Armatherm™ FRR Masonry Shelf Angle Thermal Bridging US

Masonry Shelf Angle Thermal Bridging Solution 

Masonry veneer walls require tie-backs and shelf angles which form significant thermal bridges and can reduce a walls’ R value by as much as 50% making it difficult to meet energy codes. 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.

To improve the U value of a masonry wall assembly, the shelf angle can be connected to the structure at discreet, evenly spaced points such as plate “blades” allowing the insulation to pass behind the steel angle, thus reducing the effects of a continuous thermal bridge. However, building the shelf angle outwards requires larger geometries and additional material to support the cantilevered load.

Masonry Shelf Angle Thermal Break

Alternatively, Armatherm™ FRR structural thermal break material can be used directly behind the masonry shelf angle as a thermal break within the insulating layer. The Armatherm™ thermal break significantly reduces the linear transmittance (heat loss) of the shelf angle connection. Rigid, metal flashing used as waterproofing can also be replaced with a non-conductive, self-adhered membrane to reduce the effects of thermal bridging further.