I N S T A L L A T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N . C O M M E R C I A L . E N E R G Y - E F F I C I E N T S O L U T I O N S
Installat i o n Pr o c e d u r e s for THE R M A X™Insulation
in H i g h - H u m i d i t y Meta l and Commercia l Bu i l d i n g s
Metal and commercial building
interiors subjected to prolonged
high-humidity conditions, such as
buildings with swimming pools, ice
rinks or food processing services,
are often damaged by dew point
condensation (relative humidity
levels greater than 50%). A twolayer system of THERMAX™ insulation products can help control
moisture vapor and energy loss in
high-humidity metal and commercial buildings (relative humidity
greater than 50 percent), as well
as buildings with dark roofs.
THERMAX™ insulation products are lightweight and easy to
install. They help reduce thermal
bridging, air infiltration and moisture migration into the building
envelope. All varieties of
THERMAX™ insulation are nonstructural, rigid boards consisting
of a glass-fiber-reinforced polyisocyanurate foam core laminated
with various solid aluminum foil
facers. The uniform, closed-cell
core foam is exceptionally resistant to heat flow, while the noisedampening facers help provide an
effective barrier to moisture and
air infiltration.
There are three methods that
can be used to install THERMAX™
insulation products in two layers.
Each method is outlined here.
Prolonged exposure to water or
moisture environments may turn
the painted surface gray.
• THERMAX™ insulation can be
installed vertically or horizontally.
• THERMAX™ insulation board
joints that are not closed with
PVC Clip Strips must be sealed
with foil tape. Taping serves as a
protection against air infiltration
and moisture migration and
gives the exterior of the boards
a continuous surface.
• Minor scratches and/or nicks
may occur during installation.
Also, the edges of the foil facer
may become slightly curled.
These do not affect the product’s overall performance. A coat
of good-quality latex acrylic or
latex enamel paint can be used
for touch-ups of the boards. Use
the following scan information to
match THERMAX™ white facer
for touch up paints L: 81 A: -1.5
B: -3.0 Delta E 2.0 Gloss @
60º=10 to 15. Although no
primer is required, follow paint
manufacturer recommendations
for best results.
• There are two ways to cut
THERMAX™ insulation boards:
– Use a straight edge and a
utility knife, cutting all the
way through the facing.
– Cut with a small handsaw.
Always use caution and prop-
G e n e r a l In f o r m a t i o n
• Store insulation inside or protect
er protective equipment for
cutting.
with a tarp to keep dry until use.
TABLE 1: THERMAX™PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
BOARD S SURFAC E FAC ERS
THERMAX™ Sheathing 1 mil smooth aluminum foil on both sides
THERMAX™ Metal Building Board 1.25 mil embossed aluminum foil on both sides
THERMAX™ Light Duty 1.25 mil white acrylic-coated aluminum/
THERMAX™ Heavy Duty 4 mil white acrylic-coated aluminum/
THERMAX™ Heavy Duty Plus** 16.5 mil white acrylic-coated aluminum bonded to
THERMAX™ White Finish 1.25 mil white acrylic-coated embossed aluminum/
®™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an a ffiliated compan y of D ow
* To produce a con tinuous air- and m oisture-resistant seal, use Vulkem 116, Sikafle x 201, Dow Co rning 790 or equivalent sealant.
Your Dow representative can recommend an appropriate sealant for your application.
**THERMAX™ Heavy Duty Plus Insulation is designed for use o n walls only.
1.25 mil embossed aluminum
1.25 mil embossed aluminum
1 mil aluminum/1 mil embossed aluminum
1 mil smooth aluminum foil
M aterials C h e c k l i s t
To install THERMAX™ insulation,
you will need:
• Utility knife or small handsaw
• Straight edge
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• THERMAX™ White Foil Tape
• THERMAX™ Aluminum Foil Tape
• Squeegee or stiff bristle brush
• Construction-grade sealant*
• Clip Strips
• Fasteners and poly washers,
such as Multi-Diameter
Insulation Teks or equivalent
(For recommended fastener
lengths, see Table 2.
Minimum 1" poly washer
recommended.)
• Safety glasses
I n s t a l l i n g F i r s t
L a y e r
THERMAX™ Sheathing:
1. With square edge joints abutting
tightly, fasten THERMAX™
Sheathing to framing members.
2. Center THERMAX™ Aluminum
Foil Tape over dry,
clean edge joint
and apply tape
(Figure 1).
3. Use a
squeegee or
stiff bristle
Figure 1
brush to
press the tape firmly to the joint.
Cut tape with a knife. Do not
tear tape.
I n s t a l l i n g F i n i s h
L a y e r
METHOD A
THERMAX™ Metal Building Board,
THERMAX™ Light Duty, THERMAX™
Heavy Duty, THERMAX™ Heavy Duty
Plus** or THERMAX™ White Finish
insulation with square edge:
1. Apply a construction-grade
sealant to the single long flange
of the Clip Strip or PVC Joint
treatment, following sealant
manufacturer instructions.
I N S T A L L A T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N . C O M M E R C I A L . E N E R G Y - E F F I C I E N T S O L U T I O N S
2. Install Clip Strip over long edge
of insulation board.
3. Offset board and fasten through
first layer, penetrating 1" into
framing members (i.e., girts or
purlins) with corrosion-resistant
fasteners and poly washers.
Each board should span at least
three framing members. The
maximum span is 5' for a 1"
thick board (Contact Dow
Customer Information Group for
additional thickness spannability). Fasteners should be spaced
12" on center in three rows of
five fasteners per 48" board
width (Figure 2).
+
+
+
+
+
Note: Space fasteners 12" o.c. for wood, metal
or concrete attachment.
Figure 2: Fastening Pattern
+
+
+
+
+
4. Slide next insulation board into
Clip Strip flange and fasten
through first layer into framing
members (Figure 3).
Note: In all of the installation
methods, it is important to seal
the wall-to-ceiling junction.
Dow offers a FROTH-PAK™
Foam Insulation product to help
provide this sealing option.
Figure 3
TABLE 2: RECOMMENDED
FASTENER LENGTHS
BOARD THICKNESS, FASTENER
INCHES LENGTH, INCHES
1/2 to 5/8 1-7/16
3/4 to 1 1-7/8
1-1/8 to 1-1/2 2-3/8
1-5/8 to 2 3
2-1/4 3-1/4
2-1/2 3-1/2
34
Note: Fastener length based on one layer of THERMAX™
insulation. For the two-layer system, add board thickness
of second layer to fastener length recommendation.
METHOD B
THERMAX™ Metal Building Board,
THERMAX™ Light Duty, THERMAX™
+
Heavy Duty, THERMAX™ Heavy Duty
+
Plus** or THERMAX™ White Finish
insulation with shiplap edge:
+
1. Apply a compatible construc-
+
+
tion-grade sealant to shiplap
edge, following sealant manufacturer instructions.
2. Offset insulation board and fasten through first layer, penetrating 1" into framing members (i.e.,
girts or purlins) with corrosionresistant fasteners and poly
washers. Each board should
span at least three framing
members. The maximum span
is 5' for a 1" thick board
(Contact Dow Customer
Information Group for additional
thickness spannability).
Fasteners should be spaced 12"
on center in three rows of five
fasteners per 48" board width
(Figure 2).
Shiplap Edge
3. Fit next board firmly into the
sealant-lined shiplap edge and
fasten.
4. Center THERMAX™ White
Foil Tape over dry, clean edge
joint and apply tape (Figure 1).
5. Use a squeegee or stiff bristle
brush to press the tape firmly to
the joint. Cut tape with a knife.
Do not tear tape.
METHOD C
THERMAX™ Metal Building Board,
THERMAX™ Light Duty, THERMAX™
Heavy Duty, THERMAX™ Heavy Duty
Plus** or THERMAX™ White Finish
insulation with square edge:
1. Offset insulation board a minimum of 6" in both directions
and fasten through the first
layer, penetrating 1" into framing
members (i.e., girts or purlins)
with corrosion-resistant fasteners and poly washers. Each
board should span at least three
framing members. The maximum span is 5' for a 1" thick
board (Contact Dow Customer
Information Group for additional
thickness spannability).
Fasteners should be spaced 12"
on center in three rows of five
fasteners per 48" board width
(Figure 2).
Note: If applied above the
purlin, lay THERMAX™ Sheathing
over the layer of insulation board
with a minimum offset of 6" in
both directions and fasten.
2. Center THERMAX™ White Foil
Tape over dry, clean edge joints
and apply tape (Figure 1).
3. Use a squeegee or stiff bristle
brush to press the tape firmly to
the joint. Cut tape with a knife.
Do not tear tape.
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NOTICE: No freedom from infringement of any patent owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, Customer is
responsible for determining whether products and the information in this document are appropriate for Customer's use and for ensuring that Customer's workplace and disposal practices are in compliance with applicable
laws and other government enactments. The product shown in this literature may not be available for sale and/or available in all geographies where Dow is represented. The claims made may not have been approved for use
in all countries. Dow assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean the Dow legal entity selling the products to Customer unless otherwise expressly
noted. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED.
CAUTION: This product is combustible and shall only be used as specified by the local building code with respect to flame spread classification and to the use of a suitable thermal barrier. For more information, consult
MSDS, call Dow at 1-866-583-BLUE (2583) or contact your local building inspector. In an emergency, call 1-989-636-4400.
FROTH-PAK™ Polyurethane Spray Foam contains isocyanate, hydrofluorocarbon blowing agent and polyol. Read the instructions and Material Safety Data Sheets carefully before use. Wear protective clothing (including
long sleeves), gloves, goggles or safety glasses, and proper respiratory protection. Supplied air or an approved air-purifying respirator equipped with an organic vapor sorbent and a P100 particulate filter may be required to
maintain exposure levels below ACGIH, OSHA, WEEL or other applicable limits. Provide adequate ventilation. Contents under pressure.
WARNING: Rigid foam insulation does not constitute a working walkable surface or qualify as a fall protection product.
Building and/or construction practices unrelated to building materials could greatly affect moisture and the potential for mold formation. No material supplier including Dow can give assurance that mold will not develop in
any specific system.
Ask your Dow representative
about R-Detector Life Cycle
Energy Analysis Software.
Printed in U.S.A.
Technical Information
1-866-583-BLUE (2583)
Sales Information
1-800-232-2436
®™Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow
**THERMAX™ Heavy Duty Plus Insulation is designed for use o n walls only.
IN THE U.S.
THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
200 Larkin
Midland, MI 48674
Form No. 179-04338X-0713MCK
MCKAY219243
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