Is Mineral Wool Best For Sound Proofing
18/02/2023When building a house or commercial building, it is always best to soundproof the structure. One of the most popular soundproofing methods is using mineral wool, better known as rock wool insulation. It is a thermal insulator and a sound absorber made primarily from recycled material.
Mineral wool is good for soundproofing. This insulation is an excellent way of blocking unwanted noise because it has a fiber matrix that absorbs sound waves. In fact, mineral wool batts are denser than other insulation materials, making them superior in soundproofing.
What Is Mineral Wool?
Mineral wool is a versatile type of insulation with a wide variety of applications. The insulation material is quite similar to fiberglass, but it is made from natural materials instead of glass. It is often referred to as rock wool.
Mineral wool is either made from natural stone fibers like molten ballast, diabase or waste products in the manufacturing industry.
Ideal Usage Of Mineral Wool Insulation.
Mineral Wool insulation product has many uses ranging from ceiling, wall and floor. Below are few listed;
- Thermal Insulation
- Mineral wool has a wide range of uses in construction. Its main application in this industry is thermal insulation. Though the individual fibers are good conductors of heat, pressing them into rolls or sheets increases their ability to partition air. This turns them into excellent insulators.
As a result, mineral wool is often used in walls, ceilings, and floors during home construction to protect the rooms from the harsh temperature outside.
- Mineral wool has a wide range of uses in construction. Its main application in this industry is thermal insulation. Though the individual fibers are good conductors of heat, pressing them into rolls or sheets increases their ability to partition air. This turns them into excellent insulators.
- Sound Proofing
- The second application of mineral wool is soundproofing. Like in heat insulation, pressing the fibers into rolls or sheets enables them to partition air. This also deters any sound from passing through, making mineral wool good soundproofing material.
- Fire Proofing
- As we’ve seen, mineral wool has incredible thermal insulation properties. In fact, tests show that mineral wool can withstand temperatures upwards of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not produce smoke or toxic gasses when exposed to high temperatures.
Although it is not immune to the effects of a severe fire, it’s still commonly used in buildings where passive fire protection is necessary.
- As we’ve seen, mineral wool has incredible thermal insulation properties. In fact, tests show that mineral wool can withstand temperatures upwards of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not produce smoke or toxic gasses when exposed to high temperatures.
Is Mineral Wool An Ideal Choice For Sound Proofing?
Mineral wool is an excellent soundproofing material. Its high density and mineral composition make it not only good for thermal insulation but also for acoustic performance. The material also has an open fiber matrix that absorbs sound waves.
You can install mineral wool where you would typically install fiberglass and help with soundproofing. It is an excellent option for multifamily residences or families that live near train tracks or other noisy areas.
The Durability Of Mineral Wool
Mineral wool maintain it’s R-Value for a longer period of time unchanged which has made it very durable over Fiberglass that change it standard value over time.
- This is primarily because of the constituent materials of mineral wool, including steel slag and rock. These materials are known to be naturally resistant to corrosion and degradation.
- Mineral wool’s durability is also not limited to maintaining its thermal insulation properties. It also remains water-resistant, fire-resistant, mold-resistant, and mildew resistant for a long time.
- The water resistance properties are especially important because, without them, mineral wool would absorb moisture from the humid air. This would eventually break the material down.
Rockwool vs Fiberglass
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.
Disadvantages Of Using Mineral Wool Insulation
- Irritation:
- Mineral wool can cause skin irritation in case of contact. It can also trigger allergies on inhalation. As a result, it is advised that you wear a mask and gloves when you work with it.
- Lower heat storage:
- The material has a lower heat storage capacity than natural insulation materials like wood wool, sheep’s wool, and cellulose flakes. This means that the room will heat up faster in summer because the material cannot hold the heat long enough.
Recommendation
Mineral wool is an excellent soundproofing material. Its high density and material composition make it good for acoustic performance. In addition, it has an open fiber matrix that helps it absorb sound waves.
Compared to fiberglass, mineral wool is superior in thermal insulation, noise reduction, fire resistance, and R-value maintenance. The only disadvantage is that mineral wool is a bit more expensive.