K-13 is a total system of recycled natural fibres, chemical treatment, binding system and application method. The K-13 system begins with specially prepared cellulose fibres which are chemically treated to add resistance to fire, mold and mildew. K-13 is produced in a strict, quality controlled manufacturing process. During application, the K-13 fibres are combined with a patented adhesive. The finished product is a strong, durable monolithic coating of a predetermined thickness.

The resilient fibres of K-13 absorb sound energy instead of reflecting it, reducing reverberation time and making speech and music more intelligible. Excessive noise is eliminated with the application of K-13 while greatly improving ambient sound quality in a wide variety of building projects including auditoriums, sports facilities, detention facilities, television and sound studios, convention centres and parking garages.

K-13 insulates by creating dead air spaces between and within its hollow fibers. Because K-13 fibers are sprayed-in-place, they fill cracks, seams and voids, forming a monolithic coating over the substrate which reduces air infiltration. Unlike prefabricated insulations, K-13 has no voids or compressed areas to reduce thermal efficiency. The result is a more effective in-place product with exceptionally low heat transfer characteristics.

The patented adhesive utilized in the installation of K-13 adheres to virtually all common construction materials including: metal, wood, concrete, urethane, styrofoam and glass. Some surfaces may require pretreatment prior to installing K- 13. This unique adhesive provides unequaled strength allowing applications of 3/4 inch to over 5 inches without mechanical support. This capability provides R-values from 3 to over 19.

K-13 has been rated and approved by Factory Mutual Research Corporation for use in the following categories:

a) Category 1: As an interior finish material of low fire hazard (Class I Building Material) over noncombustible surfaces not requiring automatic sprinkler protection in and of itself.

b) Category 11: As a protective coating to delay the ignition and reduce the surface burning rate of combustible wood and cellulosic fiber building materials.

c) Category III: As a protective coating to delay the ignition and reduce the surface burning rate of low melting, combustible cellular plastic building materials and to protect their dimensional stability for a brief period.

d) Category IV: As a protective coating for building structural steel to supplement automatic sprinkler protection in preventing structural failure temperatures of the steel in high fire hazard occupancies.

e) Category V: As a protective coating to the underside of Class 11 insulated steel roof deck construction to sufficiently lower the rate of fuel contribution from the Class 11 deck components to qualify the construction as Class I allowing automatic sprinkler protection to be omitted where permissible under Factory Mutual Standards.

For areas such as indoor pools and ice arenas, K-13 aids in condensation control. The proper combination of K-13 and ventilation prevents condensation on metal, concrete and other surfaces. K-13 actually reduces ventilation requirements, saving in both the ventilation equipment investment and operating costs. However, we recommend a humidistat control that will ventilate should the humidity levels get too high.

The fibre has a textured look that is "fluffy" in appearance and it comes in a wide range of colours. The standard six colours are: black, grey, light grey, white, beige and tan.

It is applied to virtually any properly prepared surface configuration of wood, steel, concrete, glass and other common construction surfaces. K-13 can be sprayed up to four inches thick overhead in one application without mechanical support. Additionally, K-13 serves as the exposed finish requiring no additional materials.

K-13 is the spray-applied insulation tailored to your specific project requirements for insulation (R-value), noise reduction (NRC), colour, durability, condensation control, texture, and aesthetics. In addition, it usually provides these features at lower installed prices than many common systems such as rigid board and batt insulations, sprayed plasters, and acoustical ceilings. This means the thickness can range from 1/2 inch all the way to 3 and 4 inches.

No, K-13 is a complex application to ensure a proper product is installed on the wall or ceiling. I must be installed by a licensed and trained company/installer. All K-13 approved applicators have had formal training in order to even purchase the products.

Typically K-13 is a commercial solution for buildings with large open ceilings that are 10 feet high or greater. But with today's new homes receiving taller and more open ceilings K-13 or sona spray can be a viable option.