Where rainscreen cladding is a primary design element, in place long term thermal performance of the structure is dramatically impacted by the thermal efficiency of the cladding support system. Generically specifying “thermally broken clips” for your rainscreen cladding support structure may not deliver the thermal performance you desire or intend.
Steel stud wall assembly with a FIBERGLASS CLIP and 4 inches of mineral fiber insulation (clips at 26″ OC): Effective R-value = 15.7 (U-value = 0.064 – 21% R-Value loss)
Steel stud wall assembly with KNIGHT’S MFI® System and 4 inches of mineral fiber insulation (brackets at 24″ OC): Effective R-value = 17.2 (U-value = 0.058 – only 14% R-Value loss)
For the 3D thermal analysis, Knight Wall used the expert services provided by Morrison-Hershfield. Knight’s web site includes thermal performance summaries for all their assemblies. For a more in-depth look, we can provide for 3D Thermal modeling reports.