Knauf has announced the launch of the Permarock Residential External Cladding System in Australia, introducing a premium external wall solution engineered specifically for residential builders, architects, and building designers.
This latest addition to the Permarock range leverages advanced materials technology to deliver a lightweight, water-resistant, and mould-resistant system that is certified non-combustible under AS 1530.1-1994, addressing the evolving needs of the Australian residential construction industry and accommodating the nation’s diverse climates.
The new system is ideally suited for professionals working on detached houses, townhouses, and low-rise residential developments up to three storeys, making it a premium solution where design flexibility and regulatory compliance are paramount.
The Permarock Residential External Cladding System marks a significant milestone for the Knauf Group’s Permarock brand, renowned globally for its robust commercial façade systems.
Approximately 80 per cent of new residential builds in Australia are timber-framed, and the launch addresses this gap directly, offering a complete, locally tailored cladding system.
Michael Morrissey, country manager for Knauf Permarock Australia, highlighted the importance of this launch for the sector, stating: “Knauf is excited to bring this innovative system to the Australian residential market at a time when builders and designers are actively seeking safer, simpler, and more compliant alternatives to conventional materials.
“The Permarock Residential External Cladding System is a standout solution that’s lightweight, easier to install than traditional materials, and mould- and mildew-resistant, making it suitable for any Australian region or climate.
“This is not just a product; it’s a solution backed by rigorous testing, on-the-ground expertise, and an end-to-end Knauf system architecture.”
A key advantage of the Permarock system is its user-friendly installation process.
Unlike competing products that require mechanical cutting tools and generate significant dust, the Permarock boards can be easily cut, scored, and snapped, significantly reducing site exposure to respirable silica — each board contains less than one per cent respirable crystalline silica.
The system supports curved wall designs and enables installation of seamless, monolithic walls with expansion joints necessary only every 15 metres, making previously unattainable residential aesthetics possible.
The system meets the National Construction Code’s stringent requirements for weatherproofing (F3V1 and H2V1) and wind pressure up to classification N5, and is independently certified as non-combustible under AS 1530.1-1994.
Additional features include water resistance, robust dimensional stability, no pre-drilling required for fasteners, and suitability for timber frame construction with proprietary render or tile finishes as part of a complete Knauf solution.
Jarrod Thompson, director at Arken Built, spoke to the practical benefits: “Knowing that we can go up to 15m without any expansion joints using the Permarock Exterior Cladding System was a big selling point.
“It’s easy to install and suitable for curved walls, which makes it the ideal choice for our projects.”
Morrissey further stated: “The Permarock brand has been a quiet achiever in the Australian market for the past few years, with strong traction across indoor and commercial exterior applications.
“The launch of the new residential external cladding system signals a new chapter, giving Australian builders access to a complete, certified, and supported Permarock solution for residential façades for the first time.
“The new Knauf Permarock Exterior Cladding System expands the capabilities of the Knauf product range and cements the company’s commitment to supporting Australian customers at every stage of their project and changing how the world builds.”
The Permarock Residential External Cladding System is now available nationwide, with Knauf’s specialist team ready to provide design guidance, on-site support, and technical documentation to help the industry achieve optimal results.
