Vermicucrete above or below Kaowool

[gjbingham]

Re: Vermicucrete above or below Kaowool

I think dmun has it correct. Blanket first, then vermicrete.

[NanyukiTom]

Re: Vermicucrete above or below Kaowool

Hi JCG31,

I live in Kenya and have been unable to find any sort of insulating blanket to put around the dome. I finally opted for 6 inches of vermicucrete. It seems to be working fairly well. I was a bit concerned about expansion and the need for a woven insulation blanket but the vermicucrete seems to be working just fine.

I agree that it adds no structural elements to the whole program. It's acutally a bit of mess to work with. I ended up "sculpting" a layer of chicken wire (1/2" opening) about 6 inches above the dome outer face and then filling the space between the dome and the chicken wire with the vermicucrete. I don't see how it ever would have stuck without the chicken wire to hold it in place.

Tom T

[dmun]

Re: Vermicucrete above or below Kaowool

I put the blanket outside the brick dome, and covered it with vermiculite concrete. The perlcrete has no structural strength, so I don't think it will help with anything structural, except maybe supporting the stucco on the outside of the dome. Besides, the blanket is the much better insulator, and you want it where it will do the most good.

[jcg31]

Having learned the miracle of insulation these last two weekends with the curing fires, I have decided to add a layer of vermicucrete to the outside of the dome. I see in posts that some add it directly to the dome, while others are laying down the ceramic blanket first and then putting down the vermicucrete over the blanket. Does anyone know the relative benefits of either approach. Does applying directly to the dome provide more structural support?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Jim