Thermal insulation materials for walls. Thermal insulation materials types and properties. How to choose the right material for indoor insulation

From year to year, prices for energy resources are inexorably growing, and the level of income of the population remains practically the same. Looking at the unbearable bills for heating a house or apartment, it comes to understanding that the problem needs to be solved on its own - by warming the living quarters.

For this purpose, various types of insulation can be used for the walls of the house from the inside and outside.

Let's take a closer look at the possible options for insulation materials, their advantages and disadvantages.

Insulation work is best done in the summer, when air humidity is minimal.

Walls for insulation in the room must be perfectly dry. You can dry them after additional plastering, finishing work on leveling surfaces using building hair dryers and heat guns.

Stages of surface insulation:

1. Surface cleaning from decorative elements - wallpaper, paint.
2. Treatment of walls with antiseptic solutions, priming the surface with deep penetration into the layers of plaster.
3. In some cases, when installing polystyrene foam and electric heating elements, the walls are pre-leveled with waterproof plaster for bathrooms.
4. should be carried out according to the instructions prescribed by the manufacturer for this type of material.
5. Mounting a protective partition for applying the final finish, or covering the surface with a construction mesh, its plastering.
6. Creation of a single composition with the overall design of the room.

Wall insulation inside the house is one of the most effective ways to protect your home from the penetration of cold and the negative effects of condensate, the main thing is to follow the technological sequence of stages. You can read more about the technology of home insulation from the inside in

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Modern types of insulation for walls, properties and characteristics:

Tips for insulating walls in an apartment - an analysis of common mistakes:

Warming a house, made with the help of even not the most expensive materials, is not a cheap pleasure. Now there are many types of insulation for interior work, which are presented in a wide price range. Therefore, choosing an inexpensive and high-quality material is not difficult.

A warm house in the winter and comfortable coolness in the hot season, as well as a reduction in utility bills, will show that the thermal insulation of the room is done well and efficiently.

What material did you use to insulate the walls of the house? What guided the choice and are you satisfied with the result? Please tell us about it in the comment block. There you can also ask a question on the topic of the article, and we will try to answer it promptly.

Many owners of private houses have to solve such a problem as insufficient insulation of the premises. Various methods are applied. Sometimes, to increase the level of comfort in the house, heat-insulating materials are installed for the walls in a room in which there is a constant lack of heat. Or they carry out the installation of insulation not inside, but outside the building.

Insulation can be installed both inside the house and outside

Advantages of external wall insulation

Wall insulation from the outside helps to protect the premises not only from heat loss, but also from numerous negative environmental factors: the harmful effects of rain, snow, wind and various mechanical damage. This helps extend the life of the entire building.

To perform the installation of thermal insulation outside the building, it is not necessary to have any special knowledge and professionalism in the field of construction. You can handle this task on your own. It is enough to have an idea of ​​the types of materials intended for wall insulation from the outside, and what rules to follow when installing them.

In this video you will learn about modern heaters:

Material Requirements

The operating conditions of a residential building outside and inside are different, but in both cases, the same insulating building materials can be used. The main thing is not to forget that the outer surface of the walls of the building is more influenced by all sorts of negative factors.

Choosing an insulating material for the installation of thermal insulation from the outside, need to pay attention:

• on its resistance to ultraviolet sunlight;
• to mechanical and biological impacts;
• for resistance to shrinkage;
• for durability.

It is worth remembering that the installation will be carried out at a certain height from the ground, if this is not the first floor. Therefore, the material should not be too heavy so that it can be lifted to the desired height without any problems. In this case, you need to try to select such material, the installation of which could be completed quickly.

When choosing the insulation material for the walls outside the building, the material from which the walls themselves are made also plays an important role. If the house, for example, is wooden, you also need to pay attention to the ability of the insulation to pass steam, because the wood must “breathe”. Otherwise, it will quickly become unusable under the influence of water vapor condensing on its surface. Water is the main enemy for building materials that are made from wood.

Seriously, you need to approach not only the choice of modern heat-insulating materials for walls, but also facing. They should be not only beautiful, but also durable, able to withstand various negative environmental factors.

As a finishing coating for the facade, a material should be used that would not have an impact on the insulation during operation, would not squeeze it, and would not contribute to destruction. You need to try to choose such materials so that they match each other.

Varieties of heaters

Today in hardware stores you can find many different types of thermal insulation materials for walls. The most popular among them are mineral wool, polystyrene foam (including polystyrene foam), polyurethane foam, cellulose and other heat insulators.

All of them have some similarities, but also differ from each other in their technical characteristics, durability, installation technology.

Each of these materials has a number of specific advantages.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool - wall insulation, both external and internal. For its manufacture, thin fibers formed as a result of glass remelting are used.

Fibers can be arranged in different ways, and in this regard, its types are distinguished, such as:

• corrugated;
• horizontally layered;
• vertically layered.

In addition, this material, usually produced in the form of mats, has different thicknesses and densities.

Depending on what exactly is used for the production of mineral wool, material can belong to one of three varieties:

1. Glass wool. It is able to withstand the negative effects of aggressive chemicals well. It also tolerates high temperatures well. In addition to glass fibers, it contains soda, dolomite, limestone.
2. Stone wool. It is made from igneous basalt rocks. It has a higher density and rigidity compared to glass wool. Able to withstand higher temperatures. If glass wool begins to break down already under the influence of temperatures above 500 ° C, then stone wool is able to withstand heating up to 600 ° C.
3. Slag. It is made from metallurgy waste. Its feature is hygroscopicity. The maximum temperature it can withstand without breaking down is 300°C.

The undeniable advantages of any of these varieties of mineral wool include: good vapor permeability, fire safety, moisture resistance, the ability to absorb sound waves, light weight, elasticity, ease of installation.

Also, the positive properties of the material include its non-susceptibility to mice, insects and microorganisms.

Mineral wool also has disadvantages:

1. The material is prone to shrinkage.
2. Vata does not tolerate the effects of water. Even a short contact with moisture can lead to rapid deterioration of the material and loss of thermal insulation properties.
3. The fibers that make up the material are very thin, and therefore it is very dangerous to touch it without special protective equipment.

Warming of external walls with mineral wool takes place in several stages:

1. Cleaning the wall from dirt and removing defects on the surface.
2. Preparation of bars to create a frame. First they need to be cut to the required length, and then treated with an antiseptic.
3. Marking on the wall for the guides of the future frame. The construction level will help to avoid mistakes in this matter.
4. Preparation of holes for fasteners and installation of bars. They should be located at a distance from each other that is approximately 1 cm greater than the width of the slab of the mineral wool used.
5. Fixing the most insulating material. Before inserting the plate into the frame cell, you need to slightly squeeze it on the sides. Then, being inserted into the cell, the material itself will take the desired shape, filling all the free space.
6. Creation of waterproofing. For this, a waterproof membrane is used.
7. Padding over a waterproofing layer of wooden slats a few centimeters thick.

The final step is the installation of the finish coat. It can be ordinary or decorative plaster.

Styrofoam boards

Outdoor insulation for walls, which is based on polystyrene foam, perfectly fulfills its main function. It retains heat well, since more than 95% consists of a gaseous substance. For the same reason, it is light in weight. In addition, it almost does not absorb moisture and is therefore suitable for thermal insulation of basements, as well as for insulation of foundations.

Expanded polystyrene is not affected by microorganisms, so neither fungus nor mold can form on it. If installed correctly, expanded polystyrene plates will last for several decades. This material is not afraid of aggressive chemicals such as soap, bleach.

As for the disadvantages of expanded polystyrene, these include: vapor tightness, exposure to ultraviolet rays, poor sound insulation. This material is hazardous if heated to temperatures above 30°C. It will begin to release substances harmful to health. When burning, the amount of toxic substances released by it becomes several times greater.

Wall insulation with polystyrene foam takes place according to the following plan:

1. Wall preparation: removal of dirt and defects.
2. Application of a primer to the prepared wall.
3. Fastening the first plank. To do this, draw a line along the lower boundary of the thermal insulation, and then, approximately every 25 cm, make holes for the fasteners.
4. Preparation of the adhesive. You can use special glue in cylinders or a dry mix. For dilution, plain water should be used.
5. Installation of the first sheet. To do this, the prepared adhesive is applied to its reverse side, and then applied to the wall and pressed tightly. All other sheets are mounted in the same way. It is important to ensure that they fit snugly against each other. Excess glue should be removed with a spatula.
6. After the adhesive is completely dry, you can fix the polystyrene blocks with dowels. For this, a hammer is used. Each sheet needs five dowels: 4 in the corners and one in the middle.
7. Reinforcing mesh installed.
8. Applying a thin layer of plaster.

The final stage is the application of the facing material. It can be paint or special decorative plaster.

Cellulose ecowool

Cellulose heat-insulating material, which is called ecowool, is made from paper, or rather, from waste that is generated during the manufacture of paper. The basis of the material is cellulose fibers, of which it consists of 80%. During installation, ecowool penetrates into all cavities, resulting in a very dense coating, on the surface of which there are no seams.

Installation of ecowool can be done in one of two ways:

1. Dry. Warming work is done quickly. However, the coating that eventually forms will not be dense enough: over time, the particles will settle, and cold bridges will appear in the upper part of the insulated wall. In addition, when working with dry ecowool, a lot of dust is inevitably generated.
2. Wet. This method ensures good adhesion of the heat insulator to the main wall. The resulting coating has a high density and is not prone to shrinkage. It will be more durable in comparison with the dry method. The disadvantage is that the new heat-insulating layer will dry out for several days, and you cannot finish the finish until it is completely dry.

Installation of thermal insulation materials outside the building can be done independently. The main thing is to choose the right material and follow simple rules while working on insulation.

The modern construction market offers a variety of beautiful, durable, environmentally friendly finishing materials. Nowadays, thanks to new technologies, almost any fantasy in terms of repair or design work can be realized. But as for the economics of maintaining homeownership, it must also be carefully calculated.

Unfortunately, not every material, even the most beautiful or unusual, is able to retain heat well in the room. Therefore, often the issue of wall insulation at the time of repair has to be raised quite often. And even without planning to carry out repairs, insulation is a hot topic for our country.

Various types of heaters are presented on the shelves of building hypermarkets. Puzzled by the choice of this material, for sure every unprepared buyer will be confused when he sees what a huge range of manufacturers offer us! Therefore, before going shopping, let's figure out what kind of insulation is needed in each case and how to choose it correctly.

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

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

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

As for the aesthetics of wall decoration with insulation, modern finishing materials are perfectly suited for various design solutions.

What are wall insulation?

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

organic heaters

These are materials that are produced on the basis of raw materials from natural components. They do not contain synthetic ingredients. Cement and plastic are added to some organic materials.

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

There are quite a few examples of heaters of organic origin:

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

Inorganic heaters

Made on the basis of mountain minerals, slag, asbestos or glass. These materials have been known to everyone for many years - glass wool, cellular concrete, foam glass and the like. They perfectly showed their performance properties, work at any temperature, suitable for any design.

Inorganic heaters are on sale in a variety of forms: wool, panels, plates, rolls, and even loose. This is an additional plus, as it is possible to choose the most convenient way of laying.

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

Probably the most common heater. It can be made from slag waste from steel production or from rocks. According to the type of raw materials from which it is made, mineral wool is divided into two types: stone and slag.

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

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

Reflective heat insulators

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

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

At the same time, aluminum foil is laid in one or two layers, which are subsequently covered with a layer of polyethylene - such a sheathing is very thin and practically does not take up space. And in terms of its thermal insulation, it can compete with the highest quality insulation that retains heat. In addition, it is also an excellent vapor barrier material, therefore, for buildings with high humidity - saunas, baths - such thermal insulation will be just a godsend. In other cases, it is best to consider it as an auxiliary material, for example, for finishing walls and ceilings indoors.

Choosing wall insulation

Among the huge range of heaters, it can be difficult to choose one. Consider the most common heat insulators:

For many years it has been used as a heater in various private and industrial facilities. It can be made on stone or basalt raw materials, which gives it fire resistance and fire safety. The modern one is made from volcanic fossils with the help of special equipment, reaching high temperatures. It has a specific porous structure, which determines its main advantages:

1. Excellent room insulation. Due to the fibrous structure, mineral wool keeps the temperature inside the object well, in winter the house will remain warm, in summer it will be cool.
2. Soundproofing. Also, due to the random structure of cotton wool fibers, it is able to retain at least 50% of the sound vibrations passing through it.
3. wear resistance. Produced from volcanic rocks, mineral wool is not prone to destruction and can last for a long time without needing to be replaced.
4. tightness. Subject to the correct technology for laying mineral wool, this type of thermal insulation is able to maintain the tightness of the coating for many years.
5. Mineral wool is environmentally friendly for health.

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

1. Wall preparation. Remove old finishes, dirt, putty cracks and chips.
2. Laying a vapor-permeable membrane. You need to do this directly on the wall, in one layer.
3. Installation of a frame made of wooden planks or metal profiles.
4. Mineral wool lining. Usually it is sold in the form of layers of various sizes.
5. Close the layer of cotton wool with another layer of film.
6. Facade cladding with finishing material. Usually in this case it will be correct to arrange a ventilated facade.
7. Installation of slopes, window sills. The old ones will have to be replaced, due to a significant increase in the thickness of the walls.

Styrofoam

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

Advantages:

1. Low cost. Sheathing a house with foam plastic is available to anyone.
2. Excellent heat retention inside the room.
3. He is not afraid of moisture, dampness and temperature fluctuations.
4. Good soundproof material.
5. Suitable for various types of outdoor, it can be both plastered and sewn up with wall panels.

Flaws:

1. Styrofoam is very fond of small mammals. Rodents arrange their holes in it - it is easy and convenient for them. To avoid such incidents, the foam wall sheathing must be immediately sewn up with an upper, decorative layer. Moreover, this must be done qualitatively, without leaving gaps.
2. Expanded styrene is not a combustible material, however, when exposed to open fire, it ignites. This minus does not have scale values, since this insulation is capable of self-extinguishing in the absence of strong gusts of wind.

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

1. Prepare the walls. Preparation includes standard cleaning of dust, dirt and old finishes. In the presence of large cracks or potholes, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate them.
2. Set start profile. In general, such a procedure is not necessary, but this measure will guarantee accurate alignment of the skin over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe facade. Starting from the starting profile, it will be much faster and easier to work.
3. Styrofoam sheets to be prepared as necessary: we are talking about dimensions, that is, if there are windows, doors, or other elements on the wall that are not planned to be insulated, then you need to cut them out taking into account these objects. It is not difficult to cut it, using a construction or even the most ordinary knife of a suitable size.
4. Apply special glue to the foam. This can be done with a spatula, following a certain application scheme: it is important to coat well not only the corners and perimeter of each plate, but also the ends, which will later be joined to adjacent ends of the material.
5. Additionally, fix the foam panels with dowel fasteners. Recommended consumption of fasteners: at least five pieces per sheet.
6. Applying a reinforcing layer. This is, as a rule, a synthetic mesh, which is attached with an adhesive or cement mortar directly to the foam. Such a measure will strengthen the insulation layer and prevent it from settling or destruction.
7. Finishing work. Such a sheathing is most successfully suitable for plaster, followed by the application of textures - "", "lamb", and other relief coatings will lie well on the foam insulation.

polyurethane foam

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

This material is used as a heater, due to the following positive characteristics:

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

What is bad about this material as a heater:

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

For laying polyurethane foam on walls, the machine method of applying polyurethane foam is also used.

Penoplex

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

It actually has a lot of advantages:

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

This type of polystyrene proved to be excellent both in use for private households and for the insulation of public buildings.

Of the shortcomings, you need to remember:

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

As for the price, given the characteristics of the material and its service life, its cost is fully recouped and justified.

The installation of foam plastic is identical to the installation of foam panels, it is also attached to special polymer adhesives - note that they must be acetone-free. But in addition to glue, of course, it is desirable to fix the insulation with anchor fasteners in order to avoid annoying troubles after a while.

Extruded polystyrene lends itself perfectly to decoration, it can be plastered, reliefs of various structures can be made.

Manufacturers

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

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

The thermal insulation of this brand is produced in different variations, but the most popular variety: plates or mats of insulation of small sizes. It is convenient to use them for the device of ventilated facades of buildings, insulation of roofs, floors, partition walls. But it is also possible to insulate heating mains, high-rise buildings for private and industrial purposes.

• Armacell

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

• Partex

Known in the world construction markets, the Finnish company, whose production facilities are located in the cities of Poland, Lithuania and Finland. On the Russian market, this brand is represented under the Paros brand - on its basis, the widest range of stone wool insulation is presented. This heat insulator is available in the form of plates, mats and rolls of soft and rigid construction.

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

• Isover

A well-known Finnish brand, in fact, is a subsidiary of a large French concern. Their insulation is made on the basis of fiberglass and is widely distributed both in Europe and in Russia and has remained popular for many years.

• Rolls Isomarket

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

• CJSC "Chemical Plant"

Located in the Sverdlovsk region, also a major Russian manufacturer. The trade brand Extrapen, produced by this plant from expanded polystyrene raw materials, confidently occupies its niche in a number of thermal insulation materials presented on the Russian construction market.

Video the better to insulate the walls

Wall insulation is an important step, it should not be missed or produced poorly. The benefits of properly insulated walls are obvious: you protect the inside of the house from condensation and freezing, keep the heat inside the room, significantly saving energy. At present, insulation is not an oversight, but the right choice for any home, no matter what it is built from and how well it is heated.

Modern building materials allow you to choose a heater for any finish, securely hide it, leaving the facade of the building outwardly attractive. It is also important that it is not difficult to follow the correct technology for laying heaters, even doing it yourself. Thus, you can significantly save on construction work without involving professionals for sheathing.

Insulators serve for a long time without needing to be replaced, once you forget about heat loss for many years to come. Take care of your home with good thermal insulation!

Among the variety of materials for home insulation, choosing the right option can be quite difficult. Each of them is often divided into several species with unique characteristics inherent in it. A comparative analysis can take a long time, so an idea of ​​​​the general properties of a particular insulation will help, if not finally make a choice, then at least tell you in which direction to move. The article will focus on building thermal insulation materials.

Thermal insulation materials types and properties

Styrofoam

One of the most popular thermal insulation materials for walls is foam. It belongs to the category of inexpensive heaters and firmly occupies a leading position in it. I must say that this is completely justified. Its effectiveness is confirmed by a sufficient number of buildings, both residential and industrial.

So, among its positive characteristics, it stands out:

• price. Production costs are minimal. Material consumption (in comparison with the popular mineral wool) is one and a half times less;
• ease of installation. Styrofoam will not require the construction of crates and guides. It is mounted on the wall by gluing;
• versatility. Properly selected type of insulation will create a reliable heat-shielding barrier of the floor, facade, walls, ceilings between floors, roofs, ceilings.

It effectively copes with the protection from the cold of the inhabitants of frame houses, it is laid inside hollow brick walls.

It is most convenient to consider indicators depending on the classification in the table. The division is based on such an indicator as density.

All types described can be used at temperatures from - 60 to + 80°C.

PS class material is produced using pressing, which gives it an increased density (from 100 to 600 kg / m³). It is successfully used as a cement floor insulation and where significant loads are expected on the base. The remaining technical characteristics generally coincide with the above data for other types of foam.

Of course, in some numbers and coefficients, the foam has discrepancies, for example, with more modern expanded polystyrene or penofol, but the difference is so insignificant that it will be absolutely not noticeable to the residents of the house.

Therefore, the strengths of polystyrene are rightfully considered:

• a small coefficient of thermal conductivity, which allows you to save heat in buildings made of any type of material from brick to gas silicate blocks;

• the structure of the cells of the foam is closed, so it absorbs liquid extremely poorly. For a heater, this is an extremely important indicator, because when water is collected, it loses its heat-saving properties. Basements, basements that have direct contact (or the threat of such) with groundwater are successfully insulated with foam;
• soundproofing comes as a nice addition to the function of reducing heat loss. The air hidden in the sealed cells of the material successfully dampens even the most intense sound waves transmitted in space. In order to create a barrier to impact noise, foam alone cannot be dispensed with;
• resistance to alcohols, alkaline and saline solutions, water-based paints in this material is “developed” at a high level. In addition, it is not chosen as a worthy habitat for fungi and mold. It is worth noting that rodents, on the contrary, are very fond of polystyrene and often prefer to settle in it. Fighting them by any available means will not allow uninvited neighbors to spoil the insulation;
• environmental Safety. Styrofoam does not emit any harmful substances from itself. The modern standard of this heater is full compliance with sanitary standards;
• as an additional protection against combustion, flame retardants are added to the main ingredients at the production stage, designed to increase the fire resistance of the foam. And if there is no direct contact with the fire, then it will die out in a short period of time. But, in fairness, it is worth noting that it is still considered a combustible material;
• loss of the above properties will not happen, even if there is a short-term contact with a heat source up to 110 ° C, but a long-term exposure to more than 80 ° C will cause deformation and loss of performance.

The described temperature regimes belong to the category of anomalies, and do not occur with a regular frequency, so it is impractical to make them the main motive for refusing to use foam.

Plates penoplex

Expanded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene - all this is the name of the same material sold in hardware stores as foam insulation. It is a “relative” of the foam plastic that is familiar to everyone, while being considered a material that is one step higher.

The main difference begins already at the production stage, where extrusion plants are used. As a result, the fine-mesh structure of the material has greater strength than its "brother" foam. It is also distinguished by excellent hydrophobic properties. In the scarlet cells, the air is securely sealed, which does not allow warm air to leave the room, and cold air, on the contrary, to penetrate inside.

The main properties of heat-insulating material:

• strength. It is achieved through a unique homogeneous structure. Under heavy loads, the plate does not deform, distributing the weight qualitatively, but at the same time it is easily cut with a construction knife into pieces of the desired size;
• environmental friendliness The material has been proven by multiple studies, it is resistant to the formation of fungus and mold, rodents do not like it. Some types of organic solvents can soften the foam and disrupt the shape and structure of the plate. Therefore, when working with this insulation, it is recommended to avoid contact with such liquids;
• low vapor permeability involves strict adherence to the installation technology and recommendations for use, so as not to create a greenhouse effect in the room;

• lifetime foam boards are at least 50 years old. This is a guaranteed period of time during which the material will have its original characteristics;
• coefficient of thermal conductivity- the main indicator by which expanded polystyrene is considered a good insulation. Low values ​​​​of this indicator indicate that the house will be reliably protected from heat loss.
• The types of heat-insulating material penoplex and the directions of their use are quite diverse (in brackets are the previously used and modern names of the material).
• Facade insulation (PENOPLEX 31 or "Wall"). It is made with the addition of flame retardants. It is well applicable for plinths, internal and external walls, partitions, facades. Its density is 25-32 kg/m³, compressive strength is 0.20 MPa.
• Foundation ( PENOPLEX 35 without additives for fire resistance or "foundation"). In addition to the application that follows from the name, this type is widely used in the arrangement of basements, blind areas and plinths. The density is expressed in terms of 29-33 kg / m³, and the compressive strength is 0.27 MPa.
• Roofs. ( PENOPLEX 35 or "Roof"). Pitched or flat roofs of any type can be insulated with this type of Styrofoam. It is dense enough (28 - 33 kg/m³) to create a usable roof.
• Country cottages, saunas, houses. ( PENOPLEX 31 C or "Comfort"). Universal heater. Houses, roofing, walls and plinths in small private buildings - this is the scope of its application. Density indicators - 25-35 kg / m³, strength - 0.20 MPa.

Expanded polystyrene occupies a worthy position in popularity due to good performance.

glass wool insulation material

Known to more than one generation of builders, the insulation has undergone some modifications today. But, in fact, it remained the same material from molten glass mass. Sand and recycled materials of glass origin at temperatures above 1400 ° C are drawn into thin fibers, which are formed into small bundles (with the participation of binders), and then heated and pressed into a product resembling felt. Glass wool comes to the consumer in mats or rolls and is intended for warming both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

It belongs to the category of mineral materials and is still produced in large volumes, and this indicates the demand and the presence of a significant number of positive characteristics that are worth getting to know a little closer.

• Fragility refers rather to significant shortcomings. So that glass wool does not scatter into its component parts during operation, mats and canvases are stitched. But no reinforcement will save from small particles flying in all directions. Therefore, the equipment of a person working with glass wool should be serious: clothing that covers the body well, a respirator mask, glasses and gloves.
• The thermal conductivity of the material is low, but compared to other materials of a similar purpose, it is considered high.
• The cost of glass wool keeps it competitive. Due to its availability, it is in demand, especially since it really reduces heat loss.
• Ease of transportation and use. Rolls and mats with material weigh little and the packages are compact enough to bring the entire volume for home insulation at one time. It's easy to lay it on too. The only caveat is that when insulating vertical bases, it can fall out of the frame, because it is quite flexible and low-elasticity. The problem is solved by the construction of guides with a smaller distance than the width of the mat. Cutting to size is easy.
• Safety. Glass wool can cause certain inconveniences and harm to health only at the installation stage. But with the right organization of work, troubles will not happen. And after the material is laid in the base and covered with drywall, chipboard sheets or other finishing materials, it will not bring any harm to a person.
• The absence of rodents. Due to the specifics of the material, mice and rats will not choose this insulation to create cozy holes in it.
• Glass wool refers to non-combustible materials.
• Soundproofing during its use is also provided.

Thus, it is most convenient to use glass wool for floor and ceiling insulation. You can show skill and when finishing the walls. The main disadvantage is harmful dust, which is inevitable during cutting and rolling, but for some consumers, the low cost more than covers this minus.

slag wool

Continuing the conversation about mineral heaters, it is worth mentioning slag wool. It is made from blast furnace slag. Since this is a kind of production waste (when smelting iron in blast furnaces, a vitreous mass remains), the cost of its manufacture is low, and therefore the price of the finished insulation is quite affordable.

Slag wool is able to block heat well in rooms, but it has enough shortcomings and restrictions on its use to negate the low cost and good thermal insulation.

• So, slag wool is afraid of moisture. It is unreasonable to use it in bathrooms or on facades. At the same time, it is able to oxidize various metal parts and structures with which it comes into direct and prolonged contact.
• On top of all this, it is prickly and requires the use of special protection during operation. Against its background, glass wool looks much more attractive, so slag wool is rarely used in modern construction.

Mineral thermal insulation material

Basalt, stone, mineral wool, rockwool - these names most often hide the same material.

• Its fibers are not inferior in size to slag, but they do not cause discomfort during installation. Safety in use is one of the first distinguishing properties of this mineral insulation.

• The thermal conductivity coefficient of this material is calculated from 0.077 to 0.12 W / meter-kelvin. Basalt wool is called the best in all respects. It does not contain additional impurities harmful to health, can withstand prolonged exposure to extremely high and low temperatures, and is convenient to use.
• And ordinary stone and basalt wool are not amenable to combustion. The fibers will only melt, sinter together, but will not allow the further spread of fire.
• Any buildings can be insulated with stone wool, both when built from scratch, and have been in operation for quite a long time. Basalt insulation does not interfere with air microcirculation, which means that it can be used in buildings where supply ventilation does not function properly.
• Certain inconveniences for some builders may arise with the need to build a false wall. Without it, the installation of insulation will not work. But in fact, the construction technology is very simple, not so much space is “eaten up”.
• The material is environmentally friendly, well suited for the insulation of wooden houses. It is strictly forbidden to get wet, so the waterproofing layer must be made in accordance with all requirements.
• The recommended thickness of the heat-insulating material for the middle strip is 15-20 cm, in the southern regions a 10 cm layer is sufficient.

• Stone wool absorbs sound well. This is achieved due to the fact that its fibers are arranged randomly, and air accumulates in large quantities between them. This structure perfectly dampens sounds.
• The described insulation is chemically passive. Even if it is in close contact with the metal surface, no traces of corrosion will appear on it. Rotting and infection with fungi or mold is also not characteristic of stone wool. The material does not attract rodents and other pests.
• The only really negative point of its use is the rather high cost.

Characteristics of thermal insulation materials

Ecowool

Ecowool is an insulation made from waste paper and various residues from the manufacture of paper and cardboard. In addition to these components, a rather powerful fire retardant is also added to the antiseptic composition. It is extremely necessary, because judging by the fact that 80% of the material is flammable cellulose, the level of combustibility of such a thermal insulation product is quite high.

Ecowool is not without flaws.

• One of them is her natural decrease in volume. It is able to settle, losing up to 20% of the original bookmark level. To prevent this, ecowool is used in excess. The creation of a "reserve" will make up for the volume that decreases during operation.
• The insulation absorbs moisture quite well.. This directly affects the ability to retain heat. The material needs the ability to give off moisture to the external environment, so the heat-insulating layer must be ventilated.
• In order to carry out the installation, you will need special equipment. It is a device that pumps insulation with a uniform density, excluding its further shrinkage. In this regard, the help of hired specialists with experience in working with this particular type of insulation will be required. The wet application method, which involves such difficulties, also opens up the prospect of a break in construction work while the ecowool dries (from two to three days).

There is, of course, a dry insulation technique, but the above-described installation option still has a better result. If horizontal surfaces can be insulated without the use of special equipment, then creating a layer of thermal insulation on the walls will be difficult to do without. There is a risk of uneven shrinkage of the material and the creation of non-insulated cavities.

• Features of the material itself do not imply its independent (frameless) use when the insulation is carried out using a screed. Unlike expanded polystyrene boards, ecowool does not have sufficient strength for this.
• Great care must be taken during installation:
  • carry out work away from open fire;
  • avoid contact of the material with any source of heat that can lead to smoldering. That is, when insulating the surface next to the chimney or chimney, they will need to be separated from the insulation with basalt mats coated with foil or asbestos-cement barriers.

It would seem that against the background of such difficulties, one can immediately abandon the use of ecowool, but its positive aspects for someone can become a powerful incentive to use it.

• The material (even taking into account the allowance for shrinkage) is quite economical.
• Such a heater is environmentally friendly and safe for health. An exception may be the material where boric acid or ammonium sulfates were used as a fire retardant. In this case, ecowool will be distinguished by a sharp and unpleasant odor.
• It is a seamless insulation that does not have cold bridges. This means that heat loss in winter will be reduced to a minimum.
• The material is inexpensive, while allowing you to get good thermal insulation.

As a soundproofing material, ecowool can compete with many of the materials described above.

Polyurethane foam (PPU)

Polyester with the addition of water, emulsifiers and active reagents, when exposed to a catalyst, forms a substance with all the features and indicators of a good heat-insulating material.

Polyurethane foam has the following characteristics:

• low coefficient of thermal conductivity: 0.019 - 0.028 W / meter-kelvin;
• applied by spraying, creating a continuous coating without cold bridges;
• the light weight of the hardened foam does not put pressure on the structure;
• ease of use without any fasteners makes it possible to insulate the surface with any configuration;
• long service life, including resistance to frost and heat, any precipitation, decay;
• safety for humans and the environment;
• does not destroy metal structural elements, but on the contrary, creates anti-corrosion protection for them.

Walls, floors and ceilings - its application is available everywhere. PPU will adhere to glass, wood, concrete, brick, metal and even painted surfaces. The only thing worth protecting polyurethane foam from is exposure to direct rays of light.

Types of thermal insulation materials

Reflective thermal insulation materials

There is a group of heat-saving materials that work on the principle of reflectors. They function quite simply: first they absorb and then give back the received heat.

• The surface of such heaters is able to reflect more than 97% of the heat that has reached their surface. This is available with one or two layers of polished aluminium.
• It does not contain impurities, but is applied to a layer of polyethylene foam for ease of use.

• Thin-looking material is able to surprise with its capabilities. A one or two centimeter layer of reflective insulation creates an effect comparable to using a fibrous heat insulator from 10 to 27 cm thick. Among the most popular materials in this category are Ecofol, Penofol, Poriplex, Armofol.
• In addition to heat and sound insulation, such heaters create vapor barrier protection (and are often used as such).

The conclusion is quite simple: the ideal insulation does not exist. Depending on the means, the goals pursued and personal preferences (including ease of use), everyone will be able to choose the best material for themselves to create a warm and truly cozy home. But we must remember that when using each of the above insulation on the roof, mandatory waterproofing of the heat-insulating material is required.

Residents of a country cottage and a city apartment wrap themselves in warm clothes in the winter season, turn on heaters and try in every possible way to keep warm. But why make yourself uncomfortable if you can buy good insulation for the walls inside the house? Manufacturers produce many high-quality materials that are easy to install on your own.

Conditions for the use of internal thermal insulation

The exterior walls of an apartment building are now finished using building materials that retain heat. In private houses, thermal insulation along the facade is also not uncommon. If this method is not enough for you, you can insulate the walls from the inside.

The case for technology

By simply laying the insulation, you will save up to 30% of the heat in the rooms that leaks out into the street. Other advantages of the technique include:

• ease of laying materials from the inside with your own hands - no need to make scaffolding, use special equipment;
• work is carried out all year round, in any climate;
• independent cost planning - if there are no funds for a full-scale repair, you can make thermal protection room by room;
• a wide range of thermal insulators.

List of major disadvantages

Some masters consider wall insulation inside the house to be problematic for the following reasons:

• cracking of the external supporting structure during its interaction with the environment;
• protection from the cold of the building on one side only;
• formation of condensate as a result of dew point displacement between materials and surface;
• reduction of the usable area of ​​the room by 10 cm on each side;
• risks of the appearance of "cold bridges" during the arrangement of the frame and reduce the efficiency of work.

On a note! Before starting activities, it is worth choosing the size of the insulator using an online calculator.

Rules for laying insulation

To prevent the formation of condensation, cold bridges, the appearance of mold and fungi, it is worth figuring out how to insulate the walls from the inside. Builders recommend:

• use vapor barrier materials. They will exclude the dew point shift, the accumulation of moisture and extend the life of the structure;
• buy thermal insulation with an adhesive base - this way you can save space in small rooms;
• the house is equipped with forced or natural ventilation from the inside to control the level of humidity;
• monitor the steam and heat balance, selecting the thickness of the thermal insulation inside in accordance with the average daily temperature in winter;
• consider any situation. If you do not know how to insulate a wall in an apartment from the inside, if there is mold, listen to the experts. They advise to “treat” the surface with antifungal primers;
• control the quality of thermal insulation at the joints and load-bearing partitions.

Important! Mounting operations are carried out on a completely dry surface.

Criteria for choosing thermal insulation

In order for the internal insulation of the walls of the house to be of high quality, it is necessary to choose the right insulating material. If the thickness of the products can be calculated based on the thickness of the walls, the material of the structure, the minimum temperature, then the characteristics must be compared.

Thermal conductivity

The ability of the insulator to retain heat depends on this indicator. The smaller it is, the less building material will be required.

Read also: Wood concrete is a lightweight block material for environmentally friendly, insulated, low-rise buildings. Characteristics, composition, advantages and disadvantages, construction nuances

Density

A larger value provides greater thermal conductivity.

Moisture resistance

The parameters of hygroscopicity determine the quality of wall insulation in the apartment from the inside, the durability of various types of finishes.

Mechanical characteristics

According to these indicators, classes of materials are established:

• bulk - foamed substances or crumbs with different fraction sizes;
• based on cotton wool - they look like rolls and unwind when laying;

• foamed blocks - the main raw material is foam concrete or glass;
• plates - the raw material is pressed or glued together.

Important! Bulk material for wall insulation is used only for exterior decoration.

Weight

The lower the weight, the cheaper in terms of transportation, fasteners will be an insulator.

Vapor permeability

A small thermal resistance of the structure will lead to the formation of mold and mildew. To increase the vapor permeability of the product, you will need to install automatic supply and exhaust ventilation.

Possibility of finishing

Facing building materials should fit well on the thermal layer.

Advice! When buying, also pay attention to the characteristics of environmental friendliness and flammability.

Varieties of heaters

Several types of materials are suitable for insulating walls inside a house or apartment - roll, sheet and slab.

Styrofoam features

From the inside, concrete, brick or foam block surfaces are sheathed with slab foam. It is not suitable for wood, because it does not have "breathing" properties. The optimal thickness of the heat insulator is 5 cm. Its main advantage is its inexpensive cost. The cons include:

• fire risks;
• little strength;
• the need for forced ventilation.

On a note! No special tools are needed to work with foam.

The use of mineral wool

Suitable for a corner apartment, as it retains thermal parameters well and allows air to pass through. Compared to expanded polystyrene, mineral wool has a higher density, so high-quality insulation of the house from the inside is possible only with thick slabs.

Breathing properties lead to a deterioration in the microclimate, the formation of condensate. To avoid such troubles, install a vapor barrier.

Important! It is better to lay high-quality and expensive waterproofing under mineral wool - this way fungus will not appear under the structure.

Special mats

Mats based on mineral substances are fireproof, environmentally friendly products with good vapor permeability. Users believe that the disadvantage of thermal insulation is the cost (up to 5.5 thousand rubles per cubic meter).

Characteristics of extruded polystyrene foam

If the apartment is cold, ordinary expanded polystyrene will not work for reasons of fragility and high vapor permeability. Wondering how to insulate your home from the inside? Stop at the penoplex. Plate thermal protection has several advantages:

• low thermal conductivity - suitable for floors and roofs;
• no risk of fire;
• excellent strength - XPS can be laid even under a floor screed;
• minimal water absorption - the owners will save on hydro and vapor barrier layers;
• durability and ease of installation;
• versatility - used for interior and facade work.

The disadvantages of EPPS include low vapor permeability, due to which you will have to spend extra money on high-quality ventilation.

What is basalt thermal insulation?

Basalt in appearance insulation resembles a mineral wool. The difference is that it is produced on the basis of molten gabbro-basalt in the form of fibers. The thickness of the threads is from 7 microns to 50 mm. The absence of harmful compounds and dust particles in the composition allows for environmentally friendly wall insulation from the inside, which is important for families with small children or allergies.

The advantages of basalt insulation include:

• ease of sheathing wall and ceiling surfaces;
• high thermal insulation characteristics;
• high density - a 10 cm thick slab is comparable in density to brickwork of 1.5 m, cellular concrete of 2 m and a wooden frame of 30 cm;
• resistance to fire - melts at 1100 degrees Celsius;
• moisture-repellent properties - no more than 1-2% of condensate is absorbed into the heat-insulating layer;
• excellent soundproofing characteristics.

Read also: Thermal washers for fixing polycarbonate

Minus basalt slabs - a small vapor permeability.

Foil thermal insulation

For interior walls, an innovative insulator is used - foamed polyester with a thin top layer of foil. A feature of the product is the reflection of heat from the foil coating and its direction into the room.

By directing the shiny layer up, you qualitatively isolate the house with penofol from the cold. The material keeps heat remarkably, it is sold in rolls. The layer thickness is from 2 to 10 mm.

Warming the apartment from the inside with a foil insulator has several nuances:

• the wall surface is carefully leveled;
• foil coating should be outside;
• foamed polyethylene is cut into strips equal to the length of the room;
• the segments are glued on the principle of wallpaper and glued with foil tape.

Advice! If you plan to lay the cladding, make a crate of wood or metal profiles on top of the foam board.

MDF board

The inexpensive cost of wood waste plates solves the question of how to insulate the wall in the apartment from the inside, so as not to spend a lot of money. The material is sold with antiseptic treatment, so it is not exposed to heat and moisture. Sheets are attached to a frame made of metal or wooden slats.

Innovative way - gastrointestinal tract

So that the wall in the cottage, high-rise building is not covered with mold and fungus, does not let the cold through, liquid ceramic ultra-thin thermal insulation is used.

Thermal paint is easily applied to concrete, brick, metal, aerated concrete surfaces and has many advantages:

• environmental Safety;
• good light reflectivity;
• preservation of thermal properties at sub-zero temperatures;
• UV resistance, durability and strength;
• excellent energy efficiency.

Advice! The wall in the apartment is painted from the inside with a thin layer - from 2 to 5 mm.

New - ecowool

Eco-friendly insulation for walls inside the house appeared relatively recently, but has already gained popularity among professional builders and home craftsmen. The benefits of using ecowool include:

• the absence of toxic substances in the composition due to the production of cellulose waste;
• high-quality thermal insulation properties;
• there are no cold bridges between the surface and the product;
• no shrinkage due to fine fiber structure.

The disadvantages of thermal protection are the complexity of self-assembly, only phased laying, long hardening (24 hours) and the risk of ignition.

fiberglass insulation

If there is a cold wall in the corner room, it is allowed to use glass wool. The use of the material is determined by its advantages:

• excellent sound insulation;
• flexible structure;
• resistance to combustion and chemical environment;
• inexpensive price;
• ability to pass air masses.

Disadvantages of glass wool - laying only on the frame, shrinkage, exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The service life of the thermal insulation layer is 10 years.

Advice! Before insulating the walls in an apartment with glass wool from the inside, remove all furniture, put on tight clothes, protect your eyes and exposed skin.

Mipora - non-combustible thermal insulation

Residents of wooden cottages often think about how to insulate the walls of the house from the inside without the risk of fire. They can safely use mipora, an open-cell foam that looks like hardened foam.

The material has good thermal conductivity, excellent density indicators. Its ignition temperature is 397 degrees. Rectangular blocks 4.4-5 cm wide can be used as a cladding or filler for a frame building. Poor plasticity and hygroscopicity preclude work in wet conditions.

Cork rolls and slabs

Cork heaters for the room are characterized by safety, environmental friendliness. The technical indicators of a cork tree affect the peculiarity of its use:

• simultaneous creation of thermal protection, sound insulation and decoration of the wall surface;
• installation only on a perfectly flat base;
• complete removal of the cladding, priming the wall before work;
• treatment of the base with an antiseptic and leveling with GKL.

Laying of sheets or cuts of rolled material is carried out with smearing with glue and sticking to the surface.

Important! Thin cork heaters for an apartment will not take away useful centimeters.

Comparison of the properties of heat insulators

The table below will help you choose high-quality insulation materials.