quality materials can also lead to such a problem.
Thermal bridges — consequences
What can such a thermal bridge lead to?
- Firstly, heat loss – because the areas around the bridges are not protected, heat moves to these areas faster. This causes its escape.
- Condensation – in places where warm indoor air meets cooler surfaces, water may appear on the wall, leading to mold growth, which poses a threat to the health of residents and the technical condition of the building. (You can find more on this topic in the article → How to Prevent Water Condensation on Walls?).
- Poor thermal comfort — thermal bridges cause uneven temperature distribution. The closer to the bridge, the colder (on cold days).
- Increase in operating costs – heat loss leads to higher heating bills.
- Shortening the lifespan of the building – in the long run, thermal bridges can contribute to accelerated wear and tear of building materials, which may require earlier maintenance and repairs.
How to quickly get rid of thermal bridges?
Traditional methods of eliminating thermal bridges are quite complicated and often involve serious renovation (e.g., laying another layer of styrofoam or mineral wool), which makes life difficult for residents, at least for several days.
Using thermal insulation coatings is often a better solution. Why is this a good idea? Firstly, to eliminate bridges using thermal paint, you don’t need to do a major, cumbersome renovation. Thermal insulation paint can also be used inside the building. So you can paint only the places where the bridge occurs. This makes it a simple and quick solution to implement. Of course, it’s also worth painting the external walls of the building, and we’ll also eliminate the thermal bridge.
In addition, thermal paints and compounds have a number of other properties. What are they? They are antifungal, anti-mold, and antibacterial on their own. They will create a safe barrier for these pathogenic organisms.
Why does it work?
Thermal insulation coatings contain glass microspheres, which act like styrofoam, but on a micro scale. They delay heat loss. Additionally, this paint reflects over 90% of solar radiation. So it can be useful on hot days to reduce the temperature inside the building.
Summary — how to eliminate thermal bridges
Thermal bridges are a problem that has serious consequences – from financial to health (e.g., mold growth). Therefore, the problem should not be underestimated. However, before you make decisions about costly and inconvenient renovations, use thermal insulation coatings. See how they work. (If you want to find out what those who have used them think, read → Gothermⓡ Thermal Insulation Paint – Get to Know Our Customers’ Opinions).
Which coating to buy and where?
Check out our GoThermⓇ or AT TermoⓇ brand products. These are coatings from a Polish manufacturer – FCOM company. Moreover, these are eco-friendly and safe solutions. You can paint practically anything with them: plaster, metal, wood, and plastics.
You can buy them in our online store. And here you can compare both products.
See also:
Cheers! How Thermal Insulation Paint Can Improve Your Well-Being!
How to Quickly Improve Building Insulation and Reduce Heating Costs
What Scientific Research Says About Thermal Insulation Paint. Part 2
