A. Matrix was designed specifically for screw down and standing seam metal cladded roofs. Alternative roof cladding materials may require a wood substrate fastened to the 3/4” built-in plywood battens.

A. The bottom layer of Air Dry Connect panels are fastened through the plywood furring/battens directly to the roof deck. Battens in the top layer fasten directly to battens in the bottom layer. As a result, fasteners from the top layer end up “stalled” inside the rigid foam insulation of the bottom layer and do not touch the roof deck. To summarize; top layer battens and fasteners are covered by the top layer of Air Dry Connect insulation. The points of all fasteners from the top layer are encapsulated within the rigid foam insulation of the bottom layer.

A. Compared to 18 gauge steel, 3/4” plywood has superior pull out resistance. Plywood is easier to cut than 18 gauge steel. 3/4” plywood is thicker than steel. As a result, fasteners are less likely to strip. There is minimal thermal bridging with plywood. Plywood is less expensive than steel. There is less potential for condensation with plywood. Contractors prefer working with plywood vs. steel.

A. Yes. Walls are roofs and roofs are walls. “The same approaches can be applied to both walls and roofs – the argument being that similar loads and the same laws of physics apply.” – BSI-090: Joseph Haydn Does The Perfect Wall – Building Science Corporation

A. Combined; think of the gap and perforations as a built-in safety valve. Some water – somehow, always finds its way into the building envelope. When moisture gets trapped, drying of the assembly is impeded. As a consequence, an environment for material degradation and mold is created. Free air, unobstructed drainage channels promote outward drainage and drying. Engineered perforations in the polymer facers allow water vapour to diffuse naturally and safely, into and through Matrix’s EPS foam insulation panels. In essence, the Matrix roof assembly is basically self drying. LEARN MORE

A. Built Environments Inc. states: “A Hygrothermal analysis pertains to the movement of heat and moisture through buildings. Computer-based modeling offers highly accurate predictions of hygrothermal performance for preventing early degradation and reduced service life.”

A. The gap has virtually no effect on R-value performance. “Testing included direct comparison of assemblies with Solar-Dry and Quik-Therm Connect product that is similar but without the flutes [air gaps].” “Tests confirmed the introduction of the 3/16" flutes and [2-1/2] wood furring had no appreciable effect on the thermal performance of the wall assembly, provided that the flutes are sealed at the top of each wall panel to eliminate convection air currents.” – Mark Lawton, P.Eng, Senior Building Scientist, Morrison Hershfield. “The predicted reduction in thermal efficiency was less than 1%.” – Steven Doggett, PhD., LEED, Built Environments Inc.

A. Yes. Morrison Hershfield provided a complete engineering evaluation for the Matrix roofing system. https://quiktherm.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Quik-Therm-Matrix-Structural-Review-Letter_final.pdf.

A. Inserting furring strips directly into the EPS foam panel slots eliminates lateral movement and shifting of plywood battens. Matrix’s polymer facers combined with the fastener clamping design, virtually eliminates distortion (creeping), cupping and warping of the Connect Air Dry panels. Morrison Hershfield: “The orthogonal support provided by the cross-over framing will aid in the overall stability of the system.” 

A. Yes. The plywood battens can be replaced with 18 gauge steel C channels. Just like the plywood battens, the C channels are embedded into the EPS foam panels. Channel face width 3”, with 1/2” legs. 18 gauge C channels are more expensive than 3/4” x 3” wide plywood battens.

A. Yes, much faster. The simplest roof design strategy is to install all insulation layers on top of the roof deck. One system repeated is much faster and easier to construct than multiple components requiring multiple details. Matrix is a composite design ie: – insulation and framing are combined as one. No girts or clips. 4×8 panels install faster than 2×8 panels. Lightweight and durable. Minimal detailing required. 

A. Heat migrates to cold, high pressure moves to low pressure, high moisture flows to low moisture, air aids drying/evaporation, gravity aids drainage. Pressure drives heat and moisture outward during the winter and inward during the summer.

A. Yes. The same approaches can be applied to both roofs and walls. “The argument being that similar loads and the same laws of Physics apply.” – BSI – 090: Joseph Hayden Does The Perfect Wall – Building Science Corporation.

A. 90% of all building envelope problems are related to water. Designing for moisture management is important to protect the building and keep its occupants safe from adverse health effects. “The harmful effects of water on building materials can hardly be over-emphasized. If they did not exist, the construction of durable buildings would be greatly simplified and the task of the designer and contractor made much easier.”- CBD-30. Water and Building Materials, National Research Council Canada

A. “A Hygrothermal analysis pertains to the movement of heat and moisture through buildings. Computer-based modeling offers highly accurate predictions of hygrothermal performance for preventing early degradation and reduced service life.” – Built Environments Inc.

A. Construction moisture is a major problem in buildings. Natural Resources Canada states: “The harmful effects of water on building materials can hardly be over-emphasized. If they did not exist, the construction of durable buildings would be greatly simplified and the task of the designer made much easier.”

A. A drainage plane is a small, unobstructed air gap that runs from top to bottom of a wall or roof assembly. Drainage gaps promote outward drainage and drying (evaporation). A drainage plane gap mitigates the wetting potential of inner portions of the assembly. As a result, the negative effects of material degradation and mold are reduced. Unobstructed, free air drainage gaps allow roofs and walls to become self drying. 

A. Air naturally promotes drying – gravity naturally encourages drainage. To prove the concept and design, Quik-Therm commissioned RDH Building Science Laboratories and Morrison Hershfield to test and analyze the drainage and drying ability of QT Solar Dry Insulation System. RDH stated; “The excellent drainage performance and improvement in drying within the vented cavity of the wall assembly constructed with SDI reduces moisture durability risks of the enclosure that could result from water getting trapped and held between the components of the wall assembly.”

Since a vertical wall drains bulk water faster than a sloped roof, bulk water drainage of the Matrix roofing insulation system would occur at a slower rate than the Solar Dry wall assembly. Matrix is a self drying roof assembly – its just slower than Solar Dry.

A. Yes. Buildings absorb radiant heat during the day. At night, they give off heat to the colder night sky – referred to as night sky radiation. As a result, condensation occurs between the metal roof cladding and the Matrix system. A low cost, breathable synthetic underlay is recommended between the Matrix system and metal roof cladding.

A. Matrix offers superior R-value performance. Learn More

A. Type 2: R-4.18 per inch. However, as tested to the ASTM C1363 effective R-value standard, Air Dry Connect’s R-value performance was superior to its labeled R-value.

A. Yes. Quik-Therm Insulation Solutions Inc. has undertaken a program of full scale thermal performance testing to ASTM C1363-05 Standard Test Method for Thermal Performance of Building Materials and Envelope Assemblies by Means of a Hot Box Apparatus. Over 30 wood frame, concrete and steel frame assemblies have been tested to ASTM C1363.

A. The nominal R-value for Matrix is R-4.18 per inch. Since there is no penalty for thermal bridging degradation, it’s effective R-value is identical to its nominal R-value, plus air films and applicable building materials. For example, to achieve an effective R-28.5 for a cathedral style roof assembly, two layers of 3.25” thick Air Dry Connect would be required. R-4.18 x 6.5 = 27.17. Add approximately R-2 for air films and components = Effective R-29.17.

A. The gap has virtually no effect on R-value performance. “Testing included direct comparison of assemblies with Solar-Dry and Quik-Therm Connect product that is similar but without the flutes [air gaps].” “Tests confirmed the introduction of the 3/16" flutes and [2-1/2] wood furring had no appreciable effect on the thermal performance of the wall assembly, provided that the flutes are sealed at the top of each wall panel to eliminate convection air currents.” – Mark Lawton, P.Eng, Senior Building Scientist, Morrison Hershfield. “

“The predicted reduction in thermal efficiency was less than 1%.” – Steven Doggett, PhD., LEED, Built Environments Inc.

A. The bottom layer of Air Dry Connect panels are fastened through the plywood furring/battens directly to the roof deck. Battens in the top layer fasten directly to battens in the bottom layer. As a result, fasteners from the top layer end up “stalled” inside the rigid foam insulation of the bottom layer and do not touch the roof deck. To summarize; top layer battens and fasteners are covered by the top layer of Air Dry Connect insulation. The points of all fasteners from the top layer are encapsulated within the rigid foam insulation of the bottom layer.

A. A lot. “The cladding attachment can be a significant thermal bridge and reduce exterior insulation performance by as much as 80% for poor systems” – Cladding Attachment Solutions for Exterior Insulated Commercial Walls. – Graham Finch, Dipl.T, MASc, P.Eng. & James Higgins, Dipl.T., RDH Building Science Laboratories. “Vertical continuous Z-girts […] resulted between 77% and 84% thermal degradation for the steel stud backup wall.”

A. It depends on the clip type and spacing. “Each proprietary system will have different thermal performance characteristics and may require thermal modeling to determine the overall thermal performance of the wall assembly. Most high-performance clip systems will result in less than 30% thermal degradation of the exterior insulation (i.e. 70% effectiveness of the exterior insulation).” – Illustrated Guide to R22+ Effective Walls, Published by BC Housing – page 13.

A. Yes. Fastener thermal bridging, referred to as “point bridging” can significantly reduce the effective R-value of insulated assemblies. “With the steel plate above the polyisocyanurate cover board, the fastener and plate drop the R-value from R-29.0 to R-21.2. This is a 27% reduction in R-value as compared to the nominal R-value using polyisocyanurate cover board.” – Eric K. Olson, P.Eng., Associate Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.

A. Yes. The code allows wood furring, framing or sheathing with rigid foam insulation over steel framed roofs. (NBCC Article 3.1.5.3.)

A. Rigid foam insulation is permitted to be installed above roof decks, below grade foundation walls and concrete slabs. (NBCC Article 3.1.5.15.)

A. Yes. Quik-Therm EPS rigid foam insulation used in wall, roof or ceiling applications is required to be protected by one of the following options:

• As described in Subsections 9.29.4 to 9.29.9. Plaster, Gypsum Board with taped joints, Concrete, Plywood, Hardboard, Fibreboard, Particleboard, OSB, or Waferboard.
• Sheet metal if it is at least 0.38 mm thick.
• For some applications and non-combustible buildings, other requirements may apply.

A. Yes. Second plane of defense. (NBCC Article 9.27.3.3.)

A. No. At cold temperatures, Fiberglass, Mineral Wool, XPS and EPS perform slightly better than their published R-value’s. Polyisocyanurate, on the other hand performs worse than its published R-value, especially in cold climates. RDH Building Science Laboratories states that Polyisocyanurate lost 10% of its nominal R-value at mean 75°F and showed decreases of up to 20% after being aged in the field for three years. “Testing shows Polyiso’s R-value decreases as temperatures get colder. The relationship between temperature and R-value appears to be non-linear (i.e. it’s not a simple straight line) so the mean temperature R-value tests cannot easily be used to predict in-service performance.” – Info-502: Temperature Dependence of R-values in Polyisocyanurate Roof Insulation, Building Science Corporation

A. Heat migrates to cold, high pressure moves to low pressure, high moisture flows to low moisture, air aids drying/evaporation, gravity aids drainage. Pressure drives heat and moisture outward during the winter and inward during the summer.

A. Yes. Walls are roofs and roofs are walls. “The same approaches can be applied to both walls and roofs – the argument being that similar loads and the same laws of physics apply.” – BSI-090: Joseph Haydn Does, The Perfect Wall, Building Science Corporation

A. 90% of all building envelope problems are related to water. Designing for moisture management is important to protect the building and keep its occupants safe from adverse health effects. “The harmful effects of water on building materials can hardly be over-emphasized. If they did not exist, the construction of durable buildings would be greatly simplified and the task of the designer and contractor made much easier.”- CBD-30. Water and Building Materials, National Research Council Canada

A. A double vapor barrier is a building assembly, wall or roof constructed with two relatively vapor impermeable materials that enclose other building materials. If moisture gets trapped between the two vapor retarders the drying process will be extremely slow. As a consequence, the enclosed materials may achieve moisture levels that will result in mold growth and/or structural decay.

A. Absorption (absorbent) is the manner in which a fluid is dissolved in a solid i.e. water soaked up by a paper towel. Adsorption occurs on the surface of a material. The liquid clings to the surface but does not soak into the material i.e. water molecules (condensation) on window glass.

A. Vapour Permeance is time it takes water vapour to transmit through a material that has a vapour pressure difference between the two exposed surfaces of the material. It is normally expressed as Perm. Vapour Permeability is the measure of the resistance of water vapor to pass through a material. Vapour permeability relates to water in its gas form.

A. No. “There is a prevailing misconception exists in understanding how water vapor moves through closed-pore foam insulation. It originates from the assumption that if foam insulation absorbs very little liquid water and is only semi-permeable to vapor, it must therefore function as a vapor barrier. Below I address this fallacy with a simple analogy, the bucket brigade. Closed pore foam insulation is moderately hygroscopic which means it ADSORBS water vapor from its ambient environment. Diffusion through the closed pore matrix occurs when ADSORBED water molecules nearest the moisture gradient source are safely “ handed off’ to its adjacent downstream surface. This process continues down a vapor pressure gradient, thereby establishing the bucket brigade. Instead of transporting liquid water, the ‘buckets’ (i.e. hygroscopic surfaces) contain water vapor […]” – Steven Doggett, PhD, LEED, Built Environments Inc.

A. Managing moisture is about removing bulk water and water vapor from wall and roof assemblies before they cause damage. This is achieved by deflection, drainage and drying and durability of materials. Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., from the Building Science Corporation, states it this way. “The air-gap is simple, elegant and unbelievably effective in helping out drying.” BSI-038: Mind the Gap, Eh!

A. No. “Testing included direct comparison of assemblies with Solar Dry and the Quik-Therm Connect product that is similar but without the flutes [air gaps]. Tests confirmed the introduction of the 3/16" flutes and [2-1/2] wood furring had no appreciable effect on the thermal performance of the wall assembly, provided that the flutes are sealed at the top of each wall panel to eliminate convection air currents.” – Mark Lawton, P.Eng, Senior Building Scientist, Morrison Hershfield. “The predicted reduction in thermal efficiency was less than 1%.” – Steven Doggett, PhD, LEED, Built Environments Inc.

A. No. At cold temperatures, Fiberglass, Mineral Wool, XPS and EPS perform slightly better than their published R-value’s. Polyisocyanurate, on the other hand performs worse than its published R-value, especially in cold climates. RDH Building Science Laboratories states that Polyisocyanurate lost 10% of its nominal R-value at mean 75°F and showed decreases of up to 20% after being aged in the field for three years. “Testing shows Polyiso’s R-value decreases as temperatures get colder. The relationship between temperature and R-value appears to be non-linear (i.e. it’s not a simple straight line) so the mean temperature R-value tests cannot easily be used to predict in-service performance.” – Info-502: Temperature Dependence of R-values in Polyisocyanurate Roof Insulation, Building Science Corporation

A. “The cladding attachment can be a significant thermal bridge and reduce exterior insulation performance by as much as 80% for poor systems” – Cladding Attachment Solutions for Exterior Insulated Commercial Walls. – Graham Finch, Dipl.T, MASc, P.Eng. & James Higgins, Dipl.T., RDH Building Science Laboratories. “Vertical continuous Z-girts […] resulted between 77% and 84% thermal degradation for the steel stud backup wall.”

A. “Each proprietary system will have different thermal performance characteristics and may require thermal modeling to determine the overall thermal performance of the wall assembly. Most high-performance clip systems will result in less than 30% thermal degradation of the exterior insulation (i.e. 70% effectiveness of the exterior insulation).” – Illustrated Guide to R22+ Effective Walls, Published by BC Housing – page 13.

A. Yes. Fastener thermal bridging, referred to as point bridges can significantly reduce the effective R-value of insulated assemblies. “With the steel plate above the polyisocyanurate cover board, the fastener and plate drop the R-value from R-29.0 to R-21.2. This is a 27% reduction in R-value as compared to the nominal R-value using polyisocyanurate cover board.” – Eric K. Olson, P.Eng., Associate Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.

A. Quik-Therm’s expanded polystyrene (EPS) core comprises of 98% air captured within a 2% cellular (plastic) matrix. Food grade quality polymer facers are heat sealed to both sides of it’s core. Water used in the manufacturing process is recycled and re-used many times over. Quik- Therm will not degrade and does not contain or use ozone depleting chemicals. Quik-Therm may contain up to 15% pre or post consumer recycled EPS. EPS has received an A+ rating for most environmental matrices.