Ecological Building Systems: Eco Wall

Eco Wall has been launched to the UK market as an ecological response to the expanding timberframe market. The superior energy efficiency and the ecological benefits of timberframe construction have been recognised for some time now. As the UK climate is very much exposed to damp conditions, the standard approach to timberframe construction is to use a man made sheathing (OSB and Plywood) which combines man made glues with strands of wood. These materials are very robust and suitable for conditions often found on building sites in the UK, however the critical breathable properties of these materials are significantly reduced due to their high glue content. The majority of timberframe constructions commonly use a man made insulation and finally a polythene vapour barrier on the inside. There is a need on the UK market to supply an ecological, low energy alternative to this method of construction. In response to this challenge, Ecological Building Systems have launched the Eco Wall concept.

Eco Wall combines a high level of energy efficiency and safety from potential problems associated with condensation risk, with minimum embodied energy, and high levels of comfort and health, using natural renewable materials with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Eco Wall provides a healthy, ecological alternative to the standard method of timber frame construction.

Eco Wall offers a combination of natural materials which fulfil all the requirements for timber frame construction. The inclusion of Panelvent natural woodfibre external sheathing board, Thermo Hemp natural insulation, and an option of either a cellulose based intelligent membrane, pro clima DB+, or the alternative polyethylene co-polymer based Intelligent membrane, pro clima INTELLO PLUS, which  promotes a high level of thermal performance, low embodied energy and high levels of moisture management. In comparison, the majority of timber frame constructions are supplied with either plywood or OSB as the external sheathing, a man made insulation, a petrochemical based vapour barrier and finally a gypsum based plasterboard. The combined embodied energy of all these components is considerable in comparison to Eco Wall, and the final construction has very limited breathability.

Eco Wall consists of a combination of pro clima DB+ airtight Intelligent cellulose vapour check or INTELLO PLUS airtight polyethylene co-polymer based Intelligent vapour check SASMOX gypsum bonded wood particle board, Thermo Hemp natural insulation, Panelvent natural woodfibre, external sheathing and external wall lining breathable membrane.

Eco Wall is superior in design to existing Timberframe constructions and provides a truly breathable structure. It incorporates an innovative humidity variable vapour check, which provides a continuous internal airtight seal for the construction, while reducing the risk of interstitial condensation in both summer and winter conditions.  As structural elements are sealed more than ever for airtightness, moisture management is essential.  Unlike conventional wall systems, Eco Wall allows structural elements to dry out completely, towards the inside if necessary. In this way, condensation risk is dramatically reduced. By replacing conventional timberframe wall elements, with Eco Wall components, the breathability externally is also significantly increased. 

Panelvent external woodfibre sheathing board can be characterised as having vapour resistance much less than that of conventional plywood or OSB sheathing, and twice the thermal resistance. In this way Panelvent significantly reduces the risks associated with interstitial condensation in timber built systems.

Thermo Hemp is a natural insulation which is completely biodegradable and 100 % pollutant free. As Hemp grows it helps restrict environmental pollution as it decomposes CO2.  Hemp is one of highest yielding and least intensive crops to cultivate. As an insulation Thermo Hemp offers extremely high thermal resistance, both in terms of thermal insulation in winter and thermal protection in summer. It also acts as an effective acoustic layer. It is completely non allergenic and very easy for the installer to fit. Eco Wall combines low energy construction with more sustainable building materials with minimal risk of moisture induced structural and health problems over the life of the building.

www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com