Using Sheep's Wool to Insulate Buildings

Sheep's wool is becoming a sought-after insulating material in the sustainable building trade. Here is an example from Guggisberg, a small village at an elevation of 1,115m/3,660ft in the hills about 45 minutes' drive south-west of Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Crofting life is tough in the Guggisberg area, which was a place of emigration until quite recently.

The article was written by Erwin Munter and originally appeared on 2 Nov. 2009 in the Berner Zeitung, one of the Swiss capital's two daily papers. It is available online in German, including a photo of father-and-son team, Gottfried and Ueli Mischler at work:
http://www.ee-news.ch/de/erneuerbare/article/19001/bauernhaus-mit-840-kilo-schafwolle-isoliert, accessed on 24 Oct 2010 (translation by Margret Powell-Joss | www.powelltrans.ch)

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Berner Zeitung, 2 November 2009
GUGGISBERG

Croft Insulated Using 840 Kilos (1,848 lb) of Sheep's Wool

Gottfried and Ueli Mischler from Guggisberg have insulated their completely refurbished croft using processed sheep's wool. They are in line with the trend.

In the beginning, the Mischlers were a bit wary about using sheep's wool to insulate the completely refurbished living quarters of their 300-year-old farmstead. But not for long: "Sheep's wool insulation initially looked to be more expensive than the more traditional fibreglass or rockwool," says 21-year-old Ueli Mischler. But when using sheep's wool there is no need for a vapour barrier, a thin layer to prevent air and moisture exchange. And costs are offset by the ease of installing the sheets of wool, which moreover pose no risk to the skin. What's more, the insulating wool has been sourced locally. "Many a sheep farmer will be glad not to have to throw away the wool they harvest twice a year," says Ueli Mischler. Hintermholz, his 20 hectare (50 acre) croft lies at the foot of Guggershörnli, 1,291 metres above sea level.*)

A Local Product

The supplier of the insulating material called Woolin is Guggisberg's own Otto Brechbühl. For years he has been campaigning energetically for a meaningful use of new wool. "If you compare sheep's wool to other insulating materials, it will win hands down every time," the 73-year-old states, saying that the natural product can absorb and release large quantities of water vapour, and that it does not become infested with parasites. Mice cannot build nests in it, nor will they eat it. It does have to be treated against moths. New sheep's wool is a living, breathing material. Provided it is installed properly. Young farmer Ueli Mischler has done his homework, researching the material and inspecting several buildings insulated with sheep's wool. Otto Brechbühl hopes that more architects and builders will use sheep's wool. The Guggisberg manufacturer is adamantly opposed to this valuable natural product ending up in refuse bins.

840 Kilos of Wool

To ensure adequate insulation and sound-proofing of the completely refurbished farm house required sheep's wool mats weighing some 840 kilos, plus a few kilos of loose wool to insulate inaccessible nooks and crannies. The father-and-son team began refurbishment work in May and did a significant portion themselves, including masonry and joinery work. The project has progressed well, meaning that the Mischlers can move into their new home by the end of this month.
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Sheep's Wool – Active Despite the Crisis
Switzerland is home to some 450,000 sheep that each year produce 900 metric tons of wool, for which there has been no demand, meaning very low prices. About a third of the new wool is collected by refuse lorries. Marketing a product that is obtained twice yearly is barely worth the effort. One man who has been campaigning for years to make good use of new wool is 73-year-old Otto Brechbühl from Guggisberg. In 2008 he bought over 40 metric tons of shearings, which an Austrian company washed and carded for him. eml
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See also
Low Energy House - Sheeps Wool Insulation - Sustainable Insulation at http://www.lowenergyhouse.com/sheeps-wool.html
and
Centre for Alternative Technology at
http://info.cat.org.uk/questions/energy-conservation/can-i-use-my-own-sheeps-wool-insulation
and
The British Wool Marketing Board at
http://www.britishwool.org.uk/index_main.asp
all accessed on 24 Oct 2010.


*) Translator's note: The Guggershörnli is a steep-sided crag rising to 1,283 metres (4,210 ft). Walkers enjoy its easy accessibility – a 30-minute walk and short climb of sturdy wooden steps – to take in the unique views of the Alps, the Jura mountains and, on a clear day, the lakes of the Swiss Mittelland (see also http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/destinations/nature-travel-experiencing-nature/switzerland-parks/naturepark-activities/guggershoernli-360-panorama.html, accessed on 24 Oct 2010).