Here's an inexpensive alternative to mineral wool insulation

[willy535]

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[Banditperformance]

Originally Posted by BottleFed70

I've been reading here the last few weeks and soaking up all the good information. So I guess it's time to post my own.

When I went to my local insulation supplier and told them what I was planning, they talked me out of the rigid mineral wool insulation and sold me AFB (Acoustical Fire Barrier). Which is still the same material, just in a more "fluffy and flexible" form. They told me that it has the following advantages:

- Cheaper (less than 1/2 the price of the regular rigid mineral wool) I bought a 85 sf/ft bundle of 2" thick insulation for $60 CDN (about $50 US).
- Weighs less due to higher concentration of air pockets
- Better R value (insulation value) due to higher concentration of air pockets
- Better seal because you lightly pack it into place and it "Expands" to fill any small gaps.
- Comes in regular sizes for use with steel studs (2" or 4" thick, 24"x48" or 16"x48" pieces depending on if you are using 24" studs or 16" studs).

Apparently this stuff is VERY common as it's used in apartments, duplexes, commercial buildings, etc... wherever building codes require a fire barrier. Just ask for "AFB".

The only downside I can think of is that it won't work well for applications where you want a rigid insulation (For example: Pregnant oven).

$60 for 2" WOAAAA. I buy Mineral Wool, R22, 6" batts at Tim Br Mart for $28CDN a bag. Under teh name Roxul I have tested the difference between Roxul and regular fiberglass ins. They both are R22, but the Roxul worked WAY better.