Fields of application of mineral wool
41. Where can mineral wool products be used?
42. Can ceiling systems made of mineral wool be used for all buildings?
43. Is mineral wool also suitable for the insulation of pitched roofs?
44. Does mineral wool also offer bath and cellar application qualities?
45. Name the most frequent faults when insulating external constructions, such as walls and roofs.
46. Why does insufficient air tightness lead to structural damages?
47. Can fire walls be constructed with mineral wool?
48. Is mineral wool suitable for the insulation of wooden houses?
49. Can mineral wool also be used for external applications and for skyscrapers?
50. Are there any planning documents or files about mineral wood applications for architects and where to get them?
51. Are there special safety guidelines which should be observed at the installation of mineral wool?
41. Where can mineral wool products be used?
Insulation made of mineral wool is a multi-purpose material. It is particularly suitable for the building construction and for the interior finishing. Special products are offered for the insulation of pitched roofs, façades and flat roofs, as partition wall insulation, interior insulation, impact sound insulation and for industrial installation insulation.
42. Can ceiling systems made of mineral wool be used for all buildings?
Yes, because all ceiling systems have special construction elements which enable the installation in every assembly situation, even in difficult-to-reach areas, which require an individual adjusting of the system.
43. Is mineral wool also suitable for the insulation of pitched roofs?
Yes, pitched roofs are the main application domain of the mineral wool for single and two family houses. Mineral wool satisfies the highest demands especially for the insulation of pitched roofs as a thermal, acoustic and fire protection. Many manufacturers of mineral wool offer package systems for an enduring insulation safeguard: ceiling systems with adhesive tapes for air and wind tightness with necessary humidity protection combined.
44. Does mineral wool also offer bath and cellar application qualities?
Yes, mineral wool can be used without problems because it has been proved that mineral wool neither absorbs, stores nor transports humidity in bath or cellar situations. Mineral wool remains dry even if humidity enters the masonry.
45. Name the most frequent faults when insulating external constructions, such as walls and roofs.
A frequent problem when insulating external construction is insufficient air tightness. Warm, damp air can escape from heated rooms, and because of that, unnecessary energy losses and dangerous humidity damages may occur in winter. Package insulation systems providing reliable air tightness as well as optimal insulation are offered by the members of the Gütegemeinschaft Mineralwolle e.V. (GGM). Another fault may arise from dangerous thermal bridges where mould can develop in the interior.
46. Why does insufficient air tightness lead to structural damages?
During the heating period warm, damp air may penetrate into the colder areas of the external building components. Humidity may well condensate and lead to structural damages in the construction. Especially wood constructions are liable to serious damages arising from the supporting structure; chances are for hygienic problems such as mould formation. Mineral wool does not take humidity and therefore does not aggravate the difficulties.
47. Can fire walls be constructed with mineral wool?
Yes, there is a variety of different types of fire protection constructions in which mineral insulation materials contribute to the achievement of the required fire resistance duration. As a non-combustible material they are very well suitable for it.
48. Is mineral wool suitable for the insulation of wooden houses?
Yes, mineral wool is suitable for wooden houses particularly due to their excellent fire protection qualities. Mineral wool prevents the skipping of flames on to other parts of the building and reduces the smoke development. With mineral wool products it is possible to realise diffusion open wall sets which favour the absence of chemical wood protection.
49. Can mineral wool also be used for external applications and for skyscrapers?
Yes, e.g. for ventilated façades or external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS), from the single family house up to the high-rise office building. In addition to the general product requirements like thermal insulation, a large variety of application exists: acoustic insulation and fire protection installations; even further requirements, such as water repellent equipment, demolition and crease strain; need for blow rain load protection. There is a variety of insulation products made of mineral wool which correspond to these requirements for external walls, façades and high rise buildings.
50. Are there any planning documents or files about mineral wood applications for architects and where to get them?
Planning documents or files for architects can be requested by civil engineers and architects free of charge from the individual manufacturers.
51. Are there special safety guidelines which should be observed at the installation of mineral wool?
No. It is advisable to wear loose, closed working clothes and working gloves in spite of the fact that insulation products made of mineral wool which are marked with the RAL quality mark can generally be used and handled safely without health hazards.