When homeowners are considering mineral wool insulation, they are normally choosing between it and fiberglass. Since many customers have never heard about it, they often inquire whether mineral wool insulation works. If you are wondering if mineral wool insulation is any good, here is a comparison of mineral wool with fiberglass to help you with your decision in Sacramento, CA.
Mineral wool attributes
Is mineral wool insulation any good? The answer to that question is yes! In fact, in many ways, it is a vastly superior product to fiberglass.
Mineral wool offers a higher R-value and contains 70 percent recycled material. This works well for people who seek sustainability and energy efficiency, making this a favorite for “green” homes. It is three times denser than fiberglass, which also adds sound-dampening properties. As it comes in stiffer batts, it remains firm, and that makes it easier to install. If you hire a contractor to install it, your labor costs will be lower since there is less fighting with the product to put it in place.
You want insulation that is hydrophobic, as that means it will not hold water and become the perfect environment for mold. Mineral wool falls firmly in that category. The other safety and health measure is its fire resistance. If you use it in the basement, where many fires start, the flames are more likely to stay contained if you use mineral wool.
However, you will pay more for mineral wool and find sizing difficult. This is still a fairly new product, and it is not always easy to find. It is also heavier, which will make ceiling installation an ordeal.
The best and worst of fiberglass
The advantages of fiberglass arise in its cost and commonality. It is offered in many sizes, so you can find the right dimensions for your project. Fiberglass also offers loose fill options so you can fill odd wall cavities and insulate tight spaces in your attic or crawlspace. It is manufactured with 20 to 30 percent recycled content, which adds some sustainability to the product.
Unfortunately, while you pay less for fiberglass, you also face a lower R-value. This reduces further when fiberglass is compressed. Since it absorbs water, that lowers the R-value further and attracts mold. For fire resistance, it is non-combustible, which counts for something, but it does not provide the level of fire protection offered by mineral wool.
If you have minimal wall depth, fiberglass will be a less efficient option, as it is not as dense as mineral wool, and that allows extreme temperatures outside to still affect the temperature inside. You will also not enjoy the same amount of sound dampening, so you may want to use mineral wool for a home office or other area in your home that needs peace and quiet.
5 Star Performance Insulation, Inc. is an insulation contractor in Sacramento, CA. If you are wondering, “Does mineral wool insulation work?” and need help coming to a decision, contact us today to learn about your options.