A blog written by Knauf Insulation...

Rock Mineral Wool – also known as stone wool – is a versatile type of insulation used in a wide range of applications.

Many people just refer to Mineral Wool insulation, but there are two types, Rock and Glass. As their names suggest, they are manufactured from different materials. This means they perform slightly differently. So, while you can use them interchangeably in some applications, there are others where one will perform better.

Thermal insulation

You can use both types of Mineral Wool to achieve excellent levels of thermal insulation. Rock Mineral Wool prevents a building from losing or gaining heat through its walls and roof. Less energy is needed to heat or cool the building, so energy bills are lower.

Compressive strength

Because of the way it’s made, Rock Mineral Wool has slightly shorter fibre strands compared to Glass Mineral Wool. These shorter strands give Rock Mineral Wool superior compressive strength. This is why products for flat roofing applications, which may be walked on during installation or maintenance, are manufactured from Rock Mineral Wool.

Fire safety

Mineral Wool is far superior to other insulation materials when it comes to fire safety. Rock and Glass Mineral Wool achieve the best possible Euroclass Reaction to Fire Classification of A1 (non-combustible) or A2 (limited combustibility).

Fire Resistance is another important aspect of fire safety. Fire Resistance measures how long a particular building element, such as a wall or ceiling, can withstand the passage of fire from one area to another. For example, a build-up with two-hour Fire Resistance will maintain its integrity for at least that long.

Rock Mineral Wool has a melting temperature of over 1,000ºC and minimises the transfer of heat. As a result, Rock Mineral Wool is better suited to applications where prolonged periods of Fire Resistance are required.

Noise insulation

Unlike other insulation types, such as rigid foam boards, Rock and Glass Mineral Wool insulation are excellent at blocking unwanted noise. This is because it has an open fibre matrix that absorbs sound waves.

Rock Mineral Wool insulation with superior acoustic performance can be used in roofs, walls or floors to provide soundproofing and create quieter buildings.

Ease of installation

Knauf Insulation’s Rock Mineral Wool products are durable, rigid slabs which are easy to install.

The slabs are designed to fit standard centres but can be cut to size with a large bladed knife or saw.

Because the slabs aren’t brittle, they can adapt to imperfections in the substrate and be knitted tightly together, minimising gaps for maximum thermal, fire safety and acoustic performance.

Indoor air quality

Poor indoor air quality can affect the health of installers and building occupiers. One way to ensure better indoor air quality is to avoid products that emit high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde.

Knauf Insulation’s Rock Mineral Wool products are manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, their unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.

Rock Mineral Wool insulation made with ECOSE® Technology is also soft to touch and easy to handle. It is more environmentally friendly, robust and durable.

Find your Rock Mineral Wool solution

If Rock Mineral Wool is right for you, Knauf Insulation offer a full range of products for applications from walls, floors and roofs to HVAC and industrial processes. View the whole range here.