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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
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General: Rockwool Availability

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorOsprey
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2023
     
    I have noticed that Rockwool roll is in short supply lately. It became somewhat more expensive than 'glass mineral wool' (e.g.Knauf) and now the DIY warehouses do not seem to sell it anymore, and Wickes seem to be selling of old stock (ripped wrapping). Travis-Perkins list it, but zero stock etc. Online still has some availability, but most have 'not in stock' or 'POA only'.

    Anybody know if this is a temporary shortage, or has glass wool won the 'loft roll war'?
    • CommentAuthorRex
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2023
     
    Not being able to answer your question, but in a similar vein; when I built around 14 years ago, the various insulation companies where giving BOGOFF offers on rolls of insulation. I did not need lots, but did need some to fill various voids that the Warmcel did not get to and fill other areas.

    The insulation that I bought was the pale green stuff, made form recycled bottles. Guess it is the insulation equivalent of fleece. Don't know how good it is in the long term, but I notice these days, not available in any of the discount stores and nor are any offers.

    It was wonderful stuff to handle.

    Given the push towards carbon zero and the need to insulate the existing housing stock, I am surprised that the insulation companies are not pushing their products with good deals.

    But what do I know?
    • CommentAuthorOsprey
    • CommentTimeSep 19th 2023
     
    I am only guessing, but it seems Rockwool may be focusing more on batts of various types, which are probably in high demand for new builds, ewi, etc, rather than loft roll for the more price--sensitive DIY market. Less choice for loft floors and suspended underfloors.
    • CommentAuthorjms452
    • CommentTimeSep 23rd 2023
     
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: Rex</cite>The insulation that I bought was the pale green stuff, made form recycled bottles. Guess it is the insulation equivalent of fleece. Don't know how good it is in the long term, but I notice these days, not available in any of the discount stores and nor are any offers.</blockquote>

    Previously there there were plentiful waste plastic bottles being collected but they were under-utilised so became a cheap source of plastic - insulation fleece would have hoovered this up. Now recycled PET is about the same price as virgin (if not sightly more) and is used make new bottles and fabrics.

    Good news really for the circular economy when we can pretty efficiently make insulation out of wood offcuts.
  5.  
    Posted By: jms452Good news really for the circular economy when we can pretty efficiently make insulation out of wood offcuts.

    When they are not using them to make pellets for wood burners:devil::devil:
    • CommentAuthorwookey
    • CommentTimeOct 22nd 2023 edited
     
    Posted By: Rexwhen I built around 14 years ago, the various insulation companies where giving BOGOFF offers on rolls of insulation.

    Given the push towards carbon zero and the need to insulate the existing housing stock, I am surprised that the insulation companies are not pushing their products with good deals.


    Those cheap loft insulation deals existed because the Energy Companies had an Obligation ('ECO') to spend money on energy reduction measures. Subsidising loft insulation was one of the most cost-effective things they could do, so the stuff was practically free for a few years. That ECO1 scheme was part of the Cameron/Osbourn 'green crap' bonfire of 2015 so it was all different after that. (ECO2 onwards) and essentially money was all directed toward social housing and people on benefits.

    https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco
    • CommentAuthorsgt_woulds
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2023
     
    I work for a company that makes woodfibre insulation and we monitor our competitor's performance in the market.

    There has been a drop in Rockwool supply to the UK, not just of loft rolls, but batts too. This seems to be partly caused by unavoidable price increases thanks to the energy price spike and Brexit.

    Rockwool uses a huge amount of energy in manufacturing as it requires temperatures with many zeros at the end. Compared to natural insulations, they have seen a 40+% increase in sales price to compensate for higher production costs.

    Brexit only compounds this as the cost to get anything into the UK has increased and has nock-on for the sold price. The big blue & orange DIY chains seem unwilling to pay the extra costs, nor pass this on to customers so shelves are staying bare.

    They've also lost a huge market share in France, (amongst others) which is pushing natural insulations in a huge way, so have had to scale back manufacture and don't appear capable of ramping back up for UK demand.

    My wife works for a building firm and is tearing her hair out trying to get hold of mineral wools for their projects.

    Similar manufacturing cost increases have been felt by other man-made insulation manufacturers although they may have found them easier to absorb as their manufacturing costs have been kept artificially low historically.
  8.  
    The above thread doesn't mention the 'Grenfell factor' either.

    My practice tends to work on larger scale projects that usually require entirely non-combustible materials in the facade. Mineral wool is pretty much the only option for this (that insurers will underwrite), so I suspect most of the focus lately is on supplying this market, especially for the re-cladding contracts where towers are currently clad in flammable insulation that needs replacing.
    • CommentAuthorsgt_woulds
    • CommentTimeOct 23rd 2023
     
    True, and I bet those projects a cursing and struggling to get the material too.

    The post-Grenfell rules were mostly kneejerk reactions based on, (I'm being generous here) an 'incomplete understanding' of combustibility.

    Given that some of the manufacturers involved had a FULL understanding of how their products would react in the event of a fire, we cannot blame the politicians for that caution at least. There are plenty of other things they can be held accountable for...

    This is highjacking the OP thread a bit, but there is a new guide to mass timber buildings up to 18m tall that meets guidelines and is designed with the support of insurance and warranty providers that should help us to move on from Grenfell:

    https://timberdevelopment.uk/new-model-building-launched-to-help-decarbonise-housing/

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