Made from pulped wood, wood fibreboard is potentially a local material for all. As such the challenges and costs (both financial and environmental) of transportation can be more easily managed than some alternatives.

Description
The pulped wood is held together to form boards, the adhesive used will influence the sustainability and environmental impact of the specific board. A resin adhesive is sometimes used to bind fibres, in some the natural lignin present among the fibres fulfils this role, or the fibres can be interwoven.

Features

• Non-toxic (usually) & non-irritating.
• Biodegradable.
• Renewable.
• Adaptable. Can be used between wooden studs or in construction, for example external boarding protected by a coat of render.
• Self-supporting. Wood fibreboard is rigid.

Performance
Wood external fibreboards at 250 kgs/m³ have a thermal conductivity or K value of 0.049 W/m.K.
(Watts per meter Kelvin – a lower value is a better result)

Cost
Approximately £30m2 - bear in mind that this is both a structural and insulating material.

References
http://www.natureproinsulation.co.uk/external_board.htm

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Made from straw, a practically global resource strawboard is potentially a local material for all. Best viewed as an insulating ecological alternative to chipboard rather than purely as an insulator.

Description
Strawboard is made from straw waste that is pressed and then exposed to heat. Heated straw sweats out resins which create a natural binder. Strawboard can be sawn and painted and treated as a building material as well as an insulator.

Features

• Biodegradable.
• Renewable.
• Low embodied energy.
• Locks in carbon.
• Fire resistant. Highly compressed strawboard panels do not bear enough oxygen to be flamable.
• Strong. Stramit strawboard panels will bear 1100kg without deforming.
• Unstable? Potentially unstable in humid environments.

Performance
Cork boards at 120 kgs/m³ have a thermal conductivity or K value of 0.081 W/m.K.
(Watts per meter Kelvin – a lower value is a better result)

Cost
Consider for use in conjunction with other insulation. 18mm strawboard costs around £10 a square meter.

References:
http://www.stramit-int.com/applications.html
http://www.stramit-int.com/properties.html
http://www.plantfibretechnology.com/default.aspx?pageID=5&contentID=61

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You knew there was a use for cork except for sealing wine bottles…

Description
Cork is a natural and effective insulator. One disadvantage for the UK builder is the need to import cork from countries with the climate to grow it such as Portugal and other Mediterranean countries (China and India are now getting in on the act). Cork is fire-retardant, resists mold and is non-toxic.

Features

• Biodegradable.
• Renewable.
• Low embodied energy.
• Excellent acoustic insulation.
• Low impact production - few chemical additives.
• Self-supporting. Cork boards do not slump and therefore maintain their structure and insulating properties over time.

Performance
Cork boards at 120 kgs/m³ have a thermal conductivity or K value of 0.04 W/m.K.
(Watts per meter Kelvin – a lower value is a better result)

Cost
As production is still relatively small scale, cost is relatively high - I guess! I’m currently unable to get UK prices for Cork insulation - anyone able to advise?

…if only we could collect our wine bottle corks and make our own…

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To those yet to be introduced to the wonders of hemp, this type of insulation can seem like a hippies dream, however a simple Google search will soon lead you to the world beyond students bed-sits and Pink Floyd soundtracks to textiles, biodegradable plastics and fuel.
However, we’re interested in insulating properties of hemp, so […]

Often made from recycled newspapers, cellulose fibre is a loose fill insulation.
Description
As a loose fill insulation it does not come in blankets, sheets or boards, rather as a loose fibres that are blown or laid into place and must be protected from drafts or breezes. Additionally, to maintain optimal performance it must be kept dry. […]