Comparative characteristics of stone and glass

mineral wool
STONE OR GLASS MINERAL WOOL?
Technical conditions and norms, as well as the higher demands of the users of buildings, require the use of the best quality
construction materials in the construction process. It is especially important that the space in which we spend our time provides
the suitable warmth and acoustic comfort, as well as the fire safety. Thus, it is important to pay attention to the choice of the
insulation materials while in the phase of designing.
Knauf Insulation is a company that offers you quality solutions based on top-level characteristics of our products, insulation
materials made of stone and glass mineral wool. Although both materials wools- have existed on our market for a long
period of time, there are still certain ambiguities concerning their differences and similarities, fields of application and origin.

We are in a unique position to offer you both these materials- which gives us the authority to give unbiased and objective
advice to each buyer where, how and why to use which of these two materials.
About the materials
Both the stone and the glass woll are included in the group of mineral wools- due to their mineral origin:

Stone mineral wool is made of volcanically originated stone- dolomite, diabase and basalt

Glass mineral wool is made of sand and glass slag

The production process is similar: the raw is melted at high temperatures,

lava is formed, which is then spun into delicate fibers using centrifugal wheels.Those fibers are then deposited into felt, from
which, after future processing, the final product is made slabs of stone or glass mineral wool.

Contrastive characteristics of materials

Stone mineral wool

Glass mineral wool

short fibers

long fibers

greater density of the product from 30 to 200kg/m3

lesser density of the product from 11 to 45kg/m3

high resistance to pressure

lower resistance to pressure

in the limits from 0.035 to 0.039w/mK

in the limits from 0.032 to 0.044w/mK

great absorbance of sound energy

great absorbance of sound energy

incombustible material, incombustibility class A1

incombustible material, incombustibility class A1

maximum working temperature 750C

maximum working temperature 230C

higher fire resistance

fire resistance

high melting temperature, over 1000C

lower melting temperature, about 700C

lower elasticity of the material

high elasticity of the material

low tensile strength

high tensile strength

very resistant to mechanical damage during handling

resistant to mechanical damage during handling

From the listed characteristics of the materials, it can be concluded that both glass and stone mineral wool offer:

Thermal insulation

Acoustic insulation

Fire protection

Long-life products (as the life of the building)

Water-resistant and vapor-permeable (the rooms breathe)

Resistant to microorganisms and chemical substances

Ecologically safe

When to choose stone mineral wool?

High fire protection requirements

Due to its structure and very high melting point (over 1000 C), stone mineral wool is an ideal fire protection the function of
the fire resistant material is to protect the construction from collapsing in the case of fire, as well as to enable safe evacuation of
the people from the building (e.g. inside and outside walls, steel constructions). The stone mineral wool does not allow the
flame to develop (highest class of incombustibility A1), it stops the spreading of fire and does not emit poisonous gases,
which are the cause of 89% of deaths!

High working temperatures

Stone mineral wool has very high working temperature (up to 750C), which makes it an ideal fire protection on high
temperatures (in industry, for insulation of pipes and boilers)

Light construction

The thermal protection during summer (e.g. pitched roofs with line posts: joists and rafters). When the summer comfort is taken
into consideration, the best insulation materials are those which delay the transfer of heat from the outer environment into the
inside of the building, that is the materials with high thermal persistence. The thermal persistence is the heat which the material
can accumulate and it is in proportion to the density of the material, i.e. the higher the density, the higher the thermal
persistence.

High compression strength

This characteristic is noticeable at places that suffer great pressure (floors and flat roofs). Due to its structure and high density,
the stone mineral wool will better the performance of the floor and the roof, without the decrease of thermal and acoustic
insulation properties.

Ecological safety of the products

Both stone and glass mineral wool made by Knauf Insulation are certified as non-harmful for the
health of people by- EUCEB (European Certification Board for Mineral Wool Producers) , which
represents the certificate issued by an independent body, which guarantees that the mineral wool products fulfill the criteria for
non-cancerous materials. The growing concern of the developed countries about the waste of energy and global warming put
the energy saving into the foreground. Since the residential buildings are identified as the biggest consumers(40% of total
consumed energy, and in Serbia as much as 47%), the attention is focused on their energy account, both in construction of new
buildings and the renovation of the old ones. The glass mineral wool insulation is a fairly cheap investment, and it is the longterm solution for saving energy in residential buildings. Well-insulated walls, floors and ceilings ensure a pleasant temperature
during all seasons, the need for heating and cooling is lowered, which minimizes the spending of energy. The installed
insulation is an economical and a lifelong solution it lasts as long as the building itself.

The Difference Between Rock

Wool and Glass Wool

22

DEC

Let us first discuss about rock wool. A rock wool manufacturer is a company that creates rock
wool using man made materials to produce a very strong material, tensile strength-wise. This
specific material is created by spinning a synthetic material mixed with molten rock at high
temperatures, at very high speeds. While it is spinning, a strong stream of wind is blown through
it. This process is very similar in idea and appears to a cotton candy machine. The resulting
product is a thin string but very durable, akin to a rock like consistency. A rock wool
manufacturer before had to put up with material that was unusable (at that time) and also posed
as a health hazard to the workers since it was so light that the wind easily buffeted it. Nowadays,
it is used as a very good insulating agent, and it has proven not to be carcinogenic. This material
separates air into layers, making it very good at trapping heat especially in controlling the heat in
a structure and it is also used as a good sound proofing material.
Even though the rock wool material is not entirely fire proof, it does have a good resistance
against fire in the sense that it can be used to isolate a fire hazard room from the rest of the
house.
On the other hand, glass wool manufacturing involves using natural sand and recycled glass to
undergo the same procedure as rock wall at a very similar heat condition (using the cotton candy
like procedure). A glass wool manufacturer might use different materials, but the equipment is
most likely the same. During the glass wool manufacturing process, a binder is mixed together
with the glass wool to bond the fiber together. This type of binding is different for each glass
wool manufacturer, since it depends on the use or reason why the glass wool is made in the first
place. Speaking of use, glass wool is mainly used as a thermal insulation with a very low density.

This means that it is used as a loose fill material such as a filling in attics, or mixed with filler and
sprayed under some structures. This property makes it very useful as an insulator for flat surfaces
like walls, attics, curtain walls and even duct systems.
As a recap, rock wool is mainly used in controlling heat in a structure and also as a sound proof
material. Since it has some heat resistant properties, it is good as a heat retardation method. For
glass wool on the other hand, it is also used as a thermal insulating agent, however its standout
property is its being of low density which makes it possible to apply it to flat surfaces.
Nevertheless, creating these two products are very similar, you would not be surprised to find a
rock wool manufacturer also functions as a glass wool manufacturer depending on the need. So if
you need to ask, you can ask in your local hardware store or from the manufacturer directly.

Ecologically Friendly Glass

Wool Insulation

13

NOV

As more and more people are building bigger houses in warmer regions of the world, the power
consumed for air conditioning has significantly increased over the years. Today with the worlds
attention focused on greener and eco-friendly power consumption and efficiency the need to use
some kind of thermal insulation has become a priority to homeowners and homebuilders. Home
insulation is not just a way to save money on utility bills but the availability of ecologically safer
materials like glass wool makes it a way to help minimize the burden air conditioning tolls on the
environment. The making of mineral wools like glass wool manufacturing uses recycled glass
materials, materials from glass bottles, which help lessen the amount of non-biodegradable glass
that is discarded back into nature.
Mineral wool insulation has grown in popularity because of its great thermal insulation
properties plus the added benefits of low maintenance and fire resistance. Mineral wool can
come in many varieties; two of the more commonly used and popular are the rock and glass
wool. A rock wool manufacturer will usually have glass wool manufacturing capabilities and offer
both products. Glass wool, called fiberglass insulation in the United States, is made by melting
recycled glass and sand in spinning the molten material into a wool-like material that can be used
as an insulation material. A glass wool manufacturer can have these materials available, in their
most popular forms, as rolls or slabs of different sizes depending on your specific insulation
application and needs. For filling wall gaps, loose glass wool fibers can also be purchased to be
injected into the gaps in between walls. Whatever insulation problems you may have, there is a
glass wool application that will suit your needs.
Glass wool insulation can come in roll form with different thickness, density and facing
materials. Glass insulation rolls are flexible sheets of glass wool of varying thickness with one
side adhered to a sheet made from a denser material for stability. The facings can be made from

reinforced aluminum foil, propelene or even cloth. The facing depends on the application needs.
Most air conditioning ducts that expect a certain amount of condensation, for example, may
require the reinforced aluminum facing to help repel moisture. Aluminum facing are also
favored for insulating pipes that carry hot and cold water. A rock wool manufacturer would be
happy to consult with you regarding your insulation needs and discuss the right product for your
specific insulation needs.
The rising cost of maintaining the comfort levels of our homes and taking care of the
environment is no longer just a problem for the developed countries. It has become a global
concern that needs an established glass wool manufacturer that can ship a variety of glass wool
insulation types all over the world. Make sure you acquire all you glass wool insulation from a
glass wool manufacturing company that cannot just produce quality and dependable glass
insulation but also solve your problem wherever your insulation problems may be in the world.

Fiber Glass Insulation:

Practicality and Durability at
Its Best

14

JUL

When a home owner or a business owner finally invests in creating a masterpiece that will be his
home or business facility, aesthetic value should go hand in hand with durability and safety. Fiber
glass installation is one of the most practical choices for materials since they are less expensive
than carbon fiber made materials, and it is also more flexible and easier to work with. This
material can be used for tubs, roofing, water tanks and pipes; they can also be used for casts and
cladding and for door skins. Fiberglass insulation and its usage has been tried and tested by
many companies and is used in many buildings all around the world. The practicality and
efficiency that these materials provide to contractors are really time honed and tested that is why
they are still one of the leading building materials used and considered by most builders all
around the globe.
The use glass wool and glass wool board is also a very practical choice when considering
materials to use in homes and offices. Very much like fiber glass, they are very good materials to
be used for insulation as they are arranged very much like wool. Glass wool is easy to work with
and is resistant to mold which makes it a very durable material. It is also conducive for sound
proofing and elimination of noise making it again a great material to work with. A glass wool
board will last longer than other materials since it made with high grade material. Being cheaper

than its other counterparts, you can say that you are making a great purchase once you decide to
make these materials part of your facility.
The use of fiber glass installation has been practiced for a long time since it is one of the premier
materials that a contractor or builder can use. It is less expensive than other materials and it
flexible and workable. It is more versatile than other materials that can be considered, though it
is light weight, it shows great strength and durability. Being first used in the aviation industry, it
was adapted to building and infrastructures all around the world since it has shown great
potential and has proven to be of great value in the construction industry. It has also been used in
telecommunications and other industries because it can be easily painted, manufactured and
designed based on the industry or company or use that it is meant for.
As a business owner, or as a contractor, there is always that imperative need to make sure that
you are getting your moneys worth, that the materials that are used during construction are of
the highest grade of quality that there is in the market. Flexibility, durability, cost and aesthetic
value all go hand in hand to create something that will really make an impact and will assure
safety, security and comfort at the same time. Glass wool is really one of the modern marvels that
builders can really make use.

Keep the heat inside with the

help of a rock wool manufacturer

FEB

Before understanding what rock wool really means and why do you need it for your home, the
first thing that you need to focus your attention towards is the idea of insulation. The concept
here is simple and you will see that its designed in order to protect you and your familys
comfort.
Think of a hot day of summer. The house is really hot inside, from the sun and all the heat and
from the lack of wind as well. Basically, the house should have a certain level of coldness, but due
to the way it was built, the heat from the outside manages to enter inside the house. This is
because of the fact that the house isnt insulated yet.
Thats what a rock wool manufacturer brings to the table. The company basically has a plan of
insulation that can easily be adjusted to your situation. They can help with covering the entire
house in order for the environment to be as solid proof as possible.
But why do you need rock wool? What is it made of?
The answer comes from the specialists in the field that bring forth the idea that insulating with
rock wool, you are basically heat proofing and sound proofing your home. Its an excellent agent
of insulation because of the fact that its made out of real rocks and minerals. Additionally here,
you can work with a glass wool manufacturer as well, when it comes to protecting your home.

There arent any real differences between the two of them, apart from the material that they are
made from. In comparison with the rock wool, the glass wool is made out of fiberglass but in
layers. This comes in handy as the low density of the combination is what keeps the heat inside.
Its basically a great barrier with the outside, allowing only what is needed during various periods
of time.
Another great thing about the glass wool manufacturing companies is the fact that they offer this
perspective to insulating pipes as well as the houses. Think about it: water travels the pipes very
often during the day. This is a process that damages the pipes in a few years. Why not be
prepared when it comes to this situation and insulate the pipes with a glass wool layer that is
designated to protect the pipes from damage and ensure a longer life to the foundation.
Taking care of the environment where you live in is something that you should really take into
consideration. You are responsible of the things that happen inside your house, so the blame is
on you if the house loses heat in the winter and is too hot during summer. There are certain
procedures that you can implement, but the information is waiting for you to discover it. Its
basically something that you can do and benefit from a long time from now on. This is a life time
investment.