In the pursuit of sustainable construction and optimal energy efficiency, modern building materials play a crucial role. Among the most significant challenges in achieving energy-efficient buildings is the elimination of thermal bridges—areas where heat transfer occurs more readily due to variations in material properties.
This article explores how SYSTEM 3E addresses these challenges with its innovative construction materials and techniques, enhancing building energy efficiency and setting new standards in the industry.
What are thermal bridges, and how do they affect a building's energy efficiency?
Thermal bridges are points in a building where insulation is compromised, allowing heat to escape more easily or cold to enter. They typically occur where different materials meet, such as joints between walls and floors, around windows, or at rooflines. These specific areas, known as thermal bridges, are places where heat transfer occurs more easily due to gaps in insulation or the use of materials with high thermal conductivity.
Thermal bridges can lead to significant energy losses, contributing up to 30% of a building's total heat loss. This not only results in higher energy bills but also affects indoor comfort and can lead to problems such as condensation and mold. Addressing thermal bridging is critical to improving the overall energy performance of buildings.
As energy efficiency regulations tighten and awareness of sustainable practices increases, effectively managing these heat transfer points is becoming increasingly important for architects, builders, and homeowners alike. Addressing thermal bridging, particularly at the wall-to-floor interface, is critical. Using low thermal conductivity materials and thermal breaks can mitigate these issues.
Types of thermal bridges
Thermal bridges can be categorized into two main types:
Repetitive thermal bridges: these occur frequently throughout a building, such as where insulation is interrupted by structural elements like timber studs in cavity walls. These are usually accounted for in the U-value calculation, which measures the insulating performance of building materials. They can also form along the entire slope of the wall when building materials are bonded with a layer of mortar that is too thick and poorly insulating.
Non-repetitive thermal bridges: these occur at specific junctions between different building elements and around openings like windows and doors. They are more complex and require detailed thermal modeling to assess their impact on energy efficiency.
Innovation in construction and modern building materials
Progress in the building materials sector is crucial to reducing or eliminating thermal bridges. Innovative materials with superior insulating properties can significantly reduce heat transfer through walls, floors, and roofs, thereby increasing a building's energy efficiency by maintaining an adequate insulation layer.
SYSTEM 3E is at the forefront of this innovation, offering solutions that not only minimize thermal bridging but also streamline the construction process.
Energy efficiency at the heart of SYSTEM 3E technology
SYSTEM 3E has developed a groundbreaking approach to building materials that address thermal bridging head-on. The core of this innovation lies in the use of perlite—a naturally occurring volcanic rock that, when heated, expands into a lightweight, porous structure with exceptional insulating properties.
Perlite’s low thermal conductivity makes it an ideal material for minimizing heat transfer, effectively acting as a barrier against thermal bridging and providing excellent thermal insulation. SYSTEM 3E’s building elements, made from expanded perlite and mineral binders, have a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.072 ± 0.003 W/mK and a heat transfer coefficient of U = 0.198 W/m²K. These figures highlight the material’s outstanding ability to insulate without additional insulation.
Seamless wall construction without thermal bridges
One of the most innovative aspects of SYSTEM 3E is its ability to construct walls without mortar, glue, or additional insulation, which are common sources of thermal bridges. The design of SYSTEM 3E elements utilizes the Morse taper and its self-bonding properties, eliminating the need for traditional mortars prone to heat transfer. Instead, the system employs a tongue-and-groove connection that locks the elements together, forming a single-layer wall free from thermal bridges.
Additionally, SYSTEM 3E’s design ensures that the thermal envelope of the building is maintained without disruptions, enhancing energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
This ensures that buildings constructed with SYSTEM 3E are highly energy-efficient, as confirmed by thermal imaging inspections conducted before handover. These inspections consistently show that SYSTEM 3E structures are free from thermal bridges at vertical and horizontal joints and display no leaks at connections with other building components, such as reinforced concrete elements, structural columns, roof structures, and window and door frames.
Practical implications and the future of construction
Building walls without thermal bridges represents a significant leap forward in construction technology. SYSTEM 3E not only enhances energy efficiency but also reduces the environmental impact of construction by minimizing material waste. Eliminating thermal bridges contributes to more comfortable living spaces, lower energy costs, and a reduced carbon footprint. Perlite elements also benefit human health, as their eco-friendly products are free of harmful chemicals and provide a healthy microclimate.
Incorporating modern materials like those offered by SYSTEM 3E is essential for improving energy-efficient buildings. However, achieving the complete elimination of thermal bridges requires a holistic approach that includes thoughtful design, careful material selection, and meticulous installation practices.
Don't wait! Start building in the 3E style.
By using innovative materials such as SYSTEM 3E, the building industry is moving closer to achieving optimal energy efficiency and sustainability. This progress not only benefits individual homeowners but also contributes to broader environmental goals, making sustainable construction a reality.
Want to learn more? Contact one of our consultants to discover all the benefits of using SYSTEM 3E in your project.