In the process of private low-rise construction, developers often ask themselves the question of polystyrene foam or stone wool, which is better for insulating a house. We will understand the advantages and features of each type of insulation, for which houses they are suitable, what types there are and under what conditions they should be used correctly. Read to the end to also understand how to optimize heating and installation costs.
Types of insulation Source openfile.ru
Insulation of the house
To live comfortably in a private home, the walls of the house need to retain heat well. The indoor atmosphere depends on several factors:
- season;
- house construction technology;
- type of heating;
- climatic conditions.
To ensure the required temperature in the rooms, most often it is necessary to install walls with the installation of various building materials in several layers, this is called a “wall pie”. If the pie is selected and installed correctly, the indoor atmosphere will be comfortable at any time of the year.
Insulating the walls of a frame house with mineral wool Source www.landlordzone.co.uk
- In rare cases, it is possible to completely meet the heat demand with just one external wall, so it is necessary to use additional thermal insulation. Typically, the search for the right insulation is narrowed down to the choice between polystyrene foam or mineral or stone wool. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. To understand which one is needed for your home, you need to understand what each insulation is.
Easy installation
It is desirable that the installation is simple - then you can do it yourself. It will also take less time.
Mineral wool is easy to install; even a beginner can handle this task. The material lends itself well to cutting and is easy to install on the facade. The only caveat is that you must follow safety precautions. To prevent cotton wool fibers from getting on your skin, hair, or eyes, use a mask, gloves, or a protective suit. Do not inhale mineral wool dust.
From a technical point of view, no special skills are required to install polystyrene foam. But it must be carefully cut (the edges of the material may crumble) and installed. When installing foam sheets on the wall, we do not recommend pressing on them - they may break.
Conclusion: Both materials are easy to install, but foam usually requires more careful handling.
Styrofoam
When the question arises about insulating the walls of a house or outbuildings, people most often think about polystyrene foam. Actually, polystyrene foam is the general name for a group of foamed plastics (polymers), which includes EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) and XPS (extruded polystyrene foam). Expanded polystyrene consists of many balls with air inside. The cavities are sealed, so air masses are not able to move. This leads to the fact that the material has high thermal insulation rates.
The percentage of air in the total mass of the material is about 98%. During the manufacturing process, polystyrene beads are filled with a pure carbon compound, pentane, which has foaming properties, and then heated.
Expanded polystyrene insulation Source st26.stpulscen.ru
An increase in temperature provokes a change in the state of pentane to a volatile one, and as a result, the polystyrene beads increase in volume. The cavity of each ball is filled with air. After this, gluing occurs using steam. The sizes of the cavities range from 5 to 15 mm. Developers love expanded polystyrene for:
- high thermal insulation performance;
- Possibility of use in places with high humidity;
- light weight, which greatly facilitates transportation;
- long service life;
- high sound insulation rates;
- resistance to fungal diseases.
Expanded polystyrene has high diffusion resistance. This means that during installation there is no need for an additional vapor barrier membrane. Expanded polystyrene of standard sizes has a thickness from 2 to 10 cm. The length of standard plates is from 100 to 200 cm, width from 50 to 100 cm. Non-standard sizes are produced according to individual orders with specified parameters. Since the slabs have a dense structure, there is no need to use windproof films.
Insulation of internal walls with polystyrene foam Source otdelka-expert.ru
The main disadvantage of polystyrene foam is its high flammability. Upon contact with fire, it ignites quickly and, when burned, releases toxic chemicals with a strong pungent odor. However, now in the production of this material, to increase the material’s resistance to fire, fire retardant additives are used during the manufacturing process, which provide the possibility of self-extinguishing. Another disadvantage of expanded polystyrene is its low resistance to solvents and chemicals: when they enter, the structure and geometric shape of the foam are disrupted. In addition, polystyrene foam is highly fragile, which leads to damage to the material.
Expanded polystyrene
Expanded polystyrene is a material obtained by foaming. It consists of 98% air and 2% polystyrene with various additives. Essentially, many air bubbles are enclosed in a polystyrene shell. Since the static sealed air layer is an excellent insulator, this material is widely popular among insulation materials.
Here are some characteristics of polystyrene foam:
- The thermal insulation coefficient ranges from 0.028 to 0.036 W/(m K).
- Vapor permeability - 0.015-0.05 Mg/(m h Pa).
- It is resistant to alcohol and ether.
- Mechanical tensile strength - no less than 20 MPa.
- Soundproofing effect. A sheet of polystyrene foam 3 cm thick can reduce noise penetration by 25 dB.
- Low moisture absorption - no more than 6%.
Expanded polystyrene is produced in sheets measuring 1 m * 1 m. The thickness of the sheet can be different, depending on the needs of the buyer. The most commonly used sheets are 5 and 10 cm thick; they are also available in 3 or 2 cm thick.
Foam plastic in different sizes
However, sheets of greater thickness or different sizes can be produced to order. To increase the thermal insulation qualities, 12 cm polystyrene foam can be used.
Types of material
In addition to differences in size and thickness of the material, it is also distinguished by density. One special type is extruded polystyrene foam. It has a very fine structure and is produced by extrusion. This material has high compressive strength. It is more durable.
Extruded polystyrene foam
One of the characteristics of expanded polystyrene is density. It varies from 15 to 35 kg/m3.
Advantages
Here are some reasons why polystyrene foam is preferred to mineral wool in certain cases:
- If polystyrene foam needs to be plastered (this applies to façade finishing), it is much more convenient to work with it rather than with mineral wool. It is much easier to glue sheets of foam plastic evenly due to their smooth surface, and when applying the adhesive mixture, it will not roll off.
- Polystyrene foam is safe for health. When working with it, you do not need to use a respirator, long sleeves and glasses, as is necessary when working with mineral wool.
- Polystyrene foam has a low water absorption coefficient.
- Low price.
- Light weight.
Flaws
In addition to the advantages, polystyrene foam also has disadvantages:
- It is susceptible to rodents and other animals. If the material is not protected from external influences (for example, by plastering), mice can chew it. Another pest is geese, which can significantly damage an unplastered façade.
- Flammability. If a fire occurs, it will help the fire spread by slowly smoldering. And the substances that are released when polystyrene foam burns are very harmful to health.
- It is vapor-tight, so to maintain a comfortable microclimate in the room you will need to ventilate frequently.
- Foam plastic is negatively affected by the sun's rays - it begins to collapse. An unplastered facade can become 0.5 cm thinner over a few years.
Therefore, when choosing polystyrene foam, you should weigh the pros and cons.
Stone wool
There is an opinion that stone wool is a synthetic material. This is wrong. On the contrary, stone wool is based on natural materials. The idea for the production was the principle of a volcanic eruption, in which molten rock under the influence of high temperature turns into lava and is thrown out of the crater. The production process of basalt wool is based on a similar principle. In factory conditions, in industrial furnaces, basalt rock is heated to a temperature of 1500 degrees. A molten mass is formed from which filaments are made. From these, using a pendulum spreader and synthetic binding components, an insulation sheet of the required density and size is formed. At the final stage, it is subjected to heat treatment up to 200 degrees to polymerize the binder, after which the web is cut to standard sizes and packaged for transportation.
Stone wool production Source express-china.ru
The material can have different densities. Low-density insulation materials include stone wool with a density of 25 to 50 kg/m3. Medium density material has values from 60 to 80 kg/m3. High-density boards include material with a density from 90 to 175 kg/m3.
Stone wool in rolls Source fasad.guru
Stone wool has a number of important advantages:
- high thermal insulation rates;
- ability to pass steam;
- environmental friendliness;
- good noise insulating properties;
- resistance to bacterial and fungal infection;
- non-flammability;
- durability.
Stone wool slabs from Paroc Source eurodach.lutsk.ua
Installation of stone wool for internal wall insulation Source paneligid.ru
See also: Catalog of house projects made from aerated concrete blocks
When installing mineral wool slabs, it is recommended to use personal protective equipment during installation. In addition, since stone wool is not a closed-loop insulation and has the ability to allow vapor to pass through, during installation it is necessary to additionally install a vapor barrier layer. If this is not done, then over time the insulation may become damp, which will lead to subsidence and deterioration of the thermal insulation ability. It is also impossible not to note the cost of stone wool, which significantly exceeds the cost of PPS insulation. In addition, the need to purchase a vapor barrier further increases the cost of purchasing materials for insulation.
Foam insulation Source prouteplenie.com
Biostability
The less the material is exposed to insects and rodents, the longer it can last.
Quartz-based thermal insulation and basalt insulation do not require additional treatment with insecticidal compounds. As a rule, they do not attract rodents and insects and do not grow mold.
Insects or fungi usually do not grow in polystyrene foam, since it is a synthetic material. But mice can gnaw on it - they sometimes sharpen their teeth on the insulation and make nests in it. If the foam is damaged by rodents, it can quickly deteriorate, become unusable and require replacement.
Conclusion: both materials are bioresistant, but mineral wool is considered less attractive to rodents.
Main Differences
Due to its sealed structure, polystyrene foam does not have the ability to remove air masses outside. Therefore, if we compare whether polystyrene foam or mineral wool is warmer, the answer will be in favor of expanded polystyrene.
Vapor permeability
Vapor permeability is the main difference between these two types of thermal insulation. For expanded polystyrene it ranges from 0.13 mg/(m*h*Pa) to 0.03 mg/(m*h*Pa). Stone wool indicators range from 0.4 mg/(m*h*Pa) to 0.6 mg/(m*h*Pa).
Comparative characteristics of insulation materials Source moybalkon.com
This clearly demonstrates that mineral wool insulation removes vapors much better. During the operation of insulation when heating a house, vapors are retained on those layers of the wall “pie” that have the lowest vapor permeability. This means that when using mineral wool alone, the dew point will most likely be located inside the insulation, which will lead to moisture accumulation inside the insulation. If the insulation becomes damp under the influence of vapors, this will lead to a significant deterioration in its properties. Therefore, it is necessary to install a vapor barrier layer inside the house on top of mineral wool. While polyurethane foam thermal insulation itself is non-hygroscopic and does not require the installation of additional membranes.
Fire safety
In the case of comparing non-flammability indicators, the clear victory will be for stone wool.
Consequences of neglecting fire safety Source avatars.mds.yandex.net
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in home insulation
All types of polystyrene foam insulation quickly ignite and maintain flammability. Stone wool can withstand high temperatures up to 1000 degrees, does not ignite or burn, which makes its use more preferable in rooms with a risk of high temperatures.
Price
When deciding whether to use polystyrene foam or stone wool to insulate a house, the question of the cost of materials arises. Currently, one cubic meter of stone wool will cost about 2.5 thousand rubles. The same volume of polystyrene foam insulation will cost more - at least 2.6 thousand. However, it is worth taking into account the price of vapor barrier (from about 15 rubles per 1 sq.m.)
Choice of insulation Source scientificarab.com
Operation and installation
Installation of polystyrene foam thermal insulation is not associated with the release of airborne particles and dust, so for the installation of EPS layers it is not necessary to wear personal protective equipment. It is important to remember that when joining polystyrene foam slabs, there will be a small distance between them, or in other words, a cold bridge. To avoid heat loss in such places, it is necessary to carefully foam each of them. In this case, stone wool will again have the advantage: when joining mineral wool slabs, such gaps or cracks do not arise.
Comparison of characteristics
When comparing which insulation is better, polystyrene foam or mineral wool, let’s consider several basic technical and operational characteristics:
- environmental cleanliness;
- thermal conductivity;
- lifetime;
- ease of installation;
- resistance to biological effects;
- price;
- insulation density;
- water absorption;
- strength;
- Fire safety;
- soundproofing properties.
Which is more environmentally friendly?
Under normal operating conditions, both insulation materials are absolutely harmless to human health. But with increasing temperature, and even more so when exposed to an open flame, polystyrene foam can become dangerous.
When polystyrene melts, the active release of toxic and poisonous gases begins. And therefore, in most European countries, the use of PPS boards for insulation is prohibited by law. Although in our country it is used everywhere.
Which retains heat better?
Both insulation materials have excellent thermal insulation characteristics. But if we compare the thermal conductivity coefficients, we can say for sure that polystyrene foam is a more effective insulation material.
Which is cheaper?
The cost of basalt mats ranges from 1400 to 2300 rubles/m3. Expanded polystyrene is sold for 1900-2300 rubles/m3, i.e. the price is almost the same. But, as mentioned above, polystyrene foam is warmer and will require 40-50% less of it. It turns out that PPS slabs are cheaper than mineral wool.
Which will last longer
When considering the technical characteristics, it was already said that the service life of PPS slabs is 25, and that of basalt wool is 50 years. Here the clear leader is cotton wool. However, when choosing insulation, you should take into account the finishing method used. Thus, a facade plastered using the “wet” method will last no more than 25 years. Therefore, the use of expensive durable cotton wool simply loses its meaning.
The easier it is to insulate
The installation technology for both insulation is identical. The insulation is initially placed on glue and then additionally secured with plastic mushroom-type nails.
What is less attractive to pests
Both polystyrene and mineral wool are not susceptible to mold and mildew. But rodents very willingly make burrows in polystyrene foam, which is significantly inferior in this regard to basalt fibers.
Which material is more harmful to health?
Under standard operating conditions, both materials are not harmful to humans. However, when the ambient temperature rises or an emergency situation occurs (fire), the foam becomes extremely dangerous for humans.
In the heat, it releases harmful styrene, which accumulates in the body, and in the event of a fire, toxic substances that can quickly render people unconscious in a room on fire. Therefore, the Stockholm Convention on Hazardous and Poisonous Substances directly prohibits the use of foam plastic for attic insulation. In Russia little attention is paid to this, but in the West there is a categorical ban.
Conclusion: under standard operating conditions, both materials do not pose a health hazard. However, you should refrain from insulating walls with foam plastic from the inside of the apartment (house) in the nursery and kitchen, where the risk of fire is higher than in other rooms. And also do not put your health at risk when insulating the attic. Here basalt wool has no competition.
Resistance to microorganisms and rodents
Both types of insulation do not serve as a basis for the growth of mold and mildew. But their relationship with mice and rats is different: they avoid basalt, and polystyrene foam serves as their favorite habitat. Nests are made in it. Adding special additives to expanded polystyrene does not solve the problem.
Conclusion: basalt wool is completely protected from adverse biological effects. Polystyrene foam should not be used where there is a high probability of mice and rats (dacha).
What's worse is burning
Basalt wool belongs to class NG (non-flammable materials), and polystyrene foam belongs to class G3 (normally flammable). Attempts by manufacturers to reduce the flammability class have been successful. Products from BASF, Polimeri Europa, Styrochem, etc., after the introduction of fire retardants, go into class G1 (self-extinguishing). Most Russian manufacturers are unable to do this, which is most likely due to semi-handicraft production.
Conclusion: basalt wool, unlike polystyrene foam, does not burn. Therefore, if there is a high risk of fire, it is better to avoid polystyrene foam.
Vapor permeability
The vapor permeability indicator is especially important when insulating wooden walls. They actively “breathe”, regulating the water balance inside the log or timber. Blocking the wood's ability to remove excess moisture with vapor-tight insulation provokes rotting processes. During the hot season, the tree does not rot, but rots. To a lesser extent, but the above is also true for brick and concrete - condensation forms on the surface of the wall, followed by the growth of mold or mildew.
Comparing the vapor conductivity of basalt (about 0.3 mg/(m.h.Pa)) and polystyrene foam (0.03 mg/(m.h.Pa)), it should be noted that they have exactly opposite properties: polystyrene foam is practically vapor-proof, while basalt wool allows the walls to breathe.
Conclusion: the vapor-tight properties of polystyrene foam give a huge advantage to cotton wool: it can be used on any type of wall material. The use of polystyrene foam is undesirable when insulating the walls of a wooden house, and when insulating brick and concrete, it is necessary to calculate the dew point so that it does not end up on the surface of the wall. If such calculations are not carried out, then the problem can be solved by increasing the thickness of the thermal insulator layer (you need to bring the dew point inside the insulation, where there will be no harm).
Which is easier to install?
Insulation of a building with polystyrene foam and basalt wool is carried out using similar technologies, which does not provide an advantage to any of the types under consideration.
Conclusion: the technology of thermal insulation by any of the materials being compared does not give any of them any advantage.
Other criteria
When choosing insulation, it is recommended to pay attention to such comparative qualities as:
- polystyrene foam is much lighter than mineral wool;
- expanded polystyrene absorbs moisture less and does not lose its properties when wet;
- basalt mats have greater bending strength, which makes it possible to insulate surfaces with complex configurations;
- the fire protection characteristics of polystyrene foam are significantly lower than those of its competitor;
- Polystyrene has virtually no vapor permeability.
Video description
To learn how to inexpensively insulate a frame house, watch the video:
Important! It must be remembered that the walls, inside of which basalt wool is laid, must be well vapor-insulated with careful gluing of the seams with special construction tape.
Expanded polystyrene is not the best option for laying inside walls: according to the experience of homeowners, mice gnaw passages in it and move around the perimeter of the house. But because of its “prickliness,” rock wool is not to the taste of rodents.
When heated, polystyrene foam can emit a chemical odor, so it is better to use it in outbuildings. For example, inside the walls of a bathhouse, polystyrene foam will help avoid installing a vapor barrier, which will reduce the cost of the construction process.
When choosing between expanded polystyrene or mineral wool, you need to correctly evaluate a combination of factors:
- insulation is installed in residential or non-residential premises;
- will there be exposure to humidity and high temperatures;
- Is it possible to install a vapor barrier layer?
It is recommended to use low-density stone wool inside wooden interior floors.
Laying rolled mineral wool insulation in floor joists Source znatoktepla.ru
Chemical resistance
During installation or operation, alkalis, solvents, and acids may come into contact with the insulation. Thermal insulation must be immune to them.
Mineral wool is resistant to aggressive substances. This is the best option if the insulation will come into contact with solvents, acids, and alkalis.
Polystyrene foam may dissolve or melt when exposed to chemicals.
Conclusion: mineral wool is resistant to aggressive chemicals. Styrofoam can be destroyed if you drop solvent or alkali on it.
Video description
How to properly insulate the external walls of a house with penoplex, watch the video:
Therefore, to insulate the walls of a house from the outside, the best choice would be to use pegopolystyrene. Due to the lack of ability to absorb moisture, this material will last a long time without the use of additional construction membranes.
Therefore, when choosing the best way to insulate the walls of a house from the outside, penoplex or mineral wool, the best choice for insulating facades will be the use of PPS. Due to the lack of ability to absorb moisture, this material will last a long time without the use of additional construction membranes.
Installation of facade insulation with stone wool Source 478879.ru
Mineral wool is used to insulate the facade of a private house or outbuilding in cases where it is possible to install a special sheathing. Often, insulation of this kind is combined with the installation of siding, since sheathing is also needed to prepare the walls. Therefore, when choosing stone wool or polystyrene foam, which is better for insulating the facade, what the exterior finish will also matter.
Mechanical strength
The material must withstand mechanical stress. Otherwise, it may “fail” during transportation or installation.
Mineral wool is difficult to break - this will require a lot of effort. The elastic material cannot be broken.
Polystyrene foam is considered more fragile; it can break under mechanical stress. This can make transportation and installation more difficult. You must be extremely careful, otherwise the insulation may crumble and become unusable.
Conclusion: mineral wool, as a rule, is more resistant to mechanical stress.
What is better to use for foundation insulation?
The construction of the foundation of a house is often associated with the need to insulate it. If the walls of a private house are well insulated, but the foundation and floor of the first floor are cold, then heat leaks are inevitable, as well as a violation of the comfortable atmosphere in the house. A foundation protected from heat loss provides:
- reduction of heat loss;
- reducing home heating costs;
- preventing dew point changes;
- stabilization of temperature values in residential premises;
- protection from environmental influences.
Insulation of the foundation is possible in two options. The first is placing a heat-insulating layer around the perimeter of the house on top of the foundation.
Foundation insulation with foam plastic Source static.tildacdn.com
Fiberglass or mineral wool
Fiberglass is made from molten glass. It has a high strength, does not break and even bends without compromising its integrity.
The following characteristics of fiberglass can be distinguished:
- Moisture resistant.
- Average degree of flammability.
- Easy to use.
- High level of heat retention.
- Low price.
Drawing an analogy between mineral wool and fiberglass, we can say the following. Fiberglass has a low degree of hygroscopicity and does not allow steam to pass through, unlike mineral wool. Fiberglass is a non-flammable material, but it has a fairly low melting point, which is why in the event of a fire, the fiberglass will easily melt and allow the fire to pass on.
Mineral wool does not melt and does not burn well, this is its great advantage. Fiberglass is easy to work with due to its strength and elasticity. It will also cope well with the function of preserving heat, but mineral wool is better suited for sound insulation. The big advantage of fiberglass is its price, which is much lower than even the price of such an inexpensive material as mineral wool.
So, having considered the main types of materials for insulation and sound insulation and comparing their characteristics, we can highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each of them.
The most inexpensive insulation materials are polystyrene foam, glass wool and fiberglass. Mineral wool is a little more expensive, and polystyrene is the most expensive. Here everyone must choose based on their budget.
But it is necessary to take into account safety factors for human health and life. For example, mineral wool is the most fireproof insulation material discussed above. If polystyrene foam burns instantly, then mineral wool can keep the fire from spreading further for a long time
Do not forget about such an important point as working with materials
If with polystyrene foam and expanded polystyrene, as well as with fiberglass, no difficulties will arise during installation, then glass wool requires certain knowledge and skills, as well as protection from the ingress of small harmful particles of glass. Mineral wool occupies an average position in terms of ease of use, and this depends on the substances used in its manufacture.
It should be noted that all of the listed characteristics of insulating building materials largely depend on the integrity of the manufacturers. Sometimes harmful components are added to reduce the cost, so you need to buy only from trusted companies, carefully reading the label. It would be a good idea to additionally ask the seller about the properties of the selected product.
Of course, everyone must choose based on their specific situation, because different materials may be suitable for different insulation purposes.
But the most important thing is to approach this issue seriously, carefully study all the characteristics, positive and negative consequences of using each of them, so that the people in the house are healthy and the house is happy
- Mineral wool, technical characteristics
- Technology of wall insulation with mineral wool
- Rockwool, Ursa, Knauf and TechnoNIKOL mineral wools: comparison and characteristics
Video description
For a detailed comparative review of insulation, see the video:
To summarize, we can say with confidence that when choosing expanded polystyrene or mineral wool, which is better for insulating a house, there cannot be a definite answer; you need to select the type of insulation in accordance with the set of parameters of the structure itself and the subsequent exploitation. It is important to remember that there are neither bad nor good insulation materials, but there are materials that were incorrectly selected and poorly installed.
When choosing, it is important not to chase the lowest price, but to give preference to trusted manufacturers who have proven themselves well in the building materials market.
High-quality insulation of house walls Source www.promstan.com.ua
After all, even the best material, if installed unskilled, has a high chance of losing its performance properties and characteristics. When choosing, it is important not to chase the lowest price, but to give preference to trusted manufacturers who have proven themselves well in the building materials market.
Soundproofing
This is not the main function of the insulation, but an additional bonus. If the material absorbs outside noise, the house will be quiet and comfortable.
Mineral wool provides excellent sound insulation. This is due to the structure of the material: it consists of randomly located fibers. When a sound wave passes through the insulation, it becomes entangled between the fibers and goes out.
Foam can also protect against third-party sounds due to the cellular structure of the material. The sound wave fades as it passes through the "bubbles" of polystyrene foam.
Conclusion: both materials are effective sound insulators.
Briefly about the main thing
To insulate a private home, two types of insulation are most often used: polystyrene foam or stone wool. Each of them has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
Thus, polystyrene foam insulation retains heat better and does not absorb moisture, but is fire hazardous and fragile.
Mineral wool insulation has the ability to release vapors, which entails the installation of a vapor barrier layer, but is non-flammable and does not leave cold bridges during installation.
Taking into account these functional characteristics, you can choose the best option for insulating different parts of the house. It is better to insulate the foundation and external walls with expanded polystyrene. Stone wool is ideal for insulating interior walls, ceilings and attics.
Stability of linear dimensions
The insulation should not shrink or change geometric dimensions. Otherwise, gaps may form at the joints, which will become “cold bridges.”
Mineral wool is resistant to temperature changes; it does not shrink or expand. Basalt insulation does not “shrink”. Mineral wool tolerates deformation well and quickly restores its original dimensions. When compressed, it becomes more dense, so it is used in systems that experience static loads.
Foam plastic, as a rule, does not shrink; it has virtually no thermal expansion. But it can break under mechanical stress. For this reason, it is not recommended to insulate facades that are under stress with polystyrene foam.
Conclusion: both insulation materials have stable geometric dimensions.
Durability of insulation
It would seem that mineral wool is a much more durable material, since it is made from an almost immortal stone. In fact, changes in humidity, freezing and thawing, delamination under its own weight - all this worsens the properties of mineral wool over time.
Expanded polystyrene has proven its durability - refrigerators equipped with it last for 30-40 years. Modern types of foam plastic are very resistant to aggressive environments - they are even used in foundation insulation, where they come into contact with open ground
In general, we can say that both materials, with proper installation and operation, will serve the house for its entire lifespan.
Ecological cleanliness
At the very beginning of production, polystyrene foam was produced from styrene using freon. This material released toxic compounds and was prohibited for internal use. Now environmentalists have become more demanding, and manufacturers around the world have abandoned freon, replacing it with more harmless components. But, despite this, it is better not to get carried away with internal insulation using this insulator. And it is perfect for outdoor work.
Basalt-based mineral wool is made from natural components, therefore it meets all the requirements of environmental friendliness and, accordingly, wins in this category over its opponent.
Participation in steam removal
Along with the insulation of the house and the ability of its walls to retain heat, the most important factor is their vapor permeability.
The air around your home and indoors contains water in the form of water vapor. The penetration of air into the material from which its shell is constructed (floor, walls, ceiling) inevitably means the penetration of water vapor. Under certain conditions, water vapor can condense, that is, release water in the thickness of the material.
This process occurs in any material, the main thing here is the specific amount of condensed moisture when it begins to have a detrimental effect on the material.
The accumulation of moisture in the thickness of building materials is prevented by ventilation - that is, the ability of air to penetrate through their thickness.
Thus, the vapor permeability of structures plays a very important role in construction.
In terms of air permeability, mineral wool and expanded polystyrene differ significantly.
Although polystyrene foam contains air bubbles, they are tightly “packed” between the walls of the foam. Air permeability through the material is minimal.
Structure of expanded polystyrene
The structure of mineral wool, on the contrary, is loose, and air penetrates freely through it.
Thus, mineral wool plays its role in the process of removing vapors through the “shell” of the house, and the use of polystyrene foam requires the creation of additional channels for air exchange between the premises of the house and the external environment.
Scope of application
We have already become familiar with the main characteristics of expanded polystyrene and mineral wool. All that remains is to figure out which material is best to use in certain conditions so that its thermal insulation properties can be fully demonstrated.
teaching staff
Due to its endurance in humid environments, polystyrene foam is suitable for areas where the air is characterized by high humidity. They are often used to finish multilayer and monolithic foundations, as well as underground structures.
When installing a monolithic base, polystyrene foam slabs are laid on a flat plane and filled with a layer of concrete. After complete drying, a house is erected, the floors of which will be sufficiently warm and dry.
Walls made of brick or concrete blocks are also effectively insulated using such insulation. By insulating interior spaces, it is possible to avoid the phenomenon of dew point.
Non-ventilated roofs are treated with polystyrene foam of the PSB-S brand, and covered with waterproofing material on top. Ventilated roofs are insulated with foam plastic on the inside, with a mandatory gap to prevent condensation.
Floors and interfloor ceilings are insulated with foam plastic, which is laid on top of the insulating material. The top of the structure is filled with concrete mortar.
Basalt material
Wooden houses cannot be insulated with polystyrene foam, otherwise they will stop “breathing”; mineral wool will be indispensable here. In buildings made of other materials, ceilings, interior partitions and floors are treated with such an insulator. If it is necessary to insulate the facade, a suspended ventilation facade is constructed using a vapor barrier membrane.
Basalt wool works great in attics, attics and pitched roofs. It is often used to fill the space between masonry in brick low-rise buildings. It is also very effective in three-layer concrete panels.
An excellent solution would be to insulate with fibrous material those places that come into contact with heated objects, because mineral wool can easily withstand temperatures of 1000 degrees. It is used to wrap pipes of heating plants, gas mains and industrial equipment. This material can be attached to surfaces of any shape and configuration.
