Holes in a wooden house for wiring. Which wire is best for installing wiring in a wooden house - recommendations for selection and advice. Installation requirements and general work plan

The monolithic slab foundation has proven itself well when used in weak and heaving soils. Annual soil freezing in winter period leads to uneven rise and settlement of the slab base, which contributes to the occurrence of mechanical deformations that can cause destruction of the slab itself and the building built on it.

A layer of horizontal insulation can reliably isolate the foundation slab from the zone of frost heaving, contact with soil moisture and prevent freezing.

Advantages of insulating a slab base

Horizontal slab insulation

High-quality insulation of a monolithic foundation slab guarantees the durability of the building and long-term operation without the need for unplanned repair work. Insulation is especially important foundation slab under residential buildings, when it is possible to avoid significant heat loss on the first floors of the house.

Insulation of the foundation slab must be performed for the following reasons:

Providing increased waterproofing of the foundation.
Significant reduction in heat loss.
Saving money on heating a residential building, real heat saving mode.
Preventing the formation of condensation that can destroy the building structures.
Improving living comfort.
Stabilization of temperature in the interior of a residential building in use.

Materials for insulating a monolithic slab foundation

The choice of materials for insulating a slab base depends on a number of certain conditions, first of all, on the possibility of using special equipment (polyurethane insulation must be performed using a special polyurethane foam installation for spraying insulation), and the availability of sufficient free funds to purchase insulating materials.

Typically, insulation of foundation structures is carried out using the following materials:

One of the best insulation materials- Styrofoam

Polyurethane foam is a type of foamed plastic that is riddled with pores containing air bubbles. The composition for insulation of polyurethane foam is made directly on construction site, for which two compositions are mixed, which as a result chemical reaction form a strong hardened foam. Different ratios when mixing the starting materials make it possible to obtain insulating compositions with different qualities, suitable for insulating foundations made of different materials (including reinforced concrete). Polyurethane foam has unique qualities: it helps retain heat in the room; reduces noise; improves sound insulation; does not decompose under the influence of excessive moisture; Resistant to a number of chemical liquids. The material is highly resistant to ignition (some brands of polyurethane foam are not flammable and belong to the group of low-combustible materials).
Foam plastic - the structure of the material consists of a foamed substance containing pores filled with air. Polystyrene foam is used for insulation building structures, including foundations, but the surface of such insulation requires additional surface protection due to the low mechanical strength of the material.
Extruded polystyrene foam - produced in the form of rectangular sheets with a fine-cell structure. The material has unique properties– the ability to withstand high compressive loads without changing geometric dimensions and internal structure. Extruded polystyrene foam is widely used to insulate foundation slabs without additional protection. When using material to insulate foundation slabs, it is very important to provide special openings for the free exit of soil moisture.

Foundation slab insulation technology

When insulating a foundation slab, horizontal and vertical insulation is used, in which a layer of insulation is laid under the slab base or along the side walls of the foundation structure. Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene foam is most often used as an insulating material. Watch the video on how to insulate a foundation slab with polystyrene foam.

The insulation is laid during the installation of the foundation along next technology performing insulation (consider the option of insulating the foundation with polystyrene foam):

To begin with, the location of the foundation for the building is marked on the building site.
The top layer of continental soil must be removed to the depth of laying the foundation slab, the bottom of the excavation must be as smooth as possible.
The prepared area is filled with coarse sand, which must be compacted using vibrating rammers. A small layer of concrete is poured over the sand layer, for which temporary formwork is installed.
After hardening concrete screed, lay out insulation from polystyrene foam boards, making sure that the mounting grooves match as much as possible. Large gaps should not be allowed between the insulation boards.
A layer of polyethylene film is laid on top of the laid polystyrene slabs, which is glued together using special tape.
Construction formwork is being erected for pouring the slab base into which it is mounted spatial frame from reinforcement with a diameter of 10 mm. Concrete is poured from the corner of the slab foundation, evenly leveled and compacted using a vibrator.
The foundation slab gains strength in about 28 days, the formwork can be dismantled two weeks after the structure is poured - by this time the foundation has gained up to 70% strength.
The side walls of the foundation slab are additionally insulated with expanded polystyrene slabs.

Insulated monolithic slab will last for many years without structural damage from exposure to adverse factors.

Building a country house is the dream of many of us. But in order to ensure the necessary conditions For favorable living of the whole family in winter and summer, it is imperative to insulate the foundation of the house from the outside. Without thermal insulation, not only does the level of heat loss increase, but there is also a danger of destruction of the underground structures of the structure.

On a suburban area

Thanks to high-quality insulation of the foundation and plinth, heat is retained in the room and penetration is prevented groundwater, and also provides protection from low temperatures. In order to prevent exposure to aggressive environment on the foundation of the house, protective measures are carried out, and the most important of them is external thermal insulation.

Requirements for insulation

To obtain a high-quality result, it is not enough just to carry out all activities professionally.

Important factors are also the right choice Supplies and their high quality.

It is quite difficult to choose insulation that is optimally suited for a specific purpose, both in quality and financially. After all, today you can find many options for insulation in different price categories and from different manufacturers.

Do-it-yourself installation of extruded polystyrene foam on a plinth

Therefore, when choosing, you should pay special attention to the following qualities of the material:

Low hygroscopicity. This parameter is very important, as it determines the degree of moisture absorption. At a high rate, the material will absorb moisture and as a result will collapse, which will lead to the destruction of the base itself.
High strength. The thermal insulator must withstand heavy loads of underground compressive forces. For example, the impact of soil, which increases in volume when frozen.
Low thermal conductivity. The thermal insulator must have a reduced thermal conductivity coefficient to ensure good thermal insulation.
Long service life. The thermal insulator should have approximately the same service life as the building, because replacing it is a rather labor-intensive process.

Taking into account all these requirements, you can choose the most suitable material for insulating the outside of the house with your own hands.

Coating waterproofing and penoplex

Selecting a thermal insulator

To insulate the foundation of a house from the outside, it is important to select a material whose properties are most suitable for the building, taking into account all its features and the climatic conditions of the area. Today, the following are especially popular among many consumers:

expanded polystyrene;
liquid polyurethane foam;
extruded polystyrene foam.

Expanded polystyrene

It is an improved version of polystyrene and its derivatives and is a gas-filled material. Widely used in various branches of construction and industry.

Penoplex installation

The main advantages are:

Low degree of thermal conductivity. Allows you to keep the room warm. For example, a material 11 cm thick gives the same results as a two-meter brick wall.
Waterproof. Moisture absorption is about 6%, which allows the material to be used in conditions of high humidity without fear of deformation.
Long service life. Withstands up to 60 cycles of operation in temperature conditions from -40 to +40 C.
Insensitivity to biological effects. The material is not exposed to microorganisms, mold and fungi.
Environmental friendliness. During production, substances that are harmless to human health and the environment are used, so expanded polystyrene is also used in the food industry.
A light weight. Thanks to it, the insulation of facades becomes labor-intensive and does not take much time.
Heat resistance. When ignited, fire-resistant types of polystyrene foam tend to self-extinguish.
Soundproofing properties. This is especially important for owners of houses and apartments in noisy areas. The use of 3 cm thick polystyrene foam sheets for insulation can reduce noise by 25 dB.
Vapor tightness. The indicator depends on the density and structure of the type of polystyrene foam. Varieties with low vapor permeability are similar in this indicator to certain types of wood: pine, oak.
Chemical resistance. The substance is not subject to the aggressive effects of ethers and alcohols, but is destroyed under the influence of solvents.
Resistance to mechanical stress. Mechanical strength during tension is approximately 20 MPa.
Relatively low price, which increases the availability of the material for many consumers.

Wiring diagram

So, expanded polystyrene is perfect option for use for various purposes, especially for thermal insulation of foundations.

Liquid polyurethane foam

Liquid polyurethane foam is polymer insulation, which is widely used to obtain uniform insulation coating.

This is one of the few materials that are simultaneously a thermal insulation, vapor barrier and waterproofing layer. They allow significant savings in cash and labor costs during execution. thermal insulation works.

In the context

Benefits liquid polyurethane foam are:

Low degree of thermal conductivity. This allows you to significantly reduce heat loss.
Long service life. The service life is more than 30 years.
The ability to create a favorable microclimate in the room due to optimal thermal conductivity and sound insulation.
Considerable strength. Due to its good density and strength, the material is able to withstand large mechanical loads without losing its performance properties.
Absolute sealing, which is very important when performing any type of insulation work.

Liquid polyurethane foam

Thermal insulation of the foundation using liquid polymer can be carried out both from the inside and from the outside. For external use it may be necessary additional protection from direct sunlight.

Protection is carried out by applying liquid rubber or facade paint, which prevents the loss of waterproofing properties and increases service life.

Extruded polystyrene foam

It is a relatively young type of polymer heat insulator and is produced by foaming raw materials during the extrusion process. Due to a number of advantages, the material has won the trust of many consumers and today is widely used in various fields construction.

Formwork for blind area

The advantages of the material are:

low water permeability;
low thermal conductivity;
resistance to chemical attack from inorganic solvents;
ability to withstand a wide range of temperature changes: from -50 to +75 C;
long service life;
a light weight.

Installation drawing

Extruded polystyrene foam is widely used for interior and external insulation buildings, roofs, is integral part sandwich panels, etc. One of the most common types is penoplex.

Insulating the foundation from the outside with penoplex is relevant and popular due to its excellent performance qualities. Such plates have increased strength and can withstand huge loads, providing excellent waterproofing and groundwater drainage.

Do-it-yourself thermal insulation of the foundation with penoplex allows you to solve several problems related to the construction of the foundation and equipment of the basement.

Foundation thermal insulation

Usage modern methods thermal insulation is of great importance, especially in areas with harsh climatic conditions. This prevents a significant portion of heat loss and freezing of soils, which increase in volume, which leads to a rise in their level.

Foundation insulation with polystyrene foam

Insulating the foundation of a house from the outside with polystyrene foam is an excellent option for improving the thermal insulation qualities of the base of the house and preventing freezing.

Expanded polystyrene is an improved type of foam. Its use is more profitable, and installation is easier.

The video describes in detail how to insulate the base of a residential building with your own hands.

The process works as follows:

Preparing the base. This stage can be carried out both during the construction of the building and after its completion. To do this, you need to dig out the foundation, clean it of soil, debris, rust and grease.
Selecting sheets. In this case, you need to pay attention to two factors: density and thickness. They mainly use sheets with fire retardant additives and a density of 35 kg/m3.
Waterproofing. This will prevent the influence of groundwater and its penetration through the insulator layer.
Fastening polystyrene foam sheets with contact adhesive. You can attach two layers, but so that the panels of the second layer cover the joints of the first.
Protection of insulation with a reinforcing mesh to avoid strong mechanical stress and the penetration of rodents. A layer of cement mortar can be applied to the protective mesh.
Providing drainage. This step is considered mandatory when constructing a building on wet soils.
Basement insulation. The base also needs to be insulated in the same way, followed by finishing. After the glue has dried, the panels are additionally secured with nails.
Soil insulation. The event involves isolating the surrounding land with a blind area insulated with polystyrene foam slabs.

Insulating the foundation and blind area can significantly increase the temperature in the structure and protect the foundation from destruction.

Insulation of the foundation with liquid polyurethane foam

Considered quite effective way, which reduces heat loss by 20–25%.

The main difference is the method of application using a special spray installation.

To do this, two liquid components are mixed with each other, forming a thick foam. When applied, it increases in volume and hardens, forming a protective seamless layer with excellent thermal insulation and waterproofing properties. Optimal thickness application is considered 60 mm.

Wooden building

The polyurethane foam layer can be applied at a temperature not lower than +5 C. Surface preparation involves cleaning from contaminants, and surface quality is an unimportant factor.

As the foam hardens, it changes color. When performing work, various problems may arise related to equipment and neglect of weather conditions.

For example, when applied under conditions subzero temperature Cracks may appear that need to be repaired in the future, otherwise water may accumulate in them and freeze. After polymerization, the polyurethane foam layer has low plasticity.

Foundation insulation using EPS

As a rule, not all insulation materials are suitable for thermal insulation of the base. To choose the right material For this purpose, its service life must be taken into account: it must be as durable as the building itself.

Insulation with extruded polystyrene foam (EPS) is considered a more reliable method than, say, polystyrene foam, since this material is more durable and has excellent performance characteristics.

Blind area with trays

For this purpose, you need to purchase heat insulation boards and suitable glue for attaching it. After this, a number of preparatory activities should be carried out:

Dig a trench around the foundation, digging into the ground.
Apply EPS to the freezing depth of the ground.
Clean the foundation from debris and dirt.
Apply a special primer in two layers, wait for it to dry and absorb into the concrete.
Provide waterproofing with bitumen mastic.
Apply glue to the boards.

Attaching the slabs to the outer part of the foundation is allowed 1 minute after applying the glue. If the panels have a large area, you need to apply the glue in several strips using a comb spatula. If there are locks on the slabs, then a few days later the seams are sealed polyurethane foam, and the slabs themselves are additionally secured with dowel nails.

Two-story mansion

How to insulate the foundation of a wooden house

Many owners wooden houses They believe that to ensure favorable living conditions, it is enough to insulate the walls and floor. However, this is not true, because serious heat loss can occur through a wooden floor - up to 20%. Therefore, thermal insulation of the foundation is mandatory, especially if the house is located in an area with harsh weather conditions.

Foundation insulation wooden house outside will not only create favorable conditions indoors, but also to prevent adverse effects on it. For this purpose, polystyrene foam and its varieties, as well as expanded clay, are usually used.

Stone finishing

Insulation of the foundation of PPS or EPS

Expanded polystyrene has excellent consumer properties, such as a low degree of thermal conductivity and moisture absorption, resistance to the negative effects of weather conditions, affordable cost, ease of installation, etc.

These and other characteristics have made this material one of the most relevant and in high demand among many consumers.

To insulate only the above-ground part of the foundation or plinth, a fairly simple installation is required. PPS sheets are simply attached to the surface using glue or special fasteners.

After this, cladding or plastering is performed. However, you should know that installing insulation does not mean complete waterproofing, so it should be carried out separately to avoid groundwater from penetrating under the floor.

At the summer cottage

If you have a basement, you should insulate not only the above-ground part of the base, but also the part that is underground.

In this case, it is necessary to completely waterproof the walls. For this purpose, a trench is dug around the wooden house, then the foundation is cleared of soil and debris. Next, EPS panels are attached to the surface, after which the whole thing is backfilled and compacted.

The insulated base can additionally be finished with brick or other types of cladding that can withstand adverse weather conditions.

Foundation insulation with expanded clay

Often a wooden house is insulated from the outside with expanded clay. However, it has increased moisture absorption.

To avoid the negative effects of this phenomenon, a trench is dug around the house and formwork with waterproofing is installed, after which the expanded clay itself is filled.

Blind area

This method is no less effective, but requires special attention and the need to adhere to all installation rules.

DIY insulation video

The video explains in detail how to insulate the foundation of a house yourself.

Expanded polystyrene began to be mass produced almost a century ago, since then the methods of its production have been constantly modernized, and the material is becoming more and more in demand and widespread.

In fact, every person encounters it in everyday life. This material has a number of features, as well as individual positive and negative sides, which are discussed in more detail in this article.

Features of the material

This material is obtained by adding various types gas into the polymer mass. Many people often mistakenly call it foam plastic, although the difference between them is colossal.

Expanded polystyrene has the following fundamental differences and features:

Homogeneous structure that does not consist of separate granules.
Higher density, on average it is about 40kg/m3.
Inability to absorb liquids and vapors.
Increased mechanical strength and resistance to pressure.

Due to its characteristics and features, the cost of expanded polystyrene is significantly higher than that of polystyrene foam.

Advantages and disadvantages

Expanded polystyrene is a very popular material today, which is actively used in various construction work. It's easy to explain big amount advantages that it has when compared with many analogues.

Basic positive sides are as follows:

Low heat conductivity, which allows it to be used for insulating rooms. A layer of this material equal to 11 cm can provide thermal insulation that will be identical to the constructed wall sand-lime brick 2 meters thick.
Resistance to moisture, even with prolonged exposure, no more than 6% of the liquid is absorbed, which allows you to not worry about damage or deformation of the material.
The durability of the material means its replacement will not be required in the coming years.
Resistance to low and high temperatures.
Resistance to exposure to various biological environments, due to which various fungal formations do not multiply in the insulation.
Resistant to various alcohols and ethers.
Resistant to mechanical stress and pressure.
Environmental safety, expanded polystyrene can be used even in the food industry.
Low weight, which allows you to insulate buildings and carry out other construction activities on your own, without turning to the help of professionals.
Security fire safety. The spontaneous combustion temperature is significantly higher than that of wood; In addition, polystyrene foam melts and goes out quickly, not contributing to the spread of fire.
Possibility of providing sound insulation: for high-quality noise protection, a three-centimeter layer of this material is sufficient.
Low vapor permeability, the value depends on the selected type of material.

Despite such an impressive number of advantages, polystyrene foam also has some negative aspects, which are discussed below:

Rapid and irreversible destruction when chemical solvents get on the surface of the material.
Despite the fire resistance, the material melts under the influence of fire and releases a large amount of toxic substances.
The highest thermal insulation values are inherent in polystyrene foam with low density, which is characterized by reduced resistance to mechanical stress. For this reason, it requires additional treatment with a primer or installation of reinforcing mesh.
Without an additional protective layer, the material can be significantly damaged by rats or mice.

Foundation insulation with polystyrene foam

This material is often used to insulate building foundations, which reduces the risk of freezing. Extruded polystyrene foam has all the necessary characteristics for this, and its main features allow you to carry out all the work yourself.

A detailed algorithm of actions that will need to be performed is given below:

Carrying out preliminary activities related to the preparation of the foundation. It must be completely excavated and cleared of soil and all construction debris. It will be necessary to eliminate all existing excess used waterproofing.
Selecting the appropriate type of material, the main criteria are the thickness of the seal and its density. Flammability does not have much influence on the choice, since the polystyrene foam used to insulate the foundation must be separated from the main building by a layer of non-combustible material.
Carrying out waterproofing under the insulation is an important step that should not be skipped. The insulating layer can allow groundwater to pass through, better protection will be treatment with aqueous or polymer mastic. Considering the characteristics of expanded polystyrene, it is necessary to abandon the use of organic solvents.
Installation of insulation and its fastening to the underground structure. For these purposes, a special contact adhesive is usually used, which is used to process the slabs along the edges and in the center. A few minutes after application, the material must be firmly pressed against the foundation, and it is recommended to use a level to avoid distortions. Laying in several layers is allowed if required by the installation technology.
Ensuring material protection. Sometimes wood panels are used for these purposes, but a much more preferable option is to install reinforcing mesh. Additionally it can be processed cement mortar, to which waterproofing components are added.
Drainage is a prerequisite if there is a large amount of groundwater or if a building is erected on wet ground. To do this, a perforated pipe is laid along the entire perimeter of the foundation, which goes into a specially prepared well or natural reservoir. It is laid in a trench into which crushed stone or sand is first poured.
Additional insulation of the base, the technology has no fundamental differences: the position of the plates is also fixed using contact adhesive.
You should move on to this stage after a few days, when the glue has completely dried. Its essence lies in the installation of an additional insulating board, which is installed and secured using dowel nails.
Soil insulation is necessary not only to ensure high-quality thermal insulation, but also to increase the service life of the foundation. To do this, the ground is isolated from the environment around the perimeter using an insulated blind area. The blind area, equipped with polystyrene foam, is additionally reinforced and filled with concrete mortar.
At the final stage, the base is finished, which is necessary to provide protection from accidental mechanical damage, as well as to create an attractive design. For these purposes, it will be possible to use paint or suitable types of facing material.

Manufacturing companies

Today, there are many companies producing extruded polystyrene foam, which can be used to insulate foundations.

Among the largest and famous manufacturers can be distinguished:

The Dow Chemical Company is the largest American manufacturer that has developed modern technology production of this material.
BASF AG represents German company producing high quality material.
"Penoplex" is one of the largest domestic producers, which locates its factories in various large cities of the Russian Federation.

The insulation materials produced by these companies are of a high level of quality and meet all safety requirements.

Builder reviews

Below are some reviews about this material, left by people who have experience working with it during the construction process:

“I have repeatedly used expanded polystyrene to insulate foundations in a country house and a loggia in a city apartment. The material is very convenient, its low weight ensures ease of installation, there is no need to hire loaders. The main disadvantage is that in addition to glue, it is necessary to use other fastening methods, so it is inconvenient to insulate ceiling surfaces with such slabs.”

Alexander

“I am professionally engaged in construction and many friends asked my opinion about extruded polystyrene foam. The material is certainly very good; it combines low cost, an impressive service life, light weight and the ability to high-quality insulation. However, I do not recommend using it for residential premises, although this is very often practiced in the construction industry. Modern manufacturers produce very high-quality material that meets environmental safety standards, but under certain conditions it is still capable of releasing toxic substances that are undesirable for humans to inhale.”

The stability and durability of the entire house depends on the correct design and construction of the foundation. The installation of hydro and thermal insulation will protect the base from freezing, moisture and soil movements. Before starting work, it is necessary to decide which material will withstand difficult operating conditions with constant load. Extruded polystyrene foam (EPS), which has a low heat transfer coefficient, excellent moisture resistance and strength, will become optimal choice. Insulating the foundation of a house with extruded polystyrene foam will significantly reduce heat loss and protect the structure from destruction under the influence of water and frost.

Before starting thermal insulation work, you have to choose what material to use on the site ground floor and basement. Most of the house is insulated from the outside mineral wool, but upon contact with moisture it loses its properties, so underground it becomes ineffective. Expanded polystyrene, made by extrusion, has all the characteristics necessary for do-it-yourself insulation of the base of a building:

Low thermal conductivity (0.28-0.32 W/m*K) due to the structure of the material, consisting of closed, air-filled cells. It actively prevents heat transfer.
The slabs do not absorb moisture even in direct contact with it; water absorption is 0.6% of the volume of the material over a month.
Load-resistant, its compressive strength is 0.2-0.5 MPa.
The material does not lose its shape and characteristics up to 1000 freezing cycles.
Eps boards are easy to cut and mounted on walls, and have little weight. The presence of a tongue-and-groove joint along the edge facilitates joining of sheets and eliminates the formation of cold bridges.
The insulation is resistant to rotting and chemical attack.
EPPS sheets are produced with a density of 25-45 kg/m3. To insulate the foundation with your own hands, a material with a density of 30-35 kg/m3 is suitable.

Disadvantages of the material:

- high flammability; to enhance fire safety, you should choose slabs with the addition of fire retardants or apply a protective compound;
- the material is used by rodents as a home.

Preparing the foundation for thermal insulation

You can insulate the foundation from the outside at the stage of building a house or when the building is already in use. The technology for doing the work yourself is simple; it does not require professional skills and tools.

Foundation belt type is dug out to the very bottom, to the depth of soil freezing. The work is done manually so as not to damage the foundation. The width of the trench is 0.5-1 m, it should provide comfortable working conditions.
The base is carefully cleaned of soil and concrete residues. During inspection, possible cracks and level differences are revealed. It is necessary to knock down particularly protruding areas, and cover cracks and depressions with cement mortar.

The correct trench for performing foundation insulation work

Base waterproofing

The application of the moisture-protective layer to the base must be carried out carefully, without the slightest omission. The material for waterproofing is selected depending on the type of structure. Insulation of a shallow strip foundation is carried out using bitumen mastic. The composition is applied to the surface of the house with a roller, this will fill all the cracks. Waterproofing with liquid rubber is also used, which is applied from a sprayer. It is important to choose a mastic that does not contain organic solvents. These substances destroy polystyrene foam. A reliable protective barrier can be obtained by combining bitumen mastic and roll materials. First, mastic is applied, roofing felt is attached on top, and the joints of the strips are coated with bitumen.

Slab foundations require roll insulation. Modern weldable materials: fiberglass, roofing felt, rubitex heat up gas burner and are attached to the base treated with bitumen mastic as a primer. Insulation sheets are laid with an overlap of up to 15 cm. On top of the layer roll waterproofing The foundation is insulated with polystyrene foam.

Roll waterproofing

Moisture protection technology pile foundation requires careful application of coating mastic or coloring composition. You can protect your walls and basement from water by making your own drainage. Its installation diagram is simple:

crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the trench;
geotextile fabric is laid;
drainage pipes are installed at an angle towards the well;
the pipes are wrapped in geotextiles and covered with crushed stone.

Selection of expanded polystyrene

The quality of thermal insulation depends on the right choice material thickness. An insufficient value will produce minimal effect, and an excessive value will lead to unnecessary waste of funds. Effective thickness slab insulation depends on the temperature of the region, parameters and base material. In cold regions, it is recommended to install two layers of 50 mm thick EPS on the outside of the strip foundation.

Sheets of extruded polystyrene foam are made with a smooth and corrugated surface. They do not differ in their characteristics, and gluing the sliding plate will be difficult. When purchasing such material, before installation, go over its surface with a needle roller or a wire brush. This will roughen the board and enhance adhesion to the adhesive.

Fastening technology

For insulation of shallow strip base The insulation sheets are attached using special glue. It should not contain organic solvents. The layer of bitumen mastic applied for waterproofing must cool before installing polystyrene foam. The adhesive composition is applied pointwise to the slab; 7-8 strokes will be required in the corners and in the middle. Pressing the material against the wall with your own hands, you need to hold it for a while to fix the glue.

Laying insulation outside starts from the corner of the house. To avoid distortions, the correct installation is checked with a building level. Each next row of slabs is fixed with an offset of half a sheet. The ease of installation is facilitated by the tongue-and-groove material locking system. The remaining gaps between the plates are filled with foam. Even if the thermal insulation technology does not require laying EPS in two layers, it is better to provide double protection at the corners, extending 1 meter in each direction.

Fixation of extruded polystyrene foam requires only an adhesive composition. Driving plastic dowels into the underground part is strictly prohibited, as it will break the tightness of the waterproofing coating. When insulating the basement floor, disc dowels are driven in 5 pieces per slab. To install the fastening, holes are drilled in the slabs and the wall of the house into which plastic dowels are driven. Work begins 3 days after gluing, when the composition has dried. Finishing the base is made of facing material.

Protection of the thermal insulation layer

The action of expanding soil and rodents can damage the insulation of the strip foundation. Fiberglass reinforcement will ensure the safety of the coating. An adhesive solution is applied to the outside of the insulation, into which the reinforcing mesh is embedded. Instead of expensive glue to attach the mesh, you can use cement-sand mortar. One of the ways to protect EPS is to install a layer of geotextile and roofing felt. These materials will prevent exposure to moisture and mechanical damage. To prevent freezing in unprotected areas, the external insulation scheme for a strip foundation should include simultaneous insulation of the blind area and the basement floor.

Backfilling the trench

Before digging a trench with your own hands , you need to wait for the plaster to dry. Sand is poured onto the bottom in a layer of 10-15 cm, it is leveled and compacted. A 20-30 cm cushion of gravel or expanded clay is placed on top. Then the excavated soil is backfilled with obligatory compaction of the layers every 30 cm. The trench is not buried flush with the site, 30-40 cm is left for installing the blind area.

Purpose and insulation of the blind area

A blind area is a concrete or asphalt strip around the perimeter of a house. It serves to protect the base from erosion by rain and melt water, landscaping the territory, insulating the soil. The effectiveness of the last function of the blind area will be increased by placing a layer of extruded polystyrene foam under the concrete. Insulation of the blind area is necessary in the presence of clayey, heaving soil, characterized by uneven freezing and movement.

High density EPS boards are specially designed for high load, they are used on highways and airfields. Such material will become the best option for the installation of a blind area for a shallow foundation. The thickness of the plates used is 50 mm. The insulation technology includes the following stages:

backfilling with sand or gravel in a 10 cm layer and compacting with wetting;
laying roofing felt;
installation of wooden formwork;
EPS sheets are tightly placed in the formwork;
the insulation layer is covered with polyethylene for waterproofing;
reinforcing mesh is laid;
concrete is poured.

The width of the blind area depends on the extension of the roof and the type of soil, its minimum size 60 cm, and the total thickness reaches 25-50 cm. The slope of the blind area is selected according to the type of material; for concrete it is 3-5º, and for stone – 5-10º. Installing the structure at an angle helps drain rainwater away from the house.

Nuances of insulation of various types of foundations

The thermal insulation scheme for a pile foundation involves covering the grillage with extruded polystyrene foam. The thickness of the plates used is at least 50 mm. When insulating the outside, a frame is pre-installed and sheathed with EPS sheets. The plates are secured with plastic dowels, and their joints are treated with polyurethane foam. Thermal insulation ends with decorative finishing.

A slab foundation is built on soft soil. Its thermal insulation is carried out at the initial stage of construction after applying roll protection against moisture. Sheets of extruded polystyrene foam are laid in a checkerboard pattern and are secured with an adhesive composition. The insulation is covered with a polyethylene film of 150-200 microns, which will protect the material from damage by the reinforcing frame. The film is laid with an overlap of 15 cm and taped with special tape. On metal carcass concrete screed is poured.

High-quality insulation of the foundation with polystyrene foam and finishing the base yourself will reduce heating costs and extend the life of the entire building structure.

The foundation is the basis of any home; without it, no real house can be built. A properly designed and constructed foundation is one of mandatory conditions stability and durability of the entire building.

Even this reliable support is threatened by dangers - groundwater and soil freezing in winter, because of which the foundation of your house begins to collapse, and after it everything else risks collapsing. Insulating the foundation with polystyrene foam will effectively solve this problem and provide the house with many years of life.

Many professionals optimal material for insulating the foundation, as well as the basement and the entire plinth, extruded polystyrene foam is called - durable, resistant to moisture and has minimal thermal conductivity. Thanks to it, the structure will be reliably protected from dampness and frost, and the house will remain warm longer.

Not everyone clearly understands what polystyrene foam actually is. In general, this is nothing more than ordinary and well-known foam plastic, used in everyday practice, mainly for packaging fragile items. This is a durable, lightweight, heat-saving, biodegradable and almost insoluble material obtained by filling styrene granules with gas and then heating them.

When exposed to temperature, the granules “swell” until they occupy the entire volume available to them and sinter together.

Extrusion or has a special manufacturing technology. For ordinary polystyrene foam, polystyrene granules are simply heated with water vapor, while to obtain EPS, several processes are used at once: the granules are mixed and heated, a foaming agent is introduced, and then extruded under high pressure, i.e. pushed through the molding hole.

This technology provides greater uniformity and, therefore, greater strength of EPS compared to foam plastic.

Pros and cons of EPS

Expanded polystyrene insulation at the lower level of the building confidently competes with the more familiar mineral wool. The latter loses its effectiveness when wet, so it is not advisable to use it underground. Expanded polystyrene will absorb less than 1% of its total volume during a whole month of direct contact with water (for example, with groundwater that becomes active in the spring). In addition, this material does not rot and does not give in chemical influences and is able to withstand up to a thousand freezes without deforming or losing its properties.

Main positive quality extruded polystyrene foam, which is extremely important for thermal insulation of the foundation - low thermal conductivity - is explained by its unique closed-porous structure. Expanded polystyrene is, in fact, a cluster of closed cells filled with gas. Together they form a kind of air cushion, which does not let out heat from the inside and does not let in cold from the outside. That is, EPS ideally meets the requirements that high-quality insulation must meet.

The density of expanded polystyrene significantly exceeds the “ceiling” required to insulate the basement and basement (up to 35 kilograms per cubic meter).

Finally, the clear benefits for consumers are:

light weight of the material;
ease of cutting;
ease of installation, ensured by connecting tenons and grooves along the edges of the slabs;
resulting from the previous point, the ideal joining of the plates, so that the cold will not penetrate between them.

Expanded polystyrene also has its negative sides. The main one is the flammability of the material. Treatment with a protective compound will help solve this problem.

When and in what order to insulate?

The foundation is insulated with extruded polystyrene foam both during the construction process and when the house is already ready. You don’t need to be a professional to do everything yourself - EPS processing methods do not require any special skills.

Thermal insulation of the basement floor requires strict adherence a certain order actions:

foundation preparation;
installation of waterproofing material;
laying insulation;
installation of a protective layer;
final finishing of the base;
backfilling the trench;
installation of a blind area.

Preparation and waterproofing

The preparatory process has its own nuances for each type of foundation. "Tape" standard depth You should manually dig a trench up to one meter wide and to the freezing depth. No technique is used in this case, so as not to accidentally “injure” the foundation. The surface is cleaned and leveled - the protrusions are chipped off and cracks are sealed with cement.

Waterproofing

Then a waterproofing layer is applied: bitumen mastic using a roller or liquid rubber from a spray bottle. It is important that the waterproofing material is applied in a continuous layer and does not contain organic solvents that have a destructive effect on EPS.

Even more effective protection strip foundation will provide a combination of bitumen and rolled material. Ruberoid, fiberglass, etc. are applied to the mastic in a heated state with an overlap of up to 150 mm, the joints are coated with bitumen. In the same way, a slab foundation can be insulated from moisture.

If the foundation is on stilts

With a pile foundation, a combination of a waterproofing compound and a drainage system is required to protect against groundwater. The drainage is installed in the following sequence:

a shallow trench is dug;
the bottom of the trench is covered with crushed stone;
geotextiles are laid on top of the crushed stone;
pipes for drainage of water are laid at an angle from the house;
on top of the pipes there is another layer of geotextile;
is placed upper layer crushed stone

Installation of EPS

When the waterproofing is finished and the bitumen has finally cooled down, insulation of the foundation with polystyrene foam proceeds to the main stage. The thickness of the insulation is determined in accordance with the parameters of the foundation and the climatic characteristics of the region. For example, if the winter in the area where you live is harsh and long, it would be reasonable to lay the thermal insulation in two layers, five centimeters each.

Foundation insulation with extruded polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene sheets are available both corrugated and smooth. To ensure optimal adhesion to glue, the former are better suited. But if you nevertheless purchased smooth slabs, immediately before installation, treat them with a needle roller.

How to attach?

Fastening polystyrene foam below ground level requires the use of exclusively special glue that does not contain organic solvents. It is applied to the insulation with dotted strokes in the corners and in the center of the sheet. Then the insulation sheet should be firmly pressed against the foundation and held until the glue sets.

Under no circumstances should you fix the thermal insulation in the basement using dowels, as they will damage the moisture-resistant layer. Above ground, the sheets are attached to the wall with hardware three days after installation, when the glue has completely dried. Each sheet contains approximately five dowels, which are driven into holes drilled through the insulating material.

How to lay it?

EPS sheets should be laid from the corner of the house, checking the correct installation using a level. At the corners, it would be better to lay the material in two layers, with a meter extending in each direction from the corner. The slabs are mounted to each other using a connecting locking system at the edges. If there are gaps between the sheets, they are sealed with polyurethane foam sealant.

Thermal insulation protection

Thermal insulation must be protected from rodents and unexpected ground movements. There are two main protective technologies: using geotextiles and roofing felt or reinforced fiberglass mesh. The cost of the glue on which the mesh is attached is quite impressive, so it is permissible to use cement mortar instead.

Backfilling the trench

The trench dug around the perimeter of the house, after completing the insulation work, should be filled in only when all the materials are dry, including the cladding of the basement floor.

This process occurs in several stages:

the bottom of the trench is covered with a layer of sand up to 150 mm thick;
the sand should be moistened, leveled and compacted well;
Expanded clay or gravel is laid on top of the sand layer, the layer thickness is from 200 to 300 mm;
the excavated soil is poured on top of the gravel cushion and compacted very carefully;
The trench should not be completely buried; approximately 300 mm should remain to the ground level for the blind area.

Installation of blind area

Insulation of the foundation cannot be considered complete without the final installation of the blind area. The latter is a narrow path along the perimeter of the building, concreted or covered with asphalt. Its width varies depending on the extension of the roof, the minimum is 600 mm. The sloping surface protects the foundation from rain and melt water flows. In addition, the blind area insulates the soil along the house, which is especially important for regions with cold climates.

Insulation of the blind area

During frosty winter and clay soil prone to uneven freezing, for additional insulation it is advisable to equip the blind area with slabs of extruded polystyrene foam. The strength and elasticity of this material fully corresponds to the functions assigned to the blind area.

Work order

To install the blind area, you must first pour sand into the residual trench in a layer approximately 100 mm thick, compact it and cover it with roofing felt. Formwork made of wooden beam, into which the insulation is tightly packed. This is followed by a layer of waterproofing film (in in this case it is permissible to use polyethylene), a layer of fiberglass mesh and, finally, concrete or asphalt.

Nuances of insulation for different types of foundation

At slab foundation When used on soft soil, insulation of the base is possible only during the construction process.

Installation is carried out in the following sequence:

sheets thermal insulation material attached to the foundation with glue in a checkerboard pattern;
is laid polyethylene film(the overlap should be 150 mm), the joints are fastened with a special adhesive tape;
a reinforcing metal frame is installed;
concrete screed is poured.

When insulating a pile foundation, a specially mounted external wooden frame sheathed with polystyrene foam insulation with a thickness of at least five centimeters. The slabs are fixed with dowels, the joints are additionally reinforced with sealant. The appearance of the structure is not very aesthetic, so it requires finishing with decorative cladding.

Conclusion

High-quality thermal insulation of the foundation, especially in areas with an unfavorable climate, frequent precipitation, large amounts of groundwater and unstable soil, should be one of the first concerns of the homeowner. With properly selected materials and carefully executed installation, foundation insulation will not only help you save money on heating your home, but will also significantly increase the “shelf life” of your home.