Is Wood Fibre Insulation Any Good?

Wood fibre insulation boards – they’re a different type of external wall insulation system than EPS or mineral wool, giving you even more choice when it comes to choosing the right materials for your project.

Given that you may not have heard of it before, we’re going to go in to a bit of detail about what wood fibre is, what are its benefits, and whether it’s right for you.

What is Wood Fibre Insulation?

The type of wood fibre board we promote is created from untreated softwood. Manufactured in Switzerland, the material is made using sustainably processed timber which is ground with water to form a pulp. This is then heated, activating a substance inherent in the timber called lignin, which is essentially a natural form of glue. This allows the wood fibre to hold its shape and strength when it’s shaped, dried, and cut to size. Most wood fibre insulation is made up of several layers of these initial boards to provide enhanced strength, moisture control, and vapour permeability.

Is Wood Fibre Insulation Right For My Property?

Wood fibre insulation is like ketchup – it can go with pretty much anything, but some combinations are definitely better than others. Masonry, steel framed houses, and listed/historic/hard-to-treat properties are all ideal candidates for a wood fibre external wall insulation system. The real stand out, however, is timber framed houses.

While it may be one of the oldest building materials, wood is certainly not the easiest. It moves, swells, and warps depending on external and internal factors alike. While timber framed houses are beautiful things and definitely making a comeback in this country, they necessitate pairing with building materials that will allow for their fluctuating nature. Wood fibre insulation is particularly breathable, allowing air circulation and movement of the frame over time, and preventing long term structural problems. To maximise this breathability we advise using wood fibre insulation in conjunction with a silicone silicate render.

Is Wood Fibre Insulation Environmentally Friendly?

Wood fibre insulation has more eco-credentials than you could shake a stick at. If you did want to shake a stick at it, by the way, then you should probably get one made from wood fibre just to be eco-friendly.

Founded on the principles of sustainability and responsible forestation, Pavatex are certified by Nature Plus, the European quality standard for building materials set up by the WWF, FSC and Greenpeace. From manufacture through to disposal, their materials are geared towards environmentally conscious design.

By using wood fibre insulation as part of an external wall insulation system, the heating/cooling requirement (and therefore the energy usage) of the property drops dramatically, particularly in the winter months. They also encourage the breathability of the house, improving air quality – something becoming more and more important as our cities and infrastructure continues to grow.

At the end of their lives the wood fibre boards are 100% compostable and recyclable. It’s like The Circle of Life, but with fewer lions and more energy savings.

Is Wood Fibre Safe?

I know, covering your home in one of the most famously flammable materials in human history may seem like tempting fate a little bit, but it’s safer than you think. Much like many other insulation materials, wood fibre insulation boards are a classified Class E combustible product, however they also have a hidden advantage against fire.

In the event of a fire, the wood fibre insulation boards char and develop a layer of ash on their surface. This effectively acts as a barrier, preventing oxygen from reaching the wood fibre and smothering any potential combustion – because of this, the structure can withstand fire for a full 90 minutes. Unlike other insulation materials, wood fibre also won’t give off and noxious of dangerous fumes in the case of a fire.

If you’re interested in using wood fibre insulation on your property, fill in the contact form below and we’ll make sure to get in touch.

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