Stone wool is an innovative construction material for thermal insulation. It is considered to be a high-performance product that performs the tasks of an insulator better than other analogues.

Characteristics of stone wool

The material is based on rocks. Their processing allows to obtain a product that is able to resist the transfer of heat. This is possible due to the design of the product - the presence of air-holding cells in it.

The composition and properties of stone wool

There are several substances in the mountain basalt rock:

  • stone;
  • fibers;
  • connecting components.

After their connection, the building material acquires new qualities, which are very much appreciated by specialists. The main one is the property of maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room. After insulation, the house will be cool in summer and warm in winter.

One of the types of wool - stone slabs, is not capable of deformation for many years. Particular attention is paid to the vapor permeability of the product. With a large amount of moisture in the room, it does not absorb it, but repels it.

Important! The product can withstand significant loads - up to 70 kPa, i.e. 7 tons. This was made possible due to the peculiarities of thickness and density. stone wool.

Types of insulators

There are various modifications of heaters:

  • cylinders;
  • rolls;

They can differ in rigidity, density, size. Rolls are very popular among buyers. Their density is low. The sheet compresses well. However, the product protects the object from moisture worse. Therefore, it is foil on one side. To improve the properties of the product, a metal film is also used. The dimensions of the product depend on the brand of the manufacturer.

Plates are mainly used to insulate walls and ceilings. Their density is quite high. This allows you to quickly work with them - cut, fix, finish.

Read also: Plastic windows: benefit or harm?

Plates well withstand the load, moisture-proof. The joints formed during installation are easily hidden when plastering the wall. Some types have a special groove or comb, which greatly facilitates the installation process. Sometimes they are insulated:

  • ventilated facades;
  • different types of frames;
  • some objects for the purpose of soundproofing.

In most cases, the width of the basalt stone wool insulation is 1 m, the length is 2 m.
Some manufacturers are engaged in the manufacture of cylindrical insulators. They are used for pipes. The size depends on the diameter of the communications.
The composition of the cylinders includes:

  • foil;
  • mineral fibers;
  • fiberglass mesh for reinforcement.

The note! The materials have grooves that allow you to adjust the size of the insulation yourself, to connect the joints correctly.

Types of stone wool insulation are easy to distinguish by marking. The designation P-75 indicates a low density of the insulator. It is laid on the walls, which will not undergo significant loads. The product marked P-125 has improved soundproofing qualities. PPG-175 means that the product has a high density. The letter J speaks of rigidity. Cotton wool marked PPG-200 is the densest. It also applies to fire-resistant insulators.

Pros and cons of stone wool

Unlike other types of heaters, stone wool has a lot of positive characteristics. She refers to natural products as it is made from natural materials. Before specialists construction industry the possibility of operating the insulator in different temperature ranges opens up. Fire safety is another significant advantage. The stone slab is fire resistant. It starts to smolder when the temperature reaches 1000°C.

The insulation has excellent soundproofing qualities. This became possible due to the unusual structure of cotton wool. Fibers are randomly intertwined in it, between which there are air layers. It is this structure that does not allow sound waves to pass through the material.

Modern technologies make it possible to create waterproof products. They are treated with a special substance that repels water. The service life of stone wool is unlimited. After all, it consists of a durable natural material that does not collapse for a very long time. Specialists emphasize the absolute safety of the product for human health and the environment. This is a chemical resistant material. However, it has one significant drawback - a high price.

Read also: Linocrom - a new generation roofing material

Material dimensions and its calculation

Dimensions of products directly depend on their types. The dimensions of the plates are determined by the ratio of length and width - 1000 × 500, 1200 × 600. Thickness is 30, 50, 100, 150 mm. Cotton wool is actively used to insulate the walls of residential and industrial premises outside. Rigid types of products are used to insulate floors of a floating type and heated.

To save money when buying, you need to make a preliminary calculation. To calculate the area of ​​an object, its width and length are determined. After these values ​​are multiplied. When isolating the entire room, the perimeter of the building is established. The result obtained is multiplied by the height and number of floors. If necessary, determine the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe roof.

The packaging indicates the area that the product can cover. The shrinkage of the product must be taken into account in the calculation. Therefore, it is bought with a surplus - another 15% is added to the total area.

Installation of stone wool

Modern construction can no longer do without this material and it is used in 90 cases out of 100. Before laying it, you need to study several important rules. During transportation, the goods must be placed strictly vertically. It is also not allowed to remove the packaging. It protects the product from unwanted contact with other objects, which can degrade the quality of the boards.

Important! Cotton wool is cut with a special construction knife. Only he can cut the sheet without damaging it.

If the product contains 50% fiberglass, then it is not allowed to compress. Otherwise, the product may be deformed and partially lose its thermal insulation properties. In order to lay the insulator on the wall, you need to follow some important principles. Laying begins with a supporting frame. If this rule is not followed, there is a high probability of distortion and cracks.

What is stone wool, what varieties of this insulation exist, its technical characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, how to choose the right material and do-it-yourself installation features.

Description and features of stone wool production


Stone wool is one of the varieties of mineral fibrous heat insulators. It can be made from various rocks, but the material based on basalt fibers is considered the highest quality. Therefore, this insulation is also called "basalt wool".

In this heat insulator, synthetic impurities are contained in minimal quantities, and the excellent natural characteristics of the stone are preserved. The fibers are intertwined and connected with the help of special substances. The latter are phenol and formaldehyde in the form of resins.

The method of producing stone fibers was invented after an unusual discovery in Hawaii. There, after the volcanic eruption, the so-called "Pele's hair" was discovered - thin threads of frozen volcanic rock. They became the forerunners of basalt fiber, created in their likeness, but already under production conditions. Stone wool was first produced in 1897 in the USA.

IN modern conditions the material is made using the principles of volcanoes. In special furnaces, at a temperature of about 1500 degrees above zero, rocks are melted and a liquid melt is obtained. It is drawn into fibers using various methods: centrifugal-roller, blowing, centrifugal-blowing, centrifugal-spin-blowing, and others. The thickness of the finished fibers is no more than seven microns, the length is no more than five centimeters.

After the fibers are formed, a binder is added to them, spraying it, watering the basalt "carpet" or preparing hydromasses. In order to endow products with certain technical properties, during the manufacturing process, the material is additionally processed with special solutions that increase density, vapor permeability, and hydrophobicity.

After applying binders and technical fluids, the basalt carpet is subjected to heat treatment at temperatures up to 230 degrees. Under such conditions, the polycondensation reaction takes place. After heat treatment, ready-made stone wool is obtained with a specific open cell structure, which is able to withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees Celsius. organic matter this material contains no more than 3%.

The main types of stone wool


Based on its texture, shape and suitability for certain purposes, stone wool is divided into several types.

In terms of hardness, stone wool insulation can be:

  • soft. This material is made from fibers of the smallest thickness. They create a huge number of cavities that hold air. It is he who prevents heat loss. Soft stone wool is used where no large mechanical loads are expected. It is suitable for insulating facades, walls along frame technology, roofing and more.
  • medium hardness. The fibers that are used in the production of this stone wool are more rigid, which allows the material to be used for thermal insulation of facades where high-speed air flows take place. Also, this heat insulator is suitable for heat, fire, sound insulation ventilation ducts.
  • hard. The fibers of this material are the thickest and most durable. This type of insulation is used in places where heavy loads are expected. You can lay hard basalt wool under concrete screed, it can be used to insulate walls with subsequent reinforcement and plastering directly on the heat insulator.
Stone wool can be produced in the form of rolls (soft material), slabs (medium and high fiber stiffness), as well as cylinders. The latter are used for thermal insulation of pipelines. As a rule, their sizes are suitable for insulating pipes with a diameter of more than two inches (50 millimeters).

There is another type of stone wool - foil material. It provides double insulation. That is, it not only does not release heat beyond its own limits, but also reflects it, directing warm air into the building. This heat insulator can have one-sided foiling and two-sided. This foil-coated stone wool is versatile and can be used in any environment.

Specifications of stone wool


The technical characteristics of this insulation allow it to be used both for heat and sound insulation, and for protection against fire. Consider the main properties of stone wool:
  1. Thermal conductivity of stone wool. The fibers in the insulation are randomly located, not strictly oriented. The material has an air structure. A large number of air gaps makes stone wool an excellent heat insulator. The coefficient of thermal conductivity is low - from 0.032 to 0.048 W / (m * K). According to this indicator, cotton wool is close to cork, foamed rubber, extruded polystyrene foam.
  2. hydrophobicity. This type of mineral wool practically does not absorb water. Water absorption by volume is less than two percent. This allows you to use this material for warming wet rooms - bathrooms, saunas, baths, basements.
  3. Vapor permeability. Regardless of the density of stone wool, it has excellent vapor permeability. The moisture contained in the air penetrates through the insulation without any problems. In this case, condensation does not form, and the material does not get wet. This quality of stone wool guarantees optimal temperature and humidity conditions in a room insulated with this heat insulator. Vapor permeability averages 0.3 mg/(m*h*Pa).
  4. fire resistance. Basalt fiber wool is considered a non-combustible material. In addition, it can act as an obstacle to open fire. The maximum allowable temperature that the material can withstand without melting is 1114 degrees Celsius. Therefore, stone wool can be used to insulate devices that operate at high temperatures. According to fire safety standards, this insulation belongs to the NG group.
  5. Soundproofing. This insulation is able to muffle the vertical sound waves that go inside the walls. By absorbing acoustic waves, stone wool reduces the reverberation time and does not transmit sound not only into the insulated room, but also into neighboring rooms.
  6. Strength. Due to the random arrangement of fibers in stone wool, even a material with a low density can withstand heavy loads. With a deformation of ten percent, the insulation has strength limits for compression of 5-80 kilopascals. This property of stone wool guarantees a long service life without changes in shape and size.
  7. Chemical and biological activity. In chemical terms, this insulation is passive. It does not react with metal, wood, plastic and other materials. In addition, the heat insulator is not characterized by rotting, damage by microorganisms, rodents.
  8. Environmental Safety. The presence of phenol-formaldehyde resin in the composition of the material causes a lot of controversy regarding the environmental friendliness of stone wool. However, according to recent studies, the content of toxic substances in basalt fibers is extremely low. In addition, they do not stand out from cotton wool, since they are neutralized at the production stages.
  9. Stone wool thickness. Recently, this insulation has been produced with a thickness multiple of 50 millimeters. The same is the minimum thickness of the material. This heat insulator is used under a concrete screed, for floor insulation. The maximum thickness reaches 200 millimeters. Typically, such stone wool is used on the upper floors of multi-storey buildings.
  10. Stone wool dimensions. Stone wool in rolls is up to 10 meters long. The width is usually within 1.2 meters. The material in the plates has dimensions of 1000x1200 millimeters.

Advantages of stone wool


Stone wool is considered one of the most popular among other mineral fiber heat insulators. Among its advantages are the following:
  • Excellent thermal insulation. Stone wool can be used even in harsh winter conditions. It is used for insulation of walls, facades, floors, roofs, pipelines and other elements of both domestic and industrial use.
  • Good sound insulation. In a house insulated with stone wool, you will not be disturbed by outside sounds. Any acoustic waves are able to extinguish this material. It also dampens vibrations well.
  • fire safety. Modern views stone wool are non-combustible and do not spread fire. Fibers can only melt, sinter, and then if the temperature reaches above 1000 degrees.
  • Versatility. It is possible to insulate with this material buildings that have long been erected or just built. It does not matter if the quality supply ventilation. Stone wool does not interfere with air microcirculation.
  • Chemical resistance. The material is not afraid of aggressive alkalis, acids, oils, solvents.
  • Water resistance. Due to the processing of fibers with special hydrophobic compounds, stone wool will not absorb water and therefore lose its qualities. Therefore, the material withstands short contact with water perfectly.
  • Long service life. Stone wool does not lose its thermal insulation qualities for a long time - up to 50 years or more.
  • Short specific gravity . This heat insulator is easy to transport and install even on your own.
  • Fast installation. It is especially convenient to lay stone wool in slabs. They are large and cover a large area at a time.
  • Environmental friendliness. The material is harmless both during installation and during operation. It almost does not produce dust, like other types of fibrous insulation, and it can be laid without the use of a large number of protective equipment and devices.

Disadvantages of stone wool


There are not many cons to this heater. Basically, they appear in cases where you purchase poor quality stone wool from unscrupulous manufacturers. Then the material can get wet, which means it can lose its hydrophobic properties, be brittle, and even release toxic elements into the air.

In general, the following disadvantages of stone wool can be distinguished:

  1. Relatively high price. Such a cost differs from the material from well-known brands, which guarantee that the insulation is made of pure basalt rocks, is environmentally friendly and will last a long time.
  2. Small amount of dust. Stone wool fibers practically do not prick, unlike glass or slag wool. However, shaking the basalt insulation leads to the appearance of small clouds of dust. Inhaling them is definitely not recommended. Therefore, it is worth using a respiratory mask during work.
  3. The presence of seams at the joints. The so-called cold bridges occur in places where stone wool slabs or mats do not touch tightly enough. Therefore, in order to avoid heat loss, during installation it is necessary to seal these holes with foam.

Criteria for choosing stone wool


It is necessary to choose stone wool based on your goals and the place where the insulation is used. When purchasing material, pay attention to the following recommendations:
  • If you are going to insulate a roof that is built with a slope, then buy a heat insulator that has a thickness of 15 centimeters and a density of up to 40 kilograms per cubic meter. Otherwise, over time, the insulation runs the risk of sagging.
  • For insulation interior partitions use stone wool with a density up to 50 kg/m 3 . This indicator will provide the necessary sound insulation.
  • Load-bearing walls are recommended to be insulated from the outside. So you will take out the dew point, where the condensate will appear, to the street. It is advisable to use stone wool with a thickness of about 10 centimeters and a density of at least 80 kilograms per cubic meter.
  • To insulate a ventilated facade, choose wool, which consists of two layers, or lay the material in two layers. Moreover, each will have a different density: loose - near the walls, dense - outside.
When choosing a heater, pay attention to its packaging. Most manufacturers wrap products in shrink wrap. If it has tears, parts of the material are exposed, then you should refuse to buy, as it may get wet during storage and lose its thermal insulation qualities.

Price and manufacturers of stone wool


It is recommended to choose stone wool from several of the most famous brands. These manufacturers ensure that the quality of their products is at a high level. The most popular brands are:
  1. Knauf. The product line includes stone wool for all areas of use. Thermo Roll is suitable for warming horizontal and vertical surfaces, the price of a roll is from 1.2 thousand rubles. Thermo Plate 037 is excellent for thermal insulation of floors, partitions, ceilings between floors, external walls. The package contains from 12 to 24 boards. The price of stone wool ranges from 1000 to 1400 rubles. LMF AluR are foil-coated basalt slabs that provide not only sound and heat insulation, but also fire safety. The cost of a roll is about 1000 rubles.
  2. Ursa. It offers materials for the insulation of civil and industrial buildings. There are several lines of stone wool. Pure One is a new generation material. Absolutely non-combustible, environmentally friendly, with high thermal insulation performance. One roll costs about 1500 rubles. XPS boards are designed for thermal insulation of facades, external walls, interfloor ceilings. The cost of packaging - from 1500 rubles.
  3. rockwool. The most popular stone wool lines from this brand are Cavity Butts and Roof Butts. It is a material in slabs for the insulation of external walls, facades and roofs. The price of products ranges from 1000 to 1500 rubles per package.
  4. Isover. This French manufacturer produces a huge range of insulation based on basalt fibers. The most popular types are: Isover Classic, Isover KT-37, Isover KL-37. The first is produced in the form of rolls of two mats. The price starts from 1500 rubles per pack. The second and third are the material in the slabs. It is preferred when handling rolls is difficult. The cost ranges from 900 to 1200 rubles per pack.
  5. TechnoNIKOL. This manufacturer of stone wool has the following product range by series: Basalite, Technofas, Rocklight. Basalite is basalt wool in slabs that can be used for thermal insulation of roofs, facades, pipelines, floors, partitions. A pack of 10 pieces will cost 1300 rubles. Technofas are lightweight basalt fiber slabs. There are 4 pieces in the package. Its price is from 800 rubles. Rocklite is a versatile tile material. A pack of 12 products costs from 800 rubles.

Brief instructions for installing stone wool


To install basalt insulation on the facade or external walls, you will need special glue and dowels with a large cap. It is not recommended to attach the material only to glue, as it can fall off with gusts of wind or mechanical stress.

Also, during the installation of stone wool, you will need construction knife, metal or wooden profile (slats). With their help, it will be necessary to equip the crate. If the plates have a high density - from 100 kilograms per cubic meter, then for cutting you will need a hacksaw for wood.

We carry out the work in stages:

  • We fix the vapor barrier film on the wall.
  • We install the profile or bars vertically with a step that slightly exceeds the width of the roll or insulation plate. The material must be placed so that it holds itself between the profiles.
  • We fill the finished cells with basalt wool, which is pre-lubricated with glue. Lightly press the insulation to the surface.
  • We begin to collect a layer of thermal insulation from the bottom up.
  • After you have assembled one row of stone wool, you need to fix the slabs or mats with dowels. To firmly fix the material on the wall, you will need 5-6 fasteners per square meter.
  • The resulting gaps between the slabs or stone wool mats are filled with scraps of insulation, and covered with mounting foam on top.
  • After covering the entire surface with material, place a windproof membrane on top. At the joints we glue with tape.
As a rule, high-density slabs are used to insulate facades and external walls, so immediately after their installation is completed, you can start applying plaster over them. This is called the "wet" method of insulation. We pre-glue the corners of the building with a reinforcing mesh. Also as facing material siding, artificial stone can act.

Watch the video review of stone wool:


Basalt fiber insulation is a material that is widely used in the field of thermal insulation. The excellent characteristics of stone wool and many varieties make it possible to use it for insulation of roofs, facades, external walls, partitions, floors, pipelines. A simple installation is within the power of even non-professionals.

Mineral-based stone wool (aka) is presented in the form of a heater, which is in rather high demand in the building materials market.

Currently, there are a considerable number of manufacturers of this type of mineral wool, which is actively used as a reliable and effective insulation.

Before you buy mineral wool slabs and start using them, you should pay attention to the reviews and technical specifications of this insulation.

1 Material features

Stone, or as it is also called, basalt wool, in contrast to such a heater as polystyrene foam, has rocks in its composition. Basalt wool contains the following rocks:

  • metamorphic;
  • Basalt like;
  • Marl.

Expanded polystyrene, unlike the presented mineral wool, contains more substances of artificial origin.

The service life of a material such as expanded polystyrene also differs significantly from this indicator of mineral wool.

In addition, mineral wool differs from a material such as polystyrene foam by a pronounced acidity property, which manifests itself in the amount of basic oxides in the composition of such a heater.

Expanded polystyrene has different dimensions and service life than the dimensions and service life of mineral wool used as a heater.

It is worth noting that polystyrene foam cannot boast (unlike mineral wool) such a parameter as a long service life, and the inclusion of carbonate additives in its composition, which are able to regulate the acidity level of the insulation.

The long service life of mineral wool and its high technical characteristics are well received.

This is due to the presence of a high level of acidity, which basalt wool has. Expanded polystyrene does not have such an indicator of water resistance, which means it is inferior to mineral wool in such values ​​as strength and long service life of the insulation.

Therefore, the size and service life of the presented materials vary significantly. In addition, expanded polystyrene does not contain a binder, which has a significant impact on its technical characteristics and dimensions.

As connecting elements that improve the technical characteristics of the presented insulation are:

  • Bituminous binders for;
  • Materials with synthetic origin;
  • Substances of the combined type;
  • bentonite elements.

However, the most popular substance that can improve the characteristics of such a heater as basalt wool is a synthetic material that contains formaldehyde-type resins and all kinds of plasticizing additives.

Among the main specifications of the presented material, which received positive feedback, highlight the following indicators:

  • thermal conductivity;
  • moisture absorption;
  • Steam transmission ability;
  • fire resistance;
  • Strength (it should be like y);
  • Soundproof properties.

2 Thermal conductivity and moisture absorption

Basalt wool is different in that the fibers inside it are not arranged in a pre-formed order - they are scattered randomly.

This gives the structure of the substance an element of airiness, which primarily affects the size of such a heater as basalt wool.

Inside the material has a huge amount of air layers, which are located between the stone fibers, because the presented material is an excellent heat insulator.

The sizes of stone wool slabs can be different, and reviews about it are mostly positive. This substance has a rather low coefficient of thermal conductivity - from 0.032 to 0.048 watts per meter.

The presented material has hydrophobic properties. That is, when water gets on it, it cannot penetrate inside, this leads to the fact that thermal insulation parameters remain unchanged.

Stone wool is ideal for warming a room with a high degree of humidity, and its water absorption rate is only 2% like that.

The fact is that water is not absorbed into the fibers of the insulation, but flows around them, since during production it is impregnated with special oils.

2.1 Vapor capacity and fire resistance

It is known that basalt-type fibers, regardless of the level of their density, are distinguished by excellent vapor permeability.

The moisture that is in the air can easily penetrate through the insulation layer, while condensation will not appear.

This factor is especially important for baths and saunas. The presented substance cannot get wet, and therefore it reliably retains heat.

Based on this, those rooms in which the presented material is used are characterized by optimal temperature and humidity conditions.

The value of the vapor permeability index of this substance is 0.3 mg / (m h Pa). In accordance with all fire safety requirements, stone wool is officially considered a non-combustible material.

2.2 Sound insulation and strength

The acoustic properties of basalt wool are also quite good in everything that concerns the soundproofing aspect. Stone wool is capable of damping vertical sound waves.

Which can come from the walls. Because of this, the living space can be effectively isolated from outside noise.

When absorbing sound waves, the insulation reduces the reverberation time many times, which forms effective protection from noise not only in one room, but also in neighboring rooms.

Since the basalt fibers in the composition given substance are arranged randomly, then some of them are in a vertical position.

This suggests that even a relatively thin layer of stone wool is able to withstand significant mechanical loads.

For example, at a deformation level of 10%, the material will have a compressive strength equal to a value of 5-80 kilopascals.

Due to such rather high strength characteristics of the insulation, the service life is significantly increased, while the product does not lose its original shape and dimensions.

The latest developments in modern construction make it possible to achieve the best results and obtain a versatile material that can protect against adverse external environmental influences. One of these is stone basalt wool. More on this later.

General description of the specified product

It's pretty popular stuff. It is obtained by pressing stone basalt rocks and hydrophobic binders. This process is not that complicated. Stone, or basalt, wool is a durable, fire-resistant, wear-resistant material. It is used in the construction of residential and public buildings, as well as children's preschool institutions. The material has the highest performance characteristics and is carried out according to the quality standard in accordance with GOST.

Technical description

Stone wool is a type of mineral wool. The main advantage of this insulation is that it is an environmentally friendly material, as it is made from molten rocks of gabbro-basalt. Even in ancient times, local residents noticed the fact of a volcanic eruption, in the remains of which strong and long fibers were found. Based on this, basalt wool was later invented. This is valid data.

The components that make up this insulation (stone wool) are various binders. They hold fibers together. These include synthetic, bituminous, composite binders and bentonite clay). These components give the product the desired density and shape.

Properties and characteristics of stone wool

In this regard, there are many interesting things. Namely:


  • This heater is easy to transport. This material is produced mainly in slabs. The product is delivered to the construction site packed in polyethylene. It also simplifies storage.

Application

Stone wool is a fairly versatile insulation, and its use is possible in various areas of construction. This material is used in the following cases:


Installation of stone wool

This process is quite simple. There are soft, rigid and semi-rigid stone wool slabs. This simplifies the installation of the specified material - no special skills, specialists are required, as well as the use of complex tools or equipment. Stone wool can be glued with special construction adhesive or attached with dowels. After that, a layer of vapor barrier is laid, then you can proceed to the finish.

When working with this material, it is best to use a cotton-gauze bandage or to prevent dust from entering the respiratory tract.

The main criteria for the acquisition of this material

Do not forget that when buying this product, you should carefully review the quality certificate and check that the formaldehyde content is minimal. Well-known manufacturers of basalt wool strive to ensure that the presence of harmful impurities in this material is at the lowest level. Therefore, it is better to buy the specified insulation from companies that have already proven themselves in the construction market.

conclusions

Basalt, or stone, wool is a product obtained by melting rocks with the addition of binder mixtures. This insulation is an environmentally friendly material, safe for human health and the environment. However, it contains formaldehyde and phenol. During the melt process, these additives evaporate from the total composition of the insulation. Stone about which have a positive character, is an excellent material and is popular in the construction and repair industry.

Now on Russian market there are many types of modern thermal insulation materials. One of them is stone wool, which has long been used as a heater and enjoys well-deserved popularity. It is this type that will be discussed in the proposed review.

Stone wool as a wall insulation is used when it is required to create thermal insulation in various building structures. It 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 rock. She is affected 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. Among them are the following indicators:

  • The ability to conduct heat. In this regard, the material has a high efficiency. This is ensured by its structure, porosity and airiness. It has been 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 as a bonus receives a high fire safety of the material and good environmental performance.
  • Hydrophobicity. In the characteristics of any material for thermal insulation, an important indicator is resistance to moisture. 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, they arrange a "pie", which includes a layer to isolate the steam.

Insulation resistance to moisture
  • The density of stone wool for facade wall insulation is essential 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;
  • material settling under its own weight is not allowed;
  • the material over the entire surface must maintain its uniformity.

How to insulate stone wool fits well into the framework of all these requirements. This is achieved due to the following features:

  • Threads are located in different directions. As a result, the material cannot wrinkle and settle.
  • The fibrous structure has good rigidity and flexibility. It is characterized by the preservation of the form in "memory".
  • The fibers are bound by synthetic components. This prevents tearing and loss of shape. Usually, phenol-formaldehyde resins are used as such components. It contributes to the connection of the fibers, which achieves the achievement of a carpet of the required thickness. To give the material water-repellent properties, it is treated with mineral oil.
  • High density does not allow even slight deformation of the material.
  • According to the thickness of the thermal insulation layer, stone wool is divided into soft, semi-rigid and hard types. They have letter designation which can be read on the packaging.
  • In addition, stone wool has good sound insulation performance.

The thermal conductivity of stone wool ranges from 0.032-0.048 W / mK. This best performance heat retention properties similar to Styrofoam 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 short review, but it is necessary to dwell on the top three in more detail without fail.

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 combat noise. You can also insulate the floor, frame walls, roof. The release form is mats, plates and cylinders. The material is produced in various series. There is cached insulation using aluminum foil and stainless steel wire. There are over 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 from about 1000 rubles.


Stone wool Rockwool

TechnoNIKOL . The basis for its manufacture is basalt rocks. They insulate the roof, facades, exterior and interior elements of the building. In addition, insulation floors. The price is determined by the thickness, dimensions and purpose. It costs a little less than the previous version.


Stone wool produced by TechnoNIKOL

Paroc. This type insulation is made in Finland. It has a very wide area of ​​application. The form of release are plates and mats. The cost of the material is different, depending on the size and purpose, but close to the previous version.

All such products are subject to mandatory certification. Therefore, in order to avoid fakes, it is necessary to purchase material only at trusted outlets, and it is imperative to require the seller to present a certificate for the products.

How to carry out external wall insulation with stone wool on your own?

To independently carry out the insulation of the facade with the help of this heater, you will need to perform a number of specific actions. First you need to prepare the necessary tools:

  • Scraper, metal brush, rubber brush. They will be required to prepare the surface of the walls.
  • Roulette, level, drill, fastening material for mounting the frame on the facade of the house.

Before insulation, everything superfluous 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 form. As a result, metal structural elements will be subject to corrosion processes. If there is mold on the surface, then it is removed.

Before sticking the insulation, the wall is primed. This will improve the adhesion. Sometimes a crate is made of metal. You can attach it with dowels. Insulation is placed between the crate and the surface. When gluing, use the adhesive that is intended for mineral wool or glass wool. Lubricate both sides of the surface of the insulation with glue. The inner side is glued to the wall, and the building reinforcing mesh is fixed on the outer side.

  • It is necessary to provide protection against rodents. For this purpose, a metal cornice is laid down the wall. This achieves another positive point. The insulation will lie more evenly.
  • The back side of the insulation is lubricated with polymer glue. With it, the material is fixed to the wall. You can strengthen the fixation with plastic dowels. During installation, it is necessary to ensure that there are no gaps between the plates.
  • If there are irregularities on the surface after installation, 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 nice bonuses:

  • The wall is strengthened, protected from excessive wind loads.
  • If thermal insulation is carried out from the outside, then you can save internal space.
  • Using stone wool for exterior walls, you can change the design of the facade, add a few unusual decisions in design.

Insulation with stone wool from the inside

In cases where it is impossible to carry out the insulation of the facade, the room is thermally 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 carried out in several stages:

  • The crate is installed on the wall.
  • Insulation is laid in the space formed by the wall and the crate.
  • Performing finishing works.

Using wooden slats for stone wool partitions, they are pre-varnished. This will provide protection from adverse factors. external environment.


Wooden crate for partition walls 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. For creating air gap a gap of 20 mm is left between the material and the wall. 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 work is not associated with any particular complexity. The main thing is that the implementation of all stages be accurate and consistent. In this case, you will not have to regret the expended forces and means. The home will be warm, cozy and comfortable.

After the installation of the insulation structure is completed, vapor barrier is performed. Double sided tape is used to fix it. 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 the decorative finish.

Eventually

The use of stone wool as a heater allows you to solve many problems at once, the main of which is the preservation of heat in the house.


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