Frequently asked questions
Below you will find the answers to see some of the most frequently asked questions - about the ROCKWOOL Group and our solutions in general, or related specifically to one of our product categories.
General questions
ROCKWOOL stone wool is made from volcanic rock and achieves an European Reaction to Fire Classification of A1 - non combustible. Stone wool is also a durable choice; its properties and benefits don’t reduce or change over time and the product will effectively perform for the lifetime of the building.
ROCKWOOL stone wool is made from volcanic rock and achieves an European Reaction to Fire Classification of A1 - non combustible. Stone wool is also a durable choice; its properties and benefits don’t reduce or change over time and the product will effectively perform for the lifetime of the building.
ROCKWOOL is used by specialists in many demanding acoustic applications. ROCKWOOL stone wool works in two distinct ways to reduce noise, either by impeding the transmission of sound through an element of the structure or by absorption of sound at the surface.
The natural basic rock material for making ROCKWOOL products is an abundant resource. Great care is taken during both the manufacturing process and distribution of finished insulation products to minimise any environmental impact. ROCKWOOL operation team monitors the production processes carefully to ensure any emissions are within specified limits. It is ROCKWOOL Group policy to adhere to environmental standards better than national or local requirements. Please visit the Sustainabilty section of the website or the Sustainabilty brochure for more in-depth information.
Walls
We have a number of options:- REDArt® is an external wall insulation system which offers the complete thermal and aesthetic renovation of facades. It is used in refurbishment and new build projects to provide an enhanced exterior appearance for tower blocks, shops, schools, public buildings and housing. With a range of colours and finish options, vibrant new schemes can be created. The system is installed by Approved ROCKWOOL Installers using ROCKWOOL insulation slabs mechanically fixed and/or bonded to the old wall substrate, onto which a series of REDArt® renders or finishes is applied. RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is a specially designed dual density insulation product for direct fixing to facades where a rainscreen cladding system has been selected. The outer higher density surface is robust and designed to allow for exposure to weather conditions while cladding systems are erected. Meanwhile, the inner surface makes consistent close contact with the old exterior of the building, providing a significant improvement in thermal performance. Cladding options available can be found on the ROCKPANEL website.
We have a number of options:- REDArt® is an external wall insulation system which offers the complete thermal and aesthetic renovation of facades. It is used in refurbishment and new build projects to provide an enhanced exterior appearance for tower blocks, shops, schools, public buildings and housing. With a range of colours and finish options, vibrant new schemes can be created. The system is installed by Approved ROCKWOOL Installers using ROCKWOOL insulation slabs mechanically fixed and/or bonded to the old wall substrate, onto which a series of REDArt® renders or finishes is applied. RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is a specially designed dual density insulation product for direct fixing to facades where a rainscreen cladding system has been selected. The outer higher density surface is robust and designed to allow for exposure to weather conditions while cladding systems are erected. Meanwhile, the inner surface makes consistent close contact with the old exterior of the building, providing a significant improvement in thermal performance. Cladding options available can be found on the ROCKPANEL website.
Floors & Ceilings
Acoustic improvement can be complicated, but there are several ROCKWOOL products and systems which can help reduce interference sounds though structures. Impact, reflective and penetrating sounds transmit in different ways and behave differently in varying frequency ranges. The principle on which ROCKWOOL acts successfully as an acoustic insulant is by diffusing and absorbing the sound waves. For floors, the ROCKWOOL Acoustic Floor system can be built up to combat the level of noise transmission. Slimfloor is a composite product of ROCKWOOL and chipboard dedicated to sound protection for concrete floors. ROCKFLOOR® is an insulation board for both thermal and acoustic performance in a variety of buildings. See SOUNDPRO® Brochure for further details.
Yes - ROCKWOOL Flexi 100mm has been tested to provide the 1 hour fire resistance to timber joisted floor constructions. Chicken wire galvanised steel mesh, nominal 25mm mesh size x 0.7mm thick, is fitted over the joists so that it is in contact with the top and sides of each joist and in contact with the upper face of the ceiling. ROCKWOOL Flexi, 100mm thick, is fitted between the joists so that it is in contact with the mesh trays and therefore nominally flush with the bottom of the joists.
Roofs
The most effective way to insulate your loft is to have a layer of insulation that sits snugly in the spaces between the joists (either a roll product or loose lay) followed by a top layer crossways across the joists. The total depth of the insulation should be at least 270 – 300 mm for the best results and to meet current building regulations.
You can simply top up any existing insulation with ROCKWOOL. Our loose lay product means you can fill any gaps around the edges easily before laying a roll of insulation over the top.
With better insulation, the loft will be colder and therefore more prone to condensation if not adequately ventilated. It is therefore important to maintain the air flow through the loft space normally via the eaves. This air flow can be maintained by installing eaves ventilators.
It is recommended that when installing down lighters within a ceiling you should install acoustic/fire covers to maintain an air void/flow around them. This prevents the light from over-heating which could cause the light's to fail more frequently. These are available from DIY merchants.
HVAC
Yes, there are several products which can help. Our product's proven combination of high acoustic porosity, acoustic frictional resistance and light weight makes it ideal for use in a wide range of demanding situations. Products to look for include ProRox range of slabs, Techwrap and Techtube, Ductwrap and ductslab and pre-formed pipe sections such as H&V sections.