Key Learning outcomes
- The importance of thermal bridging and how it relates to energy performance
- How linear thermal bridging, HTB and SAP are related
- How psi-values are calculated and the parameters that can influence them
- How premium performance cavity closers can help achieve significant reductions in thermal bridging
Introduction
The “performance gap” between the design and actual energy performance of buildings has never been more relevant. Junction detailing was raised as a significant issue by the Zero Carbon Hub in 2014 and this was reiterated recently in the ‘Each Home Counts’ review, which identified approaches to ensure consumers receive value for money when making energy saving investments. One area identified for immediate attention was “thermal insulation detailing around corners, junctions, edges”.
Poor detailing around openings can lead to condensation on cold reveals, mould growth and eventual deterioration of plaster, wallpaper and paintwork. Cavity closers provide a simple and effective method for closing cavities around openings in masonry and steel framed cavity walls. Premium performance phenolic insulation cores within cavity closers are thermally efficient and inhibit heat transfer, and so reduce linear thermal bridging in these locations.
This CPD covers a thermal modelling study by BRE Scotland of jamb and sill details for differing cavity wall constructions using premium performance cavity closers. This CPD aims to show those who are serious about designing low energy buildings that attention to detail is critical, but there are ways to make the process simpler and help take the devil out of the detail.