Behind the scenes at Chelsea Flower Show with Cosywool Insulation

Thermafleece Sheep’s wool insulation here, there, and everywhere

It’s always exciting to see new developments from our suppliers, and we’re always so proud to see them doing good things in the world. Thermafleece has been very busy; they’ve been represented in two gardens at the recent Chelsea Flower Show. The first, Horatio’s Garden, won a gold medal and was awarded best show garden. The second is the shepherd’s hut created and designed by those talented people at Plankbridge Shepherds Hut in collaboration with the royal horticultural society.

Horatio’s Garden Room

Designed to nurture well-being after spinal injury, at the centre of Horatio’s Garden is a Garden Room insulated with

Thermafleece Cosywool where patients can shelter away from the busy ward and spend time in a beautiful, environmentally friendly and accessible space. A cement-free space for patients to recover, using natural materials to build the shelter * out of wood and natural sheep’s wool insulation, has created a calming space in contrast to the busy hospital.

Horatio’s Garden was the first show garden on Main Street specifically designed to be wheelchair-accessible, demonstrating that having a functional and practical space doesn’t compromise aesthetics. The Show Garden will later form the nucleus of a new, permanent space for Horatio’s Garden at the Princess Spinal Injuries Centre in Sheffield – opening in 2024, which will benefit thousands of patients, relatives, and NHS staff for years to come.

“Horatio’s Garden Chelsea is a place of true respite for those affected by traumatic spinal injuries. Designed by Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg, this adaptive garden puts the priorities of all those with different mobility needs at its heart. It embraces the mission of Horatio’s Garden charity to nurture wellbeing after spinal injury.” HarrisBugg studio

In January 2023, Mark from Thermafleece met with McMullan Studio architects and Horatio's Garden team to discuss the design of a pod-like building for the organisation’s first Show Garden. The project focuses on sustainability, well-being, community, and craftsmanship, making it an exciting project. The Garden Pod is insulated with Cosywool 140x370. The natural insulation rolls were easily cut to size to fit in the curved and battened garden room walls. The high-quality insulation will help maintain a comfortable temperature within the space year-round while reducing energy consumption and costs. The wool-based material is a naturally renewable resource, making it an eco-friendly choice. The garden room will provide a warm, cosy space for enjoyment and relaxation even in the coldest months.

RHS Bothy by Plankbridge Shepherds Huts

The second is the Shepherds Hut, created and designed by Plankbridge Shepherds Huts in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society. The first RHS Bothy was in the centre of the Great Pavilion at the RHS ChelseaFlower Show. During Chelsea week, it was used as a venue for a series of RHS interviews with women in horticulture. After the show, the shepherd’s hut will be on display at the Orchard at RHS Garden Wisley, the flagship garden of the RHS.

The importance of using a natural fibre insulation

• Made from 75% sheep wool, 15% recycled polyester, and 10% polyester binder with high recycled content.
• Easy to use, with little to no itch.
• Sound absorption – NRC 1.05 @ 100mm
• Sound reduction – Rw 40dB @ 75mm
• Highly breathable
• Can be recycled at the end of its life.

Why is natural fibre insulation an excellent choice for a shepherd hut or garden room?

Insulating a structure like a Shepherd's Hut or campervan is crucial for increasing energy efficiency and reducing heat loss. A well-insulated unit can decrease energy usage and costs by up to 35%. Therefore, choosing insulation materials carefully and installing them correctly is essential to achieve maximum benefits. Using natural fibre insulation can also increase the comfort level of the living space by reducing drafts, controlling temperature, and dampening noise. Natural insulation is crucial for achieving energy efficiency and optimal living conditions in home offices, campervans, and Shepherd's Huts.

Shepherd's huts have evolved from their simple origins and are now part of the luxury camping movement known as "Glamping". In addition, they are gaining interest in the "tiny house" trend. They are being used for home offices, art studios, music studios, and extra accommodation and holiday lets, to name a few uses! A Shepherd's Hut offers the perfect blend of nature and home comforts. The Plankbridge Shepherds Huts are customisable and designed to meet the specific needs of individuals. Furthermore, companies now prioritise environmental sustainability and utilise natural wool insulation for the build.

Made from natural materials, Thermafleece has a lower environmental impact than many traditional insulation products and is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners and builders seeking sustainable options.

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We’ve also spoken about Shepherd’s Hut insulation before. Check out the article here.

Read our 5* Reviews of Cosywool insulation:

“My, and the experienced builder's, first experiences of this form of insulation. We are both very pleased. He says he will probably never use anything else now.” Peter H - Verified Customer

“It's been a great insulation for our van conversion”, Jacqui B - Verified Customer.