This additive serves as a fire retardant and antiseptic that does not support burning and rotting, does not allow fungus to develop and prevents the appearance of insects in it. Based on this, the production of cellulose wool is economical, and therefore it received the name econowool.
Production method and composition
The process of producing cellulose wool has its own characteristics; it does not lead to slagging environment, does not require additional use natural resources and high energy consumption, because has no melting processes.
It uses paper waste that is unsuitable for further use in the form of paper, due to large plastic impurities. Over the years, production technology has only improved. Borax is an antiseptic, fire retardant is boric acid.
Technical advantages
This wood fiber material, having a thermal conductivity of 0.041 W/m K and low air permeability. Economy wool has this property due to its fine-grained structure. The small particles that make it up impede the movement of air.
Under the influence of the movement of moist air, a thin dense layer in the form of paper is formed on the top layer of the insulation - it prevents further movement of air. Being a wood-based insulation, it has increased moisture resistance and does not require an additional layer of waterproofing.
The presence of a large amount of air in the pores (85-92%) makes the material a good heat insulator. Thanks to the addition of borax, cellulose wool does not support combustion and does not melt. In case of fire, it smolders without releasing toxic gases. Additives of boric acid do not allow insects and molds to breed. This material has high environmental friendliness.
Methods of application
There are two ways to apply cellulose wool - dry and wet. In both cases, this is a mechanical application of insulation, which significantly speeds up the process itself.
The density of such an insulating coating depends on the quality of its application. Apply by blowing or spraying using special equipment. This method allows the insulating layer to penetrate into any, even the smallest openings. This material is very convenient for electrical installation work.
Cellulose wool is transported and stored in special bags. During the work there is no waste, such as when cutting other types of insulation.
It is necessary to insulate a residential building for many reasons, and one of the modern thermal insulation materials that is easy to use, effective and durable is cellulose insulation based on ecowool. Ecowool consists of 81% recycled cellulose (in other words, waste paper), 12% boric acid, and 7% boron. Lignin is added in small proportions to improve surface adhesion. Environmental friendliness is ensured by the use of these non-toxic and non-flammable substances. A mass of insulation is blown (inflated) onto (under) the surface of walls, ceilings, and floors using compressor units, which is why the material is called blown-in insulation.
Characteristics and features of ecowool
Ecowool is a non-flammable material, but high temperatures can smolder without creating an open flame. The material does not rot or develop mold, perfectly blocks out external noise, and does not allow heat to pass through.
- Thermal conductivity coefficient – 0.037-0.042 W/(m K);
- After getting wet and drying, the properties of the insulation are completely restored;
- Material density – 30-65 kg/m3;
- According to GOST 30244, GOST 30402, DIN 4102, GOST 12.1.044, DSTU B V.2.7-38-95 flammability group - G2 V2, D2, RP-1, which means: moderately flammable, moderately flammable, moderately smoke-generating, with zero spread of flame over the surface;
- Air permeability 80-120 10-6 m 3 /ms Pa;
- Vapor permeability of ecowool – 0.3 mg/(mh Pa);
- Adsorption in 72 hours – 16%;
- pH – 7.8-8.3.
Advantages and disadvantages of blown ecowool
Blown-in cellulose insulation can be composed of basalt, fiberglass and cellulose. Basalt mineral wool is made from basalt stone, and no formaldehyde is added to it. Glass wool is the result of crushing thermal insulation boards, cellulose insulation is made from waste paper. Fire retardants and antiseptics are added to all types of thermal insulation.
Advantages:
- Low thermal conductivity and light weight;
- High moisture resistance and vapor permeability;
- Fire safety and non-flammability;
- Long service life;
- Easy installation.
Flaws:
- To work you will need compressor equipment;
- On plasterboard surfaces, ecowool should be applied in two layers to avoid swelling of the surface;
- The need for surface waterproofing;
- High cost of use for small volumes of insulation.
Ecowool layer calculation
Starting information you will need:
- Construction material of building walls;
- Average annual thermal resistance in the region (background information);
- How many external doors and windows are there in the house?
- Additional heat leaks;
- Thermal insulation material and heat transfer coefficient.
Formula for calculating the degree-day value of the heating period in the region:
GSOP = (T 1 – T 2) x Z, where:
- T 1 – optimal temperature in housing (18-22 0 C);
- T 2 – average annual temperature outside;
- Z – number of days of the heating season.
After calculating this regional parameter, you can begin to clarify the thickness of the thermal insulation layer on the surfaces of a residential building. will also depend on the building material of the walls, ceiling or floor - for brick, concrete, cinder block or wooden surfaces results will vary.
How to work with blown wool
Cellulose wool is applied in two ways - wet-adhesive (wet) or dry:
- “Wet” method - spray ecowool along with adhesive solution, which consists of glue and a special dispersed additive. The applied layer is cut to the required size and dried. This - visual method, in which you can control the filling of the void with thermal insulation. Wet method The bad thing is that the glue should not freeze, so the work is carried out at an outdoor temperature of at least +5 0 C, and such a layer will take at least three days to dry. In addition, when implementing this technology, ventilation must be installed in the room so that excess moisture can be removed. But the result will be of high quality: such thermal insulation does not allow moisture or heat to pass through.
- “Dry” method: blow-in insulation is sprayed onto a surface previously covered with kraft cardboard in dry form, as it comes in packages. With the help of an additional coating, a limited space is created in which dry cellulose wool will be located. Kraft cardboard is fastened with a stapler or tape, the cotton is blown out with a compressor, and at home you can use a vacuum cleaner. Only before blowing is the material loosened construction mixer, as it shown on the picture:
The physical implementation of blowing insulation is divided into two possibilities:
- Manual blowing: preliminary loosening of the insulation followed by blowing the insulation onto the surface or into a confined space. Such a layer of thermal insulation will have low heat and noise retention performance, so ecowool should be packed as tightly as possible, and to achieve higher performance, this should be done in a small area. Such conditions can only be found in individual construction and renovation of premises - this method is not suitable for large areas;
- Blowing equipment: the method is applicable for any area and volume; the material is first loosened mechanically. Compressor unit delivers insulation to the surface or into a confined space with high air flow speed, feasting on this high pressure in pipes ensures uniform distribution of ecowool over the entire insulated surface. Advantage: there are no joints or seams, no need to prepare the frame and dismantle it after work compared to the “wet” blowing method.
Blowing compressor equipment has the following device:
- Mobile platform with a gearbox (to increase the feed rate of loose mineral wool), corrugated air duct large diameter and the engine. The equipment is usually mounted on a car or tractor;
- Low-precision devices with a low noise figure and minimal dust formation are used as a motor;
- The insulation is captured through a special gateway, and pushed out through the inlet hose. The supply of cotton wool is dosed by an automated valve;
- Mechanism for loosening ecowool, loading chamber with funnel, control panel and emergency stop switch.
It’s not difficult to make a mechanism for blowing out loosened cotton wool with your own hands. For this you will need:
- Garden vacuum cleaner;
- Plastic tank for pre-loosened insulation;
- Corrugated hose of the required length, but not less than 8-10 m, Ø 60-70 cm;
- Electric drill with a construction mixer (you can use a screwdriver or hammer drill), tape;
- Ecowool.
IN plastic container with a volume of at least 50-100 liters, the cotton wool is loosened with a mixer, then a hose connected to a vacuum cleaner is lowered into the container (ordinary tape is used to seal the connection), the second end of the hose is inserted into the space to be blown to the bottom (if it is a closed space), or the cotton wool is blown in within designated frame. Excellent for loosening insulation regular one will do two hundred liter metal barrel. As the space fills (this will be heard by the sound of the vacuum cleaner), the hose is gradually raised. After the thermal insulation is blown in, all spaces and cracks are filled with material without gaps or joints, forming a monolithic heat-protective barrier. 
The main advantage that the owner of a private house or cottage receives is the low cost of the process and high speed of installation with high-quality and durable insulation. For example, close flat roof one-story house In this way, you can feast in just 2-3 hours with all the equipment and prepared materials. Working hours, equipment used and installation methods may vary depending on the characteristics of a particular roof and working conditions. Other roll and slab insulation materials, for example, polystyrene foam or mineral wool, for insulating large areas in the private sector are ineffective in comparison with the blown method of applying ecowool.
Current issue in modern construction- how to insulate a room. There are many ways, as well as types. But the most chosen insulation option is ecowool.
Ecowool is a cellulose insulation material (where its name comes from). Ecowool production based on recycling waste paper. Therefore, being made from fluffed waste paper, it has a loose consistency.
Thanks to this you can do blowing ecowool air in the cavity, after which it is moistened and sprayed on the surface. This method of use makes this material suitable for both insulation and insulation.
Some of its properties allowed it to achieve high popularity:
Little breathability. Air movement at ecowool insulation is reduced due to its structure - the small size of the wood fibers included in the composition;
Moisture resistance. Due to its structure, ecowool does not accumulate liquid and does not require a vapor barrier layer, since condensation does not occur;
Soundproofing. The quality of sound insulation when using ecowool is very high, because due to the absence of voids in the material, it can be laid in a continuous layer;
Hypoallergenic. The likelihood of an allergy to this material tends to be minimal;
Fire safety. Ecowool is a material that itself resists fire due to its characteristics and composition.
A pleasant bonus, among other things, is that mice do not live in ecowool. Thanks to the antiseptic included in the composition, living in ecowool becomes extremely unattractive for rodents.
The composition of ecowool includes:
cellulose fiber — 81%
flame retardants (those substances that protect the material from burning) - 12%
non-volatile antiseptic materials (boric acid) - 7%
Application of ecowool
Due to its properties, ecowool quickly became popular in construction. Its performance characteristics allow it to be used for private and industrial buildings.
Its main purpose is insulation and sound insulation in rooms. Installation can be carried out on any floor of the building, basement and roof floors, as well as light frame structures can be insulated.
If necessary, it can be used to reconstruct old buildings. This material, among other things, is useful in creating heat-insulating surfaces.
The fire retardants included in its composition contribute to fire resistance, so it is used in the manufacture of products that must have high temperatures.
Sound insulation is carried out both between floors and in adjoining rooms. It can be used as soundproofing plaster. When creating a room where there should be no echo (music studios or clubs), ecowool will also be useful. It is also used as an additive in bitumen-asphalt mixtures.
The wide range of applications of cellulose insulation is increasingly forcing builders to think about buying ecowool and, accordingly, about its price. Ecowool price varies from city to city. Thus, price policy depends on many factors and covers a range prices per bag of ecowool from 400 to 1500 rub.
Advantages and disadvantages of ecowool
The advantages of ecowool include the properties already described above:
low air permeability - thermal insulation;
fire resistance;
installation without seams;
hypoallergenic;
protection against mold and rodents.
But ecowool, like any other type of insulation, has its drawbacks.
The first thing that builders who choose this material for insulation note is its price. It is several times higher than other types of insulation, but if desired, it can be made independently, not without loss of quality, of course. It would be nice if this were the end of its shortcomings, but this is not the case.
Installing ecowool is a rather complicated process. If its installation is not carried out by professionals, the result may be disappointing. One of the dangers self-installation is the likelihood of laying an uneven layer, then its main advantages in the form of heat and sound insulation will be reduced by at least half.
In addition, special equipment for ecowool— pneumatic installations. The price of such an installation is also one of the disadvantages of using ecowool. Only professional installation using special equipment can guarantee high results.
For many people, a serious obstacle to installing ecowool is the fear of the dangers of lead and boric acid. And although they are indeed contained in ecowool, their toxicity is excluded, and they do not pose any harm to humans. Boric acid is harmful only to rodents - they do not feel well in such an environment and try to leave it as quickly as possible.
Of course, the question of its use is decided individually for each person. To make a decision, you should not only thoroughly analyze the advantages and disadvantages, but also soberly assess your capabilities.
Take into account the price of equipment and materials. Assess installation possibilities. In general, proper installation of ecowool will ensure its long and high-quality service.
If you neglect the installation rules and necessary equipment, the result may be unpredictable. To install or not to install - everyone decides for themselves.
If we talk about the opinions of real users, then reviews on ecowool boil down to the fact that heat and sound insulation is good with proper installation. In addition, many build equipment for it themselves, for more low price. Ease of transportation is noted.
In contrast, many are afraid of its toxicity, which is not true, as was written above. Some note that it sags over time, especially on vertical surfaces. There are also users who claim that fire-resistant impregnations simply do not work, because the basis of ecowool is paper.
Methods for manufacturing ecowool and its installation
First of all, it’s worth talking about the production of ecowool. This can be done at home, but DIY ecowool will be inferior in quality to the original, so it can only be used for personal purposes.
The manufacturing technology is simple. You only need a few kilograms of waste paper and a powerful shredder. Shredding paper is half the battle. Next, you should take care of its fire resistance by applying a layer of fire-resistant agent.
Installation of ecowool is mainly carried out by blowing or blowing onto the surface mechanically or manually. In this case, dry or wet ecowool.
For manual installation, since the material is pressed, it first needs to be “fluffed” with a drill with a nozzle for stirring the paint. Then, to insulate the vertical surfaces, the material itself is poured between the joists.
Then it needs to be evenly distributed and compacted well. However, this method is only suitable for insulating the ceiling and floor using dry ecowool.
Mechanical method involves the use of a blow molding machine using wet, dry or wet-adhesive ecowool. The dry method involves bringing machine hoses to the hole, through which cellulose insulation is supplied with air.
After reaching the required density in the cavity, the sleeve is disconnected and the hole is sealed. This procedure is quick, but it sprays a large number of dust.
The wet method is used when it is necessary to insulate vertical surfaces. Before use, ecowool is moistened and applied using a blow molding machine between pre-prepared frames. At the same time, it can take a long time to dry, but there is no need to wait for it to dry; you should cut off the excess in advance.
The wet-glue method is needed for insulating vertical surfaces. The technology is the same as with wet ecowool, with the exception of adding glue to it for greater adhesion to the surface.
For insulation ecowool roof The same technology is used, only you first need to arrange the so-called “roofing pie”.
Cellulose wool is one of the most popular insulation materials in the world, since he has good performance heat and sound insulation and at the same time is environmentally friendly. The production of cellulose wool is increasing every year.
Composition and characteristics of ecowool
Cellulose wool has several names: ecowool, cellulose insulation, construction wool. But it’s all the same loose, fibrous and crumbly gray material.
Production is carried out from waste paper - 81%; fire retardants (boric acid) - 12%, and antiseptics (borax) - 7% are also added to the composition. These components are absolutely non-toxic. The presence of lignin in the fibers when moistened ensures the binding of the structure due to the bonding of the fibers.
Since cellulose wool is a recycled product, this makes it very popular in countries where they are fighting for environmental friendliness. Thanks to fire retardants and antiseptics, the material does not burn or rot. Thermal insulation and sound insulation properties are among the best among insulation materials. At the same time, without changing the thermal insulation parameter in upper layers Ecowool retains up to 20% humidity. The capillary structure allows not only to easily absorb, but also to easily release moisture.
Cellulose wool parameters:
- thermal conductivity - 0.037-0.042 W/m*K;
- vapor permeability - 0.3 mg/m*h*Pa;
- application density - 28-65 kg/m3;
- sorption humidification for 72 hours - 16% (corresponds to GOST 17177.5);
- pH = 7.8-8.3;
- low air permeability - (80-120)x10-6 m3/m*s*Pa.
An important advantage of ecowool is that it is chemically passive and therefore does not cause corrosion of metals.
The history of cellulose wool
The ability of cellulose to retain heat has been known for a very long time, but it was only in the 19th century that full-scale research was carried out on paper materials. At the beginning of the twentieth century, technology for the production of cellulose insulation appeared. But the first full-fledged production line opened only in 1928 in Germany. 
The construction boom at the end of World War II led to an increase in ecowool production and its improvement. The material was most actively produced and used in Germany and Canada. In the 1950s, the technology for installing and applying cellulose wool was improved: blow molding machines appeared, significantly speeding up the process and improving the quality of installation.
Over time, in Europe, the CIS countries, Finland, Japan and other Asian countries, own production ecowool. In Finland, this insulation occupies 70% of the market.
Although developments appeared in the USSR in the 30s of the twentieth century, mass production began only in 1993. The experience was adopted from the Finns. Today in the Russian Federation there are about ten large productions, creating high-quality insulation using Finnish technology.
Areas and methods of application of ecowool
Cellulose wool is mainly used in construction; it is an excellent insulation and soundproofing material.
Cellulose insulation is used on the following structures:
- houses: block, brick, wooden, frame;
- cottages, warehouses, garages, hangars, baths;
- metal and wooden frames;
- basements;
- attics, roofs, interfloor ceilings;
- sandwich panels;
- facades;
- air spaces in well and other masonry.
Since the material is crumbly, its installation has its own characteristics. There are 3 types of styling:
- manual;
- dry mechanized;
- wet spraying.
Manual laying is suitable for insulating any horizontal surfaces, cavities and ceilings. You just need to pour the material in the appropriate layer or fill the cavities with it. But this is a rather long and painstaking process, so manual method Used for small volumes of work.
Dry mechanized laying is carried out by blowing machines. They loosen the material and deliver a powerful air stream to the point of use at a distance of up to 40 m vertically and up to 200 m horizontally. In this case, a uniform, seamless layer is formed, and insulation particles get into even the smallest cracks and recesses.
When wet spraying, ecowool is mixed with water or glue. The resulting mixture is then sprayed into a blowing machine using a nozzle. To carry out such insulation, professional complexes and trained specialists are required.
Benefits of cellulose wool
- High thermal insulation properties due to the insulating ability of the air located between the insulation fibers; Very little air flow passes through the material.
- High sound insulation: tight fit fibrous material to surfaces provides good sound absorption- up to 63 dB.
- Seamless insulation: since the material is poured or sprayed, there are no joints or seams, and cold bridges do not form.
- Protection against condensation: the capillary structure of the fibers absorbs moisture well and also releases it well, which provides excellent microclimate regulation on hot summer days and during winter frosts; insulated walls only 20 cm thick do not have time to completely cool down or overheat in 12 hours.
Cellulose wool consists of 80% waste paper. The remaining 20% is a powerful antiseptic and fire retardant, borax and boric acid, thanks to which cotton wool is a low-flammable material. Even with slight heating, the borax compounds immediately release moisture. Thanks to this, in the event of a fire and fire hitting the insulation, the wool will be moistened and thereby delay the further spread of fire. When heated, cellulose wool does not emit toxic gases and is absolutely safe for health. Does not cause allergies, does not contain harmful volatile compounds and is a pure biological material. Its second name is ecowool.
Being an excellent antiseptic, boric acid prevents rotting, mold, various fungi, and the proliferation of microorganisms, rodents and insects.
To obtain cotton wool from cellulose, the paper is first subjected to coarse and then fine grinding, during which the paper is torn into fibers. After this, the resulting cellulose is mixed with additives in a special bunker. The finished cotton wool is compacted and packaged in certain bags. It is loosened on site at the time of installation using a special blowing unit.
Cellulose wool has been used for many years as an ideal thermal insulation material. It is blown into the cavities requiring insulation, uniformly filling the space. When insulating wall structures, it is applied together with glue, which ensures reliable fastening to all parts of the wall. This makes it easy to insulate any inaccessible places, such as the space between pitched roof And attic floor. Any excess cotton wool is removed and reused, making it waste-free and therefore economical. 50 mm wool in its thermal conductivity can replace brickwork 1.5 bricks wide.
The use of cellulose wool as insulation solves another problem important problem in construction. There is no need to additionally protect the insulation from condensation. The structure of cotton fibers simply does not allow it to form. When humidity increases, cotton wool absorbs excess moisture, while leaving unchanged the volume of air inside the wall, keeping the temperature in the room at the same level.
Often, in combination with cellulose wool, a rigid wood fiber board is used as a wind barrier. It protects the wool from blowing out, acts as insulation and serves to ensure rigidity.
Since 1928, the production of cellulose wool began in Germany. She still remains the most popular view insulation. In 1950, cellulose was used for the first time in the United States as a thermal insulation material. In 1990, the first line for the production of cellulose wool was opened in the Baltics. Since 1995, factories in Moscow and Chuvashia jointly began producing cellulose insulation.
Cellulose wool is also used for soundproofing attics, interfloor ceilings, floors and as façade thermal insulation.