The term mineral wool combines three types of inorganic fibrous insulation that differ in the nature of the raw material: glass wool, slag, and also material from basalt rock. Mineral wool is used to warm walls, floors and roofs.
Varieties of mineral wool
Products made from this material have the appearance of different density plates and rolls, as well as granules. The binder used is of great importance: phenolic or urea. The phenolic binder is preferred over the urea because of its greater moisture resistance. To avoid the emission of harmful substances when using this material, the correct installation technology should be strictly adhered to.
According to the type of raw material, mineral wool is divided into the following types:
- glass wool;
- slagged;
- stone wool.
Glass wool is an inexpensive high-quality insulation made from quartz sand or waste from the glass industry by melting.
Slag wool is a type of mineral wool made from molten blast furnace slag with its processing into vitreous fiber.
The manufacture of stone wool is carried out by melting the rocks of the basalt group. The raw materials for the insulation are basalt, dolomite, diabase, limestone. The insulation made of such cotton wool has excellent characteristics and is the most versatile material for heat and sound insulation. Due to the longest service life of all types of mineral thermal insulation, it is recommended for use in structures that are installed for many years of use. It has a high degree of fire resistance. It is used in low-rise private construction for thermal insulation of the walls of country houses, cottages, baths.
Depending on the raw material, mineral wool has different types of structures:
- Horizontally layered.
- Vertically layered.
- Spatial.
- Corrugated.
Properties of mineral wool
Minvata has excellent characteristics, which can be found later.
Low thermal conductivity. This property of mineral wool depends on the direction of the fibers of the material. The best option is cotton wool with multidirectional fibers. Minvata has a high temperature resistance.
High degree of sound insulation. The material is a solid barrier to the penetration of sound waves.
Fire resistance. The material has significant resistance to the spread of fire in a fire. Due to this property, cotton wool is used to isolate rooms where highly inflammable substances are stored. The material does not deform and saves all its properties even at significant temperatures. Mineral wool acquires this property as a result of the use of silicate rock melts and a phenolic binder in the manufacturing process.
Lack of water absorption. Its hygroscopicity level is only 0.5%, which is a significantly lower indicator than other materials. The method of storing the material and the corresponding impregnation with water-repellent means prevent moisture from entering the material during this period.
Vapor permeability. Due to this property, water vapor does not stay in the room and condensation does not appear. The insulation is capable of maintaining in the house a natural microclimate favorable for life.
Biological and chemical resistance to aggressive substances. The inorganic composition of mineral wool determines its resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, as well as the effects of rodents. All types of cotton wool meet sanitary standards for use in residential premises.
Low degree of shrinkage. During use, the shape and size of materials from mineral raw materials does not undergo significant changes - this eliminates the penetration of cold in the joints.
The insulation retains volume and shape in all conditions.
High strength and corrosion resistance. Mineral wool does not contribute to the corrosion of metals in contact with it. Its strength is determined by the number of vertical fibers in the structure. A lower density material may be used if it has a large number of such fibers.
Easy installation. Mineral wool is perfectly cut with a knife or a hacksaw (depending on density), easily takes the necessary shape. The plasticity of the material allows you to give it any shape you want by placing it on the surface of any configuration.
Environmental friendliness. Minvata is completely safe for human health.
Durability. The service life of structures using material is more than 70 years. During this time, the material perfectly retains its qualities, due to the presence of basalt rocks in its composition.
Mineral wool safety basics
The material is capable of releasing dust that irritates the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, when working with thermal insulation, you must adhere to safety rules:
- If work is carried out indoors, good ventilation should be provided.
- Protective clothing and gloves should be worn while working with the plates.
- Eyes must be protected with special glasses.
- Mouth and nose should be covered with a respirator.
- Upon completion of work, remove clothing, wash face and hands thoroughly.
Thermal insulation of the facade with mineral wool
The technology of thermal insulation of facades using mineral insulation is quite simple. This is due to the fact that the mineral wool slabs are quite large in size and easily attached to the wall.
Facade slabs are available in thicknesses from 5 to 15 cm. Insulation for outdoor work is more dense and hydrophobic than for indoor.
Advantages of insulating facades with mineral wool:
- plates have good sound and heat-insulating qualities;
- with the help of mineral plates, you can hide wall defects;
- the material has a lower price than polystyrene foam;
- insulation is not of interest to rodents;
- installation and dismantling of plates is easily done by hand;
- the material is resistant to fire, has a melting point above 1000 degrees.
Technology of mounting material to the building facade
Installation includes the following steps:
- Initially, the facade is freed from objects protruding beyond the walls, and damaged plaster is restored.
- Primed walls.
- After preparing the walls, they begin to strengthen the guide profile. He dowels attached to the surface of the wall.
- For fixing mineral plates, a special adhesive is used. Apply glue to a cotton pad and firmly press it against the wall. Then the plate is smoothed.
- After the sticker of the initial row of plates go to the next row, linking with the bottom.
- The glued plates are additionally fastened with dowels for reliability.
- A layer of glue is applied to the installed plates, and the reinforcing alkali-resistant mesh is “drowned” in it.
- Plastering is carried out on top.
Decorative coating should not be made of acrylic. Such plaster does not let air through and can contribute to the accumulation of moisture in mineral wool.
Insulation works for siding
In this case, the insulation of the facades of mineral wool will be different.:
- First, a protective film (isospan) is attached to the facade. Its purpose is to remove moisture from the material and not pass it back.
- Mineral wool is attached to the wall without glue using dowels.
- Then another layer of isospan film is attached. There should be a gap between the film and the cotton.
- Next, decorative siding of the facade is made.
- When working on facade insulation, it must be borne in mind that installation is carried out at a temperature of +5 to +25 degrees and a humidity of not more than 80%. Such activities should not be carried out in the heat or rain.