Knauf Insulation has won the NAHB Global Innovation Award for its certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® insulation, recognizing its impact on healthier indoor air
L-R: Scott Woodward, Dave Morrissey, Linda McGovern, Tim Cofran, Scott Woodward, William Parlapiano, Joseph Arcadi, Leah McInerney, Teagan McKitrick, and Christopher Koons.
Knauf Insulation has been recognized with the prestigious Global Innovation Award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for its Performance+ ® fiberglass insulation. This award, presented as part of the NAHB Nationals Program, highlights companies that push the boundaries of innovation, sustainability, and healthier building solutions.
Rigorous Testing for Certification
To earn the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification, Knauf’s insulation underwent rigorous scientific testing to ensure:
- Minimal dust and fiber emissions in real-life scenarios, reducing airborne irritants.
- Extremely low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, with special attention to peak emissions in the first 24 hours.
- Mold resistance, tested under high-temperature and humidity conditions.
- No allergenic or sensitizing chemicals, or only at concentrations low enough to pose no concern for sensitive individuals.
Industry Recognition at NAHB’s “The Nationals”
The award was presented at The Nationals, NAHB’s premier awards gala held during the International Builders’ Show. Recognizing leaders in homebuilding innovation, NAHB’s Global Innovation Award honors products that enhance occupant well-being while meeting high sustainability and performance standards.
Linda McGovern, VP of Marketing and Customer Experience at Knauf North America, emphasized the significance of the award:
“This incredible honor underscores our commitment to setting a higher standard for fiberglass insulation and supporting healthier living environments. We’re proud to introduce insulation solutions that not only enhance energy efficiency but also contribute to the well-being of occupants and installers.”
We were thrilled to celebrate with the amazing Knauf team: Tim Cofran, Linda McGovern, Scott Woodward, William Parlapiano, Joseph Arcadi, Teagan McKitrick, and Christopher Koons.
The Growing Demand for Healthier Building Materials
Studies show that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, where pollutant concentrations can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. As the demand for healthier building materials grows, third-party certifications like Asthma & Allergy Friendly® provide essential trust and transparency for architects, builders, and homeowners.
Leah McInerney, Client Success Manager at the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program, interviewed Knauf representatives Tim Cofran and Linda McGovern about the award:
Leah: Tim, congratulations on this recognition! What does winning the NAHB Global Innovation Award mean to Knauf?
Tim Cofran: “So as you know I’ve been working on this project for a long time and to get recognized at the Builder show here in Vegas is a is a great honor and we’re really excited about it. Knauf has always strived to be a leader in this space.”
Leah: Linda, just a year ago, we were talking about Knauf’s initial certification, and now you’ve won an award! Can you tell us about the journey?
Linda McGovern: “Yeah it’s been kind of an incredible journey. You know it started as a single product at retail and turned into something much bigger- much bigger than we ever really dreamed of. We started digging into Asthma & Allergy Friendly® certification it became clear that we couldn’t do just one product. There’s over 100 million people in the US that suffer from allergies and over 28 million that have asthma, and so for us to only doing one product just didn’t seem like we doing justice.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Healthier Building Materials
Fiberglass insulation isn’t always top of mind when people think about indoor air quality, but Knauf is changing that perception. As Tim Cofran explained:
“Most people don’t ever see their installation it’s behind a wall, it’s up in an attic. If you think about it, in a commercial building it’s in a mechanical room or it’s up in the the duct work for the HVAC system…. it’s really important for us to educate the building owners and the designers and the engineers on the products that they select do ultimately have an impact on the people that choose to to spend their time in that indoor space.”
With its certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® insulation, Knauf is leading the industry toward more transparent, performance-driven, and health-conscious building solutions.
The Role of Certification in Knauf’s Broader Vision
Winning this award is part of Knauf’s long-term strategy to elevate industry standards. Linda McGovern elaborated:
I think when you think about the value chain this product delivers more than just certifications. It’s about our employees who work with the product, every single day, the contractors that are installing it about the occupants of the building. So having a whole entire portfolio of products that have certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® really sets the bar for higher standards for the entire industry…..So it’s really an overall journey and longterm strategy that is part of how we’re going to grow.”
What’s Next?
Knauf has a robust roadmap for expanding its certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® product offerings. With rising consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable building materials, third-party certifications like Asthma & Allergy Friendly® will continue to play a crucial role in product transparency and industry leadership.
Congratulations to Knauf on this well-deserved industry recognition! The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program is proud to partner with Knauf in promoting healthier indoor environments for all.