Rockwool --where to buy?

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klain

New Member
Nov 27, 2008
16
Connecticut
Does anyone know where to buy or look for rockwool insulation.? Tryed a few stove and hardware stores without any luck.
Thanks
 
I got rockwool- under the brand name Roxul- from a wallboard/insulation supplier in my home town. I found them through the Roxul website. They are sold as "accoustic fire bats" or something similar. The material is somewhat difficult to work with as it falls apart under its own weight (hold a fire bat up and it may rip under its own weight), so I could not really install it using a staplegun. Mine went under flashing on my kiln, however, and has been fine once in place.
 
Roxul mineral wool batts are what I used in my installations also. The only places I have found it, as pantless says, is on websites for acoustic insulation.
 
Another option is to find yourself a reputable drywall supply house. Not the big box stores, but the ones that supply contractors (most will sell to homeowners). The stores that do commercial stuff may very well have Rockwool (Roxul) as a standard item that you can walk out the door with. It may come in larger bats than you need. If so, don't be afraid to ask if they have a broken bag. (it happens quite a bit).
 
Jags said:
Another option is to find yourself a reputable drywall supply house. Not the big box stores, but the ones that supply contractors (most will sell to homeowners). The stores that do commercial stuff may very well have Rockwool (Roxul) as a standard item that you can walk out the door with. It may come in larger bats than you need. If so, don't be afraid to ask if they have a broken bag. (it happens quite a bit).

That's exactly who I went to. I think I found them through the Roxul site though. maybe not.
 
Adios Pantalones said:
Jags said:
Another option is to find yourself a reputable drywall supply house. Not the big box stores, but the ones that supply contractors (most will sell to homeowners). The stores that do commercial stuff may very well have Rockwool (Roxul) as a standard item that you can walk out the door with. It may come in larger bats than you need. If so, don't be afraid to ask if they have a broken bag. (it happens quite a bit).

That's exactly who I went to. I think I found them through the Roxul site though. maybe not.

Do you actually expect me to READ your posts.....jeesh ;-)
 
Just make sure you wear gloves,dust mask and long sleeves when handling the Roxul. It's seriously itchy!
 
klain said:
Does anyone know where to buy or look for rockwool insulation.? Tryed a few stove and hardware stores without any luck.
Thanks

Killingly Building Products in Eastern CT Exit 92 on Rt 395 is a wholesale drywall supplier. They have mineral wool in stock. They will also sell retail. I don't know if this is close by for you.

RPK1
 
I got it off Ebay.. And much cheaper compared to other sites offering the same.

Search:
Kaowool Ceramic Fiber Blanket

And yes, Take precautions when handling the stuff. The slightest movement results in thousands of razor sharp fibers being liberated into the air. Big time itch factor to the skin and no doubt real bad for the lungs.. Can't help but notice the cancer warnings on the box in 50 different languages. I'm sure that's for repeated high level exposures over a period of time but take precautions, the less you breath this stuff the better..
 
Hmm, I was not aware of that.

What I ordered was listed as Koawool but I thought that was more like a brand name. The box I received said "Thermal Ceramics, Ceramic Fiber Blanket 1" by #8 density". I didn't note the temperature rating but like you say probably not worth paying more for the higher temp stuff for fireplace shielding use..
 
Adios Pantalones said:
Ya- kaowool is ceramic fiber, rather than rockwool.

That may be the same stuff used to insulate boiler chambers.

We are doing a rebuild on a boiler at work and there are several boxes labeled as ceramic fiber. The stuff comes in rolls and I seen them cut it with a big pair of shears.

That boiler is rated at 75K pounds of steam per hour @ 250 psi and fueled with natural gas. Water tube type boiler. The stuff is used between the outer shell which is 26 gauge material that looks like metal roofing and the liner next to the refractory (1/8 in sheet iron). It is also used directly over the steam drum. I'll let AP and Rick sort out what BTU abuse it is rated at.
 
They sell it at Homer's Depot up here but there is a factory in Grand Forks BC. At least it is sold in Alberta and BC stores. Not sure about anywhere else.
 
Roxul is rated to 1200F - fine for normal ops, but not going to be good if you have a flue overtemp. Suitable for Noncombustible behind stoves, but I don't want it to touch my liner.

Liners are rated for 2100F in Canada, so any approved insulation needs to meet the same temp, hence the ceramic wool blanket is more expensive.
 
Have you tried the local neighborhood stove shop/chimney sweep? I got some ceramic insulation from a local shop.
 
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