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Knauf Insulation
As designers across New Zealand increasingly seek out materials that deliver performance, sustainability, and elegant aesthetics for residential builds, pitched roof designs can regularly raise several additional headaches and challenges. Particularly when it comes to H1 and Building Code compliance. Utilising Knauf Insulation’s uniquely designed Glasswool Skillion batt insulation, as recently demonstrated in a residential project in Marlborough District, alleviates these headaches and helps to create comfortable, compliant environment’s without compromising on modern design elements.
For the designer of a luxurious 5-bedroom residence in Awatere Valley, the goal was to create a stunning, high-end home that overlooks the Alton Downs vineyard in one of New Zealand’s most picturesque regions. With functionality meeting a striking aesthetic, the pitched roof build required a careful balance of insulation performance, air circulation, and thermal efficiency to meet H1 compliance and ensure it was as comfortable as it looked.
Boasting a high density and thermal resistance rating, the Earthwool Glasswool R7.4 Skillion batt was specified to support optimal thermal performance, creating a complete thermal envelope aligning with H1 requirements.
The key challenge facing the project was the New Zealand Building Code’s 25mm air gap requirement between the top of the insulation and the roof purlin in pitched roof designs. With a nominal thickness of 265mm, the Earthwool Glasswool R7.4 Skillion batt is uniquely designed to friction fit in standard 290mm rafters while maintaining the 25mm gap under the roof underlay at all times. This allows a crucial ventilation pathway that ensures the building remains comfortable and energy efficient.
The Earthwool Glasswool Skillion batt additionally boasts EUCEB and Eurofins “Indoor Air Comfort” Gold certifications, further supporting indoor air health, and is DECLARE ‘Red List’ Free certified, delivering confidence that it does not contain any harmful ingredients or chemicals detrimental to occupant health.
While aesthetic and performance were critical considerations for the Awatere Valley home, equal consideration was also placed on long-term durability. Earthwool Glasswool products by Knauf Insulation are manufactured with DriTherm Technology, a silicone treatment improving moisture resistance and durability. They are also tested to be non-combustible in accordance with AS 1530.1, ensuring the highest standards of fire safety.
They also boast the innovations of Knauf Insulation products, including ECOSE Technology — a plant-based binder free of added formaldehyde that ensures a soft to touch, easy to install product, CodeMark certification, and are backed by Environmental Product Declarations.
By integrating Earthwool Glasswool Skillion batt into the skillion roof design, the Awatere Valley home achieves a rare combination: high thermal performance with a protected ventilation path, proven indoor air quality credentials and a premium finish that foregrounds the architecture. It’s a clear path for designers who want to keep the elegance of a pitched or skillion roof while meeting the functional demands of comfort, efficiency and compliance.
Visit knauf.com/en-NZ/knauf-insulation for more information.
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