Climate change is a real problem, and we have been dealing with it for a long time now. Unfortunately, if we don’t fix our ways of living, then this problem will keep on increasing. One of the top ways you can do your part is to create a home that consumes less energy.
In the long run, your electricity consumption and cost will reduce, and it will be better for the environment. Owens Corning and Rockwool and the top two manufacturers of insulation. If you can’t decide between Owens Corning thermafiber vs. Rockwool, then you must keep reading ahead.
Here is everything you must know about it to make the right decision. You might also enjoy reading: Propane vs. Solar: Which is Better for Living Off-Grid?
What Is Owens Corning Thermafiber?
Owens Corning is a global company that designs and creates insulation. Thermafiber manufactures Mineral Wool insulation products, including mineral wool insulation that saves energy, controls sound, and provides fire protection.
Owens Corning Thermafiber is developed to provide excellent thermal insulation in residential and commercial buildings.
What is Rockwool?
Rockwool is a brand-specific type of mineral wool insulation that has become synonymous with mineral wool because of its popularity.
According to the manufacturer, the brand-specific Rockwool insulation is generally made of recycled materials between 16 to 40 percent. However, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, mineral wool insulation includes an average of 75 percent of recycled materials.
Owens Corning Thermafiber vs. Rockwool: What Are The Differences?
If you want insulation from the best brands, there is nothing better than choosing Owens Corning or Rockwool. Thermafiber is different than the insulation of stone wool by Rockwool. However, both of them offer mineral insulations.
Here is a comprehensive guide of the differences to help you decide right:
1- The Material
The top difference lies in the material of Owens Corning thermafiber and Rockwool. But Owens Corning thermafiber uses a thermafiber material made of some rocks and slag. Of course, slag has a higher content, and it also contains over 70% of recycled items in the final product.
The best part is that the thermafiber insulation by Owens Corning does not have any combustible retardants. Besides that, the ingredients are resistant to mold for the best results. On the other hand, Rockwool uses different materials to create their insulation.
The company’s mineral fiber is based on rocks. The primary ingredients of such insulation creation are the waste from stone wool recycling, slag, basalt, coke, and more. Once the complete product is created, it has almost 99% basal rock.
Even the material by Rockwool does not have any flame retardants. Besides that, the materials will never get moldy. If we compare this to Owens Corning, slag insulation is relatively substandard to the materials used by Rockwool.
The table below contains percentages of recycled content used in Rockwool and Thermafiber.
| Rockwool | Thermafiber | |
| Recycled content | 16 to 40 percent | Min. 70% |
2- The Usage
The application and usage of thermafiber and Rockwool are completely different. That is because, inside a home, you can utilize different insulation methods depending on where you live. So, you need to ensure that the insulation you select is ideal for the area you want to insulate.
If you don’t select the right insulation, it will be challenging to install, and the performance will not be up to the mark. For example, most people insulate attic floors with fiberglass batts. On the other hand, people also use rigid-foam panels for the basement walls.
Of course, it is best to consult a professional before deciding this. However, you can also select between Owens Corning thermafiber vs. Rockwool. Both their materials will have different uses in different areas of your home.
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3- User-Friendliness
Thermafiber and Rockwool have different user-friendliness and versatility. Besides that, they also have different applications. For example, you must also cut the Rockwool material by utilizing a bread knife with a jagged blade.
The material is also quick to assemble, as the thick fiberglass batts will fit perfectly into a place that will not require additional stapling. This is true when you are trying to insulate your home ceiling. Of course, Owens Corning thermafiber has different user-friendliness.
For example, you can utilize thermafiber for various applications, such as ceilings, floors, walls, and more. The best part about this insulation material is that it is available in steel and wood construction. Therefore, once you cut the material, it will easily fit into the place you want.
So, Owens Corning thermafibre will save you a lot of effort and time. You can select a material depending on how much user-friendliness you want.
4- Energy
As the climate change problem is getting out of hand, we must select the right insulation materials for our homes that conserve energy. That is why it is important to consider the difference in Owens Corning thermafibre vs. Rockwool. For example, Rockwool has environmental certifications from GreenGuard and various other such authorities.
On the other hand, Owens Corning thermafibre has energy certifications from EPD, HPD, Green Globes, LEED, and various other such authorities. These energy certifications help decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Besides that, they also ensure that you are living in an insulated home.
5- Health Risk
Before selecting any material for your home, you must consider the health risks. After all, you don’t want to risk your or your family’s health. So, the difference in the health risk of Owens Corning thermafibre vs. Rockwool is crucial to understand.
Remember that both these materials pose some risk to your health. That is because such insulation blocks can contain lots of fiber shards and dust. So, it is vital for professionals to install them properly so that they don’t pose a danger to your health.
If the installation is completed correctly, the insulation material will not be of nuisance to you. However, once they are installed, take proper precautions for the best results.
Final Verdict: Is Owen Cornings Thermafibre Better Than Rockwool?
Of course, now you have understood some basics about the brands, so you might be wondering if Owens Cornings thermafibre is better than Rockwool. It depends on what you want from the insulation material.
- Rockwool is the best choice if you want to add a soundproofing effect to an area with some insulation.
- The Owens Corning thermafibre can add a little sound resistance, but it is nothing significant for you to worry about. If you want better insulation but don’t care about the soundproofing effect, then you can select Owens Cornings thermafibre instead.
So, be sure to go through all the differences and then decide what kind of insulation you want for your home. After that, you must check the reviews of both companies and see if they are the right fit for you. Once you do, you will have the best insulation solution in your home that will offer you excellent use for a long time to come.
See also: Advantages And Disadvantages Of An Off-Grid Solar System.
Wrapping Up
Both thermafiber and Rockwool have multiple products at various densities. If you are only looking for thermal insulation, then the cheaper of the two products is probably fine.
I would suggest you discuss with a pro with extensive knowledge about the pros and cons of both Owens Cornings thermafibre and Rockwool.