Thermatech®

Thermatech®

BlueScope Steel is proud to launch the next generation of COLORBOND® steel, incorporating Thermatech® technology.

Developed in Australia by BlueScope Steel in conjunction with our suppliers, Thermatech® technology provides a new level of thermal protection for houses & commercial buildings constructed in Australia's harsh conditions.

This leading edge technology works by absorbing less heat and therefore transferring less heat in the roof space. This provides greater thermal comfort in buildings specified with COLORBOND® steel.

The advantages of new Thermatech® technology is best illustrated when looking at one of our standard colours, Dune®. Although the colour hasn't changed, with the introduction of Thermatech® technology, under BASIX classification, this colour has moved from a "medium" classification to "light". Therefore potentially saving builders & homeowners the extra expense of greater insulation.

Whilst this is impressive, the greatest improvement in the thermal performance of COLORBOND® steel incorporating Thermatech® technology is at the other end of the colour spectrum. The solar reflectance of some of the dark colours in the COLORBOND® steel colour range have increased significantly. In the case of another standard colour, Ironstone®, this increase is as high as 114 per cent (alternatively the solar reflectance of both Ironstone® and Woodland Grey® have more than doubled).

Whilst we are considering the advantages of the next generation of COLORBOND® steel incorporating Thermatech® technology & colours, it is worth reflecting on the fact that COLORBOND® steel has one more light colour in its colour palette.

Under building regulations, 7 out of the 20 colours are now classified as light or very light, offering a greater choice of colours that may reduce the need for insulation. COLORBOND® steel helps you meet and exceed constantly increasing regulatory measures.

The increased range of lighter colours and the inclusion of Thermatech® will help keep your buildings and the surrounding air cooler, thereby reducing the effects of "heat islands" on urban environments, which reduces the cities energy demands and the potential formation of smog.

Additionally, Thermatech® reduces heat stress and therefore may assist in increasing the lifespan of your roof made from COLORBOND® steel.

What does Thermatech® technology do?

COLORBOND® steel incorporating Thermatech® technology provides a new level of thermal protection for houses & commercial buildings constructed in Australia.

How does it work?

By absorbing less heat from the sun it has a lower surface temperature as illustrated below:

Woodland Grey® Comparison Laboratory	Woodland Grey® Outdoors Winter
Next Generation COLORBOND® steel Readings in Degrees Celsius	Next Generation COLORBOND® steel Readings in Degrees Celsius

What are the advantages of COLORBOND® steel incorporating Thermatech® technology?

• When used in roofing applications, it improves the thermal performance of COLORBOND® steel across the entire colour range.
• Average reduction of solar absorptance across all colours is 5%
• Greatest improvement from reduced solar absorptance is in the dark colour range.
• Under BASIX colour classification – Sandbank® & Dune® move from a "medium" colour to a "light" despite no change to the actual colour.
• Similarly Wilderness®, Manor Red® & Jasper® move from a "dark" to a "medium" classification.
• In some parts of Australia this means real savings in the amount of insulation that is required to meet building regulations, eg under deemed-to-satisfy rules
  • medium to light under BASIX = reflective foil at roof is not required.
  • light colours under BCA = drop of R0.5 for roof insulation.
  • very light colours under BCA = drop of up to R1.0 for roof insulation.