Laying ecowool on the ceiling with your own hands

Combination of ecowool with various insulation technologies

There are two main technologies for insulating houses:

1. Installation of an additional layer of insulation to the base material from which the shell of the house is built
2. Incorporation of insulation into load-bearing structures.

Essentially, there are two options for building houses - from a monolithic material, such as brick, wall block or wooden beams, and from composite materials of walls and ceilings.

Monolithic materials are a good conductor of heat and, accordingly, do not retain heat well in the house. Additional insulation of monolithic walls is carried out by installing insulation from the inside or outside of the walls and ceilings.

However, for this case, a roll-adhesive method of applying ecowool has been developed, which will be discussed below.

A different situation is observed in frame buildings. The insulation here serves as an element of frame blocks that ensure the structural stability of the frame.

In its most general form, the frame consists of hollow frames into which insulation is mounted and where it is held in place by sheathing sheets. Obviously, retaining bulk material between two partitions is quite possible. This has long been one of the ways to insulate panel houses, when loose insulation - from sand to expanded clay - was poured between two panels.

Filling ecowool into wall formwork

In general, it can be noted that ecowool insulation is possible for both technologies.

Wet-glue method of ecowool insulation

The wet-glue method of spraying ecowool differs from its simple wet spraying in that a small amount of PVA glue is added to the water for moistening. Thanks to this wood glue, it is possible to significantly increase the ability of thermal insulation to be retained on vertical surfaces, that is, not just sticking, but gluing to them. PVA glue does not contain substances harmful to humans; in addition, it has sufficient elasticity. This method allows us to insulate vertical surfaces along its entire plane, regardless of its height, and also increases the sound insulation performance of insulated walls. When sprayed, moistened ecowool fibers fill all chips and cracks, and also easily hide all the complexity of intra-wall communication, and any unevenness protruding beyond the sheathing after spraying, the thermal insulation is cut off using a special electric roller, making the insulated surface absolutely flat. Next, after the thermal insulation dries, the installation of external structures occurs. This method is very relevant when insulating surfaces with a very complex structure.

Characteristics and properties

Characteristics and properties

Thermal insulation materials have various characteristics that determine their properties and consumer qualities.

Ecowool is quite light due to its low density: 32-67 kg/m3.

Cellulose fibers have low thermal conductivity λ = 0.0312-0.043 W/m*C, which guarantees high thermal insulation properties of the material.

The insulating coating is completely fireproof and has a flammability group of G2 (moderately flammable) in accordance with GOST requirements. In addition, ecowool belongs to the category of non-flammable materials with low smoke generation.

The material is slightly breathable, which makes it possible to retain heat inside the room as efficiently as possible, thanks to minimal air movement through the insulation layer.

Ecowool is vapor-tight and has low wetting ability and sorption moistening.

It is also important that ecowool is a very passive medium for corrosion processes and does not cause oxidation of metals directly in contact with it.

In addition to thermal insulation properties, ecowool has sound insulation properties due to the good absorption capacity of the cellulose fibers of the material.

This thermal insulation material meets all the basic requirements for a modern insulation product.

Origin and manufacturers

The thermal properties of cellulose were familiar to people back in the century before last. It was then that thermal insulation technology based on recycled paper was patented. But such trends reached the post-Soviet space relatively recently, only in the 1990s. The fine fraction of cellulose fibers is crushed and foamed in production, but the matter does not end there. The mass must be treated with antiseptic and fire-retardant compounds that suppress rotting and inflammation and prevent the material from molding.

The environmental purity of the material is not compromised by special processing - this is a product that is produced only with natural ingredients. Flame suppression is provided by borax, occupying up to 12% of the mass. To prevent ecowool from rotting, it is necessary to use up to 7% boric acid. In Russia there are now about a dozen companies producing ecological wool. The main positions in the market are occupied by Ekovata LLC, Urallesprom, Promekovata, Vtorma-Baikal, Equator and some others.

Do-it-yourself home insulation

If it is necessary to insulate a private country house or country house, it is possible to lay the material manually. It is necessary to fluff the ecowool using a drill and a special nozzle, then carefully apply the insulation to the surface of the walls with a spatula or small spatula and lightly compact the cellulose mass. Among the advantages of manually insulating the walls of a house with ecowool, we note the simplicity of the technology, as well as a significant reduction in material consumption. The average consumption will be 44 kilograms per cubic meter.

The algorithm for do-it-yourself insulation with ecowool will be as follows:

1. A vapor barrier or kraft paper is pre-attached to the insulated wall surface.
2. Ecowool is removed from the packaging and placed in a specially prepared capacious container.
3. Using an electric drill and a mixing attachment, the material is given the required volume.
4. You can lay ecowool with a spatula, after which the insulation is carefully leveled.
5. It usually takes two to three days for the surface to dry and harden.
6. After the ecowool has completely hardened, you can begin installing the final decorative coating.

Ecowool is a modern, inexpensive and high-tech insulation material that is efficient and easy to use. There are several common technologies for insulating the walls of a private house using this insulator. Homeowners can do all the work themselves, ensuring the necessary comfort and coziness of living in a country house or country cottage.

Among the insulation materials we are familiar with, such an advantageous and easy-to-use material as ecowool is still rarely used. Just a decade ago, the majority of residents in our country did not even know about this insulation option. Actually, production facilities appeared only in the 93rd year of the last century.

So what is the main advantage of this thermal insulation material and what are the disadvantages of ecowool? Let's start in order. First, let’s define what it is, then consider the options for its use and scope. In conclusion, we will describe options for the industrial installation method and options for independent use.

How to insulate with ecowool?

Ecowool can be used for insulation in three ways.

1. Dry filling. As a rule, horizontal surfaces are insulated using this method. For example, in the photo they insulate the floor by placing ecowool between the joists:

If there were ceiling beams instead of floor joists, it would look exactly the same.

This is how the roof is insulated:

Apparently, there is a residential attic under the roof.

2. The second way to insulate ecowool is by mixing it with a special paste. After which the wet mass is applied to the insulated wall:

In the photo, ecowool is sprayed onto the wall with a special “vacuum cleaner”.

In the same way, having obtained a viscous wet mass, you can insulate the wall along the frame:

Here we do without expensive equipment, but simply throw on the wet mass, like any other plaster solution, and level it, using the frame slats as beacons. Decorative trim is then attached to the same slats.

This solution has a higher density than dry ecowool, so the thermal conductivity is greater. But it is more convenient to insulate vertical structures this way and you can be sure that such “plaster” will not “sag” later, which means that cold bridges will not appear.

3). The third method is to insulate the walls, again using the frame, but without paste. We are talking about simply filling ecowool inside the wall pie. How to do this, what the risks are and how to avoid mistakes, read on.

So, even without considering myself too much of an expert, I did not find that there are any disadvantages of ecowool in terms of ease of use for insulation.

Wet method of insulation with ecowool

During wet installation, ecowool is laid on open horizontal structures, both in the space between the beams and on absolutely smooth and flat horizontal surfaces. Laying the material on the surface involves moistening it, that is, making it heavier. Ecowool, passing through a special nozzle, is wetted and placed on an insulated horizontal plane, losing its lightness, so to speak, and sticking to surfaces. Moistening the cellulose insulation is necessary to activate the natural component found in cellulose - lignin, due to which the crumbly cellulose sticks together as it dries, forming a single seamless layer of thermal insulation. Backfilling moistened (weighted) ecowool over the insulated surface is very important when the wind affects the insulated surface.

Methods of use

You can insulate a house using ecowool in various ways. Industrial options involve spraying slightly moistened ecowool directly onto the insulated surface, and laying dry ecowool in the frame, pumped using powerful compressors. You can also effectively insulate a small building, such as a garage or country house, manually, but this will take a little longer and increase material consumption.

Wet method

Wet application of ecowool

In the wet method, lignin acts as an adhesive. Moistened ecowool easily adheres to walls made of any material, forming a layer of insulation with a density in the range of 50-65 kg/m³. This option is excellent for insulating brick block buildings. It is enough to lath the walls using a metal profile or wooden beam, which is preferable, and apply the material using special equipment. In this case, the fluffy cotton wool is wetted directly at the nozzle exit with a small amount of water and fed to the surface under pressure.

This type of ecowool installation is the most productive and easy to use. The disadvantage is the need to use fairly expensive equipment.

For application on complex surfaces and suspended structures, as well as when insulating ceilings, adhesives are additionally added to the water below for moistening, which will enhance the adhesion of ecowool, in addition to lignin.

All excess material is cut off level and dried, after which it is ready for reuse. Actually, with any method of installing ecowool, there is no waste left, because it can be reused.

Video: applying ecowool using special equipment

Dry method

As a classic option, ecowool can fill prepared niches in walls and sheathing cells on floors in dry form. In this case, you need to fluff it up using a nozzle for stirring solutions and a drill in a bulk plastic container, and fill all the necessary places with bulk. It is enough to compact it until it begins to absorb forces. In order to comply with the rules and regulations for insulating ecowool with your own hands, you must adhere to a simple formula:

m – required mass of ecowool;

S – area of ​​the insulated cell;

L – thickness of the insulation layer;

P – required density of insulation.

Insulation using a compressor

For horizontal distribution, the density is chosen to be 45 kg/m³, for vertical distribution – 65 kg/m³.

The industrial method of distributing ecowool involves pumping the fluffy material with a compressor. The sheathing is completely covered with sheathing material, film or craft paper. At the top point of the structure there is a hole for mounting the supply hose. Under the influence of pressure and air flow, ecowool is blown into all, even minor, recesses of the cell to the top. Once filling is complete, the hole is sealed.

Insulation of a wooden house with ecowool: a mechanized method

This method of insulation with ecowool is the most appropriate for carrying out the work. Compared to the manual method, it has undeniable advantages.

This:

• high efficiency;
• installation speed;
• minimizing possible errors caused by the human factor.

With the help of specialized blow molding equipment, this thermal insulation material can be used in three different ways: wet, wet-adhesive and dry.

Let us dwell in more detail on each of these.

Insulation of a frame house: dry application

Spraying the material using the dry method is usually used to insulate horizontal and inclined surfaces, to fill closed cavities in walls, to process non-demountable structures and interfloor ceilings.

The essence of this method is as follows:

• 
  It is necessary to make a hole in a closed cavity. It may not necessarily be limited to a rigid structure, but also to membrane waterproofing, sheathing material or special kraft paper. It is better to make the hole at the very top of the structure.

• A sleeve is inserted into the gap, through which a mixture of air and heat insulator will flow there under the required pressure.
• When passing through the existing cracks, the air pulls with it ecowool particles, which have a fleecy structure, thanks to which they cling to all sorts of irregularities, as well as to each other.
• The result is a kind of plug made of compacted material, firmly filling all existing cracks.
• The cavity is completely filled with a mass of insulation with the required density, then the hole is closed in any possible way.
• Using the same method, you can spray dry material onto horizontal surfaces, although the latter do not have to be completely insulated;
• The required density of ecowool for horizontal filling is 45 kg/cubic meter. meter, with a vertical one this figure is 65 kg / cubic meter. meter.

Wall insulation: wet method

Wet ecowool adheres well to the wall.
This type of spraying is used for insulating vertical open structures and walls of frame (and other) buildings. The moistened mass of ecowool instantly adheres to the surface of walls of any composition, forming a monolithic seamless layer, the density of which ranges from 50 to 65 kg/m3. meter. The excellent “stickiness” of the material is ensured by the natural component lignin, which is famous for its special adhesiveness.

The thickness of the walls with the material allows you to prepare with your own hands a house that has a unique technology and reasonable design of the walls of a frame house, which will provide warmth: the floor, attic, attic, roof and roof of a private house.

This “wet” method is excellent for insulating finishing of block and brick buildings, which is carried out in accordance with the instructions developed for this:

• First you need to lath the walls using a steel profile or wooden beam.
• Moistened ecowool is sprayed onto the open wall space, between individual frame structures, using specialized equipment.
• At the exit from the nozzle of this equipment, pre-fluffed cotton wool is slightly moistened with water and supplied under pressure to the surface to be treated.
• The drying material becomes quite elastic and very plastic. It reliably adheres to all surfaces and structures, including wiring and other communications, forming a monolithic seamless layer that is not afraid of deformation.
• Excess material is cut off. After drying, it can be reused. It turns out that the installation of ecowool is carried out without the generation of waste, since all unnecessary surplus is put back into use.

Ceiling insulation: wet-glue method

It's not too different from the previous one. The main difference is that special adhesive components are added to the water-wetting material, which significantly increase its adhesive properties.

The advantages of this method are the high elasticity of the material, the absence of harmful components in its composition, as well as extremely low deformation after drying.

This method is used for insulation from below the surfaces of ceilings and various horizontal surfaces, access to which is difficult, for applying the material to thin-walled and complex surfaces, hanging structures. With its help, ecowool can even be used to process various vertical surfaces, but this is not very practical. The technique of such insulation is actually no different from the wet method described earlier.

Necessary equipment

Blowing installation for ecowool
For the industrial method of installing ecowool, specialized equipment is required. Many different types of blow molding machines are presented on the domestic market. However, it is quite possible to produce the required equipment on your own. Both industrial equipment and those made by hand are similar in their composition and have the same operating principle. What is included in the devices?

• Bunker for storing raw materials. For this purpose, you can use plastic containers, various barrels, and cases from “vintage” washing machines.
• Turner. With its help, the compressed material fluffs up before use. To do this, you can take a regular construction drill equipped with an attachment for mixing paints.
• The deposition is necessary for vigorous and rapid injection of material. You can use household vacuum cleaners in this role.
• Corrugated flexible pipes with a diameter of five to ten centimeters. They are used as output channels during spraying.
• For wet installation - a set of hose, pump and nozzles.

To independently manufacture a blow molding device, you will have to spend an average of 18 to 32 thousand rubles. Industrial devices can cost from 180 thousand rubles to 600, depending on their power and performance.

Of course, factory equipment has much higher power than homemade devices. However, for a one-time use it would be quite practical to make the unit with your own hands.

When choosing a material for insulating a house outside and inside, it is recommended to pay close attention to ecowool. Convincing arguments in its favor are the excellent combination of technical and operational qualities, fire safety, environmental friendliness, extreme biological stability, and virtually waste-free installation . In addition, all manipulations for using this insulation will cost significantly less than when using other materials for thermal insulation.

Advantages of the material

Undoubtedly, each material has a number of advantages over others. What are the advantages of ecowool?

Elastic and elastic cellulose fibers in ecowool (unlike mineral fibers used for the production of other insulation materials) do not shrink the material over time.

Ecowool Extra

The thermal insulation layer, made according to all the rules using ecowool, is more durable. Among other things, the thermal insulation properties do not deteriorate over time, which cannot be said about some other materials.

This coating is completely hygienic, hypoallergenic and non-toxic, and is also safe for humans and animals throughout the entire life of the building. Due to special processing, the components that make up ecowool remain non-toxic even with significant heating, without emitting harmful volatile gases.

Structure of mineral wool and ecowool

In the event of a fire, ecowool will not only not ignite, but will also actively localize the fire, preventing its further spread. Belonging to the category of substances that are difficult to ignite, the material does not melt or burn even at high temperatures. The decay of cellulose fibers is safe for humans and nature, and when the source of fire is eliminated, the process stops immediately.

Ecowool is fireproof

Ecowool is hygienically resistant and not susceptible to rotting, mold, various fungi and bacteria. The biostability of the insulation also extends to the materials in contact with it; their physical, chemical and consumer qualities are preserved.

It is known that concrete and brick without special treatment over time under the influence of microorganisms can be subject to destruction processes at the cellular level, which in turn can negatively affect the condition of walls, interpanel seams or window openings, causing freezing or icing of certain areas. The use of ecowool can significantly minimize this risk.

Insects and rodents do not grow in the heat-insulating layer of ecowool. Cellulose fiber and an admixture of boron are an unacceptable environment for their habitat, due to the property of boron to block the respiratory tract, causing swelling of the mucous membranes and, as a result, the death of the rodent. For certain regions, this is perhaps the only way to protect your home from rats and mice.

The fine-fiber structure is capable of filling all the voids and recesses of the room being treated, regardless of the building material, which makes it possible to build a soundproofing wall and allows you to at least double the sound insulation in comparison with mineral wool slabs, reducing to zero the transmission of sound waves through gaps and cracks in walls, floors or ceilings . No other material can provide this.

Ecowool for home

High moisture-resistant properties and low vapor permeability make it possible to accumulate and remove moisture from the hollow capillaries of the material fibers without the latter losing its qualities. Ecowool is hygroscopic, which means it does not accumulate micro-condensation, regardless of weather and climatic conditions, which prevents rotting of internal wooden floors.

The ability of the material to “breathe” makes it possible to install ecowool without using an additional vapor barrier layer, without worsening the microclimate of the building.

Ecowool allows you to obtain an even, seamless contour of thermal insulation, in which the insulation fills all hard-to-reach places and irregularities without the formation of temperature bridges.

Ecowool quality

Installation of the material is waste-free, which certainly reduces the cost of work.

Laying the insulation layer can be done at any time of the year, regardless of temperature conditions. The installation process itself is easy and technologically advantageous - there will be no waste of material. In addition, this heat-insulating composition is distinguished by high speed of installation work.

Thermal insulation ecowool

Ecowool allows for “additional insulation” during major repairs without dismantling the existing insulation layer.

In addition, ecowool can be reused without any processing.

The use of ecowool allows you to reduce heating costs in winter by 2-3 times. And keep your home cool by 30-40% in the summer.

This material is universal and can be used on any surface - vertical, horizontal or inclined.

Ecowool floor insulation technology

As a rule, the floor design with some non-fundamental differences looks like this:

• The base of the floor is filled with concrete mortar or remains earthen;
• Next, the subfloor is made up of wooden logs;
• The bottom side is lined with a vapor barrier film (this option is required if the floor is earthen);
• The underside of the subfloor can be additionally covered with a layer of moisture-resistant plasterboard;
• Ecowool is manually poured on top without tamping (see below for the mechanical method of blowing);
• A finishing layer of floorboards, OSB, DSP or laminate is laid on top of the wooden logs and insulation;
• When mechanically blowing ecowool, special technological holes are used in the floor, which has already been laid with the top finishing layer. After the insulation is blown into the cavity between the joists, the technological holes are closed.

This technology allows for seamless insulation of the floor of a country house. Ecowool fills the entire space, covering all communications and electrical cables laid along the base of the floor. After insulation, there are no gaps left between the communication elements and the floor.

Ecowool belongs to the G-2 flammability class and, if wiring in the floor catches fire, it prevents the spread of fire, since it does not burn, but smolders.

Cellulose insulation is not suitable for insects and rodents due to their intolerance to the natural component - borax. This gives the home additional comfort and sanitary safety.

Selection of equipment for installation of ecowool

Before laying, the raw materials must be fluffed to a uniform consistency. Only in this state does it have the necessary insulating characteristics. Mechanization of the process involves the use of special devices that automatically loosen the material and supply it along with air through the pipe to the ceiling.

A typical blow molding device design looks like this:

• Platform on which the engine, gearbox, blower and other components are mounted.
• Electric motor with gearbox - can be two or three stages. This scheme allows the buyer to choose products based on performance and power. Typically, the power plant operates on a low current, which ensures the machine is silent and durable.
• Gateway - designed to capture cotton wool and fluff it up. From it the working mass is fed into the hose.
• Funnel - for loading material into the device.
• Damper - allows you to regulate its flow into the gateway.
• Baking powder - fluffs the compressed substance.
• Remote control - to control the installation. In many products, you can change the speed of movement of biomass and its supply remotely.
• Emergency switch - for quickly stopping the machine.

Specifications

The quality of insulation with environmental wool is determined by technical characteristics that meet the performance of a modern insulation product.

Might be interesting

The ecowool insulation medium does not affect metal coatings and does not cause corrosion. There is also no fiber shrinkage.

The best ecowool: how to choose a manufacturer and check the quality

Any ecowool has the same composition. Therefore, if ecowool production technologies are followed and good equipment is used for this, then there is no particular difference between materials from different manufacturers. The quality can be affected by raw materials, storage method, delivery, etc. You can determine high-quality ecowool yourself

Here are a number of points to pay attention to when choosing insulation:

The equipment greatly influences the quality of ecowool

The color should be a uniform gray. There should not be any yellow or other shades in the form of inclusions. Their presence may indicate improper use of antiseptics and fire retardants. And also about uneven mixing of the material.

Ecowool should have no smell. This applies to both dry and moist material. If ammonium sulfate was used instead of boric acid and borax, then when such ecowool is moistened, an ammonia smell will appear. It is better to refuse to purchase such a product.

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The consistency of ecowool should be uniform and free of dust and large particles of paper. Since this means that the insulation was produced using poor equipment. And over time, such a product can shrink a lot.

The appearance of the heat insulator should be comparable to ordinary down. If you take a handful of material in your hand, it should not crumble, but remain in the form of a single lump.

The best ecowool should have a uniform consistency

In addition to paper, ecowool should contain boric acid and borax. In appearance they look a little like salt crystals. And if you crush a handful of ecowool in your hands, then the presence of these crystals on your hand will indicate the correct composition of the material.

Confirmation of product quality is ensured by the availability of certificates of compliance with fire safety and sanitary standards.

Well, an important factor influencing which ecowool to choose is brand awareness. World-famous companies or those that are very popular in their markets will always monitor the quality of their products. Below are a number of brands that have gained the trust of users both in their countries and abroad:

Popular ecowool manufacturers monitor the quality of their products

• Isofloc, Climacell, Steico (Germany);
• EkoVilla, Termex (Finland);
• Isofiber (Norway);
• ECOCELL, Greenfiber (USA);
• IGLOO Cellulose (Canada);
• Unisol (Ukraine);
• GreenWool, Nanovata, Equator (Russia).

Laying ecowool on the ceiling with your own hands

Ceiling insulation with ecowool is the application of loose cellulose mass to a horizontal ceiling to form a heat-insulating layer. The structure of the material makes it possible to mechanize operations, which reduces work time and improves the quality of coating. We’ll talk about the most popular options for creating a protective shell in our article.

Ecowool is a fragmented thermal insulation material made from thin wood fibers and special substances that improve the performance qualities of cellulose. In most cases, waste paper, fire retardants (boric acid) and sodium tetraborate, which protects against rotting, are used for its production.

The applied coating retains its quality even in high humidity, so it is often used in places where condensation is possible. To maintain the insulating properties of the product, the room must be equipped with good ventilation to remove excess moisture from the insulator. It is not recommended to apply raw materials to the basement ceiling.

The product goes on sale packaged in briquettes or bags. The substance is compacted at the production stage to reduce volume during transportation, and before work it is fluffed manually or with special devices.

Floors are insulated in two ways - wet and dry. The first option allows you to apply ecowool to the ceiling from below, using the adhesive properties of the wet substance. To do this, lignin is added to the composition, which gives the material adhesive properties. Using a special device, the raw material is sprayed over the surface and adheres to it. With the dry method, it is placed in cells on the outside of the ceiling.

Blow molding machines are used to cover large areas with ecowool. Their task is to loosen the compacted material and deliver it to the place of installation. Fluffing is a necessary operation. Only whipped ecowool does not allow heat to pass through.

The diagram of the machine for working with bulk mass looks like this:

Base for placing the power plant, gearbox, pipeline and other assembly units;

An electric motor with a gearbox that allows you to regulate the supply of the mixture;

A gateway through which the mass enters the work area;

Baking powder for fluffing briquettes;

Corrugated hose for supplying raw materials to the ceiling;

• Switch for emergency stop of the device.

Depending on the power of the electric motor, the units last for several classes. Professional devices pump at least 700 kg of ecowool and have a large number of functions. Semi-professional machines can process up to 80 bags of product per shift. The cheapest units are used in small areas. Often the material is fed into such devices manually.

The bulk mass has many advantages, thanks to which users prefer it to other products:

The insulating “pie”, in addition to its main function, well soundproofs the room.

If the installation technology is followed, the composition does not sag and forms an elastic mass that retains its qualities for a long time.

Special agents are added to the product to repel fungus and mold. Mice don't like the material.

The coating does not allow heat to pass through at its own humidity of 20 percent. When laying, vapor barrier protection is not needed.

The mixture completely fills the cavity intended for it. There are no cold bridges left.

When working with the product and during operation, problems sometimes arise that the home owner should be aware of:

Before insulating the ceiling with ecowool, you need to spend a lot of time creating blown cavities.

The technology for recycling waste paper is quite complex and requires the use of special equipment, which increases the cost of the product.

The material does not burn when exposed to open fire, but does smolder, so it is not recommended to use it in fire hazardous areas.

Ceiling insulation with ecowool is done manually or using special machines. The method of creating an insulating layer depends on the area being treated, but in any case, you will first have to equip cavities for the bulk mass.

Despite the fact that the raw material has been used as a heat insulator for a long time, GOST has not yet been developed for it. Therefore, it is not possible to compare products with a reference sample.

The condition can only be assessed indirectly:

Take a handful of raw materials. Ecowool should feel like fluff to the touch, but not like cut paper. When shaken, small parts do not fall out of it.

Products with large fragments are poorly saturated with antiseptics and other protective ingredients.

Set fire to a pile of raw materials. The material will begin to smolder and then quickly go out.

Factory-made products are sold hermetically packaged in polyethylene film.

Ecowool has good characteristics only in dry form.

Pay attention to the color of the insulator. A gray tint means that it is made from high-quality raw materials, yellow - from low-quality ones. The change in color also indicates that the insulation is missing one of the most important components - borate.

Do not purchase products from unknown companies. There are quite a few reputable manufacturers selling quality material. Ekovilla Eggex is a company registered in Finland that has been supplying insulation to Russia for a long time.

Isofloc - this brand is known all over the world. The main office is located in Germany.

High quality raw materials are produced by several companies in Russia. These include “Ekovata” of the Moscow region and the Don Industrial Company. These enterprises use equipment with automatic dosing of components, which ensures the stability of the heat insulator.

In order not to pay extra, it is necessary to correctly calculate the volume of the insulating layer.

For a rough calculation, you can use the following recommendations:

The layer of raw materials on the ceiling in multi-storey buildings is 10-15 cm.

The ceiling on the upper floor is covered with a layer of 30-40 cm. This is due to the fact that warm air from throughout the house collects under the attic and heat loss in this place is maximum.

For an accurate calculation, you need to multiply the volume of the gap that you plan to fill with cotton wool by its density. The last coefficient depends on the coating application method. If the material is laid manually, the density can be 30-35 kg/m 3, if the process is mechanized - 40-45 kg/m 2.

This option is suitable for thermal insulation of small rooms with an attic above them. In this case, the use of air blowing devices is not economically profitable.

To the logs, on the side of the room, a slab material must be attached - plywood, boards, etc., meeting the following requirements: the structure must withstand the weight of the insulation; the presence of cracks and gaps through which raw materials can spill out is unacceptable; It is recommended to install jumpers between the beams to divide the floor into cells.

Cover the base with a vapor barrier material and secure it with a stapler. Ecowool can perform its functions when wet, but the film will not harm me in any way. Lay the panel with an overlap of 15-20 cm on the walls and on adjacent pieces.

Pour the raw materials into a container of suitable size, filling it one third full, and loosen it with an electric drill with an attachment. After fluffing, it will increase in volume several times.

Pour the insulation into the cells of the base and compact it using a sheet of plywood. The coating under the cold attic should be 20-30 cm thick. If interfloor ceilings are treated, no more than 15 cm.

Treat the corners of the structure especially carefully. The mass compacts well, so pour it in generously. Make sure that the mixture fills all the voids, otherwise the effect will be insignificant.

Moisten the ecowool with water from a spray bottle. Under the influence of moisture, the lignin contained in the substance will soften, and then stick together and create a dense crust. It will protect the composition from humid air.

When the coating has dried, cover it with vapor-permeable material with an overlap of 15-20 cm on the walls and adjacent panels.

This is how the ceiling is insulated with ecowool in a private house from the attic side. To create an insulating coating, it is necessary to create a closed space into which the raw materials will be blown. You will also need a machine to supply the material to the installation site.

Perform the work as follows:

Nail boards or shields to the joists on both sides. The gap between them will be equal to the thickness of the insulating layer and can reach 20-30 cm.

Make a hole in the board, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the diameter of the blowing machine hose.

Connect the machine to the mains. Pour ecowool into the receiving hopper.

Connect the hose to the product. Insert the second end into the hole in the board and move it until it stops against the wall, and then move it half a meter.

Set the operating mode and turn on the device.

After some time, the mass will fill the space between the wall and the hose. This moment can be determined by the change in the blowing noise.

Pull the hose out of the hole 0.5 m and continue feeding the insulation until the cavity is completely filled.

In this way, ecowool is applied to the ceiling from below. To ensure that the material adheres well, lignin and water are added to the composition.

Operations are performed in the following sequence:

Clean the surface from dirt, dust, and loose plaster.

Attach the sheathing to the ceiling, to which the plasterboard sheets will be fixed after insulation.

Prepare the injection unit for operation. Place a special nozzle on the hose through which the spraying is carried out, which wets the loosened mass with water as it is fed.

Add a small amount of adhesive to the water, which reduces the likelihood of deformation of the coating after drying and increases its elasticity. The product enhances adhesion to overlapping. The glue should not be flammable or thick.

Turn on the device and adjust the flow of water and ecowool. If you squeeze a well-prepared mixture in your fist, only a few drops of liquid will fall out of it. If there is high humidity, the material will fall off the ceiling. The prepared mixture is fed to the surface under high pressure and sticks to it.

Cover the surface evenly with insulation. Further activities are carried out a few days later, after the raw materials have completely dried. Therefore, they insulate the house in the summer, in dry, warm weather.

Cut off the covering protruding above the sheathing flush with the frame. Remove excess with a special roller knife, which is usually supplied with a device for blowing ecowool. Waste can be reused. After processing, a perfectly flat surface is obtained.

How to insulate a ceiling with ecowool - watch the video:

Insulating the ceiling with ecowool is an effective and proven method. The technology of applying the material consists of applying it to a horizontal surface, followed by the formation of a layer of thermal insulation. Due to its structure, ecowool mechanizes the installation process, which reduces time costs and improves the quality of insulation.

Ecowool is a loose mass. The material is widely used due to a number of advantageous characteristics:

• The created “pie” increases the sound insulation of the living room.
• By following the laying regulations, the material does not shrink and remains elastic, maintaining its quality for a long period.
• Ecowool contains additives that prevent the formation of fungus.
• The material prevents the actions of rodents.
• Virtually no heat is lost, while having its own humidity level of 20%. This allows you to reduce the cost of additional vapor barrier, because When insulating with ecowool, it is not needed.
• The cavity is filled 100% with material. There are no cold bridges.
• A mechanical procedure for laying granular mass through the use of special devices.

To obtain high-quality results in insulating the ceiling with your own hands, it is enough to familiarize yourself with the technological process.

Ecowool for insulation involves an independent installation process using blow molding units or those made independently. The method of forming a thermal insulation layer directly depends on the area. However, before starting work, you should prepare the cavity for insulation and calculate the amount of materials.

Experts advise using the following calculations:

• For multi-storey buildings, the layer of material should vary from 10 to 15 cm.
• The ceiling of the upper floor (attic) should be covered with a layer of 30-40 cm. This requirement is due to the fact that heat from the entire house accumulates under the attic. Due to this, heat energy losses will be maximum. With the help of ecowool, this figure can be significantly reduced.
• For correct calculation, the volume of the cavity to be filled with cotton wool is multiplied by the density of the material. When laying manually, the density can be 30-35 kg/m³, while the mechanized process assumes a density of 40-45 kg/m².

Note: The density coefficient directly depends on the insulation laying technology.

Manual laying of ecowool on the ceiling is recommended only for small rooms with an attic above it. The use of blowers is unprofitable.

Technological stages of insulation with bulk mixture:

1. The base is covered with a vapor barrier material and fixed with a construction stapler. Although ecowool can function even in a wet state, the film will not be superfluous, because... improve performance. The canvas is overlapped by 15 cm.
2. The insulation mixture is poured into a container of appropriate size. It must be filled one third full. After this, the ecowool is loosened using a drill and a whisk. As a result of the actions, the volume will increase by 2 times.
3. The insulation is poured into prepared cells and compacted using a sheet of plywood. Please note - if the attic space is cold, then the layer thickness should be at least 20 cm. To treat the ceiling between floors, the layer should not exceed 15 cm.
4. The corners of the structure are carefully processed. Due to the fact that ecowool compacts well, it is necessary to fill the corner joints with a reserve.
5. The material should be moistened with plain water from a spray bottle. This allows lignin (part of ecowool) to soften, after which it sticks together, forming a dense crust. These actions are dictated by protecting the composition from air with high humidity.
6. After the coating has dried, a vapor-permeable film is laid on it with an overlap of 15 cm on the wall, incl. to adjacent canvases.
7. When using the attic, an additional flooring for movement is installed.

Important information: Board material (plywood, chipboard, board, etc.) is fixed to the joists on the side of the living space. In this case, the material must meet the following parameters: ability to withstand the weight of ecowool; no gaps in the design; installation of jumpers between beams.

What is ecowool?

The material itself consists of 80-81% cellulose fibers. It does an excellent job of thermal insulation and has suitable mechanical properties to create a seamless, uniform layer. However, cellulose itself is not applicable in construction, because it is highly flammable and susceptible to destruction under the influence of biological factors. To eliminate these shortcomings, ecowool also contains two auxiliary substances: borax and boric acid:

• Borax is an excellent fire retardant, meaning it reduces the fire hazard. As a result, ecowool has a fire safety rating of G2. Of course, it cannot be used for insulating chimneys and heating boilers, but it is ideal for walls, roofs and interfloor ceilings.
• Boric acid provides cellulose with complete and durable protection from the attacks of rot, fungi and rodents. Oddly enough, this combination provides much better protection against rodents than mineral wool or expanded polystyrene, which are very attractive to them.

As a result, we find that ecowool has the following basic properties:

1. Thermal conductivity coefficient – ​​0.037-0.042 W/mK;
2. The laying density can vary from 26 to 95 kg/m³;
3. Flammability group G2 (GOST 30244);

   In accordance with the flammability class G2, ecowool does not ignite

4. Smoke generation group D2 (GOST 12.1.044);
5. Vapor permeability 0.3 mg/(mchPa);
6. Air permeability – (80-120)*10-6 m³/msPa, with a density of 40 kg/m³.

In comparison with such thermal insulation materials as mineral wool, basalt slabs or expanded polystyrene, ecowool insulation does not particularly stand out, but does not lag behind. But it has a number of obvious advantages that allow it to become indispensable in the construction of frame buildings and an excellent insulation material in in any other case:

Absorption and evaporation of moisture. Along with low air permeability and vapor permeability, ecowool still absorbs moisture to a significant extent. However, unlike mineral wool, it is able to absorb a fairly large amount of moisture without significantly deteriorating its thermal insulation properties. Mineral wool, with an increase in humidity by only 1%, adds 8-9% in thermal conductivity, while ecowool, even with an increase in humidity by 25%, will lose only 2-5% in the thermal conductivity coefficient. In addition to this, the properties of cellulose are taken into account; it is capable of both absorbing moisture and releasing it back without any consequences for itself. So, ideally, when using ecowool in a frame wooden house, it will help to naturally maintain the humidity of the internal air within the limits comfortable for human life.

• Seamless thermal insulation. Ecowool is a loose, homogeneous mass and installation of insulation is carried out even in the simplest version by pouring it into prepared frame cells on the walls or inside the ceilings. The result is a seamless layer of insulation, which, when properly installed, completely fills the entire volume allocated for insulation. It turns out that there is no chance of the formation of cold bridges or voids that will worsen the thermal insulation.
• Soundproofing. The air permeability of ecowool is significantly lower than that of mineral wool, and at the same time it is elastic and easily absorbs any sound waves, unlike polystyrene foam. All this allows it to significantly better protect the interior from noise and sounds from the outside.
• The most important thing is environmental friendliness and safety. Ecowool contains no harmful phenolic binders. Only natural lignin is used as an adhesive substance, so there can be no fumes harmful to humans. Borax and boric acid do not evaporate or scatter, so they are completely safe. There are also no harmful emissions during operation, like polystyrene foam.

Advantages and disadvantages

To more accurately imagine how many advantages arise when using this material, you need to evaluate all its positive qualities and possible disadvantages. The advantages include:

• Light insulation weight
• The ability to absorb moisture without losing its thermal insulating properties
• Obtaining a continuous insulation surface
• Good soundproofing qualities
• The lignin component, which is responsible for the binding properties, does not allow harmful substances to evaporate, due to which this heat insulator does not emit any harmful substances during operation
• No need to install vapor barrier
• Relatively low price
• Laying speed
• With internal insulation, there is no need to install a windproof film

The list of advantages is impressive. The disadvantages include only one feature - for high-quality application, it is necessary to use special equipment. But, there is one nuance here - such equipment is useful when insulating walls, but it is quite possible to insulate the ceiling with ecowool with your own hands and without the use of any special equipment.

Preparation for insulation (blowing) with Ecowool.

There are many ways on the Internet, but I will write exactly how we did it. We had a frame house with an attic. The basis of which was a wooden frame covered with OSB-3 sheets. The thickness of the external walls and ceiling was 15 cm, the thickness of the floor was 20 cm and the thickness of the internal walls was 10 cm. The entire structure was already assembled and the OSB sheets were sewn to the frame, all the cracks were closed, in general, the walls were completely ready.

1. Garden vacuum cleaner Elitech BC 2000 for 2000 watts. (Price 2500 rub.)
2. Trough, construction plastic. (Price 330 rub.)
3. A hose, or rather a corrugation for wires with a diameter of 63 mm and a length of 7 m (The price for 7 meters was around 300 rubles)
4. Scotch tape (30 rubles).
5. Drill with a mixer attachment and an attachment for holes in OSB with a diameter of 72 mm (Here I had to buy a set of attachments for holes for 450 rubles. The main thing is not to take too thin ones, they wedge and burn, a mixer attachment costs 150 rubles, and if you don’t have a drill, then one costs 1500 rubles).
6. Ecowool (450 rubles per bag, we needed about 100 bags for a house 7.5 by 7.5 meters).

1. We disconnect one part of the vacuum cleaner and rearrange the terminals from it to the remaining part, otherwise the vacuum cleaner does not turn on, and the very long trunk loses suction power.
2. We use pliers to bite out the teeth that go on the pipe connecting to the bag (dust collector), you don’t have to break them out, but we got Ecowool stuck there a couple of times and we broke them out, or rather, we bit them out with pliers, otherwise the plastic case could be damaged.
3. We connect the 63mm corrugation with the hole for the dust collector. We just put some corrugation there and tied it with tape. The pipe was disconnected a couple of times, but because the tape loosened due to dust and pressure. It didn't cause much trouble. If the teeth are broken, then the corrugation fits into the hole and holds more securely.
4. We put a piece of fabric glove on the corrugation, from which we cut off the part with the fingers, i.e. When we insert the corrugation into the wall, we move the glove to the edges of the hole and hold it so that dust does not fly out of the cracks of the hole.

Here you just need to make holes in OSB sheets with a diameter of at least 70 mm and no more than 75 mm in the upper part of the blown cavities, at a height of 5-10 cm from the ceiling.

The photo shows cavities that have already been insulated and those on the right that are not yet insulated. And this is how our “insulation man” looked like in Half-Life).

Dry laying of ecowool

Before starting work, ecowool is moved from the packaging, where it is in a compressed state, into a separate container. The insulation needs to be loosened with a drill with a paint mixing attachment; the material will increase in volume almost 3 times. The insulation must be used in a fluffed state.

Installation diagram of ecowool for dry wall insulation.

The dry method of laying cellulose wool is used to insulate horizontal, vertical and inclined surfaces:

• floors and ceilings;
• interfloor ceilings;
• closed wall cavities;
• roofs;
• attics.

The blow molding machine delivers pulp under pressure through a hose along with a stream of air. With the help of installation, the material penetrates into all hard-to-reach places and crevices. Installation of ecowool in a closed cavity is carried out as follows. The blower hose is lowered into the limited space between the wall and the additional structure (fibreboard, plasterboard or membrane waterproofing, kraft paper) and the supply of insulation begins. Particles of cotton wool fibers, due to their properties, cling to all surfaces and each other, forming a layer of thermal insulation of the required density.

To install the insulation, in addition to the ecowool itself, you will need:

• partitions for dry installation of thermal insulation - fiberboard, kraft paper, membrane waterproofing;
• wooden slats for installing the structure on the walls;
• wooden beams for distributing wet ecological wool.

If the area to be insulated contains remnants of old thermal insulation, its dismantling is not necessary. Fiber wool is applied directly to the old insulation. Particles of material are able to fill all the voids in the most inaccessible places. No need to remove the remnants of previously laid insulation will reduce the time for installation work.

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Preparation for insulation with ecowool

There are different ways to insulate with ecowool, which you can read about on the Internet. For my house, I chose wet adhesive for the walls (external and partitions) and Sidox for the attic and lower ceiling.

What is sidox? This is a combination of the wet method and dry blowing into an open horizon. When the wool is slightly moistened during the installation process, due to which it “stands” better in the ceiling and is much less susceptible to shrinkage (since in ceilings the packing density of ecowool is low). It is curious that there is practically no mention of this installation method, common in Scandinavia, on the Russian Internet, in companies that deal with ecowool.

Insulation was planned to be carried out in 2 stages.

1. The main external perimeter is external walls 150mm, attic 300mm, ceiling 250mm.
2. Additional 50mm in external walls and partitions.

Initially, the attic insulation was planned to be 250mm. But “you can’t spoil the mess with insulation.” The extra 50mm was not at all expensive in terms of money, so it was decided not to save money and to pour it in “heaps”.

Almost everything was ready for the first stage:

• The outer perimeter is sewn with isoplate, access to the walls from the inside, for wet adhesive application - yes
• The bottom floor is done. There is a subfloor that will hold the insulation, counter logs are installed and fixed. OSB boards on the floor just need to be lifted and can be insulated.

All that remains is to prepare the attic.

After googling on the Internet for plans for preparing an attic for insulation with ecowool, the following was done:

• Wind screens in the attic were installed before the windows
• Kraft paper with limited vapor permeability Elt Craft VCL was attached to the lower belt of the trusses using a conventional construction stapler. The paper was attached along the trusses, with an overlap of approximately 15 cm, and an allowance was made for the walls in order to later connect the paper from the ceiling with the paper on the walls.
• Then, from below, across the trusses, the sheathing is attached with a 25x50 piece of timber (an inch spread out along the length, as on the façade sheathing).

The sheathing has a dual purpose. Firstly, insulation support. Secondly, the basis for further fastening of the ceiling panels during finishing. The sheathing pitch is 30cm (under the panels). From the attic side, all paper joints were additionally taped with reinforced tape.

First, we attach temporary bars to make it easier to drag and attach the paper to the ceiling

paper on temporary bars

view from the attic

gluing joints

preparing the opening for the attic hatch

attic hatch opening

loft preparation completed

Technologies for applying insulation

Ecowool is produced in the form of a loose composition consisting of cellulose fibers. After opening the sealed package, the insulation increases several times in volume, is additionally fluffed and applied manually or using special equipment.

Today, the following methods of laying ecowool are most widespread:

• Wet installation technology.
• Dry installation.
• Industrial insulation of a house with ecowool.

In each specific case, the installation technology will be selected depending on the wall material used and the equipment used.

Installation of ecowool using the wet method

When laying the material wet, the binder lignin is used. Ecowool is an insulation material that is first abundantly moistened with lignin, after which it is applied manually or using special installations to the insulated wall surfaces. When using this technology for laying material, its consumption per cubic meter of wall is about 53 kilograms.

This insulation technology is used in houses made of brick or gas silicate blocks. The advantages of the wet method include excellent efficiency and ease of laying ecowool using the wet method. At the same time, the homeowner will need to rent a special compressor, which is used to apply the material to the surface of the walls.

Dry laying of material

The dry method of applying ecowool is simple, which explains the popularity of this method. You will need to use an electric drill and a special mixer attachment , which is used to swell the material. The dry mixture is placed in a large container, after which the ecowool is fluffed with a mixer attachment. After fluffing, the ecowool is lightly compacted, which ensures its elasticity and excellent mechanical strength. Such compacted material can be applied manually using spatulas, leveling the surface with a rule and checking the horizontalness of the applied material. The consumption of ecowool when applied dry will be 44-64 kilograms of material per cubic meter of wall surface.

Disadvantages of ecowool

Photo of ecowool packaging

It is difficult to find a completely ideal material, because each one has either disadvantages or limitations in use.

When using ecowool, you need special pneumatic blowing equipment and basic knowledge about the material itself and how to work with it. The fibrous structure of the isolate makes it difficult to apply ecowool manually. And as the experiments show, only with mechanical laying does the material work out 100% of all its properties.

When insulating complex surfaces, you cannot do without the help of a specialist. Otherwise, the service life of the coating may be short, and the application itself may be of poor quality and uneven, which will significantly reduce the thermal insulation and other properties of ecowool and will require re-installation of the material.

Ecowool installation

The use of ecowool to create floating floors is unacceptable due to the low density of the material.

Depending on the chosen method of laying the material, there are a number of nuances. The dry method is faster, but its implementation creates several times more dust. Wet installation is less “dirty”, but the drying time of surfaces on average ranges from two to three days, depending on the thickness of the insulating layer.

Laying ecowool should not be done near sources of open fire and hot objects, therefore, during installation, additional fences should be built from basalt or asbestos-cement slabs.

Insulation using a blow-off installation

With mechanized application, cellulose insulation is laid directly on the object being serviced. For this purpose, a mobile type blowing installation is used, loosening the material and delivering it to the place of installation. The insulation is supplied through hoses under the influence of a powerful stream of air. In this case, the supply distance can reach 150 meters in the horizontal direction and 30 meters in the vertical direction.

This technology does not require dismantling of insulated structures, and the insulation procedure itself does not disrupt the usual mode of work or life at the site. The use of a powerful blowing installation allows you to avoid a number of problems associated with transporting material to the insulated part of the building. A flexible hose delivers ecowool to any cavities, regardless of their degree of accessibility, forming a continuous thermal insulation circuit.

Insulation using a blow molding installation can be carried out using dry or wet-adhesive methods.