What is a Thermal Break?
One of the terms that is being bandied about in relation to insulation and heat is “thermal break.” In most conditions a thermal break is a material, which is a poor conductor of heat, placed between highly conducting materials like aluminum or glass to reduce or prevent the loss of heat. A dead air space can also qualify for this definition.
Take aluminum, for example. It is a great material to make window frames because it is light, easily bent into many shapes and can be coated with a wide variety of colors. The biggest disadvantage with aluminum frames is that it readily conducts heat and cold thus raising the U-Value.
What is U-Value?
In order to put a measurement on heat transfer there two standardized norms U-values and R-values.
U-values are how much heat is allowed to pass through materials.
R-values are the opposite. They are a gauge for how much heat loss the material resists from passing through it. Therefore:
- A high R-value indicates energy efficiency - R-25 is better than R-15, for example
- A low U-value indicates energy efficiency - U-0.20 would be better than U-0.30.
Thermal breaks enhance U-value
Newer aluminum windows have split the frame parts which are separate interior and exterior pieces. They employ a low conductive material such as a foam-filled wood or vinyl product in between the inner and outer parts of the window. These new advancements in the manufacture of aluminum frame decrease the U-values from roughly 2.0 to about 1.0 Btu/hr-sq. ft-°F.
For more information on how you can install energy efficient windows go to: Renovation Experts
Add comment February 4, 2008
