Thermal bridges occur all over a building in transitions, terminations, and penetrations. Foundation to wall transitions, balcony projections, window and door openings, and roof parapets can all serve as thermal bridges. However, while identifying areas where thermal bridging can occur is a relatively straightforward process; some areas were harder to solve until recently, as they involved junctions where masonry loads are applied to the foundation below.
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On the surface, R-value is a simple thing. In fact, it has become the standard metric of thermal performance precisely because it is easy to explain and understand. Most insulation materials have ‘label R-values’ stamped on their faces (or at least displayed in large print on the packaging), but these values do not tell the whole story of how insulation performs in service. Some complicating factors—such as thermal bridging—have become fairly well-known.
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In this age of energy conservation, architects and designers must consider the benefits of natural light admitted through fenestration products versus light from electrical systems. With the balance usually swinging toward natural light, it is all about managing the impact on a building’s thermal performance. The main challenge of fenestration assemblies is allowing natural light into the building and effectively distributing it throughout interior spaces.
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In Canada, it is widely stated buildings account for approximately 35 per cent of the total primary energy use, and roughly 30 per cent of the country’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.1 In the continuous quest to achieve better building energy performance, the design/construction community must develop and use innovative tactics to minimize operational energy use.
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Heat transfer occurs through three mechanisms: thermal convection, thermal conduction, and thermal radiation.
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Of all the components of a building enclosure, windows can have the greatest impact on energy consumption. This can be disproportionate to the area of the enclosure the windows cover. Therefore, it is important architects and specifiers are aware of the significant impact of windows on the overall building enclosure’s thermal performance when designing, evaluating, and selecting enclosure assemblies for new buildings and retrofit projects.
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