I’ll also add my 5 cents about this material.We insulated the pitched roof, about 50 sq.m. They found out that the rafters were placed at... God knows what distance from each other. Moreover, it seems that this point was naturally discussed with the foreman last year, but it turned out that we were leaving, and upon returning we discovered the distance between the rafters was from 65 to 75 cm.
In the end, we decided that we would cut the insulation, and cut the slabs, since we don’t have them in rolls, drive small nails into the rafters and tighten the nylon.
It turned out as follows - the first cut layer was 150mm (from 50mm and 100mm slabs with overlap), the second layer was sewn across another 100mm sheathing and another 100mm of insulation was laid in it, but here we filled the sheathing ourselves, and naturally there was no need to cut anything. The work, of course, went much faster, in correct size distance between the rafters (we made it 59cm) it attaches perfectly, does not fall, although it sags (bulges out), so here too we wrapped it slightly with rope (the hand was already stuffed). Izospan FD was secured on top with a stapler. It is somewhat more expensive than a simple membrane, but essentially the issue is only 1.5-2 thousand rubles for my volume, so they solved it. I taped all the stapler pins and seams with special Izospan FL tape.
Well, there are also 40mm bars on top, and then there is drywall.Now, based on the material, those who write “does not generate dust” are lies. Those who write “doesn’t inject” are a lie! It is dusty and prickly. Of course, I didn’t come across others, my experience was only in a warm cottage, even where it didn’t have to be cut, dust fell from it, it was clearly visible in the rays of the sun, they worked in respirators! It started to prick my clothes after we carried the bags from the truck into the house. Don’t expect miracles, it’s just that other materials may be much dustier and more prickly, but then it’s generally tough, because it wasn’t easy to work with either. After work I wanted to run to the shower. Naturally, after we covered the ceiling with isospan and gypsum board, and after we primed and plastered the walls, everything became OK. About elasticity and volume restoration after opening the package. Well, not every sheet inflated to the stated 100mm. So somewhere from 90 to 100, although it’s still closer to 100mm, judging by the reviews from other manufacturers. Installs easily. 750mm cuttings of 100mm thickness were inserted and did not fall, but 50mm thickness kept trying to fall. Our nylon cap was more of a safety net; in fact, we could have done without it, it’s just that if you start moving the insulation, it tries to fall out on a 30-degree roof.
But now we need to insulate the attic ( monolithic ceiling), and I seriously thought - is it worth doing this with this glass wool? Price yes. Interesting. Rockwool light baths for 80 sq.m. in Irkutsk it will be 43200, this glass wool will be 27000. C stone wool never encountered it at all. They write that it also generates dust, that it also settles, that it also needs to be covered with films, etc... in general, nothing is clear... maybe clay or sawdust...
Mineral insulation Knauf Cottage is one of those options that will allow you to achieve optimal ratio quality and price. The products are of German origin and are available in various modifications to solve a range of problems. The insulation composition includes exclusively natural ingredients, not capable of causing allergies, and in terms of technical characteristics it has practically no equal.
The name of Knauf stone mineral wool is directly related to the nuances of production. A material is created based on the artificial production of fibers according to the same principle as it happens in natural conditions after a volcanic eruption.
Stone wool, also known as basalt wool, is made from mineral basalt rocks with the addition of binding components. Ready material for thermal insulation they are produced in slabs or rolls with various parameters.
Advantages of mineral slabs
For thermal insulation of a house or cottage, Knauf mineral slabs are chosen more often than other insulation materials, and there are good reasons for this. The material really has obvious advantages, which include:
- Minimum thermal conductivity coefficient, which allows you to maintain an optimal microclimate in the room after insulation with a reduction in heat consumption costs.
- Excellent sound absorption performance.
- Fire resistance - Knauf mineral wool slabs belong to the group non-combustible materials, which is especially important for insulating residential buildings, cottages and other structures.
- Light weight - the load on structures using Knauf mineral wool is minimal.
- No shrinkage - even after the expiration of the period of use (50 years), the material retains its original shape and functionality.
- Simple and quick installation - the Knauf mineral wool insulation technology will be clear even to a beginner.
- Completely environmentally friendly due to the absence of mineral wool toxins and dyes.
Among the disadvantages, one can note the higher cost of mineral slabs compared to competitive products, which, however, is justified by their high technical characteristics and long service life.
Functionality of mineral insulation - characteristics
Like any basalt insulation, Knauf mineral wool slabs are one of the most good decisions for installing insulation in a private house or country house. As in in roll form, and in the more familiar slabs, the insulation copes with the functions assigned to it, regardless of the external factors affecting it.
Mineral thermal insulation is resistant to fire, mechanical damage, moisture. In other words, the material does not burn, does not sink or deform, while the thermal conductivity coefficient remains unchanged within the range of 0.035-0.4 W/m.
You can work with Knauf mineral slabs without additional funds protection without wasting time on installing a vapor barrier layer. The material’s water absorption rates are so impressive that additional protection from moisture is not required.
Regarding other technical characteristics, Knauf slabs and rolls differ depending on the type. The manufacturer offers several options for solving different problems, ranging from insulation interior walls and ceilings in a private house and ending with the insulation of facades in dachas. Each brand has its own density, thickness, and weight.
Knauf line of insulation: types of insulation and purpose
One of the most popular is considered to be insulation based on Knauf Cottage mineral wool, developed using a special “3-in-1” technology. The purpose of the material is to retain heat, protect the room from the penetration of outside noise and moisture. The slabs are equally effective for thermal insulation of walls, roofs and partitions, and are available in slabs and rolls. The first ones have the following parameters: 123×61 cm, thickness - 5 cm and 10 cm.
Another option for thermal insulation for a house or cottage made of basalt wool is Knauf Dom slabs. Initially, the material was developed for insulating private houses using a special “3D elasticity” technology. The material adheres as closely as possible to the surface, preventing the formation of cold bridges. In order to save money, it is better to use slabs with a thickness of 10 cm to insulate the house.
In terms of technical characteristics, TeploKNAUF Dacha mineral wool insulation is not inferior to previous versions. The material is produced only in roll form, suitable for thermal insulation:
- small suburban buildings;
- floors;
- attics;
- huts for storing equipment;
- verandas;
- summer kitchen;
- barn and other buildings.
One package of summer cottage material can insulate up to 18 square meters area.
Professional thermal insulation is created using insulation, again made from mineral wool. Knauf Insulation with technical characteristics that make it possible to be compatible not only with walls and roofs, but with floors and attic floors. The material is suitable for insulating interior and exterior surfaces in commercial and residential areas. Knauf Insulation is available in the form of sound-absorbing boards.
Another example of rolled mineral wool insulation is Knauf Thermo Roll 040, which is especially convenient to transport. Unlike the above-described Insulation in slabs, roll insulation is suitable exclusively for horizontal surfaces- attic and ceilings between floors.
When an optimal sound absorption device is important, it is better to use a special development of the company - Knauf Insulation Acoustic Partition, which meets SNiP in the “Noise Protection” category, which allows you to achieve an optimal level of silence in the room, primarily due to the technical characteristics of the mineral wool included in the composition.
For pitched roofs, an insulator made of mineral wool in the form of slabs and mats, developed on the basis of Aquastatik technology - Knauf Pitched Roof, is suitable. The material is also actively used for floor insulation in attics in private homes and country houses, choosing among several options with different parameters and technical characteristics.
And the last brand is Knauf Facade with technical characteristics designed for the use of slabs for insulating the external walls of dachas and residential buildings within the city. This brand is presented in two versions: Thermo Plate 034A and 032A. Both types of insulation are elastic, do not absorb moisture well, and are suitable for insulation under cladding and ventilated facades.
Knauf has been working for 70 years to create thermal insulation materials made of fiberglass, and today its range continues to expand. Mineral wool of new and improved series enters the market, less effective and “morally obsolete” ones are discontinued. Currently, the Knauf company offers builders glass wool, which is superior in its insulating characteristics to basalt. At the same time, it is absolutely environmentally friendly, characterized by minimal water absorption and dust formation. Let's look at the new products in this review.
TeploKnauf is a series designed for use in private low-rise construction. Available in the form of soft rolls and slabs, compressed in packaging 2-8 times. This simplifies and reduces the cost of transportation, but requires patience from buyers: after removing the film, the cotton wool must be given several days for the elastic fibers to straighten and restore their original volume.
To increase the hydrophobicity, Knauf mineral wool is impregnated with water-repellent compounds in production. The slabs have a size of 61x123 cm, which allows them to be tightly installed between the rafters with a standard pitch of 0.6 m without the use of additional fasteners. Builders in their reviews especially note the tenacity of the fibers that hold the slab in the wooden frame.
- HeatKnauf for the cottage. Universal insulation is available in the form of mats with a thickness of 50 or 100 mm. For small facilities where accurate calculations of the building’s energy efficiency are not made, such a limited selection of wool can be called quite sufficient. Suitable for inclined and vertical structures– its rigidity is enough to stand apart between the rafters or into the sheathing of the wall.
- HeatKnauf for roofing – roll material 50 and 150 mm thick with canvas dimensions of 5.5x1.2 m. It has increased water-repellent properties thanks to the special Aquastatic impregnation. Absorbs about 45 dB of airborne noise.
- HeatKnauf for floors. A separate series of 50 mm thick mineral wool rolls allows for economical use of insulation in accordance with specific operating conditions interior spaces. Here the canvas size is already larger - 7.38 x 1.22 m, and 2 mats are pressed into the package.
Most of the materials in this Knauf line are positioned by the manufacturer itself as “3 in 1” insulation, which retains heat, absorbs noise and protects against dampness. This is probably why they are so expensive.
Professional thermal insulation Knauf
For serious projects, the company produces a separate line of Knauf Insulation. It appeared on the market a little earlier, so there are already a lot of positive reviews about it. Main types:
- Knauf Thermo Plate 037 – universal insulation, which can be used both to protect enclosing structures and in floors for any purpose. Mineral wool with similar characteristics is also available in the Knauf Pitched Roof series; we will describe it below in this review.
- Knauf Thermo Roll 040 – used for insulation interior partitions, attic floors and pitched roofs. However, it is necessary to ensure that the mineral wool does not experience compressive loads - after all, its density is low (11 kg/m3). Available only in thickness 50 mm with canvas dimensions of 1.2x10 m.
- Knauf Acoustic (partition) - found both in the form of slabs 61x125 cm, and in the form of rolls 7.5x0.61 m with a thickness of 50 mm. Different from others Knauf insulation materials Insulation with increased elasticity of thin and long wool fibers, as well as higher sound insulation rates. However, Acoustic is not intended for enclosing structures; its main area of application is internal partitions and interfloor ceilings. Noise absorption at minimum thickness– about 57 dB.
Minvata Knauf company for pitched roofs is represented by a whole family of insulation materials. For rafter system For roofs with a large slope and attic superstructures, you can buy more rigid slabs; for attic floors and flat surfaces, it is more convenient to use soft rolls, laying them on a solid base.
Knauf Insulation Pitched roofing:
- ThermoRoll 034 and 037A differ from each other only in thermal conductivity indicators, which are determined by the index in the product name. The release form of mats 034 is 1.2x5 m with a thickness of 50 mm. Knauf 037 has a slightly wider selection: here you can purchase 150 mm rolls and thin products with a web length of 9 m.
- Mineral wool ThermoPlate 034 and 037A - in terms of characteristics, everything is quite standard (0.034 and 0.037 W/m K). The dimensions of Knauf slabs 1250x610 mm with a thickness of 50 mm do not seem convenient to everyone, and there are often reviews where builders complain that thin mats fall out of the rafters. But Knauf ThermoPlates 100 mm do not have this drawback.
Despite the unambiguous name of the series, Knauf Insulation mineral wool is used not only for pitched roofs, but also for insulating attic floors along joists. In any case, you should not allow loads to be applied to the insulation layer.
Facade insulation is produced only in rigid mat format and has improved energy-saving characteristics. In addition, Knauf Insulation ThermoPlate 032 has a higher degree of moisture protection and absorbs up to 0.6% of water from its volume when partially immersed. For products with index 034, the same figure is 0.8%. At the same time, the density of Knauf 032 slabs is noticeably lower (25 kg/m3 versus 34). But the size of the mats is the same for the entire series: 1.25x0.6 m.
Technical characteristics of mineral wool
| Thermo Plate | Thermo Roll | Knauf Acoustic | Pitched roof | Facade | |
| Thermal conductivity, W/m K | 0,037 | 0,04 | 0,037 | 0,034 | 0,032 |
| Density, kg/m3 | 15 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 25 – 34 |
| Permeability, mg/m h Pa | 0,55 | 0,5 | |||
| Water absorption,% | 0,8 | 0,6 – 0,8 | |||
| Package volume, m3 | 0,9 | 1,2 | 0,915 | 0,57 | 0,6 |
| Cost, rub/pack | 950 | 1500 | 1060 | 500 | 1060 |
Both families presented are made from glass wool, although technical specifications Knauf really exceeds the performance for basalt insulation. And the price is not lower. However, we should not forget about the main “diseases” of fiberglass: fragility, gradual loss of volume and allergenic dust. It is precisely with regard to the latter that builders have more than once expressed the opinion that this problem has not been completely resolved.
Reviews
“At one time I already had the opportunity to insulate myself with cotton wool of this brand. I used Knauf Cottage, but in vain I was counting on the manufacturer’s promise of “dust-free work.” After coughing for about an hour, I went to arm myself with gloves and a mask. But this cotton wool really has an effect. At my dacha it’s usual stove heating, so in terms of firewood consumption in the first winter there was a savings of about 25-30%.”
Artem, Moscow region.
“I used Knauf ThermoRoll for the roof and attic - I brought the whole batch in my Niva. True, we had to wait for fine days to unpack the insulation and leave it to “rise.” It took about 3 days, I thought Knauf mineral wool takes shape faster. As for the dust, there is some, but it’s quite possible to work with your hands. But it’s really better to cover your face with a mask and goggles.”
Roman, Ekaterinburg.
“I also used Knauf Cottage - and then it was a bit expensive, and now it’s not the most cheap option. But that's it positive reviews fully deserved by her. There are no problems with installation, it cuts perfectly if necessary, fits tightly into the frame. Two years have passed since the insulation with Knauf cotton wool: the house has really become more comfortable, and on the first floor we managed to get rid of the ever-growing fungus.”
Oleg, Omsk.
“I am very familiar with this material – I helped both my sons with insulation. Now I have come to my senses. For the roof I decided to buy Heat Knauf, but I needed a thickness of at least 15 cm. First I threw 50 mm mats into the rafters. While my son was holding them so they wouldn’t fall out, he put another 100 mm sheet underneath - there was no other way.”
Yuri Pavlovich, Moscow.
Today no one will remember how long mineral wool has been used to insulate houses and buildings for various purposes. This material is also called stone wool and is offered today by many manufacturers. This thermal insulation is one of the most reliable, which is why it lasted so long on the market. For several decades, the material did not give up its positions.
Which manufacturer's cotton wool should I choose?
ABOUT high quality mineral wool is also evidenced by the fact that it remains popular, despite the fact that innovative solutions for thermal insulation are entering the market today. Having familiarized yourself with the market of modern building materials, you can understand that the products of the Knauf company occupy a fairly large share of it. This supplier produces mineral wool, the technical characteristics of which will be discussed below. If you also decide to purchase the material described, you should also read the reviews. They will definitely help you do right choice.
Description of the Knauf brand
Mineral wool “Knauf” is also called and is made, no matter how funny it may sound, from stones. This material is also called basalt wool, the production of which uses stones of lava origin. They are melted down and then added to them. Fibers are formed into rolls or solid slabs.
Can be manufactured according to different technologies using different materials. The production process affects the technical characteristics of basalt and mineral wool. Traditional mineral wool is good, but can be susceptible to moisture, dust and be harmful. All these troubles were overcome within the framework modern production. As a result, it is possible to obtain an almost ideal insulation.
Knauf mineral wool is produced without the use of formaldehyde and phenolic resins. Almost all negative reviews about the dangers of mineral wool were previously aimed precisely at the fact that when exposed to high temperatures the material begins to emit phenol fumes, which are quite toxic.
The material described does not contain harmful resins, and therefore no harmful fumes. The same can be said about the ability to emit dust. It negatively affects a person's lungs and irritates the skin. However, most often mineral wool does not generate dust. This characteristic is characteristic of glass wool. However, if the mineral wool fibers are poorly formed, they can break, which causes the release of dust.
Specifications
The thermal insulation described in the article quite easily copes with the effects of temperature changes. It does not burn and is not permanently deformed. If you decide to purchase this thermal insulation, you should inquire about thermal conductivity. For mineral wool, this parameter varies from 0.035 to 0.4 W/m. This indicates a low level of heat transfer. As practice shows, cotton wool does not transfer heat. It cannot cope except with thermal radiation, but for this purpose other insulation materials can be used, which can also be combined with mineral wool.
Mineral wool "Knauf", the characteristics of which you should study before purchasing this insulation, has low water absorption. Of the total volume, the amount of water can be approximately 2%. If we translate this value into simple language, then after the slab is in water for several days, it will absorb only a few percent of the liquid compared to the total volume of the material. This indicator is insignificant, which allowed mineral wool to stand on a par with polystyrene foam. With all this, the thermal insulation remains vapor permeable.
Knauf mineral wool, the technical characteristics of which are presented in the article, does not burn or heat up. It can only become charred, but only when directly exposed to fire. It is also important to pay attention to density. This parameter may vary. There are several varieties of branded insulation on sale.
Technical characteristics of mineral wool "Teploknauf Cottage Plus"
Thermal insulation “Cottage Plus” from the Knauf company is offered for sale in the form of slabs. Their thickness is 10 cm, and the thermal conductivity is 0.037 W/m*0C, which is true at 10°C. This one has an airborne noise insulation index of 45 RW (W). The length and width of the material are 6148 mm and 1220 mm, respectively.
Technical characteristics of Acoustic mineral wool
This mineral wool "Knauf", the price of which is 1600 rubles. for cubic meter, used for thermal insulation of communications. The material is quite flexible, which ensures a tight fit and eliminates the formation of Acoustic Knauf mineral wool is capable of maintaining its original shape for a long time, which guarantees high level soundproofing.
This material is characterized increased level elasticity. This allows you to reduce the level of impact and sound noise by up to 1.5 times. Installation of this thermal insulation can be carried out in ceilings and partitions, as well as suspended ceilings.
Reviews of varieties of Knauf mineral wool
Mineral wool materials from the manufacturer Knauf can be divided into two lines:
- Insulation;
- "TeploKnauf"
Each of them is used to solve specific problems and was developed for their implementation. Consumers love the Iinsulation line because it is of exceptional quality. This material, according to buyers, is professional and quite expensive, but has one important advantage - versatility. According to home craftsmen, it is convenient to lay it on a large scale when there is a need to process multiple areas.
The Insulation line has excellent characteristics and is durable. This type of mineral wool can protect a home for several decades. The manufacturer itself provides a forty-year warranty. This does not mean that after this period there will be nothing left of the slab. It will be ready to serve for a longer period, but only on the condition that the cotton wool has been used under normal conditions.
Mineral wool "Knauf", reviews of which should help you make the right choice, is also offered for sale in the "Teploknauf" line. Consumers like that this insulation is simpler and can be used for domestic purposes. With its help, consumers finish country houses and small cottages.
Using mineral wool as thermal insulation
Insulation with Knauf mineral wool is carried out by home craftsmen themselves. This material can be used for thermal insulation of the facade. The work may be based on wet-type technology, which combines facade insulation and decorative plaster. This technique is actively used in places with cold climates.
The wall materials can be:
- concrete;
- wood;
- brick.
Quite often used as plaster different types compositions. Mineral wool is placed under a decorative wet layer, which makes the structure stronger and helps save money on heating. Plaster can be:
- mineral based;
- silicate;
- acrylic;
- silicone.
After drying, the layer can be painted in any color using facade paint.
Insulation technology
At the first stage, the facade is cleaned and freed from unnecessary elements. There should be no metal pins on the wall, as they will become rusty. If it is not possible to get rid of metal, then decorative plaster should not be used to decorate the house. Before installing mineral wool on the walls, profiles should be installed. It is important to ensure that the planks are securely fastened. Using special glue, mineral wool is installed on the surface. The thermal insulation should additionally be covered with a reinforced layer, which will prevent deformation of the insulating materials. Using a spatula, an adhesive layer is applied to the surface, onto which a reinforced mesh is attached.
Conclusion
Knauf mineral wool is made with high quality, so craftsmen will not feel any dust when working with it. There is no need to additionally protect the layer of such thermal insulation. Previously, consumers sometimes refused to purchase mineral wool rolls for another reason that they absorbed water in large quantities. However, these negative characteristics were eliminated over time. Today, during the production process, water repellents are added to the fibers, which are able to repel water. That is why Knauf mineral wool receives only positive reviews.