What is "thermal bridging" in construction?

Thermal bridging refers to the phenomenon where heat is lost through materials that have a higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding insulation. In construction, this typically occurs when there are breaks in the thermal envelope of a building, such as through structural components made of metal or wood. These materials can conduct heat away from the interior of the building more effectively than the surrounding insulation, leading to a significant energy loss.

Understanding thermal bridging is crucial for building inspectors and energy efficiency professionals because it can lead to increased heating and cooling costs, and it may also contribute to issues such as condensation and mold growth. By identifying areas where thermal bridging occurs, appropriate measures can be taken to mitigate its effects, ensuring better overall energy performance in buildings. This makes the answer about the loss of heat through materials that conduct heat more quickly than insulation a correct representation of thermal bridging. Other options describe components related to energy efficiency but do not specifically define the concept of thermal bridging itself.