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WADE BUILDING SUPPLIES | THERMAL IMAGE SHOWS HEAT LOSS IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DEMONSTRATING IMPORTANCE OF ROCK WOOL INSULATION

Doing Home Insulation Slabs the Right Way

Insulation is currently on the Lips of many Newsreaders and Journalists, as Climate Targets become closer for the UK and the World.

The News Channels and Newspapers consist of all the Trending News, mostly around Climate Activists who ensure their message is delivered by causing Disruption on our Motorways and Ports.

More focus will be placed at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference  Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November until 12 December 2023. 

Whilst these actions are Extremely Positive, and let's face it, Now essential, the Daily Headlines never really tell us what we can do?

The UK has some of the least energy-efficient Housing Stock in Europe.

Why is this?

The Bulk of UK Housing Stock dates back to the pre-1990s.

At that time, there was no regulation for Energy Design which has left Million of Homes with little Thermal Insulation.

This Regulation is rapidly Changing. The UK Government have already implemented the Future Homes Standard.

Complementing Current Building Regulations, the Biggest Impact will be from 2025 any New Home will be required to meet 75%-80% fewer carbon emissions.

Part of the New Regulations will be a Fabric First Requirement.

Housebuilders will be required to implement Fabric First as soon as next year.

Fabric First is all about ensuring New, and Existing Homes are Future Proof by improving U Values.

U Values of a Home Measure the Homes effectiveness at preventing Heat from transmitting between the inside and outside.

The less Heat transmitted through your Home means, the Lower U-Value.

Lower U-Values are a Good thing and mean your Home is Energy Efficient from a Fabric First Perspective.

U Values Calculator 

Remember good Insulation means your Home will stay Warmer in Winter and Cooler in Summer.

Insulation Material

Common Insulation Material includes Fiberglass Insulation, Blown-in Insulation normally Foam, Mineral Wool and Cellulose.

Insulation tends to come in the form of Roll Insulation, Batt Insulation, loose-fill Insulation and Spray Foam.

Any Insulation needs careful Handling, and all types have Specific Guidelines for Installation.

We will focus on Rockwool Insulation, which in our opinion, is one of the easiest to Handle and Install with effective Thermal Insulation, Sound Insulation and High Fire Resistant Properties.

Rock wool Insulation

What is Rockwool Insulation?

Rockwool Insulation is a Natural Product and is made from Volcanic Basalt Rock; yes, you heard Right Rock wool is made from Volcanic Rock!

Now, that may take a little bit of processing, so let's explain how Volcanic Rock is turned into Insulation Material.

The manufacturing process starts by Melting the Rocks in a Furnace at around Three Thousand Degrees and mixing with Bi Products of other Processes.

It is then Spun at high speed into Long Fibres and Cooled.

Think about the last time you watched your Candy Floss Spun together. Rock Wool goes through that same process.

Finally, the Rock Wool Strands are compressed together into batt Insulation, also known as Slabs.

As Insulation Products go, we feel this is pretty special, from a Volcanic Rock to Improving the Thermal Performance of your Home.

Thermal Insulation | Sound Insulation

Let's now Break it down further and Look at the Rockwool Insulation Range.

The Rockwool Range includes Roll Insulation, Insulation for Cavity Walls and your Interior Wall, Attic Insulation, Floor Insulation, Pitched Roof Insulation and more.

The most popular Rockwool Insulation offers a Combination of Fire Resistance, Thermal Insulation, Vapor Barrier and Soundproofing.

When selecting your Insulation, ensure it is suitable for your Project.

We will focus on the Rockwool RWA45 Range, which in our view, is one of the best Insulation Products on the Market.

This Range does not come in Insulation Rolls but easy to work with faced batts, also known as Slabs.

Rock wool RWA45 comes in a Range of Sizes, including 25mm, 40mm, 60mm, and 50mm, 75mm and 100mm, which are the more popular Sizes.

Before we move on to Installation, let's look at RWA45 Rock wool Insulation.

What is Rockwool RWA45 Acoustic Sound Insulation?

Acoustic Insulation is about Soundproofing your Space.

Typically found in Walls and the Floor of Buildings when the materials are used to absorb or block sound.

Why consider Sound Insulation?

There are many reasons, but the main reason in your Home is Comfort.

Noise Pollution is extremely Negative and can affect anybody at any time.

Using Sound Insulation throughout your Home offers a Higher Level of Comfort from Both external Noise Sources and Internal Noise Sources.

The way we Live and Work now puts Greater emphasis on Sound.

With a Large Workforce working from Home, combined with Small Children, Pets, TV's and external Noise such as Traffic, it is more important than ever to ensure we have a Productive Home Environment.

To ensure you get the Acoustic Insulation you require, Rockwool Acoustic Slabs should combine with further Barriers such as Plasterboards.

The STC Rating will Quantify how much a Wall assembly Reduce's Sound by combining the Material Used.

Rockwool Insulation also offers

  • High Thermal Insulation
  • Fire Safety
  • Natural Product
  • Durable Long Term Performance
  • Thermal Bridging
  • Water Repellent Qualities 
  • Euroclass A1 Non-Combustible

 

How to Install Insulation

Rockwool Insulation Equipment

When fitting your rock wool, you will require equipment like any Project, but the equipment is very accessible and easy to use.

Cutting: You can purchase an Insulation Saw, which are relatively cheap. Rock Wool Insulation can also be cut using a Strong Utility Knife.

Safety: If you have existing insulation, which is Fiberglass Insulation, you will know some Material is difficult to use. 

Thankfully, Rockwool insulation is easier to work with, but Safety when handling is always a must.

We would always recommend following the Manufacturer's Instructions, but the essential Safety Equipment to avoid insulation contact

  • Dust Mask - Must fit Snugly
  • Long Sleeves
  • Long Pants
  • Gloves
  • Goggles
  • Headwear

Ventilate the Area you are working in, as much as you can.

Next, Work out how many RWA45 Slabs you need, Pack Size Coverage does differ

  • RWA45 50mm | 600mm x 1200mm | Contains 9 slabs | 6.48m2
  • RWA45 75mm | 600mm x 1200mm | Contains 6 slabs | 4.32m2
  • RWA45 100mm | 600mm x 1200mm | Contains 4 slabs | 2.88m2

Now, Time to plan out the Project.

As RWA45 Rockwool Insulation comes in Slabs, it can be a bit of a game of Tetris, but the good news is the Material is easy to Cut and Manoeuvre into walls around electrical wires and electrical Boxes.

Ready to Install?

Not Quite, Time for a quick clean and check of your working Area.

Ensure the Installation area is Clean and Safe for you to work in free from any Trip Hazards.

The benefit of Rock wool is it allows for a Tight Friction Fit, so additional fixings or Pinning is not required.

Use a Tape Measure to measure the aperture of attic floors, ceiling joists, wall studs and cavity walls,

Now cut your Rock wool, ensuring it will fit snugly into the space.

Ensure the Material is cut to the correct size every time. 

Squeezing the insulation into the space or leaving gaps will affect your Rock Wool Insulation Performance.

Likewise, compressing your Rock Wool against electrical boxes or electrical wires will also affect its Durability and, at the same time, could put pressure on your house electrics.

Following the Correct Installation will ensure your Home is Properly Insulated.

When installing Rock Wool Insulation into your wall studs, it may be helpful to install one side of the drywall first. Otherwise, your Insulation will need to balance, which may be tricky and cause extra work.

To meet Fire, Acoustic and thermal regulations, The Interface Junction must have Barriers installed at the Interface Junction.

More Information on this is available in the Rockwool Data Sheet.

Finally, Remember the cleanup and check with your Local Authority on how to correctly dispose of any Unwanted Insulation.

Job Done!

Huge Congratulations you have completed your project and now seeing the Huge Benefits of your Rockwool Insulation.

Your Home or Business is Properly Insulated, and your Sound Insulation is already making a difference to everyone's Quality of Life with less Sound Pollution.

The Thermal Performance of your Building is Efficient ensuring your Property meets Environmental Regulations and providing a comfortable year-round Environment.

Insulation Technology is evolving fast, and Rock Wool is a leading Innovator.

Remember before installing to ensure you check up to date information provided by the manufacturer, as this may be subject to change.

Current RWA45 Insulation Installation and Data Sheet 

We also have Product Experts available to answer any questions you may have before purchasing your Rockwool RWA45 Insulation Slabs.

 

 

 

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