Types of heaters for the house. Modern thermal insulation materials in construction. Modern variations of fiberboard: Green Board®

Topics with a choice and description of the features of a particular type of insulation are deservedly popular on our portal. These questions become more urgent the higher the growth in energy prices and the desire of homeowners to save on heating. FORUMHOUSE has already talked about and about.

Choosing the best insulation for the walls of the house, which is right for you, we suggest looking at the nuances of insulating a private house from a slightly different angle. To do this, consider the following questions:

• How to start choosing a material.
• What are the types of heaters.
• Is it possible to do without using it.
• Should I use eco-insulators?
• What is lacking in modern means and methods of wall insulation.

Choosing a material

The modern market of thermal insulation materials offers a lot of options and types. Conventionally, they can be divided into artificial (man-made) and natural. Artificial include: mineral wool (stone and glass wool) and polystyrene foam insulation (PPS, or polystyrene, EPPS - extruded polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam), foam glass, sprayed polyurethane foam, ecowool, expanded clay, etc. Natural materials include sawdust, straw, moss, flax, hemp and other eco-materials.

The materials of the second group are most often used by enthusiasts in the construction of environmentally friendly houses.

To determine the type of material, you need to pay attention to the following parameters: thermal conductivity, hygroscopicity, density, flammability class, efficiency, environmental friendliness, durability. You also need to understand in advance what and how you are going to insulate. Those. – choose the scope of the material. To do this, we ask ourselves the question in which structural unit of the house should work. To the materials that are used for and insulation of the foundation (), etc. working in the ground, in an aggressive environment, there are certain requirements. These are non-susceptibility to moisture accumulation, rotting, high compressive strength, thermal efficiency, durability.

The main (perhaps even the only) disadvantage of foam plastics is their combustibility (under certain conditions) and limited thermal stability. In the event of a fire, first of all, interior items (furniture, curtains, etc.) burn. Therefore, measures must be taken in advance to protect polystyrene foam (in case it is used for internal insulation) from an open source of fire. To do this, the foam must be covered with a good layer of concrete or plaster. It is better if PPS is used for external insulation. It must also be covered with non-combustible material (concrete, plaster), and not used as an element of a ventilated facade!

In civil housing construction, expanded polystyrenes are widely used for insulation of foundations and flat roofs (EPS). Facades of houses, as the basis for thin-layer plaster, the so-called. "wet facade" (PPS).

• In a number of situations (especially in the field of low-rise housing construction), it is necessary to insulate frame structures, where, instead of rigidity, elastic options mounted by surprise are more technologically advanced. Here, it is most widely used on the basis of stone () or glass fibers - this material combines high manufacturability of installation (no special experience and special professional tools are required) with incombustibility (including fire resistance) and low production cost.

When using mineral wool materials, care must be taken to prevent moisture from entering them. In the event that water enters the insulation, the "pie" of the frame structure and the vapor transparency of the layers should ensure that excess moisture escapes to the outside. Why should steam and waterproofing films and membranes be used correctly?

The above methods are far from the only effective option for warming a room.

Alexey Melnikov

To a lesser extent, such insulation methods are now common as: poured (such as a screed from a solution of polystyrene concrete) and filling options (expanded clay gravel, foam glass chips, aerated concrete block rejection, etc.). Because they, in my opinion, are more appropriate as additional sound insulation in horizontal structures.

44alex FORUMHOUSE User

I would choose perlite for ceilings and for backfilling stone walls, but not under the floor on the ground, because. this is an excellent material in terms of price / thermal conductivity / combustibility / environmental friendliness / service life.

Recently, blown versions of heaters are also gaining popularity. Type of cellulose fiber (the so-called ecowool) or its mineral counterpart. According to Alexey Melnikova, these materials should be used for thermal insulation of hard-to-reach places.

natural materials

It is also necessary to highlight materials based on natural fibers (flax, sea grasses), which are now being promoted under the ideology of ECO-construction. Due to the limited choice and significant price tag, these materials have not yet become widespread.

The main disadvantages of natural materials:

• shrinkage;
• unpredictability of behavior in the long term;
• susceptibility to rodents.

Let's see how true this is.

Russian FORUMHOUSE User

Unexpectedly, the following experiment came out: in the summer they folded substandard linen insulation in the corner, in a stack 1.5 meters high. In winter, a water pipe leaked, which passed nearby. We noticed this only in the summer, i.e. the bottom layer of flax has lain for at least 6 months in water. And here are the results:

• For a material 5 cm thick, under the pressure of the upper layers, only 1 cm sat down;
• The material that had taken in water turned dark and was left to dry until morning. The next morning he regained his form, i.e. again became 5 cm thick;
• Breaking loads have not changed either.

After drying, the linen insulation remained practically unchanged, because the structure of the linen material is fixed by melted lavsan fibers. This structure can be changed only when heated to 160-190 ° C or when the flax is destroyed. And flax, as you know, is still used in plumbing work when sealing water pipes.

Extensive experience has been accumulated abroad in the use of this material. Mice do not eat it, they make passages in it and make their dwellings. To avoid this, appropriate measures are taken - in the form of installing a fine-mesh steel mesh, etc.

SCM FORUMHOUSE User

I believe that the use of sawdust is a very environmentally friendly way to insulate. The main thing is to follow the technology. It is better to fill up sawdust in layers, with careful tamping of each layer with a shovel handle.

Both industrial materials and “folk” materials have pros and cons. “Commercial” materials are a ready-made product with known properties and a certain installation technology, following which you can be sure of the final result. Eco-insulations are more of an experiment, with a possible lower cost (sawdust), you will have to sweat during installation. The construction itself can take time. Again, you can not guarantee 100% of the final result, because. we still have little experience in using such materials in different climatic zones.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude: any material has the right to life. It all depends on the area of ​​​​its application, the prevalence of one or another type of material in a particular area, its price, thermal characteristics, etc. Hence: when choosing a heater, first of all, it is necessary to build on the economic calculation and the expediency of its use in the long term.

You should also check your tasks with our questionnaire:

• Where will the material be used?
• what is it for;
• what structure needs to be insulated.

Having puzzled with such questions, you will understand which material is suitable specifically for your case and specifically for your building.

Is there a universal heater

If you dream and imagine an “ideal” insulation, with a set of universal properties, then it will be a material whose various characteristics will not be stable - they must change flexibly depending on the operating conditions. In one situation, the material needs strength, high density, rigidity, clear geometry, and increased moisture resistance. In other conditions, it requires vapor transparency, low density (which means it will not work “in the ground”), workability in hard-to-reach places, flexibility, and good environmental friendliness. With all this, an affordable price for the masses remains important. It turns out mutually exclusive requirements. So it is hardly worth chasing after some special and new materials.

From our videos you will learn

With the onset of autumn with its dullness, cold winds and monotonous rains, you increasingly begin to think about a soft sweater, a warm cup of tea and a warm and cozy home. Since prehistoric times, man has tried to warm his home and keep it warm. Since then, mankind has found many ways to protect the house from the cold.
Modern builders carry out a whole range of works on the thermal insulation of walls, floors, roofs, and facades, creating, as it were, a thermal shell around the building frame. Building materials that reduce the heat transfer process are called thermal insulation or heaters. Their main characteristic is thermal conductivity - that is, the ability to transfer heat from warmer to less warm. The lower the thermal conductivity, the more heat is stored.
According to the classification according to GOST, building heat-insulating materials and products are distinguished:

	By type of raw material: 1. Organic 2. Inorganic 3. Mixed		By structure: 1. Fibrous 2. Cellular 3. Grainy (loose)
	By form: 1. Loose 2. Flat 3. Shaped 4. Corded		By flammability: 1. Fireproof 2. Flame retardant 3. Combustible

The combustibility of a material is understood as its ability to self-combust. So fireproof materials are not capable of completely burning on their own (combustibility class NG); slow-burning - they can burn under the direct influence of a flame, but are not able to continue burning without an ignition source or outside its influence (combustibility class G-1, G-2); combustible ones - continue burning on their own even after the ignition source is removed (combustibility class G-3, G-4).

With form and structure, more or less clear. Loose, that is, loose, porous, include mineral wool and perlite sand.
Flat - those that have a flat shape - mats, slabs, blocks.
Shaped - heat-insulating materials, which were shaped in production (cylinder, half-cylinder, segments). Corded - cords and plaits, small section.

From the term " Fibrous"It becomes clear that these materials consist of fibers - filamentous elements (mineral wool).
The cellular structure is characterized by the presence of macropores - cells (gas and foam concretes, gas silicates, as well as foam plastic and foam glass have such a structure).
Granular or loose - differ in the presence of grains - granules or grains of different sizes (perlite sand, powder materials for backfilling)

And now back to the types of thermal insulation materials.
The key indicator for insulation is its basis - raw materials. For the production of certain heaters, various materials are used. As mentioned above, thermal insulation materials are distinguished on an organic basis, on an inorganic basis and on a mixed one.

Thermal insulators based on organic

To understand the terminology, let us recall that the organic basis can be something belonging to the plant or animal world, or a chemical compound, which is based on carbon. So, organic-based heat insulators include materials based on waste from the woodworking industry (sawdust, shavings); waste paper (cellulose); sheep wool; cork and some other natural materials. However, all of them gradually absorb moisture, may lose volume. (compress) and ignite quickly, so they are rarely used in the modern world.

The most popular organic heaters are expanded polystyrene) and polyethylene foam. The latter, to a greater extent, is used for insulating pipes and communications. Reflective heaters, that is, reflective ones (brands Armofol, Ecofol, Porileks, Penofol), one of the components of which is foamed polyethylene, and the second is polished aluminum, are gaining more and more popularity. These heaters are very thin, but effective. Due to the ability of polished aluminum to reflect up to 97-99% of heat and polyethylene (the thickness of the final material is 1-2.5 cm), a kind of thermal barrier is obtained that, according to manufacturers, can replace from 10 to 27 cm of a fibrous heat insulator.

Expanded polystyrene, also called polystyrene, began its journey as a heat-insulating material in the 60s of the 20th century (although it was invented in 1928 in France) and has not changed much since then.
Expanded polystyrene is a white cellular material, consisting of polystyrene plastic mass filled with 98% air, due to which it has high thermal insulation performance, as well as low weight, that is, it does not affect the shrinkage of the foundation and facilitates installation.
The generally accepted designation - PSB - P polystyrene WITH suspension manufactured B in an express way, the additional letter "C" after the abbreviation PSB means WITH self-extinguishing, and F"- facade, the following numbers indicate the thickness of the sheet indicated in centimeters (10, 15, 25, 30, 50).
Expanded polystyrene is a very convenient and popular insulation. However, it has a number of disadvantages, namely:

• comparatively fragile;
• combustible - needs special treatment;
• does not "breathe" - requires additional ventilation;
• insects and rodents easily arrange labyrinths and passages in it - additional means are needed to protect the edges of the insulation to eliminate direct access to pests;
• from direct sunlight, it dries out and crumbles over time - it needs a finishing coat (plaster, paint).

In an attempt to eliminate the shortcomings of the foam was invented - the raw material is the same, but the method of production of the material is different (extrusion method). The result is a material with a uniform, closed-cell structure, very durable (it can even be used as a material for auxiliary structures), light, with a low thermal conductivity, minimal water absorption, frost-resistant, harmless to humans, not subject to decay and resistant to chemicals.
In extruded polystyrene foamIt was possible to eliminate only two drawbacks - poor vapor permeability and high flammability.

Despite the flaws, expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene foam are considered almost universal heaters, as they are environmentally friendly, moisture-resistant, resistant to temperature extremes, have practically no shelf life, and are equally suitable for insulating roofs, walls, floors and even facades.

Thermal insulators based on inorganic

Inorganic-based heaters include those heat insulators for the manufacture of which mineral substances were used (rocks, glass, metallurgical slags). As a result of spraying the molten mineral substance, randomly intertwined fibers are formed - mineral wool (mineral wool).

Depending on the initial mineral substance, glass wool (based on glass), stone or basalt wool (based on rocks) and slag wool (based on metallurgical slags) are distinguished.
The main advantages over organic-based heat insulators are: high fire safety, good sound insulation, the ability to pass air and steam, which prevents the formation of condensate, as well as resistance to bioorganisms (mold, fungi, insects, birds, rodents).
Previously, the use of glass wool was widespread in construction, it was used to insulate facades, flat roofs, floors, ceilings, and internal ceilings.
However, glass wool loses its shape and volume faster when compared with other heat insulators, and is “afraid” of moisture, therefore, it loses its characteristics over time.
It is also important to understand that no matter how manufacturers try, it is impossible to completely eliminate the fragility of fiberglass. When it comes into contact with the skin, it causes itching and irritation; when inhaled, it affects the lungs; if it gets into the eyes, it scratches the cornea, which can lead to serious vision problems. Therefore, when working with glass wool, safety precautions are recommended. clothing - pants and a jacket covering the skin, gloves, goggles and a respirator. Now glass wool is more often used to insulate urban communications and to increase sound insulation in rooms.

Stone wool does not differ from glass wool in terms of application, structure and flammability, but has the advantage of low water absorption and slight loss of shape and volume, which has made the use of stone or basalt wool more popular. In addition to insulating floors, walls, pitched and flat roofs, it is used for fire protection of steel columns and beams, air ducts, reinforced concrete partitions. Slag wool is not used in “residential” construction, as it contains sulfur impurities harmful to humans. It is used as a fire-resistant thermal insulation of wagons, tanks, boilers, steam pipes, metal structures.

Thermal insulators on a mixed basis

Thermal insulators from mixed feedstock - those that were produced on the basis of asbestos with the addition of dolomite, vemriculite, perlite.
Such insulators have the consistency of dough (applied to the surface and left to dry completely) or are available in the form of plates and shells. Such materials demonstrate good thermal insulation characteristics, incombustibility, resistance to decay, but asbestos insulation, like polystyrene, does not allow steam and air to pass through, therefore, they require additional ventilation, and like glass wool, they require special during operation. clothing (asbestos dust can cause lung damage, especially in allergy sufferers). The last factor often becomes decisive, and not at all in favor of asbestos heaters.

Written in words above, we summarized in table 1 (we compared the most popular types of heat insulators)

Table 1. Types and characteristics of popular heaters

	glass wool	Stone / basalt wool	Styrofoam
Application area	Facade, walls, floor, flat roof, ceiling	Facade, walls, floor, flat and pitched roof		Facade, walls, floor, ceiling, flat and pitched roof
Feedstock	inorganic	inorganic	organic	organic
Structure	fibrous	fibrous	cellular	cellular
Form	loose, pressed into mats	loose, pressed into mats	flat	flat
combustibility	NG	NG	G-3, G-4	G-3, G-4
Water absorption	high	low	relatively low	low
Loss of volume and shape	high	low	low	low
Resistance to bioorganisms	high	high	low	high
The ability to "breathe"	passes air and steam	passes air and steam	impervious to air and steam	impervious to air and steam
Impact on human health	harmful	harmless	harmless	harmless

Even having clarified for yourself the nuances of certain heaters, having come to the store it is difficult to immediately navigate, because many manufacturers offer various means of thermal insulation to the modern buyer. One brand has only one type of product, the other has a whole line of different ones in terms of base, shape, structure, how not to get confused? We suggest that you familiarize yourself with table 2, in which you can find the names of manufacturers by type of insulation or by its purpose (we compared the brands of manufacturers popular in the Saratov region).

Table 2. Heaters and their areas of application

	glass wool	stone wool	Styrofoam	Extruded polystyrene foam
Pitched roof, attic	URSA GEO; URSA TERRA; URSA PUREON	ROCKLITE; TECHNOFLOR; Knauf Insulation Pitched roof; Knauf Insulation Thermo Plate; ROCKWOOL Standard; ROCKWOOL LITE BUTTS; ROCKWOOL ROOT BATTS; ECOROCK ;Baswool Light; ISOVER Frame house	PSB-S	URSA XPS; Penoplex Pitched roof; XPS TECHNONICOL
The roof is flat		TECHNOROOF; ROCKWOOL ROOT BATTS; Baswool Ruf		URSA XPS; Penoplex Comfort Penoplex Uklon
Facade ventilated		BASALITE VENTI; HeatKNAUF; Knauf Insulation Facade; ROCKWOOL VENTY BATTS; Baswool Vent Facade; TECHNOVENT;		Penoplex GEO
Facade "wet"		TECHNOFAS; Knauf Insulation Facade; ROCKWOOL FACADE BUTTS; Baswool Facade	PSB-F	Penoplex Facade; Penoplex Basis; XPS TECHNONICOL
Ground floor, basement		HeatKNAUF	PSB-F	Penoplex Facade; Penoplex Basis
Foundation			PSB-F	URSA XPS; Penoplex Foundation; Penoplex Geo; XPS TECHNONICOL;
Floor	ISOVER Warm home; URSA GEO; URSA PUREON	ROCKLITE; TECHNOFLOR; HeatKNAUF; ROCKWOOL Standard; ECOROCK; Baswool Floor; ISOVER Frame house	PSB-S	URSA XPS; Penoplex GEO; Penoplex Comfort; XPS TECHNONICOL;
Walls	ISOVER Warm house-PLATE; URSA GEO; URSA TERRA; URSA PUREON	ROCKLIGHT; Knauf Insulation Thermo Plate; HeatKNAUF; ROCKWOOL Standard; ROCKWOOL LITE BUTTS; Baswool Light; Baswool Standard; ISOVER Frame house	PSB-S	URSA XPS; Penoplex Facade; Penoplex Comfort; Penoplex Wall; Penoplex Basis
Balconies, loggias	URSA GEO	ROCKLITE; ROCKWOOL Standard; ROCKWOOL LIGHT BUTTS	PSB-S; PSB-F	URSA XPS; Penoplex Comfort; XPS TECHNONICOL;
Frame house	ISOVER Warm house-PLATE	ROCKLITE; ROCKWOOL Standard; ROCKWOOL LITE BUTTS; ECOROCK 30; Baswool Light 45; ISOVER Frame house		Penoplex Wall
Rooms with high humidity	URSA GEO	ROCKWOOL insulation; ROCKWOOL LITE BUTTS; ROCKWOOL SAUNA BATTS		Penoplex Comfort

For the right choice of the insulation you need, it is important to clearly understand what you want to get as a result? And what is primary for you, and what is secondary? And we, for our part, tried to help you figure out what are the pros and cons of modern commonly used heaters.

Modern heaters, developed using the latest technologies, are used in construction to isolate the interior of a house. The material "saves" from the winter cold, keeping the room warm, and from the summer heat, delaying coolness.

Each type of new materials has its own application technology. You need to check it out when buying. Depending on the composition, there are three groups of surface heaters.

Organic. They insulate houses with moderate humidity and, most often, only from the inside of the room.

This group is represented by the following types:

• woody;
• Linen;
• Cork;
• Sea grass.

Inorganic. Suitable for insulating the walls of the house from the street and from the inside:

• Mineral insulation (the most popular are mineral wool and slabs);
• Basalt fiber;
• Fiberglass;
• Cellular concrete;
• Styrofoam;
• Polyethylene foam.

Mixed. These heaters are represented by a composition of organic and inorganic elements. Representatives of the group - materials from rocks:

• Perlite;
• Asbestos;
• Vermiculite etc.

perlite insulation

Note! Thanks to the use of new technologies, the developed heaters are ergonomic and environmentally friendly.

A wide variety of new insulation materials are used in construction. What parameters you need to pay attention to when choosing, discussed below.

Modern thermal insulation materials are characterized by the following properties:

1. Thermal conductivity;
2. Degree of porosity;
3. The degree of strength;
4. Steam permeability index;
5. Degree of water absorption;
6. Resistance to biological processes;
7. Fire resistance;
8. Resistance to temperature changes;
9. Heat capacity indicator.

The thermal conductivity parameter of the insulating material depends on other properties - the amount of moisture, the degree of strength and porosity, temperature and structure. It indicates how much total heat will pass through the surface. The heat conductivity indicator is calculated taking into account a certain footage and time (heating through 1 m2 of material per hour).

In construction, the parameter of the porosity of the insulation is important, since the further functionality of the material depends on its degree.

There are the following types of pores:

• open;
• closed;
• Large;
• Small.

When choosing a heater, you need to pay attention to the strength parameter. Its minimum and maximum limits are 0.2 and 2.5 MPa. This is especially true when transporting material. A high strength index will protect the surface from various kinds of damage.

Measuring the degree of vapor permeability will indicate the amount of its penetration - through 1m2 of insulation per hour. The correct calculation assumes the same temperature indicator on the inside and outside of the walls (despite the fact that they differ).

In rainy areas, a high moisture absorption rate of the insulation is required. In this case, preference should be given to new materials with moisture-repellent elements in the composition, for example, mineral wool. The following parameter depends on the degree of moisture absorption.

The higher the degree of protection against moisture of the material, the stronger its resistance to biological processes. Mold, microorganisms, insects, etc. destroy the structure of the coating. Therefore, the insulation must have the property of protection against these processes.

Fire resistance is an important safety parameter of insulation, developed using modern technology. You need to choose a material with a high degree of fire protection.

At the same time, it is necessary to pay attention to generally accepted fire safety indicators:

• The ability of the material to ignite;
• combustibility;
• Smoke formation;
• The level of toxicity.

Resistance to temperature changes is important in all climatic conditions. This parameter is represented by the limit. Under its influence, the structure of the thermal coating will begin to collapse.

The heat capacity parameter indicates the ability of the insulation to withstand the influence of low temperatures. This is especially important for cold areas. A good new insulation is frozen and thawed without disturbing the structure.

9 popular materials: advantages and disadvantages of the best heaters

The market for insulating materials is represented by a huge variety of assortment. The most commonly used types are listed below.

This is a fibrous material. Of all types of heaters, it is the most popular, since the technology for its application is simple, and the price is low.

Advantages:

• fire resistance;
• Good noise isolation;
• Frost resistance;
• Great porosity.

Flaws:

• When in contact with moisture, the heat retention properties are reduced;
• Little strength;
• Application requires additional material - film.

Manufacturing technology implies a similar composition with glass. Hence the name of the material. Advantages:

• Great soundproofing;
• High strength;
• Moisture protection;
• Resistant to high temperatures.

Flaws:

• Short service life;
• Less thermal insulation;
• Formaldehyde in the composition (not all).

For the manufacture of this material, glass powder and gas-forming elements are used in production. Pros:

• Waterproof;
• Frost resistance;
• High resistance to fire.

• High price;
• Air impermeability.

cellulose wadding

This material is also called ecowool, it has a granular structure, the cost is small. Advantages:

• Good heat insulation;
• Distribution of material in the gap;
• Moisture exchange without violations of the structure and properties.

Flaws:

• Combustible;
• Low level of strength;
• Laborious application.

Cork

Its high prevalence is due to the environmentally friendly composition. The material has a significant drawback - high cost. Advantages:

• Light weight;
• Resistance to biological processes;
• The level of strength is high;
• Incombustibility.

The material is produced in two ways - with or without a press. The structure is medium grained. Pros:

• Great thermal insulation;
• Waterproof;
• Low price.

• Flammable;
• Air impermeability;
• Structural damage during freezing.

The structure of this material is small capsules, inside them is air. Advantages:

• Elastic;
• Gets into bumps well;
• Possesses resistance to biological processes;
• Large temperature range.

Flaws:

• Air does not pass;
• It burns, highlighting dangerous elements;
• Application requires special equipment.

In the manufacture of the material, the pressing method is used. The structure is homogeneous, it is a small cell with gas inside. Advantages:

• The highest strength;
• Long service life;
• Repels moisture.

Flaws:

• Combustible;
• Airtight.

It is considered the best liquid modern insulation material. It consists of empty small ceramic balls. Special substances serve as cohesion for them. Pros:

• Ease of application (sprayed or applied with a brush);
• The thinness of the applied layer;
• fire resistance;
• Exposure to temperature fluctuations;
• Profitability (500 g per 1 m2).

Note! There is no material to use in all cases. To choose a good insulation, you need to take into account many individual factors of the room.

When buying a heat-insulating material, one should take into account the main parameters of the surface on which it will be applied, the conditions of use and the climatic situation.

Thermal insulation is an important and responsible process by which you can make the house warm and save on heating. Walls, roofs, pipes can be insulated. But for each case there is a variant, the technological features of which must be taken into account when choosing them.

For external walls

Exterior walls are an important element of every home, because they have a load-bearing function and protect the house from the negative effects of the environment.

Mineral wool

This material is considered one of the most popular for wall insulation, both outside and inside. It's connected with . Installation of wool is carried out without a preliminary layer of vapor barrier between gypsum boards.

In the photo - mineral wool for insulation

For external walls, it is worth using mineral wool in a roll format. And although the material has a low cost, it is very effective in terms of heat retention, durability and strength. The disadvantage of mineral wool is its ability to "breathe". does not carry anything and is completely safe.

Styrofoam

This material is not inferior in popularity to mineral wool and is actively used for thermal insulation from the outside. The popularity of this material lies in its high thermal and operational data. You can read more about it in our article.

In the photo - expanded polystyrene for wall insulation

The benefits of a heater include:

• low thermal conductivity;
• low throughput of steam and moisture;
• ease of installation;
• light weight.

polyurethane foam

This material for external insulation can be classified as universal. This is due to the fact that polyurethane foam has a cellular structure. The material can be used for insulation of internal and external walls. The insulation has a thermal conductivity of 0.0125 W/mK. Polyurethane cells contain air or an inert gas. They are hermetically sealed, so that the material has excellent water resistance.

In the photo - polyurethane foam for wall insulation

Foamed foil polyethylene

But what kind of insulation for the facade for siding is the best and how to choose it, is described in this article:

But what kind of insulation for facade plastering is the most popular and how it is used, the information will help to understand

liquid ceramics

And although this option of insulation is considered modern today, many developers are wary of it. Although the characteristics of a liquid heat insulator look impressive. The thermal conductivity is 0.01 W, and when the material dries, a single layer is formed, which does not contain joints and cracks.

In the photo, liquid ceramics for wall insulation from the inside

The main advantage of liquid ceramics is that after its application it is not necessary to apply a finish. The resulting surface looks beautiful, thin and at the same time performs all the functions that are assigned to the insulation. The only drawback of the material is that it has a high price. And you can read about which ones are used in the article.

For roofing

When building a roof, it is imperative to provide a layer of insulation. But which one is the most suitable, we will now determine.

Styrofoam

This material has excellent heat-insulating and sound-proofing qualities. But it cannot be used if there is a flat or soft roof.

In the photo - polystyrene foam for the roof

This is due to the fact that the material is vapor permeable and combustible. Using foam, you can create excellent roof ventilation. But how to use, the information from this article will help you understand.

polyurethane foam

The main advantage of this material is that it perfectly protects the roof from the penetration of cold. In addition, he is not affected by fire. Polyurethane foam can be applied to the roof in the most inaccessible places.

In the photo - polyurethane foam for the roof

In addition, with the help of this roofing insulation, you can forget about joints and gaps. But what is a shell for pipes made of polyurethane foam, in detail with a photo, is described in this

foamed glass

This material is considered unique, because glass waste in combination with carbon is used for its production.

In the photo, foamed glass for roof insulation

The main advantages of a heater include:

• incombustibility,
• not afraid of steam and water,
• not affected by rodents and microorganisms,
• long service life;
• excellent thermal insulation qualities,
• deformation resistance.

Which is better to use for a wooden house

Today on the modern market there are many thermal insulation materials that can be used to insulate a wooden house. When choosing, you need to take into account that the wooden surface can "breathe". Otherwise, it will lead to the development of mold and fungi.

The following materials can be used to insulate wood:

1. Jute.
2. Tape tow.
3. Styrofoam.
4. Mineral wool.
5. Styrofoam.

A large selection of mineral wool makes you wonder which one is better: glass wool, stone wool or others.

Non-combustible types

If you need to choose a material that does not undergo combustion, but at the same time will perform all the functions of a heat insulator, then you should pay attention to the following types:

1. glass wool. This material is characterized by high strength and elasticity. It is actively involved in the insulation of heating pipelines. Glass wool is not affected by UV rays.

   

   In the photo - non-combustible glass wool:

2. Expanded clay. A heat insulator is obtained as a result of firing clay. It can be used when insulating complex or hard-to-reach surfaces. It has excellent thermal insulation properties. But which one is described in great detail in this article.

   

   In the photo, non-combustible expanded clay:

3. Foam glass. This material belongs to inorganic heaters. It has a structure that resembles soap foam. In the production of a heat insulator, coal and glass are used. Thanks to this, foam glass is able to withstand high temperatures. But what is the GOST of expanded clay concrete wall panels, information from

   

   In the photo, non-combustible foam glass material:

Foil types

Today you can purchase the following insulation with a foil layer:

1. mineral wool. This material is great for insulating surfaces that are constantly heated to high temperatures. Often, mineral wool is used when laying pipes. But what technical characteristics of mineral wool currently exist and where it is used is described in this

   

   On the photo-foil mineral wool:

2. Expanded polyurethane foam. On one side it has a layer of aluminum. The material has excellent thermal insulation performance, despite the thin layer. It is much more effective than mineral wool.

   

   On the photo-foiled polyurethane foam:

3. Foil heat insulator. It has a foil layer on one side and a self-adhesive surface on the other. The material is used as a vapor and water insulator.

   

   In the photo - a foil heat insulator for insulation:

Basalt species

Basalt insulation is stone wool. Stands out good. The material is environmentally friendly and practical. It can be used when insulating the following surfaces:

Basalt insulation is classified according to the density and form of release. Each of them has its pros and cons. Basalt is produced in the form of a roll, mat or placer.

One of the primary tasks that is solved at the stage of construction or repair of commercial and private housing is its insulation. Today it is a question not so much of comfort, how much economy on expensive energy carriers. Therefore, all kinds of insulation for walls, which are used inside and outside buildings, are more relevant than ever.

Market of heat-insulating materials

The modern market of heat-insulating materials demonstrates high growth rates. The reason is the proven efficiency of using energy-saving technologies, which allows saving up to 40% on heating resources. This problem is usually solved in a complex way, but one of the important stages is invariably the thermal insulation of walls and facades with such materials:

• mineral and glass wool;
• cellulose insulation;
• expanded polystyrene (polystyrene);
• fibrolite;
• liquid ceramic insulation;
• cork and other materials.

When choosing insulation for walls, buyers pay attention to thermal conductivity, the cost per unit area, the complexity of installation and performance.

Mineral wool is an affordable and popular insulation. This is a material with a chaotic fibrous structure, obtained by melting igneous and metamorphic rocks. Mineral wool is used to insulate frame structures and walls designed for different degrees of load, the contours of structures and structures. Its advantages:

• high resistance to fire;
• low thermal conductivity;
• biological and chemical stability;
• soundproofing of rooms;
• the ability to repel moisture without saturation with it (hydrophobicity);
• mechanical strength;
• resistance to temperature deformation;
• ease of installation.

And now about the minuses of mineral wool. This insulation contains in its composition harmful components that adversely affect the human body. Respiratory organs, skin and mucous membranes are especially susceptible to them. Phenol in mineral wool, which is used to insulate walls, causes nausea, weakness and headaches. In order to prevent the harmful effects of this building material, it is isolated from direct contact with the air circulating in the room.

Properties and characteristics of glass wool

Glass wool is a type of mineral insulation. In its production, waste from the glass industry is used. Glass wool consists entirely of fibrous inclusions and is characterized by high elasticity, strength and vibration resistance. Its thermal conductivity varies from 0.030 to 0.052 W/(m K).

Glass wool is commercially available in the form of mats and rolls. Thanks to the rolled or compressed form pressing technology, it occupies a small volume, which simplifies its transportation, storage and installation on a construction site. Glass wool properties:

• high soundproofing ability;
• mechanical strength;
• flexibility and elasticity;
• resistance to mold and mildew;
• environmental Safety.

The main drawback of glass wool is the need to strictly observe personal safety precautions when working with it. Thin and sharp fibers are prone to brittleness, and when they get on the skin or mucous membranes, they cause irritation, injuring them. Therefore, it is necessary to treat the walls with glass wool in overalls that do not leave open areas of the body (the use of gloves is mandatory!).

Properties and characteristics of cellulose insulation

Ecowool, or cellulose insulation, is a loose and lightweight insulating material that covers walls, roofs, partitions and individual structures. 80% of its composition is occupied by paper waste (recycled waste paper), the rest is boric acid or borax, which provides a low ability to burn.

The popularity of cellulose as a heater is due to its affordable cost and environmental friendliness (it gives a second life to the waste that litters the planet). Its main characteristics:

• density - 30-65 kg / m 3;
• thermal conductivity - 0.032-0.041 W / (m K);
• vapor permeability - 0.3 mg/(m h Pa);
• sound absorption - 36-45 dB.

Cellulose does not cause corrosion of metals in contact with it, has low air permeability, is hypoallergenic and hygienic. During installation, it fills the available hollow spaces, forming a seamless covering on the wall. When laying with a dry method, it is possible to work at sub-zero temperatures.

Benefits of Styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene is a synthetic gas-filled material based on polystyrene, which is foamed with vapors of low-boiling liquids. It looks like a huge amount of fine-mesh granules sintered together. The higher the density of the material, the more durable it is. Other properties of Styrofoam for wall insulation:

• low thermal conductivity - 0.028-0.034 W / (m K);
• mechanical strength;
• chemical and biological resistance;
• low vapor and moisture permeability;
• ability to sound absorption;
• long service life (up to 30 years).

Extruded polystyrene foam: properties and characteristics

Extruded polystyrene foam for walls has the same structure as pressed one, but at the same time, closed pores are smaller - 0.1-0.2 mm. The main thing that distinguishes these two materials is the manufacturing technology of the pellets. Because of it, extruded polystyrene foam received less flexibility and a margin of safety than the foamed variety, a different vapor permeability - 0.013 mg / (m h Pa), but retained high thermal conductivity - 0.029-0.034 W / (m K).

Properties and characteristics of fibrolite

Fibrolit - a heater in the form of plates made of wood fibers and binders. The section shows a base made of natural fibers and a layer of Portland cement (60 and 40%, respectively). Characteristics of fiberboard for walls:

• thermal conductivity - 0.08-0.1 W / (m K);
• humidity - up to 20%;
• water absorption - 35-40%;
• bending strength - 0.5-1.3 MPa.

Fiberboard is a non-combustible insulation, provides excellent sound insulation, does not rot, it is not affected by fungus and mold, and its service life is up to 60 years.

Environmentally friendly cork materials

If you choose an ecological insulation for walls, you should pay attention to cork materials. They are 100% natural, as they are extracted from oak bark. The structure of the cork sheet resembles microcells that are filled with gases.

The heat transfer coefficient of the cork is 0.043-0.050 W/(m·K). The insulation does not burn, does not rot and does not absorb foreign odors. It withstands temperature changes, absorbs sounds and vibrations, easily fits on the wall without special knowledge and tools.

Liquid ceramic insulation: properties and characteristics

Liquid ceramic insulation is a modern insulation in the form of a liquid suspension-foam. This is an innovative product that replaces classic solutions to reduce heat loss through walls. The coating is flexible and dense, evenly fills the available cavities. The maximum effect of thermal insulation is achieved due to the vacuum in the micro-cavities of the substance.

Advantages of liquid ceramic insulation as wall insulation:

• high anti-corrosion properties;
• durability (up to 15 years);
• wide operating temperature range;
• thermal expansion flexibility;
• ease of application;
• environmental friendliness.

Liquid foam is made from a polymer resin that cures in air. For its application it is necessary to use special equipment. This is a practical and inexpensive option to reduce heat loss through walls, roofs or foundations. Liquid foam has the following properties:

• excellent adhesion with any surfaces and materials;
• minimal preparation of the base (cleaning and draining the wall);
• high vapor permeability;
• no excess pressure after drying;
• easy application and removal of excess.

Liquid Styrofoam is ideal as insulation for horizontal and sloping surfaces, but also works well in wall insulation.