Code Breaker

Specifying Thermally Broken Aluminium Framing for Thermal

Performance, Efficiency and Compliance with NCC Section J
“A thermal break is a material of low thermal conductivity
placed in an assembly between two conductive materials
to prevent the flow of heat energy between them.”

Introduction
In Australia, the environmental impact of the built environment is
undeniable. The building sector alone accounts for approximately
19% of total energy consumption and 23% of greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions.1 The GHG emissions associated with this energy
use represents 6% of Australia’s total net emissions.2

Much of the problem can be attributed to buildings that do

not effectively manage heat loss or gain, which increases our
dependence on mechanical heating and cooling to regulate indoor
temperatures. Excess heat loss and gain can occur through a
standard aluminium window or door frame, which are excellent
conductors of heat. This effect is called “thermal bridging”, where
an area or component of an object has higher thermal conductivity
than the surrounding materials, creating a path of least resistance
for heat transfer.

One of the major changes to the National Construction

Code (NCC) in 2019 is the increased requirement for thermal
performance in Section J, which significantly impacts the design
of the wall-glazing construction. The updated Code recognises
that thermal bridges created by a standard aluminium frame can
significantly reduce a building’s efficiency and overall thermal
performance. As a result, designers and specifiers face an
increased risk of non-compliance when using individual, low
performing frame components. The solution: thermal breaks.

In this whitepaper, we take a closer look at thermal breaks in

relation to the framing of windows and doors, how they work and
the benefits they provide to building performance. We also consider
thermal breaks in the context of recent changes to Section J and
how it impacts window and door design and specification.
Understanding Thermal Bridging and Thermal Breaks
WHAT IS THERMAL BRIDGING? WHAT IS A THERMAL BREAK?
In order to understand thermal breaks, you must If a thermal bridge creates a pathway of least resistance
understand thermal bridging. In simple terms, a thermal for heat to escape out of a building, a thermal break
bridge is a pathway along which heat can travel along is used to block that pathway. A thermal break is
unmitigated by insulation. A thermal bridge is formed a material of low thermal conductivity placed in an
when the insulation layer is bypassed by a very conductive assembly between two conductive materials to prevent
material (such as aluminium), allowing heat to transfer the flow of heat energy between them. It acts as a
through a wall, ceiling or floor.3 A standard aluminium continuous barrier that prevents thermal transfer.
window or door frame is often the conductive material that
provides a pathway through the building envelope, which “Thermally broken” is a term which relates to window
may otherwise be well insulated and airtight. or door frames. A thermally broken frame is one that
includes a reinforced polyamide strip fixed between
As it provides a path for heat to escape unmitigated from the inside and outside aluminium profiles to create
inside to the outside of a building, the thermal bridge an insulated barrier within the window frame. The
created by an aluminium frame is especially problematic. polyamide strip is a material of low thermal conductivity
If you are attempting to keep a building warm during that dramatically reduces heat transfer through the
colder months, heat leaking to the outside of a building window frame.
means that additional mechanical heating is required to
regulate indoor temperatures. Conversely, during warmer Benefits of Thermally Broken Windows
months, a non-thermally broken window can result in
unwanted heat gain that requires additional space cooling. REDUCES ENERGY CONSUMPTION warm indoor air comes in contact with the cold window
(AND SAVES MONEY) frame, there is a potential for condensation to form on
Thermal bridges created by aluminium window and the frame.
door frames result in a significant reduction in thermal
Poor condensation management is a costly building
performance. Up to 49% of the heat lost during winter,
issue. Often invisible until the damage is already done,
and as much as 87% of the heat gained during summer,
excess moisture within a building can lead to dampness,
can come from windows.4 An inefficient window system
mould and building decay. As moisture damage is
can therefore result in higher energy consumption and
difficult to detect early, it is often expensive to rectify
electricity costs. Heating and cooling already accounts
especially when structural damage has occurred.
for 20-50% of energy used in Australian homes.5
A thermally broken window frame significantly reduces
Non-Thermally Broken Aluminium Frame If we consider a traditional aluminium frame as the
the risk of condensation. The reinforced polyamide strip
baseline, a design that utilises thermally broken frames
acts as a thermal barrier to keep the interior surfaces
with double glazing (insulated glazing units or IGUs)
of the window or door frame similar to the room
can reduce heat conductivity by 50 to 75 per cent.6 In
temperature. This minimises the incidence of warm moist
practice, this improvement provides greater control
indoor air meeting cooler surfaces, thus preventing the
over heat loss and gain inside a home, and reduces the
formation of condensation on the frame’s surface.
dependence on mechanical heating and cooling, which
in turn means lower household energy consumption.
IMPROVES INDOOR COMFORT
Switching to thermally broken window frames can result Thermally broken windows act as extra insulation
in significant cost savings for property owners. A home which contributes to thermal comfort all year round.
with 60m2 of glazed windows and doors could save An effectively insulated building delivers cooler
up to 0.42kwh with thermally broken frames, which interiors in the summer, and warmer interiors in the
translates to savings of approximately $500 per year. winter; the feeling of comfort is easier to achieve
Thermally Broken Aluminium Frame without significant heat loss.
REDUCES RISK OF CONDENSATION
Reducing the effects of thermal bridging also makes it
Condensation occurs when water vapour within indoor
easier to achieve a warm and dry indoor environment,
air meets a cold surface. A standard aluminium window
which can have a positive effect on indoor air quality.
frame is susceptible to condensation due to its ability
Untreated condensation can lead to ill health and
to readily transfer heat – when the outdoor temperature
respiratory issues from mould growth or excess humidity.
drops, the window frames also become colder. When
“A home with 60m2 of glazed windows and doors could
save up to 0.42kwh with thermally broken frames, which
translates to savings of approximately $500 per year.”

Section J Compliance: Thermal Bridging

In the NCC 2019, the revised Section J sets out can be greatly diminished by using inefficient individual
new energy efficiency requirements for commercial components. Windows and doors will almost always About Alspec
buildings. The new requirements include considerably have a higher U-Value (lower efficiency) than the wall
increased stringency of thermal performance for the construction. Lower performing components may Established in 1974, Alspec is the market leader in the design
wall-glazing construction. The whole wall-glazing potentially reduce the allowable Window-to-Wall Ratio of and distribution of innovative aluminium systems to the architectural,
construction is now calculated as a Total-System the building, while still meeting the U-Value requirements. industrial and home improvement markets. Alspec has invested heavily in
U-Value, using area weighted averages for the individual research and development to ensure a continual supply of ground-breaking
components (windows, doors and walls). A minimum Thermally broken windows and doors can improve systems, improved products and new technology.
backstop R-Value is also required for spandrel sections, thermally efficiency by up to 35% (over non-thermally
broken systems). By improving the performance of your With direct access to a NATA-accredited testing facility in Brisbane, the company’s
which encourages the use of thermally broken frames.
framing systems, you could increase the Window-to- extensive product range is extensively tested, providing customers with high
How does this impact design and specification of Wall Ratio of your building. quality, compliant solutions for a wide range of applications. Alspec products are
window and door frames? The Total System U-Value supported by skilled staff committed to satisfying customer requirements.

For more information, visit www.alspec.com.au

ThermAFrame
THERMALLY BROKEN ALUMINIUM FRAMING ThermAFrame has also been extensively performance
SYSTEMS tested (acoustic, thermal, wind load and water pressure)
Alspec’s® ThermAFrame® is a energy efficient window to deliver maximum reliability and performance under
framing system that utilises the latest in European demanding conditions. A range of models are available
Polyamide Thermal Break technology combined to suit any project or application.
with Australian design principles to achieve the best
possible results in energy rating in a system that is easy AVAILABLE MODELS
to fabricate and install. • Thermally Broken Awning & Casement Window
The innovative framing system allows for seamless • 101.6mm Flush Glazed Thermally Broken Framing
integration across ThermAFrame Centre Pocket and
• 150mm Flush Glazed Thermally Broken Framing
Flush Glazed Systems. ThermAFrame has also been
designed to accommodate high performance double • 101.6mm Centre Glazed Thermally Broken Framing
glazed units that can maximise the performance of the
• 150mm Centre Pocket Thermally Broken Framing
building envelope. This versatility enables designers
to achieve the most challenging structural and energy • Thermally Broken 50mm Commercial Door
requirements, with excellent Uw values down as low • Thermally Broken Sliding Door
as 1.7 for some models.
REFERENCES
1 JVictoria Government. “Energy Efficient Office Buildings: Transforming the Mid-Tier Sector.” Sustainability Victoria.
https://assets.sustainability.vic.gov.au/susvic/Report-Energy-Commercial-buildings-Energy-Efficient-Office-Buildings-Nov-2016.pdf (accessed 12 April 2021).
2 Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. “Baseline Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Commercial Buildings Australia.” energy.gov.au.
https://www.energy.gov.au/publications/baseline-energy-consumption-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions-commercial-buildings-australia (accessed 12 April 2021).
3 Connection Magazines. “Thermal bridges.” Build. https://build.com.au/thermal-bridges (accessed 12 April 2021).
4 Australian Window Association. “Efficient Glazing.” Efficientglazing.net. http://www.efficientglazing.net/EGhome.aspx (accessed 12 April 2021).
5 Australian Government. “Heating and cooling.” Energy.gov.au. https://www.energy.gov.au/households/heating-and-cooling (accessed 12 April 2021).
6 Turner, Lance and Dick Clarke. “Windows: In the frame.” Sanctuary Magazine.
https://renew.org.au/sanctuary-magazine/building-materials/windows-in-the-frame (accessed 12 April 2021).

All information provided correct as of April 2021