When building or renovating a building, you often have to figure out which insulation is better: foam or mineral wool. Many experts believe that EPS or extruded polystyrene foam is optimal for thermal insulation, others prefer to choose mineral wool. Each of the insulators has its own thermal conductivity coefficients, characteristic parameters and differences. When choosing, it is important to take into account the operating conditions.
Differences between mineral wool and foam
It is necessary to select polystyrene or standard mineral wool taking into account the requirements and technological criteria of the building that needs to be insulated. Mineral wool belongs to a number of roll insulation materials, foam is produced in the form of convenient slabs. The most important parameter is the coefficient of thermal conductivity: for mineral wool, it is 0.039 W, for foam, 0.038 W. Despite the slight difference, the thermal capacity of each material is significantly different, because of this, foam is more suitable for insulation outside, mineral wool is ideal for indoor installation.
Material safety is of great importance, this indicator can be determined by the level of vapor barrier. The foam has a dense structure and almost does not allow water to pass through, for this reason the convection process between the surface and the insulation does not start. Condensation accumulates inside, leading to the destruction of the walls in the event of a shift in the dew point. Mineral wool has a higher level of convection and allows air to pass through well, this eliminates moisture stagnation inside the surfaces to be insulated.
During installation, foam plastic has more advantages, since its plates adhere very tightly to each other. If you additionally putty the joints, a monolith layer is created, which excludes the penetration of cold air. Mineral wool is capable of losing its shape, for this reason, the sections in the places for connecting the elements are separated, losing heat. All mineral wool slabs are laid as tightly as possible towards each other and well fixed.
Minvata does not burn and is not capable of causing a fire. Styrofoam melts well and can ignite on its own, although it contains flame retardants that prevent the spread of fire. This factor must be taken into account during installation.
Analysis of material features
Before deciding on the choice between mineral wool or standard polystyrene foam, take into account the strength and resistance to various biological influences, the coefficients of moisture absorption and thermal conductivity, weight and ease of installation, duration of operation. In addition to these points, the safety and environmental friendliness of the material, good thermal insulation and sound insulation are of great importance. Each of the materials has its own characteristic features.
Expanded polystyrene
Expanded polystyrene is a plate filled with a large number of balls with air. The processes of circulation and movement of air mass do not take place inside the structure of the material, therefore it is a good heat insulator for facades and floors. Its benefits include noise suppression, long life in high humidity and low temperatures.The foam is lightweight, can be installed without problems and is not exposed to rodents or insects. Among its disadvantages, the ability to produce harmful substances during heating and the risk of fire in the event of a fire is noted.
Mineral wool
Mineral wool provides optimal sound insulation, has a reduced coefficient in terms of thermal conductivity, is capable of perfectly storing heat and at the same time allowing air to pass through. Such material is absolutely not subject to fire and can withstand temperatures up to 950 degrees. It has good thermal insulation and vapor permeability. Rodents and insects do not start in the mineral wool, fungus does not form inside the plates. It also has some disadvantages: high cost, high weight, the presence in the composition of components that can cause allergies during contact.
To choose a suitable insulation for a house, take into account the type of room that needs to be insulated. Both materials are well suited for buildings made of brick, aerated concrete or wood, houses erected using the frame construction technique or made of sandwich panels. For those on a budget, it is better to choose foam. But when it comes to building a warehouse for combustible materials, mineral wool should be preferred.
Composition and cost
Find out which is better: mineral wool or expanded polystyrene, information on the composition and basic qualities will help.
The foam is based on urea, epoxy and phenolic resins, which increase when heated during production and turn into polystyrene granules. The finished slabs mainly consist of 90% air and have different thicknesses, which makes installation much easier. The main advantage of foam is its low cost, it is a good budget option for those who are looking for high-quality and simple insulation.
Mineral wool is a material made of fine fibers, which is obtained by melting rocks, a number of mixtures and metallurgical slag. Thanks to this content, the resulting product is distinguished by its durability, high quality level and excellent performance characteristics. Since silicate molten lumps from magma rocks are used during the production of mineral wool, it does not change shape at high temperatures when it starts to warm. Due to the large number of positive properties, the price of this material will be much higher when compared with foam.
The price of each of the materials depends on the manufacturer. The best choice will be goods from trusted brands, made using the correct technology without violating the instructions.
What is better to insulate with foam
Polyfoam is not suitable for internal insulation, since it is not capable of convecting air and has low vapor permeability. This can lead to the fact that heat ceases to flow to the desired surface, and the dew point will shift into the interior of the structure. This is the best and most budget-friendly option for outdoor insulation. Scope of application:
- roofing and attic structures;
- foundations, especially of the belt type;
- loggias and balconies;
- production and agricultural premises;
- cooling units.
If you need to work with uneven walls and in the absence of space for the lathing, you should choose polyurethane foam. In terms of properties, it is not inferior to polystyrene and also does not cause difficulties during installation.
What is better to insulate with mineral wool
It is advisable to use mineral wool in cases where it is impossible to use foam.It is chosen for the insulation of houses and structures made of wood, since the foam cannot pass air and moisture, provoking the formation of damage in the structure. Minvata works most effectively in rooms exposed to high temperatures. When it is necessary to insulate warehouses or facilities for storing flammable or combustible substances, mineral wool insulation will be an excellent choice. Also, the material is suitable for those who want to create good sound insulation in the room in addition to thermal insulation. It practically does not pass sounds due to its composition and dense texture.
The best manufacturers on the market
When choosing a heater, you should pay attention to materials from leading brands. Among the producers of mineral wool, the companies Rockwool and Knauf stand out. The Danish brand Rockwool is the premier mineral wool company. Buyers note the complete absence of shedding and shrinkage, the ability to choose from a large number of sizes and packaging options. Rockwool mineral wool is considered the most environmentally friendly, it absorbs noise well, has a high level of fire safety, and is able to keep its properties at the desired level for a long time. The Knauf company produces mineral wool based on basalt fibers and distributes products into series depending on the purpose. Available options include products for roofs, roofing, balconies and entrance doors.
The best producers of expanded polystyrene and polystyrene are the companies "TechnoNikol" and URSA. URSA brand products are in great demand in Europe. The manufacturer has a base for extruding the material, which is created using innovative technology. TechnoNikol operates in Russia and produces insulation that can compete with European counterparts. Each plant of the company has a separate scientific laboratory, where new production technologies are created and previous ones are improved.
When choosing a manufacturer, you should give preference to brands that have a good reputation in the market.
