How to properly make thermal insulation with stone wool. Stone wool insulation: properties, characteristics, pros and cons, installation features. Insulation of walls outside with stone wool

The article was prepared with the participation of specialists from the ROCKWOOL company

Modern construction cannot be imagined without the use of various heat-insulating materials that minimize heat loss. In an energy efficient house, there are no frenzied energy bills, even with a solid area, since only the premises are heated, not the street. One of the most demanded thermal insulation materials is stone, which is used both on an industrial scale and everywhere in the private sector. And although this insulation is perhaps the most common, nevertheless, there are a lot of speculations around it, and manufacturers endlessly face the same questions. In this article, with the help of ROCKWOOL specialists, we will consider the main characteristics of stone wool:

• Raw material base, production technology, form of release.
• Scope of application.
• Technical and operational characteristics.
• Answers to questions from members of the forum

Stone wool - from what, how, in what form

A universal thermal insulation material made from rocks, predominantly of the gabbro-basalt group (a product of volcanic eruptions), which is why stone wool is often called. This group of rocks is characterized not only by strength, but also by a high melting point, which determines the choice of producers. The rock is melted at a temperature of more than one and a half thousand degrees, the finest fibers are drawn from the melt.

Stone wool has a layered structure, with a chaotic arrangement of fibers, which contributes to the formation of more air pores.

Derivatives of phenol-formaldehyde resin are most often used as a binder that transforms individual fibers into a single, elastic and durable web. These substances are considered the most stable and durable. With regard to safety, the additives are contained within the limits of the amount allowed by the standards, which makes them absolutely safe for both humans and the environment. This is confirmed by numerous studies and tests.

Andrey Petrov Head of the ROCKWOOL Design Center

This insulation is one of the few building materials with a positive ecological balance. That is, it helps to save more energy than was expended in its production, and theoretically can be subjected to endless recycling after the end of its service life.

Stone wool comes in several forms:

• Plates of various thicknesses and stiffness.
• Rolls.
• Specific products - insulation in the form of cylinders with seam or lock joints for pipelines and chimneys, laminated mats.

Characteristics of stone wool

• Thermal conductivity - 0.04-0.05 W / (m * C).
• Water vapor permeability - 0.25–0.3 mg / (m h Pa). This means that the house will "breathe", creating a healthy indoor climate.
• Water absorption by volume - from 1 to 3%.
• Density - from 25 to 200 kg / m³.
• Compressive strength (depending on the type of material) - from compressible soft products (compressibility up to 50% according to GOST 17177), to rigid plates with a compressive strength at 10% deformation equal to 0.1 MPa.
• Flammability group - NG (non-combustible).
• Environmental friendliness - despite the presence of a small amount of synthetic binder, the material is recognized as natural and absolutely safe, it is approved for use even inside residential structures and public buildings.
• Durability - manufacturers promise more than half a century without loss of performance, which is confirmed by the world experience in the use of insulation. In addition, if the material gets wet, which is unlikely, because high-quality stone wool materials have water-repellent properties - it's okay, because after drying it will not lose any of its properties. And animals and mold are not touched by cotton wool - manufacturers have created such a material that is bio-resistant.

When choosing a heater, priorities are usually placed in the indicated order with minor displacements of criteria, but the flammability group rarely comes first. Nevertheless, this is one of the most important parameters: when insulating, the house is not only "wrapped" around the entire perimeter, the insulation is also placed in the ceilings and in the rafter system. It turns out a closed loop, which should at least restrain combustion, and ideally prevent it, and certainly not support it in any way. It is enough that the "filling" of houses, like the lion's share of the cladding, is combustible. Knowing the flammability group of the insulation, it is easier to pick up the rest of the components of the facade or roofing "pie" in order to minimize the danger, rather than enroll in future fire victims. Here are the most popular materials.

If it is clear with non-combustible (NG) materials, then the properties of the remaining groups should be deciphered.

Federal Law "Technical Regulations on Fire Safety Requirements" dated July 22, 2008 No. 123-FZ (current edition, 2016).

But the fire safety of a material is not only a group of flammability, there are other properties that can reduce the safety of a building, lead to the death of people and entail serious material damage.

Each material used in the construction and decoration of houses is considered from the point of view of fire safety and is evaluated according to five criteria:

• Flammability.
• Flammability.
• Smoke formation.
• Combustion products toxicity.
• Flame spread over the surface.

Andrey Petrov

High-quality stone wool, being non-combustible, does not ignite, fire on its surface will also not be able to spread. With regard to smoke generation and toxicity, binders will begin to melt and burn out before fibers, but their amount in the material is too small to form a smoke screen. They are not enough to poison the air, even with an internal fire source, not to mention an external one. The melting point of stone wool is 1000⁰C, since thin fibers are easier to melt than rock, but this threshold is enough to extinguish the flame. Stone wool as fire protection withstands 240 minutes of direct flame exposure.

But regardless of the type of insulation, experts advise to be more careful with the choice of material and be based not on the lowest cost, but on the reliability of the manufacturer and the experience of use. You can “get hold of” experience both from neighbors / relatives / acquaintances, and on our portal, there is more than enough of it. As for certificates, unscrupulous manufacturers have forgeries, that is, even their presence is not a panacea, let alone products for which they do not exist at all, although by law a fire safety certificate is required.

Scope of application in questions and answers

Stone wool has a wide range of applications. Due to the naturalness of raw materials and its durability, stone wool materials are used both in private residential buildings and in high-rise buildings, for public buildings and industrial facilities. In the private sector, soft and hard slabs are most in demand, as well as sandwich chimneys and protection of enclosing structures by means of stone wool when removing chimneys through walls.

Soft slabs are designed for warming and soundproofing unloaded flat and inclined surfaces: in frame houses in enclosing structures, in a roofing system between rafters, in interior partitions, in ceilings (between logs under a subfloor), in balconies and loggias. In those areas where minimum thermal conductivity is needed and rigidity is not required, since there is no load. If the task is not only to insulate, but also to isolate the room from noise, choose a material with a specific bias.

There are no special subtleties in the selection and installation of stone wool materials - usually the manufacturer indicates all the necessary information on the pack and on the website. And they were created in such a way that it was as simple and convenient as possible to work with them. For example, you can find material with a springy edge, as well as "double density" boards, which greatly simplify the installation process and ultimately save you money.

But sometimes questions still arise, the answers to which can be easily found on, in particular, on the branches, which are led by representatives of manufacturers. Here are the most popular questions that are found on our forum.

Alex_1975 FORUMHOUSE user

Tell me what layer of stone wool is needed on a wooden floor for sound insulation. Is there a big difference between conventional insulation and acoustics.

As a rule, the interfloor floor is a frame made of wooden beams. According to the specialist, with such a structure, to ensure sound insulation, it is necessary to use a material certified as soundproof. Slabs are mounted in the frame, the optimal layer thickness is 100 mm, but the final choice also depends on the thickness of the beams. The thickness of the timber beams and the soundproofing boards must match. This solution can significantly reduce the level of airborne noise.

Plates of medium hardness are more often used for external insulation in systems of ventilated curtain facades and in well masonry between walls. To insulate rooms with high humidity, stone wool is also used in slabs; manufacturers have special series designed for a specific operating mode.

Rigid slabs are characterized by increased strength, they can withstand heavy loads (300 kg / m²) and are most often used for insulating floors under a "floating" screed. For wet facade systems, special rigid slabs are produced with a peel strength of at least 10 kPa, which makes it possible to apply a reinforcing and decorative layer directly to the material. It should be borne in mind that hard plates, due to their higher density, have a higher thermal conductivity, therefore, if it is not supposed to load the insulation, you should prefer the soft or semi-rigid version.

Not all structures are typical, often the distance between the elements of the subsystem does not correspond to the dimensions of the plates.

Goodmorning FORUMHOUSE user

How to insulate the attic with spans of more than 580 mm, in my case at 720 mm? I mean, how to install cotton wool, can it be inserted horizontally, not vertically, in order to reduce the amount of waste? Such a distance between the rafters is not my whim, this is how the company builds, and 720 mm is an average size, in fact there is not a single span, and the rafters are not installed in a vertical plane, that is, if the bottom is 680 mm, then from above maybe 740 mm.

In this case, it is necessary to install the slabs horizontally, but their thickness should be at least 100 mm, since such slabs will be less prone to bending under strong compression.

Sometimes it is difficult for users to determine the insulation density.

komodd FORUMHOUSE user

What is the density of the material to insulate the facade for siding? The walls are brick.

Density is nothing more than specific gravity. The main aspect when choosing a material is the manufacturer's recommendations. Certain physical and mechanical characteristics are important. For example, the material for the frame must be elastic, and for the floor under the screed it must be rigid. For materials from different raw materials, stiffness and elasticity occur at different density values. Both raw materials and fiber size, as well as a number of other parameters, affect. For installation of the heat-insulating layer into the frame without mechanical fastening, a light and resilient material is selected, it is easier to install and adheres closely to the structure. When choosing a denser material, it will be quite difficult to mount it into the frame without mechanical damage. Therefore, in conditions of economy, you need to choose not a dense material, but the one that is necessary in the design.

dubroff

The most common option. Make an opening in the wall 400 × 400 mm, sheathe the inner walls of the opening with basalt cardboard, minerite, then mount the passage box. After the pipe passes the sandwich through the box, fill it (box) with basalt wool.

Also, our craftsmen use stone wool in street oven complexes to maintain the optimal temperature regime for tandoors, Pompeian ovens and various modifications of Russian ovens. Laminated mats with aluminum foil are used to insulate pipelines; shaped products (cylinders) are used for the same purpose.

By the way, the service life of high-quality stone wool heaters is very long - 100 years, so a long and safe life for your home!

More information about stone wool and other heaters is in the section. Bulk insulators - in materials about insulation, etc. In the video - an expert's story

Stone wool as insulation is in high demand in the building materials market. There are many stone wool manufacturers. We propose to consider the features, advantages and recommendations for choosing this material.

Stone wool: origin and manufacturing process

The origin of stone wool is associated with the natural process of volcanic eruption. As the molten lava rolls down, it splits into fibers and the wind hits it and creates a fibrous structure. This material has high strength and performance characteristics.

The main component from which stone wool is produced are rocks of basalt, metamorphic or marl origin. The most important indicator of high quality stone wool is the acidity property, which indicates the amount of acidic and basic oxides in the wool composition.

The highest quality stone wool is produced from basalt type rock, into which carbonate additives are introduced to regulate its acidity.

The high acidity level of stone wool increases its water resistance, which means it makes the wool stronger and more durable. Another element that is part of stone wool is a binder. Its main function is to bind and bond fibers, and to give the product a certain shape and consistency. The connecting elements are:

• binders based on bitumen;
• binders of synthetic origin;
• combined substances, which include several components;
• binders of bentonite type.

The most popular bonding element of stone wool, which is most often used in the process of its production, is a synthetic material that contains phenol-formaldehyde resins and hydrofibrating plasticizing additives.

The material that became the basis for the manufacture of stone wool is called "Pele Hair". It looked like a thin thread that was formed from volcanic rock. The modern stage of stone wool production resembles the process of a volcanic eruption. The rocks are sent to the furnace, the temperature in which reaches one and a half thousand degrees Celsius. They melt and undergo a fiberizing process. There are several ways to do this process:

• blowing method with fans;
• centrifugal and roller methods;
• blowing and centrifugal method;
• a combination of centrifugal blowing and spunbond methods;
• other methods.

Once the rock is fiberized, the process of binders introduction and shaping follows. This process includes spraying a binder that is introduced into a cotton mass or watering the mass with this substance. The stone wool carpet is sent to a heat treatment process, during which the binder begins to perform its functions. The binder content is about three percent. The stone wool is then cut according to predetermined dimensions, packaged and prepared for sale.

Stone wool characteristics and benefits

The first and most important property of stone wool, which determines its use as a heat insulator, is its high heat-insulating ability. Thanks to this, it copes well with the process of regulating the temperature in the room. In the winter season, stone wool does not let the cold through, and in the summer, the heat. This property depends on the design coefficient, since different materials are characterized by different levels of thermal conductivity. Even at high temperatures, stone wool does not lose its properties and still performs its functions. Therefore, stone wool does not lend itself to combustion, does not ignite and protects insulated structures from fire.

Temperatures over a thousand degrees Celsius do not affect the characteristics of stone wool. Even at such a high temperature, it does not melt, does not burn, and performs its functions properly. Although the evaporation of the binder occurs at temperatures exceeding two hundred degrees. Due to the presence of fireproof properties, stone wool helps to avoid fire and the destruction of the building structure when it occurs. Therefore, stone wool has a fairly wide scope of application, it is used for thermal insulation of both multi-storey and one-story buildings, schools, offices, private houses, cottages, etc.

For almost all the time of use, the binder, if it is of high quality, ensures that the cotton does not shrink and has a constant shape. This property helps cotton wool to resist mechanical stress. After all, it is used not only for thermal insulation of walls, but also for floors, which are under constant influence and stress. If poor quality materials are used as a binder for stone wool, it loses its shape over time and does not fulfill its functions.

Due to the fact that the fibers of stone wool intersect chaotically, stone wool is an excellent sound insulator that protects the room from the effects of extraneous sounds and street noise. Interior walls, which are insulated with stone wool, are characterized by the presence of a reduced sound level in relation to neighboring rooms.

Another function of the binder is moisture resistance and vapor permeability. These characteristics allow you to regulate the level of humidity in the room, while excess moisture is not absorbed into the insulation layer, thereby disrupting its structure, but is discharged outside. The climate in the room becomes comfortable and favorable for living. The dry state of stone wool leads to the fact that mold, fungus and other microorganisms do not grow in it.

Stone wool is an environmentally friendly material, in the production of which natural materials are used that do not have a negative impact on the environment. The use of stone wool can provide significant energy savings, thereby improving the environment and conserving electricity.

Scope of use of stone wool insulation

Among heaters based on stone wool, the most common is stone wool from basalt rocks. It has the highest water-repellent properties, therefore it is used for insulation of swimming pools, baths or saunas. It allows for thermal insulation of pipeline systems and other engineering communications.

Due to the chaotic distribution of fibers in stone wool, it is able to withstand the heaviest loads. Therefore, it is used for insulation of foundations and floors.

In relation to strength, stone wool is stiffer and more elastic. Stone wool of a soft structure is used in unloaded areas of building structures, as well as when laying wells and ventilated facades, which have a low air flow rate and an average ventilation gap.

The use of semi-rigid stone wool is associated with ventilated façade systems that have an unrestricted air flow. It is suitable for multi-storey structures. It is good to install this type of wool in air duct structures, where it provides them with heat, sound insulation and fire safety.

Stone wool of segmental, cylindrical or semi-cylindrical type is used for thermal insulation of pipeline systems.

Rigid basalt wool is a suitable option for structures that are exposed to heavy loads.

Stone wool coating is:

• fiberglass;
• foil;
• wire.

Studying reviews about stone wool, we propose to consider the main industries of its use:

1. Insulation of structures for construction purposes - stone wool allows you to build thermal, sound and fireproof insulation in buildings of almost any purpose. Stone wool improves the thermal insulation properties of walls, facades, ceilings, floors, chimneys and ceilings.

2. When performing technical insulation, the use of stone wool allows you to equip ventilation, air conditioning or smoke extraction systems.

3. When equipping fire-retardant systems, stone wool increases the fire resistance of building elements such as floors or metal structures. The use of stone wool can improve the fire safety of the entire building.

4. In the shipbuilding industry, stone wool provides thermal insulation for ships and their individual parts.

Before you buy stone wool, you should clearly define its functional load and the volume of the area that needs to be insulated.

For stone wool insulation, the price depends on the following factors:

• manufacturer;
• material density;
• the type of binder used in production;
• the type of rock from which the stone wool is made;
• amount of material;
• the presence of an additional coating layer.

The stone wool for the facade must be strong and dense, as this part of the building is exposed to the environment.

Previously, the quality of mineral wool was determined based on its density, but this statement is now not relevant. Since modern manufacturers of stone wool are developing a material that, despite its low density, resists well against mechanical stress.

Therefore, when choosing stone wool, pay attention to the ratio of tensile strength or compression strength to the operational characteristics of the use of insulation.

When choosing a material, carefully study the manufacturer's recommendations for its use. Most of the instructions indicate the scope of the cotton wool. Stone wool is an open-cell insulation that requires an additional layer to protect it from moisture and water.

Pay attention to the brand of the manufacturer, the most qualitative stone wool is Rockwool, Ursa, Technonikol. If there is a choice between a German manufacturer and another company, it is better to give preference to the first one, since stone wool made in Germany is of the highest quality, due to the fact that the certification bodies of this country are the most picky about this product.

Please note that its cost depends on the density of the material, so you should not choose too dense cotton wool, where there will be enough material of medium or low density.

You should not choose stone wool, based on its low cost, it is better to buy more expensive products. Since the cheap material will lose its properties in a few years, and remodeling the facade of the building or the floor is much more expensive than buying stone wool of a higher cost.

Pay attention to the location of the fibers, there are three types of mineral wool, determined by this criterion:

• vertical,
• horizontal,
• chaotic arrangement of fibers.

The first and second options increase the resistance of mineral wool to mechanical stress, and the third has a positive effect on its heat-insulating and sound-insulating properties.

Varieties of mineral wool in relation to its brand

In relation to the density, stone wool is divided into:

1. Grade P - 75 - is used for thermal insulation of unloaded horizontal surfaces, for example attic rooms, sometimes roofs. This material is appropriate for insulating oil, pipe and gas pipelines.

2. Grade P - 125 - is used for thermal insulation of unloaded areas located both vertically and horizontally. With the help of such cotton, they build internal partitions, insulate floors and ceilings. They are suitable for installation in a three-layer brick, aerated concrete, expanded clay concrete system.

3. Stone wool ПЖ - 175 - suitable for thermal insulation of walls, the basis of which is a profiled metal sheet or reinforced concrete in which there is no concrete screed.

4. ППЖ - 200 - slabs of increased rigidity, which increase the fire resistance of structures for engineering and construction purposes.

In relation to stone wool dimensions, they depend on the manufacturer. It is possible to order individual sizes of a roll or stone wool slabs.

Overview of stone wool manufacturers

1. "Rockwool" (Denmark) - stone wool, which is highly popular and has a large number of advantages. Features of Rockwool stone wool:

• chaotic arrangement of fibers;
• high fire safety and fire resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• soundproofing;
• ensuring electricity savings;
• a wide range of products;
• wide range of applications;
• the use of Rockwool stone wool provides the premises with a healthy and comfortable microclimate;
• high level of strength and resistance to mechanical stress;
• the service life is more than fifty years.

2. "Technonikol" - produces stone wool based on basalt. Features of this product:

• high heat-saving characteristics;
• fire safety;
• good noise absorption;
• no shrinkage over a long period of use;
• the use of TechnoNIKOL stone wool allows you to reduce the cost of building an additional layer of brick or wood;
• the low weight of the product provides convenience in work and its easy transportation.

3. Stone wool "Knauf" - is highly resistant to moisture, chemical and biological organisms. Stone wool is produced in the form of cylinders, slabs, rolls, rolled lamellas, facade lamellas. A wide range of products opens up to the buyer the choice of the type of stone wool, which is necessary when insulating a certain area. There is a type of stone wool, which is pierced with galvanized mesh. Synthetic resin is used as a binder for standard insulation boards. Material in the form of rolled lamellas, consists of strips, which are interconnected by a layer of aluminum foil.

4. Stone wool “Ursa” is light and elastic. The material is easily transported thanks to the special packaging. Differs in good thermal insulation characteristics. There are variants of cotton wool that does not contain formaldehyde, and therefore is completely safe and recommended for use in schools, kindergartens or medical institutions.

Stone wool video:

We visited the city of Yurga, Kemerovo region, at factories for the production of rolled roofing materials, extruded polystyrene foam plates and stone wool.
Today my story and show about the third plant - a plant for the production of stone (basalt) wool.

"Faster! Faster, let's go look at the process!" - they called us, who were carried away by cutting out Lego from extruded polystyrene foam (they cut a heart out of EPP for me!).
Intrigued, we thought that now they would make something else out of these gray polystyrene cubes, but they put us in a car and rushed to another plant.

The plant for the production of stone wool became the third plant of the TechnoNICOL corporation in Siberia and at the Yurga site in particular. In 2013, almost 900 thousand cubic meters of products came out of the assembly line of this plant of the chain alone.
Stone wool is a highly effective thermal insulation material. In terms of thermal efficiency, it is ready to compete with the reference heat insulator - air in a stationary state. High resistance to heat transfer is achieved by keeping a large amount of air stationary inside the insulation with the help of closely intertwined thinnest mineral wool fibers.

Natal 13vredina with the fruits of labor from the XPS.

At the factory, we dressed up in respirators and went to the shop. Helmets and vests were already on us.

This, of course, I have never seen. For some, these are working days, but for me it was a bewitching sight: men in silver suits and helmets were doing magic by the cupola (this is a kind of shaft furnace). For some reason, Chicherina's song was spinning in my head: kind and kind and kind in silver helmets ...

The production of stone wool is a complex, multi-stage technological process.
Rocks of the gabbro-basalt group (raw materials) are delivered to the raw materials warehouse.
At the beginning of the production cycle, the raw material is sieved and the coarse fraction is fed to the batchers, which carefully weigh the raw materials.
Only after that the charge (a mixture of initial components) is fed into the cupola - a vertical shaft furnace. The hot-blasted coke oven gas cupolas installed at the plant make it possible to obtain a melt of the required temperature (about 1500 ° C) and the required viscosity.

This is the mouth of that very cupola. It's about 1500 degrees Celsius inside!

Schematically, the cupola looks something like this:

Almost a door to Narniru.

and then molten metal poured out of the furnace!

Then the cart with the bowl is quickly pulled away by a second handsome man in silver robes.

This metal smelted from basalt is a production waste. Then, at the same plant, briquettes will be made from it, which will then also be consumed.

So, the resulting melt is sent to a multi-roll centrifuge, where, under the action of centrifugal force, the melt drops are drawn into the fiber. The initial raw materials and the stability of the melt composition make it possible to obtain high-quality mineral wool with high chemical resistance and durability. At the time of fiber formation, through the nozzles installed on the centrifuge, a binder with the addition of a water repellent and a dedusting agent is supplied according to the latest technology developed in the company's own research center.

We were not able to see this process with our own eyes, but we were told that it is similar to how cotton candy is made.

Multi-roll centrifuge Big cotton candy like that.
Basalt only.

The smelting process ended, and we all stood spellbound and continued to click cameras of cameras and phones. We were taken out of the trance and while stone fibers were being pulled out in the bowels of the machines, we followed to the workshop, where the rest of the action takes place.

A lot of attention is paid to safety at the plant. Motivating posters are hung everywhere - in workshops, on loading yards and on the territory of the plant complex.

I don’t know how brutal men, but I got through and I even tried not to leave the sidewalks. These white zebras are the trajectory of walking visitors.

So, from a multi-roll centrifuge, basalt fiber treated with a binder, being cooled by an air flow, enters the conveyor. This is how the primary “carpet” of mineral wool is formed, which is fed to the pendulum spreader, which ensures a uniform density of the products.

Pendulum spreader.

After the pendulum spreader, the "carpet" goes to the corrugator-prepressor, which gives the future product a corrugated structure due to the partial vertical orientation of the fibers, which makes it possible to achieve high mechanical properties of the finished product.

Corrugator-prepressor.

The “carpet” formed in this way enters the heat treatment chamber, where at a temperature of 200-250 ° C the binder hardens and the main physical and mechanical characteristics are set.
The quality of the product as a whole depends on the quality of this process. All technological processes on the line are controlled by automation. In the context of increasing norms regulating deviations from the specified geometric dimensions of building materials, great attention is paid to the accuracy of cutting finished products.

Natal 13vredina enjoy life

By the way, you can cut not only in a straight line. Here is an example of intricate curly cutting. It is a pity, we were not allowed to cut out styrofoam like in the laboratory, otherwise we would wow!

Ready-to-use products are packed in a special heat-shrinkable film, which allows you to store pallets with products in the open air, without losing the presentation and deteriorating the performance of the product.

Incidentally, the factories amazed me with the abundance of natural light in the production areas. I expected something different, apparently based on my ideas about half-abandoned workshops in factories where dusty windows have not been washed for decades.

From the workshop we were taken to a testing laboratory, where they tore, drown, burned mineral wool, and also showed tricks.

Product quality control laboratory

First they tore. These are the machines.


test result in kPa and other figures

Then they drowned


As you can see, the water rolled on the surface into round loops, but did not absorb inside.

Then they took us into a large room and burned them. They began to burn the cotton wool with a gas burner, which caused a brown stain on it, but it did not catch fire. Technology.

The thermal imager tells us that it is hot under the jet of the burner.

So that everything was without deception, on the back of the stove that was set on fire, it could be touched with your hands.

By the way, it can be seen here that a through spot from the fire was not formed.

Everything is taken into account and recorded on the thermal imager. The stove on the back side is heated only from contact with the hand.

Then there was the most curious test for me. Most - because I am an adherent of silence. If I had my way, I would soundproof everything, because the last thing I want to know is what the foreign plasterers-painters behind the wall are talking about and what the neighbor's child is crying about. Well, I still don't like it when they stomp over their heads. Therefore, the sound insulation test was interesting to me more than others. I didn’t even spare my phone for such an event.

The volunteers put their favorite dialers in a drywall box with mineral wool.


The little casket is closing

At this moment, the rest, who have clamped the cell phone with the camera to call, are dialing us. There is a ringing silence in the room, into which only dial-up beeps burst.

The box opens and voila! Someone was unlucky and the 5th ion turned into an alarm clock and a Goros telephone receiver. Joke. For the purity of the experiment, we put everything that was noisy in the laboratory there.

I could not resist and asked a question in the laboratory: "Is it true that vertical stone wool settles over time?" (I read this when they were choosing the front door)
"No, not really," they told me. Products are available for horizontal stacking and for vertical placement. A properly selected material is guaranteed to retain its properties for several decades. At the same time, there was not a shadow of doubt in his eyes. In my mind, I began to calculate the cost of soundproofing walls with neighbors.

Evgeniy vovney makes a serious face, as if he himself invented stone wool)))

By the way, the entire production cycle of stone wool looks something like this:

Production and environmental safety

The plant for the production of stone wool (like other plants of this company in Yurga - for the production of roll waterproofing materials and extruded polystyrene foam) is a waste-free and drainless production.
What does it mean?

Drainless technological systems and water circulation cycles are when the technological waters of the enterprise do not leave the production of mineral wool. All industrial water is used in the preparation of the binder solution within the production itself.

For implementation wastelessness a system for recycling production wastes has been introduced as a secondary material resource. The production workshops are equipped with highly efficient gas and dust collection equipment. The plant uses in further production the resulting screenings of stone, coke, waste and scrap of mineral wool products, captured filtered dust from gas cleaning units, used filter elements of gas cleaning cassette filters.
To reduce the total mass of the generated waste and to save raw materials, a section for the production of briquettes of the raw materials workshop and the processing of production waste is provided. At the briquetting plant, briquettes are obtained from production waste for their use together with the feedstock in cupolas for the production of mineral wool.
Taken together, these measures make it possible to ensure the environmental safety of production.

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

Stone wool as insulation for walls is used when it is required to create thermal insulation in various building structures. She can effectively insulate the ceiling, wall, roof.

Stone wool as insulation

Features and characteristics of this material

The basis for the manufacture of this insulation is the rock. It is exposed to high temperatures, which leads to the formation of fibers. If we talk about the characteristics of this material, then this implies many parameters on which the properties of the insulation depend. These include the following indicators:

• The ability to conduct heat. In this regard, the material is highly effective. This is provided by its structure, porosity and airiness. It is scientifically proven that air is the best barrier to heat loss. The structure of the material is such that a large amount of air is surrounded by its fibers. The purchaser of stone wool receives a high fire safety of the material and good environmental performance as a bonus.
• Hydrophobicity. In the characteristics of any material for thermal insulation, 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, a "cake" is arranged, which includes a layer to isolate the steam.

• The density indicators of stone wool for insulating facade walls is of significant importance, and affects the properties of thermal insulation.
• It is important to maintain the thickness structure during construction work.

This circumstance is dictated by the following requirements:

• loss of the shape of the insulation leads to a deterioration in its qualities;
• sedimentation of the material under its own weight is not allowed;
• the material must maintain its uniformity over the entire surface.

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

• The threads are in different directions. As a result, the material cannot wrinkle and settle.
• The fibrous structure has good stiffness and flexibility. It is characterized by the preservation of form in "memory".
• The fibers are linked by synthetic components. This prevents tearing and loss of shape. Usually, phenol-formaldehyde resins are used as such components. It promotes the bonding of the fibers, thereby achieving the desired carpet thickness. To make the material water-repellent, it is treated with mineral oil.
• The high density prevents even the slightest deformation of the material.
• According to the thickness of the thermal insulation layer, stone wool is divided into soft, semi-rigid and rigid types. They have a letter designation that can be read on the packaging.
• In addition, stone wool has good sound insulation performance.

Indicators of thermal conductivity of stone wool fluctuate within the range of 0.032-0.048 W / mK. These are the best heat retention characteristics similar to foam and rubber foam.

Popular brands of stone wool

Currently, a large number of manufacturers are engaged in the production of stone wool. It is impossible to list all of them within the framework of this small overview, but it is imperative to dwell on the top three in more detail.

Rockwoo. This manufacturer occupies a leading position in the popularity rating. With the help of this insulation, facades are finished to limit heat loss and combat noise. You can also insulate the floor, frame walls, roof. The form of release is mats, plates and cylinders. The material is produced in various series. There is a cached insulation using aluminum foil and stainless steel wire. There are more than 10 episodes in total. The cost of the material is very different and depends on the thickness and on what it is intended for. The price qualification starts at about 1000 rubles.

TechnoNIKOL . Basalt rocks are the basis for its production. It insulates the roof, facades, external and internal elements of the building. In addition, insulation of interfloor ceilings is carried out. The price is determined by the thickness, dimensions and purpose. It costs a little cheaper than the previous version.

Paroc. This type of insulation is produced in Finland. Has a very wide range of applications. The form of release is plates and mats. The cost of the material is different, depends on the size and purpose, but is close to the previous version.

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

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

To independently insulate the facade using this insulation, you will need to perform a number of specific actions. First you need to prepare the necessary tools:

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

Before insulation, all unnecessary is removed from the wall surface. We are talking about foreign objects, pieces of reinforcement, nails and other elements.

This is necessary to avoid damage to the insulation. If this happens, condensation will accumulate. As a result, metal structural elements will undergo corrosion processes. If there is mold on the surface, then it is removed.

Before gluing the insulation, the wall is primed. In this case, the clutch will pass better. Sometimes they make a crate made of metal. You can attach it using dowels. Insulation is placed between the crate and the surface. When gluing, use the glue that is intended for mineral wool or glass wool. Glue is applied to both sides of the insulation surface. The inner side is glued to the wall, and the building reinforcing mesh is fixed on the outer side.

• Rodent protection must be provided. For this purpose, a metal cornice is laid down the walls. This also achieves one more positive point. The insulation will lay down more evenly.
• The back side of the insulation is lubricated with polymer glue. With it, the material is fixed to the wall. You can reinforce the fixation with plastic dowels. During installation, it is necessary to ensure that no gaps are formed between the plates.
• If there are irregularities on the surface after installation, remove them with a sanding brush.
• Then a windproof film is applied and several layers of primer are applied.

If the insulation is carried out in a similar way, then in addition you can get several pleasant bonuses:

• The wall is strengthened and protected from excessive wind loads.
• If the thermal insulation is carried out from the outside, then it is possible to obtain savings in the internal space.
• Using stone wool for external walls, you can change the design of the facade, complement several unusual design solutions.

Thermal insulation with stone wool from the inside

In cases where it is impossible to insulate the facade, the room is insulated from the inside. In this case, a profile made of wood or metal is necessarily used. The insulation structure will also consist of stone wool, putty and drywall.

All work is performed in several stages:

• The lathing is installed on the wall.
• Insulation is laid in the space formed by the wall and the crate.
• Finishing facing works.

When using wooden slats for stone wool partitions, they are pre-varnished. This will provide protection from adverse environmental factors.

If metal guides are used, then their installation is carried out in such a way that the recesses look to the left. This is necessary for greater reliability of fixing the insulation. To create an air gap between the material and the wall, a gap of 20 mm is left. This can be achieved if the adhesive is applied to the surface in a dotted manner.

It is easy to see that such work is not associated with any particular complexity. The main thing is that the execution of all stages is accurate and consistent. In this case, you will not have to regret the effort and money spent. The home will be warm, cozy and comfortable.

After completing the installation of the insulation structure, 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 spattered. In this case, a framing mesh is used. After grouting, eliminating irregularities, you can start decorative finishing.

Eventually

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

What is stone wool, what types 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 the production of stone wool

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

The stone fiber method was invented after an unusual discovery in Hawaii. There, after a volcanic eruption, the so-called "Pele's hair" was discovered - thin threads of solidified volcanic rock. They became the forerunners of basalt fiber, created in their likeness, but already in a production environment. 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-spinning-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 hydromass. In order to endow the product with certain technical properties, during the manufacturing process, the material is additionally processed with special solutions that increase the density, vapor permeability, and hydrophobicity.

After applying binders and technical liquids, the basalt carpet is heat treated at temperatures up to 230 degrees. Under such conditions, the polycondensation reaction takes place. After heat treatment, a finished stone wool with a specific open cellular structure is obtained, which is able to withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees Celsius. Organic matter in this material contains no more than 3%.

The main types of stone wool

In terms of stiffness, stone wool insulation is:

• Soft... This material is made from fibers of the smallest thickness. They create a huge number of cavities that trap air. It is he who prevents heat loss. Soft stone wool is used where large mechanical loads are not expected. It is suitable for insulating facades, walls using frame technology, roofs and others.
• Medium hardness... The fibers used in the production of this stone wool are stiffer, which makes it possible to use the material for insulating facades where high-speed air flows take place. Also, this heat insulator is suitable for heat, fire, sound insulation of 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. It is possible to lay hard basalt wool under a concrete screed; it can be used to insulate walls with subsequent reinforcement and plastering directly on the heat insulator.

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

Specifications of stone wool

1. Thermal conductivity of stone wool... The fibers in the insulation are arranged chaotically, not strictly oriented. The material has an airy structure. The large number of air spaces makes stone wool an excellent heat insulator. The thermal conductivity coefficient 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 insulating 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. Water 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 in the path of 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 drown out the vertical sound waves that go inside the walls. By absorbing acoustic waves, stone wool shortens the time for re-veering and does not transmit sound not only to the insulated room, but also to neighboring rooms.
6. Strength... Due to the chaotic arrangement of fibers in stone wool, even a material with a low density is able to withstand heavy loads. With a deformation of ten percent, the insulation has a compressive strength 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... Chemically, this insulation is passive. It does not react with metal, wood, plastic and other materials. In addition, rotting, damage by microorganisms, rodents are not peculiar to the heat insulator.
8. Environmental Safety... The presence of phenol-formaldehyde resin in 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 the cotton wool, since they are neutralized at the production stages.
9. Stone wool thickness... Recently, this insulation has been produced in multiples of 50 millimeters. The minimum material thickness is the same. This heat insulator is used under a concrete screed to insulate floors. The maximum thickness reaches 200 millimeters. Typically, this stone wool is used on the upper floors of multi-storey buildings.
10. Dimensions of stone wool... Stone wool in rolls reaches 10 meters in length. The width is usually within 1.2 meters. The material in the slabs has dimensions of 1000x1200 mm.

Advantages of stone wool

• Excellent thermal insulation... You can use stone wool even in harsh winters. It is used to insulate walls, facades, floors, roofs, pipelines and other elements for both domestic and industrial purposes.
• Good sound insulation... In a house insulated with stone wool, you will not be disturbed by sounds from the outside. Any acoustic waves can be damped by this material. It also dampens vibrations well.
• Fire safety... Modern types of stone wool do not lend themselves to combustion and do not spread fire. Fibers can only melt, sinter, and even then, if the temperature reaches above 1000 degrees.
• Versatility... It is possible to insulate buildings that have already been erected for a long time or have just been built with this material. In this case, the presence of high-quality supply ventilation does not matter. Stone wool does not interfere with air microcirculation.
• Resistance to chemicals... The material is not afraid of the effects 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 quality. Therefore, the material can withstand short-term contact with water.
• Long service life... Stone wool does not lose its insulating qualities for a long time - up to 50 years or more.
• Low 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 significant area at a time.
• Environmental friendliness... The material is harmless both during installation and during operation. It almost does not generate dust, like other types of fiber insulation, and it can be laid without the use of a large number of protective equipment and devices.

Disadvantages of stone wool

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

1. Relatively high price... This cost differs 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... Fibers of stone wool practically do not prick, in contrast to 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 slabs or mats of stone wool do not touch tightly enough. Therefore, in order to avoid heat loss, during the installation process, it is necessary to seal these holes with polyurethane foam.

Criteria for choosing stone wool

• If you are going to insulate the roof, which 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.
• To insulate interior partitions, use stone wool with a density of up to 50 kg / m 3. Such an indicator will provide the necessary sound insulation.
• It is recommended to insulate load-bearing walls from the outside. This will bring the dew point, where condensation will appear, outside. 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 cotton 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.

Stone wool price and manufacturers

1. Knauf... The product line includes stone wool for every application. Thermo Roll is suitable for insulating horizontal and vertical surfaces, the price of a roll is from 1.2 thousand rubles. Thermo Slab 037 is perfect for thermal insulation of floors, partitions, floors between floors, external walls. The package contains 12 to 24 slabs. The price of stone wool ranges from 1000 to 1400 rubles. LMF AluR are foiled 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... Offers materials for thermal insulation of civil and industrial buildings. There are several lines of stone wool. Pure One is a new generation material. Absolutely non-flammable, environmentally friendly, with high thermal insulation values. One roll costs about 1,500 rubles. XPS boards are intended for insulation of facades, external walls, interfloor ceilings. The cost of packaging is from 1,500 rubles.
3. Rockwool... The most popular stone wool lines from this brand are Caviti Butts and Ruf Butts. It is a material in slabs for insulation of external walls, facades and roofs. The price of products ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles per package.
4. Isover... This French manufacturer produces a huge range of basalt fiber based insulation. 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 at 1,500 rubles per package. 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 such a range of products by series: Basalit, Technoface, 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 1,300 rubles. Technofas are lightweight basalt fiber slabs. The package contains 4 pieces. Its price is from 800 rubles. Rocklight is a versatile tile material. A pack of 12 items costs from 800 rubles.

Brief instructions for installing stone wool

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

We carry out the work in stages:

• We attach a vapor barrier film to the wall.
• We install the profile or beams vertically with a step that slightly exceeds the width of the roll or insulation plate. The material must be placed in such a way as to adhere independently between the profiles.
• We fill the finished cells with basalt wool, which is pre-lubricated with glue. Slightly press the insulation to the surface.
• We begin to collect the layer of thermal insulation from the bottom up.
• After you assemble 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 gaps formed between the slabs or mats of stone wool are filled with scraps of insulation, and covered with polyurethane foam on top.
• After covering the entire surface with material, place the windproof membrane on top. At the joints we glue with tape.

Watch a video review of stone wool: