Acara Concepts Ltd

PhoneStar is a high-performing soundproofing board which significantly reduces both airborne sound (e.g. talking and music noise) and impact sound (e.g. footstep noise from above) through floors, walls and ceilings. Because PhoneStar is only 15mm thick, it takes up very little room space.  It is made from natural materials and is breathable or vapour-open. PhoneStar is a dense soundproofing product with a high mass, but it is also soft due to its compacted, but loose, quartz sand filling contained within an engineered cardboard carcass. These are the critical characteristics required for noise reduction and it also has unique self-decoupling properties.

PhoneStar can be used on both refurbishment and new build projects and it is easy to install. It will surpass Building Regulations Part E for Sound when used as part of a simple system.

Naturheld wood fibre thermal insulation is a natural, breathable insulation material which can be used on walls, roofs, lofts and floors. It is particularly beneficial on solid walls because it helps to draw the moisture out of the walls so that it can evaporate, and this keeps the wall dry. As a result, the risk of condensation, mould growth and rot are dramatically reduced. Wood fibre is also widely used on timber frame homes because it adds thermal mass to the property and reduces a considerable amount of noise. It also keeps the timber frame dry and healthy by wicking moisture away from the frame.

There are Naturheld wood fibre wall insulation boards that can be used externally or internally, on masonry or timber stud walls, and they can be rendered or plastered directly with vapour-open materials. This wall insulation can alternatively be cladded externally with a ventilated facade.

In addition, there are water-resistant Naturheld sarking boards that are perfect for using above or below the roof rafters. Apart from the thermal insulation benefits, these boards also regulate the internal temperature, particularly on warm summer days by reducing the risk of overheating. The sound insulation provided by wood fibre is also very beneficial.

The Naturheld flexible wood fibre batts are ideal to use between joists, rafters and studs. They are very slump-resistant and also absorb considerable airborne noise. They are hygrosopic so they absorb, as well as release, water vapour so that the insulation remains dry and effective.

LIGNO® Acoustic Panels are premium slatted timber panels designed for wall and ceiling applications, offering a sophisticated, textured aesthetic. Crafted from natural wood, these panels effectively absorb echo and reverberation, transforming large rooms into serene, acoustically balanced spaces. Made in Germany to the highest standards, LIGNO® panels, from Lignotrend, are eco-friendly and free from harmful substances, as verified by their 'natureplus' certification.  This supports a healthy indoor environment while enhancing sound clarity and promoting comfortable conversation.

Large spaces such as community halls, schools, sports centres, and open-plan offices often suffer from excessive noise due to sound reflecting off hard surfaces. When LIGNO® acoustic panels are strategically installed, they absorb much of this unwanted sound, significantly reducing background noise and making speech much clearer and easier to understand.

Well-designed room acoustics foster a calm and comfortable atmosphere. In educational settings, they support better concentration and learning, in sports venues, they enhance the spectator experience, and in workplaces, they create a more pleasant and productive environment.

LIGNO® Acoustic Panels are available in Knotless Silver Fir, Knotless Spruce and Oak, as well as many more natural timber options. They are available in various Fire Classes such as D-s2,d0, C-s2,d0 and B-s2,d0.  Please contact us for more information. There are panels ideally suited to commercial and domestic applications.

Ampack Membranes and Tapes are high-quality, Swiss-made products that complement Naturheld wood fibre products perfectly. We supply Ampack breather membranes for protecting external roof and wall insulation from rain ingress and wind. We also specify Ampack airtightness membranes for the inside (warm side) of the insulation. These control the rate at which internal humidity passes through the membrane and into the insulation, and they also prevent draughts. We choose membranes with the ideal Sd value to allow buildings to 'breathe' effectively. Wood fibre is a vapour-open insulating material, so the membranes must be able to allow this vapour to evaporate away. This ensures a dry and healthy building. 

There are Ampack airtightness tapes designed to block air leakage and moisture infiltration, so that a comfortable and healthy internal living environment will be the outcome. By creating a continuous seal between the window/door frame and the wall, these tapes are crucial for maintaining a building's thermal performance and preventing structural issues like mould. 

Baumit lime-based plasters and renders complement our Naturheld wood fibre insulation boards perfectly. Lime is very vapour-open (breathable) and is softer and more flexible than cement or gypsum-based products, so it suits older buildings, which tend to move more.  Rigid cement plasters also restrict vapour flow and can crack over time, allowing rainwater to enter and become trapped - leading to condensation and dampness. This imbalance can cause significant damage to lime mortars, renders, soft bricks and stonework.

For Internal Wall Insulation, we recommend levelling the bare wall first with Baumit NHL Thermo insulating lime plaster. We then use Baumit RK70 lime for bonding the wood fibre to the wall and also for the base coat over the wood fibre boards.  This is finished with Baumit KlimaGlatt top coat plaster. 

For External Wall Insulation, we recommend bonding the wood fibre to the wall with Baumit MC55 lime. The same product is also used as the base coat render over the wood fibre and is finished with Baumit SilikonTop self-coloured render, which is available in many colours and 3 different grain sizes.