What is a thermal break?

August 16th 2006

What is a thermal break and why is it important?

Thermal break

Here is what you need to know:

Thermal break

The type of seal between the sections: triple-contact PVC molding mechanically linking the front and back metal sheets prevents contact between them thus eliminating any thermal transfer (fig. #1). Note that this feature is not available on our G-8000 and G-8500 models.

Wood end blocks
Threads

Wood end blocks perform a dual purpose: they insure a thermal break while providing better fastening of the end hinges which are attached to a 1 3/4-thick piece of solid wood with lag screws (fig. #2). Standard with other manufacturers for end hinge fastening is a self-tapping screw going through a steel end cap, door sheet and hinge strip for a total thickness of approximately 0.11 (2.7 mm), thus engaging only about 2 or 3 threads (fig. #3). Note: a steel end cap allows thermal transfer, thus reducing the advertised R-value.

Bottom Weather

The compostition of the bottom weather seal: "U"-shaped, EPDM rubber mounted on an extruded PVC retainer (fig. #4). The high rubber content allows the seal to remain flexible during cold weather, maintaining the seal unlike other products that have a low rubber content which can harden thereby causing seal failure, cracking and splitting over time.

Door frame weather seal

Door frame weather seal: double-lipped seal overlapping the door by 1 ½" (38 mm) (fig. #5). The aluminum extrusion on which the double-lipped seal is mounted is reinforced. (Note: there are many ways to install the frame weather seals on the inside of the door frame to protect them in high traffic areas. Contact our technical service for more information.)

Top panel weather seal

Top panel weather seal: Garaga offers an optional 2 ½" (64 mm) weather seal that can be installed on the top panel (fig. #6), which provides extra weather tightness.

The type of seal between the sections: triple-contact PVC molding mechanically linking the front and back metal sheets prevents contact between them thus eliminating any thermal transfer (fig. #1). Note that this feature is not available on our G-8000 and G-8500 models.
Thermal break

Wood end blocks perform a dual purpose: they insure a thermal break while providing better fastening of the end hinges which are attached to a 1 3/4-thick piece of solid wood with lag screws (fig. #2). Standard with other manufacturers for end hinge fastening is a self-tapping screw going through a steel end cap, door sheet and hinge strip for a total thickness of approximately 0.11 (2.7 mm), thus engaging only about 2 or 3 threads (fig. #3). Note: a steel end cap allows thermal transfer, thus reducing the advertised R-value.

Wood end blocks
Threads

The compostition of the bottom weather seal: "U"-shaped, EPDM rubber mounted on an extruded PVC retainer (fig. #4). The high rubber content allows the seal to remain flexible during cold weather, maintaining the seal unlike other products that have a low rubber content which can harden thereby causing seal failure, cracking and splitting over time.

Bottom Weather

Door frame weather seal: double-lipped seal overlapping the door by 1 ½" (38 mm) (fig. #5). The aluminum extrusion on which the double-lipped seal is mounted is reinforced. (Note: there are many ways to install the frame weather seals on the inside of the door frame to protect them in high traffic areas. Contact our technical service for more information.)

Door frame weather seal

Top panel weather seal: Garaga offers an optional 2 ½" (64 mm) weather seal that can be installed on the top panel (fig. #6), which provides extra weather tightness.

Top panel weather seal

Document to download

Thermal Break.pdf

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