The facing reduces the risk of water damage when the insulation is left exposed to preserve the intended thermal, fire and acoustic performance of the building.

Best practice for installing insulation in rainscreen façades is to use a ‘rolling front’, but a survey of façade contractors by Knauf Insulation suggests that this is only achieved in approximately 50% of projects. If insulation is left exposed to the elements for too long during construction, it could be damaged, and its performance compromised.

“We designed Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab EE to give specifiers a solution to the exposure problem,” explained Luke Davies, product manager at Knauf Insulation. “Rather than rely on best practice on site, specifiers can now proactively protect building performance by selecting a product engineered for the real world.”

Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab EE has been extensively tested to deliver proven performance. It is non-combustible, with a Euroclass A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification and the black facing provides an aesthetic solution for behind perforated façades.

To further simplify specification and support compliance, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab EE has been added to the new Rocksilk® RainScreen Cavity Systems range, launched earlier this year. Specifiers will be able to meet challenging fire safety requirements with a complete, tested system that includes the sheathing insulation, fixings and cavity barriers.

Alongside the launch of the new product, Knauf Insulation will be releasing a new CPD on using rainscreen insulation to achieve real-world performance.

“Specifiers are under greater pressure than ever, particularly when designing high-risk buildings with rainscreen façades”, said Davies. “This launch is part of our wider plan to support specifiers with the products, services and resources they need, to have confidence in their insulation choice.”