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Glass Wool or Mineral Wool – Which Is Best For Insulation?

7th Sep 2022

Glass Wool or Mineral Wool

– Which Is Best For Insulation?

July 03, 2022 by Renz Andrew

Introduction

When insulating a structure, it is critical to use the appropriate insulation for the purpose. Fibreglass and mineral wool are two of the most used types of building insulation, although both have advantages and disadvantages. We've described some of the key aspects to consider when determining whether to use fiberglass or mineral wool for your project.

Glass wool insulation

Glass wool insulation, often known as fibreglass insulation, is formed of glass fibres. Glass is heated to extremely high temperatures until it melts, then spun swiftly to form fibres. These fibres are then bonded together to form insulation. Because air is a poor conductor of heat, the glass fibres form pockets of air that act as barriers to limit heat loss. Glass wool is available in batts and rolls, loose-fill insulation, and insulation boards.

Mineral wool insulation

Mineral wool, also known as rock wool or stone wool, is created using a variety of raw materials, including stone and glass. These raw materials are processed in a manner similar to glass, in that they are heated at high temperatures until they melt, and then spun into fibres comparable to wool. After that, the wool is packaged into batts, rolls, or slabs.
building insulation

R-value

When comparing the two, glass wool has a little lower R-value of roughly 2.2-2.7 compared to mineral wool's 3.0-3.3, indicating that it is slightly less effective at stopping heat loss by conduction.

Sustainability

If you're looking for the most environmentally friendly alternative, glass wool is often composed of up to 30% recycled materials, whilst mineral wool is composed of up to 70% recycled materials. As environmental effect and sustainability become more significant, this becomes a more crucial aspect for selecting the correct insulating material.

Sound insulation

Mineral wool is frequently the chosen choice for sound insulation in noisy settings. Because it is denser than glass wool, it allows substantially less sound to pass through the insulation.

Ease of installation

If you intend to install the insulation yourself, mineral wool is thought to be considerably easier to work with. Mineral wool, while heavier than glass wool, is considerably easier to cut, manipulate, and put into position. Glass wool, on the other hand, is limper, making it difficult to fit into the appropriate openings.
wool insulation

Moisture resistance

Mineral wool is the obvious winner when it comes to moisture-resistant insulation. Mineral wool is water resistant, so it does not become damp and provides ideal growing conditions for fungi, mould, mildew, and other bacterial development. Glass wool, on the other hand, can become wet and moist, fostering the growth of fungi, mildew, and rot while also drastically reducing its insulating characteristics.

Fire resistance

Although both mineral wool and glass wool are non-combustible, mineral wool has significantly superior fire resistance, to the point where it can be utilized as a fire stop. As a result, examine whether or not the area where you're putting insulation is at risk of fire, and to what extent.

Cost

If you have a limited budget, glass wool insulation may be the best option for you. It can be as much as 10% less expensive than mineral wool while still being excellent at insulating your home and lowering heat loss and energy expenditures.

Alternatives to Glass and Mineral Wool Insulation

Mineral wool is a common material for use in both household and industrial insulation applications. According to AMA Research, it accounted for around 30% of the whole value of the insulation product market in 2016. Mineral wool and glass wool products are popular among builders and do-it-yourselfers for a variety of reasons, including their lightweight, low-density construction, ease of installation, and fire prevention efficacy.


Naturally, with greater popularity comes periodic reduced availability. So, what are the alternatives to mineral wool insulation? And which offers the most value for money as well as performance? One of the greatest options is sheep's wool insulation.

mineral wool insulation
wool insulation

Sheep’s wool insulation

With the increased emphasis in recent years on environmental issues and material recycling, natural insulation has risen to the top of the market. Sheep's wool is one of the most well-known examples, having been used for centuries in textiles and other applications. Because sheep's wool does not itch, it is simple and fully safe to install with no personal protection equipment.


SheepWool Insulating offers a variety of high-performance, high-quality natural insulation materials made from pure fresh sheep's wool. Their products help to prevent heat loss and sound transfer in a wide range of applications.


According to Aisling MacDonald of SheepWool Insulation, the main advantage of sheep's wool is its breathability. "SheepWool Insulation is the only product on the market that is made entirely of pure sheep's wool." "Because pure wool is fully permeable, you can have 'healthy' insulation in your home," she argues. "Because of its ability to breathe, it absorbs moisture and so protects neighboring timbers, which is especially important in older buildings."



"Many other 'natural insulation' solutions will include additional materials such as polyester, which makes it less effective long-term," MacDonald adds. Our pure sheep’s wool is fully natural, airy, and lasts a lifetime. It will also engage in air purification and give strong acoustic insulation performance. SheepWool Insulation is good for the building and good for the people who live in it.

Other mineral wool alternatives

Mineral wool, glass wool, and sheep's wool insulation are just a few of the typical choices. Recycled polyester, which is offered from SupaSoft and YBS, is a relatively new addition to the natural insulation category. Wood fiber and hemp insulation are two other natural solutions. Insulation board is available in PIR, expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and other materials for a more traditional approach. Thermal insulation performance is excellent with multifoil insulation from SuperFOIL, TLX, and others.
mineral wool insulation

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