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Acara Concepts Ltd

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Acara Concepts Ltd

Acara Concepts distributes natural, ecological and high performing thermal and acoustic insulation products throughout the UK and Ireland.

Acara Concepts distributes sustainable, ecological and natural insulation products throughout the UK and Ireland. We supply Hofatex wood fibre thermal insulation boards suitable for walls insulation, floor insulation and roof insulation and it is vapour-open to reduce condensation and mould growth. Wood fibre provides excellent insulation as well as being the best thermal insulation for reducing noise in properties as well as for providing protection against summer time overheating due to its high density. These eco-friendly products are made almost entirely from trees so are very good for the environment as well as for our health. PhoneStar soundproofing acoustic insulation boards very effectively reduce both airborne (e.g. talking, music) noise and impact (e.g. footstep) noise through walls, floors and ceilings. This very slim product, at only 15mm thickness, is ideal for soundproofing walls, soundproofing floors and soundproofing ceilings from noisy neighbours, as well as for soundproofing within one's own home or workplace. PhoneStar will easily meet Building Regulation for Sound requirements in both new build and change of use properties. Acara Concepts also supply Lignotrend room acoustics timber panels which significantly reduce both echo and reverberation within a room. These contemporary panels are made from solid timber and wood fibre and are very aesthetically pleasing. Please do not hesitate to contact us for friendly no-obligation advice on: UK +44 (0)20 7998 1690 or IRE: +353 (0)1 8409 286. Our email is: info@acaraconcepts.com

10/04/2026

Why is a lime levelling coat so important before installing wood fibre insulation on solid walls?

This is a detail that is often overlooked, but it is absolutely critical to the long-term performance of the wall build-up.

A lime levelling coat helps to:

• Create a flat and continuous surface for the insulation boards
• Eliminate voids and air pockets behind the boards
• Reduce the risk of interstitial condensation and mould growth
• Improve airtightness by sealing cracks and open joints
• Maintain breathability, allowing moisture to move safely through the wall

In older solid-wall buildings, especially traditional masonry and stone structures, the wall system needs to remain vapour open and capillary active.

This is where lime and wood fibre work exceptionally well together.

Without a proper levelling coat, gaps behind the insulation can become cold zones where moisture condenses, leading to damp, reduced thermal performance, and potential fabric damage.

Good insulation is not just about the board thickness — it is about getting the wall physics right.

Breathable materials, proper preparation, and attention to detail make all the difference.

09/04/2026

“Rafters Matter: The Overlooked Factor in Roof Performance”

One of the most commonly overlooked elements in roof U-value calculations is thermal bridging through the rafters.

It’s easy to focus purely on the insulation thickness and declared lambda values, but the timber structure itself can have a noticeable impact on the final performance.

As a practical rule of thumb, timber rafters typically account for 10–15% of the roof area, depending on their width and spacing.

That means the actual U-value can be 10–20% worse than the “insulation-only” calculation if repeating thermal bridges are not properly considered.

At early design stage, a sensible allowance is:

• 10% for trussed roofs
• 12.5–15% for traditional cut roofs

This is exactly why continuous insulation over or beneath the rafters can make such a difference; it helps reduce the thermal bridging and improves both compliance and real-world thermal performance.

Small detail. Big impact on heat loss, compliance, and building performance.

naturheld Ampack Acara Concepts Ltd

08/04/2026

“Stop Trapping Moisture: Preparing Walls for Wood Fibre Insulation”

Wood fibre insulation is a fantastic solution for energy-efficient, sustainable buildings, but its effectiveness depends on the wall assembly being fully vapour-permeable. That means removing not just the interior cementitious plaster, but also exterior cementitious renders, before installation.

❗ Why both sides matter:

1, Vapour Permeability: Wood fibre works by allowing moisture to pass through the wall. Cementitious plasters inside or outside trap moisture, risking mold, rot, and damage to both wall and insulation.

2, Hygroscopic Balance: Wood fibre naturally regulates indoor humidity. Cement-based layers disrupt this balance, leading to damp walls and reduced comfort.

3, Durability and Longevity: Moisture trapped behind non-breathable layers accelerates structural decay. A fully breathable system protects the building over the long term.

4, Proper Integration: Removing incompatible layers allows wood fibre insulation to adhere correctly and be finished with compatible breathable plasters or renders, ensuring long-term performance.

Key takeaway:

Wood fibre insulation only performs as intended when the wall can breathe. Preparing the wall by removing cementitious layers inside and outside ensures optimal thermal performance, moisture management, and building longevity.

Building sustainably isn’t just about the materials; it’s about how they work together.

Acara Concepts Ltd

07/04/2026

The Ventilation Detail You Can’t Ignore

The ventilation cavity behind timber cladding is not optional when using wood fibre external insulation; it is essential.

Timber cladding should be treated as a rainscreen, not a waterproof barrier. Wind-driven rain will inevitably find its way behind the boards through joints, laps, and fixings.

That’s why a drained and ventilated cavity is required between the cladding and the wood fibre insulation.

Its job is to:

• allow any rainwater to drain safely

• create airflow for drying and moisture release

• protect the wood fibre insulation from prolonged dampness

• improve the service life of the timber cladding itself

Wood fibre is an excellent vapour-open insulation material, but like all hygroscopic materials, it must be given the ability to dry outward.

A simple 40 mm cavity can make the difference between a robust breathable wall and a moisture risk.

Good façade design is often about the details we don’t see 😊

29/03/2026

“Stop Sealing Roofs And Start Letting Them Breathe”

Retrofitting roofs internally with wood fibre insulation is gaining real traction, and for good reason.

Unlike conventional insulation, wood fibre doesn’t just reduce heat loss in winter, it also helps prevent overheating in summer thanks to its high thermal mass. That means more comfortable living spaces all year round.

Its breathable nature is another big advantage. By allowing moisture to move through the structure, it reduces the risk of condensation, mould, and long-term damage, particularly important in older or traditionally built homes.

On top of that, it delivers strong acoustic performance and is a more sustainable choice, being made from renewable materials with low embodied energy.

While it may require more thickness and careful detailing compared to synthetic options, the long-term benefits in comfort, durability, and environmental impact make it well worth considering.

As retrofit standards continue to evolve, solutions that balance performance with building health are becoming essential, not optional.

25/03/2026

Small Detail - Big Impact: Why Reveal Insulation Matters

Insulating window and door reveals is one of the most overlooked details in building design, and yet it has a disproportionate impact on performance.

These small junctions around frames are often weak points where insulation is reduced or interrupted. The result?

• Increased heat loss

• Thermal bridging

• Condensation risk

• Reduced occupant comfort

Even in otherwise well-insulated buildings, poorly treated reveals can lead to cold surfaces and localised mould issues. From an energy perspective, they quietly undermine efficiency. From a user perspective, they show up as drafts and cause discomfort.

The solution isn’t complex, but it does require attention to detail:

✔ Maintain continuous insulation around openings

✔ Minimise thermal bridging at junctions

✔ Ensure airtight sealing alongside insulation

✔ Consider reveal design early, not as an afterthought

In high-performance buildings, details matter. And reveals are a perfect example of how small decisions can have a big impact.

16/03/2026

Happy St Patricks Day!

We will be closed for the bank holiday Tuesday March 17, and will reopen on Wednesday March 18 as normal.

13/03/2026

💧 Moisture Matters: Hygroscopicity & Capillary Action in Insulation

When discussing insulation performance, we often focus on thermal values, but in climates like Ireland and the UK, moisture management is just as important, especially with old solid walls.

Two key material properties influence long term building performance:

🔹 Hygroscopicity

Some insulation materials can absorb and release moisture from the air. This helps buffer indoor humidity and can reduce the risk of interstitial condensation.

🔹 Capillary Action

Certain materials can also transport liquid moisture through their pore structure. This “moisture wicking” ability supports controlled drying within building assemblies.

In practice, these properties can contribute to:

✔ Improved drying potential

✔ Reduced risk of trapped moisture

✔ Better compatibility with breathable construction systems

✔ Long term durability of building elements

Different projects require different solutions, and understanding how materials behave beyond their U-value is essential to good building design.

As suppliers of wood fibre insulation, we see first hand how moisture managing materials can support robust, high performance building envelopes, particularly in timber and retrofit applications.

Thoughtful material selection is not about trends, it’s about building physics.

naturheld Baumit UK Acara Concepts Ltd

10/03/2026

Traditional Walls - Modern Comfort - Breathable Solutions

I get it.... you want to insulate solid stone rubble external walls from the inside, using wood fibre insulation. That’s a great choice for vapour permeable (breathable) construction. Here’s how you can prepare and carry out the work safely and effectively:

1. Assess the Wall Condition

Check for damp issues:

Solid rubble stone walls often deal with damp or penetrating rain. Insulating internally without solving these problems risks trapping moisture. Check the condition of the drains and down pipes, and install French Drains if required.

Pointing and joints: Ensure lime pointing (not cement) in mortar joints, cement traps moisture and damages stone.

Surface stability: Remove cementitious plaster and flaky or loose material.

2. Wall Preparation

Drying out: Allow the wall to dry naturally before insulating.

Levelling: Uneven rubble walls may need a lime plaster "dubbing-out" coat to create an even surface.

Salt contamination: If salts are present, treat prior to installing the insulation.

3. Installing Naturheld Wood Fibre Insulation

Fixing method:

Directly fix rigid wood fibre boards(Naturheld 180 or 140kg) with thermally broken mechanical fixings and lime adhesive(ie;Baumit RK70).

Or

Apply a levelling plaster coat first(Baumit RK38 or NHL Thermo), then fix boards with adhesive/fixings. In my experience, a levelling coat is always required, the thickness of the levelling coat needed, determines which levelling product is most suitable.

Thickness of Wood Fibre Insulation: Typically 40–80mm dependent on space, U-value requirements, and condensation risk.

Stagger joints: Ensure boards are tightly butted with staggered vertical joints.

4. Airtightness and Moisture Control

Vapour open system: Use lime-based adhesive and plasters, never gypsum or cement. We specify Baumit RK38, NHL Thermo,RK70 and KlimaGlatt.

Airtightness layer: Often the plaster finish on the wood fibre board acts as the airtightness layer, but you will need to look at the airtightness detail around the window and door reveals. We specify Ampack-Ampacoll XT60DS Tape.

No plastic membranes: Avoid vapour barriers, as the wall needs to breathe.

5. Finishing

Apply a lime plaster finish directly on the wood fibre boards. We specify Baumit RK70 and Baumit KlimaGlatt.

Water based paints are compatible breathable finishes. No gloss / oil based paints.

6. Key Considerations

Thermal bridging: Pay attention at junctions (floors, ceilings, partitions, reveals). Wood fibre insulation should wrap around edges where possible.

Condensation risk analysis: A hygrothermal assessment (e.g. WUFI calculation) is strongly recommended to avoid interstitial condensation.

Ventilation: After insulating internally, indoor humidity must be controlled with good ventilation.

naturheld Baumit UK Ampack

03/03/2026

Drain Before You Insulate.

Before insulating solid external walls, we always ask one key question:

Have you addressed the moisture risk?

As suppliers of Naturheld Wood Fibre Insulation, we work extensively with solid-walled and historic buildings. These structures behave very differently from modern cavity walls, and moisture management is critical to getting retrofit right.

That’s why we often recommend installing French drains around the property before insulating.

Here’s why:

• They reduce ground moisture loading at the base of solid walls

• They relieve hydrostatic pressure on older foundations

• They support the drying capacity of breathable wall systems

• They help prevent trapped moisture once insulation is installed

• They protect both the building fabric and the insulation investment

Wood fibre insulation performs exceptionally well in vapour-open, breathable constructions, but like any high-performance system, it depends on the right groundwork.

A French drain isn’t just a drainage upgrade.

It’s part of a whole-building approach to successful, durable retrofit.

Moisture first. Insulation second. Performance long-term.

24/02/2026

Does Render Colour Affect Thermal Performance — Especially with Wood Fibre Insulation?

Architects often face this question when specifying natural insulation systems:

“Does the colour of my render really change the thermal performance of the wall?”

The answer is yes, but only slightly, and not in the way you might expect.

Darker renders absorb more solar energy, meaning the external surface can be 10–20°C hotter on a sunny day than a light-coloured façade.

But when that render sits on wood fibre insulation, the story changes.

Wood fibre has both low thermal conductivity and high thermal mass, it slows heat flow and dampens temperature swings.

As a result, even when the outer surface gets hot, very little of that heat reaches the interior.

So in energy terms, the difference is marginal, often just a few percent at most.

Where colour does make a real difference is in durability and movement:

Higher surface temperatures cause more expansion and contraction,

Which can lead to microcracking or premature ageing of the render.

That’s why most wood fibre EWI manufacturers recommend light tones (LRV > 20–30) to limit thermal stress.

So, when specifying external finishes:

Treat render colour not only as an aesthetic decision, but also as part of the wall’s thermal and material strategy.

It’s a subtle design choice that can extend façade life, preserve vapour permeability, and maintain system integrity over time.

naturheld Baumit UK Acara Concepts Ltd

19/02/2026

Overheating isn’t just a “hot country” problem, it’s becoming a real issue across Ireland & the UK. 🌡️

Traditional insulation keeps us warm in winter, but what about summer heat?

Homes, offices, and roof spaces are seeing heat build-up, especially in:
Loft conversions
Timber frame walls
South & west-facing roofs
Lightweight modern builds

At Acara Concepts, we’re often asked:

“Which insulation actually reduces overheating and controls moisture?”

The answer: Naturheld Wood Fibre Insulation. Unlike conventional options, it:
Absorbs and buffers heat through thermal mass
Delays peak temperatures entering living spaces
Breathes naturally, protecting the building envelope
Offers renewable, low-carbon comfort, in winter & summer in one

Some insulations resist heat. Wood fibre slows it down and stores it.

As our climate evolves, specifying insulation for overheating is no longer optional, it’s essential for healthy, future ready buildings.

naturheld Ampack

Address

Killossery
Dublin

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+35318409286

Website

http://www.acaraconcepts.com/

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Thermal & Acoustic Insulation

Acara Concepts distributes sustainable, ecological and natural insulation products throughout the UK and Ireland. We supply Pavatex wood fibre thermal insulation boards suitable for walls insulation, floor insulation and roof insulation and it is vapour-open to reduce condensation and mould growth. Wood fibre provides excellent insulation as well as being the best thermal insulation for reducing noise in properties as well as for providing protection against summer time overheating due to its high density. These eco-friendly products are made almost entirely from trees so are very good for the environment as well as for our health. PhoneStar soundproofing acoustic insulation boards very effectively reduce both airborne (e.g. talking, music) noise and impact (e.g. footstep) noise through walls, floors and ceilings. This very slim product, at only 15mm thickness, is ideal for soundproofing walls, soundproofing floors and soundproofing ceilings from noisy neighbours, as well as for soundproofing within one's own home or workplace. PhoneStar will easily meet Building Regulation for Sound requirements in both new build and change of use properties. Acara Concepts also supply Lignotrend room acoustics timber panels which significantly reduce both echo and reverberation within a room. These contemporary panels are made from solid timber and wood fibre and are very aesthetically pleasing. Please do not hesitate to contact us for friendly no-obligation advice on: UK +44 (0)20 7998 1690 or IRE: +353 (0)1 8409 286. Our email is: info@acaraconcepts.com