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When deciding to insulate a building or rooms, we are faced with a dilemma - to choose glass or rock wool? Each of these materials has different parameters. Some of them will be better suited, for example, for the thermal insulation of a pitched roof, while the other type is better suited for partition walls. If you want to know more about it - read on.
Production of glass and rock wool
The first fundamental difference of both materials is the technology of their production. Glass wool is made by melting and defibrating a mixture of quartz sand and glass pestle. The resulting fibers are then glued together with special resins or polyacrylics.
Rock wool (also known as stone wool) is based on basalt, as well as admixtures of gabbro, dolomite and limestone aggregate. Recycled mineral briquettes are also used. The production technology is similar to that used to make glass wool.
Thermal insulation
It is worth emphasizing the fundamental issue - both types of wool exhibit excellent thermal insulation. This feature is expressed by the coefficient of thermal conductivity. The lower it is, the better. Nevertheless, in this respect, glass wool turns out to be slightly better.
Fire resistance
Generally speaking, both types of mineral wool are highly resistant to fire. Usually it is class A1 or A2. The glass wool withstands temperatures in the range of 600-700 degrees Celsius. Rock wool is a bit more resistant in this respect - it can withstand temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius.
Acoustic insulation
Mineral wool is generally a very good material in terms of the acoustic insulation offered. However, glass wool is characterized by slightly better parameters in this respect.
Compressive strength
The compressive strength of a given material is closely related to its density. In this respect, rock wool turns out to be incomparably better, which can be used to create high-density boards. For this reason, rock wool will work better wherever the insulation will be subjected to greater loads.
Elasticity
When it comes to the possibility of compressing the material, the undisputed advantage is glass wool. This is evidenced by the fact that only after opening the package, it will return to its optimal size.
Vapor permeability
Both types of mineral wool have the same high vapor permeability. It is worth knowing that currently produced materials are hydrophobic, thanks to which moisture does not settle in their structure, but penetrates them. However, care should be taken to use a layer that allows condensation to drain off. For this purpose, for example, vapor-permeable foils are used to prevent water from settling in the insulation layer.
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Rock wool or mineral wool. Water absorption
Both for the production of stone wool and glass wool, substances are used to protect them against water absorption. However, rock wool has better properties in this respect due to the fact that it has a higher density. This is evidenced by the fact that after drying it returns to its original shape and size. This is not the case with glass wool.
Rock wool or mineral wool Which material should you choose?
There is no universal answer to this question. It all depends on its purpose and place of installation. Advisors from Skandpol based in Rumia will get to know your investments and at the same time help you choose the best material for specific applications.
