UK based Schöck Ltd, is a member of the Schöck Group, which operates 14 companies around the world from its head office in Baden-Baden, Germany. Over six decades the company has built a formidable international reputation for its pioneering product design and exceptional performance standards. Although best known for its market leading range of Isokorb structural thermal breaks, reinforcement technology and impact sound insulation solutions are also a significant part of the company’s product portfolio.

Inventors of the original thermal break

A thermal bridge is an area of the building envelope with significantly higher thermal conductivity than surrounding areas and cantilevered balconies are the most critical thermal bridges. Schöck was the first company to develop structural thermal breaks to counter this problem and its internationally recognised Isokorb product range has been developed for design detailing (including Passive House standard) involving concrete-to concrete, concrete-to-steel and steel-to-steel.

Sconnex is a new and unique solution

The Schöck philosophy of rethinking existing capabilities can lead to derivative technology and the new Schöck Sconnex product range is a perfect example. Here the company has transferred its balcony technology expertise to walls and columns – which account for around 40% of thermal bridges in buildings and some 10% of heating energy losses. Sconnex offers outstanding insulation performance, combined with an exceptional load-bearing capacity.

Innovative reinforcement technology

Traditionally steel rebar has been used as reinforcement in concrete construction. However, steel is not ideal in corrosive and electromagnetically sensitive environments. Schöck Combar, a glass fibre reinforcing bar, is a superior solution. It is stronger than steel and significantly lighter; neither electrically or thermally conductive; and is corrosion resistant, extremely durable and easily machinable.

With flat slab construction there is a high concentration of shear forces around the columns, which can lead to punching – a problem solved by incorporating the Schöck Bole punching shear reinforcement. Also, expansion joints are required to effectively prevent cracks caused by shrinkage or temperature movement when installing concrete slabs and Schöck Stacon dowels offer an efficient solution for the transmission of shear forces in expansion joints.

Integrated impact sound solution

With higher density living, noise nuisance and its effect on health issues is an all-important topic. One of the most invasive irritations is impact sound and Schöck has developed Tronsole, an integrated impact sound insulation system for all structural subsections on both straight and winding staircases.