Why It Works: ROCKWOOL Stone Wool Insulation

On this episode of Why It Works: learn the science behind Rockwool stone wool insulation, what stone wool is, how it's made, and why it's fire resistant and water repellent.
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[@davidmandziuk8493]

You failed to highlight the fact that Rockwool will not harbor mold,.....fiberglass will mold and mildew after a days/ weeks exposure to moisture.

[@byteme911]

You are correct! I'm just trying to help, I am NOT a spokesperson for Rockwool or affiliated with Lowes.

[@anonymousperson8259]

Mold resistance too!? This is perfect because the little cabin I'm building is near a creek, and the mold potential was freaking me out. We forgive him though, right? 😘

[@peha524]

Rockwool is a danish company. Great to see it used worldwide.

[@byteme911]

I love Rockwool. I've used it under a Sunroom and am going to add it to my Crawlspace and Attic. The GREAT thing about it is, you don't need to wear a mask or special clothing when installing it like you do with fiberglass! Also, I've used an electric knife if needed to cut for sizing. EASY! * Better fit, flexible edge compensates for normal frame variability, cuts easily * Made from natural and recycled materials - user friendly, no fiberglass in product * Easier and faster to install * Water-resistant * Non-combustible, fire-resistant up to 2150º F * Excellent sound absorbency * GREENGUARD certified; chemically inert - CFC and HCFC free product and process * Does not promote growth of fungi or mildew * Friction fit to ensure optimum performance, no sag over the years

[@theburris]

E911Eagle electric knife? 🤔 hmm I never thought of that.

[@byteme911]

@@theburris The home stores sell a small knife/saw for cutting rockwool, seems to me its time consuming and messy. Elec knife is quick with hardly any cleanup.

[@theburris]

E911Eagle awesome! I’ll check it out

[@Delta19G]

Does it eliminate the need for facemask. When dealing with fiberglass, one can get really itchy

[@theburris]

J M Garcia they do recommend goggles and a mask in tight spaces.

[@kermitefrog64]

I would like to see LOWES carry the outside comfort board RockWool for the outside walls and not just the insulation that goes between the studs.

[@dontbanmebrodontbanme5403]

I had no idea that it's called Rockwool because it literally is rock in a different form. So cool.

[@narithkhem8109]

Do I need to put vapour barrier before installing the drywall?

[@martindick6001]

Hmm, was going to use this for a forge, but might use it in my remodel between walls for sound & fire between walls.

[@timothykeith1367]

Matt Rissinger has several videos about Rockwool products. He builds high end homes in Austin Texas.

[@biospheres]

I handled tons of this stuff and the warnings on packaging back then.. are up there with asbestos

[@Randy-rs1cg]

glad someone else was hearing red flags while watching this video. Such toxic stuff. Proprietary binder and oil. fibrous steel slag? just what i want in my home

[@littlegreendress6243]

@@Randy-rs1cg so is fiber glass better? just curious cause my main concern is looking for insulation that doesn't gas off so much Voc's.

[@berengerchristy6256]

@@littlegreendress6243the problem is the same as fiberglass: tiny little shards that can get all up in everything. It isn’t toxic like asbestos, but you’d be kind of foolish to work with it in a tight space and not use a mask and eye protection

[@toofargone10]

would the proprietary binder be Formaldehyde?

[@rizabalanca2788]

Thank you thank you guys I love it I'm using this on my house I'm using this in my house as we speak I'm doing the big demo appreciate you New York

[@melindaherod7625]

I know that. I'm asking, what is it for this insulation? The video did not address this.

[@waffle_chair9269]

And what VOCS does it give off, and for how long?

[@anonymousperson8259]

I so thought I'd be binge watching my soap operas this afternoon, instead bingeing on insulation videos because I'm building a tiny home and about to hopefully escape the SOAP OPERA that is my *CURRENT LIVING SITUATION* 😂😂😂😂 I think a craniotomy would be more pleasant than people-drama. So ready to be by myself. If summer wasn't so dang hot, I would just live in the bare bones structure, however, getting insulation (and drywall) will be a step in the right direction. Sorry, internet, for vomiting on you 😆

[@GeoRover]

Now that is funny!!

[@BanilyaGorilya]

Rockwool is also a great insulator for use in double walled smokers, particularly for the smoking chamber and the firebox for use in offset smoking.

[@teentraveler1790]

This is pretty cool! I just helped install insulation yesterday for the first time which was neat.

[@theburris]

TeenTraveler 17 insulating a home is one of the best things you can do AND extremely rewarding

[@Delta19G]

We're you installing Rockwool ?

[@teentraveler1790]

@@Delta19G Sorry, but no we didn't use that type. Mostly because my family and I can't afford it. Hahaha

[@teentraveler1790]

@@theburris Agreed!

[@donaldhollingsworth3875]

I want to insulate to gable ends in the attic with Rockwool R-22 insulation. There are no vertical studs except the flat studs of the roof truss. also the are a lot of framing & siding nails which can't be cut to put new 2X6 studs. I live in Wilmington, NC & my attic get get up to around 120 degrees in the summer time & about 30 degrees in the winter. My question is: can I use a little construction adhesive to help hold the insulation in place?

[@dalriada842]

What happens if any of those fibres get in to the lungs? Is this going to be the asbestos of the future?

[@markbeiser]

Mineral wool insulation, both bats and loose fill, have been used in homes for many decades, and no health issues have been blamed on it to date, not even in California.

[@dalriada842]

@@markbeiser Asbestos was used widely from the nineteenth century, and according to Wikipedia, was used as far back as the Stone Age. It's harmful health effects weren't widely acknowledged until the 1970s. Since they are both fibrous mineral materials, maybe we should check their potential to damage human health before we encourage widespread use!

[@kermitefrog64]

When I went to the local LOWES they said they didn't carry this product and it did not show up on their web search. So does LOWES carry this product or not? I would like to get some Rockwool Board but where?

[@predigested]

just search rockwool - www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=rockwool

[@paulstephens9274]

I installed it in my van and planing covering with fabric or stretch carpet opposed to wood type substrate to maximize sound absorbing qualities. Is this sufficient?

[@jamesgizasson]

I'd love to hear the answer, too! I'm looking for firesafe materials to build out my pickup. This stuff looks impressive! :3

[@gtb5216]

Should work great when you are parked down by the river...lol

[@laargboolag9147]

White van, I assume? No windows?

[@patrickgreiner4288]

I tested it for use in my forge walls and it held up surprisingly well

[@rizabalanca2788]

I love that installation I'm not kidding better than a garbage better than a garbage staff home spray I'm not sure you're living near you live in the ocean near the water of You're midday and fog cause you're so cool you know cause your old car you k Will be rusted But I love the product Thank you

[@teb328]

If you are not wearing long sleeves, with safety glasses and a good mask you might regret it years down the line. Remember, asbestos was safe, so they said. Shredded rocks and microscopic rock fragments are not what I want to be inhaling in an enclosed space. Just sayin'

[@patrickgarant3643]

what is the r value?

[@brandonyoung181]

r-15 and above

[@DOMINYPAUL]

Cool,I have lived in Hawaii and I can tell you there's plenty to be had.

[@sdushdiu]

Everything about HOW it's made - but NOTHING about HOW it works as either as/for thermal insulation or sound damping.

[@theburris]

sdushdiu what it’s manufactured from is partly why it performs the way it does with heat, water, and sound. Hard to squeeze into a 4 minute video. As for insulation, it comes in many different R Values, which it’s insulating power rating essentially.

[@sdushdiu]

@@theburris Sorry, but how if functions is not difficult to describe. What is easy - but often not done - is to say what one means, and to mean what one says. So much for "WHY" it works.

[@DealerTags]

You clearly misunderstood this video. Nowhere does it claim to explain HOW it works, as you feel it should. It's called "WHY it works." The host showed that it was fire resistant and repelled water - then he and the guest explained WHY it was able to do those things. I think the video you are looking for is called "explaining every feature of Rockwool that you can read about in other reviews on the internet."

[@sdushdiu]

@@DealerTags Why it works has nothing to do with water repellency nor fire resistance. It is NOT used as a waterproofing or fire resistance medium. Try again. And then you might try taking a physics course to learn WHY it can be used as a component in sound reduction and why it is more commonly used as thermal insulation. This video does neither.

[@DealerTags]

@@sdushdiu I'm sorry that you had expectations that this would be a video telling you that insulation has insulating properties. 🤷🏼‍♂️ This video explains what sets Rockwool apart from other insulation and why it is capable of doing those things. And yes, people do use it as a fire resistant medium. Rockwool is rated for use as a fire block between walls as long as it's greater than 2.5lbs/ft³.

[@mentalunicorn9567]

Does rockwool have fiberglass if so does it melt

[@mightywings314]

no not at all

[@rayanthonypardillo9688]

Very informative good job

[@glitchmasterskits941]

It is dangerous to touch

[@tealkerberus748]

It can irritate your skin. Gloves, eye protection, and breathing protection, are all a good idea when handling it. Think about rock melted ans spun up like cotton candy - it's going to be spiky.

[@Oldguard_8]

Is there a generic that is cheaper than Rockwool?

[@TinaLiu-glasswool]

Do need cheaper rock wool now?

[@JesusFreakJene]

Is there wool in the product? Thus the name.... Looking for clarification. If it doesnt, does that mean it's good against pest infiltration? ty

[@theburris]

JesusFreakJen they have a great FAQ page on their website. No actual wool as far as I know

[@DealerTags]

I think it's called "wool" because that's what it looks like. Kinda like how cotton candy's not actually made of cotton.

[@theburris]

DealerTags 👍

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

No, it's just a wool-like material. Just like there's no wool in steel wool.

[@DealerTags]

@@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff or rubber or cement in "rubber cement"

[@SerafinTirado471]

Wasn't asbestos made from Rock also?

[@anotherelvis]

I would love Rockwool more if they stopped their activities in Russia.

[@ironmantooltime]

Love it when the click here point is into thin air 😁

[@davidpatrick1813]

I have an old motorhome that has a tall fiberglass roof. Is there a way to glue it or tack it to the inside fiberglass so that stays in place until I get the ceiling covering.... do I need a vapor barrier and if so where and how? The vehicle is about 15 feet long.

[@cober08]

Stone wool will not burn.Fact. But drywall and wood framing will.

[@jamesgizasson]

Drywall burns!? I never liked the stuff anyway, but I thought it was used as a firesafe alternative...

[@aaronj08ar]

Drywall will not burn. Virtually all consumer items these days are treated with poison fire retardants, including lumber.

[@NemesisActual]

Tell me more about this maturreal.

[@gsweater5544]

Rubber wedding band to indicate I'm attached to "something", check. Sculpted beard to make it appear I've done physical labor at some point in my life, check. Flannel shirt to give the appearance I don't live in San Francisco, check. "Burris Dixon" is as real as "Paul Bunyon". lol

[@michaeldesanta4070]

#1: Cool comment, bro. #2: It's usually a good idea to spell things correctly, if you are going to put them in quotes. "Bunyan" not "Bunyon" #3: Clearly, you didn't read any of the comments here or you would have seen that Burris is real, he's commenting, and he's a professional contractor from Ohio. I know it's hard when you suck at both reading comprehension and spelling to understand that people can be good at two different things at the same time, but these unicorns do exist.

[@job38four10]

Theres only one thing i want to know, will it keep mice away.................

[@timothykeith1367]

Insects don't like mineral wool. Don't know about rodents.

[@stevehairston9940]

AKA bear hair back in the day.

[@ThaSilentOne420]

Rockwool for insulation . Wow ive used it for other purposes

[@martinnunez4919]

Does it work better then foam

[@tealkerberus748]

It won't release toxic fumes when it gets hot, or outright catch fire as a lot of foam products do. So yes. If working better includes giving you time to get out in a house fire, it works a lot better.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

@2:13 & 2:14 "muh-TUR-e-ul".

[@nicholaspappagiorgio6103]

lol! my dad is from ohio and he says it the exact same way!

[@theburris]

Nicholas Pappagiorgio good guess!

[@chrisyu98]

so very fine inorganic fibers.....like asbestos? when inhaled into the lungs how does the body absorb/expel it?

[@21boxhead]

NO BECAUSE ASBESTOS HAVE CELLS THAT LOOK LIKE JAGGED EDGES THAT STICK TO YOUR BODY AND CAN'T ABSORB IT EITHER ROCK WOOL DOESN'T HAVE JAGGED EDGES AND YOUR BODY CAN EXPEL AND ABSORB IT

[@yvest5184]

Rockwool has a shelf life of 6 months in the bag, they say you can get it wet, and yes you can but what they don’t tell you is that you can NOT get it wet when its in the bag, i have 200 plus bags of Rockwool that is literally garbage It will not come back to shape when you open the bag, the bats are all around 1.5” thick or less and if you squeeze it to hard it won’t come back to its shape, Rockwool refuses to do anything

[@di2ensby]

Nice...

[@AJ-wy6zm]

You could just use wool. It has all the sam properties.

[@atouchofa.d.d.5852]

Give me all your trade secrets...

[@Delta19G]

Right. That's exactly what I want to say. Professionals make that $$$$ Got to know how to do stuff right

[@mhaya.delosreyes8243]

hi may i know what is the binder used?

[@dragon90815]

It retains water. Be careful. They are using it in horticulture seedlings.

[@tealkerberus748]

Yes this. A little bit splashed on the surface will bead off because of the oil used in the manufacture, but if it's sitting in a puddle it will soak it up. This demonstration is risky - if people think it's as water repellent as polystyrene, they're going to get careless in installation.

[@lokusfrog]

Is this the new asbestos?

[@mayronmoradian1072]

Dealers name and number for rock wool? Please

[@TinaLiu-glasswool]

Do you have a inquiry for rock wool?

[@bobbyvox2352]

First? At what?

[@wisherofsnowdays]

That's an amazing maturial.

[@apshinn]

“Muhturial”

[@JR-uy3zo]

This does not need vapor barrier?

[@kohprimarygates1981]

Can use rockwool in exhaust?

[@umeng2002]

Why not just make houses out of bricks and concrete? I'd never buy a wood house. All the ones I've had were cinder block at least.

[@ijl66]

Does rockwool/mineral wool allow water vapour and air to pass through? I want to put some in a draughty house vent, but without stopping air and water vapour passing through to the outside.

[@noelestabrooks9040]

insulation works by limiting air movement between the conditioned space and the exterior. this product is not going to let much air pass through (depending on how tightly you install the product), but it is going to allow vapour to diffuse out of your house with a perm rating of roughly 35

[@garrygraves3848]

Amazing! ☺

[@serhiizinkivskyi3464]

As soon this amazing product touch yr skin y will change yr mind …. Some tradies just unloaded delivery and ready to go home . Eye contact can suspend y from work for couple days

[@torysetliff]

But... The Weekender...

[@theburris]

Tory Setliff everyone loves the Weekender. This is true

[@melinda5777]

What is the R factor rating?

[@lowes]

Rockwool is available in various R-values including R-23, R-15, and R-30.

[@theburris]

Melinda the the higher the R value, the more the insulation will resist the transfer or flow of heat.

[@melindaherod7625]

@@lowes thank you!

[@melindaherod7625]

@@theburris I know that!

[@theburris]

Melinda Herod oh haha. I misunderstood. Sorry.

[@thegrimmer]

Mateerurull

[@mediamattersismycockholste562]

Didn't Asbestos have the same sales pitch?

[@chrisyu98]

no no no, Asbestos was the miracle mineral. this is totally different a brittle ultra-fine fiber inorganic mineral......oh wait.

[@tealkerberus748]

@@chrisyu98 Don't breathe the fibres and you'll be fine. Wear gloves and eye and breathing protection and seal it inside your building, and it won't bother you.

[@garvitguptahd6762]

Thanks for the video map by the way I am first

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

First at what?

[@ahmeddragon-vo1ms]

شكرا لك انا عربي

[@Chingonazo1]

is this material as harmful as asbestos to your lungs?

[@tracyk3567]

Please make the music the same volume as you speaking. It’s very aggravating.

[@Horvir123]

it looks like a really carbon intensive process to make it, definitely bad for the environment

[@tealkerberus748]

That depends on the payoff in how much energy you save by not heating your house so much. Those big american houses built the traditional way use devastating amounts of mostly fossil fuel to heat them. Wrapping them in good insulation and sealing up the drafts can pay for itself pretty quickly - although it would be better if their builders were thinking in terms of centuries instead of decades.

[@gtb5216]

Lol

[@aaronj08ar]

Your bad for the environment.

[@owoiamyeet924]

Second :)