I am going to convert an outbuilding into a studio and course venue. I need to insulate. There is building paper on the outside against the panel, standing plank. Now the question is, what is the difference between using mineral wool, rock wool, or cellulose? Do you need a vapor barrier, plastic if you have mineral wool? Or can you also have a vapor open one as with the cellulose? How do the materials differ in terms of insulation ability?
The walls will then be clad with rough-sawn boards and painted, probably with egg oil tempera.
Grateful for a quick response.
Maria in Mora
The walls will then be clad with rough-sawn boards and painted, probably with egg oil tempera.
Grateful for a quick response.
Maria in Mora
Mineral wool is either rock wool or glass wool. Rockwool is a brand of rock wool. Rock wool has a higher density than glass wool, but the density can still vary significantly even for rock wool. A high density in an exterior wall contributes to the wall's thermal inertia. Unlike glass wool and rock wool, cellulose fibers are a more hygroscopic material, meaning they can store more moisture. There are many other opinions about the materials, but they are more related to the manufacturing process. The insulation capability is the same for all these materials.
The need for a vapor barrier mostly depends on the heating conditions. A vapor barrier is intended to prevent water vapor in warm indoor air from condensing inside the wall when it meets a cold surface. In unheated or sporadically heated buildings, no vapor barrier is needed. Exterior walls in heated premises that have some type of mineral wool as insulation need a vapor barrier. When using cellulose fibers, some form of vapor retarder may work. Almost all manufacturers of cellulose fibers have their own recommendations regarding this.
Egg oil tempera is the world's best indoor paint for wood, if you don't need to clean the walls often.
The need for a vapor barrier mostly depends on the heating conditions. A vapor barrier is intended to prevent water vapor in warm indoor air from condensing inside the wall when it meets a cold surface. In unheated or sporadically heated buildings, no vapor barrier is needed. Exterior walls in heated premises that have some type of mineral wool as insulation need a vapor barrier. When using cellulose fibers, some form of vapor retarder may work. Almost all manufacturers of cellulose fibers have their own recommendations regarding this.
Egg oil tempera is the world's best indoor paint for wood, if you don't need to clean the walls often.
The space/studio will be heated with a heat pump and a stove. It will be more or less heated (lower night temperature) during the cold season. I don't like the idea of standing and painting inside a "plastic bag." Should I choose cellulose and a vapor barrier?
In that case, yes.
Regarding your idea of "painting in a plastic bag," it should be added that even if you use hygroscopic material and a vapor barrier, the result should be airtight (but not vapor-tight, unlike plastic), so I don't think that idea should be the deciding factor. Air exchange should instead occur through controlled ventilation, not through half-open walls.
Furthermore, I am a strong advocate of hygroscopic materials rather than plastic and mineral wool.
Furthermore, I am a strong advocate of hygroscopic materials rather than plastic and mineral wool.