Trade Select ThermalBrane GP Reflective Foam Insulation

Trade Select ThermalBrane GP™ Reflective Foam Insulation

$393.00

GST inclusive

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Trade Select ThermalBrane GP is a double sided reflective foam insulation built around a 4 mm cross linked closed cell XPE foam core with aluminium foil on both faces. Ametalin describe it as a three in one product: reflective insulation, thermal break and medium vapour barrier. Two roll sizes, 1500 mm x 20 m and 1500 mm x 30 m.

What the foam core adds

A plain foil membrane gives you reflection and nothing else. The 4 mm foam core adds a material R-value of R0.1 and, more usefully, a physical separation that reduces conduction where the product sits between two building elements. That is what makes it usable as a thermal break rather than only as a sarking.

Reflective on both sides

97% reflective at 0.03 emissivity on the bright side and 96% at 0.04 on the anti-glare side. Both faces need an air space in front of them to contribute. Ametalin declare RT 1.1 winter for a ventilated 22 degree tile roof, RT 1.2 winter for a steel stud framed wall, and RT 2.1 for a brick veneer or double brick cavity wall.

Extra heavy duty

Tensile strength 15.6 kN/m machine direction against a 13.0 kN/m minimum, edge tear 853 N against 90 N. High water penetration resistance and a Medium vapour barrier classification. It complies with AS 3959-2009 for wall systems from BAL Low through to Flame Zone.

Where it goes

Roofs, walls and floors, in houses and in commercial sheds. In a roof it is laid over the rafters as a continuous membrane with the blue anti-glare side facing out, lapped no less than 150 mm, and there is a 150 mm flap on the roll for that. It is fibre free and non-allergenic, which is a real advantage in a shed where the underside stays exposed.

Two cautions

Aluminium corrodes in contact with wet concrete or mortar, so keep it clear of both. Within 500 m of the sea, or in an agricultural shed, face the foil into an enclosed unvented air space. Foil insulation is electrically conductive and installation carries real risk, so follow the AFIA work method statements.

Technical data

Ametalin technical data sheet (PDF)

Ametalin · 4 mm cross linked closed cell XPE foam with aluminium foil both faces · Reflective insulation, thermal break and medium vapour barrier for roof, wall and floor application

Sizes stocked

Roll size	Coverage	Thickness	Product code
1500 mm x 20 m	30 m²	4 mm	TSTBGP-30
1500 mm x 30 m	45 m²	4 mm	TSTBGP-45

Thermal and reflective

Material R-value	R0.1
Core	4 mm chemically cross linked closed cell high density XPE foam
Reflectivity	Bright side 97%, anti-glare side 96%
Emissivity	Bright side 0.03, anti-glare side 0.04

Reflectivity complies with AS/NZS 4200.1.6.3. Each foil face needs an adjacent air space to contribute.

Declared total system R-values

Residential tile roof, 22 degree, flat ceiling, ventilated	RT 1.1 winter, RT 2.7 summer
Residential tile roof, 22 degree, flat ceiling, unventilated	RT 1.4 winter, RT 2.4 summer
Residential metal roof, 22 degree, flat ceiling, unventilated	RT 1.3 winter, RT 2.3 summer
Residential metal roof, 22 degree, raked ceiling, unventilated	RT 1.3 winter, RT 3.6 summer
Commercial or shed roof, 5 degree metal, no ceiling	RT 0.9 winter, RT 1.9 summer
Steel stud framed wall, 90 mm studs	RT 1.2 winter, RT 1.0 summer
Steel stud framed wall, 90 mm studs with 10 mm plasterboard	RT 1.7 winter, RT 1.5 summer
Brick veneer wall, 90 mm studs	RT 2.1 winter, RT 1.8 summer
Double brick cavity wall	RT 2.1 winter, RT 1.9 summer

Calculated to AS/NZS 4859.1:2002 Amendment 1:2006 for typical mainland capital city conditions. R-values fall if dust settles on upward facing surfaces or the cavity is ventilated.

Barrier classifications

Vapour barrier	Medium (ASTM E96 Procedure B, wet cup)
Water vapour transmission	1.7 g/m² per 24 hr
Vapour resistance	73.38 MN·s/g
Water penetration resistance	High, Pass (AS/NZS 4201.4:1994)
Surface water absorbency	Unclassified

Strength

Duty classification	Extra Heavy (AS/NZS 4200.1:1994)
Tensile strength machine direction	15.6 kN/m (min 13.0 kN/m)
Tensile strength lateral direction	14.8 kN/m (min 10.5 kN/m)
Edge tear machine direction	853 N (min 90 N)
Edge tear lateral direction	804 N (min 90 N)
Dry and wet delamination	Pass (AS/NZS 4201.1 and 4201.2:1994)
Shrinkage, repeated wetting and drying	under 0.1% (limit under 0.5%)

Fire and compliance

Bushfire areas	BAL Low to BAL Flame Zone in wall systems (AS 3959-2009)
Standards	AS/NZS 4859.1:2002 Amendment 1:2006 and AS/NZS 4200.1:1994
NCC	Meets NCC requirements for insulation and pliable building membranes
Health	Classified non-hazardous under NOHSC criteria, fibre free and non-allergenic

Fitting notes

Install to AS/NZS 4200.2:1994. In roofs, lay as a continuous membrane over the rafters with the blue anti-glare side facing out and lap joins by at least 150 mm to allow drainage. A 150 mm flap is provided for this. Leave an air space next to a foil face for both thermal performance and durability. Do not let the aluminium touch wet concrete or mortar, because it corrodes in alkali. Within 500 m of the sea or in an agricultural shed, face the foil into an enclosed unvented air space. The product is not made to sit exposed to the weather, so install the outer envelope without delay. Follow AFIA work method statements for electrical safety when installing foil insulation. Store upright and undercover in the pack provided.

Figures are taken from the Ametalin technical data sheet for Trade Select ThermalBrane GP, document DTE-42682-5, product codes TSTB-GP-30 and TSTB-GP-45. RM Industries list these as TSTBGP-30 and TSTBGP-45. The manufacturer document is linked above. Ametalin can change specifications without notice.

Common questions

Is R0.1 all I get?

R0.1 is the material R-value of the foam core alone. The useful figure is the system R-value, and Ametalin declare RT 1.1 winter for a ventilated tile roof and RT 2.1 for a brick veneer or double brick cavity wall. Both foil faces need an air space to reach those numbers.

Can I use it as a thermal break on a steel frame?

Ametalin describe it as a thermal break, but it is 4 mm at R0.1, which is below the R0.2 the NCC asks for as a steel frame thermal break. Where R0.2 is a requirement, use a ThermalBreak Strip or ThermalCav Drainage Batten.

Which way up does it go on a roof?

Blue anti-glare side facing out, laid over the rafters as a continuous membrane, with joins lapped at least 150 mm so water drains over them. The roll has a 150 mm flap for that lap.

Can I use it in a bushfire area?

It complies with AS 3959-2009 for wall systems from BAL Low through to BAL Flame Zone. Note the sheet references the 2009 edition of AS 3959, so confirm the current requirement with the building surveyor.

Why does it say to keep it away from concrete?

Aluminium corrodes in contact with alkali, and wet concrete and mortar are alkaline. A foil face that has been splashed will deteriorate over time.

Is it safe to install near wiring?

Foil insulation is electrically conductive and installation carries real risk. Follow the AFIA work method statements and hazard management forms that Ametalin reference, and treat it as live work near any wiring.