Have you noticed a spike in your monthly energy bill despite using your appliances less often? Thermal bridging, which normally accounts for up to 30% of the heat loss in the average household, might be to blame here, says the siding and roof repair experts at Expert Contracting.
What Is Thermal Bridging?
Thermal bridging happens when heat starts to leak out of your home through conductive or non-insulative materials in your walls or siding. Remember: Just like water, heat follows the path of least resistance and can leak out of the following:
- Wall studs
- Plywood sheathing
- Junctions between your walls, floors and roof
- Window and door reveals
How to Reduce Heat Loss
- Add new insulation – The best way to prevent heat loss through thermal bridging is to install continuous insulation in your exterior. This could involve installing additional layers of insulation, or if your exterior is looking a bit worn, replacing your old siding with insulated siding. Most professional contractors and roofing companies would recommend insulated vinyl siding due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance and excellent insulative capabilities.
- Adopting an energy-efficient design for your home – Keep in mind that heat can leak out of other parts of your home so long as they’re made of materials with a low R-value (a figure that indicates a material’s insulative capabilities). As such, it would also be a good idea to have a contractor assess your home’s energy-efficiency so they can identify the potential sources of heat loss in your home.
One more thing: Make sure to only hire qualified contractors—after all, even insulated siding won’t be able to keep warm air from leaking out if it isn’t installed properly.
Expert Contracting, a GAF® Master Elite® contractor with an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau®, offers a wide range of exterior services, including siding installation and roof replacement services. To get a free estimate, call us at (716) 572-7303 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Williamsville, NY, as well as the surrounding communities.