Termininology Questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Jones
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Michael Jones

Michael Jones

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Someone explain to me what is:
1.) Rock Wool
2.) Rigid Fiberglass
3.) Mineral Wool

I'm pretty familiar with most building materials, but these don't ring a bell. Maybe it's a local or regional terminology that I'm not familiar with.
 
Michael :

Rockwool is spun rock!! It's heated to melting point then blown onto a surface into sheets. It's very effective in high end absorption.

http://www.rockwool.ltd.uk/web/index.cfm

Rigid Fibreglass - is glass fibres compressed into a semi-rigid shape and is even more effective in it's absorption, it goes down below 500Hz

http://www.knauffiberglass.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=prd.dspProdDetail&ID=12

Mineral wool is another name for rockwool in OZ and I think it's the same in your country. Please correct me if I'm wrong.;)

cheers
JOhn
 
OK, thanks John, that clarifies a few things.

Here in the southern United States the rigid fiberglass is used primarily for HVAC duct work. Typical exterior wall construction consists of 2"x4" wood frame, then a "house rap" made fron Tyvek. (Tyvek is the same material used to make FED-Ex envelopes) Then we use like 1" Styrene with a foil backing:
http://www.owenscorning.com/around/insulation/products/propinkrigid.asp sealed with foil tape. Then your choice of exterior siding; brick, masonary, wood, vinyl, sheathing, etc.

Thats the outside of an exterior wall. The inside consists of 5-1/4" fiberglass insulation ranging from R19 to R30. followed by drywall. Sometimes there's a vapor barier on the inside, but typically, only in colder climates. I had a feeling that rock-wool was an "overseas" product. You just don't hear it called that over hear. Most of our houses are "in the pink". :)
 
Michael,

Rockwool I believe performs better for sound isolation inside walls than fiberglass batt insulation. It's recommended by US Gypsum for sound attenuating construction. In the U.S., rock or mineral wool insulation is available from a company called Thermafiber. Check wholsale construction material suppliers in your area (typically a shop that specializes in drywall materials and/or insulation)--they'll probably have it or can order it for you. 3-in batts are sufficient and they cost about the same as comparable "pink".

Alex
 
Thanks Alex, I'll look into it.
I haven't seen rockwool at any of the usual suspects: HomeDepot, Lowes, McCoy's, Builder's Square etc, etc...
So, I'll have to shop around for it.

That's sound isolation. I'm assuming it has comparable insulative properties?
 
Michael,

Far as I know, insulation qualities are comparable. You can check out their website which has more information:

thermafiber.com

They have a contact number there as well and should be able to hook you up with a local supplier.

Alex
 
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