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How to choose the right heater for your home

As you know, there are no good and bad heaters. There are materials that are suitable in this particular situation, or not suitable. In order to figure out what kind of insulation you need, you should first of all determine where you are going to mount it and what result you want to get at the output. In this review, we will talk about how to choose the right insulation for a house, cottage or city apartment, taking into account the type and characteristics of the supporting structures.

Related factors when choosing a material

Comparison of materials is a good thing and, of course, necessary, but before deciding for yourself which insulation is better to use, you need to study the object to be insulated. For example, one of my acquaintances for a long time could not figure out how much 6x6 soft mineral wool was needed for a house. The house is brick and someone told him that the walls should breathe. As a result, after the person was explained, he bought foam, mounted it himself and was satisfied.

Well, it was a small lyrical digression, but now let's figure out where the heat goes the most. In this case, we will focus on a private house, a summer residence is just one of the options for such a structure.

And a city apartment is deservedly considered the simplest design in terms of insulation, since some kind of safety margin was already laid there, it only needs to be slightly corrected and improved.

If you believe the old, still Soviet SNiPs, the main heat losses in a private house go through the roof or attic floor. The second place was firmly held by the windows and only in the third place were the walls. At that time, no one thought about the foundation at all; cold floors had to be put up with as a natural disaster. Now, thanks to the advent of modern materials, the situation has improved.

They have already done everything they could with windows and until some new fantastic technology has appeared, double or triple glazing remains the height of perfection.

Breathable walls as the most common myth

Now, both online and offline, the idea is being actively promoted that a safe house should be as natural as possible, more precisely, made of natural materials, and most importantly, the walls must breathe. I think the authors of this idea are negligent advertisers.

If it’s stuffy in the house, it’s hard for people to breathe and there is a constant desire to ventilate the room, they immediately try to convince people that all these troubles are allegedly due to the fact that air does not pass through the walls. Now, any more or less knowledgeable builder will tell you that this is not true.

A comfortable atmosphere, for example, in a wooden house does not arise because air from the street passes or does not pass through the walls, but because wood is almost the most environmentally friendly material, it is able to take on excess moisture from the room and subsequently give it away if necessary.

The passage of air through a solid wooden frame or walls made of newfangled aerated concrete is, of course, greater than that of brick structures, but still this figure is so small that professionals do not even mention it.

Comfort in the room depends not so much on what your walls are made of and what insulation material is installed outside or inside, but on the level of air humidity. The higher it is, the harder it is for you to breathe. With good air conditioning and normal ventilation, any home will be comfortable to be in.

In order to finally dispel your doubts about the breathing of the walls, I will give another unshakable physical law known to every builder. Steam and heat always moves from the room to the street and nothing else. That is why they say that a wooden house needs to be insulated with a vapor-permeable material, this is done so that moisture does not clog in the array, but goes outside. Otherwise, the tree will begin to deteriorate.

Breathing walls, in the understanding of a simple man in the street, do not exist. Here it would be more correct to talk about the ability of the material to absorb excess moisture from the air and give it back when the air becomes dry. This is the best natural conditioner that nature has given us.

Sometimes it happens that people build a wooden house, as it is environmentally friendly inside and out. But they soon realize that during our winters, insulation is still needed. After that, succumbing to bright advertising, they buy extruded polystyrene foam and insulate the walls of the house with it.

As a result, if you choose outdoor installation, the wood will begin to rot, as moisture will linger in it, and in the case of internal installation, of course, nothing will happen to wood, but people, instead of environmentally friendly housing, find themselves in a “plastic bag ".

By the way, about the same applies to porous building materials, such as aerated concrete, foam concrete or expanded clay concrete. Of course, they do not rot from moisture, but they are actively destroyed.

In pursuit of environmentally friendly heaters

The question of how to choose a cheap and at the same time environmentally friendly building material and the same insulation for it has always interested people. And now, in times of the global economic crisis and bourgeois sanctions against our country, it is especially acute:

• The rampant sometimes even fanatical passion for environmental cleanliness has led to the fact that people began to blindly believe advertising. At the same time, I personally know only one truly inexpensive and environmentally friendly insulation - this is dry expanded clay.

Note that it is dry expanded clay, expanded clay concrete and its derivatives that already meet the requirements of environmental safety less. But expanded clay is a bulk material that is afraid of moisture, respectively, its scope is very limited;

• Various types of mineral wool, which are often positioned as environmentally friendly, are in fact far from such a definition. More precisely, in its pure form, basalt or glass are completely safe and practically natural materials, but the whole problem is that artificial phenol-formaldehyde resins are used to bind fibers in all types of wool, and these compounds are initially considered dangerous;
• Another pseudo-clean insulation is slag wool. By habit, it is classified as a mineral heater. But for some reason they forget that it is made from blast furnace slag (a by-product of the metallurgical industry). Believe me, in the blast-furnace slag, almost the entire periodic table and there is no need to talk about some high level of environmental safety;
• When you start talking about environmentally friendly insulation in a store, they immediately start offering you ecowool. From the point of view of the seller, the reception is almost win-win, because here even the name of the insulation speaks for itself.

When you dig deeper, it turns out that indeed, the material is 81% recycled cellulose, 12% boric acid and 7% borax. There are no complaints about cellulose, it is taken from waste paper or wood. But here boric acid with borax is very far from chemicals useful to humans.

If the natural material from which this or that insulation is made burns well under natural conditions, rots or is afraid of insects, and the insulation itself is protected from these misfortunes, think about what harsh chemistry it had to be impregnated to get such a result.

Some rush to the other extreme, build houses from natural, untreated wood at all, and blow ecowool under the lining inside. As a result, after a year, the tree begins to darken, and cracks appear. Having realized it, people begin to smear the wood with everything in a row, but the rescue instruction is much more expensive. So it turns out that high quality and durability do not get along with 100% naturalness.

In my opinion, one of the most environmentally friendly and at the same time durable buildings is a brick or any block house in which the outer skin with a metal profile with insulation is mounted.

In environmental terms, the outer skin does not pose any danger, since the steam moves in the direction from the room to the street. Accordingly, most slab insulation can be used here, as well as any type of insulating foam.

Varieties of insulating materials

Before considering the materials themselves for home insulation, it will not be superfluous to recall the main physical and chemical characteristics. Simply put, what determines the effectiveness of a particular material:

• The most important characteristic of any insulation is the coefficient of thermal conductivity. It shows how much heat can pass through a material under the same laboratory conditions. The lower the value of the thermal conductivity coefficient, the better the material is considered.
  Although there are nuances. For example, mineral wool and ordinary foam have similar performance, but wool is a hygroscopic material and with increasing humidity, its thermal conductivity will increase. That is why cotton wool needs waterproofing, plus the thickness of wool is always taken more than the thickness of the foam;

• The next equally important indicator is the vapor permeability of the material.. It must be taken into account when deciding which material is better to insulate the house from the outside. For wooden houses and buildings built of cellular concrete, the level of vapor permeability of the insulation must be higher, otherwise moisture will be clogged in the supporting structure. At the same time, when insulating foundations, it is desirable that the vapor permeability be generally zero;
• The density level of the insulation allows you to calculate the amount of material and the load on the supporting structures. The denser the insulation, the more powerful the supporting structure should be;
• Such a characteristic as heat capacity to a heater refers indirectly. This parameter indicates the ability of the material to accumulate and retain heat. It is taken into account when it comes to what is the best material to insulate the house from the outside. For example, wood and cellular concrete have a low heat capacity, but a brick house is perhaps the highest;

• The durability of any insulation directly depends on its biological stability.. This characteristic indicates the ability of the material to resist fungi, mold, insects and rodents;
• Great importance is attached to the flammability index of the insulation. If at home the owner is still free to mount any insulation he likes, then in the case of public buildings, not every material will be missed by the fire inspector.

Mineral wool

At the moment, mineral wool is considered one of the most common insulating materials. To be precise, cotton wool insulation is a whole direction, within which materials are divided into 3 categories:

1. The first direction includes materials made on the basis of minerals. Most often we are talking about basalt. This mineral is of volcanic origin, as a result of which the insulation can withstand up to 1200 ºС;
2. The cheapest type of wool is glass wool. As it is not difficult to understand from the name, glass wool is made from ordinary glass. The material is remelted and fine fibers are formed from it. The performance characteristics of glass wool are very mediocre, the only advantage is the low price;

1. Slag is made from blast-furnace waste. It is not expensive, but its environmental safety is quite low.

The cotton wool production technology is quite simple, and the raw material is not expensive, as a result, the cost and final price of the product are quite acceptable. Such a heater is easy to install with your own hands and does not burn.

As I already mentioned, the biggest and most important disadvantage of cotton wool is its high hygroscopicity. This material must be protected from the outside with a vapor-permeable membrane, otherwise it will be saturated with moisture and become unusable.

With proper installation, cotton wool is suitable for insulating almost all parts of the building. It can be mounted anywhere from the floor to the roof, both outside and inside. Basalt and slag wool are one of the few materials that are suitable for chimney insulation. Glass wool can not be placed on chimneys, it is sintered.

In private houses, there is only one sector, which is strictly forbidden to be insulated with cotton wool. This is the external insulation of reinforced concrete foundations. This is due to the fact that, in addition to its hygroscopicity, cotton wool is not able to withstand high soil pressure, it is simply crushed.

Cotton wool is produced in the form of soft mats twisted into rolls, as well as rather dense cotton slabs. For pipe insulation, separate semicircular cocoons are produced, although, in fact, pipe cocoons are just one of the varieties of slab wool.

Foam glass

Foam glass appeared relatively recently. The bottom line here is that a foaming agent is added to ordinary molten glass and blocks are formed from this material. The technology is still "raw", so the defect rate is quite high, as a result, the cost of this product is simply sky-high.

Foam glass blocks are durable and environmentally friendly material. This insulation does not change its characteristics over time and can be used indefinitely. Here the principle applies, pay once and forget about the problem.

Perlite

Perlite is made from a mineral with water in its pores. The technology is simple, the mineral is subjected to a sharp thermal shock, as a result of which the water quickly evaporates, leaving many small bubbles in the array.

The material is not expensive, but there is too much dust from it, plus, like cotton wool, perlite is afraid of moisture, therefore it requires waterproofing. In its pure form, as a heater, perlite is rarely used. Typically, granules and perlite sand are added in the manufacture of cellular concrete and cement blocks.

Expanded clay

Expanded clay has been actively used as a heater for more than half a century. Expanded clay is called granules of foamed and fired clay. As you can imagine, the price of this product is quite reasonable. Burnt clay does not burn and can lie in a dry place for an arbitrarily long time.

The two biggest disadvantages of expanded clay are the fear of moisture and the fact that it is free-flowing. It is almost impossible to insulate walls with this material. Most often it is used for warming attic floors and floors. In other words, it is only suitable for working with horizontal surfaces.

Styrofoam

Foam boards now share the palm with mineral wool. But unlike cotton wool, polystyrene is completely indifferent to moisture, plus it is a partially vapor-permeable material.

Fungus and mold are not afraid of foam, and it is inexpensive. Rodents are a rather serious problem in such insulation. They love to build their nests in foam.

For construction needs, a plate with a density of 25 kg / m³ is most often used. More dense varieties of foam are more expensive, and loose material crumbles heavily, which quickly becomes unusable. Previously, foam chips were used to insulate floors and ceilings, now this practice is slowly being abandoned, since the crumb is very light and is only suitable for filling into closed boxes.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam is made from the same material as the above-mentioned foam. But this is a more modern heater. It has good mechanical strength and can withstand a lot of pressure. Such slabs are now actively used in the insulation of reinforced concrete foundations and are laid in a screed.

Extruded polystyrene foam, unlike polystyrene, has a closed pore structure, as a result of which it absolutely does not let water through. For wall insulation, it can only be used in houses made of dense material, for example, brick. When mounted on a roof, this material needs enhanced ventilation.

But the increased density and zero vapor permeability in some cases can be an advantage. So extruded polystyrene foam does not need waterproofing. By and large, he himself is a good waterproofer.

Although extruded polystyrene foam belongs to self-extinguishing materials, it burns well and emits caustic, asphyxiating gas when exposed to an open flame. Rodents, as a rule, are not interested.

In fact, it is suitable for warming any surfaces that do not need active vapor exchange. In other words, it is not recommended to insulate the walls of wooden houses and houses made of cellular concrete with this material.

As for the cost, extruded polystyrene foam firmly occupies the middle price niche. It is much more expensive than polystyrene, cotton wool or expanded clay, but cheaper than polyurethane foam and foam glass.

Insulating foam

In this niche, 2 types of foam are leading: polyurethane foam and penoizol. Polyurethane foam has the highest performance. This is one of the varieties of mounting foam. Such insulation is applied in a continuous layer and is considered the highest quality, since, in principle, it cannot have any cold bridges.

Foam is quickly applied to any surface, including surfaces with complex geometry. This is one of the best options for insulating the roof from the inside. The characteristics of polyurethane foam are close to the main parameters of extruded polystyrene foam. It does not allow moisture to pass through and can withstand the pressure of the soil on the foundation.

This heater has only 2 serious drawbacks:

• Firstly, polyurethane foam costs quite serious money;
• And secondly, the material cannot be applied by hand.

The fact is that spraying requires appropriate qualifications, and most importantly, one cannot do without special professional equipment. That is why polyurethane foam is expensive, because half of the money goes to pay employees.

Penoizol is much cheaper. For its installation, you also need to hire professionals, but there the cost of the material is much lower.

Without going into details, I can only say that penoizol is practically the same foam, only in liquid form. Most of their characteristics are similar. As far as I have come across, people choose penoizol when they need to quickly and relatively inexpensively insulate structures.

Ecowool

I have already mentioned a little about ecowool. Now this heater is actively gaining popularity. When it first appeared, prices were astronomical, at the moment they are slowly falling.

In principle, there is nothing expensive there. Waste paper is taken as the basis, that is, cheap material, boric acid and borax, which are also not particularly expensive. In addition, our production workers have long mastered this technology and produce high-quality and at the same time not very expensive goods.

Ecowool can be mounted in two ways. When horizontal attic and interfloor floors are insulated, it can simply be poured out and fluffed up, in much the same way as any loose insulation. On walls and other surfaces with complex geometry, ecowool is sprayed with a compressor. This technology is similar to applying foam.

According to the manufacturers, this material is not afraid of biological pests and does not burn, more precisely, ecowool can only smolder when exposed to an open flame. But how much I have encountered, it all depends on the decency of the manufacturer. In this niche, you should not chase a cheap product, it is not possible to visually check the quality, so it is better to focus on the brand.

Related heaters

Complementary heaters I call materials that are in themselves heaters, but can only be used as an addition to the main material.

Not so long ago, only natural materials such as linen, jute or tow were used in this niche. They caulked crowns in wooden log cabins, insulated windows, doors and other similar structures. But as you understand, natural materials are not durable, and now people are switching to polyethylene foam and padding insulation.

Foamed polyethylene, better known as isolon, has a thickness of 10 - 15 mm. Such a canvas can be produced with a foil coating or go without it. Most often, mineral wool and other hygroscopic heaters are covered with this “blanket”. The foil layer is a waterproofing agent, and the foamed polyethylene enhances the effect of the thermos.

Sintepon insulation in homes is used much less frequently. In order to make it clearer to you, it is the synthetic winterizer that is sewn as an insulating lining on jackets, coats and other winter things.

The canvas itself is quite thin and to get a tangible effect it needs to be wound in several layers. The synthetic winterizer is cheaper than isolon, so it is sometimes mounted in dry rooms, for reasons of economy.

Warming of various designs

With the general characteristics and purpose, we kind of figured it out. Now let's talk about what materials are used to insulate specific structures.

Roof and attic floor

For insulation of a sloping roof, it is customary to use dense basalt cotton slabs. Extruded polystyrene foam and polystyrene can be mounted, but here you will have to take care of additional ventilation.

Although the fastest and highest quality result is sprayed with polyurethane foam, ecowool or, at worst, penoizol. In this case, you will have to deal with the arrangement of the warming cake much less, plus the quality of the work performed will be an order of magnitude higher than with the slab option. The thickness of the insulating material in the roofing cake usually fluctuates around 100 mm.

The attic floor in an unheated dry attic can be insulated with anything. If finances are limited, then I recommend taking traditional bulk insulation. Expanded clay is best suited for these purposes.

If you do not like expanded clay, you can fill the attic with dry, aged sawdust mixed with slaked lime in a ratio of 8: 2 (sawdust / lime). In addition, here you can fill in perlite granules, dry ecowool or mount any slab insulation.

The thickness of insulation in the attic usually starts from 200 mm, with the exception of only polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam and foam materials, there is enough thickness of 100 mm.

Wall insulation

In this sector, the palm is now shared by basalt wool and polystyrene. Personally, I prefer foam. The effect is the same, but it costs much less and you have to mess around almost half as much.

When the financial issue is not on the agenda, people usually order spraying with polyurethane foam or ecowool. Polyurethane will stand longer, there the guarantee reaches 50 years, and foam is considered more environmentally friendly.

Floor insulation

Everything is ambiguous here. If a private house has a low underground, then the easiest way is to make waterproofing on the ground and pour loose insulation into the underground, for example, expanded clay or perlite.

For installation between the lags, in fact, any insulation is suitable. The technology here is not much different from the insulation of the attic floor. When there is a question of warming a concrete screed, then extruded polystyrene foam is best suited. Previously, expanded clay was poured under the screed, but there the thickness should be at least 200 mm, and for expanded polystyrene, 50 mm is enough.

When arranging an insulated floor on the ground, I also recommend using extruded polystyrene foam boards. In addition to being warm, they do not need to be waterproofed.

Basement, foundation and basement insulation

The extreme conditions in this sector significantly limit the choice of suitable materials. That part of the foundation that is in the ground can only be insulated with extruded polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam, no other material is able to withstand such pressure.

The plinth, in addition to the materials mentioned above, can be insulated with foam plastic with a density of 30 kg / m³. Only here there is one caveat, all these materials are afraid of sunlight, and if this is not essential in the ground, then the base will have to be covered with something. For these purposes, as a rule, a basement is used.

It is possible to insulate a damp basement from the inside only after arranging the drainage. Without drainage, there is no point in doing this. You will block dampness between concrete and waterproof insulation, which will lead to even worse consequences.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no universal insulation suitable for all cases. Therefore, which material to choose should be carefully, taking into account its characteristics and installation location. The photo and video in this article contains additional information on heaters. If you have any questions, write them in the comments, I will try to help.

Insulation for the internal walls of the house is a rather urgent issue for summer cottages, because their walls are usually quite thin and do not retain heat well. To reduce the cost of heating a country house, it is necessary to properly insulate the structure. If external insulation is not possible due to the design features of the building, then thermal insulation is made from the inside. When choosing a heater for walls inside a house in a country house, not only the price of the material is taken into account, but also its characteristics, installation features.

The choice of insulation for interior work is huge, but not all materials can be used for thermal insulation of walls. Source strodom.ru

Advantages and disadvantages of internal insulation

This type of insulation has several disadvantages:

• Due to the size of the insulation, the useful area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room is reduced - for small rooms this is especially critical.
• Due to the displacement of the dew point (condensate), if the technology is not followed, condensation and mold may appear on the walls.
• The premises may not be used during work.
• Cheap wall insulation can adversely affect human health.

But it is this method that many prefer, which is explained by the positive aspects of internal insulation:

• Work can be carried out regardless of weather conditions, which allows you to warm the room several times faster.
• The technology of internal insulation is cheaper than external.
• It becomes possible to align the walls and change the interior of the room.

The shift of the dew point during internal wall insulation leads to the accumulation of condensate Source sovet-ingenera.com

The formation of condensation on the walls is the main problem of internal insulation. There are several methods to solve it:

• use a high-quality vapor barrier membrane;
• choose a heat-insulating material with a minimum thermal conductivity;
• as a finishing material it is better to use moisture-resistant drywall;
• organize additional ventilation in the room.

How to choose the right heater

The choice of heat-insulating material is influenced by the characteristics of the room and the budget for the upcoming work.

Most often used for interior work:

• mineral wool;
• Styrofoam;
• penoplex;
• ecowool;
• sprayed materials.

When choosing a material for the internal insulation of a country house, a number of parameters should be taken into account:

• Thermal conductivity of the insulation- the lower this indicator, the better.
• Frost resistance- summer cottages are not constantly heated in winter, so low temperatures will inevitably affect the insulation.
• Durability- having saved on insulation, you may be faced with the need to replace the heat insulator after 4–5 years.
• Environmental friendliness- the material for internal insulation should not emit harmful substances.

In addition, the compatibility of the insulation with the material from which the walls are made is also taken into account. The calculation of the thickness of the insulation is carried out based on the thermal conductivity of the material itself, as well as the thickness and type of the walls to be insulated.

Often there is a temptation to choose the cheapest insulation for walls inside the house in the country, not really delving into the study of its characteristics and making preliminary calculations. This approach leads to disappointment with the results of thermal insulation, the appearance of additional problems in the form of mold, fungus, and condensate.

The main problem with improper internal insulation is mold formation Source alayam.com

But it also makes no sense to purchase the most expensive insulation, to make several additional layers to insulate walls in the country. To find the golden mean, to make competent calculations will help professionals who encounter such work regularly. A competent choice of insulation for interior work, compliance with technology is a real way to save money.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool for wall insulation inside the house is one of the most popular and common materials.

Mineral wool is the most popular material for insulation Source eurodach.lutsk.ua

It is a fibrous material. The fibers are formed by pulverizing certain types of slag or basalt. Thanks to this production technology, the material is environmentally friendly, natural.

Properties of mineral wool

Cotton wool does not burn, which is important when used in wooden houses.

Characteristics of different types of mineral wool Source pro-uteplenie.ru

This heater has several other advantages:

• Resistance to biological organisms. Does not promote the formation of fungus and mold.
• Good soundproof characteristics. Randomly superimposed fibers of mineral wool perfectly delay sound waves.
• It is not subject to shrinkage, which retains the properties of this type of insulation throughout the entire service life.
• The ability to pass air, which allows you to maintain a healthy microclimate in the room.

The correct functioning of the insulation is possible only in combination with additional moisture insulating materials. When exposed to water, mineral wool loses some of its thermal insulation properties. Over time, mineral wool is able to disintegrate into fibers, which requires replacement of the heat insulator

It should be borne in mind that mice and other small rodents can arrange nests and passages in glass wool. Therefore, the country house must be protected from rodents before insulation.

Mice have chosen glass wool for nesting Source ecousadba.org

Features of mineral wool insulation: the need for additional materials

It is necessary to work with cotton using personal protective equipment - small particles of fibers can get on the mucous membranes and cause irritation.

With such insulation, the finishing material for wall decoration is drywall. For its fastening to the wall, a metal profile and suspensions are used. Warming is carried out in the following order:

• Waterproofing is fixed to the wall - any rolled material will do. With the help of a construction stapler, the waterproofing is attached to the wall, at the joints the material is laid with an overlap of about 15 cm.
• Vertical markings are applied to the wall in increments of 60 cm for the convenience of attaching drywall sheets (its standard width is 120 cm).
• After marking, metal suspensions are attached to the wall - dowel-nails are used for this.
• Mineral wool is put on suspensions, the entire wall is consistently filled.
• After that, metal profiles are attached to the suspensions, and a vapor barrier film is attached to them.
• With the help of self-tapping screws, drywall sheets are attached, the joints are puttied.

The result is an insulated wall, ready for fine finishing. It can be both puttying and painting, and wallpapering.

The cost of mineral wool

Mineral wool is a relatively cheap insulation. Sold in slabs or rolls. Standard board sizes:

• 800x600 mm;
• 1000x600 mm;
• 1 200x600 mm;
• 1170x610 mm;
• 1250x610 mm.

The material in rolls can be selected in various lengths - from 5 to 12 m.

Cost per 1 sq. m of mineral wool is:

• 50 mm thick - from 50 to 100 rubles;
• 100 mm thick - from 105 to 210 rubles.

When choosing mineral wool, it is necessary to take into account not only the dimensions of the plates, the thickness of the insulation, but also the need for additional materials necessary for installation work.

Styrofoam

Budget material, almost 98% air. 2% falls on the main component of raw materials - polystyrene. It can be used as a heater for walls outside the house in the country and from the inside.

Foam specifications Source probalcony.ru

Properties and advantages of foam

Among the advantages of this material:

• Versatility and ease of installation. This material is used for insulation of any structures. It is easy to cut, installation does not take much time.
• Low price. One of the cheapest heaters.
• Security. During operation, it does not form dust and harmful fumes. You can work with it without protective equipment.

However, polystyrene is a combustible material, in direct contact with fire, the sheets light up easily, and the release of harmful substances begins.

Advice! It is undesirable to insulate wooden buildings with foam plastic.

Does not pass steam, practically does not absorb moisture. A significant disadvantage is the attractiveness for rodents. Rats and mice easily make moves in foam plastic, equip holes.

One of the disadvantages of polystyrene is flammability Source depstroi.ru

Features of wall insulation with foam

Instead of guide metal profiles, you can use wooden bars. This method is very convenient when working with foam. The thickness of the foam sheet should be equal to the thickness of the bars, which will be guides for attaching insulation between them.

Depending on the width of the foam, the step of fixing the bars to the wall is selected. Waterproofing is fixed on the surface of the entire resulting structure. Styrofoam sheets are tightly inserted into the resulting recesses between the timber - this avoids additional fixation. If necessary, the joints are filled with mounting foam.

Video description

In this video, we will dwell on the insulation of the house with foam plastic. How safe is polystyrene foam:

After filling the entire wall with insulation, it is closed with a protective vapor barrier. Sheets of plywood are fixed on top, the joints are puttied - the surface is ready for finishing.

Wall insulated with foam plastic Source stroyday.ru

Cost, foam dimensions

Standard sizes of foam sheets:

• 1000x600 mm;
• 1200x600 mm.

The thickness can vary from 20 to 100 mm. The cost of foam depends on the density of the material, manufacturer and region.

You can buy foam plastic 50 mm thick in Moscow from 50 rubles per 1 sq. m.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Thermal insulation material, the basis of which is polystyrene, as in polystyrene. But thanks to the manufacturing technology, penoplex, technolex and other similar materials have better performance characteristics than their counterparts.

Comparison of the characteristics of foam and extruded polystyrene foam Source klub-masterov.ru

Main advantages:

• perfectly retains heat in the room;
• due to its small thickness, when insulating walls inside the room, it practically does not reduce the usable area;
• light weight and ease of installation - properties similar to foam;
• environmental friendliness - does not emit toxic substances and does not require protective equipment during installation work;
• availability - the material is relatively inexpensive.

This material is universal, used as insulation for walls outside the house in the country, from the inside, for the floor and ceiling.

Video description

The video shows tests of foam for strength, fire safety in real conditions:

Foam insulation

Another popular insulation for walls inside the house is penoplex, the price and quality of which attract buyers with its good ratio.

This material can be attached to the wall without additional preparation. It does not need waterproofing, since it does not let water through, but some experts argue that the film will not be superfluous. Due to its small thickness, it can be fastened with glue or dowels of nails with large caps. After filling the wall with insulation, it is plastered.

This method of insulation is suitable for flat walls. If there is a need to level the plane, then you can not do without guides.

Walls insulated with foam Source market.sakh.com

Penoplex cost

Standard dimensions of extruded polystyrene foam sheets:

• 1200x600 mm;
• 1185x585 mm;
• 1180x580 mm;
• 1180x600 mm;
• 2360x580 mm;
• 2500x600 mm.

Insulation thickness - from 10 to 100 mm (depending on the brand of material).

The price of a package of insulation depends on the size, thickness of the material, the manufacturer and the number of boards in the package.

For example, Penoplex Comfort will cost:

• 1254 rubles for 18 plates measuring 1185x585x20 mm;
• 1252 rubles for 12 sheets - 1185x585x30 mm;
• 1234 rubles for 9 plates - 1200x600x40 mm.

Ecowool

Cellulose-based insulation, which is made from waste paper and paper waste. The bulk of the insulation is 80% cellulose fiber. There are additives that prevent combustion and reproduction of microorganisms - boric acid and borax. These additives are practically not harmful to humans.

Ecowool is a safe insulation Source deal.by

Ecowool is a good heat-insulating material, which with its properties is practically not inferior to others. But it has much more significant shortcomings:

• Loss of thermal insulation properties over time - ecowool is subject to shrinkage.
• Costly installation. Spraying is carried out with special equipment. Basic skills in working with the material are required to obtain the correct layer of insulation.

Application features

For insulation with ecowool, various technologies are used:

• dry backfill;
• wet spraying;
• wet adhesive plaster.

Each method has its own characteristics. For wall insulation, the wet method is most often used, which requires the use of special equipment, as well as an adhesive.

The use of special equipment for working with ecowool Source chrome-effect.ru

Ecowool cost

Ecowool is packaged in sealed bags of 13–15 kg. The price for 1 kg of insulation is 30–40 rubles.

But the material consumption depends not only on the desired thickness of the heat-insulating layer, but also on the skills of the performer, compliance with the insulation technology.

Issue price

Mineral wool and polystyrene foam are the most budgetary insulation for walls inside the house, the price will depend on the size of the area to be insulated and the method of installation of the insulation. Penoplex is a more expensive material, but you can not build a frame to attach it to the walls.

It is not easy to choose the type, size, thickness of insulation without certain experience and knowledge. Source ursgroup.ru

The process of insulation with mineral wool and foam plastic is almost identical, and foam plastic can compensate for its price with economical installation work.

The price of ecowool is low, but thermal insulation work will require the use of special equipment, which will increase costs.

Conclusion

The choice of insulation method and materials depends on many factors. Before starting work, it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons between internal and external insulation, consider which heat-insulating material is suitable in a particular case, determine the thickness of the insulation, and the need for additional materials. Therefore, it is advisable to entrust the purchase of insulation to a competent contractor who will take into account all the features of the internal insulation technology and the wishes of the customer.

Preservation of heat and indoor microclimate is one of the priorities in the construction and repair of residential premises. A set of insulating measures, in particular, insulation, helps to achieve this. For the effectiveness of work, you need to choose the right insulation. To decide which insulation is better, you need to decide on the criteria by which we will navigate the market.

Criterias of choice

First, it's the price. Someone needs a budget option, and someone can afford an elite heater. Secondly, the features of the insulated room. The amount of material is affected by the base of the walls, the number of windows, the degree of ventilation, etc.

Thirdly, most heaters perform additional functions. Along with heat retention, they also prevent the penetration of extraneous sounds or have a vapor barrier layer, which allows you to save on materials without losing quality.

Today, the most popular thermal insulation materials on the market are mineral (or basalt) wool, liquid insulation, extruded polystyrene, foam plastic and foil-based material. Today we will deal with their qualities.

Mineral wool

Indicators of thermal conductivity and vapor permeability make stone wool one of the most effective thermal insulation materials. At the same time, it is strongly affected by water. Long service life is guaranteed only by reliable hydro and vapor barrier.

Stone wool is a non-combustible thermal insulation made of basalt fibers, which are held together with binders during baking in a special oven. The material withstands temperatures above 1000°C, which allows it to be used in hazardous facilities.

Mineral wool is available in different shapes and textures, which are convenient to use in construction. Slabs are suitable for wall and roof cladding, mats are placed on the floor, and cylinders are adapted for technical insulation. Textures imitate natural finishing materials: sand, stone, shells, etc.

pros

The average service life is 30 years, however, some manufacturers have managed to improve its components, extending the life of cotton wool by one or even a decade and a half. Main advantages:

• environmental friendliness;
• increased soundproofing characteristics;
• maintains the temperature range from -260 to +900 °C;
• chemical neutrality in relation to alkali, acids;
• comfortable price for the consumer.

Minuses

The main disadvantages of a heat insulator are the fear of moisture and the rise in price. Under the influence of water, the material shrinks and loses its functionality.

Take care of high-quality waterproofing in order to protect it from liquids!

The design features of buildings sometimes involve the use of heavy mineral wool. However, in such cases it is better to use extruded polystyrene.

Material consumption will be about the same, but extrusion is cheaper, thereby saving the construction budget.

Polyfoam has earned the title of "people's insulation". Affordable price, high performance and resistance to stress have made its use almost ubiquitous in residential and public construction.

High heat transfer is achieved due to the structure of the material: gas is contained between the layers of the foamed mass of polystyrene. This significantly increases the density of the feedstock.

Application

Styrofoam is used to insulate the internal walls of attics and other rooms that are sensitive to temperature changes. However, some owners want to insulate them with the inner walls of houses that go outside. However, it cannot be considered inappropriate to purchase a more expensive insulation for one or two walls - this is fraught with serious consequences. As a result of such insulation, the wall is deprived of natural heating from the central heating side.

The dew point moves into the interlayer space. Over time, moisture will not only change the properties of the wall, but also lead to its destruction. The house will gradually become uninhabitable. In some cases, for example, when insulating foundations, it is not allowed to use foam plastic without additional protection - brickwork or wooden formwork. This is due to seasonal changes in the loads created by the soil.

pros

The main advantages of foam:

• does not absorb moisture;
• resistance to the formation of fungus and mold;
• light weight;
• preservation of its properties regardless of the weather: in the heat it creates coolness, and in winter it gives additional warmth.

This insulation cannot be chosen if the room to be insulated will have large mechanical loads or be finished with nitro paints. In addition, it practically does not pass air.

From the foam described above, its counterpart differs in the method of manufacture. The foaming consistency is much higher here. In addition, the material is subjected to additional processing through the spinneret. This results in a waterproof, durable insulation that can withstand higher loads than its direct competitors.

The operating temperature range from -500°C to +750°C allows its use in industrial, high-tech and scientific buildings. It is also used in road construction, thermal insulation of wells and roofs. Extruded polystyrene foam is indispensable in low-heated and hyper-humid rooms. When restoring such objects, an optimal combination of heat and waterproofing is required, which is within the power of extrupenol.

However, it is banned in the European Union and the United States. The reason for this step was the main drawback of this material - high flammability. This factor has led to the death of newly renovated buildings in several EU countries. To protect their product, manufacturers began to add flame retardants to the composition. This turned into even more criticism - during smoldering, life-threatening toxins began to be released. Therefore, it is hardly appropriate to consider it the best.

liquid insulation

Appeared not so long ago, but has already conquered the market with its practicality along with the familiar liquid nails and cold welding. Unlike other heaters, a liquid heat insulator does not take away valuable floor space.

Liquid ceramic thermal insulation is a pasty substance, usually white in color, which consists of sclospheres. Prepare it depending on the temperature on a water-acrylic basis. The thermal insulation effect is achieved due to the porous structure of the product. The discharged internal space provides a decent heat transfer coefficient. And the arrangement of the spheres in a checkerboard pattern blocks the exit of heat to the outside, reflecting it inward.

Application

The mixture is applied to the walls previously cleaned of dirt in 5-6 layers. The insulation should be of moderate consistency - not thick, but not liquid. For the procedure, a paint brush with a thin soft bristle is used. Each layer should dry up to 12 hours.

After completion of work, the material will take on an elastic appearance. The service life of the gastrointestinal tract is at least 25 years. It serves as the basis for further wall decoration with any material.

pros

The main advantage of the material is its adhesion to the wall. It is so strong that no draft or moisture will put it out of action. Also, ceramics will prevent the formation of corrosion and rust. And the environmental friendliness of the components increases the resistance to combustion and allows the use of liquid ceramics in poorly ventilated rooms.

Equally important is the pliability of liquid ceramics to the addition of dyes. The finished coating is bright and eye-catching. Therefore, in some cases, insulation can become a finish.

Experts advise using spray guns with an outlet of at least 2 mm for quick application of the gastrointestinal tract. Otherwise, there is a risk of a decrease in productivity and even knocking down the coating from the walls by the generated air flow.

The peculiarity of this insulation is that it not only insulates heat, but also reflects it back. One side of the insulator is a highly polished foil. The reverse side is polyethylene foam. Due to the properties of the components, the reflection quality reaches 60%.

Their excellent water-repellent properties will be a bonus. In addition, the cellular structure ensures air circulation and at the same time prevents the walls from freezing during the cold period. Additionally, the insulation dampens sounds.

Mounting

Most often, the foil is glued behind the batteries. Correct installation of the insulation helps to extend the service life. It should be level and not snag on nails or other obstacles on the wall.

Also, one of the important conditions is the obligatory air gap between the wall and the foil coating. This will ensure internal ventilation and condensate removal.

Additional varieties

In addition to the above-mentioned insulation with a polyethylene backing, there are the following types of heat insulator:

• environmentally friendly combination with mineral wool;
• expanded polystyrene for underfloor heating systems;
• basalt foil heat insulator.

findings

We examined the advantages and disadvantages of the five most common types of insulation. It is impossible to choose the best among them, each of them is good in its own way. Therefore, we will leave the last word to the readers.

Insulation for the house must be reliable and of high quality, so that you do not have to rebuild it soon, spending double the money.
Thermal insulation should not cause damage to health and cause an emergency with the structure.
What can be used as a warm shell for house structures?

Often, ordinary heaters are given new names to increase sales. Under various trademarks, all the same mineral wool, foamed polyethylene, extruded polystyrene, polystyrene and more are offered.

Consider the common materials that are used to insulate private houses.

Styrofoam characteristics

Styrofoam is the cheapest and most popular insulation. Its thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.037 W / m? C, which characterizes it as a very effective heat insulator. Low vapor permeability for steam - 0.05 mg / (m * h * Pa). The material is light, mainly used with a density of 15 - 35 kg / m3.

Toxic when heated above 60 degrees, burns under the influence of a flame and is extremely dangerous in case of toxicity in a fire.
The material is destroyed by rodents, they settle in it.

Where to use foam

The main application is the external insulation of walls made of heavy materials, which have a high resistance to the movement of steam.
It is not allowed to be used indoors without fire-retardant fencing. Must be protected by a refractory web that resists flame exposure for at least 30 minutes.

It is not used for external insulation of walls made of vapor-transparent materials - wood, aerated concrete.

It can be slightly moistened, it is destroyed by water, and this is enough not to use it in wet places.

But in practice, due to its cheapness, foam plastic can be found almost everywhere - both between the roof rafters and in the basement ...

The durability of this material is small, sometimes without any manufacturer's statements on this matter. The build quality is often poor. Density is not maintained.
It is recommended to use foam only from well-known manufacturers, usually with a density of at least 25 kg / m3.

Extruded polystyrene foam - under the screed, for soil and wet places

The thermal insulation qualities of this not cheap insulation are higher than those of polystyrene - 0.029 - 0.032 W / m? C. It practically does not pass steam through itself and does not absorb water. Lightweight 0.35-0.5 kg/m3
Material of the increased durability, especially on compression. But it is toxic when heated and burned, just like polystyrene.

The main area of ​​application is the creation of a layer of thermal insulation under concrete floor screeds.
Insulation of flat concrete roofs.

Thermal insulation and waterproofing of foundations, pipelines in direct contact with the ground.

It is used for thermal insulation from the inside of buildings, in case it is impossible to create external insulation.

Mandatory conditions for the creation of fireproof protection are the same as for polystyrene foam.

Little is used for the insulation of walls and ceilings, due to the increased cost, as well as the complete vapor barrier of the structure. On contact with wood, it may cause decay. Also an important aspect, as with polystyrene, is the possibility of destruction by rodents ...

Polyurethane foam is sprayed onto any structures and fastens them

Sprayed insulation with the best thermal insulation qualities - 0.024 - 0.03 W / m? C, depending on the density. Acts as a vapor barrier. Water storage is low. It is used instead of extruded polystyrene foam under screeds, for insulation of foundations, flat concrete roofs under a layer of waterproofing.
More profitable than extruded polystyrene foam for a large amount of work.

It can be used for external insulation of walls made of heavy materials under curtain panels. And also for intra-wall insulation, for filling voids in well masonry.

For thermal insulation of various curved structures, including machines and mechanisms, filling any other voids.

Fastens, seals the structure in frame construction, therefore, according to the project, other materials can be saved. What makes the use of this heater beneficial.

Restrictions on use - the same in terms of fire safety as for polystyrene. May cause disturbance of air exchange in wooden structures or water accumulation in vapor-permeable materials if used incorrectly.

Mineral wool - a vapor-permeable insulation for all structures

Cotton wool from mineral raw materials in slabs or rolls, of various hardness with a thermal insulation coefficient of 0.04 - 0.05 W / m? C.

Doesn't interfere too much with steam.
Easily saturated with water. Non-flammable, flame resistant.

Mineral wool poses a greater environmental hazard than other popular heaters. It emits formaldehyde (used in fiber glue) and the most dangerous microfiber.

It is used only according to a certain scheme - complete vapor barrier from the living space and ventilation of the insulation layer from the outside with a jet of air.

The air permeability of mineral wool is highly dependent on the density of the material, boards with a density of over 80 kg/m3 can be used without a windproof superdiffusion membrane.

It is unacceptable to use mineral wool for insulation from the inside, in contact with water, in places with high humidity ...

Expanded clay - an inexpensive bulk material for thermal insulation

The coefficient of thermal conductivity of expanded clay is at the level of 0.15 - 0.2 W / m? C. The material is water-saturated, vapor-transparent, absolutely resistant to fire, eco-friendly. With a high specific gravity.

It is used for backfilling in a thick layer underground, on attic floors, if they are suitable in strength. It is used in conjunction with a vapor barrier from the ground and living space, with wind protection, which prevents the occurrence of convection air flows inside the insulation layer, since the air transparency of the layer is large.

Cellulose wool - environmentally friendly vapor-permeable thermal insulation

According to its characteristics, it is similar to glass wool, while it is not a significant environmentally hazardous composition. Organic large fibers are not carcinogenic, like mineral wool dust.

But cellulose wool is combustible, with low biostability. It is applied by blowing with a wind turbine or fluffed with a mixer from dense bales.

The main application is the insulation of wooden floors and attic floors, subject to vapor barrier from the living space, and providing ventilation from the cold air side. Unlike mineral wool, it requires protection from rodents.

For home insulation, other materials can also be used, in which the thermal conductivity coefficient is less than 0.2 W / m? C. For example, felt is often used as an eco-friendly vapor-transparent material, which is well suited for warming the outside of wooden bath structures.

In addition, sawdust, straw, wood, vermiculite, air gaps are used ...

How heaters are used

When insulating a house, you need to remember that heat conservation largely depends on ventilation and other factors, such as configuration. First of all, you need to ensure normal ventilation, as well as choose an energy-saving house project ...

When choosing a heater for each of the structures, it is important to follow the rules of insulation - there is a vapor-transparent layer on the outside, as well as to ensure ventilation and vapor and hydroprotection of heaters in accordance with the conditions of their use.

Topics with a choice and description of the features of a particular type of insulation are deservedly popular on our portal. These questions become more urgent the higher the growth in energy prices and the desire of homeowners to save on heating. FORUMHOUSE has already talked about and about.

Choosing the best insulation for the walls of the house, which is right for you, we suggest looking at the nuances of insulating a private house from a slightly different angle. To do this, consider the following questions:

• How to start choosing a material.
• What are the types of heaters.
• Is it possible to do without using it.
• Should I use eco-insulators?
• What is lacking in modern means and methods of wall insulation.

Choosing a material

The modern market of thermal insulation materials offers a lot of options and types. Conventionally, they can be divided into artificial (man-made) and natural. Artificial include: mineral wool (stone and glass wool) and polystyrene foam insulation (PPS, or polystyrene, EPPS - extruded polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam), foam glass, sprayed polyurethane foam, ecowool, expanded clay, etc. Natural materials include sawdust, straw, moss, flax, hemp and other eco-materials.

The materials of the second group are most often used by enthusiasts in the construction of environmentally friendly houses.

To determine the type of material, you need to pay attention to the following parameters: thermal conductivity, hygroscopicity, density, flammability class, efficiency, environmental friendliness, durability. You also need to understand in advance what and how you are going to insulate. Those. – choose the scope of the material. To do this, we ask ourselves the question in which structural unit of the house should work. To the materials that are used for and insulation of the foundation (), etc. working in the ground, in an aggressive environment, there are certain requirements. These are non-susceptibility to moisture accumulation, rotting, high compressive strength, thermal efficiency, durability.

The main (perhaps even the only) disadvantage of foam plastics is their combustibility (under certain conditions) and limited thermal stability. In the event of a fire, first of all, interior items (furniture, curtains, etc.) burn. Therefore, measures must be taken in advance to protect polystyrene foam (in case it is used for internal insulation) from an open source of fire. To do this, the foam must be covered with a good layer of concrete or plaster. It is better if PPS is used for external insulation. It must also be covered with non-combustible material (concrete, plaster), and not used as an element of a ventilated facade!

In civil housing construction, expanded polystyrenes are widely used for insulation of foundations and flat roofs (EPS). Facades of houses, as the basis for thin-layer plaster, the so-called. "wet facade" (PPS).

• In a number of situations (especially in the field of low-rise housing construction), it is necessary to insulate frame structures, where, instead of rigidity, elastic options mounted by surprise are more technologically advanced. Here, it is most widely used on the basis of stone () or glass fibers - this material combines high manufacturability of installation (no special experience and special professional tools are required) with incombustibility (including fire resistance) and low production cost.

When using mineral wool materials, care must be taken to prevent moisture from entering them. In the event that water enters the insulation, the "pie" of the frame structure and the vapor transparency of the layers should ensure that excess moisture escapes to the outside. Why should steam and waterproofing films and membranes be used correctly?

The above methods are far from the only effective option for warming a room.

Alexey Melnikov

To a lesser extent, such insulation methods are now common as: poured (such as a screed from a solution of polystyrene concrete) and filling options (expanded clay gravel, foam glass chips, aerated concrete block rejection, etc.). Because they, in my opinion, are more appropriate as additional sound insulation in horizontal structures.

44alex FORUMHOUSE user

I would choose perlite for ceilings and for backfilling stone walls, but not under the floor on the ground, because. this is an excellent material in terms of price / thermal conductivity / combustibility / environmental friendliness / service life.

Recently, blown versions of heaters are also gaining popularity. Type of cellulose fiber (the so-called ecowool) or its mineral counterpart. According to Alexey Melnikova, these materials should be used for thermal insulation of hard-to-reach places.

natural materials

It is also necessary to highlight materials based on natural fibers (flax, sea grasses), which are now being promoted under the ideology of ECO-construction. Due to the limited choice and significant price tag, these materials have not yet become widespread.

The main disadvantages of natural materials:

• shrinkage;
• unpredictability of behavior in the long term;
• susceptibility to rodents.

Let's see how true this is.

Russian FORUMHOUSE user

Unexpectedly, the following experiment came out: in the summer they folded substandard linen insulation in the corner, in a stack 1.5 meters high. In winter, a water pipe leaked, which passed nearby. We noticed this only in the summer, i.e. the bottom layer of flax has lain for at least 6 months in water. And here are the results:

• For a material 5 cm thick, under the pressure of the upper layers, only 1 cm sat down;
• The material that had taken in water turned dark and was left to dry until morning. The next morning he regained his form, i.e. again became 5 cm thick;
• Breaking loads have not changed either.

After drying, the linen insulation remained practically unchanged, because the structure of the linen material is fixed by melted lavsan fibers. This structure can be changed only when heated to 160-190 ° C or when the flax is destroyed. And flax, as you know, is still used in plumbing work when sealing water pipes.

Extensive experience has been accumulated abroad in the use of this material. Mice do not eat it, they make passages in it and make their dwellings. To avoid this, appropriate measures are taken - in the form of installing a fine-mesh steel mesh, etc.

SCM FORUMHOUSE user

I believe that the use of sawdust is a very environmentally friendly way to insulate. The main thing is to follow the technology. It is better to fill up sawdust in layers, with careful tamping of each layer with a shovel handle.

Both industrial materials and “folk” materials have pros and cons. “Commercial” materials are a ready-made product with known properties and a certain installation technology, following which you can be sure of the final result. Eco-insulations are more of an experiment, with a possible lower cost (sawdust), you will have to sweat during installation. The construction itself can take time. Again, you can not guarantee 100% of the final result, because. we still have little experience in using such materials in different climatic zones.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude: any material has the right to life. It all depends on the area of ​​​​its application, the prevalence of one or another type of material in a particular area, its price, thermal characteristics, etc. Hence: when choosing a heater, first of all, it is necessary to build on the economic calculation and the expediency of its use in the long term.

You should also check your tasks with our questionnaire:

• Where will the material be used?
• what is it for;
• what structure needs to be insulated.

Having puzzled with such questions, you will understand which material is suitable specifically for your case and specifically for your building.

Is there a universal heater

If you dream and imagine an “ideal” insulation, with a set of universal properties, then it will be a material whose various characteristics will not be stable - they must change flexibly depending on the operating conditions. In one situation, the material needs strength, high density, rigidity, clear geometry, and increased moisture resistance. In other conditions, it requires vapor transparency, low density (which means it will not work “in the ground”), workability in hard-to-reach places, flexibility, and good environmental friendliness. With all this, an affordable price for the masses remains important. It turns out mutually exclusive requirements. So it is hardly worth chasing after some special and new materials.

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