Tectum & Wood Wool Uses
Are you in the midst of planning and designing a cutting-edge construction project—one that will accommodate a bustling high-traffic environment teeming with noise? If so, a product like Tectum or Envirocoustic may be an ideal building material for your project’s specific insulation needs. This type of wood wool-based acoustic panel are well-known for their ability to deliver outstanding thermal and acoustic insulation for walls, ceilings, and floors.
That said, this is only one of the common wood wool uses. Read on to learn more about this versatile and sustainable construction material.
What Is Wood Wool?
Wood wool is an environmentally-friendly product made from excelsior—the thin slivers or strands of wood fiber that come from softwood trees like pine or spruce. It’s created with the help of specialized machinery that cuts or shreds logs into long thin strands, typically around 1-2mm thick and several centimeters long.
The resulting fibrous material resembles coarse wool like that from a sheep and has inherent properties that make it a desirable and essential component in many products, such as:
- Lightweight – The low-density material is easy to handle and transport.
- Porosity – Open spaces between strands support airflow and moisture absorption, which enhances its insulating properties.
- Fibrous structure – The excelsior has a filamentous structure, consisting of long, thin strands of wood fiber. Its pliable nature allows for easy shaping or molding.
- Insulating – The fibrous structure lends wood wool with natural thermal and acoustic wood fibre insulation capabilities, providing a barrier against heat or sound transfer.
- Absorbency – Wool wood readily absorbs and retains moisture.
- Biodegradability – Wood wool is made of recyclable materials and is biodegradable. It can either be composted or disposed of without harming the environment.1
What Is Wood Wool Used For?
Wood wool’s unique properties make it a useful component in a variety of applications and products. It’s commonly found in:
- Acoustic panels – Wood wool is often a key component in the production of an acoustic panel used for sound insulation in studios or buildings, helping to absorb sound waves, reduce echo, and improve the overall sound quality in a space.
- Acoustic insulation – Similarly, wood wool is a common filler material in walls and sealings, providing both thermal and acoustic insulation for residential and commercial construction projects.
- Packaging material – Likely the most common use is as a packaging material that protects fragile items. It’s a lightweight yet effective cushion that reduces the risk of freight being damaged in transit.
- Animal bedding – Wood wool’s soft and absorbent profile makes it an ideal bedding material for farm animals and small pets, helping to absorb moisture and improve hygiene.
- Filters and absorbents – Wood wool is frequently used in filtration applications, helping to purify air or water by capturing impurities.
Wood Wool for Sound Absorbing
Wood wool panels, such as Envirocoustic Wood Wool panels, are specifically designed for sound absorbing applications. They’re manufactured by bonding the excelsior with a glue, resin, or cement binder. Envirocoustic Wood Wool panels, for example, use a simple mix of Portland cement, water, and wood wool.
Once the mixture is combined, the panels are subjected to extreme heat and pressure, compressed, cut to the specs, and then baked to cure the binder.
The result is a remarkably lightweight sound absorbing panels perfect for any high-traffic or noisy area. Benefits of wood wool panels include:
- Superior sound absorption – When hung on the walls or ceilings, wood wool products help reduce and control noise levels, reverb, and echo. They effectively absorb and dampen sound and vibrations.
- Acoustic and thermal Insulation – Wood wool act as both a heat and a sound absorber, resulting in improved energy efficiency and comfort in interior spaces.
- Class A fire retardancy – Envirocoustic Wood Wool panels are Class A on the flame index, as they have successfully passed the NFPA 286 fire test. This means they provide an outstanding fire resistance and help enhance overall safety in buildings.2
- Easy-to-install – Wood wool panels are designed for easy installation and removal. They can be directly attached to ceilings or walls. They’re produced with even thicknesses, consistent dimensions, and square edges for hassle-free panel-to-panel installation.
- Lightweight – Wood wool panels are durable yet portable, making them easy to transport, handle, and install.
- Versatile design options – Wood wool panels aren’t just practical, they’re also aesthetically pleasing, offering endless design possibilities, including:
- Unique textures
- Customizable shapes and sizes
- Color variety
- Pattern and print options
Wood Wool Panels with Acoustical Surfaces
From packaging to bedding to insulation, wood wool has myriad applications. And at Acoustical Surfaces, our Envirocoustic wood wool wall and ceiling products can provide high-quality sound absorbing and insulation to practically any space.
If you want to control noise and reduce echo and reverb, Enviorcoustic is the answer. Shop our catalog of wood-wool products, or contact us today for more information.
Sources:
- Researcher. The recycling potential of wood waste into wood-wool/cement composite. https://www.researcher-app.com/paper/5268996
