Solving for thermal weak links in masonry enclosures

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["sup"],["em"],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.owenscorning.com\/foamglas","target","_new"]]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"AIA partner Owens Corning examines how cellular glass insulating blocks can address thermal continuity between the ground floor insulation and masonry block. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Advances in building technologies, innovative materials and tighter building codes have all improved the commercial enclosure\u2019s thermal performance. But even with today\u2019s building codes mandating continuous insulation, some perennial \u201cweak links\u201d in the commercial enclosure persist. Models and analysis reveal that thermal bridging continues to contribute to a performance gap in America\u2019s buildings. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"Managing the performance gap in masonry construction"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Any aspect of design that prevents the continuity of insulation acts as a path for increased heat loss and can be considered a thermal bridge. Beyond reducing occupant comfort and energy efficiency, thermal bridging can thwart designers\u2019 efforts to achieve objectives such as net-zero energy buildings. Examples of areas where thermal bridging can occur are the placement of a balcony projecting through an exterior wall or joist intersection, or any junction between different construction elements. Such breaks introduce a path for thermal loss as warm air flows toward the cooler exterior."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Thermal bridges contribute to the performance gap \u2014 often referred to as the discrepancy between a building\u2019s actual energy use and its prescribed use. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"A solution trusted by Europe\u2019s high-performing buildings"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A novel approach for American architects seeking to close the performance gap in masonry buildings comes from Europe, where cellular glass structural insulating blocks have long been used to reduce unwanted heat loss due to breaks in the continuity of the enclosure. Cellular glass delivers thermal continuity between the ground floor insulation and the masonry block. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In masonry construction, thermal bridging presents a special challenge given the compressive load that must be managed at the intersection of the ground floor and the masonry block. The high compressive strength of cellular glass insulation makes it well-suited for use in load-bearing construction. Traditionally, architects designing low-rise masonry buildings in North America have had to forego some level of thermal performance to manage the structural load. Launching in summer 2022, cellular glass structural insulating blocks offer U.S. architects and contractors a practical tool for managing thermal bridging and delivering compressive strength. "]]],[1,"h3",[[0,[],0,"Easy to handle "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Of course, specifying an insulating material to manage thermal bridging is only part of the challenge. Any material must be properly installed to deliver its full value. Cellular glass structural insulating blocks are lightweight and easy to install. The blocks do not require construction teams to deviate from the precise processes used in masonry construction. For example, Owens Corning designed FOAMGLAS PERINSUL"],[0,[0],1," "],[0,[],0,"SIB around standard masonry unit sizes and installation practices so that blocks can be easily integrated into brick and blockwork walls. As the blocks are laid end-to-end and butted with no vertical mortar, they deliver a continuous layer of thermal resistance despite breaks in the continuity of the enclosure."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Beyond contributing to occupant comfort, cellular glass structural insulating blocks can complement other design objectives in support of environmental stewardship and sustainability."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Masonry buildings are renowned for their beauty, resilience, and longevity. Cellular glass insulation offers North American architects an insulating material long trusted in Europe to tackle thermal bridging and help close the performance gap in masonry enclosures."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],0,"To learn more, please visit "],[0,[2],1,"www.owenscorning.com\/foamglas"],[0,[],1,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"AIA does not sponsor or endorse any enterprise, whether \npublic or private, operated for profit. Further, no AIA officer, \ndirector, committee member, or employee, or any of its component \norganizations in his or her official capacity, is permitted to approve, \nsponsor, endorse, or do anything that may be deemed or construed to be \nan approval, sponsorship, or endorsement of any material of construction\n or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in\n any material or product."]]]]}