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FAQs

ARMATHERM

Armatherm: who are they?

We can manage thermal bridging issues in building designs from the foundation to the roof as a collaborating partner. To minimise energy loss inside buildings, we develop structural thermal breaks.

Where are you based?

We have locations in the US, the UK, and the EU.

Which countries can you supply into?

We ship globally through our network of agents.

What products do you offer?

We produce a wide variety of products using a variety of materials, each of which combines high compressive strength and low thermal conductivity. They were specifically created and tested to distribute load while avoiding thermal bridging.

How long will it take to get my thermal breaks from ordering?

Delivery should occur within five to ten business days.

Do you keep stock of the thermal breaks?

We keep high stock levels of the most popular materials, and can provide these in sheet form and bespoke sizes.

How long will it take to get my thermal breaks from ordering?

Your delivery should arrive within five to ten business days.

GENERAL FAQ’S

Thermal Bridging

What is thermal bridging?

A section or component of an object that has a higher thermal conductivity than the materials around it is called a thermal bridge. Bypassing the insulating layer, the thermal bridge transfers unwanted heat from a heated area to the outside.

What is thermal bridging in walls?

With the wall framing, particularly with steel wall studs, thermal bridging within walls can take place, allowing heat or cold air to escape.

What is a thermal bridge in building insulation?

There are substances that enter the building envelope from the insulation. They could form thermal bridges that let heat or cold air escape from a structure.

What is thermal bridging in construction?

A conductive substance may be utilised in any application, which increases the possibility of thermal bridges developing at various points during construction.

What is cold bridging?

Thermal bridging is also frequently referred to as cold bridging.

How to prevent thermal bridging? How to stop thermal bridging? How to avoid thermal bridging?

A thermal break, which inhibits heat from moving via conductible materials, can be introduced to avoid thermal bridges developing when strong conductivity is present, such as steel beams.

How to prevent cold bridging?

Any sort of thermal or cool bridges can be prevented with the use of the correct thermal break.

Thermal Breaks

How do the thermal conductivity values of Armatherm structural thermal break material compare to standard building materials?

The full breakdown of each product’s values can be seen by downloading our datasheets here.

Link to https://www.armatherm.com/resources/literature-library/

What is a thermal break?

A thermal break is a material which benefits from low thermal conductivity properties to slow the flow of heat/ energy between thermal bridges.

What is a thermal break in construction?

A thermal break can be included within a construction project to make the building as energy efficient as possible. They can be used throughout the building envelope thanks to their strength and versatility.

What is a thermal break in a building?

Thermal bridges can occur within any application where a conductive material is used and temperatures can be transferred.

What is a thermal break in masonry?

Masonry applications contain tie-backs and shelf angles which result in significant thermal bridges. Shelf angles transfer the masonry load back to the buildings’ structural steel or concrete slab edge interrupting the continuous insulation of the wall assembly creating a linear thermal bridge.

What is a thermal break in foundation?

When a building frame directly meets with the foundation, significant heat loss can occur. By inserting a thermal break between the foundation and frame, energy can be saved.

Why do I need a thermal break?

Including thermal breaks within a construction improves the efficiency in areas which are traditionally difficult to insulate.

How much energy do thermal breaks save?

Armatherm’s products can save up to 70% of energy, depending on the application it’s used on.

Applications/ fitting

What are the common applications in which a structural thermal break would be required?

There are a range of applications which would benefit from a thermal break including cladding attachment, slab edges, doors and window penetrations, roof penetrations like HVAC equipment, davits, dunnage, balconies, canopies, parapets, column bases, foundations.

What is a parapet roof?

A wall that extends over the edge of a roof, balcony, terrace, walkway, or other building is called a parapet roof. It’s a short, vertical wall that runs the roofline of any building.

Can thermal breaks work at parapets?

By including a thermal break, parapet transitions can be insulated. Parapets can be insulated where the roof and wall converge.

Can Parapets be insulated and thermally broken?

You can insulate a parapet wall from the roof by using a high strength, weight-bearing thermal break.

How are parapets thermally broken and insulated?

Using a high strength, weight bearing thermal break will insulate a parapet wall from the roof.

Why does steel framing need a thermal break?

As a highly conductive metal which will transfer significant amounts of energy and heat from inside to outside, steel requires insulation to reduce heat transfer . Separating them with a thermal break can help prevent heat transfer.

Can concrete balconies be insulated and thermally broken?

Cast-in-situ high strength polyurethane insulation can thermally break concrete.

Can steel balconies be insulated?

With the use of a thermal break energy and heat transfer can be reduced. This is important as steel balconies can be highly conductive.

How do you insulate a concrete wall?

It is possible to insulate concrete walls by using nonconductive Z Girt anchors.

Why shouldn't I use wood / rubber materials to thermally isolate structural connections, even if they have low thermal conductivities?

Wood and rubber do have low thermal conductivity properties. However their tendency to deflect and creep make them less than ideal

How are thermal breaks fitted?

Thermal breaks can be fitted within most applications that need a thermal isolation. Available in a range of different products to suit different applications, the fitting is bespoke to the application. Our team can advise on your specific needs. 

At what stage in my project should thermal breaks be fitted?

As thermal breaks can alter the dimensions of a plan, therefore they need to be specified and included with any planning stages.

Do I have to use thermal isolation washers and bushings?

Washers and bushings are advised to maximise thermal performance of a thermal break. Armatherm can supply fixings for our FRR thermal breaks. 

What is a column break?

When a thermal break is inserted under a column, it is referred to as a ‘column break’. This reduces heat loss where the column meets the foundations. 

Can column bases be thermally broken and insulated?

A thermal break can be included on top of the footing and over the bolts and anchors with the column resting on top to thermally insulate the connection.

Can you insulate roof top HVAC equipment?

Roof-top HVAC equipment can be thermally broken at the base connection to the supporting beam.

Can you insulate roof top anchors for maintenance equipment?

To insulate roof-top anchors, we would normally advise Armatherm 500, although Armatherm FRR can also be specified within applications that require maximum strength.

Can you insulate sill plates or mud sills?

Armatherm 500 is usually specified for insulating sill plates and mud sills.

Can brick shelves be thermally broken?

By inserting a thermal break where the steel angle is bolted to the frame, a brick shelf can be thermally broken.

Other

What is rainscreen siding?

If moisture gets into the wall assembly, rainscreen sliding allows for draining and drying.

What is rainscreen cladding?

<Rainscreen

What is continuous insulation?

The building’s façade has a continuous layer of insulation that lessens energy transfer between the structure and its surroundings.

What are the common applications in which a structural thermal break would be required?

Balconies, canopies, parapets, column bases, foundations, cladding attachment, slab edges, doors and window penetrations, roof penetrations like HVAC equipment, and davits are common places to find thermal breaks.

How does continuous insulation help efficiency?

Continuous insulation prevents heat transfer in areas this is not required, meaning internal temperatures will stay warmer in cool weather and cooler in warm weather.

Does continuous insulation and rainscreen go together?

A thermal barrier and rainscreen barrier should work together.

Which bearing material has poor thermal conductivity?

The thermal conductivity of dense structural materials is usually poor.

How to increase energy efficiency in buildings? How to improve building energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency can be substantially increased with the addition of thermal breaks within the building. This will reduce thermal bridges and prevent the transfer of energy and temperatures.

PRODUCT SPECIFIC

Z Girts

What are Z Girts? What is a Girt? What are Girts in construction?

A Z Girt is a S-shaped structural material that is used for holding insulation and mounting cladding or sliding. The non-conductive girts offer as much as a 75% improvement over traditional steel z girts.

What are the common applications for Z Girts?

Non conductive z girts provide secure insulation for continuous insulation, and a sound surface to connect cladding and siding.

Can I shim Z Girts to straighten a wall that is uneven?

A Z Girt may be shimmied if required.

What kind of insulation can Z Girts work with?

Mineral wool and polyisocyanurate are the two insulating materials that are used with Z Girts the most frequently.

What are the benefits of Z Girts?

Z Girts may carry a variety of insulation and cladding thicknesses and are simple and quick to install. The insulation can function by specifying non-conductive Z Girts. the insulation to perform

How many insulation thicknesses does Z Girt hold?

Armatherm’s Z Girts come in seven standard sizes.

How much weight can Armatherm Z Girts hold?

Armatherm Z girts can hold all common insulation and all types of cladding except the heaviest.

Does Z Girt work with all types of cladding?

Armatherm Z girts can hold all common insulation and all types of cladding except the heaviest.

How do I attach cladding to Z Girts?

Use weather resistant screws to attach Armatherm Z-Girts

FRR

What is FRR material?

Armatherm’s FRR material stands for ‘fabric reinforced resin’, it’s a compressed thermoset resin with impressive insulation properties.

What are the common applications for FRR material?

FRR is used in projects with steel to steel connections where high compressive strength is needed.

How does FRR work in a steel connection? How thick is FRR in a steel connection?

The FRR should be bolted between steel plates to minimise conductive heat loss or gain. The pads are usually 1″to 4″ thick.

Is FRR strong enough in a steel connection?

FRR is tested as 43,000psi of compressive strength. When a  12″X12″ steel pad is bolted with FRR, it could comfortably take over 6,000,000 pounds of compressive load.

How does FRR work in a steel connection? How thick is FRR in a steel connection?

A thermal break sits in-between a bolted connection. The thermal break is 1″-4″ thick, depending on the requirement.

What are the benefits to using FRR?

Armatherm’s FRR reduces the heat flow out of the envelope, which improves the energy efficiency of a building envelope. 

What thicknesses does it come in?

FRR comes in thicknesses from 1/16″ to 2″. It can also be bonded to create custom thicknesses to suit any required measurements.

What is the fire rating for FRR material?

Armatherm materials should be protected from fire and can be used in areas that are <75 degrees F.

Is FRR cut and drilled on site or at the factory?

FRR can be drilled on site – however Armatherm can provide custom cutting and drilling to ensure it’s delivered to site at the desired measurements.

Do the bolt sizes change when using thermal break Insulation pads?

The bolt specs will be directed by the engineer.

Are they difficult to use?

When specified in the early stages of a project they are easy to install. Our team can advise on the process. 

How tight should I torque the bolts?

The spec of the bolts will be decided by the engineer.

How do the bushings and washers work?

Armatherm’s washers and bushings further reduce the steel to steel contact which improves efficiency and reduces bridging. 

500

What is the 500 series / range?

The series ranges from 500-80, 230psi at R-3.85 to 500-280, 2150psi at R-1.9. The lower the compression strength, the higher the R-value will be.

What is 500 made of?

The material used to make Armatherm 500 is extremely high density polyurethane.

Is 500 series material made of foam?

The polyurethane used to make the 500 series is regarded as foam.

What are the common applications for 500 range?

The 500 series can be utilised everywhere there is a penetration or transition in the building envelope, preventing thermal bridges from forming.

What are the benefits to using the 500 range?

Armatherm 500 has amazing insulating values, is simple to install, and can be cut and drilled to shape.

What thicknesses are available?

The thicknesses can be bonded to any thickness and range from 1/2″ to 1″ to 2″.

What sizes does it come in?

Armatherm 500 comes in 4’X8′ sheets as standard, however it can be drilled and cut to bespoke sizes.

Is it easy to cut and drill on site?

It is possible to cut and drill the 500 series on site. We would recommend using a Forstner style drill bit.

How strong is the 500 range?

The 500 range can withstand 2n/mm2 to 18.5n/mm2.

Does it crush over time?

When installed correctly, Armatherm’s 500 material will not crush over time.

What is the compressive strength on 500 polyurethanes?

The Armatherm 500 series ranges from 2n/mm2 to 18.5n/mm2 compressive strength. at R-4.6. The lower the compressive strength, the higher the R value will be.

Need help?

Contact us today to find out more or request a quote.