What is the purpose of rockwool insulation?

by Nick Gromicko, CMI®

 

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material because of its superior ability to block heat and sound. Rockwool insulation is commonly used in building construction, industrial plants, and in automotive applications.

Rockwool refers to a type of thermal insulation made from actual rocks and minerals. A wide range of products can be made from thismaterial because of its superior ability to block heat and sound. Rockwool insulation is commonly used in building construction, industrial plants, and in automotive applications.

The term 'rockwool' is sometimes used interchangeably with 'mineral wool,' although the latter term is, in fact, a larger category of thermal insulators that includes rockwool, slag wool and fiberglass.

 

Production

Rockwool is produced naturally during volcanic eruptions when high winds flow upon lava streams of basalt or diabase. This was the case when, in the early s, Hawaiian volcanologists found an unusual, wool-like rock fiber hanging from trees near Mount Kilauea, and it wasn't long before the fiber's exceptional qualities were discovered.

Today, this process is replicated in commercial furnaces where minerals and other raw materials are heated to roughly 2,910° F (1,600° C) and subjected to a current of steam or air. Oil is also added during production to decrease the formation of dust. More advanced techniques require rotating the molten rock at high speeds in a spinning wheel, resembling the way that cotton candy is made. Finished rockwool is a mass of fine intertwined fibers that are bound together with starch and used as loose fill or assembled into blankets (batts and rolls). The main producers of rockwool in the U.S. are located in North Carolina, Texas, Washington and Indiana.

Rockwool's Performance as an Insulator

The individual fibers that compose rockwool insulation are good conductors of heat on their own, but sheets and rolls of this insulation are efficient at blocking the transfer of heat. They are often used to prevent the spread of fire in buildings, in light of their extremely high melting point of 1,800° F to 2,000° F. With an R-value of 3.10 to 4.0, rockwool can play a significant role in reducing energy consumption in homes and businesses. Problems sometimes arise because rockwool can retain a large amount of water, although gravity will allow it to drain, as long as it has a path to escape.

Common Applications 

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• In loose-fill form, it can be used for insulating equipment, tanks, pipelines, ovens and furnaces.
• It is used in the manufacture of acoustical ceiling tiles.
• It is used as for residential, commercial and industrial insulation. Rockwool is very effective for use as insulation behind and around electrical boxes, wires and pipes. It can fill most wall cavities, leaving virtually no voids.
• It is also used as spray-on fireproofing material.
  
  

Safety

While many man-made mineral fibers are considered dangerous to humans, the danger is limited mostly to biopersistant materials, such as special-purpose glass wools and refractory ceramic fibers. The more common types of rockwool used as insulation are considered by the International Agency for Research on Cancer to be "not classifiable as carcinogenic in humans." Rockwool can cause skin irritation, although this condition is a temporary mechanical irritation, rather than a more serious chemical irritation. Regardless, it is always good practice for homeowners, inspectors and contractors to wear quality gloves and other personal protective equipment while handling rockwool, or any other insulation.

In summary, rockwool is a type of thermal insulation made from heated, naturally-occurring minerals. It is generally considered to be safe and effective.

 

 

Fire and Moisture Resistance, Easy To Install

When you're ready to insulate, choosing the right insulation can make a big difference in the installation time and effort, and the comfort of your home or commercial building for many years to come. Rockwool insulation has a number of distinct advantages that make it the go-to choice for many professionals.

Rockwool makes and supplies a full range of smart and sustainable 'stone wool' insulation products for construction use. You can find products for attic insulation, flat roof insulation, exterior and interior wall insulation, floor insulation, and ceiling insulation, as well as a full range of commercial and OEM insulation applications.

Advantages of Rockwool

1. Made from stone (basalt rock) and recycled steel slag.
   These readily available and sustainable materials make Rockwool more durable, less irritating, and less dusty than fiberglass batt.
2. Higher R-values than fiberglass insulation.
   For the same thickness, Rockwool provides a higher R-value, or for a given target R-value, you can use a less thick Rockwool batt choice, making installation more convenient (e.g. Rockwool 3.5' thick = R15 and 5.5' thick = R23 vs. Fiberglass: 3.5' thick = R11 and 5.5' thick = R19.)
3. Moisture resistant.
   Rockwool actually repels water, and won't absorb moisture like its competitors. This keeps your insulation spaces dryer, and prevents degradation of the adjoining construction material.
4. Completely resistant to rot, mildew, mold, and bacterial growth.
   Over the long term, Rockwool keeps performing without compromising the health and integrity of your home or commercial building.
5. Fire resistant.
   Rockwool gives you peace of mind with a fire resistant design that makes safety a high priority in your living space.
6. Rodent-resistant.
   Rockwool's steel content keeps rodents out of your insulated space.
7. Does not itch.
   Anyone who has worked with fiberglass knows the continuing pain of this itchy material. Rockwool solves that problem upfront.
8. All-friction fit.
   Make your installation easier and faster. Simply cut Rockwool slightly larger than the space, then easily wedge in for a tight, convenient fit.
9. Easy to cut precisely with a serrated blade.
   A bread-knife blade is all you need (Rockwool has them available) to quickly and precisely cut pieces to fit, as well as cut out spaces for electrical boxes and other wall features.
10. Denser than traditional fiberglass insulation.
    Rockwool effectively reduces airflow and essentially, sound transmissions. Its higher air flow resistivity means better sound attenuation for a quieter environment.

Still have questions? Ask an expert, or stop in to talk to one in person.

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