Sheep's wool insulation

Why sheep's wool

Sheep's wool is one of the oldest insulating materials there is, and one of the most pleasant to live with. It's soft, safe to handle without gloves or masks, and naturally breathable: it can absorb moisture from damp air and give it back later, without losing much of its insulating value while it does.

That makes it a good match for Scotland's older homes, with sarked roofs, lath-and-plaster ceilings and timber floors over ventilated voids. It's also a natural, renewable material from British farms.

Where we fit it

• Lofts, between and over the joists
• Suspended timber floors, held with breathable netting
• Stud walls, rafters and room-in-roof spaces

It costs more than mineral wool. For everyday lofts, recycled-glass Earthwool is usually the better value. We'll tell you honestly which suits your house.

How we use sheep's wool

We use ThermaFleece British sheep's wool. It's soft, safe to handle without the itch of glass fibre, and treated against moths and insects. Like wood fibre, it's breathable: it can absorb moisture from damp air and release it again while still insulating, which suits old roofs and timber floors.

• Lofts: between and over the joists, especially in older roofs with sarking and lath-and-plaster ceilings.
• Floors: between the joists of suspended timber floors, held with breathable netting.
• Stud walls and rafters: anywhere a natural, breathable fill is wanted.

It costs more than mineral wool. People choose it for older homes, for a natural material, or because it's pleasant to live with in a loft that gets used.