Picture this: it’s late afternoon, and you’re sitting on the couch in your cozy Tiny House. Outside, dusk is setting in, and the thick snowflakes falling from the sky promise a magical white world come morning. You have nowhere else to be, and with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in hand, you’re enjoying the thick novel you just started reading. Ah… isn’t that bliss? Outside, it’s cold, but inside, it’s cozy and warm.
Wool is a beautiful material that has been used for centuries to keep people warm. It’s used in clothing, blankets, shoes, slippers, and even as insulation due to its excellent insulating and moisture-regulating properties. Wool is also biodegradable and has a long lifespan. It keeps you warmer, meaning you don’t need to turn on the heating as often – great news for the environment. But how can you incorporate wool into your Tiny House?
Wool in your bed
A sheep wool duvet and an extra warm wool blanket on your bed are guaranteed to keep you warm at night. Wool is the perfect material for bedding because it’s moisture-regulating – and believe it or not, you sweat quite a bit during the night.
With a four-season duvet, you can add or remove layers as it gets colder or warmer outside, ensuring you’re never too hot or too cold. An extra loose wool blanket can be used for those particularly chilly nights or to keep your feet extra warm. Of course, you can also snuggle under it on the couch. And when you’re not using it, a folded wool blanket looks lovely at the foot of your bed or draped over the armrest of your couch.
Wool on your body
Wool is also an excellent material for clothing. Don’t worry about old-fashioned itchy sweaters – not all wool types itch. Merino wool and cashmere are comfortable and soft against the skin.
Merino wool is a fine wool type commonly used in base layers. It’s temperature- and moisture-regulating and insulating, so you won’t feel cold easily. Another big advantage is that merino wool has self-cleaning properties and doesn’t smell quickly. This means you don’t have to wash it after every wear, which extends its lifespan and is better for the environment. Opt for high-quality (organic) merino wool and invest in a basic set of items, such as tank tops, short- and long-sleeved shirts, socks, and thermal leggings.
Wool in your walls
You can also insulate your house with sheep wool. Its excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, as well as its moisture-regulating properties, make it a popular choice in biobased construction.
For fire safety, it’s also a great material: when you set wool on fire, it only chars slightly and doesn’t fuel the flames. That’s a comforting feature in a wooden house. Wool has an insulation value between 0.035 and 0.040 (lambda-value), comparable to hemp and flax. It’s usually sold in pre-fabricated mats, which are easier to install in your walls than loose sheep wool.
How sustainable is wool?
Wool is 100% natural and recyclable, has a long lifespan, and reduces energy needs thanks to its excellent insulating properties. Additionally, it requires less frequent washing compared to other fabrics.
However, there are some considerations. Sheep need to be sheared, and this process can sometimes be rough. Wool is also sometimes imported from far-off places. The washing and dyeing of wool require significant water use. Uncolored or naturally dyed wool is therefore the best option, and if you can source wool from the Netherlands, that’s even better. For clothing, look for producers with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This way, you can enjoy this beautiful, natural product in your Tiny House with peace of mind.
Photo credits: Shutterstock en depositphotos.com
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