Proper insulation (with vermiculite in the walls). Advantages and disadvantages of modern heaters. Debunking marketing myths The better to insulate a house with perlite or vermiculite

Perhaps many have not heard of such a material - vermiculite insulation. Many gardeners will say that this is an excellent fertilizer, it improves the structure of the soil. Builders are mostly familiar with vermiculite as a fire protection material. metal structures. However, not many amateur builders are aware of the properties of this mineral, it's time to fill this gap.

This mineral was first discovered in 1824 in Massachusetts, but for almost 150 years no one knew about the usefulness of this stone. It took a century and a half of research to learn how to use the material. Large deposits vermiculite has been explored on all continents, its richest deposits are being developed in Russia - on the Kola Peninsula, in the Chelyabinsk and Irkutsk regions.

Vermiculite is a natural golden-brown mineral of a layered structure, it belongs to the group of hydromicas. The mineral owes its Latin name - “vermiculus” (worm or worm-like) to its appearance: when the mica deposit is heated to 900-1000 ° C, water evaporates and dehydrates, the stone changes, increasing 6-15 times, and forming worm-like threads or columns. The composition of the mineral includes zeolite water, oxides of potassium, magnesium, lithium, iron, chromium, manganese, aluminum, etc.

Sorting, separation into fractions and heating of the feedstock take place at the enrichment enterprises, as a result, expanded vermiculite is obtained.

During firing chemical composition stone does not change. Depending on the size of the fraction, the expanded material is divided into 6 grades:

No. 1 up to 0.5 mm - 0 (Super Micron);
#2-0.5mm (Micron);
No. 3–1 mm (Super fine);
No. 4–2 mm (Fine);
No. 5–4 mm (Medium);
No. 6–8 mm (Large).

Vermiculite of all grades is used in construction, aircraft manufacturing, energy, agriculture. The expanded mineral of large fractions is used in agronomy under the name "agrovermiculite" according to GOST 12865–67.

In addition to bulk vermiculite, expanded vermiculite is produced in the form of plates with a gradation of thickness from 20 to 60 mm and in the form of a paste.

Characteristics of vermiculite

The main characteristics of expanded vermiculite are presented in the table:

Fraction, mm	Thermal conductivity, W/m*K	Bulk weight, kg / m 3	Humidity, %	Sound absorption coefficient, at a frequency of 1 kHz
0.5	0.053	144	3	0,56-0,6
1	0.05	125	4	0,6-0,65
2	0.49	100	4	0,7-0,8
4	0.48	94	5	Same
8	0.045	87	3	Same

Main characteristics:

coarse fraction mineral approaches the values of mineral wool and extruded polystyrene foam, which makes its consumption in various insulating fillings economical. It must be borne in mind that the thermal insulation characteristics of slab vermiculite deteriorate due to the use of a large proportion of cement in them.
Hygroscopicity - the ability to retain moisture, this quality makes the material in demand in agriculture and brings additional trouble to builders, since in order to maintain heat-insulating properties, thorough waterproofing of the insulation and ventilation are necessary to allow water vapor to escape.
The sound absorption of vermiculite makes it possible to use boards and plasters in soundproof structures.
Fire resistance - the melting point of the mineral is above 1300 degrees, which makes it suitable for insulating hot pipes, chimneys, furnaces or fireplaces.
Environmental friendliness - raw materials and expanded vermiculite do not emit gases harmful to humans, do not pollute nature, are not radioactive, do not cause allergies.
Unattractive to rodents, absorbs marks due to hygroscopicity, and becomes unattractive to them.
Resistance to aggressive environments and bacteria.
Durability of use up to 60 years.

Vermiculite insulation is a high-quality, harmless and affordable heat insulator for residential, public and industrial construction.

Application of vermiculite

Vermiculite insulation can be used in a variety of ways:

As an insulating material in frame structures and well masonry. In this case, waterproofing is not required.
In warming backfills for floors, roofs and attics.
In warm masonry mortars during the construction of walls from cellular concrete blocks.
In plaster solutions - for additional insulation and soundproofing of external and internal walls and partitions.
Plates and plasters based on vermiculite for fire protection of load-bearing and enclosing metal structures.
In floor ties.
As a filler for decorative plasters.
In agriculture - to improve soil structure, mulching plantings and fertilizing.

Insulation of vertical structures

Insulation with vermiculite vertical structures backfilling is possible both during the construction of walls and during the operation of finished housing.

To insulate the walls, when performing well masonry, lay out the outer and inner parts of the wall, tying it with jumpers through 600-900 mm or laying reinforcing mesh after 4–6 rows of masonry, then the space between the walls is covered with vermiculite, lightly tamping.

Masonry made of hollow blocks can simply be insulated with vermiculite backfill.

For insulation of already erected buildings, for example, log cabin, from double beam, from OSB or chipboard, fiberboard, an additional partition is built at a distance of 100-150 mm, the space between the partition and outer wall also fill with vermiculite with light tamping. When performing such insulation, unfortunately, the area of \u200b\u200bthe premises decreases.

IMPORTANT: With a well-performed sealing of the insulation cavity, the use of a hydro- and vapor barrier layer is not required.

Insulation of horizontal structures

Horizontal structures - floors, attic floors, roof slopes with a slight slope can also be insulated with vermiculite backfill. To keep the backfill in working order, a vapor barrier from below and a waterproofing on top of the insulation layer are required.

When performing overlapping wooden lags, after installing the subfloor, a vapor barrier material is laid over the entire surface, fastening it at the joints with a special double-sided vapor barrier tape. The overlap of adjacent panels must be at least 15 cm.

Over the vapor barrier, the insulation is covered with a layer that provides a standardized resistance to heat transfer of 2.5 m2 * K / W (for middle lane Russia at least 17.5 cm). laid on top of the backfill waterproofing material and perform running decks on the attic floor or a clean floor in the interfloor floor.

ATTENTION! In order to save money, it is possible to insulate the structure with a mixture of vermiculite and sawdust in a ratio of 1:1, 3:2. The mixture will not lose its qualities as a heat insulator, and sawdust can be purchased at a bargain price.

Vermiculite in mortars and mixtures

On the basis of a fine fraction of vermiculite, masonry and plaster mixes. They can be purchased at ready-made or mix cement, sand and vermiculite on your own in a ratio of 1:0.5:2 to 1:1.25:1.75. The thermal conductivity coefficient of such a plaster mixture will be from 0.24 to 0.4 W / m * K.

On the ceiling of reinforced concrete slabs instead of backfilling are made of screeds from a light mortar with vermiculite aggregate. Such a screed, in addition to insulation, perfectly dampens noise. The technology for performing the screed is no different from the rules for screeding on beacons made of other materials.

Vermiculite plaster or slabs are an excellent fire retardant material, a layer 20–40 mm thick will provide fire protection for metal structures from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high hygroscopicity of the material, it is not recommended for use in the underground, moisture-saturated part of buildings - basements, foundations, ceilings above cold undergrounds.

Conclusion

Vermiculite is amazing universal material, with which it is easy to conduct a comprehensive insulation of the house from the first floor to the attic. The use of warm masonry mortar it will save the walls from cold bridges, the plaster will protect metal structures from fire, while at the same time insulating and protecting them from noise.

In the conditions of a cold winter and an abnormally hot summer heat, which the inhabitants of the central region of the Russian Federation faced, when building houses, the choice of insulation is extremely acute. But in fact, there are not many alternatives, because many heaters are of chemical origin and are harmful to health. Various cotton wools are very dusty and negatively affect breathing, while other options either disrupt air circulation, or become dwellings for rodents, or begin to rot after 3-5 years. Vermiculite is unique in this regard and will help both in the fight against cold and heat. That is what this article will be about. At the end of the article is short video on the use of vermiculite for pool insulation.

Before listing the reasons why vermiculite is used as a heater, let's recall its key properties for construction.

Natural and eco-friendly. Not an allergen. Not radioactive. Neutral pH
Easy
Absorbs moisture up to 5 times its weight
This prevents mold and mildew
Strives to stabilize both in cold and hot weather
Excellent fluidity that allows you to fill voids
Rodents don't like it
Reflects radiation (gamma radiation, cesium, cobalt)

Thermal conductivity of expanded vermiculite

The main factor influencing the ability of this characteristic depends on the fraction used. So, for example, coarse grains are much better. Below we present thermal conductivity data for vermiculite of various fractions based on 1 cubic meter.

fraction 0.5mm, 130kg. 0.0534kcal/m3/h at 25°C, at 100°C - 0.062
fraction 1mm, 120kg. 0.0522kcal/m3/h at 25°C, at 100°C - 0.059
fraction 2mm, 110kg. 0.0511kcal/m3/h at 25°С, at 100°С - 0.057
fraction 4mm, 95kg. 0.0483kcal/m/h at 25°C, at 100°C - 0.054
fraction 8mm, 65kg. 0.0461 kcal/m3/h at 25°C, at 100°C - 0.052

Thus, thermal conductivity at high temperatures is better for small fractions, and for private civil engineering it is better to use vermiculite of larger fractions, however, in the case of vermiculite concrete and its use for screeds, there are other recipes that we talked about in the corresponding one. For comparison, we present comparative data on the thermal conductivity of other building materials:

Vermiculite 0.04 - 0.062 W / m 2
Expanded clay - 0.12 W / m 2
Asbestos slab with cement 0.13 W / m 2
Foam concrete blocks from 0.14 to 0.18 W / m 2
The brick is hollow up to 0.56. Full-bodied from 0.6 W/m2
Reinforced concrete 1.6 W/m2

As can be seen from these comparisons, the thermal conductivity of expanded vermiculite is several times lower than even expanded clay. This makes it a unique insulator of its kind.

Ways of warming with vermiculite

Backfilling of roofs, roofs, attic floors and foam blocks.

most popular and effective method applications as a heater it is backfill. They fill up the voids of walls and foam blocks, roofs, attic floors, insulate the roof. In this method of application, vermiculite is significantly superior to classical expanded clay. It is much lighter and fills voids much better, because even the largest fractions are much smaller. Expanded clay does not really dampen noise, and vermiculite, which is soft in structure, is even used for soundproofing. It is very durable, does not rot, does not grow moldy and, on the contrary, prevents the formation of any rot and rodents do not like it. Unlike expanded clay, this is not slag with unknown dusty harmful impurities, and natural natural durable material.

When backfilling the roof, a layer of 10-20 centimeters is sufficient, depending on climatic conditions. However, it should be borne in mind that vermiculite is hygroscopic and holds moisture well, so if it is used for insulation attic floors, then the attic should be kept in a ventilated state. If you plan to use a fine fraction, then in order to protect the vermiculite from blowing away, you should use a film or cotton wool, as is done in the photo. It should be noted that the information provided by us is the results of tests, as well as practical advice and photos found on construction forums.

When backfilling between wall spaces

and air gaps brickwork during construction, we recommend varying the thickness of the vermiculite layer depending on the weather in the region and careful calculation of heat transfer. For example, in the regions of the North, the layer can reach 20-25 cm. However, even a 10 cm layer of vermiculite gives a huge effect. This will insulate and soundproof the wall like another wall one and a half bricks thick! For greater convenience, you can use vermiculite boards, but the cost of boards is much more expensive than expanded vermiculite. But at the same time, the plates can be used as an internal finishing material, which, in addition to insulation and sound insulation, will give a huge refractory effect and significantly increase fire protection in case of fire or fire. Such plates, depending on the thickness, can hold back the fire flame for several hours. At the same time, the golden color of these plates looks very aesthetically pleasing, thanks to which there are even fire-resistant decorative wallpapers, varnishes, plasters and vermiculite mastics.

For pipe insulation.

In this use of expanded vermiculite, it is placed under a corrugated or galvanized iron guard to keep it from getting wet. Vermiculite layer can be used with mineral wool so where it is impossible to carry out backfilling. However, you should not focus on the cotton wool itself, since the characteristics of vermiculite are much higher, so we use it only to hold very light vermiculite.

Underfloor heating, lightweight concrete, screed

To insulate the floor, vermiculite is mixed with cement in various proportions, however, due to the fact that it is often used in the foundation, special attention should be paid to the strength of such a mixture. That is why we paid special attention to this topic and devoted a separate article "" to vermiculite concrete and screeds based on it. From it you will learn at once about several ways of preparing a mixture of underfloor heating directly at the construction site.

Pool insulation

Recently, in the West, vermiculite as an insulating material has been used in the construction of swimming pools. Even though the water long time gives off its heat, this usually happens during the day, and it heats up directly from the sun. But the earth is usually cold, especially in our Russian latitudes, so the addition of vermiculite during the construction of the pool significantly insulates it. As a recipe for such a mixture, you can use the data on vermiculite concrete from the above article, however, take into account that more vermiculite can be added, since the load per unit area is slightly lower than when using vermiculite in the foundation. We also offer to look at the process of building such a pool using vermiculite.

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LLC "ROSVERMIKULIT"( All about vermiculite

Insulation vermiculite is a material that is widely used in construction and finishing work when erecting new buildings, carrying out capital and current repair work old buildings. It is used in the form of pressed boards, as a filler and as an additive in plaster mixes. It is used for floors, attics and ceilings. Insulation with vermiculite is carried out during the construction of pipeline systems and highways for various purposes, which significantly extends their service life. This has a positive effect on the operation of the equipment and pipe fittings installed for the smooth functioning of the entire system.

Technological features

Vermiculite in the form of plates and in bulk.

The main advantages of the material include:

fire resistance (1350 0 С);
density (not higher than 150 kg / m3);
low thermal conductivity (no more than 0.12 W / m * K);
resistance to aggressive environments, bacteria and does not form mold on the surface;
hygroscopicity;
the ability to absorb sound (sound absorption coefficient up to 0.8);
environmental friendliness;
service life (60 years).

Vermiculite insulation, user reviews of which are the most positive on the Internet, is a popular and affordable material. It is produced by manufacturers in granules of different fractions, as well as in the form of pressed plates of different thicknesses and overall dimensions. Depending on this, different technologies insulation, surface finishing and laying sound-absorbing barriers. Coarse fraction vermiculite serves as a filler in the manufacture of refractory concretes, and fine fraction as a filler.

Ways to insulate walls with vermiculite

View of a wall plastered with a mortar with the addition of vermiculite.

Vermiculite wall insulation is carried out in the process of erecting new buildings and objects of the old building, erected from different materials. Thermal insulation in bulk form can serve as a filler in the manufacture of heat-resistant concrete and is used for plastering surfaces. It is produced in different fractions (from 0.5 to 12 mm) and is sold in the distribution network in paper bags, most often weighing 25 kg.

Granular vermiculite can be poured into inter-wall voids. Pressed plates are fixed with special fasteners; they can be cut before installation. Plates can serve as good insulation when facing fireplaces, stoves, chimneys and pipes. Vermiculite for ceiling insulation additionally performs soundproofing functions in multi-storey buildings.

Vermiculite insulation, whose properties remain unchanged regardless of its type, is also used for plastering vertical surfaces. To do this, in certain proportions, it is added to concrete mixtures. You can make your own or buy ready-made ones. Comprehensive insulation of the house with vermiculite (walls, floors, attic) will save on heating bills.

Warming with vermiculite of the floor, attic

The technology of floor and attic insulation with vermiculite is the same. In this case, the thermal insulation is protected by special films. From the side warm room a vapor barrier is laid, and from the side of the street or an unheated attic - waterproofing.

When performing thermal insulation with vermiculite, the presence of waterproofing and vapor barrier is mandatory. At the same time, it is extremely important to correctly place these protective layers.

Pitched roof insulation

When insulating the floor, waterproofing is placed under the vermiculite.

With such insulation, it is important to choose the right thickness of the poured vermiculite. It depends on temperature conditions and ranges from 10 to 20 cm. Insulation technology pitched roof next:

a vapor barrier film is laid on the rafters;
granular vermiculite is poured;
it is covered with a layer of waterproofing and a counter-lattice is stuffed;
the roof is spreading;
internal cladding is carried out with any material.

Insulation vermiculite, whose properties are well studied, is modern material which has a wide range of applications. The feasibility of using vermiculite insulation is evidenced by reviews in more detail can be found in the following video:

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In order.

1. It is imperative to insulate the basement, to its entire height (both underground and above). As a heater, it is best to use EPPS, 100 mm. Brick walls underground are not needed, EPPS feels great and so (personally tested on many objects). I.e. You are doing waterproofing on the basement. It is best to melt two layers of roofing material. If for some reason roofing material is not possible, then at least two layers bituminous waterproofing. Then EPPS is glued on top (on cold bitumen). And that's it, you can fall asleep. EPPS at the same time protects waterproofing, it is very robust design. From the inside, the base can be processed with nothing.

2. In principle, the "pie" is correct, both in terms of layers and thicknesses. According to the calculation, just 100 mm of vermiculite for Moscow. Just slab heaters are more reliable. You can put 100 mm of foam plastic, or the same EPPS, into the wall. Mineral wool will require a gap of 3 cm between the wool and the cladding, this will thicken the wall. The dew point in the insulation, whatever you take (cotton wool, XPS, polystyrene or vermiculite). This is her normal position in such a wall, as it should be. Vermiculite will not directly "swell" from this moisture. Moisture is vented through the facing wall, this is quite enough for the normal functioning of the wall. No additional ventilation holes are needed. Why I recommend slab heaters. You see, I do not have an example (so that 10-15 years have passed) with walls with vermiculite. This is a rare solution. There are no statistics, good or bad. A with plate heaters There are tens of thousands of such examples.

Vapor barrier in the walls is not needed, waterproofing too.

3. Yes, be sure to finish the plinth with concrete. And insulate this concrete area, outside, 100 mm EPS (and on it or glue pieces facing brick, or plaster on the grid). And on this concrete it is already further to build a wall. Specifically, for this concrete "belt", I will ask Elena to add, reinforcement may be needed there. But this is not before we fully determine the design and thickness of the plinth and wall layers.

4. There are none special requirements. Do the finish you want.

Regarding the sound insulation of internal walls. They are made either from brick (250 mm) or from a block. Can do frame walls(drywall and inside mineral wool, 100 mm). In order to understand how best, I need to understand what kind of "noises" you are planning. If this is a normal household level, then nothing special is done. And if there is any one room where there will be noise, and you need to cut it off (for example, a music studio or workshop), then these are other solutions. Or, perhaps, on the contrary, there is one room in which there should be "complete silence", for example, an office for work - these are also certain structures. But this is not done "just like that" for the whole house. Clarify the situation, and then we will decide what to do.

Most heat insulators have one or more flaws - they are either fire hazardous, or expensive, or not environmentally friendly. Looking for the best option developers are often interested in the idea of using vermiculite in this role - a layered mineral that changes its structure at high temperatures and acquires new properties, at first glance - quite suitable for building insulation. How versatile is such a heater, does it have disadvantages, and how to use it correctly?

What is vermiculite and what is it used for? Like basalt wool, it is a natural mineral, while the composition does not contain a single component added directly to the production. Industrial processing is limited to heating up to 1000 degrees, as a result of which the crystals turn into scaly worm-like grains of various fractions. There is also a technology for the production of heat-insulating mixtures and vermiculite boards.

expanded vermiculite

Thermovermiculite as a building material - arguments for

Florists and gardeners are well aware of what vermiculite is, because they often use it as a substrate, mulching and aerating material. But for construction purposes it is used less frequently, although it has very interesting properties for this area.

Bulk insulation is not a habitat for fungi and rodents, does not cake and does not give such mechanical shrinkage as mineral wool.
Unlike penoplex, vermiculite has high vapor permeability and chemical resistance.
Compared to polystyrene, it wins in environmental friendliness, since it does not emit any harmful substances even when heated.
This material is not afraid of long-term transportation, as it does not weather and is not crushed into sand, like, for example, perlite.
He does not require special equipment for installation - fine-grained vermiculite easily penetrates into voids even complex shape, and you can fill it up both manually and with the help of a blown compressor unit.
The use of vermiculite backfill can very effectively cope with the problem of sound insulation (the sound absorption coefficient of the material at an average frequency of 1000 Hz is 0.48–0.8). Its presence in the design of a classic or floating floor, as well as in the composition of the plastering mixture, can reduce the level of external noise by 25%, which is quite acceptable if there are no increased soundproof requirements for the room.

Variant of thermal insulation of the passage of the chimney through the ceiling

Disadvantages of vermiculite - what can reduce its effectiveness

The richest deposits of vermiculite crystals were found in Russia - in the Murmansk, Chelyabinsk and Irkutsk regions, however, despite its domestic origin, it is quite expensive. For a 50-liter bag, the buyer will have to pay from 200 to 450 rubles, and 1 cubic meter of material will cost him 5-7 thousand rubles. Thus, the insulation of 1 sq. m surface with a layer of thermovermiculite 10 cm thick costs about 500–700 rubles.

To this amount, the cost of hydro and vapor barrier should be added, since vermiculite insulation is the leader among other materials in terms of water absorption: in direct contact with water, it easily absorbs it in a volume that exceeds its own by 4–5 times. Despite the fact that it is just as easy (subject to free access of air) and without loss of heat-insulating properties, it gets rid of excess moisture, the building material needs reliable waterproofing.

Certificate fire safety

In addition, it is difficult to determine the actual thermal conductivity in thermal engineering calculations, since its value strongly depends on the grain composition, grain density and moisture content. According to GOST, the manufacturer is obliged to determine the thermal conductivity of vermiculite on a quarterly basis and inform about the test results in the accompanying document.

Another disadvantage of expanded vermiculite as a heater is the small number of reviews confirming many years of positive experience in its use in this area. The environmental friendliness of vermiculite granules is also suspicious: the raw materials for their production may initially contain a dangerous carcinogenic mineral - asbestos. It is unacceptable for vermiculite to be contaminated with it, and its purity must be confirmed by an appropriate certificate.

Types of thermovermiculite products and their differences

Bulk vermiculite is supplied in 50 l paper or plastic bags. According to the requirements of the standard, the grains are divided into fractions depending on their diameter:

large - from 5 to 10 mm;
medium - from 0.6 to 5 mm;
small - up to 0.6 mm.

For agrotechnical purposes, large and medium fractions are used, and fine-grained vermiculite is used as a filling insulation. Depending on the density - 100, 150 or 200 kg / cu. m - it is divided into grades 100, 150 and 200. Since an increase in the density of the material leads to an increase in its ability to conduct heat, for better thermal insulation it is desirable to choose grade 100 vermiculite with a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.055.

The elasticity of vermiculite grains makes it possible to produce from them not only filling, but also various molded products (plates, shells, pipe segments, liners). These elements have exceptionally high temperature resistance, so they can be used to protect various designs both from hypothermia and overheating.

Table of characteristics of plates

It should be noted that due to changes in the composition and density specifications Vermiculite slabs are significantly different from expanded vermiculite. For example, the lower temperature threshold for their use rises (up to -50 degrees) and the coefficient of thermal conductivity increases (0.12 W / (m ° C)). This leads to their predominant use as a refractory coating, rather than heat or sound insulation.

The dimensions of the plates are not regulated by the standard, and enterprises offer a wide variety of standard sizes:

plates can have a length of 600 to 1200 mm, a width of 300 to 600 mm and a thickness of 20 to 100 mm;
blocks differ in dimensions of 300x300x120 mm or 600x600x120 mm.

Also, based on vermiculite, plaster solutions are produced, which, in comparison with sand mixtures have high porosity, provide better noise protection, save heat much more efficiently. All this together allows to reduce the thickness of the plaster layer by 2-3 times.

The use of vermiculite materials in construction

After analyzing the properties of the mineral, it becomes clear that loose vermiculite insulation is a very promising building material, with which you can reduce the material consumption of structures and get rid of unproductive heat costs, while providing sound insulation, long-term fire protection and decorative effect. The safety, strength and durability of vermiculite products allow them to be used both outside and inside the building.

Thermal and thermal insulation from expanded vermiculite

The first thing vermiculite is used for is the insulation of the walls of a building. A heat-insulating backfill with a thickness of 20 cm is equal in thermal conductivity to a two-meter concrete or one and a half meter brick wall. Particularly effective is the insulation of the facade made with well masonry, since a 5-cm layer of vermiculite backfill can reduce heat loss by 75% (data are given for the Krasnodar Territory).

In addition, vermiculite is quite suitable for solving other construction tasks:

thermal insulation of attics, ceilings and roofs;
thermal protection of chimney pipes, pipelines, industrial equipment;
arrangement of heat-resistant casings and partitions, for example, for facing fireplaces.

Backfilling vermiculite on the attic floor

Plastering the walls with a cement-vermiculite compound from the outside protects them from bad weather and sudden temperature changes, prevents mold and insect damage. Plaster insulation mixtures are also relevant for interior decoration: their layers are applied with familiar tools, easily overwritten and acquire an aesthetic appearance. It makes sense to add vermiculite to masonry concrete mixes so that it prevents heat loss through the seams.

You can fully use expanded vermiculite for the floor: it is recommended to include it in the composition concrete mortar for pouring the screed, as well as for laying warm and self-leveling floors. Thus, a significant reduction in bulk density is achieved, an increase in the reliability of the coating and a reduction in material consumption. However, vermiculite is not suitable for insulating underground and ground floors, because it does not have the proper level of hydrophobicity.

Vermiculite boards

Vermiculite backfill and soundproofing mats

Due to its structure, loose vermiculite is able to create an environment that not only reflects, but absorbs and diffuses sound. The specific value of the absorption of sound waves depends on the frequency of their oscillations, as well as the thickness of the layer, the shape and fraction of the grains. The maximum can be achieved with a backfill thickness of 50 mm or more, but to simultaneously solve the problem of thermal insulation, the thickness should be increased to 80–150 mm.

To create a soundproof layer on the walls, you can fix vermiculite boards - they also help well in the fight against household and technical noise, but at the same time they are easy to cut along the right size using a woodworking tool and quickly attach to the finished surface with standard fasteners or high temperature adhesive. The plate can be processed with any paints or veneered decorative materials.

Technologies for laying vermiculite building materials

Work with mineral insulation is not difficult or harmful - according to the degree of impact on human body vermiculite coating, according to GOST 12.1.007-76, belongs to class IV (low-hazardous substances). To prevent dust from entering the eyes and respiratory organs, before using vermiculite, the worker should protect them with goggles and a respirator. Provided that the building material is stored in dry enclosed spaces, its shelf life is unlimited.

Thermal insulation of building envelopes with bulk vermiculite

Insulation of the roof structure and ceilings

To protect the attic ceiling and surface pitched roof from heat leaks, you must follow a simple algorithm:

inner lining overlap with a vapor-tight film that will prevent moisture from entering the vermiculite from the inside.
Pour dry vermiculite into the formed cavities in the roof frame.
On top of it, lay a windproof superdiffusion membrane, the task of which is to prevent the weathering of the material and at the same time allow the fumes to circulate freely.
Install the counter-lattice and make the roofing flooring.

The scheme of insulation of attic floors, in principle, is similar:

Reliable waterproofing is laid on the filing between the beams.
The lag system is mounted, with a layer of 100–150 mm.
A bulk insulation for the floor is introduced, which must be immediately covered with a vapor-permeable film.
After installing the plank or plywood flooring, the floor is ready for fine finishing.
To reduce the cost of the material, vermiculite can be mixed with sawdust in a ratio of 1:1 or 3:2.

Frame insulation layout wooden walls

How to securely insulate hollow walls

Backfilling of vermiculite into the walls is possible at the stage of their construction using frame or well technology or in the process of external insulation. To do this, as the construction bearing wall and the facing layer, the space between them is filled with vermiculite granules with light tamping. Approximate layer thickness - 100 mm (for Moscow). Additional vapor and waterproofing is not required, ventilation gaps in the outer wall are also not needed.

Another way to create an insulated wall is to fill the cavities of building blocks with vermiculite. The heat-insulating effect of such a design increases dramatically, and free vapor exchange in the wall is not disturbed, and it remains light and breathable. If necessary outer wall can be even more insulated if it is erected from concrete panels based on quick-hardening cement with the addition of loose insulation for walls.

Proportions of solutions for screeds

Making and applying mortars

Warming with dry vermiculite is a rather expensive solution, therefore, in private construction, they prefer to add this material to the composition of building and finishing mixtures. To prepare a solution for a thermally insulated screed, you need to stock up on standard M400 Portland cement, sand and fine or medium fraction vermiculite. Due to its high water absorption, the solution must be used up within 30 minutes of mixing.

For reliable insulation of the ceiling above an unheated space, 100 mm screeds are usually enough, and for floors 30 mm is enough. It must be remembered that the flooded ceiling due to the small mass fraction cement does not have frost resistance, therefore, such screeds are recommended only for heated rooms.

Recipe for plaster mortars for outdoor use

To plaster the walls from the inside, you can use the same composition, and for them outdoor processing the proportions of the solution should be slightly changed. Both external and internal plasters have high vapor permeability, which contributes to the normal self-regulation of the internal microclimate. Warm plasters based on vermiculite, they have a natural golden or silver sheen, but if desired, a pigment of the desired shade can be added to their composition.

Plaster for interior decoration: C - cement, I - lime, G - clay, V - vermiculite

When laying walls, it is advisable to use modern thermal insulation materials (gas, foam blocks, vermiculite concrete), and the seams between them should be made of masonry mortar with a low thermal conductivity. You can knead it using the same vermiculite, having previously decided on the optimal composition.

Thus, the demand for vermiculite in construction is obvious: excellent manufacturability and a unique combination of properties bring vermiculite backfill and slabs to the fore among fire-resistant insulation. A fairly significant obstacle to expanding the scope of their application is only a high price, but the increase in production gives hope that it will be eliminated in the near future.