Thermal Break Foam Tape
- Common size: 25 mm-100 mm width, custom slit rolls available
- Color: Black, grey, or white closed cell foam
- Material: PE/XPE closed cell foam with pressure-sensitive adhesive
- Thickness: 3 mm-12 mm, selected by joint gap and fastener pressure
- Use position: Between roof panels, wall cladding, frames, purlins, and girts
- Main function: Thermal bridge reduction and condensation control
Thermal Break Foam Tape is a closed cell adhesive foam barrier placed between conductive metal surfaces to reduce thermal bridging in metal building joints. As the manufacturer, Double Bond Tape Company produces this tape in 3 mm-12 mm thickness options for roof panels, wall cladding, steel frames, purlins, girts, and curtain wall connections. It helps keep a practical separation layer after fastening, reducing cold spots, moisture buildup, and condensation risk on coated metal, galvanized steel, and aluminum surfaces.
Product Video
Product Packaging
Product Overview
In metal buildings, thermal bridges often start at simple contact points: a roof sheet pressed against a purlin, wall cladding fixed to a girt, or an aluminum profile touching a steel support. Without a separating layer, heat moves quickly through the metal path. When the inside face of that joint becomes cold, moisture can appear near screw lines, panel laps, frame edges, and other compressed contact areas.
Thermal Break Foam Tape is made for these joint conditions, not for general mounting or decorative bonding. The important selection points are retained thickness after fastening, foam density, adhesive contact on metal, and resistance to moisture exposure. A 6 mm tape is often suitable for moderate panel pressure, while 9 mm or 12 mm thickness is better where the contact gap is wider or screw pressure is stronger. Typical foam density can be adjusted from 45 kg/m3 to 90 kg/m3, depending on whether the joint needs more compression support or better surface conformability.
For coated metal, galvanized steel, and aluminum framing, the adhesive side should be applied to a clean, dry, dust-free, oil-free surface. A hand roller helps improve contact on slightly textured painted panels. Before full installation, a 24-72h sample compression check is recommended to observe edge squeeze-out, foam collapse, screw pressure marks, adhesive movement, and whether the tape still separates the metal panel from the frame after tightening.
Benefits
- Reduces conductive heat paths between metal panels and steel or aluminum frames.
- Closed cell foam barrier supports condensation control around cold joint areas.
- Helps keep roof sheets, wall cladding, purlins, and girts separated after fastening.
- Pressure-sensitive adhesive holds the tape in place before screw fixing or panel assembly.
- 45 kg/m3-90 kg/m3 density range supports both compression resistance and surface contact.
- Low water absorption foam is suitable for building envelope joints exposed to moisture.
- Custom slit width helps match narrow flanges, wide panel laps, and frame contact lines.
What should be tested before fastening thermal break foam tape under metal panels?
Before applying the tape under roof sheets, wall panels, purlins, or girts, the first thing to check is retained thickness after compression. A sample strip should be applied to prepared metal, fastened with the same screw type and pressure planned for the actual structure, then left for 24-72 hours. The inspection should show whether the foam has been crushed flat, shifted, or squeezed out at the edge. For metal building joints, the selected 6 mm, 9 mm, or 12 mm tape should still leave enough compressible separation between conductive surfaces after fastening.
Applications
- Metal roof panel and steel purlin separation
- Wall cladding and girt contact line isolation
- Curtain wall frame thermal break support
- Aluminum profile and metal panel separation
- Prefabricated metal wall and roof assemblies
- Building envelope joints with condensation risk
- Steel frame contact areas under screw fastening
- Metal panel overlaps requiring adhesive-backed foam spacing
Product Production
TDS
Item Typical Value
Product type Self-adhesive thermal break foam tape
Foam material Closed cell PE or XPE foam
Adhesive type Pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive
Standard thickness 3 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm
Thickness tolerance +/-10%
Standard width 25 mm-100 mm, custom slit width available
Width tolerance +/-1.0 mm
Color Black, grey, or white
Typical density 45 kg/m3-90 kg/m3
Compression behavior Designed to retain separation under controlled fastener pressure
Retained thickness test Checked after 24-72h sample compression
Peel adhesion to galvanized steel Typical 8 N/25 mm-15 N/25 mm after 24h dwell
Peel adhesion to coated metal Surface-dependent, sample test recommended
Water absorption Low absorption closed cell structure
Service temperature -30 C to 80 C
Short-term heat exposure Up to 100 C, project-dependent
Liner Release paper or release film liner
Surface preparation Clean, dry, dust-free, oil-free metal surface
Main application Thermal bridge reduction in metal building envelope joints
Loading Container
How does thermal break foam tape help reduce condensation around metal building joints?
Condensation is more likely to appear where warm indoor air meets a cold conductive path, especially around roof panels, cladding joints, steel frames, purlins, and girts. Thermal break tape places a closed cell foam layer between two metal surfaces, slowing heat transfer through the joint and reducing cold spots on the inner side. When the foam is compressed evenly and still retains thickness after fastening, it can also help limit small air gaps and moisture paths. In exposed building envelope use, this gives the joint better stability than direct metal-to-metal contact during temperature swings, humidity, rain, and outdoor weather.
FAQ
-
Is Thermal Break Foam Tape the same as ordinary foam mounting tape?
No. It is designed for thermal bridge reduction and metal surface separation, not general mounting or decorative bonding.
-
What thickness should be selected for metal building joints?
Common choices are 3 mm-12 mm. Selection depends on joint gap, screw pressure, and required retained thickness.
-
Can it be applied to galvanized steel and aluminum?
Yes. The surface should be clean, dry, and oil-free. A sample adhesion test is recommended before full installation.
-
Why is a compression test important?
It confirms whether the foam still separates conductive surfaces after fastening pressure instead of being fully crushed.
