KINGSPAN® ǀ XTARTHEM® ǀ RAINSCREEN CLADDING PHENOLIC BOARD   

RAINSCREEN CLADDING PHENOLIC BOARD       

Rainscreen phenolic board is a rigid thermoset phenolic insulation faced on both sides with low emissivity composite foil for use behind rainscreen facades with a core manufactured using a blowing agent that has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP). It provides ultimate thermal performances in rainscreen applications. It is easy to handle and install being 8’ x 4’ size. It provides a level of performance that is unrivalled in the world of rigid thermoset insulation materials with a thermal conductivity of just 0.018 W/mK across all thicknesses. Boards are manufactured to the highest standards under a management system certified to ISO 9001: 2015 (Quality Management Systems. Requirements), ISO14001: 2015 (Environmental Management Systems.Requirements), ISO45001: 2018 (Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems. Requirements with guidance for use) and ISO 50001: 2018 (Energy Management Systems. Requirements with guidance for use). The compressive strength of the board typically exceeds 100 kPa. The insulation core and facings used in the manufacture of cladding phenolic board resist attack by mould and microbial growth, and do not provide any food value to vermin. The boards achieve a thermal conductivity (λ-value) of: 0.022 W/mK (insulant thickness 25-44 mm) and 0.021 W/mK (insulant thickness ≥ 45 mm). Cladding boards thermal resistance (R-value) varies with thickness and is calculated by dividing the thickness of the board (expressed in metres) by its thermal conductivity.

KINGSPAN® K15 PHENOLIC CLADDING BOARDS INSTALLATION

Insulation boards should be installed break-bonded with board edges lightly butted and in such a manner to achieve a close fit between the board and substrate interface so as to avoid gaps behind or between the boards. Boards should be cut neatly around fixings and brackets, so as to avoid gaps. Where small gaps are unavoidable, fill gaps with fire rated expanding sealant. The number and type of mechanical fixings required to fix
Kingspan Kooltherm® K15 will vary with the geographical location of the building, the local topography, the height and width of the wall concerned, the wall structure and the type of mechanism being used to attach the cladding system. A minimum of 3.13 fixings per m2 are required to secure the insulation board to the wall structure. The fixings should be evenly distributed over the whole area of the board. Fixings at board edges must be located > 50 mm and < 150 mm from edges and corners of the board and not overlap board joints. The joints of Kingspan Kooltherm® K15 should always be taped using a 75mm min. In the absence of other protection, exposed edges of Kingspan Kooltherm® K15 should be protected by a suitable self-adhesive aluminium foil tape, with a 50mm min. wide overlap onto the insulation board face. When installing sheets onto timber, fixings should be long enough to allow minimum 25mm penetration of the timber frame or minimum 22.5mm penetration of the timber battens. Fixings should not penetrate through the battens. Fixings should be driven straight, with the heads embedded just below the surface of the plasterboard. If correctly installed, Kingspan Kooltherm® K15 can have an indefinite life. Its durability depends on the supporting structure and the conditions of its use.

PHENOLIC CLADDING INSULATION PROBLEMS

The insulation core is not resistant to some solvent-based adhesive systems, particularly those containing methyl ethyl ketone. Adhesives containing such solvents should not be used in association with this product. Damaged boards or boards that have been in contact with harsh solvents or acids should not be used.

CLADDING PHENOLIC BOARDS MANUFACTURERS

Cladding phenolic boards are often associated with two brands. Kingspan® and its K15 product followed by Xtartherm® with Safe-R SR/RS board. For instance both companies offer standard 100mm thick products, however, Kingspan offer lower R-value of 4.75m2K/W compared to Xtratherms 5.00m2K/W. Both brands offer BBA certificates for their products that are suitable for ventilated rainscreen cladding systems. The term rigid phenolic cladding insulation typically refers to the large pre-formed sheets of insulation which can be bought in 2400mm x 1200mm (8’ x 4’) size. Xtratherm panels come in thicknesses: 50mm, 60mm, 75mm, 80mm, 100mm, 120mm. On other hand Kingspan offers other 9 readily available thicknesses such as 25mm, 30mm, 40mm, 70mm, 90mm, 110mm, 130mm, 140mm and 150mm. 

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