Now on the Russian market there are many types of modern heat-insulating materials. One of them is stone wool, which has long been used as a heater and is well-deservedly popular. It is this type that will be discussed in the proposed review.
Stone wool as insulation for walls is used when it is required to create thermal insulation in various building structures. She can effectively insulate the ceiling, wall, roof.
Stone wool as insulation
Features and characteristics of this material
The basis for the manufacture of this insulation is the rock. It is exposed to high temperatures, which leads to the formation of fibers. If we talk about the characteristics of this material, then this implies many parameters on which the properties of the insulation depend. These include the following indicators:
- The ability to conduct heat. In this regard, the material is highly effective. This is provided by its structure, porosity and airiness. It is scientifically proven that air is the best barrier to heat loss. The structure of the material is such that a large amount of air is surrounded by its fibers. The purchaser of stone wool receives a high fire safety of the material and good environmental performance as a bonus.
- Hydrophobicity. In the characteristics of any material for thermal insulation, moisture resistance is an important indicator. If it absorbs moisture, then its properties will deteriorate significantly, it simply will not be able to fully fulfill its purpose. Stone wool is characterized by high resistance to moisture. Its fibers are not able to get wet. In order to improve these properties, a "cake" is arranged, which includes a layer to isolate the steam.
Insulation resistance to moisture - The density indicators of stone wool for insulating facade walls is of significant importance, and affects the properties of thermal insulation.
- It is important to maintain the thickness structure during construction work.
This circumstance is dictated by the following requirements:
- loss of the shape of the insulation leads to a deterioration in its qualities;
- sedimentation of the material under its own weight is not allowed;
- the material must maintain its uniformity over the entire surface.
How to insulate stone wool fits well into all these requirements. This is achieved due to the following features:
- The threads are in different directions. As a result, the material cannot wrinkle and settle.
- The fibrous structure has good stiffness and flexibility. It is characterized by the preservation of form in "memory".
- The fibers are linked by synthetic components. This prevents tearing and loss of shape. Usually, phenol-formaldehyde resins are used as such components. It promotes the bonding of the fibers, thereby achieving the desired carpet thickness. To make the material water-repellent, it is treated with mineral oil.
- The high density prevents even the slightest deformation of the material.
- According to the thickness of the thermal insulation layer, stone wool is divided into soft, semi-rigid and rigid types. They have a letter designation that can be read on the packaging.
- In addition, stone wool has good sound insulation performance.
Indicators of thermal conductivity of stone wool fluctuate within 0.032-0.048 W / mK. These are the best heat retention characteristics similar to foam and rubber foam.
Popular brands of stone wool
Currently, a large number of manufacturers are engaged in the production of stone wool. It is impossible to list all of them within the framework of this small review, but it is imperative to dwell on the top three in more detail.
Rockwoo. This manufacturer occupies a leading position in the popularity rating. With the help of this insulation, facades are finished to limit heat loss and fight noise. You can also insulate the floor, frame walls, roof. The form of release is mats, plates and cylinders. The material is produced in various series. There is a cached insulation using aluminum foil and stainless steel wire. There are more than 10 episodes in total. The cost of the material is very different and depends on the thickness and on what it is intended for. The price qualification starts at about 1000 rubles.
Rockwool stone wool TechnoNIKOL . Basalt rocks are the basis for its production. It insulates the roof, facades, external and internal elements of the building. In addition, insulation of interfloor ceilings is carried out. The price is determined by the thickness, dimensions and purpose. It costs a little cheaper than the previous version.
Stone wool manufactured by TechnoNIKOL Paroc. This type of insulation is produced in Finland. Has a very wide range of applications. The form of release is plates and mats. The cost of the material is different, depends on the size and purpose, but is close to the previous version.
All such products are subject to mandatory certification. Therefore, in order to avoid forgeries, it is necessary to purchase material only at trusted retail outlets, while it is imperative to require the seller to present a certificate for the product.
How to carry out external wall insulation with stone wool on your own?
To independently insulate the facade using this insulation, you will need to perform a number of specific actions. First you need to prepare the necessary tools:
- Scraper, wire brush, rubber brush. They will be required to prepare the surface of the walls.
- Tape measure, level, drill, fastening material for mounting the frame on the facade of the house.
Before insulation, all unnecessary is removed from the wall surface. We are talking about foreign objects, pieces of reinforcement, nails and other elements.
Preparation of walls and frame for insulation on the facade of the house This is necessary to avoid damage to the insulation. If this happens, condensation will accumulate. As a result, metal structural elements will undergo corrosion processes. If there is mold on the surface, then it is removed.
Before gluing the insulation, the wall is primed. In this case, the clutch will pass better. Sometimes they make a crate made of metal. You can attach it using dowels. Insulation is placed between the crate and the surface. When gluing, use the glue that is intended for mineral wool or glass wool. Both sides of the insulation surface are lubricated with glue. The inner side is glued to the wall, and the building reinforcing mesh is fixed on the outer side.
- Rodent protection must be provided. For this purpose, a metal cornice is laid down the walls. This also achieves one more positive point. The insulation will lay down more evenly.
- The back side of the insulation is lubricated with polymer glue. With it, the material is fixed to the wall. You can reinforce the fixation with plastic dowels. During installation, it is necessary to ensure that no gaps are formed between the plates.
- If, after installation, there are irregularities on the surface, they are eliminated with a sanding brush.
- Then a windproof film is applied and several layers of primer are applied.
If the insulation is carried out in a similar way, then in addition you can get several pleasant bonuses:
- The wall is strengthened, protected from excessive wind loads.
- If the thermal insulation is carried out from the outside, then it is possible to obtain savings in the internal space.
- Using stone wool for external walls, you can change the design of the facade, complement several unusual design solutions.
Thermal insulation with stone wool from the inside
In cases where it is impossible to insulate the facade, the room is insulated from the inside. In this case, a profile made of wood or metal is necessarily used. The insulation structure will also consist of stone wool, putty and drywall.
All work is performed in several stages:
- The lathing is installed on the wall.
- Insulation is laid in the space formed by the wall and the crate.
- Finishing facing works.
When using wooden slats for stone wool partitions, they are pre-varnished. This will provide protection from adverse environmental factors.
Wooden lathing for a partition with insulation If metal guides are used, then their installation is carried out in such a way that the recesses look to the left. This is necessary for greater reliability of fixing the insulation. To create an air gap between the material and the wall, a gap of 20 mm is left. This can be achieved if the adhesive is applied to the surface in a dotted manner.
Metal crate for insulation It is easy to see that such works are not associated with any particular complexity. The main thing is that the execution of all stages is accurate and consistent. In this case, you will not have to regret the effort and money spent. The home will be warm, cozy and comfortable.
After completion of the installation of the insulation structure, vapor barrier is performed. To fix it, double-sided tape is used. At the final stage, finishing is performed. Most often, drywall is used for this purpose. Then it should be patched. In this case, a framing mesh is used. After grouting, eliminating irregularities, you can proceed to decorative finishing.
Eventually
The use of stone wool as a heater allows you to solve many problems at once, the main of which is keeping warm in the house.
Thermal insulation materials are used to insulate the house. Among them, stone wool is of particular interest due to its popularity. It is often used to insulate industrial buildings, apartments, houses in the private sector. But not everyone understands what it is. This article describes the types of stone wool, its characteristics, and also lists the best manufacturers that guarantee reliability and high quality.
What is stone wool?
Stone wool is made from volcanic rock. In its natural form, it is a solid material, so that it takes on a "wadded" shape, it is melted and separated into fibers. Depending on the manufacturer, this or that technology can be used for this procedure (centrifugal or spinneret drawing, blowing, swathing). Basalt processed in this way becomes free-flowing, and so that it does not crumble, and so that a certain shape can be formed from it, the fibers are treated with a sticky substance.
Phenol-formaldehyde resin - this is the very adhesive, in any case, it is used more often than analogues. It glues the fibers together, making the layers of the required thickness. Then the stone wool is treated with a special oil to make it water-repellent. The last stages of production are the cutting and packaging of the insulation.
Photo insulation of the facade with stone wool
Varieties of stone wool
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Stone wool comes in different types. Basically, it is divided into types by density.
- Soft cotton wool, it is also a roll insulation. Its density ranges from 10-50 kg / m. cub. Thermal conductivity coefficient 0.033 W / m * C. It is used to improve pipelines, frames, ceilings, partitions.
- A semi-rigid board can have a density of 60 to 80 kg / m3. cub. The thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.039 W / m * C. It is often used for facades, roofs, ceilings or sandwich panels.
- The rigid slab has a density of 90-175 kg / m. cub. The thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.046 W / m * C. This insulation is used for surfaces that are subject to significant mechanical stress. This can be the floor, roof, foundation, underground pipelines, etc.
At the time of purchase, the density of the material is always indicated by letter marking. Soft stone wool - PM, hard - RV, and semi-rigid - PP. The numbers that are written next to these letters through a hyphen indicate the density itself. Most often on sale there are: PM-40, PM-50, PP-70, PP-80, PZh-100 and PZh-120.
In terms of geometric characteristics, there is no single classification, because different manufacturers can offer completely different products. Here, many depend on where exactly the insulation will be laid. But the thickness of stone wool from different manufacturers is identical. It is sold in thicknesses of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mm.
Photo of stone wool in a roll and slabs
There is another classification by the type of packaging.
- Roll stone wool can be ordinary or with foil on one side to increase the heat-reflecting properties. The length of such material in a roll can be from 3 to 50 meters, and the width is 0.6-1.5 meters.
- In slabs - the typical variant used for the facade. Slabs are produced in widths of 60-120 cm and lengths of 120-150 cm.
- Shaped is one that has a round shell. It is used to insulate pipelines.
Properties and characteristics of stone wool
Stone wool is often compared to other types of similar material. Namely, with glass wool, slag and mineral wool. Below are comparative characteristics that allow you to navigate in one or another parameter of all types.
| Parameter | Stone wool | Mineral wool | Glass wool | Slag |
| Average fiber diameter (μm) | 5-15 | 4-12 | 4-12 | 4-12 |
| Fiber length | 20-50 | 16 | 15-50 | 16 |
| Thermal conductivity (W / m2 * k) | 0,033-0,046 | 0,077-0,12 | 0,038-0,046 | 0,46-0,48 |
| Usage temperature | -190 to + 700 ° C | -60 to + 600 ° C | from -60 to + 450 ° C | -60 to +250 |
| Sintering temperature | 700-1000 | 600 | 450-500 | 250-300 |
| Heat capacity | 500-800 | 1050 | 1050 | 1000 |
| Compressibility (%) | Up to 40 | 40 | 60 | 60 |
| Elasticity | 71 | 60 | 55 | 50 |
| Flammability class | NG - non-flammable | NG - non-flammable | NG - non-flammable | NG - non-flammable |
| Sound absorption | 0,87-0,95 | 0,75-0,95 | 0,8-0,92 | 0,75-0,82 |
| Vibration resistance | No | No | No | No |
| Binder (%) | 2.5 to 10 | 2.5 to 10 | 2.5 to 10 | 2.5 to 10 |
| Moisturizing per day (%) | 0,035 | 0,095 | 1,7 | 1,9 |
| Chemical resistance to water | 1,6 | 4,5 | 6,2 | 7,8 |
| Chem. alkaline resistance | 2,75 | 6,4 | 6 | 7 |
| Chem. acidic resistance | 22 | 24 | 38,9 | 68,7 |
| Release of harmful substances | Yes, if there are harmful binders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The need for binders | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Taunt | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Advantages and disadvantages
Experts note both the advantages and disadvantages of stone wool, so before buying it for insulation, it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons. What are the advantages of stone wool?
- The material is lightweight, which allows it to be easily carried and laid during the insulation of the room.
- This is a time-tested insulation.
- High insulating properties.
- Stone wool is not afraid of temperature extremes. Regardless of the weather, it does not expand or contract, it keeps its shape and retains its properties.
- The basic characteristics are the same regardless of the manufacturer. So, for example, insulation from Rockwool and Isobox have similar parameters and qualities, but differ in terms of price, additional raw materials used for production and other parts. Hence the price difference.
- The material is not flammable.
- Depending on the quality of the insulation, the vapor permeability can range from 0.3 to 0.55 mg / m hPa. The higher the indicator, the better this property is expressed.
- Laying stone wool is pretty easy, even without practice.
Now about the disadvantages of stone wool.
- Contrary to misconceptions, it does not scare away rodents. Mice and rats are not afraid of it and can live peacefully in it.
- The environmental friendliness of stone wool is often questioned due to the fact that the fibers are held together with resins during production. Manufacturers rarely explain what these resins are, their exact composition and whether they are harmful, so the question remains open.
- During the laying of stone wool, dust appears, which is strongly recommended not to inhale. Therefore, you can only work with it in a respirator.
Photo of stone wool Technonikol and Rockwool
Where is stone wool used?
Since the 20th century, stone wool has become widespread. Due to the fact that it is 95% natural material, it is used for insulation of various types of buildings.
- Walls. As a facade insulation, this material is very popular. Thermal insulation properties help prevent heat loss in winter and keep cool in summer.
- The floors are often insulated with them. It allows you to make screeds, provides sound insulation.
- Roofs (flat and pitched) are partially insulated with this insulation. True, it is not recommended to use only stone wool, but it is suitable as part of protection.
- Partitions inside rooms are often made with the participation of this material. It provides additional sound insulation.
- Bearing beams and columns, reinforced concrete floors, transit air ducts, cable and pipe passages can be made using stone wool. This provides fire protection and additional safety for the occupants.
The best stone wool manufacturers
Stone wool is produced by many manufacturers, but not all of them guarantee quality and durability. In order not to regret buying in the future, you should focus on leading manufacturers.
- TechnoNIKOL - a well-known manufacturer. Stone wool TechnoNIKOL comes out in series. For example, Rocklight - slabs cost from $ 12 per cubic meter. Teploroll - a roll priced up to $ 23 per cubic meter. Technoacoustic - has excellent sound insulating properties. Price from $ 45.
- Isover Is a French manufacturer. Notable lines are Isover Classic, Isover KL-37 and Isover KT-37. The price depends on the type of product and the quantity, but on average you can find products from $ 13 and up.
- Isobox - not an expensive type of stone wool from a domestic manufacturer. The products are produced in series (Light, Inside, Facade, RUF, Extralight) in automatic mode.
- Ursa - a well-known company, the material of which is used for insulation of both residential, private houses, apartments, and industrial complexes. This company offers a new version of stone wool - Pure One, which is environmentally friendly and high performance. One roll will cost $ 23 on average. There are also products in slabs at about the same cost.
- Rockwool Is the most popular brand. A lot of people have heard about him and this is not surprising. The manufacturer works for quality and durability. Famous stone wool lines are Roof Butts and Caviti Butts. The average cost of a package or roll is $ 15-23.
- Knauf produces stone wool of a wide variety of types. Thermo Slab 0.37 is a good choice for floors, facades, partitions. The package contains 12-24 plates. The approximate cost is $ 15-22. Tormo Roll is an analogue in the form of a roll. Recommended for insulation of any vertical and horizontal surfaces. The cost of one roll is from $ 18. There are also products with foil, their prices start at $ 15 and up.
Photo of wall insulation with stone wool
During the construction or renovation of housing, the problem of insulation is very relevant today. It is designed to reduce financial costs. Due to the rapidly rising prices, the material condition of the majority of residents is greatly reduced. High-quality stone wool insulation will solve this problem, make living more comfortable and reduce heating bills in the future.
Such cotton wool is the best option for insulation.
Production technology
The main composition of stone wool is basalt. It is a rock that appears due to volcanic activity. To obtain a soft material, basalt is melted. The red-hot mass is separated into fibers using various technologies: blowing, rolling and others.
The resulting fibers cannot yet be used in insulation works, since they are not yet solid and tend to crumble at the slightest physical contact. Therefore, the "semi-finished product" must be fastened with adhesive solutions.
In this video you will learn how to choose insulation
For gluing the fibers, phenol-formaldehyde resin is most often resorted to. At this stage, the fibers are not only held together, but also form carpets of the desired thickness. To prevent the insulation from absorbing moisture in the future, it is treated with mineral oils. The very last stage is cutting into the required sizes and packaging. The result is an excellent stone wool insulation.
Most often, other names for stone wool are used on the market - mineral or basalt. All this is one and the same material obtained after processing basalt rocks.
Another common mistake: often people do not know the difference between mineral and glass or slag. The first is made from molten glass, and the second - from domestic slags. Mineral wool very quickly displaces its competitors, since glass insulation is much inferior in environmental friendliness, and from slags in quality.
Properties and types
This insulation, as it was said, is made from rocks and received the best characteristics: excellent resistance to temperatures, open fire, the action of acids, and due to processing with mineral oils it has an excellent coefficient of hydrophobicity. Stone wool thermal insulation not only perfectly insulates the building: it has good sound insulating properties.
There are 3 types of insulation Many people are frightened by the presence of phenol-formaldehyde resin in the insulation. Previously it was believed that it is toxic, but upon close examination, all doubts have disappeared. The maximum amount of glue that is permissible according to the standards does not exceed 3% of the total mass. These proportions are necessarily checked by sanitary control, and safety studies have confirmed that cotton wool is harmless to the body.
But it is worth remembering that the material must be purchased only from certified companies, where the insulation passes all checks and studies. Little-known firms can produce cotton wool, neglecting the correct proportions of the components, and this greatly affects the quality and level of safety.
The main characteristic that you need to be guided by when purchasing cotton wool is density. Thanks to her, the material receives a certain level of heat-insulating properties, the method and technology of installation depend on this indicator.
Each species has its own area of application There are three types of insulation:
- Soft wool is produced in the form of rolls and slabs. It has a density of 10-50 kg / m3.
- Semi-rigid (slabs) - 60-80 kg / m3.
- Rigid (slabs) - 90-175 kg / m3.
Packaging with cotton wool must have special classification markings for hardness and density. For example, PM-40 is a semi-soft wool with a density of 40 kg / m3. The most popular brands used in the work are PM-40 (50), PP-70 (up to 80) and PZh-100 (up to 120).
Where each species is used:
- Soft insulation in the form of rolls is most often used in interfloor ceilings, partitions and pipelines.
- A semi-rigid slab is used in the production of SIP panels, as well as in the insulation of ceilings and roofs.
- Rigid insulation is installed in places where the building is often subjected to physical stress, for example, the floor, foundation, and others.
If you want to achieve the maximum level of sound insulation, the wool is fixed in the inner part of the building frame, and for thermal insulation - on the outer layer of the building. The higher the sound insulation coefficient of the cotton wool, the better the performance can be obtained. It ranges from 0.87 to 0.95. Each manufacturer has its own dimensional parameters. Only the thickness matches, the possible range of which is from 50 to 200 mm.
Advantages and disadvantages
It is possible to draw certain conclusions about the advantages of this material only after a detailed study of the characteristics. The material has various positive properties and only two disadvantages.
Positive characteristics of stone wool:
- excellent thermal insulation;
- high vapor transmission coefficient;
- better resistance to fire (withstands heating up to + 1100 ° C);
- remarkable environmental friendliness and biostability;
- long service time;
- simple installation technology.
The main negative property of stone wool is installation. During installation, a lot of dust is generated, which can be harmful to health. But it is quite simple to solve it - it is necessary to protect the respiratory organs with a mask or respirator. The second disadvantage is the high cost of the material.
Basic rules of work
Mainly mineral wool is used to insulate outside walls, attics and roofs. To insulate the foundation, it is better to use inexpensive, but at the same time, high-quality foam. It has greater rigidity and does not allow water to pass through.
If the correct technology is not followed during installation, then this will noticeably affect the result. The material will quickly deteriorate, and its high price will hit the budget hard in case of repeated repairs.
Before use, it is necessary to treat the facade with an antiseptic. This will prevent rotting and prolong the life of the material. Foam concrete or brick must be cleaned of old paint and plaster before installation. The best time for work is summer.
Before installation, it is necessary to remove the window frames and door frames. After installation, you will have to purchase a new window and door cladding, since the thickness of the walls will increase significantly.
There are two main ways to insulate:
- Dry. It is used only with wood or steel frames (lathing). The insulation is installed in the cells of the frame.
- Wet. In this case, installation is carried out using glue and disc dowels.
Glue and dowels are used more often in cases where it is planned to apply a finishing layer. The surface of the insulation can be putty or plaster.
Dry installation
A frame is used for installation. The slats are installed so that the gap between them is 2 cm less than the width of the cotton wool. This allows for maximum packing density. All work starts from the corners and flows smoothly to the center. For the result to be of the highest quality, and the laying to be even, it is necessary to use a level and a cord that is stretched between the corners of the wall.
If a roll is used during installation, then laying is done from top to bottom. Plates are installed only from the bottom up. The canvas must be fastened with construction tape. To fix the result, holes are drilled and dowels are driven into them.
The final stage is the installation of counter rails. This allows a ventilated gap to be created. The principle of installation is to prevent the joints of mineral wool from coinciding with the corners of window and door openings.
If it is necessary to make the insulating layer thicker, then the plates are stacked in several layers. It all depends on the needs and preferences of the owner.
Wet way
The principle of such an installation is the installation of insulation on an adhesive solution that attaches mineral wool to the wall. It is important that the glue passes steam well, otherwise condensation may accumulate in the material.
The adhesive layer is spread on the wall with a notched trowel. After that, the slab must be pressed against the wall as much as possible. Once the row is installed, it must be additionally secured with disc dowels.
The final stage: glue is again applied to the insulation layer and the reinforcing mesh is fixed. This further strengthens the mineral wool slabs. After that, you can plaster and make decorative work.
For insulation of a house and any room in it, stone wool is perfect - one of the varieties of mineral wool. With the help of our advice, you can choose the right material, make high-quality installation and take care of its long service life.
Stone wool: what is it made of
Cotton wool is made from rocks of basalt, marl or metamorphic origin. Basalt rocks are considered to be the best component. However, the quality will determine the acidity, which must be controlled by the addition of carbonate. The higher the acidity, the stronger and more durable the cotton wool.
Stone wool insulation: what is it made of? Stone wool also contains a binder that bonds the fibers. The most famous substances are synthetic. They include phenol-formaldehyde resins and various impurities that make the material waterproof.
In modern production, stone insulation is made from a special component - "Pele's hair", or glass fiber. The technology of stone wool for its production consists of a number of stages, the main of which is the separation of the rock into fibers.
Characteristics and indicators of stone wool
The material has several important properties that are indispensable for repair or construction.
- Thermal insulation. Insulating walls with stone wool is a great way to protect yourself from the cold in winter, and from the heat in the summer. The room temperature will be constantly adjusted. The effectiveness of this property depends on the components in the composition. It turned out that stone wool for wall insulation is the right solution.
- Not flammable. Even at temperatures above 1000˚C, stone wool does not ignite. Therefore, it belongs to safe materials, and, moreover, protects other flammable parts of the house, preventing the spread of fire. Although binders evaporate already at 200˚C.
- Permanent form. Due to this characteristic, cotton wool can withstand mechanical stress. This allows the use of stone wool for floors that are subject to stress at all times. The effectiveness depends on the selected binder.
- Soundproofing. Provides simple protection from street or neighborhood noise, as the fibers interfere with the propagation of sounds.
- Waterproof. Excess moisture in the room comes out without getting into the cotton wool. This property helps maintain optimal humidity. And no matter how humid the air is, stone wool always remains dry, and mold and other filth will not start on it.
- Environmental friendliness. During production and operation, the environment is not susceptible to negative influences.
Advantages and disadvantages
Mineral wool for insulation has the following advantages:
- Non-flammable;
- Waterproof;
- Stone wool - insulation for walls - has a wide range of operating temperatures;
- Eco-friendly;
- Safe during installation and operation;
- Good heat and sound insulation;
- It is easier to insulate something with stone wool than other materials.
Disadvantages:
- Insulating walls with cotton wool is a costly undertaking. Don't expect to buy cheap cotton wool. Low prices for it indicate that it contains a lot of impurities and low-quality material.
- Dust. The process of warming the walls of the house with stone wool is accompanied by an abundant amount of dust, especially if it is handled carelessly. For protection, it is advisable to take a respirator, although a regular mask from a pharmacy will do.
Stone wool: application
Cotton wool insulation is used in the construction of baths, saunas, swimming pools, when laying communications, wells and air ducts. They even put it in the foundations of houses.
Depending on where the insulation will be used, and what kind of load it will bear, it is divided into classes:
- Soft. Suitable for laying wells and ventilated walls.
- Semi-hard. Suitable for walls in multi-storey buildings, for thermal insulation of pipes.
- Hard. Used in foundations, floors.
Is there any harm to health during installation?
Many inexperienced builders often confuse stone wool and glass wool, although in fact they are two different materials belonging to the same class of mineral wool. Because of this, a common myth has arisen that stone wool, like glass wool, is also harmful to health, damaging the eyes and lungs. But this is only a delusion.
The point here is in its special structure. Insulation - stone fiber, bound with formaldehyde resins, they do not collapse and do not spread harmful substances. Therefore, we confidently declare that this building material is absolutely safe.
How to choose stone wool?
Before purchasing stone wool, you need to find out the amount of material you need and calculate the load that will fall on the insulation.
We have already said that the prices for it are high, but you can still save money. The following factors will affect the cost:
- Density of cotton wool;
- Manufacturer;
- Binder and rock category;
- The presence of another coating layer;
- Purchased quantity.
When buying, be sure to look at the instructions, which usually indicate the scope of application of stone wool and its technical characteristics. The most trusted companies are Ursa (URSA), Technonikol and Rockwool. The last company is located in Denmark; the insulation materials from this country are of the highest quality, as there are strict certification bodies.
When choosing, check with the seller how the fibers are located: horizontally, vertically or in a chaotic manner. The first two types do not allow the material to deform, and the latter provides good heat and sound insulation.
Depending on the density, stone wool is usually divided into categories. Stone wool: slabs for walls:
- Brand P-75. Suitable for non-stressed horizontal interior surfaces for pipe insulation.
- Insulation for walls of cotton wool of the P-125 brand. Suitable for both horizontal and vertical surfaces. It is ideal for insulating ceilings, floors and interior walls.
- PZh-175. Stone insulation for walls made of metal profiled sheet or reinforced concrete.
- Insulation wool PPZh-200. The toughest stone wool. This is used in engineering buildings, protecting them from fire.
Which mineral wool is best for wall insulation
Warming a house with stone wool begins with the choice of the manufacturer.
Stone wool "ROCKWOOL" is popular both in the domestic and foreign markets. It has the following distinctive characteristics:
- Good level of strength;
- Mineral wool for wall insulation is 15 years old;
- The fibers are arranged in a chaotic manner;
- Helps save electricity as claimed by the manufacturer;
- An additional layer to increase moisture resistance.
Stone wool "Technonikol".
- It is produced only on the basis of basalt rocks;
- Additional layer for noise reduction;
- Low weight for easy work.
Insulation for walls stone wool "URSA":
- Special packaging will make it easy to transport the material and work with it;
- Does not contain formaldehyde resins, therefore it is recommended for schools, hospitals, etc.
Buying a truly high-quality product can be difficult at times. Therefore, it is imperative to know some important points.
- Pay attention to where and how the cotton wool is stored. Most often, it is stored in its original packaging and wrapped in shrink wrap. Make sure there are no holes or cuts on the packaging. Cotton wool should not be in the open air, but under a canopy.
- If stone wool is packed in cardboard boxes (they usually contain expensive insulation), then the place of its storage should be protected from moisture. Even after a little getting wet, it will not be usable.
- Purchase goods only from trusted sellers. Give preference to those stores that are located closer to you - this will reduce the cost of delivery.
Installation of stone wool
Before properly insulating the wall with mineral wool, you need to determine where the work will be carried out. After all, the insulation of the walls of the house with cotton wool on each site will look different. One technology is used on the facades, and a completely different one on the attic.
Balcony and loggia
Effective insulation of a house with stone wool directly depends on the quality of the surface preparation. Therefore, it is logical to briefly talk about it.
- Remove all unnecessary garbage from the loggia. Take the necessary measurements by calculating the amount of mineral wool. Assess the floor load.
- Next comes the glazing of the balcony. Here, it is better to give preference to plastic windows. Seal all cracks in frames and fencing with polyurethane foam. This will greatly protect the balcony from moisture and cold.
- Waterproofing is the next step. Protective agents (roll or coating) must first of all be applied to the floor and ceiling. But wall protection is also desirable.
Only now you can proceed directly to the installation. Thermal insulation with mineral wool slabs is as follows:
- The first step is to make the crate. It is most often made of wood (less often of metal). The optimal thickness of the timber is 1 cm more than that of the stone wool slab. The dimensions of the cells in the lattice should be about a centimeter smaller than a piece of insulation.
- Insulation for walls with cotton wool: laying goes from top to bottom: first the ceiling, then the walls and the floor. The ceiling needs a denser mineral wool, the usual one is suitable for walls and floors.
- A special glue is applied to the slab and it is put in place in the cell. Before that, do not forget to clean the surface of dirt and remove any irregularities.
- You can press the board firmly and evenly using plywood of a suitable size. Thermal insulation: Rock wool is the best material for this.
- The last stage is vapor barrier with penofol (it is sometimes replaced with ordinary polyethylene).
Stone wool for attic walls
After you have installed the rafters and laid the roof on them, you can start insulating the house with cotton wool. But first you need to create a layer of waterproofing. It will not allow water to get onto the mineral wool and wooden structures. The best material for this is ordinary polyethylene. Fasteners are carried out with a stapler.
If the layer of waterproofing goes over the entire surface of the roof (up to the ridge), then the insulation can only be placed up to the ceiling of the attic. This is only done to save money. A high-quality repair implies insulation of the entire roof.
When laying stone wool, the best option is when the width of the roof beams is equal to the width of the slab. In this case, they simply fit between them, attaching to the stapler. Additional reliability will be provided by the slatted crate or rope mesh laid from below. All the cracks formed are sealed with polyurethane foam, and the crate (if it is made of wood) is treated with an antiseptic. The stone wool of the wall slabs insulates perfectly.
The last is the vapor barrier layer. Many builders choose glassine as a suitable material - it is cheap and perfectly fulfills its functions. Attached to the rafters with a stapler, it is advisable to glue the attachment points with tape.
Insulation of walls outside with stone wool
In the process of insulating a house, the question often arises: is it better to insulate the walls from the outside or from the inside? There are both disadvantages and positive aspects to each option. For the first option, they are as follows:
- High protection against cold, noise, sun and wind;
- Will not let the walls freeze, because moisture is released. For the same reason, mold and mildew do not form on structures;
- The area of the room inside will not decrease;
- There is an opportunity to choose any internal design, as well as, if necessary, to change it.
Convinced of the advantages of this method, we insulate the stone walls of the house. The traditional way of laying looks simple: the first insulating layer is mineral wool of medium density (75 kg / m³), it covers the unevenness of the wall; the second layer is high-density wool (from 125 kg / m³), its role is to create an even and hard surface of the wall, because this will facilitate the following finishing works.
In total, cotton wool for wall insulation on the outside should be a layer of 15 cm or more. The best option is when the insulation is between the load-bearing wall and the outer cladding.
In practice, you can insulate the house with stone wool from the outside according to the following plan.
- The first step is to prepare the surface. Remove any irregularities from the walls and apply a layer of plaster. Sometimes it makes sense to apply a couple of coats.
- Next comes the installation of metal guides, they are fixed above the basement of the building with anchor bolts.
- How to properly insulate a wall with mineral wool? The first layer of heat-insulating material is installed (immediately followed by the second). Glue is applied to the back of the board and it is pressed against the wall. All external wall insulation with stone wool takes place according to the same scheme.
- Metal corners, which are attached to external slopes, will help protect the material from deformation.
- A facing brick is placed on top of the layer, the seams are sealed with plaster.
We examined the first installation method, called a ventilated facade. It is possible to insulate the walls with stone wool in the second way.
The second method is called "wet". The technology is only slightly different from the previous one. Stone wool: wall insulation:
Both of these methods are equally good at insulating the house.
After you have insulated the walls with stone wool from the outside, you need to take care of some important things.
The thermal insulation layer will increase the thickness of the walls by about 15-20 cm. Therefore, it is advisable to lengthen the slopes, ebb tides and window sills so that weather conditions do not spoil the material.
If you decide to install more than two layers of mineral wool, then this is a bad idea. The more layers, the more air pockets between them. And they lead to a deterioration in thermal insulation properties.
Insulation of walls from the inside with stone wool
Thermal insulation with stone wool from the inside is much faster and cheaper, and even novice builders can easily cope with this matter. However, work can only be done in a room where there is no high humidity. The advantages of wall insulation from the inside are as follows:
- Low cost and labor intensity.
- You can put insulation not only on the entire building, but also on individual rooms in which you will live. This is quite economical.
- It is permissible to work at any time of the year, regardless of weather conditions.
Thermal insulation of a house with mineral wool can be started by calculating the required amount of mineral wool. There is a special formula for this. Wall area (m²) multiplied by the thickness of the mineral wool (mm) and divided by the volume of the package. That is, if the area is 15, the thickness is 100, the volume is 0.432, then you need about three and a half packages.
Do-it-yourself wall insulation with stone wool is carried out in several stages. The general scheme of an insulated wall may look something like this: first there is a load-bearing wall, behind it is a layer of vapor barrier, then - thermal insulation, and another vapor barrier layer, at the end there is an interior finish.
Stone wool for interior walls is of medium density (look for values around 100 kg / m³). Such mineral wool will increase the wall thickness by 8-10 cm. Take this into account when carrying out repair work. It is possible to insulate a small room with mineral wool in one day.
One of the methods for implementing the above plan is using a relatively simple technology. Stone wool: installation:
- A solid support is created from metal hangers and profiles. You can put a foam tape under it to improve the thermal insulation in the room. If you plan to create two layers of mineral wool, then you will need one more additional frame.
- Then comes the vapor barrier. If polyethylene was chosen as the material, then a small air chamber must be left between the wall. It is allowed to fasten either with tape or glue.
- Stone wool insulation is placed inside each section in the frame.
- Then there is a layer of vapor barrier again. This time it is better to fix it directly to the metal profile with self-tapping screws.
- Plasterboard is placed on top and interior decoration is made.
The stone wool of the inner walls, like the wool of the outer walls, perfectly protects against unnecessary noise. This is especially useful in those homes that are located near roads.
Insulation of the foundation
Usually baths need to insulate the foundation, so let's talk about them first. Why is it necessary to insulate the foundation?
- Due to the temperature difference inside and outside, condensation forms, which spoils the base of the bath. Insulation helps to cope with this problem.
- Thermal insulation will reduce the amount of firewood required for kindling.
- Stone wool can protect against some mechanical damage.
It is better to insulate with mineral wool on the outside of the plinth, because in this way the foundation will be better protected, which means it will last longer. The installation technology shown below is suitable for strip foundations. Mineral wool insulation:
- Free the base from the ground. For this, a trench is dug with a depth of one and a half meters and a width of 50 cm.
- After that, sand is put, and the foundation is coated with bitumen.
- Then the insulation is installed. Its thickness is at least 20 cm. Seams formed with foam. At the corners of the bath, a layer of mineral wool is 1.5 thicker. It's easy to work with stone wool here.
- Stone wool needs additional protection from a brick wall (thickness - from 25 cm), which is placed around the perimeter. There will be a blind area at the top.
Several rules and notes for quality work.
How to choose and apply glue to mineral wool
Without the correct selection and use of glue, the insulation can sag, ceasing to act effectively. Stone wool is a rather unusual material, and not every adhesive can provide high-quality adhesion to the wall.
The highest adhesion will be provided by polymer-cement compositions. They are sold as a dry mix similar to cement. There are several well-known brands: EK THERMEX, ERESIT CT190, ERESIT CT180.
Using the instructions on the package, dilute the mixture with water and mix well (repeat the same after 5 minutes). The mortar will retain its adhesive properties for 2 hours.
Apply the mortar evenly on a flat surface of the wall so that 7-8 glue circles are obtained. We also apply glue on the back of the cotton wool (closer to the edges); the surface should be covered by more than half of the composition. The joints are also better to miss. The glue hardens for a while, so it is possible to lay the slab correctly. Attaching stone wool to a wall is easy.
Sometimes, for greater reliability, additional fastening may be required. Anchor bolts or battens fixed to the battens can help here.
First, we will establish that the general term "mineral wool insulation", according to the technical document GOST 52953-2008 “Heat-insulating materials and products. Terms and Definitions", refers to three types of materials used as insulation - stone wool, slag wool and glass wool:
«
3.17 mineral wool: Thermal insulation material with a wool structure and made from molten rock, slag or glass.
3.17.1 glass wool mineral wool made from glass wool
3.17.2 rock wool mineral wool made predominantly from molten rock wool
3.17.3 slag wool: Mineral wool made from melted blast furnace slag (slag wool) ".
Therefore, when a question arises before the customer: basalt insulation or mineral wool - which is better, clarification is required. Using the terms "mineral wool", as well as "mineral wool for wall insulation", we will talk mainly about stone wool.
For comparison, we present the technical characteristics of three types of mineral wool:
You can see that stone wool has the best performance in almost all parameters.
The origin of stone wool
The idea of producing thermal insulation materials from molten rocks arose back in the 19th century after observing the processes occurring during volcanic eruptions, when thin filaments were formed from splashes of hot magma under the influence of the wind. Such insulation as stone wool as a building material was first obtained from the waste products of metallurgy - blast furnace slag - at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, first in the United States, and then in Great Britain and Germany. However, these first experiments were not widely used on an industrial scale due to imperfect technologies.
The greatest success in the development of production methods and high quality materials was achieved in the 30s of the XX century by specialists from a Danish company, which for the first time produced mineral wool boards for thermal insulation of building structures and began to be called according to the main type of the produced product Rockwool (literally "stone wool"). Since then, Rockwool has been producing basalt slabs for thermal insulation of various types, constantly expanding the range of manufactured materials and today has become one of the leaders among the world's best manufacturers of thermal insulation based on basalt wool.
In Russia, the products of TechnoNICOL are very popular, a generally recognized domestic manufacturer of various building materials, which produces thermal insulation boards made of mineral wool, which are in no way inferior in quality and range to Rockwool materials, so here we will consider in detail the production technology, varieties, properties and scope of TechnoNICOL stone wool.
TechnoNICOL stone wool production technology
The raw material from which the mineral wool insulation is made includes the bulk of inorganic components - gabbro-basalt rocks with the addition of dolomite, as well as organic elements - phenol-formaldehyde resin, water repellent and dedusting agent.
First, the inorganic components are mixed in the raw material preparation unit, weighed and fed in a precisely defined amount to a vertical coke oven-cupola, where the mixture is melted at a temperature of 1600 ° C. The molten mass enters the centrifuge, consisting of several rotating rollers, where the drops of the molten stone mass under the influence of centrifugal forces break up, stretching at the same time into thin threads, then under the air flow they enter the fiber deposition department, in which they are treated with an air-droplet mixture of organic elements - phenol-formaldehyde resin with water repellent and dust remover. The composition of the mixture was developed in its own research and development center, is the company's know-how and is not subject to disclosure. The main effect of the development is that in one mixture it was possible to combine binding, water-repelling and dedusting qualities.
Further, the mass of basalt fibers goes to a pendulum spreader and a corrugator-prepressor, in which it is formed into a sheet of basalt mineral wool of a certain thickness, density and structure. In the corrugator-pre-compactor, the fibers are given a different direction, which increases the elasticity of the material and the tensile strength.
At the final stage of the formation of the insulation, the fabric passes through a thermal chamber, where, at a temperature of up to 250 ° C, the process of hardening of the binder mixture takes place. After that, the finished material is cut at the cutting unit using circular saws into mats, where certain dimensions of the insulation are set. Then the finished mats are packed in batches in a shrink film and sent to the sale.
Stone wool properties - pros and cons
Basalt slab as insulation, sound insulation and fire protection has many positive properties:
- low thermal conductivity in the range of 0.035–0.042 W / (m · ° C), approximately in the same range as that of expanded polystyrene;
- almost zero hygroscopicity - no more than 0.095% per day, which does not allow moisture to penetrate into the insulation mass, maintaining its properties in any unfavorable conditions. The inaccessibility of material for moisture penetration excludes the possibility of multiplication of microorganisms unfavorable to health, such as mold and mildew, in the body of the insulation;
- high vapor permeability in contrast to closed cell foam materials like expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam. Basalt thermal insulation as part of the enclosing structures ensures the evaporation of any amount of moisture formed on the adjacent surfaces of walls, ceilings or roofs, excluding the negative effects of moisture. This quality of the material makes it possible to use it for thermal insulation of structures with high levels of humidity in rooms, such as saunas, laundry rooms or baths;
- high fire resistance is one of the unique properties of basalt wool. A mineral slab made of stone wool, belonging to the NG category, that is, non-combustible materials that can only melt at high temperatures, is used not only as a non-combustible insulation for walls and ceilings, but also as a fire retardant material that covers metal and reinforced concrete structures in order to increase fire protection;
- in addition to thermal insulation, wall insulation with mineral wool significantly increases their sound-insulating properties due to the structure of stone wool, most of the volume of which is filled with air between randomly located stone fibers, damping sound vibrations;
- has a high resistance to aggressive substances - oils, alkalis and acids, household chemicals, as well as high biological resistance to the influence of microorganisms - fungus and mold, which allows us to speak about the high durability of the material. From the experience of using stone wool in construction, it has been established that the durability of this insulation is guaranteed to reach 50 years or more;
- stone wool slab is an environmentally friendly material, since it is based on molten basalt fiber, which does not emit any substances harmful to humans. However, a reservation should be made here - polymer resins are used as a binder for stone wool, constituting no more than 5% of the total volume and capable of emitting harmful substances when exposed to fire - this happens only during a fire;
- stone wool products are easy to process, slabs and mats are cut with a regular hacksaw to the desired size.
Stone wool has several disadvantages that can be easily eliminated by observing certain methods of working with the material and its operating conditions:
- there is a perception that stone wool is unhealthy. Indeed, during the device for insulating structures, cutting and other processing of mats and stone wool slabs, the smallest particles of basalt fiber enter the air, which can be harmful to health if they get on the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. In this regard, thermal insulation work must be carried out with the obligatory use of protective overalls, gloves, glasses, masks and respirators. After insulation with stone wool, the structures are always closed with cladding or plastering, which is better for operation when the ingress of fiber particles into the air is excluded and access to the premises of harmful phenols from the binder is difficult;
- tendency to caking of the material over time under the influence of its own weight, especially in vertical structures - in multi-layer walls or ventilated facades. This disadvantage can be easily overcome due to fasteners evenly distributed over the entire area of the structure;
- mandatory use of a vapor barrier from the side of the premises. From the outside, in this case, a material should be used that does not prevent the free exit of water vapor through the material, which is used in almost all enclosing structures, except for insulation with polyurethane foam.
Varieties of stone wool and its areas of application
Stone wool products, in accordance with the requirements of two regulatory documents: GOST 21880-2011 "Heat-insulating stitched mineral wool mats" and GOST 9573-2012 "Heat-insulating mineral wool slabs with synthetic binder", are subdivided into mats and slabs of various stiffnesses, which have their own designations and specific areas of application, which can be seen in the following table.
Marking of mineral wool mats and boards and their areas of application
The density of mineral wool for insulation is the main indicator by which the area of application is determined.
Basalt wool from leading manufacturers and its characteristics
Here we will consider a basalt insulation, the characteristics of which give a complete picture of the properties of various varieties of this material and areas of application - insulation from the Rockwool company.
Basalt wool, the technical characteristics of which are given in the table, have recognized the best properties when compared with other well-known manufacturers who began to be used in the construction industry much later, such as Nobasil, Turkart, PAROC, Knauf, Isoroc, etc.
Mineral wool TechnoNICOL
TechnoNICOL stone wool, the technical characteristics of which are given in the table below, is in no way inferior both in properties and in the variety of Rockwool products.
Wall insulation technology with mineral wool
Mineral wool insulation is used for sound and thermal insulation of the following enclosing structures:
- exterior walls of buildings for subsequent plastering;
- multilayer walls with insulation inside the masonry;
- ventilated facades;
- frame partitions;
The technology of wall insulation with mineral slabs for plastering consists in the sequential performance of the following operations:
- preparatory work - leveling in the presence of significant irregularities, cutting off protruding metal elements, cleaning and dedusting;
- fastening plates of grade not less than P-160 in terms of density using a polymer-mineral adhesive and additional fastening with dowels with a galvanized metal core - not less than 8 pcs / 1 m². The bottom row of slabs is installed on a perforated metal corner with a section of 25x25x0.5 pre-fixed on the wall;
- covering the heat-insulating layer with a protective adhesive composition up to 8 mm thick with reinforcement with a plaster polymer mesh;
- application of white plaster composition up to 4 mm thick;
- painting with facade paints on the basis of an architectural design for the design of facades.
The thermal insulation thickness of the insulation is selected on the basis of calculations taking into account the conditions of the climatic region in which the object is being built.
The procedure for performing wall insulation work for plastering is developed in detail in the manual P 1-99 to SNiP 3.03.01-87 "Design and installation of thermal insulation of external walls of buildings for plastering", published in Belarus and the Russian Federation.
Walls can be insulated mainly from the outside. Option - wall insulation from the inside with mineral wool plus drywall - should be used only in the version when external insulation is impossible for some reason. In this case, the walls are insulated from the inside with mineral wool with an indispensable device for a ventilation gap between the insulation and the cladding to prevent the deposition of condensate moisture inside the structure.
More details about the principles of external and internal insulation can be found in the article "".
Insulation of multilayer walls
Insulation of multilayer walls is carried out in the process of brickwork or the construction of walls from small-piece or large-sized blocks. Insulation in the form of mats or slabs of the P-40 or P-50 brands in terms of rigidity fits into the air gap between the inner wall and the facing layer.
The inner masonry and the facing layer are connected by metal or polymer anchor rods, which are installed in a staggered manner with a pitch of 600x600 mm. When installing anchors, they should be placed, if possible, at the joints between the slabs; otherwise, the anchor should be passed through the slabs.
When laying the facing layer, ventilation openings should be provided - entrance in the lower part of the wall, exhaust in the upper part, which are vertical joints not filled with mortar in an amount of at least 150 cm² per 20 m² of the wall area.
Ventilated facade construction / h3>
For the device of insulation using a system of ventilated facades, a frame made of metal thin-walled profiles is pre-mounted on external walls made of concrete, reinforced concrete or brick. Profiles are installed in horizontal and vertical directions with the expectation that insulation plates fit between them.
Insulation plates, the grade of which must be at least P-75 in density for buildings up to 12 m high (1-4 floors), and at least P-120 for structures over 12 m high (5 or more floors) are installed between the frame elements and fastened with dowels with wide plastic caps. For buildings up to 12 m in height, each insulation plate is fastened with two dowels, for buildings above 12 m, the insulation plate is fastened with four dowels.
A layer of insulation is covered with a wind-insulating membrane made of a special film, then the frame with insulation is revetted with various facade materials - siding, porcelain tiles, composite panels, etc. An air gap must be left between the surface of the insulation and the facing materials for ventilation. For buildings up to 12 m high, the size of the air gap must be at least 15 mm, for buildings over 12 m - the size of the gap must be at least 40 mm.
The thickness of the insulation is taken by calculation. In many cases, a small thickness is sufficient, for which, for example, Rocklight stone wool 50 mm thick can be used.
The device of frame partitions
When filling the frame partitions, first, a frame is installed from thin-walled steel profiles or a wooden beam, consisting of racks installed on sound-insulating gaskets and horizontal crossbars. The spacing of the posts and the distance between the crossbars are selected in accordance with the dimensions of the mineral wool slabs used, with the expectation that the slabs fit tightly in the space to be filled. To fill the frame partitions, a minelite with the P-50 or P-75 grade in density is used.
After filling the frameworks of the partitions with mineral wool slabs, they are sheathed on both sides with gypsum plasterboards or other cladding materials, followed by finishing.
Expert opinion site
According to the experts of the portal, stone wool is one of the best insulation materials for many reasons. When a customer, when choosing a heater for his own home, asks himself the question: which insulation is better - foam or mineral wool, stone wool should be chosen, since, despite approximately equal thermal conductivity, mineral mats and basalt wool slabs outperform foam and others materials for other qualities - fire resistance, environmental friendliness, vapor permeability and durability.