Choosing the Right Thermal Break Strength

Does Stronger Always Mean Better in Construction?

When it comes to construction, strength is often seen as vital to a building’s longevity with every component needing to withstand a significant amount of weight and pressure. But when it comes to choosing thermal break materials, more strength isn’t necessarily always better.

Why Are Structural Thermal Breaks Essential?

Structural thermal breaks are essential in improving a building’s energy efficiency and without them, buildings can suffer from increased heat loss, condensation issues, and an overconsumption of energy. It is important now, more than ever before, that in order to comply with the stricter regulations, architects and developers implement solutions like thermal breaks.

Why Is Compressive Strength Important in Thermal Breaks?

There are a number of various applications in which thermal breaks are needed and in each of these, it requires a thermal break that balances structural performance with optimal thermal insulation. That’s where selecting the right compressive strength becomes critical.

What’s the Problem with Over-Specifying Strength?

There is a common misconception, although logical, that architects and specifiers need a thermal break with the highest compressive strength available, regardless of the application, however this isn’t the case. Instead, the higher the compressive strength, the lower the thermal insulation performance. This is because denser materials tend to conduct more heat, reducing their effectiveness as insulators. In many cases, opting for a thermal break with unnecessarily high compressive strength means compromising on energy performance, ultimately spending more money than necessary.

How Do You Choose the Right Thermal Break for Each Application?

The key to choosing the right thermal break for the project in hand is balance. It should be strong enough to handle the required load, but not so dense that it sacrifices R-value. At Armatherm™, we offer a wide variety of thermal break solutions designed for specific load and insulation requirements. For example, the Armatherm™ 500 has lower compressive strength, making it ideal for column bases and low-load applications. Whereas Armatherm™ FRR are ideal for high-load areas like balcony connections or steel-to-steel joints, you need a thermal break with higher compressive strength but doesn’t compromise on thermal performance.

Armatherm 500-150 two rectangular panels with pre-drilled holes, shown in different sizes

What Makes Armatherm’s Product Range Suitable for Every Load Type?

At Armatherm™, we are proud to supply such a wide range of products which are specifically designed for certain applications, and whilst stronger thermal break materials tend to be more expensive, we ensure to only suggest the right type of material for your project. In addition to this, any of our products over 50mm thick are Passivhaus certified, meaning your project can meet sustainability targets. So, whether it’s a high-strength connection or a low-load, high-insulation application, we’ll help you specify the most effective and efficient thermal break solution.

Contact us today to discuss your project with our experts.