Thermal and moisture protection products were featured in Metal Construction News’ August 2022 issue.
Attachment system provides thermal efficiency
Longboard Products’ Hitch is a thermally broken cladding attachment system. Depending on cladding weight and insulation requirements, a standard-duty or heavy-duty model can be used. Hitch fits continuous exterior insulation between 1-inch and 16 inches thick. Therefore, it can be used in passive house projects in all ASHRAE climate zones in North America. Hitch has greater than 90% thermal efficiency and can provide R-values more than R-60 with a variety of wall assemblies. The system is used on various building structures including steel stud and pre-engineered metal buildings; cladding materials include metal wall panels. Hitch supports cladding loads to 15 pounds per foot (psf) in seismic conditions and high wind load conditions to 120 psf.
Insulation fits metal buildings
Pacific Insulation Products LLC’s R-Seal rigid board continuous metal building insulation is an exterior- and interior-faced rigid polyurethane foam envelope system with air barrier integral tape tabs. Pre-engineered metal buildings are detailed with a trim package for R-Seal the same as those for insulated metal panels (IMPs). Long fasteners for the through-fastened wall and/or roof sheeting and flashing that fits the insulation’s thickness are required. Additionally, considerations for sheer are made. For standing seam roofs, bearing plate style clips are specified. Panels can be fastened directly to the interior of metal building framing with thermally broken fasteners.
Foam seals joints
Tremco Inc.’s Willseal PF100 is a pre-compressed, self-expanding foam joint seal. It performs as a weathertight primary seal for various prefabricated applications. The high-density polyurethane foam is impregnated with a modified flame retardant, UV-stable acrylic resin and silicone seal barrier, which is protected by its foam core. Willseal self-expands to fill joints; it is capable of plus/minus 50% movement from mean joint sizes.
Insulation provides thermal efficiency
CertainTeed Corp.’s rolls of fiberglass metal building insulation are composed of inorganic glass fibers bonded with a thermoset resin, formed as a flexible, uniformly textured tan blanket insulation. When laminated on one side with a vapor retarder, it provides additional thermal efficiency. The insulation reduces exterior/interior sound transmissions and absorbs reverberating sounds inside buildings.
Membranes hold moisture
When temperature and humidity conditions reach the dew point, moisture condenses on the undersides of metal roofing. To hold moisture until conditions return below the dew point, McElroy Metal’s MoistureLok membranes are attached to undersides of panels. When panels are installed, to avoid capillary or wicking action, membranes are treated with heat to fuse their fibers.
Sealants suit multiple applications
Triangle Fastener Corp.’s APS500 advanced polymer sealant is a general purpose sealant for sealing metal trim and flashings. ULTRA1000 silicone sealant provides UV protection and can be used in service temperatures to 400 degrees. TFC BUTYL tube sealant is non-skinning and seals panel laps and flashings; it remains permanently flexible.
Roof underlayment has laminated layers
Ox Engineered Products LLC’s ToughSkin HT Ice and Water Guard roof underlayment for metal and tile roofs has a rubberized asphalt adhesive base layer for adhesion including in high-temperature climates. Woven and non-woven reinforcement layers are laminated together. There is a UV-shielded waterproof layer and top layer with a SlipSafe walking surface.
Louvers resist water penetration
Airolite Co. LLC’s 4-inch-deep K6744 extruded aluminum drainable louvers have blades with gutters at the front edges to prevent water droplets from cascading blade-to-blade and becoming entrained in intake air flow.
IMPs provide high R-values
With panel thicknesses from 2 to 8 inches, Metl-Span’s CF Mesa insulated metal panels (IMPs) provide R-values of R-17.5 to R-70. The IMPs are ASTM C518, ASTM C1363 and ASTM E283 certified.
Soffits have narrow vents
Petersen Aluminum Corp.’s PAC-CLAD vented flush soffit panels increase airflow. Panels are roll-formed with 0.032- or 0.04-inch-thick aluminum. They are tension-leveled to ensure flatness. Matching J-channels are offered.
Gutters drain water
RHEINZINK America Inc.’s zinc gutter systems are available in standard half-round pipes, and 5- and 6-inch diameters. Gutters can be bonded with sealant for durable connections in complete roof drainage systems.
Louvers protect openings
Ruskin Co.’s EME620DD louvers are 6-inch-deep, horizontally bladed, stationary louvers for generator rooms and other spaces that require safety equipment to continue running during a storm event. They protect air intake and exhaust openings in exterior walls from wind-driven rain.
