Minvata, specifications which allows us to consider it one of the most effective insulation materials today - the material is inexpensive and very popular. Its main advantages are low cost and low degree of thermal conductivity. Another undeniable advantage is its versatility. used for ceilings, walls, etc. It is not recommended to use this material only if there is a danger of it getting wet. The fact is that when mineral wool gets wet, it completely loses its thermal insulation properties.
Types of mineral wool
On this moment There are only three main types of mineral wool:
- Glass wool.
- Slag-like.
- Stone wool.
Main characteristics of glass wool
In the production of glass wool, materials such as soda, lime, borax and sand are used. The main component is broken glass. After processing all these components, fibers are obtained, from which elastic and durable mats are made that well preserve mineral wool of this variety, but it has one rather significant drawback. During the process of thermal insulation of structures, fibers easily break. In this case, small pieces penetrate through clothing and dig into the skin, causing severe itching. Moreover, particles from inhaled air can enter the lungs, causing long-term irritation. Therefore, you need to work with glass wool in a thick work suit, a respirator, goggles and gloves. The clothing will most likely not be reusable.
Characteristics of slag
Slag fibers are made using waste from metallurgical production. The thermal conductivity of this type of mineral wool is the lowest. In addition, it absorbs moisture very quickly. Therefore, experts do not recommend using it for insulating external walls and water pipes. Another disadvantage of slag wool is its high acidity. In the presence of even a small amount of moisture, when it comes into contact with metal, rapid oxidation of the latter occurs. Like glass wool, slag wool is caustic.
Basalt wool
Basalt mineral wool, the technical characteristics of which make it the most popular among both private owners and large developers, is made from rocks of the gabbro-basalt group, metamorphic and marls. This variety does not prick and does not cause metal oxidation. Afraid of water, but at the same time different high degree vapor permeability. This type of material is produced both in slabs and in rolls (mats).
Mineral wool: technical characteristics
For comparative technical characteristics of these three types of mineral wool, see the table below.
Variety | Fiber thickness (µm) | Fiber Length(mm) | Thermal conductivity index (W/m K.) | Working temperature | Flammability |
Glass wool | +450 to -60 | ||||
Slag | Maximum +300 | Can sinter at high temperatures |
|||
Basalt wool | Up to +1000, provided that the mats are not deformed |
The density of mineral wool can vary from 11 to 144 kg/m3.
Reviews about mineral wool
They respond more than positively to the insulation. This type of heat insulator is currently considered the most popular and widespread in the world. Good feedback about it both private homeowners and large developers explain, first of all, excellent thermal insulation properties, ease of installation and low cost. However, some owners suburban areas Still, they treat this material with caution. The fact is that mineral wool is capable of releasing dust and vapors that are harmful to health. However, manufacturers claim that all harmful substances contained in it in such small quantities that there is no negative influence have no effect on the body.
But it is still believed that insulation with mineral wool requires careful sealing of the structure. As for the manufacturer, many speak well of mineral wool brands such as Isover and Ursa. Knauf and Rockwool cotton wool is also praised.
Comparison with other materials
We’ll talk a bit below about how to insulate the ceiling with mineral wool and cover the floor and walls with this material. First, let's compare this type of insulation with other popular varieties. These include, for example, ecowool, polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, sandwich panels, etc. All of them are quite effective. Expanded polystyrene is considered the second most popular after mineral wool. It costs not much more and at the same time has almost the same technical characteristics. Its main difference from mineral wool is that it is not afraid of moisture, weighs less and is flammable. Polyurethane foam has the lowest degree of thermal conductivity known at the moment. However, it costs much more than mineral wool and polystyrene foam and is also very difficult to install.
Application of mineral wool
Most often used for insulating walls, roofs and ceilings. The installation technology is similar in all these cases. It is not particularly difficult. This is largely what makes this material so popular among private developers.
Mineral wool, the technical characteristics of which allow it to be used for insulating structures made of almost any material, does not burn at all. Therefore, it is used for insulating structures in rooms with an increased risk of fire.
Using mineral wool for wall insulation
The walls are insulated in several stages:
- A frame (usually wooden) is attached to their surface. The thickness of the bars should be equal to the width of the insulation. They are mounted so that the mineral wool fits between them as tightly as possible. Sometimes the slabs are additionally attached to the wall surface with special dowels - “fungi”.
- Before installing the slabs, if the insulation is carried out from the street side, a vapor barrier is stretched between the frame beams.
- Next, the mineral wool itself is installed. The thickness of the slabs can vary from 40 to 200 mm.
- At the next stage, a waterproofing film is stretched over the slabs. They fasten it with bars, stuffing them directly onto the frame. The film is usually mounted horizontally, with an overlap of 15 cm. When insulating from the inside, the installation procedure for vapor and waterproofing films is reversed.
- At the final stage, finishing material is installed on the bars of the resulting counter-lattice.
Using cotton wool for floor insulation
The floors are insulated in about the same way. Only in this case, not a frame is used, but wooden logs. The floors between them are pre-laid with waterproofing material. Next, insulation mats are installed. On top of them, a vapor barrier film is mounted on the bars (with foil inside the room). Next, stuff the genitals or edged board. Then the final finishing of the floor is installed - laminate, linoleum, parquet, etc.
Using mineral wool for ceiling insulation
Insulating the ceiling with mineral wool is carried out in the same manner as insulating the walls. That is, first the frame is stuffed, then the slabs are mounted, then the vapor barrier, and at the last stage - fine finishing. In this case, the plates must be additionally attached with “fungi” or glue.
Technology for insulating the attic from the inside
Insulation of attics and attics from the inside is carried out as follows:
- Rafters and all wooden roof elements are carefully processed antiseptic compounds and means that increase the material’s resistance to fire. Since roof waterproofing is always carried out already at the stage of its construction, there is no need to take this step during the process of insulation from the inside.
- Next, mineral wool slabs are inserted between the rafters and secured with wire.
- After this, as in the first two cases, a vapor barrier is installed on the bars.
- At the last stage, the attic is covered with clapboard, plywood or plasterboard.
Mineral wool: price
Of course, those who decided to use this particular material to insulate their home would like to know how much such work would cost. Price basalt wool can vary quite significantly depending on:
- From the manufacturer. For example, mineral wool from Rockwool and Knauf (1000-1500 rubles per sheet with an area of 12-18 sq. m) costs slightly more than Ursa (600-700 rubles).
- Material thickness. Of course, the thicker the material, the more expensive it is.
- Its density. Soft mats in rolls are cheaper than hard slabs.
Thus, mineral wool, the price of which is affordable, is an insulation material that is certainly worthy of attention. Covering walls, floors or ceilings with this material means making your home warm and cozy for many years.
What is mineral wool and how is it produced, what types of this insulation exist, its technical characteristics, features of the choice of material, pros and cons, installation technology.
Description and features of mineral wool production
Mineral wool is a general name for a group of inorganic insulation materials that have a fibrous structure and are made from certain rocks, glass and slag. Thermal insulators “fix” the air layer and, with its help, effectively insulate the room from the cold. Thermal insulation board or mat consists of millions of fibers intertwined in a certain order.
Regardless of the type of mineral wool, the production principle for all types is the same. In this case, exclusively non-flammable substances are used. The feedstock is melted in a cupola furnace or floating furnace at a very high temperature of up to 1500 degrees above zero. After the fiery-liquid mixture is obtained, fibers are pulled out of it different thicknesses.
This process can take place according to different technologies: blast, centrifugal-roll, centrifugal-blown, centrifugal-spun-blown, as well as other modified methods. During the manufacturing process, ultra-fine fibers are obtained, which are deposited in special chambers, from where they are sent to lamella or corrugating machines. They form the required initial volume of mineral wool.
Next, a binder mixture (most often phenol-formaldehyde resin) is applied to the carpet in special equipment, which should firmly hold the fibers. After which the cotton wool is placed in a chamber where it polymerizes and receives its final shape. At the end of the production process, mineral wool slabs undergo heat treatment. It gives the material additional strength.
Finished products are packaged in shrink polyethylene film, which protects the material from contact with moisture. However, even if the mineral wool ends up in the rain a short time, this will not harm her, since during the production process she is treated with hydrophobic compounds. They protect the heat insulator from the negative effects of water during installation.
There are several forms of insulation release:
- Rolls. Mineral wool mats are used for insulation of roofs, interfloor coverings, walls, and other structures that do not experience heavy loads. The density characteristics of such wool are not very high.
- Plates. The material can be laid under a concrete screed, in places that will be subject to significant mechanical pressure. This insulation has a maximum density of up to 220 kilograms per cubic meter.
- Cylinders. Used for thermal insulation of pipelines. They have average density indicators.
Main types of mineral wool
There are not many minerals that can produce long, thin fibers. After certain processing, fibrous substances are formed from certain rocks, glass, and various slags. Based on this, mineral wool is divided into three main types: stone (basalt), slag and glass wool.
Glass wool
This is one of the most common and budget-friendly thermal insulation materials. It has a fibrous structure and a yellowish tint. The raw materials used are glass cullet, borax, sand, soda, limestone, and dolomite.
Glass wool has low thermal conductivity and copes well with vibration loads. When compressed, it can reduce its volume by 6 times. Thus, the cost of transporting the material is reduced.
This insulation is the softest among all other types of mineral wool. It is recommended to use it where it will not be exposed to strong mechanical loads. Semi-rigid glass wool slabs have recently appeared on sale; they can be used to insulate ventilated facades. Insulation in the form of cylinders is intended for thermal insulation of pipelines.
It is worth noting that this type of cotton wool is the most prickly. Therefore, when working with it, it is necessary to protect the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory organs with means personal protection.
Stone wool
The main advantage of stone (basalt) wool over other types of mineral fiber insulation is the ability to obtain material of different densities, shapes and resistance to mechanical stress. Stone wool is produced from various gabbro-basalt rocks. These are diabase, basalt, gabbro, to which dolomite and limestone (carbonate rocks) are added.
This insulation has lower thermal conductivity values than glass wool. Also, stone wool has improved a number of other indicators, for example, resistance to mechanical and vibration loads. The material does not burn and does not absorb water well.
Stone wool is available in low and high densities. In the first case, it turns out to be flexible. In the second - durable.
This heat insulator is considered the most versatile among other types of mineral wool, since basalt fiber can be used to make materials with different strength indicators, make them of any shape and complement them with various coatings.
Elastic and soft stone wool is used where large mechanical loads are not expected, in low-rise buildings, and for thermal insulation of wells. Denser material is used for insulation of multi-story buildings. It provides not only heat but also sound insulation. Pipes and pipelines are insulated with shaped varieties of basalt wool. If mechanical stress is exerted on the insulation, then rigid varieties are used.
Stone wool can be produced with a backing made of fiberglass or foil. To give it greater strength, it is stitched with glass threads or wire.
Slag
This type of mineral fiber insulation is made from blast furnace slag. The latter is a rocky or glassy mass, which is a waste product from the smelting of cast iron in blast furnaces at metallurgical plants.
The thermal conductivity values of slag wool are quite high. In addition, it has other disadvantages. For example, it quickly and easily absorbs moisture, so it cannot be used in damp places. It is not suitable for insulating facades, since when it interacts with water, the material begins to experience chemical reactions which lead to the formation of acids. They destroy the metal parts surrounding the slag.
In addition, this type of mineral wool has poor resistance to vibration loads. Due to the presence of such a large number of disadvantages, slag wool is currently practically not used in construction.
Technical characteristics of mineral wool
The popularity and wide scope of use of mineral wool are due to its technical characteristics. Let's look at them according to their main properties:
- Thermal conductivity of mineral wool. This indicator indicates how much thermal energy will be transferred through a material of unit density at a certain temperature difference. Data is indicated in W/(m*K) or W/(m*S). The thermal conductivity of mineral wool is always indicated on the packaging. According to GOSTs, this indicator should fluctuate between 0.041-0.045. It depends on the density and thickness of the insulation fibers. Sometimes some manufacturers indicate a rather low coefficient - up to 0.032 W/(m*S). This should raise doubts and serve as a reason to check the quality certificates of such products.
- Density of mineral wool. Shows the number of fibers contained in one cubic meter of product. This value is measured in kilograms per cubic meter. The average parameters of mineral wool are 20-220 kg/m3.
- Noise insulation. The chaotic structure of the fibers allows the use of mineral wool for sound reduction, among other things. Many manufacturers have product lines that are designed to isolate sound and vibration. This indicator is usually indicated on the packaging - Aw. If it is 0, then the material is capable of reflecting sound waves. If the value is 1, then it absorbs them.
- Vapor permeability. Mineral wool is characterized by a high vapor permeability rate - 0.48 g/(m*h*hPa). Steam seeps through the fibrous structure of the material, but is not absorbed. At the same time, it is important to provide the steam with the opportunity to escape and not accumulate in the slabs or mat.
- Mineral wool sizes. This indicator may vary depending on the scope of the material. For example, slabs, as a rule, have dimensions of 60x100 centimeters with a thickness of 5-20 centimeters. Such dimensions make the product convenient for transportation and installation. In addition, 60 centimeters is the most common step when arranging rafter system. Mineral wool in rolls is characterized by dimensions that allow it to cover a large area: 60-120 centimeters - width, 50-150 centimeters - thickness, about 9 meters - length. Cylindrical insulation has a diameter of 2-27 centimeters and a length of up to 1 meter. The thickness of mineral wool ranges from two to ten centimeters.
- Flammability of mineral wool. This indicator is one of the main advantages of insulation in general. Mineral wool is a non-flammable type of thermal insulation. It is suitable for insulating surfaces with temperatures up to 650 degrees above zero. When heated, it does not emit toxic substances. Information regarding the flammability of the material is indicated on the product packaging. A1 is the highest fire safety class. An important parameter is the smoke-generating ability of the heat insulator. Mineral fibers practically do not emit smoke when burning. This quality corresponds to the S1 indicator. In addition, the insulation does not crack under the influence of fire. This is indicated by the d0 icon.
Advantages of mineral wool
The advantages of mineral wool have determined its high popularity and demand in the market of thermal insulation materials. The following positive characteristics of mineral wool should be highlighted:
- High thermal insulation performance. Mineral wool has one of the lowest thermal conductivity values, which allows it to be used almost everywhere, regardless of climatic conditions. The material does not require additional insulation.
- Waterproof. High-quality glass wool and basalt wool allow steam to pass through perfectly and are not saturated with water. Thanks to this, the structure is reliably protected from the formation of dampness.
- Impact resistance chemical substances . High-quality mineral wool is not subject to destruction when in contact with various alkalis and acids.
- Good air exchange. The insulation ensures air circulation, the design “breathes”, which guarantees the formation optimal microclimate indoors. There is no need for additional ventilation devices. The risk of condensation is quite low.
- Good sound insulation. The special elastic structure of mineral wool endows it with acoustic properties. In a room insulated with this material, you will not hear sounds from the street.
- Fire resistance. If a fire occurs, mineral wool will not support combustion and spread the fire. In addition, the heat insulator does not emit smoke when in contact with fire.
- Long service life. The insulation is practical and durable. The average lifespan is 25-50 years. Rodents do not damage mineral wool, and microorganisms do not multiply in this material.
- Environmental friendliness of the material. Its production requires 100 times less energy resources than is saved over the period of operation. In addition, mineral wool from reliable manufacturers does not emit harmful compounds into the air even when heated.
Disadvantages of mineral wool
As for the disadvantages of mineral wool, they are quite ambiguous. Modern manufacturers of high-quality insulation have practically eliminated all the disadvantages that were inherent in the material initially.
In general, it is worth noting the following disadvantages that companies producing mineral wool insulation are actively struggling with:
- Loss of quality when wet. By absorbing water, mineral wool largely loses its thermal insulation properties. When moistened by only 2%, the material’s thermal conductivity increases by 10%. To avoid this, manufacturers produce products that have been treated with special hydrophobic compounds. It is also recommended to use vapor and waterproofing when installing insulation.
- High level dusting. This drawback is especially noticeable when working with glass and slag. The fibers of these insulation materials are brittle, and their fragments are sharp and thin. Penetrating under clothing, they cause severe itching and skin damage. It is also extremely dangerous to breathe air that contains fiberglass particles. Conduct installation work When using these materials you only need special clothing, a respirator and goggles.
- Emission of vapors from phenol-formaldehyde resins. Some builders and environmental organizations claim that mineral wool is hazardous to health, since the vapors from the phenol-formaldehyde resin used in production are carcinogenic. However, numerous studies of insulation show that the content of these toxic substances in the material is negligible, and therefore they cannot cause harm to health. To date, this issue continues to be controversial.
Criteria for choosing mineral wool
An excellent indicator of product quality is its compliance with GOST. Mineral wool slabs are produced in accordance with GOST 9573-96.
When choosing mineral wool, you must follow these recommendations:
- Check with your retailer or on the packaging to determine which direction the fibers run. If vertical, the heat insulator will store heat better. If it is chaotic, the insulation is more durable and can withstand heavy loads.
- Consider the scope of application of mineral wool. If you plan to insulate the floor or roof, then you should not purchase mineral wool for facades. Otherwise, the material will quickly lose its thermal insulation qualities.
- Pay attention to the future loads to which the surface insulated with mineral wool will be subjected. If the mechanical pressure is high, then buy slabs with the highest density. This way you will avoid compaction of the material and, consequently, a decrease in thermal insulation qualities.
- To insulate the roof from the inside, choose foil-coated mineral wool. It will help reduce the loss of “radiant” heat. It is recommended to buy the same material for insulation chimneys.
- Check the thermal conductivity ratings on the packaging. Some manufacturers provide incomplete information, underestimating data. They do not indicate the temperature at which these values are valid. Remember, at different marks on the thermometer, the thermal conductivity value will change. This applies to all types of insulation.
Price and manufacturers of mineral wool
The relatively low cost of this insulation also contributed to the growth of its popularity. Today there are several companies whose products have proven themselves in the construction market:
- Ursa. It produces specialized mineral wool - for roofing, facades, floating floors, as well as universal insulation. Product density is relatively low. The material can be found in slabs and rolls. The price of mineral wool from this brand ranges from 1 to 1.2 thousand rubles per cubic meter.
- Isover. Another manufacturer that produces specialized products for different purposes. There are rulers universal insulation materials, facade, roofing, floor, suitable for plastering. The slabs cost from 1.4 thousand rubles. Rolled mineral wool - from 1 thousand rubles, cylinders - from 500 rubles per cubic meter.
- Knauf. The company specializes primarily in the production of materials for thermal insulation of roofs and walls. At the same time, the density of the insulation is low. The line does not include mineral wool for facades with the possibility of subsequent plastering. The price is relatively high. Cubic meter roll material costs from 1.3 thousand rubles. In slabs - from 1.4 thousand rubles.
- Rockwool. This mineral wool manufacturer offers absolutely the entire range of insulation - from universal to specialized. The cost of production is quite high. Plates cost from 1.6 thousand rubles, rolls - 2.8 thousand rubles, cylinders - 380 rubles per cubic meter.
Brief instructions for installing mineral wool
Installation technology this insulation consists of three main stages: surface preparation, installation of material and Finishing work.
Let's briefly consider how to insulate a surface with mineral wool using the example of facades:
- We remove all foreign elements from the surface: surveillance cameras, drain systems, non-functional parts, lighting.
- We remove old coatings - paint, plaster. If there are signs of mold or mildew, we eliminate them.
- We prime the surface.
- To install mineral wool, we use special glue and dowels. If you do not use fasteners, then over time the structure may simply collapse, since it is quite heavy.
- We use dowels to fix the guide profiles that will hold the thermal insulation layer.
- Apply a layer of glue to the reverse side of the mineral wool.
- We attach the material to the surface and fix it with dowels.
- We fasten the mineral wool according to the type of brick laying. After creating the first row, we align it in all directions until the glue hardens. Next, we begin to lay the second row.
- When the entire surface is covered with mineral wool, we carry out reinforcement. To do this, cover the insulation layer with glue, put a reinforcing mesh on it and press it tightly.
- Cover the top of the mesh with another layer of glue.
Watch a video review of mineral wool insulation:
Mineral wool is a fibrous thermal insulation material that can be made from various inorganic substances. Insulation has a number of undeniable advantages, which, combined with low cost, have made it very popular. Installation of mineral wool is quite simple and even a beginner can do it.
Mineral wool belongs to the category of universal insulation. Because of huge amount its advantages it has unlimited applications. There are several varieties of this material. We’ll talk about their features and the advantages of mineral wool as insulation below.
Mineral wool: origin and manufacturing features
Mineral wool is a material intended for thermal insulation, which consists of thin, intertwined glassy fibers. They are made by pulverizing a certain type of slag, stone or basalt. The quality and density of mineral wool depends on the length and diameter of the fibers. The mineral wool production process is based primarily on the production of minimal fibers, which are joined together using a binder.
In order to better understand the properties of mineral wool, you should carefully study the process of its origin. The production of mineral wool is conventionally divided into the following stages:
1. Determination of the type of raw material and its preparation for melting.
At this stage, the composition of mineral wool is determined, in which a certain proportionality of the ingredients is observed. It has a name - charge. Most often, this composition contains two, maximum three components. Each mineral wool manufacturer has its own proportions of ingredients in this composition. It is on the proportionality and type of mineral wool ingredients that its further versatility, resistance to moisture, temperature changes and compression depend. In addition, the product must have high thermal insulation properties. The quality of mineral wool is determined primarily by its fiber, its size and chemical components. Before mixing the ingredients, they undergo a grinding and drying procedure. Already in the dosage chamber they are selected according to the given proportions.
2. Procedure for melting components.
After all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together, they are melted at a temperature of about one and a half thousand degrees Celsius. This stage is the main part of the mineral wool production process. The consistency of the resulting mixture and the length of the fibers of the finished product depend on the temperature in the oven.
Most often, fuel in the form of natural gas, it is with its help that it is possible to achieve such high temperature.
3. Making fiber material.
A molten mass with a certain viscosity appears at the site of fiber formation. For these purposes, special devices have been developed in the form of multi-roll centrifuges and fiber distributors. The composition falls on the roller, which rotates with very high speed. As a result, fibers are formed, to which various additives and water-repellent mixtures are also added. Then the fibers end up in their cooling chamber and form a homogeneous web.
On a special type of machine, the fabric undergoes special processing to orient the fibers. Thanks to this, mineral wool has almost zero shrinkage.
4. Polymerization procedure.
The canvas ends up in the chamber heat treatment where it solidifies. All binders are endowed with certain physical properties; it is this process that subsequently affects the quality of the finished product.
5. Determination of shape.
Mineral wool is produced both in the form of slabs and in roll form. At this stage, it is cut and packed according to size.
6. Packaging.
Last, The final stage involves packaging the finished material and sending it for sale.
Characteristics of mineral wool: advantages and disadvantages of insulation
First, let's get acquainted with the advantages of mineral wool:
1. Good thermal insulation performance.
Due to the fact that the fibers of the heat-insulating material are particularly thin, it is a universal and very good heat-insulating material. If we compare the indicators of its thermal conductivity with other alternative insulation materials, then mineral wool will certainly win.
2. Fire safety.
Mineral wool is used in any areas where the temperature does not exceed 1000 degrees. Until this temperature is reached, mineral wool is not able to melt. Therefore, it is an excellent option for insulating walls, floors, ceilings and floors. Using mineral wool, to some extent, it is possible to prevent fire, since it is not capable of spreading fire.
3. Resistance to chemical compounds.
This property also expands the scope of use of mineral wool. Its composition is absolutely resistant to various types of chemical influences.
4. Biological stability.
This advantage is due primarily to the fact that mineral wool is not eaten by rodents such as rats or mice, unlike polystyrene foam. This means that throughout the entire period of its operation, it remains unchanged both in form and composition. In addition, due to its good moisture resistance, mineral wool is resistant to fungus and mold, which is especially important for ensuring a healthy atmosphere and microclimate in the room.
5. Excellent sound insulator.
The random arrangement of mineral wool fibers allows it to be used not only as insulation, but also for soundproofing rooms. Mineral wool is even used for installation on doors, since it is not capable of letting extraneous sounds into the room.
6. Ability to cope with static loads.
Due to its good density, mineral wool can withstand static loads well, so it is used for insulating floors, ceilings and other critical elements. Even after 40 years of use, mineral wool does not shrink. And the duration of its operation depends on the insulation’s tendency to deform. Since shrinkage leads to the appearance of cold bridges and increased heat losses.
7. Vapor permeability characteristics.
Due to the fact that mineral wool allows air to pass through, a healthy atmosphere is maintained in the room and natural air exchange occurs.
8. Environmental safety.
The composition of mineral wool contains a binder based on formaldehyde resins, however, during the manufacturing process of insulation, this resin becomes absolutely harmless, and during further use it does not emit harmful substances.
9. Long lifespan.
The service life of mineral wool is more than 45 years. Since this material practically does not shrink, tolerates high humidity, sudden temperature changes and atmospheric conditions, it is able to maintain its characteristics throughout the entire period of its use.
In addition, mineral wool is an excellent insulation material for facades, as it has high tensile strength. This material is easy to process and install.
Despite this, mineral wool has several disadvantages, among which are:
- mineral wool is able to function normally as insulation, only in combination with additional vapor barrier and waterproofing materials;
- when working with mineral wool, it is necessary to use protective gloves, mask and glasses, as there is a risk of tiny fibers getting on the skin and causing irritation;
- It is not recommended to allow mineral wool to come into constant contact with moisture.
Scope of use of mineral wool for insulation
Thanks to its versatility and a large number positive characteristics, mineral wool has a wide range of applications, namely:
- in the process of insulation of ventilated facades;
- in the arrangement of three-layer masonry;
- insulation of walls, ceilings, floors, interfloor ceilings;
- production of roofing pies in the process of arranging a high-quality roof;
- as a thermal insulation material for roofing;
- for external wall insulation;
- in the process of manufacturing reinforced concrete products;
- for thermal insulation of communication systems: pipelines, gas pipelines, etc.;
- in most building structures;
- when insulating balconies and attics, as well as loggias.
Types of mineral wool and their characteristics
Depending on the characteristics of mineral wool production, it comes in three types:
- fiberglass based;
- slag based;
- stone mineral wool.
Each of the materials has individual characteristics, in particular the length and arrangement of the fibers, different resistance to deformation, moisture, loads, etc.
Fiberglass-based mineral wool or glass wool has fibers whose thickness is no more than 14 microns and up to five centimeters long. This material has the highest strength and elasticity. Please note that it requires the use of special protective equipment during operation, since small particles of glass can get on the skin and cause irritation.
Glass wool has a good thermal conductivity coefficient; it can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees heat and 50 degrees cold.
The second option is to use slag wool. For the manufacture of this insulation, blast furnace slag is used, the fibers of which do not exceed twelve microns in thickness and no more than one and a half millimeters in length.
The slag is unstable in acidic environments, so it has limited use on metal surfaces. In addition, this insulation has a high hygroscopic ability, so it cannot be used in the process of insulating facades and other external structures. The cost of slag wool is an order of magnitude lower than, for example, glass wool. Due to its fragility, it is not used for insulation of pipelines and communication systems.
Slag wool can withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius; when exposed to higher temperatures, it loses its thermal insulation properties. In addition, it has high hygroscopicity, which significantly limits its scope of application. The most big advantage The advantage of this insulation is its lower cost compared to alternative options.
Stone or basalt mineral wool - characterized by the same small fibers as slag wool. However, this material is not prone to cause irritation or allergies. In addition, it has high thermal insulation performance, the most the best option Stone wool is a material based on basalt stones. This material can withstand temperatures of up to a thousand degrees of heat and up to two hundred degrees of frost, without changing the thermal insulation characteristics.
Basalt stone wool is sold in both roll and slab versions. It is very easy to use, not prone to deformation, and not prone to burning. This version of mineral wool is the best choice for its use as insulation.
Thermal insulating mineral wool: features of choice
In order to buy mineral wool, just go to any hardware store or supermarket. The price of mineral wool is determined primarily by its type, the cheapest is slag wool, slightly more expensive than glass wool, and the most expensive option is basalt stone wool.
The thickness of mineral wool varies; its choice depends on the type of coating on which the insulation will be installed.
In addition, in relation to the size of mineral wool, various types of slabs and rolls are also distinguished. Each manufacturer has its own size chart for finished products.
Stone wool is divided into the following subtypes:
- granular - made by special compressor unit, relevant for places where installation of conventional insulation is not possible;
- in the form of slabs coated with bitumen - great option for laying roofing finishing materials;
- in the form of laminated slabs - characterized by the presence of fibers that are not located in a chaotic, but in a perpendicular order, has good elasticity and flexibility, and is suitable for thermal insulation of pipelines.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the main manufacturers of mineral wool:
1. Rockwool mineral wool - the material has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, excellent air permeability, does not absorb moisture, and is non-flammable. In addition, the mineral wool of this manufacturer is resistant to mold, insects and rodents, environmentally friendly and has good soundproofing characteristics. Among the huge range of products, it is possible to choose exactly the type of mineral wool that will suit the individual characteristics of the area that requires insulation.
2. Mineral wool “Isover” - is made in the form of slabs, rolls or mats, has two forms: rigid and semi-rigid. The material is used in the process of insulating roofs, interfloor ceilings, floors, facade parts of a building or walls. The material retains air by 99%, so during operation, its thermal conductivity qualities only increase.
3. Ursa mineral wool - this insulation is based on fiberglass or quartz glass. The material is good fire safety, it is practically non-flammable, in addition, the mineral wool of this manufacturer is environmentally friendly to health.
Before purchasing mineral wool, you should also study the recommendations for its selection, which are presented below:
1. Pay attention to the place and conditions of storage of the material. All products must be stored in the packaging in which they were packaged at the factory.
2. If mineral wool is sold in boxes, then its contact with moisture or a humid environment should be minimized.
3. Even for little money, you should not purchase wet cotton wool, since after drying it loses its properties.
4. Identify several manufacturers for yourself, read reviews about them, and then make a purchasing decision.
5. Preliminarily calculate the required amount of cotton wool in relation to the area of the insulated area.
Mineral wool video:
Various insulation materials are designed to keep the thermometer at the required level, regardless of the time of year. And most people involved in construction prefer mineral wool.
Building your own home is one of the most troublesome and desirable goals of every person. The primary task when designing, together with the area, arrangement of rooms, and ceiling heights, is to ensure a temperature that is comfortable for humans. The microclimate of the house should not depend on the environment.
Due to its properties, mineral wool can be used by builders not only as insulation, but also as a good means of sound insulation. Mineral wool insulation is widely used for thermal insulation of bathhouses (it is also used as protection against fire).
Area of application of mineral wool
The scope of application of this type of insulation is wide:
- Insulation and soundproofing of premises. This material is especially relevant for rooms with increased environmental requirements.
- Thermal and sound insulation of pipelines, thermal insulation of industrial units and equipment.
- Insulation of baths.
- Thermal and sound insulation of roofs.
The main technical characteristics and properties of mineral wool include:
- Thermal conductivity. The unit of measurement for cotton wool's ability to retain heat is W/(m*K). Information about the thermal insulation of mineral wool is almost always available on the packaging and is regulated by GOST (permissible value 0.041-0.045).
- Soundproofing. This parameter “speaks” about the ability of cotton wool to dampen sound waves. This indicator is denoted by the Latin symbols Aw and is also indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. It takes the value 0 and 1 depending on whether the mineral wool absorbs the waves or reflects them.
- Density. The density of mineral wool is qualitative characteristics cotton wool. It depends on the number of fibers located per 1 m3 of material. This figure varies from 20 to 220 kg/m3.
- Vapor tightness. Due to the ability of mineral wool to pass steam through its fibrous structure, the material on which the wool is laid (metal, brick, wood) retains its natural look for a long time.
- Low flammability. Mineral wool insulation can be used at maximum temperatures of 650 degrees. above zero. Maximum value, which is indicated by the manufacturer on its products - A1.
- The absence of organic elements in the composition of cotton wool extends its service life.
An important quality of cotton wool is the ability not to emit smoke in the event of combustion, and the ability to maintain its structure - not to crack. On the packaging you can find the corresponding marks - S1 and d0.
Types and composition of mineral wool
Mineral wool is based on portions of slag, glass, and certain rocks. In this regard, it is classified according to the material of manufacture: glass wool, stone and slag wool.
Glass wool is especially popular due to its low cost. It is obtained from molten glass, as well as from rocks containing silicate. She looks yellow color and has a clearly visible fibrous structure. Unlike other types of mineral wool, the length of its fibers reaches 3 mm. Thanks to this feature, better adhesion of the fibers is achieved, and hence the required density of the insulation.
Its advantages include low thermal conductivity and anti-vibration properties. Thanks to its elasticity, it is convenient to transport - it can be compressed several times.
Glass wool insulation should be used where the load (including mechanical) on the insulated surface will be minimal. It will be appropriate in the case of external walls of buildings and pipelines.
When working with this type of insulation, it is worth considering the fact that it can cause harm to health. Therefore, you should not give up protective equipment. Touch the glass wool open areas skin is undesirable.
There is also mineral wool on the insulation market, which is based on slag (waste from the processing of cast iron) from blast furnaces. Slag wool has a pronounced disadvantage - it absorbs moisture well. As a result, acids are released. It cannot boast of anti-vibration properties, as well as the necessary thermal conductivity, so there is no special consumer demand for it.
Strength is low. This is due to the size of the particles from which it is produced - they are smaller than those of glass wool.
It is used in enterprises, factories, and mines to insulate smooth horizontal surfaces. A slight slope is allowed. To handle it, the use of personal protective equipment is mandatory.
This species has not received recognition among the population due to the inconvenience of installation. People who prefer to do everything with their own hands experience great difficulties when working with slag.
Another type of insulation is popular among the population - stone wool. It is also called basalt wool. It is made from gabbro-basalt rock. These include diabase, gabbro, basalt. The composition also includes portions of limestone and dolomite.
Compared to slag and glass wool, this type of insulation is superior to them in many respects. The use of stone wool as insulation is more expedient - its thermal conductivity is much lower than that of the same glass wool.
Vibration and external load(including mechanical). The areas of application of stone wool are also varied due to its resistance to fire. Moisture is not a problem for it either.
On the market this type insulation is available in several options, depending on strength and thickness.
Due to the ability to vary the density of insulation, building material made from gabbro-basalt rock is in great demand. This material can be used for insulation of cottages, summer houses, baths.
Shape and thickness of insulation
Mineral insulation is produced in the form of rolls, slabs or cylinders. Basically, the shape of the material is determined by the scope of application.
- Rolls. Mineral wool in the form of a roll is used by builders where there is no significant load on the insulated surface. This includes walls, attics, and ceilings between floors. This type of wool cannot boast of high density.
- Plates. They are used on those objects where density comes first. It is advisable to lay mineral wool slabs on a concrete screed.
- Cylinders. Thermal insulation cylinders made of mineral wool are used to insulate pipe surfaces. The density of cylindrical mineral wool is average.
Plates, compared to cylinders and rolls, have a number of advantages: they do not cause trouble during transportation, are convenient for installation and operation (easily cut), they can be installed on uneven surfaces.
Rolls, slabs and cylinders differ from each other not only in shape, but also in size. The dimensions of one slab are 60x100 cm, and the thickness can be different and varies from 5 to 20 cm.
The sizes of the rolls differ significantly from the sizes of the slab, since they are intended for insulation large areas. Dimensions of one roll: length – 9 m, width 60-120 cm and thickness 50-150 cm.
The diameter of one cylinder can vary from 2-27 cm. The length of insulation of this shape is 1 m, and the thickness is 2-10 cm.
Advantages and disadvantages
Thanks to its qualities, mineral wool can withstand worthy competition in the insulation market. The advantages of this type of insulation include:
- Climatic conditions are not a hindrance for it, so installation can be carried out everywhere. None additional funds no need for insulation.
- Using mineral wool, you can forget about such a thing as dampness. Mineral wool, as insulation, when properly processed does not collect moisture and also does not let in steam, so conditions for the formation of dampness are excluded.
- Such material does not interfere with air circulation in the room, and even vice versa - there is no need to use devices for air ventilation.
- Mineral insulation does not interact with acids and alkalis, so there is no need to worry about compromising the strength of structures (laboratories are often lined with this material).
- Has very good sound insulation. If you use it to insulate an apartment or house, sounds from the street will not disturb you.
- As already noted, mineral wool does not burn, and when interacting with fire it does not emit any harmful substances into the atmosphere.
- Long service life of the material. Insulating buildings and pipelines with mineral wool is also beneficial from an economic point of view, due to the durability of the material. Such insulation not only burns poorly or absorbs moisture, but it is also not damaged by rodents and microorganisms. In addition, over time it does not lose its shape and does not “shrink”.
- Easy installation. Even an amateur builder can insulate a room using mineral wool.
- Ecologically safe material, which does not cause any allergic reactions in people indoors.
If earlier a whole list of shortcomings could be given, today many manufacturers have eliminated most of them in their products. But some problems still remain:
- Dust harmful to health - this applies to glass wool, work with which must be carried out in special clothing and with the help of protective equipment. A damaged part of mineral wool can easily cause injury. Moreover, damaged fibers of the material can adversely affect the respiratory tract. Avoiding this is quite simple - when installing mineral wool, it is enough to wear a protective suit, goggles, a respirator and gloves.
- When heated, such material can release a dangerous toxin - phenol (arises as a result of the oxidation of formaldehyde resin, which is part of the cotton wool). Some manufacturers claim that their amount of formaldehyde resins is so small that they cannot cause harm to the human body. In any case, it is not worth the risk, and installation must be carried out while observing safety precautions.
- There is a problem of deterioration of thermal conductivity properties as a result of the interaction of insulation with water. Manufacturers are working to solve this problem by adding special hydrophobic compounds to their products. Additionally, during installation it is necessary to apply waterproofing.
Insulation errors
Often the reason negative reviews About mineral wool as insulation on the part of builders, there are installation errors:
- Insufficient amount of insulation. The optimal thickness in most cases is considered to be 10 cm.
- If the insulation was done from the inside (), then there is no point in stopping there. When choosing between interior and exterior work, you should give preference to the latter.
- You cannot skimp on fasteners, or use inappropriate fasteners where they are inappropriate. It is important to remember that initiative is not always justified and can backfire.
- If the house has a basement, then it is necessary to pay attention to it, otherwise the insulation will not have the desired effect.
- Accuracy in work is necessary. It is worth laying the layer as evenly and densely as possible.
- It is important to pay special attention to preparing the foundation. Do not ignore cleaning the surface from debris and sanding it in case of unevenness. In the worst case, the insulation will simply fall off the wall.
- It is necessary to avoid getting glue into the joints of the boards. In this case, this is where the cold will come in.
- Insulation work must be carried out in warm, dry weather. It is necessary to remember - no moisture.
- When attaching the mesh it is worth considering one thing important rule– we use only glue, we save the putty for other work.
- It is necessary to insulate at least 60% of the surface to achieve the desired result.
What do we pay attention to when buying insulation?
It will be useful to know what to pay attention to when choosing and purchasing insulation.
- An important condition for any purchased product is that it must comply with Gosstandart.
- In addition to information from sellers, you should see for yourself the purpose of this or that insulation. Most manufacturers have taken care of this - there is enough information on the packaging (including the thermal conductivity value of the material).
- Preference should be given to mineral wool with a foil coating. This combination will help avoid heat loss.
- It is important to determine the maximum load that will be applied to the insulated coating (what density of mineral wool would be more appropriate to use).
- When choosing products, you need to pay attention to the fibers on the insulation, their arrangement - if it is chaotic, then the mineral wool is durable and can experience heavy loads.
- The insulation will cope with its main function without problems.
- Under no circumstances should you buy cotton wool that has become wet for any reason. Once it dries, all its inherent properties will be minimized at best.
- Cotton wool must be supplied and stored in its original packaging.
- The manufacturer allows the use of different types of insulation together. In this case, the condition of equal density must be taken into account. The exception is when cotton wool is used as a sound insulator.
The date of manufacture does not play a role when purchasing mineral wool, since such material does not have an expiration date.
If cost is not an issue, then preference should be given to basalt (stone) wool. In addition to higher heat absorption and lower noise insulation, slag wool or glass wool can be easily damaged during installation.
Manufacturers on the insulation market
The usefulness of mineral wool in insulating the facades of houses contributed not only to the growth of demand among consumers, but also to the emergence of a number of manufacturers of these products. The most famous among them: Knauf, Rockwool, Isover, Ursa, TechnoNIKOL.
It is not durable, and therefore is used primarily for insulating roofs and walls. Available German manufacturer, both in the form of plates and in the form of rolls. Knauf mineral wool is presented on the market in two variations: HeatKnauf and Knauf Insulation. The first option is intended for thermal insulation of a private house.
There is a manufacturer who is ready to offer insulation for all needs - rockwool. The versatility of the products here is in no way inferior to the cost - the price per unit of goods is quite high.
There is another manufacturer that boasts the versatility of its products -. Construction Materials This company can additionally be plastered.
Often on the market there are products from such manufacturers as ursa. In the production of the material used quartz sand. The mineral insulation of this brand is intended for walls and ceilings.
Stone wool is used in production, so the strength of the product and its thermal conductivity cannot be doubted. The mineral insulation produced by the company meets all the necessary requirements: it does not get wet, does not burn, and has good heat and sound insulating properties.
Insulation of housing is one of the main tasks for humans, especially in our climatic conditions. One solution to the problem is mineral wool insulation. The market is quite saturated with various types of products, offers from many manufacturers. You just need to make a choice and carry out the appropriate work, taking into account the recommendations.
Preface. Trying to live in warmth and comfort, everyone first tries to protect the house from the cold and extraneous noise from the street. People have always sought protection from the heat in summer and winter cold. If you use mineral wool insulation as thermal insulation, you can save yourself from frost in winter and scorching heat in summer. In this article we will look at the main technical characteristics of mineral wool.
Mineral wool, the technical characteristics of which, we will consider today, has several varieties and world-famous manufacturers, each type has advantages and disadvantages. Next, let's look at what thermal insulation materials can be considered mineral wool, so that when purchasing thermal insulation, you can make the right choice in accordance with your requirements.
Main types of mineral wool
According to GOST 52953-2008, three materials are classified as mineral wool: slag fiber, glass fiber, and stone wool. All materials have a different structure - the length and thickness of the fiber, differ from each other in the characteristics of resistance to stress, thermal conductivity, moisture resistance and the ability to withstand open flames. Let's talk in detail about each type of mineral wool and list their characteristics.
Glass wool. Specifications
Glass wool consists of fibers with a length of 15 to 50 mm and a fiber thickness of 5 to 15 microns. Glass wool is elastic and durable, but you should work with the material carefully, because... fragile glass threads can dig into the skin, get into the eyes, or be accidentally inhaled into the lungs, injuring the mucous membranes. When working with insulation, you must wear a protective suit, gloves, goggles and a respirator.
Main characteristics of fiberglass mineral wool:
Thermal conductivity coefficient is from 0.03 to 0.052 watts per meter per Kelvin.
Permissible heating temperature is up to 450 degrees Celsius.
Hygroscopicity – average.
Slag-like. Specifications
The insulation is made from blast furnace slag; the slag fibers are 16 millimeters long and have a thickness of 4 to 12 microns. Slags have residual acidity and in a damp room can affect metal surfaces. Slag wool absorbs moisture well, so it is unsuitable for thermal insulation of a steam room, the facade of a house, or insulation of water pipes. In addition, the material is quite fragile.
Main characteristics of mineral wool made from slag:
Thermal conductivity coefficient is from 0.46 to 0.48 watts per meter per Kelvin.
Permissible heating temperature is up to 300 degrees Celsius.
Hygroscopicity – high.
Technical characteristics of mineral wool. Table Stone wool. Specifications
Stone wool has fibers approximately the same size as slag wool. But the insulation has a significant advantage - it does not prick. Working with stone wool is more convenient and much safer than working with fiberglass or slag material. This is the most popular type of mineral wool today, and if they say “mineral wool technical characteristics”, then we're talking about, as a rule, about stone wool.
Main characteristics of mineral wool from rocks:
Thermal conductivity coefficient is from 0.077 to 0.12 watts per meter per Kelvin.
Permissible heating temperature is up to 600 degrees Celsius.
Hygroscopicity – average.
Mineral wool grades
Manufacturers offer mineral wool in the form of slabs, rolls and mats. The material successfully insulates the roof of a house, ceilings and attic floors, interior walls and partitions. There are no difficulties when using the material. The density of basalt wool can be different; there are several brands of it in accordance with this parameter. Next, let's look at each brand.
Mineral wool P-75
The density is 75 kilograms per cubic meter. The insulation is suitable for insulating horizontal planes that are not subject to heavy loads - attics and some types of roofing. This brand of basalt mineral wool is also used for wrapping pipes in heating plants, gas and oil pipes. Mineral wool of lower density is used where there is no load.
Mineral wool P-125
The density is 125 kilograms per cubic meter. The insulation has good sound insulation properties, suitable for insulating floors and ceilings, and thermal insulation of walls inside. Can be used as internal insulation walls in houses made of brick, foam block or aerated concrete. Using this material, you can not only efficiently insulate the facade under the siding, but also obtain excellent sound insulation.
Mineral wool PZh-175, PPZh-200
Density is 175 and 200 kilograms per cubic meter. The insulation is not only dense, but also has increased rigidity, which is what the abbreviation means. It is used for thermal insulation of floors and walls made of reinforced concrete or sheet metal. The PPZH-200 brand of basalt wool can be used as additional protection for residential premises from fire.
Today they produce mineral wool of excellent quality, such famous manufacturers like "URSA", "
Find out in which direction the mineral wool fibers are located. If the fibers are arranged vertically, then the insulation will better conserve heat; if the fibers are arranged chaotically, then the material becomes more durable, withstanding considerable loads.
Slag wool and glass wool are different low prices, but think before you buy them. These materials do not have improved thermal insulation, and there are enough problems during installation - if glass wool gets on the skin or mucous membrane, the affected area will itch for a long time.