Foamed polyethylene penofol. Foil penofol - an independent assessment of the material. Internal and external insulation of premises

Penofol foil is a new environmentally friendly heat-insulating material, very soft, light and quite easy to install. No odor, non-toxic.

It is made of aluminum foil applied to a polyethylene base with special equipment.

It has a number of advantages compared to fiberglass and epispathic materials. Safe for the environment and harmless to humans. Also resists ultraviolet radiation that can penetrate sheet metal, concrete, wood and other common thermal insulation materials.

Self-adhesive penofol is a new insulating coating that has not only good thermal and waterproof insulation, but also protection against various types radiation. The material has received a wide vocation in the construction industry due to latest technology production with a one-sided self-adhesive side, which significantly increases the speed of installation of such a heater

Can be installed on the roof and retain more than 80% of the internal heat of the building, protects the walls, prevents the obvious effects of heat stroke in summer and sudden frost in winter. Penofol has a thickness of 3 mm to 10 mm, the width of the roll is from 20 mm to 120 mm. Common sizes of self-adhesive polyethylene are: width 58 cm, thickness 3-5 mm.

Shielding properties, moisture protection, retain heat and provide overall energy savings - all this is affected by the thickness of the foam

1. Lack of smell and toxicity.
2. Lightweight, soft, no dust.
3. Easy to install.
4. Heat reflection, thermal insulation, sound insulation, anti-radiation, anti-vibration and shielding.
5. Sun barrier, waterproof, energy saving.
6. Keeps warm in winter and cool in summer.
7. Saves heat and electricity.

Penofol specifications:

• resistance to extreme temperatures from + 0 °С to 150 °С;
• due to the "mirror" reflection of the surface, thermal air flows arise, providing convection in the room;
• uniform distribution of heat throughout the heated space;
• thermal reflection coefficient up to 95%;
• waterproof material that expands the range of use of insulating foil (walls, ceiling, floor);
• ease of installation allows you to do the installation work yourself;
• the thermal conductivity of penofol is 0.037-0.051 (for various types).

Penofol insulation has technical characteristics that are ideal for thermal, hydraulic and steam insulation. Penofol is good for use both for insulating an apartment, a private house, and for storage facilities, hangars, workshops.

The properties of self-adhesive polyethylene foam can be used for shielding rooms with high humidity: baths, showers, changing rooms in swimming pools, saunas. Those. This material is in high demand construction work for warming various objects where there will be constant moisture or steam.

In addition, polyethylene foam perfectly absorbs sound waves and mechanical vibration. These properties are used in the construction of operator cabins (for example, boiler rooms or steelmaking). The advantage of using penofol in this case is just perfect: it eliminates sound, absorbs vibration, creates a thermal shield.

Foil self-adhesive penofol is often used to insulate boiler equipment, shield various cables, and insulate pipes. Such isolation will be useful when laying networks below ground level, where there is high humidity and the insulating material does not absorb moisture.

Penofol types

There are three types of penofol, depending on the design, thickness and various thermal characteristics. Penofol insulation, depending on the type, is indicated by Latin letters: A, B, C, which are indicated on the package.

First type A- This is a polymer insulation of various thicknesses, on one side of which foil is applied. Aluminum foiling is present on all types of insulation, but also differs in thickness. This material is widely used for complex thermal insulation of various construction projects. In combination with penofol type A, glass wool or mineral wool is used. Below is a photo of penofol with foil on one side.

The latest innovation in the production of polymeric insulation was perforated foam. Such material can "breathe", thanks to a large number holes. Often used for insulation wooden structures, for example log cabins.

Next type B- covered with foil on both sides. Thus, the maximum effect of warming any room is achieved, both with inside, and insulation from heat loss from the outside. This type of polymer is used for insulation load-bearing structures attic, basement waterproofing, floors and walls. In heat engineering and housing, such material is used for thermal insulation of transit pipelines through the basements of multi-storey buildings. residential buildings or elements heating system with roof wiring. The photo clearly shows the difference from type A.

Penofol self-adhesive refers to type C. As in the previous types, foil is applied on one side of the polyethylene foam, and on the other side a thin layer of glue covered with a film. Depending on the size of the foam roll, this type is very easy to mount on almost any surface, which increases productivity and saves time. For preparatory work it is only necessary to cut the roll into strips of the required width or square (rectangular) segments. It is easily cut with scissors and does not require special working skills.

Photo of self-adhesive foil foam:

There are several more types of penofol, which have a narrow application or are not very popular in construction.

Type R- this is a foil one-sided penofol with a relief pattern on aluminum surface. Absolutely repeats type A, but is often used as a decorating element when finishing work or multilayer insulation, where it is necessary to create an air gap.

Penofol without aluminum foil also exists, it does not have a specific type, builders call it a “substrate for laminate”. Enough cheap material, mainly used for thermal insulation of flooring.

Narrowly directed heaters: ALP type - a heat-insulating material with a high degree of reflection, used in animal husbandry to insulate incubators; penofol type NET - similar in characteristics to type B, manufactured in narrow rolls or coils of strips of a certain width. It is used for insulation of pipelines.

Often on the building materials market you can find penofol 2000 type C. It has reduced thermal characteristics of type C, the quality of the glue leaves much to be desired. Before buying, you should think about whether such minimum properties will be enough for high-quality thermal insulation. It is important not to forget that the miser pays twice.

Just put in the heater

The use of penofol is extensive. To install insulation with a foil layer, it is necessary to perform a number of preparatory operations, depending on the type of work and the material that will be insulated.

The use of penofol in a wooden house as a heater is the most frequent. For high-quality gluing, it is necessary to pre-treat the surface with a grinder.

Fastening to penoplex penofol is carried out using polymer glue, which is applied to a denser surface.

It is an erroneous opinion that penofol is attached to a soft surface with staples or an industrial stapler. This will violate the integrity of the coating and the material will lose its insulating properties.

It will be easier to glue isolon on metal if you use self-adhesive insulation. However in a simple way will press the heater to metal surface rigid foam boards.

The main thing is to follow the basic rules for installing penofol: do not use in flooring under concrete screed, do not sew or wire, do not use a stapler, do not glue the joints with adhesive tape.

For quality installation overlap one sheet to another, accurately measure the required length to save material, always lay out the insulation in a thin layer, without the formation of an "accordion". For the highest quality organization of butt joints, use a special adhesive foil.

We glue penofol to various surfaces

Insulating foil material without a layer of glue applied to it is much cheaper than self-adhesive penofol. Penofol glue may be needed if the budget is insulation work limited.

In order to fix penofol on a sheer surface, you will need moisture-resistant glue, because. Initially, such insulation provides for the presence of moisture and ways to isolate it.

This adhesive, which hardens quickly without releasing water, can be applied to the entire surface of the insulation or wall. The insulation function is ensured around the entire perimeter even in the event of temporary or permanent exposure to moisture from outer side. Also, such glue is not susceptible to mold and various fungi.

This adhesive does not contain solvents: it consists of three parts by weight of a liquid component made from a polymer-bitumen emulsion and one part of a powdered component based on cement. The adhesive mixture makes it easy to attach the insulation to the surface of brick, concrete, limestone, tile.

disadvantages

The main disadvantage of penofol as an insulating material is that it practically cannot be used as the main insulation. In 90% of cases, for installation, it will be necessary to stuff the film on an existing frame, in the cells of which there is the main heat-insulating material (for example, foam).

The surface of the penofol cannot be processed- mechanical impact will break the thin aluminum coating.

Doesn't keep its shape. Such a heater should either be laid between several layers of dense material, or sheathed with a facing layer.

Low hardness and density. The material is very soft, quite easily torn from any mechanical impact.

Insufficient thermal insulation properties for use as the main insulation.

May cause a short circuit when the foil film comes into contact with faulty electrical wiring.

Analogues

Like all building materials, penofol has analogues, which include the following heaters: alufom, isofol, stizol, energyflex. Tepofol or Penofol metal coated, also a common analog. Adheres very well to any metal surface.

Each of the materials has its own, albeit insignificant, features: density, shape, coating, etc. Some have multiple layers of metal film and some different types used plastic for foaming. Often there is a type of insulation where the foil element is located between two layers of oilcloth.

This article is devoted to penofol - one of the most effective materials for reflective thermal insulation, among the heaters on the market.

1 Features and scope

Penofol is a two-layer heat-insulating material consisting of one or two layers of foil applied to a polyethylene foam base.

Depending on the type of product, the density, as well as the thickness of the polyethylene foam, may vary. As a rule, the standard thickness of the insulation is from 2 to 10 millimeters. There are also products with a thickness of 40 mm, but they are not very common due to low demand.

• Thermal insulation of internal surfaces of walls and facades in a brick and wooden house, mansards, verandas and attics;
• Heat, moisture, steam insulation of saunas and baths;
• Arrangement of reflective thermal insulation in underfloor heating systems;
• Thermal insulation of pipelines;
• thermal insulation ventilation systems, air conditioners and sewerage pipes;
• Shielding material for heating radiators.

2 Types of penofol and their technical characteristics

There are three main types of penofol, which differ from each other as structural features, and technical characteristics:

• Penofol type A;
• Penofol type B;
• Penofol type C similar to.

Type A is penofol with one-sided foiling. This is the most popular version of penofol for complex thermal insulation using additional heaters.

Type B - penofol, having foil on both sides. This material can be used as the main thermal insulation for walls, ceilings, floors, attic floors residential and industrial buildings, as well as for thermal insulation of baths, saunas, pipelines and industrial equipment.

Type C - a type of penofol with foil on one side, and adhesive coating with another. This coating makes it possible to fix penofol without the use of any additional tools and materials.

Consider the technical characteristics of the most popular types of penofol.

• The temperature range for all three types of insulation is from -60 to +100 degrees as in;
• The coefficient of thermal shielding of the foil layer for all types is within 95-97;
• The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the material, W / mk: type A - 0.037-0.049; type B - 0.038-0.051; type C - 0.038 - 0.051;
• Moisture absorption at full immersion for 24 hours: type A - 0.7%, type B - 0.6, type C - 0.35;
• Specific weight, kg/m3 (± 10 kg): type A - 44, type B - 54, type C - 74;
• Modulus of elasticity at a load of 2 Kpa, MPa: type A - 0.27; type B - 0.39; type C - 0.26;
• Compression index at 2 Kpa: type A - 0.09; type B - 0.03, type C - 0.09 as in;
• The vapor permeability of all types of penofol does not exceed 0.001 mg / mchPa;
• The specific heat capacity of the material for all types is 1.95 J / kg;
• The compressive strength of all types of penofol is 0.035 MPa.

There are also less common types of penofol.

Penofol type R - the material is similar in technical characteristics to type A penofol, however, this type of foil is embossed, making it better suited for creating multilayer insulation. The thickness of the foil in foam type R is 14 microns, the thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.04 W/mk.

Penofol type ALP is a widespread option in agriculture, where it is used as a reflective thermal insulation for greenhouses, incubators and chicken coops. A feature of this type of penofol is one-sided lamination from a polyethylene film.

Penofol type NET - an option intended for thermal insulation ventilation ducts, pipelines and heating mains. The manufacturer indicates that the properties of NET foam are similar to those of type B, it is only distinguished by greater elasticity.

2.1 Disadvantages of foil foam

Let's start with the disadvantages, which, in foil penofol, are much less than the advantages. To be precise, there are three significant disadvantages that limit the use of penofol as a heat-insulating material.

1. Low density like .

Due to the lack of rigidity, penofol cannot be used as a coating for plastering or wallpapering. Penofol is very soft material who can't hold them properly.

Penofol, in case of use as the main heat-insulating layer, is sheathed with a facing layer, for which a special supporting frame is equipped.

1. Loss of thermal insulation characteristics due to mechanical damage.

When insulating with penofol, it is very important to monitor the integrity of the material, since even the slightest damage significantly reduces the shielding ability of foil penofol.

In this regard, when installing penofol, you should not resort to using nails or self-tapping screws. The manufacturer recommends attaching penofol to surfaces using a special adhesive composition. Reviews indicate that the glue fixes penofol on the walls with sufficient quality.

1. Insufficient thermal insulation properties for use as the main insulation.

One of the key advantages of penofol is the minimum thickness - the material does not eat up free space, however, it is quite obvious that the base thickness of 0.5-20 mm is not able to provide insulation similar in efficiency to 10 centimeters insulation mineral wool.

However, with the main functional purpose - reflective thermal insulation, foil penofol copes very effectively.

2.2 Benefits of penofol

Traditional strengths foil penofol the following characteristics are considered:

• Vapor barrier properties and hydrophobicity of the material - penofol is not afraid of condensate, it does not absorb moisture and is not subject to accelerated destruction when constantly exposed to moist air, which allows the use of penofol for thermal insulation of baths and saunas;
• Penofol thickness - effective on thermal insulation characteristics The thickness of the material is usually about 1 centimeter. This thickness gives an effect similar to thermal insulation with 8 cm of mineral wool, or 4 cm of extruded polystyrene foam;
• Environmental friendliness and health safety - the materials from which penofol is produced - foil and polyethylene, are widely used in Food Industry as food packaging. Penofol itself is certified according to all sanitary and environmental standards of Europe and Russia;
• Noise isolation properties - the structure of polyethylene foam has the ability to effectively suppress both airborne noise and impact noise;
• Ease of transportation and ease of installation - the minimum thickness of the insulation makes it possible to wind it into a compact roll, which can be easily transported by any vehicle. When installing penofol there is no need to use special tools- the material is perfectly cut with ordinary scissors;
• Fire resistance - in terms of flammability, foil penofol belongs to class G2 (hard-to-combust materials prone to self-extinguishing).

The time of the Stone Age and wigwams has been erased by millennia technical progress. People began to insulate their homes from the moment they had insulating materials. At first, materials of plant and animal origin were mainly used as insulation. Those days are long gone, and technology has made it possible to use synthetic materials without harm to human health. Scientific research in the field of building materials led to the invention of various types of insulation. One of them is a material called Penofol.

What is Penofol?

Penofol is a heat-insulating material of the latest generation. This multi-layer reflective thermal insulation consists of two or three layers: the main component is foamed polyethylene, the role of the second layer on one side or on both sides is pure aluminum foil. According to its technical properties, aluminum is a metal with low thermal conductivity and with a reflection effect, and reflection increases the thermal protection of any structure.

Penofol combines the thermal insulation properties of air bubbles, which are “pressed” into polyethylene foam by the self-extinguishing method, and the reflective properties of the aluminum coating, in this case heat is retained up to 95%. Therefore, the material stops heat loss in three possible ways: radiation, thermal conductivity and convection.

Main properties, characteristics and scope

Penofol perfectly performs the role of a vapor and heat insulator, and all this is due to its technical properties. This material can be used without any restrictions for work inside residential premises, as it is environmentally impeccable. In addition to the main protective properties, has no less impressive hydro, sound and wind insulation properties.

Keeps his technical properties in temperature range from - 65°C to + 110°C.

The use of thin aluminum foil as an outer layer makes it possible to obtain an almost complete reflection of thermal energy, with a heat reflection coefficient of up to 98%.

Thermal conductivity, depending on the types of material, and there are three of them: type A, B and C, ranges from 0.037 to 0.052 W / m ° C and the stability of these digital parameters depends on three physical states:

1. in dry form from a temperature of 20°C,
2. from operating conditions A at a temperature of 20 ° C,
3. from operating conditions B at 20°C.

What are types of Penofol A, B and C

1. type A - with aluminum foil foiling on only one side of the product
2. type B - with foil coating on both sides of the foamed polyethylene
3. type C - with polyethylene foam foiling on one side only and a layer of self-adhesive material.

Another important property of the product is small specific gravity from 44 +/- 10* kg/sq.m. up to 74 + / - 10 *, these data correspond to a thickness of 4 mm.

The compressive strength of Penofol, regardless of the thickness and type of coating, is not less than 0.035 MPa.

All these properties allowed the heat-insulating material Penofol to take its rightful place not only in the construction industry, but also in the domestic sphere. It is used as a heat insulator in residential, industrial and other types of buildings for insulation of ceilings, roofs, floors and walls.

Given the scope - inside and outside of structures, it is simply an ideal product for thermal insulation applications. At the same time, the small thickness and weight at high rates of thermal protection make it possible to reduce the lost volume of the insulated room and not to clutter up the framework of structures with excess weight.

ATTENTION! To get the maximum effect from the use of a heat insulator, it should be observed during its installation next rule: on both sides there should be an air space fifteen to twenty millimeters thick.

The use of the material in baths and saunas can significantly reduce the time of heating the room to the required temperature and increase the period of maintaining the temperature of the created microclimate.

Penofol release form

The material is produced in the form of a canvas, rolls of fifteen meters.

The thickness of the produced foil cloth is from 4mm to 15mm.

Depending on the structure of the foamed polyethylene and the number of reflective layers of aluminum foil, there are several modifications of the heat insulator Penofol.

Penofol modifications

With knife roll heat-insulating material cut into individual parts and then assembled into a finished system. The joints are glued with sealant and then reinforced with aluminum tape. All mating parts are also made in the same way. Penofol can insulate the most complex structures where conventional insulation is not possible to work. This gives good savings when using it for these types of work.

All the above data show that Penofol is in demand modern material for indoor insulation work.

Penofol is a reflective insulating multilayer material consisting of a main body and polished aluminum foil. Depending on the required properties, polyethylene foam materials are used as the basis for penofol, which have different physical characteristics depending on the thickness and structure. There are two main types - foil and non-foil.

Non-foil penofol has found fewer uses, since when using only a gas-foam base, its main property, thermal insulation, is lost. Foams in this form are used for civilian purposes - all kinds of camping mats, pet bedding, etc.

If you do not need reflective properties for insulation, you can use a non-foil base as a layer for insulating floors, walls, ceilings and pipes, since its application temperature varies from -40 to +100 ° C, which meets the basic operating conditions. This type is considered an outdated insulating material, it was replaced by a more advanced technology - applying a thin metal coating.

A reflective material is applied to the foil using thermal welding technology. The polished web with a reflectance of 96-98% has a thickness of up to 0.1 mm, while the thickness of the main foam varies from 1 to 25 mm, in the case of individual orders can reach 50 mm (this option is usually used in especially cold climatic conditions).

Classification of foil penofol

Depending on the application and the required operational properties modern market building materials offers the following types penofol:

• Marking "A"– has a reflective aluminum coating on one side only. Most often, this type is used in conjunction with other heaters, such as polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. The most common, used as insulation in residential premises, has vapor-reflecting properties.
• Marking "B"- the foil coating is applied on both sides, which allows its use as an independent insulation. With a sufficient thickness of the base layer, it is possible to insulate the floor or walls only with it. Top part the reflector will keep the heat inside the room, reflecting it back into the room, and the bottom one will protect you from the cold penetrating through the walls from the environment.
• "C" marking- this modification has a reflective coating on one side only, moisture- and heat-resistant glue is applied on the other side. This view allows it to be used in hard-to-reach places, as well as insulate walls and ceilings without any difficulties in installation.
• Modifications "R" and "M" have one-sided aluminum coating with a thickness of 0.14 mm, deposited on a relief structure, while the other side is flat. Such indicators, different from the standard ones, provide increased sound, heat, and moisture insulation. These modifications are used for outdoor structures, as the relief structure provides maximum sound insulation. They are recommended for use in multilayer structures.
• "SuperNet" marking means that given type penofol has increased resistance to aggressive environmental conditions due to the increased thickness and density of the gas-foam base. It is used to isolate communication networks, water pipes and heating mains - in places that require maximum insulation performance.
• Laminated (modification "ALP")- has a one-sided foil coating, on which a polymer film is applied. It is used as a reflective element in the “ ” system, laid directly under the heating elements with the foil side up. Thus, the heat released by pipes or heating elements is reflected upwards, without being wasted on heating the lower part of the floor. Lamination increases the resistance of the aluminum coating to the heat that is released from the heating elements.
• Marked "AIR" perforated penofol is indicated - a material that has in its structure through holes. It is used for external insulation of structures, the perforated structure allows steam emissions to pass from the structure to the outside. This type is recommended to insulate cold walls frame houses in multi-storey buildings.

Internal and external insulation of premises

For domestic needs, it is sufficient to use the first three modifications of penofol - A, B and C. The scope of this material as a heater is very extensive: floors, walls, ceilings, insulation of balconies, terraces and loggias, insulation of wooden and frame houses. Below are the insulation technologies.

Floor insulation

Before laying the insulating layer, it is first necessary to level the initial surface with a thin concrete screed. To do this, a liquid solution of cement is kneaded and poured, then it is allowed to dry completely. It is not recommended to lay penofol immediately - a layer of foam plastic with a thickness of 7-15 cm is usually used.

Further actions are related to the selected type of penofol:

• If modification "A" is used, then a moisture-resistant adhesive-fixer is evenly applied to the foam, on which the insulating material is tightly laid.
• In the case of material marked "C", the adhesive is not needed, as it is already applied on the opposite side of the reflector. In the manufacture of this modification, the waterproof adhesive is immediately covered with a layer of polyethylene to prevent premature drying. To start laying foam foam, the polyethylene layer is carefully removed, then the material is carefully rolled out over the surface of the foam.

The material is laid with a five-centimeter overlap on the walls, all joints must be glued with aluminum insulating tape. This will achieve maximum steam and moisture insulation effect and protect the floor from impact noise. After the floor is laid, the protruding parts of the insulating material are carefully cut with a mounting blade.

When designing a "warm floor" system, there are two main types of subsequent installation - the use of a log and a concrete screed. Logs are recommended to use if you want to make a wooden floor on top of the insulated layer. To do this, it is necessary to lay wooden logs along the entire floor over the heating elements (it is first recommended to treat them with antiseptic preparations or soak them with special hydrophobic oils).

The horizontal installation of the bars should be controlled using a level. Then, boards or other variants of wooden floors are stuffed over the laid bars. Thus, the heat coming from the heating elements will be reflected upwards by the foil covering, warming up the wooden floor.

The second option is to install the "warm floor" system under tiles or natural stone. For this heating elements they are covered with a thin reinforced mesh and poured with a concrete screed, or they are laid in a layer of tile adhesive retainer. It should be noted that in this case it is necessary to use penofol marked "ALP". A layer of polymer film-laminate will protect the thin aluminum foil, since the action cement mortar or glue-fixative has a destructive effect on it.

Wall insulation

When warming internal walls the room is recommended to use penofol marked "B". Its installation is more complex and time-consuming than modifications "A" and "C", but it is able to provide more serious insulation protection. For better sound and heat insulation, ventilation gaps are created between the wall and the penofol.

If the material with one-sided foil can be glued directly to the wall or to a heavier insulation (thick layer of foam), then installation with a double-sided metal coating takes place according to the following technology:

• Attached to the wall with dowels wooden bars 1-2 cm thick;
• A layer of penofol marked “B” is screwed onto them with screws or nailed with mounting brackets;
• Drywall is applied to the surface of the insulating material, which is attached to the rail with self-tapping screws. If you decide to leave cavities for ventilation on the other side of the penofol, then first the slats with a thickness similar to the previous ones are screwed onto it again, and only then the drywall is fixed. You will lose 2-3 centimeters of space in the room, but provide very good insulation due to two air cushions.

The joints of the penofol must be carefully glued with aluminum insulating tape to avoid drafts.

Ceiling insulation

Indoors, it follows from gluing a thin layer of penofol to the original coating. It will serve as a primary insulating barrier, onto which wooden slats are then screwed, which act as a frame for the main layer of insulation.

After mounting the rails, a second, already thick layer is attached to them, which is attached to the frame using a construction stapler or self-tapping screws. If another layer of insulation is needed, the previous layer of insulation is also attached. wooden slats, on which the third layer is mounted in the above way.

To create conditions for decorating the room, drywall is glued or screwed to the last level.
The formation of one or more air cushions provides the highest insulation performance, while the condensate accumulated in them will be removed by ventilation. Do not forget to process the foam foam joints with construction tape or silicone glue.

Warming of balconies, loggias, terraces

If you carefully study, then the isolation of these premises will not cause difficulties for you. However, when insulating balconies, one should not forget about the need for maximum lightening of the structure in order to avoid an accident.

Warming of a wooden house

The technology for installing penofol is no different from the technology in brick, cinder block or other houses. However, it should be noted that due to the high waterproofing feature penofol its installation on wooden walls both outside and inside, should be carried out exclusively in summer, at least after several hot days.

In no case should you insulate the house if the tree is swollen after the rains and saturated with moisture. After sheathing the house, it will forever remain inside, and the tree will simply rot, destroying your house.

When insulating walls and ceilings, we must not forget that the aluminum coating has a very high electrical conductivity. In no case should it be placed next to poorly insulated wiring, this can lead to instantaneous ignition of a large area of ​​​​the room! Before assembling the structure, it is necessary to carefully check the wires and insulate them well!

disadvantages

Despite the amazing physical performance and relative ease of use, this material has several disadvantages:

• It is slightly more expensive than traditional insulating materials, but much more efficient - so this can be called a justified drawback.
• Penofol cannot be used as an independent element, it must be combined with heavier and more massive heaters like polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene.
• Care must be taken during installation, because the gas-foam base is very fragile, and unnecessary damage to the material is useless.

Video

From the video you will learn how to insulate the house with penofol.

What is penofol, what is its structure, varieties, technical characteristics, pros and cons of a heat insulator, selection rules and installation features of foil material.

Description and features of the production of penofol

For the first time, reflective thermal insulation began to be used in the United States as one of the elements for the manufacture of space suits. Later, this technology was adopted by builders around the world.

Foil penofol is roll material, which combines the excellent thermal insulation properties of foil and polyethylene foam. Polyethylene foam can have a different structure and density. His pores are closed. The thickness ranges from 2 to 10 millimeters.

The thickness of the foil layer is about 20 µm. Aluminum foil with a purity of at least 99.4% is applied to the polyethylene base by heat welding.

To understand the principle of operation of this insulation, you should remember how heat is transferred from object to object. This happens in three ways: convection (movement warm air), conduction (thermal conductivity of the objects themselves), thermal radiation (heat transfer by means of electromagnetic infrared waves).

Most of modern heaters can only interfere with one type of heat transfer. Penofol acts in combination: polyethylene foam prevents convection, and foil increases the thermal reflection rate up to 97%. Thus, the total coefficient of resistance to heat transfer for a ten-millimeter thick penofol reaches 1.355. For example, the same indicator for a brick wall 54 centimeters thick is 0.405.

Unlike other types of insulation, penofol does not retain heat, but reflects it. The material is used both independently and in combination with other heat insulators.

The main types of penofol

This heat insulator comes in several varieties. They are indicated by a special marking in the name of penofol. Consider the main types:

• BUT. The material has an aluminum foil coating on one side only. Usually this penofol is used in combination with other heaters (for example, styrodur or polystyrene).
• AT. The foil covers the polyethylene foam layer on both sides. This type of heat insulator can be used as an independent heater.
• With. This is self-adhesive foam. On the one hand, such material is covered with foil, on the other hand, it has foamed polyethylene with moisture resistant adhesive composition. Installation of such a heat insulator is simple and does not require additional funds.
• ALP. This is a heater, on the foil part of which is applied polyethylene film. It is also called laminated penofol. It is used in the field Agriculture and in mildly aggressive environments.
• R&M. Varieties of embossed material with one-sided foil coating.
• Super NET. Penofol of a special structure, which is suitable for insulating various networks, for example, pipelines, air outlets, and thermal networks.
• AIR. This is a heater that is used to create structures for air venting.

There is also a special insulation for use in particularly harsh climatic conditions. The total thickness of the penofol of this variety reaches 40 millimeters.

On sale you can sometimes find material marked "2000". It is a cheap analogue of this heat insulator with reduced strength characteristics.

Technical characteristics of penofol

This heat insulator is considered universal, since it can be insulated various designs, residential and non-residential facilities, use from the inside and outside with the same efficiency.

Consider the main technical characteristics of penofol, which explain its high demand:

1. Thickness. According to this indicator, this insulation compares favorably with other heat insulators. The standard thickness of penofol ranges from 2 to 10 millimeters. The thicker the material, the more expensive it is. The most popular and optimal for domestic use is a 5 mm thick insulation.
2. Thermal conductivity of penofol. Since we are talking about a combined heat insulator, its thermal conductivity is difficult to derive and compare with other types of heaters. The material provides complex insulation by reducing convection and reflecting heat rays. Therefore, it is customary to talk about the heat transfer resistance of penofol. If we calculate this indicator for a material of average thickness of 4-5 millimeters with double-sided foiling, then it will be equal to 1.2-1.23 m 2 / C / watt. To achieve the same results, you will need a layer of mineral wool of at least 85 millimeters.
3. moisture resistance. Penofol practically does not absorb water. It does not matter the humidity of the ambient air in the street or in the room. The moisture absorption index for this insulator is 0.35-0.7% per cubic meter.
4. Vapor permeability. When using penofol, it is not necessary to lay an additional layer of vapor barrier. The vapor permeability coefficient of the material is less than 0.001 mg/m/h/Pa.
5. Soundproofing. At correct installation penofol provides a decent level of sound absorption - 32 decibels and above. For good sound insulation, the material should be installed on top of the frame building structure with no seams. In this way, the penetration of acoustic and structural noises can be avoided.
6. combustibility. Penofol belongs to the class of materials that are difficult to ignite and do not support the combustion process. According to the licenses and certificates assigned to this heat insulator, it is not a fire hazard. When ignited, it releases carbon dioxide and water. However, with an insufficient amount of oxygen in the surrounding air, penofol begins to produce carbon monoxide.
7. Resistance to mechanical impact . The material is non-rigid and has compressive and bending strength in the range of 44-74 kg per cubic meter.
8. Operating temperature range. Penofol can be operated at temperatures from -60 to +100 degrees Celsius.
9. Chemical resistance. The material is resistant to almost all chemicals.
10. Environmental friendliness. Penofol is considered an environmentally friendly material, since its basis is polyethylene foam, which does not emit into environment no toxic substances and volatile compounds. In addition, this insulation allows you to protect yourself to a large extent from the influence electromagnetic waves.
11. Lifetime. Manufacturers guarantee that penofol is able to serve without losing its qualities for about two hundred years. So far, there is no way to verify this statement in practice, since the material is relatively young.

Advantages of penofol

The main advantages of penofol include the following qualities:

1. small thickness. Compared to many heat insulators, foam foam is very thin. At the same time, it is not inferior in terms of thermal insulation. They can insulate the walls from the inside, and he will not "steal" the free space.
2. Light weight. The material is very light. Therefore, it is convenient to transport and install it alone.
3. Ease of installation. Penofol does not crumble, does not break, does not require use individual funds protection and special tools. It is easily cut with an ordinary knife or scissors, and is attached to tape, staples or small nails.
4. Environmental Safety. Foil and polyethylene foam, which are components of the foam insulation, are absolutely harmless. They are also used in the packaging industry. food products. The toxicity of these substances is reduced to zero.
5. High resistance to fire. The material is difficult to ignite, so it can even be used to isolate places with high fire safety requirements.
6. No need for vapor barrier. Penofol has a low vapor permeability, so it does not require any additional insulating layers.
7. low price. This is enough economical material. In addition, there are no costs for its installation work.

Disadvantages of penofol

Like other heat-insulating materials, foil penofol has a number of disadvantages. Consider them:

• Insufficient rigidity. The softness of the material does not allow for plastering, painting or wallpapering over foam foam. A slight pressure can temporarily deform the material.
• Poor adhesion. Penofol is weakly glued to the walls, since its adhesive properties are quite low. It is necessary to purchase special glue or use fasteners. However, in the case of the latter, care must be taken not to reduce the insulating qualities of the material. Self-adhesive foil insulation can also be a way out of the situation.
• Aluminum conducts electricity well. When installing penofol, it is necessary to reliably protect the electrical wiring and prevent breakdowns.

Penofol selection criteria

When choosing foil polyethylene foam for thermal insulation purposes, you must follow these recommendations:

1. From the point of view of the ratio of price and quality, the material with a thickness of 4-5 millimeters is optimal.
2. Penofol can be used in any residential premises. But for saunas, baths, it is recommended to use reflective heat insulators based on polypropylene, which is more resistant to exposure high temperature than penofol.
3. To calculate required amount heat insulator, keep in mind that the size of the penofol is usually determined by square meters. One roll contains 9 to 18 squares.
4. The reflectivity of the insulation depends on the material from which the foil is made. The aluminum layer is optimal. However, sometimes there may be restrictions on the use of this metal due to the fact that it is a good electrical conductor. Then you should give preference to a material with a lavsan metallized film.
5. Pay attention to whether the penofol is sewn or not. If so, how. It can be chemical and physical method. It is preferable to choose a non-crosslinked material or one that is chemically crosslinked.

When buying penofol, you can easily check its quality. To do this, you need to unfold the roll and look through it at a bright light source. So you can see the uniformity of the material, the presence of spots, stripes.

Price and manufacturers of penofol

Penofol is a registered trademark. In Russia, the plant that has the official rights to produce this material is LIT. On the market, you can also find analogues of penofol, which are produced under other names: Energoflex, Magnoflex, Tepofol, Izolon, Porileks, Maksizol and others.

It is worth noting that penofol-2000 is distinguished by a lower price. Its cost starts from 50 rubles for square meter. However, this material is based on cross-linked polyethylene foam, which has poorer technical characteristics.

The price of penofol varies depending on its brand, thickness and density. Grade A is the cheapest among classic penofols (from 155 rubles per square). The cost of grade B material starts from 180 rubles per square meter. The price of self-adhesive penofol starts at 230 rubles per square.

Carefully study the packaging and documents provided by the seller of the goods. Remember, if the manufacturer of penofol is not indicated, then you are not dealing with this material at all, but with its analogue.

Brief instructions for installing penofol

As a rule, this heat insulator is used to insulate the walls of the room from the inside. For these purposes, it is ideal.

Consider the instructions for installing penofol with your own hands:

• We are preparing a frame of wooden beams on the wall. Need to ensure air gap about 20 millimeters.
• We fasten the bars with dowels in increments of 1 meter from each other.
• Checking the quality electrical wiring. We carry out its isolation if necessary.
• We cut the strips of penofol with a knife and apply end-to-end (without overlaps).
• We fasten the material to the frame with the reflective side facing us, using a furniture stapler or special glue.
• We glue the seams with metal tape.
• We mount again wooden frame with an indent of about two centimeters.
• On top of the second frame, you can lay drywall sheets, panels that are puttied, painted and wallpapered.

In exactly the same way, the floor is insulated with penofol. Only wooden logs will act as a frame.

Watch the video review of penofol:

Penofol is a relatively new heat insulator. It differs from most heaters in that it is able not only to act as an obstacle to the cold, but also to reflect heat into the room. Its cost is relatively low, and installation does not require special skills.