Technoplex and penoplex are materials similar in structure and purpose. But each of them is specific. What is it?
What is Penoplex?
Penoplex represented by extruded polystyrene foam cells capable of providing high level thermal insulation of premises in the case of using the material as an element building structures.
A remarkable property of the material in question is its resistance to water. Penoplex almost does not absorb moisture - and its use will be effective if it comes about structures in the basements of houses, which may be exposed to water formed due to melting snow or due to water supply leaks.
Penoplex is used in construction balcony designs, to complement the foundations of houses, placement between ceilings and attics.
The most important advantages of penoplex:
- simplicity and efficiency of laying elements made of the appropriate material;
- ease;
- the ability to effectively absorb sound;
- stability and long service life.
The structure of the foam is represented by extremely small cells - this is its difference, for example, from foam, in which the corresponding elements are much larger. The process of making polystyrene foam involves processing polystyrene at a very high temperature and pressure. A special additive is added to the heated mass of raw materials, which gives the mixture a foaming effect. After - extrusion is carried out.
What is a technoplex?
Manufacturing basis technoplex- the same extruded polystyrene. However, the release of the corresponding material is complemented by a remarkable production operation - the addition of the smallest particles of graphite to the raw material. The result is a highly efficient insulating material, characterized by versatility, relatively low price and ease of installation.
Technoplex generally has the same advantages as Penoplex. It is resistant to water, able to absorb sound effectively, and has a long service life.
Comparison
The main difference between Technoplex and Penoplex is that graphite is present in the structure of the second material. Its presence predetermines more low thermal conductivity and lowered water absorption of the technoplex.
Both materials are based on polystyrene, which undergoes an extrusion procedure. Therefore, in terms of structure, cell size, Penoplex and Technoplex are very similar. In general, both materials have a common field of application - they are mainly used to provide thermal insulation and sound insulation of premises.
The differences between the materials under consideration can be traced in different aspects.
For example, comparing their strength. Tests carried out by experts show that penoplex with statistical bending is able to withstand a load of about 0.4 MPa. In turn, for a technoplex, the corresponding indicator usually does not exceed 0.35 MPa. However, as experts note, much depends on the specific building structure, the specifics of its configuration, and the location of the slabs.
Penoplex and technoplex differ in terms of indicators working temperature... For the first material, conditions are optimal from minus 50 to 75 degrees. Technoplex is able to maintain its properties at temperatures ranging from minus 70 to 75 degrees. True, the rather rarely noted advantage of the Technoplex can be observed in practice. But if the house is really being built in the North, it is quite possible that the corresponding material will be irreplaceable.
With regard to thermal conductivity, the indicator of penoplex, as shown by tests, is in the range between 0.029 and 0.03 W / (m * K). In turn, the thermal conductivity of the technoplex is somewhat closer to the lower boundary of the indicated interval. But in practice, the difference between the noted indicators is usually not felt. Therefore, in terms of thermal conductivity, these materials can be considered almost identical - although nominally different, if you follow the measurement results.
The degree of water absorption of penoplex is about 0.4%. At the Technoplex, the corresponding indicator is noticeably lower - it is equal to about 0.2%. In this case, both materials in practice increase very slightly in size when placed in water. Note that the high frequency of freezing and defrosting cycles does not significantly affect the size of the plates made of the corresponding materials.
As for the cost, the technoplex is considered a little over expensive material... But usually its cost does not exceed the price of penoplex by more than 10%.
Having determined what is the difference between Technoplex and Penoplex, let us fix the conclusions in the table.
table
| Penoplex | Technoplex |
| What do they have in common? | |
| Both materials are produced from polystyrene - using the extrusion method | |
| Both materials are used in the same field: they are used to make slabs for thermal insulation, sound insulation, and sometimes water insulation. | |
| Materials are similar in structure, represented by small cells | |
| What is the difference between them? | |
| Has a slightly higher thermal conductivity - about 0.03 W / (m * K) | Has a slightly lower thermal conductivity - closer to 0.029 W / (m * K) |
| Able to work at temperatures from minus 50 to 75 degrees | Able to work at temperatures from minus 75 to 75 degrees |
| Has a degree of water absorption of the order of 0.4% | Has a degree of water absorption of the order of 0.2% |
| Can withstand a static bending load of 0.4 MPa | Can withstand a static bending load of the order of 0.35 MPa |
If you are thinking about the question of which is better - polystyrene or penoplex, then you need to pay attention not only to the fact that these materials have similar names, but also to the production technology, as well as characteristics. Some people wonder why manufacturers should "fool" people's heads and produce almost identical materials.
What material to choose
In order to answer these questions, one should understand the differences and then draw conclusions. In reality, these materials are not only similar, but almost identical. The main one is the first root "foam", which indicates the porosity of the structure. Penoplex and polystyrene are easy to install, have low weight, almost do not absorb moisture, do not rot, and also easily tolerate external negative factors.
In addition to the advantages, it is worth highlighting the disadvantages, which consist in the poor tolerance of solvents like acetone. This should also include other chemically aggressive substances. As practice shows, penoplex and polystyrene are characterized by low strength and suggest the need external protection... The first difference is that the foam has White color, while penoplex has a canary tint. However, this is not at all complete list differences, they will be discussed below.
Comparison of the main properties of heaters
First of all, consumers decide what keeps heat better - polystyrene or penoplex. This is what the article is about, but before making a choice, it is important to decide which properties you need to pay attention to. At first glance, it may seem that penoplex is still better, because it has more impressive indicators in terms of resistance class, and the working layer of insulation in it is almost 2 times less. It absorbs moisture 4 times less, and to be more precise, it does not absorb it at all.
Low flammability is also a big advantage, especially when compared with this parameter inherent in foam. If you are worried about the best way to insulate the balcony - with foam or foam, then it is important to pay attention also to the density. In the latter material, it is 2.5 times higher than that of traditional polystyrene foam. As practice shows, you can walk on the foam, while it will only partially be pressed through, but the penoplex is not afraid of long-term serious loads. That is why penoplex is used for, but they prefer not to use polystyrene in such works.
Experts draw the attention of consumers to the fact that, in general, the indicators of penoplex are, of course, better, but they differ little in the main items. Having learned about this, many consumers refuse to pay more, because if you need to insulate the walls, then its strength and water absorption coefficient do not play a role. This can be said about the thickness of the working layer, but the cost will affect the choice.
If you still cannot decide which is better - polystyrene foam, the facade surface can be covered with the first option, but only if it is about exterior decoration... This is also true for floor insulation in situations where there is a means and a desire to use high-quality materials. In all other cases, traditional foam will suffice. But for finishing the facade it is better not to use it, because it will not have the best effect on fire safety the buildings.
Comparison by composition
The materials described in the article are actively used in construction, mostly in the field of thermal insulation, with their help you can also insulate sound. They are manufactured using similar technologies, which involve foaming polystyrene. Polyfoam is an insulating material that contains 98% air and 2% polystyrene. This affects the cheapness, because only 2% of the raw material is needed for the stove. Penoplex acts as synthetic material for thermal insulation, it is made from extruded polystyrene foam, its creation is carried out using the technology of foaming raw materials.
Comparison by thermal insulation qualities
If you are thinking about the question of which is better - polystyrene or penoplex, then first of all you need to pay attention to the quality of thermal conductivity. These parameters are different for the materials described. varies in the range of 0.035-0.05 W / m * C, while for penoplex this parameter is 0.028 W / m * C. This allows us to conclude that penoplex retains heat somewhat better. If you take a 25 mm foam board, it will be identical in thermal insulation qualities to a 20 mm foam board. The first option is only slightly inferior to the second, and on large areas it could result in good savings space.
Comparison by water absorption
When consumers think about the question of which is better - foam or foam, they pay attention to the ability to absorb water. It must be admitted that Penoplex does not like water, but absorbs no more than 0.4% of it per month. But the foam also did not go far, its water absorption is 4% in 30 days. In this respect, Penoplex was also slightly ahead. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that penoplex is characterized by vapor permeability, which cannot be said about foam. The latter still has this indicator.
Comparison by strength
Quite often, experts ask themselves which is better - polystyrene or penoplex. Trying to determine this, you also need to pay attention to strength. If the expanded polystyrene is clamped and pressure is exerted on it, it will become clear that the expanded polystyrene is capable of undergoing a pressure of 0.5 MPa, while for expanded polystyrene this parameter is 0.2 MPa. There is a significant difference here, so it is best to cover the floor with the first analogue, which is especially important for garages, runways and ice rinks. However, it is also necessary to take into account the density of the foam, which is lower and equal to the limit from 15 to 35 kg / m 3, for the second material this parameter varies from 28 to 45 kg / m 3. This indicates that the specific gravity is also lower.
Comparison of materials by operating temperature
Quite often, penoplex or polystyrene is used in construction today. Which is better, you can decide by reading the information provided in the article. For example, it is also necessary to take into account the temperature at which normal operation is possible. In this regard, the difference is almost imperceptible, because both materials feel great at low temperatures, but if the thermometer does not drop below -50 ° C. After reaching this mark, the material begins to lose its properties, while the upper maximum reaches + 70 ° C, which is true for foam, and 75 ° C for foam. Do not leave these insulation materials in direct sunlight. If you put a piece of Styrofoam in the sun, the result will not be long in coming.
Cost comparison
Penoplex or polystyrene is very available today. Which is better, you can decide by reading the positive and negative sides of these materials. The most painful issue for the consumer today is cost. Surely you have never seen a material with the best quality characteristics cost less than an analogue that loses in many ways. Due to the fact that penoplex breaks ahead in many respects, it is more expensive than polystyrene, and the price may be one and a half times higher. That is why the majority of consumers today choose polystyrene, which is explained by its lower cost. It must be admitted that this choice in some types of work can be justified, because the materials for thermal insulation of a number of structures will hardly differ in properties.
The choice of thermal insulation for flammability
As practice shows, both of the materials described burn well, however, the foam makes it slower, because it belongs to the G3 category. If we are talking about penoplex, then it can be attributed to the G4 category. The numbers from 1 to 4 indicate the degree of flammability - from low to high. However, manufacturers today are trying to solve these problems by impregnating materials with fire retardants at the production stage. But this does not at all indicate that the thermal insulation will not catch fire at all. It will burn, but slightly worse, while releasing toxic substances from flame retardants.
Material selection by area of use
Quite often, modern developers ask themselves which is better - penoplex or. To solve this problem, it is necessary to decide on which part of the building the material will be installed. For example, for a facade, it is best to prefer foam, as it is cheaper and is able to pass air. This choice will reduce the cost of vapor barrier, because the wall will not lose its ability to breathe. For internal insulation it is best not to use such materials at home, although they themselves are environmentally friendly, they can be soaked in special solutions. The latter emit toxic substances during operation.
If you are thinking about the best way to insulate the house - with polystyrene / penoplex - then the last option is better to choose for loggias or balconies. It has a lower thermal conductivity and does not reduce the inner space... But if there is flat roof and the need to insulate it, both options are suitable. The ceiling can also be insulated with any material of your choice. However, this decision is justified if after you do not plan to walk in the attic. Otherwise, it is best to choose Penoplex. Both materials are suitable for floor insulation, however, it is better to perform the rough surface along the logs.
Conclusion
If you, too, are among those consumers who are thinking about the question of what is the best way to insulate the walls, it is recommended to consider polystyrene / polystyrene foam before going to the store. An analysis of their main quality characteristics will make it possible to understand which material to give preference to. For example, there are surfaces and structures that are better insulated with foam, foam or mineral wool... Everything will depend on the budget and the desired effect.
Technonikol and Penoplex are the main manufacturers of extruded polystyrene foam in the Russian Federation, their products are rightfully in demand in private and industrial construction. Their cost, performance and operational characteristics are largely similar, the question of which brand is better to choose is quite relevant. Some users believe that there is no difference at all between Technoplex and Penoplex and that the only difference is the color and size of the plates, others give weighty arguments in favor of the manufacturer they have chosen in their reviews. Only a comparison of assortment and properties will help to find the truth.
Technoplex is a specialized brand of expanded polystyrene from TechnoNIKOL, produced by the extrusion method with the addition of nanosized graphite particles. This insulation is produced in the form of dense non-shrinking plates of silver color. standard size(it is noteworthy that, upon agreement with the manufacturer, you can buy Technoplex slabs with other dimensions). The recommended field of application mainly concerns internal work: thermal insulation of floors, balconies, partitions and ceilings.
Penoplex is made by the same method, but with the introduction of some brands of fire retardants. This allows you to significantly expand the working range, making it almost universal. This building material is advised to choose when protecting foundation structures from freezing (including recessed ones), insulation of roofs, floors, facade walls. The size of the boards for Penoplex is always the same: 1200 × 600 mm, the thickness varies from 20 to 150 mm. Insulation color - orange.
Both varieties tolerate temperature extremes well, retain their stable shape and properties during operation and are resistant to biological influences. Both Technoplex and Penoplex have plates with an L-shaped edge; they are recommended to be purchased if it is necessary to exclude cold bridges. Like any other XPS styrofoam, they fear organic solvents and compositions with toluene and acetone, but are inert to other chemical reagents.
Comparison of features and prices
Penoplex is represented by 10 brands for private and industrial use, TechnoNIKOL - 9 (of which only one is Technoplex). An overview of the assortment shows that Penoplex makes an acceptance for professional construction, and its competitor - for an individual one. Despite the loud statements of the manufacturers, there are no radical differences between the brands. average cost 1 m2 of Penoplex insulation 50 mm thick is 230 rubles, for Technoplex with similar properties - 176 rubles, but with bulk purchases or third-party purchases, this difference is partially erased.
The results of a comparison of the main characteristics, taking into account the declared data of the manufacturers, are summarized in the table:
| Technoplex | Penoplex | |
| Initial density limits, kg / m3 | 26 to 35 | 25 to 47 |
| Minimum thermal conductivity, W / mK | 0,032 | 0,03 |
| Water absorption by volume,% | 0,2 | 0,4 |
| Water vapor permeability mg / m h Pa | 0,01 | 0,012 |
| Flammability group | G4 | G3 and G4 |
| Dimensions: L × W | 1180 × 580 | 1200 × 60 |
| Slab thickness, mm | 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100 | 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150 |
| Elastic modulus, MPa | 17 | 15-18 |
| Compressive strength at 10% deformation, MPa, not less | 0,2-0,25 | Depends on brand: 0.12 to 0.3 |
| Operating temperature, ° C | -75 to +75 | -100 to +75 |
Analysis of indicators shows that Technoplex better withstands the effects of moisture and steam and is not inferior in strength characteristics... Thanks to the introduction of fire retardants into the composition, Penoplex wins in terms of fire safety, although they have the same upper operating temperature limit. Materials equally well protect premises and buildings from heat loss (with a slight advantage of Penoplex).
With the help of modern thermal insulation materials used in the construction different houses, buildings and structures, you can not only reduce the cost of heating the premises, but also protect their internal space from adverse external influences. Insulation will help maintain the temperature inside buildings at an optimal level for living, while completely eliminating any heat loss.
Currently, you can find a huge variety of thermal insulation materials made by both foreign and domestic companies. Such products can be bought at any hardware store, but for this you need to know its varieties and characteristics. This is the only way to get exactly what is needed to solve the task at hand.
The progenitor of the modern heat insulating material- Styrofoam known to all.
Its main properties are - high thermal insulation and the low specific gravity of expanded polystyrene is an improved look of this old acquaintance. What properties distinguish Penoplex from polystyrene?
In this article
Properties of expanded polystyrene
Such thermal insulation material has been known in Europe for over 50 years. Its popularity is due to the presence of closed pores, where the use of freon is not expected, as well as the low cost of production. You can buy extruded polystyrene foam at any building materials store. Despite its low cost, it has a high thermal insulation efficiency.
Styrofoam is air bubbles, solidified foam. Hence the name Expanded polystyrene originated.
The differences lie in a completely new mode of production and at the core of more modern material.
In the foam, up to 85% of the volume is occupied by air, hence the heat-insulating properties. The thermal insulation is the lower, the denser the material... Balls with a polystyrene shell (solidified polystyrene foam) successfully combine two properties - low thermal conductivity and high density.
The original foam is impermeable to steam, but it can absorb up to 4% moisture. Expanded polystyrene practically does not absorb water due to its density. But the improved waterproofing properties do not prevent this material from breathing. This happens due to the molding method, extruded polystyrene foam Penoplex is molded by cutting. The strength of this insulation is much higher due to the production method on extruders. Molecular bonds in this material are several times higher than in the downtime of foam.
The fire safety of Penoplex is due to the addition of fire retardants to it. These are special substances that prevent the material from catching fire. Like any polymer, foam will burn if it can be ignited. This is prevented by the high resistance to sunburn. Its biological resistance is also high. Molds they cannot live on polymers.
It can be briefly concluded that all the improved properties of expanded polystyrene are due to its denser and more uniform structure, as well as the use of raw materials with improved properties.
It is necessary to take into account a number of properties that expanded polystyrene cannot provide:
- Low noise absorption capacity... Rigid cells of isolated air are resonators rather than sound dampers.
- Expanded polystyrene is not resistant to aggressive environments... He is afraid of acetone, varnishes, drying oil and turpentine. But does not react with bitumen, soap and mineral fertilizers.
- In the heat, the foam is oxidized... While it is impossible to carry out complete polymerization of components in production, harmful substances when exposed high temperatures will stand out.
Extruded polystyrene foam production technology
In order to understand the properties of this material, it is necessary to understand the technology of its production. Extruded polystyrene foam is produced from pure granular polystyrene. Technological process mixing the molten polymer with a foamy mass and then extruding through a "die" die is called extrusion.
The foamy mass is formed by injecting "porophore" - low-boiling liquids or gases (for example, isopentane or freon). During the melting of the polymer, the foamy mass is introduced directly into the extruder and mixed therein. Thus, a dense, finely porous homogeneous mass is formed, in which, later, upon cooling, the molecules of the porophore (foaming agent) are noticed in the atmospheric air.
This determines beneficial features expanded polystyrene:
- density,
- ease,
- low coefficient of thermal conductivity,
- compressive strength,
- low chemical activity,
- fire safety,
- environmental friendliness.
Your choice of good insulation
When the question arises about the choice of insulation for the house, an ignorant person, when looking for options, stumbles upon many discrepancies. Commercial offers on the internet are replete with different terms. Styrofoam, as the common name of many insulation materials, is widely used in the advertising of many suppliers. Let's take a closer look - Penoplex or expanded polystyrene?
The technology of combining the mixing of molten polymer components with the injection of a steam generator into it, called direct gas extrusion, was developed in the United States half a century ago. The development of technologies, the development of new, more modern extruders, the use of improved materials and components have led to the fact that extruded polystyrene foam is produced in several countries. Penoplex is produced in Russia from general-purpose polystyrene using a porophore based on light freons with an admixture of carbon dioxide. These freons are ozone-safe, non-flammable and non-toxic.
Penoplex is the most popular type of extruded polystyrene. Penoplex is produced in the form of special mats. It has many advantages, of which it is worth highlighting moisture resistance and the ability to maintain its original properties even under adverse external influences. This material is widely used as a good thermal insulator for foundations and roofs, as well as for wall surfaces.
The brands of produced Penoplex are different in their intended purpose. The characteristics of each brand meet certain production standards and meet a specific purpose of use. Below is a comparison of the properties of the two most popular Penoplex brands.
Briefly, these brands can be characterized by their purpose.
Penoplex 35
Penoplex 35 is produced for use in construction, including housing. The main goal is thermal insulation of buildings and structures. During production, a fire retardant is introduced into it to increase its resistance to combustion.
The uniqueness of these additives is that during combustion Penoplex 35 emits only CO2 and CO gases, similar to burning wood, which shows its high environmental safety... The size of the slabs produced is also dictated by the ease of use in construction. Width 600 mm, length 1200 mm. The thickness of the slabs varies from 23 mm to 100 mm with a graduation of 20 mm. For insulation of foundations, this brand can be produced without additives of a fire retardant in order to reduce the cost.
Penoplex 50
Penoplex 50 is characterized by increased compressive and flexural strength. This grade is used for thermal insulation road surfaces, runways, railways... It can be used to insulate the foundations of buildings and basements, as well as used roofs. It is in this brand that such qualities as resistance to wetting and operational durability are most in demand. The environmental requirements are lower, the requirements for the density and strength of the material come to the fore. This brand is more often advertised under its production name expanded polystyrene Penoplex 45, which can withstand a load of up to 50 tons per 1 m2.
Types of foams for their use in housing construction
Home builders are most interested in using Penoplex 35 expanded polystyrene. Low-rise construction using modern technologies interested in inexpensive and effective building materials.
In this regard, there is a classification of foams according to their scope:
Any Penoplex brands comply with GOSTs and are environmentally friendly.
High-quality insulation of building structural elements helps maintain a comfortable temperature in living quarters and reduces heating costs. Until recently, the most widely used insulation was polystyrene, but now a more modern material has appeared on the market - penoplex.
Penoplex is often used to insulate the walls of the house from the outside.The raw materials for their manufacture are the same, but the performance is different. Penoplex and polystyrene can be successfully used to carry out work on thermal insulation, but in order to understand in which cases it is better to use this or that material, it is necessary to understand the technology of their manufacture and comparative characteristics... There are still differences between them.
General properties of polystyrene and polystyrene foam
The general properties are good sound-absorbing and heat-insulating qualities. Both of these materials are not subject to decay processes, are lightweight, practically do not absorb water, their use is possible with significant temperature fluctuations external environment... The raw material for their manufacture is polystyrene, but the production technology of these materials differs.
Three stages of insulation and decoration of the house with foam Foam is ninety-eight percent air. At production process polystyrene granules under the influence of steam treatment multiply in volume and stick to each other. The result is expanded polystyrene - a material in which the polymer content does not exceed two percent. This leads to its low total cost, since very little raw materials are consumed in the manufacture of this insulation. More details on the characteristics of foam can be found in the article
It is better to insulate the walls of the house with foam.
Penoplex is an extruded polystyrene foam. In its production, the extrusion method is used using high pressure and temperature, which makes it possible to obtain a material of significantly higher density than foam. Due to this, it increases mechanical strength, but the vapor permeability decreases. More details on the characteristics of penoplex can be found in the article
Comparison of materials by main characteristics
Polyfoam and penoplex are similar in name, except that they are made from the same raw materials and, in essence, are interchangeable. Both of these materials are widely used in thermal insulation of building structural elements; extruded polystyrene foam is considered more modern when compared with foam.
Technoplex is a penoplex from the Technonikol company Comparative analysis such performance characteristics, such as mechanical strength, thermal insulation parameters, the ability to resist ignition, durability, moisture absorption properties, the range of temperatures used and other operating parameters - all this will make it possible to right choice in each case. Which is better - penoplex or expanded polystyrene? There is no single answer to this question.
We will evaluate the thermal insulation parameters
Thermal insulation parameters are determined by the ability of the material to save heat in the served space. These qualities in polystyrene, in comparison with penoplex, are somewhat worse due to the fact that polystyrene granules do not adhere to each other as tightly as in foam, the pores of which are much smaller due to the greater compaction of this material, as a result of which it is warmer.
Styrofoam was called a more solid word "insulation" A twenty-millimeter thick foam board is equal in terms of thermal insulation properties to a 25-millimeter foam board. This seems to be an insignificant difference for large volumes. construction works allows you to significantly increase the equipped space.
Which is stronger - polystyrene or polystyrene foam?
Penoplex is unambiguously stronger than polystyrene due to the fact that during its manufacture, polystyrene granules are remelted until a homogeneous substance is formed, and the foam consists of balls with air gaps between them. Penoplex withstands a compressive force of about 0.5 MP, while this figure for foam is 0.2 MP.
Penoplex is strong enough and good for floor insulation As a result, when arranging the thermal insulation of floors, it is Penoplex that is used, since it can withstand the weight of a person. In addition, this material is used in the construction of garages, skating rinks and even airfield runways.
Let's compare the water absorption of heaters
Penoplex is more moisture resistant. The water absorption rate of extruded polystyrene foam is about 0.35 percent, while that of foam plastic is already 2 percent. The difference is quite significant. Although water does not penetrate into the polymer particles that make up the foam, a small amount of it can fill the pores between them. The characteristic of vapor permeability of foam is higher, this indicator is practically absent in foam due to the dense structure of this material.
It is quite possible to insulate the balcony with ordinary foam At what temperatures can both materials be used
Both materials can be used in a wide range of temperatures, with significant fluctuations in the external environment. The characteristics of penoplex and polystyrene in this parameter are quite close to each other. Materials lose their working properties at temperatures below fifty degrees Celsius. The upper limit for Styrofoam is seventy degrees, for Penoplex it is seventy-five.
Both of these materials, especially foam, do not need to be exposed to direct solar radiation, from this they become unusable.
Which material is the best to resist fire
Both materials are susceptible to fire when exposed to direct flame. Polyfoam burns more slowly, its flammability index is designated as G3, a similar parameter for penoplex - G4. The degree of susceptibility to fire is indicated by numbers from 1 to 4: the more it is, the worse the material resists fire.
Impregnation of heaters during their manufacture with substances that prevent fire does not ensure their fire safety, they will burn more slowly, while releasing in environment toxic substances. It should be noted that the foam dies out faster when ignited, the foam burns slowly, but for a long time.
It is better to insulate the floor, walls and ceiling of the loggia with penoplex Service life and what it depends on
The period of operation of both heat insulators is very impressive, however, penoplex has an advantage in this parameter. Its service life is on average about fifty years.
Due to the internal structure of the material, the foam can begin to crumble over time, in addition, it is more fragile and less mechanically strong.
For the normal functioning of heaters, they must be protected from direct impact solar radiation, in addition, solvents such as acetone have a destructive effect on their material. By limiting the aggressive impact of the external environment and other unfavorable factors long trouble-free service life of these products can be achieved.
Price difference and what you should pay for
An important factor when choosing one or another building material is its cost. Penoplex is about one and a half times more expensive than polystyrene, this is explained by the following: very little raw materials are consumed in the production of foam. The performance characteristics of the foam are better in some cases; moreover, a thinner sheet of this material has the same heat-insulating qualities as a thickened foam plate. Insulate the walls of the house from the outside better with styrofoam as it is vapor permeable.
Styrofoam was chosen to insulate the house from expanded clay concrete Penoplex must be used if the surface to be treated will be subjected to mechanical stress from people moving along it or if it must withstand a significant weight of the finish. When arranging internal thermal insulation in small-sized rooms, the choice, again, should be made in favor of penoplex, since you can use sheet material Twenty-five percent thinner than Styrofoam.
The choice of material depending on the conditions of use
Choosing material to perform different kind construction work should be guided by the following considerations:
For insulation basement floor it is better to choose penoplex The choice of insulation must be carried out based on the conditions in which it will be used, and focus on financial capabilities. In some cases, the use of cheaper foam is sufficient.
As a result, we can conclude that the choice of a specific material for insulation is determined by the conditions of its application. The following video offers several practical experiments on the use of the discussed heaters.