What is Wool Insulation?

For millennia, people have used the wool from sheep to keep warm. They may weave it into blankets or warm clothing, and some have created wool filling to stuff blankets, clothing or mattresses. It’s not surprising that groups like nomadic tribes in Mongolia have also employed wool as insulation in homes, and this idea has translated on a much larger scale to commercially produced wool insulation. This form of insulation is sheep wool that may be treated with materials like borax, and it can look similar to fiberglass insulation. The many people who choose wool insulation cite several of its advantages. It naturally resists flame and fire, and it can trap chemicals that are known toxins. Another advantage is that sheep wool is biodegradable, though processes used to raise sheep are not always environmentally sound. However, raising sheep tends to incur less environmental debt that does, for example, the production of fiberglass. One benefit to wool insulation is cost of installing it. ...  more