Vermiculite Perlite Insulation

Both of these amendments are mined minerals that can be used for insulation and water filtration.

Vermiculite perlite insulation.

Like perlite vermiculite is an effective soil conditioner that can loosen compacted soil provide drainage and hold three to four times its weight in water. The similarities between vermiculite and perlite before we look at how these two minerals are different let s consider the similarities of vermiculite vs perlite. 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. Perlite and vermiculite are used as loose fill insulation in the construction of modern insulated masonry wall systems.

Common traits of perlite and vermiculite. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral compound that expands when heated. These builders will use a 5 1 6 1 or 7 1 parts insulator to one part concrete to build their hearth and skin the pizza oven dome. Pros and cons of vermiculite or perlite.

But and this is an important but vermiculite is more compressible and less porous than perlite giving vermiculite higher water holding capacity when it s used as a planting medium. Perlite and vermiculite are both lightweight sand substitutes for soilless potting mixes which are often used to improve aeration and texture in potting soil and garden soil mixtures. In its pure form vermiculite is clean odorless nontoxic and sterile. Neither medium will rot deteriorate or decompose.