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Construction professionals, are all seeing a shift. Whether you’re working on residential housing, education, healthcare or commercial spaces, energy efficiency is no longer a luxury—it’s an expectation.
Passive Building design has become one of the most effective frameworks for delivering low-energy, thermally comfortable, and future-proof buildings.
But achieving Passive Building standards isn’t just about adding more insulation. It’s about addressing the weak points in the envelope.
One of the most overlooked? Thermal bridging through wall ties.
That’s where Cerra’s ITB (Insulation-Thermal-Break) Range of wall ties comes in.
What Is Passive Building Design?
Passive Design or Passive House is a performance-based building standard focused on ultra-low energy use. It requires careful control of:
- Thermal insulation
- Airtightness
- Thermal bridge elimination
- Ventilation with heat recovery
- High-performance glazing
In Passive House construction, every detail contributes to overall energy performance. And thermal bridges — even from something as small as a wall tie — can undermine insulation performance and create cold spots that lead to condensation, mould, and energy loss.
What Are Thermal Bridges?
A thermal bridge occurs when heat flows through a more conductive material (like steel) that bypasses insulation. In cavity masonry or brick veneer construction, standard wall ties are a major culprit.
- They physically connect the inner and outer leaves of the wall.
- Most are made from stainless or galvanised steel.
- That metal acts like a highway for heat, conducting warmth from inside to outside during winter (and the reverse in summer).
While this might seem minor, enough of these bridges across a wall can drop your effective R-value significantly.
Introducing the ITB Wall Tie Range
Cerra’s ITB (Insulation-Thermal-Break) ties are purpose-designed to help you eliminate one of the last remaining thermal weaknesses in traditional masonry construction.
Each tie features a poly isolator, which acts as a thermal break between the inner and outer sections. That means:
- Lower thermal conductivity
- Better real-world U-values
- No need to abandon your preferred cavity wall system
- Improved air-sealing at the building wrap layer — the integrated isolator washer also helps seal the penetration through membranes or wraps, reducing air leakage paths
These ties maintain structural performance while reducing unwanted heat flow — helping you hit Passive House or Section J compliance without redesigning your wall system.
ITB Range Overview: Three Products, Three Use Cases
CGT12-ECO ITB
Optimised for affordability and performance
- Designed for cavities up to 50mm
- Lightweight and cost-effective
- Durable 316 stainless steel
- AS/NZS 2699.2 compliant
- Built-in thermal isolator
- Supplied with Class 4 corrosion resistant screw
Best for: Volume housing, standard cavity brick walls, cost-conscious energy efficiency upgrades
CGT12-ITB
Our flagship Passive House tie
- Supports cavities up to 75mm
- Durable 316 stainless steel
- AS/NZS 2699.2 compliant
- Built-in thermal isolator
- Supplied with Class 4 corrosion resistant screw
Best for: Passive House-certified builds, education and healthcare projects, high-performance homes
STUBI-ITB
Designed for tight or shallow spaces
- Compact profile for narrow cavities or tight spaces
- Designed for cavities up to 50mm
- Durable 316 stainless steel
- AS/NZS 2699.2 compliant
- Built-in thermal isolator
- Supplied with Class 4 corrosion resistant screw
Best for: Apartments, inner-city developments, stub walls, and renovations with spatial constraints
Why Use ITB Wall Ties?
You don’t need to reinvent your wall system or retrain your crew.
- These ties fit standard construction sequencing.
- They use familiar tools and install like traditional wall ties.
- You avoid extra steps, labour, materials or additional sealing.
- You get thermal performance and better outcomes.
When integrated into cavity wall systems with high-performance insulation and membranes, the ITB range completes the envelope. It’s a simple substitution that delivers long-term gains.
Specifying energy-efficient wall systems means sweating the details. Cerra’s ITB wall tie range is a small change that delivers big performance. If you're aiming for Passive House, Green Star, or simply building smarter for Australia's future climate, these ties are a no-brainer.
Want technical support or project advice? Contact us — we’ll help you choose the right tie for your wall system, insulation depth, and performance goals.
