Applications and benefits of wood fibre boards

Blog | 20 August 2026

Wood fibre boards are made, as the name suggests, from a naturally occurring and renewable raw material - wood. Most wood fibre insulation boards are manufactured using a process that begins with fresh coniferous wood. This wood is broken down into individual fibres through a combination of steam and mechanical treatment. These fibres are then further processed, bonded with synthetic resins or using the natural glues from the wood itself and formed into rigid wood fibre boards.

In this blog we will describe the applications that can utilise wood fibre boards and describe the properties of the material that help to differentiate it from other materials on the market.

What benefits can wood fibre boards bring that differentiate them from the alternatives?

Wood fibre boards offer a range of benefits that help set them apart from alternative insulation materials.

All-year-round thermal performance of wood fibre insulation

One of the key advantages of wood fibre insulation boards is their ability to provide year-round thermal performance. They not only help a building retain heat during colder months but also slow heat transfer in summer. The extent to which insulation can mitigate the effects of overheating depends on the material from which it is formed.

Wood fibre insulation adds thermal mass to walls and roofs, helping to keep buildings cooler during the summer months. However, its benefits go beyond thermal mass alone. The combination of high density, high heat storage capacity and low thermal conductivity means wood fibre insulation can contribute to reducing the risk of summer overheating and the over reliance on additional air conditioning measures.

Diffusion open nature of wood fibre insulation

Wood fibre insulation boards are diffusion open and allow moisture vapour to pass through the building fabric. A solution that combines a vapour control layer (VCL) with wood fibre insulation can form part of a robust moisture management strategy when correctly designed and installed. The VCL helps regulate the amount of water vapour entering the building fabric.

Any moisture that does penetrate the VCL can pass through the diffusion open wood fibre and migrate safely outwards supporting the natural movement of vapour. It makes wood fibre insulation boards especially well matched to applications where breathability is important, such as solid wall or heritage properties, helping to reduce the risk of condensation and moisture-related issues.

Acoustic properties of wood fibre insulation

Due to the range of densities available, wood fibre insulation can be used to address a broader spectrum of sound frequencies within a building. Lower-density products can help with higher frequency sounds, while higher-density boards are more effective at reducing lower frequency noise. This combination of wood fibre materials within the building fabric contribute to improved acoustic performance across different parts of the building.

Renewable raw material of wood fibre boards

As a naturally occurring material is their main composition, wood fibre boards may be selected for use in projects where the sustainability criteria encourage the use of materials that come from renewable sources. The wood fibre content of the boards binds a carbon dioxide equivalent within the product, and this is reflected within their EPDs. This can benefit projects where a reduction in carbon footprint forms part of their sustainability metrics.

Wood fibre is a naturally versatile material

The versatility of wood fibre boards can add to their appeal to developers as Martin Twamley, Technical Director at STEICO, explains,

“Wood fibre is formed from a naturally occurring material and can be made into wood fibre insulation boards and batts for insulating the whole fabric of a building. Additional rigid sarking boards can also help to protect the roof structure during the construction phase, providing a temporary barrier against weathering while work is ongoing. This added layer can reduce the risk of moisture ingress before the final roof covering is installed. This versatility appeals to our customers, as it can help simplify build-ups on site while supporting good practice in protecting the building fabric.”

What are common applications for wood fibre boards?

The properties of wood fibre boards we have just covered make them a versatile choice for a wide variety of applications.

Wood fibre insulation boards for walls

Wood fibre boards can be used on walls as internal wall insulation (IWI), external wall insulation (EWI) and between or over the studs of timber frame applications. The diffusion open nature of the boards can be beneficial in older solid wall properties to match the breathable nature of the construction. For timber frame applications flexible wood fibre batts can be installed between the studs and rigid boards on the frame itself to add a further insulating layer.

Wood fibre roof insulation

Wood fibre boards can be over or under rafters in conjunction with wood fibre batts between the rafters to help improve the thermal performance of a roof. As we have discussed, the ability of wood fibre to act as a buffer against the heat in summer will also help to mitigate overheating as well as keeping heat in the building during colder weather. Although primarily specified for their thermal performance, wood fibre insulation can have an impact on acoustic performance by reducing noise transfer from the outside.

Wood fibre insulation for floors

The installation of wood fibre batts between the joists of suspended timber ground floors can help to improve their thermal performance. The diffusion open nature of the insulation can be beneficial to help ensure that the floor construction continues to allow the passage of moisture vapour during refurbishment of existing buildings.

Wood fibre sarking and sheathing boards

Wood fibre sarking and sheathing boards are available with a tongue and grooved (T&G) profile and can often be used without any additional weathering membrane. They help provide a continuous insulating and protective layer that allows the fabric of the roof to breathe.

Where can I find more information about the applications and benefits of wood fibre boards?

Wood fibre boards from STEICO are formed from at least 80% wood fibre and the naturally derived raw material comes from PEFC* certified forests. Our range has insulation products suitable for use in IWI, EWI, timber frame and roof applications as well as sheathing and sarking boards.

Many of STEICO’s products have EPDs that reflect the bound carbon dioxide equivalent content of the wood. For example, STEICOuniversal dry binds 353kg CO_2eqduring Lifecycle Stage A1 as defined in EN 15804+A2 and can thus contribute to climate protection making it a viable option for developers who are looking to reduce the embodied carbon within their projects.

To enquire about using our wood fibre boards on your next project, contact our expert team here and we’ll be happy to help.

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