Even the BALCONY is high-performance.

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A Thermally Broken Balcony Solution was designed for a current project. These are not an every project occurrence, but occasionally I get the chance to work out solutions for special aspects of a project. An exterior balcony poses a number of challenges to water management, thermal efficiency, and of course structural integrity. Working out these details with the builder and the structural engineer, while keeping sound building science in mind was certainly a challenge, but not one we couldn’t overcome. Join me as we walk thru the number of decisions that led to the final design and installation of this balcony system. Enjoy the video my friends…..Long Live Our Buildings.

[@David_Mash]

What about the thermal bridging of the through bolts? Is it negligible or do you use that composite thermally broken system?

[@kschleic9053]

I'm not aware of any composite bolt product that would keep heat from migrating through the bolts... The bolt head could probably sit on a thermally insulating washer and be covered by a cap of some kind. I bet the heat energy moving through the bolt head is small enough that the interior insulation between the column and the interior wall finish is sufficient.

[@David_Mash]

@@kschleic9053 Schöck Balcony Products.Structural thermal breaks for your balcony connections

[@kschleic9053]

@@David_Mash very cool product. Not at all what I was picturing, but I can see how it would work! It looks like they need to be engineered into the design, I was picturing some kind of carbon fiber tensioned rod replacing the bolts one at a time after initial install.

[@superspeeder]

@@kschleic9053 Armadillo makes high density insulation products for these applications as well.

[@superspeeder]

I would think there's FAR more thermal bridging as a result of the massive 6x8 LVL support columns and P36 (3 pcs 2x6) window frame reinforcement. The cross section of the threaded rods is very small compared to the structural reinforcement, but if the steel is an issue you can specify the design for Stainless Steel fasteners which conduct 1/3 the heat of standard steel parts. It will likely never pay back in energy savings, but SS will never rust and could be enough to eliminate localized condensation points on the interior wall surface.

[@cjacoby75]

Steve has got to raise his audio game. He's very knowledgeable and has interesting things to say, but the audio is a terrible distraction.