What is Kimsul insulation?

Kimsul™, produced by Kimberly Clark, in Neenah Wisconsin in the U.S., is an older insulating material used from about 1930 into at least the 1950's and that has been described by some building history sources as a creped paper insulating material that was impregnated by asphalt.

Is Kimsul insulation asbestos?

They're considered natural products and also are not known to contain asbestos. Kimsul, looks like layered creped paper and is impregnated with asphalt. It is not known to contain asbestos. It was manufactured from the early-mid 1930s through the early 1950s.

Does Balsam wool insulation have asbestos?

Note: Weyerhaeuser Balsam Wool Insulation does not and never has contained asbestos fibers.”

Should I remove balsam wool insulation?

Balsam Wool is perfectly safe and does not contain asbestos. You can leave it or, if you decide to remove, try to do it in such a way so as to not tear the paper, it'll be a much cleaner removal.

When was balsam wool insulation used?

"Balsam Wool" is a wood fiber product or "cellulose" insulation that was widely used in homes and in a variety of other applications in the U.S. from at least the 1930's.

Kimmco Glasswool self Adhesive Aluglass facing Roll Insulation

Does old rock wool insulation contain asbestos?

Rock Wool Manufacturing Company Facts

In 1988, the company added wrapped pipe insulation to its product line. Rock Wool still makes products for residential, industrial and commercial buildings as well as marine applications, none of which contains asbestos.

Is mineral wool the same as asbestos?

Mineral wool's predecessor was asbestos. Mineral wool was a replacement for asbestos after that substance became banned. For a long time, asbestos was used as an insulation material. Asbestos was discovered to be dangerous in 1900 following a death from pulmonary fibrosis and asbestos was found in the victim's lungs.

What is vermiculite insulation?

Vermiculite in insulation is a pebble-like, blown-in product and usually light-brown or gold in color. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long. If you have vermiculite insulation in your attic, you should assume that the material may contain asbestos.

What is rock wool insulation?

ROCKWOOL insulation is a stone-based mineral fiber insulation comprised of Basalt rock and Recycled Slag. The recycled content in mineral wool is derived from the steel slag. ROCKWOOL products contain between 16% or 40% pre-consumer recycled material dependent on the ROCKWOOL manufacturing facility location.

What is mineral wool insulation made of?

Mineral wool insulation (also called rock or slag wool insulation): Made from rock, blast furnace slag, and other raw materials which are melted and spun into fibers to resemble the texture of wool. Mineral wool comes in batts, rolls or loose-fill forms.

What are the disadvantages of rockwool?

The only disadvantages of Rockwool are that it is not biodegradable and can be slightly more expensive than similar insulating materials like fiberglass and cellulose.

Is rock wool insulation good?

Rockwool is a highly durable insulation option.

This is primarily due to the materials used to make Rockwool insulation, including rock and steel slag, which are known for having a high level of durability and natural resistance to decay and corrosion.

Is rockwool better than fiberglass?

While, both unfaced fiberglass and unfaced mineral wool are noncombustible and help delay the spread of fire, mineral wool does have a much higher melting point than fiberglass, and as such it is often considered the more fire-resistant material.

What are the dangers of vermiculite?

By not disturbing the vermiculite, you are reducing your chances for exposure to asbestos. If vermiculite is disturbed, it could cause tiny, needle-like asbestos fibers to become airborne. Asbestos in the air can be inhaled and cause lung damage. If asbestos is not in the air, it is not dangerous to your lungs.

When was vermiculite insulation banned?

The vermiculite from Libby is part of the longest man-made environmental disaster in American history. It was mined there for more than 50 years, ending in 1990. The insulation, which was known by the brand name Zonolite, is most often found in residential attics.

How can you tell if insulation is vermiculite?

Identifying Insulation That is Made From Vermiculite

Vermiculite insulation is a pebble-like, pour-in product and is usually gray-brown or silver-gold in color.

Is mineral wool insulation cancerous?

The EPA has classified refractory ceramic fibers as probable human carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined glass filaments, glass wool, rock wool, and slag wool to not be classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).

Is mineral wool insulation harmful?

Fiber glass and mineral wool insulation consists of man-made vitreous fibers and are safe to manufacture, fabricate, install, and use when certain common-sense work practices are followed. These products are the most thoroughly researched insulation material on the market today.

What is the healthiest insulation?

Is rock wool the same as asbestos?

Rock wool (RW) is a kind of asbestos substitute and is widely used in the construction industry, in particular for fire-resisting insulation, thermal insulation, and acoustic absorption.

What type of insulation was used in the 1940s?

The 1930s – 1940s

When researcher Dale Kleist attempted to create a vacuum seal between two glass blocks, an accidental stream of high-pressured air turned some of the glass into thin fibers. These fibers became the base of fiberglass insulation, which became popular in the 1940s.

How long has Rockwool insulation been around?

Mineral wool insulation, developed in the 1850's, patented in 1875 in the U.S. and this material, also called rock wool or in some texts slag wool insulation remained in popular use in the U.S. up to the 1950's, and is still in use today (2008) in some new construction, in manufactured housing, and in special ...

Does Rockwool insulation require a vapor barrier?

Note that rock-wool insulation only comes un-faced, meaning there's no kraft-paper or foil barrier. Depending on the situation, you may need to install an independent permeable membrane to serve as a vapor barrier.

Is Rockwool worth the money?

In many ways, mineral wool is a superior insulation product. It has a higher R-value per inch compared to fiberglass, about a 22-37% higher R-value. It contains 70% recycled material, making it a greener product than fiberglass at 20-30% recycled material..

Can Rockwool get wet?

Although mineral wool is water-resistant, it is not waterproof. Therefore, it is still possible for mineral wool insulation to get wet. If it does become wet, however, the insulation will not absorb the water into its fibers.