NBT insulation heats up

Natural Building Technologies has launched an innovative new woodfibre insulation board targeted specifically at the repair and refurbishment markets. The Pavadentro board has been created to effectively insulate external walls on the inside, while greatly reducing the risk of condensation build up within the fabric of the building.

The Pavadentro boards are ideal for use in refurbishment projects which cannot be insulated externally, such as listed or heritage buildings, where the external appearance must remain untouched. Specification of this woodfibre insulation board ensures a minimal risk of condensation damage to the existing wall structure.

The inclusion of a mineral-based layer, comprising sodium silica, within the new Pavadentro boards provides essential protection for the building fabric. This mineral/woodfibre combination, together with capillary action and hygroscopicity, regulates the passage of moisture travelling to the external wall to avoid the risk of condensation occurring. However, the natural vapour permeability of the woodfibres beneficially ensures breathability and control of any vapour that naturally occurs in an occupied building, thereby maintaining a healthy living environment.

The Pavadentro board does not include a ‘traditional’ vapour control barrier, as they actually block moisture, and may even trap it inside the building structure, which then causes long-term structural damage and ill-health for occupants within the building. Many ‘modern’ insulating materials, cement-based plasters and renders are effectively vapour-closed and can trap moisture in this way, bringing lasting damage to the building fabric if installed incorrectly. It is Pavadentro’s ability to regulate the passage of water vapour that ensures this risk does not occur, especially in the existing wall structure.

In addition to protecting against the impact of condensation, the Pavadentro boards provide the highest levels of thermal and acoustic insulation and excellent environmental credentials.

For further information, visit natural-building.co.uk.