20mm SteicoTherm instead of plasterboard?

HairLoss · 2 Mar 2021

Hi, I am insulating my internal walls using a quilt nailed to battens and would like to cover this with insulating wood fibre board such as SteicoTherm. However I am wondering if 20mm thick board will be as strong as plasterboard when it comes to resisting day to day wear and tear, or holding fixtures such as electrical sockets.

I have tried contacting suppliers but with so many staff off work I cannot get a reply.

Can anyone answer this question please?

Thanks

^woody^ · 2 Mar 2021

Its not fire proof, not vapour proof and its not otherwise suitable as a finish lining.

HairLoss · 2 Mar 2021

Hi Woody, the vapour proof thing is not a problem as I need a breathable solution for my stone walls. The spec says it is fire resistant, class E. It would also be skimmed with lime plaster. I have seen examples of fibreboard being used for wall insulation so assume this class is safe to use?

KenGMac · 2 Mar 2021

As "Woody" above.

PLEASE consider the Fire aspect??? You will be living inside a box of potential flammable material, OK coated with plaster, fine, what happens if there is an electrical wiring fire between the plaster and the external wall??

Classification Definition Description

A1 Non-combustible No contribution to fire
A2 Limited combustibility Very limited contribution to fire
B Combustable Limited contribution to fire
C Minor contribution to fire
D Medium contribution to fire
E High contribution to fire
F Easily flammable
Note: The descriptions above are a simplification of the current national and European

Ken.

HairLoss · 2 Mar 2021

Thanks for that Ken, you have confirmed Woody's concern that wood fibre boards would not be suitable for my needs.

The only other permeable board I know of are the cement impregnated wood wool boards like Savolit.

Any idea what thickness I would need to use for a suitable strength if fixed to battens like plasterboard?

Rageyboy91 · 3 Mar 2021

Hey man, there's some info on the install of them on mikewye, https://www.mikewye.co.uk/product/savolit-plus-wood-wool-board/ hope that helps, just passing on what I've found I've never used them.

HairLoss · 3 Mar 2021

Thanks Rageboy91 I'll take a look.

I got an email back from a supplier saying that if the boards are going over battens then I should use SteicoProtect, but the minimum thickness of the boards is 40mm which is more than I would like given it is a tight alcove where they will be used.

KenGMac · 3 Mar 2021

HairLoss, good evening.

Suggest you look carefully at "SteicoProtect" and find out what fire rating this material has, i have just had a very quick look and it appears on the web site to claim to have " good fire resistance" whatever that means??

I am strongly of the opinion that OK be ecologically astute but fire resistance of some of these types of materials is equally, and at times more important than the ecological claims??

Ken.

HairLoss · 3 Mar 2021

Thanks Ken, I'm considering concrete impregnated wood wool now which has a classification of B, so considerably safer.

catlad · 3 Mar 2021

Why not just use 11mm osb and overboard with plasterboard?

HairLoss · 4 Mar 2021

Hi Catlad, the solution has to be breathable to allow moisture to travel through the old stone walls. I don't think OSB qualifies as breathable.

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20mm SteicoTherm instead of plasterboard?

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