Technology of insulation of the facade with mineral wool for plaster

Warming of the house is the primary task of the homeowner who wants to operate his housing as efficiently as possible. Insulation of both a wooden and a stone house from the outside will allow the developer to significantly reduce heating costs, save useful space inside the house and protect the house from the negative effects of atmospheric phenomena and precipitation.

One of the most popular and popular methods of thermal insulation of housing is the technology of insulation of the facade with mineral wool under the plaster. You can familiarize yourself with the features, rules, tools, and stages of installing minvata for plaster below.

What is mineral wool?

Unlike wool for interior work, facade mineral wool is more dense and hydrophobic (repels water). Mineral wool for insulation from the outside of a wooden, brick and other house is produced exclusively in the form of slabs with dimensions of 0.6x1.2 m and 0.5x1 m types. The thickness of the material can be 5, 10, 15 cm. The most popular type is 10-centimeter mineral wool boards .

Minvata is available in three varieties:

At the same time, basalt glass wool, due to its record low thermal conductivity, is considered the best option for insulation outside a wooden house.

Pros and cons of using mineral wool for outdoor insulation at home

The popularity of insulation is due primarily to:

low thermal conductivity of the material, and therefore, high thermal insulation characteristics,
excellent soundproofing
a good level of fire safety (after all, mineral wool does not support combustion),
vapor permeability (provides “breathing” at home, which is especially important if the house is not wooden, but stone),
resistance to fungi and rodents,
relative environmental friendliness and safety of the material (harmful substances are released only when heated above 300 ° C),
simplicity of installation technology.

Thermal insulation of the facade with the help of mineral wool can be done independently

The disadvantages are:

a change in the volume of the insulation and the appearance of cracks in it (occurs only when there is no reinforcing layer),
if the mineral wool is not treated with a hydrophobic solution, all its thermal insulation characteristics will come to naught, because it absorbs moisture almost instantly.

Facade surface preparation

Before starting work with insulation and plaster, it is necessary to clean the surface of the walls from oil stains and dirt and level them. According to technology, all metal elements that can rust can be removed from the walls outside. If these are strategically important metal elements, then oxygen must be supplied under the plaster, i.e. this immediately precludes the use of acrylic based plasters.

The material for insulation must have low thermal conductivity. Therefore, mineral wool, namely its variety with a density of 140 kg / m², fits perfectly.

If on the walls there are remnants of the old coating, whether it be paint, plaster or anything else, then you can not put insulation under the plaster.

Before starting warming, it is worth using the sag to indicate the boundaries of the zones. Sag - strong nylon cords, pulled between the pins of the valve (these pins must then be removed, so do not drive them too tightly), fixed at the indicated point in a vertical, horizontal position and diagonally.

Slots are installed to assess the geometry of the wall.

Once the sag is installed, it becomes much easier to evaluate wall geometry. The slack needs to be fixed so that they recede at least 1 cm from the mineral wool. After the wall is marked, you can proceed with the installation of guide profiles.

Technology and the main stages of warming

Insulation of mineral wool with its subsequent closure with plaster should be carried out in several stages.

There are three such basic stages:

Insulation installation.
Reinforcement.
Carrying out decorative finishes.

Scheme of insulation cake with the installation of mineral wool

First of all, it is necessary to mount a base profile or a bar in the wall, which will be the supporting guide for the first row of insulation material, in addition, it will control the gap between the bottom row of mineral wool and the wall, as well as protect the mineral wool from penetration of rodents and pests. It is also important that the profiles protect the layer of plaster from mechanical deformation and tightly fit the plaster with expansion joints.

Facade insulation is carried out using mineral wool with a density of 140 kg / m². Fixation of mineral wool on the bearing walls of the facade is carried out using driven dowels or special glue.

After that, under the profile right on the mineral wool, it is worth attaching a strip of reinforcing mesh (width from 25 to 35 cm). After the reinforcement is glued to the mineral wool, the lower edge of this mesh can be wrapped on a profile, which completely insulates and makes the insulation monolithic. Reinforcing building mesh is attached to the mineral wool using adhesive-reinforced plaster.

Reinforcement mesh prevents mineral wool from collapsing

To decorate mineral wool plates, you can use decorative plaster on a silicate, mineral, acrylic or silicone base. After the plaster has dried, it is possible to apply paint to it with any suitable overall color scheme of the color facade.

It is imperative that all materials used in the work fit each other in all respects.. For example, thermal insulation and plaster should be combined with each other relative to the parameter of thermal expansion, have the same coefficient of thermal conductivity and approximately the same level of hygroscopicity. If you ignore the rules of compatibility of materials, then the plaster will crack and crumble extremely quickly, and insulation will reduce its effectiveness.

To insure against problems with the compatibility of materials, you can purchase a ready-made facade insulation system. The most popular manufacturers on the market are Roockwool, Knauf, Atlas, and Ceresit. Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that even the use of finished facade insulation does not exclude the need to follow safety rules and principles of system installation. Otherwise, you just throw money away.

How to conduct facade insulation with mineral wool for plaster

Insulating the building with mineral wool and then applying a layer of plaster is quite difficult. Insulation of the facade with mineral wool is mainly carried out using the “wet facade” technology. The work is carried out in accordance with some binding rules.

Technology features

The facade can be insulated with stone, fiberglass or basalt mineral wool. The materials presented are not afraid of fire and significantly insulate the walls. The material, in addition to thermal insulation, well isolates noise.

Facade insulation technology should be carried out with an air humidity of less than 80%. Under adverse environmental conditions, the installation of the material is impractical, it will begin to crumble.

Mineral wool insulation with plaster closure is a multi-layer scheme

Minvata is not put even at ambient temperature above + 30 ° C. In this case, the material may expand. Installation of expanded material leads to the fact that after cooling, it shrinks and violates the integrity of the wall.

What is mineral wool

Facade mineral wool is hydrophobic and dense in comparison with indoor wool. It repels water and is supplied only in stoves. The use of material mats is not forbidden, but their density should reach 80 kg / m², which is rare. The dimensions of the plates are of two types - 0.5x1 m and 0.6x1.2 m. The thickness of the material varies, there are 5, 10, 15 cm. A running option is the use of 10-centimeter plates.

Facade mineral wool is hydrophobic and dense compared to indoor wool.

The following types of material are distinguished - stone, fiberglass and basalt mineral wool. Each of the materials presented is non-combustible and fireproof.

Advantages and disadvantages

Mineral wool insulation has several advantages:

the material is characterized by excellent thermal insulation properties,
mineral wool has a porous structure that perfectly absorbs noise,
the insulation is non-combustible and will not ignite in case of fire, the melting temperature of the material reaches + 1000 ° C,
rodents do not show interest in mineral wool,
high vapor permeability, steam reaches the insulation, condensate is eliminated,
resistance to mechanical stress, long term of use unlike polyfoam.

Mineral wool insulation has many advantages, and the price of the material is quite low. The use of the presented material is practical and economical.

The facade can be insulated with stone, fiberglass or basalt mineral wool. The presented materials are not afraid of fire and significantly insulate the walls

Are there any flaws

The facade insulated with mineral wool has some disadvantages. For example, according to studies, it was found that substances in the composition of the material are dangerous to human and animal health. Firms producing insulation say that its composition contains toxic elements in small doses, but in practice this is not always the case. When purchasing products for insulation, it is worth paying attention to whether there is a marking on it - "Tested by Rospotrebnadzor" or other organizations involved in the control of materials.

The purchase of insulation for the facade should be carried out by reliable manufacturers, imposing stringent requirements on product quality. Only in this way will the risk of poisoning by hazardous substances be minimized.

Preparatory work

The facade for the plaster should be smooth and clean. Insulation and finishing work begins with cleaning the surface of the walls. It is supposed to eliminate from the walls all metal elements that may rust due to insulation and lack of air. If it is impossible to eliminate the metal, do not use acrylic plaster, which blocks the penetration of oxygen.

Warming involves the installation of a heat insulator with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity of the plaster. In most cases, mineral wool with a density of 140 kg / m² is used

Under the plaster, the insulation is not put if there are old coatings on the walls - paint and old plaster. Oil fluids, dirt and dust must be removed. Only a clean surface is suitable for work.

The technology of insulation involves the designation of sagging boundaries of the zones. Sag is made of strong cords fixed in horizontal, vertical and diagonal positions in the designated area. After installing the cords, a kind of map is formed, according to which it becomes possible to evaluate the geometry of the wall. Slack should protrude 1 cm from the level of insulation. The next step in installing under the plaster of the heat insulator is the fastening of the guide profiles.

Installation steps

Mineral wool insulation with plaster closure is a multi-layer scheme. Three base layers stand out - heat-insulating, reinforcing and decorative:

Thermal insulation layer. Warming involves the installation of a heat insulator with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity of the plaster. In most cases, mineral wool with a density of 140 kg / m² is used. It is fixed to the supporting structure of the walls using special glue or dowels.
Reinforcing layer. The technology of applying the layer consists in fixing the adhesive-reinforced plaster onto the mineral wool, on which a strong building mesh is applied.
Decorative layer. As a coating, decorative plaster is used on a silicone, silicate, mineral or acrylic basis. Using facade paints, the decorative layer can be given any look that matches the idea of the designer.

During the installation, special profiles are required that provide insulation protection. They are able to reinforce the corners of the house, protect the plaster layer from mechanical stress, and also make it possible to join the plaster layer to the expansion joints.

Under the plaster, the insulation is not put if there are old coatings on the walls - paint and old plaster. Oil fluids, dirt and dust must be removed.

Important! All materials used during operation should be suitable for each other in terms of characteristics. Plaster, thermal insulation and other elements must be combined with each other, have common indicators of thermal expansion, hygroscopicity, thermal conductivity and other characteristics. If the combination of materials is not followed, the plaster will quickly fail, and the entire insulation system will be ineffective. It is easiest to purchase a ready-made insulation system certified by a state certificate.

A wide range of ready-made facade insulation systems is presented on the construction market. The most popular manufacturing companies are Atlas, Knauf, Roockwool, Ceresit. Using certified products increases the chances of success, but the rules for installing the system must be followed.

Insulating the building with mineral wool and then applying a layer of plaster is quite difficult, but possible. It is important to properly prepare the walls and choose materials that combine with each other according to their characteristics, then everything will work out.

How to plaster on mineral wool

Mineral plastering is considered one of the most effective and economical methods of warming the facades of buildings for various purposes. Modern materials make it possible to combine hygroscopic material and wet operation to obtain a good result. The technology of thermal insulation of the facade with mineral wool for plaster gained popularity precisely with the advent of the possibility of such a combination.

Why make facade insulation

Facade insulation has two goals:

The first, quite obvious - room temperature rise, increasing the comfort of living and reducing heating costs.
The second goal is not so obvious, but it is even more important than the first. The fact is that cold walls cause condensation to form on its surface. Moisture penetrates the thickness of the wall material, freezes, and gradually tears them apart from the inside, which sooner or later will cause destruction. If you increase the temperature of the walls, then condensation will not occur, and the problem will disappear. The main task is to bring the dew point (condensation area) out. For the correct conclusion of the dew point, you need to use a heater of sufficient thickness.

Styrofoam (Styrofoam)

The material is a leader among heaters, as it is the cheapest, retains heat the best and practically does not load the walls. We recommend that you read about insulation with expanded polystyrene and styrofoam for plaster in more detail.

The downside of the foam is low vapor permeability., which has to be compensated by the creation of effective ventilation inside the house to remove steam.

Minvata

In particular, basalt (stone) mineral wool. The best option is a slab of mineral wool, which has sufficient rigidity for ease of installation.

This material has good thermal insulation properties, high vapor permeability, is almost the best option for outdoor insulation.

At the same time, mineral wool has the ability to absorb water, therefore, for the high-quality functioning of the insulation, a layer of external waterproofing is required (it is usually recommended to install a waterproofing membrane that releases steam outside, but does not allow any moisture to pass through).

Ecowool

It is made from cellulose waste. Low cost but organic material, which contributes to the manifestation of various biological manifestations - decay, mold, etc.

In addition, ecowool is applied using special equipment, which dramatically reduces its use as a heater for walls.

Polyurethane foam

Liquid polyurethane foam is used, installed with the help of special spraying units. The procedure is quite complicated and requires the involvement of specialists. In addition, polyurethane foam is practically impervious to steam, which reduces its value for external use.

At the same time, the thermal insulation qualities of the material are very high, the application to the walls is very dense, without gaps, cracks, etc. The cost of the material is high, which is an additional limitation.

Penoplex, EPS

The material is a kind of foam, but the production technology is different. With excellent heat-insulating and waterproofing properties, the material has zero vapor permeability, which makes its use somewhat limited due to the need to organize ventilation methods to remove steam from the room.

Great for warming basement and submerged parts of the building.

Penoizol

Penoizol is also a modification of the foam. It has excellent thermal insulation properties, a very lightweight material that does not create any load on the walls.

The disadvantage is the need for application using special equipment. In addition, a significant disadvantage is some shrinkage during solidification, which may cause leaks, gaps or gaps.

There are a lot of types of insulation, this list does not intentionally indicate organic compounds, since they are a favorable environment for insects, rodents, mold or fungus appear on them, etc. All these factors dramatically reduce the working quality of materials, which makes them undesirable for use in a residential building.

What type of insulation is optimal for facade plastering

So, which insulation to choose? Basic requirements for outdoor insulation materials:

Easy to install form.
Sufficient rigidity of the material, allowing you to mount it without the use of additional equipment.
High thermal insulation qualities.
Low price.

In addition, the installation method for both materials is exactly the same as the finishing method.

How to calculate the thickness of the insulation

The calculation of the thickness of the insulation is not an easy task.

First, the heat resistance of the outer wall is determined by the formula:

R1, R2, R3 is the heat transfer resistance of all layers of the wall (we conventionally assume that there are three of them, although in practice it can be more or less).

α (c) and α (n) are the heat transfer values of the inner and outer surface of the wall, respectively.

Then, the minimum value of thermal resistance is calculated by the formula:

δ is the thickness of the layer.

λ is the thermal conductivity of the material.

After this, the results should be compared. If Rmin turned out less (or equal to) Rpr, then the wall does not need insulation. If it turned out the other way around, the minimum value is greater than the calculated one, then the difference ΔR is the determining value for determining the thickness of the insulation (δS), which is found by the formula:

The calculation method is rather complicated due to the need to look for specific data and values for each region, use SNiPs or other reference materials. All this is quite difficult for an unprepared person, which gives rise to errors that nullify all efforts.

Easier to turn to online calculators, which will quickly give out the required value, you only need to enter a few data on the material of the walls and the selected insulation.

If there is absolutely no desire to do such calculations, then you can resort to the simplest (and most common) method: just use a 5 cm thick insulation. This value is the most common, it is suitable for almost all regions (with the exception of northern or characterized by severe frosts).

Mounting the selected optimum insulation on the wall

Insulation installation in dry weather at a temperature of + 5 ° to + 30 °. This range is most suitable for adhesives and for people installing.

The most optimal options are polystyrene or basalt slab mineral wool. In terms of physical qualities (strength, dimensions, etc.), both materials are close to each other, so the installation procedure for them is almost the same:

The facade is cleaned from external lights, slopes, drainpipes and other attachments.
Old paint or other coating is removed.
Inspection of the wall surface. Detected cracks, dents or other defects must be puttied; in especially difficult cases, even plastering is used. The maximum size of the “wave” of the surface is 1 cm per 1 m of length.If there are crumbling areas, a deep penetration primer is used.
The installation of insulation begins. As a support for the bottom row of plates special profile recommended, which will facilitate the fixation of the insulation and provide horizontal. Plates are installed on special glue, which is applied to the wall, immediately leveled with a notched trowel. Then the insulation plate is pressed against the wall for tight contact and fixed with special dowels - fungi.
Laying slabs is done as densely as possible, there should be no gaps or gaps between the slabs.
The next row stacks apartso that the joints of the plates of the first row overlap with the whole plate of the next.

Subsequently, the metal profile will serve as guides for the plaster rule. and will provide an even plane of coverage. This method is used on facades of a large area, where the possibility of errors when applying plaster is very high.

Sectional Structure

Plaster technology of the selected insulation

The order of applying plaster is the same for almost all types of insulation.

You must complete the following steps:

The surface of the insulation is covered with a layer of glue using a notched trowel. Immediately on top of the glue layer, a reinforcing mesh is laid and slightly pressed into the glue for complete immersion and tightness of the connection. An additional putty is made on top for compaction, the final strengthening of the reinforcing layer.
The adhesive is aged for complete hardening.
A layer of decorative plaster is applied according to the technology approved for the selected type. The instruction is usually attached to the mixture (printed on the packaging or on a separate booklet attached).
If necessary, after the plaster dries, a single or double layer is produced surface painting.

Reinforcing and plastering

Warming the outer surface of the walls is an important and very useful operation from the point of view of preserving the material of the walls and improving comfort for residents of the house. The main task facing the owner is the choice of material for insulation, suitable time for work and compliance with the technology of installing insulation and applying decorative plaster.

The option is quite time-consuming and more expensive in comparison with the “dry” finishing methods, but the result looks very solid, noble, which repeatedly justifies the costs and efforts.

The essence of the method

Currently, the so-called wet facade is increasingly being equipped, which is a facade cladding made of thermal insulation covered with a thin layer of plaster. Mineral wool (mineral wool) is the most common insulation used in this design. The essence of the technology lies in the fact that thermal insulation is applied to the wall in the form of plates, which are then fixed and protected by a plaster mixture of different composition.

Insulation of the facade with mineral wool under the plaster was tested in structures with walls of various materials. It is successfully used on walls made of monolithic and cellular concrete, brick, wooden beams, plywood, OSB. The application of this technique can reduce construction costs, providing the necessary insulation of the building and an attractive appearance. At the same time, decorative plaster itself can be the external coating of the facade or become a perfectly smooth base for any type of cladding.

The purpose of the plaster is to protect the material below it from external factors, and after curing the composition, the necessary waterproofing layer is formed. However, in the process of applying the plaster, the aqueous component of the solution penetrates the mineral wool, which impairs its heat-insulating ability. Two-layer thermal insulation helps to reduce this negative effect, and the outer layer is laid out of thin but very dense sheets of mineral wool (density not less than 140 kg / m³).

The choice of plaster composition

Facade plastering can be done with different solutions. The following types of solutions can be used to form a thin, durable layer (up to 3 mm thick):

Acrylic plaster. It is implemented in a ready-to-use state. It has such positive properties: mechanical shock and abrasion resistance, quick hardening, water resistance, color variety and color shade resistance. In combination with mineral wool, it is rarely used, because it does not have vapor permeability; it is not resistant to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. In addition, it tends to dust quickly.
Mineral-based plaster based on white cement. Available in the form of dry mixes for subsequent mixing with water. It has good vapor permeability, which is important when using mineral wool. It features high durability and low cost. The disadvantages include the following characteristics: limited color gamut, overly fast setting, which forces the use of the solution for 3-3.5 hours.
Silicone plaster. It is implemented in finished form. Good for covering mineral wool. Positive characteristics: vapor permeability, high mechanical strength, manufacturability, self-cleaning in the rain, has a wide color palette. The main disadvantage is the high cost.
Polysilicon or silicate plaster. Available ready to use. In all respects, it is quite suitable for coating mineral wool. The disadvantages include some color limitation and difficulties with application.

Thus, there is a wide range of materials, giving you the opportunity to choose. In this case, all mixtures are suitable, except for acrylic-based plasters. To save money, a mineral cement composition is often used, but such a plaster is usually painted in the right color.

Plastering

The technology for arranging a wet facade implies the formation of three main layers - thermal insulation, reinforcement and plaster. If necessary, an additional protective or decorative lining is applied on top.

As thermal insulation, mineral wool is used for plaster in the form of plates. Most often, 2 layers are laid with a total thickness of 12-16 cm. The surface of the wall is pre-primed. Mineral wool plates are coated with a thin layer of glue to increase water resistance. They are attached to the wall with special glue and are additionally fixed with dowels.

Having insulated the facade, we need to think about the strength of the coating. To this end, a reinforcing layer of a high-strength fiberglass mesh with increased alkali resistance is applied. Such reinforcement solves 2 problems: strengthens the coating and provides reliable adhesion between the layers of the entire system.

External plaster is applied with a very thin layer (about 3 mm), and therefore it is important to carefully level the surface of the facade wall. A very thin adhesive primer is applied over the mesh. This mixture should go well with the plaster material and, as a rule, be included in the kit. If the mixture is improperly selected, adhesion will be poor, and the facade cladding will quickly deteriorate. After hardening and leveling of the primer, the composition of the selected type is applied.

Particular attention is paid to the corners of the wall, as well as the borders of window and doorways. In these places, an additional reinforcing mesh is mounted. Work at an air temperature below 5 ° C is not recommended.

Mineral wool plaster, or the so-called wet facade, is considered a modern method. It provides protection against external influences and creates the necessary look. The durability of the coating depends on the correct choice of materials and their compatibility, as well as compliance with the technology.

How to insulate the facade with mineral wool yourself

Greetings to you dear readers! The topic of today's article is the technology of facade insulation with mineral wool. Mineral wool can be without exaggeration called a heater - "long-liver."

It appeared in the 70s of the last century and is still often used to create insulation of residential buildings and industrial facilities.

What is the secret of this heat insulator? What is the technology of insulation of the facade with mineral wool for plaster? How to make insulation of facades with mineral wool with your own hands? We will tell in the article.

Necessary materials and tools

How to insulate the facade of a house with mineral wool? Thermal insulation of facades with a miniplate begins with the calculation of the required amount of building materials: mineral wool in plates or rolls, tile or facade glue, a primer for wall treatment, dowel nails of the right size, reinforcing mesh. Separately, the materials necessary to create the final decorative layer are considered.

Tools that will be required for the implementation of external insulation:

punch or jackhammer - for leveling the surface,
wide brushes or roller - for applying a primer,
a whisk, a mixer, a special nozzle on a perforator - for mixing the adhesive composition,
spatulas of various sizes,
wallpaper knife for cutting reinforcing mesh.

In addition, you will need tools to complete the decorative layer. If we are talking about plaster, then you need spatulas, scrapers, trowels or rollers.

Step-by-step instructions for warming

In order to do the insulation of the facade with mineral wool with your own hands, you need to know all the stages of work and the procedure for their implementation, in short you should have instructions. Below we will provide it to you.

Step-by-step instructions for creating a thermal insulation system using mineral wool includes the following items:

Preparation of the facade surface, which consists in closing old cracks, eliminating chips, protrusions. To do this, use a jackhammer or punch. And also the walls should be cleaned of debris and dirt. In the presence of corrosion and mold, these deposits must be removed. The wall is primed with a wide brush.
Preparation of adhesive. Most formulations are sold as dry powder, which must be diluted with water and mixed thoroughly. Proportions must be strictly observed as indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer.Mixing of glue is carried out by a nimbus or a special nozzle on the puncher.
We begin gluing the plates from the bottom, while the first (lower) row of plates must be supported by special supports made of wood. This must be done because mineral wool is a heavy material and can “move” off the wall over time, disrupting the entire heat-insulating structure. It is advisable to use wooden bars as backups.
The gluing of insulation plates occurs as follows: the adhesive is smeared around the perimeter of the plate and one strip 5-10 cm wide in the middle, the plate is applied to the facade and pressed tightly, fastened with dowels and nails in the corners and two nails in the middle.
Plates are fastened with a joint-to-joint method as tightly as possible. The next top layer is staggered in relation to the bottom. Joints are smeared with adhesive.
On a fixed insulation plate, 2-3 mm of glue is applied, into which the reinforcing mesh is “embedded”. The excess mesh is trimmed with a wallpaper knife.
The desired decorative layer is applied over the reinforcing layer.

As the final decorative layer, facing with facade tiles, natural and artificial stone can act. The simplest and most economical way - the device of the plaster layer with subsequent painting.

Security measures

The technology of mineral wool insulation requires compliance with safety rules. The fact is that despite the high environmental performance, work with mineral wool insulation belongs to the group of hazardous work. The reason for this is the spread of small particles of material in the air, which, settling in the lungs of a person, lead to serious diseases.

That is why when warming the facade of the house with mineral wool, it is necessary to use gloves and a respirator, as well as to prevent particles from getting on the mucous membranes and open areas of the skin.

At the end of the work, all tools must be thoroughly washed, and around the insulated area it is advisable to clean using an industrial vacuum cleaner or a wet broom (broom).

Features and Benefits

Minvata is a fibrous slab with dimensions 60x120 and 50x100 cm. The thickness of the products is 5, 10 and 15 cm. Ten-centimeter slabs are the most popular. This thickness is enough to use the material in harsh climatic conditions, under the influence of freezing temperatures and a large amount of precipitation.

The fiber density of the facade slabs is slightly higher than that of the material intended for interior decoration, and corresponds to 130 kg / m3. High density and elasticity of mineral wool are necessary conditions for its installation under the plaster. Plates must support the weight of the applied solution and maintain their original quality when it dries.

Due to the fact that most of the country is located in a cold climate zone, mineral wool is in high demand in the domestic market of building materials.

The popularity of the material is due to a number of undeniable advantages:

The excellent heat and sound insulation properties of the cotton wool guarantee the preservation of heat at a temperature below 30 degrees, and reliably protect the home from street noise,
High fire resistance and incombustibility of the material guarantee complete fire safety of the plates, which begin to melt only at a temperature of 1000 degrees,

Rodents, insects and other pests do not show interest in mineral wool, so their appearance in it is excluded,
Excellent vapor permeability contributes to the removal of moisture and the rapid elimination of condensate,
Resistance to moderate mechanical impacts significantly increase the life of the facade, and makes the use of cotton wool more preferable than the use of foam,

The absence of the need for additional thermal insulation of interpanel seams solves the problem of heat loss in large-panel buildings,
The low cost and availability of the material allows you to finish large areas with minimal cost.

The disadvantages of mineral wool include the presence of formaldehydes in its composition, which have a negative impact on the health and well-being of others. When buying, you need to make sure that you have a certificate of conformity and marking of the regulatory body. This will help to avoid the acquisition of low-quality products and will guarantee the safety of raw materials.

Installation of mineral wool should be carried out using personal protective equipment. The disadvantages include the need to treat the plates with a hydrophobic composition. If this is not done, cotton wool will nourish moisture and lose its heat-insulating qualities.

Mineral wool is available in three versions, which differ in composition, purpose and performance.

Glass wool. It is made from sand, soda, borax, dolomite and limestone. The fiber density is 130 kg per cubic meter. The material is able to withstand heavy loads, has a thermal stability limit of 450 degrees and thermal conductivity up to 0.05 W / m3.

The disadvantages include the volatility of small-fiber components, which requires the use of a respirator and gloves during installation. Cotton wool can be equipped with foil or fiberglass, which slightly reduces the atomization of the fiber and increases wind protection.

Stone (basalt) cotton wool. It is made of volcanic lava rocks and has a porous structure. The heat-saving and sound-insulating characteristics of stone wool surpass those of other types, making the material a leader in consumer demand in its segment. The advantages of this type include thermal stability up to 1000 degrees, high resistance to mechanical stress and the presence of hydrophobic substances in the composition, which allows you to do without additional processing of the plates with water-repellent compounds. The disadvantages include the presence of formaldehyde and the inability to use cotton wool for interior decoration.
Slag cotton. In the manufacture of slabs, metallurgical slag waste is used. The texture of the fibers is loose, with a good thermal insulation index. The advantages include low cost and increased heat-saving properties.

The disadvantages include the high absorbency of the fibers, which is why slag wool needs a mandatory water-repellent treatment and cannot be used for insulation of wooden buildings. Low vibration resistance and increased acid residualness are noted.

For the installation of mineral wool under the plaster, the use of special facade types is recommended: universal plates Ursa Geo and Isover and rigid plates Isover- “Plaster facade” and TS-032 Aquastatik. When choosing cotton wool for outdoor work, it is necessary to take into account the brand of material. For "wet facades" it is recommended to purchase the P-125, PZh-175 and PZh-200 brands. The last two types have powerful performance indicators and can be used for cladding any type of structure, including metal and reinforced concrete surfaces.

Mounting technology

Before proceeding to facing the facade, you need to prepare the wall surface. For this, it is necessary to clean it of oil contaminants and dismantle the metal elements. If it is not possible to remove them, then they should be provided with a constant flow of air, which will prevent their premature corrosion and destruction. In this situation, you should refrain from using acrylic plaster due to its poor ventilation. Old plaster and remaining paint should also be removed.

The next step should be wall hanging. To do this, drive in reinforcing pins and pull nylon cords between them. Using sagging will help to evaluate the geometry of the surface and correctly calculate the required amount of material. Then you can proceed with the installation of the guide profile. You need to start with the installation of the basement element, which will serve as a support guide for the first row of plates and will allow you to control the distance between the bottom row and the wall surface.

After mounting the guide profile, proceed to facing the facade with mineral wool. When fixing the plates, you can use driven dowels or special glue. Then the mineral wool is reinforced with a metal mesh, the lower edge of which should be wrapped under the profile. Fixing the mesh must be done with adhesive reinforced plaster.

The final stage will be facing the mineral wool with decorative plaster. For finishing work, you can use silicate, mineral, acrylic and silicone plaster mixes. It is recommended to paint the plastered surface.

Mineral wool allows you to quickly and effectively solve the problem of facing facades, significantly reduce heat loss and significantly save the budget. And the simplicity of installation and availability provide the material with growing popularity and high customer demand.

See the video tutorial on installing mineral wool below.