1 -- Fire and Vermin Resistance -- Even though wool is naturally fire resistant, newer proprietary processes chemically bond a naturally occurring element to provide even more flame resistance as well as a vermin repellant to the wool fiber.
2 -- Versatility -- Natural wool insulation can be used in every facet of the building industry; including new and existing residential structures, commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities.
3 -- Consumer Value -- Wool insulation has long offered excellent value/return on investment for buyers due to its ease of installation, proven performance, and energy savings.
4 -- Non-Toxic -- Recent toxicologist studies demonstrate no observed adverse health problems associated with natural wool insulation.
5 -- Continued Performance -- Natural wool insulation does not breakdown over time in terms of fire resistance, moisture absorption, mold growth, corrosive action or degradation.
6 -- Acceptance by Officials -- Natural wool insulation has passed stringent testing and meets building codes.
7 -- Resists Mold Growth -- Wool insulation contains borate molecules that resist spore propagation.
8 -- Acoustically Superior -- Wool is an effective sound control material.
9 -- A Naturally "Green" and Energy Saving Product -- Some providers are able to use wool not suitable for the textile industry and therefore usually relegated to landfill or other disposal. The manufacture of natural wool insulation uses less than one-tenth the energy it takes to manufacture fiberglass insulation or rock wool. Natural wool insulation provides an additional benefit in reducing heating and cooling costs, by eliminating voids and air pockets common with other insulation materials, reducing air infiltration and increasing the "Effective R-value" of the wall assembly. Natural wool insulation also helps control sound. It has superior thermal properties, and is environmentally friendly, even in the manufacturing process.
10 -- Sustainable -- High quality natural wool is 100% recyclable and of course self sustaining in that sheep grow a new crop automatically every year.
11 -- Installation Safety -- Natural wool insulation requires no safety equipment for its installation. Since all the components are 100% natural, there is no need for breathing nor eye protection, you don't even have to wear gloves!
12 -- Doesn't Settle -- Many forms of loose insulation settle over time, resulting in air gaps and spaces that seriously reduce the effective insulation capability. The naturally occurring memory of wool fiber eliminates settling. Wool also actually expands to fill every space completely. This results in improved long-term thermal effectiveness by as much as 20 percent.
Think of it like a thermos for your body; it can keep you warm or cool depending on your needs. It keeps you warm without overheating your body.
In the Sahara Desert, Bedouins wear thin wool to keep them cool in the searing heat. The secret to both of these facts are the tiny pockets of air in wool that provide both insulation and breathability.
Wool is also able to soak up as much as 30 percent of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet, which is one of the reasons it can still keep you warm even in the rain. The fibres have a natural crimp that helps to wick moisture away from the body. Getting this moisture off your bare skin is a key element to keeping warm in wet conditions.
Wool actually absorbs water from both your skin and the atmosphere around you to create a dry and warm environment where it counts -- against your body. So the next time you pass a flock of sheep standing around in the pouring rain and wonder why they don't get out of the rain, remember the complexity of their protective coat.
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