When we choose building insulation materials and choose between rockwool insulation board and foam insulation board, it can be a difficult decision, as both options have their advantages and disadvantages. After careful research and thinking, we have summarized 6 reasons why rock wool insulation board is better than foam insulation board. So, let's take a closer look!

Foam insulation board, also known as PIR rigid foam insulation material, provides a high level of insulation performance with minimal thickness. They are made of polyisocyanurate and can be easily cut to fit in any space. They are also waterproof and offer excellent thermal conductivity of 0.022W/mk (the lower the better). However, they are not as environmentally friendly as rockwool and release harmful gases when burned.

Rockwool is made from natural ores (basalt, pyroxene, etc.) and has a relatively low thermal conductivity (0.035W/mK), making it an excellent choice for thermal insulation. It also has excellent sound insulation, which is conducive to reducing noise pollution. It is also fire-resistant and does not release harmful gases. However, the rockwool board is relatively thick, which makes it difficult to fit into tight Spaces.

Here are 6 reasons why rock wool insulation board is better than foam insulation board:

1. Easy installation

Rockwool insulation panels are easier to install than foam insulation panels and provide better coverage. Cutting rockwool to fit obstructions like pipes or wires is much easier than cutting foam sheets. However, the stimulation of rock wool on the skin is much larger than the foam insulation board, so the construction needs to find a professional construction team.

2, excellent fire performance

Rockwool is made of natural stone and therefore has natural fire resistance. It is non-combustible, which means it will not burn, melt, or produce toxic fumes or gases in a fire. This property makes it an ideal insulation material for buildings concerned with fire safety.

Foam board, on the other hand, is a foam insulating material made of a plastic polymer. These materials are highly flammable and catch fire easily. In fact, foam board can burn at temperatures as low as 250 ° C, which is relatively low compared to other insulating materials such as rockwool.

To illustrate the difference, imagine a building with rockwool insulation on the walls, floors, and ceilings. In the event of a fire, rockwool insulation will not catch fire or help the fire spread. This will give occupants more time to evacuate the building and give firefighters more time to contain and extinguish the fire.

In contrast, if the same building is insulated with foam panels, the insulation can catch fire and cause the fire to spread. This can cause more serious damage to buildings, increase the risk to occupants, and make firefighting conditions more difficult and dangerous.

Overall, the fireproof properties of rockwool make it a safer and more reliable insulation option, especially in buildings that take fire safety seriously.

3. Convenient transportation

In terms of transportation and handling, rock wool insulation material has many advantages over foam insulation board. One of the main advantages is its small size. Compared with foam insulation board, rockwool is smaller and easier to transport.

This smaller size also makes it easier for rockwool insulation to pass through tight Spaces and narrow city streets, which is especially useful in urban areas such as large cities where space is at a premium. In contrast, foam insulation panels can be large and bulky, which makes them more difficult to transport and handle in tight Spaces.

In addition to being easier to transport, rock wool insulation is also easier to install than foam insulation panels. It can be easily cut to a certain size and shape using a simple utility knife, which means no specialized equipment or tools are required.

Overall, rockwool insulation is small and easy to handle, making it a more practical and cost-effective option for transportation and installation, especially in tight Spaces and urban areas.

4. Breathability

As mentioned earlier, rockwool insulation is a natural product made from minerals and does not contain harmful chemicals such as PIR foam insulation board. This makes it a safer and healthier option for people and the environment. Additionally, rockwool insulation does not contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be released into the air, which can cause breathing problems and other health problems.

Another advantage of rock wool insulation material is its breathability and water evaporation ability. This helps prevent mold growth, which is a common problem in areas of high humidity in the UK. In contrast, foam insulation panels do not dry out when wet, and if wet, they can become breeding grounds for mold.

Rock wool insulation's breathability and ability to prevent mold growth make it an excellent choice. It is also a good choice for buildings that require a high level of air quality, such as hospitals and schools.

Overall, the natural composition and breathable properties of rockwool insulation make it a safer, healthier and more effective insulation option than foam insulation boards.

5, excellent sound insulation performance

The rock wool insulation material has a unique structure that enables it to effectively absorb and reduce sound transmission. Its fibers are arranged in a way that creates millions of tiny pockets of air, which help suppress sound waves. This makes rockwool insulation ideal for reducing noise pollution from buildings.

For example, in office buildings, rockwool insulation can be applied to walls and ceilings to reduce noise from neighboring offices or outside traffic. Libraries often use rockwool insulation to create quiet study Spaces where patrons can focus without distraction. The studio also uses rockwool insulation to create soundproof chambers for recording and mixing music.

Compared with other insulation materials such as foam board, rock wool insulation board has the best acoustic performance. Foam panels, for example, are not as effective at reducing noise because they reflect sound waves instead of absorbing them

6. Rodent and bite proof

For a number of reasons, rock wool insulation boards are a better choice than foam insulation boards when it comes to attracting rodents. First, rockwool is made of mineral fibers and does not provide a food source for rodents, while foam insulation panels are made of plastic and are more attractive to rodents.

Second, rockwool has a dense structure that makes it harder for rodents to drill into, while foam insulation panels are softer and easier to chew.

Third, rockwool is water-resistant to prevent moisture buildup, while foam insulation boards can get soaked, creating an ideal environment for rodent infestation.

In short, rock wool insulation boards are a safer and more effective option for preventing rodent infestation than foam insulation boards.

I believe that after reading this article, you can clearly know whether the rock wool insulation board is good or foam insulation board is good.