Unique insulation promises aesthetics, performance

March 12, 2020

A unique new insulation product may please both architects and contractors on new home sites, perhaps a breakthrough itself.
The open-joint cladding system, from Rockwool, is called Cavityrock Black. The dual-density insulation board is designed to mask the insulation layer with a bonded fleece facing to create a crisp, dark aesthetic in open-joint facades. The new boards offer the same thermal performance, fire resistance, and moisture control of Rockwool’s traditional Cavityrock insulation, but it is easier to install.    




“It eliminates the need for a separate masking layer that can add extra time, materials and cost to an installation,” explained Garrett Feehrer, marketing manager for Rockwool North America.
Feehrer said the look alone may persuade architects to spec the boards in multi-family and custom-home builds. “In architecture, quite simply, aesthetics matter,” he said. “Cavityrock Black insulation addresses the need for a dark reveal behind open-jointed cladding systems.”
It also helps meet the demand for energy-savings in new homes, according to Rockwool. Cavityrock Black achieves an R-value of 4.3 per inch and is available in standard 16x48-inch and 24x48-inch widths, with thickness ranging from 2 to 6 inches. 
With five manufacturing facilities and over 1,000 employees, U.S.-based Rockwool is North America's largest stone-wool producer.