Innovative Insulation
Recently, for one of our projects, we had the opportunity to try out a new product: Rockwool Comfortbatt. Wow…what a product! This innovation boasts a plethora of cool features. A couple of the awesome features are that it is completely fireproof, water-resistant, and soundproof! It is safer, doesn’t absorb water (preventing mold and rotting), and blocks outside noise. So, during the colder months, it retains heat inside, and in the summertime, it holds cool air; thus, resulting in lower energy bills…and who wouldn't want that! Not to mention, it reduces outside noise pollution, such as barking dogs, airplanes circling overhead, chatty neighbors, and even thunderstorms, creating a quieter atmosphere.
This product is crafted from natural inorganic recycled material and is installed on the exterior of the house. One of the challenges we faced with this product during installation was that it adds three inches of fiber to the exterior of the siding. This home not only received the Rockwool insulation but also a rain screen before the siding was installed. A rain screen permits any moisture or water that may potentially get between the siding to immediately escape out the bottom of the house and dry.
To assess this product's effectiveness, we poured water on it and attempted to set it on fire. The water simply beads off of it, and the fire did not affect the product at all. Having a fire-resistant product might be highly desirable for a home situated in a wooded area prone to wildfires.
The Rockwool possibly ranks among the best products you could use for a home's structure. However, one downside of this product is its cost. The investment in time and materials makes this an expensive product that a typical home may not necessitate.
