FOAMGLAS® T3+ insulation, lambda 0.036 W/mK

The new FOAMGLAS® T3+ cellular glass sheets have a revolutionary thermal conductivity of 0.036 W/mK. FOAMGLAS® T3+ thus becomes the best non-combustible insulation under waterproofing for two applications: roof insulation (on concrete slabs and steel decks) and floor insulation. With numerous physical qualities, FOAMGLAS® T3+ cellular glass is also positioned in the Security and High-End niches to insulate all building walls.

Advantages of FOAMGLAS® cellular glass: significant safety features

FOAMGLAS® cellular glass is a rigid insulating material. Composed of fine glass bubbles that are airtight and moisture-proof, it retains its thermal properties over time.

Both rigid and with a very low coefficient of expansion, FOAMGLAS® sheets can be glued together. Cellular glass thus creates perfectly continuous insulating layers, which are also vapor barriers, rain barriers, and airtight. Floors, walls, and roofs are thus perfectly insulated.

Thermal safety : the air and moisture tightness of the insulating layer results in thermal resistance that remains stable over time.

Fire safety : FOAMGLAS® is 100% fireproof and airtight. It provides maximum protection for people and property against fire hazards, whether used on facades or roofs.

Infiltration and condensation safety : the compact FOAMGLAS® insulating layer prevents any risk of water or vapor migration.

Solidity : FOAMGLAS® is highly resistant to compression, and without settling.

Health security : FOAMGLAS® repels insects and rodents, does not release VOCs (A+ rating), and does not absorb moisture. FOAMGLAS® protects users and the indoor air of buildings. 

FOAMGLAS® T3+ 
Non-combustible (A1)
Rth = 2.5 for a thickness of 9 cm
Rth = 4.5 for a thickness of 16.2 cm
Rth = 7 for a thickness of 25.2 cm
Density: 100 kg / m3
Compressive strength (EN 826-A): 400 kPa

FOAMGLAS® T3+ in roofing: the best non-combustible insulation under waterproofing (with load-bearing element in concrete slab or steel deck)

The rigid and stable FOAMGLAS® T3+ glass insulation with lambda 0.036, always installed by gluing, without mechanical fixing, offers the best thermal solutions with an A1 incombustible insulation, on concrete slab as well as on steel deck. FOAMGLAS® is integrated into an “Insulation + waterproofing” assembly which is, in the very body of this assembly, perfectly waterproof and compact (see diagram opposite). Neither air, nor humidity, nor water can migrate inside such a roof complex.

The FOAMGLAS® compact roof protects roofs against the risks of infiltration and condensation, and maintains their thermal performance.

Furthermore, FOAMGLAS® is highly resistant to compression and does not settle. It is suitable for all applications, from inaccessible or accessible roofs to heavy goods vehicle parking ramps, offering a wide range of cellular glass: T3+, T4+, S3 and F.

FOAMGLAS® cellular glass = savings

The durability of the waterproofing implemented on FOAMGLAS® reaches an average of 40 years. FOAMGLAS® cellular glass is implemented for the life of the building, because after these 40 years, only the renovation of the waterproofing, or additional insulation on the existing FOAMGLAS® is necessary (see photo opposite: Fort de Vanves). The FOAMGLAS® thermal solution insulates the roofs of many social housing units, municipal buildings, middle and high schools, commercial, cultural and military buildings, and recently individual houses.

FOAMGLAS® T3+ on roofs: interview with Mr. Jean-Pierre CHASSIN, territorial engineer at the Malakoff Public Housing Office (92)

In what year did you start requesting FOAMGLAS® cellular glass thermal insulation for your roof renovations?
Jean-Pierre CHASSIN: "More than 20 years ago, following my arrival in my community from the Malakoff Public Housing Office and my discovery of an excessively high roof damage rate. These water leaks in buildings, due to roof problems, generated harmful consequences for the OPH such as the loss of credibility with our tenants and partners, but also a significant investment both in terms of time and money to repair the works without obtaining a truly satisfactory result despite a large initial investment. Since this choice of cellular glass under the waterproofing for roof insulation, the Malakoff OPH benefits from a 0 roof damage rate and no longer has any claims to manage. This result is due to the properties of the principle of this complex but also to the vigilance and seriousness of the actors during the work."

Do you remember that first renovation carried out more than 20 years ago?
JPC: "Our first experience was a small renovation of a terrace above a post office as a test and to remove any doubts I might have, not about the quality of the material but about its implementation, in particular the bonding of the panels together during the renovation and the professionalism of the workers."

What are the main qualities of cellular glass that make you consider it a good purchase for OPH Malakoff?
JPC: "As a landlord who has to meet his obligations despite the economic situation, this is an investment based on the asset management that we want. Indeed, we must not limit ourselves to a simple "operation" reasoning but also look to the future. With this very stable insulation, not only do we no longer have leaks, but the waterproofing lasts more than twice the theoretical lifespan of flat roofs, or around 2 years. We prepare well in advance for any possible renovation work that will be much less onerous both in terms of cost and waste management, intervention time, etc. In addition, depending on the desire to improve thermal performance, we have the possibility of easily bringing in a supplement according to the thermal objective to be achieved."

How do you assess this reduction in lambda to 0.036 W/mK of the new FOAMGLAS®T3+ compared to that of the T4+ (0.041)?
JPC: "This development will allow us to more easily resolve the problem of raised heights at the acroteria during renovation, but also to consider it for our future renovation projects in terms of durability, shocks and fire safety."

FOAMGLAS® T3+: for complete building insulation
Two examples: ITE and floor insulation

Example 1: Thermal insulation from the outside 
Polaris Tower in Nantes (44) 
Client: Kaufman & Broad (44)
Architect: LAN (75)
Company: ENGIE Axima (44)

For this External Thermal Insulation (ETI) project, a high-quality rain barrier was originally planned to protect thermal insulation of a type other than cellular glass. ENGIE Axima proposed FOAMGLAS® T3+ as an insulation alternative for the same budget. Since the FOAMGLAS® panels are glued together and act as rain barriers in themselves, the rain barrier system and its secondary framework were saved. 
Please note: without the improvement of the lambda of FOAMGLAS® T3+ to 0.036 W/mK, such a variant would not have been possible.
In ITE, the FOAMGLAS® insulating boards glued together and to the support act as a vapor barrier and rain barrier.
A non-combustible and airtight material, FOAMGLAS® also constitutes a major component of fire risk management in the case of ITE.

FOAMGLAS® T3+
Lambda 0.036 W/mK,
Non-combustible insulation
Rth = 2.5 for a thickness of 9 cm
Rth = 5 for a thickness of 18 cm
Rth = 8 for a thickness of 29 cm
Rth = ... (no limit in thickness, the material resistant to compression without compaction)

Example 2: thermal insulation of floors and innovation
Boutours School 2, Rosny-sous-Bois (93)
Architect: Emmanuel Pezres (City of Rosny-sous-Bois)
Company: Bouquet Treuil (27) 

The school's floor was insulated over more than 2000 m2 using FOAMGLAS® cellular glass, in the form of 3 x 120 cm FOAMGLAS® FLOOR Board S60 panels, on a foundation slab and under a 6 cm floating screed. FOAMGLAS® has a compressive strength guaranteed for 25 years by its manufacturer, and is designed to remain stable throughout the life of the building.

The client requested thermal insulation for the floor with lasting compressive strength, and required commitments from the supplier to this end. Another requirement regarding the type of insulation was that it be of high environmental quality and a barrier to insects and rodents.

This work gave rise to an innovation: the concrete soles, supporting the partitions, rest on the thermal insulation, thus avoiding any linear thermal bridge (see diagram below).

FOAMGLAS® in its Board S3 version (Rcs = 540 MPa) was able to meet these requirements.