Types of insulation for residential buildings and their characteristics. Insulation: types, characteristics, purpose and application

Insulation is a generalized name for materials that are designed to reduce the transmission of heat and sound.

Basic types of insulation

Consider the types of insulation, their characteristics and application, which will allow you to choose the right materials. There are two main types of it: heat and sound insulation. The first reduces heat transfer. This leads to a more stable temperature, reducing the heating and cooling of indoor air. Soundproofing makes the house more pleasant to live in, protects from external noise. To select the best product, you can study the classification of materials, taking into account the R-value, as this is a measurement of resistance to heat transfer. The higher this indicator, the better.

Thermal insulation materials are used:

  • in construction for facade and interior works with application on walls, floors, roofs;
  • for technical purposes - they insulate pipelines and various equipment;
  • special types include infrared, vacuum, reflective, air - technological insulation, the characteristics of which make it possible to maintain the desired temperature in the room.

Types of raw materials

Organic heaters include a variety of polymeric materials that are lightweight, maintain temperature well, but ignite easily, so they must be protected.

Types of heaters, their characteristics and application differ in the raw materials from which they are produced. They may be:

  • organic;
  • mixed;
  • inorganic.

Heaters differ in structure and are granular, fibrous, cellular. And also the form: from rolled materials, plates to figured products. A special indicator is the attitude towards fire: from completely resistant varieties to fire hazardous ones, which are used only for certain, narrow purposes.

Wood processing products in the form of boards, sawdust, shavings, as well as recycled paper, various types of waste from forage in agriculture are called "organic wall insulation", the price of which is the lowest. Such materials are used for private houses, but they get wet easily and are not resistant to decay.

Inorganic materials include mineral wool and its derivatives, concrete and glass products, metallurgy waste with special technologies in the form of foam, fiber, cellular structures. They are characterized by an average specific gravity, low strength, and wetting. Therefore, they are used only in combination with other building products.

Mixed insulation materials include asbestos materials (solid, carpet, foam). They are lightweight, flame retardant, but can release harmful fumes without additional protection or if installed incorrectly.

Basic insulation products

The main types of insulation, their characteristics and application can be considered using the example of the most common insulation products.

Glass wool is made from recycled glass and sand, soda ash and limestone. The glass is then molded with resin into millions of pure fibers that are bonded together. Such heaters can be produced in the form of rolls and plates. It is made from molten rock in a furnace, through which it is blown at a temperature of about 1600 ° C. Finished products are produced in rolls and sheets. The density of this type of insulation can be different. It acts as a good thermal and sound insulator.

Rigid heat-insulating plates are divided into:


Reflective foil insulation is an environmentally friendly and efficient product that is often used in the construction industry. The material with foil reduces heat transfer by up to 97%. The reflective insulator acts as a large vapor barrier and reduces moisture condensation. Wetting can be a problem with some of the fiberglass materials.

Ecoisolation

Eco products include ecological types of insulation. These are thermal and acoustic slabs and rolls, wool wadding, hemp and recycled polyester. The dry method of construction involves lining of drywall boards. They are used as a replacement for wet plaster.

Ventilation membranes, waterproofing materials, adhesives are also essential components of construction. The density of the insulation used in the premises to protect the roof, external facade systems, attic and ceiling, floor, walls can be different, which allows you to compensate for the temperature conditions of different climatic zones.

Roll products

Roll insulation is the most common and affordable type of insulation. It consists of flexible soft threads, most often fiberglass. Such materials are also made from mineral (stone and slag), plastic and natural fibers such as cotton and sheep's wool.

The slabs and rolls have insulation sizes that fit the standard spacing between nails in the wall, attic rafters or beams, and floor joists. Continuous rolls can be manually cut or trimmed to fit any plane profile to prevent tearing. The heater is installed with or without lining. Manufacturers often combine roll materials with a protective layer of kraft paper, foil-kraft paper, or vinyl to provide a vapor barrier and air barrier. Plates with a special refractory surface are produced in various widths for basement walls and other places where their layer will remain open. The cladding also helps facilitate fastening during installation. Nevertheless, uncoated slabs, when used with additional insulation, are the best insulation for walls, the price of which is quite moderate.

Standard fiberglass rolls and slabs have high thermal resistance, but in the latter this figure is one and a half times higher.

concrete blocks

Concrete blocks are used in the construction of a house for the foundation and walls. There are several ways to protect them. If the cores are not occupied by concrete and steel for structural reasons, they can be filled with insulation, which increases the average R-value of the wall. Field studies have shown that the technology of filling with any type of protective material offers little fuel savings, because heat is easily conducted through the remaining solid parts of the walls, joints. It will be more effective to install insulation on the surfaces of the blocks. The price for it is much lower than the cost of heating.

Placing insulation on the inside of load-bearing walls and on the façade has additional advantages over a block containing thermal mass. In an air-conditioned room, such an installation helps to stabilize the temperature.

Some manufacturers include polystyrene beads in concrete blocks. Which increases the R-values ​​of products throughout the volume. Other manufacturers make foamed concrete blocks. They have twice the thermal resistance. Various sizes of insulation help the widespread use of blocks in construction.

There are two types of solid prefabricated autoclaved concrete: wall blocks from and from autoclaved cellular concrete. This material contains about 80% air and is widely used in construction.

Autoclaved concrete is ten times more insulating than conventional concrete. Large blocks are easily sawn and the shape is adjusted using conventional tools. The material absorbs water well, so it needs to be protected from moisture. In the production of precast AAC, fly ash is used instead of silica sand. This distinguishes it from cellular concrete. Ash is formed when coal is burned in power plants and is a practically free material that was previously disposed of.

Also, hollow blocks made from a mixture of concrete and wood shavings are used to create. They are installed by dry laying without the use of mortar. One potential problem with this type of block is that the wood is susceptible to moisture and insect attack.

For walls made of concrete blocks, as a rule, foam insulation is used during the construction of a new house and major repairs, or thermally insulating concrete blocks. Block walls in residential buildings are also insulated indoors.

Foamed rigid boards and fixed formwork

Rigid insulation panels can be used to insulate almost any part of a home, from the roof to the foundation. Insulation "Penoplex" or other rigid plates provide good heat resistance, and also reduce the thermal conductivity of structural elements. The most common types of materials used in the formation of boards are expanded polystyrenes, which include polystyrene, extruded polystyrene foam - "Penoplex", polyisocyanurates and polyurethanes.

Insulating Structural Forms (ICF) are mainly formed for cast concrete structures, which creates walls with the highest thermal resistance.

ICF systems consist of interconnected slabs made of blocks filled with technical insulation or foam blocks. The panels are fastened together with plastic ties. Along with the foam elements, steel reinforcement bars are used, which are added before the concrete is poured. When using foam blocks, steel rods are inside the cavities to strengthen the walls.

Insulation often becomes easy prey for insects and groundwater. To prevent these problems, some manufacturers are making insecticide-treated foam blocks and implementing methods for waterproofing. To properly install the ICF system or insulation (reviews are unanimous here), the help of experienced professionals is needed.

ICF consumers claim that:

  • The insulation demonstrates high quality thermal and waterproofing.
  • It is quite difficult to mount such a system yourself.
  • It has worked great for several years.

Loose types of heaters

Loose insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam or other materials. This mass forms a material that can fill any space without disturbing the structure or finish. This ability to take any form for retrofitting in places where traditional types of insulation cannot be installed makes loose insulation suitable, the price of which is very low. The most common materials of this type are cellulose, fiberglass and mineral fibers. They are produced using recycled waste. Cellulose is made from recycled paper. Fiberglass is made from 20-30% recycled glass. Mineral insulation "TechnoNIKOL" is usually produced by 75% from post-industrial materials. Some less common insulation materials include polystyrene beads, vermiculite, and perlite. Loose insulation can be installed in closed cavities or attics. Cellulose, fiberglass and mineral wool typically require experienced skilled installers to ensure the correct density and high R-value. Polystyrene granules, vermiculite and perlite are usually poured.

Infrared and reflective barriers

Most general insulation systems resist conductive and convective heat flows. The best insulation forms infrared barriers. They reflect radiant thermal energy. Such insulation is installed with the help of specialists.

Infrared barriers are used in homes, usually in attics. First of all, to reduce the influx of heat in summer, reduce cooling costs. The reflective insulation includes highly reflective aluminum foil IR barriers.

These systems are also a variety of substrates in the form of kraft paper, polyethylene film or balls, cardboard, and other heat-insulating products.

Infrared radiation travels in a straight line from any plane and heats up a solid surface, which absorbs the energy. When the sun heats the roof, this is the action of radiant energy. Most of this heat "travels" through the roof to the attic, is conducted along the plane of the roof.

The heated roof material radiates the resulting energy to cooler attic surfaces, including air ducts and attic floors.

The IR barrier reduces the transfer of radiant heat from the underside of the roof to others in the attic. To be effective, the system must face the airspace.

The infrared barrier is a heater whose technical characteristics make it more effective in hot climates, especially when the cooling air channels are located in the attic. Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs by 5% to 10% when used in sunny weather. Reduced heat gain. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of air conditioning. In cool climates, it is generally more cost effective to install thermal insulation.

Rigid fiber insulation

Fiber insulation consists of fiberglass or mineral wool made from stone and slag and is mainly used to protect air ducts in homes. The production technology of such material is not simple. But the TechnoNIKOL mineral wool insulation has a complex of unique properties that are difficult to combine in one product. Especially if there is a need for a material that can withstand high temperatures. Installation is usually carried out by ventilation and air conditioning specialists on the outer surfaces of the ducts. If the insulator is uncoated, then the installation work is completed with reinforcement with cement, canvas and water-repellent mastic. Different thicknesses of insulation provide the desired R-value. The boards are installed in such a way that the seams between them are sealed with pressure sensitive tape or fiberglass and mastic.

Foam sprayers and liquid insulators

Liquid foam is sprayed or poured at the desired location. Some materials may have twice the R-value of conventional materials. Foam wall insulation fills even the smallest cavities, creating an effective air barrier. Today, most of these materials use blowing agents that do not use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), substances harmful to the Earth's ozone layer. Available liquid insulation foam is made from cement, phenol, polyisocyanurate, polyurethane. Some less common types include aisinine and tripolymer. Aisinin can be sprayed or injected, making it the most versatile, and it also has good resistance to air and water penetration. The tripolymer is a water-soluble foam that is injected into a wall cavity. This unique insulator has excellent resistance to fire and air penetration.

Liquid thermal insulation foam combined with a blowing agent is applied using small spray containers. Foamed wall insulation is poured in large quantities on site under pressure. Both types expand and solidify as a mixture. They also conform to the shape of the cavity, filling and sealing it very carefully. Delayed hardening liquid foam is also provided. It is designed to flow around obstacles before expanding and curing. Liquid foam can be poured directly from the container. It is often used for wall cavities in residential buildings.

Installation work

The installation of most types of liquid foam insulation requires special equipment and should be done by an experienced installer.

Once installed, the foam thermal barrier has fire resistance equal to that of drywall. In addition, some building codes do not recognize spraying as a vapor barrier. So such an installation may require additional vapor protection.

Some types of insulation materials can be mounted independently, especially rolled or foam. Others require professional installation.

  • Special skills require insulating concrete blocks, which are laid without mortar. And the surfaces are connected by a configuration or additional structures.
  • Insulation work outside the wall blocks inside a conditional space that can simulate the temperature in the room.
  • The laying of AAC and AAC wall blocks creates 10 times the insulating value compared to conventional concrete.

The maximum thermal performance, or R-value of the insulation, the types of insulation, their characteristics and application significantly affect the requirements for a correct installation.

Nowadays, the issue of insulation of residential buildings is becoming more and more relevant. Building code requirements are increasing in this regard, and the developers themselves want to reduce heat loss and heating costs. To create effective insulation that is safe for the health of residents, you should study the various types of insulation for the house and then apply them for their intended purpose.

  • reduce the cooling of buildings in winter and their heating in summer;
  • protect load-bearing structures from aggressive weather conditions;
  • to minimize temperature deformations of power elements and extend their service life.

Properties of heaters of different types

High-quality material is selected after a comprehensive assessment of various parameters:

1. Low coefficient of thermal conductivity - the smaller it is, the thinner the insulation layer will be. For example, the following views provide the same level of isolation:

  • mineral wool - 14;
  • basalt wool, ecowool - 8.7;
  • expanded polystyrene foam (polystyrene) - 8.3;
  • extruded polystyrene foam (Penoplex) - 6.5 cm.

2. Moisture resistant. If the insulation does not absorb water, it is not prone to shrinkage and retains its insulating characteristics longer. The most moisture resistant is Penoplex, and the most hygroscopic is mineral wool. To make mineral wool insulation more water resistant, manufacturers impregnate them with special compounds.

3. Fire resistance. Absolutely non-combustible are inorganic fibrous heaters. Expanded polystyrenes, polyurethane foam ignite easily, releasing toxic substances. Low-flammable penoizol (carbamide foam) at a temperature of 200 ° C only chars, while it is non-toxic. To prevent foam and ecowool from supporting fire, flame retardants are added to them, changing the combustibility group from G4 to G1 (from high to low).

4. Vapor permeability. With internal roof insulation, the material must remove wet vapors from rooms and building structures. Mineral, basalt and ecowool, penoizol (have a capillary structure) pass steam well. They are applicable for installation on all types of surfaces, do not allow them to rot. Expanded polystyrene plates do not differ in such qualities and are recommended for outdoor work.


Thermal insulation overview

According to the type of raw materials, three types of heaters are distinguished:

1. Inorganic (natural). This includes materials made from melted glass or quartz sand (glass wool); rocks (basalt). The first variety is light yellow, weighs somewhat less and is elastic. Stone wool is more fire resistant. The best brands of insulation have a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.032 W / m ° C (maximum - 0.045 W / m ° C). The price of mineral wool, depending on the thickness and density, ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles / m3.

2. Organic (synthetic).

  • Polyfoam and Penoplex. They are made of polystyrene and have low thermal conductivity (0.035-0.045 W/m°C). The average price of expanded polystyrene foam is from 1,000, extruded - from 3,500 rubles / m3.
  • Polyurethane foam properties are better than expanded polystyrene and mineral wool. Spraying 1 m2 of a five-centimeter layer of foam costs 500 rubles.
  • Penoizol is a liquid foam produced directly at the construction site and pumped into the space between the structural elements of buildings. This type of thermal insulation outperforms traditional insulation in many ways: it is resistant to moisture and at the same time “breathes”, it is low-flammable and does not emit toxic smoke. Its thermal conductivity is 1.5 times lower than that of expanded polystyrenes. The average cost of a cubic meter of insulation is 1,500 rubles / m3.

3. Mixed.

  • Ecowool. It consists of 80% waste paper, the remaining 20% ​​are flame retardants. The material is presented in the form of a loose fiber blown into insulated cavities. Thermal conductivity indicators are the same as those of expanded polystyrenes. The price of insulation together with work is from 1,500 (dry method) to 4,500 rubles / m3 (wet blowing).
  • Foam glass is characterized by high hardness, incombustibility. It sticks well and cuts well. Its disadvantages are poor vapor permeability and cost - from 14,000 rubles / m3.

Sometimes exotic “ecological heaters” based on clay, straw, and reeds are offered for insulation. They, like inorganic backfills (expanded perlite, vermiculite and expanded clay), are characterized by high thermal conductivity and are ineffective.


Types of heaters depending on the purpose

For proper selection of insulation, its comprehensive assessment is needed. Applicability depends not only on the properties of insulating materials, but also on structural elements, the expected location of cold bridges (this is determined, among other things, by architectural features).

Different nodes of the same building are insulated in different ways.

  • Cellars, ground floors, balconies and loggias. For external insulation use Penoplex. It is stronger than polystyrene, withstands loads up to 0.5 MPa, and is not afraid of water. When in the ground, the probability of its ignition is small.
  • External wall insulation. For a wooden house, blowing with penoizol is acceptable. The properties and characteristics of the insulation make it possible to fill all the cavities between the bars, and also enable the wood to "breathe". For insulation of brick, foam and gas-block houses, glass wool, Penoplex is used.
  • Roof. If there are enough funds, polyurethane foam is sprayed on it. The traditional roof insulation is mineral wool, protected by a layer of waterproofing. Manufacturers produce it, varying not only the size, but also the density. Roll options are good - they do not burden the structure.
  • Walls, ceiling and floor. When choosing insulation for walls, they often prefer more environmentally friendly and low-combustible inorganic materials. Mineral wool insulation is placed in a frame on which drywall is attached. They do the same with the ceiling: the plates are covered with a vapor barrier - this protects them from moisture, and the residents of the house - from the penetration of fibers into the respiratory system. If there are lags, you can blow out the overlap with ecowool. The floor in the house is insulated by filling expanded clay (at least 100 mm) or by laying Penoplex sheets on the base. It is then poured with a finishing screed, laying a reinforcing mesh. Concrete prevents the synthetic material from igniting.

Knowing the features of various thermal insulators and using the practical experience of professional builders make it possible to create optimal living conditions in the house.

In any temperature regime, thermal insulation will not hurt. If it is carried out correctly, then in winter the rooms will become noticeably warmer, and in summer - cooler. Wall insulation allows you to create a comfortable microclimate, which applies not only to residential apartments and houses, but also to work premises. Having visited the store, you can be sure that modern manufacturers offer a wide range of thermal insulation for sale. It has the form of bundles, rolls, granules, powders, as well as perlite sand. In addition, thermal insulation can be represented by slabs, blocks, bricks and cylinders.

If you understand the characteristics, then you can choose the option of insulation that is needed. The main property of thermal insulation is its thermal conductivity, it indicates how much heat passes through this material. To date, two types of thermal insulation are known:

The first type allows you to reduce heat consumption, which is ensured by a decrease in infrared radiation. Preventive thermal insulation is used in most cases and involves the use of insulation with low thermal conductivity. The following materials can be used in this capacity:

Organic based preventive thermal insulation

Considering the types of insulation, you should pay attention to those that are made on an organic basis. They are widely represented on the modern market, and natural raw materials are used for their manufacture, such as waste from woodworking and the agricultural industry. The composition of such heaters includes cement and plastic.

The material is highly resistant to fire, it does not react to biological influences and does not get wet. Use it where the surface does not heat up above 150 °C. Organic insulation is used as an inner layer in the construction of multilayer structures. This includes plastered facades or triple panels.

Characteristics of wood concrete insulation

Thermal insulation on an organic basis is just wood concrete insulation, which is a new building material from:

It is based on chemical elements and cement. The additives are:

  • soluble glass;
  • sulfate alumina;
  • calcium chloride.

At the final stage of manufacturing arbolite thermal insulation, the material is processed with a mineralizer. This type of insulation has a density ranging from 500 to 700 kg / m 3. The compressive strength reaches 3.5 MPa. The thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.12 W/(m·K) maximum. It is also important to know the ultimate bending strength, it reaches 1 MPa.

Appointment and use of wood concrete

Considering the type of insulation described above, you should become more familiar with its purpose. It is used for the construction of partitions and walls in private low-rise construction. Products can be presented:

  • floor slabs;
  • panels;
  • blocks.

The former are used for floor and roof insulation. As for floor slabs, they are reinforced with reinforced concrete structures. For monolithic construction, an arbolite solution is used. To date, another type of this insulation is known - hemp concrete, the filler of which is hemp fire.

Arbolite blocks for thermal insulation are laid after applying a layer of mixture for installation. Next, a block is installed, which must first be moistened with water. The product is pressed against the previous one, its position can be adjusted relative to the main masonry using a hammer with a rubber nozzle. Excess mixture will need to be removed with a trowel. Work can only be carried out at an air temperature of at least +6 °C. The solution should be quite thick, because if its consistency is liquid, then the material will shrink.

Characteristics of insulation from chipboard

Considering the types of insulation, you should pay attention to the thermal insulation of chipboard, which is based on small chips. It is 9/10 of the volume of the material, but the rest is an antiseptic, synthetic resins, water repellent and antiprene. The density of this material is 1000 kg/m 3 maximum. The minimum value is 500.

You may also be interested in humidity, it varies from 5 to 12% for this thermal insulation. The tensile strength reaches 0.5 MPa. Absorption of the material reaches 30% of the volume. The minimum value is 5%. You may also be interested in tensile strength, it reaches 0.5 MPa.

Characteristics of polyurethane foam

Before choosing one or another solution, you should consider the types and characteristics of heaters. Among other options, polyurethane foam thermal insulation, which is based on polyester, should be highlighted. The ingredients are added:

The components under the influence of the catalyst enter into a chemical reaction, and a new substance appears. It has a high level of noise absorption, is not afraid of moisture and is chemically inert. Polyurethane foam insulation is an excellent insulation, because it is applied by spraying, so the master has the opportunity to process the ceiling and walls with a complex configuration. Cold bridges are excluded.

This sprayed insulation has a density that reaches 80 kg / m 3. When this figure reaches 50 kg / m 3, polyurethane foam becomes moisture resistant. You may also be interested in the coefficient of thermal conductivity, it reaches 0.028 W / (m K). This parameter is the best among modern thermal insulation materials.

Appointment of polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam has unique properties due to which it is widely used in various fields of human activity. This thermal insulation is used for insulating internal and external walls, window openings, etc. This material can be found on construction sites of capital residential buildings, cottages, individual houses, warehouse hangars, potato storages and vegetable storages.

This sprayed insulation has quite important advantages, which are expressed in the bearing and heat-insulating abilities. Efficiency is enhanced when polyurethane foam forms the basis of sandwich panels used in the construction of prefabricated civil facilities. The latter may also have an industrial purpose. The cold resistance of the material is quite high, as is the waterproofing ability.

Fiberboard characteristics

When choosing insulation for your home, you should pay attention to fiberboard, which is thin and narrow wood shavings called wood wool. Cement or a magnesite component is added to them, which ultimately makes it possible to obtain fibrolite. It is offered for sale in the form of plates.

The material is not afraid of biological and chemical influences, perfectly protects against noise and can be used in humid conditions, such as in swimming pools. This insulation for the house has a density reaching 500 kg / m 3. The fire resistance of thermal insulation is quite high. The thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.1 W/(m K).

Appointment and use of fiberboard

Fiberboard is used for thermal insulation of coatings and walls, and structural - for frame walls, partitions and ceilings, but only in dry conditions. Today, the main use of fiberboard is expressed in the installation of fixed formwork during construction.

The slabs are not removed, according to the principle of some other types of formwork, they perform a constructive function and become part of the wall or ceiling. As for the features of use, the plates are installed in parallel at a certain distance, which will determine the thickness of the wall. After fastening, pouring with a solution, most often with concrete, is carried out. Then the system of liquid mixture and formwork is left until it hardens.

Characteristics of ecowool

Ecowool is made from waste paper and cardboard production. If you use waste paper for this, then the material will not be of such high quality. It will become contaminated faster, in addition, it will be heterogeneous. Among other important characteristics, sound insulation should be highlighted, which in this case is very high. A layer with a thickness of 1.5 cm will absorb 9 dB of extraneous noise.

The ability for thermal insulation is also impressive, but the minus is its decrease during operation. Over time, ecowool loses up to 1/5 of its volume. It absorbs moisture well, this parameter can reach 15% of the volume. When laying according to the continuous spraying method, there are no seams, which is an undoubted advantage.

Appointment and application of ecowool

The coating is widely used for sound and thermal insulation of various premises, which may have industrial, residential and public purposes. And you can use the material for thermal insulation of the facade, insulation of walls, roofs and attics. Mostly the work is carried out by dry blowing, but the material can be applied over existing insulation.

This roof insulation allows you to get a seamless coating that solves the problem of icicles. Blowing involves the use of a special installation, in the bunker of which cotton wool is loosened, and then fed through a hose with a nozzle. This application method allows the material to penetrate into hard-to-reach areas, closing all cracks and gaps.

Cellulose insulation for the roof can be used in the repair of operated facilities and in the construction of new ones. Open blowing is used to isolate horizontal and inclined surfaces, among them are:

Inorganic heat insulators: mineral wool

Mineral wool can be stone or slag. For the production of the latter, slags formed during the casting of non-ferrous and ferrous metals are used. Stone wool is based on rocks, and a component based on phenol or urea is used to bind them. The first is the most suitable, because the mineral wool in this case is less afraid of water than the one that contains urea. Flammability of this material is zero.

It is able to counteract the spread of fire, so it can be used as a fire protection agent. Chemical passivity is high, but hygroscopicity is low. The material is characterized by excellent sound absorption, therefore mineral wool is used very often as a sound insulator.

Some characteristics and purpose of insulation from the manufacturer "Rockwool"

When choosing Rockwool insulation, you will need to understand its varieties. Among others, LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC should be highlighted. This material represents the best product in its class. It has a new level of quality and is used for private housing construction.

The price per square meter ranges from 81.59 to 244.72 rubles. The cost varies depending on the size of the plates. In the first case, the parameters of the product are 800 x 600 x 50 mm, while in the second they are 1200 x 600 x 150 mm. Basalt insulation is light hydrophobized stone wool slabs based on basalt rocks.

The product is unique, and its compression reaches 70%. Rockwool insulation has excellent recoverability. It retains its original characteristics in all respects. Another advantage of basalt insulation is the use of a unique technology that provides for the ability of the plates to be compressed from one side, providing springiness. Thanks to this, the material on a metal or wooden frame is much easier to install.

Thermal insulation with foil coating: purpose and application

Foil insulation can be based on different materials. The use of this insulation depends on the properties of the place where the work will be carried out; the characteristics of the material itself also matter. When laying such a layer on the floor, it is possible to increase the heat transfer from radiators, to isolate air ducts and pipelines. An excellent effect can be achieved by installing foil insulation on entrance doors, balconies, verandas and in the canopy. Before installing such material, small nails, a nail puller, a hammer and a construction stapler should be prepared. Among other things, you will also need foil construction tape. The foil should be on the inside. It is a reflector and will return heat radiation to the inside. Sometimes thermal insulation is laid on the other side, but this effect can no longer be achieved.

The purpose of the insulation brand "Izover"

Insulation "Izover" is a material made of mineral wool. It is sold in slabs and rolls, and is also made on the basis of high quality stone fiber. Thermal insulation is made from natural materials, including:

With the help of insulation "Izover" you can achieve excellent heat and sound insulation of buildings. This solution is used to insulate the facades of houses, roofs and walls, and also acts as an excellent thermal insulation for the floor. Insulation with roll insulation allows you to get a low coefficient of thermal conductivity of the surface. The material has a special fiber structure that provides excellent acoustic properties and reduces noise levels.

Thermal insulation for pipes

Today, many materials are used for pipes, among which polyethylene foam should be distinguished. This solution is characterized by high resistance to aggressive environments and impressive strength. Such a heater for pipes is produced in the form of tubes of different diameters. The pores have a closed structure, which guarantees no absorption of moisture from the external environment.

Some brands of such heaters are foil-coated and are used to minimize heat loss. Insulation for pipes can also be represented by foamed polyurethane foam. This insulation is one of the most common today and is installed by spraying onto the surface, which ensures a snug fit to the surface. Polyurethane foam withstands extremely high and low temperatures, while the properties do not decrease, and each cell remains sealed.

Thermal insulation from the manufacturer "TechnoNIKOL"

Insulation "TechnoNIKOL" is represented by a material based on rocks of the gabbro-basalt group. By purchasing this thermal insulation, you are buying stone wool, which is a non-combustible material, and the melting of the fibers occurs only at a temperature of 1000 ° C and above. This thermal insulation provides sound-absorbing and acoustic properties of surfaces. Mineral thermal insulation includes:

This TechnoNIKOL insulation in different forms is distinguished by raw materials that are used in the production process.

The use of siding with thermal insulation

Siding with a layer of thermal insulation is installed in several stages. On the first, it is necessary to strengthen the corner and side type strips to the surface. Before starting these works, it is necessary to carry out markup, draw lines that you will be guided by during the workflow. After that, you can proceed with the installation of siding with insulation.

For this, it is necessary to use self-tapping screws, which will be located around the entire perimeter of window and door openings. As for the latter, they are framed with planks so that the installation of the cladding is not accompanied by difficulties. After that, you can proceed to fixing the panels. You need to start from the bottom corner of the load-bearing wall.

Thermal insulation under plaster

Under plaster, you can use many different materials for thermal insulation of walls. Mineral wool, which has been popular for many years, is suitable for this. Styrofoam also acts as a heater for walls under plaster. However, it has a number of restrictions on its use. This is expressed in low resistance to high temperatures. This applies even to the most modern types of foam, which contain special fire retardants.

Conclusion

On the modern market of building materials for thermal insulation of different surfaces, a huge variety of solutions are presented. Before making a choice, you must evaluate several factors, among others and the most important, it is necessary to highlight the technical characteristics. The purpose and features of the operation of thermal insulation depend on them. If you do not comply with the requirements that apply to the external environment when installing insulation, then you may encounter its low efficiency and the need to replace the heat-insulating layer.

Insulation: types, characteristics, purpose and application


In any temperature regime, thermal insulation will not hurt. If it is carried out correctly, then in winter the rooms will become noticeably warmer, and in summer - cooler. Wall insulation allows you to create a comfortable microclimate, which applies not only to residential apartments and houses, but also to work premises.

Overview of types and characteristics of heaters, their scope

Today, the market offers the consumer various types of heaters that differ in cost, installation and thermal conductivity. In addition to these indicators, it is necessary to pay attention to other characteristics in order to have an idea of ​​​​the correct application of thermal insulation in the construction of a house.

A comprehensive assessment of the material will help you choose the right insulation for your home. The use of different types of thermal insulation depends not only on their properties, but also on the architectural features of the building, the thermal conductivity of individual structural elements, as well as the proposed cold bridges. The insulation of each node of the house is performed with different materials.

External insulation of the loggia, balcony, basement is made with foam. Due to the fact that it can withstand loads up to 0.5 MPa and is resistant to moisture, the insulation is optimally suited for exterior decoration of basements. Penoplex, being under the ground, is protected from fire and retains all its properties.

Heat insulators for exterior wall decoration of the house are selected depending on the material from which the structural element is built. Wooden houses are best blown with penoizol. The high-pressure foam fills all cracks and its structure allows the wood to breathe. The high price does not always allow the use of penoizol. As a replacement option, you can lay mineral wool. Walls made of concrete, gas blocks and other similar materials are insulated with foam or glass wool. Although, in government building, they are more inclined to use glass wool because of its resistance to fire.

Inside the house, the walls and ceiling are insulated with non-combustible materials. Usually these are mineral wool mats laid in a frame. From above they are closed with a vapor barrier, which prevents the penetration of moisture to the mats and fleecy fiber into the room. If there is a lag, the overlap is blown with ecowool. To insulate the floor, a 100 mm expanded clay backfill is made, plus foam slabs are laid. A concrete screed poured from above prevents the insulation from igniting, and a reinforcing mesh gives strength to the floors.

A modern and very practical insulation for the roof is polyurethane foam. It is applied by spraying. But its high price is not affordable for everyone. Most often, traditional insulation is used for roofing - mineral wool. It is produced in different sizes in the form of mats and rolls.

Properly selected according to its characteristics, the insulation will create comfortable living conditions inside the room.

Overview of thermal insulation materials

Preventive types of insulation are most often used to finish various elements of the house structure. They have a low thermal conductivity.

Organic-based insulation is made from wood and agricultural waste. To improve the properties, cement and plastic are added to natural raw materials. The result is insulation that is resistant to fire and moisture. It can withstand temperatures up to 150 degrees. The scope is extensive, but mainly used as an internal insulation of a multi-layer roof or facade structure.

Another name for the material is wood concrete. It is made from sawdust, chopped straw or reeds with the addition of cement, as well as chemical hardeners. It has a density of up to 800 kg/m3 and a thermal conductivity coefficient of up to 0.12 W/m/K. Arbolit is divided into two types:

  • Structural - contains most of the cement, which is reflected in the high density - 800 kg / m3. Designed for building walls.
  • Heat-insulating - has a lower density of 500 kg / m3 and a greater proportion of wood filler. It is used as a heat insulator for load-bearing walls, as well as for the construction of partitions.

The release form is:

  • Ready-made blocks of different sizes.
  • Monolithic production takes place directly on the construction site. The material is immediately used to insulate walls or floors.

If we talk about the shape of the finished product, then it is represented by even blocks of different sizes, blocks with a recess and slabs combined with concrete. The average cost of wood concrete from different manufacturers ranges from 4 to 6 thousand rubles / m3.

Another name for the material is cellulose insulation. Made from recycled paper or wood waste. The addition of antiseptics protects ecowool from being eaten by rodents and insects. Antipyrines create the effect of self-extinguishing, which increases the resistance to heat up to +232 °C. Ecowool has a high moisture absorption rate of up to 15%, and a 1.5 cm layer absorbs up to 9 dB of extraneous noise.

The approximate cost is about 30 rubles / kg.

This material is considered the best floor insulation, as well as the inner surface of the walls of the house. It is made only from natural raw materials without chemical additives in the form of rolls or plates. The basis of the insulation is cork oak bark. The natural glue suberin contained in it allows you to abandon artificial adhesives. Cork is not edible to insects and is rot resistant. The material is divided into two types:

  • white agglomerate is made from the bark of oak branches;
  • black agglomerate is made from bark taken from a tree trunk.

Cork can be used as a base for wallpaper or as a finish. Thin rolled material has found its application as a substrate for a laminate. The price of such natural material is quite high. Depending on the modifications, the cost ranges from 800 to 4 thousand rubles. rub./m2.

Honeycomb heat insulator

The structure of the material consists of hexagonal cells like a honeycomb. Inside they are filled with fabric or paper filler, bonded with epoxy resin. Phenolic resins can be used as a fixative. In appearance, honeycomb panels resemble plastic. The characteristic of the material depends on the raw materials used in the production of the base. For example, the density of the sheet may be from 230 to 500 kg/m2.

Foam-polyvinyl chloride

PPVC heat insulator is made from foamed resins. This structure is given to them by the porousization method. The material is made soft and hard, which gives it versatility. PPVC is suitable for roof, floor and wall insulation. Its density is 0.1 kg/m3.

Many people think that chipboard is just a building material. But as a heater, the plates have proven themselves on the good side. Their base is small sawdust bonded with synthetic resin. The density of the plates varies from 500 to 1 thousand kg/m3, and the water absorption is 5–30%.

The use of chipboard as a heater is justified for floors, walls and ceilings. The cost of the sheets is quite low, suitable for every developer. Depending on the size, a sheet can be bought for 400–900 rubles. Plates are used as the basis for the installation of a soft roof.

fibreboard

The fiberboard board looks like chipboard. Its base consists of fibers of straw, corn or any wood. It is even possible to use waste paper. Synthetic resins are added as an adhesive. The density of fiberboard is small compared to chipboard, only up to 250 kg / m3, and the thermal conductivity is 0.07 W / m / K, plus low strength.

The scope is the same as for chipboard. Low cost ranges up to 800 rubles. per sheet.

polyurethane foam

Lightweight insulation has a unique closed cell structure, which creates the lowest thermal conductivity compared to other heaters. PPU is formed from the interaction of liquid components, polyester and MDI. The action of catalysts creates a chemical reaction, the result of which is the formation of a new substance. The density of the insulation is 40-80 kg / m3, and the thermal conductivity of PPU is about 0.028 W / m / K.

PPU is applied to the insulated surface by spraying, which allows you to process any difficult areas. The optimal use of polyurethane foam is the insulation of the roof and wooden walls of the house. The cost of the material, together with the spraying work, is quite high and can reach $200/m3.

Another name for insulation is mipora. It is obtained on the basis of a whipped aqueous emulsion of urea-formaldehyde resin. Glycerin and sulfonic acid are used as additives. Mipora comes to the consumer in blocks or crumbs. Liquid it is used at a construction site. The mipora poured into the prepared cavities hardens at a positive temperature.

Low density up to 20 kg/m3 contributes to strong water absorption. The thermal conductivity index is 0.03 W/m/K. Not afraid of fire.

Styrofoam and extruded polystyrene foam

These two insulations consist of 2% polystyrene and 98% air. The thermal conductivity index is 0.037–0.042 W/m/K. They differ from each other in structure. Styrofoam consists of small balls, and polystyrene foam resembles foam rubber when broken.

Polystyrene is flammable and emits toxic smoke. Styrofoam is afraid of moisture, so it is more used for facade insulation. Extruded polystyrene foam can be in wet ground for a long time, so it is more suitable for external basement insulation. The cost of the material is low.

A common insulation for walls and roofs is mineral wool. It is of two types:

  • slag wool is made from casting waste of dissimilar metal;
  • Stone wool is made from rocks such as basalt, limestone, etc.

The material is not combustible, resistant to chemical attack, has a low cost. Produced in slabs and rolls.

glass wool

The material differs from mineral wool in larger fibers. The basis of production is the raw material used for the manufacture of glass. The thermal conductivity index is from 0.03 to 0.052 W / m / K, and the density is not more than 130 kg / m3. Glass wool is also popular for insulating roofs and walls.

ceramic wool

Produced by blowing zirconium, silicon or aluminum oxide. Cotton wool is resistant to high temperatures and does not deform. The thermal conductivity index at +600°C is from 0.13 to 0.16 W/m/K, and the density is not more than 350 kg/m3. It is used for insulation of facades and roofs of buildings.

Mixed heater

Materials are produced from asbestos mixtures with the addition of perlite, dolomite and other components. The initial state of the material resembles dough. They cover the surface prepared for insulation and leave to dry completely.

An example of a mixed type material is vulcanite and sovelite. Their thermal conductivity is 0.2 W/m/K. The cost of insulation is low, but it is dangerous to human health.

Reflective materials

Foil is used as a reflector, and foamed polyethylene creates a thermal barrier. The material has a thin structure up to 25 mm thick, but its effectiveness is equal to 100 mm thick fibrous insulation. One popular example is penofol.

Reflective thermal insulation simultaneously plays the role of a vapor barrier, so it is convenient to use it in baths and saunas. The cost of the material is low and accessible to everyone.

The main types of insulation considered today and their characteristics will help you make the right choice of material for certain building needs.

Heaters - types and characteristics, application, price of materials


Review of heaters used for thermal insulation of buildings. Their characteristics, types, application features and prices.

Types of insulation for the house and walls of wooden and frame houses

There is a wide choice of heaters for wooden houses, they can be used to insulate the house from the outside, and some even inside the house. What types are suitable for a frame house? Which is the best, consider their characteristics in this article! Properly carried out thermal insulation will not be superfluous in any climatic conditions.

  • What types of heaters and why to use?

When it is done correctly, then under its “protection” it will not only be warmer in the house in winter, but also noticeably cooler in summer.

In addition, saving heat is an obvious financial savings. It is completely unreasonable to heat the street, given that the technologies used today provide an opportunity to start saving energy resources already at the initial stage of construction work. Most of all, the use of insulation is needed for those parts of the building that are more adjacent to the external environment - the floor, walls and roof.

What types of heaters and why to use?

The main types of heaters

Today there is a division of materials of this group directly at their destination. They also differ in appearance and shape.

On sale there are quite rigid piece heaters (plates, segments, cylinders, etc.), flexible products (cords, wide and narrow mats, bundles), as well as loose ones (perlite sand, vermiculite and cotton wool).

By structure, they can be divided into fibrous, granular and cellular.

According to the nature of the main raw materials, materials for thermal insulation are traditionally divided into organic and inorganic.

How to choose a heater?

Floor insulation

The decision to insulate the floor may be due to the desire to have a more constant temperature at home. When choosing a floor insulation, comparing the characteristics of various materials, preference is given to one that can withstand the considerable pressure exerted on it. In this case, its performance during compression will be important.

Well, and an indispensable requirement is the ability to maintain insulating qualities, even when exposed to heavy loads and exposure to moisture.

Types of wall insulation

Heaters for the walls of the house

Thermal insulation for this category is completely different, in addition, its type depends on the specific place of application - outside or inside the house.

For outdoor use, the use of basalt mineral wool, which is distinguished by its ability to keep its shape and durability, is considered ideal. In the course of even long-term operation, it does not become thinner, does not cake or compact.

From the inside of the building, the insulation is carried out on the basis of the possibly permissible insulating layer: the layout features do not always make it possible to make it sufficiently voluminous.

A more modern way– use of paint with a ceramic base. Its layer can be small, and it is much easier to observe the tightness conditions.

Ceiling and its insulation

Mineral wool for ceiling insulation

To insulate the ceiling, mineral wool is constantly in high demand..

This is not at all surprising: it can be quite simply laid out in interfloor ceilings or in a truss frame, in the amount necessary for this. During operation, nothing threatens her there, thereby ensuring the initially high quality of insulation.

If we neglect the unique qualities of wool and the ease of its installation, then other suitable means for thermal insulation could be sawdust with clay or ordinary slag. However, these substances have not found wide application due to their considerable cost and rather complicated installation process.

Mineral wool

This name combines several different subspecies of thermal insulation materials of this type. These are slag, stone and glass wool. This insulator is made by processing metallurgical alloys or melts of various rocks: a special synthetic binder is introduced into the resulting vitreous fiber.

The material produced in this way has excellent sound and heat insulating qualities, besides it is not combustible, and therefore does not pose a fire hazard. But a huge part of the wonderful qualities of a heater can be irretrievably lost when it gets wet. This should be taken into account.

Cotton wool stone

This is a fibrous material that goes on sale in the form of rolls and portioned plates, and has an extremely low thermal conductivity.

The highest quality product is made from rocks called gabbro-basalt. This non-combustible material is used with equal success in the construction of private facilities and the construction of various production facilities. A wide range of use is also explained by the possibility of its use at extremely high t, reaching a rate of one thousand degrees.

The insulation's complete immunity to fire is complemented by its excellent moisture resistance. This is a hydrophobic material, the peculiarity of which is that it does not absorb water, but repels it.

This ensures that the insulation remains dry even after a long period of time. This, in turn, will allow her to maintain her high working qualities. The unique properties of basalt wool make it possible to use it even in boiler rooms, baths and saunas, where both high humidity and high temperature are combined. Strength in this case is not directly dependent on the density of the material.

This is a fairly soft material, while having a sufficient margin of safety. Its structural stability is due to the special arrangement of the individual constituent fibers - chaotic and vertical. The material has high anti-corrosion properties.

It can quite peacefully coexist with concrete and metal, without the occurrence of various kinds of chemical reactions. High biological stability provides him with immunity to various biological pests: damage by insects and rodents, the occurrence of fungal diseases, the development of rot and mold.

The basalt insulation passed the combustion test, but the organic heaters burned out

Basalt rock is the main raw material for the production of this type of wool.. Processing with formaldehyde resins gives the material a sufficient level of strength, and the modern technologies used in this process guarantee the complete elimination of harmful phenols even at the stage of material production.

The final product that reaches the consumer is a harmless and environmentally friendly material with high insulating qualities.

It is actively used for floor insulation of residential and industrial premises, for thermal insulation of roofs and facades, including as an external insulation.

Glass wool


This fibrous material is made from a mass of molten glass.
Based on it, two types of insulation can be found on sale - soft mats rolled into rolls and hard slabs.

The product is characterized by high strength and excellent elasticity. As a coupling, or binding agent, as in the previous case, recycled formaldehyde resins are used.

Although not all the wonderful properties of basalt wool are inherent in its glass counterpart, it has its own special qualities. It has high plasticity, which significantly facilitates the stages of working with it, and allows you to significantly compress the material during its installation. But during operation, glass wool can cake and lose its original shape. Glass fiber is highly hygroscopic and can accumulate moisture from the external environment, accumulating it in its thickness.

We insulate the frame house with foam

Styrofoam is a fairly solid, shape-holding slab material widely used for thermal insulation of roofs, walls, floors and ceilings: both outside and inside. It is based on expanded polystyrene foam granules.

It goes on sale in plates of 1 by 2 meters, with different thicknesses: from two centimeters to half a meter. Its characteristics can vary markedly, which is why the material is selected in each case strictly individually.

Depending on the manufacturing process, two different types of foam can be obtained using virtually the same raw material:

  • a porous substance is called a porous substance, the individual cavities of which communicate with each other. Further, they are also subdivided into mipore, polyvinyl chloride foam, polyurethane foam and polystyrene foam;
  • foam directly - the contents of individual granules in it do not come into contact with the environment and neighboring cavities.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam in the form of bricks

Expanded polystyrene is a material that belongs to plastics with a cellular structure, has almost all the qualities necessary for thermal insulation, it:

  • easy;
  • hard;
  • not afraid of water;
  • biological infections.
  • But due to low fire resistance, it is recommended to use it at t not higher than 150 degrees.

To improve this quality, special fire retardants are added to the insulation at the production stage. The symbol "C" is added to the name of such material, and it is called self-extinguishing. The operational qualities of polystyrene made it a fairly popular material.

Sprayed polyurethane foam

Spraying on the wall

It is a foam material that can be applied by spraying through a special apparatus. It consists of polyisocyanate, polyester polyol and various additives.

The adhesive properties of the material allow it to be fearlessly applied even on vertical surfaces. It has excellent adhesion to concrete, plaster, roofing material, metal, gas silicate blocks.

The material is quite successfully used for insulation:

  1. internal;
  2. outer walls;
  3. flat and pitched roofs;
  4. ground floors;
  5. foundations;
  6. cellars;
  7. joints between structures.

This cellulose insulation is made on the basis of cardboard and paper waste. Its properties are actually determined by the constituent substances. In addition to the usual secondary cellulose, some foreign manufacturers also use hay, cotton waste, and sawdust. At 81%, the material consists of carefully processed cellulose, while 12% is a mandatory antiseptic.


The missing 7% is accounted for by specially added flame retardants.
Insulation fibers contain lignin, which becomes sticky with increasing humidity. All elements included in the insulation are non-toxic, absolutely non-volatile and harmless to health. Cellulose insulation is not amenable to combustion, rotting processes, has excellent soundproofing and heat-insulating performance.

Ecowool can retain approximately 20% moisture while maintaining its working qualities. The material releases moisture to the outside and dries quickly, retaining all its performance. The disadvantage of ecowool can be considered the difficulty of its manual application to the surface, as well as the impossibility of arranging a “floating floor” due to its inherent softness.

Another name for the material is carbamide foam. This is a modern material with high sound and heat insulating characteristics, which is a cheap insulation. It is a cellular organic foam with particularly low density and low thermal conductivity. The material has a high resistance to fire, resistance to microorganisms, low price. It is easy to handle and has an air content of up to 90%.

Insulation of the attic with penoizol

The tests carried out demonstrated the capabilities of the material. It turned out that the time of its operation, as the middle layer of the structure of the frame structure, is actually not limited by anything. Tests of its fire resistance showed that the material can be safely classified as slow-burning.

This is the only heat-insulating material of polymer nature used, which is not at all adapted to self-combustion. Its fire resistance index refers it to the G2 flammability subgroup.

This is a special foil material (on both sides or only on one). It is a fabric made of polyethylene foam, covered on the outside with a highly polished aluminum foil. This is a multi-layered vapor, sound and heat insulating material that combines completely different qualities.

Isocom insulation with foil

With a minimum thickness of the insulating layer, it provides excellent heat reflection properties, successfully combined with the highest (almost maximum) thermal resistance. Properly installed material is characterized by exceptionally effective thermal insulation of the building along its entire contour.

It is a harmless, environmentally friendly material that does not pose a threat to the ozone layer. It does not contain glass or other fibers that are unsafe for human and animal health.

Without changing its exceptional properties, it serves for about 50 years, without deforming or being damaged during all this time.

Installation is quite simple and very convenient: it does not require special equipment. Excellent protection against steam and moisture. Used almost everywhere.

What types of heaters are there and which one to choose for the house?


How to choose a heater? Overview of all types of insulation for walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, attics. Wooden and frame house. Consider cheap options, find out!

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What are the types of insulation - 4 groups of thermal insulation materials for housing construction

Solving the problem of energy saving and the most efficient use of thermal energy is one of the highest priority tasks in individual housing construction today. For this reason, it is very important for the future owner of private housing to know which modern types of insulation are best used in a particular case, in the process of building or reconstructing your own home.

Criteria for the selection of thermal insulation materials

Currently, in building hypermarkets you can find a huge number of different thermal insulation materials, which differ significantly from each other not only in price, but also in their technical properties and performance characteristics.

In order to make it easier for the reader to understand the whole variety of such products, I have compiled an overview instruction in which I will talk about the main distinguishing properties and main technical characteristics of the most popular types of insulation.

First of all, I would like to dwell in detail on the description of the main consumer and operational qualities, which ideally should correspond to materials for external and internal insulation of housing:

  1. It is probably easy to guess that The most important quality of any thermal insulation material is its low thermal conductivity.. In most cases, this is achieved due to the low specific gravity and the large number of small pores capable of holding atmospheric air, which in itself has a very low heat transfer coefficient;

  1. Since the thermal insulation material is installed from the side of the street, it should not absorb moisture from the surrounding air, and should not collapse or change its properties when exposed to direct water. Despite the fact that almost all types of insulation are considered moisture resistant, some materials with a fibrous structure or open pores partially lose their heat-insulating qualities when wet;
  2. An important condition for ensuring a normal microclimate indoors is the ability of insulated walls to pass air and water vapor through them, therefore, the outer insulation must be vapor-permeable. The best vapor permeability is just possessed by materials with open pores and a fibrous structure;

  1. The insulation is located in close proximity to building structures, and in some cases is installed indoors, therefore, for fire safety purposes, it must be made of non-combustible or self-extinguishing material, which does not support combustion by itself.
  2. Under conditions of low temperature, poor ventilation and high humidity, favorable conditions are created for the development of mold fungus and putrefactive bacteria. For this reason, I do not recommend outdoor materials based on vegetable fibers or with the addition of organic components, as they can become a hotbed for the formation of mold, as well as food for mice, rats and other rodents or pests;

Summary table comparing the technical characteristics of thermal insulation materials.

In addition to all of the above, when choosing materials for thermal insulation, I advise you to pay attention to their cost, manufacturer's guarantees, as well as the complexity and convenience of doing their own laying and installation work, since their durability and quality of the final result of work will depend on this.

Group 1. Rigid porous mineral insulation

Modern projects of low-rise buildings for individual housing construction are initially developed taking into account the use of energy-saving technologies. For this reason, external load-bearing walls and internal interior partitions in such houses are built from ready-made building blocks made of lightweight porous foam and aerated concrete.

These materials have sufficient bearing capacity, pass air and water vapor well, and at the same time they themselves have good heat and sound insulation properties:

  1. Foam concrete is a hardened foamed cement-sand mixture, from which, in the process of solidification, ready-made blocks or slabs of the required size are formed. Due to the large number of small air bubbles, which are evenly distributed over the entire thickness of the material, it has a fine-mesh structure with open pores, therefore it passes air well and has low thermal conductivity.

To correctly determine which foam concrete to choose, it should be borne in mind that all products from it are divided into two groups:

  • Heat-insulating grades of foam concrete can have a density of 200 to 500 kg/m³, depending on the number and volume of gas bubbles in the thickness of the material. Products of this group are not very durable, but they have good thermal insulation properties, therefore they are used exclusively as insulation for floors, flat roofs or exterior walls of a building;
  • Structural and heat-insulating concrete grades have a density of 500 to 900 kg/m³, therefore, they have a higher bearing capacity, and in addition to insulation, they can be used to erect walls or other structural elements of a building;

  1. Aerated concrete outwardly does not differ from foam concrete, and the main difference between these materials lies only in manufacturing technology, so their performance properties can be conditionally considered similar to each other. Before choosing aerated concrete, you should study the main features of the application:
  • Blocks and slabs of foam and aerated concrete can be installed on the foundation in the form of a separate self-supporting structure, therefore, they do not require the installation of an additional supporting frame, and do not exert a weight load on the main facade of the building;
  • With an increase in the density of aerated concrete, its thermal insulation properties deteriorate, and with a decrease in density, on the contrary, they improve;
  • Due to open pores on the surface of the material, aerated concrete actively absorbs moisture., therefore it cannot be used outdoors without an external waterproofing coating;
  • Foam concrete does not burn and does not support combustion, it is unsuitable for rodents and pests, but over time it can crack and collapse as a result of direct contact with water and subsequent freezing.

  1. Expanded clay is a moisture-resistant bulk heat-insulating material, which is produced in the form of round pellets of a reddish-brown color, with a diameter of individual particles from 5 to 40 mm. The expanded clay manufacturing technology involves the use of special types of clay, which are rolled into balls, and then dried and fired in a kiln at a temperature of 1200 ° C.

After such treatment, each pellet acquires a closed, finely porous internal structure with a strong and hard outer shell.

  • Most often, expanded clay is used for warming flat roofs, interfloor and attic floors and wooden floors on the ground.
  • The main advantages of this material include light weight, low degree of water absorption, absolute incombustibility and fire safety, high resistance to moisture, as well as high and low temperatures;

When choosing the cheapest floor insulation on the ground, I advise you to pay attention to coal slag, which can be purchased inexpensively, or even dialed for free at any coal boiler. Slag can be used as an analogue of more expensive expanded clay, since its particles have a similar porous internal structure.

Group 2. Fibrous mineral wool insulation

Unlike previous types of insulation, these materials have a flexible fibrous structure, therefore they do not have sufficient rigidity, but they are distinguished by a significantly lower specific gravity and much better heat-insulating properties. Such a heater is non-combustible, and can withstand exposure to very high temperatures for a long time, so it is often used for thermal insulation of furnaces, heating boilers and furnace chimneys.

  1. Basalt wool is made from thin, randomly intertwined fibers of molten gabbro-basalt rocks, and is produced in the form of sheet or roll material of various thicknesses. Rigid mats or flexible rolls of basalt wool are considered a universal heat-insulating material, therefore they are widely used for insulating roofs, attics, ceiling and interfloor ceilings, ventilated facades, utilities, as well as boiler and furnace equipment.
  • Basalt wool is absolutely non-flammable and can withstand temperatures up to 1000° C, therefore, it is used for insulating chimneys and arranging a fireproof seal when chimneys pass through walls, roofs and ceilings;

  • Mineral wool fibers practically do not absorb moisture, do not break or wrinkle under the influence of external load, and after wetting they do not lose their heat-insulating properties, therefore such a moisture-resistant and non-combustible material is best suited for outdoor use;
  • Sheets and slabs of mineral wool pass air and water vapor well through themselves, do not rot, do not become moldy and do not deteriorate over time. Due to the unpleasant, piercing structure, they do not dig holes in them and do not build their own mouse nests, therefore, in my opinion, this is the best insulation for a ventilated facade system;
  • Among other things, mineral wool is an environmentally friendly and non-corrosive material, therefore, it does not adversely affect other building structures, and can be used for external and internal insulation of residential buildings.

  1. Glass wool, more popularly known as glass wool, is made from glass waste in the form of coarser and thicker fibers of ordinary silicate glass, therefore it is considered the cheapest option. In fact, I can say that glass wool has almost the same properties as basalt wool, however, there are some limitations for its use in construction:
  • Glass fibers are quite hygroscopic, therefore, on the street or in damp rooms, they quickly absorb moisture, and after getting wet, they lose their heat-insulating properties by 30-50%;
  • Sheets of ordinary glass wool are easily crushed under the influence of external load., and during operation, shrink over time and decrease in size, as a result of which their heat-insulating properties also deteriorate;
  • The maximum operating temperature of glass wool is no more than 450 ° C, therefore, it cannot be used as a winding of a flame tube, in the immediate vicinity of a furnace or heating boiler;
  • Glass wool fibers are more brittle than basalt wool, therefore, as a result of deformation, they can break into small pieces and penetrate the human skin, causing severe itching and irritation on the body.
  • If you need a heater that rodents do not eat and mice do not settle in, then glass wool in this case will be the most suitable option.

  1. Ceramic wool has similar characteristics, but it is considered a rather specific insulation, therefore it is rarely found on sale and is much more expensive than other materials. Ceramic wool fibers have all the positive properties of basalt wool, but they are able to withstand higher temperatures (up to 1200 ° C), so it is used exclusively for thermal insulation of heating boilers, chimneys and fire tubes.

In the manufacture of rigid mineral wool boards, toxic phenol-formaldehyde resins are used as a binder. I do not recommend using such materials for thermal insulation of floors, walls and interior partitions inside residential and sleeping quarters, as they are not very safe for human health.

Group 3. Foamed polymer insulation

Polymer heat-insulating materials have a number of fundamental differences from mineral heaters. They have a lower specific gravity, do not soak in water and have a very low degree of water absorption, so they do not require additional waterproofing. Most often they are produced in the form of rigid panels of various thicknesses, therefore, in some cases, they are more convenient in installation and installation.

When choosing which insulation is best used for a particular case, it should be borne in mind that all polymeric materials have one significant drawback.

The fact is that under the influence of high temperature they themselves do not ignite, but at the same time they can melt with the release of acrid toxic smoke, therefore they cannot be used as insulation for heating boilers and stoves, chimneys, fire doors and external partitions.

  1. Styrofoam is produced in the form of rigid sheets of various sizes, from 20 to 500 mm thick, which consist of many small granules of expanded polystyrene pressed and welded together. If you choose from polymeric heaters which one is cheaper, then I recommend opting for foam.

Despite the low cost, it meets almost all the criteria discussed in the first section of this article.

  • Foam panels are characterized by low specific gravity, but have sufficient rigidity, therefore, they can be used not only for cladding walls and roofs, but also for warming a concrete screed on the ground;
  • Rough foam surface has good adhesion, therefore, after installation, decorative plaster with a reinforcing mesh can be applied to it, facade tiles can be laid, or other types of decorative facade finishing can be performed;

  • Chemically neutral foam does not emit harmful substances during operation, not suitable for food for small rodents and insects, does not rot over time and does not contribute to the development of mold.
  • The pores of the foam have a closed structure, therefore, it is the warmest, absolutely not afraid of water and practically does not absorb moisture, does not freeze and does not change its properties in conditions of direct rain and snow, or prolonged exposure to damp soil;
  • The disadvantage of all closed cell materials is that they do not allow water vapor and air to pass through., therefore, I do not recommend using them for warming frame-panel and wooden houses made of logs or timber;

  1. Extruded polystyrene foam, or in other words EPS, is a more progressive and high-quality variety of foam. It is also produced in the form of rigid expanded polystyrene panels, however, it does not have individual granules, and is distinguished by a uniform porous structure throughout the entire thickness of the material:
  • Due to this manufacturing technology, it has all the listed properties of the foam, but is much more durable, rigid and resistant to external loads.
  • Due to this, it can be used for the manufacture of fixed formwork for pouring load-bearing monolithic structures, as well as for insulating pool walls, deep foundations or other loaded building structures;
  • In my opinion, this is the most effective and versatile heat-insulating material, but its main drawback is its rather high price, which significantly exceeds the cost of conventional foam.

  1. Sprayed polyurethane insulation is fundamentally different from the materials presented above, since produced in the form of a liquid plastic polymer composition. It is sprayed onto the surface to be insulated using a pressure pump, and foamed under the influence of ambient humidity, directly at the installation site.

At first glance, polyurethane insulation may seem more complicated, but this technology has its advantages and disadvantages compared to panel types of insulation:

  • Liquid polyurethane mass has very good adhesion to almost all building materials., therefore, quickly and firmly seizes on any surface, even without pre-treatment;
  • The spraying technology makes it possible to insulate vertical and horizontal walls, roofs, attics, closed underground spaces, interpanel joints and other hidden cavities, without dismantling the outer finishing cladding;

  • Do-it-yourself polyurethane spraying is good to use on complex areas of the facade or roof, with a large number of internal corners or protrusions, as well as on areas with a radius curved surface;
  • After hardening, the layer of foamed polyurethane does not allow air to pass through, so I do not recommend using it on wood or wood fiber surfaces. Otherwise, the polymer film will block the access of air for ventilation and evaporation of moisture, as a result of which the wood will rot and gradually collapse;
  • The disadvantages of this application method include the high cost of consumables, as well as the need to use special injection equipment, which is also quite expensive.

  1. Foamed polyethylene is produced in the form of a rolled heat-insulating material with a thickness of 3 to 10 mm. It is a flexible base made of extruded polyethylene with a large number of large closed pores containing air bubbles. To improve the heat-reflecting ability, polyethylene is covered with very thin aluminum foil on one or both sides. So that the reader can understand what types of these products are, I can name the most common brands, for example, Isocom, Isofol, Penofol, etc.
  • Polyethylene does not contain toxic additives and volatile substances, therefore, it is an environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic material, and, accordingly, can be used without restriction in residential and sleeping quarters;

  • Aluminum foil reflects infrared heat radiation, therefore, in combination with a foam base, it is a heat shield that effectively reflects heat from domestic radiators or other heating devices.
  • In addition to heat preservation, polyethylene film can be used as waterproofing and wind protection, so "Penofol" is well suited for external protection of building structures and insulation of residential buildings;
  • When installing a floor heating system, such a film is laid on a concrete screed, foil up. Firstly, it does not allow moisture from the concrete to penetrate into the flooring, and secondly, it reflects heat rays and directs them into the room.

  • For internal insulation of housing, it is better to use one-sided foil-foamed polyethylene film. It must be fixed to the wall, with foil inside the room, and then at a distance of 20-30 mm from it, install sheets on the guide profiles.
  • When using plastic sheeting inside a dwelling, care must be taken because it absolutely does not breathe and does not let water vapor through. This can lead to condensation and dampness on the outside cold walls, which in turn can cause mold.

All polymer thermal insulation materials described in this section may degrade and lose their properties over time under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. If they are used for outdoor work, then after installation, I recommend not leaving them for a long time in direct sunlight, and immediately proceed with the installation of the exterior fine finish.

Group 4. Thermal insulation from organic materials

Currently, many adherents of environmentally friendly housing are trying to use all kinds of building, finishing and thermal insulation materials made exclusively on an organic basis. On the one hand, there is nothing wrong with this, but I must warn you that the raw materials for the production of organic materials are made using natural cellulose and plant fibers.

  1. I want to say right away that these materials are very capricious: when wet, they can swell and increase in size, and when dried, on the contrary, they can shrink significantly. Moreover, in both cases, their thermal insulation properties will deteriorate;
  2. Even with minor changes in the temperature and humidity conditions, mold development foci can occur on the surface of organic materials. After drying, at first glance it may seem that it has disappeared, but in fact, its roots are deep, so after moisturizing and lowering the temperature, it will appear again;

  1. Natural cellulose fibers, wood chips and sawdust, chopped straw stalks, reeds and corn tops are considered a favorite food for rodents, mice, rats and various insects, so it will be very difficult to get rid of their presence in such a house;
  2. It's no secret that all these materials burn very well., therefore, there can be no question of any compliance with fire safety rules in this case.
  3. If you still decide to insulate your home using organic materials, then I recommend a thorough antiseptic treatment and flame retardant impregnation, and also think about how best to prevent the appearance of rodents.

From personal experience, I categorically do not recommend using sunflower husks or straw and cake of cereal plants as insulation for the attic, because in this case, mice are guaranteed to settle there with whole families and constantly dig their holes.

Conclusion

Taking into account the numerous types of insulation that I wrote about above, several important factors should be taken into account when choosing the final option. First, you need to understand the climatic features of the region, and know the minimum and maximum average annual air temperatures. Secondly, the choice of insulation depends on the building materials from which the walls, floor and roof of a residential building are made.

And thirdly, you need to focus on ensuring that this heat-insulating material is affordable and that it is convenient for you to work with it. You can learn about the technological features of the use of the described heaters from the video presented in this article, and if you have any questions, ask them in the comment form.

There is a wide choice of heaters for wooden houses, they can be used to insulate the house from the outside, and some even inside the house. What types are suitable for a frame house? Which is the best, consider their characteristics in this article! Correctly carried out will not be superfluous in any climatic conditions.

When it is done correctly, then under its “protection” it will not only be warmer in the house in winter, but also noticeably cooler in summer.

Installation of insulation will create a comfortable microclimate in a room for any purpose - in a residential building, office or production workshop.

In addition, saving heat is an obvious financial savings. It is completely unreasonable to heat the street, given that the technologies used today provide an opportunity to start saving energy resources already at the initial stage of construction work. Most of all, those parts of the building that are more adjacent to the external environment need the use of heaters -, and.

The material produced in this way has excellent properties, besides it is not combustible, and therefore does not pose a fire hazard. But a huge part of the wonderful qualities of a heater can be irretrievably lost when it gets wet. This should be taken into account.

Cotton wool stone

stone wool

This is a fibrous material that goes on sale in the form of rolls and portioned plates, and has an extremely low thermal conductivity.

The highest quality product is made from rocks called gabbro-basalt. This non-combustible material is used with equal success in the construction of private facilities and the construction of various production facilities. A wide range of use is also explained by the possibility of its use at extremely high t, reaching a rate of one thousand degrees.

The insulation's complete immunity to fire is complemented by its excellent moisture resistance. This is a hydrophobic material, the peculiarity of which is that it does not absorb water, but repels it.

This ensures that the insulation remains dry even after a long period of time. This, in turn, will allow her to maintain her high working qualities. The unique properties of basalt wool make it possible to use it even in boiler rooms, baths and saunas, where both high humidity and high temperature are combined. Strength in this case is not directly dependent on the density of the material.

This is a fairly soft material, while having a sufficient margin of safety. Its structural stability is due to the special arrangement of the individual constituent fibers - chaotic and vertical. The material has high anti-corrosion properties.

It can quite peacefully coexist with concrete and metal, without the occurrence of various kinds of chemical reactions. High biological stability provides it with immunity to various biological pests: damage by insects and rodents, the occurrence of fungal diseases,


The basalt insulation passed the combustion test, but the organic heaters burned out

Basalt rock is the main raw material for the production of this type of wool.. Processing with formaldehyde resins gives the material a sufficient level of strength, and the modern technologies used in this process guarantee the complete elimination of harmful phenols even at the stage of material production.

The final product that reaches the consumer is a harmless and environmentally friendly material with high insulating qualities.

It is actively used for floor insulation of residential and industrial premises, for thermal insulation of roofs and facades, including as an external insulation.

It has found wide application in rooms with extreme levels of humidity and temperature. The best basalt insulation, stone wool made from rocks is a guarantee of high quality for a long time.

Glass wool

The missing 7% is accounted for by specially added flame retardants. Insulation fibers contain lignin, which becomes sticky with increasing humidity. All elements included in the insulation are non-toxic, absolutely non-volatile and harmless to health. Cellulose insulation is not amenable to combustion, rotting processes, has excellent soundproofing and heat-insulating performance.

It can retain approximately 20% humidity while maintaining its working qualities. The material releases moisture to the outside and dries quickly, retaining all its performance. The disadvantage of ecowool can be considered the difficulty of its manual application to the surface, as well as the impossibility of arranging a “floating floor” due to its inherent softness.

Penoizol

Another name for the material is carbamide foam. This is a modern material with high sound and heat insulating characteristics, which is a cheap insulation. It is a cellular organic foam with particularly low density and low thermal conductivity. The material has a high resistance to fire, resistance to microorganisms, low price. It is easy to handle and has an air content of up to 90%.


Insulation of the attic with penoizol

The tests carried out demonstrated the capabilities of the material. It turned out that the time of its operation, as the middle layer of the structure of the frame structure, is actually not limited by anything. Tests of its fire resistance showed that the material can be safely classified as slow-burning.

This is the only heat-insulating material of polymer nature used, which is not at all adapted to self-combustion. Its fire resistance index refers it to the G2 flammability subgroup.

Even if the highest temperature occurs during a fire, when the metal begins to melt, the carbide foam will only evaporate, and without releasing toxic or harmful substances.

Isocom

This is a special foil material (on both sides or only on one). It is a fabric made of polyethylene foam, covered on the outside with a highly polished aluminum foil. This is a multi-layered vapor, sound and heat insulating material that combines completely different qualities.

With a minimum thickness of the insulating layer, it provides excellent heat reflection properties, successfully combined with the highest (almost maximum) thermal resistance. Properly installed material is characterized by exceptionally effective thermal insulation of the building along its entire contour.

It is a harmless, environmentally friendly material that does not pose a threat to the ozone layer. It does not contain glass or other fibers that are unsafe for human and animal health.

Without changing its exceptional properties, it serves for about 50 years, without deforming or being damaged during all this time.

Installation is quite simple and very convenient: it does not require special equipment. Excellent protection against steam and moisture. Used almost everywhere.