The human voice extends down to 100Hz and the 10cm are not yet ideal. if the absorber is larger than the wavelength (for example, 1 kHz has a wavelength of 34 cm), we can already achieve good absorption with a single absorber. R-value is the measurement of an insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat flow, and the higher a material’s R-value, the more effective it is as insulation. But to get a feeling for the effects of different absorber depths and flow resistances, I know of no better and easier way than this calculator: http://www.acousticmodelling.com/porous.php. Alexa Erickson, U.S. National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, 7 Places That Could Use More Insulation—and Why, 5 Things to Know About Blown-in Insulation, 10 Ways Your Backyard Garden Can Combat Climate Change, 14 Things It's Illegal to Throw in the Trash, 25 Things Your Local Thrift Store Doesn’t Want You to Donate, Buy or DIY: 8 Clever Solutions for Storing Pots and Pans. The R-values of each product are 3.6 per-inch and 4.3 per-inch respectively.The extremely high integrity of a wool fiber allows it to outperform the synthetic competition, while decreasing impact on the environment. we assume a vertical angle when the sound hits the wall. Ultimately, it is a question of the goal, i.e. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. With a little luck, you will find one of the fabrics in your local hardware store. Professional mastering studios, which want to hear every frequency equally well in the low frequency range and have to make decisions, are in this range with their absorption, sometimes even higher. In order to get an overview of the areas in which this value is located, I have worked through some products of common mineral wool and have written down the flow resistance and density. This depth is therefore always suitable for reducing early reflections on the side walls or on the ceiling. And then we use the material table to see which material with which weight can be used to achieve this flow resistivity. Only the wooden construction becomes more expensive with larger absorbers. Based on the concrete examples, you have now got a feeling for the changes in absorption with increasing absorber depth. No matter which flow resistance we use, the damping is hardly available below 200Hz. Nevertheless, a certain linearity can be seen for each material type. It has a higher R-value per inch compared to fiberglass, about a 22-37% higher R-value. Sheep wool is very easy to install and has no toxic chemicals! COMFORTBATT®. I have little doubt that a dedicated mouse or rat would be happy nesting in rock wool, though it takes a bit more work to tunnel through higher-density rock wool than low- or mid-density fiberglass. Sheep’s wool has a protective skin that acts as a shield against abrasion. Rock wool ComfortBoard rigid board insulation comes in … This is the case, for example, when we think of the wall behind the speakers. Any other manufacturer can be used for glass wool and rock wool as long as the density (in kg / m³) is in the corresponding range. If you are like me, then the question of the size of the absorbers should be resolved relatively quickly. First, the raw material is different. Havelock Wool offers both wool batt and blow-in insulation. That’s one of the reasons why sheep’s wool insulation can provide acoustic performance comparable to the best mineral fibre products. To classify how well the curves of the free tool compare with professional software, I performed the same simulation with the Soundflow software from AFMG (second graphic). Much more important than the question of the material itself is a very important key figure. Among the most popular insulation materials today are fiberglass and rockwool (also known as mineral wool). Your ear will definitely be happy if you dedicate yourself to the topic of room acoustics and build your first absorber! The most important finding when comparing glass wool vs. rock wool: rock wool must be about 50% heavier than glass wool to achieve the same flow resistivity. Even deep room modes can be weakened with 40cm mineral wool. When the goal is defined, the question arises of how the room currently “looks” like and what problems it has. While most wool insulation uses waste wool that isn’t good enough for other uses (clothing, upholstery, home goods…) Havelock uses the full wool coat from Romney sheep raised in New Zealand. The difference between my current absorbers with 14000 Pa * s / m² rock wool and the 5000 Pa * s / m² Iso Bond will not be huge. RELATED: 7 Places That Could Use More Insulation—and Why. The orange curve with 11000 Pa * s / m² is already much weaker in the 100-500Hz range than all other curves. Second, the operation place is different. Prices can vary at any time, but expect to pay around $0.10 more per inch for mineral wool versus fiberglass. At high frequencies, i.e. Glass wool insulation is perhaps the most commonly used type of insulation installed today. Sound Absorbent for acoustic comfort: The non-directional structure of ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation is denser than traditional insulation products which helps to absorb acoustic waves and can reduce the intensity and propagation of noise.Stone wool also effectively reduces airflow and sound transmission, while providing higher airflow resistivity for improved sound attenuation. Breathing in asbestos could possibly cause lung-restrictive illness and death. If you find space in your room to install a 30cm deep absorber, you can count yourself lucky! Other forms of outdated insulation, like vermiculite and urea formaldehyde foam, are also harmful. If you live in an older home and plan to upgrade your insulation, be sure to test for asbestos and, if it is present, enlist professional help to remove it safely. Let's start with: With this question you can already see how I would approach the material selection: first we determine the correct range for the flow resistivity. the specific weight of the material, and the flow resistivity. The flow resistivity of 10000 Pa * s / m² can be achieved with both materials with a material density of 40kg / m². Sheep wool insulation requires treatment (usually with borax) to make it suitable for use in our homes. So the chances are good that you will achieve an improvement in any case. In this respect, the values are to be treated with caution and can differ slightly in reality. Now that I have extensive experience with rock wool, my next level will be Caruso Iso Bond. A rock wool manufacturer is a company that creates rock wool using man made materials to produce a very strong material, tensile strength-wise. As soon as it comes to music with drums and bass, frequencies below 100 Hz will probably also play an important role. Since I want to try Caruso Iso Bond because of the cleaner processing, I have already ordered some packages with WLG 040. Sheep’s wool insulation, however, comes from humanely sheared wool from sheep—with no hidden ingredients to be wary of. A flow resistance of about 3500 Pa * s / m² would be better. For the sake of completeness, the technical parameters that I used for my curves: air temperature: 20 degrees Celsius, air pressure: 101325 Pa, Angle of Incidence: 0 degrees, Porous Model: Allard and Champoux (1992). Since it strongly dampens the highs, but hardly changes anything in the bass, this type of absorber should only be used at specific points and should not be used on a large scale. It works great in harsh weather conditions and keeps sound level to a minimum. And in addition to porous absorbers, there are of course other types such as membrane absorbers or Helmholtz absorbers. It can be recognized by the unit Pa * s / m2. Thinsulate seems way more expensive, but we can apply it to the ribs and it’s (more?) From a material thickness of 20cm, we can slowly speak of broadband absorbers. Mineral wool insulation or rockwool typically costs more per inch than fiberglass insulation. This works to reduce the amount or insects and fungi growth within the wool. Sheep Wool Insulation – Sheep wool is used to protect sheep from some of the roughest conditions, making it a great insulator for homes as well. Essentially, sheep’s wool creates a balanced environment. But I think it is important to get a feel for the price differences between acoustically similar materials. In many ways, mineral wool is a superior insulation product. Also known as mineral wool, stone wool is created by spinning molten rock and minerals with steel slag to create a cotton-candy-like wool product. If it is only a question of voice recordings and editing like it can be found in many YouTube studios nowadays, then absorption below 80 Hz is not relevant and thus a thin absorber is sufficient. Since sheep’s wool contains moisture in each fiber, it doesn’t need the dangerous flame retardants that are added to synthetic insulation. Depending on the type, this requires a different material density. The output values are only achieved if a sufficient number of absorbers are placed side by side without gaps. On the other hand, you get Caruso Iso Bond with all relevant densities and flow resistances, both for thick and thin absorbers. For me, this doesn't quite work on the narrow side. I see the target value for the flow resistance as about 30,000 Pa * s / m², so that a certain absorption is also achieved in the lower frequency range. Thus, for stone wool we have a density in the range of 30-35kg / m³, for glass wool around 15-20kg / m³. In fact, they have difference in details. I haven’t ordered the insulation for our Promaster 159 xt HR…I’m back and forth between wool and thinsulate. As you can see from the graphic, such an absorber depth is only worthwhile for very light materials. I used the density of the respective rock wool here. It has the unit Pa * s / m. Since each manufacturer has different thicknesses in its range and we still want to determine which thickness is suitable for us, this value alone does not help us. So that the values are in the right range even when starting up for the first time, I would like to give you a little guide today for choosing the right insulation wool. of which 60% have a reactive side chain. With a noise reduction coefficient of 0.90 to 1.15, sheep’s wool insulation makes a supreme sound barrier for the home. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. I would consider 5000 Pa * s / m² as optimal at a depth of 30cm. For example, we achieve the value of 10000 Pa * s / m² with 35-40kg / m³ rock wool, or with 20kg / m³ glass wool. And also the music style or the instruments to be recorded or mixed are decisive for the question of the absorber depth. By compressing more material into a smaller space, however, the flow resistance can be increased significantly. There are many examples of how to build absorbers yourself for the recording studio or home theater. One of the primary benefits of sheep’s wool insulation is its stellar R-value. In general Rock wool or stone wool use stone as their primary ingredient with an inclusion of some slag wool while slag wool insulation uses slag wool (made from blast furnace slag) as its primary ingredient with an inclusion of some stone or rock wool, typically … Glass wool should be very similar, although it is said to have even higher health risks. Third, the cost performance is different. Cost of Rockwool Versus Fiberglass. Mineral wool uses mineral waste residue as raw material, rock wool use basalt as raw material. There are occasionally two values in data sheets. And if we don't want to open a mastering studio, there is nothing to be said against using far less. It is therefore purely dependent on the material and no longer on the thickness that was used for the measurement. The ultimate goal of this article is that you find the right material for you and your goals. As a rough guide, I wrote down the prices (converted per cubic meter) as I could find them on the Internet. While it is spinning,… If there is enough space in your room, then of course you can achieve the best results with 40cm. But I'm still curious! This specific material is created by spinning a synthetic material mixed with molten rock at high temperatures, at very high speeds. Therefore, we will return to this table later. If wool becomes inundated with moisture, the follicles within the fiber can hold up to a third of its weight. The specific weight is also taken into account in the calculation. That characteristic means that merino wool will be of higher quality, smoother against the skin, and possibly warmer in the winter. Unlike synthetic fibers, sheep’s wool insulation is a natural, rapidly renewable material that can be reused and/or recycled because it’s so durable. Because even below 100 Hz we achieve a noticeable absorption. It is of course even better than a 5cm absorber with 5cm wall distance if we fill the full 10cm with absorption material. On the other hand, the Fiberglass material has an R-value ranging from 2.2 to 2.7 per inch. The lighter the material, the more it arrives after crossing. Because in addition to the flow resistivity, it is ultimately of great importance for the overall effect how many absorbers I use and where I position them. Sheep’s Wool insulation has an R-value of approximately 3.5 to 3.8 per inch of material thickness. On the one hand, it is really low-risk with natural products such as hemp or sheep's wool. However, I’m going to make the case against rockwool and argue why you should never use rockwool again because rockwool is harmful. And don't worry if you are still undecided about the absorber depth. According to the International Wool Textile Industry, sheep wool is a 100% natural product and highly sustainable. You don’t need a vapor barrier between the walls and the insulation because the wool is the only insulation medium you can … And every mineral wool absorbs better than a bare wall! in R13, R21, and R38 thermal values. The relationship between weight and flow resistivity is most clearly shown in a graphic. Sheep’s wool insulation has a higher cost product compared to its synthetic counterparts. The terms Mineral Wool, Rock Wool, Rockwool, Stone Wool, and Slag Wool all refer to mineral-fibre insulation of various mixes and properties. This lower value also has advantages if I want to increase the absorber depth to 30cm on my back wall. Caruso Iso Bond, on the other hand, is very similar to rock wool. Since I want to operate my wall absorbers pretty exactly in this constellation (20cm depth and 10cm wall distance), I took a closer look at this case. Nevertheless, a high absorption can be produced from 400 Hz. Thinsulate seems way more expensive, but we can apply it to the ribs and it’s (more?) And so we have now reached a value that can actually be achieved with hemp wool. how short the reverberation should be in the low frequency range and how many dB the frequency response may fluctuate. From the ground up, insulation is a necessity in the home. At Absorber Depth, you are probably struggling with two goals: deep enough to properly absorb bass, but small enough not to waste too much space in the room. Rock wool can be more costly per batt but has a higher R value than fibreglass per inch; less health risks during installation; easier installation; it performs better for fire and sound and is less harmful to the environment. As an example, the R-15 mineral wool costs about 80¢ per sq. Let us first discuss about rock wool. In my view, the target value for the flow resistivity is around 14000 Pa * s / m². Mineral Wool Insulation. How materials react to fire is an increasingly important consideration. Since it is very time-consuming to impossible to acoustically measure all materials and all combinations at home, I have come to appreciate a (free!) At low frequencies, the degree of absorption is somewhat higher compared to the calculation without weight. There are not exactly 6000 Pa * s / m², but the 5000 Pa * s / m² that the manufacturer promises are close enough. Mineral wool has cheaper making cost, so the price is cheaper. Sheep’s wool insulation is an eco-friendly, nontoxic alternative to conventional insulations. This is then spun at high speed to form fibres, which are then stuck together using a resin binder, creating a thick web of fibres that is highly flexible and resembles sheep’s wool. I think it makes sense that we cannot conquer a 100 Hz wave (with a wavelength of 3.40 m) with a single absorber in the size of 1.20 m x 0.60 m. At low frequencies, we should be aware that we have to apply large areas. Sheep’s wool insulation also provides good sound dampening. While these materials are considered safe by institutes such as the U.S. National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, they do contain synthetic, hairlike fibers that can break off and become airborne during installation. Every material has an R-value. If we can increase the angle in practice, the values should always be better than the simulation for 0 degrees, since the sound travels more through the absorber at an oblique angle of incidence and is therefore better damped. You can use the material table at the beginning of this article to find some common types and approximate prices as a first orientation. In my experience, the 0 degree bends are the “worst”, i.e. In the best case, the values such as absorber depth and absorption properties should fit your goals. Natural wool insulation is effective for both thermal and acoustic insulation. The most important finding when comparing glass wool vs. rock wool: rock wool must be about 50% heavier than glass wool to achieve the same flow resistivity. COMFORTBATT ® is a stone wool insulation product for use in wood and steel framing in both new residential and commercial builds and renovations. durable, whereas the sheep’s wool option looks more cost effective, hydrophobic and can be stuffed into cracks easily. All potential dangers to human health aside, old insulation is also less effective at insulating the home. If, on the other hand, the room is reverberant but decays relatively evenly due to its spatial shape without overemphasizing individual frequencies, then the effort can be less. Carbon makes up 50% of the weight of wool (compared to 40% for cotton and 24% for cellulose). Sheep’s wool insulation offers an R-13 to R-19 value, which is equal to or greater than most of its fiberglass, cellulose, and rockwool counterparts. Because of its semi-permeability, wool functions as a temperature regulator: it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere of greater humidity and releases it to the drier atmosphere. I would choose a flow resistivity of 6000 Pa * s / m². So if using the thermal insulation material, mineral wool is … Rock wool insulation originates from a volcanic rock that is melted at a temperature around 1,600 °C. The higher the R-value, the better the material is at resisting the flow of heat. Thermafleece acoustic insulation is a greener alternative to normal Rockwool type acoustic mineral wool and is manufactured in the UK using sheep's wool. Sheep Wool Insulation: The Pitfalls: Lower Thermal Efficiency: The u-value of 270mm of sheep wool insulation is around 0.16, this compares to .0042 of mineral wool. Discarded sheep’s wool deemed too coarse to make into clothing or other fabric is often used for insulation. Wool is hair from sheep. Sheep’s wool insulation offers supreme durability due to its elasticity, and will keep a home toasty or cool for years to come. There are at least three brands of mineral wool batts for thermal wall insulation: Johns Manville TempControl, Roxul ComfortBatt and Thermafiber UltraBatt. Caruso Iso Bond, on the other hand, is very similar to rock wool. However, due to the longer reverberation and the pronounced room modes, it is less defined and balanced than in a well-treated room. It is important to distinguish natural sheep’s wool from mineral wool or rock wool, which are actually made from rock, blast furnace slag, or other raw materials which are then melted and sun into fibers. With common sense it can be guessed that there is a connection between the density, i.e. Bies was used as a model. The newer forms of rockwool pose little risk of breathing it in. a low degree of absorption is displayed. After all, who doesn't like crisp bass and a balanced frequency response even below 50Hz ?! I have what I hope is a fairly basic apples to oranges comparison to throw out to the community here. An absorption factor of 0.5 was possible without a wall clearance at around 200Hz. If it is rock wool, then you do very well with 45-50kg / m³, with glass wool with 25-30kg / m³. If you are wondering how deep your absorber should be, this is the graph that is most likely to give you an answer. Rock wool is white, off white or brownish-white. The energy required to produce sheep wool compared to manmade equivalents is tiny – as most of the energy required is used to wash the wool before use. Of course, every simulation is only an approximation. Wool Insulation 50mm x 400mm *10m (K value = 0.038 w/mk, or R value = 1.316) Please can someone advise me whether this difference in insulation K and R values are significant. Higher values have a slightly better absorption in the lows, but lose absorption above 300 Hz. Sheep wool is also very breathable and doesn’t hold as much moisture as other wool insulation. Ultimately, of course, remodeling your room will cost time and money.