Sheep's Wool Insulation Guide: Pros, Cons, and FAQs

Sheep's wool insulation is a fantastic insulator, so it’s no surprise that it’s gaining popularity as insulation for homes. Sheep’s wool has some surprising features that make it a healthy addition to the home and resistant to flame and moisture. But is it worth the extra investment? And how might it affect your health, your wealth, or the planet?

In this video, Rise CEO Matt Daigle explores the top questions about sheep's wool insulation, including the pros, cons, and real costs.

0:00 Introduction to sheep's wool
01:00 What is sheep's wool insulation?
01:49 What are the advantages of sheep's wool insulation?
02:26 What are the disadvantages of sheep's wool insulation?
02:54 Is sheep's wool a good insulator?
03:26 Is sheep's wool insulation prone to mold and mildew?
03:52 Is sheep’s wool insulation prone to infestation from moths, insects, and rodents?
04:40 Is sheep’s wool insulation flammable?
05:14 Is sheep's wool insulation sustainable?
06:15 Are sheep harmed in the harvesting process for sheep’s wool insulation?
06:52 How do you install sheep's wool insulation?

#insulation #buildwithrise #sheepswool

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[buildwithrise]

Would you insulate your home with wool?

[robertswinburne]

I am planning to use this in my 10.5" thick double stud wall second floor addition and fatten out the walls on the ground floor as well. As a Vermonter, I am quite familiar with sheep and wool products. I wish this were made more locally.

[timlewis]

being a Kiwi, wool is natural to me. I first used raw wool 45 years ago in my shed. Straight from the sheep to the wall. Siome smell at the start but within a couple of days all good.

[havelockwool]

Thanks Matt and team! A great video explaining the benefits of perhaps the highest integrity fiber on the planet!

[larayulesingh]

Living with MCS and chronic fatigue, I soo love that this product exists. Thanks for sharing.

[Mamedov-grrl]

Thank you for the video, glad kiddos are enjoying helping you

[maggiewhiteside]

I want to use this in my hvac return vent. I recently cleaned out the shaft that holds the heating/cooling stuff and the bottom of the shaft is lined with rockwool. I became very sick after cleaning it out. It got on my skin and I was sick, nose running, headache.... I am thinking, if air is flowing past this stuff and out of my vents, how is this healthy? Plus, I am dealing with chronic coughing, sinus congestion and my family has a slight cough all the time. Can I pull out the rockwool and replace it with sheep wool?

[anthonymurphy]

Moving to the country and raising sheep. Building a bardo and thinking about using it.

[prodriveress]

Great video. Having a carpet with wool content also gives the same benefits. In the event of a fire a synthetic carpet can smoulder and produce toxic fumes that could kill you if the fire doesn’t, wool carpets are less likely to do that.

[leahMinneapolis]

Hi, do you need to wear a mask and gloves when installing the wool insulation?

[mamasimmerplays]

Came here from a vid about a product "Ionic protect" which is a chemical-free way of protecting wool from moths. I'd really like to see some vis about it that don't come from the manufacturer.

[kyleethekelt]

How do we think it would work made into acoustic absorption panels? I know there's a company here in Aotearoa which makes them, but if I could get hold of raw wool I'd like to try the DIY route to save money. Any tips?

[IsaacSetupConcepts]

Very good video! thanks for the info. However I'm planing on doing some acoustic panels for my home studio. Do you think this wool is a very good option for dampening sound? cuz it seems no to dense like rockwool, but the rockwool is not that safe.

[caseyhartman]

I'm going to have some old attic insulation removed and I'm thinking about putting down sheep wool insulation in its place. I need to take measurements to estimate the cost since it is more expensive than fiberglass. I'd prefer to use a more natural product though.

[larayulesingh]

Living with MCS and chronic fatigue, it’s soo wonderful to hear about this. Does it require vapor barrier? Is there a workaround?

[DevoutFollowerofYeshua]

I am looking a this for my RAM ProMaster van build.

Also, there is Hemp Wool. Although it does burn.

[arthurmiller]

Do you still need to use a vapor barrier with

[tibiavram]

class A fire rated would mean that it doesn't get fire at all, like basaltic wool, but sheeps wool gets fire, but it doesn't spread it. In Romania we've got LanaTerm producer, which wool insulation is fire rated as E class

[littlegreendress]

So when they spray whatever they spray to prevent it from bugs, does it release Voc's? i'm looking for alternative insulations because the concern is for it to not release voc's.

[HajnalkaGyurgyovics]

What are your thoughts on insulating a van/bus aka metal boxes with about 2-3 inches of wall cavity? Havelock wool van life r7 is that enough to do a good insulation? Moisture and condensation issues? No vapor barriers? Metal shell+wool+wood panel sandwich? Or would spray foam work better in these structures?