Construction fixings specialist, ANCON, has extended its existing balcony connector range to include three new thermally insulated systems designed to minimise the effects of cold bridging at concrete to concrete, concrete to steel and steel to steel interfaces.
The cold bridge formed by direct-fix balconies or where a continuous reinforced concrete slab is used can seriously affect a building’s thermal performance and lead to problems with condensation and mould growth. The new Ancon systems, called Isotec, STC and STS, are designed to provide an effective thermal break whilst maintaining full structural integrity by transferring moment, shear, tension and compression forces at the joint.
Comprising stainless steel reinforcement and mineral wool insulation, the new high performance Ancon Isotec system provides maximum corrosion protection and integral fire resistance. It is suitable for low energy concrete to concrete applications, including heavily congested or stepped floor slabs.
For steel balconies, the new range provides solutions for both concrete and steel structures where Ancon’s fabricated structural steel components are CE-marked, demonstrating legal compliance, design to EN 1993 (Eurocode 3) and manufacture at facilities externally audited by an approved body.
The Ancon STC (Steel to Concrete) system is a two-part assembly, comprising a cast-in anchorage and a post fixed bracket with integral thermal pad, reducing the risk of damage to the units on site during the construction process. For steel to steel applications, the Ancon STS system is a single, compact, easy to handle unit wrapped in thermally efficient polystyrene insulation. Both systems are manufactured to order by Ancon at its UK production facilities and provide the flexibility in design to suit the exact requirements of the balcony and eliminate clashes with cladding.
Ancon Marketing Manager, Annabelle Wilson, says, “We have extended our connector range as balconies are an increasingly popular feature in the residential sector, where designers are keen to add style and aesthetic appeal to high density occupancies.
Energy efficient construction is a key focus for our in-house product development team. In addition to these new insulated connectors, Ancon has recently extended its award winning range of low thermal conductivity wall ties and introduced an innovative helical fixing for insulated plasterboard.”
Details of the full Ancon range of balcony connectors, including the established Isolan system, used successfully throughout Europe for many years, are included in the new 32-page technical brochure ‘Thermally Insulated Balcony Connectors for the Construction Industry’, available to download from www.ancon.co.uk or in hard copy on request.
