Basalt wool or mineral wool: what is better for soundproofing?

Construction - a delicate matter. It is not enough to lay an excellent foundation and erect strong walls. Without a heater, you'll soon see that the concept of "my house is my fortress" works pretty badly. Therefore, the choice of materials that will provide sound insulation, remove moisture and keep the heat, you need to take very seriously. When we deal with this issue, we are faced with a lot of disputes about what is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. Both materials have good characteristics and low cost, due to which they are used in various types of construction works. Let's try to compare them among themselves.

Getting Started with Definitions

Literally in a nutshell, let's compare the main characteristics of these two materials. Of course, an experienced master knows that it's better, basalt cotton wool or mineral wool. However, to a common man in the street, such subtleties can be unfamiliar. And the difference between them is only in the raw materials used for production. Basalt heat insulator, or, as it is also called, stone wool, is made of fiberglass, which is obtained by melting the mountain basalt rock.

The plate basaltic heat insulator has great differences from mineral wool, in spite of the fact that they belong to the same class, and each of them has its pluses and minuses. This is the main difficulty that prevents one from saying unambiguously what is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. In the process of manufacturing rock wool to fiberglass, special components are added that provide a bunch between individual fibers. As a result, the material gets a loose and fibrous structure and perfectly retains heat. There is always air between the fibers, which means that the given temperature regime will be saved several times longer.

The main advantages of stone wool

Basalt heat insulator has many undeniable advantages. Among them we can mention:

• Possibility to withstand high temperatures. Even with strong heating, the insulation will not release hazardous substances.
• Resistance to dirt and long life. After serving for more than 50 years, the material does not lose its original properties.
• Low sound conductivity.
• Good level of vibration resistance.
• It does not burn, does not melt, does not explode, that is, it can serve to create thermal insulation of aggressive and hot environments.
• Not afraid of rodents.
• Lightweight and durable.
• It has excellent water-repellent properties. In this case, the plate can pass water, but does not accumulate it inside.

Minuses

We have not in vain spent so much time reviewing the main characteristics. Without this, it is impossible to say what is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. Despite the advantages, the stone slab has its drawbacks. This is primarily a high cost. In addition, the plate basaltic insulation has a large number of seams in the joints, which somewhat reduces the insulation properties. Some experts say that the phenolic substances used in the manufacture of the material make it unsafe. Tests that could confirm or disprove it were not carried out.

Mineral wool

The main advantage is a low price. This directly follows from the fact that the production process itself is not too expensive. It is produced in compact packages, which facilitates its transportation. Light, it does not take up much space at the same time. It has the following characteristics:

• Light weight and low density.
• No load on the main structure.
• Chemical passivity.
• Lack of propensity to ignite.
• Excellent elasticity. This is due to the fact that the fibers are almost twice as long, compared with rock wool.
• Does not cause corrosive processes on the metal.
• Justified use in those designs that may have uneven surfaces. It is easy to adjust one to the other.
• Sound insulation is much higher than that of stone wool.

A disadvantage can be called a high ability to shrink. That is, after a while, the properties will deteriorate.

Based on the above, you can already say that it is better for sound insulation, basalt wool or mineral wool. According to this characteristic, the minivate demonstrates its complete superiority. However, until the end it is not clear which of them will be better for performing certain work. Let's consider the examples.

Building a bath

This is a room that should keep warm. This creates additional requirements that are advanced to the layer of insulation. In addition to keeping heat, it must drain water and not store it inside. What is better for a bath, basalt cotton wool or mineral wool? Let's look again at the main characteristics. Both of these materials will perform their functions well, however, stone wool requires the laying of a good waterproofing layer, as the properties will deteriorate when wet. At the same time flexible MW is more convenient in mounting, but will eventually shrink.

Therefore, specialists use the following alternative. Finishing of the lower structures is carried out with the help of heavier basalt wool, and for the walls and ceiling is selected mineral wool.

Furnaces and chimneys

Here the problem of a heater is quite simple - to keep all the heat produced. For this you need not so much, most importantly, that the layer is thick enough and not afraid of high temperature. Some builders favor the use of stone wool, focusing on the length of its service. This is really a plus, but the cost is much higher. And based on practical experience, experts say that it is enough to cover the chimney with a layer of ordinary mineral wool and make a metal or brick casing. Based on this, each will choose what is best for the chimney, basalt wool or mineral wool.

Floor indoors

It is known that an insulating layer is needed for any room, and all surfaces are added to it. Proceeding from this, there are often discussions about what is better for the floor, basalt cotton wool or mineral wool. This question is fairly easy to answer. The stone slabs are denser and heavier, they practically do not shrink and serve well for many decades in a row. In addition, basalt cotton wool shows itself perfectly when it is necessary to lining an even area.

Walls and canvases

This is a separate topic, here the requirements for the material are changing. First, there are more details, these are windows and doors. That is, the material should be easily adjusted to the required dimensions. Secondly, the first place is sound insulation. Equally important is the weight of the material, which will be distributed throughout the structure and create an additional load. Based on these requirements, we can already understand what is best for a facade, basalt wool or mineral wool. Clear choice in favor of the second material. In addition, you will save on the price.

Instead of concluding

As you can see, there is no unequivocal answer. A concrete example is needed to say what is better, basalt wool or mineral wool. Comments of builders and specialists in the field of interior decoration of premises indicate that they are more often than not the choice of a minivat, which is conditioned by the need to keep within the set budget. But in some cases it is better to perform certain types of work with the help of basalt wool. The best option would be a combination of insulation materials among themselves. Each of them is somewhat better or worse in something.

Therefore, you should not choose one. Up to ten different insulating materials can be used in the room, which are laid in one or several layers. Such careful planning makes it possible to envisage all the nuances and create a house of your dreams that will meet all modern requirements and characteristics. Pay attention to this at the stage of bookmarking the project.