THE SCHUNDLER COMPANY
CONSTRUCTION USES OF PERLITE AND VERMICULITE
Perlite and vermiculite have been used for years as an aggregate in lightweight, insulating concrete and plaster, and as a loose fill insulation material for concrete masonry blocks, cavity walls, and in residential homes. They also are used in a variety of specialty applications ranging from fireproofing sprays, chimney fills, interstitial floors, acoustical sprays, etc.
Loose Fill Insulation Masonry Insulation
Perlite and vermiculite are used as loose-fill insulation in the construction of modern, insulated masonry wall systems. And not only do they significantly increase the tested "R" values of these walls, they also can help change the fire rating of many walls from a basic 2-hour fire rating to a 4-hour rating. For more specific information, look at these pages or contact us:
Concrete
Schundler Concrete Aggregates are manufactured to meet ASTM C-332, Type 1 specifications. Literature on specific applications is available from The Perlite Institute (www.perlite.org), The Vermiculite Association (www.vermiculite.org), and from The Schundler Company. In addition, we have the following information:
Plaster
As with concrete, perlite and vermiculite have been used as lightweight aggregates for plaster too. When mixed with either gypsum or portland cement (with or without sand), the final plaster is lightweight, fireproof, and insulating. Perlite and vermiculite also are basic ingredients in a number of commercially available premixes of both plaster and plaster patching compounds designed for the professional and amateur plasterer. When produced for these applications, The Schundler Company produces products which will conform to ASTM C-35 (the specification for lightweight aggregates for plaster).
The Schundler Company had been manufacturing cementitious sprayed-on fire proofing materials for over many years but it no longer does. The following links are here for informational purposes only. In addition, please note that The Schundler Company no longer produces any products at its former Edison, NJ location.
For decades, perlite and vermiculite have been used in fire-proofing and fire-protection. Most of these products are patented and sell under brandnames, but this page gives a basic outline of why and where these two lightweight, fire-proof aggregates are used.
Mica Pellets Attic Insulation
One of the first insulation products used in America to insulate homes was vermiculite loose-fill insulation. Because of cost, there is less and less vermiculite being used in homes today, but it is still available in some areas. Vermiculite offers a totally fireproof, environmentally safe mineral product that is free of any irritating or dangerous fibers. It is ideal for filling gaps or spaces above and around existing insulation, for "sealing" up open spaces and cracks in old insulation, or for use alone. It is ready to use and just needs to be poured from the bag and leveled.
Under Floor Sound and Thermal Insulation
In Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, perlite loose fill is used on new and existing floors for both accoustical insulation and thermal insulation. Sometimes called a "floating floor," these floor systems are used extensively in these Northern European countries, but not yet in America.
Some Helpful or Useful Links Related to Construction and Fireprotection:
If you need more help in location information on our web site, try using this search engine:
For more information about these and many other uses of perlite and vermiculite,
Back to Main
TEK 6-3 from the NCMA, 1991
(Typical concrete design mixes with an emphasis on roof deck applications
including a summary of ASTM C-332, Group I specifications.)
(Typical concrete design mixes for roof deck and reroofing applications.)
The Perlite Institute's Catalogue 32.87 (old but still useful!)
(Basic instructions and guidelines for transit mix applications)
Perlite Cement Tile Mortars
including a summary of ASTM C-332, Group I specifications.
(for special or unusual applications
Perlite Cement Tile Mortars
(Desciptions and specifications on both gypsum and cement plasters
including summaries of ASTM C-35
Fiber Reinforced Perlite Cement Plasters
Perlite Cement Tile Mortars
Sprayed-On Fire-Protection with Schundler Cementitious Fireproofing
(scheduled for production in 2006)
scheduled for production in 2006)
Trade Unions and General Information
Basic Fire-Proofing and Fire-Protection with Perlite and Vermiculite Products
And the Leveling of Old Floors
Links to Manufacturers of Perlite Boards and Other Perlite Products that The Schundler Company does not manufacture::
please call or contact us at:
732-287-2244
www.schundler.com
email: info@schundler.com