Is Rockwool Good for Acoustic Treatment?

Rockwool, which is also called mineral wool, is called as such because it is actually melted down rocks that are aired and spun until it becomes cotton-candy like fiber strands, which are then compressed into thick, dense mats. Some people use it for its purported sound deadening and acoustic capabilities.

Rockwool is made from non-directional fibers that trap airborne noise, making it a good choice for acoustic treatment. While the performance for sound absorption is remarkable, Rockwool is not easy to work with as it irritates the skin and lungs.

If you are interested in adding to the acoustics inside a room, Rockwool is a good product to do so although there are better options out there. In this article, we will discuss how to install Rockwool inside a room, how much it will cost to do so, and look at some better options for acoustic treatment inside a room.

How to Install Rockwool in a Room for Acoustic Treatment

If you hope to improve the acoustics inside a room, then Rockwool will help, albeit not as much as other methods. If you are still looking to install Rockwool in a room, there are ways to do so that will make it much more effective than opposed to not installing it properly.

The key idea here is to create a room within a room. This is done by essentially adding an extra wall in front of the existing one and then using Rockwool to fill the gaps in between them, which prevents the noise from getting trapped between the two walls and then echoing and amplifying.

Luckily, Rockwool is quite easy to work with since it is able to be cut down to size so that it may fit into space it is needed to fill; this cutting can be done with a standard serrated knife or handsaw.

Rockwool is good for sound dampening but is mostly prized for its other qualities, which include:

Fire-resistant up to about 1,400 degrees
Water repellant
Very insulating of heat
Very durable and takes a long time to degrade
Resistant to mold, since it allows moisture to escape

Now that you are familiar with the basics of Rockwool and how it should be installed, let’s look at how much it will cost you to install.

How Much Does Rockwool Cost to Install?

The price of installing Rockwool comes down to two main factors, which is the price of the Rockwool materials and the cost of the actual installation.

Let’s take a look at both of these below.

Price of Rockwool Materials

Although Rockwool has many benefits, especially when compared to fiberglass, a downside is that it is slightly more expensive than other insulation products.

For example, fiberglass will typically cost between 57 and 72 cents per square foot; on the other hand, Rockwool insulation will cost over $1 per a square foot of material with the same thickness.

Remember, thicker material will cost more and, if you are looking to improve acoustics in a room, this is what you need. So, before you purchase your Rockwool, make sure to try and get the thickest material you can.

While it may not seem like much of a difference in price point, the variation will add up very quickly. Depending on how big the room is and how much insulation is actually needed, this can be a difference of thousands of dollars.

So, it’s best to consider why you are choosing Rockwool over other products. Do you need Rockwool specifically? If it is specifically for acoustic treatment, then there are certainly other products that will perform better while costing the same.

Remember, Rockwool was not designed specifically for its sound properties, so make sure you are installing it for the right reason.

If you do choose to install Rockwool and have purchased the materials, you may need to pay for installation from a professional- let’s look at how much this might cost.

Price of Installation and Labor Fees

How much labor you need will depend entirely on the specific job you are undergoing. It may so happen that you don’t actually need to hire anyone since you are either skilled or the job is an easy one. However, if you do need the help of a professional handyman or contractor, it will add to the budget.

How much you pay for a general contractor or handyman will depend entirely on their specific rates, experience level, the job at hand, and the company they are with (they may not be with a company at all).

Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $65 an hour for labor fees. Since this is such a wide range of fees, make sure to do your research into who you are hiring since it can either make or break your budget.

Also, don’t forget to get a proper quote before your handyman or contractor starts work so that you can make sure you are staying on budget. It is not uncommon for homeowners to have no idea how long a certain job might take which means you can end up with a bill costing way more than expected.

Now that you understand Rockwool installation and how much it might cost, let’s explore some other, more effective options for acoustic treatment.

Other Options for Acoustic Treatment in a Room

There are numerous other options that you can use for the acoustic treatment inside a room. While some of these will certainly be more expensive than Rockwool, they will also be much more effective for the purpose.

If you are interested in other options for acoustic treatment, make sure to check out any of the following three popular options:

Bass Traps– Bass traps are arguably the first product that you should look into for acoustic treatment since they will sometimes be able to fix the acoustics in a room all by themselves.
Acoustic Panels – these should be used as a supplemental tool for acoustic treatment after bass traps are implemented; the benefit of acoustic panels is you can cover much more surface area for less money than the bass traps.
Diffusers – diffusers are the last of these three acoustic treatment options that you should look at purchasing, as they are the least effective, but if you have the budget then these may help.

These are just some of the methods and products that can be used to improve the acoustics inside a room. While each and every method or product may not fit your specific needs or budget, it is likely that at least one if not more will, so be sure to do your research.

Conclusion

Rockwool is a relatively inexpensive (compared to other soundproof products) and easy to work with material that helps for dampening sound and adding to the acoustics in a room, especially if done correctly.

That said, there are other options that are better for acoustic treatment in a room; these include bass traps, acoustic panels, and diffusers.