Hello Tammi,
The "doonas" are also known as idadowns I think.
Essentially they are a thick, down, polyester or wool filled blanket or quilt
that is encased in sewn bedsize cotton sheets. Often these are stitched
diagonally or in other patterns to keep the fill from concentrating in one area
of what would otherwise be a loosely filled cotton bag. How else would you
describe a doona?...
We bought ours from Aussie Wool Quilts @ "Crystal
Waters" (as you would have it!) in Shelbourne, Central Victoria (about 20 km
west of Bendigo) Ph is +61 3 5435 7248. I don't know anyone else who sells them.
These people who make the quilts have won regional
development type prizes for their rural farm-based enterprise. Nice property too
- like most I wouldn't mind a crack at it....
Back to it....
Cheers,
Darren Doherty
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 8:19
PM
Subject: RE: Australia Felix Permaculture
Update
"...We also have pure woollen pillows,
underblankets and doonas which you have to experience to believe. These too
were pretty cost effective and after one night you'll never go back."
WOW these sound great (what is a doona?). Does anyone
over there import to the UK? or can I buy direct? I am looking for fleeces to sleep on, nice brushed
short hair things.
Tammi, Brighton Permaculture Trust,
UK
Hello Steve,
Thanks for the post. Wool insulation is both
widely used and available here in South Eastern Australia, with at least 4
companies marketing it as a product in my town alone (of 80000 people).
Australia being the world's biggest sheep/wool growing nation may have
something to do with it!! Similar to the US wool prices have been low for
years with global prices largely linked to the enormous stock pile of bale
stored in Sydney. (they were threatening to burn it at one stage - now it
looks like the Chinese have bought the lot much to the joy of the Aussie
wool grower. Funny sheep prices are fantastic at the moment...)
The insulation in my ceiling is just loose fill
100% scoured wool - and applied with a blower-type device. It cost
AUD$730 for 14 squares, which is as cheap as you'll get...The R rating is
between R2.2-R3.5. It is treated with a borax-based compound (Sodium
Octoborate Tetrahydrate) to negate the impact of wool moth. Our roof is
tiled and well ventilated, although high humidity levels only
occasionally arise in summer when rain is about - usually the extremely
low summer humidity and 40-45+ degrees centigrade temperatures are the order
of the day - something the wool will help to reduce the desiccating effects
of - we hope!! Nonetheless the occasional humidity is nothing like what you
would have to put up with. Another product that we are getting is a
composite wool/poly batt - it is 60:40 Wool:Poly. This will be used in the
stud walls and ceiling of the sunrooms we are building. The batts are
R3.5. Flammability of all wool products is very low too.
We also have pure woollen pillows,
underblankets and doonas which you have to experience to believe. These too
were pretty cost effective and after one night you'll never go back.
I figure for all the damage sheep have done to
our landscape we should be utilising their products in as sensible a way as
possible - not bad eating either.
Go for it.
Cheers,
Yours and Growing,
Darren Doherty
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001
12:55 PM
Subject: Re: Australia Felix
Permaculture Update
Darren,
Your recent
accomplishments are amazing. My congratulations.
I am keenly interested in
wool for house insulation. Did you encapsulate the wool? Here in the
temperate Midwest of the U.S., the issues about wool would be insect
infestation and damage, degradation of the wool over time in a humid
climate, and flammability.
I am developing an
eco-farm and want to demonstrate building with materials that are natural,
low-tech, and local resources. Insulation is a critical factor in this
context. Although the popularity of wool for clothing and bedding is
increasing in the US , prices for wool have been in the toilet for several
years. A demand for wool insulation could stimulate a network of regional
businesses connected to family farms. This could provide needed economic
sustainability in the family farm sector.
Of related interest
(insulation, that is), someone on the ferrocement list recommends clay
coated straw as insulation with good R values. However, he is in
Austin, Texas, which is much drier than Indiana. and the same issues exist
here.
Best,
Steve
Steve Bonney Sustainable Earth, a
not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to the development of
sustainable food and farming systems 100 Georgton Ct. W. Lafayette,
IN 47906 (765) 463-9366 --- You are currently
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