Energy-efficient modular buildings have become a widely used modern method of construction and represents one of the most significant advancements in the industry.
Despite this, the thermal performance design of these structures must be heavily considered as they require more thought than standard insulation strategies.
As we push toward net-zero targets and meeting stricter codes, it is vital that the design of the building envelope is scrutinized in order to help achieve energy-efficient status.
One critical yet often overlooked factor to consider in modular construction and thermal performance design is thermal bridging and the impact it can have on the efficiency of the building.
Our extensive range of products have, therefore, been designed to combat this problem directly, enabling modular building systems to meet and exceed the thermal performance standards demanded by today’s environment.
Are Modular Buildings Energy Efficient
Modular buildings can achieve high levels of energy efficiency, but the performance of the structure can’t rely solely on the construction method. Instead it must also work in conjunction with a high performance insulation strategy to improve the building envelope and limit heat/energy transfer.
Despite this, the process in which modular construction is produced is more efficient than traditional methods, because it can be manufactured in a controlled factory environment where it can be tested to meet sustainability standards. However, the problem for modular construction in achieving energy-efficient status occurs when the elements are joined together in situ and the structural connections can cause significant thermal bridging risks.
Henceforth, it is necessary that solutions that are implemented to work towards continuous insulation and improving the efficiency of the building.
Insulated Modular Structures and Building Envelope Design
Effective building envelope design is fundamental to the thermal performance of any modular structure and therefore its efficiency.
The envelope must function as a continuous barrier surrounding the structure controlling heat flow in order to reduce the risk of overconsumption of energy. In insulated modular structures, the challenge lies in maintaining envelope continuity at the points where steel or concrete structural elements penetrate the ground.
These thermal bridges can generate significant heat loss and create cold spots that can lead to condensation and long-term durability issues. Integrating structural thermal breaks into the envelope design at connection points is essential to achieving an energy-efficient structure.
How Modular Buildings Can Be Made More Energy Efficient
Improving the energy efficiency of modular buildings requires an approach that works towards achieving continuous insulation. The key strategy here would be to reduce thermal bridging at all structural connections to minimize the transfer of heat.
Structural thermal breaks, such as those manufactured by Armatherm™, are engineered from low-conductivity materials that are installed at these junctions to interrupt the path of heat flow through steel and concrete connections.
When incorporated at the design stage, thermal break solutions can deliver measurable reductions in heat loss, improving a building’s U-value calculations and overall energy model performance.
Reducing Thermal Bridging in Modular Construction
Thermal bridging is one of the primary factors that limits the energy performance of modular buildings, particularly in steel-framed systems where the high conductive elements penetrate the building envelope.
In modular construction, thermal bridges can occur at each joint and fixation point. Installing thermal breaks at these junctions helps to minimize heat and energy loss, reinforcing the building envelope and helping to work towards continuous insulation.
Armatherm™ thermal break products are independently tested and validated to ASTM and ISO standards, providing engineers and specifiers with the verified thermal and structural performance data needed to optimize modular building details and demonstrate compliance with energy codes including ASHRAE 90.1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Modular buildings often score well on component-level insulation but underperform in whole-building energy models because audit tools account for linear and point thermal bridges at joints. A modular structure with no thermal break detailing at connections frequently shows a significant gap between designed and actual performance. Addressing the connections directly is what closes that gap.
Yes. Persistent thermal bridges at structural connections create cold surface temperatures inside the building. These cold spots encourage condensation, which over time leads to moisture ingress and mold growth. The problem is structural and hygienic, not only thermal.
Thermal breaks need to be specified at the design stage, before connection details are fixed. Retrofitting them is difficult and costly once a module is fabricated. Early specification also allows the thermal performance data to feed into energy models and support code compliance submissions under ASHRAE 90.1 from the outset.
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