Energetic rehabilitation in buildings: Cost-effective solutions to minimise thermal bridging
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abstract
Nowadays, the energetic rehabilitation of buildings constitutes an increasing concern of
national and international bodies, as a result of a strategic policy towards energy
efficiency. In Portugal, one of the most current problems in buildings is thermal
bridging. This is a significant source of heat building loss. The prevention of these
types of pathologies is essential, for there are an enormous number of existing
buildings that reveal such problems and therefore require rehabilitation. New building
regulations on thermal behaviour and energy efficiency were recently enacted by the
Portuguese Government, following the European Union Directive 2002/91/CE. To cope
with the prescriptions of the new regulations, a better thermal quality in the building
envelope is required. The rehabilitation of buildings is becoming a great issue.
This study is part of wider research to investigate cost-effective constructive solutions
of rehabilitation for the improvement of envelope thermal behaviour.
From the results of previous studies which characterized the most current and
problematic envelope zones, a simulation computer program was used to test the
behaviour of several different solutions in order to minimise pathologies caused by
thermal bridging.
Preliminary results show that it is possible to get adequate solutions that fit
harmoniously with the architecture of façades and with decoration of the internal
spaces. Further studies will be needed to provide construction designers and builders
with appropriate solutions to make the rehabilitation process even easier.
