Introduction
In this article by Sky Marketing, we will discuss everything about the wood wool board. Until recently, this material was used only as insulation and its curious surface’s decorative possibilities.
The wood wool board is a material made up of wood particles and minerals such as magnesia or Portland cement. Its use as an enclosure for walls and ceilings dates back to the first half of the 20th century. It is an insulating and fireproof laminar option appreciated in the field of construction. To these functional characteristics, we must also add a decorative use since its original rough texture – until recently hidden by plaster, coating, and paint – is aesthetically very interesting.
What are they?
Wood wool boards are a version of mineral-filled particle boards. There are also chips and short fibers mixed in mass, with finishes from rough to completely smooth. The wood wool board is recognizable by its porous texture that clearly reveals the long wood fibers, generally Spruce, Scots Pine, or Poplar, in the form of thin threads or ribbons 1 to 3 millimeters wide and 0.3 to 0.4 millimeters thick.
What are they Made of?
Called Heraklith in Europe and Excelsior in America, they were created as a construction element with specific properties. It is a composite material where the fibers perform the reinforcing function, and the minerals act as a connecting adhesive. This synergy between the two components responds very well to tension, compression, and impact efforts, forming a comparatively lighter whole since part of the mineral mass is replaced by a less dense material such as wood.
The shapes and textures created by the threads, ribbons, or wood chips, apparently chaotic, initially obeyed a functional rather than an aesthetic need; therefore, they were covered in most cases with other plastering or finishing materials. However, more and more designers and architects aesthetically take advantage of their rough finish and the warmth imparted by natural materials to use these boards as a final finish for interior spaces.
What are its Main Characteristics?
They are considered ecological materials when their composition is wood, magnesite, and water since they are harmless and do not emit harmful substances or formaldehyde like conventional boards. This composition allows the wood to remain protected while offering high durability.
Why are they Suitable Indoors?
Because it offers high performance as fireproof material and thermal and acoustic insulation, it is widely used in interior architectural enclosures, walls, and false ceilings of rooms, gyms, and sports centers, among others. The aesthetic character that these surfaces impart to the infinity of architectural applications is undeniable. That is why Capital Smart city Serene Villas is offering all these under a reasonable package.
And above all, we must not forget that, by using these materials traditionally considered for construction, savings are made in execution times and in the use of materials, which, in short, represents a significant saving in the total cost of the work.
In which Interiors is its Use More Convenient?
In addition to the aforementioned ecological advantages, and thanks to the hygroscopic properties of magnesite, this type of material contributes to climate and humidity regulation.
They accept up to 90% relative humidity in the environment, which makes them suitable for installation in areas with a high concentration of humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens, factors in which they also outperform conventional wood boards.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Comparatively, these boards are 15% cheaper per square meter (depending on thickness and quantity). They have 6 times less dimensional variation than conventional boards, and their production is simple with low-complexity machinery. As disadvantages, we can highlight their lower resistance to impact and bend than conventional boards, in addition to their hardness, which makes them difficult to drill.
In what Formats are they Presented?
The commercial presentations vary according to the need to enhance their advantages, whether as thermal or acoustic insulation.
- Monolayer: only wood wool in dimensions of 500 mm x 2000 mm and thicknesses of 8/15/20/25/35/50/75/100 mm or in sizes of 600 x 600 mm and 600 x 1200 mm in thicknesses of 15 /25/35mm
- Bilayer: in versions that combine wood wool with any of these materials: expanded polystyrene, fiber wood, polyurethane or polystyrene foam, or cork. Dimensions: 600 x 2000 mm in thicknesses of 25/35/50/75 mm
- Three-layer: made up of 3 layers, of which the 2 outer ones are made of 5 mm wood wool board, plus an inner core of standard wood particle board or expanded polystyrene foam with dimensions of 600 x 2000 mm in thicknesses of 25/35/50/75 mm or high-density mineralized oriented wood wool board 600 mm x 2000 mm in thicknesses of 35/50//75 mm
What Other Formats and Finishes can be Found?
In addition to the surface finish, the companies that produce these boards have expanded the range of colors beyond the original gray and white of their mineral components. Some distributors offer the full range of RAL, NCS, and StoColor colors on request or the option of customizing the boards with their own designs.Another novel and very versatile commercial presentation of cladding are that of hexagonal modules that are installed like a tile and that allow shapes and colors to be combined.
TELL US. Do you like this material? Would you use it in your house? Leave us your opinion in the comments section.
