Anyone use Rock Wool Insulation?

[Tidybuoy]

As my kitchen remodel progresses, I decided to insulate any exposed walls before sheet rock. I used rock wool (actually mineral wool which is similar). I can't believe how ease it is to cut to size compared to fiberglass (it slices perfectly with a serated knife). And, it comes in 4' bats so that makes it easier than cutting up an endless roll or larger 8' bats. I'm using sound insulation for interior walls and different for the exterior (not sure what the difference is as I haven't opened up that pack yet.

[Zeke]

Blown in but not batts. It has a good rating if it stays dry.



I don't understand the difficulty in cutting fiberglass. You lay a 1 x 6 or a flat iron across the cut, kneel on it and one cut.

[908/930]

Yup, I prefer it to fiberglass. The sound insulation is just denser so it is not intended for R value, have used lots of that also.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I don't understand the difficulty in cutting fiberglass.

Fiberglass is not that difficult, rock wool is just easier because it is stiffer.

[unclebilly]

My dad used it in his boat. It was good to work with. We will be using it at work to insulate the box surround for elevated temperature testing we plan to start in the next week.

[john70t]

Fireproof, doesn't pack down, breathes and mold resistant, critters don't make nests out of it (ask me how I know).

Only problem is finding it.

[A930Rocket]

We use all the time with firewalls in our homes. I’ve heard it doesn’t insulate as well as fiberglass, but have no confirmation.

[billybek]

Great stuff.
Roxul (now Rockwool).

[kach22i]

Wear a mask when cutting (as with fiberglass).

https://askinglot.com/is-rockwool-insulation-toxic

New blocks can contain a lot of dust and loose fibers that can get in your eyes, mouth, skin and lungs. If you're using rockwool, you should be using a mask, goggles and gloves when you work with it to protect yourself.

I have not worked with it, but plan to when fixing up my 2-channel listening room.

[911 Rod]

I'll never go back to the regular stuff.

[plain fan]

Used it in the media room and know that it has been used in many rooms that I've been in. Works really well for sound insulation. Home Depot sells it but required a ship to the house or the store.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I used it for my Cerakote oven. It was much better to work with than pink fiberglass. Cut it with a bread knife.

[GH85Carrera]

My old boss had his house custom built. He hated racket, and he had all the interior and exterior walls insulated with rock wool. The interior walls were all made with 2x6s not 2x4s for extra quiet.

He had a very quiet house, even when his grandkids and great grandkids were there.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

My old boss had his house custom built. He hated racket, and he had all the interior and exterior walls insulated with rock wool. The interior walls were all made with 2x6s not 2x4s for extra quiet.

He had a very quiet house, even when his grandkids and great grandkids were there.

I saw a show once that was focused on building a wall to be quiet. They used 2x6 top and bottom plates (and maybe the studs at the ends) and then used 2x4 studs throughout the wall. The studs alternated which side of the wall they were flush with. The studs help the walls carry the sound from one side to another. And then if you want to get really quiet, there is sound insulation that you can get that's like a heavy blanket, IIRC. You then take that and weave that back and forth around the studs in the wall. I thought that was interesting.

[908/930]

I built the walls in this house that way, staggered stud on 2x6 with Roxul sound insulation, it is quite quiet. To make it better use 5/8 type X drywall on one side or both, the added weight keeps most noise from transmitting through.

[GH85Carrera]

Many years ago when I was a kid my parents would drag us along to couple friend's houses of my parents. The couple we went to see was a retired 4 star general that my dad used to play golf with.

Anyway, we were typical young teenagers and not at all interested in the adults conversation and bored to tears. The general's wife said why don't you go upstairs and watch our kids. Top of the stairs, first door on the left. Anything was better than down there, so we hoofed it up the stairs, opened the door and wall of music blasted out. Their boys were "in a band" and mostly making loud rock and roll type sounds. The room was soundproofed, and whoever did the soundproofing knew their stuff. The inside of the room walls were lined with the foam rubber with acoustic dampening like used in sound rooms.

I wish I had written down their names, I always wondered if they went on to fame and fortune or ended up as bankers and accountants.