Grant: Alliance Grants

The project aims to develop an innovative solution for mitigating thermal bridging in balconies, potentially significantly impacting energy efficiency and building sustainability. Thermal bridging occurs when balconies are directly connected to floors, creating a path that bypasses insulation, leading to substantial energy loss and increased heating and cooling costs. Addressing this issue is crucial as energy standards, such as the Toronto Green Standards, become more stringent. The primary objective is to create a Structural Thermal Break (STB) that improves thermal performance, simplifies construction and enhances structural integrity. The project involves developing potential designs, assessing their thermal and structural performance through advanced modelling and experiments, and ensuring the final design is economically viable for production and installation. The project will benefit from a close collaboration with Entuitive, a leading engineering firm, and Western University. Their technical expertise, participation in research activities, and co-supervision of trainees will be crucial in developing a practical and commercially viable STB solution. The expected outcomes include a patentable STB design that significantly reduces thermal bridging, improves energy efficiency, and lowering operational costs. The project will stimulate job creation and economic growth in Ontario and contribute to global sustainability by promoting energy-efficient building practices. The new STB will be integrated into building designs through collaboration with Canadian manufacturers, enhancing buildings' overall performance and sustainability.