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What and how is it better to cut mineral wool. How to work with stone wool What kind of knife cut mineral wool

Today, a method has been developed to obtain special kind insulation - stone wool made from basalt. Twenty years ago, such mineral wool was used exclusively for the needs of the defense industry, and today this insulation is widely used for thermal insulation of any buildings.

As part of mineral wool does not contain such harmful environment components such as acrylic and phenol-formaldehyde resins. It consists only of natural binders, therefore it is safe for humans. This thermal insulation material not only perfectly retains heat, but also allows you to create a reliable soundproofing of the premises. Mineral wool from basalt is becoming more and more popular and has already been tested by time, but people still have a lot of questions regarding technological issues, which we will try to focus on in this article.

How to properly fix the mineral wool?

In this case, it all depends on the type of insulation and on the type of structure on which the thermal insulation is mounted. Light grades of mineral wool are installed in frame structures by surprise. Rigid mineral wool boards are fastened with special dowels or fixed using special adhesives.

When fixing by surprise, mineral wool is laid very tightly in a pre-assembled from slats and bars wooden frame. The thickness of the frame must match the thickness of the insulation. Between the slats they maintain an interval less than the width of the mineral wool by 1.5-2 cm, which does not allow the material to slip during operation. Mats are mounted starting from the bottom of the structure, and rolls - from above. In this case, whole pieces are stacked first, and free space, for example, near doors or windows, is filled in later.

Mineral wool of high density is often mounted without intermediate / support bars. It is completely driven behind the frame and pressed against the supporting structure without a gap, after which, for safety reasons, it is fixed with dowels with a wide cap, that is, the so-called "dish-shaped" dowels. In such a system, the frame elements are located on top of the insulation layer and press the wool against the wall, in addition, brackets that pass through the mats help to keep the insulation in place.

When using the bonded thermal insulation method (wet method), frames are not used at all, therefore, adhesive compositions must be used as fasteners. In this case, you will have to purchase a dry mix, but necessarily intended for gluing mineral wool insulation. Recently, polyurethane glue in cylinders has become more and more popular, which allows you to mount dense mineral wool to any base, including wood, metal, and polymer. This technology also involves the use of dish-shaped dowels. In more detail, we considered the features of gluing insulation in articles on adhesive compositions and wet insulation of the facade.

What is the best way to cut mineral wool?

It is recommended to cut heat-insulating materials from stone wool with a hacksaw for metal or with a sharp long knife specially designed for this purpose, the blade of which is serrated. In any case, the equipment must be well sharpened so that the fibers break out as little as possible. Many companies that produce insulation also offer their customers cutting tools: knives about 300 mm long, as well as saws with teeth without divorce, about 60 cm long. In the absence of special devices for such purposes, kitchen bread knives with fine teeth show themselves well and wavy edges. Thin soft slabs and mats (50 mm) can be cut with an ordinary assembly knife.

Mineral wool produced in rolls is best cut before unrolling. And mineral wool boards are taken out of packs and cut one at a time. It should be remembered that when installing thermal insulation, the insulation must fill the entire insulated space very tightly, therefore, allowances should be left before cutting: for plates - 0.5 cm; and for mats - about 1-2 cm.

Is it true that mineral wool must be protected from moisture and wind?

During the operation of insulated buildings, their walls, roofs and other structures should be protected from high atmospheric humidity and from blowing strong winds. Therefore, mineral wool insulation after installation from the outside is covered with canvases from a vapor-permeable moisture and windproof membrane. This allows you to prevent the penetration of cold wind and drops of slanting rain into the thickness of the wall. At the same time, water vapor from the internal space, passing through the walls through diffusion, will be able to go outside without obstacles.

The undoubted advantage of mineral wool is its vapor permeability, and this property should be used to the maximum. When installing mineral wool thermal insulation materials between bearing wall and a vapor barrier does not need to be laid with a heater, since such sealing will negatively affect the climate inside the building. Absence artificial ventilation in this case, it will lead to an increase in humidity and the formation of condensate, which, in turn, will cause the formation of mold and fungi.

A vapor barrier film must be used when installing thermal insulation indoors - in this case, it is installed on the warm side of mineral wool. This allows you to protect the insulation from water vapor from the premises. Reinforced polyethylene can be used as a vapor barrier, which is placed between the insulation and the cladding.

If the design allows, between the insulation and exterior finish a ventilated air gap must be provided. This will help keep the mineral wool dry, without compromising the vapor permeability of the building.

What if you need to use wool in a layer of 15 or 20 cm, and the insulation is supplied with a thickness of 5 or 10 cm?

There is nothing complicated here. It is necessary to calculate the required thickness using formulas or using an online calculator (we talked about this in the last article), and then you can easily build an insulating barrier from several layers. In addition, this method makes it easy to eliminate the problem of cold bridging and joint blowing. To do this, when installing the insulation, the sheets of the outer and inner layers should be shifted relative to each other by 20-30 mm in order to reliably close the seams.

Is it necessary to use protective equipment? Which?

Mineral wool is considered a safe heat-insulating material, both during operation and during installation. However, when working with this insulation for a long time, it is still better to protect yourself using objects personal protection.

Stone wool, compared to glass wool, is much more convenient to use and safer, but care should still be taken when installing it. It is best to work on non-hot days in overalls made of dense fabric, covering the entire body from contact with mineral wool. It is not recommended to touch this material with bare hands; to protect them, you can use "glazier's gloves" - fabric with rubber or silicone coating in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe palms. It is also imperative to protect the eyes and scalp. Wear a respirator to protect your respiratory system.

During the installation of stone wool, a break should be arranged to ventilate the room. Open packs of material must be carefully shifted, preventing them from falling, so that microparticles do not stand out from them. At the construction site during the installation of thermal insulation there should be no children, as well as people who do not use protective equipment.

Are there any nuances in transportation and storage?

Mineral wool insulation should be stored in whole packages on a flat dry surface, the height of the stacks should not exceed 2 meters. Stacks are made in enclosed spaces protected from rain and humidity. If mineral wool is stored outside, it must be covered with plastic wrap or tarpaulin.

Mats and insulation boards are transported in a horizontal position in covered trucks. During transportation, the insulation must be protected from mechanical damage and atmospheric precipitation. During loading / unloading and transportation, do not compress the material too much.

You need to unpack the mineral wool correctly. To do this, the insulation is taken out of the package immediately before installation, which significantly reduces the risk of damage to the thermal insulation. Insulation packaging can be used on a construction site when laying out mineral wool (when you need to protect it from pollution), it is also suitable as bags for construction debris.

Which cotton wool is better?

There is no single answer to this question, since different conditions the best option There will be different types of material.

Basalt soft wool. Use it where high loads are not expected. This material can be used to insulate walls made according to frame technology, as well as for thermal insulation of floors and roofs. Just because cotton is soft doesn't mean it doesn't perform well. It is simply made from thin fibers, which ensures the presence of many cavities in the insulation, in which air is trapped, which prevents heat loss.

Mineral wool of medium hardness (density). It is used mainly for the insulation of ventilated facades, where high-velocity air flows are created in the air cavities. It is also used for fire prevention measures, sound and heat insulation of ventilation ducts. mineral wool medium density can be mounted without problems instead of soft basalt wool, but the cost of thermal insulation will be more expensive.

Rigid basalt wool. This insulation is used in places where high loads on it are possible. For example, where it is planned to insulate walls with reinforcement and plastering (wet method) or when creating certain types of floors.

Cylindrical heaters for pipes. Usually they are produced with a diameter of more than 50 mm. They are slotted parts that can be deployed and put on the pipe, or two-piece models that are connected on the pipe.

Foil basalt wool. This thermal insulation material is characterized not only by low heat transfer, but also reflects heat, directing it inside the premises. Mineral wool can be covered with foil on one or both sides. When laying, the heat insulator is installed with the foil side to the heat source. The scope of this insulation is quite extensive, it is considered a universal material suitable for all methods and types of thermal insulation.

Stitching cotton. It is a very durable mat, one side of which is sheathed / reinforced with steel mesh (galvanized, stainless, fire-resistant, acid-resistant). Cloths can be of various thicknesses, can be used to perform various kinds thermal insulation. Stitched wool is usually non-combustible, therefore it can be used to insulate surfaces with elevated temperatures (up to plus 660-700 degrees).

An important technical characteristic of mineral wool is its specific gravity. Insulation with a density of up to 75 kg per cubic meter is ideal for thermal insulation of planes where heavy loads are not expected, for example, for laying in ceilings in attics and roofs. Basalt wool of low density is often used for wrapping pipes of heating plants, boilers and similar units / communications.

Stone wool, the density of which is up to 125 kg per cubic meter, holds its shape well and is great for insulating ceilings, walls inside buildings, and various vertical structures. It is used for thermal insulation brick walls, as well as surfaces made of foam block or aerated concrete. Mineral wool of this specific density allows not only to insulate the building, but also to ensure its reliable sound insulation.

Basalt wool of high density - from 175 to 200 kg per cubic meter is characterized, in addition, by increased rigidity, hence the abbreviation in its name (PPZh). They use such a heater for thermal insulation of initially too cold planes - reinforced concrete, sheet metal. The PZH-200 brand is also excellent for arranging additional protection of residential buildings from fire. Only high-density mineral wool can be installed using wet facade insulation technology.

Mineral wool is artificial construction material, which is made for heat and sound insulation of residential buildings and industrial premises. The material is not afraid of fire, resistant to various weather conditions. For convenience, they are produced in rolls and mats. It is not enough to purchase a heater, it is also important to know how to work with it, this will be discussed below.

Insulation of the attic effective ways reduce body losses as a result, the house needs to be heated less, which means you can save on electricity. Mineral wool insulation is a versatile option with high technical specifications for thermal and acoustic performance as well as fire resistance.

The insulation is made up of fibres. While working with the material, a large number of harmful particles fly into the air. Fine dust is dangerous for breathing and human skin. Therefore, when working with it, observe precautions.

What rules must be followed:

  • work in a well ventilated area.
  • for work use personal protective equipment: mask, goggles, respirator.
  • work in overalls: well-buttoned overalls, headgear, construction gloves.
  • After work, hands and face are thoroughly washed under cold water. Overalls are shaken out of dust.

How to cut mineral wool in a roll

To insulate the house with mineral wool, it is cut, the material is cut up and down. Each type of cut has its own rules, following which it is much easier to do the job.

Longitudinal cut of material

Mineral wool in rolls is cut unpacked. The roll is placed on a hard flat surface. Measure the required length with a tape measure. Put marks in three places around the package. The place of the cut, for accuracy, is wrapped with molar tape.

Then they take a saw and saw a roll of mineral wool in a circle. After the cut piece is separated, the packaging film is removed.

Important. Masking tape is wound on a roll on the opposite side of the workpiece so that after cutting the remaining part of the roll does not unwind.


Cross cut material

For cross cutting, the mineral wool roll is unpacked. Make markings on both sides. Then a flat bar is applied: a ruler, a piece of a profile or a beam.

A knife or a hacksaw is carried out along the plank. If it was not possible to cut off the insulation in one motion, the cut is repeated several times. The material is cut to the end so that it does not have to be torn off, in which case the geometry will be violated. You will have to equalize the heater.

Important. When the insulation is cut, a board is placed so that the knife does not dull.

How to cut insulation

In production, the material is cut on machines, with special circular saws. At home, you can cut the insulation with a clerical knife, a wood saw and special knives for insulation.

Instruments:

  1. Stationery knife used only for cross cutting, as it does not have a large blade size. The cutting part dulls quickly, because of this, the blade is often changed. A utility knife is used for cutting a large number insulation.
  2. To cut mineral wool along the roll, use saw on wood. The hacksaw has a long blade that cuts through the roll. The disadvantage is that after such a cut, a lot of waste from the insulation remains. When carving, the teeth of a hacksaw tear out pieces of insulation.
  3. Bread knife with a long blade 200 - 300 mm handy tool to cut the insulation along and across the roll. The serrated blade easily cuts the insulation fibers without leaving much waste. The disadvantage of a kitchen knife is that it becomes dull quickly. If there is a lot of work, for a smooth cut, the knife will have to be sharpened periodically.
  4. Special knives are made for professional cutting of cotton wool mines. . Tool length with handle 500 mm, blade length 330 mm. Knives are made of stainless and cold-rolled steel, the special wavy toothed sharpening of the tool allows you to cut the material evenly.

Choosing the right tool for the job and following the recommendations will help make home insulation a pleasant and rewarding activity that will not bring unnecessary trouble.

During the installation process, slab and roll very often have to be adjusted to the appropriate dimensions. The absence of minimal gaps between the elements of the supporting frame and the material eliminates the possible formation of small areas with increased and undesirable heat transfer. It is worth noting that builders call these sections nothing more than cold bridges, and they know how to properly cut the insulation in order to avoid such problems.

Methods for cutting insulation

- the most picky in this matter are polystyrene panels. With the help of heated nichrome wire or a fine-toothed hand saw, this task can be easily and quickly completed, while ensuring a smooth and clean cut. During the cutting of polystyrene foam, there will be practically no dust, and the work does not require special physical effort from workers;
more problems will be with mineral fiber heat insulators, which are created on the basis of basalt wool and fiberglass. Despite the fact that modern dust-free technologies are used today, cutting these materials causes the formation of glass dust, which often causes irritation of the mucous membrane of the human eyes, as well as the upper respiratory tract;

- to reduce the amount of dust particles, experts recommend using only technically sound and proven tools that have well-sharpened working edges, special cutters and knives;
to reduce the amount of dust, the material must be cut along the fibers. In each option, the masters strongly recommend the use of individual protective equipment and all work should be carried out in well-ventilated areas. Mineral wool is minimally safe, but at the same time, all recommendations regarding the use of protective equipment must remain valid;

- the developers of such materials are well aware of all their products and very often offer consumers proprietary methods for cutting and cutting rigid and flexible insulators. You can always get acquainted with the recommendations in the installation instructions attached to each package;
- the properties of insulation are completely dependent on the integrity of their structures. For example, all mineral wool materials based on stone wool are strictly forbidden to deform and compress. In this case, the insulation can always restore its shape and volume, however, the heat preservation of such a site is greatly reduced.
Finally, it is worth noting that if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better for you to turn to qualified specialists - they know how to competently and correctly cut the insulation. In this case, you are guaranteed to receive high-quality work that will undoubtedly please you. And the material itself will serve you for many years.

The construction of any house involves minimizing heat loss. This problem is solved with the help of various types of heaters, among which mineral wool is considered the most popular.

It is distinguished by reliability and long service life, as it perfectly resists fire and decay. You can get acquainted with the main technical characteristics of mineral wool on the website http://www.minvatka.com.

Insulation classification

Mineral wool is a product that has a fibrous structure. This allows you to achieve high-quality indicators of heat and sound insulation.

There are several types of such insulation:

  • Glass mineral wool. A product is made from thin threads of molten glass.
  • Stone mineral wool. The main component of this substance are melts of various rocks.
  • Slag mineral wool - obtained from blast-furnace slag.

All types of this insulation emit small particles of fibers and phenol-formaldehyde resins into the air. It can be the cause of various diseases. To minimize the impact of these substances, when laying it is isolated with the help of special films.

Cutting tools

The processing of mineral wool is not very complicated, which allows you to do all the work yourself. You can cut the insulation with several tools:

  1. Stationery knife. Suitable only for thin sheets of material.
  2. Hacksaw for metal. With its help, it is possible to process cotton wool with a thickness of more than 50 mm.
  3. Special knives. Outwardly, they are in many ways reminiscent of saws with fine teeth. But at the same time they are not bred to the side and are located in one line.
  4. Bread knife. In the absence of any other tool, this product also perfectly copes with mineral wool.

It should be noted that all blades must be very sharp. This will minimize the pulling of fibers from the mat structure. Experts recommend cutting before the roll is deployed.

If you need to obtain elements of complex shape, then it is better to use special cutting machines. They can process cotton wool not only in a straight line, but also in a circle. This is very important, especially in industrial production. If this is a one-time task, then the purchase of such a tool will be impractical and it is better to use improvised material.

Before cutting, it is important to consult with a specialist in order to minimize the costs of the sheets used.

Mineral wool is one of the most common insulation materials. And if you decide to independently insulate the walls of your house with this material, it is very important to know how and how to cut mineral wool. The difficulty is that wool has a fibrous structure, and if it is violated, all the thermal insulation properties of the material will be reduced, which is highly undesirable.

How to cut mineral wool

If speak about industrial scale, then special machine tools are used to cut this material. But at home as cutting tool can be used:

  • mounting knife;
  • hacksaw for wood or metal;
  • kitchen serrated knife for cutting bread;
  • special tools: knife with stainless or carbon steel blade. The latter type is used for cutting mineral wool different types, differs in sharpness and good cutting.

Of course, in the process of cutting, you will also need such an additional tool as: a pencil, a ruler, with which you will make markings.

Prohibited use:

  • table or clerical knife;
  • scissors.

How to cut mineral wool

However, before you start cutting mineral wool, you must create the right conditions. As we have already said, this insulation has a fibrous structure. In the process of cutting, various small particles of these fibers fall into the air and onto the hands, and in order to prevent this, it is worth:

  • ensure good ventilation in the room where the process itself will take place;
  • use protective clothing and protective equipment. This may be a work overalls, be sure to goggles, gloves, and, if necessary, a respirator and mask;
  • After finishing work, it is important to thoroughly rinse your hands and face with water.

These measures are so important, since there is a danger of injuring yourself, infecting your eyes, and developing an allergy.

Regarding the rules for cutting mineral wool, it is important to cut the insulation across the fibers. And to mineralize the amount of dust in the air during the cutting process, it is worth using tools with a well-sharpened, sharp working edge.

If, for example, you purchased insulation in rolls, then for convenience it is better to immediately cut it right in the roll, and therefore do not rush to unfold it. But the plates are cut each separately.

At the same time, no matter how carefully you cut, no matter how accurately you take measurements, be prepared for the fact that you will have trimmings that can be used for rough work. For example, insulation of the walls of a garage or a barn. Some people even buy low priced rock wool scraps like a budget option insulation: quality, properties are the same, only cheaper.

Thus, you should not throw away scraps of cotton wool from a roll or slab, as they will definitely come in handy on the farm.