To warm the houses, builders use many different types of insulation. This can include the already famous mineral wool in rolls and mats, and old proven polystyrene, and many other materials. The line of modern thermal insulators is extremely numerous and very diverse.
A worthy place among all heaters is occupied by bulk heaters. Being basically pure natural materials, they found their buyer, and their impeccable qualities made such materials popular. Let us consider in more detail bulk insulation of all types and types. Let's start with the floor, or rather with its thermal insulation with these materials.
Bulk insulation for the floor
In any construction, floor insulation is under scrutiny, because a cold floor is a cold house and no other options. Bulk insulation is very suitable for the floor. The most popular options for such tasks:
- expanded clay;
- perlite;
- vermiculitis;
- bulk basalt.
We will consider each option we have listed more thoroughly and in more detail, evaluating all the features of these materials.
Expanded clay
This is a bulk insulation. The most massive in its class today on the issue of sexes. Expanded clay is quite inexpensive, and the material also has excellent thermal insulation properties. The insulation is made of clay, but the expanded clay is very light at the outlet, a cube of such material weighs no more than 350 kilos.
Do not forget that expanded clay is one hundred percent environmentally friendly and non-combustible material, it is not afraid of water and frost-resistant. Typically, such material can be bought either in bags or in bulk. It is noteworthy that expanded clay is both a heater and an excellent substrate or base. The service life of such material is estimated almost centuries!
Perlite
It is a natural material of volcanic origin. The material absorbs moisture, studies show that perlite weighing one hundred kilos can absorb up to four hundred kilos of moisture. For this reason, experts recommend perlite for floor insulation in rooms with high humidity. Non-combustible material. For sale, the material is supplied in the form of perlite sand, sold in bulk or in bags.
A noteworthy fact: perlite is used not only for floor insulation, but also for filtering vegetable oil, juices and even beer. The service life of the material is extremely long, almost unlimited!
Vermiculite
It is also a heater for flooring of natural origin. The material is very hard, non-combustible. Water absorption of vermiculite is more than 500%! The insulating properties of vermiculite are simply amazing. With a vermiculite layer only five centimeters thick, heat loss is reduced by almost 80%. The material is protected against mold and mildew. Vermiculite is also sold in bags or in bulk. Under certain conditions, such material can last almost forever.
Bulk basalt
The bulk bulk insulation is a "blown", "stuffed" material. It is very convenient and economical. Material is supplied in bags and in bulk. This is a great addition to the existing thermal insulation of slag, sawdust, expanded clay and more. The density of the material is about 35-50 kilograms per cubic meter. In Europe, there is a very high demand for material, the volume of procurement of this material there is growing every year. Reviews about bulk basalt insulation are quite positive. The main disadvantage is the inability to use the material as the main insulation, but only as a supplement.
Bulk insulation for walls and ceilings
To keep your house warm, cozy and comfortable, you need to insulate the exterior walls of the house. For such purposes, bulk insulation can be used. We begin the review of such options with foam glass. This is a modern granular and 100% ecological material. Foam glass is obtained from the crude fractions by foaming. This insulation is great for wall insulation. In addition to excellent heat-insulating properties, foam glass can be the basis for heat-insulating plaster. The material is not afraid of moisture. Consider other options that can be found in the building materials market today.
Foam glass in granules (penoplex)
An interesting version of modern material for insulation of walls and ceilings. The granule of the foamed polymer is the basis for the foam, which, in turn, is a light insulation and moisture resistant. Such a heat insulator can not be used to warm the baths. Penoplex can be poured into the frame walls of the house. The granules of the insulation will fill the smallest voids. Very high quality insulation material. Fuel foam is one of its few weaknesses.
Mineral wool
To insulate walls and ceilings, mineral wool is used optionally in the form of rolls and plates, there is also a variant of granules, their size is more than 1 centimeter in diameter. Bulk mineral wool in granules is a vapor-permeable and fire-resistant material, it is resistant to high temperatures. When working with material, it is necessary to protect exposed skin and respiratory organs. It is quite difficult to find any frankly weak spots of the material, the only drawback is the fear of water and the loss of its heat-insulating qualities when wet.
Penoizol
This is a bulk insulation for the roof. It is for the roof! In its structure and appearance, the material resembles a crumb of foam. The material is very light, with a low density. It does not start mold, they are not interested in rodents. This is a breathable material, absolutely harmless to human health, not combustible. Penoizol easily lasts fifty years or more without changing its excellent performance. The material is gaining popularity every year.
Ecowool (cellulose)
The components of this insulation are ecowool (about 10%), shredded paper (about 80), antiseptics (about 5%) and antipyrins (about 5%). The material is non-combustible and does not rot over time due to the presence of special impregnations in the composition. Ecowool has been used in the world for almost a century! In Russia and in the CIS, a heater appeared about ten years ago, but it was very fond of the buyer and is rapidly gaining popularity. I must admit that Europe knows a lot about construction and the materials that are used for this construction.
Boric acid is used as an antiseptic in ecowool; borax acts as a flame retardant. These substances are 100% environmentally friendly. This insulation material is quite practical in every sense. Ecowool fibers perfectly fill small voids, so the material can be used even for the most complex structures.
Reviews
Bulk materials have been very popular recently. Initially, people were afraid of such options for insulation, but time has shown that the materials are excellent and they should not be feared. Reviews say that all bulk materials are convenient to transport, this is especially true for home owners in remote areas.
The reviews also mention the environmental cleanliness of heat insulants, they are not afraid of mold, rodents. In addition, many of them are not afraid of moisture, which is also confirmed by reviews of people who have already dealt with these insulation materials. Reviews also praise such heat insulators for their incombustibility and incredible durability.
Of the minuses of bulk insulation in reviews, you can find the fact that some materials require professional equipment to “blow out” them. But the rental of such equipment is offset by the low cost of the insulation itself. Ultimately, this minus is relevant only for supporters to do everything exclusively independently and strictly with their own hands.
Selection tips
You need to choose material based on your goals and objectives. It is necessary to take into account the features of thermal insulators, because some are not suitable for hot rooms, while others perfectly tolerate moisture and high temperature. In addition, part of the bulk insulation is very solid and suitable as a substrate or base for the floor.
In any case, you can give one general advice, it concerns the fact that it is worthwhile to buy these thermal isolates in verified places with good reviews, so as not to run into fake or low-quality products.
In general, it is objectively necessary to recognize that bulk insulation materials are very attractive in terms of prices. Also, one should not forget about their durability, the classic mineral wool will last no more than ten years or twenty at best. And for bulk insulation materials, the service life is much longer, at times!
You must also understand that not all bulk heat insulants are the same. They differ in their properties. For certain tasks, certain material is required. If you doubt the choice, then contact a specialist with this question, he will be able to advise you on the correct materials.
For example, expanded clay is not suitable as the main insulation in regions with extremely harsh winters (frosts of 40 degrees). This must be taken into account. In addition, there are many other nuances, for this reason, consultation with specialists is extremely important for each individual case.
To summarize
Bulk mineral insulation entered tightly into the everyday life of modern construction. The materials are relatively new, but they are quickly gaining their part of the building materials market. Undoubtedly, such thermo insulants have advantages, no one is trying to dispute them. Some people are stopped only by the novelty of the materials. Our people do not particularly like new products, especially when it comes to building for many years, in which they invest a lot of money. But all new products become proven materials, and very soon this will happen with bulk insulation.
But there are options for people who do not like new items. You can recall the good old proven slag. He was an excellent heater in his day, this bulk material was a hit in his day. There was a minus in the slag - this is dirt and dust from it. Modern bulk insulation materials are all the same excellent thermal insulation qualities, only without dust and dirt.
There were also sawdust (an analogue of modern bulk materials for insulation). Sawdust retained heat well, but were afraid of fire and water. Modern bulk insulation materials hold heat well. They are not afraid of moisture and do not burn. There are exceptions - some varieties of insulating bulk materials). But you can always choose the option that is right for you. We think that doubts about bulk insulation materials have been dispelled!