4 Things you didn't know about wood wool
Architects and specifiers working on new-build and renovation projects have a series of challenges to fulfil for their client. The choice of material will largely depend on how well these challenges are met. But the wider question is: how aware are people to the variety and multitude of materials available for indoor and outdoor use? If you’re just joining us, please let us introduce you to wood wool and tell you a few things of which you might not have been aware.
Wood wool is not all wood
The natural look of wood wool boards with their 2mm fibres – although we also produce a version of finer fibres, only 1 mm thick – immediately identifies them as a natural wood solution. But it’s more complex than that. The ingenious and yet simple formula of water, cement and lime, when sprinkled on wool wood boards, makes them robust and durable. You get the longevity and performance of mineral alternatives, and the cool, natural look of wood. The best of both worlds.
It's been around for quite some time
See that modern, in-trend look adorning the ceilings and walls of car parks, entrance halls, corridors and other public and commercial buildings? Well, this might surprise you, but this solution has been around for well over a century – since 1908, in fact. The original recipe was patented in 1908 in Austria by the company Heraklith, which today belongs to the Knauf Group. But as building requirements have evolved, so has wood wool, and the modern wood wool boards you see today first appeared in 1955. And with this evolution also came the insulation slabs to provide the properties that architects and their clients are looking for today. We are constantly innovating to enhance the performances and properties of wood wool, which is why our signature states: “Improved since 1908.”
It might be wood, but it doesn't burn
Fire safety is naturally the most important issue for buildings, and Heraklith products meets all the industry requirements here. Take our Tektalan A2 SmartTec boards, where wood wool is combined with rock mineral wool. As their name suggests, they have A2 reaction-to-fire classification and up to 180 minutes’ resistance to fire (REI180). In fact, all the wood wool boards sold by Heraklith are at least B standard, including those with other types of insulation slabs. Once again: the natural look with nailed-down fire safety.
It's surprisingly versatile
Take a look at our projects page and you’ll see how wood wool can fulfil an amazing range of needs. One of its key assets is its acoustic performance, so it is perfect for environments such as car parks or public transport buildings to reduce noise nuisance. The same applies to the undersides of balconies and loggias, or entrance halls, to prevent noise coming in from outside. And Heraklith’s combi products are also good thermal insulation alternatives, therefore ticking many of the boxes in the above cases. For example, an underground car park fitted with wood wool will not only be quiet for people inside it, but the cold will not be transferred to the housing or offices above.
Do you feel a little better informed than you were barely 3 minutes ago?
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