Rock wool insulation originates from a volcanic rock that is melted at a temperature around 1,600 °C. Afterwards, it is spun into a package of wool. The rock wool insulation is bound together by means of resins and oils, which give the material waterproof qualities as well. Rockwool and Isover are the most well-known producers of rock wool.
Practically all the insulation in a building can be realised with rock wool: the walls, the roof and the floors. Rock wool does not only offer thermal insulation, it has great advantages concerning noise and fire as well.
Rock wool insulation can therefore be used as fire protection and sound insulation too. In addition, rock wool is also a mineral product. This implies that is does not have an organic breeding ground, as a result of which rock wool is completely immune to mould and rot.
Advantages and disadvantages of rock wool
Each insulation material has its own specific characteristics and work methods. Consequently, no single job is the same and you may probably need to choose different insulation materials. Below, you can discover all the pros and cons of rock wool insulation:
Vapour permeable material
As compared to chemical products like polyurethane foam, rock wool insulation is a vapour permeable material. This means that damp can freely circulate and evaporate, so the risk of damp problems remains limited. This is why Rockwool is frequently used for cavity wall insulation, as the cavity often gets in touch with damp.
Insulation value remains unchanged
A lot of insulation materials partly lose their insulation value as the years go by. However, this does not apply to rock wool insulation. The initial value of rock wool will be retained, so your house will always be insulated sufficiently.
Sound insulation and fireproof
Apart from being an excellent thermal insulation material, rock wool is a suitable material to prevent noise and fire. Hence, a lot of unwanted sounds won’t be able to penetrate the house.
Glass wool vs rock wool
Contrary to glass wool, rock wool insulation does not cause that much skin irritation. In terms of environmental friendliness, however, glass wool performs better.
Rock wool insulation price
The main reason why people often prefer fibreglass insulation instead of rock wool, has to do with the purchase price. The purchase price of rock wool is usually about 10% higher. In order to make a correct price comparison, it is best to consider the density (quantity of material per cubic metre). This may differ widely from producer to producer, which obviously affects the price and insulation value.
Types of rock wool insulation
Rock wool insulation is available in the shape of blankets and boards. According to the required insulation value and surface, you can also choose from various thicknesses and masses. The most established manufacturers or rock wool are Isover and Rockwool.
Delta boards
The Delta boards from the brand Rockwool are the most widely known rock wool insulation boards. You can recognise them by their triangular shape.
Thanks to this design, you won’t have to lose time by cutting the boards to size. You only have to move the boards until they perfectly fit between the wooden beams. Delta boards are especially used for the insulation of pitched roofs.
Foil-faced insulation batts
Foil faced insulation blankets are, just like Delta boards, used for the insulation roofs and stories. They are a lot cheaper, although one may experience difficulties when putting the batts in place. Especially in the case of a renovation, this may lead to annoyances. Foil faced insulation blankets are available with different finishes that can facilitate the application onto the beams.
Standard insulation boards
Standard rock wool boards are primarily used to insulate cavity walls. They are easy to install and the boards can cover irregularities in the masonry. Because of this, you can be sure that the inside of the external wall is properly insulated. The outer side of the rock wool boards are, in the case of cavity walls, covered with a more solid finishing material that is resistant to wind and damp.
If you decide to insulate your building, it is best to leave this work to a professional. In this way, a flawless and quick installation is ensured. On our quotation page, you can request free and informal quotes from experienced insulation experts. Click here to request quotes.
Weight of rock wool insulation
The weight of rock wool insulation completely depends on the application. The categories are as follows:
– about 23 kg/m³ in the case of blankets
– boards for common application, insulation or cavities between beams: 30 to 80 kg/m³
– applications under load, roof boards and floating floors: approximately 90 to 150 kg/m³.
Very unique is the fact that rock wool insulation can be compressed into insulation with a density of 1000 kg/m³.
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