Enhancing High Performance Building Assemblies:
The Potential of Wood Fibre Insulation to Optimise
High Performance Construction
Niall Crosson
Building Physics Engineer MEngSc, BTech, MIEI
Ecological Building Systems
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© Ecological Building Systems Ltd 2013
Canadian Wood Council, Wood WORKS! and the Wood Solutions Fair is a
Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing
Education System; the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and the
Engineering Institute of Canada. Credit earned on completion of this program will
be reported on behalf of members of each CES provider for those who complete
a participation form at the registration counter. Certificates of Completion for
non-AIA, AIBC or EIC members are available on request.
This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing
in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and
services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
Program Education Credit Information
Presentation Outline
• Ecological Building Systems Company Background
• History & Development of Wood Fibre Insulation
• Manufacturing Methods for Wood Fibre Insulation
• Building Types and Applications
• Material Properties of Wood Fibre Insulation
• Site Considerations (Fire, Moisture,Handling)
• Installation of Wood Fibre Insulation
• Use in High Performance and Conventional Construction
• Wood Fibre Insulation in Building Refurbishment
• Wood Fibre Insulation: Market Penetration
• Future Developments
• Questions
• Parent company: MacCann and Byrne (Est. 1906). Based in Athboy, Co Meath, Ireland
• Ecological Building Systems established in the year 2000
• Import and distribute high performance diffusion open airtightness systems & a range of ecological insulation & building materials
Company Background
Woodfibre boards have been used since the early part of the 20th century prior to WW2
GUTEX are Located in Gutenburg, Germany, in the Black Forest
Family owned and operated since 1920
In 1932, began to manufacture wood fibreboards
They now produce 14 different wood fibre insulation products
Today, 130 employees, 4 shift-operation, 7 days a week
History of Woodfibre Board Insulation
Dry Process Advantages
Homogeneous composition (single-ply)
Up to 240 mm thick
Increased tensile strength with relatively low
density
Improved dimensional accuracy
Homogeneous composition (single-
ply)
Up to 240 mm thick
Increased tensile strength with relatively low
density
Improved dimensional
accuracy
Diffusion open: µ = 3 (wet produced boards
µ = 5)
Dry Process Advantages
Homogeneous composition (single-
ply)
Up to 240 mm thick
Requires 40 % less energy
Increased tensile strength with relatively low
density
Improved dimensional
accuracy
Diffusion open: µ = 3
Dry Process Advantages
0%
50%
100%
Wet Process
Thermosafe 100mm
Dry Process
Thermosafe-homogen 100mm
Energy Required by the Different
Manufacturing Processes
Energy consumption
for manufacture per
metric tonne = 100%
Energy
consumption for
manufacture per
metric tonne =
60%
Homogeneous composition (single-
ply)
Up to 240 mm thick
Requires 40 % less energy
Increased tensile strength with relatively low
density
Improved dimensional
accuracy
94 – 96 % wood composition
Diffusion open: µ = 3
Dry Process Advantages
Product Composition
According to
Manufacturing Process
04
Certification and Compliance Control
Quality seals and certificates for environment-friendly and healthy building materials
Scope: Environment – Health – Function (composition and emissions)
Material Properties of Woodfibre Board Insulation
Insulating Properties
Low Thermal Conductivity (from 0.037W/mK to 0.05W/mK) Airtightness Wind Tightness
Heat Protection
Heat Storage Capacity Airtightness Wind Tightness
Soundproofing
Fibrous structure Density Flexibility
Fire Resistance
Structural protection and behaviour when in contact with fire
Sustainability
Components Raw Material
Recyclable
Waste Code Reuse
Healthy Living Climate
Diffusion open Vapour transfer Vapour Storage Capillary Active
Protect against heat and cold
Improve comfort of indoor environment
Save limited and expensive resources
Reduce carbon emissions
Improve building durability
Increase the value of houses
WHY thermal insulation?
Average heat loss in non-refurbished buildings
Walls
35%
Windows
16%
Cellars
7%
Roofs
42%
Comparison of thermal resistance of 100mm thick insulation
0 1 2 3 4 5
Woodfibre
XPS
EPS
Mineral Wool
Standard FG
PUR
R value of 100mm Insulation
€0.00€5.00
€10.00€15.00
€20.00€25.00
PUR
FIBREGLASS
Mineral Wool
EPS
XPS
WOODFIBRE
€ Cost per m2 for 100mm Thickness
20-60% embedded cost
for transport to Ireland
Design principles which assist in protecting against overheating:
Carefully design, position and size windows relative to the sun
Install windows with sunshades
Employ wind-tight and airtight building design and practices
Design and build ventilated constructions
(exterior walls and roofs)
Insulation in Summer
Wood fibre
Insulation
(Thermal
buffer)
Conventi-
onal
insulation
Wood fibre Insulation –
Effective Protection Against the Summer‘s Heat
Insulation in Summer
How can insulation contribute to this?
• Low thermal conductivity (λ in W/mK)
• High Denisty ( m3/Kg)
• High Specific heat capacity (c in J/kgK)
Thermal Conductivity ()
Density () * Specific Heat Capacity(c)
Thermal diffusivity (a) =
The lower the thermal diffusivity the better the summer heat protection and the
thermal insulation in winter.
Woodfibre provides the optimum combination of heat protection in Summer and
thermal insulation in winter.
Insulation in Summer
Time lag and decrement factor with 180-mm Woodfibre insulation (density 110Kg/m3):
Outdoor Air Temperature
Indoor Air Temperature
Time Lag (10 hours)
Time lag = 10 hours
Decrement (1/TAV) = 21 °C divided by 3 °C = 7
Time (24-h clock)
Time (24-h clock)
The same volumetric heat capacity, BUT very different thicknesses
Woodfibre Softboard (110 kg/m3)
10 cm
Glass/ Mineral Wool ( 110 kg/m3)
91 cm
Insulation in Summer
Heat Storage Capacity Test
Demonstrating Heat Storage Capacity of Woodfibre, Mineral wool and Polystyrene
Protection against heat in summer time lag in hours
Blown Woodfibre/
Flexible
Woodfibre Batts
Woodfibre Weather Resistant Board
35 mm 50 mm 80 mm 100 mm
180 mm 9.3 10.3 10.4 11.4 12.6 13.6 14.0 15.0
200 mm 9.9 11.0 11.0 12.1 13.2 14.3 14.6 15.7
220 mm 10.5 11.7 11.6 12.8 13.8 15.0 15.2 16.4
240 mm 11.0 12.4 12.1 13.5 14.4 15.7 15.8 17.1
Bulk density:
Blown Woodfibre = 35 kg/m³
Flexible woodfibre batts = 45 kg/m³
Insulation in Summer
Dealing with Moisture on Site
• All external boards are fully impregnated
• Hygrophobic qualities
• Boards with T&G profiles enhance water resistance
• Can be left exposed up to 12 weeks!
• Chars rather than melts
• Charring rate can be predicted
• Protects structural elements for longer periods
• High thermal mass inhibits heat penetration
Fire Resistance
Fire Resistance Test
After 10 Minutes
Temperature on reverse of Insulation:
Woodfibre: 151 oF
Stonewool: 502 oF
Wood Fibre Acoustic Insulation
• High density
• Fibrous characteristics
• Tongued and Grooved joints further reduce sound
transmission (more airtight)
• Effective airborne & impact sound resistance
Acoustic solutions for Roofs, Walls and Floors
Innovative and environmentally friendly manufacturing process
Less additives
Biologically harmless (natureplus©-approved)
Integrated quality and Environmental management system
Raw material from sustainably managed forests
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD’s) documents available from some
manufacturers
Environmental Sustainability
Non Domestic Projects
• Buildings virtually all timber
• CLT Structure
• 100mm woodfibre on walls
• 142mm woodfibre on roofs
Flimwell Studios, UK
Woodland Trust Headquarters, Grantham
•282mm woodfibre on external walls
•180mm woodfibre on roof
•RIBA Award 2011
•BREEAM Excellent
Non Domestic Projects
• Protected Structure, Heritage
Building
• Hygrothermal modelling to
assist confirm compatibility
• 80mm Woodfibre on inside of
solid masonry walls
Warrenmount Convent, Dublin, Ireland
Refurbishment projects
• Mass concrete walls 200mm thick
• Built in 1930’s & featured modern architect of the time
• 140mm Woodfibre applied directly to the outside of solid walls
Indian Ambassador's Residence, Dublin, Ireland
Refurbishment projects
Sample Roof Assembly
Pitched Roof Insulation
From the inside:
• Internal Drywall boards
• 25mm Service batten
• Sealed Vapour Control Layer (e.g. pro clima INTELLO PLUS)
• 220mm Flexible woodfibre insulation between rafters
• 60mm Wood Fibre Softboard external insulation
R value: ~ 36
Best Exterior Building Product 2013
Sample Wall Assembly
From inside:
• Internal Drywall
• 60mm insulated service zone
• Pre-lined internal racking board
• 225mm Flexible woodfibre Insulation
• 80mm Wood Fibre Insulation
• 50mm Vented Cavity
• Timber Cladding
U Value < 0.15 W/m2K
Woodfibre Insulation Growth: Reasons
• Increasing legislative requirements for high thermal performance (EPBD)
• Environmental rating of building materials (BREEAM, LEED, DNGB,
LBC)
• Development of Woodfibre technology and solutions
• Reduced costs as market volume & competition increases
• Raw material sourced from renewable resource with low embodied
energy
• A closed loop life cycle. Cradle to cradle (Product easily recyclable &
reused)
• Increased awareness regarding technical advantages
The Future: The Development of Woodfibre Insulation
Factory Applied Wood Fibre Insulation
Pre-assembled window reveal
boards
The Future: Educating Tomorrows Designers
Colleges, Universities & Technical Academies Training Tomorrow’s Architects & Trades People
Further Information:
• www.greenspec.co.uk
• www.aecb.net
• www.igbc.ie
• www.passivhaustrust.co.uk
• www.phai.ie
• http://www.natureplus.org/en/natureplus/
• http://www.sentinel-haus.eu/en/
• www.asbp.org.uk
• http://www.holzfaser.org/
Summary
• Whether in hot and cold continental European regions or in
extreme damp/humid Ireland, woodfibre is tried, tested and
works!
• Even after additional importation costs woodfibre use is
growing in Ireland & the UK, in both domestic and non
domestic buildings, new builds and refurbishment projects.
• Canada has the raw material, the tradition in timber
construction & the expertise. Why not make it here?
This concludes the:
• American Institute of Architects
•Architectural Institute of British Columbia
• Engineering Institute of Canada
Continuing Education Systems Program
Enhancing High Performance Building Assemblies:
The Potential of Wood Fibre Insulation to Optimise High
Performance Construction
Ecological Building Systems Ltd. www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com,
00353 469432104; [email protected]
Twitter: @ecologicalbuild
Questions/ Comments?