| With the furious drive towards ecologically sound | | | | apparatus is required to install it. |
| and environmentally sustainable building products, a | | | | Material Advantages |
| huge variety of ‘eco’ alternatives have | | | | - Wool is natural, renewable and sustainable |
| appeared on the market in recent years. We all | | | | - Sheep Wool Insulation is perfectly safe to touch |
| know that necessity is the mother of invention | | | | and requires no specialised safety clothing or |
| but frequently, after a brief flirtation with the | | | | equipment, making it easy to install |
| next new thing – I give you polyester socks | | | | - It causes no irritation to the eyes, skin or lungs |
| as shining example - we come to the realisation | | | | and wool fibres present no hazard to your health |
| that Mother Nature really does know best. | | | | - Wool fibres are breathable, meaning they can |
| For thousands of years sheep have been able to | | | | absorb and release moisture without reducing |
| adapt to the harshest of environments since their | | | | thermal performance unlike fibre glass based |
| wool naturally protects them through hot, cold, | | | | products |
| damp and dry seasons. In this time man has | | | | - Wool does not support combustion and will |
| taken advantage of wool as a material for that | | | | extinguish itself in the event of fire |
| very reason. Because of their crimped nature, | | | | - Sheep Wool Insulation does not settle due to |
| when wool fibres are packed together they form | | | | the high elasticity of the wool fibres ensuring no |
| millions of tiny air pockets which trap air. This in | | | | loss of performance over time |
| turn serves to keep warmth in during winter and | | | | Saving Energy |
| out in the summer. | | | | - Wool is designed by nature to save energy |
| Wool's unique advantage is its breathability. That is | | | | - Sheep Wool Insulation also requires only a |
| its ability to absorb and release moisture from the | | | | fraction of the energy to produce compared to |
| surrounding air without compromising its thermal | | | | that of man-made counterparts |
| efficiency. When wool fibres absorb moisture they | | | | - This means that Sheep Wool Insulation will pay |
| generate tiny amounts of heat. This warmth acts | | | | back its energy costs more than 5 times sooner |
| to prevent condensation in construction cavities | | | | (only 15 kW of energy are used to produce 1 |
| by maintaining the temperature above the | | | | m³) |
| ‘dew-point’ in damp conditions. This | | | | Performance Benefits |
| property creates a natural buffering effect, | | | | - Wool has a higher fire resistance than cellulose |
| stabilising heat changes that occur with relative | | | | and cellular plastic insulation |
| humidity. In practical terms this actually reduces | | | | - It does not burn, but instead singes away from |
| the need to keep adjusting heating or cooling | | | | fire and extinguishes itself (Wool has a very high |
| levels - wool insulation will naturally keep a building | | | | inflammation point of 560°C due to its high |
| cooler during the day and warmer during the night. | | | | Nitrogen content of ~16%) Wool is self |
| So, it keeps us warm and cool but does | | | | extinguishing because of its high Limiting Oxygen |
| sheepwool insulation have any other benefits? | | | | Index (LOI=25.2), which means to completely |
| Well, because of its construction insulation made | | | | burn wool an oxygen content of 25.2% is |
| from wool will retain its thickness and won’t | | | | necessary whereas air only has 21% |
| ‘slump’ inside the cavity, one of the main | | | | - Wool fibres are hygroscopic by nature, meaning |
| contributors to improving insulation efficiency. Also, | | | | the can absorb up to 35% of their own weight |
| since wool contains moisture, it is fire resistant | | | | from the surrounding atmosphere depending on |
| and will actually extinguish itself when the source | | | | the humidity, helping to preserve the surrounding |
| of flame is removed. It is also a very effective | | | | timbers. |
| airborne and structureborne acoustic insulation, | | | | - While absorbing this moisture, wool releases |
| significantly reducing noises that can be heard | | | | energy in the form of heat, thus raising the |
| throughout a building. | | | | temperature of its surrounding areas. Naturally |
| So what about sustainability of sheepwool | | | | releasing this moisture in the warmer seasons, |
| insulation? As it is made from a naturally produced | | | | wool creates a cooling effect on the same |
| fibre, Sheep Wool Insulation requires less than | | | | surroundings. |
| 15% of the energy required to produce than glass | | | | - Sheep Wool Insulation rolls are produced to |
| fibre insulation. It can absorb and break-down | | | | standard width requirements – saving time |
| indoor air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, | | | | when fitting |
| nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Wool is a | | | | - Multiple layered wool fibres effectively reduce |
| sustainable and renewable resource that has zero | | | | airborne sound transfer |
| ozone depletion potential and, at the end of its | | | | To read more about why wool is the best choice |
| useful life, can be remanufactured or biodegraded. | | | | for homeowners, builders and professionals please |
| Sheep wool insulation is safe and easy to handle | | | | follow the links. |
| and no protective clothing or special breathing | | | | |