| thermal break | a material of low heat conductance used to reduce the flow of heat. for example, the vinyl separating the interior and exterior frames in some metal windows. |
| thermal bridging | a thermal bridge is a localised area of lower thermal resistance in the building envelope resulting in higher heat flow and lower internal surface temperatures. as well as increasing heat loss from the building envelope, thermal bridging can cause localised condensation as surface temperatures may be reduced below the dew point (condensation temperature) of the air in the space. this is a particular danger in buildings where the relative humidity (rh) may be high, such as canteens, laundries, swimming pools and some factories. |
| thermal insulation | the goal of thermal insulation used in building construction is to slow down heat transfer. the same materials are required to keep buildings cooler in hot climates, or warmer in cold climates; methods may be different because of the necessity to manage humidity build up differently. |
| thermal mass | materials that have a high capacity for absorbing heat, and change temperature slowly. these materials are used to absorb and retain solar energy during the daytime for release at night or during cloudy periods; they include water, rocks, masonry, and earth. |
| thermal storage capacity | the capacity for a building material to store heat internally from the sun, generally for later use or release. |
| timber certification | the process of accreditation of wood products to a designated standard. timber certification developed internationally through the 1990's and there are currently a number of certification schemes in use throughout the world. |
| triple bottom line | an expanded baseline for measuring performance, adding social and environmental dimensions to the traditional monetary benchmark. |
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