Which natural fibres provide good insulation?
The most commonly used natural fibres are cotton, wool, hemp and straw. Others include hemp, cellulose, woodfibre A popular natural fibre insulation material is made from recycled cotton and is itself 100percent recyclable. One manufacturer uses recycled denim to make cotton fibre insulation. The manufacturing process for recycled cotton material uses far less energy than non-decompostable fibreglass insulation. Because its made from natural fibre it feels soft and has no associated itch or irritation to the skin. Compared to fibreglass, insulation made from recycled cotton:
- Doesn’t require a warning label;
- Is made from recycled materials;
- Is easy to handle and work with;
- Is non-toxic;
- Retains R-value in colder conditions because it is denser;
- Has superior acoustic properties;
- Requires less energy to manufacture;
- Does not contain formaldehyde.
Cotton insulation has similar thermal properties as fibreglass and cellulose insulation.
Cellulose fibre insulation is made from 85 percent recycled fibre (newsprint) which as a R-30 value.
Wool fibre insulation is a relatively healthy and safe alternative to synthetic insulation materials. It doesn’t produce toxic fumes and can be used without special precautions, and unlike fibreglass it can be installed without a mask or gloves. Wool fibre insulation is recyclable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly to produce. Wool has a higher fire resistance than cellulose and cellular plastic insulation’s; it does not burn rather melts away from an ignition source and extinguishes itself.
Several manufacturers of natural fibre insulation materials use composite materials eg cotton and hemp.