It is quite difficult to achieve optimal efficiency in energy saving at home, even with an ultra-modern heating system, but without resorting to insulation of external walls. It has been established experimentally that about 30% heat escapes through uninsulated walls. The best way out of this situation is to insulate the outside walls of the house. Thus, with the help of special materials with a minimum thermal conductivity coefficient, the protection of walls from external influences. Insulation from the outside creates a kind of barrier between the damp and cold atmosphere of the street and the microclimate inside the home. However, the success of this process will directly depend on the correctly selected insulation.
Types of materials for external wall insulation
Most often, houses are insulated on the outside with the following types of materials:
– has a low thermal conductivity. It consists of 90% air and 10% polymers. Easy to install and quite cheap.
Mineral wool– heat-insulating material, which is made from metallurgical slags and silicates. Unlike glass wool, working with it is safe.
– does not require the construction of frame structures. All work is carried out only by professionals, since working with insulation requires certain skills.
– a new formula for wall insulation that retains heat better and more efficiently. It has a finely porous structure due to extrusion. Has high thermal insulation characteristics.
They also use thermal insulation, expanded polystyrene, liquid expanded clay materials, cellulose, etc. However, these insulation materials are not used as often as the above. Therefore, we will focus on considering the main insulation materials for walls.
Mineral wool
Mineral (basalt, stone) wool is a fibrous insulation material that is similar to natural material basalt. This insulation made from alloys of volcanic rocks at very high temperatures. This type of wool is completely fireproof and unaffected by fire.
Advantages of mineral wool:
Thermal insulation characteristics are very high due to the porous qualities of the fiber. The material retains heat well and prevents heat from entering the house in summer.
The sound insulation qualities of basalt wool are high, thanks to the chaotic interweaving of basalt fibers, which delays sound waves.
Long service life. Once you have insulated the walls of your home with mineral wool, you no longer have to worry about thermal insulation.
High tightness throughout the entire service life.
Mineral wool is an absolutely environmentally friendly wall insulation material that poses no danger either to people or to environment. Installation of mineral wool on the facade and walls takes place in several stages:
Preparing the outside walls of the house.
Laying a layer of vapor-permeable membrane over the wall.
Fastening wooden slats or profiles for walls.
Laying heat-insulating mats.
Another layer of film is stretched over the insulation.
Installation of a ventilating facade of the house from the outside.
And at the final stage, new slopes, window sills and finishing elements are installed due to the increase in the thickness of the walls.
The cost of such house insulation varies from 100 to 400 rubles per m².
Polystyrene foam is very often used to insulate external walls. After all, its thermal conductivity is lower than that of mineral wool - 0.032-0.038 W/m*K and are slightly inferior to extruded polystyrene foam.
This insulation has many advantages:
Excellent sound insulation of walls;
Light weight, which does not increase the load on the building;
Simplicity and ease of installation.
Installation of foam plastic on the walls of the house is as follows:
Facade preparation.
Setting up a starting profile.
Applying adhesive composition to insulation.
Gluing foam plastic boards to the walls of the house.
Fastening sheets using dowel fasteners.
Installation of reinforcement elements.
Subsequent reinforcement.
Applying a decorative protective layer to the wall.
Giving the façade texture.
The cost of such insulation is affordable - about 50 rubles per m²
This material for insulating the outside walls of a house is a type of plastic. It has a cellular foamy structure and 90% consists of a gaseous substance. The remaining volume is the cell walls.
Polyurethane foam in section
Thermal insulation and properties of polyurethane foam:
The thermal conductivity of the material ranges from 0.018 to 0.035 W/m*K, which is better than that of mineral wool.
Excellent noise absorption and sound blocking.
Resistant to aggressive chemicals.
Has low moisture permeability properties.
The service life of polyurethane foam reaches 30 years old. This material is absolutely environmentally friendly.
Insulation of the walls of a house using this thermal insulation material takes place in the following order:
Preparing the walls.
Application of insulation.
Reinforcement to improve thermal insulation.
Finishing work.
The cost of polyurethane foam is calculated based on the size of the wall that needs to be insulated. For example, it is necessary to insulate the facade up to 50 square meters. m. It will cost from 300 rubles per m².
Extruded penoplex is an innovative development that is designed to save energy resources.
Advantages of penoplex insulation:
The lowest thermal conductivity values than all the materials described above.
Can withstand heavy loads.
It has a long service life - more than 40 years.
Today, more and more home owners prefer Penolex due to its high performance characteristics. How does the insulation installation process go:
Preparatory work on the walls.
Installation of profiles.
Applying glue to insulation boards.
Penoplex gluing.
Fastening with dowels.
Finishing outside.
The cost of such material varies from 300 to 400 rubles per m².
Features of installing insulation for a home
It is worth noting that the process of installing any type of insulation may differ depending on what material the house itself is built from. Walls made of logs, for example, do not require the creation of an air layer between layers of thermal insulation and the outer surface of the walls. After insulating a wooden house, preference is almost always given to a ventilated facade, which ensures air circulation. Sometimes it is lined with boards, clapboard or installed facade tiles. Insulation of the walls of a house made of brick and panel blocks is carried out according to a similar, standard principle.
Read about the following stages of construction:
Read about the previous stages of construction:
In a capricious, damp, cold climate, room insulation is one of the most important construction procedures. Which insulation to choose? Where to start?
Important! It is best to pay attention to modern materials - they are high-quality, durable, and environmentally friendly. The “correct” insulation will help reduce heating costs. The main thing is that it does not shrink after construction, is not susceptible to insects and small rodents, and is also adapted to an aggressive weather environment (if there is such a need). Then you should start assessing the value for money.
Manufacturers of modern building materials have done everything possible to make sure that in the store your eyes run wild and your hands don’t know what exactly to grab onto. Kinds insulation materials and their purpose remain a mystery shrouded in darkness for most inexperienced people. Well, let's try to figure everything out in order.
Types of insulation, characteristics and application
There are two types of insulation: reflective (organic, inorganic) and preventive.
Preventive type insulation
This thermal insulation helps reduce heat consumption by reducing the degree of infrared radiation.
Preventive type insulation (inorganic base)
Arbolite - made from shavings, small sawdust, straw and finely chopped reeds. As a strong base, the insulation contains cement and a small content of chemical additives (calcium or soluble glass). At the end of production, such a product is treated with a solution with a high mineral content.
Properties of wood concrete:
- Density - 450-700 kg per cubic meter;
- Thermal conductivity 0.06-0.14 Watt per meter;
- Compressive strength is 0.2-1 megapascal.
Polyvinyl chloride foam (PPVC)- made from PVC resins. The resins are given a foamy structure by industrial porousization. Such insulation can be both soft and hard. In essence, it is a universal heat insulator (for roofs, walls, floors, windows and entrance doors). Its density is about 0.1 kg per cubic meter.
Based on fine chips. Wood shavings make up 90% of its composition. The remaining 10% is: synthetic resin, antiseptics and water repellent.
Chipboard properties:
- Density - 400-1000 kg per cubic meter;
- Tensile strength - 0.2-0.7 megapascal;
- The tensile strength when bending the material is 10-30 megapascals;
- Humidity - 4-12%;
- Hygroscopicity - 5-30 percent.
Wood fiber insulation board. Made from scrap wood, straw or corn stalks, and even old paper. Resins are used as the basis for binding materials. DVIP also contains antiseptics and water-repellent substances. This is one type of insulation used in country houses.
DVIP properties:
- Density - up to 250 kg per cubic meter;
- The tensile strength when bending the material is up to 12 megapascals;
- Thermal conductivity - up to 0.08 Watt per meter.
Made on the basis of polyester with the addition of water, diisocyanate, emulsifiers.
Polyurethane foam is an excellent sound absorber. It is also resistant to wet environments. It is convenient in construction - it is applied by spraying. This makes it possible to process surfaces of complex configurations.
Properties of polyurethane foam:
- Density - 35-75 kg per cubic meter;
- Thermal conductivity - 0.017-0.027 Watt per meter. This is the maximum and best value for thermal insulation today;
Mipora. It is also called penoizol. Mipora is produced by beating urea-formaldehyde resin. To make the material stronger, glycerin is added to it. The foamed structure is obtained due to the content of sulfonic acids. Organic acid is used as a hardening catalyst. Mipora is sold both in the form of crumbs and in blocks, and in the form of a ready-made solution. This is another type of insulation that is popular in wooden houses.
Properties of mipora:
- Density - within 20 kg per cubic meter;
- Thermal conductivity - 0.03 Watt per meter;
- Mipora is fireproof (burns only at 500 degrees), but is subject to deformation in extreme heat;
- Minus - deformed under the influence of aggressive chemicals. Too hygroscopic.
(PPS). 98% of the insulation composition is air. The remaining 2% is polystyrene. Fire retardants may also be found in EPS.
Properties of expanded polystyrene:
- Thermal conductivity - 0.038-0.044 Watts per meter;
- Does not absorb moisture;
- Corrosion resistant;
- Unaffected by microflora and bioagents;
- Almost non-flammable. Even if it catches fire, it will emit significantly less heat than burning wood.
Consists of polyethylene and its foaming agent. Perfectly protects against steam and any external noise due to its small pores.
Features of foamed polyethylene:
- Density - 20-55 kg per cubic meter;
- Thermal conductivity - 0.042-0.050 Watt per meter;
- Used at temperatures from 40 degrees below zero to 100 degrees above zero;
- Poorly absorbs moisture;
- Practically resistant to chemical and biological effects.
Fiberboard insulation- based on thin wood shavings combined with cement and a magnesium component. Available in slab form. Ideal for wet areas.
Properties of fiberboard insulation:
- Density - 200-500 kg per cubic meter;
- Thermal conductivity - 0.06-0.1 Watt per meter;
- Fireproof.
Honeycomb insulation- consists of cells resembling a honeycomb. But this is not necessary; cells sometimes come in other shapes. This insulation is filled with special fabric or paper based on organic fibers and resins. The outside insulation is covered with thin sheets of plastic.
Made from paper production waste (defective books, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, etc.). For lower cost ecowool, waste paper is also used.
Properties of ecowool:
- Excellent sound insulation;
- High thermal insulation. Gradually, ecowool decreases in volume and its properties deteriorate;
- High hygroscopicity;
- No visible joints after installation.
Preventive type insulation (organic base)
It can be slag or stone. Slag is made from waste from metal production (both non-ferrous and ferrous). Stone is made on the basis of rocks (limestone, basalt, etc.). Phenol or urea is used to bind the components.
Properties of mineral wool:
- Does not burn;
- Perfectly absorbs noise;
- Unaffected chemical substances;
- Does not absorb water well;
- Almost does not shrink over time;
- Lets out steam. Therefore, mineral wool needs insulation.
Made from glass and glass production waste. Its fibers are thicker and longer. It does not burn, absorbs sound and is not subject to the destructive effects of chemical compounds.
Properties of glass wool:
- Density - up to 130 kg per cubic meter;
- Thermal conductivity - 0.02-0.053 Watt per square meter;
- Withstands temperatures up to 450 degrees Celsius;
- Poorly absorbs moisture;
- Does not corrode.
Ceramic wool is based on aluminum and silicon oxide. It is produced in a special centrifuge. Not afraid of chemicals and resistant to high temperatures.
Properties of ceramic wool:
- Withstands temperatures of more than 1000 degrees Celsius;
- Thermal conductivity - 0.12-0.17 Watt per meter;
- Density - up to 350 kg per cubic meter.
The issue of building insulation is particularly relevant today. On the one hand, there are no big problems with purchasing thermal insulation material - the construction market offers many options. On the other hand, it is this diversity that gives rise to the problem - which insulation to choose?
What it is?
Thermal insulation problem modern buildings(especially urban new buildings) is especially acute today. Thermal insulation is a design element that allows you to reduce the heat transfer rates of materials and the structure (unit) as a whole.
Thermal insulation also refers to a process that prevents the thermal energy of a structure from mixing ( refrigeration equipment, heating mains, etc.) and buildings with the external environment. In other words, the thermal insulation layer has the effect of a thermos.
Thermal insulation ensures a comfortable indoor climate, keeping it warm during the cold season and protecting it from excessive heating on hot days.
Using insulation, you can reduce electricity costs by up to 30-40%. In addition, most modern thermal insulation materials have soundproofing properties. A fairly common practice in the construction of a private house is the use of materials that are both insulating and structural elements of walls and ceilings.
Depending on thermal conductivity, the following classes of thermal insulation materials are distinguished:
- class A– materials with low thermal conductivity within 0.06 W/m kV. and below;
- class B– materials with average thermal conductivity, the values of which are 0.06 – 0.115 W/m kV;
- class C– materials with high thermal conductivity equal to 0.115 -0.175 W/m kV.
There are many ways to install insulation, but they all belong to one of these technologies:
- Monolithic wall– is a brick or wooden partition, the thickness of which for thermal efficiency must be at least 40 cm (depending on the region).
- Multilayer “pie”- a method in which the insulation is located inside the wall, between the external and external partitions. The implementation of this method is possible only at the construction stage or when facing the facade with brickwork (if the strength of the foundation allows or there is a separate foundation for the masonry).
- External insulation- one of the most popular methods due to its effectiveness, which involves covering external walls with insulation, after which they are closed facade materials. The organization of a ventilated facade makes it possible to increase thermal insulation performance when the space between the wall with insulation and the façade finishing is maintained. air gap. The method necessarily involves the use of vapor-permeable and waterproof coatings and films.
- Internal insulation- one of the most complex and less effective methods of insulation compared to external ones. It involves insulating surfaces from inside the building.
Characteristics
All types of insulation are characterized by certain properties. The common ones are the following:
- Low thermal conductivity. Thermal efficiency indicators are the main ones when choosing insulation. The lower the thermal conductivity coefficient (measured in W/ (m×K) shows the amount of thermal energy passing through 1 m3 of dry insulation at a temperature difference of 10C), the less heat loss the material has. Polyurethane foam is considered the warmest, having a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.03. The average indicators are about 0.047 (thermal conductivity index of polystyrene foam, P-75 mineral wool).
- Hygroscopicity. That is, the ability of insulation to absorb moisture. High-quality insulation does not absorb moisture or absorbs a minimal amount of it. Otherwise, wetting of the material cannot be avoided, which means loss of the main property (thermal efficiency).
- Vapor barrier. The ability to transmit water vapor, thereby ensuring an optimal level of humidity in the room and keeping walls or other work surfaces dry.
- Fire resistance. Another important characteristic of thermal insulation material is resistance to fire. Some materials have a high fire hazard, their combustion temperature can reach 1000 degrees (for example, basalt wool), while others are extremely unstable to high temperatures (expanded polystyrene). Modern insulation materials Most of them are self-extinguishing materials. The appearance of open fire on their surface is almost impossible, and if it does occur, the burning time does not exceed 10 seconds. During combustion, no toxins are released; the mass of the material during combustion is reduced by at least 50%.
When talking about fire resistance, combustion toxicity is usually mentioned. The optimal material is one that, even when heated, does not emit dangerous toxic compounds.
- Environmental friendliness. Environmental safety is especially important for materials used indoors. The key to environmental friendliness is usually the naturalness of the composition. For example, basalt insulation, which is considered safe from an environmental point of view, is made from processed rocks, expanded clay is made from sintered clay.
- Soundproofing characteristics. Not all thermal insulation materials can be used for sound insulation. However, most of them have both of these properties, for example, mineral wool insulation, polyurethane foam. But the widely used polystyrene foam does not provide sound insulation.
- Biostability. Another criterion important for the buyer is biostability, that is, the material’s resistance to mold, mildew, and the appearance of other microorganisms and rodents. The strength and integrity of the material, and therefore its durability, directly depends on biostability.
- Resistant to deformation. The insulation must withstand loads, since it can be located on the surface of the floor, loaded structural elements, between partitions. All this dictates the requirements for its resistance to loads and deformations. Durability largely depends on the density and thickness of the material.
- Durability. The service life largely depends on the thermal efficiency, moisture resistance, vapor permeability and biostability of the material. Quality products (for example, polyurethane foam, basalt wool) are given a fairly long guarantee, up to 50 years. Another factor of durability is compliance with installation technology and operating conditions.
- Easy to lay and install. Most insulation materials have a convenient release form - in mats, rolls, sheets. Some of them are easily fixed on the insulated surface, without requiring special skills and equipment (foam sheets), while others require compliance with certain installation conditions (for example, when working with mineral wool insulation, it is necessary to protect the respiratory system and hands).
There are also types of insulation, the installation of which is possible only by specialists who have special equipment (for example, polyurethane foam is sprayed with a special unit, the employee must use a protective suit, goggles and a respirator).
Types of jobs
Thermal insulation refers to the process of reducing heat loss to calculated values (individual for each region and objects). This term is similar to the concept of “thermal insulation”, which means protecting an object from the negative exchange of thermal energy with the air environment. In other words, task thermal insulation works is to save the specified temperature indicators of the object.
The object can be understood as residential and administrative buildings, industrial and engineering structures, medical and refrigeration equipment.
If we talk about thermal insulation of residential and production premises, then it can be external (another name is facade insulation) and internal.
Insulation of the external walls of residential buildings is always preferable to thermal insulation of the internal parts. This is due to the fact that external thermal insulation is more effective; internal insulation always leaves 8-15% of heat loss.
In addition, the “dew point” during internal insulation shifts inside the insulation, which is fraught with dampness, an increase in the level of humidity in the room, the appearance of mold on the walls, and destruction of the wall surface and finishing. In other words, the room is still cold (since damp insulation cannot prevent heat loss), but damp.
Finally, installing insulation from the inside takes up space, reducing the usable area of the room.
At the same time, there are situations when internal thermal insulation The only possible way out is to normalize the temperature. Strict adherence to installation technologies allows you to avoid the unpleasant consequences of thermal insulation. Be sure to take care of vapor and waterproofing of surfaces, as well as high-quality ventilation. A standard supply system is usually not enough; it is necessary to install a forced air circulation system or use windows with special valves that provide air exchange.
To increase the efficiency of external insulation, they resort to organizing a ventilated facade system or a three-layer system. In the first case, an air gap is maintained between the insulation and the facing material mounted on a special frame. The three-layer system consists of wall coverings constructed using the well method, between which insulation (expanded clay, perlite, ecowool) is poured.
As for finishing, both a “wet” (building mixtures are used) and a “dry” facade (fastening elements are used) facade can be insulated.
Often a room requires not only insulation, but also sound insulation. In this case, it is more convenient to use materials that have both heat and sound insulation properties.
When talking about insulating a house inside or outside, it is important to understand that walls are far from the only source of heat loss. In this regard, it is necessary to insulate unheated attics and basements. When using an attic, you should consider a multi-layer insulated roofing system.
When carrying out internal thermal insulation work, great attention should be paid to the joints between the floor and wall, wall and ceiling, wall and partitions. It is in these places that “cold bridges” most often form.
In other words, regardless of the type of work performed, it is important to remember that thermal insulation requires an integrated approach.
Variety of materials
All insulation materials, depending on the raw materials used, are divided into:
- organic(have an environmentally friendly composition - waste from agricultural and woodworking industries, the presence of cement and some types of polymers is acceptable);
- inorganic.
There are also products of mixed type.
Depending on the principle of operation, insulation materials are:
- reflective type– reduces heat consumption by directing thermal energy back to the room (for this, the insulation is equipped with a metallized or foil element);
- warning type– characterized by low thermal conductivity, preventing a large amount of thermal energy from escaping beyond the insulated surface.
Let's take a closer look at the most popular types organic insulation materials:
Ecowool
Considered cellulose insulation, it consists of 80% recycled cellulose. Is environmentally friendly safe material with low thermal conductivity, good vapor permeability and sound insulation.
The flammability of the material can be reduced and its biostability increased by adding fire retardants and antiseptics to the raw materials.
The material is poured into the spaces between the walls; it can be sprayed onto flat surfaces using a dry or wet method.
Jute
A modern substitute for tow, traditionally used to reduce heat loss from inter-crown cracks in timber buildings. Available in the form of tapes or ropes, in addition to high thermal efficiency, it does not require replacement even after the walls shrink.
Chipboard
Insulation, 80-90% consisting of small chips. The remaining components are resins, fire retardants, water repellents. It has not only good heat but also sound insulation properties, is environmentally friendly, and durable.
Despite treatment with water repellents, it still does not have high wet strength.
Cork
Thermal insulator based on cork oak bark, produced in the form of rolls or sheets. It is used only as internal insulation. Serves as a base for wallpaper, laminate and other floor coverings. Can be used as an independent finishing coating due to the unusual but noble appearance. They are often insulated with it panel houses from the inside.
In addition to thermal efficiency, it provides sound insulation and a decorative effect. The material is hygroscopic, so it can only be mounted on dry surfaces.
Arbolit
It is made of wood-chip concrete blocks. Thanks to the wood in the composition, it has heat and sound insulating abilities, while the presence of concrete ensures moisture resistance, damage resistance and strength of the material. It is used both as insulation and as independent building blocks. It is widely used as a material for frame-panel buildings.
Modern market inorganic thermal insulation materials are somewhat broader:
Expanded polystyrene
There are 2 known modifications of it: foamed (otherwise known as polystyrene foam) and extruded. It is a set of united bubbles filled with air. The material undergoing extrusion is distinguished by the fact that each air cavity is isolated from the neighboring one.
Polystyrene foam is suitable for outdoor and internal insulation, characterized by high thermal insulation performance. It is not vapor permeable, so it requires reliable vapor barrier. It is worth noting the low moisture resistance of polystyrene foam, which makes the installation of waterproofing mandatory.
In general, the material is affordable, lightweight, easy to cut and install (glue). To suit the needs of the buyer, plates of material are produced in various sizes and thicknesses. The latter directly affects thermal conductivity.
At first glance, foam plastic is a worthy option insulation. However, it should be remembered that during operation it releases toxic styrene. The most dangerous thing is that the material is subject to combustion. Moreover, the fire quickly engulfs the foam, and as temperatures rise, compounds hazardous to human health are released. This became the reason for the ban on the use of polystyrene foam for finishing residential premises in some European countries.
Polystyrene foam is not durable. Already 5-7 years after its use, destructive changes in the structure are detected - cracks and cavities appear. Naturally, even minor damage causes significant heat loss.
Finally, this material is quite loved by mice - they chew it, which also does not contribute to long-term use.
Extruded polystyrene foam is an improved version of polystyrene foam. And, although its thermal conductivity is slightly higher, the material demonstrates better indicators of moisture strength and fire resistance.
Polyurethane foam
Thermal insulating material sprayed on the surface. It has the best thermal efficiency indicators, thanks to the installation method it forms a homogeneous sealed layer on the surface, filling all cracks and seams. This becomes a guarantee of the absence of “cold bridges”.
During the spraying process, the material releases toxic components, so it is applied only in a protective suit and a respirator. As it hardens, toxins evaporate, so during operation the material demonstrates complete environmental safety.
Another advantage is non-flammability; even when exposed to high temperatures, the material does not emit hazardous compounds.
Disadvantages include low vapor permeability values, which is why the material is not even recommended for use on wooden bases.
This method of application does not allow achieving a perfectly flat surface, so the use of contact finishing (painting, plastering) is almost always excluded. Leveling (as well as removing a layer of polyurethane foam) is a rather complex and time-consuming process. The solution would be to use hanging structures.
Penofol
Universal insulation based on foamed polyethylene. Air chambers, from which the material is formed, provide low thermal conductivity. The main difference between penofol is the presence of a foil layer on one side, which reflects up to 97% of thermal energy without heating up.
In addition to high thermal insulation values, it demonstrates sound insulation properties. Finally, it does not require the use of vapor barrier or waterproof coatings and is easy to install.
The disadvantage is the higher cost, but this is offset by the impressive heat resistance of the product. Its use allows you to reduce heating costs by a third.
Despite the strength of the material, it is not intended for wallpapering or applying plaster over it. Penofol will not withstand the load and will collapse, so the walls treated with it are covered with plasterboard. The final finishing is carried out already on it. It can act as insulation not only for walls, but also for ceilings and floors.
Penofol is an excellent substrate for most floor coverings, as well as underfloor heating systems.
Fiberboards
It is a wood-based board bonded with a cement composition. Usually used for exterior decoration, they can act as an independent building material.
They are characterized by heat and sound insulation properties, but have considerable weight (strengthening the foundation and supporting structures is necessary), as well as low moisture resistance.
Liquid ceramic insulation
Relatively new insulating material. Outwardly, it resembles acrylic paint (it is applied in the same way, by the way), which contains vacuumized bubbles. Thanks to them, a thermal insulation effect becomes possible (according to manufacturers, a layer of 1 mm replaces brickwork one and a half bricks thick).
Ceramic insulation does not require a subsequent layer of finishing and copes well with the function of also a finishing material. It is used mainly indoors, since it does not take up useful space.
The moisture-resistant layer extends the service life of the coating and makes it possible to wet cleaning. The material is fire-resistant, non-flammable, and moreover, it prevents the spread of flame.
Mineral wool insulation
This type of insulation is distinguished by a fibrous structure - the material consists of fibers arranged in a chaotic manner. Air bubbles accumulate between the latter, the presence of which provides a heat-insulating effect.
Available in the form of mats, rolls, sheets. Thanks to the ability to easily restore and retain its shape, the material is easy to transport and store– it is rolled up and packed into compact boxes, and then easily takes on the desired shape and size. Sheet material usually thinner than other options.
Tile is usually used as a façade covering. Wall panels, siding, corrugated sheeting for external cladding and lining or drywall (as cladding) for the interior.
When working, you must ensure that you have a respirator. During installation, particles of material are released into the air. Once in the lungs, they irritate the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
Depending on the raw materials used, there are 3 types of mineral wool - based on slag, glass and basalt fibers.
The first type of insulation has high thermal conductivity and the ability to absorb moisture, it is flammable and short-lived, and therefore is rarely used for insulation.
Fiberglass demonstrates the best thermal insulation characteristics; the combustion temperature is 500 degrees. The material does not burn, but decreases in volume under the influence of temperatures above those specified.
The material, as described by users, is bioresistant and has an affordable price. Due to its elasticity, it is suitable for finishing buildings and structures complex shapes and configurations. Among the disadvantages are low water resistance (high-quality waterproofing is required), the ability to release toxic compounds (because of this, it is used mainly for external insulation or requires reliable protection).
Thin and long fibers of glass wool dig under the skin, causing irritation. Finally, having an amorphous component (glass), glass wool shrinks, gradually thinning during use, which causes a decrease in thermal insulation properties.
Basalt wool is obtained by melting rocks (basalt, dolomite). Fibers are drawn from semi-liquid raw materials, which are then pressed and briefly heated. The result is a durable, vapor-permeable insulation with low thermal conductivity.
Stone wool is treated with special impregnations, making it resistant to moisture. It's eco-friendly non-flammable material wide scope of application.
Warm plaster
A plaster and finishing mixture containing particles of heat-insulating materials such as perlite and vermiculite.
It has good adhesion, fills cracks and joints, and takes the desired shape. Performs 2 functions at once - thermal insulation and decorative. Depending on the place of use, it can be on cement (for exterior decoration) or gypsum (for interior decoration) basics.
Foam glass
The material is based on recycled glass, which is fired in high-temperature furnaces to a sintering state. The result is insulation characterized by moisture resistance, high fire safety and biostability.
Possessing record strength indicators among other insulation materials, the material is easy to cut, install, and plaster. Release form: blocks.
Vermiculite
It is a bulk insulation on a natural basis (processed rocks - mica). They are distinguished by fire resistance (melting point - at least 1000 degrees), vapor permeability and moisture resistance, do not deform and do not settle during operation. Even when wet up to 15% it is able to maintain its thermal insulation properties.
It is poured into spaces between walls or onto flat surfaces (for example, an attic) for thermal insulation. Considering the high cost of vermiculite, such a method of insulation will not be cheap, so it can often be found as part of warm plasters. This way it is possible to reduce the cost of raw materials for thermal insulation, but not to lose shiny technical properties material.
Expanded clay
Bulk insulation, known since ancient times. It is based on special clay, which is sintered during high-temperature firing. The result is extremely light “pebbles” (as well as crushed stone and sand) with high thermal insulation qualities. The material does not deform, is bioresistant, but is extremely hygroscopic.
Expanded polystyrene granules
The same air capsules that form the basis of polystyrene foam boards. True, here they are not fastened together and are supplied in bags. Have the same characteristics as polystyrene foam boards– low thermal conductivity, low weight, high fire hazard, lack of vapor permeability.
To insulate, the material should not be poured into voids, but sprayed using a compressor. This is the only way to increase the density of the material, and therefore increase its insulating ability.
Penoizol
Outwardly it looks like small flakes (the material has a finer fraction compared to polystyrene foam granules, it is softer). The basis is natural resins. The main advantages are low thermal conductivity, moisture resistance and vapor permeability, fire resistance. Usually used for walls and ceilings, which are sprayed using special equipment.
Manufacturers
Today on the market there is a large number of thermal insulation materials. Choosing the best products is not easy, especially if you are not at all familiar with the brands offered.
However, there are manufacturers whose products are a priori of high quality. Among these is the Danish stone wool manufacturer Rockwool. The product line is quite wide - many materials of different release forms, dimensions and densities. The most popular is 10 cm cotton wool for exterior finishing.
Among the most famous lines:
- "Light Batts"– material for insulation of private wooden houses;
- "Light Batts Scandik"– material for insulation of private houses made of stone, concrete, brick;
- "Acustik Batts"– a material with improved sound insulation properties, used for insulation of administrative buildings, shopping and entertainment establishments, and industrial facilities.
The rating of manufacturers of mineral wool materials is also invariably topped by the French company Isover. In the product line you can find a fairly rigid material that is laid on flat horizontal surfaces and does not require fasteners, as well as two-layer façade analogues. In demand universal insulation, options for pitched roofs, as well as mats with improved sound insulation characteristics.
Most of the products are supplied in 7 and 14 meter rolls, the thickness of which is 5-10 cm.
High-quality heat- and, at the same time, sound-proofing materials are produced under the brand name Ursa. The following types of insulation can be found on sale:
- "Ursa Geo" a series of mats and rolls of varying hardness for thermal insulation of all areas of the house, including basements and attics;
- "Ursa Tetra"– slabs characterized by high strength and the presence of additional hydrophobic impregnation;
- "Ursa Pure One"– soft fiberglass, the binding component of which is acrylic. Due to the environmental friendliness of the material, it is suitable for use in hospitals and children's institutions;
- "Ursa XPS" is a polystyrene foam board of increased rigidity.
The well-known German quality is demonstrated by German-made Knauf products. The entire variety of manufactured products can be attributed to one of the series - “Knauf Insulation” (materials for professional insulation multi-storey residential buildings, hospitals, administrative institutions) or “Heat Knauf” (materials for insulation of private houses).
Brand insulation products are considered an excellent solution for organizing a ventilated façade. Izovol. The plates have sufficient rigidity to withstand loads, have a moisture-resistant impregnation, and are additionally reinforced with fiberglass. The most popular product lines are:
- general technical thermal insulation (universal insulation for the attic and roof, walls, floor);
- technological cylinders and mats with a moisture-resistant foil layer for pipeline insulation;
- slab insulation for the manufacture of sandwich panels;
- heat-insulating mats with improved sound insulation properties.
Leading domestic manufacturer insulation company is TechnoNIKOL. The main direction of production is the production of basalt wool and polystyrene foam insulation. The material does not deform, can withstand heavy loads, and has increased sound insulation properties.
Depending on the type of product, the density and thermal conductivity of the material changes. The following types of TechnoNIKOL products are distinguished:
- "Rocklight"– slabs that have increased strength characteristics and are intended for insulation of a private home;
- "Technoblock"– a material suitable for installing facades acts simultaneously as a structural element and insulation;
- "Heat roll"– mats of elongated rectangular shape with a reduced content of phenol in the composition;
- "Technoacoustic"– a heat insulator with improved sound insulation performance (reduces noise by up to 60 dB), used for sound insulation of offices and entertainment venues.
A worthy place in the ranking of manufacturers of insulation materials is occupied by the Belarusian company Beltep. The products are only slightly inferior in quality to their European counterparts, but have a more affordable price. Among the advantages are special hydrophobic impregnation and increased sound insulation qualities.
If you are looking for high-quality and relatively environmentally friendly polystyrene foam, then you should pay attention to the brand’s products "Europlex". The manufacturer's product line includes both foamed and extruded polystyrene foam. The density of the material ranges from 30 to 45 kg/m³ depending on the type of product.
There are several size options for the buyer to choose from. Thus, the length of the products can be 240, 180 and 120 cm, width - 50 or 60 cm, thickness - 3-5 cm.
Extruded polystyrene foam is also distinguished by its high strength and increased wet strength. "Penoplex". The experiments carried out demonstrate the frost resistance of the material. Even after 1000 freezing/defrosting cycles, the thermal efficiency of the material decreases by no more than 5%.
As you know, foam styrene is the cheapest insulation, and since both companies are domestic, we can talk about significant savings.
How to choose?
When choosing a thermal insulation material, it is important to focus on the material from which the walls or other surfaces to be insulated are made.
- For wooden walls, related cellulose insulation, fiberglass or stone wool. True, it is necessary to carefully consider the waterproofing system. Jute will help close the crown gaps. For frame-panel buildings, you can use fiber cement slabs or wood concrete blocks, which will act as structural elements of the walls. Between them you can fill up loose insulation materials (expanded clay, ecowool).
- Foam insulation and mineral wool insulation are well suited for external insulation. When facing such buildings with brick, it is permissible to pour expanded clay, perlite, and ecowool into the space formed between the facade and the main wall. Polyurethane foam has proven itself well.
- For internal insulation brick buildings Traditionally, mineral wool insulation is used, which is covered with plasterboard sheets.
- Concrete surfaces, which have the worst thermal insulation properties, are recommended to be insulated on both sides - external and internal. For external insulation, it is better to choose a ventilated facade system. As finishing materials Warm plaster or hanging panels or siding are suitable. For interior decoration, you can use cork insulation, a thin layer of polystyrene foam or mineral wool, decorated with plasterboard.
How to calculate?
Various insulation materials have different thicknesses, and it is very important to calculate the required insulation parameters before making a purchase. A layer of insulation that is too thin will not cope with heat loss and will also cause the “dew point” to shift inside the room.
An excess layer will not only lead to an unjustified load on the load-bearing structures and an unreasonable financial expense, but will also cause a violation of the air humidity in the room and a temperature imbalance between different rooms.
To calculate the required thickness of the material, it is necessary to establish the resistance coefficient of all materials used (insulation, waterproofing, facing layer, etc.).
Another important point is determining the material from which the wall is made, since this also directly affects the thickness of the insulation.
Considering the type of wall material, conclusions can be drawn about its thermal conductivity and thermal properties. These characteristics can be found in SNiP 2-3-79.
The density of thermal insulation material can be different, but most often products with a density in the range of 0.6-1000 kg/m3 are used.
Most modern high-rise buildings are built from concrete blocks, which have the following (important for calculating the thickness of insulation) indicators:
- GSOP (calculated in degrees-days during the heating season) – 6000.
- Heat transfer resistance – from 3.5 S/m kV. /W (walls), from 6 S/m kV. /W (ceiling).
To bring the heat transfer resistance indicators for walls and ceilings to the appropriate parameters (3.5 and 6 S/m kV./W), you need to use the formulas:
- walls: R=3.5-R walls;
- ceiling: R=6-R ceiling.
Once the difference is found, the required insulation thickness can be calculated. The formula p = R*k will help with this, in which p will be the desired thickness indicator, k is the thermal conductivity coefficient of the insulation used. If the result is not a round (integer) number, then it should be rounded up.
If independent calculations using formulas seem quite complicated to you, you can use special calculators. They take everything into account important criteria counting. The user only needs to fill in the required fields.
It is best to use those calculators that are created by reputable manufacturers of thermal insulation materials. Thus, the calculator developed by the Rockwool brand is considered one of the most accurate.
- Modern mineral wool insulation is supplied in rolls, mats and sheets. The last 2 delivery options are preferable because they are easier to join without forming gaps and cracks.
- When installing slab insulation, make sure that their width is 1.5-2 cm greater than the distance between the subsystem profiles. Otherwise, there will be a gap between the heat insulator and the profile, which risks turning into a “cold bridge”.
- Insulation, which will be preceded by diagnostics, will be much more effective and efficient. To carry this out, use a thermal imager to identify the main areas of heat leakage. This recommendation becomes relevant especially when insulating the internal parts of a building.
- Having identified the main points of heat loss (usually the corners of buildings, the floor or ceiling on the first and last floors), end walls), sometimes it is enough to insulate only them to achieve optimal temperature in room.
- Regardless of the insulation method and the material used, the surface should be carefully prepared - it should be smooth and clean. All existing joints and cracks should be repaired cement mortar, remove irregularities, remove communication elements.
- The final stage of the preparatory work will be applying a primer in 2-3 layers. It will provide an antiseptic effect and also improve surface adhesion.
- When using lathing made of metal profiles, make sure that they have an anti-corrosion coating. Wooden logs for the frame are also subject to treatment with fire retardants and water repellents.
- Mineral wool and felt insulation is laid in several layers. The coincidence of joints between layers of different layers is unacceptable.
- Most glued insulation (expanded polystyrene, mineral wool) require additional fixation with dowels. The latter are attached in the center of the insulating sheet, as well as at 2-3 points along the edges.
- Despite the similarity of liquid ceramics to paint, it cannot be applied with a spray gun or similar devices. In this way, you can damage the ceramic shell, which means depriving the composition of its heat-insulating properties. It is more correct to apply the mixture with a brush or roller.
- If necessary, to give the treated surface a certain shade, ceramic insulation can be diluted acrylic paint. The composition must be applied in 4-5 layers, waiting for each coating to dry.
- Fixation cork covering can only be carried out on perfectly flat surfaces, otherwise a “cold bridge” will form in the space between the coating and the wall and condensation will begin to accumulate. If it is impossible to level the walls by plastering, install a solid plasterboard frame onto which a “cork” is glued. To attach it, you need special glue.
When using polystyrene foam, it is important to thoroughly clean the wall surface from traces of old paint and solvents. It is important to avoid contact of the insulation with gasoline and acetone, since they dissolve polystyrene foam.
Each part of the building needs its own insulation.
- For sloping roof High density basalt slabs are recommended. You can also use polystyrene foam boards, but in this case it is important to ensure high-quality ventilation. If installation speed is important, spray polyurethane foam; a cheaper option is ecowool. The layer thickness is usually 100 mm.
- For an unheated attic you can use expanded clay or other bulk materials. A more affordable option is dry sawdust mixed with slaked lime in a ratio of 8: 2. Perlite granules, ecowool or slab insulation are also suitable. The layer thickness when using bulk materials must be at least 200 mm; for slab insulation, 100 mm is sufficient.
- Wall insulation More often it is produced using polystyrene foam, mineral wool, polyurethane foam spraying or ecowool. You should choose them based on the structural features and your own financial capabilities. The most affordable will be polystyrene foam, more expensive options are mineral wool and polyurethane foam.
- Floor insulation– the question is ambiguous. In a house with a low underground floor, it is more logical to carry out thermal insulation along the ground using bulk materials. Expanded polystyrene is suitable for a concrete screed; if the height of the ceilings allows, you can fill in expanded clay (for insulation with expanded polystyrene, a layer thickness of 50 mm is sufficient, while when using expanded clay - at least 200 mm). Any material is suitable as insulation between the joists. The technology is similar to attic insulation.
- For foundation and plinth Polyurethane foam and polystyrene foam are applicable. An important nuance is that both materials are destroyed under the influence of sunlight, which must be taken into account when insulating the base.
The market for building materials intended for thermal insulation offers a wide variety. Choosing the right insulation can be difficult. To purchase the best products, you need to take into account its main characteristics and application features.
What you need to know about insulation?
The main task of thermal insulation is to reduce heat loss in winter and reduce heating of the structure in summer. Also, thanks to the insulation, the load-bearing structures will be protected from negative external factors. This will help avoid deformation of building elements, which will have a beneficial effect on the service life.
It is important to remember that all types of insulation must have certain characteristics.
- Thermal conductivity. If this coefficient is small, then the room will be quite warm. Thanks to appropriate materials, heat loss can be almost completely eliminated. It must be remembered that different kinds insulation materials have different coefficients. If it is minimal, a small layer of thermal insulation will be required.
- Moisture resistance. Due to its thermal insulation characteristics, the material will not absorb moisture.
- Non-flammability. This property ensures that the product will not burn.
- Vapor permeability. Using a layer of insulation helps remove water vapor.
- Dimensional retention and strength. Thanks to the absence of shrinkage operational properties the selected insulation will last for quite a long time. Moreover, there will be no cold bridges at the joints.
- Environmental friendliness. All thermal insulation materials must be environmentally friendly, so that during the execution of work and operation of the structure, the release of harmful substances will not be observed.
Modern thermal insulation materials are conditionally are divided into several groups:
- cotton wool - mineral and glass wool, as well as mineral wool blocks and slabs;
- sheet - extruded polystyrene foam and polystyrene;
- foam - all materials that are usually sprayed onto the surface using appropriate equipment;
- others - we are talking about such rare exotic insulation materials as cellulose, flax, etc.
Mineral wool insulation
Such soft insulation materials usually include mineral and glass wool. Such materials are very popular due to affordable price and good quality. Products are produced in slabs or rolls. In this case, the products can be cut using a regular knife.
The main disadvantage is considered to be insufficient moisture resistance, due to which the heat-protective characteristics deteriorate. Accordingly, such insulation materials are used for thermal insulation of structures where a waterproofing layer is provided.
Glass wool is most often used for insulation pitched roofs. A material with a density of 35 kg/m³ is suitable for this. Modern manufacturers This parameter is not always indicated on the packaging. They usually write that the material is intended for pitched roofs. When using such products for roof insulation, it is important to remember that if there is a leak, moisture will even get onto the wooden rafters. For this reason it is necessary take care of reliable waterproofing. Mineral wool is not suitable for a flat roof, because it can be difficult to waterproof such a surface.
Other applications:
- using glass wool you can insulate walls under cladding or plastering;
- For floors, thermal insulation with a minimum density is suitable.
Foam glass
This type of insulation is produced based on broken glass and quartz sand
, as well as a foaming agent. Thanks to the use of an appropriate installation, a durable porous material with increased thermal protection is obtained. The product is not afraid of fire and moisture. It can be cut with a simple hacksaw. Important characteristics include frost resistance and the ability to withstand high pressure. The material is produced in blocks and granules.
Most often, such products are used as fill insulation during well masonry walls. But if frame technology is followed, foam glass will not be suitable due to its heavy weight.
This material is used to insulate the facades of brick houses. The material is fixed with tile adhesive, and the process itself resembles bricklaying. After this, the coating is plastered or tiled.
Other applications:
- since the material is moisture resistant and can withstand increased loads, it can be used to insulate flat roofs, but it is not suitable for pitched roofs;
- Insulation is performed using foam glass interfloor ceilings, as well as the floors of the first floor;
- foam glass is a good option for thermal insulation of blind areas, foundations and basements, since the material has a high density.
Foamed perlite
This building material has recently appeared on the market. For its formation, frozen volcanic lava is used. First, perlite is crushed and then impregnated with special protective compounds. Products Available in slab form. For this purpose, the finished granules are mixed with cellulose and pressed. Properties finished material similar to the characteristics of foam glass. In general, foamed perlite is easy to process and is resistant to mold, moisture, and high pressure.
Application area:
- the material is intended for insulation of flat roofs, and in the case of thermal insulation of pitched structures, a significant load will be placed on the rafters;
- when finishing walls, foamed perlite acts as a backfill insulation;
- perlite in the form of granules is suitable for floors, as well as foundations and blind areas.
Expanded polystyrene
There is a lot of controversy surrounding this type of thermal insulation. Some believe that the material is harmful because it emits toxic substances, while others admit modern views polystyrene foam is more environmentally friendly.
Naturally, technology is constantly evolving, and manufacturers want to improve product quality. Exactly because of this reason modern varieties materials are often used for external insulation of housing.
Application area:
- Most often, walls are finished with polystyrene foam;
- the thermal insulation material is suitable for installing floors on concrete or soil, but it is necessary to choose the right density;
- A good option for using polystyrene foam is to insulate the foundation, but you should first ensure that there is reliable waterproofing.
On the building materials market you can find many heat-insulating materials that lose their relevance or appeared not so long ago.
On sale today big choice insulation materials. They all have advantages and disadvantages. To decide on the right option, you need to take into account the specifics of the application. Thus, lightweight insulation materials, including ecowool or extruded polystyrene foam, are optimal for roofs. The latter option is also suitable for thermal insulation of the foundation, but when finishing the walls you can use almost any materials.
Thermal insulation material is used to insulate various structures. It has the property of low heat transfer, so its use allows you to increase thermal resistance objects.
What problems does thermal insulation material solve?
Thermal insulation is one of priority areas during construction, since its use can significantly increase performance characteristics buildings. A building with a sufficient amount of insulation freezes much less in winter, which reduces the cost of heating it. It is also less prone to overheating in summer, keeping comfortable temperature which saves resources.
The presence of thermal insulation makes it possible to avoid sudden changes in temperature in the room. This is very important if finishing materials that are sensitive to this parameter are used indoors, for example, wood or certain types of plastic, including PVC used for production. suspended ceilings. The absence of significant temperature fluctuations makes it possible to eliminate favorable conditions for condensation formation. It is the use of thermal insulation that eliminates the appearance of dampness and mold development. Of course, provided that moisture does not form too intensively inside the room from other factors or accumulates as a result of the lack of waterproofing between the foundation and the facade walls.
Dampness on the walls leads to peeling of finishing materials. As a result, the wallpaper is torn off, as well as heavy ceramic tiles. Excess moisture from the lack of sufficient thermal insulation also leads to expansion of wood products. As a result, there is warping of the floor covering, deformation of the doors, causing them to fit loosely door frame, and so on.
It is also worth noting that heat-insulating materials, in addition to their intended purpose, have sound-proofing properties. Of course, their efficiency is not as high as that of coatings specialized for this purpose, but it is quite sufficient to reduce the transmission of loud sounds.
Thermal insulation materials used
There is a fairly wide range of materials offered on the market that can be used as successful insulation. Among them, the optimal balance between cost and efficiency is:
- Mineral wool.
- Styrofoam.
- Expanded polystyrene.
- Penoplex.
- Foamed polyethylene foam.
- Polyurethane foam.
Mineral wool
This is a cheap, yet fairly high-quality thermal insulation material that can be used to insulate ceilings, roofs, floors and walls. Mineral wool shrinks when pressed, so when working with it, you must first create a sheathing, and then lay it between the joists. On top of it a facing, roofing or flooring material. An undoubted advantage of cotton wool, in addition to its thermal insulation properties, is its sound-stopping effect. Mineral wool does not burn, so its use improves fire safety.
A major disadvantage of mineral wool is its tendency to caking. If it is used on the ceiling or floor, it lasts a really long time, but the slabs fixed to the walls begin to gradually shrink. As a result, open gaps form at the top, so-called cold bridges. In this regard, mineral wool manufacturers often recommend changing it literally every 7 years, otherwise the thermal insulation will gradually work worse and worse.
Styrofoam
It is also a budget-friendly thermal insulation material that can be used in any insulation. It is worth noting that polystyrene foam can be installed wet or dry. Since it is prone to compression under pressure, if it is used for thermal insulation of walls, it is best to work with the facade. Plastered foam plastic, reinforced with fiberglass mesh, can fully cope with the loads that may be placed on it on the facade. But indoors, such a wall will not last long, since they will constantly lean on it, hang cabinets, shelves, paintings, photographs, and so on.
The density of polystyrene foam is quite low, so when carrying out thermal insulation, sheets with a thickness of 5-10 cm are usually used. The undeniable advantages of using this material is the possibility of ordinary cutting without the need to use a saw. The main disadvantage of polystyrene foam is its tendency to collapse. When subjected to mechanical action, foam bubbles easily fall out of it.
Expanded polystyrene and penoplex
These two materials are almost identical in their properties. They can be compared to foam plastic, but with a very dense structure. Expanded polystyrene and penoplex can be used for wet insulation floor. Their sheets are laid out, after which a concrete screed is poured on top. These materials can be easily cut using a mounting knife, electric jigsaw or .
Expanded polystyrene and penoplex better than foam due to their higher density, they are therefore less prone to destruction under mechanical stress. In addition, they stop heat transfer more effectively, so this heat-insulating material can be used using sheets of smaller thickness. When working with penoplex, you need to take into account that it has very low adhesion. In this regard, if it is used to insulate walls, then further plastering will be difficult. To increase the adhesion of the sheets, they will have to be treated with a concrete contact primer. Plastering work will have to be carried out using fiberglass mesh along the entire perimeter, and not just along the joint lines.
These materials have low fire resistance, and when ignited, they emit toxic combustion products. They require careful handling when working because they are very fragile.
Foamed polyethylene foam
This modern material, which is a porous structure made of polyethylene. Often one side is covered with aluminum foil. It is often used as a substrate when laying floor coverings, in particular laminate and linoleum. This material has a small thickness with truly excellent thermal insulation properties. Its efficiency is 20 times higher than that of mineral wool. Thus, with a thickness of 1 cm, it will have the same properties as 20 cm of cotton wool.
The undeniable advantage of polyethylene foam is its good vapor barrier. This material is laid out on the surface, and its joints are glued together with special reinforced tape with a reflective surface. Foamed polyethylene foam can be used for any thermal insulation work, and can also be wound onto pipes to insulate them.
Polyurethane foam
This thermal insulation material, unlike previous types, is offered not in the form of rolls or slabs, but in a liquid state. It is blown onto the surface, after which it quickly increases in volume and hardens. Thanks to these properties, it can be applied to any surface, even in hard-to-reach places. Polyurethane insulation is usually sprayed between floor joists, roof joists, and so on. After this, finishing materials are fixed on top.
Polyurethane foam has a huge resource, has noise insulation properties and high adhesion to any surface. Jointless application technology prevents the formation of cold bridges. This solution, if the installation technology is strictly followed, can be called the most effective. Unfortunately, working with polyurethane foam requires the use of specialized equipment, the cost of which is very high. As a result, you will not be able to work with it yourself. You will need to contact companies that provide similar thermal insulation services.
Where is thermal insulation used?
Thermal insulation material is used to provide insulation of various surfaces:
- Stan.
- Roofs.
- Basement and floor.
- Ceiling.
Wall insulation
Quite often, the materials used for wall construction have the disadvantage of being prone to freezing in winter, as well as transferring heat inside the room in summer. To eliminate this problem, thermal insulation is used. It can be carried out both indoors and outdoors. Naturally, it is much more effective to do it on the facade wall. Most materials are usually at least 4-5 cm thick, so fixing them on an interior wall will make the room appear smaller. The issue of wall insulation is very important, since it is through them that up to 40% of the heat leaving the building occurs.
Insulating material can be fixed on walls using a wet or dry method. Wet involves gluing using specialized solutions in the form of adhesives or cement mixtures. The dry method is also called ventilated. The sheathing is mounted on the surface of the wall, and the heat-insulating material is laid between it, after which it is lined with closing materials. Drywall is used inside the room, metal profiles are used on the facades, and so on.
Roof insulation
Up to 20% of heat can escape through the roof. Insulation is especially important when installing an attic roof, when the under-roof space is used as a service room. By using thermal insulation material on the roof, you can reduce the overheating of the building in the summer. This is especially true if, as roofing material apply metal sheets in the form of corrugated sheets, metal tiles and so on. When installing roofs, the insulation is fixed between the joists.
Basement and floor insulation
This is primarily relevant for one-story buildings, as well as premises on the first floors of multi-story buildings. The heat-insulating materials used in this case are laid between the concrete screed and the facing floor covering. Selected species thermal insulation solutions can be applied before pouring the screed. If installation is carried out floor board along the joists, the insulation spreads between them.
Insulation of ceilings
In single-storey buildings, as well as on the top floors of multi-storey buildings, thermal insulation of ceilings is carried out. In most cases, it is easier to carry out it in the attic, using the same method as used for floor insulation. This way you can save on materials and use simpler technology. Also, when you need to work specifically with the ceiling, you can fix the heat-insulating material wet method or fix it on the sheathing, subsequently hiding it with a suspended or suspended ceiling.
In some cases, it is even better to insulate the ceiling rather than the attic floor, especially if the height of the room is excessively large. The installed thermal insulation material will allow you to take away a little ceiling height, thereby reducing the actual volume of the room for heating.