Rhino Multi Purpose RP-51-WR Reflective Wall Wrap and Roof Sarking
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Measure the wall, ceiling or roof area and take about 10% off for studs, joists and purlins.
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Rhino Multi Purpose RP-51-WR is a reflective foil laminate from Thor Building Products, rated a Class 2 Vapour Barrier and a Water Barrier, for wall wrap and roof sarking. The foil is bonded to a reinforcing polymer mesh treated blue to cut glare. Each roll is 1350 mm x 60 m, covering 81 m².
Wind and added R-value
Thor call it a heavier product, better suited to walls in high wind locations. By their figures it can add up to R1.1 to a wall behind brick veneer or timber cladding and up to R1.3 to a roof insulation system. Reaching those figures takes at least 20 mm of air space next to the foil face.
Climate zone limits on walls
Under NCC 2022, a membrane outside the insulation in a house or apartment wall needs at least 0.143 µg/N.s in climate zones 4 and 5, and 1.140 µg/N.s in zones 6 to 8. This one is a vapour barrier at 0.011 µg/N.s, so as a wall wrap it meets the deemed-to-satisfy rule in zones 1 to 3 only. Melbourne is zone 6. See our guide to choosing wall wrap and sarking.
Fire and site notes
It is rated BAL 12.5 to FZ under AS 3959, section 3.10, except in exposed installations in fire control rooms or fire-isolated exits. Install to AS/NZS 4200.2, with a 40 mm sag between trusses under a roof. Clad as soon as possible, keep the rolls dry and allow for up to 2% shrinkage. Full figures are in the table below.
Technical data
Thor Building Products technical data sheet (PDF)Sizes stocked
| Roll size | Coverage | Product code |
|---|---|---|
| 1350 mm x 60 m | 81 m² | RP-51-WR-60 |
Vapour and water
| Vapour classification | Class 2, Vapour Barrier |
|---|---|
| Vapour permeability | 0.011 µg/N.s |
| Water control classification | Water Barrier |
Read the NCC 2022 row under Compliance before using it as a wall wrap.
Strength
| Duty | Heavy |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength machine direction | min 12.5 kN/m |
| Tensile strength lateral direction | min 7.5 kN/m |
| Edge tear resistance machine direction | min 80 N |
| Edge tear resistance lateral direction | min 80 N |
Thor describe it as a heavier product, more suitable for walls in high wind locations.
Fire
| Flammability index (AS 1530.2) | Low, < 5 |
|---|---|
| Bushfire Attack Level (AS 3959, section 3.10) | BAL 12.5 to FZ |
Thor exclude exposed installations in fire control rooms or fire-isolated exits.
Thermal
| Emittance of reflective face | max 0.05 |
|---|---|
| Added R-value in walls | Up to R1.1, installed behind brick veneer or timber cladding |
| Added R-value in roofs | Up to R1.3 added to the insulation system |
| Air space | Minimum 20 mm next to the reflective foil face recommended for maximum insulation values |
Thor do not set out the wall or roof build-up behind these figures, so treat them as upper limits, not design values.
Material and handling
| Construction | Aluminium foil bonded to a reinforcing polymer mesh, treated blue to reduce glare during installation |
|---|---|
| Thickness | < 1 mm |
| Electrical conductivity | Conductive |
| Shrinkage | Up to 2% can be expected |
| Use | Enclosed structures. No contact with wet concrete or mortar |
| Storage | Dry area |
Compliance
| Standard | AS/NZS 4200.1 Pliable Building Membranes |
|---|---|
| Installation | AS/NZS 4200.2 |
| NCC 2022 external walls of houses and apartments (F8D3, Housing Provisions 10.8.1) | Meets the vapour permeance rule in climate zones 1 to 3 only |
Melbourne is climate zone 6, so a house wall there needs a Class 4 vapour permeable membrane instead.
Fitting notes
Install to AS/NZS 4200.2, the installation standard for pliable building membranes. Leave at least 20 mm of air space next to the foil face so the reflective side can reach its maximum insulation value. Under a roof, Thor recommend a 40 mm sag between trusses. The membrane is for enclosed structures, so fix the external cladding as soon as possible and store the rolls in a dry area until they go on. Keep it away from wet concrete and mortar, and allow for up to 2% shrinkage. The foil is electrically conductive, so take care around wiring.
Figures are taken from the Thor Building Products data sheet for Rhino Multi Purpose RP-51-WR, dated July 2022. The manufacturer document is linked above. The wind note comes from Thor's product page, and the NCC 2022 row applies clause F8D3 (Housing Provisions 10.8.1) to the permeance on the sheet. Thor Building Products can change specifications without notice, so check the current sheet before specifying on a job.
Common questions
Can I use it as a wall wrap on a house in Melbourne?
Not under the deemed-to-satisfy rule. NCC 2022 asks for a Class 4 vapour permeable membrane outside the insulation in house walls in climate zones 6 to 8, and Melbourne is zone 6. This is a Class 2 vapour barrier, so as a house wall wrap it suits zones 1 to 3 only.
Is it a breathable membrane?
No. Thor rate it Class 2, Vapour Barrier, with a vapour permeability of 0.011 µg/N.s. It is also a Water Barrier.
How much R-value does it add?
Thor state up to R1.1 in a wall behind brick veneer or timber cladding, and up to R1.3 in a roof insulation system. They recommend at least 20 mm of air space next to the foil face to reach those maximum values.
Can it be used on a bushfire prone site?
Thor rate it for BAL 12.5 to FZ under AS 3959, section 3.10. The exception is exposed installations in fire control rooms or fire-isolated exits.
How much does one roll cover?
Each roll is 1350 mm wide and 60 m long, which is 81 m². Thor say up to 2% shrinkage can be expected, so allow a little extra.
Can it be left exposed to the weather?
No. Thor say it is for use in enclosed structures and the external cladding should go on as soon as possible. Store the rolls in a dry area.
Is the foil electrically conductive?
Yes. Thor list the electrical conductivity as Conductive, so take care around wiring.
Cannot see your question? Ask our team and we will get you an answer.
Answers use the Thor Building Products data sheet for Rhino Multi Purpose RP-51-WR, July 2022. The Melbourne answer applies NCC 2022 clause F8D3 and Housing Provisions 10.8.1, as summarised in Fletcher Insulation Technical Bulletin TB07 (April 2023).