Installing a vapour barrier is optional when utilising ROCKWOOL solutions, as
Avoid contact with eyes and skin. In case of high concentrations of dust, ventilate and/or use the same protective equipment as mentioned in section 8. Relocate to well ventilated area. Use personal protective equipment as required.
To ensure full insulation efficiency in closed constructions, mineral wool should completely fill voids so no gaps remain between the insulation and the construction.
If no vapor barrier is required by code in your area, then you do not need to add a vapor barrier to your mineral wool insulation in most cases. Exceptions may occur if your building houses a high-moisture interior environment, like a pool or carwash.
In Most Cases, Attic Insulation Does Not Need To Provide A Vapor Barrier. The good news is that blown-in insulation should not need a vapor barrier. Blown-in is primarily used on the attic floor, and vapor barriers are not a concern for attics in our climate zone.
Because a vapor barrier is a low permeable barrier, it keeps moisture from passing through. This is beneficial to keep moisture away from a dry surface but will trap moisture behind it if installed on a water-damaged concrete wall, causing the wall to fail further.
Mould-resistant - rockwool insulation is inorganic, meaning there's nowhere for mould to grow. Its moisture resistance also helps to prevent the growth of insulation mould.
High water absorption rate: Due to the nature of rock wool itself, its water absorption rate is high. If improper construction is carried out in local details, it can affect the overall insulation effect, leading to problems such as wet walls.
“For minor projects, the absence of a vapor barrier leads to water intrusion, leading to an unstable foundation or a cracked slab.” The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) outlines national standards for underslab vapor barriers.
Fiberglass: 3.5” thick = R11 and 5.5” thick = R19.) Moisture resistant. Rockwool actually repels water, and won't absorb moisture like its competitors.
Therefore, the construction of mineral wool allows for its installation without an air gap. Leaving an air gap would only result in unnecessary cooling of the mineral wool on its outer side. It should be further emphasised that the structure of mineral wool enables it to breathe, making a ventilation gap unnecessary.
The recommended thickness for mineral wool insulation is 270mm4, but products which offer better thermal performance such as ROCKWOOL loft insulation solutions can be installed at thicknesses of 100mm or 200mm.
Robust – our solutions keep their shape, don't sag over the lifetime of a building and are resistant to rot and mould, providing high thermal performance for life4/5. Recyclable – ROCKWOOL insulation can be recycled to create new products, reducing our production carbon footprint by 10 percent6.
What happens if ROCKWOOL insulation gets wet? ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation is moisture resistant yet vapor permeable. This means that in the event the insulation becomes damp or wet, the insulation can be allowed to dry out.
ROCKWOOL insulation repels water, so R-value is not affected. It is also completely resistant to rot, mildew, mold, and bacterial growth – contributing to a safer indoor environment. Regular Fiberglass will hold water for a long time, slowly collecting at the bottom and causing mildew and rot on the surrounding walls.
Our stone wool insulation is so durable, it can last at least 65 years – but probably longer – with no degradation in its quality or performance.
Installing a vapour barrier is optional when utilising ROCKWOOL solutions, as stone wool insulation is water repellent. However, adding a vapour barrier can help to prevent additional moisture coming through the ceiling space.
Materials such as rigid foam insulation, reinforced plastics, aluminum, and stainless steel are relatively resistant to water vapor diffusion. These types of vapor retarders are usually mechanically fastened and sealed at the joints.
There is now a suitable range of field research and independent test evidence to suggest that, when correctly installed, ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation can retain its insulation properties for more than 65 years in external wall systems.
If your insulation project does not involve working with irregular shapes and spaces, Rockwool provides superior insulation for longer. By contrast, fiberglass insulation is much more forgiving and can fill in and insulate spaces where Rockwool cannot.
While mice's teeth are strong enough to chew through any material, they dislike chewing through thin aluminum sheets because its sharpness harms their mouths while chewing. Rockwool is a rodent's favorite because it creates a great nest that provides warmth during cold winter nights.
For traditional insulation materials such as fibreglass or mineral wool, it's not necessary to leave an air gap between the insulation and plasterboard. These materials are designed to be in direct contact with the plasterboard and work by slowing down the transfer of heat through the wall or ceiling.
Rock Wool still makes products for residential, industrial and commercial buildings as well as marine applications, none of which contains asbestos. Most of its products sold today are marketed under the trade name DELTA.
Cons of Rockwool Insulation
Rockwool also has a higher pH level which can make it unsuitable for certain environments, especially where chemical sensitivity is a concern. It's also not biodegradable, which may be a drawback for those seeking environmentally friendly materials.