How To Cut Mineral Wool Roll Insulation

8th March 2021

Longitudinal cut of material

Mineral wool in rolls is cut unpacked. The roll is placed on a hard, flat surface. The required length is measured with a tape measure. Labels are placed in three places around the packaging circle. The place of the cut, for accuracy, is wrapped with molar tape.

Then they take a saw and cut a roll of mineral wool in a circle. After the cut piece has been separated, remove the packaging film.

Important. Masking tape is wound on the roll from the opposite side of the workpiece so that after cutting the remaining part of the roll does not unwind.

Characteristics and properties of mineral wool

You will need different tools to cut soft and dense insulation

You need to cut the insulation with the tools that are best suited to its type and technical characteristics.

For thermal insulation work, the following types of mineral wool are used:

Stone. Consists of integrated dolomite rock fibers. Basalt is mainly used for manufacturing, which is characterized by high strength. The material is used as insulation and for the manufacture of acoustic panels. Cutting stone wool is easy as it is soft and pliable.
Slag. Manufactured from waste from the steel industry. It is used more in the decoration of utility rooms, as it contains impurities of toxic materials, has a sharp unpleasant odor. Cutting mineral wool in slabs is difficult, since it is fragile and unstable to pressure.
Glass. The raw materials for production are cullet, lime and stone chips. Consists of many interwoven glass fibers that break easily. Supplied on sale in tightly rolled rolls. Cutting glass wool is easy as the material lends itself to any sharp tool.

The ease of installation and the quality of the final result depend on the quality of cutting the insulation.

Mineral wool is a popular and effective thermal insulation used for internal and external work in the arrangement of residential and commercial buildings.

A feature of the material is its unique spatial structure, which ensures high performance.

Violation of the order of the fibers leads to an increase in the thermal conductivity of the product, which requires the choice of a special technology for cutting slabs.

Before starting construction or repair work, the owner of the premises thinks about what criteria should be used to choose materials. Currently, the assortment of sale is replete with a variety of canvases that differ from each other in raw materials, price, scope, operation characteristics.

Glass wool (fiberglass) has a low density and high hygroscopicity. The material does not have moisture resistance properties, and one should not expect heat resistance from it: when a high heating temperature (about 300 degrees) is reached, the cotton fibers melt, and the material no longer performs the function of insulation. Glass wool on sale in rolls.

Glass wool is produced by blowing: an industrial centrifuge creates streams of air that go directly into the raw material. Due to the flow of air, fibers appear from the threads, moreover, they can have different lengths, directions and thicknesses.

Mineral wool has low thermal conductivity, allows steam to pass through due to the cells in the structure, and almost does not absorb water. In addition to the base, there are few binding elements in the composition, which allows it to withstand high temperatures. The material is widely used as sound insulation and insulation for various substrates and surfaces. Produced with canvases that vary in strength.

Slag wool for room insulation

Slag wool is the cheapest option for insulation. The material consists of fibers that are waste from blast furnaces, it is not dense and does not have good heat resistance. If slag wool is overheated, it will sinter. Therefore, the material is not suitable for insulating premises adjacent to heat sources, and is also not recommended for building houses.

The structure of the horizontal layer of any kind of mineral wool is created in the direction of the grain. The formation of vertical sections occurs due to the elements that are located chaotically. Each type of material has its own characteristics and external differences.

Carbon Steel Blade Knife

The rockwool cutting knife with a carbon steel blade has high cutting quality and is easy to sharpen. However, it requires more careful maintenance than a stainless steel blade, as it is prone to rust. It must be wiped dry after each use and lubricated.

Are there any nuances in transportation and storage?

Manufacturers recommend storing mineral wool in an intact package, and it is better if the pack is on a flat surface. Each stack of packages should not be higher than 2 meters. The optimal storage conditions are closed spaces that are resistant to moisture ingress. It is not recommended to store the insulation on the street, but if this happens, then you need to cover it with a tarpaulin or film.

You need to store cotton wool only in a horizontal position.

When transporting, you should follow the same rules: transport cotton wool horizontally and in a dry truck body. You also need to provide the material with protection from mechanical stress and from atmospheric precipitation. When loading and unloading material, it must not be strongly squeezed.

Unpacking mineral insulation also requires certain nuances. The material should be removed from the packaging only before starting work, which will minimize the various risks associated with damage to the insulation. When laying out material for cutting, use its packaging as a bedding. Thus, the product will not get dirty. Also, the packaging can be used to collect other waste at the construction site.

Storage and transportation of mineral wool is carried out in even stacks so as not to damage the material

Since the material is porous, brittle and hygroscopic, it must be handled appropriately.

When transporting and storing mineral wool, it is recommended to observe the following rules:

In the process of loading and unloading, do not throw packages, but stack them neatly, avoiding them falling and strong squeezing.
Transport bales in covered trucks, laying them horizontally on a flat bottom. Fix the insulation so that it does not hit the body walls.
Store products in dry, closed rooms. If this is not possible and it is stored outside, cover with a film or tarpaulin to protect it from precipitation.
Remove the slabs from the stack just before laying them. This will prevent moisture absorption and reduce the risk of accidental damage to the material.

How to properly cut mineral wool

Stone wool is often used to insulate houses. after all, it is not afraid of fire, and is easy to install, and is inexpensive.

And one of its popular types is basalt insulation, the technical characteristics and properties of which depend on where it is specifically used.

By the way, we note that this material is one of the cleanest in terms of ecology.

Since this insulation is one of the types of mineral wool, it has several names, including basalt or stone, wool.

over, it not only surpasses all other types of mineral wool in terms of strength characteristics, but is also absolutely safe for humans and nature.

Compared to mineral wool made from metallurgical slags, basalt insulation is more environmentally friendly, easier to cut and install, and lasts longer.

Molten gabbro-basalt rocks, forming thin fibers, form the basis of basalt wool. By and large, it is fiberglass, not quartz, but basalt. And this material was invented (or rather, noticed) by the Hawaiians.

Once, when one of the volcanoes once again spewed lava and cooled down, the locals found amazing fibers in the remains of the lava, long and strong.

Later, what was done by nature, people were able to repeat by inventing the production of basalt fibers.

Volcanic rock. basalt.

For this, the rock must be crushed and melted. The temperature in the melting furnace is very high. 1500 degrees, no less. Further, the melt enters special drums, where it rotates, blown by an air jet.

Then the cotton wool is heated to 300 degrees, passing through a press 2 times.

Fibers in basalt insulation do not have a strict orientation, but are located very chaotically, so the structure of the substance is airy. Countless layers of air between thin stone fibers. an excellent heat insulator.

Therefore, the thermal conductivity coefficient of this material is very small. its value ranges from 0.032 to 0.048 watts per meter per Kelvin.

This corresponds to the level of cork, foamed rubber and polystyrene foam, both extruded and regular.

Let’s try to compare the technical characteristics of basalt thermal insulation and other materials. Take, for example, a 10 cm mat made of basalt insulation, the density of which is 100 kilograms per cubic meter.

For the heat preservation effect to be similar, you need to build a ceramic brick wall with a thickness of 117 centimeters. If the brick is made of clay, then the wall should be even thicker. 160 centimeters.

A two-meter wall will have to be laid out of silicate brick, and the layer of wood should be at least 25.5 centimeters.

This material is hydrophobic. Water, falling on it, cannot penetrate inside, due to which the thermal insulation properties do not change. But if you carry out a similar experiment with ordinary mineral wool, then it will absorb a fair amount of water.

Wet cotton wool will not keep warm. after all, water, getting into its pores, significantly increases the thermal conductivity of the material. So if you need to insulate a damp room, for example, a sauna, then take not ordinary glass wool, but basalt. you can’t go wrong.

Water absorption by volume is no more than 2%.

Water does not soak, but flows around the fibers of basalt wool, since during the production process it is soaked in special oils.

Basalt fiber, regardless of its density, has excellent vapor permeability. The moisture contained in the air easily penetrates the insulation layer without forming condensation inside it.

This is especially important for a bath or sauna. The basalt wool itself does not get wet, still reliably storing heat. Therefore, it is comfortable to live in rooms isolated with this material. the temperature and humidity conditions are optimal.

Water vapor permeability is about 0.3 mg / (m h Pa)

In accordance with the requirements of firefighters, basalt fiber wool is considered a non-combustible substance. But that’s not all. she is able to block the path of open fire.

The maximum temperature that basalt insulation can withstand without reaching the melting point is 1114 ° C. This allows it to be used for insulating devices operating at high temperatures.

If we consider the indicators of this heat insulator for fire safety (determined by NPB 244-97), then stone wool is classified as non-combustible materials (NG group).

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with: Pie wall of a frame house: a multilayer device

Any buildings, structures, structures and structural elements can be insulated with this material.

As for the acoustic properties, they are also good for basalt wool. in terms of sound insulation, of course. This insulation is able to muffle the vertical sound waves traveling inside the walls.

Thanks to this, the room is well insulated from external noise.

By absorbing sound waves, stone wool reduces the reverberation time, which protects from noise not only the room, the walls of which are insulated with this material, but also the neighboring rooms.

It is important to create a safe working environment

This is really important. As in any business, adherence to simple safety procedures will help maintain health, carry out work at the optimal time and at a high quality level. What you need to pay attention to:

it is better to cut the insulation in cold weather, since for work it is necessary to wear a protective suit made of dense fabric, which will prevent skin contact with mineral wool fibers and its irritation;
to protect hands, wear special gloves. with silicone or rubber dusting on the palms;
special glasses will be needed to protect the eyes;
respiratory organs will be protected by a respirator.

Such measures must be observed, since when the insulation is cut from under the knives, material particles rise into the air. Which can come in contact with the eyes, the respiratory tract and cause skin irritation.

In addition, it is important to remember:

when working with this type of insulation, you need to periodically take a break, during which to ventilate the room;
the cut pieces must be shifted carefully, without throwing, in order to reduce the amount of fibrous suspension in the air;
there should be no children on the construction site at this time, even in protective equipment.

As you can see from the above, there is nothing super complicated in cutting mineral wool. Subject to the indicated rules, it will not be difficult to perform work efficiently and safely.

How to cut mineral wool

The structure of mineral wool is fibers, and accordingly, when it is cut into the air, small particles of these fibers get into the air. To prevent them from getting into the respiratory tract and on the skin, it is important to create a safe working environment:

ensure good ventilation in the work area;
use overalls and protective equipment. overalls, gloves, mask or respirator, goggles;
immediately after finishing work, wash your hands thoroughly with cold water and then your face.

To minimize the amount of harmful dust in the air, cutting mineral wool should be done with tools with a well-sharpened, sharp working edge. Better to cut across the grain.

To obtain strips of the same width, the mineral insulation produced in rolls is recommended to be first cut directly in the roll, without unrolling, and the mineral wool boards are cut one by one.

To ensure even and accurate cuts, you must first mark the material or cut directly with a ruler.

Operational features of basalt wool

Mineral wool has the following advantages:

a wide range of products. Mineral wool is produced in the form of slabs, rolls or mats. Due to this, it is possible to choose the option that is best suited for the thermal insulation of a certain section of the building. Also, the types of mineral wool differ in density: the material in the form of slabs has a high density, and the roll insulation is lighter;

has high thermal insulation characteristics. Mineral wool has a porous structure. This material is made up of small layers. Due to this, it retains heat well, and also provides excellent sound insulation;

fire safety of the material. Minvata does not burn and does not spread fire. For this reason, it is often used for thermal insulation of interfloor ceilings. Mineral wool manufacturers claim that this material can withstand temperatures above 900 degrees Celsius;

mineral wool does not deform, and this is a very important advantage. This material does not shrink, therefore, there is no formation of “cold bridges” that cause heat loss;

frost resistance. This property allows the use of mineral wool for thermal insulation of the external elements of the building;

mineral wool is an environmentally friendly material. It is used for thermal insulation of health resorts and medical institutions, as well as children’s rooms.

This insulation is produced in various forms. plates, cylinders, mats; you can buy cotton wool covered with foil.

Mineral wool has features that cannot be called positive. These include:

low strength. This is due to the high porosity of mineral wool;

to ensure a high level of thermal insulation, this material should be used together with a waterproofing film and a vapor barrier membrane;

when using mineral wool with fiberglass, it becomes unsafe, since formaldehyde is added to it;

high hygroscopicity (therefore high waterproofing is done).

To fasten such a heater, planks are nailed to the inner side of the rafters (they make a lattice), to which cotton wool will be attached. From the outside, the cotton wool is laid in one layer (the layers depend on the thickness of the cotton wool).

After laying the insulation, waterproofing is applied. The important thing in this step is not to confuse the sides of the insulation. The top layer is moisture-tight, and the bottom is a vapor barrier.

The waterproofing is not stretched, there is an air space between it and the cotton wool. There should be some air space in front of the skate, which will create additional traction.

Basalt insulation scheme.

thermal insulation and hydrophobization. The first parameter ranges from 0.042 to 0.048 W / mK. Other well-known insulation materials (for example, expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam) have approximately the same characteristics. Minvata is not able to accumulate moisture (hygroscopicity is less than 1%), which makes its weight unchanged. A distinctive feature can be called vapor permeability, which guarantees insulation and, at the same time, intensive moisture exchange between the external environment and the walls of the building;
density, strength. The insulation has a sufficient density (from 30 to 100 kg / m3), which guarantees high thermal insulation properties with optimal strength. The rigidity of the material is ensured by the direction of the fibers; they are located horizontally and vertically;
soundproofing. Good noise protection characteristics are achieved due to the porous structure of the cotton wool;
resistance to aggressive environment. Vata is “indifferent” to alkali, acids; does not rot, is not affected by the fungus. Rodents also bypass this insulation side;
fire resistance. Basalt wool can withstand temperatures up to 700 ° C. This protects the structure from complete destruction in the event of a fire and gives time for the evacuation of residents;
health safety. In the production, resins containing harmful substances (formaldehyde, phenol) are used. However, compliance with the technology involves their introduction into the composition of the insulation in a chemically bound state. Substances become completely neutral in relation to the environment and do not pose a danger to humans.

The better to cut mineral wool?

Professionals use a special machine to separate canvases and rolls. But many ask the question: “What is the best way to cut mineral wool in slabs at home to save money?”

Important! To cut mineral wool, use a hacksaw for metal or wood.

Cutting Roxul (Rockwool) for ceiling install. FASTEST!!

In everyday life, an assembly knife is used to cut the canvas. This tool has one drawback, because of the small blade, it is difficult for them to cut thick slabs. Therefore, I recommend using a clerical knife only for thin sheets. If this condition is not observed, then the canvases may become unusable.

Cutting mineral wool with a knife

Best Tools for Cutting Mineral Insulation:

A knife with a blade made of carbon steel. It is very easy to cut with such a product, in addition, its blade sharpens well and quickly. This knife needs a lot of care to avoid rusting. The basic rule of care is to wipe off the blade after washing.
A knife whose blade is made of stainless steel. There are teeth of different lengths on each side, so it is very easy to cut the mineral insulation of different sizes and thicknesses. The blade quickly plunges into the slab and cuts it efficiently. Sharp tip can even make indirect cuts.
Special machines. Such tools are able to cut the canvases along a flat mowing line and along a bend. This feature is very much appreciated in the industry. If you need to cut the cotton wool once, then there is no point in purchasing expensive equipment. the tool that is in the house will do.

Cutting mineral wool with a special saw

Note! Cotton wool scissors cannot be used.

For cutting cotton wool, it is advisable to use a special hacksaw for heaters or for metal. It is used to cut material that is less than 5 cm thick.

The blades of the tool you use to cut the cotton should always be well sharpened. In this case, the fibers from the cotton wool will be pulled out minimally. Manufacturers advise cutting the cotton wool before unrolling the roll.

Terms of use

Before starting work, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the manual for using the knife and ensure the safety of the installation in order to prevent both gross and minor mistakes and harm to your health. There are several basic rules.

Insulation should be cut at low ambient temperatures. in order to safely start cutting mineral wool, you will have to wear a special durable suit that will prevent skin contact with toxic material and its irritation.

To protect your hands from cuts and abrasions when carelessly cutting, cover them with rubber or silicone gloves.

The respiratory organs must be covered with a strong respirator, and the eyes must be protected with the help of special professional glasses, since glass particles of foam or mineral wool can get into the respiratory tract or into the mucous membrane of the eyes.

During the installation process, it is necessary to take short breaks and open windows to ventilate the room. If possible, it is best to work immediately in a well-ventilated room.

So that the heat-insulating material does not break off and particles fly off less from it, the cutting tool must necessarily be technically sound and well sharpened. To reduce the amount of dust in the air, the insulation should be cut along the location of the fibers.

In the process of cutting, you need to count on the remainder of a small layer about 2 cm long in order to ensure a tight overlap of the space to be insulated.

Mineral wool lends itself better to cutting before unfolding.

The mineral wool panels should be removed from the packaging box and cut one at a time so as not to accidentally damage its shape when transferring material from one place to another and when placing them on top of each other.

Already cut pieces of insulation cannot be simply thrown onto the floor or onto another piece, since a huge amount of foam fibers will immediately begin to rise into the air. The material should be handled with great care.

In addition, when carrying out installation work on your own, the best option would be to consult with specialists, since you may have to cut pieces of complex shape. Professional advice will help you avoid unnecessary waste of material. Manufacturers also advise you to start cutting the cotton wool before unrolling the roll, and to ensure even and accurate cuts, you must mark the material in advance with a ruler.

Residual insulation material need not be discarded. They will remain suitable for insulating storerooms, garages, sheds or other utility rooms. Plus, they can be recycled and sold at low cost for later use.

Upon completion of work, it is recommended to thoroughly wash your face and hands with soap and cool water.

For more information about knives for cutting insulation, see the video below.

What will we cut

On an industrial scale, special machine tools are used to cut mineral insulation. Consider how to cut mineral wool insulation yourself at home.

Often, an assembly knife is used to cut mineral wool. But it has one drawback. a short blade, which is not suitable for working with thick sheets of insulation. In addition, the blade dulls quickly and requires replacement.

Sometimes a special hacksaw is used for wood or metal, and craftsmen have found how to cut mineral wool at home. with a kitchen serrated knife for cutting a loaf.

It is important to create a safe working environment

it is better to cut the insulation in cold weather, since for work it is necessary to wear a protective suit made of dense fabric, which will prevent skin contact with mineral wool fibers and its irritation;
to protect hands, wear special gloves. with silicone or rubber dusting on the palms;
special glasses will be needed to protect the eyes;
respiratory organs will be protected by a respirator.

In addition, it is important to remember:

when working with this type of insulation, you need to periodically take a break, during which to ventilate the room;
the cut pieces must be shifted carefully, without throwing, in order to reduce the amount of fibrous suspension in the air;
there should be no children on the construction site at this time, even in protective equipment.

As you can see from the above, there is nothing super complicated in cutting mineral wool. Subject to the indicated rules, it will not be difficult to perform work efficiently and safely.

Mineral wool has the following advantages:

a wide range of products. Mineral wool is produced in the form of slabs, rolls or mats. Due to this, it is possible to choose the option that is best suited for the thermal insulation of a certain section of the building. Also, the types of mineral wool differ in density: the material in the form of slabs has a high density, and the roll insulation is lighter;

has high thermal insulation characteristics. Mineral wool has a porous structure. This material is made up of small layers. Due to this, it retains heat well, and also provides excellent sound insulation;

fire safety of the material. Minvata does not burn and does not spread fire. For this reason, it is often used for thermal insulation of interfloor ceilings. Mineral wool manufacturers claim that this material can withstand temperatures above 900 degrees Celsius;

mineral wool does not deform, and this is a very important advantage. This material does not shrink, therefore, there is no formation of “cold bridges” that cause heat loss;

frost resistance. This property allows the use of mineral wool for thermal insulation of the external elements of the building;

mineral wool is an environmentally friendly material. It is used for thermal insulation of health resorts and medical institutions, as well as children’s rooms.

This insulation is produced in various forms. plates, cylinders, mats; you can buy cotton wool covered with foil.

Mineral wool has features that cannot be called positive. These include:

low strength. This is due to the high porosity of mineral wool;

to ensure a high level of thermal insulation, this material should be used together with a waterproofing film and a vapor barrier membrane;

when using mineral wool with fiberglass, it becomes unsafe, since formaldehyde is added to it;

high hygroscopicity (therefore high waterproofing is done).

The waterproofing is not stretched, there is an air space between it and the cotton wool. There should be some air space in front of the skate, which will create additional traction.

Basalt insulation scheme.

thermal insulation and hydrophobization. The first parameter ranges from 0.042 to 0.048 W / mK. Other well-known insulation materials (for example, expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam) have approximately the same characteristics. Minvata is not able to accumulate moisture (hygroscopicity is less than 1%), which makes its weight unchanged. A distinctive feature can be called vapor permeability, which guarantees insulation and, at the same time, intensive moisture exchange between the external environment and the walls of the building;
density, strength. The insulation has a sufficient density (from 30 to 100 kg / m3), which guarantees high thermal insulation properties with optimal strength. The rigidity of the material is ensured by the direction of the fibers; they are located horizontally and vertically;
soundproofing. Good noise protection characteristics are achieved due to the porous structure of the cotton wool;
resistance to aggressive environment. Vata is “indifferent” to alkali, acids; does not rot, is not affected by the fungus. Rodents also bypass this insulation side;
fire resistance. Basalt wool can withstand temperatures up to 700 ° C. This protects the structure from complete destruction in the event of a fire and gives time for the evacuation of residents;
health safety. In the production, resins containing harmful substances (formaldehyde, phenol) are used. However, compliance with the technology involves their introduction into the composition of the insulation in a chemically bound state. Substances become completely neutral in relation to the environment and do not pose a danger to humans.

Are there any nuances in transportation and storage?

Mineral wool insulation should be stored in whole packages on a flat dry surface, the height of the stacks should not exceed 2 meters. Stacks are made in closed rooms protected from rain and moisture. If the mineral wool is stored outdoors, it must be covered with plastic wrap or tarpaulin.

Mats and insulation boards are transported horizontally in covered trucks. During transportation, the insulation must be protected from mechanical damage and precipitation. During loading, unloading and transportation, do not squeeze the material too much.

You need to unpack the mineral wool correctly. For this, the insulation is taken out of the package immediately before installation, which significantly reduces the risk of damage to the thermal insulation. Insulation packaging can be used on a construction site when laying out mineral wool (when you need to protect it from contamination), it is also suitable as bags for construction waste.

How to cut a mineral wool slab: an overview of knives and saws

Mineral wool is an artificial building material that is made for heat and sound insulation of residential buildings and industrial premises. The material is not afraid of fire, resistant to various weather conditions. For convenience, they are produced in rolls and mats. It is not enough to purchase insulation, it is also important to know how to work with it, this will be discussed below.

1 Recommendations on how to work with insulation
2 How to cut mineral wool in a roll
3 How to cut insulation

Correct material handling

Since the material is porous, brittle and hygroscopic, it must be handled appropriately.

When transporting and storing mineral wool, it is recommended to observe the following rules:

In the process of loading and unloading, do not throw packages, but stack them neatly, avoiding them falling and strong squeezing.
Transport bales in covered trucks, laying them horizontally on a flat bottom. Fix the insulation so that it does not hit the body walls.
Store products in dry, closed rooms. If this is not possible and it is stored outside, cover with a film or tarpaulin to protect it from precipitation.
Remove the slabs from the stack just before laying them. This will prevent moisture absorption and reduce the risk of accidental damage to the material.

The technology of insulation involves the installation of plates with spikes, with a compression of 1-2 cm on each side. Based on this, you need to cut the mineral wool with an error in size of no more than 0.5 cm.

Sources:

http://mailtrain.ru/uteplenie/chem-luchshe-rezat-mineralnuyu-vatu.html

Articles insulation, mineral, roll, wool