Sheeps wool for insulation. Anyone used it?

[patp]

I am a big fan of wool. It is a much underrated material for clothing and carpets etc. What I want to know is how good is it as a roof insulation? Anyone researched it?

[patp]

Fount this https://www.koruarchitects.co.uk/natural-insulation-benefits-sheeps-wool/

[patp]

Needed to tick "notify me of replies"

[patp]

Bump

[Gone West]

Do you mean roof insulation or loft insulation. It's thermal conductivity is similar to mineral wool.

Material	W/mK
Blockwork (light)	0.38
Blockwork (medium)	0.51
Blockwork (dense)	1.63
Brick (exposed)	0.84
Brick (protected)	0.62
Chipboard	0.15
Concrete (aerated)	0.16
Concrete (dense)	1.4
Fibreglass quilt	0.033
Glass	1.05
Glass foam aggregate (dry)	0.08
Hemp slabs	0.40
Hempcrete	0.25
Mineral wool	0.038
Mortar	0.80
Phenolic foam (PIR)	0.020
Plaster (gypsum)	0.46
Plasterboard (gypsum)	0.16
Polystyrene foam	0.032
Polyurethane foam (PUR)	0.025
Render (sand/cement)	0.50
Screed (cement/sand)	0.41
Sheep's wool	0.038
Steel	16 - 80
Stone (limestone)	1.30
Stone (sandstone)	1.50
Stone (granite)	1.7 - 4.0
Stone chippings	0.96
Straw bale	0.09
Timber (softwood)	0.14
Timber (hardwood - commonly used)	0.14 - 0.17
Woodfibre board	0.04

 

Edited August 28, 2020 by PeterStarck
Correction

[andyscotland]

I've used it, both for loft and between floor joists (both retrofit).

 

Worked really well, I like that it helps to regulate moisture/condensation risk, and it's extremely pleasant to work with compared to mineral/glass/fibre/stone wool.

[patp]

Thanks @PeterStarck @andyscotland 

 

Have just heard that farmers are dumping fleeces because they is no market for them! Crazy or what?

 

Don't suppose you know of a good supplier Andy?

[PeterW]

You have to wash the lanolin out of it or they will decay. Easily done with a new concrete mixer ..!! 

[newhome]

Wash and then use something like borax I think? 

[PeterW]

Yeh they say even that isn’t 100% but better than a raw fleece 

[Ferdinand]

@PeterStarck That number for thermal conductivity of Wood Fibre board looks to be too high.

 

I  thought it was about 0.04  rather than 0.11.

eg 

https://www.ecomerchant.co.uk/walls/insulation/wood-fibre-rigid.html

 

I noticed it because I need to start a thread about insulating medieval timber roofs after a fascinating visit this week to @dance621's Grade II* listed church. The current recommendation from either the architect or the CO for their insulation is sheep's wool encased in Oak boxes between rafters, and I was wondering about fibreboard with a veneer or a Trompe L'oeil as an alternative. The issue is the cost of the oak boxes, of which they will need up to (estimate) 60-100 at about 3.5m long each, but also the need to guarantee preservation of a 15C oak roof with carved angels, when the angels  only have a space of a very few inches behind them. And that the cost of removing a church roof to counterbatten and insulate would be a hell of a lot, swallowing a huge chunk  of money.

 

Please wait for the other thread before detailed chatter. 

 

F

Edited August 28, 2020 by Ferdinand

[Mr Punter]

A house near us had this fitted as the architect is into eco stuff.  Although the sheeps wool was treated, it suffered from moths, which were very difficult to eradicate.

[patp]

2 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

A house near us had this fitted as the architect is into eco stuff.  Although the sheeps wool was treated, it suffered from moths, which were very difficult to eradicate.

I had of this but have forgotten if there is a way around it?

[Gone West]

4 hours ago, Ferdinand said:

That number for thermal conductivity of Wood Fibre board looks to be too high.

 

I  thought it was about 0.04  rather than 0.11.

Thanks, yes your figure looks more accurate. That is a table I've had for some time and I'd never noticed, I'll have to correct it.

[patp]

An answer to the moth problem here.   https://www.heritage-house.org/stuff-about-old-buildings/insulation/sheepwool-insulation-and-moth-infestation.html

 

As it appears to be good for noise insulation too I might wrap my new bedroom in it