Walls and thermal bridging

Heat and cold can easily pass through the walls of wood and steel-framed homes. The house's framing may easily act as thermal bridges, causing discomfort and higher energy bills. Wood and steel studs, but also the wiring, plumbing and ductwork present in walls, are common causes of thermal bridging.

Note: Solid walls aren’t better in terms of preventing thermal bridging. The fact that they are solid, doesn’t prevent unwanted heat and cold gains or losses. See on this issue: Solid Walls Insulation Basics.

Steel and wood studs

Steel is extremely good at conducting heat and cold, causing enormous thermal bridging problems to steel-framed buildings.

Wood is a little better, but also a cause of problems: its conductivity is a whole lot lower than steel, but still important. OBS and other wood panel sheathing are a cause of thermal bridging, and may even cause moisture to move into the wall cavities.

Without proper insulation, hot and cold air will pass through the home’s walls, with the resulting discomfort and higher energy bills.

Cavity wall insulation

Cavity wall insulation doesn’t prevent thermal bridging, since that insulation doesn’t include the studs, or the wiring and ductwork…

Insulated sheathing

To avoid thermal bridging, and get a more comfortable home and lower energy bills, insulated sheathing is the answer (wood panel sheathing and other common sheathing are bad solutions)….

You should install a proper layer of thermal insulation, with structural strength, behind the siding and over the wood or steel studs, ductwork and wiring.

See on these issues: Insulated Sheathing Basics