To insulate sloping roofs, attic floors or the inner surface of walls, an excellent option would be to use Knauf insulation. This material is characterized by high quality and long-term performance properties. Let's look at the features, characteristics and scope of use of Knauf insulation below.
General information about insulation materials
The use of insulation is becoming more common both in the construction of private houses and high-rise buildings. Main feature insulation has a very low level of heat conductivity. If we compare the thermal conductivity of standard insulation and brick, it is eighteen times lower. Therefore, installing insulation significantly saves money on heating a house in winter time year.
Let's consider the main types of insulating materials used in construction:
1. Penoplex insulation is a material based on expanded polystyrene that has undergone special treatment. This material is characterized by a low level of thermal conductivity and the ability to withstand enormous loads of more than 40 tons per square meter. It has a wide range of applications, used for insulation of road surfaces, walls, ceilings, foundations, attics, roofs, etc.
2. Insulation based on basalt fiber or basalt wool is the most popular material used in low-rise construction. It is characterized by non-flammability, low thermal conductivity, and vapor permeability. It is used in the process of insulating walls, floors, attics, interfloor areas and foundations.
3. Fiberglass-based insulation is used a little less frequently; it is used for almost any insulation. It has a good water-repellent effect; mold or mildew does not form on it over time.
4. The traditional and lowest-cost insulation is polystyrene foam - the main disadvantage of which is its easy ignition.
Features and advantages of using Knauf insulation
The production of Knauf insulation is carried out by a German company, which has the same name. All Knauf products are famous for their high quality and have extremely positive reviews. This also applies to insulation; in its production only natural components are used that do not cause allergies and are absolutely harmless to health.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the main advantages of Knauf insulation, which once again indicate their quality:
1. Insulating the house with products trademark"Knauf", it turns out to save on heating.
2. Low coefficient of thermal conductivity allows you to retain heat and release it to the street.
3. A high level of noise absorption provides the thermally insulated surface not only with warmth, but is also an excellent sound insulator.
4. Fire safety and resistance to ignition are another advantage of Knauf insulation. This material is completely non-flammable.
5. A high level of biological resistance protects the insulation from being eaten by rats or mice. Therefore, the material can be used for a long time.
6. No unpleasant odor, soft texture - provide comfort when working with this insulation.
7. The ability to compress or purchase Knauf roll insulation is another advantage of it, which makes it easier to transport.
8. Virtually no shrinkage and lightness do not load the walls and retain heat for a long time.
9. The manufacturer’s warranty is more than forty years, so having installed such insulation for almost half a century, you do not need to worry about replacing it.
10. In the manufacture of Knauf insulation, neither dyes nor bleaches are used, so the quality remains at the proper level.
11. Convenient packaging reduces material resources for transporting insulation.
12. Knauf materials are easy to cut and do not chip, unlike analogues, so working with them is easy and comfortable.
Scope of use of Knauf insulation materials
1. Knauf products are used in the process of wall insulation. It can be both internal and external. It is better to carry out external insulation, since when performing such actions the freezing point moves to outside walls, so more heat is retained in the building.
3. Roof insulation can be either ventilated or non-ventilated. The first method prevents condensation and allows the roof to breathe.
4. Thermal insulation materials from the Knauf company are used for installation on various types of roofs, both pitched and flat.
5. To prevent freezing non-residential premises: Warehouses or industrial buildings also use Knauf insulation.
6. For insulation of basements, balconies, loggias, slabs with increased strength are used, which have virtually no shrinkage.
7. To avoid soil heaving in the winter, use Knauf insulation, which is used to insulate the foundation and basement sections of the building.
Knauf insulation characteristics and review
Let's consider Knauf insulation materials made of glass wool. They are divided into:
- Knauf Insulation;
- Knauf or “TeploKnauf.
The first version of insulation is characterized by high elastic properties and is used for insulating external wall surfaces: in residential, public and industrial premises.
There are several types of Knauf insulation that are used for insulation:
- facades;
- roofs;
- partitions.
Facade insulation is installed on external walls and is produced in the form of slabs. One package contains from eight to sixteen pieces.
The second option is used in the process of roof insulation. Available in two forms: tiled or matte. Packed in packaging required quantity material from one piece to twenty-four.
In the process of constructing residential, public or industrial buildings, such as high-rise buildings, shops, theaters and restaurants, the third option of external insulation is used. The package contains four to twenty-four slabs or four rolls, according to the required shape.
The use of “TeploKnauf” is associated with the insulation of residential premises, such as a house or cottage. This insulation there are several types:
- “Knauf Cottage” - has excellent soundproofing properties, provides high level thermal insulation, is a universal material with which both the roof and walls are insulated, the presence of hydroimpregnation increases the water-repellent effect, the thickness of the slabs is 50 mm;
- “Knauf Cottage Plus” - has the same characteristics as the previous material, but the layer thickness is 100 mm, therefore it is more reliable and high quality;
- “Knauf Dacha” is a cheaper type of insulation, which is installed in rooms where people live periodically, for example, at the dacha, since when severe frost, this material is not able to fully perform its functions;
- “Knauf House” - increases the thermal insulation properties of both walls and roofs in private houses, apartments and other residential premises, the slabs have a thickness of 50 mm;
- “Knauf House Plus” - has the same features and functions as “Knauf House”, only it has a higher level of thermal insulation and a thickness of 100 mm.
In addition to glass wool insulation, the Knauf company produces polystyrene insulation. They are produced in the Knauf Therm series.
Expanded polystyrene is a material that has the following characteristics:
- high sound insulation;
- high water-repellent effect, this aspect is especially important in the process of roof insulation;
- this material is not subject to rotting, the development of mold, mildew and other microorganisms;
- is an absolutely harmless and environmentally friendly material;
- includes special additives that help improve fire safety and non-flammability qualities;
- good geometric shapes of the slabs, practically eliminating the risk of cracks during their installation;
- do not require special clothing and respirators when working with expanded polystyrene;
- much easier to plaster than mineral wool;
- have a long service life, which exceeds thirty years.
The Knauf Therm series contains materials that allow you to insulate rooms, floors, walls and facades of wooden houses.
The slabs are produced in standard size: 120 cm by 10 cm. Custom slabs can be ordered. Let's look at the main types of Knauf Therm thermal insulation materials and their features:
1. Knauf Therm FLOOR - heat-insulating, moisture-resistant insulation, which is produced in the form of slabs, has increased strength, and is suitable for performing thermal insulation work on all types of floors, plinths, blind areas and foundation walls, the depth of which does not exceed three meters.
Peculiarities:
- does not contain or highlight harmful substances;
- capable of withstanding a load of more than 14 tons per 1 m²;
- does not shrink;
- low thermal conductivity.
2. Knauf Therm “Facade” - used for external insulation of walls of any buildings. They are used to construct a facade system with plaster, which is laid in a thin layer. Installation of these plates is carried out in the following steps:
- if necessary, the slabs are cut to the required size;
- installed and secured with mounting adhesive and a dowel system;
- The plaster and adhesive mass creates a protective layer, which, after drying, is covered with a decorative layer.
When installing these slabs, it is not allowed to have small gaps between them.
Advantages:
- environmental safety;
- high level of strength;
- fire safety;
- no shrinkage.
3. Knauf Therm Roof - a heat-insulating material that is used in the process of insulating a flat roof. It is possible to use them for flat roofs with a base made of concrete or reinforced concrete material or insulation of flat roofs made of corrugated metal sheets.
Peculiarities:
- environmental friendliness;
- non-flammability;
- ease of installation;
- light weight;
- resistance to moisture.
4. Knauf Therm “Walls” - used for thermal insulation work on various types of walls.
Scope of use:
- walls with cladding or covering;
- frame walls;
- facade systems mounted type with air gaps;
- frame partitions made of metal or wood;
- in the process of producing panels of concrete or reinforced concrete composition.
5. Knauf Therm Roof NL - slabs are designed for thermal insulation, they are used when working on the roof, and are characterized by increased strength characteristics.
Allows for thermal insulation on flat or pitched roofs. The slabs are lightweight and easy to install, moisture resistant and fireproof. They do not shrink.
6. “Knauf Therm D” five in one - slabs that allow insulation under increased load.
Scope of use:
- when thermally insulating a foundation whose depth does not exceed six meters;
- for thermal insulation of roofs and floors with additional loads;
- are used to protect the waterproofing of load-bearing walls, due to their exposure to mechanical damage;
- improve the outflow of water in the outer walls of the basement.
Advantages:
- absence of phenol-formalhyde;
- ability to withstand loads of about twenty tons or more;
- moisture resistance;
- the stepped edge of the slabs does not require sealing seams;
- to simplify the cutting process, special markings are applied to the slabs;
- a special textured surface improves the quality of the adhesive and increases the adhesion of the slab to the wall.
7. “Knauf Therm S” 5 in 1 - slabs are used for insulating facades or outer wall buildings.
Installation of slabs includes:
- installation and fixation of thermal insulation with foam, glue or dowels;
- construction of a protective layer, which consists of plaster and glue;
- applying a decorative texture layer.
Advantages:
- safety of use;
- moisture-repellent properties;
- does not require sealing seams;
- easy to cut and install;
- has a high level of adhesion to the surface.
8. “Knauf Therm F” 5 in 1 - slabs that allow you to insulate walls, the foundation of a building or the floor.
Scope of application:
- different types of floors;
- flat roof;
- façade parts of the building;
- garden paths;
- balconies;
- foundation and plinth parts;
- basements.
A distinctive feature of this thermal insulation material is its ability to withstand loads that exceed 15 tons per square meter. The material is easily and conveniently transported.
9. Knauf Therm Concrete - insulating boards, which are characterized by increased strength, allow you to insulate floors for various purposes.
Used in the construction of “floating floors” or self-leveling screeds. The material does not rot or mold, is not attractive to mice and other rodents, and therefore can last for quite a long time. The slabs can withstand loads of up to ten tons per square meter.
10. Knauf Therm Compack - insulating material that is used in suburban construction or renovation of premises.
Scope of use:
- thermal insulation of pitched roof;
- attics;
- walls both outside and inside the premises;
- insulation of attic spaces and inter-floor areas;
- ground floors and basements.
Peculiarities:
- ability to withstand loads of up to six tons;
- providing additional protection against leakage;
- high thermal insulation properties;
- environmental safety.
1. To buy Knauf insulation, contact a specialized hardware store, where experienced consultants will help you calculate the required amount of material.
2. The price of Knauf insulation depends on the following factors:
- type of insulation;
- amount of material required;
- place of insulation.
3. Studying reviews about Knauf insulation, we conclude that its only drawback is its high cost compared to insulation from other manufacturers. But, buying Knauf insulation gives it to its owner high quality thermal insulation, which pays off within two to three years and a long service life of fifty years.
4. When choosing Knauf insulation, pay attention to its technical characteristics; each series of insulation is intended for different insulation areas.
5. Be sure to purchase polyurethane foam or dowels for fixing the insulation.
6. When insulating the surface, you must also take care of vapor barrier, windproofing and waterproofing.
7. Pay attention to the thickness of the insulation; for walls its value is less than for the floor.
8. To insulate a pitched roof, use fiberglass or basalt-based insulation.
9. The use of expanded polystyrene, which has a water-repellent effect, is associated with insulation of the foundation.
When choosing materials for home insulation, you can come across a huge assortment of different types and brands, including products from domestic and foreign companies. Special attention deserves Knauf insulation, which has real German quality and is chosen by an increasing number of consumers.
Manufacturing company
The Knauf Gips KG company has existed since 1932, when the Knauf brothers founded a small enterprise for the production of building mixtures in the Bavarian city of Iphofen. In 1949 it was already a plant, in 1958 - several large production facilities, producing, in particular, plasterboard sheets. And since the 1970s, Knauf has also been involved in insulating materials and mixtures based on cement based. On the domestic market
Knauf began operating in 1993, when the company’s enterprise opened in the Moscow region.
The brand produces a wide range of products for the construction industry, which even includes plastering machines. And the main and most famous type of materials is Knauf insulation, in the manufacture of which special Ecose and Aquastatic technologies are used.
Composition and technology
Knauf products incorporate natural materials - basalt wool and fiberglass.
The technical characteristics of the insulation itself depend on them. The use of Ecose technology makes it possible not to use acrylic and formaldehyde resins in production, and also to produce thermal insulation that is easy to cut, pleasant to the touch and practically does not create dust. Thanks to this, insulation is easy and safe to install and is an environmentally friendly material.
Many types of such thermal insulation are made using the Aquastatic technology, which provides it with almost complete impermeability. Due to this, Knauf insulation materials are often used in conditions high humidity, where most other materials quickly deteriorate.
Properties and Application
All insulation materials produced by Knauf are of high quality and receive the best reviews from consumers. This is due to a considerable number of their advantages compared to products of other brands. And also - the presence of several types of insulation materials designed for various designs and conditions.
Advantages of materials
Among the advantages that make Knauf brand thermal insulation so popular are:
- a significant reduction in the thermal conductivity coefficient of insulated structures, due to which more heat is saved in the room than when using other brands;
- sound insulation, protecting the room from street noise;
- absolute non-flammability of materials, so you don’t have to worry about installing heating or other heat-producing equipment next to insulation;
- a high degree of biological resistance, protecting the insulation from rodents and insects, thereby increasing its service life;
- absence unpleasant odors, ensuring comfort in working with the material;
- the ability to be compressed several times, simplifying transportation;
- minimal shrinkage over time;
- 40-year warranty from the manufacturer;
- convenient packaging of insulation materials.
Scope of use
Insulation products produced by Knauf are used for internal and external insulation of walls. Although thermal insulation of the structure from the inside will be most effective, since in this case the freezing point moves towards the street, making the rooms warmer.
The material is used for internal thermal insulation of pitched or straight roofs, to retain heat from the floor and increase its sound insulation, which is especially important for multi-apartment panel buildings with good sound permeability.
To reduce the thermal conductivity of structures of loggias, balconies and basements, slabs with increased strength are used. The insulation is also suitable for strengthening the outer part of foundations to prevent soil swelling during the cold season.
Types and characteristics
Today there are two main series of Knauf brand insulation. This is TeploKnauf, which is used mainly for insulating private houses, less often for apartments or dachas.
And Insulation Expert, necessary for professional work.
Materials of this type are more expensive, but have improved technical characteristics and a longer service life.
Insulation products HeatKnauf
There are several types of Teploknauf insulation. Each of them is designed for its own type of building, differs in thermal insulation properties and, of course, price.
In addition to thermal insulation, it has high sound insulation and waterproofing properties. It is a universal material that can provide thermal insulation for both roofs and walls.
Mainly used for country houses. Available in the form of slabs 50 mm thick.
These insulation materials have technical characteristics similar to the previous type, however, the thickness of the slabs is 2 times greater, which makes the work of insulating buildings in cold areas more economical and faster (it is cheaper and easier to install one thick layer than two thin ones).
A relatively inexpensive insulation option designed for buildings with periodic occupancy - for example, cottages, barns or summer kitchens.
In severe frosts, such products are ineffective.
Knauf House
The improved technical characteristics of these materials make it possible to use them to improve thermal insulation properties and private houses and apartments. The thickness of the slabs is 50 mm.
Knauf Dom+
The properties are the same as those of Knauf Dom, but the thickness is already 100 mm, making it more profitable to use the materials in areas with lower average annual temperatures.
Knauf Insulation Expert Series
Thermal insulating materials "Knauf" of the Insulation series have improved strength, sound and heat insulating parameters, and are used for the same purposes as TeploKnauf.
However, their range is much wider.
Thermo Plate 037
Excellent heat insulators, available in the form of slabs with an area of 0.75 square meters. m. Designed for insulation of any enclosing structures - from roofs to floors on joists.
Thermo Roll 040
Suitable for thermal insulation horizontal surfaces with a small load - interfloor ceilings, roofs and floors made on joists above the ground or basement. The release form is a mat (roll or roll) measuring 1.2×10 m, due to which the material is easily rolled up, transported and stored.
The advantage of such insulation is very high elasticity and increased noise absorption.
They are used for partitions of residential buildings and production workshops, as well as for offices, cinemas, hospitals and others public buildings.
The material is two-layer (the thickness of each layer is 50 mm) and is a mat measuring 7.5 × 0.61 m.
Insulation Pitched roof
Produced in rolls or in the form of slabs, materials with high waterproofing properties, due to which they do not absorb moisture at all. With their help, pitched roofs of residential, industrial and office premises are insulated. There are the following main varieties of this type of Knauf insulation:
- Thermo Roll 037A mats, having a length of 5.5 and 9 m and a width of 1.2 m;
- Thermo Plate 037A and 034A slabs with dimensions 0.61 × 1.25 m;
- Thermo Roll 034A, with a width and length of 1.2 and 5.0 m, respectively.
This type of insulation from the Insulation Expert series does not absorb moisture thanks to Aquastatik technology and can be used not only for interior but also for exterior decoration. Available in two modifications, 032A and 034A, differing in thermal conductivity, but identical in size - 0.6 × 1.25 m. The thickness of the plates is from 50 to 100 mm.
The thermal conductivity coefficients of all these Knauf materials are easily determined from the number in the brand name - for example, 037 means an indicator equal to 0.037 W/sq.m K. The number 040 indicates a coefficient value equal to 0.04 W/sq.m K. A standard thicknesses slabs - 0.05 and 0.1 m, except for the option for pitched roofing Roll 037A, the thickness of which can be 0.15 m.
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 contains exclusively natural components that cannot cause 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 - Knauf mineral wool insulation technology will be clear even to a beginner.
- Completely environmentally friendly due to the absence of toxins and dyes in mineral wool.
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 anyone basalt insulation, Knauf mineral wool slabs are one of the most successful solutions for installing insulation in a private home or country house. Both in roll form and in the more familiar slab form, 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, and 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 protective equipment, without wasting time on installing a vapor barrier layer. The water absorption rates of the material 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 to the surface as closely as possible, 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 from Knauf Insulation mineral wool, with technical characteristics that make it 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 - the attic and floors 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 category “Noise Protection”, 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.
Without a doubt, the name of this company is known to anyone who has ever been seriously involved in construction or finishing. The Russian construction market offers a very wide range of materials from the Knauf company, and all of them are in constant high demand, since they are, one can safely say, a kind of standard of quality.
However, in most cases, the Knauf brand is firmly associated with materials for finishing work - these are dry and ready-to-use building mixtures, primers, plasterboard systems with all the elements necessary for them, kits for “dry screeds” and other similar products. Meanwhile, the company also produces a very wide range of high-quality thermal insulation materials.
Insulation Knauf technical characteristics and types of which will be discussed in this publication - this is one of the most optimal options for the construction of private houses, since such thermal insulation is characterized by natural components and an increased degree of safety for human health. And, of course, when choosing any building materials, an important criterion to which primary attention is always paid is the reputation of the manufacturer. Well, in terms of high reputation and quality guarantees for its products, Knauf is certainly “ahead of the rest.”
The Knauf company traces its history back to 1932 - it was founded by the Knauf brothers in Germany and at first bore the very long name “Reinische Gipsindustri und Bergwerksunternemen”. Even from the name it is clear that the original direction of the duration was associated with the production of plaster mixtures from gypsum. As this private enterprise developed, its product range gradually expanded, and in 1949 a new plant for the production of building gypsum mixtures was opened in Bavaria. In 1958, another “technological breakthrough” followed - the first production of sheets of the now so well-known plasterboard opened.
Since the 70s of the last century, the assortment of the Knauf company has gone beyond just gypsum products - mixtures using cement and lime are widely represented, the construction chemicals it produces and ready-made structural parts are gaining popularity. Well, the next stages in development are the development and implementation of the production of high-quality thermal insulation from fiberglass, basalt fiber, and foamed polystyrene.
The Knauf company came to Russia with its investments in production development in 1993. This was followed by other countries of the post-Union territory - representative offices and production lines opened in Kazakhstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Ukraine.
As a result, the company has grown from one small family-owned enterprise into the world's largest manufacturer of building materials. The transnational Knauf group of companies today includes more than 200 factories located in 37 countries in Europe, Asia, Northern and South America. On the territory Russian Federation products of this brand are manufactured at enterprises in Chelyabinsk, St. Petersburg, Novomoskovsk, Krasnogorsk, Kungur and other cities.
The obvious conclusion is that the company values its reputation very much and tries to fully support the popularity of its products. Therefore, products with the Knauf brand have occupied one of the leading positions in the construction markets of the world for many decades, deserve every possible trust and never “stay on the shelves.”
It is also interesting that Knauf invests considerable funds in charity and social projects. Thus, the company invested in the reconstruction of the historical church of Tyutchev’s estate “Ovstug”, sponsored the Prize named after. V.A. Zhukovsky for the best translation of a literary or humanitarian work from German into Russian, actively promotes other projects in the field of culture, architecture, and social policy.
So, as mentioned above, one of the areas of modern production activity of the Knauf company is the production of various types of high-quality thermal insulation. Let's turn to this issue.
Varieties of Knauf insulation based on material of manufacture
Knauf insulation materials can be divided according to several criteria. Therefore, in order to make a choice, you need to consider them in more detail.
The first criterion is the material of manufacture. So, the insulation of this nonsense can be made of polystyrene foam, or have a mineral fibrous structure.
- The “Therm” line of insulation products is the company’s expanded polystyrene thermal insulation « Knauf » , the products of which undergo special processing and therefore differ from traditional slabs of this material manufactured by other manufacturers. Insulation from this line is widely used in private and industrial construction for thermal insulation of walls, ceilings, roofs, foundations, balconies and loggias, and even road surfaces.
- “Heat Knauf” is a line of insulation materials made from fiberglass and basalt fiber and used in private construction for thermal insulation of various parts of the house.
- "Knauf Insulation" - insulation materials positioned as professional thermal insulation made from basalt fiber. This type of insulation is also divided into several types, intended for use on various building structures.
Let's move on to a more detailed consideration of the characteristics of various types of insulation, to a more substantive division of them by area of application.
Insulation materials "Knauf Therm" based on polystyrene foam
"Knauf Therm" - technical characteristics and areas of application of insulation
Rigid Knauf Therm boards are produced using the same technology as other foam insulation materials made from pressed polystyrene foam. However, implementing the concept of maximum care for consumer health and environmental protection, Knauf technology developers have successfully replaced some toxic ingredients on completely safe components.
For example, the manufacturer abandoned chlorine-containing compounds, which are almost always included in the foam of other manufacturers, since these components significantly simplify the process of producing such insulation. In addition, these products can be considered safe, since they do not contain aldehyde and phenolic compounds, which emit toxic fumes that are extremely harmful to the health of those living in the house.
The general operational and technical characteristics of Knauf Therm polystyrene foam heat insulators are as follows:
- The thermal conductivity coefficient, depending on the specific product and its operating conditions, lies in the range of 0.31÷0.42 W/m×˚С.
- Density – 10 ÷ 25 kg/m³.
- Compressive strength – 20÷170 kPa.
- The operating temperature ranges from – 135 to + 80 ˚С.
- The vapor permeability coefficient is 0.02÷0.03 mg/(m×h×Pa).
- The moisture absorption coefficient for 24 hours is 0.8÷2.0% by volume.
- Flammability class G1÷G3. Thanks to the treatment of Knauf polystyrene foam boards with modern fire retardants, they are a low-flammability, self-extinguishing heat insulator.
The slabs are sold in polyethylene packaging. protective film. Due to their low weight, they are easy to transport, carry, lift to floors, and install.
Advantages and disadvantages of polystyrene foam insulation of the “Therm” line
Before moving on to considering the technical aspects of Knauf Therm thermal insulation, it makes sense to consider its “pros” and “cons”. Such a review, by the way, is also capable of very “colorfully” characterizing the insulation from many important aspects, since not everyone understands the dry numbers of tabular parameters.
So, polystyrene foam insulation from Knauf is widely popular due to its many advantages. These include:
- Low thermal conductivity expanded polystyrene is the most important property for insulation. Thus, the heat-insulating qualities of this material, which has a thickness of 120 mm, can be compared with the same parameters of a brick wall of 450 mm or concrete structure 2100 mm thick.
- Moisture resistance. Expanded polystyrene practically does not absorb or allow moisture to pass through, so it is well suited for insulating areas of a building such as the foundation, plinth, facade and roof. Due to the fact that water does not penetrate into the structure of the slabs, it is not able to have a destructive effect on the material and reduce its thermal insulation properties.
- Small specific gravity . Knauf Therm slabs, despite their significant geometric dimensions, are quite light due to the fact that their structure consists of almost 98% air. Due to its low weight, this insulation will not weigh down the load-bearing structures or create additional load on the foundation of the building. The issues of loading and unloading, transporting material and delivering it directly to the work site are not particularly problematic. No reinforced fasteners are required for fixation.
- Sufficient mechanical compressive strength and resistance to corresponding deformations allows the use of such insulation for thermal insulation of load-bearing or loaded structures. For example, special slabs are excellent for thermal insulation of floors under screed and for creating “warm floors”.
- Wide operating temperature range indicates that the material will function perfectly both at extremely low temperatures (without any theoretically possible limitations) and at elevated ones, reaching up to 80 degrees, and for a short time - up to 95 degrees.
- Simplicity of installation work allows even an inexperienced master to carry them out. The slabs are easily marked and cut using a regular hacksaw, a sharp stationery or construction knife with replaceable blades.
- Low toxicity. Thanks to the exclusion of a number of potentially hazardous components from the original composition, Knauf polystyrene foam normal conditions operation does not highlight in environment harmful substances.
- Affordable price. Pressed polystyrene foam boards traditionally belong to the category of the most affordable thermal insulation materials among all insulation materials presented on the construction market.
Despite all the numerous and very significant “advantages” of this material, it has no less significant “cons”. However, Knauf technologists, as far as possible, using innovative technologies, have reduced the negative aspects that are inherent in foam plastics from other manufacturers.
So, to the disadvantages polystyrene foam boards Their qualities include:
- Low resistance to open fire. This material belongs to the G3 flammability class. This, however, is not the highest degree of flammability, that is, the material is capable of “resisting” an open flame for a certain time, but nevertheless...
Thanks to modern materials and their processing technologies, the developers of Knauf Therm managed to make the insulation of this line self-extinguishing (according to the manufacturer, in the absence of contact with fire, the insulation instantly extinguishes on its own) However, even despite such innovations, at temperatures of about 300÷450 degrees, depending on its density, the material, when melted, is capable of becoming a fire spreader itself. At the same time, polystyrene foam, unfortunately, when burned also releases extremely dangerous gaseous products that can cause irreparable damage to human health.
- Low level of sound insulation. This quality of polystyrene foam is significantly inferior to insulation materials made with a fiber structure. True, it is possible for him to muffle quiet knocking and vibration, but a layer of polystyrene foam slabs is not able to contain acoustic waves - it does not reflect or absorb them, and in some cases even becomes a resonator, turning into a kind of “drum”.
- Low resistance to many aggressive chemical solutions. When solvents, alkalis or acids get on the boards, the structure of the material is very quickly destroyed, the insulation is deformed, and loses its thermal insulation qualities.
- Low resistance to ultraviolet radiation. Expanded polystyrene installed on the external surfaces of the building must be covered with a layer as quickly as possible finishing material, because sun rays destroy its structure.
- Low vapor permeability. Polystyrene foam is not a “breathing” material, and the lack of free movement of water vapor can lead to condensation between the insulating layer and the wall of the building - if they are incompatible in this parameter, as well as improper installation. In any case, this imposes certain restrictions on the use of Knauf Therm as thermal insulation in certain construction areas or requires a specific approach to the design of the insulating “pie”.
- Susceptibility to damage by rodents. Expanded polystyrene does not represent any nutritional value for mice or rats, but is not toxic to their bodies. The structure of the slabs allows these animals to easily damage the thermal insulation, and in products that are thicker, mice gnaw holes and even sometimes set up their own “dens.” Therefore, choosing this material for external insulation the lower part of the foundation and plinth, it must be reliably protected with a durable decorative and finishing layer that will be too tough for rodents.
Types of polystyrene foam thermal insulation of the Knauf Therm line
The Knauf Therm line is divided into several groups of insulation materials, which are designed for thermal insulation of various structural elements of the house.
- "Knauf Therm Roof" ("Roof") are materials used for thermal insulation of roofs, interfloor and attic floors. In turn, this group of expanded polystyrene is divided as follows by area of application:
— “Roof” is used for insulation flat roofs;
— “Roof NL” for pitched structures;
— “Roof Light” for insulation ceilings from inside the building.
Such slabs are manufactured in widths from 200 to 1200 mm, lengths from 600 to 3000 mm, thicknesses from 20 to 1000 mm (at the customer’s request) in increments of 10 mm. The material has a compressive strength of 100 kPa, a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.039 W/m×°K, and a density of 17.0 kg/m³.
- "Knauf Therm Wall" ("Wall") – as the name implies, this insulation is usually used for thermal insulation of walls frame buildings, in ventilated facade systems. The slabs are produced in widths of 1000 mm, lengths of 1000÷1200 mm, thicknesses from 50 to 200 mm. The material has a compressive strength of 40 kPa, a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.044 W/m×°K.
- "Knauf Therm Facade"– slabs intended for external thermal insulation of walls, for installation in ventilated facades, as well as using the “ wet facade", that is, for further plastering followed by finishing with decorative plaster, painting with facade paints or tiling. Facade slabs are produced in widths of 1000 mm, lengths of 1000÷1200 mm, thicknesses of 20.50, 100 and 150 mm. Compressive strength - 100 kPa, thermal conductivity coefficient 0.038 W/m×°K, density 17.0 kg/m³.
- "Knauf Therm Floor" ("Floor") – used for insulation of floors and ceilings and is designed for increased compressive load. The material does not shrink, so it can be used both in residential premises, where it will experience a small load, and in garages, where the pressure on it will increase significantly. This insulation has one of the highest compressive strength values, which is 120 kPa. Thanks to this property, after laying it, you can immediately install a reinforced concrete screed. The resulting structure, with high-quality concrete and compliance with the technology for pouring it, will last several decades without repair. Products are produced in widths of 1000 mm, lengths up to 3000 mm and thicknesses from 20 to 600 mm (in increments of 10 mm) and have a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.038 W/m×°K, density 20.0 kg/m³.
If the insulation is installed in a room with low traffic intensity or other dynamic load, then slabs can be used in this capacity "Knauf Therm Concrete", which is designed for a load of 1.0 kgf/cm². In this case, you will be able to save money, since the price of this material is slightly lower than the previous option.
- "Knauf Therm Warm floor" – the surface of this material has a specific relief, which is designed for convenient installation of the contours of warm water floor pipes between its bosses.
This heat insulator has its own technical performance characteristics, which include the following indicators:
— tensile strength – 140 kPa;
— vapor permeability – 0.032 mg/(m×h×Pa);
— thermal conductivity coefficient – 0.038 W/(m×°K);
— density – 140 (kg/m³).
The slabs are manufactured in a linear size of 1200 × 600 × 47 mm; the packaging (cardboard box) contains 10 products, which are designed to cover 7.20 m², the volume of material is 0.338 m³.
- "Knauf Therm Compack" is universal insulation For internal insulation, therefore it can be used for all surfaces of residential premises, since a compressive strength parameter of 0.6 kgf/cm² is quite sufficient for this. However, this material is also suitable for insulating facades and basements, as well as other structural elements that do not require heavy loads.
"Knauf Therm Compack" have the following characteristics:
— tensile strength – 0.07 MPa;
— vapor permeability — 0.032 mg/(m×h×Pa);
— thermal conductivity coefficient — 0.032 W/(m×°K);
The slabs are produced in linear dimensions 1000×600×50 mm.
- "Knauf Therm Perimeter 5 in 1"- This innovative material, which has increased strength and is intended for insulation of floors, foundations and walls. The slabs are produced in 600 mm width, 1000 mm length and 50 mm thickness. The material has a compressive strength of 170 kPa, a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.038 W/m×°K, and a density of 23.0 kg/m³.
This type of thermal insulation has the highest technical and operational characteristics of all polystyrene foam boards from this manufacturer. The material is produced using special technologies developed by the company’s specialists, so they are not available to other manufacturers. Thanks to these developments, the slabs are able to withstand loads of 1.5 kgf/cm², so they are suitable for insulating any areas of the structure, including garage floors, as well as rooms with high intensity dynamic loads.
In the production process of such plates, cutting of blanks is not used, that is, the products are immediately pressed into the desired configuration. This means that there are practically no damaged granules in polystyrene foam. Besides. The panels are equipped with a stepped edge, which ensures seamless installation of thermal insulation, and the slabs themselves have marking lines, which is also an excellent aid in work.
Insulation "Knauf Therm Perimeter 5 in 1" usually has additional letter designation, which specifies the recommended scope of application:
— D- this product option is excellent for load-bearing structures, such as rafter systems, main walls and foundations buried 6000 mm into the ground.
— C- slabs used for seamless external structures under decorative plaster. The surface of the products has good adhesion to building mixtures made on different bases, so finishing them will be quite simple.
— F- material for insulating walls, floors, foundations and basements.
Fiber insulation from Knauf
Advantages and disadvantages of Knauf mineral wool insulation
When choosing thermal insulation material for different applications, almost all developers purposefully look for an option that will combine maximum quantity positive qualities. The insulation should ideally be vapor-permeable, that is, “breathable”, made from environmentally friendly components, that is, not emit fumes harmful to humans, and most importantly, have minimal thermal conductivity. All these qualities are possessed by the fibrous insulation materials of the Knauf company, the range of which is quite wide and designed for use in different conditions operation of building structures.
If we consider each of the advantages separately, they will be characterized as follows:
- Low thermal conductivity insulation materials « Knauf » reliably retains the generated heat in residential premises, which allows you to achieve comfortable temperatures at any time of the year, at very significant savings energy carriers.
- High level of vapor permeability mineral wool materials help create a favorable microclimate in the house with normal level humidity, which reduces the risk of the appearance and development of colonies of fungus or mold on the walls and at their junctions with the ceiling.
- Non-flammability mineral insulation. Similar thermal insulation materials « Knauf » belong to the NG class (non-flammable), which allows them to be used for thermal insulation in any type of building.
- High level of sound absorption makes this stuff great solution to ensure sound insulation of the house from external noise.
- Relatively light weight mats and rolls of insulation allows you to transport and install them yourself, without resorting to outside help. In addition, the insulation does not overload the supporting structure of the house.
- Biological and chemical resistance. The components from which insulation is produced do not enter into chemical reactions with other materials, they do not rot, have no odor, and also prevent the development of pathogenic microflora.
- Long service life– it is usually estimated at 50 years or more.
- "Manufacturability" of the material, that is, ease of installation. When installed between wooden posts or joists, the mats fit tightly to them, leaving no gaps. Insulation materials are resistant to vibration, do not shrink, do not delaminate and retain their shape for the entire period of operation.
- In the production of insulation, no harmful formaldehyde components, dyes or bleaches are used, therefore Knauf mineral wools are completely safe in this regard, for the residents of the house.
With so many advantages, mineral insulation « Knauf » still have some disadvantages, which you also need to be aware of when selecting the materials necessary for construction:
- One of the “cons” that is decisive for many is the high price, so not every owner of a house under construction or reconstruction can afford such thermal insulation.
- Low level of moisture resistance. But, however, in order to preserve the insulation’s performance characteristics for as long as possible, it is subjected to special treatment in the factory according to a special treatment developed by the company. « Knauf » “Aquastatik” technology, which significantly increases the resistance of mineral wool to moisture.
- In the production of some materials for thermal insulation, glass fiber is used, which somewhat complicates the installation of insulation, since when working with it you have to protect open areas body, as well as organs of the respiratory system and eyes. To prevent the smallest particles of insulation fibers from entering the air space of residential premises, the thermal insulation layer must be covered with another material that does not allow dust to pass through.
Mineral wool "Knauf" - characteristics
Insulation materials made from fibers obtained from natural raw materials (such as sand, basalt and natural resins) processed according to modern technology"Knauf Ecose" are sold in rolls and mats. The material does not contain harmful substances, rodents and insects do not grow in it, and in addition, it is quite resistant to external influences even if installation errors were made.
This type of product is divided into two main lines:
- The first product line is TeploKnauf. Such materials can be safely used by owners of houses and apartments for thermal insulation of balconies, walls and floors from the inside of the building, as well as for facade surfaces. However, if this thermal insulator is planned to be used for external insulation, then it must be additionally protected from moisture by covering it with a waterproofing membrane.
This line of thermal insulators is made from both fiberglass obtained from molten sand and glass waste, and from basalt fibers.
- The second line is called “Knauf Insulation” and is intended mainly for use by professional builders. This group of insulation materials is produced only from basalt fibers, which are obtained by melting natural rocks.
To understand how these lines differ, and what characteristics specific types of insulation have, it is worth considering each of them in more detail.
Mineral wool insulation from the TeploKnauf family
“TeploKnauf” is mineral wool produced using innovative technology and having so-called “3D elasticity”. Thanks to this quality, the material has increased elasticity, that is, it easily contracts and expands, returning to its original shape and thereby ensuring the tightest possible fit to insulated surfaces and to the elements of the frame sheathing, preventing the formation of cold bridges.
The materials of this line are perfectly adapted for use in residential construction; they are safe for home residents, as they are made without the use of acrylic and phenol-formaldehyde resins. Any of the mineral wools in this series is treated with water-repellent impregnations “Aquastatik”, and therefore has good moisture resistance, almost bordering on hydrophobicity.
In turn, “TeploKnauf” are divided into three groups, which have their own characteristics and purpose, which, in principle, is reflected in their name:
- "TeploKnauf House"– this material is intended for comprehensive insulation of private houses used for year-round use. It is produced in two versions, differing in thickness - 100 and 50 mm. The 100 mm thick insulation is called “Heat Knauf House +” and has slightly different characteristics. The main parameters are presented in the table below:
| "TeploKnauf House" | "TeploKnauf House +" | |
|---|---|---|
| 0,040 | 0,040 | |
| 45 | 45 | |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 11 | 11 |
| Flammability group | NG | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 50 | 100 |
| Width, mm | 610 | 610 |
| Length, mm | 1230 | 1230 |
| 0,6 | 0,6 | |
| 6 | 6 | |
| 16 | 8 |
- "TeploKnauf Cottage"– this insulating material is produced using a technology called “three in one”, as it can effectively protect the structure from noise, cold and moisture. Thanks to these qualities, TeploKnauf Cottage is excellent for thermal insulation of walls, sound insulation of internal partitions, as well as thermal and sound insulation of roofs and attic floors. The material is produced in slabs and rolls, which have a thickness of 50 mm. In addition to them, you can find “Heat Knauf Cottage +” on sale, which is produced only in slabs and has a thickness of 100 mm.
These materials have the following technical characteristics:
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "TeploKnauf Cottage", plates | "TeploKnauf Cottage", rolls | "TeploKnauf Cottage+", plates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,037 | 0,037 | 0,037 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Flammability group | NG | NG | NG |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Thickness, mm | 50 | 50 | 100 |
| Width, mm | 610 | 1220 | 610 |
| Length, mm | 1230 | 6148 | 1230 |
| Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ | 0,60 | 0,75 | 0,6 |
| Insulation area in packaging, m² | 12 | 15 | 6 |
| Number of mats per package, pcs. | 16 | 2 | 8 |
- « HeatKnauf Dacha"– this version of insulation is produced for country houses used seasonally, for outbuildings, summer kitchens and sheds, so they have higher thermal conductivity and lower resistance to loads. The material is produced only in rolls and has the following characteristics:
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "TeploKnauf Dacha" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,044 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 45 |
| Flammability group | 11 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 50 |
| Width, mm | 1220 |
| Length, mm | 7380 |
| Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ | 0,9 |
| Insulation area in packaging, m² | 18 |
| Number of mats per package, pcs. | 2 |
- "HeatKnauf for roofing"- this is a roll insulation, as is already clear from the name, intended for insulation of roof structures, therefore it has all the necessary qualities for this and is available in thicknesses of 50 and 150 mm.
The material has protection enhanced by moisture-repellent impregnations, and is given the following technical and operational characteristics:
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "HeatKnauf for roofing" | "HeatKnauf for roofing +" |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,037 | 0,037 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 44 | 44 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 15 | 15 |
| Flammability group | NG | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 50 | 150 |
| Width, mm | 1220 | 1220 |
| Length, mm | 6148 | 5500 |
| Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ | 0,75 | 1,0 |
| Insulation area in packaging, m² | 15 | 6,71 |
- "HeatKnauf for floors"– this material also has a narrowly targeted purpose, is produced in rolls and has a thickness of 50 mm. It goes well with the insulation materials “TeploKnauf Cottage” and “TeploKnauf for Roofing” when deciding to comprehensively insulate a building.
The manufacturer has also developed and produces a more compact version of this insulation, which is called “Knauf Heat for Mini Floors”, which differs from the basic products in some parameters:
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "HeatKnauf for floors" | "TeploKnauf for Mini floors" |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0.034÷0.037 | 0.034÷0.037 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 43 | 43 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 15 | 15 |
| Flammability group | NG | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 50 | 50 |
| Width, mm | 1220 | 600 |
| Length, mm | 7380 | 7000 |
| Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ | 0,9 | 0,420 |
| Insulation area in packaging, m² | 18 | 8,4 |
| Quantity per package, pcs. | 2 | 2 |
Insulation materials rulers"Knauf Insulation"
This group of insulation is different increased characteristics, and are designed for a longer service life. This material is produced only from basalt fibers, the release form is in the form of rolls or slabs. In addition, some types also have a foil coating.
The general characteristics of Knauf Insulation basalt heat insulators look something like this:
- The thermal conductivity coefficient varies in the range from 0.032 to 0.041 W/m×˚С.
- Compressive strength - 8÷60 kPa.
- Vapor permeability – 0.51÷0.55 mg/(m×h×Pa).
- Moisture absorption during the first day of the total volume of material does not exceed 2% and this value is the limit.
- Flammability class NG (absolutely non-flammable material).
The insulation goes on sale in packages in a compressed state, and when unpacked it expands, taking on its original volume. The elasticity of the material greatly simplifies its installation in the frame of the insulated area of the building.
The Knauf Insulation line of heat insulators, like all other materials from this manufacturer, is divided by area of application. The illustration below shows the recommended types of insulation of this family when performing thermal insulation work in an ordinary country house.
If someone does not understand the icons indicated in the diagram, then the table below gives their explanation:
| Pitched roof | Interfloor ceilings | Attic floor |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Floors with joists | External walls | Internal partitions |
 |  |
- Insulation materials "Knauf Facade" is divided into two types - these are “ Thermo Plate 032" and« Thermo Plate 034". This material is used to create insulated ventilated facades and sandwich panels, as a middle and outer layer for brick walls, and are also fixed to the surface of wall structures under their siding.
In addition, the products are used for insulation of agro-industrial complexes, in the construction of healthcare facilities, industrial and public buildings. Facade insulation mats are soft to the touch, elastic, but do not deform and practically do not crumble. If the thermal insulation installation technology is followed correctly, it is distinguished by a very impressive durability, measured over many decades.
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf Facade Thermo Plate 032" | "Knauf Facade Thermo Plate 034" |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,032 | 0,034 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 43 | 43 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 25 | 34 |
| 0,5 | 0,5 | |
| Moisture absorption per day, % of the total volume. | 0,8 | 0,6 |
| Flammability group | NG | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 50 and 100 | 50 and 100 |
| Width, mm | 600 | 600 |
| Length, mm | 1250 | 1250 |
| Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ | 0,6 | 0,375 |
| 12 and 6 | 7.5 and 3.75 | |
| Quantity per package depending on thickness, pcs. | 16 and 8 | 10 and 5 |
The products have good water resistance, as they have undergone special treatment using the Aquastatik technology.
- "Knauf Thermo Plate 037"– this material is excellent for insulating attic floors and rafter systems pitched roofs. In addition, it is used for floor insulation, laid between joists, as well as for sound insulation of external walls and internal partitions.
Table of its technical and linear characteristics:
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf Thermo Plate 037" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0.034 ÷0.037 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 43 and 45 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 15 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,5 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 50 and 100 |
| Width, mm | 600 |
| Length, mm | 1250 |
| Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ | 0,9 |
| Insulation area in packaging depending on thickness, m² | 18 and 9 |
| Number of mats per package depending on thickness, pcs. | 24 and 12 |
- « Knauf Thermo Roll 040"- This is a roll insulation used for heat and sound insulation of horizontal surfaces, such as interfloor and attic floors, as well as for floors, but only along the joists, that is, without loading on the thermal insulation itself.
Sometimes it is possible to use it for insulation of pitched roofs, as well as for internal partitions that are not load-bearing and therefore do not experience heavy loads.
Technical and operational characteristics are shown in the table:
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf Thermo Roll 040" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,040 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 43 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 11 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,55 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 50 |
| Width, mm | 1200 |
| Length, mm | 10000 |
| Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ | 1,2 |
| Insulation area in packaging, m² | 24 |
| Number of mats per package, pcs. | 2 |
The Knauf Thermo Roll 040 insulation has another remarkable quality. During its production, ready-made thermal insulation mats are compressed: in a regular single package - twice, and in a special multi-pack - even eight times! This gives enormous advantages when organizing warehousing, loading and unloading operations, and transporting material. After opening the package, insulation mats quickly take on the volume specified by them. Plus, this “desire” for expansion ensures the tightest fit of thermal insulation to the structural elements of the roof or ceilings.
Video: illustrative picture - opening the factory packaging of insulation from the Knauf Insulation family
- "Knauf Acoustic Partition" It is produced in rolls and slabs that have increased elasticity. These products are manufactured using a special technology, which makes it possible to achieve increased levels of noise insulation of premises that comply with the standards prescribed in SNiP 23-03-2003 “Protection from Noise”.
This material is most often used for sound insulation in frame partition systems in which Knauf plasterboard sheets are used for cladding.
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf Acoustic Partition" plate | "Knauf Acoustic Partition" roll |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,037 | 0,037 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 52 | 52 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 15 | 15 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,55 | 0,55 |
| Flammability group | NG | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 50 | 50 |
| Width, mm | 610 | 610 |
| Length, mm | 1250 | 7500 |
| Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ | 0,915 | 0,915 |
| Insulation area in packaging depending on thickness, m² | 18,3 | 18,3 |
| Number of mats per package, pcs. | 24 | 4 |
- "Knauf Pitched Roof" It is also produced in the form of slabs and rolls, so you can choose a convenient option for work. This material is used for thermal insulation not only of pitched roofs, but also for attic floors. Products are produced in four types, having different sizes and characteristics. These include such insulation materials as “Knauf Thermo Roll 034” and “Knauf Thermo Roll 034 A”, “Knauf Thermo Roll 037” and “Knauf Thermo Roll 037 A”
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf ThermoRoll 034" | "Knauf ThermoRoll 034A", | "Knauf ThermoRoll 037" | "Knauf ThermoRoll 037A" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,034 | 0,034 | 0,037 | 0,037 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 25 | 25 | 15 | 15 |
| Moisture absorption, 24 hours, % of total volume. | 0,8 | 0,8 | 0,8 | 0,8 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,5 | 0,5 | 0,5 | 0,5 |
| Flammability class | NG | NG | NG | NG |
Table of linear characteristics of this group of insulation:
| Type of insulation | Thickness, width, length, mm. | Number of products per package, pcs. | Insulation area in packaging, m² | Volume of insulation in packaging, m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Knauf ThermoRoll 034 A" | 50×1200×5000 | 2 | 12 | 0,6 |
| "Knauf ThermoPlate 034" | 50×1250×570 | 16 | 11,4 | 0,57 |
| 100×1250×610 | 8 | 6,1 | 0,61 | |
| 50×1250×610 | 16 | 12,2 | 0,61 | |
| "Knauf ThermoRoll 037" | 50×9000×1200 | 2 | 21,60 | 1,08 |
| 150×5500×1200 | 1 | 6,60 | 0,99 | |
| 50×9000×1220 | 2 | 21,96 | 1,098 | |
| "Knauf ThermoPlate 037 A" | 100×610×1250 | 12 | 12,0 | 0,6 |
| 50×610×1250 | 24 | 12,0 | 0,6 |
Video: Performing thermal insulation of roof slopes with Knauf Insulation insulation
In addition to those described above, the Knauf company produces basalt-based heat insulators with foil or fiberglass reinforcing coating. They also belong to the “Insulation” group:
- "Knauf NTV"- these are hydrophobized products produced in the form of plates, covered with foil or fiberglass. This material option is most often used for insulation. industrial equipment, as well as for installation in ventilated facades. The slabs are manufactured in non-standard size for basalt insulation products, and this must be taken into account when planning the marking and installation of the sheathing.
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf NTV" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0.037 ÷0.039 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 35÷150 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,5 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 20, 30, 40,140, 180 |
| Width, mm | 500 |
| Length, mm | 1000 |
- "Knauf LMF AluR" – this mineral insulation with a foil layer, produced in mats that are divided into blocks by transverse slots.
Thanks to this structure, the heat insulator is convenient to use for insulating non-standard semicircular or round building structures, heated floors, pipelines and other building elements. The material serves not only as thermal insulation for structures, but also as protection against the spread of noise, and is a good fireproof insulation. The maximum operating temperature of this material is + 600 degrees, but here it must be clarified that on the surface of the aluminum layer the temperature should not exceed + 100 degrees.
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf LMF AluR" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,040 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 43 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 35÷90 |
| Compressive Strength (kPa) | 2÷10 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,55 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 100,90,80,70,60,50,40,30,20 |
| Width, mm | 500, 600, 1200 |
| Length, mm | 1000 and 10000 |
| Insulation area in packaging depending on thickness, m² | 2,5; 3,0;4,0; 5,0; 8,0; 10,0 |
- "Knauf FKD"- These are basalt slabs with an external reinforcing layer of fiberglass mesh. They are designed for insulation, sound insulation and fire protection facades for plaster cladding.
Products are sold in plastic packaging, which may contain different amounts of material by area - this depends on its thickness, which, in turn, is presented in a wide variety - from 20 to 160 mm.
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf FKD" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,039 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 44 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 140÷150 |
| Compressive Strength (kPa) | 40 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0.32÷0.35 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 160,150,140,120,100,70,60,50,40,30,20 |
| Width, mm | 500, 600, 1200 |
| Length, mm | 1000 and 10000 |
| Insulation area in packaging depending on thickness, m² | 0,6; 1,2; 1,8; 2,4; 3,6; 4,8; 7,2 |
- «Knauf WM 640/660 GG"is an industrial insulation reinforced with galvanized mesh, produced in the form of rolls.
The insulation has a water-repellent treatment throughout its entire thickness and is intended for thermal insulation, protection from external noise and for fire insulation of various technical structures, chimneys, boiler equipment and tanks. The maximum operating temperature of the material reaches +640÷660 degrees.
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf WM 640/660 GG" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,039 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 44 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 80÷100 |
| Compressive Strength (kPa) | 20 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,35 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 100,90,70,60,50,40 |
| Width, mm | 500, 1000 |
| Length, mm | 2500 and 5000 |
| Insulation area in packaging depending on thickness, m² | 2,5; 3,0; 5,0 |
- "Knauf PVT" - insulation boards produced specifically for the installation of floating screeds, but can also be used for installation under a concrete layer of floors on the ground. In addition, they are used for vertical structures operating under high loads, for example load-bearing walls or rafter system.
The binder for the fibers of the material is a synthetic resin. The insulation is hydrophobized throughout its entire thickness, has an increased density, and therefore is able to perform its functions under the listed operating conditions.
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf PVT" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0,040 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 44 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 175 |
| Compressive Strength (kPa) | 50÷60 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,45 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 120,100,80,60,50,40,30,20 |
| Width, mm | 600 |
| Length, mm | 1000 |
| Insulation area in packaging depending on thickness, m² | 0,6; 1,2; 1,8; 2,4; 3,0;3,6; 6,0 |
- "Knauf DDP"– this insulation is used as the bottom layer in thermal insulation systems consisting of two layers, used, for example, for flat roofs. In addition, such products are suitable for heat and sound insulation of floors and ceilings between floors, basement floors, as well as electrically heated surfaces.
| Name of the main technical and operational characteristics | "Knauf DDP" |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, at 10 ˚С, W/m×°K | 0.037÷0.040 |
| Airborne noise insulation index RW, dB | 45 |
| Insulation density, kg/m³ | 150÷200 |
| Compressive Strength (kPa) | 70 |
| Vapor permeability coefficient, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,5 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Thickness, mm | 180, 160, 140, 120, 100, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 |
| Width, mm | 600 |
| Length, mm | 1000 |
| Insulation area in packaging depending on thickness, m² | 0,6; 1,2; 1,8; 2,4; 3,6; 4,8 |
What insulation layer is needed for a specific case of thermal insulation work?
Availability of this large quantity types of thermal insulation “Knauf” can make it difficult to choose the one necessary for a specific area (building structural element) that requires insulation - but here you can rely on the recommendations received in the article. But the amount of material will depend on the area of the insulated structure and the required thickness of thermal insulation.
To get answers to such questions, it is recommended to contact specialists who will determine on site all the necessary thermal insulation parameters. But very often such calculations can be carried out independently, with a sufficient degree of accuracy.
We will not tell you how to find the area of an insulated structure in this article - there is a separate publication for this.
Calculate area? – no problem!
It happens that the intricate configuration of a room, wall, roof slope or other building structure poses a dead end when determining the area. If such a situation occurs, refer to the publication on our portal, specifically dedicated to it - it covers various options, convenient online calculation calculators are provided.
So, the main problem is how to decide on required thickness insulation. But here a certain thermal engineering calculation is required. We will not give the formulas - they are all included in the program, implemented in an online calculator, which will simplify such calculations as much as possible.
The meaning of the calculation lies in the fact that properly insulated building structure must have a total heat transfer resistance no lower than that established by SNiP for a specific region (in accordance with its climatic characteristics). This value includes the thermal resistance of the structure itself plus the resistance of the insulation. Thus, if the design parameters are known (its structure, the thickness of the layers and the material of their manufacture), then it is easy to calculate what thickness of insulation is needed to make up for the “deficit” of thermal resistance that is missing to the normalized value.
Insulation made from mineral wool is akin to – this is probably the oldest material of this type, which has been put into constant and mass production. This type of insulation is based on melted fibers, which have excellent thermal conductivity and are very easy to use.
Using these materials you can finish walls, load-bearing structures, ceilings, roofs, etc. Very different companies produce mineral wool insulation: Rockwool, TechnoNIKOL, Knauf, Izover, etc. Almost every product line has a certain number of mineral wool models.
However, it is the Knauf company that completely specializes in wool insulation. We will now talk about the products of this particular manufacturer.
1 Features, purpose and properties
It is unlikely that you will be able to meet at least one person who has not heard of a company like Knauf. Over the past few decades, this German manufacturer has grown into a giant concern with a bunch of enterprises around the world.
Only products from Rockwool, Isover or TechnoNIKOL can compete with it in the local market. The company produces building materials for home decoration. And this applies to both finishing walls, as well as thermal insulation, waterproofing devices, etc.
Even concrete mixtures, and those can be bought from production Knauf company. If desired, the entire house can be assembled using Knauf products in almost every production process.
Separately, we note the Knauf insulation, which is discussed in this article. Knauf insulation is characterized by the use of exclusively mineral wool materials.
This is a unique feature of the company. During its entire stay on the market, the manufacturer was able to launch and sell several lines of such products, using its own unique technologies.
As a result, they managed to create a practically ideal insulation for walls, load-bearing structures, roofs, floors, etc. Any private house or a cottage can be finished with thermal insulation materials from the foundation to the roof itself, using exclusively products from Knauf.
Mineral wool, on the other hand, was chosen because of its excellent characteristics. This material is produced at a fairly interesting technology. When producing wool, it is necessary to melt mineral rocks, then process them and extract special fibers from them. It is from these fibers that the body of mineral wool is created.
The use of mineral rocks makes this material practically non-flammable, contributes to its resistance to external influences and avoids contact with rodents.
In most cases, rodents can still settle inside the insulation, but the Knauf company has used it here too special technology production, which reduced such cases to a minimum.
Let's look at the main pros and cons of Knauf mineral wool insulation.
Main advantages:
- Durability;
- Practicality;
- Low thermal conductivity (at 0.035 W/m);
- Easy to install;
- Light weight;
- Does not burn in fire;
- Easily processed like and ;
- Vapor permeability
- Environmentally friendly and completely safe material for humans.
Main disadvantages:
- Quite a high price;
- Some vulnerability to contact with water.
Note that Knauf insulation is not as susceptible to reaction to moisture or water as other materials from other manufacturers. That is why it is often used to insulate not only internal walls, but also facade walls, as well as foundations.
However, it is better not to abuse such things. If you look at customer reviews, you can understand that even though cotton wool absorbs moisture poorly, after a couple of months of use in difficult conditions it will still swell, and this already promises big troubles in the future.
As for the price, insulation for walls or load-bearing structures made of mineral wool will, of course, cost you more. But reviews of this product and its technical characteristics indicate the exceptional quality of the material. But you have to pay for quality.
2 Main types of insulation
The Knauf company produces insulation in different configurations (there are even analogues). They all have their own technical characteristics, sizes, etc. In order to perfectly understand all the features of insulation, you need to evaluate their characteristics, reviews, take into account the scope of application and cost.
But first, it’s better to think in advance about what kind of work you need to do. After all, it is quite obvious that insulation for walls will differ from a similar material for roofing.
Plus, it is important to note that the Knauf company produces at least 8 models of insulation, and they are also divided into two larger subtypes.
There are insulation lines:
- Insulation;
- TeploKnauf.
Models from the Insulation line are used in professional construction. Their technical characteristics have been significantly improved due to improved production technologies and the use of more expensive raw materials.
But the TeploKnauf line performs slightly different tasks. Insulation from this subspecies is needed when it is necessary to install thermal insulation for a private house or cottage. It can also be used for industrial purposes, but the effect will not be as impressive.
Izover, Rockwool, and TechnoNIKOL companies also use similar technology to separate goods. Isopan with him, etc. But it is Knauf that produces exclusively mineral wool insulation, and in such a large variety of varieties.
Rockwool products do not have such a wide range of products provided (the same applies to the Izover company), and the guys from TechnoNIKOL specialize more in foam insulation.
2.1 TeploKnauf line
Let’s take a closer look at the TeploKnauf line, because these products are used in the vast majority of cases. This is understandable, because the share of civil construction in our time is much greater than the share of industrial construction.
There are several most popular types of Knauf insulation:
- TeploKnauf Cottage;
- TeploKnauf House;
- TeploKnauf Dacha.
Each of them has its own unique technical characteristics, is produced in separate packaging and is designed to perform specific tasks.
Thus, TeploKnauf Cottage is used, as the name implies, for finishing cottages. Although you can use it almost anywhere. The product is sold in rolls.
This is his specialty. It is impossible to buy the Cottage model in slabs. It is used to insulate partitions, various types of ceilings, walls, and in extreme cases, even floors.
Teploknauf Dom or Dom+ is used when it is necessary to insulate wall or roof frames. The peculiarity of TeploKnauf House is that it is produced in the form of slabs, and the slabs are very elastic.
Their compression ratio can reach up to 50% like . This means that more material will fit in the TeploKnauf Dom packaging, since it is simply easier to press it.
It is especially convenient to use TeploKnauf Dom when installing roof insulation. These slabs can simply be placed between the rafters, and due to their elasticity, they will quickly take up all the space and fill the openings with their volume.
TeploKnauf Dacha is also sold in rolls. This is the most cheap insulation, which in essence is used for the usual insulation of attics, floors in the country, etc. Its technical characteristics are also appropriate. But it is worth noting that reviews about TeploKnauf Dacha insulation are mostly positive.
You just need to understand that such models are represented by simpler production technologies (rolled insulation is always easier to produce), since they are intended to provide basic work on installing thermal insulation.
Otherwise, the technical characteristics of materials from model range TeploKnauf are no different from each other. All of them have a thermal conductivity of 0.035-0.037 W/m. Quite elastic, non-flammable and weakly react to moisture.
2.2 Insulation line
If TeploKnauf Dom or Cottage insulation is used to protect the walls of private houses, then products from the Insulation line are used when it is necessary to process large construction volumes.
These will not necessarily be plants or factories; they are also used in the construction of large civil buildings: hotels, shopping centers etc. That is, wherever there is a large volume of work and a significant scope.
The following insulation products from the Insulation line are distinguished:
- Thermo Plate;
- Thermo Roll;
- Acoustic partition;
- Pitched roof.
Thermo Plate is intended for wall treatment. Thermo Roll is roll material from dense mineral wool mats, which are then rolled and packaged. The difference between the two above options is minimal.
In some situations it is easier to work with slabs, while in others it is better to finish with rolls. As for the technical characteristics, apart from the dimensions, they are almost the same.
Acoustic partitions are produced both in the form of slabs and in the form of rolls. This type of mineral wool is characterized by extremely high elasticity and the ability to dampen serious noise.
Knauf Pitched roofing has the best waterproofing in its class. Roughly speaking, it does not absorb water at all, as it is a water-repellent material. For mineral wool, this indicator is a big plus.