Joe is also the author of numerous DIY books, including the best-selling Building a Shed. The sheep wool type is all-natural and more efficient than fiberglass. We have the ComfortBatt R23 in between the ceiling joists in our basement. Wait, they removed the itchy making stuff from it now, didn’t they? Check out the video below if you’re a dork like me and want to see how things are made. I also did not know it was made of lava rocks. It’s actually surprisingly similar to making cotton candy except instead of melted sugar you’re using melted rocks. The molten glass or stone is then spun and formed into a flexible, fibrous mat for further processing into finished products. I’ve just learned about RockWool, and find it’s properties quite impressive. obvious challenges. For example, fiberglass and foam insulation are made of chemicals and synthetic non-recyclable materials. Mineral wool batts are higher-density than fiberglass batts, block sound more effectively, and are more fire resistant--properties that are particularly important in commercial buildings, where most mineral wool insulation is installed. R-Value. Materials chosen – there’s a huge difference in price between the oft-used cellulose and fiberglass vs. natural wool per square foot. That revelation eventually led to the manufacture to rock wool insulation. Very helpful and informative. 6 Simple Ways to Weatherstrip for Winter →, How To: Install Blown-in Insulation | The Craftsman Blog, https://thecraftsmanblog.com/how-to-insulate-an-old-house/. Also referred as mineral wool, is made from, of course, rocks! Mostly good stuff!! Also check out buildingscience.com to get a really good studies and white papers on crawlspaces. The insulation that makes you itchy when you install it. Fiberglass costs around $0.50 per square foot ($5 per square meter). The R-value of common fiberglass batts sold in the U.S. is lower than in Canada. The stone wool insulation is slightly more expensive, but I did find Safe’n’Sound on sale for less than fiberglass. (16-Bags) Thermafiber Ultra-Batt mineral wool is designed Thermafiber Ultra-Batt mineral wool is designed to provide excellent thermal insulation in residential and light commercial building. Both insulation materials are effective solutions for the insulation of tanks and offer unique advantages and disadvantages. The semi-rigid batts are denser than traditional batts or rolls and are quick and easy to install. Mineral wool, also known as rock wool or stone wool, is made from a selection of raw materials, such as stone and glass.These raw materials are treated in a similar way to glass, in that they are melted at high temperatures until they melt, and then they are spun to form fibres, similar to wool. Mineral wool pipe insulation is a non-combustible, fire resistant, water repellent yet vapor permeable insulation material. Please ! Weight: Fiberglass is lightweight and easy to carry, but the batts are rather limp and can be challenging to set into place. Rockwool has 2 plants operating in North America with a third scheduled to start in West Virginia next year. For a Silicone Silicate render system with EPS of 100mm thickness the cost per pack of 6 sheets (Size: 1000mm x 500mm) is £8.33 while for mineral wool of 100mm the cost per pack of 2 sheets (Size: 1200mm x 600mm) is £14.58. I love old houses, working with my hands, and teaching others the excitment of doing it yourself! No history of mold (tested 3 times) but water penetrated in the past from chimney areas. Some of this article is just not true. Can the Roxul be painted without compromising its fire retardancy? Also in this scenario you can actually control the moisture content in the crawlspace one of two ways. Another bonus is that mineral wool is available in batts that fit 2×8 framed walls at R-30. Fiberglass Insulation vs Cellulose Insulation: A Fight for R-Value. The R-value range for fiberglass is only 2.2 to 2.6. I’ve been promised the data to back this up, but I was told that an independent study of the STC (sound transmission class) of fiberglass vs. mineral wool insulation showed that there wasn’t much difference performance difference between the two different materials. How high should I go on the foundation with the moisture barrier? Occupants have tremendous mold and chemical sensitivities so spray foam NOT an option want ventilation. Fiberglass insulation is composed of fine glass fibers that are woven, lightly compressed and then cut into long rolls or batts. Or the method I prefer is to install a dedicated dehumidifier. I really don’t understand the fire argument, there are enormous amounts of highly flammable material all over the average house. Cost: Fiberglass insulation costs 25 to 50 percent less than mineral wool. Builders are experimenting with cellulose (shredded newspaper), sheep’s wool, hemp, and denim.There is a lot of textile waste in this country. Slag wool is more commonly used, and accounts for about 80% of the mineral wool industry. The R-value of mineral wool is higher than that of fiberglass.In the US, mineral wool batts for 2x4 stud walls comes in R-15, while common fiberglass comes in R-11 or R-13 (excepcionally R-15); similarly, batts for 2x6 walls comes in R-23, while common fiberglass comes in R-19 (special ordered batts may come in R-21). Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is one of the most economic and cost-effective options for insulating your home. Therefore, I would recommend you to use mineral wool for thermal insulation. GlobalSpec may share your personal information and website activity with our clients for which you express explicit interest, or with vendors looking to reach people like you. Other materials, such as cellulose and mineral wool, are denser and thus offer better R-value, but they add more weight to the walls and ceiling. While mineral wool is comprised of inorganic materials and cellulose is made of organic materials, both types are more environmentally friendly choices than other types of insulation. Input project size, product quality and labor type to get Mineral Wool Insulation material pricing and installation cost estimates. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find homes insulated with both types: economical fiberglass insulation installed throughout most of the house, and mineral wool used as firestops and in places where a little extra R-value is required, such as north-facing walls. If your insulation is wet…you have A LOT bigger problems than worrying about your R-Value diminishing. So that means, for standard 2×4 wall mineral wool comes in R-15 batts, while fiberglass comes in R-11 or R-13. MINERAL FIBER CEILING TILES Acoustic Mineral Fiber Tiles. Hi Steve, I hope this related post has some helpful information for you in your project and decision making. 2) We would like to use a paint sprayer to cover the entire basment ceiling in a flat paint, including ductwork, pipes, etc. The R-value range for fiberglass is only 2.2 to 2.6. Fiberglass insulation is noncombustible, but not nearly as fire resistant as mineral wool. Rockwool is actually R23 @ 5-1/2″ so you’re right, it can carry a higher R-Value there. It’s an environmental benefit to keep it out of the landf… Fiberglass? Fiberglass and rock wool absorb less than 1 percent of their weight, whereas cellulose absorbs 5-20 percent of its weight. Your email address will not be published. Fiberglass insulation for a 2×6 wall costs between 57 cents and 72 cents per square foot. x 47in. The raw materials are melted in a furnace at temperatures above 2,600°F. To learn more about choosing the right insulation and see a wide variety of options, please visit the Home Depot website. Mineral wool uses mineral waste residue as raw material, rock wool use basalt as raw material. To top it all off, Rockwool uses a very formaldehyde heavy binder to keep the product from becoming brittle. Ocuppants feel better after cleanup but no insulation left now. In this series of articles, we compare spray foam insulation to mineral wool, cellulose, foam board, and other types of insulation, to help homeowners get the information they need to make a decision on what is right for their home.Compare spray foam We just don’t use it very often in Thermal Envelope applications. Choose the material according to your area. To make mineral wool insulation, basalt and industrial slag are melted in a 3,000° F furnace. It left the residential market but I am so happy to see it’s comeback! The biggest advantage is the consistent R-value of mineral wool as opposed to fiberglass that comes with poor installation. We are trying to avoid a drop ceiling. This makeup gives mineral wool some of its fantastic benefits that we’ll talk about below. Everything is teachable if you only give it the chance. Due to its components, mineral wool goes by many names, including mineral fiber, rock wool, slag wool, and stone wool insulation. Learn how your comment data is processed. Read more…. In addition, sheep wool … It has a density of 1.7 pounds per cubic foot, as compared to 0.5 to 1.0 for fiberglass. Because of its density, mineral wool is hard to compress. There are two materials from which you can choose, first is mineral will which has an R-value of 3 to 3.3 per inch as compared to R-value of 2.2 of fiber; the higher the R-value the better. Fiberglass is often made from recycled glass, and requires way less energy to create. I like mineral wool for this application. I live in High humidity area in Texas. According to the Home Depot Web site, UltraTouch denim insulation retails for $6 per roll (16 inches by 48 inches or 41 centimeters by 122 centimeters), while Owens Corning fiberglass insulation costs $3.15 for the same size roll. It’s an important distinction when comparing mineral wool vs. fiberglass insulation derived from rockwool. Large attic 2 X 6 joists AND rafters. Thanks for the feedback Mike! MINERAL WOOL VS. CELLULOSE INSULATION: COMPARING THE FACTS NO MATTER WHAT the building challenge, ... so cost is for listed R-Value. Wool vs Fiberglass Insulation Fiberglass insulation (the pink stuff) consists of superfine woven and compressed glass fibers that are produced in mass and cut into rolls or “batts” of insulation. I find that fiberglass is usually just compressed in these sections, whereas mineral cannot be compressed to fit around them. While it’s not a new invention, simply a newer product, mineral wool has a place in insulating your old home and might be just what the winter ordered. Fiberglass batts must be secured with staples or wire. Thank you! Hi Jeremy, Mineral Wool is a great product for all of the reasons you described. This awesome feature and the fact that it is comprised of rock makes it virtually impossible for mold to grow on or in mineral wool. Which should I use? Then bring the moisture barrier at least 6-12” above the ground and seal the joint between the moisture barrier and stem wall. Chimney flashing repaired. R-19 with special order of up to R-21. ft. vs. 60¢ for fiberglass. The joist bays. MINERAL WOOL (Thermafiber, Roxul) FIBERGLASS (Owens Corning) R-stud® 1 + 1 Type X GWB Thermafiber/Roxul 50 STC R-Stud SOUND ASSEMBLIES COMPARISON-112517-R1 (1 of 1) R-Stud® COST COMPARISON *SOURCE: *Market Prices provided by licensed NWCB member contractor Mineral wool effectively reduces noise while providing excellent thermal performances. If it’s damp I would first check to see you have enough ventilation in the crawl space. Loose-Fill: Loose-fill fiberglass insulation provides a quick, easy and economical way to insulate attic floors and wall cavities. Thanks for the post. What do you think about blowing mineral wool between asbestos siding and interior plaster walls (from the inside via holes at top of walls between studs) on a 110-year old house? Fiberglass and mineral wool both have high R-values and are rated as non-combustible with low thermal conductivity. I have a 95 year old Sears Craftsman. Mineral wool is not just for inside the house either. It is ideal for steam and process pipe systems operating at temperatures up to 1200 ° C. Mineral wool insulation is less common, but still found in many properties across Britain. For example, fiberglass and foam insulation are made of chemicals and synthetic non-recyclable materials. Home has soffit and ridge vents. (And as it is a limestone foundation, it will always be seasonally moist in there & in the basement). We have it in the attic of a 1932 house. Loose-fill mineral wool does exist, but it’s difficult to find. Fiberglass insulation—contains 40-60% recycled content, depending on manufacturer and facility. Most of the formaldehyde gets vacuumed off at the factory and shot up their smokestacks. In the case of this product, would it be a viable product for wall insulation, or would I be better off leaving the walls uninsulated? The most common name you can find mineral wool going by in the states is Rockwool (formerly Roxul). Mineral wool is slightly better, but in his opinion, it's not worth the extra money. Although not the most eco friendly material on th… the attic? Blown-in insulation would be much easier to install in your situation. R-value is a big deal in insulation, so lets see how they stack up. Cost. Rockwool is a very sustainable material since it contains up to 75 percent recycled content. MINERAL WOOL PRODUCT COMPARISON Find out which JM mineral wool insulation products can stand in for our competitors’ products. Since it doesn’t absorb moisture, mineral wool doesn’t promote rot, corrosion, fungi, mold, mildew or bacterial growth. Curious what you ended up doing. Use this chart to find the right product. When properly installed, fiberglass and mineral wool are both excellent insulators and each will keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. They are plentiful and wide ranging, which is why I have become a fan of this stuff. Denim and cotton scraps from the mills and leftover clothes from retailers are being recycled into insulation. For dry blown, settled R-Value is real R-Value. Is mineral wool … Just trying to figure out if I should just go with mineral wool inside the house between the bathroom and our bedroom or go with fiberglass acoustical. Mineral wool is a stone-based mineral fiber insulation comprised of Basalt rock and recycled steel slag. Saying that mineral wool is easier to install than fiberglass is just completely false. The manufacturing process involves taking molten rock and spinning it while blasting it with cool air. Do you recommend installing the batts perpendicular to the joists in that case and having to cut 1′ off of each batt (which is how some of the old & nasty fiberglass was installed) or would it be better to install the batts parallel to the joists and just cut every other batt in half lengthwise? I have done this in two separate crawlspaces and have kept a data logger for temperature and humidity and I can keep the relative humidity below 60% all year included in hot humid summers we get in Alabama. Fiberglass? Dryer, kitchen hood, and 2 baths exhaust properly through roof (NOT attic). It’s recommended that you wear a dust mask when cutting and handling any type of insulation, including fiberglass and mineral wool. I’ve been promised the data to back this up, but I was told that an independent study of the STC (sound transmission class) of fiberglass vs. mineral wool insulation showed that there wasn’t much difference performance difference between the two different materials. JM MINERAL WOOL INSULATION PRODUCT COMPARISON Easily compare the technical details and advantages of all our mineral wool insulation products. Mineral wool insulation has superior sound-deadening properties. The materials are energy cost-effective, reduce unnecessary noise from the neighborhood, and also create a comfortable environment for either your family or workers. Fiberglass insulation typically contains 20 to 30 percent recycled content. Use a serrated bread knife or woodcutting handsaw to cut mineral wool insulation. The environmental impact with Rockwool is much more significant. I've looked at wool-batt insulation products, and I've always wondered why there isn't a loose-fill wool. Someone give me a better option available in the country! Free, online Mineral Wool Insulation cost guide breaks down fair prices in your area. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Determining the final selection is often based on cost, temperature range or meeting a certain specification. In my opinion, this usually results in a better installation because the vapor barrier is one solid piece, rather than a bunch of joints that have a greater likelihood of not being properly sealed. Look up “crawlspace encapsulation” to see examples. I completely agree with you that a Kraft Facing is never going to work as a vapor barrier, but luckily I live in a climate zone with no significant vapor drive . I’m going to push this product in our affordable-housing units—excellent fire barrier, no mold or rot (hydrophobic means fear of water literally, but conventionally it means water repellent), never loses insulative value!!! There are a lot of good things you can say about mineral fiber tiles, but longevity just isn’t one of them. Our company receives calls on a daily basis from people frantically looking for acoustic mineral fiber tiles to … Both types are popular and readily available. Today, fiberglass remains the undisputed king of insulation, but its crown is being threatened by a relatively new insulating material: mineral wool. Mineral Wool, by every measurement I’ve seen, beats Fiberglass. So far my plan is to install radiant barrier across the rafters. The mineral wool insulation is made from eco-friendly components. Joe Truini is a home improvement expert who writes about a variety of topics related to carpentry and plumbing. We did it ourselves since it is a much easier and safer product than fiberglass, which we had priced out too to be installed professionally. Mineral wool insulation cost. Installation of mineral wool is different from fiberglass entirely in that it comes in thick batts almost like a huge loaf of bread that must be cut by what unsurprisingly looks like a bread knife. Blown in insulation is a versatile product that can be used throughout a home. Size: Fiberglass insulation is available in a wider range of sizes and types than mineral wool. Does anyone know about the production of the insulation. Natural rock is heated until melting point, and spun at high speed into rock fibers. His general conclusion was that mineral wool and fiberglass were about the same. Wool insulation (also referred to as "mineral wool") is sustainable and renewable and comes in three types: sheep wool, slag wool and rockwool. The strands are compressed into thick, dense mats and then cut into batts of insulation. I am trying to decide between these two exterior insulation types for a house: - 200 m2, flat roof - built with Thermo brick (like f.e. It tends to be more expensive than fiberglass, often between 25-50% higher in cost. Mineral Wool vs. Fiberglass Both insulation materials are effective solutions for the insulation of tanks and offer unique advantages and disadvantages. How do the two compare on sound deadening? If fiberglass insulation gets wet, it becomes soggy, and its insulating value drops significantly. Installed between the joists. Fiberglass insulation for a 2×6 wall costs between 57 cents and 72 cents per square foot. That way you have the economical benefit of fiberglass and the added benefit of mineral wool. The sheep wool type is all-natural and more efficient than fiberglass. Of all the different types of insulation, mineral wool and fiberglass are probably the most similar since they both come in batts that are trimmed to fit inside stud bays, but that is really where the similarities end. Dave, you may have misread my post. Mineral wool is composed of 70% of recycled content, as compared to fiberglass insulation which is composed of only 30% of recycled content. Materials chosen – there’s a huge difference in price between the oft-used cellulose and fiberglass vs. natural wool per square foot. I don’t think I will ever own a home with a vented crawlspace again. I think you are mistaken. To cut fiberglass insulation, compress it flat with a board or metal straightedge, then slice it with a utility knife. Both spaces have wiring, plumbing, and AC ductwork but hard to access. I know there is some debate on whether to insulate the walls of an old house (most opinions are don’t do it). Fiberglass has an R-value of approximately 2.2 to 2.7 per inch of thickness. The Department of Energy says that the average fiberglass contains 20 to 30 percent recycled material, while rockwool contains 75 percent recycled content, making it a more eco-friendly choice. I like your conclusion to use wool on the North side and to help with creating a fire stop. Cellulose insulation —Has significant recycled content, with manufacturers often claiming 80% or more. History of rodents in the attic w/ past owner (s). Not available in that size. It’s always a good idea to keep up with new products on the market that may work well for us old house owners. I’m thinking about doing the same thing. Where ?? I’d love to know where you’ve found Rockwool at $1 a square foot? Mineral wool has the benefit of working in other situation that blown in won’t. Installation of mineral wool is different from fiberglass entirely in that it comes in … What is the best approach to minimizing the Swiss cheese effect, or is there one? Sustainability: Mineral wool is composed of 70 percent or more recycled content. David, Something else you may want to explore is actually sealing all of the vents in your crawlspace and carrying the vapor barrier within 6 to 8 inches of the sill plate. I live in the Northeast and the energy Dept recommends R-38 or higher for attics in zone. All attic debris removed and vacumned out. Unlike fiberglass which melts around 1,200°F, mineral wool has an extremely high melting point and can withstand fires up to 2,000°F making it one of the safest forms of insulation when it comes to house fires. You’ve recommended blown-in insulation in the past for attic floor insulation, are batts of mineral wool a viable alternative? In batts offered for 2×4 stud walls, mineral wool comes in R-15, while fiberglass comes in R-11 or R-13 (although it can be special ordered in R-15 in the U.S.). In addition, sheep wool can be recycled. The price is fairly similar for the amount I need. Finerglass is easier to work with and this is why all profesional contractors choose fiberglass over mineralwool. R-Value: The thermal resistance of insulation is measured by what’s commonly known as the R-value, and the higher the R-value, the better. You probably know fiberglass insulation well. For mineral wool, you cut the piece to size but leave it a little tight so that it compression fits into place in the stud bay. Did you ever get an answer? Water Resistance: Mineral wool insulation is hydrophobic, meaning it’s highly resistant to moisture and water. It will not melt or off-gases any dangerous fumes in case of fire and functions as a fireblock, which delays the spread of the fire buying you valuable time to escape. Insulation may be produced as loose-fill material for insulating flat surfaces, or batts for ceilings, attics, and ducting. The stone wool insulation is slightly more expensive, but I did find Safe’n’Sound on sale for less than fiberglass. Haven’t seen for myself if this is true, but I’m hoping. This gap will provide you the ability to inspect for termites. Input project size, product quality and labor type to get Mineral Wool Insulation material pricing and installation cost estimates. Mineral wool by nature is stronger and DENSER since it is “ROCK” SLAG. 1) Can we leave the roxul exposed without risking air quality? It is able to improve energy efficiency, home comfort, and lower utility costs. Roxul and fiberglass have similar acoustic properties when compared to similar products. Your text was very good. Your email address will not be published. I would stick with blown in for the attic floor because the installation with likely be 1/3 of the time! The Mineral Wool just the fact alone that is is does not promote mold is a winner in my book. Left crawlspace has dirt floor and right has concrete floor. As an example, the R-15 mineral wool costs about 80¢ per sq. That works out to about $1.12 per square foot for denim insulation and about 60 cents per square foot for fiberglass. Hi, 1930’s 18 inch Philadelphia suburb home w/ 18″ thick stone walls and 18″ thick stone foundation.
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