Basalt insulation: types and their characteristics, review of the best manufacturers

Because of its efficiency and environmental friendliness, basalt insulation presents a strong option for insulating your roof. Melted volcanic rock, called basalt, is spun into fibers to create basalt insulation. Following that, these fibers are formed into a variety of insulation products with superior acoustic and thermal insulation qualities.

There are numerous varieties of basalt insulation on the market, each with special qualities of its own. For example, flexible and simple to install, blanket or batt insulation provides good thermal resistance between roof joists and studs. Conversely, rigid board insulation offers a more durable choice for roof insulation with excellent moisture resistance and compressive strength.

The ability of basalt insulation to withstand fire is one of its main benefits. Because basalt insulation is inherently non-combustible, unlike certain other insulation materials, it is a safe option for roofing applications where fire safety is a concern. Furthermore, basalt insulation promotes better indoor air quality because it is inert and does not encourage the growth of bacteria or mold.

The quality and reputation of the manufacturers should be taken into account when choosing basalt insulation for your roofing needs. A number of businesses have made a name for themselves in the production of superior basalt insulation goods. Producers such as Company X and Company Y are renowned for their inventive methods in the field of insulation technology, providing goods that satisfy the most exacting performance criteria and ecological guidelines.

We explore the world of basalt insulation in this article for "All about the roof." Examining different kinds and their distinct qualities, we offer a perceptive analysis of top producers in the sector. Knowing the differences between various basalt insulation products is essential, regardless of your preference for better thermal performance, fire resistance, or environmentally friendly options. We hope to give readers the information they need to choose wisely when it comes to insulation options for their roofing projects by reviewing the salient characteristics and advantages provided by leading manufacturers.

How a stone is made soft and fluffy?

We’ll tell you the trick: the actual stone is melted in a stove at a temperature between 1300 and 1500 degrees Celsius to transform it into soft cotton wool. This is the only temperature at which basalt melts. Depending on the technology employed in production, he either instantly seeps through the micro-configuration into a centrifuga or drips into a large flywheel that is spinning quickly.

There, the fibers made of drops are combined with organic matter. Mats and slabs form fibers under varying pressures. The ultimate microstructure and density of stone cotton wool are attained in this manner:

This is how life works in this process:

Interesting, isn’t that right?

Valuable advantages of ready -made insulation from basalt

A large range of high-quality, reasonably priced insulating materials for home layout are available on the contemporary Russian market. But you won’t have to worry about a lot of things if your basalt thermal insulation is from a reputable manufacturer. It is fireproof and reasonably simple to install, in contrast to many other forms of thermal insulation.

For instance, after at least two hours of intense fire, stone wool fibers can tolerate melting temperatures of over a thousand degrees Celsius. Simultaneously, foam products not only cannot tolerate this kind of heating, but they also propagate fire.

Here’s an intriguing commercial that exemplifies each of these points:

The following are some of the many beneficial qualities of basalt wool: refractory, moisture resistance, and deformation resistance.

Do you think such a heater is unrealistically ideal? Why not, considering all the work done for his benefit and the fact that rocks melt?

Technical characteristics and the shape of the insulation

Let’s now take a closer look at the qualities of basalt wool and how it differs favorably from other comparable insulation.

• Thermal conductivity is in the range from 0.034 to 0.045 W/MK;
• strength with deformation of 10% of 10-55 kPa;
• Moisture absorption – from 1 to 5%. By the way, materials with indicators are also suitable for internal insulation even higher, but not more than 20%.
• The density of basalt slabs for internal insulation is 30-50 kg/m³, and for external insulation 100-400 kg/m³;
• The vapor permeability is in the range of 0.4-0.6 mg/m.h.PA.

Since they are nearly similar in terms of appearance and installation methods, let’s compare basalt cotton wool with other forms of mineral insulation:

Let’s talk in more detail about steamability. The capacity of the walls and roof to allow water vapors to pass through their structure without being trapped behind a vapor barrier film is crucial for the internal insulation of those materials. However, how do they get there?

The truth is that water molecules can always find a way through a vapor barrier film. Aluminum sheet is the only material that qualifies. Every other choice has some degree of vapor permeability. For instance, inexpensive vapor barrier films can only postpone water vapors by 75%, whereas more costly ones can already do so by 90–95%. However these 5% can cause a lot of problems.

And lastly, the issue of this insulation’s environmental friendliness. Because stone cotton wool is non-combustible, flames do not spread across its surface when they ignite over an open fire. However, a lot of people are concerned about this material’s toxicity for someone who has severe heating.

The truth is that stone fibers melt and distort when heated to temperatures above 1000 degrees, but the binding agents eventually burn out on them. Their presence on the material, though, is insufficient to create a smoke curtain or poison the air.

What will happen to the fibers next, though? They’ll get melted. In addition, stone cotton wool provides some fire protection for the home by withstanding 240 minutes of direct flame impact without deforming. Here are additional details regarding the material’s fire safety:

Additionally, during other times that the populace is disturbed during this trying time, a brief introductory video

Forms: rolls, slabs and foil materials

It would be incorrect to claim that one form is superior to the other. Specifically, special sandwiches on chimneys and soft or hard slabs are most frequently used for roof insulation.

Therefore, soft plates are a good choice for soundproofing and insulating even empty surfaces. T.e. These areas don’t have a lot of weight on them, but they still need to be shielded from the cold. These primarily consist of interior partitions, a roofing system between the rafters, and floor insulation between draft-causing lags.

However, the plates are typically used for external insulation and are already somewhat stiff. For instance, in well laying or ventilated facades. These work well in highly humid rooms as well. Incidentally, special stone wool—or rather, a different series of it—is made specifically for this purpose.

Brittle plates As it stands, stone wool can already support loads of up to 300 kg per square meter. When warming ceilings in the so-called floating screed, they are essential. They are also utilized in wet facades; we are referring to unique hard slabs where a decorative layer is placed directly on top of them and the gap strength needs to be at least 10 kPa.

You might wonder, though, why not use these plates to warm the house’s roof or walls. Are they not superior to soft and more dependable? Regrettably, the higher the heat conductivity of the slabs, the tougher they are. The manufacturer’s recommendations remain the primary guideline when choosing stone wool for insulation in a specific area of the house.

Thermal insulating materials have all of their mechanical and physical properties precisely engineered for their intended uses. For this reason, the material used for screed should be hard, and for walls and roofs, elastic. Moreover, the stiffness and elasticity are directly impacted by the fiber’s size, the raw materials utilized, and a host of other factors.

Light elastic plates work well for the same roof because they are easily positioned in the proper spot and can support their weight and bursting power. However, there is a chance of damage if you start to install a denser material between the rafters. As a result, when installing something, don’t try to do it better than the manufacturer could.

We also observe a new species of foil basalt insulation from the glassry, which has an aluminum substrate or base. The aluminum foil is located, as you have already surmised, on the one hand. This is a fantastic final product for bathrooms and insulation.

In addition, the plates are covered in foil within the space, reflecting heat radiation and preventing cold air from escaping through the fibers. Additionally, basalt cotton wool is occasionally stitched with fiberglass threads or further reinforced with wire.

Review of manufacturers, or what the Russian market offers?

Let’s examine the manufacturers that currently provide stone cotton wool to the domestic insulation market:

Knauf: recognized world leader

Globally, the most well-known producer of stone wool is the German company Knauf. He started manufacturing goods in 1932, and while it occasionally creates fiberglass materials, his primary area of expertise in the field of thermal insulation is basalt fiber.

KNAUF has carefully considered the selection of insulation for the various home structural components. There are up to five episodes in this regard: the partitions, the walls, the ceiling, and the roof. Additionally, Knauf offers universal mineral wool that can be used for any task:

Knauf literally releases stone cotton wool for the entire world today. Unfortunately, customers frequently lament the noticeable increase in stiffness of the plates.

Naturally, it’s not like glass wool; instead, using bare hands just causes uncomfortable feelings. However, no one would ever consider working with a cotton heater without gloves abroad.

Rockwool: High quality

Not any less well-known Danish business Rockwool has been in business since 1909. The company takes great pride in the fact that only European machinery is used in all of its factories. Stone cotton wool can be obtained in the subsequent formats:

By the way, Russia is home to Rockwool factories. Users typically mention that this basalt insulation does not crumble or settle, and that it comes in a variety of sizes and packaging, among other benefits. T.e. Selecting the best option for building your home is simple.

URSA: expensive equipment

However, URSA has created a brand-new range of mineral wool. As the union of Ursa Eurasia, these are actually up to three production sites in operation. High-tech equipment is their main weapon. They used to use more fiberglass slabs, but now they use more natural raw materials, like basalt, along with acrylic components.

Moreover, Urs maintains factories in Chudovo, Russia. You don’t need to worry about quality because, according to the manufacturer, brand-new, high-tech equipment from Europe was also imported there.

The Russian Pureone series in particular was well-liked. By the way, this manufacturer’s basalt insulation is regarded as having some of the best thermal and sound insulation; some have complained about it having insufficient vapor permeability.

Technonikol: for special loads

One of Russia’s most well-known producers of basalt insulation, Technonikol sells its goods under the Roclaite brand:

It’s interesting to note that every business has a technician with a separate lab. This makes it possible to continuously perform multi-stage control on the products. Consequently, Technonikol’s products were awarded a European level certificate.

Additionally, Technonikol once updated manufacturing processes and succeeded in giving mineral wool a very special quality: greater hardness, which allows each basalt plate to support a weight of up to seven tons. Since small rodents have a strong affinity for similar materials, the manufacturer also attempts to achieve untrusted insulation for these animals.

Sadly, hydrophobic issues with this insulation still exist. Additionally, there have been reports that mice particularly enjoy this mineral wool, and fresh plates occasionally have an unpleasant chemical odor.

ISOVER: enviable durability

For over eight decades, the French company ISOVER has been producing wool made from basalt cotton. These plates have the advantage of maintaining their characteristics and shape over a long period of time.

The material’s unpleasant odor and inadequate moisture resistance were the only drawbacks mentioned.

Izovol: best fire safety

The Izovol brand’s basalt wool is also noted for having good technical qualities. The Belgorod factory produces it in compliance with both national and international standards.

Isvel mineral wool, for instance, is well known for its increased fire safety. As a result, these goods are employed in both industrial and residential construction, particularly for pipe isolation. The key to Izovol’s success is that, unlike its rivals, it uses a totally unique technology to melt all of the gas constituents when producing cotton wool.

With the help of a special melting device, this technology produces fibers at a consistent high melt temperature, giving the required fluidity and viscosity. By doing this, you can make fibers with a number of additional technical features over those of competitors’ products.

Izovol takes great pride in not using domain slags to make their stone wool. The CIS countries are supplied with ready-to-use basalt wool due to its many benefits, including its light weight, non-flammability, and broad range of applications. However, one of the flaws is a minor display during installation.

Izorok: domestic quality

We will also briefly discuss the mineral wool produced by the Izorok company. Since 2000, it has been produced in Russia. The primary distinction is in the universal properties of the plates, which are stable and dense and effectively insulate against sound and heat. This stone cotton wool takes up worthy space among other heaters.

PAROC: Reliability and practicality

The Finnish company Paroc is another well-known producer. He creates wool made of basalt cotton and energy-efficient panels. Russia has PAROC plants, and its products are frequently displayed at building shows in Moscow.

This specific brand stands out among the benefits of basalt wool for its fire safety and harmlessness. The slight dust during operation and the poor quality for low-density plates are the drawbacks.

You may find it noteworthy, though, that Paroc currently holds a prominent position in the global production of mineral wool. The manufacturer claims that the consistency of employee work is the key to their success. As a result, it makes sense to have faith in this brand.

Eurozole: Unique technology

The manufacturer of Eurozole typically uses an intriguing technology to produce stone wool. The fiber’s diameter rises as a result of the unique way the threads are stretched, making them bigger. Additionally, this enhances insulation’s technical qualities. You will probably notice that cotton wool is stronger and more flexible even when using such a stove.

The entire trick is that the fibers’ strength for compression, stretching, and shifting increases with their length. Additionally, during operation, improved thermal and sound-absorbing qualities result from larger thread diameters.

Because such fiber can be made with a lower density, Eurizol was able to introduce a line of less expensive and lighter insulating materials as a result of this innovation. which implies that there will be less weight on the roof.

Beltep: proven wear resistance

In the budget category is the well-liked Belarusian Beltep. This cotton wool is very stiff and has good vapor permeability.

Products from Beltep are intended for both industrial and residential use. The wear resistance of its products is its primary selling point. It’s true that the slabs contain some strong smells, but these fade with time because phenolic resins are inside.

Types of Basalt Insulation	Characteristics
1. Basalt Wool	High thermal resistance, fire-resistant
2. Basalt Boards	Good acoustic insulation, moisture-resistant
3. Basalt Blankets	Flexible, easy to install
Best Manufacturers	1. Rockwool: Known for quality and innovation
2. Knauf Insulation: Wide range of eco-friendly options

A flexible and efficient way to increase a building’s comfort and energy efficiency is with basalt insulation. Because of its superior thermal characteristics and ability to withstand moisture, basalt insulation is a dependable option for a range of construction applications.

There exist multiple varieties of basalt insulation, each meeting distinct needs. Frequently utilized in both residential and commercial settings, blanket insulation offers flexibility and ease of installation. Higher compressive strength makes rigid board insulation ideal for structural insulation in roofs and walls. Conversely, spray foam insulation offers smooth coverage and is perfect for spaces with irregular shapes.

Selecting basalt insulation from manufacturers renowned for their excellence and dependability is crucial. Among the leading producers are businesses like Rockwool, Johns Manville, and Knauf Insulation, which provide goods that satisfy strict industry certifications and standards.

All things considered, basalt insulation is a recommended option for both new construction and retrofit projects because it blends durability with thermal efficiency. Property owners can increase energy savings, lessen their building’s impact on the environment, and improve the general comfort of their structures by choosing the appropriate type and manufacturer.

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