ARMATHERM THERMAL BRIDGING SOLUTIONS
UNIT 1
BRIGHTON STREET
SHIPLEY
WEST YORKSHIRE BD17 7EB
Tel: 01274 591115
Fax: 01274 591279
Suppliers of: Thermal Break Pads, Thermal Bridge solutions, balcony isolators, structural thermal breaks, cantilever steelwork thermal bridging, cold bridge isolation, thermal partitions, steelwork thermal break, thermal bridging solutions, cold bridging pads, cold br
Armatherm™ is one of the leading suppliers of structural thermal break materials for the construction industry. Our goal is to provide architects, structural engineers and building design professionals with effective solutions to prevent thermal bridging.
Office Locations in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the United States.
Thermal bridging has been recognised as a significant factor in building envelope heat loss. Armatherm™ thermal break materials have low thermal conductivity and high strength and have been designed and tested to prevent thermal bridging. Armatherm™ thermal bridging solutions can be used anywhere a penetration or transition exists in a building envelope creating a thermal bridge. Armatherm™ structural thermal break materials minimise heat loss at balcony, canopy, parapet, masonry shelf angle and cladding connections.
Armatherm™ THERMAL BREAK PRODUCTS:
Armatherm™ structural thermal break materials provide a combination of low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength. They have been specifically designed and tested to transfer load and prevent thermal bridging. Armatherm™ has been proven through three dimensional modeling to reduce heat loss in wall assemblies, transitions and structural connections throughout the building envelope.
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Armatherm™ FRR is an extremely strong and durable thermal break material suitable for supporting heavy loads while cutting conductive heat loss.
(Thermal Insulation Material – TIM):
Armatherm™ FRR structural thermal break material provides a combination of low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength and has been used in hundreds of structural steel framing connections transferring load in moment and shear conditions. Armatherm™ FRR thermal break material can support high loads and has great mechanical properties. The material is made of a reinforced, thermoset resin which is fire resistant making it the ideal material for use in structural steel and façade thermal break connections.
Armatherm™ FRR Thermal Washer and Bushing:
With a bolt through insulation pad there is a slight thermal transfer along the connecting bolt. To further reduce heat loss, Armatherm™ FRR bushings and washers can be used on the warm face of the structure. A thermal break at the bolt connection will reduce heat loss an additional 4% per bolt depending on the wall assembly construction.
Structural Steel Thermal Break Connection:
Armatherm™ FRR Thermal Break Pads are often called Thermal Bridges, balcony isolators, structural thermal breaks, cantilever steelwork thermal bridging, cold bridge isolation, thermal partitions, steelwork thermal break, thermal bridging, cold bridging pads, cold bridging solutions. All of these solutions use Thermal Insulation Material TIM to prevent thermal bridging.
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Armatherm™ 500 Structural Thermal Break Material is a high strength, polyurethane material manufactured in several densities to support a wide range of building loads.
(Thermal Insulation Material – TIM):
Reducing heat flow within a building’s thermal envelope reduces energy consumption as well as potential condensation issues. Armatherm™ 500 thermal break material (TIM) significantly reduces energy lost from thermal bridging in building envelope connections. Armatherm™ 500 structural thermal break material is a high strength, thermoset polyurethane manufactured in several densities. Armatherm™ 500 thermal break material can support high loads and has a selection of four grades of material with different compressive strength capabilities. The Armatherm™ 500 thermal insulation blocks have very limited creep under load, plus they do not absorb water because of their closed cell structure. Therefore, energy lost via thermal bridging is reduced within building envelope connections. Heat flow, energy consumption and potentially dangerous condensation issues are all minimised as a result.
Armatherm™ 500 – Parapet Roof Penetration Thermal Bridging Solution:
Thermal bridging is necessary in locations such as roof to wall and parapets as they require structural framing for support. By including thermal break materials under the parapet connecting the facade and roof insulation, the R value can be improved by as much as 30%. Within the building envelope, a thermal break can also be installed at roof penetration points where structural elements are supported.
Armatherm™ 500 – Column Base Thermal Bridging Solution (load dependent):
In a traditional structure, columns extend throughout the building envelope and slab insulation are positioned at their base. Cold bridges can be prevented with the use of a thermal break. Armatherm™ 500 has a limited creep under load as well as high strength, making it the best solution for load supporting thermal break requirements.
Armatherm™ 500 – Foundation Wall Thermal Bridging Solution (load dependent):
Further areas with the potential to feature thermal bridges are the foundations of a building and the connection from slab on grade to a foundation wall. Energy loss can be reduced dramatically with the addition of an Armatherm™ 500 series thermal insulation block which support exceptionally high loads of up to 300N/mm2.
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Armatherm™ Z Girt is a nonconductive cladding support system, strong enough to hold most cladding and insulation details.
Armatherm™ Z Girt thermally broken cladding support connection solutions prevent excessive heat flow and potential condensation problems otherwise associated with thermal bridging. Moreover, wall assemblies using Armatherm attachments will meet the continuous insulation requirement of ASHRAE 90.1 and the effective R value requirements of the Canadian NECB energy code.
Modelling results show that using Armatherm Z girts results in several improvements in the thermal efficiency of wall designs, reducing heat flow:
- The insulation efficiencies of the wall assemblies increase significantly. Some as high as 98%.
- Higher, effective wall assembly R values are achieved using lower values of external insulation. For example, to obtain an R value of R-13 minimum to meet ASHRAE zone 1, steel girts require and external R 20; whereas Armatherm girts require only R 10.
- Cladding wall assemblies can meet the R value requirements of ALL geographical zones for both ASHRAE 2013 and NECB 2011 energy codes using Armatherm Z girts.
- Reduction in thickness and cost of insulation.
- Reduces energy consumption.
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Armatherm™ thermal bridging solutions is part of the Armadillo Noise & Vibration Group which manufacture a wide range of Noise & Vibration products.
Armadillo Noise & Vibration Solutions offer suppressant materials for use in facilities and construction to include:
- Armaload - DLW66: Armaload DLW66 random oriented fiber (ROF) bearing pads are made from masticated elastomer which is fully cured and fiber reinforced.
- Armaload - Mil-C-882: Armaload is a preformed fabric bearing pad which meets MIL-C-882, AASHTO 14.7.6.1, AASHTO 14.7.6.2 and AASHTO 18.10.1 specifications.
- Armacork: Offered in various sheet sizes and thicknesses Armacork is the ideal entry level material to offer a cost effective and fast vibration control solution for many industrial applications.
- Neoprene Pads: Some applications do not warrant the expense of a custom made Vibration Control pad but do require some element of resilience in the installation.
- Vibstop: Vibstop isolation material is a specifically designed vibration absorbing medium. Produced as a cost-effective solution to isolating foundations whether it be existing machinery or installing new equipment.
- Armacush: Armadillo Armacush is an ideal product which not only gives excellent long term performance but is also specifically designed for ease of installation to avoid costly delays in the construction process.
- PTFE: When movements need to be accommodated in structural connections, a sliding element will need to be employed in the design. Armadillo can design manufacture and supply a cost effective solution for applications such as vessel thermal, petrochemical applications, pipelines or building movement joints.
- Regupol/Regufoam: Regufoam® was developed as a top-quality mixed-cell PUR foam for vibration damping and structure-borne noise decoupling. Regufoam® is made in various densities with precisely stipulated physical properties.
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Thermal breaks are the missing links in continuous insulation
For a very long time, heat loss within buildings—the outcome of thermodynamic interactions when the heated inner and cold outer air collide—was considered as an unavoidable part of architectural construction.
Heat loss within a building is gauged using thermal transmittances. Heat transfer is also known as transfer efficiency or the R-value of a structure.
Older structures typically have far poorer heat loss ratings. This is due to the buildings’ propensity for draftiness, insufficient insulation, or mould growth brought on by an increase in the cold air that creates moisture as a result of temperature variations.
A thermal bridge is a region of a building or construction that is continuously penetrated by an element having a higher thermal conductivity. Particular locations of heat loss form thermal bridges.
Yet, the introduction of 3D modelling makes it possible to easily expose such thermal bridges, allowing any substantial causes to overall energy loss to be discovered.
Many different applications that cause heat loss can be identified using 3D thermal modelling. The following assemblies may account for more than half of a building’s heat loss!
What are the missing links in continuous insulation?
Structural steel beams
In conventional structures, internal steel beams extend through the building’s floor slabs. In low temperature structures like freezer or cold storage rooms, thermal bridges form at the base of steel columns.
Balconies and canopies
The most common interface details for structural framing are those that link to slab edges or spandrel beams on the interior side of the thermal envelope while passing through air barrier and insulation layers.
Thermal bridging at balcony and canopy connections can diminish a wall assembly’s R value by as much as 60%.
Brick shelves
When there are non-continuous insulation features present, heat loss occurs at wall transitions and at the foundation perimeter, lowering the effective R value of the external wall.
Using techniques where thermal breaks can insulate these crucial places and prevent, or reduce, thermal bridging is the key to raising the R value of structures and maintaining a well-insulated building.
Armatherm offers a comprehensive selection of solutions that are specifically designed to increase energy efficiency. We are a top provider of structural thermal break materials to the building sector.
Whenever there is a building envelope penetration, our thermal break solutions can be applied. By doing this, heat loss at places like balcony, canopy, parapet, masonry shelf angles, and cladding connections is effectively reduced.
To get in touch with us and enhance your ongoing insulation please visit https://www.armatherm.co.uk/
Armatherm’s thermal breaks offering expands
Structural thermal breaks company, Armatherm™, has recently experienced further business growth with the acquisition of a new building in Bradford, alongside a presence in Ireland to expand its energy and cost saving solution offerings across Europe. Armatherm’s product range has been developed to address building locations that require structural load to be taken through the envelope.
The revolutionary materials are created using ultra-high density, closed-cell polymers that offer a high-load capacity and outstanding thermal performances. The thermal breaks are inert and water resistant allowing it to be used in a variety of locations, including foundation to wall transitions, cladding fixings, column base and roof penetrations.
Paul Beech, Business Development Manager at Armatherm™, said: “We’re really pleased with the increased demand for Armatherm™ over the last year, which we estimate will continue as the construction sector begins to meet new challenges to meet net zero emissions by 2050.”
The business expansion follows a number of business wins and exciting projects completed across the UK and USA, and the new facility offers more space storage to boost distribution and provide more space for potential customers to visit and meet with the Armatherm™ team. Dedicated to future proofing the world of construction, Armatherm™ continues to grow with ambitious plans for the next five years.
