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Why RainBarrier® Mineral Wool as Continuous Insulation

Thermafiber® RainBarrier® continuous insulation products are designed for exceptional performance in rainscreen and exterior cavity wall construction applications. With a full portfolio of Owens Corning continuous insulation products and a wide range of compressive strengths, Thermafiber® RainBarrier® mineral wool insulation has a solution available for many façade types while being compatible with various mechanical attachment methods and air barrier systems. All Thermafiber® RainBarrier® products are non-combustible, fire-resistant, vapor permeable, and are easy to fabricate and install.



Modern looking commercial building
Rainbarrier Dark

Now available!

THERMAFIBER® RAINBARRIER® DARK™

Standout performance designed to blend in.
The performance and moisture resistance of Thermafiber® RainBarrier®  continuous exterior insulation, now with a black facing, eliminate the need for additional camouflage for field installation in open joint and rainscreen applications.

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Meeting Demanding Standards and Changing Codes

Continuous insulation is insulation that is continuous across all structural members without thermal bridges other than fasteners and service openings. It is installed on the interior, or exterior, or is integral to any opaque surface of the building. Benefits of continuous insulation systems include:

  • Reduces thermal bridging and increases overall R-value. Thermal bridging is a type of heat loss that occurs when heat flows through the building envelope via a continuous path, such as through wood or, more commonly, highly conductive steel framing members. Thermal bridging affects whole wall R-value.
  • Simplifies installation of continuous air and water barriers. By creating continuous insulation, the air and water barrier can also be installed in the exterior wall cavity with minimal interruption.
  • Reduces moisture concerns. Continuous insulation reduces the possibility of condensation within the wall when warm, moist air is prevented from reaching a dew point temperature.
close up of modern commercial building

RainBarrier® 

RainBarrier® HC (80)RainBarrier® HC Plus (110)RainBarrier® HC Max

Type

Semi-Rigid BoardRigid Sheathing BoardRigid Sheathing BoardRigid Sheathing Board
Facing OptionsUnfaced or black veilUnfacedUnfacedUnfaced


PROPERTIES

R-Value4.3 per inch4.2 per inch4.2 per inch4.2 per inch
Vapor Permeable (ASTM E96)

Compressive Strength (ASTM C165)

N/A475 lbs/ft²720 lbs/ft²1296 lbs/ft²
Meets ASTM C612

Type IA, IB, II, III, IVA, IVB

Type IA, IB, II, III, IVA, IVB

Type IA, IB, II, III, IVA, IVBType IA, IB, II, III, IVA, IVB


ATTACHMENT METHODS

Cladding attachment around insulation:

• Brick Ties

• Girts (metal or thermally short)

• Channels

• Clips & Rails (metal or thermally short)




Compliant

Cladding attachment outboard of insulation (i.e., throughput fasteners, nails, screws)


Preferred when using light-weight cladding

Preferred when using medium-weight cladding

Preferred when using heavy-weight cladding

Project Spotlight

Owens Corning® Thermafiber® RainBarrier® continuous insulation can be found in some of the most advanced buildings being constructed today. Here are just a few projects that showcase the comfort, safety and sustainability of RainBarrier® mineral wool insulation.

Photo of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Expansion (SFMOMA) - San Francisco, CA

Product Portfolio
Photo of the Bullitt Center

Bullitt Center - Seattle, WA

Product Portfolio
Photo of University of Washington Bothell's Discovery Hall

University of Washington Bothell, Discovery Hall - Bothell, WA

Product Portfolio
Photo of University of Michigan's North Quad

University of Michigan, North Quad - Ann Arbor, MI

Product Portfolio
Photo of ProMedica Health and Wellness Center

ProMedica Health and Wellness Center - Toledo, OH

Product Portfolio

News

Building featuring Mineral Wool Continuous Insulation

Building Design + ConstructionWhy Mineral Wool Makes the Grade as a Continuing Insulation

Beyond outstanding fire resistance, mineral wool brings many benefits to commercial buildings. As a continuous insulation, mineral wool defends against liquid and vapor moisture infiltration, supports acoustic performance and contributes to sustainability goals.

Read More
Smart enclosures podcast

Building EnclosureTalking “Invisibilis” in Smart Buildings

So many of the materials that form smart, high-performing buildings are never seen by the naked eye. Listen in to learn about how “invisibilis” drives smart performance. In this episode, we’ll look at mineral wool as a continuous insulation in Indiana’s first LEED Gold hospital.

Listen Now
Rainbarrier featured in historic hospital enclosure

Building Design + ConstructionThermafiber® RainBarrier® Manages Moisture in a Historic Hospital Enclosure

Installed as a continuous insulation, mineral wool effectively manages liquid and vapor moisture in exterior assemblies. And as a bonus, it also delivers outstanding fire-resistance and energy efficiency.

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commercial building rainscreen system featuring mineral wool

Architect MagazineDismantling Mineral Wool Myths

Performance and compressive strength combine to make mineral wool a good choice for rainscreen systems.

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mineral wool application within commercial building

Architect MagazineSurprising Facts About Mineral Wool (You Probably Don't Know)

Take this 30-second quiz to discover how mineral wool does far more than contain fires.

Read More
Enclosure Experts podcast feature

Building Enclosure OnlineMineral Wool: Viewed Through the Lens of Compressive Strength

In this podcast we examine the performance benefits of mineral wool as a continuous insulation, and thoughts on specifying the proper compressive strength.

Listen Now

Building Enclosure Solutions

Owens Corning® Enclosure Solutions offer one of the largest portfolios of commercial insulation products for walls, roofs, and below-grade foundations. Engineered with Owens Corning technical expertise and supported by Building Science, Owens Corning® Enclosure Solutions deliver buildings that perform without compromising design.