Mineral Wool for Construction

1. Categories of Mineral Wool (by origin)

1. Rock (basalt) wool – made from basalt rock, resistant to high temperatures, excellent for sound and thermal insulation.
2. Glass wool – made from molten glass, lighter than rock wool, good insulation but lower compressive strength.
3. Slag wool – produced from blast furnace slag, less common due to its hygroscopic nature.
4. Ceramic wool – resistant to extreme temperatures (up to 1600°C), mainly used for industrial applications.

2. Types of Mineral Wool (by form and structure)

1. Boards (panels) – rigid and durable, used for facades, roofs, floors, ceilings, and interior walls.
2. Rolls (blankets) – flexible and lightweight, suitable for ceilings, roofs, and non-load-bearing structures.
3. Dense and rigid boards – used for floors, roofs, and facades with high compressive strength.
4. Lamella boards – with longitudinal fibers, more flexible than standard boards, used for facades and complex surfaces.
5. Granulated (loose-fill) wool – for filling cavities and hard-to-reach areas.
6. Sandwich panels with mineral wool – used for industrial buildings.

3. Dimensions of Mineral Wool

• Boards: 600 × 1200 mm, 610 × 1250 mm, 1000 × 1200 mm
• Rolls: Width 1000-1200 mm, Length 5000-10000 mm

4. Thicknesses of Mineral Wool

• 20 mm to 50 mm – for sound insulation and light structures
• 50 mm to 100 mm – standard thermal and sound insulation for walls and ceilings
• 100 mm to 200 mm – for roofs and external walls with high insulation requirements
• 200 mm to 300 mm – for passive houses and high-performance thermal insulation

Additional Characteristics

• Density: from 10 kg/m³ (light) to 200 kg/m³ (very dense)
• Thermal conductivity: λ ≈ 0.032 – 0.045 W/mK (lower value means better insulation)
• Vapor permeability: high, allowing buildings to "breathe"
• Non-combustibility: most mineral wools are non-combustible (Class A1 fire resistance)