A lightweight, fire-resistant insulation material made from expanded volcanic glass that provides thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

Perlite insulation is a lightweight, fire-resistant insulation material made from expanded volcanic glass that provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties for various construction applications. This naturally occurring mineral is processed by heating crude perlite ore to approximately 1800°F, causing the trapped water within the volcanic glass to vaporize and expand the material up to 20 times its original volume, creating a lightweight aggregate with countless tiny air cells that provide insulating properties. Perlite insulation is valued for its non-combustible nature, chemical inertness, pest resistance, and ability to maintain its insulating properties over time without settling or deteriorating.

Perlite insulation is used in various construction applications including loose-fill insulation for masonry walls, concrete block cores, and cavity spaces where it provides thermal insulation while maintaining fire resistance, roof deck insulation in built-up roofing systems where it serves as both insulation and a base for roofing membranes, concrete aggregate for lightweight insulating concrete used in roof decks, floor systems, and precast panels, plaster aggregate for insulating plaster systems that provide both thermal insulation and fire resistance, and specialty applications such as cryogenic insulation, refractory insulation, and horticultural growing media. Each application takes advantage of perlite’s unique combination of lightweight, insulating, and fire-resistant properties.

The properties and characteristics of perlite insulation include exceptional fire resistance with a melting point of approximately 2000°F, making it non-combustible and suitable for fire-rated assemblies, low thermal conductivity that provides effective insulation with R-values typically ranging from 2.0 to 2.7 per inch depending on density and application, lightweight nature with bulk densities ranging from 2 to 15 pounds per cubic foot, excellent acoustic properties that help reduce sound transmission, chemical inertness that resists degradation from moisture, chemicals, and biological attack, and dimensional stability that prevents settling and maintains insulating performance over time. These properties make perlite suitable for demanding applications where fire safety and long-term performance are critical.

Fun Fact: Perlite was first used commercially in the early 1900s, but its insulating properties weren’t fully recognized until the 1940s when it became popular for lightweight concrete and insulation applications during World War II material shortages.

• Attic Insulation
• Batten Insulation
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