What is a thermal bridge-free design?

Thermal bridge-free design means that no element of the construction creates a significantly higher heat loss path than the surrounding assembly. In timber construction, the main thermal bridges are: studs (timber conducts heat 3× faster than insulation), junctions (wall-to-floor, wall-to-roof), and penetrations (windows, services).

Thermal bridge-free design means that no element of the construction creates a significantly higher heat loss path than the surrounding assembly. In timber construction, the main thermal bridges are: studs (timber conducts heat 3× faster than insulation), junctions (wall-to-floor, wall-to-roof), and penetrations (windows, services). These are addressed by: external insulation overlapping studs, insulated junction details, and thermally broken window installations. The Passive House criterion is Ψ ≤ 0.01 W/mK for all linear thermal bridges.

Why this matters

This question relates to Passive House Timber Construction: Achieving U-Values Below 0.15, which covers the broader topic in detail. Understanding this specific aspect helps architects, builders, and timber dealers make informed specification decisions.

For full context and additional technical detail, see our comprehensive guide:

→ Passive House Timber Construction: Achieving U-Values Below 0.15

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About this answer

This answer is part of the PuurModulair Knowledge Base — comprehensive timber specification guidance for architects, builders, and dealers across the UK, EU, and Scandinavia.