WOOT! Roxul source in the South.

[bluesman2a]

So having read about it, and liking the idea of Roxul or mineral wool insulation. And hey, Mike Holmes uses it, so it can't be all bad, eh? I wanted to use it around my shower since it won't support mold or vermin, and the shower is on an exterior wall, so the additional R value for the same stud space didn't **** either. Add in the no-itch factor, and I was SOLD!

But I could NEVER find any vendors south of like Kentucky for the longest time. So when I was cruising the Lowes website the other day and wow, it turns out you can order it online at Lowes and have it delivered to their stores free! Tried it and had the delivery about 5 days later. So I can tell you it works! The only down-side is that it's a bit pricier, but this was a small space so it was worth the extra $'s even in the short run.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Thanks for the info.

TheGrooveking

 

[pprince]

Roxul is a Canadian company.

Their insulation is hands down the best bat insulation available. Foam is better but much higher priced.

The stuff is dense (lower noise transmission), has ~10% higher R value per inch and is mold and moisture resistant.

I will only use Roxul. I have no connection with them. Just a Roxul groupie

 

[bluesman2a]

It's certainly HEAVIER than the same size bale of fiberglass. I'm installing some tonight, I'll put up a review once I'm done, but thus far I'm impressed from what I see.

 

[neverenoughtools]

Roxul is the only insulation that I use. I just look at the fiberglass insulation and I get itchy. A serrated bread knife cuts it like butter for help with your install !

 

[sammm]

It's certainly HEAVIER than the same size bale of fiberglass. I'm installing some tonight, I'll put up a review once I'm done, but thus far I'm impressed from what I see.

Subscribed.

 

[nate379]

There are other companies other than Roxul that makes it.

http://www.certainteed.com/products/insulation/stone-wool-(rock-wool)

 

[bluesman2a]

There are other companies other than Roxul that makes it.

http://www.certainteed.com/products/insulation/stone-wool-(rock-wool)

Agreed. Roxul is a trade-name for rock-wool/mineral wool. The problem (at least in the lower 48 is that you can't find ANY type/brand other than fiberglass in the batts. I tried to find some of the insulation made from recycled denim, same issue. Everybody sells fiberglass because it's what they've always sold.

Unfortunately this is 2011 and we have new technologies, and as an educated consumer THAT's what I want, just have a hard time finding it.

 

[pcmeiners]

Thanks for the heads up, was looking for an alternative to fiberglass...
Home Depot appears good bit cheaper, so if your getting quantity get Lowes to match price.

 

[jvitez]

In case you're interested, here's my thread on using Roxul, and some pics.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52215

Glad it's finally making it's way south. I couldn't imagine using fibreglass batts ever again.

 

[nate379]

I don't know what the stuff I used is made out of but it's white and R21 for a 2x6 wall. Doesn't itch, though the pink stuff doesn't make me itch either.

 

[bluesman2a]

OK, I insulated a 5X5X8 shower stall (and ceiling) with this stuff last night. WOW!
First off, I purposely didn't wear any gloves... No itch.
The stuff is MUCH denser than comparable fiberglass, more like a foam mat than what we are used to with fiberglass. Because of this, it friction-fits VERY well, but you have to cut it to EXACT size. The bread-knife to cut it DOES work well as previously reported.

I had a LOT of pipes to cut-in around, per jvitez's advice, it worked well slitting the material and sliding the pipe into the slot (think hot-dog/bun here). Also because of the way the material is constructed, there are "layers" so it was wasy to peel back say 1/2 of the thickness put it behind some complex piping then put the rest on top of it. All in all, MUCH superior material to work with than fiberglass batts.

My only gripes are the separate vapor barrier (which for my shower was a LOT more work) and the fact that the batts themselves are only about 4' long (at least the ones I got) so you have to piece a couple together for a standard 8' wall.

Would I use it again? Ya, you betcha!

I'll try to get some pics later today, comparing the two.