Roof insulation with mineral wool. How to work with stone wool What tools are used to disassemble thermal insulation from mineral wool

The largest loss of heat in houses and buildings occurs through the roof of the house. It is not perceptible to the lower floors of buildings, but more heat is needed to heat the upper ones.

To insulate the roof, you need to choose the best material option. It must be not only airtight, but also fireproof and non-toxic.

Taking into account such requirements, mineral wool will be the best option.

There are varieties of mineral wool: glass and basalt. The latter is made from rock - gabbro-basalt. During production, carbonates are added to it, which allows you to regulate its acidity.

Basalt wool

A factor such as acidity is of great importance for mineral wool. The more acidic cotton wool is, the less sensitive it is to water.

The type of cotton wool in which the acidity is higher is considered more durable. Synthetic, bituminous or composite clays are added to shape. Glass wool does not require special explanations, its name speaks for itself.

This is a mineral composition, for the manufacture of which the same components are used as for glass (this can be broken glass).

The two types of cotton wool differ in their properties. Glass wool is usually 15 microns thicker (from 3 microns), but basalt wool is several times longer.

The conclusion suggests itself: glass wool is a more durable material that can withstand more aggressive environmental factors than basalt. Also, glass wool does not burn.

Thermal insulation of the roof with mineral wool is difficult when working on roof slopes with a rafter structure. In such cases, it is better to use thick cotton wool. To prevent moisture from accumulating under the roof, you need to use cellulose wool.

Advantages and features of mineral wool

Mineral wool has the following advantages:

a wide range of products. Mineral wool is produced in the form of plates, rolls or mats. Due to this, it is possible to choose the option that is best suited for the thermal insulation of a certain section of the building. Also, the types of mineral wool differ in density: the material in the form of slabs has a high density, and the roll insulation is lighter;

has high thermal insulation characteristics. Mineral wool has a porous structure. This material is made up of small layers. Due to this, it retains heat well, and also provides excellent sound insulation;

fire safety of the material. Minvata does not burn and does not spread fire. For this reason, it is often used for thermal insulation of interfloor ceilings. Mineral wool manufacturers claim that this material can withstand temperatures above 900 degrees Celsius;

mineral wool is not deformed and this is a very important advantage. This material does not shrink, therefore, there is no formation of "cold bridges" that cause heat loss;

frost resistance. This property allows the use of mineral wool for thermal insulation of external elements of the building;

mineral wool is an environmentally friendly material. It is used for thermal insulation of health resorts and medical institutions, as well as children's rooms.

This insulation is produced in various forms - plates, cylinders, mats; you can buy cotton wool covered with foil.

Mineral wool has features that cannot be called positive. These include:

low strength. This is due to the high porosity of mineral wool;

to ensure a high level of thermal insulation, this material should be used together with a waterproofing film and a vapor barrier membrane;

when using mineral wool with fiberglass, it becomes unsafe, since formaldehyde is added to it;

high hygroscopicity (therefore, high waterproofing is done).

To fasten such insulation, planks are nailed to the inner side of the rafters (they make a lattice), to which cotton wool will be attached. From the outside, the cotton wool is laid in one layer (the layers depend on the thickness of the cotton wool).

After laying the insulation, waterproofing is applied. The important thing in this step is not to confuse the sides of the insulation. The upper layer does not allow moisture to pass through, and the lower one is an obstacle to steam.

The waterproofing is not stretched, there is an air space between it and the cotton wool. There should be some air space in front of the skate, which will create additional traction.

Warming method

To start insulating the roof with mineral wool, you need to cut (if necessary) it so that it fits in size to the inter-rafter distance.

If cotton wool is used, for example 10 cm, and the thickness of the thermal insulation is more than 10 cm, then another layer of cotton wool is laid already perpendicular to the rafters. There are two ways to strengthen the roof of non-residential premises.

The first is to insulate the floor, and the second to strengthen the roof slopes. The first case does not require any special preparation or special expenses.

There is no need to bypass the rafters, as in the second case. Thus, it is costly to strengthen the roof slopes of non-residential premises. A large amount of cotton wool will be required, which must be strengthened by bypassing the rafters.

Mineral wool brands

Mineral wool is produced in the form of mats and slabs. It is used for thermal insulation of ceilings, partitions, roofs, partitions, as well as interior walls. When working with this material, as a rule, there are no special problems. Mineral wool can be laid not only on a flat, but also on a non-standard surface.

Mineral wool brand p-75

There are the following brands of mineral wool, which differ from each other in their density:

P-75. Mineral wool of this brand has a density of 75 kg / m3. It is usually used for thermal insulation of horizontal surfaces that are not exposed to serious loads (some types of roofing, attic rooms). Also, cotton wool of this brand is used for insulating oil and gas pipes, as well as pipes for heating plants. Mineral wool of lower density is also produced, but it is used in cases where there is almost no load.
P-125. This material has a density of 125 kg / m3. It is used for thermal insulation of partitions, ceiling, floor and interior walls of the room. Mineral wool of this brand creates good sound insulation. Therefore, when using it, you can not only insulate the building, but also create good sound insulation.
PZh-175. It is a dense material with increased rigidity. It is used to insulate floors and walls made of profiled metal or reinforced concrete.
PPZh-200. Mineral wool of this brand has increased rigidity. Used in the same cases as PZh-175. The difference between PPZh-200 and the previous brand is that it is fireproof.

How to cut mineral wool?

It is advisable to cut stone wool heaters with a special knife with a serrated blade or a hacksaw for metal. The tool used for these purposes must be well sharpened.

This is necessary so that the torn fibers of the insulation are as small as possible. Many manufacturers of thermal insulation materials offer special cutting tools to customers. These are knives, the length of which is approximately 300 millimeters, as well as saws with undivided teeth.

If there are no special tools, you can use a kitchen bread knife with a wavy edge and fine teeth. You can use a regular cutting knife to cut 50mm mats and soft slabs.

It is important to note that the heat-insulating material must very tightly overlap the space to be insulated. Therefore, it is necessary to leave allowances before cutting.

Floor insulation

Interfloor and attic floors are made of load-bearing beams or reinforced concrete. In the first case, the heat insulator is placed in the space between the floor beams, and in the second - on the surface of the slabs.

Insulation of the attic floor

First of all, it is necessary to install a vapor barrier. It will protect the insulation from moisture and steam. Before laying the vapor barrier film, it is necessary to study the instructions for its use. If the vapor barrier is installed incorrectly, then it will not perform its tasks.

Flat roofs are usually insulated with rigid slabs of mineral wool, the density of which is more than 150 kg / m3. A layer of waterproofing is laid on top of it. It is necessary to lay the slabs very tightly to each other. In this case, the seams should not be located on the same line. The optimum thickness of the mineral wool layer is 25 centimeters.

You can also insulate interfloor and attic floors with sawdust. They are used together with sand, clay, lime and cement. The composition provides good thermal insulation.

Expanded clay is also often used to insulate the attic. This material contains a large number of pores, due to which the function of thermal insulation is provided.

When using these materials, financial costs will be less, and the quality of thermal insulation is not worse than in the case of mineral wool insulation. When choosing a heater, one should take into account the height and area of the building, the materials from which it is built and other parameters.

Video on thermal insulation of the attic floor:

Pitched roof insulation

To insulate the roof with mineral wool, it is necessary to install steam, hydro and thermal insulation. The pitched part of such a roof is a multi-layer cake. It is mounted both inside and outside the roof.

To create high-quality roof insulation, you must perform the following steps:

carry out the installation of a vapor barrier layer. It will protect the insulation from moisture-saturated air;

use mineral wool as an insulating material;

to protect the rafter system and insulation from precipitation, a waterproofing layer should be installed;

it is necessary to provide a ventilation gap. It is created by installing a counter-lattice;

at the last stage, the roofing material is laid.

Laying the waterproofing membrane

When insulating the roof of a building with mineral wool, it is necessary to ensure that it does not block the ventilation hole.
If a superdiffusion membrane is used during installation work, then the heat insulator should be placed tightly on it. This is necessary in order not to block the ventilation gap.
If a conventional roofing film is used, then two gaps must be made: at the top and at the bottom.
When laying mineral wool slabs in rows, make sure that the joints do not overlap.
In order for the insulation to fit snugly to the surfaces of the rafter legs, it is necessary to choose mineral wool of such a size that its width is slightly greater than the distance between the rafters.
Mineral wool slabs must fit very tightly together.
When insulating the roof with mineral wool, it is necessary to install a waterproofing layer. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the quality of the connection of the waterproofing film.

Installation errors

Before installing mineral wool, you must do the following:

check the rafter structure. If rotten elements are present, then they must be replaced;

treat the roof with antiseptics;

check communication systems: water supply and electricity;

the pitched roof is best insulated with material in the form of slabs or rolls, since they fit well on the crate.

There must be a ventilation space between the mineral wool layer and the roofing material. When insulating a pitched roof in a private house, not only thermal insulation is provided, but also noise insulation.

Inexperienced specialists often make the following mistakes:

do not use a heat insulator whose width is less than the distance between the rafter legs. In this case, heat loss will occur through the slots;

do not insulate the roof with material with a high level of moisture. This will cause rotting of the wooden elements of the rafter frame;

if you do not install a hydro and vapor barrier, then the thermal insulation system will not work properly, moreover, its service life will be significantly reduced.

Video on how to insulate the roof from the inside with your own hands:

Mineral insulation has a fibrous structure, the violation of which leads to a decrease in thermal insulation properties. This makes it ineffective to use scissors for heavy fabrics or cardboard, as well as table or office knives for cutting it. Therefore, the answer to the question of how to cut mineral wool correctly, without disturbing its structure, will be useful for novice builders.

What will we cut

On an industrial scale, special machine tools are used to cut mineral insulation. Consider how to cut mineral wool insulation yourself at home.

Often, an assembly knife is used to cut mineral wool. But it has one drawback - a short blade, which is not suitable for working with thick sheets of insulation. In addition, the blade dulls quickly and needs to be replaced.

Sometimes a special hacksaw is used for wood or metal, and craftsmen have found how to cut mineral wool at home - with a kitchen serrated knife for cutting bread.

But still, when choosing how to cut stone, glass or slag wool, it is better to use special tools.

Knife with stainless steel blade

A long-blade insulation cutting knife made of durable stainless steel is suitable for working with mineral wool of any thickness. For cutting insulation of different stiffness, larger and smaller teeth are located on each side of it. Such a blade easily enters the thickness of the slab, allowing even curly cuts to be made thanks to the sharp tip.

Carbon Steel Blade Knife

Mineral wool cutting knife with carbon steel blade has high cutting quality and is easy to sharpen. However, it requires more careful maintenance than a stainless steel blade, as it is prone to rust. It must be wiped dry after each use and lubricated.

For example: MORA knife for cutting mineral wool

The Swedish company MORA produces tools for cutting mineral insulation. A knife with a stainless steel blade is used for cutting stone and glass mineral wool. The blade is made of special cold rolled stainless steel and has a serrated edge. The ergonomic and comfortable plastic handle is suitable for use with gloves. Its characteristics:

total length - 500 mm;
blade length - 335 mm;
blade thickness - 1 mm;
weight - 0.238 kg.

A knife with a blade made of carbon steel is used for cutting various types of mineral insulation. Has a smooth, made of high quality carbon steel blade with a length of 350 mm. The plastic handle provides a good grip when wearing work gloves.

How to cut mineral wool

The structure of mineral wool is fibers, and accordingly, when it is cut into the air, small particles of these fibers get into the air. To prevent them from getting into the respiratory tract and on the skin, it is important to create a safe working environment:

provide good ventilation in the work area;
use overalls and protective equipment - overalls, gloves, mask or respirator, goggles;
immediately after finishing work, wash your hands thoroughly with cold water and then your face.

To minimize the amount of harmful dust in the air, cutting mineral wool should be done with tools with a well-sharpened, sharp working edge. Better to cut across the grain.

To obtain strips of the same width, the mineral insulation produced in rolls is recommended to first be cut directly in the roll, without unrolling, and the mineral wool slabs are cut one by one.

To ensure even and accurate cuts, you must first mark out the material or cut straight with a straight edge.

What to do with scraps and remnants of mineral wool

If scraps remain after working with mineral wool, you can use them for insulation, for example, a garage or a shed. Some people choose such a budget option for insulation, so that you can sell the leftovers at a low price.

There is also an option for recycling waste. In this case, the remnants of mineral wool boards are crushed using special equipment.

Mineral wool cutting video

In the video - cutting the mineral wool with a special tool.

uteplix.com

Overview of tools for cutting mineral wool

There are always a lot of questions about what and how to cut mineral wool. Especially for those who are going to build housing on their own (for example, frame, which involves assembly on their own). Indeed, in its structure, this material is fibrous, moreover, having a certain thickness. Ordinary table knives or scissors designed for cutting cardboard or thick fabrics will not work at all.

However, before you start cutting the mineral wool, it is important to deliver it correctly to the construction site. Indeed, otherwise, the material, brought to a state of marriage, will not have to be cut, but simply changed to a new one. And this is an additional cost.

How to properly transport insulation

Science is simple, but very important. So:

plates and mats are transported in a horizontal position;
the truck must have a protective awning;
transportation is carried out only in packaged form;
during transportation, loading and unloading operations, it is important not to squeeze the insulation too much;
unpack the mineral wool immediately before starting work on insulation.

What will we cut

This can be done with different devices, depending on the thickness of the mineral wool.

Thin materials (no more than 50 mm):

Denser and thicker materials:

special knives with a length of about 300 mm. Often they are offered by manufacturers of insulation materials. This tool has teeth of different sizes for cutting mineral wool of different thicknesses and densities;
saws with undivided teeth;
hacksaw for metal;
cutting machines. Used when cutting complex shapes. However, for self-construction of your own house, that is, for one-time use, it is impractical to purchase such expensive equipment - you will have to adapt to the capabilities of other tools.

How to cut

for self-construction, when the workers do not have sufficient experience, it is advisable to consult with specialists before starting cutting, especially if the presence of pieces of complex shape is expected. This will help prevent unnecessary consumption of insulation;
the cutting tool must be well sharpened so that mineral wool does not break into fibers and less dust;
when cutting the insulation, it should be borne in mind that to ensure a tight overlap of the insulated space with mineral wool, it is necessary to leave allowances of about 2 cm;
it is better to cut rolled mineral wool before unfolding it;
mineral wool boards must be removed from the packaging and cut one by one;
it is not recommended to cut the mineral wool "for future use" - at once for the entire volume of work. This increases the risk of accidental damage to its shape during additional shifting from place to place or folding the pieces on top of each other.

It is important to create a safe working environment

This is really important. As in any business, adherence to simple safety procedures will help maintain health, carry out work at the optimal time and at a high quality level. What you need to pay attention to:

it is better to cut the insulation in cold weather, since for work it is necessary to wear a protective suit made of dense fabric, which will prevent skin contact with mineral wool fibers and its irritation;
to protect hands, wear special gloves - with silicone or rubber dusting on the palms;
special glasses will be needed to protect the eyes;
respiratory organs will be protected by a respirator.

Such measures must be observed, since when the insulation is cut from under the knives, particles of the material rise into the air. May get in the eyes, respiratory tract and cause skin irritation.

In addition, it is important to remember:

when working with this type of insulation, you need to periodically take a break, during which you need to ventilate the room;
the cut pieces must be shifted carefully, without throwing, in order to reduce the amount of fibrous suspension in the air;
there should be no children on the construction site at this time, even in protective equipment.

As you can see from the above, there is nothing super complicated in cutting mineral wool. Subject to the indicated rules, it will not be difficult to perform the work efficiently and safely.

remontami.ru

How to properly cut mineral wool

Mineral wool is one of the best, simplest and most common materials for insulation and sound insulation of walls and ceilings today, and is also known in several other fields of application. In addition, it is easy to mount, that is, you can independently insulate the premises.

Many people do not know how to cut mineral wool correctly without violating its structure, in this material we will consider all the ways to properly cut mineral wool, as well as advise the tools that are best suited for this.

What types of mineral wool are there?

Mineral wool is usually classified according to the principle of the material from which it is made. Hence, it follows that the mineral wool made from different raw materials also differs in structure - fibers, and, accordingly, in the type of cutting. So there are the following types of mineral wool:

Glass mineral wool. Consists of glass melts.
Stone mineral wool. It is made most often from various rock melts.
Slag mineral wool. The starting material is blast furnace slag.

In fact, you should pay attention to the fact that sometimes mineral wool is harmful. This is due to the fact that it contains dust and phenol-formaldehyde resins. Therefore, it is necessary to treat this material selectively, although mineral wool cannot be classified as carcinogens for humans.

How to cut mineral wool:

Cutting of mineral wool can be carried out both independently at home and using various equipment. Equipment for cutting mineral wool boards can be different. The question is scale. The rock wool cutting machine is suitable for large and large scale enterprises, manufacturers, etc. But a knife for cutting mineral wool will become an indispensable assistant in cutting insulating materials at home.

It is important that the cutting of mineral wool does not damage the fibers, so equipment must be selected carefully. The cut should be straight. At home, cutting rolls of mineral wool (the so-called "50-ki") will be convenient with a cutting knife, but for large ("100-ki") a special hacksaw for heaters will be convenient. Its price may seem unreasonably high in the beginning, but it's worth it. It is important that the work is done properly. Circular cutting of mineral wool can be convenient. The rock wool cutting machine can easily cope with such a task.

How to cut mineral wool:

If you do not know how to cut mineral wool at home, we can advise you on excellent tools that are best suited for cutting mineral wool.

So, for cutting mineral wool, a good, sharp stationery knife or a hacksaw for metal is best suited, carefully trim the mineral wool in the right directions, for greater accuracy, you can draw lines with a pencil or cut straight along the ruler. The process of cutting mineral wool is somewhat similar to cutting paralon, only you need to apply a little more effort, pressing a little harder on the tool for cutting mineral wool.

What to do with scraps and remnants of mineral wool.

One of the solutions can please many people (especially firms and large manufacturers). Scraps of mineral wool are not useless and can be useful to those who decide to insulate their walls and ceiling in a budget option. The cuttings can be sold at a low price, and the demand for the product will be very high.

It is also possible to process scrap mineral wool boards. In this case, with the help of special equipment, the remnants of mineral wool boards are crushed to granules with the possibility of further reuse.

bazaltovaya-vata.ru

How to work with mineral wool

To protect against small particles, it is better to work with mineral wool with gloves and a respirator

In this article, we will not touch on the advantages and disadvantages of the popular insulation, which is called mineral wool. Many articles on the Internet have been written on this subject, but not everyone writes how to work with mineral wool, but if they do, then in passing. Even many scientific papers have been written about the harm that this building material causes to human health, so the question: how to work with mineral wool, while maintaining your health, is far from idle. And in order to understand it, first of all, you need to know the composition of this material. And here it is worth recalling that mineral wool has three types: glass wool, slag wool and stone wool.

In the manufacture of glass wool, the same material is used as for the production of glass, as well as waste from the glass industry. If we take into account that limestone, sand, borax, soda and dolomite are used as raw materials for the production of glass wool, then the content of cullet in the structure of the material reaches up to 80%. When working with glass wool, fragility of fibers is formed in the form of small sharp and small particles that fall on the human body, into the respiratory organs and eyes. Therefore, when working with glass wool, it is imperative to use protective equipment such as a respirator, goggles, heavy gloves, clothing that covers all parts of the body. If, nevertheless, for some reason, you have not saved yourself from adhering to the following rules:

If dust gets on an open area, the body does not need to itch. Because by doing so, you will drive small particles further into the body.
Be careful to shake off the glass wool. Moreover, if you are indoors, you need to do this over a dry bathroom, and if outdoors shake off in the direction of the wind.
Take a cool shower, but never hot, without using a washcloth, soap and various sponges.
After the shower, you can not dry off with a towel, wait until dry.
If glass wool gets into your eyes, try rinsing them out with cold water. If all else fails and there is pain in the eyes, see a doctor. In case of a critical condition of the eyes, an ambulance should be called immediately.
The same applies to the respiratory tract. If you have a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, or other problems after working with glass wool, see your doctor.
It is best to throw out the clothes in which you worked. No matter how much you shake it out and wash it, particles of glass wool will still remain in it.

Mineral wool knife

Slag wool is produced from waste of blast-furnace slag during iron smelting. If we compare the slag wool with glass wool, then both in the one and in the other there are brittle fibers with the only difference that in the glass wool they have the nature of glass, and in the slag wool the nature of slag. Which ultimately makes the latter no less harmful than the first.

The same applies to stone wool, or as it is also called basalt, because it is made by melting basalt by heating it to 1500 º C. Here, the role of sharp and small fibers falls on solidified basalt threads. Among other things, the composition of slag wool and stone wool contains phenol-formaldehyde resins, which are also very harmful to health. Therefore, all the precautions inherent in working with glass wool apply to both stone and slag wool.

All types of mineral wool are used to insulate the facades of buildings, but in no case should this material be used to insulate the walls and ceiling inside the premises.

From personal experience, you can add the following:

a) it is most convenient to cut mineral wool with a sharp knife with a long blade; b) it is advisable to work with mineral wool together, because it is easier to handle it carefully; c) cover the cotton wool fixed on the wall with a protective plastic wrap, and only then fix the lining, MDF panels or something else.

remontzhilya.ru

How to cut basalt insulation and how to lay it on the surface?

Today manufacturers offer a sufficient number of heaters. Each of these materials is used in specific conditions and has its own price. However, the most popular are insulation materials that provide optimal heat retention and have a long service life. The second no less important point is the cost, which should be acceptable. These requirements are met by a material such as mineral wool. Its use is not associated with the use of special tools, devices. The tasks of how to choose and fix the material, how to cut the basalt insulation, can be solved independently.

Insulation scheme for the roofing pie system.

Operational features of basalt wool

Basalt and other rocks of its group are used for manufacturing. Thin fibers are taken, into the melt of which limestone (10-15%) or a mixture is added. Additives increase the material's resistance to extreme temperatures and aggressive environments. As a result, a heater appeared that has sufficiently high performance characteristics:

Basalt insulation scheme.

thermal insulation and hydrophobization. The first parameter ranges from 0.042 to 0.048 W / mK. Other well-known insulation materials (for example, expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam) have approximately the same characteristics. Mineral wool is not able to accumulate moisture (hygroscopicity is less than 1%), which makes its weight unchanged. A distinctive feature can be called vapor permeability, which guarantees insulation and, at the same time, intensive moisture exchange between the external environment and the walls of the building;
density, strength. The insulation has a sufficient density (from 30 to 100 kg / m3), which guarantees high thermal insulation properties with optimal strength. The rigidity of the material is ensured by the direction of the fibers; they are located horizontally and vertically;
soundproofing. Good noise protection characteristics are achieved due to the porous structure of the cotton wool;
resistance to aggressive environment. Vata is "indifferent" to alkali, acids; does not rot, is not affected by the fungus. Rodents also bypass this insulation side;
fire resistance. Basalt wool is able to withstand heating up to + 700 ° C. This protects the structure from complete destruction in the event of a fire and gives time for the evacuation of residents;
health safety. In production, resins containing harmful substances (formaldehyde, phenol) are used. However, compliance with the technology involves their introduction into the composition of the insulation in a chemically bound state. Substances become completely neutral in relation to the environment and do not pose a danger to humans.

However, if the mineral wool is produced by an artisanal method, then there is a danger to health. Therefore, it is more advisable to purchase material from trusted manufacturers.

The construction of any house involves minimizing heat losses. They solve this problem with the help of various types of insulation, among which mineral wool is considered the most popular.

It is distinguished by its reliability and long service life, as it perfectly resists fire and decay. You can familiarize yourself with the main technical characteristics of mineral wool on the website http://www.minvatka.com.

Insulation classification

Mineral wool is a product that has a fibrous structure. This allows you to achieve high-quality indicators of heat and sound insulation.

There are several types of such insulation:

Glass mineral wool. The product is made from thin threads of molten glass.
Stone mineral wool. The main component of this substance is melts of various rocks.
Slag mineral wool - is obtained from blast furnace slags.

All types of this insulation emit small particles of fibers and phenol-formaldehyde resins into the air. This can be the cause of various diseases. To minimize the effects of these substances, it is insulated during installation with the help of special films.

Cutting tools

Mineral wool processing is not very difficult, which allows you to do all the work yourself. You can cut the insulation with several tools:

Stationery knife. Suitable only for thin sheets of material.
Hacksaw for metal. With its help, you can process wool with a thickness of more than 50 mm.
Special knives. Outwardly, they largely resemble fine-toothed saws. But at the same time, they are not divorced to the side and are located in one line.
Bread knife. In the absence of any other tool, this product also copes well with mineral wool.

It should be noted that all blades must be very sharp. This will minimize fiber pulling from the mat structure. Experts recommend cutting before the roll is unrolled.

If you need to obtain elements of complex shapes, then it is better to use special cutting machines. They can process cotton wool not only in a straight line, but also in a circle. This is very important, especially in industrial production. If this is a one-time task, then the purchase of such a tool will be impractical and it is better to use the material at hand.

Before cutting, it is important to consult with a professional to minimize the cost of the sheets used.

During the installation process, slabs and rolls very often have to be adjusted to the appropriate dimensions. The absence of minimal gaps between the elements of the supporting frame and the material excludes the possible formation of small areas with increased and unwanted heat transfer. It is worth noting that the builders call these plots nothing more than cold bridges, and they know how to properly cut the insulation in order to avoid such problems.

Insulation cutting methods

- the most picky in this matter are polystyrene foam panels. Using a heated nichrome wire or a fine-toothed hand saw, you can easily and quickly cope with this task, while ensuring a smooth and clean cut. During cutting of expanded polystyrene, there will be practically no dust, and the work does not require special physical effort from workers;
more problems will be with mineral fiber heat insulators, which are created on the basis of basalt wool and fiberglass. Despite the fact that modern dust-free technologies are used today, cutting these materials causes the formation of glass dust, which often causes irritation of the mucous membrane of the human eyes, as well as the upper respiratory tract;

- in order to reduce the amount of dust particles, experts recommend using only technically sound and proven tools that have well-sharpened working edges, special cutters and knives;
to reduce the amount of dust, the material should be cut along the grain. In each version, the masters strongly recommend the use of personal protective equipment, and all work should be carried out in well-ventilated rooms. Mineral wool is minimally safe, but at the same time all recommendations regarding the use of protective equipment will necessarily remain in force;

- the developers of such materials are well aware of all their products and very often offer consumers proprietary methods of cutting and cutting rigid and flexible insulators. You can always familiarize yourself with the recommendations in the installation instructions attached to each package;
- the properties of insulation completely depend on the integrity of their structures. For example, all mineral wool materials based on stone wool are strictly forbidden to deform and compress. In this case, the insulation can always restore its shape and volume, however, the heat preservation of such a site is greatly reduced.
Finally, it is worth noting that if you are not confident in your abilities, then you better turn to qualified specialists - they know how to correctly and correctly cut insulation. In this case, you are guaranteed to get quality work, which will undoubtedly please you. And the material itself will serve you for many years.

A distinctive feature of mineral insulation is the structure consisting of fibers, which must be solid to ensure thermal insulation. In this regard, special attention should be paid to the cutting process. Do not use cardboard or cloth scissors or ordinary table knives to cut the material. These tools are not intended for such a material, since they can spoil its appearance and impair its useful properties. It is very useful for novice repairmen and builders to find out what tools are suitable for this business.

Material characteristics and properties

Mineral wool is produced in the form of slabs and rolls

Before starting construction or repair work, the owner of the premises thinks about what criteria should be used to choose materials. Currently, the assortment of sale is replete with a variety of canvases that differ from each other in raw materials, price, scope, and operation characteristics.

The term "mineral wool" means three types of materials, namely:

basalt (stone);
slag;
glass wool.

Glass wool (fiberglass) has a low density and high hygroscopicity. The material does not have moisture resistance properties, and one should not expect heat resistance from it: when a high heating temperature (about 300 degrees) is reached, the wool fibers melt, and the material no longer performs the function of insulation. Glass wool on sale in rolls.

Glass wool is produced by blowing: an industrial centrifuge creates streams of air that go directly into the raw material. Due to the flow of air, fibers appear from the threads, moreover, they can have different lengths, directions and thicknesses.

Mineral wool has low thermal conductivity, allows steam to pass through due to the cells in the structure, and almost does not absorb water. In addition to the base, there are few binding elements in the composition, which allows it to withstand high temperatures. The material is widely used as sound insulation and insulation for various substrates and surfaces. It is produced with canvases that vary in strength.

Slag wool for room insulation

Slag wool is the cheapest option for insulation. The material consists of fibers that are wastes from blast furnaces, it is not dense and does not have good heat resistance. If slag wool is overheated, it will sinter. Therefore, the material is not suitable for insulating premises adjacent to heat sources, and is also not recommended for the construction of houses.

The structure of a horizontal layer of any kind of mineral wool is created in the direction of the grain. The formation of vertical sections occurs due to elements that are located chaotically. Each type of material has its own characteristics and external differences.

Are there any nuances in transportation and storage?

Manufacturers recommend storing mineral wool in an intact package, and it is better if the pack is on a flat surface. Each stack of packages should not be higher than 2 meters. The optimal storage conditions are closed spaces that are resistant to moisture ingress. It is not recommended to store the insulation on the street, but if this happens, then you need to cover it with a tarpaulin or film.

You need to store cotton wool only in a horizontal position.

When transporting, you should follow the same rules: transport cotton wool horizontally and in a dry truck body. You also need to provide the material with protection from mechanical stress and from atmospheric precipitation. When loading and unloading material, it must not be strongly compressed.

Unpacking mineral insulation also requires certain nuances. The material should be removed from the packaging only before starting work, which will minimize the various risks associated with damage to the insulation. When laying out material for cutting, use its packaging as a bedding. Thus, the product will not get dirty. Also, the packaging can be used to collect other waste at the construction site.

What is the best way to cut mineral wool?

Professionals use a special machine to separate canvases and rolls. But many ask the question: "What is the best way to cut mineral wool in slabs at home in order to save money?"

Important! To cut mineral wool, use a hacksaw for metal or wood.

In everyday life, an assembly knife is used to cut the canvas. This tool has one drawback, because of the small blade, it is difficult for them to cut thick plates. Therefore, I recommend using a clerical knife only for thin sheets. If this condition is not observed, then the canvases may become unusable.

Cutting mineral wool with a knife

Best Tools for Cutting Mineral Insulation:

A knife with a blade made of carbon steel. It is very easy to cut with such a product, in addition, its blade sharpens well and quickly. This knife needs a lot of care to avoid rusting. The basic rule of care is to wipe off the blade after washing.
A knife whose blade is made of stainless steel. There are teeth of different lengths on each side, so it is very easy to cut the mineral insulation of different sizes and thicknesses. The blade quickly plunges into the slab and cuts it efficiently. The sharp tip can even make indirect cuts.
WITH special machines. Such tools are able to cut canvases along a straight line and along a bend. This feature is very much appreciated in the industry. If you need to cut the cotton wool once, then there is no point in purchasing expensive equipment - the tool that is in the house will do.

Cutting mineral wool with a special saw

Note! Cotton wool scissors cannot be used.

For cutting cotton wool, it is advisable to use a special hacksaw for heaters or for metal. It is used to cut material that is less than 5 cm thick.

The blades of the tool you use to cut the cotton should always be well sharpened. In this case, the fibers from the cotton wool will be stretched to a minimum. Manufacturers advise cutting the cotton wool before unrolling the roll.

How to cut mineral wool?

The material has a fibrous structure, therefore, during cutting, small particles of glass wool fly in space. Therefore, contact with the skin and the respiratory tract should be prevented.

Before cutting the insulation, the following conditions must be observed:

The room must be well ventilated.
In the process of work, it is mandatory to use protective equipment and special clothing. We are talking about gloves, respirator, mask, overalls and goggles.
When the material has been cut, it is recommended that you wash your face and hands under cold water.

In order to form as few glass wool particles as possible in the air, a well-sharpened tool should be used.

The insulation should be cut without unrolling the roll.

Advice! It is best to cut the material across.

To get strips of cotton wool of the same width, you should cut the material right in the roll. If the cotton wool is in the form of slabs, then you need to cut them one by one.

In order for the strips of cotton wool, cut independently at home, to turn out even and the same, they should be clearly divided according to the marks. Also, you can use a ruler as a cutting line.

When cutting, leave allowances at the edges. If it is a roll, then the indicator should be 0.5 cm, and if the plate is 2 cm. Such a cutting feature is needed so that the mineral wool element completely fills the required space.

Recall that the slabs of mineral wool are cut one by one, and we cut the material in rolls without unfolding.

What are the remnants of mineral wool useful for?

The remains of the insulation do not need to be thrown away: they will also be useful for the pantry or utility room. Many people strive for budgetary insulation, therefore they use scraps and leftovers of material.

Waste rock wool can be recycled for later use. In this case, special machines are used.

In order for the process of warming the room to go properly, you should know what to cut the mineral wool and how to do it. If you follow the simple rules for working with this insulation, then you can achieve a good result.