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Exterior Wall Insulation

Enhance Building Performance and Comfort with ROCKWOOL Exterior Wall Insulation

Find products Product Documentation Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) Cavity Wall and Rainscreen Insulation

Exterior walls, together with the roof, form the envelope of any building, protecting everyone and everything inside.

They also cover the largest surface area, making them a prime area for preventing heat loss. The main place where heat is lost is by escaping through poorly insulated walls.

With ROCKWOOL external wall insulation, living spaces can be made warm, energy efficient and compliant with modern building standards – as well as gaining additional benefits in terms of acoustics, indoor comfort and fire safety.

Discover the importance of insulation for exterior walls, and the positive impacts it can bring.

Table of contents

  1. Exterior insulation products
  2. Why do we need external wall insulation
  3. Why choose ROCKWOOL solutions
  4. Exterior wall insulation applications
  5. Installing
  6. Downloads and resources
  7. FAQ
Find technical information and guides

Exterior Wall Insulation Products

20230629 RWNA PHO 1345

ROCKWOOL Cavityrock® exterior continuous rainscreen and cavity wall insulation

ROCKWOOL Cavityrock® is a semi-rigid stone wool insulation board designed for exterior cavity and rainscreen applications. Also available in a black mat facer finish for open-joint cladding systems.

20221101 RWNA PHO 1181

ROCKWOOL Comfortbatt® semi-rigid thermal batt insulation for exterior wall cavity wood and steel framing

Comfortbatt® is a stone wool insulation thermal batt for use in both new residential construction and renovations. A unique, flexible edge helps maintain R-values.

2021201 RWNA PHO 1120

ROCKWOOL Comfortboard® 80 rigid stone wool exterior continuous insulation board

ROCKWOOL Comfortboard® 80 is a rigid exterior insulation board, providing a continuous layer of insulation around commercial or residential building envelopes.

20200506 RWNA PHO 1611

ROCKWOOL Comfortboard® 110

Comfortboard® 110 is a rigid, high-density, stone wool insulation board used as exterior continuous insulation in residential and commercial applications where enhanced compressive strengths are required.

20231117 RWNA PHO 1452
Curtainrock®

ROCKWOOL Curtainrock ® curtain wall and window wall insulation board

ROCKWOOL Curtainrock is a lightweight, semi-rigid stone wool insulation board designed to provide enhanced fire protection in curtain wall and perimeter fire containment systems.

220219 RW LAT ITA PHO 33

ROCKWOOL Frontrock stone wool insulation for EIFS

Frontrock™ semi-rigid insulation are non-combustible stone wool boards engineered to be used in mechanically-fastened exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)

20220628 RWNA PHO 1145

ROCKWOOL ROXUL Safe® Fire safing insulation

ROCKWOOL ROXUL Safe® is a semi-rigid, mineral wool batt insulation designed to provide enhanced fire protection in perimeter fire containment systems, floor and wall through penetrations, construction joints, and other fire stopping applications.

20181203 RWNA PROD 20

ROXUL Safe® 45 semi-rigid stone wool fire stopping insulation board

ROCKWOOL ROXUL Safe® 45 is a semi-rigid stone wool insulation board ideal for fire stopping in concealed spaces of multi-unit residential buildings.

20181203 RWNA PROD 17

ROCKWOOL ROXUL Safe® 55 & 65 insulation products for fire rated metal buildings

ROCKWOOL ROXUL Safe® 55 & 65 are medium-density insulation products for interior and exterior firewall applications where fire resistance of at least 1 hr. is required.

Why do we need exterior wall insulation?

Outside walls are where heat loss or heat penetration most commonly occurs in the majority of buildings.

Exterior wall insulation can significantly moderate this – improving the building’s energy efficiency, as well as cutting CO2 emissions and reducing fuel or cooling costs.

Exterior walls come in different shapes and forms. These range from cavity walls to rendered systems and façade cladding, for domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. Each type of external wall has its own advantages and disadvantages. They appeal to the building owner in one way or another, by assuring good energy performance that meets local requirements.

Key benefits:

  • Less heat loss
  • Lower energy bills
  • Protected building structure
  • Lower temperature fluctuations
  • Fewer damp issues
Relevant resources
Exterior Wall Solutions for Hot & Humid Climates
PDF
697.4 kB
Exterior non-structural insulated sheathing board
PDF
623.2 kB
Exterior Wall Wood Stud Batt Insulation
PDF
520.2 kB
Acoustic Wall Assemblies Catalog
PDF
3.2 MB

Why choose ROCKWOOL solutions?

Our insulation harnesses the power of stone, enabling us to create a versatile set of external wall solutions.

Drawing on the ‘seven strengths of stone’, benefits include2:

  • Fire resilience
  • Temperature maintenance
  • Noise reduction properties
  • Robustness
  • Sustainability
  • Water properties
  • Adaptability for building design

ROCKWOOL external wall insulation is central to developing energy-efficient walls, and meets modern code requirements by providing continuous insulation for residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Fire resistance also adds an extra layer of safety. ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation can withstand heat above 1000°C3 – ideal during construction or renovation of high-rise buildings. Water resilience also meets the increased need for flood defences in many properties.

 

Find ROCKWOOL products
ROCKWOOL boasts excellent thermal performance both in winter and summer. Stone wool slabs can add significant mass to the building envelope, ensuring summer comfort by keeping the heat outside. The fibres in the tightly butted slabs knit together, significantly reducing heat loss that’s caused by gaps between slabs.

Erica Bazzini

Global Product Manager, ROCKWOOL Group

Exterior Wall Insulation Applications

20191021_RW-UK_PHO_01
Insulation

Wood Frame Insulation

Wood frame insulation provides strong acoustic, fire resistant and thermal properties. Improve your timber frame wall insulation with ROCKWOOL solutions.

20190506 RWNA PHO 899
Insulation

Metal Wall Insulation

Metal wall insulation improves building performance and operating costs for constructions with metal wall systems.

20181023_RW-CWE-AT_PHO_84
ROCKWOOL

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)

EIFS are durable, energy efficient and versatile designs that produce high performing insulated wall systems for residential and commercial buildings in both new construction and retrofit projects.

20200528 RW-CWE-BNL PHO 380
Insulation

Cavity Wall and Rainscreen Insulation

Discover how exterior above-grade wall insulation solutions, including cavity wall insulation and rainscreen insulation, can help you meet evolving building codes for energy efficiency. Our stone wool insulation products are designed to exceed code minimums and optimize energy savings.

20220628 RWNA PHO 1146
Perimeter Fire Containment Systems

Perimeter Fire Containment Systems

Compartmentation is critical for life safety, code compliance and providing structural integrity through protection of exterior wall components of the building in the event of a fire. This is where specification and installation of a tested and listed perimeter fire containment system featuring ROCKWOOL insulation can meet code requirements and contribute to safeguarding people and property.

20231201 RWNA PHO 1456
ROCKWOOL

Exterior-Insulated Stucco Systems

Stucco has been commonly used in North America as an attractive, durable, fire-resilient, and affordable cladding material. When applied as part of an exterior insulated wall system with stone wool insulation, stucco can support evolving energy code requirements in new and retrofit residential, commercial, and institutional construction.

Installing exterior wall insulation

With the various solutions available for external wall insulation, there are many different installation requirements. For cavity walls you can install granulate, partial and full fill slabs, while for timber frame you need products with flexible edges.

High-density slabs or lamellas are necessary for ETICS and ventilated facades, with prefabricated sandwich panels or slabs with cut-outs best for metal walls. More detailed instructions can be obtained from your local ROCKWOOL organisation.

Some overall tips:

  • Measure your walls – measure the size of your external walls first to ensure you have enough installation material.
  • Choose the right product – assess the shape, size and material of your external wall to help decide on the best insulation product and installation method to use.
  • Consider the building use – choose the best external wall insulation whether it’s for a commercial, residential or industrial property.

 

 

ComfortBoard 80 Installation Guide
Matt Risinger Trailblazer images

Installing Comfortboard 80 on a typical wood framed and sheathed wall with a non-flanged window

Watch the demonstration video.

Download the guide

Downloads and resources

PDF
4.2 MB
24 Oct. 2020

ComfortBoard 80 Detailed Installation Guide

This Single Family Residential Builder’s Guide covers the use of ROCKWOOL Comfortboard 80 within a splitinsulation or exterior insulation wall assembly.

PDF
761.2 kB
19 Apr. 2021

Cladding Attachment Solutions For Exterior Insulated Commercial Walls

This guide will help with evaluating an appropriate cladding attachment strategy by providing details on the implications these decisions have on effective thermal performance, installation methods, sequencing and system costs. An overview of nine different cladding support systems utilizing ROCKWOOL insulation products is included.

PDF
3.8 MB
21 Jul. 2022

Board Insulation Attachment Guide

Get recommendations and view diagrams for attaching ROCKWOOL semirigid and rigid board insulation products for most common applications, including cladding attachment systems or plain board installation.

PDF
880.0 kB
29 Apr. 2022

Cavityrock® and Comfortbatt® Effective Insulation Solutions – The Future of High-Performance Rainscreen Systems

The ROCKWOOL Wall Rainsceen System comprises ROCKWOOL thermal batt insulation in the exterior stud wall cavity (up to 6”), combined with a high-density, semi-rigid ROCKWOOL insulation board (up to 6”) in the external cavity

PDF
697.4 kB
24 Oct. 2020

Exterior Wall Solutions for Hot & Humid Climates

Commercial building construction in hot, humid climates requires a unique approach. Our solutions guide provides codes, standards and assembly strategies for building high-performance exterior walls in these climates.

PDF
1.1 MB
24 Oct. 2020

The secret to beautiful, safer and more efficient structures

Get the help you need to achieve high-performance designs that meet NFPA 285 requirements. Often the critical first steps to improving a building’s energy efficiency and safety occur during the design phase. With increased targets in North American building codes, architects are playing a greater role than ever before.

Premium partnership program for builders

ROCKWOOL R‑Class is our premium partnership program for builders who demand more.

This is a community for those who take pride in their craft. They use high-performance materials and installation techniques, to ensure their homes are comfortable, beautiful, efficient and built to last.

When a builder joins the R‑Class, you’ll receive support and training by our team of residential building pros, samples, potential rebate savings and more. ROCKWOOL high-performance stone wool is in a class of its own — and so are the builders who make up the R‑Class.

Sign up to become a member!
Residential Builder installing ROCKWOOL

FAQs

Will external wall insulation stop condensation?
How long does external wall insulation last?
What is ETICS?

Looking for answers? Let us help!

Questions?

Technical Support - Contact Us

If you have technical questions about products or need support for your project, our technical experts are here to help you.

Your local contact

Find a Sales Representative

Find your local ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation Sales Representative.

Where to buy

Where to buy ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation

Find a local store where you can purchase ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation.

Our products are diverse and contribute to shaping a circular economy, enhancing resource efficiency, and nurturing the safety, health and wellbeing of people.

ROCKWOOL Group