Cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation and its characteristics

Ecowool Ecowool, Isofloc, Isofiber, Steico, etc. competes with products domestic production- "Unisol" and "Ekovata".

What this material is, what are its characteristics, pros and cons, will be discussed in today's article.

What is this material?

Ecowool is a loose heat-insulating material that has a gray color and is made on the basis of cellulose. The material includes:

waste paper recyclable materials (about 81 percent);
fire inhibitors (about 7 percent), which form a self-extinguishing effect and increase the fire resistance of ecowool up to 232 degrees;
fungicides and antiseptic substances (about 12 percent) that protect the material from the effects of fungi, mold, mice, etc.

It is also worth noting that the manufacturing procedure for this insulation material takes only five minutes. First, waste paper is delivered to the production site. It is poured onto a special conveyor, through which the paper is fed to the so-called primary mixer. There, the material is divided, cleared of metal elements(such as paper clips) with a built-in magnet. Further, the raw material is crushed by means of the same mixer into small pieces (width - about 50 millimeters), fire retardants and antiseptics are added.

Then the raw material is fed to another device - a fiber manufacturer, which crushes it into thinner pieces (size - about 0.4 centimeters). A small amount of borax is added at the end. That's it, the cellulose insulation material is ready to use!

The main features of ecowool

The first ecowool in Russia was made about eight years ago. In those days, loose insulation with a low weight (it consisted of 4/5 of recycled paper and 1/5 of additives) became a real sensation.

Note! This heat insulator is so warm and light thanks to its special cellulose structure. It perfectly retains warm air, does not rot, does not become moldy. Moreover, it is resistant to rodents and insects.

Table # 1. The main characteristics of cellulose insulation

Now let's talk about the properties of ecowool. The material has some key advantages that distinguish it favorably from similar heat insulators and are the main reasons that many consumers make a choice in its favor. Let's take a look at these benefits.

The material is environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. In addition to wood fibers and antiseptic additives, there is nothing else in its composition.
It creates a minimum load on the base, therefore, no additional support is required.
Ecowool has an excellent thermal conductivity coefficient - on average, it is about 0.3-0.4 W / mK.
During operation, cellulose insulation does not deform and does not shrink.
It is resistant to all kinds of aggressive influences.
Also, ecowool is characterized by resistance to low temperatures (up to minus 50 degrees).

Finally, the insulation is fireproof. As noted above, fire retardants are added to it, so that the material does not burn even at a temperature of 1,300 degrees.

It is also worth noting that ecowool is able to protect a room not only from low, but also from high temperatures, which is achieved due to the natural structure of cellulose fibers. Ecowool "breathes", that is, it is vapor-permeable, but at the same time it does not retain moisture inside itself. There are other equally important advantages - for example, the fact that the material is quite easy to apply, and after application there are no seams left.

Yes, it is really easy to apply: as practice has shown, two workers in 24 hours can easily glue from 70 to 80 square meters surface.

Note! The pH level in ecowool does not exceed 8.3, therefore, it does not provoke the rusting process when it comes into contact with iron elements.

It is also worth noting one more very curious moment: ecowool has the best soundproofing parameters among all heaters. If we talk about durability, then the operational life of cellulose insulation in the Russian climate is about 70 years.

Technical and operational characteristics

So, we just have to tell briefly about the operational parameters, because of which, in fact, many people prefer this material. We should start with primitive mathematics: for example, we use a plate or roll type heat insulator, after the installation of which there are inter-seam gaps of 4 percent.

And this, obviously, is no longer effective work, since the thermal conductivity is reduced by at least half. But if you look from the other side, then ecowool fills the voids under finishing material as evenly as possible, and all joints and voids are closed at the same time.

The application technology in most cases involves spraying, which is demonstrated in the image. But, in principle, you can simply stack it.

You also need to take into account the noise insulation parameters, which are enhanced due to the penetration of fine cellulose fibers into almost all cracks. For example, if you install a 5 cm thick insulation to a 12.5 mm drywall, the noise level will drop to at least 63 decibels. If you increase the thickness further, then with each centimeter the sound insulation will increase by another 4 decibels.

Now let's get acquainted with other technical parameters possessed by cellulose insulation.

The density indicator of ecowool is on average 30-65 kilograms per cubic meter, although more accurate figures depend on the specific manufacturer and the scope of the insulation.

Due to its class of frost resistance, the material can last up to 80 years.

We talked about thermal conductivity, it is quite high. However, it can vary in one direction or another, depending on the applied application technology.

As for vapor permeability, it is 0.3 mg / (m * h * Pa) for ecowool.

Finally, the flammability class of most heaters is B1 (hardly flammable material) or G2 (that is, moderately flammable). Sometimes D2 is also found, which, according to GOST, denotes materials that have a low smoke-generating ability.

GOST 30244-94

Material disadvantages

Yes, ecowool has disadvantages and you should definitely familiarize yourself with them.

First of all, if spraying is carried out with a wet method, then all iron structural elements must be protected with a special paint or varnish, otherwise they will begin to rust. The fact is that such insulation dries completely only after two months.
Price. For example, walls need a density of at least 60 kilograms per cubic meter. A cubic meter of ecowool consists of four packages of 15 kilograms each. It turns out that the cost of insulation starts from 1,600 rubles. If you compare it with mineral wool (it costs from 1,300 rubles), then it is really quite expensive. For manual installation on flat surfaces, the cost is slightly lower - about 900 rubles. per cubic meter, provided that the density of the material is 35 kilograms per cubic meter.
There are no specific requirements regarding cellulose insulation neither in GOST nor in SNiP, therefore the quality of the material depends only on the honesty of the manufacturer. And numerous reviews of dissatisfied buyers are a vivid confirmation of this.
Ecowool is not used under cement screed... This material is soft, therefore, it needs free space.
Finally, the last drawback is significant shrinkage. Some time after installation, it erodes through cracks and gaps, therefore, thorough sealing of all defects in the finished coating is a prerequisite.

As you can see, all the shortcomings are very important, but their number and presence, in principle, depends on which particular company was engaged in production. For some, ammonium sulfates are used instead of boric acid, due to which the biological resistance is markedly reduced. Before buying material, be sure to ask the seller for all the necessary certificates. In addition, check how much the package weighs, compare the resulting weight with the weight of other similar goods.

Note! If there are no certificates and markings on the packaging, and also if the insulation is sold at too low a price, then it’s time to be on your guard: maybe, under the guise of ecowool, they are trying to “sniff” ordinary shredded cellulose, in which there are no useful additives.

In a word, it is better to overpay a little, but get a really high-quality cellulose insulation that can serve you for more than a decade.

Now let's briefly talk about the cost using the example of specific brands. So, a 15-kilogram bag of Ekovata Extra insulation costs 510 rubles. The cost of the Belgorod "Ekovata" is at least 33.5 rubles per kilogram. Further - in the same spirit, the price varies between 25 and 40 rubles. Foreign insulation is, of course, somewhat more expensive.

How to apply cellulose insulation with your own hands

So, we found out that, according to numerous parameters, the insulation described in the article is the best option to perform thermal insulation. And if you know how to correctly determine the material consumption and calculate the area of the surface to be treated (with some margin), then the only thing that remains to be done is to choose a specific application technology. There are two options.

Note! The main advantage of spraying is that the seams after installation works does not remain, and the layer of insulation is uniform and even. Moreover, the job is easy to handle on your own. Ecowool adheres to the surface quickly and reliably, it hides (like a cocoon) all communications and electrical wiring.

If we consider dry styling, then it is recommended to use it for insulation. horizontal surfaces... The advantage in this case will be the absence of waste and the fact that the adhesion of the heat insulator will be universal for all types of surfaces - for wood, metal, cement, stone, brick or even glass.

Let's get acquainted with each of the technologies in more detail.

Option number 1. Dry laying ecowool

This technique is a fairly simple process that does not require renting expensive blow molding equipment. Moreover, in this case, only one or two people are required to work.

First, a special container is prepared. Ecowool is placed in it, which is then fluffed up by electric drill or an editing mixer. The working surface is cleaned and properly prepared, after which the finished fluffy composition is poured onto it. As noted above, this technology is ideal for thermal insulation of the floor.

If we talk about the walls, then they will require the construction of a special frame (or, alternatively, you can purchase a ready-made factory frame structure), where the cellulose insulation will be laid and carefully compacted in layers (the layer thickness should be 50 centimeters).

Option number 2. Dry laying using special equipment

Blowing machines (in most cases, the so-called blowing gun is used) are used for professional construction works with cellulose insulation. It is worth knowing that this technique is not only associated with additional costs. The fact is that it fully pays for itself if it comes about large objects or surfaces of a large area.

This is especially true in the construction of residential multi-storey buildings, when it is required to fill the floor in the basement or between floors, in the roof of an inclined type or in wall cavities.

In the course of direct installation, ecowool is injected in the equipment used, after which it is sprayed under high pressure on the processed space. In the future, the fibers, thanks to their physical characteristics expands, falls into all depressions and crevices, and even in those places that would be impossible to reach if the installation was carried out manually.

Option number 3. Wet styling

This technology is advisable for thermal insulation of vertical surfaces, where, as you know, you cannot do without an adhesive. For such purposes, ecowool is used in the form of rolls or slabs and can be laid not only in two or three layers, but also with an overlap in order to exclude the formation of seams that allow cold air to pass through.

Lignin, which is released when cellulose fibers are moistened, already has high adhesion by itself, so the insulation reliably adheres to work surface... As a result, the insulation adheres perfectly and forms a dense protective layer. As a rule, the manufacturer's instructions tell you which of the styling options is best for certain application conditions.

Let's consider the main nuances of thermal insulation of one or another part of the building.

When insulating load-bearing structures ecowool can be applied not only outside, but also inside the house. Be that as it may, at first, the profiles are fixed for further installation of the panels, then - according to the previously selected method - an insulating material is applied. By the way, when using the dry application technique, ecowool can be applied with already installed finishing panels, using previously left holes.

In the course of work, do not forget about the thermal insulation properties of the material from which the walls are made. Thus, the cost of construction work can be reduced by about 30 percent.

Heated attics and attics are perfectly insulated with cellulose insulation. Indeed, this material is environmentally friendly, and it almost completely eliminates heat loss. The thickness of the insulating layer in this case should be 75-100 millimeters.

Ecowool is a great option for floor slabs... It not only insulates, but also increases the sound insulation of each of the premises. If you plan to arrange a "warm floor", then the cellulose should be laid on top of a rough screed, laid on a crushed stone "pillow".

As a result, we note that cellulose insulation is perfect option for residential buildings. Its advantages are obvious, and the few disadvantages are insignificant or easily eliminated. That's all, good luck and warm winters to you!

Insulation made of cardboard, paper, cellulose

Than only people do not insulate their houses, sometimes it comes to such radical methods as cardboard insulation. This approach cannot be called capital, since it is difficult to imagine a high-quality repair, where used cardboard is used as thermal insulation. Naturally, no one will buy a new one, since such extraordinary measures are taken only because this material is a dime a dozen for nothing. Although paper insulation is widely practiced. So, for example, there is such material like ecowool- cellulose with the addition of fire retardants and antiseptics.

Warming with cardboard and kraft paper

Warming the walls with cardboard looks something like this - the sight is not the most pleasant.

The idea of cardboard insulation is not new. Owners of summer cottages often think about this, since the material is practically gratuitous and the temptation is quite large. Wherever they put it:

And everything would be fine, but paper insulation has serious drawbacks. It's not that good at insulating it. If considered, then only corrugated cardboard since it contains air gaps... It is the air in this case that plays the role of thermal insulation, and the paper itself is just a wind barrier. Paper is made of wood, therefore, it must have all the characteristics of the starting material.

Wooden houses are famous for being warm, but this is achieved through thick walls. For example, for Moscow, a timber of 150 mm will not be enough and the walls need to be additionally insulated. How insulate a wooden house we already wrote in one of our previous articles. Naturally, no one will lay an ordinary insulation made of paper without air pores in a very large layer, therefore only corrugated cardboard.

It should be laid, preferably in several layers, and the joints should be glued. It is necessary to ensure that there is no connection between the layers, or at least to minimize their number. Indeed, cardboard itself as insulation practically does not work, its main task is to be an obstacle to warm air... Unable to leave the room, the air will not give up its heat to the street, respectively, the heat loss will decrease, which is ultimately required.

Why cardboard as insulation is practically useless:

absorbs moisture;
when wet, he reads an unpleasant smell;
high thermal conductivity.

Without additional processing, cardboard is ineffective, they can only insulate a doghouse or a barn, but not a house.

So, we conclude that it can only be a windbreak. But in this capacity better fit another material called kraft paper. It is a thin but strong material that is sold in sheets or rolls with a density of 35 to 80 g / m2. sq. It is quite easy to work with it, it fits with an overlap, with a margin of 10 cm. It is used to protect the main insulation. Often used in tandem with mineral or basalt wool.

Despite the fact that there are already many appliances for space heating that work on different types energy carrier, heating a private house with a stove not only remains relevant, but is also in demand.

Eco paper insulation

Kraft paper rolls are lightweight and very strong. Density from 35 to 80 g / m2. sq.

Cellulose is just that insulation on paper backing that actually works. The modern name for cellulose is ecowool, which recent times is gaining popularity in Russia as well. It is made from newspapers and magazines. Recyclable materials are crushed and additional components are added to it. Then the finished substance is packed into bags by pressing. Percentage of components:

These additives are fire retardants and antiseptics. This means that the material after processing does not support combustion and no life forms (bacteria, fungi, insects) are possible in it. Despite this, cellulose insulation does not harm people, unless, of course, you eat ecowool and breathe its dust. The material has sufficient characteristics so that it can be used even in northern regions with a cold climate:

heat transfer resistance 0.036–0.04;
vapor permeability 0.3 mg / m * h * Pa;
refers to non-combustible materials(G1);
does not emit toxic smoke (D2).

Paper insulation is similar in its characteristics to natural wood, since it is its derivative. The ability to pass steam allows the use of this insulation during construction. wooden houses.

One of the most controversial home heating methods is heating the house with air. Discussions revolve around both effectiveness and feasibility. During operation, there are many inconveniences, one of which is noise.

Cellulose insulation methods

Such cellulose mats can be made by hand.

Eco paper insulation is suitable for insulating vertical and horizontal structures:

Unlike insulation of a house with cardboard, this method has been put on stream and an installation technology has been developed, moreover, not one. It is possible to work with ecowool both with the help of special equipment and without any tools. There are two methods of applying cellulose to insulated surfaces:

dry;
wet - using a water-glue solution.

The dry method of insulating a house with cellulose is that the ecowool is simply poured into the niches prepared for it.

This is either a subfloor or an inter-wall space in frame houses. It should be remembered that the material is fine-grained and dusty, in addition, it contains chemicals that cause redness and itching of the skin. Accordingly, you need to protect yourself from these negative factors. It is necessary to work with gloves and a respirator, and protect the ecowool with kraft paper.

You can fill up the insulation manually or using special equipment. The water-glue method of installation is only possible with a blow molding machine. It consists of a reservoir in which cotton wool is loosened, a compressor and a system of pipes of different diameters. At the exit from the supply pipe, the material is abundantly moistened. Thanks to this, it adheres better to the wall, and after hardening it becomes more dense. This is due to the PVA glue, which, when solidified, forms an elastic film.

Is it possible to insulate walls with cardboard together with cellulose? Theoretically, of course, it is possible, only the cardboard in this case will act only as a fence. This is necessary when working with dry ecowool. But as we said earlier, kraft paper is better suited for these purposes. It is lighter and thinner, moreover, through it you can see the degree of filling the voids with cellulose. It is more convenient and faster to work with such material.

Consequences of cardboard insulation

Wet method of applying ecowool to the wall.

If you decide to insulate the ceiling with cardboard, then you probably have a lot of free material. It is of course good when you get something for free, but you shouldn't lose your head, you have to think about the consequences. We will consider the issue only from the standpoint of cheapness and try to find some sane alternative. If the cardboard is corrugated, then at least it will perform the functions of thermal insulation, and if not, then alas, the result will be very meager. Alternatively, you can make do-it-yourself cellulose mats out of cardboard. For this:

chop paper very finely;
an oil solution is made from machine oil;
mix chopped cardboard with oil emulsion;
mix thoroughly and insist;
pour the resulting mixture into drying molds.

After the mixture is dry, you will receive cellulose mats, with which you can insulate both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Unlike cardboard, oil-soaked slabs repel water, so they do not get wet and do not emit stench. Mice are also not fond of machine oil. But, unfortunately, in this case, the danger of a fire in the room increases significantly. Therefore, it is better to avoid wall insulation with cardboard in any form. There will be no particular result from this, only headaches will be added. The only paper-based insulation that can be used for thermal insulation of residential premises is factory-made cellulose, which is also ecowool.

Regarding alternatives that are also practically free:

Both techniques have been successfully used for more than one hundred years. Such insulation is fireproof, clay is useful for humans, it creates a good indoor climate. It will be cool in summer and warm in winter. Even houses are built from a mixture of clay and straw (adobe). In addition, in frame houses, straw bales are used as insulation, which are then necessarily rubbed over with clay.

Is it possible to insulate the walls and floor of the house with cardboard or cellulose

Can the walls in the house be insulated with cardboard? What are the eco-friendly paper insulation and methods of application. Paper-based cellulose insulation is ecowool

Ecowool - modern cellulose insulation at home

Ecowool is a modern natural insulation, which in the past few years has gained significant distribution on the market - ecowool is actively insulated apartment buildings, various buildings, country houses, vegetable storage, office buildings, those objects that are directly related to daily activities of people. What is the key to the success of this insulation?

The increase in housing construction requires the use of new methods of thermal insulation. Moreover, the insulation technology should be economical, the installation of the material should be as simple and fast as possible, and the insulation itself should be durable. All these requirements are met Ecowool - modern thermal insulation based on natural materials. Among professional builders, this material is also known under another name "cellulose wool", which may more accurately reflect the essence of this insulation consisting of cellulose fibers.

Ecowool is an insulating material that consists of 81% of secondary wood products and 19% of fire retardants and antiseptics. Thanks to its versatility, this cellulose insulation can be used both for thermal insulation of new objects and for renovation of old ones. Since ecowool is not toxic, carcinogenic and does not contain hazardous volatile substances, its use is allowed even in such areas as thermal insulation of healthcare facilities (sanatoriums, hospitals, laboratories, clinics). With the help of ecowool, you can insulate residential, administrative, entertainment and sports, trade and industrial buildings.

Due to the fact that cellulose insulation is lightweight, it can be used in the construction of lightweight structures and foundations, reducing the thickness of the walls. Thus, it is possible to reduce construction costs by up to 25-30%. In addition, during the operation of buildings insulated with ecowool, heating costs are reduced by a third.

Thermal insulation capacity of ecowool

This natural insulation ecowool shows the maximum insulating capacity primarily due to the formation of a seamless coating, in comparison with other heaters of the old generation - this is a completely different level of manufacturability of insulation of walls, floor, roof of your house. Low thermal conductivity coefficient (0.036-0.041 W / mK), the ability to fill all pockets and voids, adhesion to any surface (metal, wood, brick, foam concrete, reinforced concrete, etc.) - all this speaks in favor of ecowool as thermal insulation material ideally suitable for insulating any home.

Due to the low air permeability compared to other sprayed materials (see table), there is a slowdown in air movement, and therefore a deterioration in heat transfer.

The table uses data from the chemistry laboratory of the State Technical Research Institute VTT. Study KEM322068 / 01/06/1983

If you use a 10 cm thick cellulose wool coating, you will get the same thermal insulation coefficient as 55 cm of foam concrete or expanded clay, 45 cm of timber and 145 cm of brickwork.

The service life of ecowool is from 50 years and more. Researchers in Germany were dismantling houses insulated 80 years ago with cellulose insulation. During this time, ecowool practically did not change its properties. Moreover, due to the fact that when moisture penetrates into the outer layer, it is slightly compressed with outside, additional protection of the walls from heat loss was formed.

Condensation moisture in mineral and basalt fiber insulation drips onto the walls, causing damage to them. This does not happen in cellulose wool, since the wood fibers are hollow inside and are able to retain moisture inside, gradually releasing it as the humidity in the atmosphere decreases.

Other advantages of ecowool

The advantages of ecowool also include the following properties:

protection of structures against corrosion;
resistance to damage by microorganisms;
no shrinkage;
easy way to install and dismantle the thermal insulation layer ..

It is also worth saying a few words about the fire resistance of ecowool. Since the fire resistance of thermal insulation material is a contribution to the safety of your home and people close to you. Manufacturers often demonstrate experience in the fire resistance of insulation, in which they direct the flame of the burner to a handful of ecowool that is in their hand. Ecowool does not flash, despite the fact that it is made of paper. The fact is that the fire retardants included in its composition are capable of releasing moisture bound in molecules under the influence. This moisture prevents the spread of fire. Also, cellulose insulation produces much less smoke when burning, compared to foam and polystyrene foam, and the smoke released contains carbon dioxide, which also restrains the spread of the flame.

But all the descriptions of the practicality of ecowool are nothing compared to the mass of positive reviews about the material among people who “tested” it in their homes, shops, hangars and summer cottages.

Cellulose insulation: technical properties, application methods. Insulation of walls, roofs, floors

Research into the use of a material such as cellulose insulation has 100% confirmed its practicality and excellent sound insulation properties, as a pleasant bonus to thermal insulation. Therefore, today manufacturers have taken this technology into circulation, which has led to the appearance of many brands on the market.

Thermal insulation from Isofloc, Steico, EkoVilla, Termex, Isofiber, Ecowool competes with cheap, but no less practical domestic brands Ekovata and Unizol.

Features of cellulose insulation

For the first time, cellulose insulation in our country became known about 8 years ago. Then the loose, lightweight material (consisting of 4/5 of recycled waste fiber and the rest of antiseptics and fire retardants) made a sensation.

Thanks to the cellulose texture, it was light and warm, keeping the heated air and not succumbing to the processes of decay and the spread of mold (insects, rodents, etc.).

Insulation properties

There are several competitive advantages that distinguish this material and make it possible to make a choice in its favor:

Ecological cleanliness and hypoallergenic properties of the insulation - apart from wood fibers and antiseptic additives, nothing is included in the composition;
Excellent efficiency of thermal conductivity - the coefficient indicator reaches 0.3-0.4 W / mK;
Full resistance to aggressive environments and microbiological factors;

Indicators of thermal conductivity of ecowool and mineral wool when moisturizing

Fireproof properties - thanks to the addition of borax as a fire retardant, ecowool or other cellulose insulation practically does not ignite even when heated to 1300 degrees Celsius;
Resistance to low temperatures up to -50 degrees;
Does not shrink and deform;
The minimum load on the foundation leads to savings due to the unnecessary construction of an additional support.

Due to the natural structure of cellulose fibers, this substance reliably protects walls not only from cold, but also from heat; vapor permeable, but does not retain moisture inside itself. Other advantages include ease of application and the complete absence of seams in the insulation.

It is quite easy to apply it: together in a day, as practice shows, they can paste over 60-80 cubic meters of walls.

The pH level of cellulose is between 7.8 and 8.3, which means that it does not cause corrosive processes in contact with insulation and metal profiles.

And here is another curious fact in favor of the material: cellulose insulation has the highest soundproofing properties among all analogues. In terms of durability, the service life of recycled cellulose is 60-70 years on average under our climatic conditions.

Material technical properties

It remains to add a few words about operational characteristics, which will determine the choice in favor of this insulation. Let's start with simple arithmetic: let's say you use rolled or slab insulation, which, when laid, can form inter-seam voids up to 4%.

And this is already considered an ineffective work, since the thermal conductivity drops by 2 times. On the other hand, cellulose fills the space under the siding evenly, sealing voids and closing joints. The application technique often involves spraying, as shown in the picture. Although styling is also possible.

It should also take into account the properties of sound insulation, which are enhanced due to the fact that thin wood fiber penetrates into all voids. So, for example, if we add 12.5 mm thick 50 mm thermal insulation to drywall, we get a noise reduction of 63 dB.

And a further increase in thickness by every 10 mm will give an increase in sound insulation by 4 dB on average.

And here are some others specifications, which cellulose insulation can boast of:

Noise indicators of various objects

The density of the material ranges from 35 to 65 kg per cubic meter and depends on the field of application of thermal insulation, as well as the manufacturer's brand;
The thermal conductivity coefficient, recall, is 0.036-0.040 W / mK and varies depending on the application method;
According to the flammability class, most heaters pass as G2 - moderately flammable and B1 - hardly flammable substances. There are also D2, according to GOST, they are deciphered as substances with a low smoke-forming ability;
The vapor permeability of the material is 0.3 mg / (m h Pa);
The frost resistance class on average allows you to hold out for 80 years.

Applying insulation with your own hand

So, we came to the conclusion that the material in question may be the best option for thermal insulation of a house in many respects. If you know how to calculate the consumption and calculate the area for insulation, taking into account the margin, it remains only to choose the application technology - laying or spraying.

Based on the chosen method, you should purchase cellulose for wet application, or dry for styling.

The advantages of the first option - spraying, exclude the appearance of seams in the structure and give an even, uniform layer, which is easy to apply with your own hands. The material very quickly and firmly adheres to the surface and closes in itself, as if in a cocoon, electrical wiring and communications.

With regard to dry installation, it is advisable when installing horizontal slabs. An undeniable advantage in any case, the wastelessness of the work and the versatility of thermal insulation in adhesion to any type of surface - from wood and metal, to glass, stone, brick and concrete - stand out.

Laying cellulosic material

Let's consider in more detail some of the application technologies.

Dry lay by hand

This technique implies an easy technological process, which makes it possible to dispense with the rental of special blow molding equipment and to carry out repairs with the help of one or two pairs of working hands.

It is necessary to prepare a container in which the insulation is laid out and using a drill or construction mixer fluffed up. Then the resulting composition is poured onto the cleaned and prepared surface. This approach is ideal for floor insulation.

As for the walls, here you will have to prepare a frame or use a ready-made frame structure, within which the ecowool insulation will be covered and tamped in layers of 0.5 m.

Dry installation of insulation by hand

Dry styling using technique

The blowing gun or equipment is applied in professional construction in working with cellulose wool. This approach, although it implies extra costs, pays for itself when working with large structures and surfaces.

This is especially important in residential multi-storey construction for filling ceilings between floors and in the basement, sloped roofs and cavities in the walls.

During operation, ecowool or another type of insulation is pumped into the gun and sprayed under pressure in the space that needs to be filled with it. Thanks to physical properties expansion of the fibers, they penetrate into all cracks, even into those where, when manual stacking physically impossible to get.

Wet application method

It implies working with vertical surfaces where it is simply impossible to do without an adhesive bond. For this, cellulose is used in plates or rolls, which can be applied in several layers and overlapping, in order to avoid the appearance of cold-permeable seams.

The lignin released during wetting in the wood fiber is itself a good adhesive and provides adhesion to the surface. As a result, ecowool holds well and forms a layer of sufficient density. Usually, the instructions for the batch tell the builder which of the installation methods to choose in his case.

Nuances of warming various parts of the house

Wall insulation

Thermal insulation of the main supporting structures can be achieved by using cellulose both outside, under ventilated facades, and in interior decoration, under cladding made of sheet materials.

In any case, first, profiles should be attached to the walls for subsequent Wall panels, and then, using the chosen dry or wet technique, apply the insulation. By the way, in contrast to laying, dry spraying allows you to apply thermal insulation under already finished panels through the holes left for these purposes.

Insulation of the facade from the outside

When working with facades, you should take into account thermal insulation properties wall material... The savings go in two directions. Firstly, the costs for the foundation are reduced, and secondly, for the vapor barrier film, since the insulation itself is breathable. Construction costs can be saved up to 30%!

Roof insulation

In terms of thermal insulation, ecowool is ideal for the installation of heated attics and attics, as it is considered environmentally friendly and does not allow heat leakage. For these purposes, the thickness of the material should be at least 75 mm, optimally 100 mm.

Again, it is necessary to install the hydro-barrier from above, while the vapor barrier from the inside of the room can be abandoned. Thermal insulation deserves special attention. attic floors, as well as insulation of the loggia.

Floor insulation

A lightweight cellulosic material is a good choice for intermediate floors and, consequently, for upper floors. In addition, the sound insulation in the room will also increase. The underfloor heating system involves laying cellulose on a primary "rough" screed, under which, in turn, a sand-crushed stone cushion is laid.

Laying under flooring cellulose fiber by hand

This procedure can be done in two ways:

The first is to manually lay the fluffed fiber under the floor covering;

The second is spraying using an air gun through holes left in the floor in advance.

So, in a nutshell, we got acquainted with such material as cellulose insulation for thermal insulation of a residential building. Its advantages are obvious, no particular drawbacks have been found. In the video presented in this article, you will find additional information on this topic, in particular, regarding the most popular brand of insulation, Unisol, produced by the CIS.

Cellulose insulation: do-it-yourself video instructions for installation, price, photo

Cellulose wool is understood as an insulating building material, insulation, which is characterized by a light, loose, wood-fiber structure. In some sources, you can find another name for it - ecowool or cellulose insulation.

Building material advantages

Cellulose wool is a leader in the building materials market, thanks to the advantages that distinguish it from other materials. These include:

Affordability - has a relatively low price, due to which it has a wide range of consumers.
Resistant to mold, mildew, insects or rodents.
Durability - has a long service life.
Safety - quite environmentally friendly, does not contain substances that can harm human or animal health.
Good attachment to glass and metal, brick and concrete, wood and other materials.
High level of fire resistance - fire can move through the material at a speed of 2 mm / min.
Low level of breathability.
High sound insulation properties, etc.

Cellulose wool, like other materials, has some disadvantages. Among them - the impossibility of organizing "floating floors" due to the low density of ecowool.

High-quality insulation cannot be done on your own - you will need special equipment and the presence of a specialist. In addition, there are certain restrictions on the use of the material in high-rise construction due to the presence of the degree of flammability.

Basic properties

The basis of ecowool is wood fiber in the form of processed cellulose (its share is 81%). The role of an antiseptic is played by boric acid, which is contained in the material in an amount of 12%.

A drill acts as a fire retardant, the content of which corresponds to 7%. Lignin has been added to cellulose wadding to impart tackiness during wetting. All these components are absolutely non-toxic, do not evaporate from the surface, and therefore are completely harmless to human health.

The material is not produced in the form of plates or rolls, unlike other heaters. Cellulose wool is presented in the form of a loose crumbling material that must be blown into the cavity with air.

In addition, there is another use case - moistening followed by spraying onto the surface. This cannot be done without specialists and the necessary equipment.

The complexity of installation pays off by providing reliable protection from external factors, since the resulting insulating layer will be without the smallest voids and cracks.

Application rules

The main method of applying cellulose wool is spraying. In the process of work, the material is able to penetrate into the smallest gaps, tightly fitting wires or pipes, as well as others building construction which are very difficult to insulate in another way. At the outlet, a dense insulating layer is obtained, which eliminates the possibility of heat leakage.

Ecowool is applied dry and wet. The first found its application in the insulation of horizontal, inclined ceilings, as well as box-shaped wall structures.

The second is when insulating open wall structures. This method has several advantages. So, when wetted with water, lignin is activated - a substance that is contained in wood fibers.

It acts as an adhesive. Thus, the insulation tightly interacts with the structures, closes them in itself, creating a solid, dense cover.

Ecowool is an excellent material that provides insulation and insulation for structures that are difficult to access.

The only option optimal choice any building material is the definition existing shortcomings... The advantages have always been and remain with each material, but the disadvantages are always different, moreover, they vary depending on the characteristics of the product.

There have already been a lot of conversations about the advantage of ecowool, but for a long time they turned a blind eye to the shortcomings. Considering that the world does not exist ideal materials, ecowool has a number of significant disadvantages.

Ecowool, the disadvantages of which are described below, is the most modern and suitable option for thermal insulation of premises, therefore, all the disadvantages listed below can be easily leveled by the competent use of this material.

Lack of uniform GOST requirements for products

Very often, ecowool is evaluated not by its potential, but by the manufacturer that produces it. It is unscrupulous manufacturers who spoil the image of this material.

The lack of uniform standards and legislative requirements for the release creates many loopholes that are used to release material that does not meet the declared characteristics. Savings on the most important components of raw materials - borates - have a negative effect on the fire-fighting, insulating, antibacterial and structural properties of ecowool.

As long as ecowool is not subjected to uniform standardization, consumers are left either to purchase goods at random, or to follow these recommendations when buying cellulose insulation:

Collect as much as possible large quantity information about the company that produces ecowool. Such information can be easily found on construction forums - many participants devote more than one topic to this, praising some and leaving negative reviews others. You can draw your own conclusions based on the experience of other buyers.
It is important to visually study the material before purchasing. The appearance of ecowool should resemble fluff, there should be no large impurities and fractions, there should not be a feeling that you are taking cut paper or dust
Ecowool must have good fire-fighting characteristics. When exposed to an open fire, cotton wool should smolder slowly and immediately fade out in the absence of contact with fire
The structural integrity of the package should not be compromised, the ecowool should not be damp to the touch
For high-quality ecowool, a grayish tint is inherent, deviations towards a light or yellow color are unacceptable - it is highly likely that low-quality raw materials were used in the manufacture
When shaking ecowool, fine fractions in the form of sand should not appear. The presence of such means that a significant part of the boric components was incorrectly incorporated into the structure of the material.

Ecowool is not bad. But do not dwell only on it, there are other types of insulation.

Also, ecowool can become a heater for frame house... And which type is up to you. If you need frame house for permanent residence, it will help you in construction.

Low rigidity and low strength

The low compressive strength of ecowool is one of its significant disadvantages. However, it should be remembered that this parameter appears only when there is no flooring and dry backfill of floors is present. To this disadvantage did not manifest itself, it is necessary to form small areas before the insulation process.

Low rigidity does not allow using ecowool as an independent heat-insulating material for floor screed. Only decision This problem is presetting the cells of a small size.

The need for drying

Another conditional disadvantage of ecowool is a small presence of moisture in the insulation during its application to the surface with the glue method. Possible negative effects of moisture on the surface to be insulated, therefore, before carrying out finishing works it is necessary to allow some time for the layer to dry.

The waiting period for complete drying must be coordinated with other construction works.
Carrying out work is desirable in the warm season
It is important to choose the surface on which the ecowool will lie. It is not recommended to use clapboard or other materials that are poorly permeable to moisture as a base.

Shrinkage during installation

One of the frequently cited disadvantages of ecowool is shrinkage.

It should be borne in mind that shrinkage is formed only with improper installation - professionals always take into account this feature ecowool and evenly distribute the load.

In order to avoid shrinkage, you need to remember two important points:
firstly, hollow ceilings need to be filled with a margin, while the cotton wool should be compacted a little;
secondly, with an open backfill method, it is desirable to form a layer 10% thicker than the originally planned width.

High cost of ecowool

For many buyers, a significant disadvantage is the high cost of production.

Since it is impossible to carry out wet-glue installation without special skills and tools, it is often necessary to order the related services of specialists. In this case, the price rises several times.

Of course, this disadvantage is conditional - if you have experience (or at least minimal theoretical knowledge), you can independently carry out the ideal styling.

Flammability class

Cellulose insulation does not have ideal fire performance. And this is quite natural, since it is a product of woody origin. However, ecowool when exposed high temperatures only smolders, preventing the spread of fire.

These are all the disadvantages that cellulose insulation has. The reader can see for himself that most of them are nominal. With the right choice, you can choose products of such quality that will meet all the declared properties. And if you have minimal experience with this material, the installation of ecowool is very easy.

It should be noted that ecowool is more suitable for insulating wooden houses. If you are building a house from a foam block, we recommend using foam. not difficult if you follow the instructions.

If, nevertheless, you have already decided to build wooden house, then we propose to consider such material as sawdust as a heater. But, of course, it cannot be compared with ecowool.

And if you are just thinking about building a wooden house, but do not know which one to choose, then it will help you decide which one is better to build - a frame or timber house.

Informative video about the production of ecowool in America

This additive serves as a fire retardant and antiseptic that does not support combustion and decay, does not allow the development of a fungus and prevents the appearance of insects in it. Proceeding from this, the production of cellulose wool is economical, and therefore it was called economist.

Method of production and composition

The production process of cellulose wool has its own characteristics, it does not lead to slagging environment, does not require additional use natural resources and high energy consumption, because has no melting processes.

For it, paper waste is used, unsuitable for further use in the form of paper, due to the large impurities of plastic. Over the years, the production technology has only improved. Borax is an antiseptic, boric acid is a fire retardant.

Technical merits

It is a wood fiber material with a thermal conductivity of 0.041 W / m K and low air permeability. This property of the economizer is due to its fine-grained structure. The small particles that make up it obstruct the movement of air.

Under the influence of the movement of moist air on top layer a thin dense layer in the form of paper is formed of the heat insulator - it prevents the further movement of air. As a wood-based insulation, it has increased moisture resistance and does not require an additional waterproofing layer.

The presence of a large amount of air in the pores (85-92%) makes the material a good heat insulator. Thanks to the addition of borax, cellulose wool does not support combustion and does not melt. In case of fire, it smolders without emitting toxic gases. Boric acid supplements prevent insects and molds from growing. This material is highly environmentally friendly.

Application methods

There are two methods of applying cellulose wadding - dry and wet. In either case, this is the mechanical application of insulation, which significantly speeds up the process itself.

The density of such an insulating coating depends on the quality of its application. It is applied by blowing method or sprayed with the help of special equipment. This method allows the insulating layer to penetrate into any, even the smallest, openings. Such material is very convenient for electrical work.

Cellulose wool is transported and stored in special bags. When carrying out work, it does not have waste, such as when cutting other types of insulation.

The first to appreciate the thermal insulation properties of cellulose were homeless people who sheltered themselves on cold nights with a pile of old newspapers. It is quite possible that it was this picture that led German inventors to the idea of creating cellulose insulation. frame houses... And already in 1928, ecowool began to conquer the construction world.

In the USA and Canada, almost 70% of frame houses use cellulose-based insulation. One of its main advantages is its low price, as the overwhelming majority of newspaper waste paper is used for production. It was the utilization of waste, which now does not litter nature, that was the reason for the inclusion of the prefix "eco" in the name of the material. And not his, by no means, complete safety for health.

In general, there is a lot of ambiguous information on the topic of ecowool. This situation is caused by several reasons:

The growing population of the planet requires more and more separate housing (in apartment buildings the quality of life is low), which, against the background of general poverty, led to a rapid growth in the construction of inexpensive frame houses.
Due to the high demand for cheap heat insulators, the number of enterprises producing from available recyclable materials (waste paper) has increased dramatically insulation materials... The high profitability of such production has caused a sharp increase in the supply of domestic inexpensive (as a result of far from high foreign quality standards) equipment for the production and blowing of ecowool.
Due to the relative novelty of ecowool (the first productions in the post-Soviet space appeared in the 90s), consumers have not yet developed a complete idea of the proper quality of the material, which is used by unscrupulous manufacturers of insulation. The desire of some dealers to "grab" now, at the peak of demand, and then "at least the grass does not grow", unfortunately, alas, is ineradicable.

Naturally, a lot of perky advertising materials appeared about the exclusive benefits of "paper dust" impregnated with poisonous boric acid... They are modestly silent about the fact that the concentration of 80 μg / ml of boric acid in the blood is a lethal dose. And also that on February 2, 1987, the USSR Ministry of Health, on the recommendation of the Pharmacological Committee, made a decision: "... to prohibit the use of boric acid as an antiseptic in infants, as well as in women during pregnancy and lactation due to its low activity and high toxicity ".

The same advertising materials say that when laying ecowool in the enclosing structures of residential buildings, it is possible not to use vapor barrier films, which reduces the cost of housing construction. Ecowool is blown into walls, ceilings, roofs, completely occupying their entire volume, which is very good for thermal insulation.

But at the moment, for example, when the door is slammed, there is a sharp drop in air pressure in the house (or at the moment of a sharp gust of wind), the surfaces of the walls fluctuate and over time turn the finest fibers of insulation in contact with them into microscopic cellulose dust (impregnated with "useful" boric acid ), which inevitably gets inside the dwelling (the effect of knocking out dust from the mattress).

Not only does the poison get into the blood, in addition, the wood (cellulose) dust itself causes exogenous allergic alveolitis (high degree the incidence of which, among workers in dusty woodworking workshops, is documented).

But this is not enough. Foreign manufacturers of ecowool as raw materials use cellulose, on which nothing has yet been printed in the printing house with paints containing lead (not the most healthy element). Such material as soundproofing mats is positioned and costs from 140 Euros per cubic meter.

Our guardians of the good (just whose?) Not only use newspapers with lead, but they also manage to recycle coated paper (which forms the finest dust) and cardboard containing glue. Rags, paper clips, other rubbish, which only the developers did not discover, laying ecowool in the walls with their own hands.

Another important factor in insulating a house with ecowool is the notorious "human factor". Since expensive equipment for blowing insulation is only available from an ecowool manufacturer (or a construction organization) interested in "saving" the material, without the presence of the customer, the operator can "save money" (naturally in his pocket) that after a couple of years, voids are formed, by no means not conducive to keeping warm in the house. And even if the customer is “heartbroken,” how to determine the density of the blowing by eye? And even without experience?

Cheap, by definition, cannot be good. It is impossible to mold a candy from g ... to blind, although it is possible to blind something, only the taste will be ... not very good. This does not mean at all that ecowool cannot be used for insulation. All of the above means only one thing - when buying cellulose insulation for thermal insulation of your home, you must make your choice consciously and responsibly before your health and the health of your loved ones.