Wool for insulation

[Spud]

We have a shed that we use to chit potatoes next to the workshop, just a cladded lean to with fibre cement sheets. Both would benefit from some insulation.

I'm thinking along the lines of sheep's wool behind thin ply.
Any reasons why not? Any suppliers of suitable width rolls to make it easier to fit.
Anybody done it? I'm thinking that it won't be easy to install and if not tightly packed enough the wool would slide down behind the ply in time.

Thank you for any help

 

[ritchiekirkland]

Used to stay in an old shearing quarters that was wool lined . They put the wool in steel gabions in river for winter to wash it . Dried it then put it in walls behind plaster board . Cosiest digs I ever had !
They used crutchings , packed down better .

 

[Yale]

Used to stay in an old shearing quarters that was wool lined . They put the wool in steel gabions in river for winter to wash it . Dried it then put it in walls behind plaster board . Cosiest digs I ever had !
They used crutchings , packed down better .

They used to throw sheep in the river to wash out the lanolin before shearing a few days later.

Maybe a better idea?

 

[ritchiekirkland]

They used to throw sheep in the river to wash out the lanolin before shearing a few days later.

Maybe a better idea?

Yeah but couldn’t really do that if it was just crutchings/daggings, washed the shite off them too.
Guess the price of wool now though you would be as well putting the whole fleece in !

 

[Bogweevil]

Carpet moth

 

[delilah]

They would need to be organic potatoes to justify the investment, but this is the proper stuff.

https://www.thermafleece.com/

 

[Cab-over Pete]

I think you will have to spray it with some kind of bug repellent before you use it. I remember seeing a programme on tv about a bloke who built his own eco house and used wool for insulation.

If your going to pack it between the existing wall and thin ply you will need to put something in to stop it sagging. Simplest thing is loads of nails through the ply, but you could also fix horizontal battens behind the ply too.

If it’s only a farm shed, does it really need to be cleaned? Sounds a lot of hassle. I’ve got some fleeces here from three years ago. Kept in a wool sheet I moved them last week. They were fresh as the day sheared.

 

[ajd132]

My house is insulated with pavatex and rolls of sheeps wool built a couple years ago

 

[Dave645]

We have a shed that we use to chit potatoes next to the workshop, just a cladded lean to with fibre cement sheets. Both would benefit from some insulation.

I'm thinking along the lines of sheep's wool behind thin ply.
Any reasons why not? Any suppliers of suitable width rolls to make it easier to fit.
Anybody done it? I'm thinking that it won't be easy to install and if not tightly packed enough the wool would slide down behind the ply in time.

Thank you for any help

to be honest sheep's wool will work but like anything, it will make a great home for vermin.
straw is often used as insulation, so chop it and stuff or blowing that in would likely work also. I will say as with wool the fire risk also increases, over man made options.
sip panels may be simple to install and give a plywood finish. flat sheets of EPS are also cheap and simple to install, with the above fire risks.

 

[Spud]

to be honest sheep's wool will work but like anything, it will make a great home for vermin.
straw is often used as insulation, so chop it and stuff or blowing that in would likely work also. I will say as with wool the fire risk also increases, over man made options.
sip panels may be simple to install and give a plywood finish.

I was under the impression that wool didn't burn at all well, and didn't attract vermin. I wouldn't use straw for those reasons, not as a semi permanent installation anyway

 

[Dave645]

I was under the impression that wool didn't burn at all well, and didn't attract vermin. I wouldn't use straw for those reasons, not as a semi permanent installation anyway

your correct, about the fire, no clue on the vermin, they usually make a home anywhere they can close to food.

 

[Dave645]

if I was going to the trouble of boarding out, I would use insulated boards, or just replace the roof and walls with metal clad insulated sheets.
you have to have some form of framework for the boards even if its minimal and uses existing purling's. ideally under all the thin boards joints.
https://www.insulationsuperstore.co.uk/browse/insulation/insulation-board/page2.html

lots of options for insulation including wood fibres. that come out at around £10/m2 it will be fire rated.
https://www.insulationsuperstore.co...-wood-fibre-insulation-50mm-6-158m2-pack.html.

when you add the cost of install and timber framing, it may end up cheaper if you can find a deal on insulated metal sheeting it can come in long lengths, for easy install.
https://www.cladco.co.uk/insulated-panels/32-1000-40mm-thickness-goosewing-insulated-panel

likely eBay is the place to find a deal or some seconds if you can find any.

 

[Welderloon]

Sheep wool insulation...............just imagine............ a natural product, in fact now almost a natural byproduct of another industry being repurposed for what is in reality the modern renewable energy sector for home insulation.........................now how can the multinational corporate organisations make money out of this, sheep shearers on top whack day rates, farmers switching back to fluffball sheep, processing plants opening across the UK & locals being given proper opportunities of labour that aren't fast food outlet or coffee shop related..............na, the anti's would hate it, government would hate it, Defra would hate it as it would be a UK Industry promoting a natural product without shipping sh*t in from abroad & the relevant palm greasing that goes with it

 

[Spud]

if I was going to the trouble of boarding out, I would use insulated boards, or just replace the roof and walls with metal clad insulated sheets.
you have to have some form of framework for the boards even if its minimal and uses existing purling's. ideally under all the thin boards joints.
https://www.insulationsuperstore.co.uk/browse/insulation/insulation-board/page2.html

lots of options for insulation including wood fibres. that come out at around £10/m2 it will be fire rated.
https://www.insulationsuperstore.co...-wood-fibre-insulation-50mm-6-158m2-pack.html.

when you add the cost of install and timber framing, it may end up cheaper if you can find a deal on insulated metal sheeting it can come in long lengths, for easy install.
https://www.cladco.co.uk/insulated-panels/32-1000-40mm-thickness-goosewing-insulated-panel

likely eBay is the place to find a deal or some seconds if you can find any.

Thanks Dave

Reroofing isn't an option - the shed in question is a leanto off the grain store

 

[TripleSix]

I'll sell you our wool next summer if you want....