What are the external heaters of the house. How to choose a heater for thermal insulation of the outer walls of the house. What material is best for wall insulation

How to choose the best insulation for the walls of the house outside. The most comfortable for residential premises are the temperature within 20-25ºС and humidity from 50 to 60%. To ensure such a microclimate in the house, it is necessary to take care of the thermal insulation of the walls. The optimal outside is selected taking into account the material of construction and must meet a number of requirements. The main criterion for any thermal insulation material is the coefficient of its thermal conductivity. The smaller this value, the better the material prevents heat from escaping into the environment.

Fact! Through the walls, the dwelling loses up to 30% of heat.

How best to insulate the walls of the house

There are two ways to insulate a building - apply internal insulation of the premises or make insulation for the walls of the house from the outside. What is the best heater to use? The answer is hidden in a short expression - "dew point".

Thermal insulation of the room from the outside will ensure the correct location of the dew point

The dew point is the temperature at which condensation occurs. A point with this temperature can be located in the thickness of the wall, inside it or outside. Its coordinates depend on the physical properties of the wall materials, the thickness of their layers, as well as the external and internal temperature and humidity.

Important! The position of the dew point will be more optimal even in a completely uninsulated wall than in one that is only insulated from the inside.

The correct location of the dew point (outside the wall) can only be obtained by installing the insulation of the walls of the house from the outside, selected taking into account the properties of the material and the thermal calculation of the thickness.

The better to insulate the walls from the outside

Each of the types of modern insulation for the walls of the house outside has its own characteristics and price range. But their main differences are:

• low coefficient of thermal conductivity;
• minimum values ​​of water absorption and vapor permeability;
• the ability to regulate the microclimate in the room;
• high sound absorption rates;
• ecological cleanliness;
• fire resistance and fire safety;
• resistance to chemical attack;

Comparative table of thermal conductivity of building materials

• resistance to biological and mechanical influences (molds, insects, rodents);
• strength and durability;
• elasticity and lack of shrinkage;
• low weight;
• the possibility of installation without seams, joints, voids;
• ability to fill complex and hard-to-reach areas;
• ease of installation.

It is also important to take into account the way in which the consumer prefers to mount insulation for the walls of the house outside. Videos showing the possibility of independent work (as well as other manuals) in our time can be found enough.

The optimal insulation for walls is selected taking into account the material of construction

Water absorption and vapor permeability are taken into account to ensure maximum protection of the premises from moisture and are selected taking into account the characteristics of the climate and depending on the method of installation. Thermal conductivity is used to calculate the required thickness of the thermal insulation material. The most commonly used types of heaters are:

• expanded polystyrene (polystyrene);
• extruded polystyrene foam (epps, penoplex);
• polyurethane foam;
• mineral wool;
• basalt heaters;
• liquid insulation.

Styrofoam is a popular material for insulating the walls of a house from the outside.

Expanded polystyrene (styrofoam)

Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) is one of the modern polymeric insulation for house walls and is used as such in almost all areas of the construction industry: civil and industrial. First of all, this material is distinguished by low coefficients of thermal conductivity (from 0.037 to 0.052 W/m*K, depending on the density) and water absorption, resistance to biological and chemical influences, and high soundproofing and windproof properties. It belongs to the group of environmentally friendly substances and is quite durable: its service life exceeds 50 years.

Fact! A layer of foam plastic with a thickness of 50 mm is equivalent to a wall of one and a half bricks in terms of the degree of heat retention.

Expanded polystyrene - easy to install and has a small weight

Other advantages include flexibility and light weight. This helps to reduce the cost of delivery and installation, ease of work, reduce the load on the walls, which, in turn, eliminates the need for additional strengthening of the foundation. The disadvantage of expanded polystyrene is its combustibility, however, the low price makes it possible to insulate all the walls of the house from the outside with polystyrene foam.

Extruded polystyrene foam (epps, penoplex)

Extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex) is one of the latest generation of thermal insulation materials. In its manufacture, graphite is used in the form of nanoparticles, which increases the strength and energy saving of the product.

Insulation of walls with foam plastic, followed by cladding with siding

The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the penoplex insulation ranges from 0.029 - 0.031 W / m * K. It is resistant to mold, chemicals, insects and rodents, and is an excellent sound insulator. Due to this, it is possible to use penoplex as a heater outside: for the walls of wooden houses and other buildings, and inside: thermal insulation of ceilings (especially when installing "warm" floors), basements, balconies and loggias.

polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a type of plastic with a cellular foam structure. The mass of cells filled with air is 90% of the total weight of the product. Due to this, the value of the thermal conductivity coefficient of polyurethane foam is one of the lowest - from 0.023 to 0.041 W / m * K.

Liquid polyurethane foam creates an airtight coating with excellent vapor and waterproofing

Polyurethane foam has a high level of adhesion to all types of surfaces: concrete, brick, wood, metal - due to which an airtight coating is created with a guarantee of excellent vapor and waterproofing. The seamless method of application (using a compressor and a hose) and high elasticity make polyurethane foam an indispensable material for blown thermal insulation when insulating walls outside of buildings of complex shapes and frame houses. Insulation for walls outside by blowing can be applied at temperatures up to 100ºС, the service life is up to 30 years.

Liquid polyurethane foam can be used as a blown insulation between the wall of the building and the cladding

The only disadvantage of the material is its high cost and the need to use expensive equipment for installation.

Mineral wool (basalt insulation, stone wool, glass wool)

Mineral wool is a product of processing slag (waste from the metallurgical industry) or rocks: basalt and dolomite. Differs in durability, incombustibility, durability, environmental friendliness, elasticity, high degree of sound absorption, ease of installation and low cost. The thermal conductivity of this material is in the range of 0.034 - 0.037 W / m * K.

Mineral wool is characterized by fire resistance, environmental friendliness, high degree of sound absorption and low cost.

For insulation works, mineral wool is used in the form of basalt slabs or in rolls with a wide range of sizes. Mineral wool is used as a heater for the walls of the house outside. The dimensions of the boards produced can be as follows:

• 1000 x 600 x 50 mm;
• 7000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
• 9000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
• 10000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
• 10000 x 1200 x 100 mm.

Expanded polystyrene plates can have docking grooves for ease of installation

Basalt insulation is used in buildings of any purpose, in particular - for insulation in the country, wooden houses and buildings made of timber, brick or foam blocks. It is possible to carry out work with this material at a temperature in the range from -60ºС to +220ºС, which is definitely convenient when mounted on walls from the outside. Insulation in the country, houses made of wood, brick or foam blocks, garages, warehouses and other buildings - this is an incomplete list of the possibilities for using mineral thermal insulation.

It is most preferable to use mineral wool to insulate the house from the outside, followed by siding.

It is most preferable to use mineral wool or basalt slabs when installing insulation for the walls of the house outside under the siding. It is also popular to use mineral wool (along with polyurethane foam) to create blown insulation. With this method, with the help of a compressor unit, the material is blown between the wall of the house and the finishing facade, which also serves as a formwork.

Liquid thermal insulation

Liquid heat-insulating materials can be called heaters of a new generation. It is possible to use them both for thermal insulation of metal parts (pipes or frames), and as a heater for houses made of foam blocks. Outside, on the walls, these ceramic multi-component substances look like acrylic paint. However, they differ from paint in the content of vacuumized voids (up to 80%), due to which they acquire the properties of a heat insulator.

Liquid heaters are similar to acrylic paint

Interesting! Liquid heaters have a record low coefficient of thermal conductivity (from 0.0011 to 0.0015 W / m * K). For comparison, the thermal conductivity of vacuum is 0.

With a liquid consistency, these materials do not require professional skills and sophisticated equipment for application to any surface: concrete, brick, metal, wood. They are applied using paint tools: brushes, rollers, airless spray guns - and fill all voids and crevices. After 6 hours of drying, a solid, highly resistant to mechanical stress coating is formed.

Fixing sheets of foam or expanded polystyrene is carried out with special fasteners such as "fungus"

Due to the low thermal conductivity, liquid insulation for the walls of the house helps to reduce heat loss, even if applied from the outside in a thin layer. They protect the surface from weather influences (operational temperature range - from -60 to + 260 ° C), solar radiation and precipitation, and metal parts from corrosion.

Interesting! Water absorption of most liquid heaters within 24 hours does not exceed 0.4% by weight.

Coating with liquid insulation is one of the most effective ways to prevent the formation of condensate and protect industrial or residential premises from freezing, the development of all types of mold fungi.

Ways to insulate the walls of the house from the outside

Most modern heaters are universal and can be mounted outside the house on any walls: made of wood, timber, foam blocks, red or white brick; as well as for various types of exterior finishes: plaster, vinyl siding, decorative brick, stone facade slabs. After reviewing all the characteristics, you can choose the appropriate type of wall insulation. Outside, houses made of timber are insulated similarly to buildings made of other materials. Based on the variety of existing thermal insulation materials, for each type of wall in combination with its finish, the best installation option is selected:

1. Installation of insulation under plaster.
2. Three-layer non-ventilated wall.
3. Ventilated facade.

Examples of wall insulation followed by brick cladding

Installation of insulation under plaster

When installing insulation under plaster, for the walls of houses outside, polystyrene foam, basalt insulation boards, sheets of mineral wool or foam insulation are most often used as a heat insulator. The insulation is fixed on the walls of the house from the outside with the help of an adhesive solution and reinforced with a fiberglass reinforcing mesh. Special fasteners of the "fungus" type perform additional fixation of foam sheets or basalt insulation boards. For the walls of the house outside, plaster is used as a finish (the “wet facade” method) or facing materials.

Insulation system "wet facade"

Three-layer non-ventilated wall

A three-layer non-ventilated wall is formed by the walls of the house from the outside, insulation and facade decoration, laid out taking into account the air gap. This method is used when installing with finishing for the walls of the house outside under the brick. Insulators of various types are used in this option, including heat-insulating materials for blown installation. This method is used for the insulation of various buildings, both brick or foam concrete, and wooden or timber.

Non-ventilated facade with blown insulation

Facade finishing is carried out with facing slabs, decorative or building bricks.

Ventilated facade

Insulation from a heater for a ventilated facade is assembled from the following layers:

• waterproofing;
• insulation;
• wind protection;
• finishing facade cladding (lining, siding, panels).

The principle of arrangement of a ventilated facade

Installation of insulation as part of a ventilated facade is the most preferred option, since heat losses are minimized due to wind protection. Also, waterproofing provides additional protection of the surface of the walls from moisture. The use of a ventilated facade is possible with most types of buildings, materials and configurations of external walls and facade finishes. This option is most common when installing insulation for the walls of the house outside under the siding. Also, this installation method is the best for warming the outside walls of wooden houses: from a log or from a bar.

Insulated walls can be lined with material for every taste

Regardless of the variety and type of material used as a heat insulator, any of the mentioned installation options should cope with the main tasks - room insulation, wall waterproofing, protection from wind and drafts, as well as heat preservation. The undoubted advantage of most of the materials mentioned in the article is the ability to independently install them as insulation for the walls of the house from the outside. Photo and video clips, as well as other instructions, will be very useful in this case.

High-quality insulation for the exterior walls of the house will help to ensure that the optimal air temperature and humidity level are maintained in the living room. External wall insulation is carried out through the use of the most modern heat-insulating materials, each of which has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages: these are mineral wool and polystyrene, warm plaster and polyurethane foam, foam and technoplex. In each individual case, the most suitable insulation can be selected in accordance with certain requirements, its technical characteristics and operating conditions.

Features of external insulation

Installation of external wall insulation is the most effective way to protect the building from the negative impact:

• moisture;
• high temperature;
• frost.

That is why the right choice of insulation for the walls of the house outside is so important. For each locality and each region, there is a certain calculated indicator of the total resistance of the supporting structures of buildings to heat transfer. To achieve this value allows the creation of thermal insulation of external walls in accordance with all the requirements of SNiP and GOST.

Among the many ways to insulate building facades in modern private construction, the following are especially popular:

1. Application of plaster over materials for external insulation. With this method, several layers of a building cake are created, the first of which is a mounting adhesive that ensures the tightest possible fit of thermal insulation boards, the next is directly a heater for external walls, then a reinforcing nylon mesh, which creates structural strength, decorative coating. The role of such a layer is siding or decorative plastic panels used to decorate the facade of the building.
2. Creation of thermal insulation for walls from the outside according to the principle of a ventilated structure. In the course of these works, various materials are used for insulation, including slabs or a roll of mineral wool. Such a cake is more complex and requires the assembly of a frame and crates from metal profiles or wooden bars. Slabs or blocks are placed in the cells of the assembled structure, in the form of which manufacturers produce modern heaters. To protect against wind and moisture, a waterproofing diffuse vapor permeable membrane is attached. The next important step is the fastening of the counter-lattice rail, which is necessary to create a ventilated gap. The final layer is plastic panels or siding.

All materials for wall insulation from the outside have many positive qualities, but when doing work on creating high-quality thermal insulation with your own hands, they choose the method that requires minimal material and physical costs.

Creating a high-quality thermal coat requires certain knowledge and skills in performing plastering work. It is easier to work with the level, but high accuracy is required when mounting the frame and crate. To make plaster in such a way as to give greater aesthetics to the facade of the building, few inhabitants or novice craftsmen are capable of. For them, complex methods have been developed for insulating the outer walls of the building.

Decorative materials for thermal insulation

Modern types of insulation for facade walls are so numerous and varied that it is not so easy for the consumer to make a choice. Decorative panels made of polystyrene foam are very popular. If their thickness reaches 6 cm, then this guarantees a high level of protection of the walls from freezing in the winter season. Decorative panels for wall thermal insulation allow you to refuse to carry out work on applying decorative facade plaster to the surface.

An important condition for the performance of work for the insulation of external load-bearing structures using expanded polystyrene panels is surface preparation. Of course, particularly careful plastering is not required, but the walls must be absolutely even:

1. The presence of bumps, influx of mortar or large voids is unacceptable.
2. After complete drying of the plaster solution, an adhesive composition of the "Penocement" type is applied to a clean, dry surface. The panels are applied to the wall and strongly pressed, achieving a snug fit.
3. Excess glue protruding from under each panel fills the seams, strengthening them and protecting them from moisture penetration.

The advantage of external wall insulation with decorative panels lies not only in the absence of the need for so-called "wet" work. Thermal insulation panels are the insulation of the walls of the house, for the creation of which an environmentally friendly material is used, quite resistant to negative influences, characterized by high water repellency. This is not just a decoration of the facade, it is a means to protect the walls and maintain comfortable living conditions inside the premises. When deciding which outdoor insulation is better, you need to take into account all the nuances, including features:

• climatic conditions;
• materials that served as the basis for the construction of walls;
• creating a thermal insulation structure.

In some situations, such thermal insulation materials are not the best solution and are able to provide effective protection of the building from freezing. In this case, to insulate the outer walls, they equip the hinged thermal insulation by constructing a frame and a crate.

Mineral wool

External thermal insulation of walls using mineral wool provides for the performance of work in a "dry way". To achieve a positive result, it is necessary to carry out the installation of the frame, the constituent elements of which are metal profiles or wooden bars. They are installed strictly vertically. The vertical is checked with a laser level or a building level with a spirit level.

The distance between the frame guides should be 2-3 cm less than the width of the plate or roll strip. This will ensure a tight entry of the insulation into the cells of the crate.

The laid slabs or mats are covered with a waterproofing material, fixing it with a construction stapler. The next stage is the assembly of the crate from the transverse beams. To do this, you need slats, the thickness of which is half the height of the bar. Such a counter-lattice provides an effective air barrier that prevents the penetration of cold and moisture. When choosing which insulation for the exterior walls of a house is better, many consumers prefer mineral wool. This choice is based on the properties of this material:

• light weight;
• ease of installation;
• affordability;
• ecological cleanliness;
• high quality sound insulation.

The main advantage of mineral wool is fire resistance. Further work on the insulation and decoration of the facade is associated with the installation of decorative plastic panels or siding. The outer layer of the finish improves the aesthetic appeal of the building and provides high-quality, reliable and effective protection of the heat-insulating material from the damaging effects of various negative factors.

polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a special type of plastic with a honeycomb structure that has become widespread when used as a heat-insulating material for the exterior walls of buildings. With its help, you can create a particularly durable high-quality and, most importantly, seamless coating, which will become a guarantee of good sound and heat insulation when arranging the protection of the facade walls of country private houses.

Such work requires the participation of qualified specialists and the use of special equipment. Insulation in liquid form under high pressure is fed through a hose for application to the surface to be insulated. The ability to change the pressure in the system allows you to adjust the thickness of the applied layer, increasing it in those places where the insulation layer is too thin.

When creating thermal insulation using polyurethane foam, the location of the dew point remains unchanged.

Polyurethane foam is used not only for application directly to the outer surface of the walls, it is poured between the elements during the construction of the supporting structure, which guarantees a high level of protection of the walls from freezing. When creating a building facade insulation system, some features and advantages of this insulation are taken into account, including:

1. The ability to completely repeat the shape of the wall, even when insulating buildings with complex geometry.
2. Creation of a seamless coating that excludes the penetration of cold air or moisture.
3. The correct calculation of the thickness of the insulation layer allows you to protect the building from dew point displacement and protect the building from condensation, the development and growth of mold and fungus.
4. The closed cell structure does not allow the insulation to collapse under the influence of moisture.

The performance of work on the insulation of the facade of the house using other materials does not guarantee the elimination of the appearance of cold bridges, thermal seams, a large number of joints that require additional strengthening and protection. All this is excluded when applied to the surface of polyurethane foam. The composition fills the space between the guides of the frame or completely covers the surface of the outer walls around the entire perimeter of the house.

In order to make the only right decision when choosing a heater for the exterior walls of a private building, you should carefully study the characteristics of the currently existing heat-insulating materials and the features of each of them. The video will help you understand the nuances and get reliable information about all the methods of insulation and the substances used in the course of work.

When deciding which wall insulation can be used in each individual case, you should carefully study the features and benefits of each of the materials offered by modern manufacturers.

The market for thermal insulation materials offers us a huge selection of options for external wall insulation, especially popular. These are products based on mineral wool, liquid insulation, classic foam plastic, and a variety of expanded polystyrene products.

In this article, we will figure out which insulation is better, study the reviews, and find out what should be followed when choosing a heat-insulating material in each case.

1 Why do you need external insulation of the walls of the house?

External thermal insulation of the walls by an order of magnitude increases the comfort of living in the house, both in winter and in the cold season. Having completed the thermal insulation of the walls of the house with high-quality insulation, your house will receive full protection at any time not only from freezing, but also from overheating of bricks, expanded clay concrete or gas silicate blocks in the summer.

Moreover, good thermal insulation materials, as a rule, are completely hydrophobic (an example of this) - they do not absorb water, so that the walls of the house will be reliably protected from moisture.

External thermal insulation performed according to the correct technology increases the average temperature inside the house by 4-5 degrees, since the walls do not freeze in winter and do not transfer cold to the air inside the house, which, according to reviews, can significantly reduce the financial costs of heating the room.

Qualitatively calculated and executed thermal insulation even at the stage of building a house makes it possible to optimally select the elements of the heating system, and save both on the boiler and on radiators.

Similar savings apply to equipment to maintain a comfortable temperature for a person in the hot season. Thermal insulation materials work not only for insulation.

Since their thermal conductivity is minimal, they do not allow the walls of a house made of bricks, expanded clay concrete or gas silicate blocks to warm up under the scorching sun, as a result of which in summer it is much cooler inside such a house than in uninsulated buildings.

The right approach to "sandwich" wall insulation

2 Types of heaters

As a material for external thermal insulation of walls, depending on financial capabilities, foam plastic, mineral (basalt wool), liquid penoizol, or extruded polystyrene foam can be used. It is not recommended to save on thermal insulation materials.

Of course, there are ways to insulate walls made of bricks, expanded clay concrete, or gas silicate blocks with foam plastic on a budget, such insulation will give a certain improvement, however, you should not expect the same efficiency from it as from insulating a house with basalt wool or foam insulation.

When choosing a heater, the key factor is the coefficient of its thermal conductivity, on which the thickness of the material layer required for wall cladding will depend.

For almost all materials in demand today in the middle price category, this indicator is in the range from 0.025 to 0.045 W / mk (Watt per meter per Kelvin). The extreme place is occupied by polystyrene, in which this indicator is 0.043 W / mk as in.

When choosing materials for wall insulation from the outside, it is also important to take into account such qualities as hydrophobicity (resistance to water), chemical inertness and mechanical strength, since these factors directly affect the durability of the insulation.

It is best that the heat insulator also has noise-reducing properties, which will allow you to kill two birds with one stone: the external insulation of the house will also solve the issue of soundproofing housing.

According to statistics, at least 85% of private residential buildings built over 20 years ago do not meet thermal insulation standards. As a result, people are forced to spend a large amount of money on space heating in order to maintain a comfortable temperature for housing during the winter period.

As the graph below shows, even insulating the outer walls of the house with a ten-centimeter layer of conventional inexpensive insulation (the same polystyrene foam, or extruded polystyrene foam with), reduces heat loss through the walls by at least 3 times.

2.1 Mineral wool

The most popular insulation for the outer part of the walls is mineral wool. Insulation of walls outside with mineral wool is very popular due to the excellent thermal insulation characteristics and the moderate price of this material.

The concept of mineral wool can mean three types of insulation at once: wool based on basalt rocks, slag wool (made from slag left in blast furnaces of the metallurgical industry) and glass wool made from cullet and similar waste.

Basalt wool is considered the highest quality option for mineral wool.. Methods for the production of this insulation are based on the remelting of basalt rocks.

The smelting of rock can be carried out either in blast furnaces or by induction heating under the influence of electromagnetic radiation.

The molten basalt rock is fed into a centrifuge, inside which a cooled forming drum is located. Due to the pressure drop and the centrifugal force of the drum, separate basalt fibers are formed from the melt on its surface, which are fed to the shaper.

The forming unit turns the individual fibers of mineral wool into a continuous carpet like that, which is impregnated with additives that improve the performance properties of mineral wool.

By itself, mineral wool has a susceptibility to moisture absorption, in order to eliminate this drawback, manufacturers impregnate it with a polymer mixture, which, after hardening, gives mineral wool the required hydrophobicity.

Comparison of technical characteristics of different types of mineral wool

1. Temperature conditions: slag wool (ShV) - up to 250, glass wool (SV) - up to 450, basalt wool (BV) - up to 1000 degrees;
2. Thermal conductivity coefficient: ShV - from 0.46 to 0.48; CB, from 0.038 to 0.046; BV - 0.035 to 0.042 W / m-k;
3. Flammability class: all types correspond to the NG class (non-combustible);
4. Absorption coefficient for 24 hours of immersion in water: SH - 1.9%, MW - 1.7%, BV -0.095%;
5. Pungency: ShV - yes, CB - yes, BV - absent;
6. The concentration of binding impurities: for all types of mineral wool from 2.5 to 10%;
7. Nominal heat capacity: ShV - 1000, SV - 1050, BV - 1050 J/kg;
8. Mineral wool sintering temperature: SHV - 250, CB - 450, BV - 600 degrees;
9. The length of individual fibers: ShV - 16, SV - 15-50, BV - 16 millimeters;
10. The noise reduction coefficient is the same as for: SHV - 0.75-0.82; CB - 0.8-0.92; BV - 0.75-0.95.

Mineral wool is produced in the form of rolls and slabs, suitable for insulating walls made of brick, expanded clay concrete, or gas silicate blocks. This insulation, according to reviews, is the best option for thermal insulation of attic floors, floors, and any flat surfaces.

2.2 Liquid penoizol

Of the liquid heaters, the most popular option is penoizol.

This is not an option that is suitable for arranging thermal insulation with your own hands, since you will need to rent special equipment that produces penoizol right at the workplace and pay for the labor of the workers who manage it, however, if you are not afraid of these difficulties and the financial costs associated with them, then penoizol - the best option for warming the exterior walls of the house.

In general, the cost of insulating a house with penoizol is comparable to the final price of insulating a house with mineral wool.

However, there is one important difference, penoizol is also successfully used to insulate internal voids of already exploited hollow walls made of brick, expanded clay concrete, or gas silicate blocks, without the need to dismantle them, which cannot be done with other heaters.

Among the advantages of insulating a house with penoizol, one can single out the maximum protection of walls from any external influence, since after solidification, penoizol turns into a monolithic surface through which neither wind nor moisture passes.

Solidity also guarantees high-quality insulation, since the possibility of the formation of cold bridges, which reduce the effectiveness of all thermal insulation, is eliminated.

To insulate the house with penoizol, an installation is delivered to the work site that produces foam from a special resin and chemicals.

Penoizol is applied to the wall with a hose, the surface of the walls is pre-coated with special compounds to improve adhesion. A facing layer of siding or any decorative material is installed on top of the penoizol.

2.3 Extruded polystyrene foam

This material is used not only for the insulation of the outer walls of the house. Due to its mechanical strength and durability, expanded polystyrene is also used for thermal insulation of the outer contour of the foundation located in the ground.

It is justified to use extruded polystyrene foam for insulation of a house stand if your house, in itself, has good thermal insulation, and you are looking for an inexpensive and durable material.

Among all the budget options for insulation, polystyrene foam is the best option, surpassing conventional foam in all respects. Among the strengths of this material are the following advantages:

• Maximum hydrophobicity (polystyrene foam, like polystyrene, is completely waterproof);
• Low coefficient of thermal conductivity, from 0.029 to 0.034 W / m-k;
• High density, and, as a result, resistance to deformation;
• Chemical resistance;
• Wide range of permissible temperatures, from -500 to +700 degrees;
• Self-extinguishing property;
• Minimum panel weight and thickness.

It is also worth highlighting the ease of installation of extruded polystyrene foam on all types of walls. In order to fix this insulation on the surface of brick, expanded clay concrete or gas silicate blocks, it is not necessary to equip an additional supporting frame, which is necessary when installing mineral wool.

Panels of extruded polystyrene foam are planted on the walls with liquid nails, and fixed around the perimeter with umbrella-shaped anchors.

Now more and more often the insulation of buildings is used outside. This also applies to private houses and high-rise buildings. By insulating the walls from the outside, you can save up to 50% of energy resources on heating and air conditioning, so that the cost of thermal insulation sometimes pays off in less than five years.

However, before embarking on thermal insulation measures, you need to decide on the choice of insulation, which is best suited in a particular case. It is also important to choose which of the methods of insulation from the outside will be more suitable. These are the questions we will consider next.

Why is insulation better outside

External wall insulation is used more often than internal insulation for several reasons.

1. Does not deal with thermal insulation of the living space. This is especially true in small apartments and small houses, because the insulation with sheathing reaches 7-8 cm, which significantly reduces the already small living space.
2. Outside, you can put a much larger layer of insulation, which will, as a result, give a much better heat-insulating effect.
3. External wall insulation is combined with some kind of modern finish, such as siding, which can update a dilapidated facade
4. The seams between the slabs are closed in case of insulation from the outside of multi-storey block houses.
5. The building material from which the walls are built is protected, thereby extending its service life.
6. A home insulated from the outside, clad in siding, or plastered with a modern decorative mix will skyrocket in value, so insulation is a good investment.

What technologies are used for external insulation

External thermal insulation provides for several methods, among which the most common are three main methods.

1. Wet insulation technology when sheet heat-insulating material is glued to the wall, followed by additional fastening with dowels with a mushroom-shaped perforated cap. Further, the surface is reinforced with a special fiberglass mesh, which is mounted on a layer of plaster adhesive. After a full cycle of surface preparation, one of the types of decorative plaster coating is applied to it, which, after drying, is painted with tinted water-based paint.
2. Curtain facade method, which is somewhat reminiscent of intra-wall insulation. In this case, the heat insulator is fixed to the existing surface, in the same way as with the method described above. Next, the exterior masonry is erected, which is then plastered and painted. You can make the exterior masonry of decorative bricks to avoid the need for finishing. A ventilation gap is left between the wall surface and the heat-insulating layer.
3. The most popular, especially for external insulation of private houses, is ventilated facade technology. In the case of the implementation of this option, a crate is constructed, which is intended for sheathing with thermal panels or siding. Between the guides of such a frame, a heat-insulating material is laid, which is fastened either in a spacer between the elements of the crate, or with the help of mushroom-like dowels. Outside, a windproof film is fixed, which protects against moisture, including if a hygroscopic heat insulator is used. The last step here is cladding with siding or some similar finishing cladding.

The choice of one of the methods described above depends on the type of building, its number of storeys, the material from which the walls are built. So, with external thermal insulation of the walls of high-rise buildings, it is better to use the “wet” method. When insulating private houses, the construction of a ventilated facade with siding is preferable. Depending on the technology used, preferences for a particular thermal insulation material change.

What types of heaters exist

All the most common thermal insulation materials used outside are divided into natural and polymeric. The first ones include:

• mineral heaters (mineral wool, glass wool);
• cellulose heat insulators (ecowool).

Polymers are:

• Styrofoam;
• penoplex;
• polyurethane foam.

Now let's look at each type in more detail.

Mineral wool insulation materials

Mineral wool is used both for mounting on walls with subsequent finishing with decorative plaster, and for arranging a ventilated facade cladding system with siding.

In the first case, mineral wool mats 100x60 cm in size are used, which are attached to the wall with glue and dowels, reinforced with fiberglass mesh, which sits on plaster glue.

The second option involves the construction of a frame, on which siding is sewn as a final cladding. Here it is better to use mineral wool of medium density. Given that the insulation is able to absorb moisture, while deteriorating its thermal insulation qualities, it is necessary both from the side of the wall and from the outside to make waterproofing protection with a special perforated film. Before installing the siding, it is better to make a counter-lattice to ensure that there is a ventilation gap.

Outside insulation with ecowool

For insulation with ecowool, it is also necessary to equip the frame for siding.

First, a crate is made. Then a heater is applied to the wall, which is a cellulose mass mixed in certain proportions with water. Ecowool sticks to the wall, forming a continuous seamless heat-insulating layer. After drying, the excess is removed that is outside the outer plane of the crate. Then a layer of wind protection is laid, a counter-lattice is made and siding or a material similar in function is sewn on.

Thermal insulation with styrofoam and polystyrene foam

These sheet heaters are mainly used for arranging a "wet" facade. They are very convenient in work and subsequent finishing. Due to the fact that foam plastic is much stronger than foam plastic, it is better to use it at the bottom of the building, where there is a high probability of mechanical damage.

Above the level of one and a half to two meters from the surface of the earth, it is more expedient to use polystyrene foam, since it is much cheaper than polystyrene foam and this will help make thermal insulation more economical.

How walls are insulated from the outside with polyurethane foam

The method of thermal insulation using polyurethane foam spraying is in many ways similar to the method of applying ecowool. The scheme is the same - crate, spraying insulation, sheathing with finishing cladding. The difference is that, unlike "breathing" ecowool, polyurethane foam does not let moisture or steam through, so it is not suitable for, say, thermal insulation of wooden walls. But they can be much better than sheet materials to insulate walls made of brick, concrete or cinder block.

In this article, we briefly told you about the materials for wall insulation from the outside, so that you can decide which one is best suited in a particular case.

Surely the residents of apartment buildings are a little jealous of those who live outside the city in a private building. Own living space, garden, clean air - everyone's dream. Alas, not everything is so simple, because the harsh Russian winters force you to carefully insulate your home to avoid freezing. This implies impressive investments and constant monitoring of the state of the heat-insulating material, from which residents of city houses are exempted.

Warming your home is preferable to using a dozen heaters - you can save money and make your home more comfortable. It is known that there are two ways of thermal insulation of a private building - from the outside and from the inside. Experienced experts recommend using both, but it is primarily worth taking care of external insulation. About what material is best suited for certain houses - further.

Requirements for thermal insulation material

The consumer is not in danger of a long search for good products - the market is saturated with goods from different manufacturers, so you can choose a decent heater in any hardware store. However, before buying, it is necessary to analyze the material in question for its physical and chemical properties. These include:

• thermal conductivity coefficient (characterizes the ability of the insulation to conduct or retain air; the lower the indicator, the better - you do not have to use a thick layer of material);
• moisture absorption coefficient (indicates the ability of the material to absorb water as a percentage by weight; the higher the indicator, the less durable the insulation);
• density (based on the value, you can determine how much the material will make the house heavier);
• resistance to fire (there are 4 classes of flammability; the first one (G1) is most preferable, which stops burning without an open source of fire);
• environmental friendliness (not the most important indicator for consumers, and in vain - to preserve the health of family members, it is worth choosing only natural material from natural components that do not emit impurities into the atmosphere and do not contain synthetic elements);
• durability (the service life of the insulation set by the manufacturer);
• hygroscopicity (the ability to absorb vapor from the air);
• resistance to pests (insects, rodents, birds);
• soundproofing properties;
• ease of installation (insulation should be fixed quickly, with a minimum set of tools; also, a minimum amount of additional work should be done with it, such as cutting into even pieces).

It is difficult to choose a material that would have all the desirable qualities. For this reason, it is possible and necessary to carry out insulation outside and inside.

Advantages of external thermal insulation

The question of warming a private house from the outside arises in two cases - at the design stage of a building or when buying a finished one, but at the same time not having decent thermal insulation. The second situation is more common. What are the benefits of insulating a home from the outside? These include:

• reduced wall deformability due to additional protection;
• the facade perceives sharp temperature fluctuations; as a result, the service life of the building will be extended;
• freedom in choosing the design of the facade, even when the building is erected;
• the area of ​​​​the interior remains unchanged; this allows you to carry out any kind of decoration, and living conditions will remain the same.

Ways of external insulation of the house

The need and benefits of thermal insulation from the outside are obvious; now the consumer should familiarize himself with the methods of insulation. There are three of these:

• "well" arrangement of the material;
• "wet" insulation with gluing;
• ventilated facade.

In the first case, the insulation is placed inside the walls (for example, between layers of bricks). It turns out that it is "locked" between two levels. The method is effective, but it is impossible to implement it for an already built house.

In the second case, the insulation layer is fixed to the glue on the outside of the walls, then additionally attached to the dowels. Several types of coatings are applied on top - reinforcing, intermediate, decorative (finishing). A good way, only requires the intervention of specialists; Do-it-yourself wet wall insulation is impossible without experience.

The ventilated facade resembles a “well” masonry, only the outer layer is the facing material - drywall, tiles, siding, etc. Additionally, you will have to build a frame system for attaching heat insulator sheets.

The last method is the most popular, common and profitable. It will cost much less than "wet" insulation; in addition, even a beginner will be able to do the work with their own hands. Now the consumer faces the most difficult choice.

Existing materials can be divided into two large groups - organic (of natural origin) and inorganic (obtained using special materials and equipment).

Types and advantages of inorganic heaters

The first place in the list rightfully belongs to the most popular material - mineral wool. It is of three types - stone (basalt), glass and slag. Differing from each other only externally, varieties of mineral wool have the following qualities:

• low coefficient of thermal conductivity (0.03 - 0.045);
• density variations (from 20 to 200 kg/m3);
• excellent soundproofing properties;
• vapor permeability (mineral wool can "breathe");
• fire resistance.

It is not without a number of disadvantages, including:

• attraction for rodents and insectoids;
• deterioration of thermal insulation characteristics by 50% when only 3-5% of the volume is wet;
• never completely dries out.

In general, mineral wool is good, but it is highly undesirable to use it for cladding a house from the outside.

The second known external insulation is foam. Its advantages:

• the heat conductivity coefficient is slightly lower than that of mineral wool (0.03 - 0.037);
• costs less than other heaters;
• easy;
• density from 11 to 40 kg/m3.

• fragility;
• release of toxic substances during fire;
• does not “breathe”, which forces residents to build additional supply and exhaust ventilation;
• when directly wet, it absorbs moisture, becoming unusable.

Extruded polystyrene foam is not inferior in thermal conductivity to mineral wool and polystyrene. In addition, he:

• does not absorb moisture;
• convenient for installation, because it is produced in plates;
• stronger than foam
• almost does not pass air.

Flaws:

• flammable;
• when burned, it releases harmful substances.

There is another type of raw material used for external thermal insulation of the walls of the house - "warm" plasters. They are a mixture of balls (formed by glass, cement and hydrophobic additives). They “breathe”, isolate the room from moisture, do not burn, are not afraid of sunlight, and are easy to repair. Not very common on the market, however, experienced consumers have already appreciated this insulation.

Varieties and benefits of organic materials

For those who want to feel as close to nature as possible, it is recommended to use raw materials from natural ingredients. These include:

• cork heaters - have a thermal insulation coefficient of 0.045 - 0.06; are crushed tree bark, compressed under the influence of hot steam and resin as a binding element; easy to cut, "breathe", do not form mold, non-toxic; today they are increasingly used to insulate walls from the outside);
• cellulose wool (ecowool) - thermal conductivity from 0.032 to 0.038; are crushed cellulose, treated with flame retardants to improve fire-fighting properties; properties resemble cork materials, but absorb liquid better; do not withstand heavy loads and are not suitable for wall cladding;
• hemp - supplied in plates, rolls, mats based on hemp fibers; does not hold the load well, although it is quite dense (20-60 kg / m3);
• straw - an old way of thermal insulation of the walls of the house; breathable material treated with flame retardants to reduce flammability; today it is practically not used;
• algae - an exotic method of sheathing exterior walls; density up to 80 kg / m3, do not burn, do not rot, do not arouse interest in rodents, are resistant to mold and fungus. Best suited for light walls.

Preferred insulation for home cladding

Each material has pros and cons. Based on the information presented above, it is possible to compile a symbolic rating of the highest quality materials for the walls of the house (the first is the most preferred, etc.). It is also worth considering the type of facade design.

For ventilated systems, cotton wool is better suited - mineral, cellulose. When laying wells, give preference to a material that does not allow moisture to pass through. This is extruded polystyrene foam. Plaster wall decoration goes well with insulation, whose density is more than 30 kg / m3. For example, with mineral wool, PPS, polystyrene, any organic material.

For light walls of a wooden house, breathable material is better suited - mineral wool, hemp, ecowool, cork insulation. The former is preferable, but costs a little more.

A country house should be of high quality sheathed with reliable material. The consumer can choose any of the previously discussed, guided by their wishes or financial capabilities. A competent approach to the acquisition of insulation is the key to a long service life of a cozy home.