Manila’s scorching summer heat has breached dangerous levels in recent weeks, with some areas’ heat index hitting as high as 50°C. Homes in the Metro often become unbearably hot, making it difficult to study, work, and even to just relax due to the discomfort brought by extreme temperatures and rising humidity. While people can seek refuge in coffee shops or bustling malls, many still opt to cool down in the peace and comfort of their own homes. However, home air conditioners, electric fans, and even standing air coolers don’t seem to be enough anymore, barely giving some relief to residents in this heat. To make matters worse, with the rising energy costs, most can only afford to keep it on for a limited amount of time and not throughout the entire day.
The Foundations of Cooling Down
Keeping homes cool and comfortable has become a challenge for many homeowners, especially those whose homes have stone or concrete walls and GI steel roofs. This is mainly due to heat memory, a concept that follows that heat travels from areas of high to low concentration, paired with the high thermal conductivity of steel exposed to direct sunlight. In the case of physical spaces, this means that these areas can have high temperatures not only during the day, but even at night as well.
As not all of the materials of our homes are often seen in the finished output, home insulation is often an overlooked aspect in assisting cooling systems. Roofing insulation, in particular, plays a crucial role in cooling down spaces by creating a barrier against heat gain. As the part of the house hit strongest by the sun, having good roofing or wall insulation can not only greatly reduce heat transfer into a space’s interiors, but can also decrease energy costs as cooling systems have a more efficient time maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures.
Mineral, Foam, Bubble, and Foil—Which one to Choose?
Mineral wool comes out on top as best in heat insulation and overall safety compared to other insulating materials in the market. Made from natural minerals such as basalt or diabase, mineral wool keeps spaces cooler more efficiently and is far more durable and long-lasting, requiring minimal maintenance and less replacements to preserve its effectiveness.
Apart from that, mineral wool is also moisture resistant. Being a tropical country, the Philippines experiences both ends of the spectrum—intense heat waves and torrential rains. Because of this, it’s important that the material selected for heat insulation is made last amidst both dry and wet weather.
Manila has also seen its fair share of fires that easily consume homes and those around it. Foam insulation, in particular, is highly flammable and therefore a fire hazard. It can also release toxic fumes when ignited, posing a significant fire hazard to homes. Bubble and foil too have limited fire resistance, with the potential to catch fire and spread flames rapidly in the event of a fire. Mineral wool, on the other hand, is non-combustible, making it the safer, superior option for homes, especially in areas prone to fires.
More than the practical use cases of mineral wool, it’s also the most environmentally friendly. Usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content, mineral wool allows homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint. Foam, made from petrochemicals, and bubble and foil, made from non-recyclable materials, may all contain harmful substances, thus contributing to environmental pollution and ecological damage.
Cool Down Your Home with KITCI’s Mineral Wool
Mineral wool can be seen as a long-term investment, giving you peace of mind that your home remains effectively and safely insulated, and fire and moisture resistant for a longer period of time. As they say, you get what you pay for.
At KITCI, we take pride in helping our clients keep their home environment’s overall temperature at a maximum of 34°C at all times with the best of the best mineral wool roof insulation materials. Choose from our range of Rockwool Insulation, or have us craft a custom solution for you. Whatever it is, we’re here to help you choose the right roofing insulation material—a decision that is more important than ever. By choosing the right insulation material and ensuring proper installation, you are able to not only reduce cooling costs and environmental impact, but improve energy efficiency and create a more comfortable indoor environment for your families as well.
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