THERMAL

BRIDGING
GUIDE

An introductory guide to
thermal bridging in homes
CONTACTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Further copies of this guide are The Zero Carbon Hub is very grateful to the following contributors/
available as a PDF download organisations for their involvement in developing this Guide.
from [Link]
Author
Or contact us Dr. Luke Whale, C4Ci Consultants

Zero Carbon Hub Project Advisors

Layden House Rob Pannell, Tessa Hurstwyn, Ben Griggs, Zero Carbon Hub
76-86 Turnmill Street
London EC1M 5LG Graphic Design and Illustration
T: 0845 888 7620 Richard Hudson, [Link]
E: info@[Link]
Steering Group
C4Ci Consultants Richard Bayliss, CITB
Expert and approachable Andrew Carpenter, Structural Timber Association
technical consultants on Chris Carr, Federation of Master Builders/Carr & Carr Builders
building performance, thermal Darren Dancey, Crest Nicholson
modelling, construction product Tom Dollard, Pollard Thomas Edwards
development and accreditation. Milicia Kitson, Constructing Excellence in Wales
Mike Leonard, Building Alliance
T: 01256 892211 Paul McGivern, Homes & Communities Agency
E: [Link]@[Link] Andrew Orriss, SIG Plc
Richard Partington, Studio Partington
SIG360 Technical Centre Graham Perrior, NHBC
Provides a service offering that John Slaughter, Home Builders Federation
focuses on helping customers Barry Turner, LABC
deliver energy efficient buildings.

Central to SIG360 is an easily

accessible impartial team of
technical specialists, who draw
on over 55 years of experience
and an extensive range of
products in providing the most
cost effective build, suited to
your preferred building style.
CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION2 KEY DETAILS – TIMBER FRAME CONSTRUCTION

UNDERSTANDING THE DETAIL PAGES 3 TOP THERMAL BRIDGING TIPS:

TIMBER FRAME CONSTRUCTION 23

THERMAL BRIDGING EXPLAINED E2 TIMBER FRAME LINTEL24

WHAT ARE THERMAL BRIDGES? 4 E3 WINDOW SILL26

HOW IS FABRIC HEAT LOSS QUANTIFIED? 5 E4 WINDOW JAMB  26

E5 GROUND BEARING FLOOR TO EXTERNAL WALL 28

KEY DETAILS – MASONRY CONSTRUCTION
P1 GROUND BEARING FLOOR TO PARTY WALL 28
TOP THERMAL BRIDGING TIPS:
E5 BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR TO EXTERNAL WALL 30
MASONRY CONSTRUCTION  7
P1 BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR TO PARTY WALL 30
E2 INDEPENDENT LINTEL  8
E6 INTERMEDIATE TIMBER FLOOR32
E2 PERFORATED STEEL LINTEL8
E10 EAVES (COLD ROOF) 34
E3 WINDOW SILL  10

E4 WINDOW JAMB  10
TECHNICAL ANNEX
E5 GROUND BEARING FLOOR TO EXTERNAL WALL  12
PRINCIPLES FOR IMPROVING JUNCTION
P1 GROUND BEARING FLOOR TO PARTY WALL  12 PERFORMANCE38

E5 BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR TO EXTERNAL WALL  14 THE BENEFITS OF JUNCTION IMPROVEMENT IN SAP 39

P1 BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR TO PARTY WALL  14 SAP BUILDING JUNCTIONS ILLUSTRATED 40

E10 EAVES (COLD ROOF) 16 IDENTIFYING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT

BUILDING JUNCTIONS 42
E12 GABLE (COLD ROOF) 18
PSI VALUE SENSITIVITY SUMMARIES FOR MASONRY
P4 PARTY WALL HEAD (COLD ROOF) 20
AND TIMBER FRAME CONSTRUCTION 44

The Technical Annex can be found in the electronic version

of this Guide available at [Link]

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 1


INTRODUCTION

This document provides a simple guide to what Please Note

thermal bridging is, the key construction details in
new build housing where thermal bridging is  The details drawn in this Guide are for
particularly significant, examples of ways in which illustrative purposes only and should not
heat loss can be reduced by changes to the design be used as working drawings. For example,
and construction of these details, and the problem consideration must also be given to structure,
areas to avoid on site. waterproofing, airtightness, general good
practice and sequencing on site.
It is intended to help designers and builders focus
on the key decisions that they can affect around  The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for
junction detailing which will have a direct bearing indicative purposes only and should not be
on the performance of the new homes they help used in SAP calculations.
to deliver.
Various sources exist to obtain PSI-values for the
This Guide begins with a few explanatory pages building junctions of interest, as follows:
describing what thermal bridges are and how their
effects are quantified. OOGeneric industry sponsored libraries covering
the common building types e.g. LABC (http://
Key construction details are then illustrated for both [Link]/registration-schemes/
masonry and timber frame construction showing construction-details) or Scottish Standards
how their thermal performance can either be ([Link]
improved or compromised by adopting alternative Building/Building-standards/publications/
construction details, material specifications or site pubtech)
practices. This is the main part of the document.
OOIndividual product or building system
The electronic version of this Guide also contains manufacturer sponsored libraries, covering
an Annex aimed at those who would like further specific building products/systems.
information, covering: general principles to improve
junction performance, the benefits in SAP of OOBespoke PSI-values calculated by ‘competent
improved junction details, illustrated guidance to persons’ for specific developments.
identify all relevant linear thermal bridges, how to
establish the key junctions for a particular dwelling
type, and a summary of the results of the PSI-value
modelling work carried out for this Guide.

2 THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB


UNDERSTANDING
THE DETAIL PAGES
Construction type:

Masonry

Construction detail type Primary responsibility:

Timber Frame
(with SAP Table K1 reference) Designer Builder

Blue themes = Green themes = Red themes = Additional useful

base construction possible design problem areas to be information
(assumed starting point) improvements avoided and checked on site

●●●
Guide PSI-values are displayed in theme coloured circles

For indicative purposes only, Heat loss path

black mould risk is identified BLACK MOULD BLACK MOULD
illustrated by
where this becomes a likely PROBABLE POSSIBLE blue arrows
consequence of problem details

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 3


WHAT ARE THERMAL BRIDGES?

A thermal bridge (sometimes

called a cold bridge) is a localised Non-repeating
weakness or discontinuity in the (wall junction)

thermal envelope of a building.

They generally occur when the
Repeating
insulation layer is interrupted by (mortar joints)
a more conductive material.
REPEATING AND NON-REPEATING
The type of thermal bridges considered in this
THERMAL BRIDGES
Guide are called non-repeating or linear thermal
bridges. These occur at junctions between
There are two types of thermal bridges in buildings
elements, such as a wall and a floor or a window
- repeating and non-repeating thermal bridges.
and a wall. At these locations heat is more able to
transfer through the construction, resulting in
Examples of repeating thermal bridges are mortar
greater heat loss from the dwelling and localised
joints and wall-ties in masonry construction or
‘cold spots’ in the building envelope.
timber or steel studs in framed construction. Where
the frequency of these is known and consistent
Improving junction details to reduce linear thermal
their effects can be accounted for directly in the
bridging will help achieve Building Regulations
U-value calculation for the building element itself.
compliance and is one component in achieving
healthy low energy homes.
The remaining non-repeating thermal bridges are
dealt with by “PSI-values” – pronounced ‘Si ’
THE EFFECTS OF THERMAL BRIDGES (silent p), and designated by the Greek letter ‘ψ’.
Their effects on heat loss are calculated by
Increased heat loss thermal modelling software, and they are
Thermal bridges can account for 20-30% of the accounted for separately in SAP calculations in
heat loss in a typical new build home. As homes addition to U-values.
become better insulated thermal bridges become
even more significant.

Localised ‘cold-spots’
Sometimes leading to condensation build-up or KEY JUNCTIONS
mould growth.
Although there are many junctions within a
dwelling, some have extremely low PSI-values and
others occur over very short lengths. The key
junctions to ‘get right’ or improve are those which
either have a high PSI-value or occur frequently
over significant lengths. Although the particular
junctions of interest will vary depending on
dwelling type and design, this Guide covers the key
junctions considered by the authors to be the most
significant across a range of dwelling types.

4 THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB


 HOW IS FABRIC HEAT LOSS QUANTIFIED?

Roofs
Roofs Junction
Junction

Junction
Junction

Walls
Walls
Windows
Windows Junction
Junction
Doors
Doors Junction
Junction

Floors
Floors Junction
Junction

ELEMENT LOSSES THERMAL BRIDGE LOSSES

ELEMENT JUNCTION DWELLING

U-VALUES PSI-VALUES Y-VALUE
(W/m2K) (W/mK) (W/m2K)

Quantify the heat loss from Quantify the heat loss from The sum of the individual junction
each of the external building each of the junctions where the heat losses divided by the total
elements such as floors, walls, building elements meet (thermal exposed surface area of the
windows, doors etc. The area bridges). Multiplying the junction dwelling gives the Y-value.
of each element multiplied by PSI-value by the junction length The Y-value expresses the
its U-value gives its anticipated gives the junction heat loss. overall heat loss arising from
heat loss. all of the building junctions
as an equivalent U-value for
the dwelling.

In SAP fabric heat loss is quantified by a combination of U-values and Y-values

N T LO S BRIDGE L
ME S AL
M
E

OS
ES

Y-VALUE
EL

THER

TOTAL
SES

+ =
U-VALUES x
x TOTAL FABRIC
ELEMENT EXPOSED
HEAT LOSS
70 -

20 -
oss

oss

Note: Lower U-values, AREAS SURFACE

% AREA
%
8

tl

30

tl

Y-values and PSI-values

ea ea
0

of f of f
will result in lower abric h abric h
fabric heat loss.

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 5


MASONRY
CONSTRUCTION

6 THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB


TOP THERMAL BRIDGING TIPS
MASONRY CONSTRUCTION

 KEY DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Design recommendation No. of junctions Junction references
affected
1 Use a split or thermally broken lintel 1 E2
(page 8)

2 Use light aggregate blockwork inner leaf 4 E5, P1, E12, P4

(pages 12, 14, 18, 20)

3 Use a PU/PIR cavity closer 3 E2, E3, E4

(pages 8, 10)

4 Use insulated plasterboard on the inner leaf 5 E2, E4, E10, E12, P4
(pages 8, 10, 16, 18, 20)

5 Use a window frame overlap of min. 50mm 3 E2, E3, E4

(pages 8, 10)

6 Increase eaves insulation depth 1 E10

(page 16)

 KEY PROBLEMS TO AVOID

Problem / site check No. of junctions Junction Black
affected references mould risk
1 Omitting rafter insulation at eaves 1 E10
(page 16)

2 Omitting insulation between truss and wall 2 E12, P4

(pages 18, 20) BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

3 Omitting soffit insulation at eaves 1 E10

(page 16) BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

4 Stopping party wall cavity insulation short 1 P4

of loft (page 20) BLACK MOULD
POSSIBLE

5 Swapping a split lintel with a perforated steel 1 E2

lintel (page 8)

6 Omitting the cavity closure 3 E2, E3, E4

(pages 8, 10)

7 Omitting cavity insulation below DPC 2 E5, P1

(pages 12, 14)

8 Omitting floor perimeter insulation 2 E5, P1

(pages 12, 14) BLACK MOULD
POSSIBLE

9 No window frame overlap with cavity 3 E2, E3, E4

(page 8, 10)

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 7


 INDEPENDENT LINTEL
E2 LINTELS

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use a cavity closer with a PU/PIR ψ

0.08 insulation core to improve 0.04
performance for independent lintels.

Dense aggregate
blockwork
Independent Lintels:
– Pre-cast Plasterboard on
concrete lintel. plaster dabs
– Rolled steel
angle supporting
PCVu cavity
brickwork outer leaf.
closer with
mineral wool or
EPS polystyrene
Cavity closer
with a PU/PIR
insulation core

Frame overlap = 30mm

PERFORATED STEEL LINTEL

E2 LINTELS

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use an insulated plasterboard reveal ψ

0.27 to improve performance for 0.21
perforated steel lintels.

Dense aggregate
blockwork

‘Standard’ steel Plasterboard on

lintel: plaster dabs
– ‘Top hat’
steel profile
– Fitted with
EPS insulation
Insulated
plasterboard
reveal

Frame overlap
= 30mm

8 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting the cavity closer makes heat ψ Reducing the frame overlap to 0mm ψ
loss significantly worse. 0.26 makes heat loss worse. 0.15

Cavity closer
omitted 

Window frame
positioned flush
with inside face
of brickwork

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Reducing the frame overlap to 0mm ψ

makes heat loss worse. 0.31  LINTEL SELECTION
Independent lintels have Ψ-values
approximately Ψ = 0.2 lower than perforated
steel lintels.

 FRAME OVERLAP
Increasing the frame overlap from 30mm to
50mm will also reduce the Ψ-value of lintels,
Window frame
positioned flush sills and jambs by approximately Ψ = 0.02.
with inside face
of brickwork

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 9


 WINDOW
E3 SILL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use a cavity closer with a PU/PIR ψ

0.05 insulation core to improve the 0.03
performance of sills and jambs.

Brickwork MDF sill board

Timber or PCVu cavity

PVCu sill cavity closer with
mineral wool or Cavity closer
Partial fill EPS polystyrene with a PU/PIR
cavity insulation core

Plasterboard on
plaster dabs

Frame overlap
= 30mm

WINDOW
E4 JAMB

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use an insulated plasterboard reveal ψ

0.05 to improve the performance of 0.03
window jambs.
Dense
aggregate Partial fill Plasterboard on
blockwork cavity plaster dabs

Frame
overlap Insulated
= 30mm plasterboard
reveal

Brickwork PCVu cavity cavity closer with

mineral wool or EPS polystyrene

10 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  PROBLEM TO AVOID

Reducing the frame overlap to 0mm ψ Omitting the cavity closer makes ψ
makes heat loss worse for sills. 0.09 heat loss worse for sills. 0.15

Window frame
positioned flush
with inside face
of brickwork

Cavity closer
omitted

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  PROBLEM TO AVOID

Reducing the frame overlap to 0mm ψ Omitting the cavity closer makes ψ
makes heat loss worse for jambs. 0.12 heat loss worse for jambs. 0.12

Cavity closer omitted

Window frame
positioned flush with
inside face of brickwork

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 11


 GROUND BEARING FLOOR
E5 EXTERNAL WALL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use lightweight aggregate blockwork ψ

0.17 on the inner leaf to improve ground 0.06
floor performance.

Dense aggregate
blockwork
Partial fill cavity 25mm perimeter
Low density lightweight
insulation
aggregate blockwork
(density up to 900 kg/m3)

Brickwork

GROUND BEARING FLOOR

P1 PARTY WALL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use lightweight aggregate blockwork ψ

0.14 on the inner leaf to improve ground 0.06
Full fill party floor performance.
wall mineral
wool insulation

Dense aggregate 25mm perimeter

blockwork insulation Low density lightweight
aggregate blockwork
(density up to 900 kg/m3)

12 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

  PROBLEM TO AVOID  PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting cavity insulation below DPC ψ Omitting the floor perimeter ψ

makes heat loss significantly worse. 0.32 insulation makes heat loss worse. 0.23

Floor perimeter
insulation strip omitted



Cavity insulation
omitted below DPC

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Omitting the floor perimeter ψ

insulation makes heat loss worse. 0.17  CAVITY INSULATION OMISSION
Omitting the cavity insulation at the party
wall base also makes heat loss worse.
Floor perimeter
insulation strip
omitted

 

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 13


 BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR
E5 EXTERNAL WALL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use lightweight aggregate blockwork ψ

0.16 on the inner leaf to improve ground 0.05
floor performance.
Dense aggregate
Partial fill blockwork
cavity Low density lightweight
25mm perimeter insulation aggregate blockwork
(density up to 900 kg/m3)

Brickwork

BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR

P1 PARTY WALL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use lightweight aggregate blockwork ψ

0.19 to improve ground floor performance. 0.06

Plasterboard
on dabs Low density
Dense aggregate
lightweight aggregate
blockwork
blockwork (density up
to 900 kg/m3)

25mm perimeter Full fill party

insulation wall mineral
wool insulation

14 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting cavity insulation below DPC ψ Omitting the floor perimeter insulation ψ
makes heat loss significantly worse. 0.26 makes heat loss worse. 0.19

Cavity insulation
omitted below DPC
Perimeter
 insulation omitted

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Omitting the floor perimeter ψ

insulation makes heat loss worse. 0.21  CAVITY INSULATION OMISSION
Omitting the cavity insulation at the party
wall base also makes heat loss worse.

Perimeter
insulation omitted

 

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 15


 COLD ROOF
E10 EAVES

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Increase the eaves insulation depth ψ

45° pitched roof with standard
truss heel and cantilever to 0.06 ‘X’ to improve eaves performance. 0.04
create eaves depth X Note – this may influence the truss design
(see further notes)
Eaves ventilator Eaves insulation
Eaves depth ‘X’ = 150mm
insulation depth
Eaves insulation X
‘X’ = 100mm

300mm loft
insulation Stub-end truss to
create additional
depth at eaves

Plasterboard ceiling

Partial fill Plasterboard on

cavity plaster dabs

Brickwork Dense aggregate

blockwork

COLD ROOF
E10 EAVES

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use insulated plasterboard on inner ψ

45° pitched roof with standard blockwork leaf to improve eaves
truss heel and cantilever to 0.06 0.04
create eaves depth performance.
X
Eaves insulation
Eaves ventilator depth ‘X’ = 100mm
Eaves X
insulation depth
Eaves insulation ‘X’ = 100mm

300mm loft
insulation

Plasterboard ceiling

Partial fill Plasterboard on

cavity plaster dabs Use a thermal
laminate
Brickwork Dense aggregate plasterboard
blockwork

16 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Omitting roof insulation at ψ

eaves makes heat loss 0.54 ADVISE TRUSS DESIGNERS
significantly worse. OF INSULATION SPACE REQUIREMENTS

Specifying the desired roof pitch (pº), eaves

overhang (a) and eaves insulation depth (b)
will enable truss designers to select the most
appropriate truss heel detail to meet these
requirements.

Roof insulation b
curtailed at eaves
p°

 PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting soffit insulation ψ

makes heat loss significantly 0.36
worse at eaves.

p°

 a

BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

Eaves insulation
omitted at top

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 17


 COLD ROOF
E12 GABLE

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use lightweight aggregate blockwork ψ

0.20 on the inner leaf to improve gable 0.08
performance.

Cavity
barrier 200mm 300mm loft
insulation

Brickwork

Plasterboard
Partial fill
cavity Plasterboard on
plaster dabs
Dense aggregate Low density lightweight
blockwork aggregate blockwork
(Density up to 900 kg/m3)

COLD ROOF
E12 GABLE

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use insulated plasterboard on inner ψ

0.20 blockwork leaf to improve gable 0.12
performance.

Cavity
barrier 200mm 300mm loft
insulation

Brickwork

Plasterboard
Partial fill
cavity Plasterboard on
plaster dabs
Dense aggregate Use a thermal
blockwork laminate
plasterboard

18 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Stopping the cavity wall insulation ψ

short makes heat loss significantly 0.39
worse at gables.

Cavity wall
insulation
curtailed

BLACK MOULD
POSSIBLE

 PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting the roof perimeter ψ

insulation makes heat loss 0.58
significantly worse at gables.

Perimeter roof
insulation
omitted

BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 19


COLD ROOF
P4 PARTY WALL HEAD

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use lightweight aggregate blockwork ψ

0.20 for the party wall leaves to improve 0.06
thermal performance.

300mm loft
insulation

Plasterboard
Full fill party
wall mineral
Plasterboard on
wool insulation
plaster dabs Low density lightweight
aggregate blockwork
Dense aggregate both leaves (density up
blockwork to 900 kg/m3)

COLD ROOF
P4 PARTY WALL HEAD

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use insulated plasterboard on party ψ

0.20 wall leaves to improve thermal 0.16
performance.

300mm loft
insulation

Plasterboard
Full fill party
wall mineral
Plasterboard on Use a thermal
wool insulation
plaster dabs laminate
Dense aggregate plasterboard
blockwork

20 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

  PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Stopping the wall cavity insulation ψ

short makes heat loss significantly 0.40
worse at party walls.

Cavity wall
insulation curtailed

BLACK MOULD
POSSIBLE

 PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting the roof perimeter insulation ψ

between truss and wall makes heat 0.59
loss significantly worse at party walls.

Perimeter roof
insulation
omitted

 

BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 21


TIMBER FRAME
CONSTRUCTION

22 THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB


TOP THERMAL BRIDGING TIPS
TIMBER FRAME CONSTRUCTION

 KEY DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Design recommendation No. of junctions Junction references
affected
1 Use thermal laminate plasterboard on inside 5 E2, E4, E5, E6, E10
of frame (pages 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34)

2 Use beam and block ground floor instead 1 E5

of ground bearing slab (pages 28, 30)

3 Use light aggregate footing blocks 2 E5, P1

(pages 28, 30)

4 Use min. 50mm floor perimeter insulation 2 E5, P1

thickness (pages 28, 30)

5 Use a window frame overlap of min. 50mm 3 E2, E3, E4

(pages 24, 26)

6 Use min. 150mm insulation behind rimboard 1 E6

(page 32)

7 Use a PU/PIR cavity closer 2 E3, E4

(pages 26)

8 Increase eaves insulation depth 1 E10

(page 34)

9 Use PU/PIR cavity lintel insulation 1 E2

(page 24)

 KEY PROBLEMS TO AVOID

Problem / site check No. of junctions Junction Black
affected references mould risk

1 Omitting ground floor perimeter insulation 2 E5, P1

(pages 28, 30)

2 Omitting rafter insulation at eaves 1 E10

(page 34) BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

3 Omitting rimboard insulation 1 E6

(page 32) BLACK MOULD
POSSIBLE

4 No window frame overlap with cavity 3 E2, E3, E4

(pages 24, 26)

5 Omitting the cavity closure 2 E3, E4

(page 26) BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

6 Omitting soffit insulation at eaves 1 E10

(page 34) BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

7 No cavity lintel insulation 1 E2

(page 24)

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 23


 LINTELS
E2 TIMBER FRAME LINTEL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use an insulated plasterboard reveal ψ

0.15 to improve performance of timber 0.10
frame lintels.

50mm cavity 140mm insulated

timber frame panel
with 9mm OSB
sheathing outside
Brickwork
Steel external
leaf lintel
Mineral wool
insulation Timber lintels

Softwood
pinch batten Use a thermal
laminate
plasterboard
reveal/soffit

Frame overlap = 30mm

LINTELS
E2 TIMBER FRAME LINTEL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Increase the window frame overlap ψ

0.15 to improve performance of timber 0.13
frame lintels.

50mm cavity 140mm insulated

timber frame panel
with 9mm OSB
sheathing outside
Brickwork
Steel external
leaf lintel
Mineral wool
insulation Timber lintels

Softwood
pinch batten

Frame overlap
increased to 50mm
Frame overlap = 30mm

24 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Omitting the cavity lintel insulation ψ

makes heat loss worse. 0.18  CAVITY LINTEL INSULATION
Upgrading the cavity lintel insulation to PU/
PIR will reduce heat loss.

Cavity lintel
insulation omitted
 THERMAL LAMINATE PLASTERBOARD
Using a thermal laminate plasterboard on
 the external timber frame wall will reduce
heat loss.

 PROBLEM TO AVOID

Reducing the frame overlap to 0mm ψ

makes heat loss worse. 0.22

 BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

No frame overlap
with wall cavity

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 25


 WINDOW
E3 SILL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use a cavity closer with a PU/PIR ψ

0.07 insulation core to improve 0.06
performance of sills and jambs.

Sill nosing MDF sill board

Timber
cavity closer
PIR/PU cavity
closer
140mm
50mm cavity insulated timber
frame panel
with 9mm OSB
Brickwork sheathing
outside

Frame overlap = 30mm

WINDOW
E4 JAMB

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use an insulated plasterboard ψ

0.10 reveal to improve the performance 0.06
of window jambs.
140mm insulated
timber frame panel
with 9mm OSB
sheathing Use a thermal laminate
plasterboard reveal

Frame overlap
= 30mm

50mm cavity Brickwork Timber cavity closer

26 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  PROBLEM TO AVOID

Reducing the frame overlap to 0mm ψ Omitting the cavity closer makes ψ
makes heat loss worse for sills. 0.11 heat loss worse for sills. 0.09

Window frame
positioned flush BLACK MOULD
with inside face of PROBABLE
BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE
brickwork

Cavity closer
omitted

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  PROBLEM TO AVOID

Reducing the frame overlap to 0mm ψ Omitting the cavity closer makes ψ
makes heat loss worse for jambs. 0.15 heat loss worse for jambs. 0.13

Cavity closer
omitted

BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

BLACK MOULD
Window frame PROBABLE
positioned
flush with
inside face
of brickwork

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 27


 GROUND BEARING FLOOR
E5 EXTERNAL WALL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Increase the perimeter insulation ψ

140mm insulated 0.20 thickness to improve ground floor 0.16
timber frame performance.
panel with 9mm
OSB sheathing
outside
25mm perimeter
insulation

50mm perimeter
insulation

Lean mix
concrete Dense aggregate
blockwork
Dense
aggregate
blockwork

Concrete strip
foundation

GROUND BEARING FLOOR

P1 PARTY WALL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use lightweight aggregate footing ψ

Full fill party wall
mineral wool 0.10 blockwork to improve ground floor 0.05
insulation performance.
306mm fully
insulated timber
25mm perimeter
frame party wall
insulation
Lightweight
aggregate
blockwork
footing

Dense aggregate
blockwork
Dense aggregate
blockwork

28 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Omitting the floor perimeter ψ

insulation makes heat loss 0.50  THERMAL LAMINATE PLASTERBOARD
significantly worse.
Using a thermal laminate plasterboard on the
timber frame wall will reduce heat loss.
BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

Perimeter
insulation omitted

 PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting the floor perimeter ψ

insulation makes heat loss worse. 0.16

Perimeter
insulation
omitted

 

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 29


 BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR
E5 EXTERNAL WALL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

140mm insulated Increase the perimeter insulation

timber frame panel ψ ψ
with 9mm OSB 0.14 thickness to improve ground floor 0.11
sheathing outside performance.

50mm cavity
25mm perimeter
insulation

Brickwork
50mm perimeter
insulation

Dense aggregate
blockwork

Lean mix
concrete

Concrete strip
foundation

BEAM AND BLOCK FLOOR

P1 PARTY WALL

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

Full fill party wall ψ Use lightweight aggregate footing ψ

mineral wool 0.10 blockwork to improve ground floor 0.05
insulation performance.
306mm fully
insulated timber
25mm perimeter
frame party wall
insulation
Lightweight
aggregate
blockwork
footing

Dense aggregate
blockwork

Concrete strip
foundation

30 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Omitting the floor perimeter ψ

insulation makes heat loss 0.30  THERMAL LAMINATE PLASTERBOARD
significantly worse.
Using a thermal laminate plasterboard on the
timber frame wall will reduce heat loss.
BLACK MOULD
PROBABLE

Perimeter
insulation
omitted


 PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting the floor perimeter ψ

insulation makes heat loss worse. 0.18

Perimeter
insulation
omitted

 

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 31


 TIMBER FLOOR
E6 INTERMEDIATE FLOOR

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Increase the rimboard insulation ψ

0.11 thickness to improve intermediate 0.08
floor performance.

140mm insulated
Brickwork timber frame panel
with 9mm OSB
sheathing outside
Increase
50mm cavity insulation
to 150mm

Rim Board 75mm mineral wool batt

TIMBER FLOOR
E6 INTERMEDIATE FLOOR

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use an insulated plasterboard on the ψ

0.11 inside of the frame to improve 0.09
intermediate floor performance.

140mm insulated
Brickwork timber frame panel
with 9mm OSB Insulated
sheathing outside plasterboard
50mm cavity

Rim Board 75mm mineral wool batt

32 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Omitting the rimboard insulation ψ

makes heat loss significantly worse 0.26
at intermediate floors.

 Rimboard
insulation
omitted

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 33


COLD ROOF
E10 EAVES

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Increase the eaves insulation depth ψ

0.04 ‘X’ to improve performance. 0.03
45° pitched roof with standard
truss heel and cantilever to
Note – this may influence the truss design
create eaves depth X (see further notes)

Eaves insulation
Eaves depth ‘X’ = 150mm
Eaves insulation depth X
insulation ‘X’ = 100mm

300mm loft
insulation Stub-end truss to
create additional
depth at eaves

Plasterboard ceiling

Timber
cavity stop

140mm insulated timber

Brickwork frame panel with 9mm
OSB sheathing outside

COLD ROOF
E10 EAVES

 BASE DETAIL  IMPROVED DETAIL

ψ Use insulated plasterboard on the ψ

0.04 inside of the frame to improve eaves 0.03
45° pitched roof with standard performance.
truss heel and cantilever to
create eaves depth X

Eaves
Eaves insulation depth
insulation ‘X’ = 100mm

300mm loft
insulation

Plasterboard ceiling

Timber
cavity stop Insulated
plasterboard
140mm insulated timber
Brickwork frame panel with 9mm
OSB sheathing outside

34 NB: The PSI-values quoted in this Guide are for indicative purposes only and should not be used in SAP calculations

 PROBLEM TO AVOID  FURTHER NOTES

Omitting roof insulation at eaves ψ

makes heat loss significantly worse. 0.21 ADVISE TRUSS DESIGNERS
OF INSULATION SPACE REQUIREMENTS

Specifying the desired roof pitch (pº), eaves

overhang (a) and eaves insulation depth (b)
will enable the truss designer to select the
most appropriate truss heel detail to meet
 these requirements.

BLACK MOULD
POSSIBLE

Roof insulation b
curtailed at eaves
p°

 PROBLEM TO AVOID

Omitting soffit insulation makes heat ψ

loss worse at eaves. 0.09

p°

 a

Soffit insulation
omitted

THERMAL BRIDGING GUIDE | ZERO CARBON HUB 35


NOTES
NOTE: This Guide is not a legal document and does
not form part of a Building Regulations approved
specification. It is for information and good practice
purposes only. Consult your Building Control Officer
for details on approved specification’s and policy.

Published February 2016, version 1.1

Copyright © 2016 Zero Carbon Hub / C4Ci Ltd

Please contact Zero Carbon Hub if you wish to

reproduce, publish or electronically store any part
of this document
Zero Carbon Hub
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76-86 Turnmill Street
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