Performance Solutions
Marcy Marro,
Posted
05/06/2011
CENTRIA's MetalWrap Series back-up panels are an all-in-one
system
Finding an effective back-up wall system that keeps moisture out
and the heat in is a problem that many architects and contractors
face on a daily basis. While a traditional multiple component
backup system consists of layers of batt or board insulation,
exterior gypsum board, air barriers, vapor retarders or building
wraps, Moon Township, Pa.-based CENTRIA offers its all-in-one
MetalWrap Series insulated composite back-up panel (ICBP), which
consists of a single thermal, air and moisture barrier backup
system. The panels can be used with either single element exterior
or mixedmedium buildings featuring metal, brick and terra cotta
exteriors.
"Today's building teams demand a product that provides a high
level of performance as well as ease of installation," says Greg
Lusty, MetalWrap Series product manager at CENTRIA. "Metal-Wrap
Series delivers that just by positioning the insulation outboard of
the studs, but in a singlepanel component instead of several
separate building materials."
"We're removing a lot of the possible problem areas by providing
a single component," Lusty explains. "It gives us the ability to
provide a continuous air and thermal barrier for the envelope."
Failure in any of the individual layers of a traditional
multiple component back-up system can lead to moisture build-up and
entrapment within the building's wall cavity, resulting in corroded
studs, poor insulation performance and mold. CENTRIA's MetalWrap
Series panels include the air, vapor, water and thermal barriers
all in one piece and limit the amount of risk for failure by
combining all barriers into a single-component.
"Another benefit is that the system actually simplifies and
speeds up construction," Lusty says. Traditional systems
require multiple work crews, more job-site deliveries, and
coordination of scheduling and sequencing, but with its onestep
installation, the MetalWrap Series panels allow for faster close-in
and dry-in, and minimal construction waste.
The MetalWrap Series features CENTRIA's signature Advanced
Thermal and Moisture Protection technology that controls moisture
without sacrificing thermal efficiency. The system works by
combining an insulating foam core with a durable metal rainscreen,
air/moisture barrier and unique clips, anchors and supports that
meet the specific requirements of each exterior building
material.
"When an architect has a combination brick and metal façade on a
building, that architect doesn't have to worry about what they're
putting behind it and the various details that it's going to take
to transfer from one exterior material to the other," Lusty
explains. "This system would be able to be used on that entire
elevation."
Available in 2- to 4-inch thick panels with up to an R-27 value,
the panels can be installed either horizontally or vertically. "By
providing a tested thermal value in this back-up panel system,
we're actually providing up to a real R-27. There are no reductions
in the R-value when placed on the wall, and when you compare that
to some multi-component systems, you do see thermal loss in those
systems if you're using insulation within the metal stud cavity,"
says Lusty.
Manufactured with a high volume of recycled content, the panels
are Cradle to Cradle Certified at the Silver Level and also may aid
in earning LEED points in categories, such as Energy and
Atmosphere, Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental
Quality. Additionally, the panels' continuous insulated barrier
meets thermal and fire code requirements.
"Architects are always looking for the easiest way to detail the
weather barrier systems and the MetalWrap Series certainly does
that for them. It provides them a high-performance solution that is
easy to detail with various exterior cladding systems," says
Lusty.
For more information on CENTRIA's MetalWrap Series panels, visit
www.buildbetterwalls.com.