Knauf Comfortboard thermal mass board

Knauf Australia has launched Comfortboard to the Australian market, providing architects, designers and specifiers with a thin, lightweight thermal mass lining featuring the ease of installation that comes with a standard plasterboard product. It allows for a space-saving efficiency of 5–8%, effectively increasing the value per square metre.

The technology in the board reduces the reliance on mechanical heating and cooling. Projects that are constructed using the thermal mass lining will be able to better meet sustainable requirements from the perspective of building management and maintenance. The temperature-control attributes of the product last for the life of the board.

The board, which incorporates Micronal phase-change materials (PCM), helps to increase comfort and reduce energy costs by smoothing out temperature extremes in a room. The PCM in the board is made up of microscopic acrylic polymer balls filled with paraffin wax. As a room heats up, the paraffin wax absorbs the heat and turns to a liquid, storing the heat inside the board. When the temperature drops again the paraffin wax solidifies and releases the heat back into the room, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature of around 23°C.

The product has been designed to be installed in the same way as a standard plasterboard product. By removing the need for any changes or additional steps in the construction process, the lightweight building material can be quickly installed like any other wall lining. Unlike traditional bricks, it can even be installed in ceilings, further adding to the effectiveness of a temperature-sensitive design.