Cladding Thermal Bridging Solutions

Cladding Thermal Bridging Solutions

Continuous insulation is almost always compromised by metallic structural connections such as clips and girts which create thermal bridging when connected to steel stud framing. A thermal bridge is an area of building which experiences higher heat transfer than the surrounding materials.  These connections in conjunction with the steel studs have a significant impact on the U value of wall assemblies.

Insulation effectiveness can be reduced by as much as 50% due to these heat flow paths. Armatherm™’s cladding solutions can effectively prevent excessive heat losses. Armatherm™ Z Girts improve the U value of cladding and wall panel assemblies by eliminating the use of highly conductive metal girts and aluminum brackets creating wall assemblies that are up to 98% efficient.

Cladding Thermal Break

Armatherm cladding attachments significantly reduce thermal bridging and improve wall assembly thermal performance. Armatherm Z Girt, clip and structural thermal break materials provide a combination of low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength transferring load and reducing heat loss.

The Armatherm™’s cladding material is made of a reinforced, thermoset resin that is fire resistant and exhibits very limited creep under load, making it the ideal material for use in structural and façade thermal break connections. The thermal images below demonstrate the efficiency of the connections in retaining insulated heat.

Cladding Connection

Cladding Connection Thermal Image

Cladding Connection

Cladding Connection Thermal Image

Armatherm™ Z Girt

ArmathermTM Z Girt is specifically designed to improve the thermal efficiency of wall designs, reducing heat flow. The insulation efficiencies of the wall assemblies improve considerably, with the highest levels rising to 98% efficiency. These support connections prevent heat loss and subsequent condensation issues associated with thermal bridging.

Not only this, using ArmathermTM Z Girt with wall assemblies conforms to the continuous insulation requirement of ASHRAE 90.1, as well as the effective R value requirements of the Canadian NECB energy code. Therefore, your buildings will remain inline with government conditions.

Armatherm TM Z Girt is also advantageous to structures as it is reduced in thickness, resulting in lower costs of insulation. These cladding wall assemblies can also meet the R value requirements of all geographical zones for both ASHRAE 2013 and NECB 2011 energy codes. Armatherm TM Z Girt, clip and thermal break shims provide a combination of low thermal conductivity and high mechanical properties that transfer load and reduce heat loss.

Contact our dedicated team to gain further insight into our innovative products. We work hard to ensure support is available for architects’ professional development, alongside providing the required products for their needs. Our courses and learning resources are also available online for you to learn more. Furthermore, Armatherm™’s webinar, “Thermal Bridging Solutions: Improving Building Envelope Performance” gives architects an insight to gain a better understanding of the invaluable properties and savings thermal breaks can offer, as well as how to apply them effectively in your next project to prevent thermal bridging issues

Armatherm™ Z Girt

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