An Innovative Way to Stay Warm & Healthy
Black Mountain USA follows in the distinct footsteps of its UK predecessor by bringing general purpose natural sheep’s wool insulation to the United States. For use in loft, rafter, internal wall and inter-floor applications, natural sheeps wool is the safest, best performing insulation material in the world.
Easy to install, natural wool insulation is flexible and strong, perfect as a direct replacement for man-made materials, and fits with ease into breathable house designs, prefabricated homes, and renovation projects. Additionally, it is ideal for dry lining on external walls and through all parts of wood-structured buildings.
Black Mountain USA Natural Wool Insulation features insulation in SheepRoll™ and SheepBatt™ in several sizing options. In addition, and new for Spring 2010 are the revolutionary WEKA™ natural wool insulation panels. Named a Best Product of the Year by BUILDERS news magazine, the panels are a wool-based interior sheetrock, which layer together to achieve an r-value up to 19.5. A unique combination of drywall and insulation in one step, WEKA™ panels eliminate thermal bridging and simplify the building process.
Safer by Nature: Health Benefits & Features of Wool Insulation
Perhaps the most important feature to any insulation, natural wool features a safeguard against condensation. When moisture is present in the air, wool naturally absorbs and buffers it, emitting energy that warms the wool and prevents condensation. Wool insulation has the unique ability to draw moisture out of wood and other building materials, keeping you safe from mold-related illnesses without impacting thermal performance.
Safety is at the forefront of Black Mountain USA natural wool insulation. By matching and surpassing thermal, fire, mold resistance and structural performance standards, wool insulation has gained consumer confidence. Unlike most alternatives, wool is non-flammable. Wool naturally contains too little oxygen for combustion to occur, and therefore produces no toxic gasses when exposed to fire.
Wool insulation is also unique in its handling procedures. Whereas man-made fiber or mineral wool insulation carries risks of skin irritation and the risk of airborne illnesses that require protective gear during installation, wool insulation requires no masks or protective clothing whatsoever. By its nature it harbors no dangerous chemicals, dust or mold that could lead to allergic or other reactions. It emits no dangerous VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), but instead absorbs and locks them away. Natural wool insulation is also treated with boron salts to raise resistance to insects and pests and the hazards they bring.
One of the greatest risks associated with man-made insulations is formaldehyde, a nasty carcinogen used in a large number of building products as a binding agent. Not only is wool naturally 100% formaldehyde free, it also has a unique ability to absorb it, locking it permanently into the fiber, and keeping it away from where it might do harm.
These safety features make natural wool insulation a perfect match in areas where health and safety are prime concerns, including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, churches etc. Locations like these benefit from wool insulation’s long life performance without posing any risk to occupants.
Greener by Nature: Environmental Benefits of Natural Wool Insulation from Black Mountain USA
A key advantage to natural wool insulation is the inherent sustainability within the product. Wool being a natural, annual by-product of sheep makes it one of the earth’s most sustainable resources. As a result of this, natural wool insulation requires only 15% of the energy to make when compared with man-made materials. The drastically reduced energy requirements mean the carbon dioxide emitted is minimal, while the installed insulation locks up carbon dioxide and prevents it from being released. When in production, all extra pieces are recycled as well to ensure no net waste.
Black Mountain USA eco wool insulation is reliable, with an active life, which can span over hundreds of years without losing flexibility or moisture-retention properties. When it comes time for the wool to be replaced, it is completely biodegradable and reusable, as well as effectively and easily recycled.
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