Acoustic and thermal performance of an innovative façade constructed with Brazilian plantation wood

The construction industry faces several challenges in adopting sustainable materials for building components. Engineered Wood Products (EWP) are emerging as potential alternatives to traditional materials like hollow clay blocks. This research evaluates an innovative EWP-based façade as a possible replacement for a hollow block wall in terms of acoustic and thermal performance. The study was conducted in a hotel in Guarapuava, Brazil, where acoustical measurements and thermal envelope simulations were performed. The measured Weighted Standardized Façade Level Difference (D_2m,nT,w) for the existing hollow block façade was 37 dB, while the simulated data for the proposed wood façade reached 42 dB. Indoor sound insulation between rooms also improved, rising from 46 dB (measured) to 48 dB (simulated) with the EWP façade. From a thermal perspective, the thermal resistance increased from 0.50 m²K/W to 1.86 m²K/W, which is more suitable for the Brazilian 1M climate zone where the building is located. This study highlights the potential of using Brazilian pine wood in façade elements.