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1 AS SEEN ON GRAND DESIGNS Introducing Magply Introducing Magply, our new high performance board for fire protection, timber frame walls, fascias, insulation systems and tile backing. NEW!

2 Why choose Black Mountain Naturals? Sustainable materials for floors, walls and roofs Contents Why choose Black Mountain Naturals? 1 Natuwool - Sheep wool insulation 2 Natuhemp - Hemp insulation 4 Magply 6 Magply installation guide 10 Guide to cold roof insulation 12 Guide to warm roof insulation 13 Guide to insulating timber frame walls 14 Guide to insulating floors 15 Frequently asked questions 16 Black Mountain insulates: 18 Carbon zero or less Black Mountain Natural Range of insulation products have a part to play in the carbon cycle. Natuwool and Natuhemp both absorb carbon which cannot be said about some other man-made glass fibre type insulants. Health benefits Black Mountain s natural insulation products present no health risk to either the installer or the residents of the building. They also have the ability to absorb moisture which reduces the risk of consequential mould and bacteria activity. Moisture control By allowing the structure to breathe whilst maintaining thermal resistance Black Mountain s natural insulation products help to conserve the building, improve air quality and maximise thermal efficiency. Period properties Natural Insulation materials are often the preferred choice of organisations such as Historical Scotland, The National Trust and English Heritage. The hygroscopic nature of Black Mountain Insulation can actually draw moisture out from the timber and other fabrics of the building. New build Our insulation can all be installed in different building applications. They have the capability of reducing energy loss and providing building inhabitants with free passive energy absorbed from solar gain, whilst the high thermal mass helps reduce peak temperatures.

3 Natuwool is a hygroscopic fibre and is therefore able to absorb, store and release moisture faster than most other materials. Natuwool has a very high wool content and can absorb over 35% of its own weight in moisture without significant changes to thermal performance whereas the thermal performance of man-made mineral fibre insulation can deteriorate when condensation is present. Sheep s wool insulation is ideally suited to timber frame structures as it has a natural synergy with wood, the natural fibres draw out the moisture and act as a buffer to protect the fabric of the building. Independent research clearly illustrates that as moisture levels increase, no significant changes to thermal conductivity will occur. This consistency demonstrates the versatility of sheep s wool insulation and an ability to cope in contrasting environments and levels of humidity. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Function Natural fibre thermal insulant Content Minimum 90% natural wool fibres 5% combination recycled adhesive binder Origin Wool unsuitable for other industries Structure Flexible, resilient and versatile Application Easy to cut and shape for an exact fix TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE Fire Euro Class E EN :2002 Condensation BS 5250:1989 Thermal conductivity (λ) W/mK Thermal resistance (R) 2.50m 2 K/W (100mm) Specific heat capacity (c) Vapour resistivity (r) Moisture absorption 1700 J/kg 2 K 10 MNs/gm 35% w/w Density 19kg /m 3 Ozone depletion potential Global warming potential Zero Zero THERMAL PERFORMANCE Thickness Thermal Resistance (R) U Value 50mm 1.28 m²k/w 0.78 W/m²K 75mm 1.92 m²k/w 0.52 W/m²K 100mm 2.56 m²k/w 0.39 W/m²K 150mm 3.85 m²k/w 0.26 W/m²K 200mm 5.13 m²k/w 0.20 W/m²K 250mm 6.41 m²k/w 0.16 W/m²K Size available Special sizes & thickness available on request; dimensions in millimetres. ROLL SIZES Widths 600 Thickness Length BATT SIZES Widths Thickness Length 1200 Ease of application Natuwool insulation is safe to handle without protective clothing, unlike some man-made mineral fibre materials, which require the use of protective garments, masks and eyewear to be safely installed or removed. The product is available in roll or batt form and can be easily cut to fit unconventional shapes. Rolls are ideal for minimising installation time and batts are effective where limited space is an issue. Thermal performance and condensation control Thermal Performance and Condensation Control is one of the biggest challenges facing the building industry today. Excess moisture can not only have a detrimental effect on the structure of a building but it is also a root cause of mould which can have an adverse affect on the welfare of its inhabitants. Natuwool has the capacity to absorb and manage over 35% of its own volume in moisture without having a detrimental impact on thermal performance. Indoor air quality Natuwool has a unique ability to absorb noxious gases emitted from some building products e.g. formaldehyde; a carcinogenic gas emitted from various man-made building materials. Wool permanently locks up these gases which help to protect residents from a number of health risks. A lack of breathability in buildings can cause various problems, including health issues as a result of damp and mould. The term breathable wall refers to a structure s ability to manage internal moisture levels, providing a more comfortable internal environment. 2 NATURAL INSULATION PRODUCTS 3

4 Black Mountain s Natuhemp provides an excellent thermal solution for lofts and timber frame walls. Natuhemp Insulation is a biodegradable, non-toxic fibre and is derived from waste straw left at the end of the hemp seed harvest. The Hemp used by Black Mountain does not require artificial irrigation and is a natural weed suppressor due to the speed at which the plant grows. It can be grown without the use of herbicides and other chemical pesticides; a condition rare in agriculture today. Hemp is also used as a break crop between other crop rotations thus allowing the soil to regain the nutrients necessary to produce healthy cereal crops. Natuhemp insulation has a 95% natural fibre content; one of the highest available on the market today. This high natural content enables the product to achieve the maximum natural performance and provide the maximum benefit to the end user. Natuhemp insulation uses very little energy in its manufacture; it is a carbon negative product. During its growth stage, it will lock up significantly more carbon than is produced in the manufacturing process. Truly sustainable insulation products require minimal energy to manufacture; Black Mountain s Natuhemp insulation is one of the most innovative, technically superior and environmentally sensitive natural insulation products available on the market today. Natuhemp, a natural insulator for floors, walls and roofs. Natuhemp is incredibly resilient with an ability to buffer moisture, regulate thermal performance and allow the structure to breathe whilst retaining its structural rigidity. Carbon footprint During its growth stage, hemp will lock away up to two tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of fibre harvested, combating the effects of global warming. The CO₂ will remain stored in the hemp fibre throughout the life of the product. Overall, the product will lock up more CO₂ than was emitted during production which has a significant positive impact on the environment. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Function Natural fibre thermal insulator Content 95% natural hemp fibres 5% combination recycled adhesive binder Origin Waste straw from hemp seed harvest Structure Flexible, semi-rigid and durable Application Easy to handle and quick to install THERMAL PERFORMANCE Thickness Thermal Resistance (R) U Value 50mm 1.2 m²k/w 0.76 W/m²K 75mm 1.9 m²k/w 0.52 W/m²K 100mm 2.5 m²k/w 0.39 W/m²K 150mm 3.8 m²k/w 0.26 W/m²K 200mm 5.1 m²k/w 0.20 W/m²K 250mm 6.4 m²k/w 0.16 W/m²K TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE Fire Euro Class E EN :2002 Condensation BS 5250:1989 Thermal conductivity (λ) W/mK Thermal resistance (R) 2.5 m²k/w (100mm) Specific heat capacity (c) Vapour resistivity (r) Moisture absorption 1700 J/kg 2 K 10 MNs/gm 20% w/w Density 30kg /m 3 Ozone depletion potential Global warming potential Sizes Available Zero Zero For the latest pack and pallet quantities of our Natuhemp, please us at; sales@blackmountaininsulation.com. Durability The greater strength of hemp fibres together with the high natural fibre content of Black Mountain Natuhemp, means that our product maintains a semi-rigid structure and is more resistant to slumping. These characteristics make Natuhemp insulation an ideal solution for warm lofts and timber frame walls. 4 NATURAL INSULATION PRODUCTS 5

5 Magply board is a technically advanced construction material that provides exceptional performance in all building applications when compared to Wood, Plywood, gypsum and cement based boards. Non-combustible Magply board is non-flammable and noncombustible, waterproof, mould & mildew resistant, durable, dimensionally stable even when wet, does not de-laminate and has a high performance bonding surface. This makes Magply Board the perfect choice for all internal and external applications including: Roof, wall, ceiling board, fascia, soffits, tile backer board and underlayment. Environmentally friendly Magply Board is a mineral based, homogeneous, environmentally friendly product with a manufacturing process that produces very little in the way of C02 emissions, unlike cement particle boards and gypsum which both generate high levels of C02. Magply Board helps to provide a safe and healthy living environment whilst extending the life of the property. Easy to use Magply Board is easy to use; whilst it absorbs water, its performance and structure are unaffected, thus Magply Boards can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications including damp locations such as shower areas, bathrooms and wet rooms. Magply board can be formed to follow gentle curves as it is very stable. When subjected to temperature changes, it does not expand or contract nor does it absorb water or swell when wet. Magply board, when installed in drywall situations as a facing for partitions or as firewalls, the joints are to be taped in the conventional manner using a jointing compound and a light mesh scrim. Applications Interior Wall and Ceiling Board Exterior Sheathing Trim Materials Fascias Soffits (underside of any construction element) Shaft-liner & area separation wall board Tile backing (backer board) and underlayment Substrates for coatings and insulated systems such as: Direct-Applied Finish Systems, EIFS, SIPS, Portland type Stucco and Synthetic Stuccos. Sizes avaliable Magply board is available in sizes 1200mm x 2400mm and in various thicknesses; 6mm, 9mm &12mm. Bespoke sizes are available upon request. Structural Sheathing Magply board is very strong having, an impressive bend, fracture and tensile strength, therefore ideal for structural sheathing or as a substrate for EFIS. Magply board has a high impact resistance making it an excellent choice in areas where physical damage is possible. Fire Properties Magply board is technically non- combustible has a zero spread of flame and is therefore suitable in build-ups for fire resistant systems and firewalls. Advantages Can be used in the place of traditional drywall or cement boards. No special tools required. Hard non-absorbent surface no paper. Can be used in applications like cement-based siding. Environmentally friendly It is removed from ore at about 25% of the temperature ( F) required to form CaO; the starting material for the preparation of slaked lime or portlandite used in common mortar and plaster. Magply boards provide a biologically friendly construction material. Silica and asbestos free. Impact resistant. Mould/Fungus/Bug free (non-nutritious to mould, fungus or insects). Fire resistant. Waterproof. Freeze/Thaw resilient. 6 NATURAL INSULATION PRODUCTS 7

6 Magply board attributes comparison Attributes Magnesium Oxide Board Gypsum Board Plywood / Osb Cement Board Fire resistant & non-combustible Yes No No Yes Water & moisture resistant Yes No No Yes Mould & mildew free Yes No No Yes Insect resistant Yes No No Yes Nail Yes Yes Yes Yes Cut/saw - no special tools Yes Yes Yes No Wallpaper over Yes Yes No No Tile backer Yes No No Yes Insulation sound & heat Yes No No Yes Environmentally green & non-toxic Yes No No No Strong & durable Yes No Yes Yes Light weight Yes Yes No No Recyclable Yes No No No Magply board physical characteristics comparison Value Magnesium Oxide Board Gypsum Plasterboard Gypsum Wallboard Moisture Protection Magply will not deteriorate when subjected to water or moisture. Mould Resistant Magply contains no cellulose thus is resilient to mould growth. Bending ultimate strength, MPa 4MPa Density, kg/m³ Combustibility Thermal linear expansion coefficient Non combustible Class A1 Not easily combustible Not easily combustible % 0.5-2% Facial surface hardness, MPa Surface moisture absorption no more than 0.34% no more than 3% no more than 10% Strong & Easy to use Magply is extremely strong with great impact resistance. It is fire rated and suits a number of finishes. Exceptional Performance Magply provides exceptional performance compared to wood, gypsum and cement based boards. Environmentally Friendly Magply does not contain silicates so is better for the installer. Non-combustible Magply has a Euro class A1 fire rating. 8 NATURAL INSULATION PRODUCTS 9

7 Magply installation guide Magply is available in 6mm, 9mm and 12mm sheets 1200mm x 2400mm. Cutting Magply Score-and-snap the board firmly using a straight edge as a guide. Pull the board edge upwards to snap. 1 Straight cuts: Magply is easily cut using a carbide tipped scoring knife. Circular cuts: Use a standard masonry hole saw fitted to a drill or a jig saw. 2 Fixing Magply Fasten Magply with adhesive, nails or screws (approximately every 200mm). 5 Tape joints before tiling. Fixings are 15mm from edges and 50mm from corners of sheets. 7 Health and Safety Avoid breathing dust. Magply products do not contain crystalline silica but steps should be taken to ensure best practice. 8 Always wear a dust mask and at the end of procedure remove dust from clothes and work area with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner or damp cloth. 6 Key Timber stud wall 2. Masonry wall 3. Timber floor 4. Concrete floor 5. Magply 6. Tile adhesive 7. Wall tiles 8. Floor tiles 10 NATURAL INSULATION PRODUCTS 11

8 Guide to cold roof insulation At ceiling level Guide to warm roof insulation Between rafters Air movement Stapling Black Mountain insulation to the rafters will prevent it from slipping Plasterboard To prevent heat escaping through the timber joists we recommend that the insulation is installed in layers at 90 angles. Gap to allow for air circulation Black Mountain Insulation Vapour barrier Loft boards The first layer of insulation should fit snugly between the joists to avoid gaps from occurring. Installation Measure the gap between the joists to determine the appropriate widths required. The first layer of insulation should fit snugly between the joists to avoid gaps from occurring. To prevent heat escaping through the timber joists we recommend that the insulation is installed in layers at 90 angles. Black Mountain manufactures special widths to ensure that no gaps are present and heat loss is therefore minimised. Additional information Cutting - Black Mountain sheep s wool insulation is easy to tear across the width of the product. Alternatively hold the material taut between two planks of wood and use a sharp blade or a pair of scissors to cut. Ventilation - when installing the insulation at the eves of the loft, ensure that a small gap or a vent tray is left to allow for regular air movement. This helps to prevent condensation build up. Light covers - where exposed lighting fixtures are present, it is important to ensure that there is no direct contact with the insulation and that any additional wiring is placed over the top of the insulation to prevent overheating. Storage - if loft space is used for storage then a raised floor section should be applied to an appropriate area of the loft. Recovery - Black Mountain compress their products to reduce embodied energy; the product will regain its full thickness within 72 hours. The most critical aspect of insulating a warm loft is to understand the type of roof structure. There are two types of roofing felt present in most households; breathable membrane and older bitumen based non-breathable membrane. Installation with a breathable membrane Current building regulations require 225mm of insulation is applied. If the rafters do not meet this depth then battens should be applied to increase the depth and meet the required thickness. Staple the material to the timber rafters or fix string across the material to prevent the insulation from falling out. Alternatively mesh netting can be used to maintain the position of the insulation once installed. To finish the installation, plasterboard should then be applied and a vapour barrier where necessary. Installation with a non-breathable membrane The key difference between a breathable membrane and the older bitumen membrane is the 50mm ventilated gap required for non-breathable membranes. This gap allows any moisture absorbed by the insulation to pass through the material and evaporate through circulating air currents. To ensure the 50mm gap is maintained, the insulation can be stapled to the edge of the rafters which will help prevent it slumping. Alternatively wire mesh can be applied to the sides of the rafters which will ensure that the ventilation gap is maintained. For more information on installing Black Mountain insulation, please visit NATURAL INSULATION PRODUCTS 13

9 Guide to insulating timber frame walls Guide to insulating floors Breather membrane Brick outer-leaf Chipboard deck Black Mountain Insulation between timber studs Sheathing Black Mountain Insulation Service void formed by timber batten 12mm Magply Membrane Support netting Ventilated floor void The key components to include when constructing an external timber wall are: Breathable membrane. OSB or other suitable sheathing boards. Magply fireboard. Black Mountain insulation. To further increase the thermal efficiency of the structure, it is recommended that reflective breathable membranes are used, which are available from leading manufacturers. Natural insulations are ideally suited to timber frames, drawing out excess moisture and conditioning the wood which helps prevent structural damage in the future. The cavity between the outer brick skin and the breathable membrane should not be filled with additional insulation. It is important that the breathable membrane is exposed to circulating air. After measuring the drop length, select the measurements that are required or cut the insulation from the rolls or batts. Insulation can be pressed between the stud framework as the timber is rough enough to catch the material to hold it in place. If the drop length is extensive it may be beneficial to staple the insulation to the top wall plate and every ½ meter to prevent it from falling out during installation. Once the insulation has been fitted, the vapour barrier and plasterboard (or plasterboards with incorporated vapour barriers) can be applied to finish the job. A key source of heat escaping in houses is through the floors; this can account for up to 10% of the total energy losses. Access from below If there is a cellar or a crawl space under the floor then the installation process is quick and straight forward: Where necessary, remove a section of the floor boards to gain access to the crawl space. Measure the distance between the joists. Select a width of insulation that is wider than the measured distance to ensure that there will be no gaps. Insert the insulation between the joists, ensuring that there are no gaps present when butting two pieces of insulation together. Staple the breathable membrane or plastic mesh to the underside of the joists to hold the insulation in place. Access from above Where access below the flooring is not available, floorboards should be removed in order to allow access: After the floorboards have been removed, ensure that all nails are also removed from the top of the joists. Staple a roll of breathable membrane to the top and bottom of the first joist, then spread the material across to the adjacent joist and staple, continue to wrap the membrane over the top of the second joist and repeat until all joists are covered. Install the insulation. When the insulation is in place, apply additional membrane over the surface of the joists and the insulation to avoid any dust or liquids damaging the insulation. For more information on installing Black Mountain insulation, please visit NATURAL INSULATION PRODUCTS 15

10 Frequently asked questions Why Natural Insulation? Continuously rising energy prices are forcing society to make serious considerations towards long term home improvements. During the past decade, energy prices have risen by almost 30% and are set to increase by up to an additional 50% before Insulating a building is the first step towards reducing energy consumption, improving thermal efficiency and cutting energy costs. By insulating the loft space of a typical house, energy bills can be reduced by 25%. Black Mountain Natural fibre insulation can offer a number of unique benefits in addition to being an excellent thermal insulator; Moisture control Improved Absorption of breathability noxious gases Sustainable Durability Biodegradable How Natural is Black Mountain compared to other brands? Black Mountain maximises the amount of natural fibre in our products; up to 95%. This is higher than many competing materials which contain plastic additives to reduce manufacturing costs. Black Mountain has never had a complaint regarding product quality including moth infestation; a record that we are proud to maintain. Is Natural Insulation more sustainable than man-made products? The raw materials used are not required by other industries such as the manufacturing of textiles. Black Mountain Insulation can also be disposed of at the end of its life which allows it to degrade rather than occupying scarce landfill resource. How long will natural insulations last for? Natural fibres have an incredible resilience and durability that enables them to maintain their thermal performance throughout the life span of a typical building. What is the thermal performance of natural insulation products in comparison to mineral wool? The thermal conductivity of natural insulation materials is such that to achieve an equal thermal resistance to mineral wool, approximately 10% less material thickness is required. My son suffers from asthma; how can you assure me that natural insulations really improve indoor air quality? Reducing spikes in condensation helps to reduce the probability of the building developing damp problems and mould growth. Natural Fibres are unique in their ability to permanently absorb and break down a range of harmful volatile organic compounds emitted from some commonly used building products. The amino acids in wool react and create a bond with these harmful compounds and prevent them from being re-released back into the internal environment. How do natural insulations buffer moisture? Natural fibre insulation can absorb a significant amount of its weight in moisture without any deterioration in thermal performance. Natural fibres are able to buffer moisture by absorbing water molecules into the core of the fibre and storing them until moisture levels in the external environment decline. Hence they can help prevent the onset of condensation. What is Carbon Sequestration? As plants grow they absorb carbon dioxide, emitting the oxygen and locking up the carbon in the cell structure of the plant. This is also true for the wool fibre which locks 2kg of carbon dioxide per 1kg of wool. The carbon dioxide is locked up for the life of the product. True sustainable products are low carbon in their manufacture and also have sequestered carbon dioxide. Should I remove any insulation already present? Black Mountain insulation can be placed over any existing material unless it is badly damaged or covered in debris. Some man-made insulation materials can be time consuming and unpleasant to remove and we would therefore advise against doing so unless it is necessary. How easy are natural insulations to cut and shape to size? Black Mountain sheep s wool insulation is incredibly easy to tear accurately across the width of the roll or the batt. In order to cut down the length, compress between planks of wood and use a sharp knife or a pair of material scissors. It is often easier to tear more pieces of material across the width to fill a narrow gap rather than cut a total length. Are natural insulations suitable for cavity walls/solid stone walls? It is not recommended to install natural insulation into brick and block cavity due to the possibility of running water from driven rain. For this situation we would recommend an inert material. A solid stone or brick wall may be susceptible to damp or driven rain. It is recommended that a stud wall be constructed with a ventilation gap between the solid wall and the stud partition. Can I use natural insulation to insulate my floor? If the floor is timber, then yes; if there is a crawl space or cellar below the floor ensure that wire mesh, breathable membrane or plastic netting is put in place to hold the insulation in place. To install from above simply remove floor boards or panels and use a breathable membrane or netting to create a trough for the insulation. How long should I allow for the insulation to reach full thickness after installation? Black Mountain compress pack their products to lower costs and carbon miles, however, both wool and hemp fibres are very resilient; within 72 hours Black Mountain Insulation Products will regain their original thickness. Can I use the off cut pieces of insulation? Off cuts are ideal for ensuring that all corner spaces are covered and no gaps are present to maximise thermal performance. What thickness should I use to insulate? Please refer to our individual product data sheets available on our website. I have a century-old home - what product would you recommend? Natural fibre insulation materials are excellent for use in traditional and period properties for a number of reasons. Older properties do not necessarily compare with the measurements of contemporary buildings; it is common to find a varying range of joist or rafter widths and depths within the same construction. Black Mountain insulation materials are incredibly versatile and easy to cut and shape as required. For larger projects, bespoke products are an alternative solution for an unconventional building. Does your sheep s wool insulation have a distinctive smell? Black Mountain sheep s wool insulation is similar to the smell you get when installing a new carpet. Most customers do not notice a smell at all but where it is noticeable, the smell will usually pass within 3 days and is not unpleasant. Should I leave a ventilation gap when insulating a loft space? When insulating a loft space, it is important to assess where the insulation is required. For attic conversions, insulating the rafters may require a semi rigid insulation to prevent slumping. Sheep s wool insulation can be stapled to the rafters to maintain its original position. It is important to be aware when insulating a warm loft, the type of roofing felt present; breathable membrane or an older, bitumen based non-breathable membrane. The key difference between a breathable membrane and the older bitumen membrane is the 50mm ventilated gap required for nonbreathable membranes NATURAL INSULATION PRODUCTS 17

11 Black Mountain insulates: Brasenose College Oxford Caius College Cambridge Castle Howard Yorkshire Coleshill Village Wiltshire Doddington Hall Lincoln Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Hardwick Hall Derbyshire Holkham Hall Norfolk Holyrood Palace Edinburgh Lamb House Edinburgh Lancaster Town Hall Lancaster Lissan House Trust Cookstown Longmore House Edinburgh Morden Hall Park Cambridge Thatch Cottage Essex Rothe House Kilkenny Royal College of Music London Barn Conversion Sussex St Leonards Hall Edinburgh AS SEEN ON CHANNEL 4 s GRAND DESIGNS To buy or for more information contact our sales team: Call Fax sales@blackmountaininsulation.com Web