Popular insulation based on glass wool. Glass wool insulation: properties and benefits

Mineral wool or glass wool - what is better to use as a heater for your home? The choice of material will depend on the intended purpose - to insulate the room or, for example, provide sound insulation; each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.

In order to properly determine what better fit to insulate a dwelling - glass wool or mineral wool, you must first familiarize yourself with the properties of these materials.

Mineral wool- this is the general name for a group of all inorganic heaters with a fibrous structure, which are made from rocks, slags and glass. The insulation “fixes” the air layer, with its help it effectively isolates the room from the cold. Mineral insulation consists of millions of fibers that are intertwined with each other in the right order.

Based on the composition of the fibers, mineral insulation is divided into groups: glass wool, slag wool and stone wool. Stone wool is often abbreviated as "mineral wool".

Phenolic or carbamide compounds are used as a binder for insulation. Phenolic components give the material water-repellent properties, but they are also toxic. Such mineral insulation can be used exclusively for outdoor work.

Mineral insulation is a specific material. Only when professional styling with the use of blowing machines, it is possible to achieve cost-effective insulation without overspending the material. Mineral wool installation equipment is located at some distance from the object. Two people in 2 days can completely insulate a cottage-new building.

Stone mineral wool has another positive difference from other heaters, it does not shrink the material during the entire period of operation. Due to the fact that its installation is carried out with the required density, it is in building structures in a compressed state and, accordingly, has good contact with walls.

Stone wool does not support combustion. It fades immediately after the cessation of exposure to an open fire source. This is due to the salts. boric acid. Under the influence of high temperature, water is released from them, which prevents the process of burning mineral wool. When burning, it practically does not form smoke.

Mineral wool insulation is good when it comes to thermal insulation. But they easily pass water vapor. In addition, they easily absorb moisture from environment(for this reason, they are not used to insulate structural elements located in the ground). Therefore, a vapor barrier layer is placed under the wool layer, which will stop the steam seeping through the ceiling.

Vapor barrier materials can reduce the amount of moisture seeping through thousands of times. If steam nevertheless passes through it, then it settles on the outer surface of the layer. There, the condensate freezes, forming ice. The additional insulation causes the wool layer to quickly fill with ice. It will begin to melt in the spring, raising suspicions of a leak.

Glass wool is a type of mineral wool. The main difference between glass wool and mineral stone wool is the thickness of the fibers. The thickness of the fibers of mineral stone wool is 2-10 microns, and for glass wool it is 3-15 microns. Due to this, glass wool products are more durable and resilient. Glass wool provides better soundproofing. This is due to the attenuation of sound waves in the fibers.

Other differences between glass wool and mineral wool have several disadvantages. Glass wool is highly susceptible to shrinkage. Glass wool has the ability to absorb moisture, which leads to the fragility of its fibers and the transition of their structure to crystalline. Because of this, glass wool over a long service life can undergo severe shrinkage. Other mineral heaters, due to the elasticity of the fibers, practically do not decrease in volume over a long service life.

The thermal conductivity of both materials is almost the same, since they have a similar coefficient of thermal conductivity. Mineral wool has a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.030-0.052 W / m K, and glass wool - 0.041-0.043 W / m K.

Glass wool work less safe and require special precautions. Glass wool is used for the production of glass wool, so the fibers are caustic. During operation, they can crack and form the smallest particles of glass. The crushed fibers that got into the air, when breathing, penetrate into the lungs. Therefore, when working with glass wool, it is imperative to use a respirator.

Cost difference

Both heaters have a low cost. average cost mineral wool from various manufacturers ranges from 860 to 2500 rubles. per roll. Glass wool is available in the product lines of many home insulation manufacturers. The most popular brands are:

• Isover - the average price is 700-1800 rubles;
• URSA - the average price ranges from 800 to 2600 rubles;
• Knauf - the average price of the material is 1100-2100 rubles.

Miscellaneous production

Mineral wool or glass wool are materials of mineral origin identical in structure and characteristics.

Broken glass and natural quartz are the main components of glass wool. Fiberglass is formed by melting both components in furnaces.

Stone wool or mineral wool is made from various rocks, but the material based on basalt fibers is considered the highest quality. After heat treatment get cotton wool with a specific structure that can withstand high temperatures well.

Fiberglass insulation has been known to domestic consumers for a long time. It is believed that this inexpensive option to protect from the cold big houses and small apartments. It can be used in combination with other materials, increasing efficiency, for indoor and outdoor applications. The disadvantage is the release of mineral particles into the air, which can be harmful to health. Therefore, it is worth observing safety precautions when laying insulation. Most well-known manufacturers glass wool: Isover, Knauf, Ursa.

The technical characteristics of the material have improved significantly thanks to innovative technology. The thickness of the glass wool has become much smaller, so its coefficient of thermal conductivity has decreased. The indicator for dry air and a temperature of 25 ° C is 0.035-0.045 W / (m. ° C). The value fluctuates depending on the density parameters. The raw material for the manufacture is sand and glass dust. The components are mixed in a special container, where they melt well under the influence of high temperature (from 1500 ° C). The resulting mass is drawn into bundles, heating is continued with an admixture of bitumen as a binder. For enhanced adhesion, phenolaldehyde polymers are added.

The technology is identical for almost all manufacturers, but the resulting mats and rolls differ in characteristics: thread length, compression ratio, thermal conductivity, thickness. Depending on the friability, there are hard, semi-soft and elastic cotton wool. The material with the lowest density is flexible, with long threads it absorbs noise well, and the most compressed look better protects against cold. The main difference from mineral wool is that rodents do not spoil it.

Manufacturers Overview

You can buy insulation from various manufacturers:

Differs in ecological cleanliness, great energy-saving ability, does not retain moisture and breathes. Glass wool rolls do not ignite, have a low weight, thanks to the pressing technique. It varies in thickness within 5-10 cm, thermal conductivity - 0.041 W / (m. ° C). There are types with a film layer that provides vapor barrier and aluminum foil to reflect energy. Service life - 50-70 years, acceptable cost.

The heater has excellent performance. During manufacture, it loses its fragility, acquires flexibility and elasticity. The thermal conductivity of glass wool is lower than that of polystyrene foam, so wool provides better protection from the cold. The parameter ranges from 0.030 to 0.040 W/(m.°C). Density of rolls - 11, plates - 16 kg/mK. The use of water repellents provides resistance to moisture and atmospheric phenomena. Insulation well resists fungus and aggressive environments.

Made from environmentally friendly raw materials, does not contain harmful additives. Cotton wool has a zero class of fire hazard, well preserves the microclimate in the premises. Thanks to the waterproof shell of glass wool, the insulation is resistant to moisture. Depending on the purpose, you can buy a view that is mounted on the facade, roof, walls and floor. For ventilated structures, it is better to choose rolls, interior decoration and roof protection is carried out using slabs. The stated service life is at least 50 years.

Scope of glass wool

Fiberglass insulation is used in residential buildings, industrial buildings, pipelines. Given the characteristics, cotton wool is suitable for the following purposes:

1. In lightweight structures that are not subject to stress, mats 5 cm thick can be laid.

2. For internal partitions, ceilings, floors.

3. Roofs and attics of all types of buildings.

4. Horizontal enclosing systems.

5. Main oil, gas, water pipelines.

6. For insulation of equipment with operating temperature from 60 to 400°C.

7. In device cement screed and leveling layer.

Is fiberglass dangerous?

During the operation of glass wool, microparticles are released into the air, settling on the respiratory tract and human mucosa. If the rolls do not have specific additives that prevent the spraying of fine fibers, in order to avoid harm to health, it is better to lay the insulation on outside building. Danger exists not only when inhaling glass dust. Contact with mats also has a negative effect. In direct contact, the particles damage the skin, causing itching and irritation. If the fibers got on unprotected areas of the body, it is strictly forbidden to rub them. To prevent harm, it is recommended to use running water, without detergents. The skin should air dry, do not wipe with a towel.

Phenol and formaldehyde are added to the plates. Over time, these substances can begin to evaporate, confirming consumer reviews that glass wool is harmful to humans. But this applies to products that have undergone insufficient processing during manufacture. Modern manufacturers are trying to prevent this possibility, ensuring the environmental friendliness of the material as much as possible.

Laying rules

Installation of glass wool insulation is carried out in several steps: creating a frame, preparing sheets, placing between guides, fastening, sealing seams, sealing. Softer mats are taken for horizontal surfaces, rigid - for vertical and pitched roofs. Rolls with a small thickness are better to buy for internal protection, wide and dense slabs are suitable for facades, attic floors.

External cladding includes:

• Surface leveling, elimination of defects.
• Lath fastener.
• Laying glass wool insulation on glue or placing closely between frame elements.
• Installation of a wind barrier or diffuse membrane.
• Create a second tier of guides.
• Finishing.

To protect the roof additional application vapor barrier. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account ventilation gap. Installation inside the house is similar, the use of a hydrophobic film is recommended, especially for wooden structures. It is important not to forget about sealing the joints, they are glued with construction tape, which helps to avoid moisture ingress. Work with glass wool should be in protective clothing and a mask, observing safety rules.

Price overview

To purchase suitable look insulation, it is necessary to determine for what purposes it is used. The most famous companies offer different kinds, with optimal properties. Approximate prices per m2 of fiberglass are shown in the table:

Glass wool insulation has a number of advantages that provide versatility of use. It can be used inside and outside residential buildings, industrial buildings, pipelines. During installation, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the material, follow the safety rules so as not to expose the body to microparticles during cutting and laying the plates.

- this is a fibrous insulation, which is one of several types of mineral wool, but differs from basalt in a smaller fiber diameter and two to four times longer. These two indicators have a significant impact on the properties of the material.

The main properties and specifications glass wool, describes the technology of insulation and the specifics of working with the material.

TO negative qualities can be attributed:

Types of glass wool

Thanks to a variety of additives, glass wool is produced in different forms:

• rolls;
• mats;
• shell.

In addition, to perform specific work, this insulation is combined with materials such as aluminum foil, polyethylene foam, and waterproofing film.

The specifics of wall insulation

Consider two main methods of insulation:

Roof insulation

The second layer is better to mount not from below, but from above the rafters. In this case, a diffuse membrane is laid over the insulation layer. The diffuse membrane should span over the ridge.

Note: insulation over the rafters is carried out only in sunny weather, because. for this you need to shoot roofing material.

Foil thermal insulation of the roof from the inside If rainy weather prevails in the area, then the priority method of warming the second layer will be to fasten the wool from the bottom of the rafters. When using foil glass wool, it must be laid metal surface inside the premises.

Glass staple fiber (glass wool) - modern efficient thermal insulation material. For many private consumers, glass wool is associated with Soviet low-quality cotton wool, which could not be touched with unprotected hands without unpleasant consequences for the skin.

By appearance it looks like ordinary cotton wool big size. The color of this cotton can be different. There are, for example, white, yellowish and gray glass wool.

However, now this product has become better. The thickness of each fiber has become several times smaller. Therefore, glass wool has ceased to be so prickly and dangerous to touch. Even the term glass staple fiber has come into use. Of course, you don’t need to bring glass wool to your face, eyes, because it is still made from cullet or quartz sand. But most installers work with this building material without gloves.

The reduced fiber thickness also made it possible to improve the most important indicator for a heater - the thermal conductivity coefficient (λ). It has become lower, which means that the structures with glass wool have become warmer. Today, λ25 (thermal conductivity coefficient in dry conditions at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius) for glass wool market leaders ranges from 0.034 - 0.043 W / (m. ° C). λ25 varies depending on the density of the glass wool.

About brands

The leaders of the glass staple fiber market in Russia are the Isover brands (manufacturer - Saint-Gobain group of companies), Ursa (Uralita group of companies, KNAUF Insulation (Knauf group of companies). One can argue endlessly whose products of the three are higher The above-mentioned manufacturers are of better quality, especially since they are constantly improving production technology, creating new products, finding interesting marketing moves.But the fact remains that these three companies firmly hold the glass staple fiber market in Russia.

I cannot say that Turkish Ozpor or ODE type glass wool, Chinese FUERDA type glass wool will not allow you to qualitatively solve the problem of heat or sound insulation. On the contrary, the level of production of glass staple fiber has grown so much that any glass wool that you can buy will be of much higher quality than Soviet glass wool. It will be better to keep warm, dampen sounds, it will be less prickly.

Of course, Knauf Insulation, Ursa, Isover glass wool will have more stable quality, better fiber structure, better thermal performance than wool from Turkey and China, where the quality may be different depending on the delivery batch.

But that's not even the problem. It is not enough to buy a good thermal insulation material. The fact is that the range of glass staple fiber is quite wide. And for each design, it is important to choose a material that will retain its original shape throughout the entire service life.

So, it is important to choose the right brand of glass wool.

Secondly, it is important to correctly mount the structure.

Unfortunately, sellers of Turkish and Chinese glass wool will often be able to sell you the material, but will rarely be able to advise you competently.

It should be remembered that glass wool is designed to work in a particular design for decades. And so that it does not slip, so that it does not get wet, you need to understand how to mount it and what brand to use.

Glass wool has many advantages. It is easily compressed several times, and then restores its original shape. This results in significant savings in material transportation. For example, cotton wool for minor repairs can easily be brought in a personal car.

Glass wool has a flammability group NG, that is non-combustible material. Glass wool is easy and quick to install. It has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, that is, it stores heat well. And a small layer of glass wool will replace a thick layer of brick. Glass wool is not as popular with mice as Styrofoam.

But there are some nuances of using glass wool.

There are cases when, after a year or two, a wall insulated with glass wool began to freeze. There are also situations when water flows from an intact roof.

All these are the reasons for the wrong choice of material and poor-quality installation. I want to draw your attention to the fact that not all contractors understand these simple issues.

So, let's analyze the basic principles for choosing a glass wool brand of a particular manufacturer. Then consider important rule when installing any fibrous insulation (glass wool, stone wool), which will allow us to avoid the above problems.

In order for the glass staple fiber not to deform during its service life, it is important that the density of the material is chosen correctly. The fact is that the density affects the strength characteristics. And they determine whether the cotton wool will retain its shape in the structure or slip in a year or two.

It is important to understand that glass staple fiber will heat your home if it fits snugly against bearing wall around the perimeter. But, on the other hand, it is impossible to press cotton wool against the wall.

We will not go into the nuances of heat engineering, but we will understand the main thing: the thermal conductivity of the insulation and its thickness are important. How many times less the thickness of the insulation, about as many times it stores heat worse. That is, if you halved the glass wool in the structure, you approximately halved the thermal engineering of the wall or roof. Yes, now it will not slip, but the heat will be much worse.

The most common cotton wool sold in the retail network is rolls with a density of 11 kg / m3: URSA GEO Light, KNAUF Insulation Thermo Roll 040, ISOVER Classic. Turkish and Chinese cotton wool in mats supplied to the Russian market, as a rule, also has a density of 11 kg/m3.

This type of glass wool is intended for horizontal unloaded structures: insulation and soundproofing of floor slabs, floors along logs, insulation of horizontal unloaded roofs.

For wall insulation and mansard roofs with a slope, glass wool with such a density is undesirable.

I want to note that URSA, Isover and Knauf Insulation do everything so that the consumer does not pay attention to the density of their material. With the goal that they cannot be compared head-on with cheaper Turkish and Chinese counterparts.

Of course, if you follow the recommendations of URSA, Isover and Knauf Insulation when choosing a brand of insulation for a particular application, then everything will work for you as expected. In this case, you don't have to worry about the density of the material. The main rule is to choose the brand where your design is indicated in the field of application.

If you want to save money and take glass wool from other manufacturers, then you should know that for pitched roof, partitions, wall insulation from the inside, it is worth using cotton wool with a density of 15 kg / m3 and above.

For layered masonry, it is better to use material with a density of 20 kg / m3. Of course, for myself, I would use glass wool with a density of 30 kg / m3. I would like to point out that stone wool the same density will not work as reliably in a three-layer wall and layered masonry, unlike glass wool.

Glass wool is very popular for external wall insulation. In this case, it is worth taking glass staple fiber with a density of at least 30 kg/m3. It is better if the cotton wool is cached with fiberglass. Fiberglass will give additional strength and protect the fibers from blowing.

The use of vapor and waterproofing films

Let us now consider the issue of wetting fibrous insulation due to poor-quality installation.

This happens in case misuse vapor and waterproofing films for insulation of roofs and walls.

The most important rule: the vapor barrier must be installed from the side of the warm room. Steam goes from warm to cold. Since the vapor barrier must protect the insulation from steam, this film is mounted on the heat side.

Waterproofing for insulation from the inside, as a rule, is not used. Waterproofing films are used for roof insulation and for wall insulation from the outside.

The main rules for installing waterproofing are as follows:

1. it must be mounted from the side of the street;
2. if this is ordinary waterproofing, then it should have a gap of about 2 cm from the insulation. There are recommendations that the gap should be up to 5 cm. But a 2 cm gap between the insulation and waterproofing must be provided. If you do not have ordinary waterproofing, but a superdiffusion membrane with a vapor permeability of about 1000 g / m2 / 24 hours, then you can fearlessly mount such a film close to the insulation. But definitely from the side of the street.

Talk about the advantages of glass staple fiber, about the range and breadth of its application can be very long.

The article discusses essential principles that will allow you the best way use glass wool for insulation or sound insulation of your house or apartment.

Glass wool insulation is a heat-insulating mineral wool material consisting of glass wool fibers. For its production is used quartz sand, glass battle, dolomites and much more. The quality and safety of the insulation, as well as the technology of its manufacture, directly depend on the type of raw material. Most famous brands for the production of glass wool are Knauf, Isover and Ursa.

Overview of properties and description of characteristics

Unlike mineral wool from basalt ore, glass wool insulation fibers are 2 or even 4 times longer, so it is more durable and resilient. Even at the lowest density, the insulation in rolls, after pressing down, restores its original shape. The minimum temperature for using fiberglass thermal insulation is -60°C, and the maximum temperature is +450°C. When a flame hits it, glass wool shrinks in size, but does not support the further spread of fire. According to the characteristics of thermal conductivity, fiberglass and basalt insulation are the same. Cotton wool is produced with a density of 11 to 130 kg/m3.

Advantages of fiberglass insulation:

• long service life;
• a wide range of shapes, sizes and thicknesses;
• non-combustible;
• not interesting for insects, rats or mice as a source of food;
• vapor permeable;
• resistant to acids, alkalis and other chemicals;
• is not a habitat for colonies of mold or other fungi;
• well suppresses airborne noise;
• has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity;
• does not sit down throughout the entire period of operation;
• simple and convenient installation of both insulation in rolls and plates.

Due to the ability to pass moisture, glass wool can be used to insulate buildings built from wooden building materials. Since it will not interfere with the ventilation of the walls and the removal of excess moisture from them, as a result, the likelihood of condensation is eliminated. Also, metal structures will not be subject to corrosion. Fiberglass wool is lightweight, as a result, it does not create significant loads on the insulated base.

The disadvantages include the mandatory installation of steam and windproof membranes. If fiberglass wool is placed outside, for example, on walls, and it is not covered with a windproof film, then gradually the fibers of the thermal insulation will be blown out. As a result, the thermal conductivity characteristics will begin to deteriorate. Like any other mineral wool, glass wool retains heat well in the building due to the presence of voids with air between its glass fibers. Therefore, when installing rolls and plates, they must not be pressed down or pressed. Cotton wool should be in a free position so that it can stretch as much as possible, but at the same time sit well and tightly in the frame, without gaps.

If the technique for working with fiberglass insulation is not followed, the dust that is released from it can be harmful to human or animal health. Dust is small fragments of wool fibers that appear when rolls and slabs are transported, unpacked and installed. When working with her, it is imperative to use such tools. personal protection like respirator, goggles and protective clothing. All areas of exposed skin must be covered. At hit on a mucous membrane of eyes, skin or in respiratory tracts, prickly dust causes irritation.

V more glass wool produced by the simplest technology from low-quality raw materials is harmful. Distinguish it from quality material possible at a price - the cheaper, the worse the thermal insulation. You can view reviews professional builders who already know from experience which insulation is best to buy and which one really will not harm.

Scope and installation rules

Fiberglass thermal insulation is used to insulate the following places:

• walls, ceilings, floors;
• balconies, mansards, attics, roofs;
• under siding;
• facades;
• partitions, ceilings and so on.

This insulation can be used to decorate rooms both inside and outside. Rolled fiberglass insulation is best used for insulation in a horizontal position. If you isolate the walls with it, then over time the material will begin to sag, as a result, blown gaps will appear.

For vertical structures boards are recommended. For their installation, the installation of a frame is required. If the insulation is placed from the inside, then from the side of the room it must be closed vapor barrier film. Outside the house, the thermal insulation is covered with a windproof membrane. There is no need to attach additional plates to the wall, as they are placed in a spacer and covered with a film. In the kit, all this gives a reliable fixation of the insulation in the frame. It is better not to use glass wool insulation in places subject to heating up to high temperatures– more than +450°C, regardless of its thickness and dimensions. Since then the binder component of the cotton wool begins to evaporate, as a result, its technical characteristics deteriorate.

Manufacturers and cost

1. URSA is a manufacturer of building materials for green building. For glass wool, only high-quality and natural natural raw materials are used, not cullet. Thermal insulation URSA has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity - 0.034-0.046 W / m K. Available in thicknesses from 5 to 20 cm. One of the best heaters from this company is the Pureone series. URSA Pureone thermal insulation is a unique fiberglass insulation that does not cause any harm to human health. She was one of the first to receive a certificate of safety and environmental friendliness. Thanks to the production of a special technology, URSA Pureone thermal insulation practically does not emit dust. Therefore, it is better than other similar heaters suitable for insulation. medical institutions, schools and kindergartens.

2. Knauf mineral wool has increased elasticity, thanks to which it perfectly adheres to any structure, and also does not delaminate or shrink during the entire service life. Knauf fiberglass insulation is recommended for use in places with high humidity because it is waterproof. This thermal insulation does not retain moisture in itself, but passes it further. Knauf insulation complies with all fire safety standards and does not support the spread of fire. Also, it is odorless and does not rot. For the production of Knauf glass wool, phenol-formaldehyde components are not used, due to which this thermal insulation is considered environmentally friendly and safe. Available in thicknesses from 5 to 15 cm.

3. Isover insulation has high strength characteristics. The products of this company are marked with the EcoMaterialAbsolute certificate - this marking confirms that natural raw materials are used for production, without hazardous compounds. Belongs to the group of safe materials.

The price per 1 m2 for glass wool depends on its density, size and purpose. Table with prices at which you can buy fiberglass insulation in the form of rolls or plates of different sizes:

The good property of glass wool to restore its structure allows it to be reduced in size by 6 times. As a result, it is more convenient to fold and transport. It is necessary to store glass wool in unsealed packaging under a canopy so that atmospheric precipitation does not fall on it. If it is packed in a special multi-package, then outdoor storage is allowed.