Through-wall metal flashing with thermal breaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional through-wall flashing systems made of metal materials facilitate thermal bridging, allowing external temperature fluctuations to easily transfer into building interiors, leading to energy inefficiency and potential moisture issues.
Innovation Solution
A through-wall flashing system featuring a polymeric core with thermal breaks between metal surfaces, disrupting thermal conductivity and incorporating a sheet metal exterior facing with strategically placed gaps to reduce temperature transmission, while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal flashing members are used to connect exterior and interior components, then structural strength and durability are improved, but thermal bridging increases allowing heat transfer between exterior and interior
Solution Approach 1:
The metal flashing member is divided into multiple segments separated by gaps or spaces, breaking the continuous thermal path while maintaining structural connectivity. The flashing is segmented into first, second, and third portions with thermal breaks between them, allowing the structure to remain strong while interrupting heat flow.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-metallic intermediate material or air gap is introduced between metal flashing segments to mediate the thermal transfer. This intermediary element provides thermal resistance while allowing the metal components to maintain their structural function for water diversion and structural support.
2Reliability
If continuous metal flashing is used for water diversion, then water protection is improved, but thermal conductivity from exterior to interior increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous metal flashing is segmented into discrete portions with thermal breaks between them. Each segment maintains its water diversion function while the gaps between segments interrupt the thermal pathway, preventing direct temperature transmission from exterior to interior.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the flashing system have different thermal properties - metal segments provide water protection and structural function where needed, while thermal break regions provide thermal insulation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of water protection and thermal control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If metal flashing members are exposed to external conditions, then structural rigidity is maintained, but thermal resistance decreases allowing easy heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid metal flashing is segmented into portions that maintain structural stability while being separated by thermal breaks. Each metal segment retains its rigidity for structural support, but the segmentation introduces thermal resistance that prevents easy heat transfer through the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The flashing system uses a composite structure combining metal portions for structural rigidity with non-metallic thermal break portions for thermal resistance. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve structural stability and thermal insulation properties.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively minimizes thermal bridging, enhancing energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer between exterior and interior surfaces, thereby improving building insulation and preventing moisture-related problems.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal breaks are disposed between one or more of the adjacent surfaces of the exterior facing and are adapted to disrupt thermal communication along the exterior facing between the interior flashing portion and the exterior flashing portion of the flashing strip
Data Source
AI summary
A through-wall flashing device includes a metal exterior surrounding a polymeric core, wherein the metal exterior is substantially non-continuous or otherwise interrupted by thermal breaks disposed about the metal exterior. In assembly, the thermal breaks help to reduce or all together eliminate thermal bridging from an exterior of a building construction to the interior of a building or building wall. The through-wall flashing device is adapted for use with a variety of wall constructions and is specifically configured to provide insulation and moisture sheeting properties around doors, windows and other architectural apertures which may be found in a wall construction.