Add / Edit Framing

If your wall, roof or floor system includes a repeated structural element that conducts heat differently, like timber or metal framing, you’ll need to account for it in the Total R-value calculation.

This is known as a thermal bridge. It occurs when there’s a noticeable difference in how materials conduct heat. These areas create a path for heat to bypass insulation, letting warmth escape in winter or enter in summer. That’s why it’s so important to include them in energy simulations, ignoring them can significantly skew performance results.

Add Framing

To add a frame, you’ll need to select a material layer that supports it, this includes Air Cavity, Bridged Air Cavity or Insulation Layer types. In the example below, an Insulation Layer is used to demonstrate the process.

First, the generic Glass Wool (Wall) insulation product is selected. Then, by clicking 'Add Framing', you can choose a 'Framing System' to apply. In this case, a 'Steel Stud 92 x 36 mm / 1.15 BMT / 450 mm' frame is selected from the list of generic materials. This adds the framing to the layer, allowing thermal bridging to be accurately accounted for in the system’s overall thermal performance.

Edit Framing

Once a frame has been added to account for thermal bridging, you can adjust its thermal performance, area and dimensions. To do this, hover over the bridged material, such as the generic Glass Wool (Wall) insulation product used in the example, and click the material icon in the top-left corner. Then, select 'Edit Framing'. This opens up the framing settings, where you can fine-tune each input. These adjustments can have a big impact on the Total R-value of the wall system, especially when working with structural or non-structural steel. After making your changes, simply click 'Save' to update the system.