Insulating with sheep’s wool is very popular. This material offers excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. Moreover, sheep’s wool insulation has several natural properties. In this article, you can read more on these properties and the applications of this natural insulation material.
Insulation properties
Sheep’s wool is a 100% natural product which is suited for several insulation purposes. The raw wool is felted by means of a special production process. Insulation mats- and blankets are made out of these layers of felt.
The wool is able to absorb damp well, and the material can bear up to 35% of its own weight without losing its insulation properties. Next to that, sheep’s wool has a natural moisture regulation. Moulds are prevented this way.
What is sheep wool used for?
Sheep’s wool is used to fill hollow spaces between roofs, walls or floors. This way, the air in between won’t be able to move much. For this reason, sheep wool is an excellent insulation material.
Sheep’s wool is perfectly suited for application in timber frame constructions. Because of the wool’s damp-absorbing properties, the wooden structures are well-preserved.
Availability and structure of the material
The material is available in the shape of insulation batts or insulation tiles, with thicknesses that range between 50 and 150 mm. It usually consists of two layers of sheep’s wool with a different structure. The first layer has a tight structure with a high tensile strength. This layer is darker than the second one, which has an open structure in order to achieve excellent insulation properties.
Sizes, usage and health
Sheep’s wool is turned into a roll which can easily tear apart. For this reason, the material can easily be installed and removed. With an electrical knife, it is easy to customise the material. Moreover, sheep’s wool is perfectly suited for re-usage.
Contrary to other types of insulation materials, sheep’s wool does not cause skin- or lung irritation.
Sheep wool insulation cost
On a general note, sheep’s wool insulation boards with a thickness of 60 mm averagely cost £17.5 to £22 per square metre. Sheep’s wool is slightly more expensive than other (natural) types of insulation materials.
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Technical specifications
– Heat storage capacity: 1720-1750 J/kgK
– Diffusion resistance: 1-5
– Lambda value: 0.035-0.039 W/mK
– Fire class: B2-E
Air-purifying qualities
It has been scientifically proven that keratin, an animal protein which is very present in sheep’s wool insulation, can absorb harmful gasses from the air (like radon, nitrogen dioxide or formaldehyde).
By applying sheep’s wool in your house, the percentage of volatile and harmful gasses can be reduced by 50%!
Fire safety
The fire class of insulation materials is divided into classes from A to F. A means fireproof, whereas F means very flammable. Sheep’s wool has been assigned to class B2-E. In case of fire, the material will only char; the flames won’t spread any further.
The layers with a tight structure are fire-retardant by nature. The ones with an open structure can be made extra fire-retardant by means of borates.
Sheep’s wool insulation and the environment
Sheep’s wool is – almost entirely – made of natural substances.
In order to make the wool fire-retardant and resistant to bugs, some chemicals are usually added (boron salts or sulcofuron).
After usage, the material is entirely compostable. The environment won’t be burdened this way.
Summarised: advantages of insulating with sheep wool
Good thermal insulation
Safe and easy to process
Does not cause irritation
Sustainable and ecological material
Good acoustic insulation
Good heat storage capacity
100% recyclable (cradle to cradle)
High moisture absorption and air-purifying properties
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