What makes PAVATEX wood-fibre insulation a good fit for sustainable projects

Between increased environmental reporting standards and growing public sentiment towards climate action, sustainability is top of mind across the architecture, planning and construction sectors. And whether plans involve a new build or a refurbishment project, it’s more important than ever to think about sustainable and energy-efficient design and construction.

Why insulation is key to energy efficiency

According to the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), taking an intelligent approach to energy involves minimising energy use throughout all stages of a building’s lifecycle, and integrating renewable and low-carbon technologies. When looking for insulation material to use for sustainability-driven and future-thinking circular construction projects PAVATEX is an ideal option. Here’s why.

Environmentally friendly production process

PAVATEX is a wood-fibre insulation range made from upcycled wood chips. Its EPD demonstrates the insulation’s minimal carbon footprint, thanks to its extremely environmentally friendly production process. As PAVATEX natural insulation products are made from upcycled residual material from sawmills, no extra trees need to be chopped down to make them. The waste wood chips are collected, then heated and pressurised to create fibres and then turned to rigid insulation boards, using dry process. Throughout the production, all ‘waste’ produced is processed and reused as a renewable energy source. As a natural product, PAVATEX insulation can be recycled or composted at the end of its life.

Excellent thermal performance

PAVATEX insulation offers excellent thermal performance and heat storage capacity, with thermal conductivity from 0.041-0.044 W/mK, thermal resistance from 0.65 to 4.85 m2K/W (depending on the board’s thickness), helping buildings to stay warm in winter and cool in the summer, preventing overheating and leading to more energy-efficient structures. Using PAVATEX contributes towards achieving Passive House certification criteria.

Extra benefits of breathable and moisture-regulating insulation

PAVATEX is well-known for its breathability and moisture-regulating properties. As a windproof and water-resistant but vapour permeable insulation, PAVATEX allows moisture to move within a wall or roof build up, regulating it at safe levels and expelling any which might get into the material, thus preventing mould growth. This feature is very useful because of the health effects resulting from exposure to mould – especially if someone in the house suffers from asthma.

Where to use PAVATEX in a building project

PAVATEX insulation offers airtight, yet breathable structure that maintains perfect indoor climate throughout the year. PAVATEX ISOLAIR MULTI, part of the PAVATEX range, is primarily designed for the sarking of sub-roof pitched roofs and ventilated façades. The range comes in various thicknesses, from 30mm to 200mm, making it adaptable to the demands of a specific project. The boards’ density makes them perfect for lightweight buildings with timber or stainless-steel structure, helping the building to achieve higher mass – similar to brick or cement structures.

Choosing PAVATEX wood-fibre insulation brings many sustainability benefits, including increased energy-efficiency of the structure, leading to lower energy bills and savings, as well as offering a more environmentally friendly insulation option.

Get in touch

If you are interested in finding more about our solutions, the technical services we offer, or you are interested in discussing how our systems can be incorporated in a specific project you are working on, please do not hesitate to contact our technical experts. To find out more about PAVATEX ISOLAIR MULTI please visit our product page.