Many of you have heard of the names Rockwool insulation and Roxwool. What are they; are they the names of insulations, or are they company or brand names?
Rockwool and Roxul are the names of a company making mineral wool insulation. This company, initially called Roxul rebranded its name to Rockwool.
Here’s the news of this rebranding on their official website – https://www.rockwool.com/north-america/about-us/news/roxul-rebrands-to-rockwool/
So does that mean Rockwool is not the name of an insulation material? Yes, Rockwool is not the name of an insulation material even though many people think so. What we call Rockwool is mineral wool insulation made by the company Rockwool. The company is so popular that the name of the insulation became synonymous with theirs. (It’s kind of like calling a refrigerator ‘Fridge’, and a photocopier ‘Xerox’)
What Is Rock Wool aka Mineral wool Insulation?
Mineral wool is basically molten rock converted into fibers. It is manufactured with basalt rock and slag in its recycled form. These materials are melted at high temperatures (up to 1600 degrees Celcius) and hot air is blown through them, and the fibers are spun at high speeds (think of making cotton candy). The insulation this obtained can withstand temperatures over 1000 degrees celcius. The insulation composition is excellent for the insulation of both residential and commercial structures. It comes with solid fire-resistant properties and acts as a poor heat conductor. Thus, resonating the internal environment of the buildings with the external one. Similarly, it’s highly non-flammable, eliminating safety concerns for many. Not only this, you’ll be grateful for mineral wool insulation once you have it all professionally installed, because of its acoustic dampening properties.
ROXUL Insulation
ROXUL Insulation (now known as ROCKWOOL insulation) is a mineral-based product, mainly installed as an insulation material. ROXUL Insulation is a perfect option to refill concrete floor slabs and use them as exterior surfacing, ceiling slabs, and insulating piping systems. The high-grade ROXUL Insulation is sufficiently UL/ULC tested. That makes it an ultimate choice for flame containment.
The key features of ROXUL are:
- ROXUL has incorporated a stone wool insulation with a relatively higher melting point of 2150 °F (1177 °C).
- The rock used for its manufacture is a non-combustible stone.
- ROXUL insulation is less prone to weather change, even if the temperature in your vicinity may rise on an extremely hot summer day.
- You might be concerned over moisture entrapment in ROXUL insulation since it is all about flame-resistant abilities. Well, ROXUL won’t retain any moisture; instead, it acts as an excellent moisture repellant.
- Since the material is greatly fire and moisture-resistant, you don’t need to worry about microbial growth inside the insulation layers.
- ROXUL is easily installed with a foil-facing side.
- You have to worry less about energy consumption once you’ve properly installed your ROCKWOOL insulation because of its excellent energy retention.
- The actual cost you’ll spend over installing the ROCKWOOL Insulation system is way compatible with its extended-lasting properties. Thus, having a lessened utility cost.
- The non-organic structure provides ultra-protection from moisture and, ultimately blocks microbial growth. Your Insulation is completely anti-bacterial, in case you’re worried about pests taking over it.
- The quality of the elemental composition is top-notch due to the main ingredient being natural minerals. This means Rockwool’s durability is simply unparalleled.
- Rockwool also offers a great deal of fire resistance. In the case of a house fire, rest assured your insulation is on your side.
The Bottom Line
Roxul has rebranded into Rockwool, but the product remains pretty much the same. Now that you understand the purpose of the rebranding, it is time to look into the places you’re looking to get mineral wool installed. In the walls of your home or any commercial building (be it interior or exterior), attics, or even crawlspaces, you know which insulation to go for.
