A well-insulated home can help save energy while elevating the levels of comfort. For a lot of homeowners, fiberglass has been the preferred choice for decades. Even though it is still a popular alternative, new innovative products are more efficient and cheaper. You might have heard of rock-wool insulation and would want to know what it entails.
Rockwool Insulation: What is It?
Also referred to as mineral wool, Rockwool insulation comes in batts that are easy to install. Unlike the fluffy fibers that are common with fiberglass, rock-wool is actually rocks. The manufacturing process results in a product that constitutes of the following features:
- High water repellent
- Higher Insulating value
- Stella sound-deadening properties
- Moisture escape mechanisms
- Derived from naturally occurring, sustainable materials
- Non-combustible
- Excellent heat retention
Applications of Rock-wool Insulation
You can install rock-wool insulation wherever there is fiberglass insulation or any kind of insulation as it can serve the same function. It can be installed in crawl spaces, ceilings, floors, and walls. It is particularly fit for those areas that are on the north cold side of a building.
Rock-wool is also a great choice for a firestop because of its fire-resistant properties. Working with rock-wool is relatively easy. The batts can be cut with a handsaw or serrated knife. To get the best out of the insulation material, you must buy from a reputable Rockwool insulation supplier.
Having looked at rock-wool as an insulation option, you could be wondering what to look for before making a purchasing decision. Not all insulation materials are created equal. You first need to understand how the surfaces are insulated to know what to expect from the insulation.
Is Your Home Well Insulated?
How can you determine if your home or building is adequately insulated? According to The U.S. Department of Energy, it is recommended that homes in the South have up to 14 inches of insulation. Northern climates could require up to 18 inches of insulation. The Insulation Institute estimates that more than 90% of homes in North America are under-insulated. The main reason for this is the minimum standards that are stipulated by building codes. Most homeowners will prefer to go for bare minimum insulation even when it isn’t adequate. To get the best out of your home, there are areas that you should be focusing on with the insulation, and they include:
Insulation of the Attic Floor
For a heated attic, the floor must be covered. If you don’t need to heat the attic, general insulation will be more cost-effective than installing an HVAC unit.
Insulating a Pitched Roof
The attic will need to be covered if there plans for furnishing. There should be an inner insulating lining that will come in handy during installation,
Insulation of Exterior Walls
It’s important that your home’s exterior walls are being insulated, especially for those who live in cold regions. It will be easy for cold air to get into your home without the right insulation in place.
Insulating the Garage
Homeowners will skip insulating the garage as it is used primarily for storage. This is understandable since no one is spending any time in the garage. Insulation is important if there is living space directly above the garage to prevent air from escaping.
Which Type of Insulation Should You Go For?
Batt insulation is the most popular type of insulation that is found in homes. Before you can decide on the type of material, the attic and crawl spaces will need to be inspected first. Batt insulation provides for easy accessibility to the unfinished areas in a home. This type of insulation is also easy to service. In case there is a section of the attic that needs to be repaired, only a small piece of the insulation will need to be replaced instead of dealing with the whole wall. It is also easy to detect any rodent activity and do the replacement on time.
Proper Insulation Will Save You Money
It is estimated that proper insulation can save up to 20% of energy bills. This is because the HVAC system will not have to work as hard to heat and cool the room. There will be no need for extra gas or fuel for the furnace to keep running. This will, in turn, reduce your home’s carbon footprint. Rockwool is also an excellent choice to be used as a sound barrier in addition to its wonderful insulating properties.