Minvata: technical specifications. Insulation of mineral wool: reviews, applications

Minvata, technical characteristics of which allow it to be considered one of the most effective heaters to date, - the material is inexpensive and very popular. Its main advantages are low cost and low degree of thermal conductivity. As another of its undeniable advantages, one can call universality. Mineral cotton 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 wetting it. The fact is that when wetting the mineral wool completely loses its thermal insulation properties.

Varieties of mineral wool

At the moment there are only three main types of mineral wool:

1. Glass wool.
2. Slag.
3. Rock wool.

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 a glass fight. After processing all these components, fibers are obtained, from which elastic and durable mats are made, which retain heat well. A heater, a mineral wool of this variety, has one rather significant drawback. In the process of performing work on the thermal insulation of structures, the fibers easily break. In this case, small pieces penetrate through the clothing and dig into the skin, causing severe itching. Moreover, the particles with inhaled air can get into the lungs, causing their long-term irritation. Therefore, it is necessary to work with glass wool in a dense work suit, a respirator, glasses and gloves. Repeat clothing is most likely not to be used.

Characteristics of slag

Fibers are made of slag fibers using waste of metallurgical production. The index of thermal conductivity of this variety 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 the metal, the latter oxidizes rapidly. Like glass wool, the slag is distinguished by its causticity.

Basalt wool

Basalt Minvat, the technical characteristics of which make it the most popular both for private traders and for large developers, is made from rocks of the gabbro-basalt group, metamorphic and marl. This variety is not pricked and does not cause oxidation of the metal. Waters of basalt wool are afraid, but at the same time it has a high degree of vapor permeability. The material of this variety is produced both in slabs and in rolls (mats).

Minvata: technical specifications

The comparative technical characteristics of these three types of mineral wool are given in the table below.

Density of mineral wool can vary from 11 to 144 kg / m ³ .

Reviews about mineral wool

They respond to mineral wool as a heat insulation material more than positively. It is this type of heat insulator that is currently considered the most popular and widespread 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 cheapness. However, some owners of suburban areas still treat this material with caution. The fact is that the minivate is capable of releasing harmful to health dust and phenol-formaldehyde resin pairs into the air . However, the manufacturers claim that all harmful substances are contained in it in such small quantities that no negative effect on the body is not provided.

But still it is believed that the warmth of mineral wool involves a thorough sealing of the structure. As for the manufacturer, many people speak well of such brands of mineral wool as Isover and Ursa. Also praised are cotton wool "Knauf" and "Rockwool".

Comparison with other materials

On how the insulation of the ceiling with mineral wool and the covering of the floor and walls with this material is carried out, let's talk just below. First, let's compare this kind of insulation with other popular varieties. These include, for example, eco-wool, polystyrene foam, expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, sandwich panels, etc. All of them are quite effective. The second most popular after mineral wool is styrofoam. It is not much more expensive and at the same time it 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 heat conductivity known at the moment. However, it is much more expensive than mineral wool and styrofoam and is also very difficult to install.

Application of mineral wool

Most often, mineral wool is used to insulate walls, roofs and ceilings. The technology of installation in all these cases is similar. No particular complexity, it does not differ. This, to a large extent, makes this material so popular with private developers.

Minvata, the technical characteristics of which allow it to be used to insulate structures made from almost any material, do not burn at all. Therefore, it is used to insulate structures in rooms with an increased risk of fire.

The use of mineral wool for wall warming

The walls are insulated in several stages:

• On their surface is attached a frame (usually wooden). The thickness of the bars in this case should be equal to the width of the insulation. Mount them so that the mineral wool stands between them as tightly as possible. Sometimes the plates are additionally fastened to the surface of the wall with special dowels "fungi".
• Before installing the plates, if the insulation is made from the side of the street, a vapor barrier is stretched between the beams of the frame.
• Then it is actually the minvata itself. The thickness of the plates can vary from 40 to 200 mm.
• In the next step, a waterproofing film is applied over the plates. Strengthen it with bars, stuffing the latter directly on the frame. The film is usually mounted horizontally, with an overlap of 15 cm. When insulating from the inside, the order of installing the steam and waterproofing films is reversed.
• At the final stage, a finishing finishing material is set on the bars of the resultant counterbrush.

Use cotton wool for floor insulation

Floors are insulated in approximately the same way. Only in this case it is used not wooden frame, but wooden lag. The floors between them are pre-laid with waterproofing material. Then put the insulation mats. On top of them, a vapor barrier film is installed on the bars (foil inside the room). Then fill the floor or edging board. Then they mount the finishing of the floor - laminate, linoleum, parquet, etc.

Use of mineral wool for insulation of the ceiling

The insulation of the ceiling with mineral wool is carried out in the same order as the insulation of the walls. That is, first the frame is stuffed, then the plates are mounted, then the vapor barrier, and at the last stage - the finishing. In this case, the plates are additionally attached to the "fungi" or glue.

The technology of warming the attic from the inside

Warming of attics and attics from the inside is done like this:

• The rafters and all the wooden elements of the roof are carefully treated with antiseptic compounds and means 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, it is not necessary to take this step in the process of warming from the inside.
• Then between the rafters are inserted plates of mineral wool and fixed with wire.
• After that, just like in the first two cases, a vapor barrier is installed on the bars.
• At the last stage the attic is lined with lining, plywood or plasterboard.

Minvata: price

Of course, those who decided to use this material for warming the house, I would like to know how much this 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 12-18 square meters) costs a little more than Ursa (600-700 rubles).
• Thickness of the material. Of course, the thicker the material, the more expensive it is.
• Its density. Soft mats in rolls are cheaper than rigid boards.

Thus, the mineral wool, the price for which is not democratic, is a heater, certainly worthy of attention. To decorate walls, floors or ceilings with this material means to make your home warm and cozy for many years.