As scientists warn that climate change is increasing the likelihood of exceptional heatwaves in the UK, James Francis, Product Manager at ROCKWOOL®, outlines how stone wool can help regulate the temperature of buildings.
The UK’s recent record-breaking heatwave has reinforced the need that insulation products being installed throughout our nation’s homes need to not only focus on keeping heat in, but also on helping to keep buildings cool. Indeed, with signs pointing to higher temperatures becoming the new normal, the battle to keep temperatures down is likely to become increasingly important.
Quality thermal insulation is designed to improve temperature regulation through installation in walls, floors, ceilings, roofs and other spaces. This improves the quality of life for residents and workers by creating the ideal temperature for a comfortable indoor environment. Without it, the increased demand to heat or cool buildings raises energy consumption, associated costs, and CO2 emissions.
We’ve designed our ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation solutions to help maintain a steady indoor temperature. When fitted, stone wool insulation can create a comfortable living or working environment for those inside buildings, as well as lowering energy bills – contributing to a more sustainable way of living. That’s because tiny pockets of air trapped within the physical structure of ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation make it effective at achieving thermal performance.
Our stone wool insulation products can be installed in a wide variety of building applications. This includes external walls and roofs, as well as ground and separating floors. Moreover, the ROCKWOOL Trade Range features thermal and sound insulation solutions for multiple applications within a construction – whether new build or renovation – to keep heat or cool air in as desired.
In addition to thermal performance, stone wool insulation can also deliver many other benefits for projects, including:
Sustainability
Stone wool is manufactured from naturally occurring volcanic rock. This is abundant in supply because it’s continually replenished by the earth’s crust. It can also be recycled indefinitely.
Natural fire protection
Being made from volcanic rock, makes stone wool naturally non-combustible and enables some stone wool insulation products to achieve a European Reaction to Fire Classification of A1 – the highest possible rating. In fact, stone wool insulation is capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 1000oC, giving extra reassurance.
Noise reducing
Stone wool insulation has added benefits in terms of absorbing sound as it reduces sound vibrations. The dense, non-directional fibre orientation and its open porous structure trap sound waves and reduce sound energy.
Durability
Once installed, stone wool insulation is built to last and does not degrade over time. It is also non-hygroscopic, meaning it does not attract water and is vapour permeable. For extra peace of mind, stone wool insulation provides no food source for vermin and does not encourage growth of mould, fungi or bacteria.
As the construction industry faces the increasingly likely prospect of homeowners being just as concerned with keeping the heat out as they have historically been about keeping it in, now is the time to consider the benefits of stone wool for temperature regulation. Its many benefits mean that builders can keep their customers happy whatever the weather – and keep them coming back for repeat business.
