Thermally Broken Rainscreen Sub-Girt Systems
Thermally Broken Rainscreen Sub-Girt Systems
A thermally broken sub girts system is a building construction detail used in steel-framed or metal buildings, for industrial or commercial applications. It helps to improve energy efficiency by minimizing the amount of heat transferred through the structure’s metal components.
- Air / Water / Vapour barriers: This is typically a weather-resistant barrier (WRB) or air/vapor barrier used in wall assemblies to prevent moisture infiltration and provide air-tightness. It can be made of various materials, such as self-adhered or liquid-applied membranes.
- Thermal Clip: In cladding design, a thermal break is a material or component that reduces the flow of heat between two surfaces. A thermal clip would be a connector or fastener that prevents heat from passing between different materials, like metal cladding and structural components. This helps reduce energy loss and prevents condensation issues, contributing to a more energy-efficient building.
- Sub Girts: These are horizontal or vertical typically 18-gauge galvanized steel structural elements used to support exterior cladding systems. Sub-girts provide support for the exterior wall claddings and create a gap for insulation to be inserted between the girts and the various claddings.
- Rigid & Semi-Rigid Insulation: Insulation is essential for improving the building’s energy performance, reducing environmental impact, and saving energy and lowering the utility bills. It creates a barrier against temperature fluctuations, noise, moisture, and fire, contributing to the building’s overall resilience.
The insulation is placed in between the sub-girts, often in the form of, Roxul CavityRock semi rigid insulation, or IKO Enerfoil Sheating rigid polyisocyanurate foam insulation board, but not limited to.
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A thermally broken clip sub-girts system provides several benefits particularly when it comes to energy efficiency and overall building performance. Here are the key advantages:
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The primary benefit of a thermal break is that it reduces heat transfer between the interior and exterior of a building. By using thermal broken clips, you create a barrier that minimizes the flow of heat, preventing cold air from entering and warm air from escaping (and vice versa). This helps maintain more consistent indoor temperatures and improves energy efficiency.
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Because thermal bridging (heat transfer through structural components like steel or metal) is minimized, buildings with thermal broken clip sub-girts systems are generally more energy-efficient. This leads to lower heating and cooling costs, as the building’s HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the desired indoor temperature.
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Thermal breaks help to reduce the risk of condensation on the interior of the building, which can lead to mold growth or damage to insulation materials. By preventing cold spots on the building’s interior, the system helps to maintain a more consistent temperature that minimize condensation from forming.
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With better insulation and reduced temperature fluctuations, occupants of the building experience more comfortable indoor environments. Thermal bridges can create cold or hot spots, but thermal breaks help to eliminate these issues.
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The use of a thermal break system can help reduce the expansion and contraction that occurs with fluctuating temperatures. This can lead to a longer lifespan for the building materials and reduce the wear and tear on structural components.
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The reduced energy demand due to better insulation can lower the building’s carbon footprint, making the building more environmentally friendly. A building that requires less energy for heating and cooling is more sustainable and can help meet green building certifications like LEED.
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While the initial investment in thermal broken systems can be higher, the energy savings over time can make it a cost-effective solution. Lower operational costs and less wear on HVAC systems provide long-term savings.
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The sub-girts system with thermal breaks can improve the overall insulation of building facades, particularly when used in conjunction with advanced wall cladding systems. This further enhances the building’s thermal performance.
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Many building codes and standards require thermal breaks to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency. By using thermal broken clip sub-girts, a building can meet these regulatory requirements more easily.