We moved into an old Victorian house about 2 years ago, and one of the first things we did to try to keep the house warm and energy-efficient was to insulate the loft. We found a system through Ecological Building Systems that incorporated sheep’s wool as insulation, a great option, as it is natural, not harmful to touch, has a particularly good insulation value, and is breathable, which protects the house from moisture.
To start, we removed the old fiberglass insulation and debris. We had to wear full body suits and respirators as the material is harmful.
We then installed an airtight vapour control membrane to safely control the amount of water vapour passing through from below, and to eliminate draughts.
After the membrane was installed, we laid the sheep’s wool insulation down in the joists first and then in perpendicular directions for the subsequent layers, making sure to not leave any gaps between the rolls.
Finally, we installed an airtight breather membrane on top to maximise the insulation properties of the sheep’s wool. This prevents cold air penetrating underneath the insulation thereby decreasing ‘wind-washing’ and allowing the wool to maintain heat.
What have been the benefits?
We have good heating insulation avoiding damp beams as the material is breathable and adapts to varying humidity levels.
Our top tips
Do not underestimate how much time it takes if you are going to undertake the work yourself.
Research the correct insulation for your house type. Some properties can use foam insulation which is eligible for government grants but not all property types.
Here is some extra reading that may help you with your research.
https://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/post/how-to-insulate-your-loft-with-natural-insulations
