Continuous vs. Clip-and-Rail Systems: Unlocking Better Building Performance with TB Clip

What’s Really Holding Back Exterior Walls?

Every day, design and construction teams face a tough tradeoff: How do you keep thermal performance high—without making installation complicated or budgets unworkable? The answer often comes down to something invisible but vital: how the cladding is attached.

Rockwool’s technical guide (Cavityrock & Comfortboard, pp. 6–9) makes it clear—continuous Z-girts and intermittent clip systems behave very differently in real assemblies. If insulation is “bridged” by metal from top to bottom, much of the thermal value is lost before the building even opens.

Field Results and Independent Research

Side-by-side, the performance gap is noticeable:

Z-girts (Continuous framing system): Only 20–60% of insulation’s original effectiveness remains, depending on how they’re installed.

Clip & rail systems (like TB Clip): Retain 50–90% of that value, with the highest numbers when premium materials and smart spacing are used.

In the field, TB Clip is not just numbers—it’s a smarter build. Contractors report fewer insulation cuts, faster layout, and far less material waste. While Rockwool’s guide focuses on the science, jobsite feedback echoes the same conclusion: well-designed intermittent clips, installed right, make for cleaner, more code-compliant projects.

Build Smarter, Not Harder

Cost Consideration

 Yes, rail and clip systems asks more upfront for their materials such as thermally isolated galvanized steel (TB Clips) or fiberglass—but labor gets easier, and energy losses drop for the life of the building.

Code Compliance 

Z-girts force thicker (and pricier) insulation to meet modern codes. Z-girts create significant thermal bridges, they often make it difficult to meet prescriptive energy code R-values without adding extra insulation. TB Clip keeps more R-value where it belongs: in the envelope, not bleeding out through the material, giving designers a clearer path to compliance.

Installation

With adjustability and less cutting, the install crew moves quicker and leaves a tighter wall using TB Clips (clips and rail system).

Comparison Snapshot

Feature	Z-Girt (Continuous)	TB Clip (Clip & Rail)
Thermal Efficiency	20–60% effective	50–90% effective (clip & rail type dependent)
Code Compliance	Often difficult; extra insulation	Easier path to code with higher effective R-values
Installation	Simple but rigid; many cuts	Adjustable; field reports: faster, cleaner install
Cost	Lower upfront material	Higher materials; offset by energy & labor savings

Source: Rockwool, Cavityrock & Comfortboard Cladding Attachment Solutions Technical Guide, pp. 6–9

Takeaway & Action

If lowest upfront cost rules and a tight budget is in play then Z-girts are the choice for a reason. But when installation time, code compliance, and long-term performance matter, it’s time to upgrade. TB Clip delivers the true value of insulation—plus a smoother path for both designers and installers.