Izover or Knauf which is better. Glass wool thermal insulation materials - an overview of the best brands of Ursa insulation isover knauf which is better

A good insulation for the roof is appreciated not only in winter - it saves from the summer heat and cuts off excess noise from the outside. The range of insulating materials is large, but it is difficult for an inexperienced person to choose the best option. Too many nuances, unconvincing advertising promises and conflicting reviews. Let's figure out what the modern market offers us, and how we can insulate an attic, an ordinary roof or an attic.

It is more profitable for a private homeowner to take a reliable material that does not require replacement for at least a dozen or two years. After all, doing major repairs yourself will be difficult and expensive. That is why it is worth choosing the products of a well-known brand that protects its reputation and does not release frank marriage. But all the famous companies that manufacture heaters must have some unique production technology. So you will have to be especially careful in choosing a decent thermal insulation for a roof or attic, correlating new items with your own requirements. We'll help you figure out the nuances.

Popular manufacturers

A promoted brand offers to perform glass wool roof insulation. By itself, it has always been considered budgetary, but in this case, be prepared to pay for the good name of a well-known manufacturer. True, Knauf sweetened the pill and released glass wool with reduced dust emission. Of course, when working with this material, it is still worth observing personal protection measures. But the lack of PPE will no longer be so catastrophic if you need to put only 1-2 rolls of insulation.

Knauf recommends using the Insulation Pitched Roof series for roofs. It is offered in two versions: mats with a thickness of 150 mm are called ThermoRoll, and slabs, respectively, are called ThermoPlate. Both varieties are distinguished by good sound absorption and incombustibility. All other characteristics are determined only by the density of the insulation. By the way, the conductivity of Knauf products in the dry state can be immediately recognized from the marking: it is 0.034 or 0.037 W / m ∙ ° С, and in the wet state it does not exceed 0.043 W / m ∙ ° С.

The vapor permeability of glass wool is noticeably higher than that of basalt insulation - 0.5 mg / m ∙ h ∙ Pa versus 0.3. The manufacturer indicates hygroscopicity is also insignificant - only 0.8%. But keep in mind that this is only true for short-term contact with water.

The declared sound absorption of Knauf Insulation depends on the thickness of the insulation:

85% for a layer of 50 mm;
100% - for 100 mm.

But the reviews of real buyers say the opposite - Knauf glass wool, being an excellent insulation for the roof, does not cope with the tasks of sound insulation at all. Also, experienced builders do not recommend using it where the impact of weight loads is possible.

Instead of traditional glass or basalt fiber, Ursa decided to use staple fiber as the basis for its insulation. And they did it right. Firstly, it is less susceptible to moisture than glass wool, and secondly, it does not produce allergenic abrasive dust, which makes the skin itchy and sore throat. Although this is also glass, but modified. It has a long thread length, due to which it shows good acoustic properties, high elasticity and resilience.

pure one.

The Ursa Pure One series uses more innocuous adhesive resins - acrylic instead of toxic phenolic. They are also distinguished by very good vapor permeability, which is especially important if you have a wooden house or you decide which insulation is better for a mansard roof.

Staple products are distinguished from basalt materials by a stronger adhesion of the fibers to each other and, again, due to their greater length (at least 150 mm versus 20-50 for gabbro-basalt). So the elastic and strength properties of Urs are higher than those of traditional stone wool.

Such characteristics of Pure One allow the use of a lower density insulation (up to 20-22 kg / m3) while maintaining other parameters at the proper level. In addition, lighter wool does not overload the roof in a wooden house.

Ursa Geo.

Roof insulation can be done with Ursa Geo mats (aka Glasswool) from the Pitched Roof series. Dimensions 1.2x3.9 m with a thickness of 150 mm and 200 mm allow you to cover a large area with one sheet of glass wool, speeding up the work. However, just the width of the rolls of 1.2 m is not always convenient to use, since the distance between the rafters is usually maintained at about 60 cm. That is, the 4-meter canvas will still have to be cut evenly along. In general, judging by the reviews, Geo Pitched Roof rolls are more like blanks for cutting insulation of the desired size. But for non-standard designs, it is even convenient.

Ursa Geo is made using a special technology that provides the fibers with high elasticity and, accordingly, a good fit. In packages, the pitched roof is initially compressed, therefore, before starting work, the rolls must be given time to straighten out or shake them several times. The manufacturer himself positions the entire Glasswool line not just as a heater, but also as soundproofing.

A bright representative of basalt wool in the market of insulating materials. Here, not only the well-established technology of chaotic weaving of fibers is used, but also a special way of obtaining them. Plates and mineral mats of Izover consist of corrugated gabbro-basalt threads, which in themselves have good elasticity indicators. And for thermal insulation of this kind, the ability to maintain the original volume during many years of use is a huge plus.

For the attic and unheated attic spaces in a wooden house, Izover recommends roof insulation from the Optimal series. They provide the best fit to building structures, leaving no gaps. They have excellent thermal conductivity indicators for basalt wool (0.034-0.037 W / m ∙ ° С). Other products have the same properties:

Special - Moisture Resistant Isover Pitched roofing is used in unloaded structures operating in conditions of varying humidity.
Universal - rigid plates KL37, KL34 and mats KT37.

The characteristics that the manufacturer gives for his special series are very interesting: insulation for a pitched roof shows only 9% water absorption one day after immersion in liquid, which is considered an indisputable advantage of mineral wool. But in fact, even these few percent will be enough to deprive it of its insulating properties.

No matter how good the Izover Pitched Roof is, its heat-saving characteristics are not too different from cheaper counterparts. So the high price is just a payment for a long service life without loss of volume, and for the brand.

4. TechnoNikol.

It produces basalt slabs in a fairly wide range, including for flat roofs for built-up waterproofing. In the line of TechnoNIKOL mineral wool materials, it is roof insulation that has the best performance characteristics, as well as high density.

The Technoruf series is represented by several stone wool options in different designs. The classification and labeling of individual products is based on their resistance to compressive loads in kPa. Basalt insulators of increased rigidity are produced in four modifications (from 45 to 70 kPa) and are used on large construction sites with a flat roof.

For two-layer insulation, TechnoNikol produces mineral wool separately to form an insulating base and a more rigid top (marked H and B):

H - plates of medium density (100-135 kg / m3) and quite acceptable strength at the level of 0.03-0.04 MPa.
B - very hard basalt insulation for roofing (about 180-190 kg / m 3). A trio of different strengths from this line is able to withstand loads from 0.05 to 0.07 MPa.

To simplify the work, the manufacturer also suggests using a ready-made solution - a double insulation, which consists of glued boards of different densities: the top - 180 kg / m3 and the base - 110 kg / m3. In this case, the average compressive strength is 0.04 MPa. But when arranging a continuous coating, according to experts, it is better to turn to a more time-consuming, but reliable laying in two layers with overlapping seams.

An interesting series of TechnoNIKOL Galtel heaters, where standard-width plates and narrow strips of 100 mm are wedge-shaped. This allows you to create the necessary slope on flat roofs for rainwater to drain. But for pitched roofs, this brand has nothing but flimsy Rocklite.

TechnoNikol also has a very extensive line of XPS Carbon Eco polystyrene foam insulation. Particularly successful can be called profiled Drain boards with drainage longitudinal grooves, which at the same time will serve as ventilation gaps. If you need a slight slope, you can use EPS Slope panels, which are assembled into a single wedge-shaped structure.

How to choose the right heater?

The main criteria for choosing a roofing insulation:

Maximum service life without loss of performance.
Acoustic properties - especially important for roofs upholstered with metal sheets.
Weight and effective thickness of insulation for a particular region.
The possibility of dense laying on the roof of a complex configuration.

You should also consider whether the uppermost room will be a residential attic or will remain just an unheated attic.

When choosing how best to insulate the roof of a house, first of all, you need to focus on its design, or rather, on the angle of inclination of the slopes. The bundle includes the type of roofing material and the features of its installation:

1. For cladding that is fully supported by a counter-lattice (tiles of all types, metal profiles), elastic mats and basalt or fiberglass slabs are suitable. They may have a small density, because they do not experience stress.

2. If you need to insulate a mansard roof or just steep slopes, you should buy insulation that will not slip and shrink under its own weight. Glass wool in these cases is contraindicated, and mineral plates are needed of medium density - they are quite rigid and retain their shape well.

3. It is better to arrange a soft roof on top of XPS boards. The same applies to exploited roofs, where thermal insulation is under serious pressure.

Rigid foamed polymer is well laid on flat and gently sloping (up to 12 °) roofs under a screed. But here it should be borne in mind that from the interior, all moist air will rise to the polystyrene, but it will no longer be able to pass through it - this insulation is so impenetrable. So the effect of a thermos can be avoided only with well-executed ventilation. Also, a layer of non-combustible material is required on top of a fire hazardous XPS. Ideally - cement pouring.

Unexploited flat roofs are less demanding on the strength characteristics of insulation. In this case, basalt slabs are suitable, but with sufficiently high rigidity and with all the necessary waterproofing measures. At a price they will be much more expensive than other types of mineral wool, and because of this their conductivity will be somewhat higher. However, this drawback with a fair thickness of insulation is not critical.

People's opinions

“Personally, I liked Knauf for the roof. Usually I cough a lot from glass wool, so I can’t even unpack it without a respirator. And then I felt more comfortable. There are no complaints about the quality and degree of insulation, but you only need to throw it in two layers, otherwise you won’t get normal sound insulation. At this price, this is, in general, rather big expenses.

Andrey, Moscow.

“I take Ursa, as they say, the project itself ordered. They saved on wood for the roof, so it turned out that 80 cm were left between the attic rafters. Buy standard slabs / mats? So they have a width of 60, and a length of 1-1.2 m - cut anyway, and write off the rest as scrap. And here is such a beauty: Ursa insulation in rolls for cutting! In general, I cut them across to fit my size. Waste was, but not as much as expected. The only thing is that like any glass wool, Ursa pricks and itches.

Egor Firsov, Rostov-on-Don.

“I have great respect for Isover, but somehow I didn’t get the Pitched Roof - I chose from universal mats. A year ago, at a friend's dacha, I gutted the KL and KT heaters for comparison and settled on the stoves. In appearance, the fibers in them are longer, which means they will stick together well. And the weaving is more uniform, which is also a plus for steep attic slopes.

Alexander, Yekaterinburg.

“In my opinion, TechnoNikol does not yet have worthy offers for private developers: either a professional Technoruf at an exorbitant price, or polystyrene, which does not allow you to throw a sense of self-preservation on your own roof. It is better to stay on the basalt insulation from Izover - there is plenty to choose from and what to buy at a normal cost. Most of the reviews are good."

Grigory, Perm.

“In general, I am against glass wool on the roof or in the walls, but I liked Knauf Insulation (only performed by Dom). I also decided to buy Knauf Dacha for a test, but it turned out to be too soft - I let it in for insulation of the attic in the extension. During work, the sensation of pricklyness did not arise, but then the hands itched to the very elbow. So I do not advise you to neglect gloves and a mask.

Vasily Pavlyuk, Nizhny Novgorod.

What to consider before buying?

For the correct choice of the insulation scheme, it is necessary to calculate the losses through the roof, but it mainly determines the total thickness of the "pie". The characteristics of the materials discussed above are practically the same - the difference in thermal conductivity in thousandths between mineral and glass wool will not be significant. For this reason, the amount of insulation in both cases will be approximately the same.

You just have to choose products with dimensions that, during installation, will give the least waste. If these are basalt slabs, they should be a centimeter wider than the distance between the rafter legs in order to be clearly installed at a distance. Rolls of fiberglass insulation should be taken in a length corresponding to the roof slope.

Do not forget about environmental friendliness - permanent residence in a house with a source of toxins or allergenic dust can provoke the appearance of chronic diseases. Examine the information on the composition of the insulation, paying special attention to the content of formaldehydes, phenolic resins. Of course, one should not hope for their complete absence, but the smaller their percentage participation, the better.

When performing roof insulation, give up too light types of mineral wool - not a single manufacturer in our country has yet been able to achieve the normal quality of such products. Holes in the mats and poor adhesion of the fibers negate all the costs of thermal insulation.

But observe the measure - the design must withstand the total weight of the entire "pie", taking into account snow loads. Focus on an indicator of at least 40-45 kg / m3 for a pitched roof of a wooden house or attic. But for flat roofs, strength characteristics remain the main factor.

brand	insulation	Dimensions, mm	Price, rub/m3
Knauf	Insulation pitched roof	5500x1200x150	1430
Ursa	Pure One (2x10 m)	1200x50	1490
Ursa	Geo pitched roof	3900x1200x150	1440
Isover	KL37	1170x610x50	1030
	KT37	6000x1220x100	1390
	pitched roof	1170x610x100	2080
TechnoNicole	Technoruf 45	1200x600x110	4450
TechnoNicole	XPS Carbon Eco	1180x580x100	18 930

Mineral wool is a porous material for organizing a heat, noise and fire protection layer. It is used in systems of ventilated roofs and facades, for insulation and fire protection of utilities.

Mineral wool loses its insulating properties due to moisture. In the living room, condensate from a cold wall accumulates between the fibers, due to which the material retains heat worse, settles under its own weight. You can exclude the ingress of moisture by carefully covering the insulation layer with a vapor-proof film (only from the side of the room). The heat-insulating cake of a mansard ventilated roof, in addition to the internal vapor barrier, must have an external vapor-permeable membrane.

In this article, we examined the products of popular manufacturers. For clarity, we summarized their main characteristics and prices in a table:

Summary table of mineral wool manufacturers

Brand (origin / production)	Produced formats	Density, kg/m³	Price range, rub./m³
1.		20-190	1 516-6 790
2.	Plates, mats in rolls	10-15	1 200-2 620
3.	Plates, mats in rolls	18-25	1 319-2 976
4.	Plates, mats in rolls, thermo-winding cylinder	13-165	1 952-3 666
5.	Plates, mats in rolls, coiled cylinders	25-200	1 200-7 316
6.	Plates, cylinders, bends, segments	10-180	1 281-6 666
7.	Plates	35-200	1 100-2 346
8.	Plates, rolls, cylinders	30-200	1 305-5 930

In structure, all mineral wool is identical. Each manufacturer offers a similar range, with similar ranges of key features.

Main characteristics

Density is a characteristic that shows how many kilograms of stone fiber are contained in 1 cubic meter of mineral wool. The denser the material, the better its insulating characteristics and the higher the price.
Thermal conductivity is the ability of a material to conduct heat. The lower the coefficient, the more efficient the insulation.
Combustibility - the ability to self-combustion.

Environmental friendliness depends on the origin of the binder. Artificial resins are toxic, natural substances are harmless.

1. Rockwool (Elabuga, Troitsk, Vyborg, Zheleznodorozhny)

In the domestic market, goods are presented in a wide range. Suitable materials are available for insulation:

roofing (Roof Butts);
facades (Facade Butts);
internal structures (Light Butts),
for soundproofing rooms (Acoustic Butts) and solving other problems.

In the Russian Federation, 15 basic lines with more than 50 variants of mineral wool products are being sold. Among others: single and multi-layer rectangular slabs; long mats in rolls; coiled products of cylindrical shape for thermal insulation of pipes; slope elements.

The main advantage of the manufacturer claims multi-component functionality ("4 in 1" - environmental friendliness, durability, fire safety and acoustic comfort), inherent in any product based on Rockwool mineral wool.

The disadvantages of the insulation appear due to a violation of the installation technology. The correct sequence is described in the manufacturer's recommendations.

Video instruction for installation of Rockwool insulation:

2. Knauf (Stupino, Tyumen)

Knauf has managed to combine the high vapor permeability of glass wool (previously its main product) with the low water absorption and thermal conductivity of mineral wool material.

Each of the thermal insulation options of the innovative Knauf Insulation line is designed to solve certain problems:

Knauf Insulation Facade - for wall insulation for ventilation facades and plaster.
Knauf Insulation Pitched Roof - for thermal insulation of pitched roofs and attic floors.
Knauf Insulation Acoustic Baffle - for effective sound absorption.

High profitability with this material is possible when insulating large areas, such as industrial or commercial areas. When building a private house and apartment, you will pay a little more than for ordinary material, but you will get reliably insulated surfaces.

Pluses - the declared environmental friendliness, due to the absence of a phenol-formaldehyde binder and packaging (single reduces the volume of material by half, multi-package - 8 times).

Minus - a modest range of sizes and price.

3. Ursa (Serpukhov, Chudovo)

The heater of the concern "Uralita Group", known for more than 5 years for low thermal conductivity, today is represented by six options in different sizes. The young, innovative material "Ursa Pureone", with a smaller range of dimensions, also managed to receive positive recommendations from professional builders.

Ursa is suitable for:

roof insulation (Pureone, Geo);
facade insulation (Terra);
performance of internal works (Geo Light).

The main advantage of the materials of the Ursa Terra line is resistance to biological attack. With the right design of the insulation system, neither rodents nor bacteria are able to adapt both from the inside and in the outer walls of the building.

"Ursa Pureone" has improved environmental and performance characteristics.

The negative aspects of the Ursa insulation appear when the rules for transportation and storage are violated.

Video about Ursa products:

4. Isover (Egoryevsk, Chelyabinsk)

More than 20 years ago, the French concern "Saint Gobain" officially opened the Russian building materials market. Over the past 10 years, the company's management has refused to import mineral wool to Russia and opened its own production of products under the Isover brand in the Moscow region. Today, two full-cycle production sites operate in the Russian Federation - in Yegorievsk and Chelyabinsk.

Isover mineral wool is suitable for ventilated facades and under plaster; for pitched and flat roofs; inside partitions and doors. The materials are developed in accordance with the operational features and installation specifics for each specified case. The company's catalog contains four main groups:

Isover warm - thermal insulation;
Isover quiet - Shumka;
Isover professional - universal insulation;
Isover for a house / apartment - mineral wool with a compromise combination of cost and performance.

Within the list, 24 insulation material options are offered.

All plate, roll versions and blown wool are packed in shrink polyethylene. This allows you to reduce the volume of insulation ready for shipment by 3-5 times (important for more efficient transportation).

The positive side of Isover is in the variety of options. It is possible to manufacture according to your size. Among the existing advantages, the convenience of working when filling hard-to-reach areas with blown wool stands out.

Of the minuses - the need to use highly specialized equipment (valid only for the blown version of mineral wool).

Video instruction from Isover on the installation of structures:

5. Izovol (Belgorod)

General construction and technical insulation, the structure does not differ from similar mineral wool of other brands. There are differences in technical specifications. A unique production technology is involved. Emphasis is placed on the use of environmentally friendly raw materials.

The list of options for traditional thermal insulation (ST, V, Isobel) is supplemented by mineral wool fire-retardant (KV, F series) and soundproof (Acoustic) materials. Recently, a combined heater for a bath was announced - mineral wool, laminated (a technique for connecting dissimilar materials by pressing) with a thin aluminum sheet. Similar options are found in other manufacturers, but the Belgorod innovators reinforced the reflective layer of their invention with a fiberglass canvas.

Advantages of mineral wool Izovol - the geometric accuracy of the elements; ease of processing (with a knife, saw) regardless of density; acceptable cost. In the minuses - dust (for all products) and phenols (valid only for materials produced using old technologies).

The dustiness and toxicity of mineral wool is within international tolerances. When working, use personal protective equipment; when installing indoors, prevent liquid from entering the material (a vapor barrier is required); outdoors, you will need a membrane that does not prevent the evaporation of moisture.

Video from Isovol presentation:

6. Paroc (Tver region)

Finnish insulation material Paroc with Swedish roots. Known for its impressive range and worthy indicators of technical characteristics. Since 2013, the full-fledged production of Paroc mineral wool has been established in the Russian Federation.

Plate and roll materials, thermo-winding cylinders, pressed bends and segments from the assembly line of the Russian plant have the same performance as imported insulation. Packed in the same shrink film.

Paroc mineral wool is suitable for:

roof insulation (ROB);
foundation and floor (GRS);
internal walls and partitions (Extra Light);
facade (WAS), fire protection (FPS) and soundproofing (SSB) systems.

An impressive list of options for the general construction plan is supplemented by materials from the category of technical insulation (Pro, Hvac), for heating and ventilation systems, large-scale technological processes, and industrial equipment.

The positive features of Paroc mineral wool are laid down at the structural level - the material is elastic and does not break (and therefore does not generate dust) during installation. Many compatriots will appreciate the manufacturer's proposal to produce the required batch according to the dimensions of the customer.

The disadvantages of cooperation include the relatively high cost and the need for a thorough study of the proposed range. The choice is large, so in the event of an unintentional mistake, there is a high probability of unjustified cost overruns.

Video about Paroc products:

7. Beltep (Belarus: Gomel)

The Belarusian enterprise "Gomelstroymaterialy" until 2007 worked with varying efficiency and mainly for the domestic market. The popularity of high-quality and relatively inexpensive materials has become an incentive to develop a network of trading houses in the Republic of Belarus and to search for dealers outside the republic. So, almost 10 years ago, mineral wool Beltep appeared on the construction market of the Russian Federation.

Small range:

for roofing (RUF);
for external walls (Vent, Facade)
for internal walls and partitions (Light)
on the floor and ceilings (Flor).

In the total mass of the main groups, there are 20 grades of mineral wool insulation. But interest in products is actively supported by updating the nomenclature list. Today, these are materials with an impressive range of data on the main characteristics.

Pros - a large selection of dimensions, stable quality of each batch.

Cons - low elasticity and an abundance of dust during installation.

Video about the manufacturer Beltep:

8. TechnoNIKOL (Ryazan, Yurga, Khabarovsk, Zainsk, Chelyabinsk)

is the only domestic manufacturer of insulation based on mineral fibers, which is recognized not only in the Russian Federation, but also in the Baltic countries and Europe. Production sites were organized on the territory of 35 countries, supplies of materials were arranged to 80 countries.

The proposed mineral wool is not the only product of the company, but research and development activities are carried out with it. Therefore, today there is real access to an impressive range (almost 50 options).

TechnoNIKOL presents the following product lines:

Private construction (Technofas, Technoflor, Technoruf);
Professional construction (Technosandwich, Technoflor Pro, Basalit) construction;
Technical insulation (Mat and Cylinder Techno, Lamella, Stitched);
Special options for fire protection (Techno OZB, Techno OZM).

Raw materials from rocks of the gabbro-basalt group are involved in the production, which determines the ecological purity of the material. Other advantages are determined by the properties and characteristics of TechnoNIKOL mineral wool (fiber melting point - 1000 0 C, low thermal conductivity and vapor permeability, a wide range of density indicators).

The disadvantage is the binder based on formaldehyde resins. Which explains the stringent safety requirements when laying TechnoNIKOL mineral wool.

Video review of TechnoNIKOL products:

Material calculation

Differences in the dimensions of the mineral wool elements can mislead you. Professionals try to save working time. The price of a mistake is the same for everyone - overspending the budget and wasting time.

To perform calculations, use the online calculator. It will take into account all the necessary values, parameters and conditions.

The topic of modern heat-insulating materials, both imported and domestic, continues to interest readers, because thanks to these materials, one can not only reduce the cost of heating housing, but also significantly reduce the cost of building construction. Leading specialist advises.

I had to work with Russian mineral wool. Despite a special protective suit, a respirator, particles of the material fell on the body and lungs, causing very unpleasant sensations. People who constantly work with her, often received dangerous occupational diseases. Another drawback is that this heat insulator quickly collapses in the wall, sags, as a result of which the upper part of the wall loses thermal insulation, while in the lower part it deteriorates significantly. The thermal insulation materials that we offer are completely environmentally friendly and even pleasant to the touch, durable, have the best insulating properties and, finally, are cheaper than those made in Kstovo or Vyksa.

- Is there any difference between URSA and Izover?

- If it exists, it is very conditional. Both materials are fiberglass, both have the same technical characteristics, even their appearance is so similar that not every specialist will be able to distinguish them when unpacked. By the way, their packaging is the same - a shrink film, which reduces the transport volume by up to 35 percent of the working volume, which allows three cubic meters of this heat insulator to be placed in ordinary Zhiguli.

But we bring Isover from Finland, and URSA is manufactured in the city of Chudovo, Novgorod Region. Many consumers prefer imported material (it is a bit more expensive), although the Germans, the owners of the Chudovsky plant, strictly ensure that the material produced here does not differ in any way from that produced in their homeland or at the concern's factories in other countries of the world. Another question is that the capacities of the Chudovka plant are not enough for the whole of Russia and very often people are simply forced to use imports ... - Where are these heat-insulating materials used and what are their varieties? - Between themselves, they differ in rigidity - from M-15 to P-75 (the harder the material, the higher the wall it can be laid, but the more expensive it is), in thickness - from 50 to 140 mm. On one or both sides of the material, polyethylene film, foil or kraft paper can be applied. Since they are classified as non-combustible and have excellent thermal insulation properties (their thermal conductivity coefficient is only 0.04-0.05 kcal / mchC, which means that 18 cm of heat insulator protect the house from the cold in the same way as two-meter brickwork), environmentally friendly, they can be used for thermal insulation of roofs, interfloor ceilings, and external walls, and floors, and basements, and internal partitions, and heat pipes. In short, they are universal. At the same time, such materials are very convenient to use. Install an interior partition - place between a wooden beam or a metal profile on which drywall or GWP is attached, an insulating plate of medium hardness with a thickness of only 50 millimeters. Such a partition will provide better heat and sound insulation than one laid out in one and a half bricks. But it does not need to be plastered. The labor costs for its construction are incomparably less. Due to its low weight, it can be placed almost anywhere, besides, the cost of the materials themselves is lower ...

This is probably the main advantage of modern thermal insulation materials:

providing better quality at lower cost. For example, when building a protective wall, you can make it out of brick. And it is possible to build from it only the inner, load-bearing part of the wall with a thickness of only 175 mm (half-brick), attach an 80-120 mm layer of heat insulator to it and lay it with any facade material (besser blocks, facing bricks, siding, boards). The price will be much cheaper, but the comfort of housing, its heat protection is better. And there is no need to be afraid of these building structures - this is how they build in many countries of the world, where they live much better than in Russia. I had to meet and more economical solutions. A wooden beam is used as the supporting part of the structure, between which a heat insulator is attached, the inner part of the wall is sheathed with a GVP, and the outer part is lined with grooves. Outwardly, such houses resemble garden houses, but they are warm and comfortable.

- You spoke about the advantages of the URSA and Izover materials, but did not mention anything about their shortcomings.

- Disadvantages? Perhaps only one. They don't like moisture. When hit, it partially loses its properties. Therefore, they cannot be wetted, and condensate should not accumulate on them inside the building structures. For this, special ventilated structures have been developed or polyethylene film, aluminum foil or kraft paper are used as vapor barriers.

At the end of March, the Independent Press Center in Moscow hosted a round table on the safety of building materials. A new construction season begins, which can bring people not only the joy of a housewarming party, but also the bitterness of serious illnesses. Unfortunately, this is not an exaggeration. “Recently, a large number of people, whose homes have been overhauled, have begun to turn to hospitals with symptoms of allergies, bronchial asthma or bronchitis,” said one of the event participants Dmitry Vinogradov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, pulmonologist of the 1st Moscow State Medical University named after . THEM. Sechenov. All participants of the round table agreed that one of the main causes of respiratory diseases is the "respirable" dust caused by asbestos and mineral wool.

Fortunately, asbestos is not commonly used in construction and renovation today. But mineral wool is everywhere. Mineral wool is used for insulation of walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, loggias, attics, as well as sound insulation. Mineral wool is available in foil, in the form of sandwich panels, cords, cylinders or mats, and is sold in the form of rolls and plates.

Installation and fastening of mineral wool (including with the help of glue) is carried out both inside and outside the premises. In Russia, there are quite a few plants that have established the production of mineral wool, in particular, a similar enterprise operates in the city of Zheleznodorozhny, Moscow Region.

You can buy mineral wool at any hardware store. The price of mineral wool depends on weight, density, composition, thermal conductivity. Naturally, the brand of the manufacturer also affects the cost of mineral wool, the most common of which are rockwool (rockwool), ursa (ursa), isover (izover), knauf (knauf), technonikol (technonikol).

Which minvata is better? The participants of the round table unanimously declared: none. Unfortunately, today few people know that mineral wool is a very dangerous, poisonous and insidious insulation. Sergey Fateev (building portal SNRP.RU) said that the smallest particles of mineral wool fibers inhaled by a person cause serious harm to the body - up to cancer. Moreover, the phenol-formaldehyde resins used in this insulation as a binder are of great danger. These substances release free phenol and formaldehyde, which can provoke inflammation of the skin, mucous membranes, and even nervous disorders.

“In Western countries, much more harmless substances are used in the production of mineral wool, for example, limestone, while in Russia, slags from the metallurgical industry are used to save money,” said Sergey Fateev. And representatives of the environmental organization "Green Wave" said that they intend to study modern brands of mineral wool for their safety for people and the environment, and demand that officials impose a ban on harmful materials.

According to some participants of the round table, the widespread use of mineral wool is very similar to the story of the so-called "phenolic" houses. In the late 1960s - early 70s, high-rise buildings began to be built throughout our country, adding phenol-formaldehyde resins (now used in mineral wool) to concrete.

A huge scandal erupted in the late 80s, when it became known how poisonous these residential buildings had become.

The inhabitants of these houses got chronic diseases of the respiratory tract, cardiovascular and digestive systems, liver, kidneys, eyes. Among the residents of "phenolic" houses, statistics reveal an increased number of deaths from cancer.

Is history repeating itself? Quite possible, say the participants. Mineral wool today is installed in many residential and office buildings, including private buildings. Toxic dust that exudes phenols and formaldehydes, plus rodents, who are so fond of such an environment, are carriers of infection - all these factors cannot but affect people's health. Chemical components in the air are absorbed and accumulated in the human body, leading to a decrease in efficiency, fatigue, a decrease in concentration, and with prolonged exposure - to malignant neoplasms.

The construction season is just beginning, so people who order construction or repair work need to make sure that their housing and work premises meet all environmental standards in advance. But if fate has settled a person in a building whose walls, floors or ceilings are insulated with mineral wool, then it is necessary to ventilate the room more often and carry out wet cleaning, the participants of the round table are sure. This way you can reduce the impact of toxic dust and reduce the concentration of chemical components in the air.

Visitor comments

Alexander (guest)

Mineral wool or fiberglass heaters are very harmful. Firstly, the fibers from which these heaters are made are very fragile. Therefore, even with a slight load, they break.

isover or knauf

Secondly, the fibers of these heaters are interconnected by glue or resin (phenol is released) and under the influence of the natural environment (temperature changes), the fiberglass or basalt insulation is destroyed, that is, the fibers fall off, and this, as a result, leads to the formation dust harmful to the human body.

Environmentally friendly insulation (the entire line: linen, jute, organic), you can see here: domorus.ru

ORIENT211 (guest)

1) Mineral wool mats made of basalt fiber used as insulation do not contain binding components. Therefore, no chemicals are emitted. And they can serve as a source of health hazard only because of the dust. However, this mineral dust is not always able to penetrate into the air of the room.
2) Mineral wool boards are not only on a synthetic binder that releases phenol, but also on starch or bitumen.
3) The video shows that the rats are dying, but not the fact that because of the mineral wool. In addition, it is not clear why there are so many rats in this house. They don't eat mineral wool, so they found something edible with their owners. This means that the owners did not take good care of their products.

Comparison of roofing insulation "Knauf Cottage" and "Ecover"

Knauf and Ecover are well-known brands of roofing insulation among Russian builders. Since we ourselves use these heaters, we boldly recommend them to our customers. In this article we will tell you how the products of these brands differ.

Glass wool and basalt wool

Similarities

The main characteristic of heaters - thermal conductivity - both types are almost the same. So with any properly laid insulation in the house there will be a comfortable temperature.

Insulation plates from both materials are cut with a knife.

Although both mineral components are environmentally friendly, when working with heaters use a mask and gloves. Breathing dust that flies from the stoves is harmful to the lungs.

Differences

The main difference between heaters is in materials. “Knauf” is glass wool, and “Ecover” is stone, or basalt, wool.

Glass wool is made from broken glass and sand. The raw material is melted in the furnace, turns into thin fibers, which then form the plate.

Basalt wool is made from a natural fossil - gabbro-basalt rocks. For Ecover, raw materials are mined in the Urals, in the city of Asbest. Stone is also melted in a furnace.

What's better? Izover Rockwool Ursa Teplo knauf

The fibers are bound with phenol-formaldehyde resins - despite the terrible name, they are safe.

Advantages of basalt wool "Ecover":

Mineral fibers are randomly located in basalt slabs, so stone wool is stronger than glass wool.
Insulation "Ecover" requires moisture protection, but when wet it does not lose its thermal insulation properties.
Basalt wool is tough, so it does not collapse under its own weight and light loads, and does not shrink over time. 50 years of service without complaints.
Basalt wool has a higher melting point: 600-700 degrees versus 450 for glass wool. Therefore, stone wool is more resistant to high temperatures - for example, in a bathhouse, and is not flammable.
Basalt wool is used under plaster, under screeds - it does not deform.

Cons of Ecover

Basalt wool takes up a lot of space during transportation, which is partly why it costs more.
During installation, the plates almost do not crumple, so the fibers crumble, dust is formed.

Advantages of glass wool "Knauf"

Glass wool is flexible and soft, so it is easy to transport and place on uneven surfaces.
Glass wool isolates the room better from street noise.
Glass wool is lighter than basalt wool, therefore it loads the structure and the hands of the builder less.
For the production of glass wool, an acrylic binding agent is used, which is more environmentally friendly than phenol-formaldehyde.

Cons "Knauf"

Since this insulation is made of glass, it pricks a little during operation. Be sure to follow safety precautions - work only with gloves!
The fibers of glass wool are parallel to each other, so glass wool is not as strong and shrinks a bit over time.

Conclusion

Basalt wool is more expensive than glass wool, so first of all start from the budget. Basalt wool lasts longer and does not shrink, and glass wool does not load the frame and is laid on uneven surfaces.

We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision and buy the roof insulation that best suits your needs.

May your home always be warmSibProfile team

1. Roof insulation - how to choose?

2. Manufacturer Rockwool

3. Manufacturer Knauf

If you want to create a rest room in the attic or decide to update the material, then be sure to ask yourself the question - what kind of insulation is best for the roof? (read also: "Choosing roof insulation - which one is better and more practical")

In our article we will talk about the choice of such material. After all, manufacturers offer a fairly large range of goods, different in type and variety. And in order to make the right choice, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances, for example, the density of the insulation for the roof.

The roof has long been synonymous with warmth, reliability and comfort at home.

For this reason, you should be very careful when choosing a roofing insulation.

A reasonable question arises - why insulate the roof, because you can do without it? But no! After all, as you know, warm air always goes up.

And if the roof itself is cold, uninsulated, then the air flows will go into the atmosphere. If the roof is properly maintained, warm air will linger in the room. For this reason, if you have not properly insulated your roof, you will spend significantly more money on gas or electricity to heat your home. Today, such expenses really look redundant.

Attic roofs are of two types:

Consider the difference in their insulation.

Residential attic spaces require insulation not only of the roof slopes, but also of part of the ceiling, and even side walls.

Non-residential - insulation of floors separating the attic and the house. In this case, the thickness of the insulation for the roof will be different.

Roof insulation - how to choose?

Before buying a heater, read the information about the materials used and the manufacturer. Examine the characteristics of the heat insulator you have chosen. But the most important thing is to calculate the insulation for the roof. This is important in order not to buy too much.

Consideration of principles when choosing a heater

The only thing I want to note is the choice of material, depending on the type of roof (flat or pitched). The rest of the criteria are the same for everyone.

So, eight criteria:

Life time. If the insulation is of high quality, then it retains its thermal insulation properties for a long time.
Specific gravity. It is affected by the density of the insulation, which is measured in kg / m3. The material should not be too heavy, otherwise it will lead to the weight of the entire structure. And this threatens with dangerous consequences.
Form stability. When buying material, pay attention to the technical specifications. Especially at the point of the duration of the preservation of its geometric parameters by the heater. In other words, it defines reliability.
Flammability. It is recommended to give preference to non-flammable and self-extinguishing materials.
Cold resistance. Actual criterion, especially for the regions of the north.
Humidity. There are materials in which thermal conductivity deteriorates with increasing humidity - this is not a plus.
Soundproofing. If the roof covering is made using noisy material, then the insulation must necessarily have soundproofing properties.
Environmental friendliness. The insulation must not smell or be toxic.

Installation of rockwool insulation, see the video:

So, let's move on to the types of heaters themselves.

Types of insulation for the roof:

foamed polystyrene foam - belongs to the class of foam plastics, consists of gases that fill the material. As a rule, it is applied to warming of flat roofs. The service life is about 50 years. Significantly more effective than mineral wool because it is light in weight.
polyurethane foam - used for insulation work on the roof or attic. Belong to the group of gas-filled plastics. It has low thermal conductivity and is light in weight. The material is not subject to moisture and vapors, and also has a long service life.
stone wool , whose slabs consist of mineral wool. The material perfectly saves heat and is not exposed to fire. Stone wool has low moisture absorption, as well as resistance to rodents and microorganisms.
glass wool - made from waste glass production and boasts good thermal insulation characteristics.

Stone slabs are the most popular. After all, they are suitable for warming both pitched and flat roofs. If we talk about manufacturers, I would like to note: Rockwool and Knauf.

Manufacturer Rockwool

Danish roofing insulation rockwool occupies a leading position in the Russian sales market. Today there are three directions of the company, but we will focus only on insulation for a flat roof.

Rockwool - roofing insulation

It is a mineral wool slab of basalt rock. The area of application is multilayer structures. The task is thermal insulation of flat roofs.

It is also possible to use roof screed material without cement. However, not all products of this brand are able to effectively insulate the roof. After all, the range is represented by universal and special plates.

For example:

Rockwool Roof Butts designates the bottom layer with the letter H, the top layer with the letter B, and the universal one does not have a letter designation.
Rockwool Cut-to-falls Roof Slab and Rockwool Underlay Roof Slab are used as the bottom layer in a sandwich construction.
Advice : Where there is no required roof pitch, Cut-to-falls Roof Slab is usually used.
Rockwool TF-Board is used in single layer constructions or as a top layer. You can use the material as a condensate insulation in corrugated roofs.
Hardrock 50/100/120/180 - plates have different thicknesses. They are used for both single layer roofs and top ball. The advantages include moisture-proof and water-repellent properties.

All products of the aforementioned company have good characteristics and a long service life. They are easy to use during installation due to zero coefficients of linear expansion and shrinkage.

Manufacturer Knauf

Thermal insulation products of the Knauf company are very popular all over the world. Enterprises are located in hundreds of countries in Europe, Asia and North America. The company's products are suitable for pitched roofs, walls, floors and facades of buildings.

Insulating material - glass wool, which has increased elasticity and contributes to a snug fit of the insulation to the wall.

The material freely passes steam through itself, however, this does not violate the optimal climatic conditions in the room.

Basalt wool is a material made from fibers of metallurgical slags and silicate melts.

The positive properties of the insulation: good sound and thermal insulation, as well as fire resistance.

The material is sold in the form of rolls and plates. All products are famous for their quality, long service life, ease of installation, as well as environmental friendliness in use.

We repeat that when choosing a technonicol roof insulation, pay attention to thermal insulation. It should be suitable for your particular type of roof.

Be sure to consider all factors, such as: type of roof, region of residence, insulation material for the roof, etc. At the same time, one should not forget that a wide range of measures should be carried out, in particular, the calculation of the thickness of the roof insulation.

All the necessary information can be found on the Internet.

Advantages and disadvantages of modern heaters. Debunking marketing myths.

For example, photo and video materials on the insulation of various types of roofs. Be sure to visit the websites of the manufacturers Rockwool and Knauf. There you can quickly pick up and order a heater for the roof rokwool.

If you feel in doubt what to choose: isover roof insulation or basalt roof insulation, then contact the specialists. They will help to carry out all thermal insulation work in a short time.

Man has always sought to improve the conditions of his life, an integral part of which is the warmth and comfort of the home. Thanks to heating systems and air conditioners, this possibility has become a reality, however, with poor thermal insulation, these devices will work inefficiently and at high energy costs. Therefore, it is so important to properly insulate your home, using only high-quality insulation material that will last for many years.

Mineral wool can be attributed to their number, it has been used for a long time in the insulation of the walls of houses, partitions, pipes, etc.

Mineral wool has received wide distribution due to its operational properties, among which the most significant are:

incombustibility - the material itself does not burn and prevents the spread of flame if a fire occurs
minimum shrinkage - throughout the entire period of operation, mineral wool slabs practically do not shrink, which ensures uniform insulation of the building.
high thermal insulation properties.
low sound transmission.
resistance to aggressive environments - under the influence of various substances, the properties of the material do not deteriorate.

Mineral wool manufacturers

The leaders in the production of mineral thermal insulation wool in the domestic market are the following manufacturers:

Concern Rockwool - produces mineral wool, designed for any structures and their elements used both in industry and in everyday life. Mineral wool is made mainly from basalt.
Isover is one of the leading manufacturers of mineral wool based on fiberglass and stone fiber.
Ursa is a manufacturer of eco-technology fiberglass thermal insulation.
Knauf is a leading company in the production and sale of building materials.
TechnoNIKOL is a Russian manufacturer of high-quality insulation.

Minvata Rockwool

The main feature of the laboratory production of Rockwool mineral wool is that it is identical to natural conditions during a volcanic eruption.

This effect has a positive effect on the quality of the building material - the arrangement of the fibers is chaotic, due to which the following properties are achieved:

burning resistance- at temperatures up to 1000 C they do not even melt,
excellent thermal insulation properties– up to 0.046 W/m K.
vapor tightness
not affected by water
high sound insulation
increased resistance to mechanical stress.

The Rockwool brand has gained its distribution among construction companies and private consumers of the domestic market due to its perfect fire safety, good hygroscopicity and sound insulation, and relatively low cost. The price of different suppliers may fluctuate widely, tk. some sellers offer immediately installation work and delivery to the site.

There are also different types of this insulation material, for example, the price of Rockwool Light Butts starts at 1,873 rubles for slabs 1000x600x50mm, and some facade varieties of mineral wool can reach 7,000 rubles for the same volume.

Izover insulation

The manufacture of Izover insulation is carried out using TEL technology from high-quality fiberglass.
The product obtained in this way has the following characteristics:

Thermal conductivity is about 0.041 V / m K - an indicator that provides excellent thermal insulation. Over time, this indicator does not increase, keeping the room temperature unchanged for a long period.
High level soundproofing thanks to small air gaps between the fibers, it will not only provide protection from street noise, but also isolate the rooms inside the building from each other.
Fire safety. All Izover mineral wool is not susceptible to fire and complies with fire safety requirements. Therefore, its installation can be carried out in buildings of any type.
Vapor permeability is 0.5 mg / mchPa - an excellent indicator for this type of insulation material, however, with an increase in humidity by 1%, thermal insulation decreases by 10%. In order to prevent moistening of the mineral wool, a gap should be left between the insulation and the wall for better air ventilation.
Life time. The manufacturer declared figures of 50 years without deterioration in quality, this information is confirmed by the reviews of the owners who have been using this material for several years.
Health safety. It is believed that some types of mineral wool adversely affect human health, but scientists have proven that Izover's thermal insulation does not harm human health.
Isover plate weight low enough, so they are widely used for insulation of buildings with a fragile structure.
Production form. Isover mineral wool is produced in rolls of 16-20 cubic meters. meters and slabs, single-layer, 5-10 cm thick and multi-layer, the thickness of each layer in which is 5 cm. The cutting of the slabs can be the most diverse.

Minvata Ursa

Mineral wool from URSA is designed to insulate not only walls and roofs, but it can also be used to insulate ventilation ducts and other communications. In addition, this thermal insulation material has a high level of noise absorption and long-term operation without loss of quality. All these technical characteristics have led to the widespread use of Ursa mineral wool in industrial construction and private use.

Ursa mineral wool is based on fiberglass, which has good thermal insulation properties due to the elasticity and strength of the fibers, between which air gaps are formed. The thermal conductivity coefficient of this material ranges from 0.035 to 0.044 W/mK, which is an excellent indicator for this type of insulation.

Depending on the type of mineral wool, sound insulation can be class "A" and class "B". If, along with insulation, it is required to isolate the room from extraneous sounds, building materials of class “A” are used, which can replace the soundproof partition. Regardless of the type, all Ursa mineral wool is environmentally friendly and is thoroughly tested at the production stage. Ursa pays special attention to human safety - it has achieved excellent results, for example, the content of harmful volatile compounds in Ursa mineral wool is 10-15 times less than in domestic or European counterparts.

From the point of view of fire safety, Ursa mineral wool is completely non-combustible due to the use of quartz sand in its composition. The material can withstand huge temperatures and is able to prevent the spread of fire beyond its limits. As for the service life, mineral wool can be used for 50 years without losing its original properties. She is biologically stable, i.e. various rodents, microorganisms and fungi will not spread in such conditions.

Minvata Knauf

Mineral wool brand Knauf, German production are famous for their high quality and safety for human health. This is due to the fact that, unlike many of its competitors, Knauf mineral wool does not contain phenol-formaldehyde resins, which contain harmful substances.

In order to appreciate the properties of this building material, consider its technical characteristics on the example of insulation for houses and cottages TeploKnauf in rolls:

Thermal conductivity– 0.037 W/mK
Noise protection- 45 W
combustibility- not flammable
Dimensions- 6148x1220x50
The volume of one package– 0.75 sq.m.

Knauf insulation has a number of advantages that are so valued by construction organizations and individuals:
- a small coefficient of thermal conductivity allows you to keep warm in the apartment even in the most severe frosts.
-Knauf mineral wool was widely used in houses located near tram tracks and highways.

This is due to the fact that it has excellent soundproofing properties, and provides comfort and silence in the house.

not susceptible to the appearance of rodents and fungal formations.
fireproof, even if a fire occurs, this substance will prevent the further spread of the flame.
ease of transformation - mineral wool is able to shrink to sizes several times smaller than actual, thanks to this property it can be transported in large quantities.
the absence of shrinkage throughout the entire period of operation will eliminate the need for repair and additional laying of mineral wool.
light weight, easy to assemble
safety for human health

The only drawback of Knauf insulation can be considered its price, it is higher than that of many competitors, but Knauf surpasses them in many technical indicators. The cheapest version of Knaif mineral wool will cost the buyer 1200 rubles per roll of 18 square meters, 50 mm thick.

Minvata TechnoNIKOL

TechnoNIKOL is a domestic manufacturer of insulating materials, one of the top five European companies in the production of these products. TechnoNIKOL mineral wool is made of basalt fibers, which are distinguished by high environmental friendliness and thermal insulation performance. This material is used for insulation of both multi-storey buildings on an industrial scale, and in private housing construction.

The most common types of mineral wool produced by TechnoNIKOL are presented below:

rocklight- basalt slabs with a low content of phenol in resins, due to which this material has increased safety and environmental friendliness. The main area of application is the insulation of private houses. It can be used to isolate horizontal, vertical and angled surfaces. The load on the structures is small, so they may not have high strength, which expands their scope.
Teploroll- a material that is long rolls of cotton wool, which have improved soundproofing properties. The greatest application was found in the insulation of roof slopes, ceilings between floors and attic spaces.
Technoacoustic- designed primarily for sound insulation, in addition, it has good heat-saving properties. It is presented in the form of wool, made of specially arranged basalt fibers, due to which one layer of this material is able to prevent the penetration of sound at 60 dB. Basically, this type of insulation is used in the interior decoration of the building - partitions between walls, ceiling, attic.
Technoblock- are produced in the form of low phenolic flat boards, which are resistant to combustion, sound and heat insulation, and they are also not subject to moisture. They are used in most cases for the insulation of layered warehouses and frame buildings.

The main characteristics of TechnoNIKOL mineral wool: thermal conductivity 0.035-0.039 W / mS, vapor permeability 0.3 mg / mchPa, water absorption 1.5-2%, Density 25-50%, compressibility 8-55%.
Prices for TechnoNIKOL mineral wool are quite low and easily compete with foreign analogues. So, Rocklight slabs can be purchased for only $38 per cubic meter.

Having analyzed the main types of mineral wool presented for sale, you can make a choice in the direction of one or another manufacturer. Depending on the scope of use, conditions, prices and other nuances, you should buy a certain brand of mineral wool. Not only the comfort and warmth of your home, but also the safety of the whole family will depend on how responsibly you take this matter.

What are the advantages of URSA and Izover heat insulators?

- Is there any difference between URSA and Izover?

If it is, it is highly conditional. Both materials are fiberglass, both have the same technical characteristics, even their appearance is so similar that not every specialist will be able to distinguish them when unpacked. By the way, their packaging is the same - a shrink film, which reduces the transport volume by up to 35 percent of the working volume, which makes it possible to place three cubic meter packages of this heat insulator into ordinary Zhiguli.

This is probably the main advantage of modern thermal insulation materials:

You spoke about the advantages of URSA and Izover materials, but did not mention anything about their shortcomings.

Disadvantages? Perhaps only one. They don't like moisture. When hit, it partially loses its properties. Therefore, they cannot be wetted, and condensate should not accumulate on them inside the building structures. For this, special ventilated structures have been developed or polyethylene film, aluminum foil or kraft paper are used as vapor barriers.