Timber framed walls are relatively inexpensive to construct and insulating them only adds minimally to their total cost. Timber stud wall insulation should be fastened securely to the frame studs with either drywall screws or large-headed galvanised clout nails for best results.
PIR and glass mineral wool insulations are two popular choices for wood framed wall solutions, providing superior thermal performance as well as low U-values.
Air Leakage
Air leakage in timber frame construction is an ongoing problem that compromises thermal efficiency and moisture control, typically as the result of loose joints, gaps, cracks or the inability to fully seal service penetrations.
An insulated dry-lining system properly installed will achieve airtightness, however it must be installed and sealed at every junction such as windows and doors with the framing or floor slab to maintain air tightness. To achieve optimal results when installing an insulated plasterboard wall lining system it must also be carefully installed at these points of entry, such as windows and doors with framing or floor slab.
As part of maintaining an air barrier continuity at the intersection between an intermediate floor with a cavity wall and external wall and an intermediate floor itself, it is also vital that continuity be preserved at this critical junction point. Failure to do so would allow airflow past insulation materials into the ground floor slab and joists, potentially contaminating them and leading to mold growth on them.
Timber framed structures without cavities often utilize an OSB board applied directly to load bearing studs with an airtightness membrane installed over it; this approach enables services to run along this pathway instead of needing an extra service cavity.
Condensation
Condensation can be an enormous problem in timber frame construction. While not usually visible on walls and ceilings, interstitial condensation occurs when warm air from within a building penetrates cold wall insulation before quickly cooling to dew point and releasing its moisture through walls or roof insulation; this causes a layer of water within the timber frame structure that must then be dealt with.
Interstitial condensation must be prevented in all new-build homes to protect timber framing from damage and prevent rot; additionally it poses numerous health and safety concerns such as mould growth and respiratory problems.
Ideal insulation installation should occur as an uninterrupted layer on both sides of a timber frame. PIR insulation like Kingspan Kooltherm K112, which fits tightly between standard stud widths, can achieve this result and help meet U-Values in timber frame walls. Mineral wools may also be installed between studs but these may need to be combined with fire-resistant materials in order to meet current building regulations.
Heat Gain
Our non-combustible solutions for timber frame walls are pre-cut to fit snugly between stud widths without air gaps, creating a tight seal between insulation and insulation to reduce thermal losses and optimize energy efficiency.
Vapour control layers should also be included with timber frame wall insulation to create an effective barrier against moisture and condensation, such as the TLX Silver product that can easily be installed by rolling it across the front face of studs and fastening with battens.
Timber framed walls that use TLX Silver can achieve low U-values, leading to lower energy consumption and associated costs. Furthermore, it is non-combustible material crafted from recycled glass mineral wool that does not burn.
Noise
Many timber frame homes, barn conversions, loft/attic conversions and dormers feature cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels for their strength; this has benefits in terms of sound insulation performance but at the cost of increased weight for sound proofing purposes.
CLT’s low mass allows wood to resonate at certain frequencies and reduce noise performance, providing optimal noise insulation and an Rw rating of greater than 1. To guarantee maximum noise performance and to provide for the optimal acoustic experience, our non-combustible insulation has been integrated into wall structures as part of their construction for maximum noise abatement and noise protection.
Timber-framed walls benefit from our glass mineral wool solutions installed friction fit between studs to minimise heat loss and provide acoustic protection, improving acoustic performance whilst increasing Rw ratings by 6 dB. To further increase performance resilient channels can be installed between the studs and plasterboards to reduce rigidity of connection, attenuating structure-borne noise attenuation while keeping costs down by decreasing wall thickness to maintain Rw ratings at similar Rw levels.