Minvata, the technical characteristics of which allow us to consider it one of the most effective heaters today, is an inexpensive and very popular material. Its main advantages are low cost and low degree of thermal conductivity. As another of its undeniable advantages can be called versatility. Mineral wool is used for insulation of roofs, ceilings, walls, etc. It is not recommended to use this material only if there is a danger of moisture. The fact is that when the mineral wool is wet, it completely loses its heat-insulating properties.
Varieties of mineral wool
At the moment, there are only three main varieties of mineral wool:
- Glass wool.
- Slaggy.
- Stone wool.
The main characteristics of glass wool
In the production of glass wool, materials such as soda, lime, borax and sand are used. The main component is glass battle. After processing all these components, fibers are obtained from which elastic and durable mats are made, which retain heat well . The insulation, mineral wool of this variety, has one rather significant drawback. In the process of performing thermal insulation of structures, the fibers break easily. In this case, small pieces penetrate through the clothes and dig into the skin, causing severe itching. Moreover, particles with inhaled air can enter the lungs, causing them long-term irritation. Therefore, you need to work with glass wool in a tight work suit, a respirator, glasses and gloves. Re-use of clothes, most likely, will not be possible.
Characteristics slag
Slag fibers are made using metallurgical waste. The thermal conductivity of this type of mineral wool is the lowest. In addition, it absorbs moisture very quickly. Therefore, experts do not recommend using it for insulation of external walls and water pipes. Another disadvantage of slag is its increased acidity. In the presence of even a small amount of moisture upon contact with metal, the latter rapidly oxidizes. Like glass wool, slag is distinguished by its causticity.
Basalt wool
Basalt mineral wool, the technical characteristics of which make it the most popular among both private owners and large developers, is made from rocks of the gabbro-basalt group, metamorphic and marls. This variety does not prick and does not cause metal oxidation. Basalt wool is afraid of water, but at the same time it is characterized by a high degree of vapor permeability. The material of this variety is produced both in plates and in rolls (mats).
Minvata: specifications
The comparative specifications of these three varieties of mineral wool are shown in the table below.
Variety | Fiber Thickness (ฮผm) | Fiber length (mm) | Thermal Conductivity Index (W / m ยท K.) | Working temperature (ยฐ C) | Flammability |
Glass wool | 5-15 | 15-50 | 0.38-0.46 | +450 to -60 | Does not burn |
Slaggy | 4-12 | 16 | 0.46-0.48 | Maximum +300 | At high temperatures it can sinter. |
Basalt wool | 4-12 | 16 | 0.035-0.042 | Up to +1000, provided that the mats will not be deformed | Does not burn |
The density of mineral wool can vary from 11 to 144 kg / m 3 .
Mineral wool reviews
They speak of mineral wool as a heater more than positively. It is this type of heat insulator that is currently considered the most popular and common in the world. Good reviews about it both from private homeowners and from large developers are explained, first of all, by excellent thermal insulation properties, ease of installation and low cost. However, some owners of suburban areas still relate to this material with caution. The fact is that mineral wool is able to release harmful dust and fumes of phenol-formaldehyde resins into the air . However, manufacturers claim that all harmful substances are contained in such small quantities that they have no negative effect on the body.
But nevertheless, it is believed that thermal insulation with mineral wool implies careful sealing of the structure. As for the manufacturer, many speak well of such mineral wool brands as Isover and Ursa. They also praise Knauf and Rockwool.
Comparison with other materials
We will talk a little about how insulation of the ceiling with mineral wool and covering this floor and walls with this material is performed. First, compare this type of insulation with other popular varieties. These include, for example, ecowool, polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, sandwich panels, etc. All of them are quite effective. Expanded polystyrene is considered the second most popular after mineral wool. It costs not much more expensive and at the same time has almost the same technical characteristics. Its main difference from mineral wool is that it is not afraid of moisture, weighs less and is flammable. Polyurethane foam has the lowest degree of thermal conductivity currently known. However, it costs much more than mineral wool and polystyrene foam and is also very difficult to install.
The use of mineral wool
Most often, mineral wool is used to warm walls, roofs and ceilings. The installation technology is similar in all these cases. It does not differ in any particular complexity. This to a large extent makes this material so popular with private developers.
Minvata, the technical characteristics of which allow it to be used for insulation of structures made of almost any material, does not burn at all. Therefore, it is used for thermal insulation of structures in rooms with an increased risk of fire.
Using mineral wool to warm walls
The walls are insulated in several stages:
- A frame (usually wooden) is attached to their surface. The thickness of the bars in this case should be equal to the width of the insulation. Mount them so that the mineral wool rises between them as tightly as possible. Sometimes plates are additionally attached to the wall surface with special dowels - โfungiโ.
- Before installing the plates, if the insulation is carried out from the side of the street, a vapor insulator is stretched between the bars of the frame.
- Next, the mineral wool itself is installed. The thickness of the plates can vary from 40 to 200 mm.
- In the next step, a waterproofing film is pulled over the plates. They fasten it with bars, stuffing the latter directly onto the frame. The film is usually mounted horizontally, with an overlap of 15 cm. When insulating from the inside, the installation procedure for vapor and waterproofing films is the reverse.
- At the final stage, finishing finishing material is installed on the bars of the resulting counter-lattice.
Using cotton wool to warm the floor
The floors are insulated about the same. Only in this case, not a frame, but wooden logs are used. The floors between them are pre-laid with waterproofing material. Next, insulation mats are placed. On top of them, a vapor barrier film is mounted on the bars (with foil inside the room). Next, fill the floor or edged board. Then they mount the final finish of the floor - laminate, linoleum, parquet, etc.
Using mineral wool to warm the ceiling
Insulation of the ceiling with mineral wool is carried out in the same manner as the insulation of the walls. That is, the carcass is first filled, then the plates are mounted, then the vapor insulator, and at the last stage, the final finish. In this case, the plates are optionally additionally attached to the "fungi" or glue.
The technology of insulating the attic from the inside
Warming of attics and attics from the inside is as follows:
- Rafter legs and all wooden elements of the roof are carefully treated with antiseptic compounds and agents that increase the resistance of the material to fire. Since the waterproofing of the roof is always carried out already at the stage of its erection, there is no need to take this step in the process of insulation from the inside.
- Next, between the rafters, plates of mineral wool are inserted and fixed with a wire.
- After this, as in the first two cases, a vapor insulator is installed on the bars.
- At the last stage, the attic is sheathed with lining, plywood or drywall.
Minvata: price
Of course, those who decided to use this material for home insulation would like to know how much such work will cost. The cost of basalt wool can vary quite seriously depending on:
- From the manufacturer. For example, Rockwool and Knauf mineral wool (1000-1500 rubles per sheet with an area of โโ12-18 square meters) costs a little more than Ursa (600-700 rubles).
- The thickness of the material. Of course, the thicker the material, the more expensive it is.
- Its density. Soft mats in rolls are cheaper than hard plates.
Thus, mineral wool, the price of which is democratic, is a heater, certainly worthy of attention. To sheathe walls, floors or ceilings with this material means to make your home warm and cozy for many years.