Basalt wool or mineral wool: which is better for soundproofing?

Construction & ndash; is a delicate matter. Not enough to lay a great Foundation and build strong walls. Without insulation you will soon discover that the concept of «my house-my fortress» works pretty bad. Therefore, the choice of materials that will provide sound insulation, to remove moisture and retain heat, it is necessary to approach very seriously. Dealing with this issue, we are faced with a lot of debate about which is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. Both materials have good characteristics and low cost, making find application in a wide range of different types of construction works. Let's try to compare them.

Start with the definitions

Just a few words let's compare the main characteristics of these two materials. Of course, a skilled craftsman knows which is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. However, the ordinary man in the street such subtleties may be unfamiliar. And the difference between them is only used for the production of raw materials. Basalt heat insulator, or as it is called, stone wool, made of fiberglass, which is produced by melting basalt rocks mining.

Slab basalt heat insulator has a large difference from the mineral wool, despite the fact that they belong to the same class, and they all have their pros and cons. These are the major difficulties that hinder definitely say that it is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. In the production process of rock wool to fiberglass adds special ingredients that provide a bond between the individual fibers. As a result, the material gets friable and fibrous structure and retains heat. Between the fibers is always air and, therefore, the required temperatures will remain several times longer.

Recommended

The most effective methods of seed germination

Despite the fact that the method of seedling in vegetable production is a very time consuming process, it is used by most gardeners. Planting seeds in open ground is an easy and convenient method, but it is effective only in certain climatic zones. I...

Retro-reflective paint. The scope of

When the vehicle began to fill the road, their popularity began to gain reflective paint. Thanks to this paint, as drivers and pedestrians becomes much easier to avoid accidents in the dark. Purpose paint Reflective paint – paint material, whic...

How to make icon with your own hands - options izgotovleniya (simple and complex)

In Soviet times, many collecting badges, emblems, pennants. To get them was not easy. And today, thanks to technology, you can make them yourself. Knowing how to make icon with your own hands, and you can make original gifts to your friends, and make...

The Main advantages of stone wool

Basalt heat insulator has a lot of advantages. Among them we can mention:

• The freedom to withstand high temperatures. Even with strong heating insulation will not release dangerous substances.
• Resistance to contamination and long service life. Having served 50 years or more, the material does not lose its initial properties.
• Low sound conductivity.
• Good level of vibration.
• Does Not burn, does not melt, not explode, that is can be used to create insulation corrosive and hot environments.
• Not afraid of rodents.
• Lightweight and durable.
• Has an excellent water-repellent properties. The slab can pass water, but does not store it inside.

Cons

We do not knowingly devoted so much time to discussing the main characteristics. Without this it is impossible to say which is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. Despite the advantages, a stone slab has its drawbacks. It is primarily the high cost. In addition, slab basalt insulation has on the joints of the large number of joints, which reduces the insulation properties. Some experts say that the phenolic substances used in the manufacture of the material, make it unsafe. Tests that could confirm or deny, was conducted.

Mineral wool

The Main advantage is the low price. This follows directly from the fact that the production process is not too costly. It is available in a compact package that facilitates its transportation. Easy, it also does not occupy much space. It has the following characteristics:

• Light weight and low degree of density.
• No load on the main design.
• Chemical passivity.
• Lack of inclination to fire.
• Excellent elasticity. This is due to the fact that fiber is almost twice as long compared to stone wool.
• Does Not cause corrosion processes on the metal.
• Justified the use of those structures which may have uneven surfaces. Easy to fit one to the other.
• Soundproofing is much higher than that of stone wool.

The Downside can be called a high ability to shrink. That is, after some time, the properties will deteriorate.

Based On the above we can talk about what's best for insulation, basalt wool or mineral wool. This characteristic of the mineral wool demonstrates its superiority. However, while it is not clear which one will be better to perform those or other works. Let's consider some examples.

Building the bathhouse

This room, which is good to keep warm. This creates additional requirements to advance to a layer of insulation. In addition to keep warm, it needs to divert water and not to accumulate it inside. Which is better for a bath, basalt wool or mineral wool? Let us again refer to the main characteristics. He and the other material will be well to perform their functions, but requires a stone woolstacking a good waterproofing layer, since the wetting properties will deteriorate. Flexible mineral wool are easier to install, but over time will shrink.

Why professionals use the following alternative. Trim the bottom of the structures is performed using a heavier stone wool insulation, and wall and ceiling mineral wool is selected.

Furnaces and flues

Here the problem of insulation is quite simple - save all the generated heat. To do this, not so much, as long as the layer was thick enough and was not afraid of high temperature. Some builders advocate the use of stone wool, with an emphasis on the duration of its life. This is really a plus, but the cost of it is much higher. And on the basis of practical experience, experts say, which is sufficient for insulation of chimney wrap it with a layer of conventional mineral wool and to make the metal or brick casing. Based on this, everyone will choose what is best for the chimney, basalt wool or mineral wool.

Floors

It is Known that the insulating layer is desired for any room, and they complemented all surfaces. On this basis, there are often discussions about what is best for the floor, stone wool or mineral wool. This question is quite easy to answer. The stone slabs are more dense and heavy, they practically do not shrink and excellently for many decades. Moreover basalt wool is in the case when you need to pave a flat area.

Wall and ceiling

This is a separate issue, here are the material requirements change. First, getting more details, it's Windows and doors. That is, the material should be easy to fit to the desired size. Second, in the first place stands the proof. Equally important is the weight of the material that will be distributed throughout the structure and create an additional burden. Based on these requirements, we can already understand that it is better for the facade, basalt wool or mineral wool. The obvious choice in favor of the second material. In addition, you will save on price.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no simple answer. Need a specific example to say which is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. Reviews of builders and experts in the field of interior decoration have noted that often their choice is mineral wool, which is necessary to meet the specified budget. But in some cases certain types of work to perform better with basalt wool. The best option would be a combination of insulating materials between them. Each of them in something a little better or worse.

Therefore, you should not stop your choice on one. The room can be used up to ten different insulating materials, which are placed in one or more layers. Such careful planning can provide all the nuances and create the home of your dreams that will meet all modern requirements and specifications. Pay attention at the stage of laying of the project.