Performance evaluation of thermal bridge mitigation strategies against the mould growth

This study investigates mould/fungi growth risk on two different approaches of thermal bridge mitigation. Thermally insulated balconies and thermally broken balconies in Zero Emission Building (ZEB) are reviewed. Linear thermal transmittance (ψ - value), interior surface temperature and mould/fungi growth risk for five balcony designs is performed. Each design has three variations, two of which have thermal insulation wrap, and a thermal break replacing insulation. Results show thermal breaks outperform all variations. This contradicts the common practice of using thermal insulation wrap. The study also emphasizes EN ISO 13788 inadequacy as comprehensive HAM models are available.