Brick support systems from Ancon can now be supplied with Thermal Breaks to minimise heat loss through cold bridging, and improve the energy efficiency of a building.

Thermal bridging occurs where the insulation layer is penetrated by a material with a relatively high thermal conductivity. Although heat loss through a stainless steel support bracket is not significant – just 17W/mK compared to 50W/mK for carbon steel fixings - it should be considered as part of the overall thermal performance of the structure.

Ancon Thermal Breaks work by inserting a material with a very low thermal conductivity between the brackets and the frame. They are proven through thermal modelling to reduce heat loss and can typically enable details to comply with BRE IP1/06 floor junction.

In document SCI P380 ‘Avoidance of Thermal Bridging in Steel Construction’, the Steel Construction Institute suggests ‘for bracket spacings less than 600mm, thermal spacers between the bracket and the edge beam may need to be considered’.

Shaped like a standard Ancon key-hole shim, these Thermal Breaks are designed to locate quickly and easily on site. They are manufactured from a durable fibre-reinforced thermoset plastic which combines high compressive strength with a thermal conductivity of just 0.3W/mK.

Standard Ancon Thermal Breaks, suitable for standard AnconOptima support brackets and most bespoke Ancon MDC-type brackets, are available from stock.