Insulating materials for walls. Thermal insulator: comparison of insulation materials for walls. Bulk insulation: types and scope of application

In electrical engineering, there is a certain type of coating that serves insulating purposes. Insulation materials come in various applications: for pipelines, walls and floors, roofs; they are often used in construction, electrical installation and industrial work.

Types and purpose

Insulating protective materials are used to protect residential and production premises from negative impact environment. Their application depends on the type of coating. The following types of insulation exist:

Heat, wind, sound insulation;
Hydro- and vapor barrier;
Electrical insulating and vibration insulating materials.

In addition to this classification, there is also a division of coatings depending on their shape. There are liquid, dense and powder options. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Photo - insulators for pipelines

Thermal insulation, wind and sound insulation

Thermal insulation or thermal insulation Construction Materials GOST R 52953-2008 are used to reduce heat loss from the ceiling, floor and walls. They can be used for both outdoor and interior decoration in order to reduce the thermal conductivity of the building. This property is inherent in them due to their special design, which implies high porosity and density.

Photo - mineral wool

There are the following main types of thermal insulation:

Photo – Arbolit

Despite the fact that organic finishing coatings have many advantages, they are now rarely used for insulating facades because they have low fire resistance. They are mainly used as insulating materials for gas pipelines, water supply systems and individual water pipes.

Photo - combined membrane film

Wind barrier films are often identified with heat insulating films, but they serve a slightly different purpose. These panels are represented by film membranes, the main purpose of which is to stop the air flow and prevent it from entering the room. This type of coating is often used for wooden houses(which have a high level of porosity), protecting the floor and roof from blowing.

Photo - Windproofing films

Windproofing materials are very similar to vapor barrier materials, and they are represented by polyethylene foam, membrane, diffusion films, the winding of which requires the use of special soft disks. By the way, insulation, depending on the material from which it is made, can act as a wind insulator.

Let's look at the prices for the insulating material VPE Comfort 3 mm Lavsan (roll products):

City	Cost m 2, cu. e.
Ekaterinburg	0,5
Irkutsk	0,5
Moscow	0,7
St. Petersburg (SPb)	0,7
Samara	0,5
Ufa	0,5

In addition to Lavsan, you can also buy insulating protective materials produced by TPK Baikal, Ekaterinburg Plant (EZIM) and Global Thermal.

Soundproofing

Soundproofing and soundproofing protect the room from noise penetrating into a residential building from the outside. They are necessary both for the construction of a private house and for independent major renovation apartments. Modern films are divided into:

Acoustic;
Sound-padding.

The key difference between them is their purpose. Acoustic help improve audibility inside specific premises, and spacers eliminate the problem of street noise from cars, etc. Such properties are ensured by a certain texture and design of the slabs. They can be presented in the form of mineral wool or foam plastic, where, on the one hand, there is a soft structure, and on the other, a hard reflective sheet (for example, aluminum or asbestos-cement). Polymer films that have a membrane structure are also now being produced. They are known for their combined properties due to a soft inner layer and a porous outer layer, which absorb sound from the room and reflect frequencies from the street.

Steam and waterproofing coatings

These materials are necessary to protect the structure from exposure to water, condensation or chemical substances. They are most often used as roofing coverings, because it is this area of the building that is most affected by precipitation. They are mainly bituminous (i.e., plastic, soft) and are made from metal shavings, minerals, and various plastics. Can be produced in the following forms:

In addition to roofing, they are also often used to finish the floor, especially if the building is built on a pillar or pile foundation.

Photo - Vapor barrier film

Video: use of insulating materials in electrical engineering

Electrical insulating materials

High-temperature electrical insulating films and mastics are designed to protect current-carrying conductors electrical wires. They are necessary for protection against short circuits or connection of conductors. Heat resistance characteristics:

Y - these are materials made from flammable fibrous substances such as cotton covering, cellulose, paper, etc. They are not dipped in special protective lubricants, so their maximum heating temperature before ignition is 90 degrees;
Class A is type Y insulation, but pre-impregnated with protective liquids. They are used to work with transformer substations, etc. They are used when heating up to 105°;
E are insulators for most known wires, devices, etc. These are mainly films and resins of synthetic origin. Necessary for insulating refrigerators, power cables, power lines, etc. They can heat up to 120° C depending on the temperature.
Category B - hard coatings made of mica, fiberglass and other organic and combined materials. They can withstand heat up to 130 degrees. Class F is the same organic material, but treated with protective compounds;
Class C is the newest insulating coatings. They are used by electrical equipment, where the heating of the conductors can reach 180 degrees and above. Represented by mica, ceramics, and other solid compounds of organic origin.

Photo - insulation for wires

The production of insulated cables is carried out in almost every major city in the Russian Federation and CIS countries.

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A positive factor in modern construction is the use of new tools and technologies. Currently, some insulating materials have proven themselves to be excellent.

Thermo Reflex insulation overview

Thermo Reflex - construction product new generation. It is used to insulate ventilated roofs, floors, walls, attics and attics. Thermo Reflex consists of reflective multi-layer thermal insulation sheets. The layers of these fabrics are polyethylene foam, polyester wadding or sheep wool. The layers are separated from each other by metallized films made of polyester material.

As a result of thermal radiation, overheating occurs in rooms in summer, and a significant part of the heat is lost in winter. With Thermo Reflex insulation material, these transfers are largely eliminated, as the principle of reflecting heat waves works. Thus, the comfort of housing is maintained throughout the year.

When constructing ventilated roofs of new buildings, as well as when reconstructing old ones, the use of insulating material helps to reflect heat radiation and protects against convection and heat loss. Thermo Reflex is used in a heated floor system. The aluminum contained in the material is an effective vapor barrier. If insulation is used for a non-heated floor, it creates protective screen, which prevents the penetration of radon gas into the room.

Application of insulating material in attic spaces and attics prevents heat transfer from the roof. Thermo Reflex is installed quickly and easily, no need to remove tiles or slates, no installation required plastering works. IN in this case, a good finishing material would be plasterboard or wooden lining. To make better use of the reflectivity of the insulating material, when finishing works you need to leave a small air gap.

Isolation interior walls around the perimeter of the house provides maximum heat retention in the room in winter, and maintains optimal temperature in summer without the use of air conditioners. Spacer strips are mounted on the walls, onto which Thermo Reflex sheets are fixed. The panels are connected to each other using special glue. The insulating material is secured with plasterboard. In this case, air gaps of at least 2 cm are also left.

This material is effective at any time of the year. It can be used on all bases and shapes. Thermo Reflex is waterproof, fire-resistant, non-irritant and non-toxic. It has a small thickness, which almost does not affect losses internal space living space. Thermo Reflex is durable in use.

Another effective insulation product for large-scale construction is Tefond. This material is a high-density polyethylene membrane. Tefond reduces deformation road surface, reduces the thickness of the layers of the road “pie”, reduces the mechanical effect on the road base. This material is safe to use, provides reliable protection, tightness and insulation of construction sites.

Tefond insulation review

Tefond can be mounted with vertical laying, with a waterproofing seam, using a two-lock waterproofing system and a standard system. Tefond is the first insulating membrane that can be installed vertically during operation. According to this system, the material is fixed only in the upper part. Drilling holes in walls is not allowed. Tefond can be used without horizontal joints on walls of any height.

A mechanical sealing system is used if Tefond is used for protection only. The end seal is sealed, making the seams watertight. Such a system is best protection from water and steam.

The material has a precise joining point, thanks to which it is possible to obtain excellent sealing by simply overlapping the edges. Even if the membrane is subjected to strong tension, there is virtually no possibility of the material rupturing. Tefond is available in rolls standard sizes. Their height is 2.07 m. This reduces material costs during installation.

The insulation membrane is used to protect walls, foundations and roofs. This material covers surfaces in contact with the ground. Tefond is used in the construction of tunnels, automobile and railways, in hydraulic works. The use of insulating materials in construction is a requirement of today.

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The problem of insulation outside and inside a living space is acute in any climate zone. The main task is to choose the right thermal insulation material. And this is not as simple as it seems. It is necessary to know such properties of insulation as thermal conductivity, water absorption, strength, service life, as well as installation details.

The insulation process usually affects all structures of a living space - walls, floor, ceiling. External or combined insulation (inside + outside) is preferable. Thermal insulation only from the inside of a living space is undesirable, since the dew point will move even deeper into the wall or move to the border of the wall and insulation.

Thus, it is not enough to choose the optimal thermal insulation material; it is necessary to install it correctly.

Important. The stove (inside) and chimney (outside) also need insulation. If this is not done, the walls close to the stove will crack. An uninsulated chimney becomes covered inside with condensate, which, when mixed with exhaust gases, turns into acid. It quickly corrodes the walls of the chimney, rendering it unusable.

What types of insulation are there?

Modern thermal insulation materials are varied. In private housing construction, along with high-tech insulation (polyurethane foam, penoizol), natural insulation materials are still used. This is due to their availability and low cost.

The following thermal insulation materials are used indoors and outdoors to insulate walls, ceilings and floors:

expanded clay (concrete attic and interfloor floors are insulated with this material from the inside, expanded clay is also poured into the cavities between the walls);
cork (insulation of walls and floors from the inside);
ecowool (walls, floors, attic - it is preferable to insulate from the inside due to the property of the material such as hygroscopicity);
mineral wool (walls, floors, attic floor– suitable for insulation both inside and outside);
polystyrene foam (outside walls, concrete screed);
penoplex (due to such properties as low water absorption, it is possible to insulate walls from the inside and outside, concrete screed, roofing, interfloor and attic floors);
penoizol (walls and floors - it is preferable to insulate from the inside; the property of penoizol to absorb water well requires care when insulating externally);
polyurethane foam (any surface, including metal and plastic pipes hot and cold water supply - insulation inside and outside).

Mineral wool is a non-flammable insulation material, so it is used for thermal insulation of stoves and chimneys.

Thermal insulating materials for walls

It is best to insulate walls from the outside during the construction stage. Wall thermal insulation materials are divided into natural and artificial. There is also a division into bulk, slab/mat, roll and foil rolls.

Natural insulation materials include:

mats and roll insulation from hemp and algae (a rare and expensive insulation material, suitable for thermal insulation of walls);
clay plaster (adobe);

Artificial thermal insulation materials for walls are:

expanded polystyrene (regular and extruded);
polyurethane foam (sprayed thermal insulation);
penoizol (poured into cavities);
ecowool (cellulose bulk insulation);
mineral wool (stone/basalt) in rolls, slabs, mats;
thin roll insulation with or without foil.

The characteristics of thermal insulation materials (comparative) can be seen below.

This parameter is measured in W/m*K. The lower the thermal conductivity, the better material retains heat in the living room.

This parameter is directly related to the density of the insulation. Loose thermal insulation has much lower thermal conductivity than solid insulation:

Polyfoam 0.045

Penoplex 0.032

Polyurethane foam 0.019 – 0.035

Penoizol 0.028 – 0.038

Ecowool 0.038 – 0.045

Mineral wool 0.045 – 0.07

Measured in %/day. An important technical characteristic showing the speed at which thermal insulation materials absorb water. A high rate is not a reason to stop using it. Insulation with high water absorption capacity requires careful double-sided waterproofing.

Comparative characteristics of materials:

Mineral wool 2

Measured in mg/(m.h.Pa). The characteristic shows how breathable the material is. All breathable insulation materials can be used for thermal insulation wooden walls. According to experts, the vapor permeability of insulation is not always useful. Often, completely clogging the pores and organizing micro-ventilation are much more effective.

Comparative characteristics of vapor permeability:

Polyfoam 0.018

Polyurethane foam 0.04 – 0.05

Penoizol 0.21 – 0.24

Mineral wool and ecowool 0.3

Durability

This parameter is very important for thermal insulation. If the other characteristics of several insulation materials are the same, then it is this parameter that tips the scales in favor of choosing the most durable insulation material.

Foam ≤ 13

Penoplex up to 40

Polyurethane foam up to 50

Penoizol up to 75

Ecowool no less than 50

Mineral wool for at least 70 years

By analyzing this data, you can create own opinion about different insulation materials and choose those that are best suited for your purposes.

Important. Natural thermal insulation materials made from hemp and algae have low thermal conductivity, but absorb water well, which, coupled with their high cost, makes them unpopular for insulating walls from the outside and inside.

The exception is expanded clay and cork. The first is poured between the walls in the well masonry and spilled with cement laitance. This prevents the material from settling and increases its strength. This wall insulation is cheap, and buying it is also not a problem. To reduce the thermal conductivity of insulated walls, you need to mix expanded clay of different fractions.

Cork is an excellent thermal insulator. Its properties are such that cold cannot penetrate into the insulated room, and heat cannot escape from it. In addition, it does not absorb water and has an attractive appearance. True, the cost of such insulation is significant, so it is often used for finishing walls with additional thermal insulation properties.

Floor insulation

Of the many insulation materials, expanded clay and polystyrene foam are often used for floor insulation (less often penoplex, since it is significantly more expensive than polystyrene foam). Cork can also be used to insulate the floor (as a backing for linoleum or carpeting, as well as a finishing touch). The properties of this material are unique. It does not absorb water spilled on the floor, perfectly dampens noise, and has a velvety texture to the touch. Its surface is never cold.

Expanded clay is used to insulate the floor in the attic. It strongly absorbs moisture, so it is necessary to do double-sided waterproofing. Because of this characteristic, it is not recommended to insulate a wooden sheathed attic floor with expanded clay (material that accidentally picks up moisture significantly adds weight).

High-density foam is ideal for insulating floors in cement screeds. The same can be said about penoplex, although it is more expensive and therefore is used much less frequently for floor insulation.

Mineral wool is another insulation material that can be used to insulate both floors between floors and the attic. Due to its hygroscopicity, mineral wool requires double-sided waterproofing.

The technology of floor insulation with foam plastic includes several stages:

Preparation of the base (cleaning of debris and dust).
Treating the floor with deep penetration primers.
Laying waterproofing film(necessarily with an approach to the walls, the joints are taped with construction tape).
The foam is fixed to the floor with glue, the joints are coated with sealant.
Be sure to leave a gap between the walls and the insulation.
A special reinforcing mesh is installed on the insulated floor (it is mounted on racks and located at a distance of 2.5 - 3 cm above the insulation level).
All that remains is to fill the floor with a self-leveling mixture.

Ceiling insulation

It is possible to insulate the ceiling from the inside only if the height of the room allows it. Aerated concrete slabs are a good choice for these purposes. They weigh very little and are easily attached using foam board adhesive. The joints are sealed with sealant. Additionally, you can lay foil thermal insulation.

Polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam, as well as mineral wool, are used only from the attic side (as described above).

Thermal insulating roll materials

Thin roll thermal insulation made of foamed polyethylene is a weak obstacle to cold air entering the room through micropores and cracks. However, foil roll materials– a great addition to the insulating pie.

Foil thermal insulation (penofol, foil-isolon) laid on top of any insulation will play a dual role - repellent thermal insulation and waterproofing. In this case, there is no need to purchase separately waterproofing materials.

Advice. Rolled foil insulation is demanding to install. They will not work if, for example, clapboard is laid directly on them. A working gap between the foil and finishing. Therefore, a lathing with a thickness of bars of at least 3 cm is always made on top of rolled foil insulation.

Various types of thermal insulation materials (bulk, roll, slab) allow for insulation various surfaces– walls, ceilings, floors. Fireproof thermal insulation (non-flammable) is suitable for insulating stoves (it is not the stove itself that is insulated, but the nearby walls).

The choice of thermal insulation material is a responsible process. Today, many manufacturers have begun to produce insulation that can perform several functions at once. It not only makes the surface warm, but also creates reliable protection against wind, moisture, steam and corrosion.

Kinds

If you decide to insulate the walls, then when you go to a hardware store, you will see that the assortment outside is quite wide. Each of the available insulation materials differs not only in its thermal insulation qualities. Let's look at the main ones.

Liquid materials

Several years ago, builders actively used solid thermal insulation materials to insulate walls. But not so long ago construction market new ones began to appear, having a liquid consistency. In appearance and consistency, such products are similar to paint, which is why they are often called insulating paint.

In the photo - liquid thermal insulation materials for walls

By composition liquid thermal insulation presented in the form of small capsules made of ceramics and glass. They are filled with air or inert gas. The role of the binding component is performed by acrylic polymers. The finished product is a thick dough.

Hard materials

To insulate walls, rigid insulation materials can be used, the installation of which is much simpler. They represent geometrically correct slabs, thanks to which you can get ideal flat surface. Then simply plaster or veneer it various materials. For the most part they fit like .

The photo shows rigid thermal insulation materials for walls:

Solid insulation does not shrink or wrinkle. Installation of solid insulation does not require lathing, frames or other structures. The materials are highly durable and their service life is more than 50 years.

Warm plaster

Among the advantages of this material are high strength indicators. This suggests that the surface is very difficult to damage, which cannot be said about previous materials. Warm plaster is a liquid heat insulator. It's nothing more than cement-sand mortar with the addition of natural and polymer fillers.

On the picture- warm plaster

Thanks to them, it is possible to reduce the thermal conductivity of the original composition. The thermal conductivity of walls with a heat insulator will directly depend on the fillers used. When laying out a thin layer 1-1.5 cm thick, you can replace 50 ml of polystyrene foam. But you can understand what warm plaster for the facade looks like and how it is used by looking at the photo and information

Gas-filled plastics

This material for thermal insulation of walls is considered one of the most effective. To obtain it, the foaming method is used different materials. The result of this process is a sheet foam insulator.

Photo-gas-filled plastics

Its installation is simple and convenient. Expanded polystyrene can easily be considered one of the leaders among all produced foam plastics. You can use a heat insulator to insulate walls from the outside. But what they are and where exactly it is used is described in this article.

Liquid foam

This is another option liquid insulation. Its name is penoizol. Its filling is carried out using hoses between the walls, into cracks, and formwork at the time of construction. This insulation option is a budget option, since its cost is 2 times cheaper compared to other analogues.

The photo shows liquid foam for walls

Liquid foam is able to resist microbes, is breathable, does not burn well, and has a long service life. But what kind of liquid thermal insulation for walls from the inside exists, in addition to the above, is described in this

Extruded polystyrene foam

Polystyrene granules are used to make this material. They are melted by the action high temperature. The material is then extruded from the extruder and foamed. This gives such .

Photo-extruded polystyrene foam for walls

Thus, it is possible to obtain strong, durable and breathable insulation. He communicates well with various coatings walls

Glass wool

This material is a type of mineral fiber. Glass scrap is used to make it. The release of glass wool occurs with different densities and thickness. If you need thin fiberglass, then you need to choose a material with a thickness of 5 cm. This is enough to replace a meter-long brick wall.

In the photo there is glass wool for the wall

Fiberglass has high fire resistance and elasticity. Characterized by excellent heat and sound insulation. But when installing fiberglass, you need to take care of your safety by wearing a respirator.

Election criteria

When choosing a thermal insulation material for insulating external and internal walls, it is necessary to take into account a number of requirements:

Thermal insulation performance. The higher this indicator, the better the material will retain heat.
Weight. The lighter the heat insulator, the fewer difficulties arise during its installation.
Vapor permeability. If this indicator is high, then excess liquid will drain freely.
Flammability. In this case, the indicators can determine how fire hazardous the material is and whether it poses a threat to the house and its occupants.
Eco-holic purity. By purchasing modern insulation, you can be sure that it consists exclusively of natural raw materials.
Lifetime. It is necessary to select insulation that has a long service life, so as not to waste extra effort and money on repeated work.
Price. And although the price of a heat insulator is indicated as the last criterion, for many it is the most important. Of course, you must understand that the more expensive the material, the higher its specifications.

When working with walls, it is useful to know the difference.

Thermal insulation of walls is responsible work, which requires the choice of high-quality insulation. Today there are enough options on the construction market, each of which has its own technical characteristics and is suitable for insulating walls outside or inside the house.

Choose from a variety of materials for home insulation the right option it can be quite difficult. Each of them is often divided into several types with its own characteristics. unique characteristics. Comparative analysis may take a long time, so an idea of the general properties of this or that insulation will help, if not finally decide on the choice, then at least tell you in which direction to move. The article will focus on building thermal insulation materials.

Thermal insulation materials types and properties

Styrofoam

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

So, among its positive characteristics the following stands out:

price. Production costs are minimal. Material consumption (in comparison with popular mineral wool) is one and a half times less;
ease of installation. Polystyrene foam will not require the construction of lathing and guides. It is mounted on the wall by gluing;
versatility. A correctly selected type of insulation will allow you to create a reliable heat-protective barrier for the floor, facade, walls, floors between floors, roof, and ceiling.

It effectively protects residents from the cold frame houses, laid inside hollow brick walls.

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

Characteristics	Foam brands				Notes
Characteristics	PSB S 50	PSB S 35	PSB S 25	PSB S 15	Notes
Density (kg/m³)	35	25	15	8	Types PS - 4, PS - 1 have increased density
Fracture resistance (MPa)	0,30	0,25	0,018	0,06
Compressive Strength (MPa)	0,16	0,16	0,08	0,04
Moisture absorption capacity (%)	1	2	3	4	Full immersion for 24 hours
Thermal conductivity (W/μ)	0,041	0,037	0,039	0,043
Self-extinguishing time (sec.) / flammability class	3	1	1	4	Provided there is no direct contact with open flame Normally flammable
Vapor permeability coefficient (mg)	0,05	0,05	0,05	0,05

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

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

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

That's why strengths foam plastic are rightfully considered:

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

The cell structure of polystyrene foam is closed, so it absorbs liquid extremely poorly. For insulation, this is an extremely important indicator, because when water is added, it loses its heat-saving properties. Cellars, ground floors having direct contact (or the threat of such) with groundwater successfully insulated using polystyrene foam;
sound insulation comes as a pleasant addition to the function of reducing heat loss. The air hidden in the sealed cells of the material successfully extinguishes even the most intense sound waves, transmitted in space. In order to create a barrier to impact noise, foam plastic alone will not work;
resistance to alcohol, alkaline and saline solutions, water-based paints this material is “developed” to high level. In addition, it is not chosen as a worthy habitat for fungi and mold. It is worth noting that rodents, on the contrary, are very fond of polystyrene foam and often prefer to live in it. Fighting them by any available means will not allow uninvited neighbors to spoil the insulation;
environmental Safety. Polystyrene foam does not emit any harmful substances. The modern standard of this insulation is full compliance with sanitary standards;
as additional protection from combustion, at the production stage, fire retardants are added to the main ingredients, designed to increase the fire resistance of the foam. And if there is no direct contact with the fire, then it goes out on its own in a short period of time. But, in fairness, it is worth noting that it is still considered a flammable material;
loss of the above properties will not occur, even if there is short-term contact with a heat source up to 110°, but prolonged exposure to more than 80° C will lead to deformation and loss of characteristics.

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

Penoplex plates

Foamed polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene - all this is the name of the same material sold in construction stores as penoplex insulation. It is a “relative” of the familiar polystyrene foam, but is considered a material one step higher.

The main difference begins already at the production stage, where extrusion plants are used. As a result, the fine-cell structure of the material has greater strength than its “brother” foam. It is also distinguished by excellent hydrophobic properties. Air is securely sealed in the scarlet cells, preventing warm air leave the room, and cold, on the contrary, penetrate inside.

Main properties of thermal insulation material:

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

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

Foamed polystyrene occupies a worthy position in popularity due to its good performance indicators.

Thermal insulation material glass wool

Insulation, known to more than one generation of builders, has today undergone some modifications. But, in essence, it remained the same material made from molten glass. Sand and recycled glass materials are drawn at temperatures above 1400 °C into thin fibers, which are formed into small bundles (with the participation of binding components), and then heated and pressed into a felt-like product. Glass wool reaches the consumer in mats or rolls and is intended for insulation of both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

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

Fragility refers rather to significant shortcomings. To prevent glass wool from scattering into its component parts during operation, mats and canvases are stitched. But no reinforcement can save you from small particles flying in all directions. Therefore, the equipment of a person working with glass wool must be serious: clothing that covers the body well, a respirator mask, goggles and gloves.
The thermal conductivity of the material is low, but in comparison with other materials for similar purposes, it is considered high.
The cost of glass wool remains competitive. Due to its availability, it is in demand, especially since it really reduces heat loss.
Ease of transportation and use. Rolls and mats of material weigh little and the packaging is compact enough to bring the entire volume for home insulation in one go. Laying it out is also easy. The only caveat is that when insulating vertical bases, it can fall out of the frame, because it is quite flexible and low-elastic. The problem is solved by constructing guides with a smaller distance than the width of the mat. It is easy to cut the material to size.
Safety. Glass wool can cause certain inconveniences and harm to health only at the installation stage. But with proper organization of work, troubles will not happen. And after the material is laid in the base and covered with drywall, chipboard sheets or others finishing materials, it will not bring any harm to a person.
No rodents. Due to the specific nature of the material, mice and rats will not choose this insulation to create cozy burrows in it.
Glass wool is a non-flammable material.
Sound insulation when used is also ensured.

Thus, it is most convenient to use glass wool for insulating floors and ceilings. You can also show skill when decorating walls. The main disadvantage remains harmful dust, inevitable when cutting and rolling, but for some consumers the low cost more than offsets this minus.

Slag

Continuing the conversation about mineral insulation, it is worth mentioning slag wool. It is produced from blast furnace slag. Since this is a kind of production waste (when cast iron is smelted in blast furnaces, a glassy mass remains), the costs of its production are low, and therefore the price of the finished insulation is quite affordable.

Slag wool is capable of blocking heat well in rooms, but it has enough disadvantages and limitations on use to negate its low cost and good thermal insulation.

So, slag wool is afraid of moisture. It is not justified to use it in bathrooms or on facades. At the same time, it is capable of oxidizing various metal parts and structures with which it comes into direct and prolonged contact.
To top it all off, it is scratchy and requires the use of special protection during operation. Against this background, glass wool looks much more attractive, which is why slag wool is used extremely rarely in modern construction.

Mineral thermal insulation material

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

Its fibers are the same size as slag wool, but they do not cause discomfort during installation. Safety in use is one of the first distinctive properties This insulation is from the mineral category.

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

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

Characteristics of thermal insulation materials

Ecowool

Ecowool is insulation made from waste paper and various residues from the production of paper and cardboard. In addition to these components, antiseptics and a fairly powerful fire retardant are added to the composition. It is extremely necessary, because judging by the fact that 80% of the material is flammable cellulose, the level of flammability of such a heat-insulating product is quite high.

Ecowool is not without its drawbacks.

One of them is hers natural decrease in volume. It is capable of settling, losing up to 20% of the original filling level. To prevent this, ecowool is used in excess. Creating a “reserve” will replenish the volume that decreases during operation.
The insulation absorbs moisture quite well. This directly affects the ability to retain heat. The material needs the ability to release moisture to the external environment, so the thermal insulation layer must be ventilated.
In order to carry out installation, special equipment will be required. It is a device that pumps insulation with uniform density, eliminating its further shrinkage. In this regard, you will need the help of hired specialists with experience working with this type of insulation. Wet method application, which involves such difficulties, also opens up the prospect of a break in construction work until the ecowool dries (from two to three days).

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

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

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

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

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

Polyurethane foam (PPU)

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

Polyurethane foam has the following characteristics:

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

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

Types of thermal insulation materials

Reflective thermal insulation materials

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

The surface of such insulation is able to reflect more than 97% of the heat that reaches its surface. This is available through one or a couple of layers of polished aluminum.
It does not contain impurities, and is applied to a layer of foamed polyethylene for ease of use.

The thin-looking material can surprise with its capabilities. One or two centimeters of reflective insulation creates an effect comparable to using a 10 to 27 cm thick fibrous thermal insulator. Among the most popular materials in this category are Ecofol, Penofol, Poriplex, Armofol.
In addition to heat and sound insulation, such insulation creates vapor barrier protection (and is often used in this capacity).

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