Mike Wye & Associates
Suppliers of Natural Building and Decorating Products
  • Phone us on 01409 281644
  • E-mail us by clicking on sales@mikewye.co.uk
  • Write to us at Buckland Filleigh Sawmills, Buckland Filleigh, Devon EX21 5RN, England.

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    REED BOARD

    Technical Information Sheet

    Description Reed Board is a rigid building board. It is made from natural reeds laid parallel and tightly bound using thin gauge galvanised wire.
    Consistency of the product is monitored by quality tests carried out by the manufacturer :
    Visual grading of reeds before binding
    Visual checks of the finished product for damage & flaws before shipping
    Reed Boards are available in the following sizes:

    Product
    code         		Thickness mm
    (± 5%)         		Width
    mm (± 5%)         		Length
    mm(± 5%)         		Board Weight
    kg (± 30%)         		No. of
    boards/pack
    ERB20 20 1000 - 2000 in 250mm increments 2000 9.0 - 18.0 in 2.25kg increments 40
    ERB50 50 1000 - 2000 in 250mm increments 2000 18.0 - 36.0 in 4.5kg increments 40

    Note : Board thickness is measured between wire positions

    Design Reed boards are suitable for internal use as a base for plastering on walls and ceilings. They can be used against a solid background or over studs or joists as a practical alternative lining material to gypsum plasterboard and lath-and-plaster. The 20mm boards can be used as a curved backing for plaster.
    Reed boards are particularly suited to using with lime, clay or gypsum plasters in building restoration and new-build.
    Reed Boards can be used unfinished to create feature walls, as an insulation board or to act as permanent formwork. They can be used externally in landscaping schemes to form natural partitions.
    Physical properties of Reed Boards :
    Density 225 kg/m³
    Thermal conductivity ( K ) 0.056 W/mK.
    Support For use on walls or ceilings, Reed Boards must be screwed or nailed to vertical or horizontal supports spaced at not greater than 600mm centres. Frixings should be at not more than 150mm centres along lines of support.
    Edges of adjacent Reed Boards should be butted tightly together.
    The cut edges of Reed Boards can overhang supports by 100mm.
    The strength and stiffness of the supports must be appropriate to the position and function of the element within the building.
    Finishes The reeds allow firm keying of basecoat plasters. One base coat is usually sufficient.
    For some applications a single coat of lime plaster will give a satisfactory finish.
    Joints between boards should be scrimmed.
    The reed mats do not need to be wetted down before plastering.

    Resistance to Damage Precautions common to good drywall construction practice should be taken to avoid damage to the installed Reed Board.
    Vulnerable edges and corners should be protected.

    Resistance to Moisture Short term exposure to moisture will not cause deterioration of the reed.
    The reeds will deteriorate if kept in prolonged contact with water or used unprotected in damp environments.
    Contact the supplier for advice on particular applications.
    Resistance to Fire Reed Boards with 18mm non-combustible plaster finish are fire resistant in accordance with DIN 4102.
    Fixing to Reed Boards Light loads can be carried directly by the board using drywall fixings.
    Heavier loads should be fixed through to the wall framing.
    Thermal/Moisture Movements Reed Boards are dimensionally stable when used in 'normal' internal conditions and as part of a 'breathing' wall construction.

    INSTALLATION:
    Cutting

    Reed Boards can be cut with hand or power saws and the wire cut with double-lever tin snips.
    Minimum 20mm edge clearance must be left when cutting reed boards parallel to the wires to avoid the wire binding slipping off the cut ends of the reeds.
    When cutting across the mat the wires must be re-threaded and tied to prevent unravelling. Otherwise cut adjacent to the lines of C-clips.

    Fixings
    		Reed Boards can be fixed to the substrate with large head nails or screws with 20mm diameter washers. This is suitable when fixings coincide with the binding wires.
    When fixing near cut edges cut edges a continuous stainless steel wire should be threaded between the fixings and tightened as the fixings are driven home.
    Reed Boards should not held in place on walls using plaster dabs.
    Fixings must be at not greater than 150mm centres along board edges.

    Site Notes Reed Boards should be stacked flat until ready for use to avoid damage to edges.
    They should be stored off the ground, protected from damp.

    Health and Safety
  • There is a risk from exposed ends of wire when Reed Boards are cut.

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