General concepts. Stone wool insulation: properties, characteristics, pros and cons, installation features Stone slab insulation

Among all types of mineral wool, stone wool is especially popular. This insulation not only provides a high level of protection against temperature loss, but also has unsurpassed sound insulation properties. All this determines a wide range of its use.

High-quality insulation of natural origin

The very name of the insulation seems to contain some kind of contradiction, because stone is associated with something hard, dense, heavy and highly durable, while cotton wool is something light, porous, airy. But this insulation really manages to combine low mass with high level resistance to mechanical loads and other external influences.

Such characteristics are due to the specific origin of the stone wool slabs. The insulation is based on volcanic rocks (mainly basalt, as well as diabase and porphyrite), which are melted by TechnoNIKOL specialists at a temperature of 1500 degrees. Next, this plastic mass of future stone wool is sent to a centrifuge, where, as a result of exposure to a strong air flow, it is converted into thin fibers. Then binders are added to them, providing a unified structure of the insulation, and a water repellent. Thanks to the latter, stone wool acquires moisture-repellent properties, which are very important for thermal insulation of external walls.

Using a special corrugator, the basalt fibers of the material are compressed into a web that is sent to a polymerization chamber, where at a temperature of 200 degrees it hardens, acquiring its final form and desired characteristics. At the final stage, using cutting equipment, the stone wool insulation is divided into blocks, the sizes of which can vary over a wide range.

Key properties of insulation

One of the most important indicators characterizing insulation is the acidity module. It reflects the ratio between the acidic oxides contained in stone wool (substances with fairly high stability) and basic oxides (substances characterized by higher activity). Accordingly, the higher this indicator is, the less susceptible to external negative influences and the more durable the material will be.

TechnoNIKOL insulation materials mostly have a high acidity modulus, which determines the widespread use of this material in modern construction. In addition, stone wool has the following positive properties:

• Effective thermal insulation. Almost standard insulation is stone wool, the price of which allows it to be used for private walls residential buildings, and for industrial buildings. High resistance to heat transfer can be achieved due to the fact that the fibers of the material closely intertwined with each other hold a large volume of air in a stationary state;
• Removing moisture from walls. Traditional insulation materials cannot withstand exposure to water, and when wet, they lose a significant part of their thermal insulation qualities. A material such as stone wool behaves completely differently. This insulation has high vapor permeability However, it practically does not retain moisture coming from the room, remaining dry. This is explained by the use of stones in the manufacture of material slabs, as well as additional treatment with water-repellent solutions carried out by the TechnoNIKOL company;
• High-quality sound absorption. The fibrous structure is the key to the excellent acoustic and soundproofing characteristics of the material. That is why stone wool insulation for walls, the price of which depends on the type of rock, density of the material, type of binder and other factors, is so in demand in housing construction.

This material has a lot of advantages, which determine its wide distribution and use. However, stone wool also has some disadvantages. True, most often they are associated either with the purchase of low-quality insulation, or with improper installation of slabs or violation of operating rules.

So, among the potential disadvantages of stone wool are:

• Negative health effects. This can be avoided by using protective clothing and special equipment when working with insulation. Plastering or facing with stone wool is also mandatory;
• Tracking of insulation over time when used on vertical structures. The solution lies in carefully and uniformly fastening the slabs to the supporting surface;
• The need for mandatory use of a vapor barrier layer to protect stone wool from the room side.

Safety comes first

One of the most important problems that need to be solved when insulating walls with stone-based slabs is ensuring a high level of fire safety. Measures taken in this regard sometimes lead to a significant increase in the price of work. However, the use of TechnoNIKOL’s product eliminates this problem.

Thermal insulation for walls of this brand is made from basalt rocks, which makes it absolutely non-flammable; the melting point of the fibers exceeds 1 thousand degrees. It is important to note that even when heated, the material does not emit any harmful substances or toxic gases.

Attention! High-quality insulation not only does not itself catch fire, but also prevents the spread of heat generated during a fire, protecting wall and roof structures from deformation and destruction. Due to this, it is possible to gain additional time for evacuation, the cost of which in emergency situations is extremely high.

Density value

When choosing a material from TechnoNIKOL, you need to pay attention to a number of key indicators that influence the features of its further use. Be sure to take into account the density, which can be as follows:

1. 30-50 kilograms per cubic meter - mineral wool, which has the appearance of soft fluff, supplied in bags or in rolled rolls, but does not form the usual slabs. It is used mainly in the arrangement of thermal insulation of horizontally oriented planes located indoors, that is, reliably protected from negative external influences. When loaded, the material is capable of compressing to half its original volume;
2. 75 kilograms per cubic meter - semi-rigid stone wool with a higher density, designed for insulation of horizontal planes of buildings. Has the ability to shrink under pressure by 20 percent;
3. 125 kilograms per cubic meter - medium-hard insulation with suitable characteristics for its use on horizontal and vertical house structures. The level of its compressibility, laid down by the manufacturer TechnoNIKOL, does not exceed 12 percent;
4. 150-175 kilograms per cubic meter - a material that has very high rigidity and is supplied to the market in slab format. Provides high-quality insulation of walls and roof structures. Distinctive feature- a minimum level of compressibility under load of approximately 2 percent;
5. 200 kilograms per cubic meter - elite category mineral wool slabs, characterized by super strength, thanks to which they are able to withstand pressure up to 12 MPa.

A high level of strength and density contributes to the presence of the following significant qualities in the material:

• Its shape is maintained over time;
• Does not deform and practically does not shrink;
• Can withstand quite significant loads.

Types and forms of production of TechnoNIKOL stone wool

This thermal insulation material Due to the high level of quality, it is used extremely widely. However, not in every situation it is convenient to use insulation made in the form of a traditional slab. For example, when thermal insulation of pipes or large surfaces is carried out, the material in this form is not suitable. Therefore, the TechnoNIKOL company produces stone wool insulation, the price of which is quite affordable, in the following formats:

• In the form of rolls and mats, which are used mainly for insulating walls, roofs, floors between floors, as well as structures that do not bear significant loads. This is due to the fact that the material produced in this form does not have a high density;
• In the form of slabs on a basalt base with a density of up to 220 kilograms per cubic meter. The excellent characteristics and affordable price of the insulation provide a wider range of its application. This type of wool is suitable for laying under a screed made of concrete mortar, on roofs where it is planned to arrange parking for vehicles, as well as in other places involving high loads;
• In the form of cylinders with holes inside - perfect option for carrying out thermal insulation work with pipes.

The TechnoNIKOL company produces stone wool insulation, the characteristics of which differ significantly in price, in a wide range:

• Rocklight is one of the most popular types of insulation, characterized by almost complete versatility and focused on performing the most diverse thermal insulation work. It is made in the form of slabs, the dimensions of which are 1 thousand or 1.2 thousand millimeters in length, width - 500 or 600 millimeters, thickness - 50 or 60 millimeters. The material has fairly average density, vapor permeability, and thermal conductivity. The undoubted advantage of this type is its very attractive prices, which allow you to install high-quality thermal insulation without a significant increase in the budget.
• Technolight is another type of material, the difference from the previous version is primarily in its lower weight. The dimensions of the stone wool insulation of this model are generally similar to Rocklight, however, the thickness of the slabs can vary from 40 to 200 millimeters. The material does not have a high density, so it is most rational to use it in those places where it does not have to experience significant load: between floor joists, when arranging attic floors, partitions, walls.
• Technoblock - insulation boards with a density of 40-50 kilograms per cubic meter, which makes it possible to use them as in interior works oh, and when finishing facades and roofs. Excellent qualities and low price make this insulation option one of the most attractive offers on the market.
• Technovent is a specific type of insulation boards that has a high density (within 72-88 kilograms per cubic meter) and is primarily intended for use in the construction of the thermal insulation layer of ventilated facades.
• Technoflor is the top of the TechnoNIKOL stone wool line. The material has an increased level of density (up to 185 kilograms per cubic meter) and a thickness ranging from 20 to 150 millimeters.

Areas of application

This thermal insulation material, due to its high performance qualities, as well as due to the fact that its price is quite low, is used for insulating a wide variety of building structures starting from partitions with walls and ending with ceilings and roofing. It is able to withstand long-term use in conditions where it is simply irrational to use other types of insulation for the reason that their service life will be extremely short.

Attention! The undeniable advantage of stone wool is that it can be used without any problems in rooms where there is always a high level of humidity, in particular, baths, saunas, and swimming pools.

It's hard to find more suitable material for thermal insulation of facades of the most different types ranging from ventilated, hinged and ending with such a specific option as wet facades. Stone wool combines perfectly with sandwich panels and walls, the masonry of which is made according to the layered principle.

The versatility of the insulation is also evident in the fact that it is excellent for minimizing temperature losses in pipelines. This is primarily due to the fact that this material can easily withstand extreme temperatures in the range from -100 to +1 thousand degrees. An important role when choosing stone wool is played by its low price, thanks to which it is possible to significantly reduce costs for thermal insulation work large-scale projects.

High density and resistance to deformation make it possible to use such slabs in places where high mechanical loads are expected. Therefore, this insulation is perfect for use in private, multi-story and industrial construction.

When carrying out thermal insulation work on ventilated facades, it is advisable to use two-layer stone wool slabs. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that each layer has its own various indicators density: the softer and looser layer is directed towards the wall, and the denser one - outwards. Thus, it is possible to achieve high-quality insulation and ensure effective ventilation.

Insulation of housing - current problem our time. Not only in new buildings, but also in old housing stock, people are trying to reduce heating costs. Continuously rising energy prices are putting significant pressure on family budget, widening the gap between income and expenses.

By properly insulating your home or apartment, we will ensure comfort for ourselves and our loved ones. The amount on the virtual “counter” of savings after this work will grow every year.

The only question that needs to be answered correctly is what material to use to retain heat in your home? In answering this question, we will look at stone wool and evaluate its advantages and disadvantages.

What is stone wool made from?

This material is made from basalt, a rock of volcanic origin. In order to obtain soft fiber from hard stone, it is melted. After this, the hot mass is divided into fibers using various technologies(blowing, windrowing, spunbond and centrifugal drawing).

The resulting semi-finished product has one significant drawback: the basalt fibers crumble and it is impossible to form a single mass from them. Therefore, in the next step, an adhesive is introduced into the fiber.

Most often, phenol-formaldehyde resin is used in this capacity. It connects the fibers together, allowing you to form a carpet required thickness. Next, the material is given water-repellent properties by treating it with mineral oil. Latest transactions– cutting of insulation and its packaging.

It should be noted that on construction market The term stone wool is not used often. The names more familiar to the mass buyer are mineral wool and basalt wool. To avoid confusion, it should be remembered that we're talking about about the same material obtained from basalt rock.

One more note: basalt mineral wool should not be confused with glass wool and slag wool. The first type of insulation is obtained from molten glass. The raw material for the second is blast furnace slag. Today, mineral wool has practically supplanted its closest competitors. Glass wool is noticeably inferior to it in terms of environmental friendliness. The quality of slag wool is low, so the demand for it has fallen.

Properties, types and characteristics of stone wool

Staying true to your essence natural stone, basalt wool acquired best qualities insulation. From the rock it inherited resistance to fire and high temperature. This material is not afraid of aggressive acids. Oil treatment made it impervious to moisture.

The fibrous structure provided the material with excellent heat and sound insulation properties and good vapor permeability - a very important characteristic of any insulation.

Speaking about stone wool insulation, many argue about the environmental friendliness of this material. The reason for concern is the phenol-formaldehyde resin that is part of it and glues the fibers together. However, upon closer examination, doubts dissipate.

The mass fraction of glue in this insulation does not exceed 3%. Studies conducted by sanitary control authorities have confirmed the safety of mineral wool for health.

The main guideline for consumers in the matter of environmental friendliness is products certified manufacturers, strictly observing raw material proportions and technology.

The main characteristic of insulation is density. Its thermal insulation ability is directly related to it. In addition, density is essential during installation.

According to this indicator, the material is divided into three categories:

• soft (roll and slab) – 10-50 kg/m3;
• semi-rigid (slab) – 60-80 kg/m3;
• hard (slab) – 90-175 kg/m3.

To classify insulation boards, alphanumeric “brand” designations are used. The letters indicate the degree of hardness (soft - PM, semi-hard - PP, hard RV). The numbers indicate density (kg/m3). The most common brands are PM-40, PM-50, PP-70, PP-80, PZh 100, PZh-120.

The main characteristics of TechnoNIKOL Rocklight basalt slabs - a popular universal material for private construction.

Soft rolled wool (thermal conductivity coefficient 0.033 W/m*C) is used for insulation of interfloor ceilings, frame partitions, and pipelines.

A semi-rigid slab (0.039 W/m*C) is placed in multilayer sandwich panels and mounted on ceilings, ventilated facades and roofs.

Rigid insulation (0.046 W/m*C) is used where the surface experiences mechanical loads (floors, flat roofs in use, foundations, underground pipelines).

Basalt wool has good sound-absorbing qualities. Its fibrous structure actively dampens acoustic air vibrations, reducing the noise level in the room. It is used as sound insulation in internal frame partitions. At external cladding facades it performs the functions of heat and sound insulation.

The sound absorption coefficient of the material ranges from 0.87 to 0.95. When purchasing, pay attention to it. The higher its value, the better the material dampens sound.

By geometric dimensions There is no single classification for mineral wool. Each manufacturer offers its own “line” of insulation. Different brands only have the same thickness of material - 50, 100, 150 and 200 mm.

Three types of stone wool are produced: rolled, in slabs and shaped (in the form of a round shell for insulating pipelines). To increase heat-reflecting qualities and protection from external influences, rolled mineral wool is used, onto the surface of which a layer of metal foil is glued.

The length of the rolled material can be from 3 to 50 meters, with a width from 0.6 to 1.5 m. Slabs (semi-rigid and rigid) are produced in widths from 60 to 120 cm and lengths from 120 to 150 cm.

There is also no strict gradation in terms of vapor permeability level. This indicator is indicated in the certificate and can take a value from 0.3 to 0.55 mg/m hPa. The higher it is, the better the material allows water vapor to pass through.

According to the degree of fire safety, basalt wool belongs to the category non-combustible materials(NG), withstanding direct heating to a temperature of +1100 C.

Advantages and disadvantages of stone wool

Having considered the main characteristics of this material, we can draw conclusions about its advantages and disadvantages.

The positive qualities of mineral wool include:

• High thermal insulation ability;
• Good vapor transmission;
• Fire safety;
• Biostability;
• Environmental friendliness;
• Durability;
• Easy to install.

The main disadvantage of basalt wool appears at the installation stage. When working with it, dust is formed, consisting of small particles of stone fibers. They enter the respiratory system, causing coughing and irritation. Eliminating the damage caused by dust is not difficult. To do this, you should use standard tools personal protection(masks or respirators). Also to negative factors The considerable cost of the material can be attributed.

Installation rules

Most often, mineral wool is used for external insulation of walls, attic floors and roofs. For thermal insulation of the foundation, foam plastic is better suited - an inexpensive and fairly rigid material that does not allow water to pass through.

Failure to comply with technology is costly!

Stone wool for facade wooden house installed after treating the walls with an antiseptic that protects them from rotting. The surface of foam concrete and bricks before insulation is cleaned of old paint and peeling plaster. The work of installing insulation is best done during the warm season on dry walls.

All window sills and door frames must be removed before installation. Since the thickness of the walls will increase after covering with mineral wool, you will have to buy new elements of window and door cladding.

Dry installation of insulation into the frame

There are two ways to insulate with stone wool: dry and “wet”. The first involves the use of wooden or steel frame(lathing), in the cells of which insulation is placed. In the second method, the slabs are attached to walls without a frame using glue and disc dowels.

"Wet" installation option

It should be noted that installation in a frame is most often used when constructing a ventilated facade. The lathing allows you to create a gap between the insulation and the outer cladding (4-6 cm), through which water vapor is released into the atmosphere.

The disc dowel is used for both dry and “wet” installation

Mineral wool is placed on glue and dowels in cases where a finishing layer (plaster, putty) will be applied to its surface.

Dry installation technology (ventilated facade)

When mounting the frame, its slats are placed so that the distance between them is 1-2 cm less than the width of the slab or roll of basalt wool. In this way, a tight installation is achieved. Work on installing the sheathing begins from the corners of the building, using a level and a cord to install the guides in the same plane.

The roll is rolled out from top to bottom. The slabs, on the contrary, are placed from bottom to top. Having filled all rows of the sheathing with insulation, fix it to it vapor barrier film, performing the function of wind protection. The joints of the film sheets are glued with construction tape. After this, holes are drilled in the wall and plastic dowels are hammered into them, securing the mineral wool and the wind barrier.

The next operation is to attach counter-battens (second sheathing) to the frame, creating a ventilated gap between the insulation and the outer cladding of the facade.

Design for dry wall insulation (ventilated façade)

The general rule for installing mineral wool slabs is to prevent the joints of the insulation from matching the corners of door and window openings.

Basalt slabs can be installed in one or two layers. It all depends on the chosen thickness of insulation.

Some manuals suggest two-layer installation as a way to protect joints from blowing. In this case, the slabs are mounted so that the upper ones cover the joints between the lower ones. With this option, the sheathing has to be placed in two rows, perpendicular to one another.

At two-layer installation maximum insulation tightness is achieved

Wet installation method

With this option, the main role is played by the glue that fixes the mineral wool slabs to the wall. It must have good vapor transmission so that condensation does not accumulate in the insulation. Be sure to take this point into account when purchasing. The market offers special adhesive compositions designed to work with stone wool.

The sequence of work using the wet method is visible in the figure.

Design for insulating walls with basalt wool and adhesive mortar

The installation of the slabs begins after installing the starting profile, which covers the slabs from below and prevents them from sliding until the adhesive composition sets.

A layer of glue is evenly distributed over the slab with a notched trowel and then pressed against the wall. Having installed a horizontal row, the insulation is additionally fixed with plastic disc-shaped dowels.

Having finished covering the wall, a layer of glue is also applied to the surface of the material and a fiberglass reinforcing mesh is embedded in it. Having leveled the surface with the rule, the solution is allowed to dry. The final operation is plastering.

Manufacturers and prices

Behind last years A whole “clip” of manufacturers of high-quality stone wool has formed on the market. These are foreign brands Isover(Izover), Rockwool(Rockwool), Paroc(Parok). A domestic company competes with them on equal terms TechnoNIKOL. The products have also earned a good reputation Russian company Izovol(Izovol).

The range of products they produce covers all areas of insulation, from the basement to the roof.

For a correct comparison, consider the price for 1 m2 of insulation with a thickness of 10 cm for universal use, offered by different companies:

• Rockwool LIGHT BUTTS SCANDIC(37 kg/m3) 170-190 rub./m2;
• Isover MASTER OF WARM WALLS(38-48 kg/m3) 160-200 rub./m2;
• Paroc EXTRA(30-34 kg/m3) from 200/m2;
• TechnoNIKOL ROCKLIGHT(30-40 kg/m3) from 160/m2;
• Izovol L-35(35 kg/m3) from 160/m2.

First let's establish that general term“mineral wool insulation”, according to the technical document GOST 52953-2008 “Thermal insulating materials and products. Terms and Definitions", refers to three types of materials used as insulation - stone wool, slag wool and glass wool:
«

3.17 mineral wool: Thermal insulation material having the structure of wool and made from molten rock, slag or glass.

3.17.1 glass wool: Mineral wool made from molten glass (glass wool).

3.17.2 rock wool: Mineral wool made primarily from molten igneous rocks (rock wool).

3.17.3 slag wool: Mineral wool made from molten blast furnace slag (slag wool).

Therefore, when the customer is faced with the question: basalt insulation or mineral wool - which is better, clarification is required. When using the terms “mineral wool”, as well as “mineral wool for wall insulation”, we will talk mainly about stone wool.

For comparison we present specifications three types of mineral wool:

You can see that stone wool has the best performance in almost all parameters.

Origin of stone wool

The idea of ​​producing heat-insulating materials from molten rocks arose back in the 19th century after observing the processes occurring during volcanic eruptions, when thin threads were formed from splashes of hot magma under the influence of wind. Such insulation as stone wool as a building material was first obtained from metallurgical waste products - blast furnace slag - at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, first in the USA, and then in Great Britain and Germany. However, widespread in industrial scale These first experiments were not carried out due to imperfect technology.

Achieve greatest success In the 30s of the 20th century, specialists from a Danish company succeeded in developing production methods and high quality materials, which for the first time produced mineral wool boards for insulating building structures and began to be called after the main type of product produced, Rockwool (literally “stone wool”). Since then, the Rockwool company has been producing basalt slabs for various types of insulation, constantly expanding the range of produced materials and today has become one of the leaders among the world's best manufacturers of thermal insulation based on basalt wool.

In Russia, the products of the TechnoNIKOL company are very popular, a generally recognized domestic manufacturer of various building materials, which produces thermal insulation slabs made of mineral wool, which are in no way inferior in quality and range to Rockwool materials, so here we will take a detailed look at the production technology, varieties, properties and scope of application of stone wool produced by TechnoNIKOL.

TechnoNIKOL stone wool production technology

The raw materials from which it is made mineral wool insulation, includes the bulk of inorganic components - gabbro-basalt rocks with the addition of dolomite, as well as organic elements - phenol-formaldehyde resin, water repellent and dust remover.

First, inorganic components are mixed in the raw material preparation unit, weighed and in precisely defined quantities fed into a vertical coke oven-cupola furnace, where the mixture is melted at a temperature of 1600 °C. The molten mass enters a centrifuge consisting of several rotating rollers, where droplets of the molten stone mass are broken under the influence of centrifugal forces, stretching into thin threads, then, under the air flow, they enter the fiber deposition department, in which they are treated with an airborne mixture of organic elements - phenol-formaldehyde resins with water repellent and dust remover. The composition of the mixture was developed in its own research center, is the company’s know-how and is not subject to disclosure. The main effect of the development is that in one mixture it was possible to combine binding, water-repellent and dust-removing properties.

Next, the mass of basalt fibers is supplied to a pendulum spreader and a corrugator-pre-presser, in which it is formed into a sheet of basalt mineral wool of a certain thickness, density and structure. In a corrugator-presser, the fibers are given different directions, which increases the elasticity of the material and tensile strength.

On final stage During the formation of insulation, the fabric passes through a thermal chamber, where at a temperature reaching 250°C, the process of hardening of the binder mixture occurs. After this, the finished material is cut at the cutting unit using circular saws into mats, where certain dimensions of the insulation are specified. Then the finished mats are packed in batches in shrink film and sent for sale.

Properties of stone wool - pros and cons

Basalt slab as insulation, sound insulator and fire protection has many positive properties:

• low thermal conductivity in the range of 0.035–0.042 W/(m °C), approximately in the same range as expanded polystyrene;
• almost zero hygroscopicity - no more than 0.095% per day, which does not allow moisture to penetrate into the insulation mass, maintaining its properties in any unfavorable conditions. The inaccessibility of the material to moisture penetration eliminates the possibility of the proliferation of microorganisms unfavorable to health, such as mold and mildew, in the body of the insulation;
• high vapor permeability, unlike closed-cell foam materials such as expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam. Basalt thermal insulation as part of enclosing structures ensures the evaporation of any amount of moisture formed on adjacent surfaces of walls, ceilings or roofs, excluding Negative consequences hydration. This quality of the material makes it possible to use it for thermal insulation of structures with high levels of humidity in rooms, such as saunas, laundry rooms or baths;
• high fire resistance is one of the unique properties basalt wool. A mineral slab made of stone wool, belonging to the NG category, that is, non-combustible materials that can only melt at high temperatures, is used not just as a non-combustible insulation for walls and ceilings, but also as a fire-retardant material, which is used to cover metal and reinforced concrete structures in order to increase fire protection;
• in addition to thermal insulation, insulating walls with mineral wool significantly increases their sound insulation properties due to the structure of stone wool, most of the volume of which is filled with air between randomly located stone fibers that dampen sound vibrations;
• has high resistance to aggressive substances - oils, alkalis and acids, products household chemicals, as well as high biological resistance to the influence of microorganisms - fungus and mold, which allows us to talk about the high durability of the material. From the experience of using stone wool in construction, it has been established that the durability of this insulation is guaranteed to reach 50 years or more;
• Minslab made of stone wool is an environmentally friendly material, since it is based on molten basalt fiber, which does not emit any substances harmful to humans. However, a caveat should be made here - polymer resins are used as a binder for stone wool, constituting no more than 5% of the total volume and capable of releasing harmful substances when exposed to fire - this only happens during a fire;
• stone wool products are easy to process; slabs and mats are cut with a regular hacksaw to the required size.

Stone wool has several disadvantages that can easily be eliminated by following certain methods of working with the material and its operating conditions:

• There is a common belief that stone wool is harmful to health. Indeed, during the installation of insulation of structures, cutting and other processing of stone wool mats and slabs, tiny particles of basalt fiber enter the air, which can cause harm to health if they get on the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. In this regard, thermal insulation work must be carried out with the mandatory use of protective overalls, gloves, goggles, masks and respirators. After insulation with stone wool, structures are always closed using cladding or plastering, which is better for operation when the entry of fiber particles into the air is excluded and access to the premises of harmful phenols from the binder is difficult;
• the tendency for the material to caking over time under the influence of its own weight, especially in vertical structures - in multi-layer walls or ventilated facades. This disadvantage is easily overcome due to fastenings evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the structure;
• mandatory use of vapor barrier on the premises side. WITH outside in this case, a material must be used that does not prevent the free escape of water vapor through the material, which is used in almost all enclosing structures, except for insulation using polyurethane foam.

Types of stone wool and its areas of application

Stone wool products, in accordance with the requirements of two regulatory documents: GOST 21880-2011 “Mineral wool pierced thermal insulation mats” and GOST 9573-2012 “Mineral wool slabs with a synthetic binder for thermal insulation”, are divided into mats and slabs of varying hardness, which have their own designations and specific areas of application, which can be seen in the following table.

Marking of mineral wool mats and slabs and their areas of application

The density of mineral wool for insulation is the main indicator by which the scope of application is determined.

Basalt wool from leading manufacturers and its characteristics

Here we will consider basalt insulation, the characteristics of which give a complete picture of the properties of various varieties of this material and areas of application - insulation from the Rockwool company.

Basalt wool, the technical characteristics of which are given in the table, has admittedly the best properties when compared with others well-known manufacturers, which began to be used in the construction industry much later, such as Nobasil, Turkart, PAROC, Knauf, Isoroc, etc.

Mineral wool TechnoNIKOL

TechnoNIKOL stone wool, the technical characteristics of which are given in the table below, is in no way inferior both in properties and in the variety of Rockwool products.

Technology of wall insulation with mineral wool

Mineral wool insulation is used for sound and heat insulation of the following enclosing structures:

• external walls of buildings for subsequent plastering;
• multilayer walls with insulation inside the masonry;
• ventilated facades;
• frame partitions;

The technology for insulating walls with mineral slabs under plaster consists of sequentially performing the following operations:

• preparatory work - leveling in the presence of significant unevenness, cutting off protruding metal elements, cleaning and dust removal;
• fastening slabs of a grade of at least P-160 in density using a polymer-mineral adhesive composition and additional fastening with dowels with a galvanized metal core - at least 8 pcs/1 m². The bottom row of slabs is installed on a pre-fixed perforated wall metal corner section 25x25x0.5;
• covering the thermal insulation layer with a protective adhesive composition up to 8 mm thick with reinforcement with plaster polymer mesh;
• applying white plaster composition up to 4 mm thick;
• coloring facade paints based on architectural design for facade design.

The thermal insulation thickness of the insulation is selected based on calculations taking into account the conditions of the climatic region in which the facility is being constructed.

The procedure for carrying out insulation of walls under plaster is developed in detail in the manual P 1-99 to SNiP 3.03.01-87 “Design and installation of thermal insulation of external walls of buildings for plaster”, published in Belarus and the Russian Federation.

Walls can be insulated mainly from the outside. The option - insulating walls from the inside with mineral wool plus plasterboard - should only be used in cases where external insulation is impossible for some reason. In this case, insulation of the walls from the inside with mineral wool is carried out with an indispensable device ventilation gap between the insulation and the sheathing to prevent the deposition of condensation moisture inside the structure.

More details about the principles of external and internal insulation can be read in the article "".

Insulation of multilayer walls

Insulation of multilayer walls is carried out in the process of bricklaying or the construction of walls from small-piece or large-sized blocks. Insulation in the form of mats or slabs of grades P-40 or P-50 in terms of rigidity is placed in the air gap between the inner wall and the facing layer.

The internal masonry and the facing layer are connected by metal or polymer anchor rods, which are installed in a checkerboard pattern with a pitch of 600x600 mm. When installing anchors, they should be placed, if possible, at the joints between the slabs; otherwise, the anchors should be passed through the slabs.

When laying the facing layer, provisions must be made ventilation holes– entrance in the lower part of the wall, exhaust in the upper part, which serve as vertical joints unfilled with mortar in an amount of at least 150 cm² per 20 m² of wall area.

Installation of ventilated facades/h3>

To install insulation using a system of ventilated facades, a frame of thin-walled metal profiles is pre-installed on external walls made of concrete, reinforced concrete or brick. The profiles are installed in horizontal and vertical directions so that insulation boards fit between them.

Insulation boards, the grade of which must be at least P-75 in density for buildings up to 12 m high (1-4 floors), and no less than P-120 for buildings over 12 m high (5 or more floors), are installed between the frame elements and fastened with dowels with wide plastic caps. For buildings up to 12 m high, each insulation board is secured with two dowels; for buildings higher than 12 m, the insulation board is secured with four dowels.

The insulation layer is covered with a windproofing membrane made of a special film, then the frame with insulation is lined with various facade materials - siding, porcelain tiles, composite panels etc. An air gap must be left between the surface of the insulation and the facing materials for ventilation. For buildings up to 12 m high, the air gap must be at least 15 mm; for buildings over 12 m, the air gap must be at least 40 mm.

The thickness of the insulation is taken by calculation. In many cases, a small thickness is sufficient, for which, for example, Rocklight stone wool 50 mm thick can be used.

Installation of frame partitions

When installing the filling of frame partitions, a frame of thin-walled steel profiles or wooden beam, consisting of racks installed on soundproofing pads and horizontal crossbars. The pitch of the racks and the distance between the crossbars are selected in accordance with the dimensions of the mineral wool slabs used, so that the slabs fit tightly in the space being filled. To fill frame partitions, a mini-slab with a P-50 or P-75 density grade is used.

After filling the partition frames with mineral wool slabs, they are sheathed on both sides plasterboard sheets or other cladding materials with subsequent finishing.

Expert opinion website

According to the portal's experts, stone wool is one of the best insulation materials for many reasons. When the customer, when choosing insulation for own home asks himself the question: which insulation is better - foam plastic or mineral wool, you should choose stone wool, since, despite approximately equal thermal conductivity, mineral mats and basalt wool slabs are superior to foam plastic and other materials in other qualities - fire resistance, environmental friendliness , vapor permeability and durability.

Stone wool represents an innovative construction material for thermal insulation. It is considered a highly effective product that performs the tasks of an insulator better than other analogues.

Characteristics of stone wool

The material is based on rocks. Their processing makes it possible to obtain a product that can withstand heat transfer. This becomes possible thanks to the design of the product - the presence of cells in it that retain air.

Composition and properties of stone wool

There are several substances in basalt rock:

• stone;
• fibers;
• connecting components.

After combining them, the building material acquires new qualities that are highly valued by specialists. The main one is the property of preservation indoors comfortable temperature. After insulation, the house will be cool in summer and warm in winter.

One type of wool, stone slabs, is not capable of deformation over many years. Particular attention is paid to the vapor permeability of the product. When there is 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 became possible due to the thickness and density of stone wool.

Types of insulators

There are various modifications of insulation:

• cylinders;
• rolls;

They may differ in rigidity, density, and size. Rolls are very popular among buyers. Their density is insignificant. The sheet shrinks well. However, the product protects the object less well from moisture. That's why it's foil-coated on one side. To improve the properties of the product, metal film is also used. The dimensions of the product depend on the manufacturer's brand.

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

Read also: Plastic windows: benefit or harm?

The slabs can withstand loads well and are waterproof. The joints formed during installation are easily hidden when plastering the wall. Some types have a special groove or ridge, which greatly facilitates the installation process. Sometimes they are used for insulation:

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

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

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

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

Types of stone wool insulation are easily distinguished by markings. The designation P-75 indicates a low density of the insulator. It is laid on walls that will not undergo significant loads. Products marked P-125 have improved sound insulation qualities. PPZh-175 means that the product has a high density. The letter Z speaks of toughness. Cotton wool marked PPZh-200 is the densest. It also belongs to fire-resistant insulators.

Pros and cons of stone wool

Unlike other types of insulation, stone wool has many positive characteristics. It belongs to natural products, as it is made from natural materials. Construction specialists have the opportunity to operate the insulator in different temperature ranges. Fire safety is another significant advantage. The stone slab is fire resistant. It begins to smolder when the temperature reaches 1000°C.

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

Modern technologies make it possible to create moisture-proof products. They are treated with a special substance that repels water. The service life of stone wool is unlimited. After all, it consists of durable natural material, which does not collapse for a very long time. Experts 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 - its high price.

Read also: Linocrom - a new generation roofing material

Dimensions of the material and its calculation

The dimensions of products directly depend on their types. The dimensions of the slabs 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 residential and production premises outside. Rigid types of products are used to insulate floating and heated floors.

To save money when purchasing, you need to make a preliminary calculation. To calculate the area of ​​an object, determine its width and length. These values ​​are then multiplied. When insulating 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 roof area.

The packaging indicates the area that the product can cover. When calculating, product shrinkage should be taken into account. Therefore, they buy it in excess - 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 installing 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 deteriorate the quality of the slabs.

Important! Cut the cotton wool with a special construction knife. Only he will be able to cut the sheet without damaging it.

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

Rock wool is a popular insulation material produced by high-temperature melting of basalt group rocks. Thermal insulation materials are necessary for external and internal work, including insulation of walls, roofs, and facades. The slabs are easy to install, which makes it possible to carry out a large volume of construction installation work in a short time. In our catalog the best prices for stone wool insulation with an official manufacturer's guarantee. Order delivery or arrange pick-up from a warehouse in Moscow.

	Stone wool Parok is a Finnish universal insulation material with excellent characteristics.	from 84 RUR/m2
	Rocklight stone wool is thermal insulation slabs made of mineral wool based on rocks belonging to the basalt group. Non-flammable, light weight.	from 77 RUR/m2
	Rockwool stone wool is made from basalt rocks using a unique technology. Excellent sound and thermal insulation for walls, floors and roofs.	from 86 RUR/m2
	Isorok stone wool - thermal insulation materials for walls, ceilings, ventilation shafts, pipelines, etc. It is used in buildings and structures for civil and industrial purposes.	from 98 RUR/m2

Scope of use of stone wool

Many Russian and global brands are engaged in the production of stone wool. A line of models with high performance parameters is offered to consumers. The classification of insulation takes into account the density and amount of binder, the direction and size of the fibers. Depending on the climatic conditions and the area of ​​application of mineral wool boards, you can choose suitable option With different characteristics and sizes from the offered range. Due to the wide distribution of stone wool slabs on the market, there is a risk of buying low-quality products. Therefore, the choice must be approached very carefully.

Multifunctional stone basalt wool is distinguished by its versatility of use. High quality and durable material used for reliable fire protection, heat and sound insulation of low-rise construction sites. Mineral wool insulation is suitable for flooring, interior partitions, roofing slabs, frame walls, house facade under siding. Some types of mineral wool boards are used in industrial and civil buildings, for thermal insulation of cold and hot water supply pipelines, ventilation shafts, gas and oil pipelines.

Absolutely safe mineral wool insulation is available in a variety of sizes and characteristics. In our online store, affordable prices for products are available to consumers in all regions of Russia.

The advantages of stone mineral wool include:

• high fire safety;
• environmental Safety;
• long service life;
• effective heat retention;
• soundproofing.

High-quality thermal insulation material made from stone wool does not absorb or retain moisture when in contact with water. This property is especially important when performing indoor installation work, roof insulation, and building facades. Thanks to special treatment of the insulation, the risk of damage to the surface as a result of insects and rodents is reduced.

Characteristics of TechnoNIKOL mineral wool

Indicator name		ROCKLIGHT	Test method
Thermal conductivity
			SP 23-101-2004
			SP 23-101-2004
Compressibility, no more
Vapor permeability, not less		0.3 mg/(m h Pa)
Humidity by weight, no more
Water absorption by volume, no more			GOST R EN 1609
			GOST R 52908-2008 (EN 13820-2003)
Flammability, degree
Density			GOST R EN 1602

To stabilize geometric shape When making basalt insulating slabs, special synthetic binders are added to the mixture.

Mineral wool in cut

Stone insulation Parok