What are the disadvantages of ROCKWOOL?

Author: Elnora Lang  |  Last update: Thursday, June 5, 2025

The disadvantages of Rockwool insulation include higher cost compared to other options, difficulty in cutting and handling, potential skin irritation during installation, and the need for a vapor barrier in humid areas to prevent moisture issues.

Which is safer, fiberglass or ROCKWOOL?

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.

What is better than ROCKWOOL insulation?

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.

Does ROCKWOOL degrade over time?

Our insulation is non-combustible and moisture repellent with excellent thermal and acoustic properties, which don't deteriorate over time. What's more, it can be recycled over and over with no loss in performance.

What are the pros and cons of ROCKWOOL?

In summary, rock wool as an external wall insulation material has advantages such as good insulation effect, strong fire resistance, and environmental protection. However, it also has disadvantages such as high construction difficulty and high water absorption rate.

8 Reasons to use ROCKWOOL™ stone wool insulation from a high performance builder

Does ROCKWOOL sag over time?

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?

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.

Can mold grow in ROCKWOOL?

ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation does not wick water, which means that any bulk water that contacts the outer surface will drain and not be absorbed into the body of the insulation. 3) Are ROCKWOOL products mold resistant? ROCKWOOL products are inorganic which provide no food source for mold to grow.

Do you need a vapor barrier with ROCKWOOL?

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.

What is the life expectancy of ROCKWOOL?

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.

What is the absolute best insulation?

The Five Most Efficient Insulation Materials
  • Fibreglass. Fibreglass is the most widely used insulating material these days. ...
  • Cellulose. Cellulose is made from recycled paper products and isn't just an efficient insulator, it's very environmentally friendly. ...
  • Mineral wool. ...
  • Polystyrene.

Do mice like ROCKWOOL insulation?

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.

What is the healthiest type of insulation?

There are other types of insulation, but these are the most common. The best non-toxic insulation is either mineral wool or foam insulation inserts.

Does ROCKWOOL insulation have asbestos in it?

Rock Wool was known for its blowable insulation called rock wool or mineral wool. This type of insulation does not typically contain asbestos. But testing showed that some companies that produced rock wool added asbestos. Rock Wool was among the companies that did, leading to many claims of asbestos exposure.

What is better than ROCKWOOL?

If fire resistance and soundproofing are important factors, Rockwool may be the better choice. However, if thermal efficiency and space-saving are your primary concerns, PIR insulation might be the better option.

Do you need an air gap with ROCKWOOL?

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.

Do you need to wear a mask when using ROCKWOOL?

Ventilate the area well and keep a distance to the heated equipment. For high concentrations in enclosed spaces, use a supplied air respirator. For lower concentrations, an approved mask with particle filter type N95 or better is adequate.

When should you not use a vapor barrier?

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.

What are the issues with Rockwool?

It's Not Environmentally Friendly

Rockwool doesn't score well on the environmental scale. It's not a natural material. Manufacturers use combine chalk and rock and then heat them up to around 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Next a stream of air is blown through it, resulting in extremely thin fibers of the rocky material.

Can you put rockwool over wires?

Can I use ROCKWOOL insulation with electrical wires and cables? Yes.

Does rockwool have formaldehyde?

ROCKWOOL AFB® evo is manufactured with a non-added formaldehyde binder. To support our claim, ROCKWOOL has achieved the UL Environment's (ULE) Formaldehyde Free Environmental Claim Validation.

Is ROCKWOOL rodent proof?

ROCKWOOL's reputation as a rodent-resistant insulation is mainly based on word of mouth and lack of negative feedback from numerous customers who use our products in “cottage country”. That being said, if a certain pest type is a nuisance to your particular area, best practice is to protect the insulation.

What is the lifespan of ROCKWOOL?

Lifespan of Rockwool

This form of insulation, made of cellulose or mineral wool, can last up to 100 years but is prone to settling and compacting.

Which is better, ROCKWOOL or fiberglass insulation?

Compared to fiberglass batts, mineral wool batts offers superior insulation and has about a 22-37% higher R-value per inch. For commercial settings, the higher cost of soundproofing with rockwool insulation may be offset by the thermal regulation it provides, helping to reduce heating and air conditioning bills.

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