What type of insulation is best for thermal insulation? The choice of insulation for walls and roofs

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Insulation for the walls of the house: 3 options for winter clothes for the home

September 7, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction works(laying the foundation, erecting walls, constructing the roof, etc.). Internal construction works (laying of internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communication, high tech, computer technology, programming.

In order for your home to be energy efficient and meet all building codes, you need to know what thermal insulation materials you can use. Especially when it comes to internal insulation, because in this case the insulation is in almost direct contact with the inhabitants of the house.

Therefore, today I will tell you how to choose the best insulation for walls inside the house. More precisely, I will describe everything specifications, advantages and disadvantages, and final decision about the purchase of this or that material, you can already accept it yourself.

Features of the use of heaters inside the house

I want to note right away that I prefer to do the insulation in a private house with my own hands along the facades of the building, that is, along the outer surfaces of the walls. It is better to install thermal insulation outside than inside for many reasons, the discussion of which is beyond the scope of this article.

But sometimes you have to resort to internal insulation. For example:

  1. if it is not possible to use scaffolding and lifting equipment;
  2. there is no desire to spoil the original appearance of your country cottage.

In this case, the primary importance is how to insulate the walls from the inside of the house. I made a small table on this issue:

Characteristic Description
Low thermal conductivity The lower the thermal conductivity, the thinner the insulation layer should be used. This means that there will be more usable area in the room.
fire safety The material should not ignite when exposed to open flames and should contribute to the spread of flames, facilitating fire extinguishing. When ignited, the insulation must not emit toxic smoke, which may prevent the evacuation of people from the building.
Hygroscopicity The insulation should not absorb water or accumulate water vapor resulting from human activity. This significantly reduces its thermal insulation properties and reduces the service life of the insulation layer.
Antiseptic On the surface and inside the thermal insulation, various microorganisms, insects and rodents should not appear and develop, which violate the integrity of the material and sometimes the enclosing structures.
Heat resistance The insulation must retain its original technical characteristics and performance properties, regardless of the ambient temperature. The geometric dimensions are especially important, because the shrinkage of thermal insulation leads to the formation of cold bridges.
Environmental friendliness The materials used inside the house and outside the building should not harm human health and environment. Especially if the thermal insulation is made inside, because in this case the insulation will be in almost direct contact with the living space.
Ease of installation The technology for installing insulation should be easy to implement. Ideally, you should be able to fix the material inside and outside the walls with your own hands.

All these requirements are met to some extent. modern heaters, but I want to highlight just a few of them.

Characteristics of individual thermal insulation materials

So, how can you insulate the enclosing walls inside and out? I have identified several heaters, which are indicated in the diagram below:

Now I will describe in more detail the technical characteristics of each of them.

Expanded polystyrene: 1 option

Building polystyrene foam for insulation is foamed polymer material, externally representing white sheets with a cellular structure. The heat insulator granules have a closed structure and contain atmospheric gas, which makes up more than 98% of the total volume of the material.

For construction needs, polystyrene foam of different densities and with different performance properties is used. The thickness of the finished slabs varies from 2 to 100 cm, and the dimensions from 50 to 200 cm.

Thermal conductivity

According to this indicator, the material is perhaps the leader among popular heat-insulating materials. For middle lane It is enough for Russia to use a layer of insulation 5-10 cm thick to effectively protect the room from unproductive heat loss.

The material owes such high performance to the presence of atmospheric gas in the granules, which, as you know, is an excellent heat insulator.

The final value of λ depends on the density of the material. I will give a small table that perfectly illustrates this dependence:

Some companies, for example, TechnoNIKOL, in the production of polystyrene foam, add nanographite and nanocarbon additives to the raw material mass, due to which the dependence of the thermal conductivity of the material on density decreases. The coefficient of such a heater is 0.033 W / (m * K).

Soundproof properties

Styrofoam is well suited for impact sound insulation. Although this property is more used in the arrangement of roofs, in the case of walls, a high result can be achieved.

But the described material does not absorb airborne noise well, so if you want to achieve maximum silence in the room, I recommend using a more effective sound insulator paired with polystyrene foam. For example, mineral wool, which will be discussed below.

Water absorption

The described insulating material is characterized by low hygroscopicity. The closed cell structure and the minimum number of capillaries leads to the fact that:

  • even in direct contact with liquid, expanded polystyrene absorbs no more than 4% of its own volume;
  • and denser extruded polystyrene foam absorbs about 0.4% of water.

And we are talking not only about rain or snow, but also about water vapor dissolved in the air of the living room. At internal use the material does not require the use of waterproof films. However, this does not mean that the insulation layer cannot be damaged by other external factors.

Durability and service life

Subject to the installation technology and proper operation of the insulation layer, expanded polystyrene retains its performance properties for at least 30 years. What is important, this does not change its original geometric parameters in any way.

The final strength value depends on the density of the expanded polystyrene boards. However, with an increase in the last parameter, the coefficient of thermal conductivity increases:

  • therefore, it is irrational to use too dense plates;
  • I advise you to select the brand of insulation depending on the upcoming tasks.

Biological and chemical resistance

I really appreciate expanded polystyrene for the fact that it has excellent resistance to all aggressive substances and compounds contained in mortars and other materials.

In particular, expanded polystyrene is not harmed by:

  • salt,
  • alkali,
  • acid,
  • lime,
  • gypsum,
  • cement;
  • bitumen and substances based on it;
  • waterborne paints.

But there are exceptions to this rule. Destroy polystyrene granules:

You should also avoid contact of the described insulation with:

  • refined products (gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel);
  • alcohol solutions.

As for biocorrosion, this phenomenon can not be feared. Repeated studies have shown that it is impossible for microorganisms to develop on the surface and inside polystyrene foam boards.

Ease of installation and safety

Expanded polystyrene, as you know, consists almost entirely of air, therefore it weighs very little and exerts only a minimal additional load on the walls, and even then because of the need to use a crate or external cement plaster.

If you decide how best to insulate the walls inside, then you need to pay attention to the environmental friendliness of thermal insulation. Expanded polystyrene under normal conditions does not pose a danger to humans, so it can be mounted without the use of protective equipment.

The only factor to be wary of is ultraviolet radiation. The insulation is destroyed under the action of direct sun rays, so it must be protected with external decorative sheathing or thin-layer cement plaster.

Fire properties

described thermal insulation material is very flammable. Moreover, the danger of its use lies in the fact that during a fire it contributes to the further spread of fire and releases a large number of poisonous smoke that harms people and makes it difficult to evacuate them.

To reduce the fire hazard, flame retardants are added to the original polystyrene mass, due to which the insulation self-extinguishes when ignited. However, this increases the smoke generation coefficient, which makes it difficult to eliminate the source of ignition.

Therefore, when insulating walls, especially wooden houses (from timber, logs or built using frame technology), I recommend interspersing the insulation layer with fire protection belts made of non-flammable basalt wool.

Areas of use

Based on the table below, you can independently determine which material is more suitable for wall insulation.

Density Scope of use
10
  • insulation of the walls of temporary structures - change houses for builders, trailers, sea ​​containers and so on.
15
  • insulation and sound insulation of enclosing walls along the inner surface;
  • thermal insulation of balconies, loggias and other auxiliary premises;
  • external and internal insulation of city apartments and private houses;
  • insulation of surfaces that do not experience large operational loads.
20
  • thermal insulation of facades of residential, commercial and industrial buildings using the hinged facade technology.
25
  • insulation and soundproofing of enclosing walls inside and outside;
  • insulation of walls of basement floors and foundations of buildings;
  • arrangement mansard roofs, including thermal insulation of attic floors;
  • thermal insulation of building facades, loggias and balconies using thin-layer cement.
35
  • thermal insulation of walls and other surfaces that may experience increased external mechanical stress.

But before you choose how to insulate the walls from the inside or outside, you need to decide on others. letters present in the labeling of the foam.

Marking Designation
BUT A plate with even ends, having the shape of a parallelepiped of a certain size and thickness.
B Expanded polystyrene, supplied in the form of plates with a milled edge in the form of a step, due to which a more dense joining of the elements of the insulating layer is achieved.
R Insulation plates, for cutting which according to the given dimensions, a cutter in the form of a heated string of nichrome wire was used.
F Heat-insulating polystyrene foam, which is not cut into pieces during the production process, but is formed in special forms.
H Building polystyrene foam, specially designed for insulating the outer surfaces of the walls of buildings.
FROM Insulation, which contains fire-fighting additives that contribute to the self-extinguishing of the material in the event of a fire. It is this material that requires the use of fire safety instructions for insulation.

As you can see, polystyrene foam has both pros and cons. But it is very widely used in private construction due to its affordable cost.

Mineral wool: 2 option

Construction documentation and state standards define mineral wool as a fibrous insulation material made from various raw materials:

  • glass,
  • slag, etc.

But, from my point of view, basalt wool has the best characteristics, which is why I want to devote further narration to it.

So, basalt insulation is a heat-insulating material made from molten minerals of volcanic origin. Most often we are talking about gabbro-basalt, hence the name.

Fibers obtained from molten mineral mass:

  • glued into mats using phenol-formaldehyde resins;
  • as a result, a heater with an open fibrous structure is formed;
  • inside between the fibers there is air, which prevents heat loss from the room.

Thermal conductivity

According to this indicator, mineral wool is only slightly inferior to the expanded polystyrene described above. But only some of its varieties. The exact value of λ depends on the density of the basalt mats and ranges from 0.032 to 0.045 W/(m*K).

I want to note that, unlike the insulation described above, mineral wool has an open structure, and its fibers are arranged in a chaotic manner. As a result, the material acquires many additional advantages.

Water absorption

The material itself (mineral fiber) does not absorb water at all. But moisture can penetrate into the gaps between the villi, accumulating inside and reducing the heat-preserving properties.

To avoid this, the production of rock wool uses hydrophobic substances added to the resin for bonding. Thanks to them, moisture particles do not linger inside the mats, but are quickly removed to the outside and evaporate.

The final value of the water absorption coefficient is from 1 to 5% of the total volume of the material. But here it all depends on the density, manufacturer and brand.

Vapor permeability

It is for this characteristic (although for others too) that I prefer this material. The fibrous structure of basalt wool does not prevent air infiltration through the insulation layer, allowing the enclosing walls to “breathe”. The vapor permeability of the material is approximately 0.3 mg / (m * Pa * h) (for comparison - for polystyrene foam 0.03).

Due to this, the use of the considered insulation for thermal insulation of walls makes it possible to achieve several advantages:

  • the level of humidity in the room is regulated naturally;
  • the service life of enclosing structures increases, since the moisture accumulated inside is removed to the outside.

This parameter is especially important for wooden walls, which are themselves vapor permeable. houses from natural wood(beams or logs), I recommend insulating it with mineral wool.

fire safety

Heaters based on basalt fibers glued with a synthetic binder have excellent fire-fighting properties:

  • do not ignite under the action of an open flame;
  • do not contribute to the further spread of fire;
  • during a fire they do not smoke and do not emit toxic substances into the air.

Depending on the amount of organic resin, basalt insulation is classified as NG or G1.

Compressive strength

This parameter refers to the ability of the insulation to withstand significant external mechanical loads. This is usually very important for intermediate floors and flat roofs. But even when insulating walls on internal and external surfaces using cement plaster, I advise you to pay attention to strength.

The exact value of this parameter is from 8 to 60 kPa at a surface deformation of 10%.

When finishing on facades, it is important to take into account such a moment as the peel strength of the layers. According to current standards, mineral wool can withstand a force of more than 15 kN on square meter. However, you need to use only hard insulation, specially designed for such work.

Density

Two parameters depend on the density of the insulation:

  • its strength to external influences;
  • coefficient of thermal conductivity.

When buying a material, it is necessary to select the optimal ratio of these characteristics, taking into account the tasks facing you. For example:

  • for insulation of plaster facades, the density of wool must be at least 100 kg per square meter;
  • floors are covered with material with a density of 200 kg per m3;
  • and in frame structures, you can put cotton wool with a density of 40 kg per m3.

Lifetime

Manufacturers of popular brands of insulation guarantee that mineral wool retains its technical characteristics for at least 50 years. At the same time, its operational properties are not affected by the level of humidity, temperature fluctuations, exposure to aggressive chemicals and other factors.

The material itself is completely safe for the human body. A small amount of formaldehyde resins used for gluing fibers is neutralized already at the production stage by additional heat treatment mineral mats.

One of the popular manufacturers of mineral wool in our country is TechnoNIKOL. Therefore, I will give a table that shows the technical characteristics of various heaters from this company.

Polyurethane foam: 3 option

Sprayed polyurethane foam is an effective insulation, consisting of a large number microscopic cells filled with carbon dioxide. This material is obtained by mixing two chemical components, which, reacting with each other and atmospheric gas, foam and then solidify.

As a result, a seamless homogeneous insulation layer is formed, the technical characteristics of which depend on the exact composition of the components used.

By the way, the peculiarity of polyurethane foam is that it is applied to the surface of the walls by spraying. Thanks to the sprayer and the high adhesion of the material, foam can be used to cover structures of very complex shapes, built from any materials: from metal to wood.

Thermal conductivity

According to this indicator, polyurethane foam is in the gap between polystyrene foam and mineral wool. The cured foam has a thermal conductivity index from 0.019 to 0.035 W / (m * K). But here, I will not tire of repeating, it all depends on the density.

However, to insulate the enclosing walls, it is enough to use a PPU layer with a thickness of no more than 10 cm. And due to the absence of auxiliary layers (waterproofing, etc.), the insulating cake will be of minimum thickness if foam is used.

Noise isolation properties

According to this indicator, polyurethane foam approaches polystyrene foam. Much depends on the rigidityon which the insulation is sprayed.

But I can say with confidence that the described heat insulator perfectly protects against impact noise. That is why it is popular for insulating roofs with rigid roofing(metal tile, profiled sheet) and frame walls with outer skin sheet material.

Chemical resistance

Polyurethane foam is better able to withstand exposure to harsh chemicals than expanded polystyrene. The insulation is not destroyed by contact with:

  • oils and gasoline;
  • alcohols and acids;
  • building binders and plasticizers.

Even concentrated (to a certain extent) acid does not damage the insulation layer.

The material retains its neutrality throughout the entire service life (unlike, for example, slag wool). Therefore, it is recommended to use it for insulation metal surfaces(for example, walls of change houses or sea containers). In addition to protecting against heat loss, it will prevent corrosion.

Water absorption

The insulation absorbs no more than 3% of the liquid from its own volume. Therefore, it serves not only as a heat insulator, but also as a waterproofing agent. The exact value of the water absorption coefficient depends on the components used and how they are mixed.

In some cases, water repellents are added to the composition of the initial mass, which significantly reduce water absorption. Usually castor oil plays the role of this substance.

Fire safety

Construction polyurethane foams used for insulation belong to the following flammability groups:

Increasing the fire resistance of the material is achieved by modifying the chemical composition of the foam or by adding special substances to its composition - flame retardants. The second method is more popular because it is easier to implement.

There is also a special, fire-resistant PPU. It is used for fire protection of structures. A thin layer of foam is applied to the main layer of insulation, protecting the latter from fire.

Density

Typically, the density of insulating foam is in the range from 30 to 80 kg per cubic meter. Although there are polyurethane foams with a density of 9 kg / m3.

You can change the density of the insulation layer by making changes to the settings of the machine that produces the foam. Due to this, it is possible to use material of different density for thermal insulation of certain surfaces.

It is desirable to treat the walls inside the room with a less dense foam, and outside - with a denser and more durable one. In this way, the cost of thermal insulation can be reduced.

Lifetime

Guaranteed by the manufacturer of components for polyurethane foam, the service life of the insulating layer is 20-30 years. However, studies show that the material does not lose its properties even after 50 years of use.

Therefore, we can safely say that the heat-insulating layer will last as long as the enclosing structures on which it is applied.

Environmental friendliness

The material after polymerization is absolutely safe for the human body. It has zero emission harmful substances, therefore it is approved for use both for internal and external insulation.

However, there are two points:

  1. When applied, the components of the polyurethane foam enter into chemical reaction and emit substances hazardous to humans. Therefore, it is possible to carry out warming only in overalls and with respiratory and eye protection.

    2. Technical characteristics of polyurethane foam.

    Summary

    Based on the information above, you can easily select the material for work. And if you are interested in how to insulate the walls in a private house from the inside, you can watch the video in this article or refer to the corresponding article on my blog, where there is a lot of information about both internal and external insulation.

    You can leave your opinion about the information presented in this material in the comments.

    September 7, 2016

    If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

Thermal insulation is an important and responsible process by which you can make the house warm and save on heating. Walls, roofs, pipes can be insulated. But for each case there is an option, technological features which must be taken into account in their selection.

For external walls

The outer walls are important element each house, because they are entrusted with the bearing function and protection of the house from the negative influence of the environment.

Mineral wool

This material is considered one of the most popular for wall insulation, both outside and inside. Installation of wool is carried out without a preliminary layer of vapor barrier between gypsum boards.

In the photo - mineral wool for insulation

For external walls, it is worth using mineral wool in a roll format. And although the material has a low cost, it is very effective in terms of heat retention, durability and strength. The disadvantage of mineral wool is its ability to "breathe".

Styrofoam

This material is not inferior in popularity to mineral wool and is actively used for thermal insulation from the outside. The popularity of this material lies in its high thermal and operational data. You can read more about it in our article.

In the photo - expanded polystyrene for wall insulation

The benefits of a heater include:

  • low thermal conductivity;
  • small throughput steam and moisture;
  • ease of installation;
  • light weight.

polyurethane foam

This material for external insulation can be classified as universal. This is due to the fact that polyurethane foam has a cellular structure. The material can be used for insulation of internal and external walls. The insulation has a thermal conductivity of 0.0125 W/mK. Polyurethane cells contain air or an inert gas. They are hermetically sealed, so that the material has excellent water resistance.

In the photo - polyurethane foam for wall insulation

Foamed foil polyethylene

But what kind of insulation for the facade for siding is the best and how to choose it, is described in this article:

But what kind of insulation for facade plastering is the most popular and how it is used, the information will help to understand

liquid ceramics

And although this option of insulation is considered modern today, many developers are wary of it. Although the characteristics of a liquid heat insulator look impressive. The thermal conductivity is 0.01 W, and when the material dries, a single layer is formed, which does not contain joints and cracks.

In the photo, liquid ceramics for wall insulation from the inside

The main advantage of liquid ceramics is that after its application it is not necessary to apply a finish. The resulting surface looks beautiful, thin and at the same time performs all the functions that are assigned to the insulation. The only drawback of the material is that it has a high price. And you can read about which ones are used in the article.

For roofing

When building a roof, it is imperative to provide a layer of insulation. But which one is the most suitable, we will now determine.

Styrofoam

This material has excellent heat-insulating and sound-proofing qualities. But it cannot be used if there is a flat or soft roof.

In the photo - polystyrene foam for the roof

This is due to the fact that the material is vapor permeable and combustible. Using foam, you can create excellent roof ventilation. But how to use, the information from this article will help you understand.

polyurethane foam

The main advantage of this material is that it perfectly protects the roof from the penetration of cold. In addition, he is not affected by fire. Polyurethane foam can be applied to the roof in the most inaccessible places.

In the photo - polyurethane foam for the roof

In addition, with the help of this roofing insulation, you can forget about joints and gaps. But what is a shell for pipes made of polyurethane foam, in detail with a photo, is described in this

foamed glass

This material is considered unique, because glass waste in combination with carbon is used for its production.

In the photo, foamed glass for roof insulation

The main advantages of a heater include:

  • incombustibility,
  • not afraid of steam and water,
  • not affected by rodents and microorganisms,
  • long service life;
  • excellent thermal insulation qualities,
  • deformation resistance.

Ecowool

To obtain this material, cellulose is used. It is based on aspirin, so that the insulation is not affected by fire. Since cellulose is exposed to the influence of microorganisms, an antiseptic is used in the production of ecowool.

In the photo - ecowool for roof insulation:

Thus, it is possible to obtain an inexpensive, light, heat-insulating and sound-proof heat insulator. When using it, you can get a monolithic coating that does not contain seams.

For floor, ceiling, pipes

To insulate surfaces such as floors, ceilings and pipes, it is advisable to use a foil heat insulator. Moreover, the foil can be laid on one or two sides of the material. The essence of this heat insulator is that it is able to reflect infrared radiation. But one foil cannot act as a heater. It's most likely reflective insulation.

In the photo - floor insulation:

But the basis for the foil can be such materials:

  • expanded polystyrene;
  • polyethylene with a closed cell structure;
  • stone wool.

The presented materials can be produced in rolls, sheets. If we are talking about pipe insulation, then the foil heat insulator is produced in the form of a cover.

Which is better to use for a wooden house

Today on modern market there are many thermal insulation materials that can be used for insulation wooden house. When choosing, you need to take into account that the wooden surface can "breathe". Otherwise, it will lead to the development of mold and fungi.

The following materials can be used to insulate wood:

  1. Jute.
  2. Tape tow.
  3. Styrofoam.
  4. Mineral wool.
  5. Styrofoam.

Non-combustible types

If you need to choose a material that does not undergo combustion, but at the same time will perform all the functions of a heat insulator, then you should pay attention to the following types:

  1. glass wool. This material is characterized by high strength and elasticity. It is actively involved in the insulation of heating pipelines. Glass wool is not affected by UV rays.

    In the photo - non-combustible glass wool:

  2. Expanded clay. A heat insulator is obtained as a result of firing clay. It can be used when insulating complex or hard-to-reach surfaces. It has excellent thermal insulation properties. But which one is described in great detail in this article.

    In the photo, non-combustible expanded clay:

  3. Foam glass. This material belongs to inorganic heaters. It has a structure that resembles soap foam. In the production of a heat insulator, coal and glass are used. Thanks to this, foam glass is able to withstand high temperatures. But what is the GOST of expanded clay concrete wall panels, information from

    In the photo, non-combustible foam glass material:

Foil types

Today you can purchase the following insulation with a foil layer:

  1. mineral wool. This material is great for insulating surfaces that are constantly heated to high temperatures. Often, mineral wool is used when laying pipes. But what technical characteristics of mineral wool currently exist and where it is used is described in this

    On the photo-foil mineral wool:

  2. Expanded polyurethane foam. On one side it has a layer of aluminum. The material has excellent thermal insulation performance, despite the thin layer. It is much more effective than mineral wool.

    On the photo-foiled polyurethane foam:

  3. Foil heat insulator. It has a foil layer on one side and a self-adhesive surface on the other. The material is used as a vapor and water insulator.

    In the photo - a foil heat insulator for insulation:

Basalt species

Basalt insulation is stone wool. The material is environmentally friendly and practical. It can be used when insulating the following surfaces:


Basalt insulation is classified according to the density and form of release. Each of them has its pros and cons. Basalt insulation is produced in the form of a roll, mat or placer.

Nowadays, the issue of insulation of residential buildings is becoming more and more relevant. Demands are rising building codes about this, and the developers themselves want to reduce heat loss and heating costs. To create effective insulation that is safe for the health of residents, you should study the various types of insulation for the house and then apply them for their intended purpose.

  • reduce the cooling of buildings in winter and their heating in summer;
  • protect load-bearing structures from aggressive weather conditions;
  • to minimize temperature deformations of power elements and extend their service life.

Properties of heaters of different types

High-quality material is selected after a comprehensive assessment of various parameters:

1. Low coefficient of thermal conductivity - the smaller it is, the thinner the insulation layer will be. For example, the following views provide the same level of isolation:

  • mineral wool - 14;
  • basalt wool, ecowool - 8.7;
  • expanded polystyrene foam (polystyrene) - 8.3;
  • extruded polystyrene foam (Penoplex) - 6.5 cm.

2. Moisture resistance. If the insulation does not absorb water, it is not prone to shrinkage and retains its insulating characteristics longer. The most moisture resistant is Penoplex, and the most hygroscopic is mineral wool. To make mineral wool insulation more water resistant, manufacturers impregnate them with special compounds.

3. Fire resistance. Absolutely non-combustible are inorganic fibrous heaters. Expanded polystyrenes, polyurethane foam ignite easily, releasing toxic substances. Low-flammable penoizol (carbamide foam) at a temperature of 200 ° C only chars, while it is non-toxic. To prevent foam and ecowool from supporting fire, flame retardants are added to them, changing the combustibility group from G4 to G1 (from high to low).

4. Vapor permeability. With internal roof insulation, the material must remove wet vapors from rooms and building structures. Mineral, basalt and ecowool, penoizol (have a capillary structure) pass steam well. They are applicable for installation on all types of surfaces, do not allow them to rot. Expanded polystyrene plates do not differ in such qualities and are recommended for outdoor work.


Thermal insulation overview

According to the type of raw materials, three types of heaters are distinguished:

1. Inorganic (natural). This includes materials made from melted glass or quartz sand (glass wool); rocks (basalt). The first variety is light yellow, weighs somewhat less and is elastic. Stone wool is more fire resistant. The best brands of insulation have a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.032 W / m ° C (maximum - 0.045 W / m ° C). The price of mineral wool, depending on the thickness and density, ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles / m3.

2. Organic (synthetic).

  • Polyfoam and Penoplex. They are made of polystyrene and have low thermal conductivity (0.035-0.045 W/m°C). The average price of expanded polystyrene foam is from 1,000, extruded - from 3,500 rubles / m3.
  • Polyurethane foam properties are better than expanded polystyrene and mineral wool. Spraying 1 m2 of a five-centimeter layer of foam costs 500 rubles.
  • Penoizol is a liquid foam produced directly at the construction site and pumped into the space between structural elements buildings. This type of thermal insulation outperforms traditional insulation in many ways: it is resistant to moisture and at the same time “breathes”, it is low-flammable and does not emit toxic smoke. Its thermal conductivity is 1.5 times lower than that of expanded polystyrenes. The average cost of a cubic meter of insulation is 1,500 rubles / m3.

3. Mixed.

  • Ecowool. It consists of 80% waste paper, the remaining 20% ​​are flame retardants. The material is presented in the form of a loose fiber blown into insulated cavities. Thermal conductivity indicators are the same as those of expanded polystyrenes. The price of insulation together with work is from 1,500 (dry method) to 4,500 rubles / m3 (wet blowing).
  • Foam glass is characterized by high hardness, incombustibility. It sticks well and cuts well. Its disadvantages are poor vapor permeability and cost - from 14,000 rubles / m3.

Sometimes exotic “ecological heaters” based on clay, straw, and reeds are offered for insulation. They, like inorganic backfills (expanded perlite, vermiculite and expanded clay), are characterized by high thermal conductivity and are ineffective.


Types of heaters depending on the purpose

For proper selection of insulation, its comprehensive assessment is needed. Applicability depends not only on the properties of insulating materials, but also on structural elements, the expected location of cold bridges (this is determined, among other things, by architectural features).

Different nodes of the same building are insulated in different ways.

  • Cellars, ground floors, balconies and loggias. For external insulation use Penoplex. It is stronger than polystyrene, withstands loads up to 0.5 MPa, and is not afraid of water. When in the ground, the probability of its ignition is small.
  • External wall insulation. For a wooden house, blowing with penoizol is acceptable. The properties and characteristics of the insulation make it possible to fill all the cavities between the bars, and also enable the wood to "breathe". For insulation of brick, foam and gas-block houses, glass wool, Penoplex is used.
  • Roof. If there are enough funds, polyurethane foam is sprayed on it. The traditional roof insulation is mineral wool, protected by a layer of waterproofing. Manufacturers produce it, varying not only the size, but also the density. Roll options are good - they do not burden the structure.
  • Walls, ceiling and floor. When choosing insulation for walls, they often prefer more environmentally friendly and low-combustible inorganic materials. Mineral wool insulation is placed in a frame on which drywall is attached. They do the same with the ceiling: the plates are covered with vapor barrier - this protects them from moisture, and the residents of the house - from the penetration of fibers into the respiratory system. If there are lags, you can blow out the overlap with ecowool. The floor in the house is insulated by filling expanded clay (at least 100 mm) or by laying Penoplex sheets on the base. It is then poured with a finishing screed, laying a reinforcing mesh. Concrete prevents the synthetic material from igniting.

Knowledge of the features of various thermal insulators and the use of the practical experience of professional builders allow you to create in the house optimal conditions for living.

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Home insulation is one of the most important factors affecting the economy family budget. After all, if the house is blown from all sides, heating costs increase many times over. Experienced craftsmen it is not advised to insulate the premises from the inside - this leads not only to a decrease in usable area, but also to the destruction of the walls due to the formation of condensate between the walls and thermal insulation, which means that such work should be carried out outside the buildings. Types of insulation for walls outside, the price and materials for the manufacture of thermal insulation - this is the topic of our conversation today.

Wall insulation is very important for saving the family budget.

Extruded polystyrene - what is it

This material has a higher cost, but at the same time its technical characteristics are much better. The most famous of these heaters for walls outside can be safely called penoplex. It is strong enough, although it has a porous structure. It is also very convenient in plastering. Installation is carried out on special mastics, adhesive bases without the use of acetone, but the best option for exterior finish can be called special plastic anchors.

For rodents and various pests, such a heater is of no interest. In addition, in its manufacture, substances are used that are not susceptible to the formation of fungus. In fact, there is only one minus - high flammability. The weight of the plates is small, which, coupled with its strength, makes it possible to carry out work on the insulation of the house from the outside with foam plastic to one person without any help.

Polyurethane foam - what are its disadvantages and advantages

Such material has been known for a long time and has found application not only as a thermal insulator. It is used as a filler in armchairs and sofas, car and bus seats. To put it simply, this is foam rubber, which is probably known to every person.

As a heater, it can only be used under panels. Its soft structure does not allow plastering. Although some home craftsmen, using foam rubber as a heat insulator, then close it or, which allows subsequent plastering of the wall.

It's important to know! Its biggest disadvantage is its high temperature instability. Moreover, thanks to chemical composition this thermal insulator, when ignited, releases very toxic substances, which are quite easy to get poisoned, unlike extruded polystyrene foam, which is not subject to combustion.

Many are now talking about the harm that the phenol allegedly emitted by this material causes. However, scholars are divided on this. Some say that it is absolutely neutral, while others, on the contrary, argue that it causes colossal harm to the body. We will not take sides, limiting ourselves to stating facts - this material is now used in almost all furniture, in cars, and even as a filler for pillows. And if its harm had been proven, then a self-respecting manufacturer would hardly have dared to poison people.

Mineral wool, its varieties and the possibility of using it for thermal insulation

This heat insulator can be used inside or outside thermal insulation of walls followed by siding or wall panels. It is most widely used in the construction of ventilated facades and insulation. Most often, for these purposes, its variety is used - plates of a certain size basalt insulation, which is relatively inexpensive.

Mineral wool has a higher thermal conductivity and vapor permeability than previous options. It is due to this that it is the cheapest insulation. However, when using it, the heat in the house becomes quite enough. A rather unpleasant moment can be called the fact that when working with it, the body begins to itch. Of course, not as strong as it was with its predecessor - glassy, ​​but still sensitive. In addition, it is quite brittle and fragile material. But still, for such a type of insulation as a ventilated facade, such a thermal insulator is practically indispensable.

Liquid wall insulation - how to use it and how it performs its functions

In appearance, such a heat insulator resembles thick paint. There is no doubt about the quality of his performance of his functions. However, its popularity is reduced by its high cost - not everyone can afford it. It is for this reason that professionals advise applying it only in the corners of the house and at the joints of the foundation and walls. It is better to cover the rest of the area with a more affordable heater. It will be very wasteful to choose it to insulate all wall surfaces.

Such material can be divided into 2 groups - this is heat paint and liquid foam. Both of them do an excellent job not only with warming, but also with. Fits well on them, which means their compatibility with any material. High adhesion allows the use of this heat insulator on any surface, be it stone, concrete, brick or wood.

The main manufacturers of thermal insulation materials - a brief overview

There are a lot of manufacturers of thermal insulation in Russia. And each of them is good in its own way, and therefore it makes no sense to make any kind of rating, it makes no sense. So today we will just say a few words about each of them.

  • "Ecover"– manufacturer of basalt slabs good quality. In addition to wall products, it produces roofing heat-insulating materials and sandwich panels.

  • "Knauf"- the same mineral wool, however, the peculiarity of the manufacturer is that he produces it not in slabs, but in rolls. The layer thickness can be different.
  • "Isover"- glass wool and its varieties. Such a thermal insulator has a very big drawback - the organization of moisture removal is required
  • "Penofol"- basalt slabs are quite high quality, but the heat-insulating material made of extruded polystyrene foam brought great popularity to this brand.
  • "TechnoNIKOL"- a brand known throughout Russia and having factories in many regions. In addition to roofing material and others roofing materials manufactures XPS boards and basalt insulation.
  • "URSA"– mainly basalt and fiberglass boards of excellent quality
  • "Penoplex"- the name has become a household name. "Penoplex" is now called all the plates of their XPS, regardless of the manufacturer
  • Ecoteplin- unique and absolutely natural tile materials, which include flax fibers, borax and starch.

  • "Astratek"- liquid heaters, which have no analogues in Russia. High-quality thermal insulation is achieved already when applying a layer of only 3 mm.

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By choosing plates of suitable thickness, you can ensure a sufficient level of thermal insulation of walls, floors, ceilings. Let's talk about this heater in more detail in our review.

The list of manufacturers is endless, we have named only a few of the most famous.

Features of wall insulation outside the house - ventilated facade

Mineral wool is used for the ventilated facade. talking in simple words without the use of building terms, a frame made of a metal profile with cells according to the size of mineral, fiberglass or basalt slabs is assembled on the wall, or the same profiles are attached in a line from the bottom to the top of the building, between which insulation is laid. After it closes with a special hydro and. Facing is made with ceramic-granite tiles (usually 50 × 50 cm), which are fixed to the same guides using special metal clips called "crabs".

Thus, the developer achieves a solution to several problems at once - insulation, vapor barrier and finishing.

Three-layer wall construction - installation features

Thus, the walls of low-rise buildings from or are often insulated. The technology is pretty simple. The building, made of rough brick, is insulated from the outside with the help of any polymer thermal insulator, and then covered facing brick. But although the quality of such thermal insulation is not bad, this method has its drawbacks. The main of them can be called the low durability of the insulation in comparison with the construction and facing material. Despite this, the popularity of such insulation is quite high.

Calculation of insulation for the walls of the house: convenient online calculators

It is not difficult to calculate the required dimensions of the plates along the length and width of the wall. A much bigger problem here is the calculation of the required thickness, which depends on many different parameters, including the region in which the residential building is located. That is why we suggest you use our online calculators, which will perform all the calculations themselves.

Online calculator for calculating the thickness of the insulation of the walls of a wooden house

natural board plywood glued OSB sheets lining or MDF panels natural cork chipboard or fiberboard sheets

board or natural lining plywood OSB sheets lining or MDF panels natural cork chipboard boards or fiberboard sheets drywall

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Online calculator for calculating the thickness of wall insulation with foam foam

Consider the main types of insulation for walls.

Modern heaters: expanded polystyrene, penoizol, polyurethane foam, glass wool.

Materials for wall insulation inside: foam

The high density of the foam increases the growth of its properties such as stiffness, grain size reduction, strength.

Widespread use is due to the following advantages of foam:

  1. Styrofoam (or expanded polystyrene) is a completely safe, environmentally friendly material that can even be used as packaging food products, as well as for the manufacture of disposable tableware.
  2. Polyfoam does not emit harmful substances during operation.
  3. Styrofoam, depending on the brand, has a very low thermal conductivity in the range of 0.025-0.04 W / m ° C. It is also a material with a very low level of moisture permeability.
  4. Styrofoam is an excellent soundproofing material.
  5. The ability of foam to absorb shocks allows it to be widely used in the packaging of fragile products that require careful transportation (for example, furniture, glass, television, radio equipment, etc.).
  6. Styrofoam is durable material, which allows it to be used in building capital structures. With the correct construction of the building structure, it saves its properties for 50 years.

The possibility of using foam under load is due to its high mechanical characteristics. This greatly reduces the total cost of construction costs (for example, in the construction of roofs, floors). Has a very high density for compression. Styrofoam can be laid under concrete screed on the floor. Polyfoam is very convenient in work. The process of its installation in building construction is not labor intensive.

Foam workers do not need goggles, respirators or gloves.

Styrofoam does not undergo the process of decay, has antibacterial characteristics, is resistant to sea water, main alkalis, acids. Not subject to corrosion. Styrofoam is an affordable inexpensive material.

When using polystyrene foam in construction, it is forbidden to allow it to come into contact with such chemicals as organic solvents (turpentine, acetone, paint thinner, ethyl acetate); petroleum products (kerosene, gasoline, resins, etc.); saturated hydrocarbons (alcohol).

Contact with the compounds listed above may damage the structure of the foam or dissolve it completely.

Styrofoam is very good insulation. Most the best option in terms of price. Its use for external insulation of facades of residential buildings makes it possible to significantly reduce heat loss. Styrofoam with a thickness of 12 centimeters in terms of its heat-saving characteristics is equivalent to:

  • reinforced concrete wall 4 meters thick;
  • brick wall 2 meters thick;
  • wooden wall 0.5 meters thick.

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Materials for wall insulation inside: penoizol

Penoizol is made from a foaming agent, polymer resin, and phosphoric acid. It is produced in sheet form, as well as foam, which is poured between the walls immediately at the time of their construction.

Penoizol according to the main characteristics and appearance very similar to polystyrene foam or polystyrene. It is widely exploited and used under various brand names.

Penoizol is by far the only polymeric material for thermal insulation that is not capable of self-combustion. This is one of its benefits. He was assigned G2 flammability group. According to this indicator, penoizol is superior to expanded polystyrene (polystyrene), belonging to the G4 group. Penoizol under the influence of open fire does not ignite, but slowly evaporates. The best option in terms of fire safety.

Material with a fine-meshed structure, without large air bubbles, which, during the cutting process, allows only the walls of the bubbles damaged by the cut to crumble. Penoizol is odorless, has elasticity, that is, it can restore its original shape with a slight deformation.

Penoizol has a very low thermal conductivity, which is approximately 0.030-0.06 W / (m * K). According to this parameter, it is ahead of polystyrene and mineral wool.

Penoizol is a vapor-permeable material. It does not lose its qualities from high temperatures and moisture. Excess water evaporates quickly to the outside as a vapor. This happens only in the warm season.

Penoizol is the thinnest material with the same thermal insulation.

It is highly undesirable for penoizol to absorb moisture before frost in the autumn months. The lack of sufficient heat will not give him the opportunity to give in atmospheric air this moisture. This may cause that thermal insulation characteristics penoizola worsen.

Moisture accumulated in the material low temperatures air can freeze and disrupt the structure of penoizol. Therefore, the most desirable option is the use of penoizol between the walls in the middle layer of the structure. If there are areas with broken integrity in the outer wall, then they must be eliminated before the onset of cold weather.

One of the main advantages of penoizol is its low cost. This is a cheap heat-insulating material, and in terms of quality-price ratio, it is ahead of other wall heaters.

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Materials for wall insulation inside: polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a foamed plastic. Foamed plastic is a plastic filled mass, air or other gas is used as a filler.

Polyurethane foam is a durable and lightweight material with a unique structure that looks like a frozen foam.

Polyurethane foam has a wide variety of uses in different fields of activity. Its widespread use is due to the possibility of obtaining it at the place of use and the ease of the process of obtaining.

Polyurethane foam is a widely used thermal insulation material.

Polyurethane foam withstands critical temperatures and is elastic. The material is noise and vibration insulator. It is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Along with this, it has high wear resistance and strength, retains all properties in a fairly wide temperature range of operation.

Compared to other heaters, the thermal conductivity of polyurethane foam is not related to moisture, and therefore the material can be used and stored in wet areas.

Polyurethane foam has high strength and low weight, low thermal conductivity and low vapor permeability. Polyurethane foam can be glued to walls or ceilings of any kind.

Polyurethane foam is a fireproof material. This allows it to be used on any surface.

Polyurethane foam, as a heater, protects the walls of buildings from low temperatures, roofs and pipelines. Installation of polyurethane foam does not require experience or special tools.

When working with polyurethane foam, you can not dismantle the old coatings. It will protect the building from street noise and create a favorable environment for relaxation.

The popularity of polyurethane foam was facilitated by the ease of production and low price. The best option in terms of reliability.

Polyurethane foam is used:

  • when creating refrigeration equipment: thermal insulation of commercial or domestic refrigerators;
  • when creating refrigeration transport equipment: thermal insulation of refrigerated trucks;
  • during the construction of a civil and industrial facility;
  • at overhaul or during construction individual houses and residential buildings;
  • in civil and industrial construction: internal and external heat and waterproofing;
  • in the construction of pipeline transport: thermal insulation of gas pipelines and oil pipelines;
  • during the construction of heating networks of settlements;
  • in the manufacture of electrical and radio engineering: giving vibration resistance to electrical devices;
  • creation of interior parts in the automotive industry;
  • production of upholstered furniture;
  • in aircraft and carriage building;
  • in other areas of engineering.