When specifying cladding support assemblies, it is common to require a thermally isolated system or a non-metallic clip.  For assurance of high thermal performance, it is important to consider data offered by thermally modeled systems utilizing accepted modeling programs.

With thermal performance being one of the critical issues associated with sustainable design and meeting the energy code, Knight Wall Systems provides 3D thermal analysis for all their assemblies on their website, reported by product and with various configurations, in the document Thermal Performance Summary. For the 3D thermal analysis, Knight Wall used the expert services provided by Morrison-Hershfield. The CAD/FEA analysis software NX, from Siemens was used for the actual modeling. Using this software, MH had previously conducted a research project for the ASHRAE in which a 3D thermal model was developed and calibrated to within 5% of hotbox measurements. Please feel free to contact Knight Wall Systems for the full report which includes further modeling data and wall assemblies.

For reference and comparison, Knight Wall provides this example for use with mineral fiber assemblies:

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)

Steel Stud Assembly with KNIGHT’S Thermazee System and 4” of mineral fiber insulation (Thermazee horizontal, 24” OC): Effective assembly R-value = 17.2 (U-value = 0.058).

Thermally modeled performance – the foundation for selecting cladding support assemblies to ensure delivery of high energy performance structures. Knight Wall Systems – providing engineered and thermally modeled cladding support systems to solve design problems.

For example, click here