Insulation for waveform roof at new Heathrow Terminal 2

The iconic waveform roof at Heathrow’s new Terminal 2 includes Knauf’s Earthwool Building Slab RS45 insulation products, in 50mm and 75mm thicknesses, installed within a 40,000m² Kalzip System in AluPlusPatina finish.

Knauf Insulation has been working with Kalzip for over 16 years and has become a key supply partner.

Simon McLeman, Export Sales Director UK at Kalzip: “When the project began at the end of 2010 we were tasked, alongside contractors Lakesmere, to develop a roofing structure that would be vital to the overall appearance of the building and one that would fulfil the stringent acoustic criteria – whilst working to tight deadlines.

“With our previous experience working across major projects, we established likely insulation specifications and tested them in an accredited acoustic laboratory to find out what would and would not work in terms of sound absorption. Following extensive testing, we chose to install Knauf Insulation’s Earthwool Building Slab RS45 insulation in two densities as it met the performance standards we required. 

“We decided to take a multi layer approach when it came to installing Knauf Insulation’s products. By layering the insulation products in different densities across the Kalzip standing seam roof, we were able to meet the rigorous sound absorption and sound transmission measures, whilst retaining the form and functionality required by the designers.”

Insulation within the waveform roof

Earthwool Building Slab RS45 helps reduce the impact of airborne and rain noise – especially when installed in a combination of two different thicknesses: 50mm and 75mm, with a 45kg/m³ density.  It provides excellent thermal conductivity of 0.035W/mK.  

Top performance standards of Knauf Insulation’s products means they have been specified for a large variety of commercial projects.