Many features exist in the construction of our buildings that we frequently take for granted. The concealed layer of insulation that protects us from temperature variations outside is one of them and possibly the most important. Insulation, a key component in the construction of wooden structures, particularly protects us from noise pollution and is frequently a helpful barrier against water and fire damage. In the insulation game, fiberglass was the material of choice, but builders are now turning to stone wool as a more efficient and eco-friendlier alternative.

What is Stone Wool?

Stone wool, often called mineral wool, is a composite material composed of natural basalt and reclaimed slag (a by-product of smelted ore). It possesses several distinguishing qualities that make it a desirable and sustainable insulation material, including the capacity to withstand mold, fire, and water. When the fire comes into touch with its fibers, it also does not emit any hazardous fumes. Even better, stone wool appears to be more effective in thermal insulation and sound insulation than standard fiberglass. It is an all-purpose repellent developed from one of the most plentiful minerals. One manufacturer, in particular, is setting the standard for stone wool insulation and we talking about Technonicol, which leads this breakthrough to become common practice in insulating homes and workplaces.

History of stone wool

Stone wool was discovered around the beginning of the eighteenth century on the Hawaiian Islands as a natural outcome of volcanic activity. There's something inherently fascinating about transforming a plentiful natural resource into things that improve modern living. Stone wool has distinct advantages thanks to its non-directional fiber orientation.

Is Stone Wool suitable for house insulation?

Many contractors and homeowners prefer using stone wool insulation products over conventional insulation such as fiberglass. Technonicol also manufactures the insulation products used in the most demanding residential, commercial and industrial projects.

So, what makes stone Wool the most suitable material for house installation? Below are ten reasons why many professionals will not accept using anything less than stone wool in their insulation projects.

Thermal insulation

Stone Wool keeps a building's walls and roof from gaining or losing heat. The structure requires less energy to heat or cool, resulting in decreased energy expenditures.

Compressive strength

Stone Wool contains shorter fiber strands than Glass Mineral Wool due to the manufacturing process. Stone Wool's enhanced compressive strength is a result of these shorter strands. This is why Stone Wool is used in solutions for flat roofing applications that may be walked on during installation and maintenance.

Fire Safety

Mineral Wool is considerably better than other insulation materials when it comes to fire safety. Stone and Glass Mineral Wool have the highest possible Euroclass Classification of A1 (incombustible) and A2 (combustible) (limited combustibility).

Another critical part of fire safety is fire resistance. Fire Resistance is a property of a building element that indicates how long it can withstand the spread of fire from one point to another. For instance, a structure with a two-hour Fire Resistance rating will remain intact for at least time. Stone Wool has a melting point of above 1,000oC and is excellent at minimizing heat transmission. As a result, Stone Wool is more suitable for persistent Fire Resistance applications.

Noise insulation

Compared to foam boards and fiberglass, stone Wool is extremely effective at preventing unwanted noise. This is because the matrix comprises open fibers that absorb sound waves.

You can apply the exceptional acoustic properties of Rock Mineral Wool insulation to roofs, walls, and floors to create quieter buildings.

It's simple to set up.

Stone Wool products are stiff, robust, and simple to install. Although the slabs are meant to fit standard centers, they can easily be trimmed to size using a saw or a large bladed. Due to the slabs' non-brittle nature, they can adapt to substrate flaws and be firmly knitted together, minimizing gaps for maximum thermal, fire, and acoustic performance.

Qualitative indoor air

Indoor air quality problems can harm the health of contractors and building occupants. Avoiding goods that release high amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) is one strategy to improve indoor air quality.

Stone wool is a Technology-enabled product that emits low amounts of dust and VOCs and has earned the Eurofins Gold certification for Indoor Air Comfort. Additionally, stone wool is pleasant to the touch and easy to handle. It is more eco-friendly, sturdy, and long-lasting.

Moisture-Resistance

Stone WOOL insulation is naturally water and moisture resistant, which means that water does not affect the insulation's long-term thermal efficiency. Most contractors are now replacing deteriorated fiberglass with ROCKWOOL in remodeling projects, particularly in regions of the property prone to repeated moisture occurrences, such as basements, where humidity levels can be extremely high.

It's good for your health.

Damp and mold may wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your home, impair its thermal performance, and jeopardize the residents' respiratory health. Using stone wool helps create a healthier interior atmosphere because it is non-toxic and organically resistant to mildew, mold, rot, and bacterial growth.

Robustness

In most urban areas, many people work and live in high-rise structures. These structures have the potential to be creative solutions to the issue of safely housing an expanding population. Stone wool offers superior performance and stability at a reduced cost.

Additionally, stone wool maintains its qualities throughout time, requiring less care throughout the home's or building's existence. Even when temperature and/or humidity levels fluctuate over extended periods, stone wool solutions retain their size and function.

Aesthetics

When individuals live and work in visually appealing environments, they feel more at ease and motivated. Environments that are safer and healthier can help strengthen and promote social cohesiveness. Stone wool can assist you in balancing performance requirements and aesthetic goals.

When weighing the advantages of stone wool insulation, the critical question is not what stone wool can accomplish but what it cannot. Stone wool is an incredibly flexible product that offers several benefits for the indoor environment without sacrificing installation ease or performance. Understanding the advantages of stone wool insulation, alongside its manufacturing, installation, and performance characteristics can assist you in determining the optimal application of TECHNONICOL stone wool in your next project.