Experimental measurements and three-dimensional thermal modelling were undertaken for several configurations of wood and metal truss roofs. The main goal was to estimate the real effects of thermal shorts generated by wooden or metal structural components of roofs. The computer modelling procedure was validated using experimental data for several wall and roof configurations. This experimental and theoretical study focused on the thermal efficiency of different traditional and unconventional methods for improving the thermal performance of wood- and metal-framed roofs. It proved that the traditional method of constructing structural components of roofs can cause poor performance.

KEYWORDS: year 1997, Thermal bridges, roofs, wood, steel, experiment, calculating, measuring, components, thermal resistance, heat loss, climate chambers, heat flow, thermal insulation, temperature, thermal properties