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).



Sprayed-On Fire-Protection with Schundler Cementitious Fireproofing

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.


Basic Fire-Proofing and Fire-Protection with Perlite and Vermiculite Products

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
And the Leveling of Old Floors

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:


Links to Manufacturers of Perlite Boards and Other Perlite Products that The Schundler Company does not manufacture::



If you need more help in location information on our web site, try using this search engine:

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For more information about these and many other uses of perlite and vermiculite,
please call or contact us at:

The Schundler Company --- 10 Central Street, Nahant, MA 01908
732-287-2244
www.schundler.com
email: info@schundler.com

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