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Knauf Insulation's new rafter roll brings a raft of benefits

06 Aug 2004

 
Knauf Insulation's new rafter roll brings a raft of benefits
 
Knauf Insulation has launched Crown® Rafter Roll 32 in response to demands for the ideal insulation material for warm roofs and loft conversions. Its exceptionally low thermal conductivity of just 0.032 W/mK - it's the best performing glass mineral wool product in the Knauf range - means that pitched roof thermal insulation targets can be successfully achieved with the insulation material being restricted to just the space between rafters.

Using the space in a pitched roof is a cost effective way of increasing the usable floor area of a property. Many new homes are now built with a 'room in the roof' and loft conversions have become a popular way of increasing living space in existing properties and enhancing their value.

But creating a warm roof usually means that sloping sections of roof have to be insulated and it is these elements that often present the greatest challenge to meeting tough thermal insulation targets. The Building Regulations require an Elemental U-value of 0.20 W/m2K for new pitched roofs or, depending on geographic location, between 0.20 W/m2K and 0.35 W/m2K for conversions. Although there are a number of different ways of meeting them, the ideal - in order to maximise room dimensions - is to keep the insulation material restricted to the space between adjacent rafters.

Crown® Rafter Roll 32 is supplied in roll form for easy storage and handling but has the same characteristics as a semi-rigid slab of glass mineral wool insulation. The rolls are offered in three thicknesses - 75mm, 85mm and 100mm - and, depending on this, are either 5.4m or 2.7m long. Roll width is a standard 1200mm which means it can be cut to fit between rafters at either 400mm or 600mm centres. Even in its roll form the product is very easy to cut using just a hand saw and installation is equally as quick, simple and effective: its semi-rigid nature allows it to friction-fit between the rafters and its 'scrunchiness' overcomes timber variations and prevents air gaps.

But the outstanding feature of Crown® Rafter Roll 32 is its exceptionally low thermal conductivity of just 0.032 W/mK. This means, for example, that a 170mm thickness (two layers of the 85mm thick roll) between rafters at 600mm centres will achieve an Elemental U-value of 0.20 W/m2K and a 185mm thickness will achieve the same for rafters at 400mm centres.

Although the big benefit of Crown® Rafter Roll 32 is keeping the insulation between the rafters, it also provides other important insulation properties. Glass mineral wool is, of course, a highly effective acoustic insulation material and is also totally non-combustible; a fact recognised by it having a Euroclass A1 fire classification, the highest rating possible.

"Crown Rafter Roll 32 represents an ideal and total insulation solution for creating warm pitched roofs," said John Gaunt, Knauf Insulation's Market Manager, Building and Construction, "It has an outstanding thermal performance, excellent acoustic performance, is non-combustible, is easy to work with and can be kept between the rafters - what more could you possibly want!"

Further details are available in two new Knauf Insulation brochures: Pitched Roofs: New Build and Upgrade and Loft Conversions. To obtain copies, please call 08700 668 660 or e-mail info@knaufinsulation.com quoting ID: KR17804.

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Editor's Notes:

Knauf Insulation is a multinational manufacturer of insulation products with operations in the UK, Europe and the USA and an annual sales revenue of approximately £500 million. Knauf Insulation Limited is insulation market leader in the UK, has four manufacturing plants employing around 500 people and an annual sales revenue of approximately £90 million. The company manufactures a wide range of insulation products to meet the growing demand for energy efficiency and acoustic performance in both new and existing homes and commercial buildings. Products include glass mineral wool, rock mineral wool, expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene marketed under the trademarks Crown®, Rocksilk® and Polyfoam®. Knauf Insulation is committed to the environment: its products use recycled and naturally abundant materials.

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