Rockwool heaters: varieties and their technical characteristics

Rockwool is the world's leading manufacturer of stone wool thermal and acoustic insulation materials. The assortment includes a wide variety of heaters, differing in size, form of release, technical characteristics and, accordingly, purpose.

This trademark was registered in 1936 and correctly looks like ROCKWOOL. The manufacturer insists on writing in Latin letters, without quotation marks, only in capital letters.

The company was founded on the basis of a company registered in Denmark in 1909, engaged in the extraction and sale of coal and rocks. The company also produced roofing tiles.

The first insulation was produced in 1936-1937, at the same time the name Rockwool was registered. Literally it translates as "stone wool", which accurately reflects the characteristics of thermal insulation materials based on stone wool - they are light and warm, like natural wool, but at the same time strong and durable - just like a stone.

The production of insulation under this brand is currently established in 18 countries and 28 factories located in them. The company has representative offices in 35 countries. In Russia, products appeared in the early 70s, initially for the needs of the shipbuilding industry. Due to its high quality, it has gradually spread to other areas, primarily construction.

The official representation that appeared in 1995 made the brand even more popular. Today, there are 4 factories in Russia where products are manufactured under the Rockwool brand. They are located in the Leningrad, Moscow, Chelyabinsk regions and the Republic of Tatarstan.

One of the distinguishing features of the material is its environmental friendliness, which is confirmed by the presence of certificates of conformity of products to EcoMaterial standards. In addition, in 2013, the manufacturer became the holder of the Ecomaterial 1.3 certificate, indicating that the company's production activities are environmentally friendly. The safety class of these materials is KM0, which means their absolute harmlessness.

The manufacturer's concept is the creation of energy-efficient buildings, that is, facilities characterized by an improved microclimate and energy savings of up to 70-90%. Within the framework of this concept, a material is distinguished with the lowest possible indicators of thermal conductivity, and many options for insulation are developed for specific surfaces, types of objects and sections of the same structure.

In terms of its thermal conductivity, the basalt slab insulation of the brand in question is ahead of similar products of many European manufacturers. Its value is 0.036-0.038 W / mK.

In addition to high thermal insulation performance, the materials of this brand are used for sound insulation.

Thanks to a special hydrophobic treatment, Rockwool basalt insulation is moisture resistant. It does not absorb moisture, which significantly extends its service life and increases frost resistance, and also guarantees the biostability of products.

Basalt heaters of this brand are characterized by excellent vapor permeability, which allows you to maintain an optimal microclimate in the room, as well as avoid the formation of condensation on the surface of the walls or materials used for insulation and decoration.

Rockwool heaters have a fire safety class NG, which means they are completely incombustible. This allows the slabs to be used not only as a heat-insulating material, but also as a fire-fighting barrier material. Some types of insulation (for example, reinforced with a foil layer) have a flammability class G1. In any case, the products do not emit toxins when heated.

Rockwool products have hundreds of types of insulation.

The most popular are the following types:

• Light Butts. Insulation used to insulate unloaded structures due to its low density. In this it is similar to the Economy modification used on unloaded horizontal, vertical and inclined surfaces. A feature of this product is the applied flexi technology. It implies the ability of one of the edges of the slab to "spring" - to be compressed under the influence of a load, and after its removal - to return to its previous forms.

• Light Butts Scandic. An innovative material that also has a springy edge and is characterized by the ability to compress (that is, the ability to compress). It is up to 70% and is provided by a special arrangement of fibers. This feature makes it possible to reduce the volume of material when packing it to the minimum size and to obtain compact products that are easier and cheaper to transport in comparison with analogues of similar sizes and densities of other brands. After opening the package, the material acquires the specified parameters, compression does not affect its technical characteristics in any way.

• Venti Butts can fit in one layer or act as a second (outer) layer with a two-layer thermal insulation coating.
• Venti Butts Optima - insulation, which has a purpose similar to the Venti Butts version, and is also used as a material for the manufacture of fire breaks near door and window openings.

• Venti Butts N is lightweight, therefore, its use is possible only as the first (inner) layer with two-layer thermal insulation.
• "Venti Butts D" - unique slabs for ventilated facade systems, combining the features of both the outer and inner insulation layer. This is provided by the difference in the structure of the material on its 2 sides - the part that is attached to the wall has a looser structure, while the side facing the street is stiffer and denser. A characteristic feature of all types of Venti Butts slabs is that if they are correctly installed, you can refuse to use a windproof membrane. This is due to the fact that the outer surface of the slabs is strong enough, and therefore weatherproof. As for the density, its maximum values ​​are typical for the slabs Venti Butts and Optima - 90 kg / m³, the outer side of Venti Butts D has a similar value (inner side - 45 kg / m³). The density of Venti Butts N is 37 kg / m³. The thermal conductivity coefficient for all modifications of the fan heater ranges from 0.35-0.41 W / m × ° C, vapor permeability - 0.03 (mg / (m × h × Pa), moisture absorption - no more than 1%.

• Caviti Butts. Insulation used for three-layer, or "well" masonry of the facade. In other words, such material fits into the wall space. A distinctive feature is the sealed edges of the slabs, which ensure the tightness of all elements of the facade (that is, the tight fit of the insulation to the facade and the load-bearing wall). For a concrete or reinforced concrete three-layer system, the manufacturer recommends using the "Concrete Element Butts" variety. The latter has a density of 90 kg / m³, which is 2 times higher than the density coefficient of Caviti Butts. Thermal conductivity of both products under various conditions and installation systems is 0.035-0.04 W / m × ° C, vapor permeability - 0.03 mg / (m × h × Pa), moisture absorption - no more than 1.5% for Caviti Butts and no more than 1% for its more durable counterpart.

Their distinctive feature is increased rigidity, which makes it possible to contact finishing of thermal insulation boards.

• "Rokfasad" - a variety of slabs that has recently appeared in the assortment, intended for use in suburban construction.
• "Facade Butts" - slabs of increased rigidity, due to which they can withstand heavy loads.
• "Facade Lamella" - thin strips of insulation, optimal for the insulation of curved facades and walls with a complex configuration.

• "Plaster Butts" it is applied under a thick layer of plaster or clinker tiles. A distinctive feature is the reinforcement with galvanized steel mesh (and not fiberglass as for other types of plaster boards), as well as the use of movable steel brackets for fixing (and not "fungus" dowels).

The density of the slabs is in the range of 90-180 kg / m³. The smallest indicators have the products "Plaster Butts" and "Facade Lamella". The largest - "Facade Butts D", the outer side of which has a density of 180 kg / m³, the inner side - 94 kg / m³. Intermediate options are Rokfasad (110-115 kg / m³), ​​Facade Butts Optima (125 kg / m³) and Facade Butts (130 kg / m³).

The density and vapor permeability of the slabs is similar to the same indicators of the types of insulation considered above, moisture absorption is no more than 1%.

Thermal insulation of the floor under the screed requires increased strength from the heat-insulating material. And if a variation of "Light Butts" or "Scandic Butts" is suitable for thermal insulation of the floor on the logs, then other modifications are used for insulation under the screed:

• Flor Butts used for insulation of ceilings and floating acoustic floors.
• Flor Butts I. Scope of application - floor insulation, subject to increased loads. The purpose of the second floor is due to its higher strength indicators - 150 kg / m³ (for comparison, the specific gravity of Flor Butts is 125 kg / m³).

If "Light Butts" and "Scandic" heaters are suitable for pitched roofs and attics, then a flat roof implies significant loads on the insulation, which means that it requires the installation of a denser material:

• "Roof Butts In Optima" - single-layer insulation or top layer with two-layer heat-insulating layer.
• "Ruf Butts V Extra" it is characterized by increased rigidity and is suitable as an upper insulation layer.

• "Roof Butts N Optima" - slabs of low density for the bottom layer in a multi-layer insulation "cake". Variety - "Extra". The differences are in the parameters of the plates.
• "Ruff Bat D" - combined products with different rigidity on the outside and inside. In this modification, the plates "Extra" and "Optima" are produced.
• "Ruf Butt Coupler" - slabs for screed on operated roofs.

The materials marked "D" have the maximum density, the outer layer of which has a specific weight of 205 kg / m³, the inner layer - 120 kg / m³. Further, in descending order of the specific gravity coefficient - "Ruf Butts V" ("Optima" - 160 kg / m³, "Extra" - 190 kg / m³), ​​"Screed" - 135 kg / m³, "Ruf Butts N" ("Optima "- 110 kg / m³," Extra "- 115 kg / m³).

Scope of application "Sauna Butts" - thermal insulation of baths, saunas. The material has a foil layer, thereby increasing its thermal insulation characteristics, moisture resistance and strength without increasing the thickness of the product. Due to the use of a metallized layer, the flammability class of the material is not NG, but G1 (slightly flammable).

• Thermal insulation materials Rockwool are widely used in construction, in particular, when insulating the outer walls of buildings. With the help of heaters, it is possible to increase the thermal efficiency of wooden, reinforced concrete, stone, brick walls, foam block facades, as well as prefabricated panel structures.
• Choosing one or another type of insulation and other materials, it is possible to build "dry" and "wet", as well as ventilated and non-ventilated facade systems. When insulating a frame house, it is enough to take mats of increased rigidity so that they play the role of not only a heater, but also a load-bearing function.

• It is basalt heaters that are most widely used when insulating premises from the inside. They are used for heat and sound insulation of walls, partitions, floors of any structure, ceilings.
• The material is in great demand when conducting roofing works. It is suitable for the thermal insulation of pitched and roofed roofs, attics and attics. Due to its fire resistance and a wide temperature range of operation, the material is suitable for thermal insulation and thermal protection of chimneys and chimneys, air ducts.

• Special heat-insulating cylinders based on stone wool are used to insulate pipelines, heating systems, sewer and water supply systems.
• Plates of increased rigidity are used for insulating facades, inside wall "wells" in a three-layer facade system, under a floor screed, and also as an interfloor heat-insulating layer.

Materials for different applications have different dimensions. Besides, within one line, there are several dimensional modifications.

• Slabs "Light Butts" are produced in the size of 1000 × 600 mm with a thickness of 50 or 100 mm. Standard dimensions of Light Butts Scandic are 8000 × 600 mm, thickness is 50 and 100 mm. There is also a version of the Light Butts Scandic XL material, characterized by a large slab size - 1200 × 600 mm with a thickness of 100 and 150 mm.
• Materials "Venti Butts" and "Optima" have the same dimensions and are produced in 2 sizes - 1000 × 600 mm and 1200 × 1000 mm. Plates "Venti Butts N" are produced only in sizes 1000 × 600 mm. The material "Venti Butts D" has the largest number of overall options - 1000 × 600 mm, 1200 × 1000 mm, 1200 × 1200 mm. Material thickness (depending on the type) - 30-200 mm.

• The dimensions of the slabs for a three-layer facade are the same and equal to 1000 × 600 mm. The only difference is the thickness possible. The maximum thickness of Caviti Butts is 200 mm, Concrete Element Butts is 180 mm. The minimum thickness is identical and equal to 50 mm.
• Almost all types of slabs for a "wet" facade are produced in several sizes. The exception is "Rokfasad" and "Plaster Butts", which have dimensions of 1000 × 600 mm with a thickness of 50-100 mm and 50-200 mm.

• 3 dimensional modifications (1000 × 600 mm, 1200 × 1000 mm and 1200 × 1200 mm) have the products "Facade Butts Optima" and "Facade Butts D".
• There are also 3 options for sizes, but others have “Facade Butts” slabs (1200 × 500 mm, 1200 × 600 mm and 1000 × 600 mm). The thickness of the product ranges from 25 to 180 mm. The Lamella Facade has a standard length of 1200 mm and widths of 150 and 200 mm. The thickness ranges from 50-200 mm.

• The dimensions of the materials for thermal insulation of the screed floor are the same for both modifications and are equal to 1000 × 600 mm, the thickness is from 25 to 200 mm.
• All materials for flat roofing are available in 4 sizes - 2400 × 1200 mm, 2000 × 1200 mm, 1200 × 1000 mm, 1000 × 600 mm. The thickness is 40-200 mm. "Sauna Butts" is produced in the form of slabs 1000 × 600 mm, in 2 thicknesses - 50 and 100 mm.

Calculation of thermal insulation parameters is always a difficult process for a non-professional.When choosing the thickness of the insulation, it is important to take into account many criteria - the material of the walls, the climatic characteristics of the region, the type of finishing material, the features of the purpose and design of the area used.

There are special formulas for the calculation, you cannot do without SNiPs. Leading manufacturers of thermal insulation materials have greatly simplified the process of determining thermal insulation parameters by creating special formulas.

One of the best formulas belongs to the Rockwool company. You can use it by indicating in the appropriate columns of the online calculator the type of work, the material of the surface to be insulated and its thickness, as well as the desired type of insulation. The program will give a finished result in a matter of seconds.

To determine the required volumes of the heat insulator, the area to be insulated should be calculated (multiply the length and width). Having learned the area, it is easier to choose the optimal size of the insulation, as well as calculate the number of mats or slabs. For insulation of flat horizontal surfaces, it is more convenient to use roll modifications.

When choosing one or another insulation, the manufacturer recommends paying attention to its density and purpose.

In addition to thermal insulation materials, the company produces waterproofing films and vapor barrier membranes. The manufacturer's recommendations and user reviews allow us to conclude that it is better to use films and coatings from the same manufacturer for Rockwool heaters. This allows for maximum material compatibility.

So, for wall heaters ("Light" and "Scandic"), a diffuse vapor-permeable membrane is provided in the usual and treated with fire retardants. Special vapor barrier Rockwool is used for roof and ceiling insulation.

When organizing a "wet" facade, you will need a special water-dispersed "Rockforce" primerplus Rockglue and Rockmortar for the reinforcement layer. It is recommended to apply the final primer over the reinforcing layer using the Rockprimer KR mixture. As a decorative mixture, you can use the branded products "Rockdecor" (plaster) and "Rocksil" (silicone facade paint).

For information on how to independently insulate a house using Rockwool materials, see below.