Acara Concepts Ltd

Acara Concepts Ltd Acara Concepts distributes natural, ecological and high performing thermal and acoustic insulation products throughout the UK and Ireland.

Acara Concepts distributes sustainable, ecological and natural insulation products throughout the UK and Ireland. We supply Hofatex wood fibre thermal insulation boards suitable for walls insulation, floor insulation and roof insulation and it is vapour-open to reduce condensation and mould growth. Wood fibre provides excellent insulation as well as being the best thermal insulation for reducing n

oise in properties as well as for providing protection against summer time overheating due to its high density. These eco-friendly products are made almost entirely from trees so are very good for the environment as well as for our health. PhoneStar soundproofing acoustic insulation boards very effectively reduce both airborne (e.g. talking, music) noise and impact (e.g. footstep) noise through walls, floors and ceilings. This very slim product, at only 15mm thickness, is ideal for soundproofing walls, soundproofing floors and soundproofing ceilings from noisy neighbours, as well as for soundproofing within one's own home or workplace. PhoneStar will easily meet Building Regulation for Sound requirements in both new build and change of use properties. Acara Concepts also supply Lignotrend room acoustics timber panels which significantly reduce both echo and reverberation within a room. These contemporary panels are made from solid timber and wood fibre and are very aesthetically pleasing. Please do not hesitate to contact us for friendly no-obligation advice on: UK +44 (0)20 7998 1690 or IRE: +353 (0)1 8409 286. Our email is: [email protected]

Sustainable Urban Regeneration Through Adaptive ReuseYesterday, I was on site visiting a fascinating Victorian/Edwardian...
21/05/2026

Sustainable Urban Regeneration Through Adaptive Reuse

Yesterday, I was on site visiting a fascinating Victorian/Edwardian three-storey terraced property that perfectly demonstrates the adaptability of these buildings over time.

Originally constructed as a single-family residence, the property later operated as a hotel, was subsequently converted into office space, and is now being redeveloped into three modern apartments.

Very few building types can evolve so successfully through changing social and economic demands while still retaining their architectural character and presence within the streetscape.

It was a strong reminder that Victorian and Edwardian terraces were never static buildings, their real strength lies in their versatility.

These properties continue to offer:

• Strong structural integrity

• Flexible internal layouts

• Excellent redevelopment potential

• Opportunities for sustainable urban regeneration

• A unique balance between heritage and modern living

In an era where housing supply, sustainability, and urban density are increasingly important, the continued reuse and adaptation of existing buildings has never been more relevant.

More than a century after they were built, these terraces continue to meet the needs of modern society, evolving from family homes to hospitality, to commercial use, and back again into residential living.

Good buildings endure because they can adapt.

Rising Damp Or Poor Moisture Management?Too many historic buildings are diagnosed with “rising damp” when the real issue...
18/05/2026

Rising Damp Or Poor Moisture Management?

Too many historic buildings are diagnosed with “rising damp” when the real issue is often much simpler: trapped moisture and poor drainage.

In older properties, damp at the base of walls is frequently caused by:
High external ground levels
Blocked or inadequate drainage
Leaking gutters and downpipes
Impermeable cement renders and modern paints trapping moisture

poor ventilation.

True, rising damp does exist, but in many historic buildings it is far less common than commonly assumed.

Older buildings were designed to breathe. When modern impermeable materials are introduced, moisture often has nowhere to go except into the walls themselves.

Before prescribing chemical injections or major interventions, it’s worth asking:
Is water being properly directed away from the building?
Can the wall dry naturally?
Have modern materials altered how the structure manages moisture?

Good conservation starts with understanding how traditional buildings behave.

Sometimes the best damp solution is not adding more systems, but removing the barriers preventing the building from functioning as intended.

Warm Roof vs Cold Roof; What’s the Difference?When upgrading or designing a roof, one key decision is whether to use a w...
11/05/2026

Warm Roof vs Cold Roof; What’s the Difference?

When upgrading or designing a roof, one key decision is whether to use a warm roof or a cold roof system.

A cold roof places insulation between or below the rafters, leaving the roof structure cold. This traditional approach can work well, but it relies heavily on correct ventilation to reduce condensation risk.

A warm roof places insulation above the roof structure, keeping the rafters warm and improving overall thermal performance. It also helps reduce thermal bridging and lowers the risk of moisture issues. In warm roofs, the required ventilation is above the external insulating wood fibre roof sarking board, allowing you to fully fill the rafters below.

As buildings become more airtight and energy efficient, material choice matters too.

Wood fibre insulation is increasingly used in both warm and cold roof systems because it supports breathable construction while offering:
excellent thermal performance
moisture regulation
improved summer comfort
acoustic benefits
lower embodied carbon

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, the right roof design depends on the building, budget, and long-term performance goals.

Good roof design isn’t just about insulation values. It’s about creating durable, comfortable, healthy buildings that manage heat and moisture effectively over time.

naturheld Ampack Acara Concepts Ltd

Insulating Historic Buildings with Solid Walls: The Case for Getting the Approach RightRetrofitting traditional and heri...
10/05/2026

Insulating Historic Buildings with Solid Walls: The Case for Getting the Approach Right

Retrofitting traditional and heritage buildings is one of the most technically challenging.

Solid wall properties weren’t designed to be sealed. Built with lime mortars, brick, and stone, they manage moisture by absorbing and releasing it. When modern, impermeable insulation systems are introduced without considering this, we risk trapped moisture, condensation, mould growth, and long term damage to the building fabric.

One of the biggest early decisions is where the insulation goes: inside or outside the wall?

🔹 External Wall Insulation (EWI)

From a building physics perspective, this is often the ideal solution. It keeps the original wall warm and dry, significantly reduces thermal bridging, and delivers excellent performance.

However, it can alter the building’s appearance, affect architectural details, rooflines, and in conservation areas or listed buildings, it may not be permitted at all.

🔹 Internal Wall Insulation (IWI)

This is usually the more practical and planning friendly option. It preserves the external character and can be phased room by room.

The trade off is: loss of internal space, disruption to historic features, and greater potential for cold bridging and interstitial condensation if materials and detailing aren’t carefully designed.

In both cases, material choice is critical. Traditional buildings tend to perform best with vapour permeable, hygroscopic and capillary active systems, that support safe moisture movement rather than blocking it.

At a time when sustainability, conservation, and performance must work together, breathable, bio-based insulation solutions such as wood fibre, can help deliver meaningful energy savings while respecting the long term health of historic fabric.

naturheld Baumit UK Acara Concepts Ltd Ampack

Is It Possible To “Over Insulate” The Inside Of Solid External Walls??Yes, and it can cause significant issues if not de...
07/05/2026

Is It Possible To “Over Insulate” The Inside Of Solid External Walls??

Yes, and it can cause significant issues if not designed carefully. Let’s go over why and how this can happen:

1. The basic idea

For solid walls (brick, stone, with no cavity), internal wall insulation (IWI) is often added to improve energy performance.

However, if you add too much insulation on the inside, you can upset the building’s moisture balance and thermal behaviour.

2. The key risks of over-insulating inside a solid wall

Problem: Interstitial condensation

Explanation: The wall behind the insulation becomes colder, and moisture from indoor air can condense within or behind the insulation.

Problem: Trapped moisture

Explanation: Old solid walls are usually vapour permeable (breathable). Over-insulation + vapour barriers can stop them from drying out.

Problem: Freeze/thaw damage

Explanation: If moisture in the wall freezes, it can damage brick or stone.

Problem: Mould and damp inside

Explanation: Moisture trapped at cold junctions or around window reveals can cause black mould.

3. Best practices to avoid over-insulating problems

Use vapour open (“breathable”) materials, ie wood fibre insulation & lime plasters, which allow moisture diffusion and drying.

Model the wall’s hygrothermal performance, use tools like WUFI to simulate condensation and drying potential.

Keep the insulation thickness sensible. Typical internal wall insulation thickness is 40 to 80mm, depending on material and moisture/mould risk. Pushing beyond this will increase condensation risk. Unless determined otherwise by WUFI.

Insulate window and door reveals; To avoid thermal bridging and reduce the risk of mould and decay.

Rule of thumb: More insulation is good, but only if the wall can still manage moisture safely.

If you’re working on an older or historic solid wall property (pre-1919), the approach should be “moisture aware retrofit” rather than just “maximum insulation.”

naturheld Baumit UK Acara Concepts Ltd Ampack

Baumit NHL Thermo Insulating PlasterRetrofitting older buildings is always a balance between improving thermal performan...
05/05/2026

Baumit NHL Thermo Insulating Plaster

Retrofitting older buildings is always a balance between improving thermal performance and preserving the building fabric.

One solution worth highlighting is Baumit NHL Thermo insulating plaster, a natural hydraulic lime-based thermal plaster designed for breathable wall systems.

Why it stands out:

✔ Improves thermal performance without altering the wall build-up

✔ Highly vapour permeable, allowing walls to breathe naturally

✔ Helps regulate moisture and reduce condensation risk

✔ Cement-free and compatible with traditional stone, brick, and lime-based masonry

✔ Lightweight and flexible, reducing stress on older substrates

✔ A1 non-combustible for enhanced fire safety

For heritage buildings, solid-wall properties, and renovation projects, the challenge is often not just insulation; it’s finding materials that work with the building rather than against it.

Baumit NHL Thermo offers a practical middle ground: better comfort, improved energy efficiency, and preservation of the building’s natural moisture balance.

In retrofit projects, breathability is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Baumit UK Cian Bonnichon Acara Concepts Ltd

Turn Down the Noise: Smarter Party Wall Retrofitting for Modern HomesNoise transfer through party walls is one of the mo...
02/05/2026

Turn Down the Noise: Smarter Party Wall Retrofitting for Modern Homes

Noise transfer through party walls is one of the most common complaints in terraced and semi-detached homes, and retrofitting the right sound insulation system can make a major difference.

At Acara Concepts, we supply PhoneStar sound insulation boards as part of practical retrofit solutions designed to improve acoustic comfort in existing homes.

Why are more homeowners and contractors looking at party wall upgrades?

🔹 Better privacy

Reduce the transfer of voices, TV noise, and everyday household sounds between adjoining properties.

🔹 Improved comfort at home

A quieter living environment supports better relaxation, concentration, and sleep.

🔹 Retrofit-friendly installation

High-performance acoustic boards can be installed as part of renovation works without major structural alterations.

🔹 Space-efficient solution

Effective sound insulation doesn’t always mean sacrificing large amounts of floor space; the modern PhoneStar system can deliver strong performance with minimal build-up.

🔹 Added property value

Acoustic comfort is becoming a bigger consideration for homeowners, buyers, and tenants alike.

As housing density increases, improving the acoustic performance of existing homes is no longer just a “nice to have”; it’s become an essential part of modern retrofit.

If you’re considering upgrading party walls as part of a renovation, PhoneStar acoustic insulation should be on the checklist.

Wolf Bavaria GmbH Acara Concepts Ltd

Substrate Preparation in Solid Wall Retrofit DesignThe real success of a wood fibre system in a traditional building is ...
01/05/2026

Substrate Preparation in Solid Wall Retrofit Design

The real success of a wood fibre system in a traditional building is determined by the preparation work beforehand.

Historic properties with solid walls (brick, stone, lime mortar - no cavity) manage moisture very differently from modern construction. They are designed to breathe.

That means preparation isn’t about making the wall “modern”, it’s about understanding and improving how it manages moisture.

Before installing wood fibre insulation, preparation should always start with moisture management:

• Rainwater goods first

Defective gutters and failed downpipes are one of the most common causes of saturated solid walls. Repairing or renewing downpipes and ensuring rainwater is properly discharged away from the building should come before any insulation work.

• Ground moisture management

High external ground levels and poor drainage can force moisture into the base of solid walls. Installing or reinstating French drains can help relieve ground moisture and improve evaporation at the wall base.

• Investigating moisture properly. mending leaks, overflowing gutters, failed drainage, removing cement pointing(Replace With Lime), and trapped moisture pathways must be resolved first.

• Removing impermeable modern materials

Gypsum, cement renders / pebble dash, waterproof paints, and vinyl finishes can trap moisture and prevent the wall from drying naturally.

• Repairing with compatible materials

Repointing and patch repairs should normally be carried out in lime, not cement, allowing moisture to move and evaporate as intended.

• Addressing salt contamination

Older walls often carry hygroscopic salts, especially at low level or around chimneys, which can continue attracting moisture long after the source has gone.

• Levelling uneven masonry

Historic walls are rarely flat. Lime dubbing and levelling coats create a suitable substrate and reduce the risk of voids behind wood fibre boards.

• Detailing vulnerable junctions

Floor joist ends, window reveals, eaves, and service penetrations all need careful detailing to manage moisture and reduce thermal bridging.
A simple principle to remember:
Manage moisture/water before insulation.
Repair before retrofit.
Breathability and airtightness.
Compatibility before performance.

Wood fibre insulation can work exceptionally well in traditional buildings, but only when the building fabric is first allowed to do what it was designed to do: breathe and dry.

Get the preparation right, and you improve comfort, thermal performance, and building longevity.

Get it wrong, and you risk trapping moisture where it can do the most damage.

naturheld Baumit UK Ampack Acara Concepts Ltd

“If wood fibre is such a great insulation material, why do you use XPS at the plinth?”It’s a fair question.At Acara Conc...
28/04/2026

“If wood fibre is such a great insulation material, why do you use XPS at the plinth?”

It’s a fair question.

At Acara Concepts, we specify wood fibre insulation across the main wall build-up because of its excellent thermal performance, vapour permeability, and its ability to support healthy, breathable wall constructions.

But the plinth zone (the area at the base of the wall, close to ground level) is a very different environment.

This part of the building is exposed to:

✔ Constant splashback from rain

✔ Higher moisture loads from the ground

✔ Freeze-thaw cycles

This is where XPS (extruded polystyrene) comes into play.

Why?

Because XPS offers:

• Very low water absorption – critical where moisture exposure is highest

• Freeze-thaw durability – maintains performance in harsh conditions

It’s not about replacing wood fibre, it’s about using the right material in the right location.

Think of it as a hybrid system:

🌱 Wood fibre where breathability and thermal mass matter most

🛡 XPS where moisture resistance is essential

Good building design isn’t about ideology.

It’s about understanding building physics and detailing accordingly.

The best systems combine materials intelligently to deliver performance, durability, and longevity.

naturheld Baumit UK

High Performance Meets Sustainability: Wood Fibre EWIAs the construction industry continues to focus on sustainability, ...
27/04/2026

High Performance Meets Sustainability: Wood Fibre EWI

As the construction industry continues to focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and healthier building envelopes, wood fibre external wall insulation systems with render finishes are becoming an increasingly attractive solution.

This system offers a strong combination of thermal performance, breathability, and environmental responsibility.

Why it stands out:

• Excellent thermal insulation, helping reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency

• Vapour-open and breathable, supporting moisture management within the wall build-up

• Made from renewable natural materials, contributing to lower embodied carbon

• Provides acoustic benefits as well as thermal comfort

• Finished with a durable render system for both protection and aesthetics

Naturheld Wood fibre insulation is particularly well-suited to retrofit and conservation projects, where maintaining the building’s ability to “breathe” is critical.

As we move toward more low-carbon construction methods, systems like this are playing an important role in delivering both performance and sustainability.

Would be great to hear how others are using wood fibre systems in their projects and what experiences you’ve had with long-term performance and detailing.

naturheld Baumit UK Ampack Acara Concepts Ltd

Address

Killossery
Dublin

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+35318409286

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Acara Concepts Ltd posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Acara Concepts Ltd:

Shortcuts

Share