Passive EcoWall® is an advanced building system designed by Ecological Building Systems, combining the latest in sustainable technology with natural materials for energy-efficient and comfortable living spaces. This solution is based on the renowned Passivhaus standard, ensuring outstanding thermal performance, airtightness, and moisture control for a healthier, more sustainable environment.
At the heart of Passive EcoWall® is Gutex wood fibre insulation, Finsa airtight racking boards, and the Pro Clima suite of airtight and windtight membranes. These components work together to create a high-performance structure that maximises energy savings and minimises the risk of condensation, which is crucial in the UK and Ireland climates.
The system offers remarkable flexibility, allowing specifiers to adjust frame depth and insulation thickness to meet various thermal resistance requirements, from the Passivhaus backstop of 0.15 W/m²K to 0.10 W/m²K. Whether used for new builds, timber-framed buildings, or retrofits, Passive EcoWall® ensures excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, meeting or exceeding Passive House standards.
Incorporating natural, low-carbon materials such as Gutex Thermoflex, Thermafleece sheep’s wool, and IndiBreathe Flex further reduces the system's environmental impact by lowering the embodied carbon of building materials. This, combined with its performance levels and flexibility, makes Passive EcoWall® a cutting-edge solution for energy-efficient and sustainable construction.
With comprehensive technical support from Ecological Building Systems, including U-value calculations, WUFI modelling, and construction details, Passive EcoWall® ensures optimal performance and compliance with building regulations.
About Passive EcoWall®
Passive EcoWall® represents a step forward in sustainable construction, designed to offer the ideal balance of insulation, airtightness, and moisture control. The system integrates Gutex Multitherm external wood fibre insulation, which provides excellent thermal resistance in a continuous layer to effectively eliminate thermal bridging via the wall studs. The flexible Gutex Thermoflex insulation fits between timber studs, offering customizable thicknesses for varying energy performance needs.
In addition to its high thermal mass, which helps reduce summer overheating, Passive EcoWall® features an airtight internal vapour control layer with Finsa SuperPan VapourStop boards sealed with Pro Clima airtight tapes. With the ability to achieve U-values from 0.10 W/m²K, Passive EcoWall® is perfect for achieving Passivhaus standards.
The use of natural materials, including wood fibre with a carbon negative production process, and flexible sheep’s wool or hemp insulation, also supports a sustainable, low-carbon approach to construction. Passive EcoWall® is an ideal solution for timber-framed buildings and modular homes, offering lasting energy efficiency, comfort, and environmental benefits.
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This system guide details the key system components and performance information for Passive EcoWall®.
Passive EcoWall® provides a low-carbon, energy-efficient building solution, combining airtightness, thermal performance, and moisture management with sustainable, natural materials. The use of a highly breathable external membrane reduces condensation and mould risk in the fabric of the wall, while the use of wood fibre insulation ensures excellent thermal and acoustic properties. The system is designed to reduce both operational and embodied carbon, making it a sustainable choice for new builds and retrofits alike. With customizable thermal performance, it ensures compliance with Passivhaus standards, offering a comfortable, healthy indoor environment year-round.
Key Benefits
High external breathability and internal vapour control
Reduces condensation and mould risk by ensuring effective moisture management.
Thermal and acoustic insulation
Achieves excellent Passive House energy efficiency levels and soundproofing.
Natural Materials
Utilises low-carbon, sustainable materials like Gutex wood fibre, sheep’s wool, and hemp/jute.
Customizable U-values
Offers flexible thermal resistance options from 0.10 W/m²K to 0.15 W/m²K, ideal for Passive House projects.
Moisture Control
The balanced combination of vapour permeability, vapour control and airtightness ensures robust moisture management.
Sustainability
Reduces embodied carbon through the use of materials with a carbon-negative production process and low embodied energy construction techniques. All backed up with EPDs.
Passive EcoWall® is compatible with three different external finishes
Open jointed cladding with gaps of up to 35mm in width
Pro Clima Tescon Invis pure black airtight tape
Pro Clima Solitex Fronta Quattro pure black external windtight membrane
Gutex Multitherm wood fibre external insulation board
External System Components (open jointed cladding)
- Open jointed timber cladding with gaps of up to 35mm
- Pro Clima Tescon Invis multi-purpose airtight adhesive tape.
- Pro Clima Solitex Fronta Quattro all-black breather membrane. Overlaps are taped with Pro Clima Tescon Invis all-black airtight tape; junctions sealed with Pro Clima Orcon F.
- Gutex Multitherm low-carbon natural wood fibre external insulation.
Alternative options for flexible insulation between the wall studs includes: IndiBreathe Flex, Thermafleece Cosywool and Gramitherm.
Gutex Thermoflex flexible wood fibre insulation
Finsa SuperPan VapourStop E-Z airtight vapour barrier racking board
Pro Clima Tescon Vana airtight tape
Gutex Thermoflex flexible insulation
Plasterboard finished with Auro Natural Breathable Paint
Internal System Components
- Gutex Thermoflex flexible wood fibre insulation between wall studs
- Finsa SuperPan VapourStop E-Z Airtight vapour barrier racking board for timber frame walls and ceilings
- Pro Clima Tescon Vana multi-purpose airtight adhesive tape
- Service cavity insulated with Gutex Thermoflex flexible wood fibre insulation
- Plasterboard over the insulated service cavity. Finished with Auro Natural Breathable Paint.
Pro Clima Fronta WA windtight breather membrane
Pro Clima Tescon Vana airtight tape
Closed jointed timber cladding
Gutex Multitherm external wood fibre insulation
Pro Clima Orcon F airtight sealant / glue
External System Components (closed jointed cladding)
- Pro Clima Solitex Fronta WA windtight breather membrane.
- Pro Clima Tescon Vana multi-purpose airtight adhesive tape for sealing membrane overlaps.
- Closed jointed timber cladding with no gaps
- Gutex Multitherm low-carbon natural wood fibre external insulation.
- Pro Clima Orcon F airtight sealant/glue. Used to seal membrane floor junction
Alternative options for flexible insulation between the wall studs include: IndiBreathe Flex, Thermafleece Cosywool and Gramitherm.
Gutex Thermoflex flexible wood fibre insulation
Finsa SupaPan VapourStop E-Z airtight vapour barrier racking board
Pro Clima Tescon Vana multi-purpose airtight tape
Gutex Thermoflex flexible wood fibre insulation
Plasterboard finished with Auro natural paint
Internal System Components
- Gutex Thermoflex flexible wood fibre insulation between wall studs
- Finsa SuperPan VapourStop E-Z Airtight vapour barrier racking board for timber frame walls and ceilings
- Pro Clima Tescon Vana multi-purpose airtight adhesive tape
- Service cavity insulated with Gutex Thermoflex flexible wood fibre insulation
- Plasterboard over the insulated service cavity. Finished with Auro natural paint.
Alternative options for flexible insulation between the wall studs include: IndiBreathe Flex, Thermafleece Cosywool and Gramitherm.
System Components (brick outer leaf)
With a brick outer leaf, Pro Clima Solitex Fronta Humida is used as the external windtight membrane. Other components in the system remain the same.
- Brick Outer leaf
- Air cavity (un-vented, partially vented or vented)
- Pro Clima Solitex Fronta Humida with overlaps sealed with Pro Clima Tescon Vana airtight tape
- Gutex Multitherm low-carbon natural wood fibre external insulation
- Finsa SuperPan VapourStop EZ Airtight vapour barrier racking board for timber frame walls and ceilings
- Insulated service cavity
- Plasterboard
- Finished with Auro Breathable Natural Paint
| External Insulation | Depth of timber studs (and thickness of Thermoflex insulation used) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 175mm | 200mm | 225mm | |
| 60mm Multitherm | 0.146 W/m²K | 0.136 W/m²K | 0.127 W/m²K |
| 80mm Multitherm | 0.136 W/m²K | 0.127 W/m²K | 0.119 W/m²K |
| 100mm Multitherm | 0.127 W/m²K | 0.119 W/m²K | 0.112 W/m²K |
| 120mm Multitherm | 0.119 W/m²K | 0.112 W/m²K | 0.106 W/m²K |
