Thermal insulation materials for walls. Modern thermal insulation materials in construction. Video. Selecting materials for room insulation

The process has its supporters and ardent opponents. In their own way, both of them are true, it all depends on the situation. But before choosing this particular type of insulation, you need to know which insulation is suitable and study the nuances of performing insulation work.

Insulating walls indoors means making your home comfortable and cozy for living. This type of heat saving is unconventional and is usually used. But there are situations when there is no other way out.

This option can also be considered in apartment building when insulation of internal walls is the only way to thermally insulate a room. This process will help prevent the formation of fungus in the room.

Disadvantages of internal thermal insulation

This method has its drawbacks, which is why it has many opponents.

Problems with internal thermal insulation of walls arise as follows:

• with external thermal insulation, the walls of the building are protected from the cold, which cannot be achieved with insulation from the inside. The base is in contact with environment, cracks may appear on it;
• the occurrence of condensation. With internal heat conservation, it moves behind the supporting structure and forms between the insulator and the surface. The result may be the development of fungal formations that will be difficult to notice;
• reduction in area. Modern heat insulators have excellent characteristics, but have not yet come up with a material that would take up little space. At the moment, with insulation work, the room will become 10 cm smaller on each side.

Before making a decision on internal insulation, it is worth weighing all the disadvantages and considering the advantages; this is the only way to avoid errors and shortcomings during installation.

Thermal insulation materials

This technology allows the use of various thermal insulation materials for walls, which have their pros and cons.

The most popular thermal insulators:

• wood fiber board;
• ecowool;
• glass wool

These insulators are available everywhere and are inexpensive. Let's look at the characteristics of each type of insulator that can be used as insulation from the inside.

Penoplex and foam plastic

A productive and affordable heat insulator, which is very often used for insulating apartments and high-rise buildings. It is enough to take a slab 5 cm thick. No special tools are needed, and installation is not difficult.

But this material has disadvantages:

• flammability;
• low strength;
• vapor tightness - if you do not provide proper ventilation in the apartment, otherwise it will turn into a greenhouse.

Ventilation must be forced - this may require additional costs.

This thermal insulation option is only suitable for concrete, brick, and foam block structures, since wood covered with this heat-insulating material loses its ability to “breathe.”

Mineral wool

A very common heat insulator. It is widely used in apartments and industrial buildings; in addition, it is used as a filler in plasterboard partitions, as it has excellent soundproofing properties.

Mineral wool is inexpensive and has excellent vapor barrier. For an apartment or house, it is better to purchase rigid basalt wool slabs; they are easy to install. Another advantage of the material is its non-flammability.

But you should use this material with great caution if the walls in the apartment are damp, basalt wool is hygroscopic, and when wet it completely loses its insulating properties. Therefore, before laying it on the walls, you need to install a waterproofing layer, and before finishing the cladding, install a vapor barrier.

For waterproofing work, it is better to use membranes; they are vapor permeable and will not interfere with the “breathing” of external walls.

Wood fiber boards

This material has a number of positive characteristics:

• good heat conservation and sound insulation;
• not afraid of temperature changes;
• moisture resistant;
• easy to process and install;
• Rodents are not bred in it.

Often this material is used specifically for exterior finishing, it is treated with special impregnations that can be harmful to human health.

Foil insulation

Technological processes do not stand still, so innovative developments in the field of insulation and construction are constantly appearing on the market. This new product is a foil insulator.

The material is a layer of foamed polyester, onto which a layer of thin aluminum foil is glued. The property of this material is that heat is reflected from the foil layer and directed into the house.

Many manufacturers produce polyester with a self-adhesive layer, so it is very convenient to work with this material, just carefully prepare the surface and stick the insulation on the wall.

Ecowool

The material appeared on the market quite recently, but immediately gained popularity among ordinary people due to a lot of advantages:

• naturalness and safety. The thermal insulator is produced by processing recycled cellulose and is therefore non-toxic;
• excellent thermal insulation performance;
• air tightness;
• fine-fiber structure;
• durability;
• does not shrink.

But, despite the positive characteristics, the material has several significant disadvantages that prevent its widespread use:

• impossibility of installing it yourself. The material is applied by wet spraying using special equipment. For insulation you will have to invite specialists;
• when vertical spraying, the laying of the material must be carried out in stages, since there is a possibility of the layer slipping;
• flammability;
• the curing time of the mass is 24 hours, subject to good ventilation;
• price;
• the need to equip the frame.

Internal thermal insulation of walls using ecowool is carried out strictly on wooden lathing, the pitch of which can vary from 60 cm to 1 meter. The frame is constructed so that when sprayed the material does not slide off the vertical surface.

Glass wool

This heat insulator has been used in construction for a very long time. The main component of this material is fiberglass.

The use of glass wool is due to the following characteristics:

• high sound insulation qualities;
• flexibility - due to its structure, glass wool can take any shape;
• fire resistance;
• immunity to chemical influences;
• affordable price;
• breathability.

But it’s worth talking about the disadvantages:

• the material is not resistant to mechanical stress, therefore it is mounted only on the frame;
• has a high degree of shrinkage over time;
• service life is 10 years, then glass wool loses its thermal insulation properties;
• destroyed by sun exposure.

Despite the disadvantages, the material is very often used for insulating rooms, as it is low cost and easy to install.

When working with glass wool, you need to use protective equipment - goggles, a mask, gloves and thick clothing, since small, sharp particles of the material cause severe itching when they come into contact with the skin.

How to choose the right material for indoor insulation

Before installing wall insulation from the inside with your own hands, we select the right insulator that meets the following requirements:

• safety for humans;
• environmental friendliness;
• durability;
• fire resistance;
• vapor permeability;
• low thermal conductivity;
• moisture resistance.

When insulating a house internally, even before installation begins, a good ventilation system must be installed, otherwise the microclimate in the room will become unfavorable over time.

Comparative table of thermal insulation materials:

Name of material	Density	Thermal conductivity coefficient	Vapor permeability	Moisture absorption
Styrofoam	40	0, 037	0,05	2
Penoplex	28	0,028	0,006	0,2
Wood fiber	250-400	0,045-0,09	1	12
Minvata	30-220	0,07	0,38-0,60	70
Ecowool	35-65	0,032-0,042	0,67	-
Glass wool	10-50	0,029-0,052	0,5-0,6	10-15

Technology for insulating walls from the inside

Experts advise using room insulation with inside only in special cases, for example:

• if the apartment is located above the second floor, and industrial climbers need to be involved for external insulation;
• in new buildings, if it is not possible to remove the facade finishing and carry out external thermal insulation;
• if the insulation of the facade disrupts the architectural ensemble.

Methods for insulating walls from the inside:

• on the frame;
• on glue.

The first method does not require careful leveling of the bearing surface. In addition, it is very easy to attach the facing material to the frame, so if you plan to build walls from plasterboard after insulation, then there is no need to install the sheathing. If after insulation you plan to plaster the surface, then there is no need for a frame. In any case, the method of fastening the material directly depends on the further finishing of the walls.

Insulation on the frame

Like a wall from the inside of a room on a frame? This thermal insulation of walls from the inside is a labor-intensive process, but more reliable. Thanks to the frame, the fragile material is not subjected to mechanical stress, this is especially true if foam plastic is chosen as the thermal insulation material.

There is no need to level the wall, but before installation it is worth clearing the surface of the plaster, if it has peeled off, dirt, dust and covering it with an antiseptic compound.

The frame is constructed using aluminum profiles or bars. Fastening is done using dowels or self-tapping screws, depending on the material from which the base is made. The pitch of the racks should be equal to the width of the material, for example, if soft insulation is chosen for walls inside the walls, then the distance is reduced by two centimeters; when using polystyrene foam or polystyrene, it is exactly 60 cm.

If you decide to use wooden elements as racks, then they should be treated with impregnation, which will prevent rotting and the formation of fungus.

As soon as the frame is ready, heat insulation is placed in the gaps, and all seams between the material are sealed with polyurethane foam. After the foam has dried, it is cut flush. After this, you can begin the final finishing.

Thermal insulation of indoor walls on the frame is made with the following materials:

• glass wool;
• basalt insulation;
• Styrofoam;
• wood fiber.

Any of the above materials can be mounted using lathing on the walls, except for foil insulation.

Installation of insulation with glue

This type of installation requires careful preparation of the wall plane before insulation.

They are cleaned of dust and contaminants and degreased. Further work proceeds according to the following algorithm:

• After cleaning, the walls must be leveled and repaired. The cracks are filled with putty, large protrusions are knocked down, and the depressions are sealed with mortar;
• all surfaces are treated with an antiseptic or primer with an antimicrobial effect;
• the primer is applied in two layers;
• after drying, you can begin installing the slabs with glue; it is applied to the wall and to the material using a notched trowel;
• the glue will dry for 2-3 days;
• as soon as the surface dries, you need to perform additional fixation with umbrella dowels.

Do not forget that the installation of layers of material is carried out offset. In this case, it is necessary to waterproof the base surface and vapor barrier the insulation itself after installation.

The installation of insulation with glue has its limitations, since only dense pits are used for this, for example:

• Styrofoam;
• wood fiber;
• penoplex;
• forged insulation.

As soon as all the installation of the heat insulator is completed, finishing begins.

Finish coatings

Usually, when installing heat-saving boards with glue, they are plastered using a forming mesh for gypsum composition, and fiberglass for putty. These measures will prevent cracking finishing coating.

After all the plastering and putty work is completed and the walls have dried, we clean the surface with a fine abrasive mesh and paint it with a water-based emulsion of the desired shade.

To protect housing from heat loss and high humidity, it is covered with various types insulation materials. It is very difficult to choose the best one, because each product has its own unique properties and scope of application. Thermal insulation materials that are used in modern construction, on the one hand, they are environmentally friendly, on the other hand, they are easy to install. Having studied the main types of insulation, you can choose the best heat insulating material, meeting exactly your needs.

Modern thermal insulation materials for use in construction and repair are divided into many varieties: industrial and household, natural and artificial, flexible and rigid thermal insulation materials, etc.

For example, according to the form, modern thermal insulation is divided into such samples as:

• rolls;
• sheet;
• unit;
• free-flowing.

The structure distinguishes the following types of thermal insulation with their own unique feature:

• fibrous;
• cellular;
• grainy.

Based on the type of raw material, the following products are classified into different quality classes:

1. Organic, natural or natural insulation materials are cork bark, cellulose wadding, expanded polystyrene, wood fiber, polystyrene foam, paper granules, peat. These types of building thermal insulation materials are used exclusively indoors to minimize high humidity. However, natural building thermal insulators are not fireproof.
2. Inorganic thermal insulation materials - rocks, fiberglass, foam glass, mineral wool insulation, foam rubber, cellular concrete, stone wool, basalt fiber. A good thermal insulator from this category has a high degree of vapor permeability and fire resistance. Insulation with a product containing water-repellent additives is especially effective.
3. Mixed - perlite, asbestos, vermiculite and other insulation materials made from foamed rocks. They are distinguished by the best quality and, of course, increased cost. These are the most expensive brands of the best thermal insulation materials. Therefore, rooms are covered with such insulation much less frequently than with more economical materials.

If you need to thermally insulate a pipeline in a wall, then special high-density “sleeves” are used for this.

Determining the best product depends not only on price. They are chosen for their quality characteristics, ergonomic properties and environmental friendliness.

10 best thermal insulation materials

Let's consider the main properties of the best heat insulators that are used in modern construction and renovation:

1. Mineral wool. This name refers to all flexible fibrous thermal insulation materials that are made from mineral raw materials. Mineral wool insulation is classified as a highly porous material, due to which it performs its functions perfectly, which is why it is very popular.

In addition, mineral wool has many other advantages:

• affordable price due to ease of production and low cost of raw materials;
• ease and convenience of installation;
• high degree of fire resistance;
• allows air to pass through well;
• does not allow water and moisture to pass through;
• frost resistance;
• sound insulation;
• long service life.

The disadvantages of this product include the need to install a waterproofing film during installation, as well as a small margin of safety.

1. Glass wool and basalt slabs. Like regular glass, this product is made from quartz sand, lime and soda. Glass wool is produced both as flexible roll thermal insulation materials and in the form of a cylinder or slab. Positive properties the same as that of mineral wool, but the noise insulation and safety margin are much greater, but the heat resistance is lower.

Basalt slab is a subtype of glass wool that has such positive qualities, How:

• resistance to deforming influences;
• durability;
• high degree of strength;
• low moisture absorption rates;
• resistance to high temperatures.

Basalt slabs are usually used externally to protect facades, foundations, and roofs.

1. Foam glass. This insulation is made by gasifying glass powder at high temperatures. The result is a material with porosity of up to 95%.

The main advantages of foam glass:

• water and frost resistance;
• ease of handling during installation;
• high strength;
• fire resistance;
• long service life;
• biological stability;
• chemical neutrality.

Of course, there are also disadvantages - high price and airtightness, so this material is used mainly for thermal insulation of industrial buildings.

1. Cellulose wool has a fine-grained structure and consists of several components: wood fiber - 80%, fire retardant - 12%, sodium tetraborate - 7%. This product can be laid using dry or wet methods. In the first case, I simply pour cellulose wool and compact it, but in the second case, it is blown out of a special gun.

Ecowool has the following advantages:

• low price;
• production safety;
• moisture exchange without loss of heat-insulating properties.

However, such material burns well, is easily damaged when compressed, and is very difficult to lay.

1. Polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam. These materials include two types of products - thermoplastic and thermo-non-plastic insulation. The former soften when reheated (expanded polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride foam), and the latter harden initially and do not soften when reheated (polyurethane foam, silicon, epoxy, organic, phenol-formaldehyde resins).

Extruded polystyrene is the most popular of the foam plastics, as it has many advantages:

• low degree of moisture absorption;
• high degree of thermal insulation;
• frost resistance;
• large margin of safety;
• ease of installation;
• low cost.

The disadvantages include flammability, non-permeability of air and fragility when frozen (if frost hits wet foam).

1. Polyurethane foam. This product consists of microcapsules filled with air, which are formed as a result of the interaction of polyol and isocyanate.

Among the advantages of polyurethane foam are:

• ideal for thermal insulation of uneven surfaces;
• speed of installation;
• elasticity and flexibility;
• absence of joints and seams;
• protects against temperatures in the range from -250 °C to +180 °C;
• resistance to biological effects.

Disadvantages include the release of harmful substances in the event of combustion, the lack of air flow and the need to use special equipment for blowing during installation.

1. Cork. This material is considered an environmentally friendly product, so it is very popular in the West and European countries, both for insulation and for finishing surfaces. For insulation, cork slabs with a thickness of up to 5 cm are used.

Cork has such positive qualities as:

• does not shrink over time;
• does not rot;
• light in weight;
• quickly and easily cut when laying;
• high strength;
• environmental friendliness;
• durability;
• does not react with chemicals;
• does not burn even when exposed to direct fire;
• does not emit harmful substances when exposed to high temperatures.

However, the maximum temperature of use is only 120 °C.

1. Liquid insulation TSM Ceramics. This insulation is one of the most modern heat-saving materials. This solution contains special impurities with hollow ceramic balls that adhere to each other using special substances.

TSM Ceramik has such unique properties, How:

• high degree of elongation;
• insulator thickness is only 2-3 mm;
• easy to apply to any surface;
• low thermal conductivity;
• resistance to low and high temperatures, including open flame;
• economical use - 1 liter of TSM Ceramics is enough to insulate two square meters surfaces.

In this case, special equipment is required for spraying, such as a paint sprayer or a tray and roller.

1. Reflective thermal insulation materials. Special group thermal insulation materials, which operates on the principle of reflectors: reflectors first absorb heat and then return it back into space. The polished aluminum outer surface, which is applied to polyethylene foam, reflects up to 97% of heat.

Such insulation, very thin in appearance, amazes with its properties:

• 2 cm of reflective material serves as a fibrous heat insulator with a thickness of 15-20 cm;
• high sound and vapor barrier protection.

The most popular brands in this category are Poriplex, Ecofol, Armofol and Penofol.

1. Slag-like. A glassy heat saver made from blast furnace slag, which remains after cast iron is smelted. Since slag is a production waste, the cost of the material is very low. Slag wool perfectly retains heat in a building, but this insulation also has disadvantages.

First of all, it is a fear of water and moisture that reacts with metal inserts inside walls or floors. In addition, slag wool is terribly itchy during installation, so mandatory protection is required during installation work.

However, despite many shortcomings, the low price of this insulation makes it one of the most popular modern materials for thermal insulation.

What parameters should you pay attention to when choosing?

The choice of high-quality thermal insulation depends on many parameters. Installation methods, cost, and other important characteristics are taken into account, which are worth dwelling on in more detail.

When choosing the best heat-saving material, you need to carefully study its main characteristics:

1. Thermal conductivity. This coefficient is equal to the amount of heat that passes through 1 m of insulator with an area of ​​1 m2 in 1 hour, measured in W. The thermal conductivity index directly depends on the degree of surface humidity, since water transmits heat better than air, that is, the raw material will not cope with its tasks.
2. Porosity. This is the proportion of pores in the total volume of the heat insulator. Pores can be open or closed, large or small. When choosing, the uniformity of their distribution and appearance is important.
3. Water absorption. This parameter shows the amount of water that a heat insulator can absorb and retain in its pores in direct contact with a humid environment. To improve this characteristic, the material is subjected to hydrophobization.
4. Density of thermal insulation materials. This indicator is measured in kg/m3. Density shows the ratio of mass and volume of a product.
5. Humidity. Shows the amount of moisture in the insulation. Sorptive humidity indicates the balance of hygroscopic humidity under conditions of different temperatures and relative air humidity.
6. Vapor permeability. This property shows the amount of water vapor passing through 1 m2 of insulation in one hour. The unit of measurement for steam is mg, and the air temperature inside and outside is assumed to be the same.
7. Resistant to biodegradation. A heat insulator with a high degree of biostability can withstand the effects of insects, microorganisms, fungi and in conditions of high humidity.
8. Strength. This parameter indicates the impact transportation, storage, installation and operation will have on the product. A good indicator is in the range from 0.2 to 2.5 MPa.
9. Fire resistance. All fire safety parameters are taken into account here: the flammability of the material, its combustibility, smoke generating ability, as well as the degree of toxicity of combustion products. So, the longer the insulation resists the flame, the higher its fire resistance parameter.
10. Heat resistance. The ability of a material to resist the effects of temperature. The indicator shows the temperature level, after reaching which the material’s characteristics and structure will change, and its strength will also decrease.
11. Specific heat. It is measured in kJ/(kg x °C) and thereby demonstrates the amount of heat that is accumulated by the thermal insulation layer.
12. Frost resistance. This parameter shows the ability of the material to withstand temperature changes, freeze and thaw without losing its basic characteristics.

When choosing thermal insulation, you need to remember a whole range of factors. It is necessary to take into account the basic parameters of the insulated object, conditions of use, and so on. There are no universal materials, since among the panels, bulk mixtures and liquids available on the market, you need to choose the most suitable type of thermal insulation for a particular case.

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?

The problem of thermal insulation of 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 the structure (refrigeration equipment, heating mains, etc.) and buildings from mixing 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. Implementation 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 covered with facade materials. The organization of a ventilated façade, when an air gap is maintained between the wall with insulation and the façade finishing, can improve thermal insulation performance. 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 are mostly 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. In other words, The task of thermal insulation work is to maintain the specified temperature parameters 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 industrial 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 remains the only possible way 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. Standard supply system usually it is not enough, the system needs to be installed forced circulation air 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 into 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 of organic insulation:

Ecowool

Considered cellulose insulation, it consists of 80% recycled cellulose. It is an environmentally friendly 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. It can be used as an independent finishing coating due to its 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.

Polyfoam is suitable for external and internal insulation, characterized by high thermal insulation properties. 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, polystyrene foam is a worthy insulation option. 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 is also not conducive 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. The 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 slab bonded with cement. Typically 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 The insulation is distinguished by its 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.

As a facade covering, tiles, wall panels, siding, corrugated sheeting for external cladding and lining or plasterboard (as cladding) for internal cladding are usually used.

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 described by users is bioresistant, has affordable price. Due to its elasticity, it is suitable for finishing buildings and structures of 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. This is an environmentally friendly, non-flammable material with a wide range of applications.

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 without losing the brilliant technical properties of the 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 there are a large number of thermal insulation materials on the market. Choose best products It’s not easy, especially if you’re not at all familiar with the brands on offer.

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. Universal insulation materials, options for pitched roofs, as well as mats with improved sound insulation characteristics are in demand.

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 of multi-storey residential buildings, hospitals, administrative institutions) or “Knauf Heat” (materials for insulation of private houses).

Great solution for organizing a ventilated façade, brand insulation materials are considered 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.

The leading domestic manufacturer of insulation materials is the TechnoNIKOL company. 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 house;
• "Technoblock"– a material suitable for the installation of facades acts simultaneously as a structural element and insulation;

• "Heat roll"– elongated mats 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 rock wool are suitable. 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. You can fall asleep between them bulk 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 of brick buildings, mineral wool insulation is traditionally 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. Suitable as finishing materials warm plaster or hanging panels, siding. For interior decoration, you can use cork insulation, thin layer expanded polystyrene or mineral wool, decorated with plasterboard.

How to calculate?

Different 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 degree-days in 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.
• During installation 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 in the first and top floors, end walls), sometimes it is enough to insulate only them to achieve the optimal temperature in the 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 sealed with cement mortar, uneven surfaces should be removed, and communication elements should be removed.
• 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 laid in several layers. The coincidence of joints between layers of different layers is unacceptable.
• Most adhesive insulation (expanded polystyrene, mineral wool) require additional fixation 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, the ceramic insulation can be diluted with acrylic paint to give the treated surface a certain shade. 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, more cheap option– 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.

One of the primary tasks that is solved at the stage of construction or renovation of commercial and private housing is its insulation. Today it is a question not so much of comfort as of saving on expensive energy resources. Therefore, all kinds of wall insulation materials that are used inside and outside buildings are more relevant than ever.

Market of thermal insulation materials

The modern market of thermal insulation materials demonstrates high growth rates. The reason is the proven effectiveness of using energy-saving technologies, which allows saving on heating resources up to 40%. This problem is usually solved comprehensively, but one of the important stages is invariably the thermal insulation of walls and facades with the following materials:

• mineral and glass wool;
• cellulose insulation;
• expanded polystyrene (foam);
• fiberboard;
• liquid ceramic insulation;
• cork and other materials.

When choosing insulation for walls, buyers pay attention to thermal conductivity, cost per unit area, complexity of installation and performance characteristics.

Mineral wool is an affordable and popular insulation material. It is a material with a chaotic fibrous structure obtained by melting igneous and metamorphic rocks. Mineral wool is used for insulation frame structures and walls designed for different degrees of load, contours of structures and structures. Its advantages:

• high resistance to fire;
• low thermal conductivity;
• biological and chemical stability;
• soundproofing of premises;
• the ability to repel moisture without becoming saturated with it (hydrophobicity);
• mechanical strength;
• resistance to temperature deformation;
• ease of installation.

And now about the disadvantages of mineral wool. This insulation contains harmful components that negatively affect the human body. The respiratory organs, skin and mucous membranes are especially susceptible to them. Phenol in mineral wool, which is used to insulate walls, causes nausea, weakness and headaches. To prevent the harmful effects of this building material, it is isolated from direct contact with the air circulating in the room.

Properties and characteristics of glass wool

Glass wool is a type of mineral insulation. Glass industry waste is used in its production. Glass wool consists entirely of fibrous inclusions and is characterized by high elasticity, strength and vibration resistance. Its thermal conductivity varies from 0.030 to 0.052 W/(m K).

Glass wool is available for sale in the form of mats and rolls. Thanks to the pressing technology, when rolled or compressed, it occupies a small volume, which simplifies its transportation, storage and installation at a construction site. Properties of glass wool:

• high sound insulation ability;
• mechanical strength;
• flexibility and elasticity;
• resistance to mold and mildew;
• environmental Safety.

The main disadvantage of glass wool is the need to strictly observe personal safety precautions when working with it. Thin and sharp fibers are prone to fragility, and when they get on the skin or mucous membranes, they cause irritation, injuring them. Therefore, it is necessary to treat glass wool walls in special clothing that does not leave exposed areas of the body (the use of gloves is mandatory!).

Properties and characteristics of cellulose insulation

Ecowool, or cellulose insulation, is a loose and lightweight insulating material that covers walls, roofs, partitions and individual structures. 80% of its composition is made up of paper waste (recycled waste paper), the rest is boric acid or borax, which provides low combustion ability.

The popularity of cellulose as insulation is due to its affordable cost and environmental friendliness (it gives a second life to waste that litters the planet). Its main characteristics:

• density - 30-65 kg/m3;
• thermal conductivity - 0.032-0.041 W/(m K);
• vapor permeability - 0.3 mg/(m h Pa);
• sound absorption - 36-45 dB.

Cellulose does not cause corrosion of metals in contact with it, has low air permeability, is hypoallergenic and hygienic. During installation, it fills the available hollow spaces, forming a seamless covering on the wall. When laying using the dry method, you can work at sub-zero temperatures.

Advantages of expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene is a synthetic gas-filled material based on polystyrene, which is foamed with vapors of low-boiling liquids. It looks like a huge amount of fine-cellular granules sintered together. The higher the density of the material, the more durable it is. Other properties of polystyrene foam for wall insulation:

• low thermal conductivity - 0.028-0.034 W/(m K);
• mechanical strength;
• chemical and biological resistance;
• low vapor and moisture permeability;
• sound absorption ability;
• long service life (up to 30 years).

Extruded polystyrene foam: properties and characteristics

Extruded polystyrene foam for walls has the same structure as pressed polystyrene, but the closed pores are smaller - 0.1-0.2 mm. The main thing that distinguishes these two materials is the technology for making granules. Because of this, extruded polystyrene foam received less flexibility and safety margin than the foamed variety, a different vapor permeability - 0.013 mg/(m h Pa), but retained high thermal conductivity - 0.029-0.034 W/(m K).

Properties and characteristics of fiberboard

Fibrolite is insulation in the form of slabs made from wood fibers and binders. The cut shows a base made of natural fibers and a layer of Portland cement (60 and 40%, respectively). Characteristics of fiberboard for walls:

• thermal conductivity - 0.08-0.1 W/(m K);
• humidity - up to 20%;
• water absorption - 35-40%;
• bending strength - 0.5-1.3 MPa.

Fibrolite is a non-flammable insulation, provides excellent sound insulation, does not rot, is not affected by fungus and mold, and has a service life of up to 60 years.

Eco-friendly cork materials

If you choose environmental insulation for walls, you should pay attention to cork materials. They are 100% natural, as they are extracted from oak bark. The structure of the cork sheet resembles micro-cells that are filled with gases.

The heat transfer coefficient of cork is 0.043-0.050 W/(m K). The insulation does not burn, does not rot and does not absorb foreign odors. It withstands temperature changes, absorbs sounds and vibration, and can be easily installed on the wall without special knowledge or tools.

Liquid ceramic insulation: properties and characteristics

Liquid ceramic insulation is a modern insulation in the form of a liquid suspension-foam. This is an innovative product that replaces classic solutions to reduce heat loss through walls. The coating is flexible and dense, evenly filling accessible cavities. The maximum thermal insulation effect is achieved due to vacuum in the microcavities of the substance.

Advantages of liquid ceramic insulation as wall insulation:

• high anti-corrosion properties;
• durability (up to 15 years);
• wide range of operating temperatures;
• flexibility during thermal expansion;
• ease of application;
• environmental friendliness.

Liquid foam is made from a polymer resin that hardens in air. To apply it, you must use special equipment. This is a practical and inexpensive option to reduce heat loss through walls, roofing or foundations. Liquid foam has the following properties:

• excellent adhesion to any surfaces and materials;
• minimal preparation of the base (cleaning and drying the wall);
• high vapor permeability;
• no excess pressure after drying;
• Easy application and removal of excess.

Liquid foam is ideal as insulation for horizontal and inclined surfaces, but has also proven itself in wall insulation.

The modern construction market offers many beautiful, durable, environmentally friendly finishing materials. Nowadays, thanks to new technologies, it is possible to realize almost any fantasy in terms of repair or design works. But as for the economics of maintaining a home, it also needs to be carefully calculated.

Unfortunately, not every material, even the most beautiful or unusual, is capable of retaining heat well in a room. Therefore, often the issue of wall insulation at the time of repair has to be raised quite often. And even without planning repair work, insulation - actual topic for our country.

On the shelves of construction hypermarkets are presented different kinds insulation materials. Puzzled by the choice of this material, every unprepared buyer will probably be confused when he sees what a huge assortment the manufacturers offer us! Therefore, before you go shopping, let's figure out what kind of insulation is needed in each specific case and how to choose it correctly.

Insulation will bring several important advantages not only to your budget, but also to the quality of your home - this is clear even without special calculations. Some homeowners find it convenient to install insulation indoors, however, this is not entirely convenient: firstly, it reduces living space, secondly, it does not allow the heat inside the room to warm up the walls and thus maintains dampness inside the building.

Therefore, it is definitely necessary to insulate the walls outside the house - it does not matter whether it is a detached household or an apartment. Properly selected and laid insulation allows the room to warm up evenly thanks to free circulation warm air. The outer layer of insulation retains heat and allows the walls to remain dry, which means it prevents their destruction.

As an additional bonus from the insulation, there is also sound insulation of the room, this is an important property, especially if the housing is located near a highway or a busy part of the city.

As for the aesthetics of finishing walls with insulation, modern finishing materials are perfectly adapted to implement various design solutions.

What types of wall insulation are there?

Conventionally, insulation materials can be divided into 2 types: organic and inorganic. What it is?

Organic insulation

These are materials that are produced from raw materials from natural components. They do not contain synthetic ingredients. Some organic materials contain cement and plastic.

Organic insulation materials are easy to use because they do not get wet, are not prone to fire, and are not susceptible to fungus, mold, or any bacteria. It is convenient to use organics as internal insulation or in multilayer structures, in the form of the first, inner layer.

There are quite a few examples of insulation materials of organic origin:

1. Arbolite insulation– made on the basis of cement and kaolin. Additionally, it contains heat-saving substances - straw, sawdust, shavings, etc.
2. Polyvinyl chloride foam insulation– based on polyvinyl chloride resins. The technology of its production is such that the resins acquire a porous structure; it can be hard or soft, and, accordingly, has a wide range of uses.
3. Chipboard. Insulation based on wood chips, to which resins and antiseptics are added.
4. Polyurethane foam is a new generation heat insulator. It is made on the basis of polyester through a complex chemical reaction. It has excellent insulating properties and is not afraid of moisture, pests and temperature changes.
5. Penoizol, also called mipora. Material based on a natural emulsion of urea-formaldehyde resin. Mipora is a universal material; it is sold in dry form, in the form of blocks. If necessary, it can also be used in liquid form, poured into specially prepared containers, where it hardens over time.
6. Expanded polystyrene, or, more simply, polystyrene foam.
7. Foamed polyethylene. It is obtained by adding special foaming additives to the liquid polyethylene mass. The result is material with big amount pores - which allows it to retain heat well and provide sound insulation.
8. Fibrolite. Fully organic material, consisting of thin wood shavings. Cement or magnesite is used as a binder. The material perfectly withstands wet operating conditions and can be used for insulation of saunas, swimming pools and similar premises.
9. Sotoplast. Unusual modern type insulation. Its porous structure consists of cells that visually resemble a honeycomb - hence its name. It consists of cellulose or fabric fibers, wrapped in film, and the outer part of each panel is made of soft plastic.
10. Ecowool. Made from waste from cardboard or book production. The basis for it is scrap or second grade cellulose cardboard or paper. It is also possible to produce from waste paper, however, the quality in this case will be much lower.

Inorganic insulation materials

Made from minerals, slag, asbestos or glass. These materials have been known to everyone for many years - glass wool, cellular concrete, foam glass and the like. They have shown excellent performance properties, work at any temperature, and are suitable for any design.

Inorganic insulation materials are available for sale in a variety of forms: wool, panels, slabs, rolls, and even loose. This is an additional plus, since it is possible to choose the most convenient way styling

There are also quite a few varieties of inorganic heat insulators:

Probably the most common insulation. Can be made from slag waste from steel production or rocks. Based on the type of raw material from which it is made, mineral wool is divided into two types: stone and slag.

The process of its production is almost identical to glass production, although glass production waste is often used for production. It differs from mineral wool in its structure and properties.

3. Ceramic wool. It is made on the basis of silicon, aluminum or zirconium oxides. For production we use high temperature conditions and centrifuge. Ceramic wool is practically not subject to deformation, does not burn and has excellent heat and sound insulation properties.

Reflective Thermal Insulators

As you know, classic insulation acts directionally - they slow down the process of heat passage. That is, from a heated room, be it a residential building or public building, the heat comes out. If you conduct a study of infrared radiation, you will see rays, especially strong radiation where building materials transmit heat well. Therefore, trying to insulate a room, it is sheathed with various types of insulation that retains heat or prevents the free passage of infrared rays.

However, there is another approach to increasing the thermal insulation of buildings. This is the use of materials that reflect heat. The most popular among these is aluminium foil, its surface is capable of reflecting up to 97% of the heat falling on it.

At the same time, aluminum foil is laid in one or two layers, which are subsequently covered with a layer of polyethylene - such covering is very thin and takes up practically no space. And in terms of its thermal insulation it can compete with the highest quality insulation that retains heat. In addition, it is also an excellent vapor barrier material, therefore, for buildings with high humidity - saunas, baths - such thermal insulation will be a godsend. In other cases, it is best to consider it as an auxiliary material, for example, for finishing walls and ceilings indoors.

Choosing insulation for walls

Among the huge range of insulation materials, it can be difficult to choose just one. Let's look at the most common heat insulators:

For many years it has been used as insulation at all kinds of private and industrial facilities. It can be made from stone or basalt raw materials, which gives it fire resistance and fire safety. Modern ones are made from volcanic fossils using special equipment, reaching high temperatures. It has a specific porous structure, which determines its main advantages:

1. Excellent thermal insulation of the room. Thanks to its fibrous structure, mineral wool retains the temperature inside the building well; in winter the house will remain warm, and in summer it will be cool.
2. Soundproofing. Also, due to the random structure of cotton wool fibers, it is capable of retaining at least 50% of sound vibrations passing through it.
3. Wear resistance. Made from volcanic rocks, mineral wool is not prone to destruction and can last for a long time without needing replacement.
4. Tightness. Provided that the correct technology for laying mineral wool is followed, this type of thermal insulation can maintain the tightness of the coating for many years.
5. Mineral wool is environmentally safe for health.

Laying this type of insulation is not particularly difficult, but, as already mentioned, it is important to follow the correct sequence of operations:

1. Preparing the wall. Clean off old finishes, dirt, putty cracks and chips.
2. Laying a vapor-permeable membrane. This needs to be done directly on the wall, in one layer.
3. Installation of a frame made of wooden planks or metal profiles.
4. Laying mineral wool. It is usually sold in sheets of various sizes.
5. Cover the layer of cotton wool with another layer of film.
6. Façade cladding with finishing material. Usually in in this case It would be correct to arrange a ventilated façade.
7. Installation of slopes, window sills. The old ones will have to be replaced due to a significant increase in the thickness of the walls.

Styrofoam

Polystyrene foam, or its more modern analogue - polystyrene, is a very popular material for external insulation of a building. This is a common type of organic insulation, consisting of 90% air, the remaining ten percent are substances produced from petroleum products. At their core, these are medium and small air bubbles enclosed in a polystyrene shell.

Advantages:

1. Low cost. Sheathing a house with polystyrene foam is available to anyone.
2. Excellent retention of heat indoors.
3. It is not afraid of moisture, dampness and temperature fluctuations.
4. Good soundproofing material.
5. Suitable for various types of exterior, it can be either plastered or covered with wall panels.

Flaws:

1. Small mammals love polystyrene foam. Rodents make their burrows in it - it’s easy and convenient for them. To avoid such incidents, foam wall coverings must be immediately covered with a top, decorative layer. Moreover, this must be done efficiently, without leaving gaps.
2. Foam styrene is not a flammable material, however, when exposed to open fire, it will catch fire. This disadvantage is not significant, since this insulation is capable of self-extinguishing in the absence of strong gusts of wind.

The process of attaching polystyrene foam is not particularly complicated; you can insulate a house with it yourself, without involving specialists. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. Prepare the walls. Preparation includes standard cleaning of dust, dirt and old finishes. If there are large cracks or potholes, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate them.
2. Set up a starting profile. In general, such a procedure is not necessary, but this measure will guarantee accurate alignment of the cladding over the entire area of ​​the facade. Starting from the starting profile, your work will be much faster and easier.
3. Prepare foam sheets as necessary: we're talking about about the sizes, that is, if there are windows, doors, or other elements on the wall that are not planned to be insulated, then you need to cut them taking into account these objects. Cutting it is not difficult, using a construction tool or even the most ordinary knife suitable size.
4. Apply special glue to the foam. This can be done with a spatula, following a certain application pattern: it is important to coat well not only the corners and perimeter of each plate, but also the ends, which will subsequently join with the adjacent ends of the material.
5. Additionally, secure the foam panels with dowel fasteners. Recommended consumption of fasteners: at least five pieces per sheet.
6. Application of a reinforcing layer. This is usually a synthetic mesh that is attached using adhesive or cement mortar directly onto the foam. This measure will strengthen the insulating layer and prevent it from settling or destruction.
7. Finishing work. This type of cladding is most suitable for plaster, followed by the application of textures – “”, “lamb”, and other relief coatings that will fit well on the foam insulation.

Polyurethane foam

This material is a kind of plastic, 90% of its structure is in a gaseous state. The structure is porous, with pronounced cells. In modern industry, it is successfully used not only as insulation for facades, but also as a seat filler in sofas, armchairs and the like. Visually and tactilely it looks like an ordinary one.

This material used as insulation due to the following positive characteristics:

1. Good thermal insulation.
2. It also works as a noise absorber.
3. Not exposed to aggressive chemicals.
4. Practically does not absorb moisture and does not dampen.
5. Environmentally friendly.
6. Long service life - up to thirty years.

Why is this material bad as insulation:

1. Due to its soft surface, polyurethane foam is not suitable for finishing. Can only be used under panels.
2. This insulation is fire hazardous, and moreover, when ignited, it is capable of releasing substances that are dangerous to human life.

For laying polyurethane foam on walls, machine application of polyurethane foam is also used.

Penoplex

This material is also called. This type of insulation is relatively new, developed not so long ago, and therefore fully takes into account modern needs for thermal insulation of housing. Penoplex has a porous structure, which determines its main positive characteristics: high heat resistance, lightness, and accessibility to subsequent processing.

It actually has a lot of advantages:

1. High thermal insulation performance. Has the most high performance thermal insulation from all popular materials,
2. Wear-resistant. Withstands moderate loads,
3. Durable. The service life of penoplex insulation is forty years or more,
4. Does not attract rodents and other pests, not prone to the formation of fungus or mold,
5. Easy. This circumstance makes it possible to work with it independently, without hiring professional builders, and even one person can perform installation work.

This type of polystyrene has shown itself to be excellent in use both for private households and for insulating public buildings.

Among the disadvantages, you need to remember:

1. Flammability. Penoplex is not a fire-resistant material and for fire-fighting purposes, it is necessary to apply protective measures.
2. Quite a high cost.

As for the price, given the characteristics of the material and its service life, its cost is completely worth it and justified.

The installation of penoplex is identical to the installation of foam panels; it is also mounted on special polymer adhesive compositions– please note – they must be without acetone. But in addition to glue, of course, it is advisable to secure the insulation with anchor fasteners in order to avoid annoying troubles after some time.

Extruded polystyrene lends itself perfectly to decoration, it can be plastered, and reliefs of a wide variety of structures can be created.

Manufacturers

Due to the constantly increasing demand for thermal insulation materials, along with the import of imported materials - European, less often American, produced, domestic manufacturers began to expand and develop. Today, both European and Russian brands are present on the shelves of construction hypermarkets. Here are the most popular ones:

Ursa– one of the leaders in this field of building materials. This is a subsidiary of the large Spanish concern Uralita. In fact, Ursa insulation products are regularly supplied to both the Russian and European markets, where they are also very popular.

Thermal insulation of this brand is produced in different variations, but the most popular type is insulation slabs or mats small sizes. They are convenient to use for installing ventilated building facades, insulating roofs, floors, and partitions. But it is also possible to insulate heating mains and high-rise buildings for private and industrial purposes.

• Armacell

Well-known manufacturer of insulation materials from Germany. Insulation materials of this brand are known for the fact that they are produced by foaming synthetic raw materials based on rubber. This method is patented by Armacell and any other materials of similar design are analogues or replicas of this type of insulation. The modern Russian insulation market has several standard types of Armacell insulation. They are, in particular, convenient to use for heating systems, refrigerators, ventilation shafts, as well as standard heating systems with not too high temperatures heating

• Partex

A well-known Finnish company in the world construction markets, its production facilities are located in the cities of Poland, Lithuania and Finland. This brand is represented on the Russian market under the Paros brand, which offers the widest range of stone wool insulation materials. This heat insulator is available in the form of slabs, mats and rolls of soft and rigid construction.

This insulation is popular among private buyers; it is convenient to sheathe detached households and multi-storey residential buildings with it. The properties of Paros thermal insulators: high vapor permeability, excellent thermal insulation properties, durability and lack of deformation, make this material convenient and universal for use in civil construction.

• Isover

The widely known Finnish brand is actually a subsidiary of a large French concern. Their insulation is made on the basis of fiberglass, widespread both in Europe and in Russia and has remained popular for many years.

• Rolls Isomarket

One of the largest domestic companies producing insulation materials. Founded in 1994, since then it has been actively developing and mastering new technologies. Under the Energoflex brand, this manufacturer offers on the Russian market a wide range of various insulation materials based on polyethylene foam.

• JSC "Chemical Plant"

Is in Sverdlovsk region, also large Russian manufacturer. The Extrapen brand, produced by this plant from polystyrene foam raw materials, confidently occupies its niche among the thermal insulation materials presented on the Russian construction market.

Video: the best way to insulate walls

Insulation of walls is an important stage, it should not be missed or done poorly. The benefits of properly insulated walls are obvious: you will protect the inside of the house from condensation and freezing, retain heat inside the room, significantly saving energy resources. Nowadays, insulation is not an unnecessary precaution, but the right choice for any home, no matter what it is built from or how well it is heated.

Modern building materials allow you to select insulation to match any finish, hide it securely, leaving the façade of the building visually attractive. It is also important that to comply the right technology Laying insulation is not difficult, even if you do it yourself. Thus, you can save significantly on construction work, without involving professionals for cladding.

Insulation materials serve for a long time without needing replacement; one day, you will forget about heat loss for many years to come. Take care of your home by installing good thermal insulation!