Which is better – basalt or mineral wool??

Selecting insulation for your house is an important choice that impacts energy efficiency and comfort. Two well-liked choices for insulating materials that have good thermal and acoustic insulation qualities are mineral wool and basalt wool. Knowing the distinctions between these materials will enable you to select the best option for your needs.

Because it is made from volcanic rock, basalt wool has strong thermal insulation properties. It efficiently maintains interior temperatures during the summer and retains heat in the winter. This material is a strong option for long-term insulation needs because it is resistant to fire and does not break down readily. In addition, basalt wool is prized for its ability to block out outside noise and improve indoor acoustics.

Conversely, mineral wool—which is usually derived from recycled stone or glass—is also well known for its effectiveness as insulation. It is a safe choice for both home and commercial applications because it has fire resistance and comparable thermal performance to basalt wool. The exceptional moisture resistance of mineral wool inhibits the growth of mold and mildew, which is beneficial in humid environments or places where moisture accumulation is likely to occur.

Both basalt and mineral wool are environmentally beneficial; however, the production of mineral wool frequently uses recycled materials. Customers who care about the environment and want to reduce their carbon footprint will find this sustainability feature appealing. Both materials are also safe to handle and non-toxic, guaranteeing a simple installation procedure free from health risks.

When choosing between mineral wool and basalt wool, take into account your preferred level of insulation, your financial situation, and the environment. Whether you value sustainability, fire safety, acoustic comfort, or thermal efficiency, each material has unique benefits appropriate for various situations. You can select the insulation that best meets your needs and improves the general efficiency and comfort of your living or working space by carefully considering these factors.

Understanding the distinct qualities and uses of each type of insulation is necessary when deciding between mineral wool and basalt. Because basalt is made of volcanic rock, it has exceptional durability and fire resistance, which makes it perfect for high-temperature settings. However, because of its dense fibers, mineral wool—which is made from molten glass or slag—performs exceptionally well in terms of soundproofing and thermal insulation. The choice is based on the particular requirements of the project: mineral wool provides better thermal and acoustic insulation, while basalt offers fire safety and durability. Depending on the needs of the construction project and the surrounding conditions, both materials offer practical solutions.

Differences between basalt slab and mineral wool

Customers ask the wrong question when attempting to compare a basalt slab with mineral wool. This is analogous to attempting to determine which food is tastier—a tomato being represented by basalt wool, and a vegetable by mineral wool. It is evident from the example above that basalt wool is included in the definition of "mineral wool." Slag and glass wool are also included.

Slag fiber insulation is essentially nonexistent in residential building. The cause is extremely high hygroscopicity, which leads to two effects: first, thermal conductivity approaches 100%; and second, when wet slag combines with water, acids are formed that corrode both the concrete and the building’s metal components. Additionally, because it can emit a significant amount of radiation, a radiation test is necessary before purchase. All that’s left are insulations made of basalt fibers and glass wool, which consumers refer to as mineral wool at the household level.

In the future, when referring to fiberglass insulation as "mineral wool," we will keep this in mind.

What"s happened

Many forms of insulation with a distinctive fibrous structure derived from mineral raw materials are utilized in modern construction:

  • basalt wool;
  • glass wool;
  • slag.

We’ll talk more about the first two types of insulation.

Mineral wool

Broken glass makes up 80% of the waste material used to produce mineral wool, which is then combined with limestone, borax, soda, quartz sand, and dolomite flour (20%) to create a variety of mechanical properties for the insulation. In the oven, all of this melts at around 1400 degrees Celsius. High pressure is applied to the molten mass as it passes through a unique grate, creating extremely thin, short staple-type fibers.

Glass wool is created by feeding the resultant glass threads onto a conveyor. Here, a binder is injected into the "carpet," where it catalyzes the formation of polymer bonds between the thinnest fiberglass strands when the temperature drops. The result is glass wool that is frozen and brilliant yellow.

It can be offered for sale as a roll or as slabs cut from a continuous strip of fiberglass with cutters and saws.

  • fiber diameter — 3-15 µm, length — 15-50 mm. At the same time, the longer the fibers, the higher the strength and elasticity of the plate or tape;
  • thermal conductivity coefficient — 0.038-0.046 W/(m×°K);
  • resistance to high temperatures — withstands up to 450 o C.

Because of these qualities, mineral wool is widely used in many different industries. In construction, it is used to insulate building structures’ horizontal, vertical, and inclined surfaces. In industry, it is used to insulate pipelines, tanks, and furnaces from heat.

The work "Mineral wool for insulation" has more thorough details about glass wool, including technical specifications.

Basalt wool

Basalt and gabbro, a kind of granite, are combined to create basalt insulation. The melted stone is then blown through grates with tiny holes to create a liquid lava. The end product is a loose layer of material with fibers arranged randomly (the arrangement is changed from chaotic to vertical for certain brands of insulation). can be purchased in slab and roll form, with a maximum length of 6 meters.

The following technical features are comparable to glass wool:

  • thermal conductivity – 0.035-0.042 W/(m K);
  • average diameter of threads – 4-12 microns;
  • fiber length up to 16 mm.

The temperature range for using the insulation is –190 o C to +1000 o C. doesn’t burn. has almost no hygroscopicity (not even a tenth of a percent) and does not absorb water.

Basalt wool also possesses good sound-absorbing qualities. As a result, recording studios use it as a sound insulator on their walls and ceilings.

Advantages and disadvantages

Every variety of insulation made of minerals has pros and cons of its own.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool made of fiberglass has been the primary form of insulation for a long time because of its many benefits.

  • good thermal insulation properties – thermal conductivity coefficient 0.038-0.046 W/(m×°K);
  • environmentally friendly – no harmful effects on human health;
  • versatility – can be used in any place that requires insulation;
  • affordable price;
  • resistance against fungus and mold;
  • convenient transportation;
  • simple installation: easy to cut, and low weight simplifies installation, as a result of which all insulation work can be done alone;
  • does not burn and is not afraid of high temperatures;
  • low specific gravity, which allows the material to be used for insulating weak structures.
  • high hygroscopicity – when wet, cotton wool settles, forming open areas;
  • relatively short service life – 8-10 years, due to shrinkage;
  • the need to work in special clothing and a respirator: small particles of fiber get clogged under the skin and enter the respiratory tract;
  • low resistance to aggressive chemicals;
  • attractive to mice and rats – they like to make passages and nests.

Basalt wool

The best qualities of basalt have been incorporated into insulation made of basalt fibers:

  • long service life. Manufacturers write about durability of 50 years. However, in practice it is not yet possible to check the actual service life due to the rather short history of this insulation – about 25-30 years;
  • resistance to high temperatures and open flames (does not burn). The first changes in the structure of the material begin to occur after heating the material to 600 o C (begins to sinter). Complete destruction occurs after 1100 o C;
  • low level of water absorption (hygroscopicity) – passing does not accumulate. Experiments have shown that no more than 0.095% of moisture is absorbed in 24 hours;
  • excellent thermal insulation properties: thermal conductivity coefficient – 0.035-0.042 W/(m×°K);
  • good sound absorption due to the open porous structure and the arrangement of fibers in a chaotic order – up to 57 dB;
  • does not provide a basis for the growth of fungi and mold;
  • not damaged by mice and rats – they do not make their nests in it (the exception is loose species in which rats can make passages);
  • versatility – can be used inside and outside the building, on the floor, walls, ceiling and roof, as well as when insulating a metal entrance door;
  • easy to transport;
  • simple installation – you can do the insulation yourself;
  • resistance to chemically active substances;
  • elasticity – allows you to maintain shape and size throughout operation;
  • environmentally friendly – no harmful emissions when heated, not an allergen.

Important: according to certain materials, insulation on basalt slabs is bad for people’s health. The existence of formaldehyde resin supports this viewpoint. On the other hand, a crucial detail is missed: the resin releases only 3% of toxic substances from its mass, compared to 3-4% in the insulation. This indicates that there will be so little toxic substance release that no one will notice. For example, 0.5% formaldehyde is permitted in some ointments that physicians prescribe.

The following are additional drawbacks of the material that the buyer should be aware of:

  • high cost of insulation;
  • the presence of connecting seams that reduce the thermal insulation properties after a certain time;
  • when cutting and laying, it emits a little dust, which requires a respirator for everyone working in the room.

We examined the differences between mineral and basalt wool. To choose a thermal insulation material for every unique circumstance, though, is insufficient. As a result, we will compare and contrast the key indicators.

Comparison of characteristics

Comparing their features is necessary when selecting insulation. You can determine the best course of action in each unique situation and evaluate the thermal insulation material more precisely by choosing the right indicators for your analysis. The following are the most crucial selection criteria for stone and glass wool:

  • the price of insulation and the cost of work are one of the main criteria, which is due to the low income of the bulk of the population;
  • insulation properties are the second most important indicator. After all, insulation is precisely carried out with the goal of retaining heat in the room, although for wealthy buyers this criterion always comes first;
  • durability is also a very important indicator: various elements of the house’s structure are insulated, which have their own service life. Under these conditions, it makes no sense to use a material with a service life of about 25 years on a structure with a service life of more than 50 years;
  • specific density – the indicator affects the heat and sound insulation properties of the material, as well as the weight of the heat-insulating layer, which forms the weight load on the surfaces covered with cotton wool;
  • water absorption (hygroscopicity) – the reaction of quartz and basalt wool determines the possibility of using them in damp rooms, as well as for insulating facades;
  • vapor permeability – an indicator characterizes the ability of walls together with insulation to “breathe”. It is this property of the wall sandwich that allows you to avoid the appearance of condensation inside the insulation or between the insulation layer and the wall surface. Almost all owners of living space know what happens when walls are wet: mold, mildew and unpleasant odors;
  • bending strength (the flexibility and elasticity of the material depends on the indicator). Pay attention to this indicator only when insulating pipes or surfaces with complex geometry;
  • environmental safety – with the advent of new brands of mineral wool on the construction market, the criterion of environmental friendliness becomes one of the main ones, since the presence of at least one allergen in the product can create serious problems in the family. Released from a bound state during the process of wetting, heating and burning, such a chemical substance poisons the air, and with it the body of the owners of the home;
  • resistance to external biological influences is also an important indicator. After all, mold, mildew and mice can damage the insulation to such an extent that it is necessary to carry out thermal insulation work again;
  • soundproofing properties – cotton wool mats perfectly absorb airborne noise. They are widely used in creating acoustically protected rooms. However, glass wool and stone fiber wool practically do not protect against impact and structural noise;
  • fire resistance and fire safety. The indicator is important when a fire occurs;
  • ease of installation.

After outlining the requirements, we will decide which is better in each particular situation—mineral wool or basalt insulation.

Which is cheaper?

The price tags for Isover mineral wool range from 1210 to 1370 rubles per 1 m 3. Basalt wool is priced between 1435 rubles per m^3 and 2230–2270 rubles per m^3 (“PAROC”).

Particularly considering that you can install the insulation yourself, the cost of the work is the same.

In conclusion, glass wool is 20% less expensive than its rival. This is an excellent choice if your repair budget is tight. But keep in mind that investing in less expensive materials with shorter lifespans eventually results in financial losses for the family.

Which keeps you warm better?

The thermal conductivity coefficient describes insulating properties. It ranges from 0.038 to 0.046 W/(m×°K) for mineral wool and from 0.035 to 0.042 W/(m×°K) for basalt wool. Keep in mind that the two factors causing the indicator’s variability are the fiber size and the density of the mat.

Since producers take these factors into consideration and work to produce wool with a value below average, there is really no discernible difference between mineral and basalt wool in practice.

In conclusion, the insulating qualities of the products on sale are remarkably similar. It is not possible to give one type of insulation preference in this situation.

Which insulation will last longer?

Cullet wool has a 30-year lifespan under ideal circumstances (the fiber constantly crystallizes, causing insulating mats to completely disintegrate in 25–30 years). Glass fiber loses its initial heat-retention capacity after roughly ten years of actual operating conditions. Mice, even transient ones, and crystallization-induced natural shrinkage all aid in this.

In this sense, stone wool is more stable; over a 50-year period, its capacity to retain heat essentially stays the same.

In conclusion, it makes financial sense to invest more money in insulation by purchasing basalt wool when insulating structural elements of a building that will be used for more than 15 years. This investment will always pay off.

Which is easier?

The weight of the insulation has an impact on the insulated structures’ weight load and noise reduction. Furthermore, we must remember that the mat’s density—which is equivalent to its weight—affects its thermal conductivity.

There is no denying the benefits of mineral wool when we take these factors out of the picture. When selecting insulation, for example, for a roof, its weight is nearly two to three times less, which is the primary factor. Lightweight, however, is a drawback when it comes to soundproofing recording studios.

In conclusion. Fiberglass wool has a major advantage when it comes to thermal insulation work because of its low weight.

Water absorption

Stone wool’s near-zero hygroscopicity permits its use in any operating environment, regardless of humidity levels. Thus, it is used for foundation insulation as well as building facades.

Because mineral wool actively draws moisture from the atmosphere, the processes of crystallization proceed much more quickly. Consequently, the thermal protection collapses, heat conduction bridges form, and the cotton wool settles.

In conclusion, stone wool is an essential insulating material in damp areas such as basements, bathhouses, saunas, and facades due to its non-hygroscopicity.

Vapor permeability

Vapor permeability is one of the most significant markers for all kinds of insulation. If it’s there, the walls "breathe"; if not, condensation develops between the wall surface and the heat-insulating layer or inside the insulation. The repercussions are a little more visible.

Glass wool has a vapor permeability coefficient of 0.5–0.6 mg/(m h Pa) as opposed to 0.3 mg/(m h Pa), which is nearly twice as good as that of a competing material. However, in this instance, digital values are irrelevant. The material’s ability to "breathe" is another crucial factor.

In conclusion, vapor can pass through both types of insulation. Thus, total equality by the aforementioned standard.

Which material is more elastic?

The bending strength of a material determines its elasticity. The low is for stone wool. As a result, using it to insulate pipes or surfaces with protrusions is nearly impossible because it will crumble or break.

Conversely, glass wool possesses exceptional elasticity and flexibility, meaning that it can be used to insulate any part of the building’s structure.

In conclusion, glass wool is the best material for insulating surfaces with intricate geometries.

Environmental friendliness

It is safe to say that neither of the insulation types contains any hazardous materials or allergens. not formaldehyde resin, though. Many experts do not consider the materials in question to be environmentally friendly products as a result. Nevertheless, the calculations above demonstrate that when the resin is heated above 30 o C, the amount of hazardous substances that are released is so tiny that they have no effect on human health. Minor headaches as a last resort.

In conclusion, there are no limitations on where either type of insulation can be installed in a home or apartment.

Resistant to mold, mildew and rodents

Neither of the insulation materials offers a place for the growth of mold or mildew-causing microorganisms. However, the development of relationships with rodents differs: rats and mice build their nests and passageways in glass wool, but they avoid stone wool.

In conclusion, wool made from basalt fiber is impenetrably shielded from harmful biological influences. Glass wool should not be placed in areas where rodent or mouse activity is likely.

What is the best protection against household noise?

Airborne noise is well-absorbed by both mineral wool and basalt. Notably, however, stone wool has marginally superior qualities (sound absorption coefficient 95 versus 92), which is not noticeable in everyday situations, as opposed to specific spaces that require perfect acoustics (recording studios).

In conclusion, the differences are negligible when it comes to shielding apartment owners from household noise, allowing us to claim equality.

Fire safety

Fibers made of quartz and basalt don’t burn. As a result, both substances are categorized as non-flammable (NG).

In conclusion, total equality based on the fire safety criterion.

What is more convenient to install

Both types of insulation can be laid using the same technology. As a result, nobody can benefit in this situation.

Basalt insulation, on the other hand, has definite benefits when considering the material’s impact on human health. When handling glass wool, it is necessary to cover all exposed body parts with thick clothing and wear a respirator to protect the respiratory system.

In conclusion, stone wool makes thermal insulation work much more convenient, especially now that a new product is available that doesn’t require lung protection from basalt dust.

What and in what case to choose

Building components that are subjected to dry conditions can be adequately insulated using mineral wool made from glass waste. In actuality, it is the recommended method for insulating complex-surface roofs, attics, internal apartment walls, and glazed balconies (loggias). Rolls weighing between 11 and 15 kg/m3 are bought for roofing, and mats with a density of 20 to 30 kg/m3 are bought for walls.

Stone fiber wool is utilized in saunas, baths, basement foundations, and facades that are insulated through the "wet" method. In attics and attic spaces, less dense insulation effectively retains heat.

Dense wool (100–150 kg/m3) is used to fill in gaps in brickwork and frame homes constructed with the "well" technique. Concrete floors and ceilings are insulated using the same specific gravity material that is laid on top.

It takes mats with a density of at least 150 kg/m3 to insulate reinforced concrete walls.

Both types of wool have advantages and disadvantages to be taken into account when choosing between mineral wool and basalt wool for insulation. Basalt wool is made from volcanic rock and has exceptional durability and fire resistance. Because it won’t melt or release harmful fumes at high temperatures, it can be used in environments where fire safety is crucial, like industrial settings or areas close to heat sources.

Conversely, mineral wool—which is usually composed of recycled glass or slag—performs exceptionally well in terms of soundproofing and thermal insulation. It reduces sound transmission and offers good thermal resistance by efficiently trapping air pockets within its fibers. Because of this, mineral wool is the material of choice for insulation in homes where comfort and energy economy are top concerns.

Mineral wool frequently performs better thermally and acoustically, even though basalt wool has greater fire resistance. The decision between them is primarily based on the priorities and particular requirements of the project. Basalt wool may be the best choice for settings with strict fire safety regulations. Conversely, mineral wool might be a better fit for projects aiming to insulate against heat and sound.

To sum up, depending on the use, both mineral wool and basalt offer unique benefits. Because of its exceptional durability and fire resistance, basalt wool is perfect for industrial and high-temperature settings. Mineral wool is a great choice for residential and commercial buildings that want to be soundproof and energy efficient because of its exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation qualities. The optimal decision ultimately comes down to striking a balance between these elements and the particular requirements and laws of the particular project.

Video on the topic

Insulation of a frame house. Stone (basalt) wool or mineral wool?Rockwool or Knauf Heat

Which insulation retains the heat of the frame better?? Test Knauf, TechnoNIKOL, Baswool, Rockwool, Izover 2024

Which insulation is better, Basalt slab or Mineral wool Comparison and Tests Izover Yekaterinburg

Basalt wool or mineral wool. Comparison of insulation materials. Which insulation is better.

Mineral wool and quartz insulation – which is better?? Pros and cons in this video.

What factor is most important for you when choosing materials for building a house??
Share to friends
Konstantin Zhukov

Gardener, landscape designer. I will help you create a beautiful and functional landscape design for your site.

Rate author
StroyArsenal62.com
Add a comment