When comparing insulation options, PIR (polyisocyanurate) often looks cheaper upfront. But when we step back and look at the whole picture over a building’s lifetime, woodfiber consistently comes out ahead. Here’s why.
1. True Cost Over Time
PIR boards are thin and affordable per square metre, but the story doesn’t end with the purchase price. Over 30 years, hidden costs like cooling energy, embodied carbon, and end-of-life disposal add up. Woodfiber, while a little more expensive at the start, often saves money when you factor in the full life cycle.
2. Cooler Homes in Summer
Woodfiber has a higher density and heat capacity, which means it slows down heat entering the home. In simple terms, it keeps rooms cooler during hot summer days and reduces the need for fans or air conditioning. PIR doesn’t have this same thermal buffer, which can lead to overheating and higher energy bills if cooling is needed.
3. Lower Carbon Footprint
PIR insulation has a positive carbon footprint – around 11.8 kg of CO₂ per square metre for a typical 100 mm board. Woodfiber, on the other hand, actually stores carbon during its lifetime, giving it a negative carbon footprint in many cases. If we put a price on carbon (as governments increasingly do), this makes woodfiber the clear winner.
4. End-of-Life Matters
At the end of its use, PIR often ends up in landfill or incineration, both of which carry levies and limited recycling options. Woodfiber can usually be recycled, reused, or treated as standard wood waste. That means fewer environmental costs and lower disposal fees in the long run.
5. Whole-Home Value
When we talk about value at Summit Matters Ltd, we don’t just mean upfront savings. We look at energy bills, comfort, environmental impact, and disposal costs. On this full balance sheet, woodfiber insulation doesn’t just compete with PIR—it often proves the smarter financial choice.
Choosing insulation isn’t just about the cheapest sticker price. Naturheld Woodfiber from Acara Concepts gives our clients healthier, more comfortable homes, lower lifetime costs, and a real contribution to sustainability. For us, that’s value that lasts and that is what is important to us.