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Steico Universal Dry versus Rockwool Comfortboard

user-7022518 | Posted in Energy Efficiency and Durability on

Can people weigh in on 2″ Steico Universal Dry (R6.15) versus 2″ Rockwool Comfortboard (R 8) for exterior insulation? There is a good source for the Steico close by and it is less expensive. We are building in Virginia so our winters are not as tough as up north so losing 2 R is doable. The Rockwool has better fire performance but the installation of the Steico is appealing with a simple tongue in groove board system that can stack up quickly. I am leaning toward the Rockwool because of our humidity and critters but I am trying to stay open to a wood fiber product. If anyone has taken a drive in West Virginia you will see signs objecting to the environmental damage of rockwool. 

Lisa

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Replies

  1. Expert Member
    Michael Maines | | #1

    Slightly better performance with Rockwool, and it's fireproof. Much lower embodied carbon in the Steico--depending on some variables, it may be even be carbon negative. It's also significantly easier to work with than Comfortboard. Unless you're in a high fire danger area, I would go with the Steico.

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