frequently asked questions
Rats, mice and other things that go bump in the night?
Independent of the type of insulation material, the penetration of mice and other rodents into this material can only be prevented by constructional means. The national building standards include such means.
If, against all precautions, mice penetrate into a layer of Grass Insulation, they might nest there (as they would in every insulation material), but will not be able to feed and grow on it. The digestible parts of the raw material have been separated from the fibers and mice cannot digest cellulose. Furthermore, the treatment of Grass Insulation with borate makes it inedible for animals. Borate is, just like cooking salt, toxic even at a moderate concentration in a food or feed material.
Am I going to be coughing and sneezing?
No. Grass Insulation does not contain grass pollen, because the raw material used is cut before flowering. Grass Insulation does also not contain fungal spores. As a result, Grass Insulation is safe to use even for persons who are suffering allergies
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Do I need to dress up like a space man?
No. Grass Insulation can be applied comfortably and rapidly. Cutting of the board can be done on the construction site using a bread knife or an insulation saw. The product is not itchy and does not cause skin irritation. The exposure to dust during product application is limited.
Does it smell?
Grass Insulation has a slight smell of hey. After application of the product in a building, this smell is not noticeable any more.
Fire! Fire! What happens in a fire?
Grass Insulation meets the criteria of the fire resistance class E according to the norm EN 13501-1. This means, that in the event of a fire, the fire will not be propagated by the insulation material to other parts of a building.
In the event of a fire, the emissions arising from the insulation material are similar to the emissions of a wood stove. The additives used in the production of Grass Insulation do not produce harmful emissions.
What would happen if Grass Insulation got wet?
In the event of water damage, Grass Insulation will soak water. With sufficient aeration of the material, it will dry again over time with no significant change of its dimensions. At dried status, it will regain its full insulation properties.
How long will it last?
Grass Insulation has received the European Technical Approval ETA-06/0274. This approval allows product sales in all EU member states. Product application must be conducted according to national construction standards. Generally, product utilisation in the EU does not require a national registration any more.
The European Technical Approval was issued on the bases of extensive product testing. The types of tests which had to be conducted and passed were determined by the Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik DIBT and its technical experts, in view of the expected product life time of 50 years. The approval is granted on the condition, that Grass Insulation is protected against rain during transport, storage and application.
The approval further sets standards for internal and external production control, which will secure consistent product quality.
During the production of Grass Insulation there are inevitable emissions of green house gases (0.4 - 0.6kg CO2-equivalent per kg of Grass Insulation). However, grass absorbs a far greater amount of CO2 during its growth. Per kg of Grass Insulation, around 1.32kg of CO2 are absorbed and removed from the atmosphere. In summary, production of Grass Insulation is a net CO2 sink. Additional significant CO2 savings come from the reduction of heating energy during the life time of the insulation.
Process - How is it made?
Only the fibers are used for production of Grass Insulation. The digestible components are used for production of renewable energy (biogas or ethanol) or a high protein animal feed product. The plant nutrients are recycled onto the agricultural production areas and support the further growth of grass. The process is called grass-refinery and allows full utilisation of all raw material components. It is sustainable and environmentally friendly from every point of view and follows the "Cradle to Cradle" life cycle system.During the production of Grass Insulation there are inevitable emissions of green house gases (0.4 - 0.6kg CO2-equivalent per kg of Grass Insulation). However, grass absorbs a far greater amount of CO2 during its growth. Per kg of Grass Insulation, around 1.32kg of CO2 are absorbed and removed from the atmosphere. In summary, production of Grass Insulation is a net CO2 sink. Additional significant CO2 savings come from the reduction of heating energy during the life time of the insulation.
Where can Grass Insulation be used?
The dimensional stability of Grass Insulation is well suited to lofts, ceilings and stud walls in both new and existing buildings. Being a natural material, Grass Insulation particularly complements timber-frame construction. When compared to other forums of insulation it will dramatically reduce the buildings overall carbon footprint.
European Technical Approval
Grass Insulation has received the European Technical Approval ETA-06/0274. This approval allows product sales in all EU member states. Product application must be conducted according to national construction standards. Generally, product utilisation in the EU does not require a national registration any more.
The European Technical Approval was issued on the bases of extensive product testing. The types of tests which had to be conducted and passed were determined by the Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik DIBT and it’s technical experts, in view of the expected product life time of 50 years.
The approval further sets standards for internal and external production control, which will secure consistent product quality.