VERMICULITE
MASONRY FILL
SCHUNDLER

COVERAGE CHARTS
INSULATION VALUES
CONSTRUCTION GUIDE
The Schundler Company
10 Central Street
Nahant, MA 01908
732-287-2244 www.schundler.com



VERMICULITE MASONRY FILL

BLOCK AND CAVITY FILL


From literature distributed by:
The Vermiculite Association


Vermiculite loose fill masonry insulation is an inert, inorganic, lightweight granular material that can be been treated for water repellency. It is non-flammable, non-combustible, economical, and does not emit odors, toxic fumes, or attract vermin. It will not deteriorate or decompose.

Since it is simply poured into the cavities of block cores or in cavity wall areas, it is one of the easiest means of providing a barrier against the transmission of heat, sound, and moisture. As a loose-fill product, it fills the cavities completely, not leaving gaps or openings or bridging.

Basic Product Properties

Thermal Insulation--Vermiculite has been used for over 50 years for insulation in attics, walls, and high temperature industrial applications. In recent testing, vermiculite masonry insulation used in a standard 8" lightweight block performed better than urea formaldehyde foam polystyrene beads, and polystyrene inserts. Generally vermiculite will increase the total insulating value of a block wall by 35% to 60% depending upon the properties of the concrete block.

Water Repellency--If treated to reduce water absorption, vermiculite masonry insulation reduces water migration through both block and cavity walls.

Permanency--Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral and has a sintering point of 2300o or (1260o C). Once in place, this product has very minimal settling properties. Vermiculite is free flowing and will fill and insulate all voids.

Economical--Vermiculite is cost competitive and easy to install (virtually foolproof). It significantly reduces heat loss in block wall construction, and can be used in conjunction with other forms of wall insulation to provide a total super-insulated form of construction.

Non-Combustible--In testing following the ASTM E-84 tunnel test, vermiculite has no flame spread, no fuel contributed, or smoke developed.


Improved Fire Rating--Underwriters Laboratory has assigned a four hour rating (U.L. Design nos. U 901, 904 and 905) to concrete block walls constructed of standard 8" x 8" x 16" blocks with all the cores filled with vermiculite. Required fire ratings for elevator shafts and fire walls can now be easily attained with this economical type construction. This eliminates the use of heavy and expensive masonry units used to obtain these ratings in the past.

  • Underwriters' Laboratory Design No. U905 shows that a 2-hour rated 8,10, or 12-inch concrete block wall is improved to 4 hours when cores are filled with loose fill vermiculite. (Other four hour designs and ratings for 8-inch blocks are also described in U901 (upgrading 2 and 3 hours blocks to 4 hours), U904 (upgrading 3 hr block to 4 hour), and U907 (upgrading 3 hr block to 4 hour).)

Economical--Heat transmission is reduced approximately 50% in masonry wall systems when vermiculite masonry insulation is installed. Annual savings in heating and cooling frequently exceed the initial cost of the masonry insulation thus providing a constant reduction in utility bills for the life of the building. Savings are even more significant in buildings heated with electricity.


Concrete Block Walls

Block Only
Block Insulated Furred & Plastered (e)
Wall Thickness in InchesType
pf Block
UninsulatedInsulated1" Air Space Uninsulated1 " Air Space Insulated
6
Lightweight
.40
.26
.18
.15
8
Lightweight
.33
.17
.13
.11
Sand & Gravel
.53
.36
.23
.18
12
Lightweight
.30
.15
.12
.11
Medium Weight
.44
.24
--
--
Sand & Gravel
.47
.33
.22
.17
(e) 3/8 " gypsum lath and 1/2" of vermiculite-gypsum plaster.



Solid Brick and Block Walls

4" Face Brick
4" Common Brick
6 " Concrete Block
(Lightweight)
Uninsulated
.34
.33
Insulated
.23
.21
8" Concrete Block
(Lightweight)
Uninsulated
.29
.26
Insulated
.16
.15
8" Concrete Block
(Sand & Gravel)
Uninsulated
.43
.37
Insulated
.31
.28



Cavity Walls

4" Exterior Wythe
Face
Brick
Common
Brick
Concrete
Block
Actual Cavity Dimension, In.
2.54.52.54.52.54.5
4" Concrete Block
(Sand & Gravel)
Uninsulated.34.34.30.30.31.31
Insulated.13.08.13.08.13.08
4" Concrete Block (Cinder)
or 4" Clay Tile
Uninsulated.30.30.27.27.25.25
Insulated.13.08.12.08.12.08
4" Concrete Block
(Lightweight)
Uninsulated.27.27.24.24.21.21
Insulated.12.08.12.08.11.07
6" Concrete Block
(Lightweight)
Uninsulated.26.26.23.23.20.20
Cavity Insulated.12.08.11.08.10.07
Block & Cavity
Insulated
.10.07.10.07.10.07
8" Concrete Block
(Lightweight)
Uninsulated.22.22.21.21.18.18
Cavity Insulated.11.07.11.07.10.07
Block & Cavity
Insulated
.08.06.08.06.08.06
4" Face BrickUninsulated.37.37
Insulated.14.09
4" Common BrickUninsulated.33.33.29.29
Insulated.13.08.13.08



Sound Transmission

Average Sound Transmission --- Loss in Decibels
Wall TypeCores EmptyCores Filled with VermiculiteNoise Reduction Percentage (a)
8" painted lightweight block
43
48(b)
31%
8" unpainted heavyweight block
45
48(c)
21%(d)

(a) Decibel reduction converted to sones and expressed as a percentage reduction in loudness.
(b) STC-48
(c) STC-52
(d) 31% when block filled and painted.


Approximate Coverage(a)

Sq. ft. of wall area(b)
1"
Cavity
2"
Cavity
2.5"
Cavity
4.5"
Cavity
8"
Block
12"
Block
100
2
4
5
9
7
13
500
10
20
25
45
34
63
1,000
21
42
50
95
69
125
2,000
42
84
100
189
138
250
3,000
62
124
150
279
207
375
5,000
104
208
250
468
345
625
7,000
146
292
350
657
483
875
10,000
208
416
500
950
690
1,250

(a) 4-cubic foot bags required to fill
(b) a standard 8"x16" block equals 0.89 sq.ft.
Multiply the number of blocks times 0.89
to calculate the total square footage needed.


Nominal Thermal Resistance Values
Thermal Resistance (a) 0F .h.ft2/Btu (K.m2/W)

Mean Temp.
0F (0C)
0-Premium
1-Large>
2-Medium
3-Fine
4-Super Fine
-199 (-84)
--
--
--
--
3.4 (0.59)
-58 (-50)
--
--
--
--
3.0 (0.52)
-13 (-25)
--
--
--
--
2.7 (0.48)
75 (24)
2.3 (0.40)
2.3 (0.40)
2.3 (0.40)
2.3 (0.40)
2.3 (0.40)
212 (100)
--
--
--
--
1.8 (0.32)
302 (150)
--
--
--
--
1.6 (0.28)
392 (200)
--
--
--
--
1.4 (0.25)
482 (250)
--
--
--
--
1.2 (0.22)
572 (300)
--
--
--
--
1.1 (0.19)
662 (350)
--
--
--
--
0.94 (0.17)
752 (400)
--
--
--
--
0.84 (0.15)
850 (454)
--
--
--
--
0.73 (0.13)

(a)The nominal thermal resistances in this table are for 1.0 inch (25.4 mm) of thickness


Technical Support and Specifications:

Description
The block or cavity wall insulation shall be vermiculite masonry insulation, as produced by a qualified manufacturer of vermiculite products. It can be specially treated to reduce water absorption, and should be free flowing insulation.

Scope
The walls to be insulated shall be designated on drawings and schedules.

Materials
All insulation materials shall conform to ASTM C-516, Standard Specification for Vermiculite Loose Fill Thermal Insulation or Federal Specification HH-I-585C. Vermiculite Masonry Insulation can be treated for water repellency if necessary.

Installation
The vermiculite masonry insulation shall be poured into the concrete block cavities directly or through the use of a hopper device placed immediately on top of the wall section. The insulation shall be poured at any convenient interval so as to insure that all areas are filled. All holes and openings in the wall through which the insulation can escape shall be permanently sealed or caulked prior to installation of the vermiculite; and glass fiber, rope, galvanized steel, or copper screens shall be used at seep holes to prevent leakage.


Codes and Certification

Vermiculite Masonry Insulation is manufactured to meet the following standards:

  • ASTM C-516 (Vermiculite Loose Fill Thermal Insulation).
  • Federal Specifications for Insulation, Thermal (Vermiculite), HH-I-585C and A-A-902 General Services Administration, April 21, 1980.
  • National Concrete Masonry Association guidelines for insulation in concrete masonry walls.

For more information, please call or contact:

The Vermiculite Association
or one of its members, or

The Schundler Company

10 Central Street
Nahant, MA 01908
732-287-2244 or www.schundler.com

Back to Construction Products Main Page