If the cottage is a favorite place not only for summer holidays, but also often visited in the cold season, then the premises of the country house will have to be well insulated. But who said that insulation (it would be more correct to say - thermal insulation) should only serve in winter? It is no less necessary in the summer heat - comfortable coolness will be maintained in the rooms on the hottest days.
For thermal insulation work, you can use different materials. Moreover, the modern range of heaters is so rich that it allows you to choose the best option not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of cost, depending on the family budget. Nevertheless, it is always recommended to make a “bet” on high-quality thermal insulation material, and it must meet a number of important requirements.
In this publication, we will try to figure out which wall insulation inside the house in the country house looks preferable and why. Let's dwell on another important question - what thickness of thermal insulation will provide comfortable conditions in the house at any time of the year.
Insulation requirements for residential buildings
Any material chosen for the repair or construction of residential buildings must meet certain physical and technical requirements, sanitary standards, and also be safe to use. The heater is no exception.
The main criteria for choosing heat insulators, which you need to pay attention to, include:
- Environmental Safety. Materials should not only contribute to the creation of a comfortable temperature regime in the house, but also not harm the health of its inhabitants. Therefore, the insulation should not spoil the healthy atmosphere in the rooms in any way during operation.
- Energy Saving Features. The insulation must have the lowest possible thermal conductivity.
- fire safety. Most building materials, including wood, without which, one way or another, one cannot do when building a house, are combustible. However, the danger of modern products made on a synthetic basis lies not only in the possibility of rapid ignition. No less terrible phenomenon is the release of toxic products of combustion. Therefore, when choosing a heater, it is worth paying attention not only to its flammability class, but also to its smoke-generating abilities. The heat insulator should ideally be non-combustible (NG) or have minimal flammability (G1) (many materials are far from this). The smoke-generating ability is indicated by the letter "D", and its lowest level is D1, which should be strived for.
- Soundproofing capabilities. You should not think that this quality is not so important for country houses - after all, there is peace and quiet all around ... Even moving away from a noisy city, you can get a neighbor who likes to listen to loud music, which in silence will be heard over a very long distance. It is impossible at dachas to prohibit neighbors from using power tools, working in personal carpentry workshops, and using equipment for processing the site. Other disturbing factors can be a busy highway passing nearby, a railway line, etc.
- Vapor permeability of the heat insulator. With this parameter, if we are talking about warming from the inside, special care is needed. In fact, when the material is "breathable", then this is generally not bad. But if the vapor permeability index of the walls themselves is lower (and this is usually the case), then moisture saturation of the insulation placed in the room is not ruled out. This means that reliable vapor barrier and effective ventilation of rooms are of particular importance. With this criterion in conjunction, one should also consider the hygroscopicity of the material, that is, its ability to absorb moisture. It certainly should be minimal.
- Material durability. This factor should also be paid special attention, unless, of course, there is a desire to carry out repairs every three to five years. In order not to make a mistake in choosing, you should not purchase a heater from an unverified manufacturer, even if it has a suitable cost. In this case, it is better to overpay, but get confidence in the warranty periods specified by the manufacturer.
- The ability of the insulation to retain its original shape. This quality can be referred to as the strength of the material. During the period of operation, different loads act on the insulation - dynamic, vibrational, static and others. Under the influence of these influences, low-quality materials can be deformed or reduced in size, forming "gaps" in the thermal insulation. And the entire heating system will become ineffective.
- Resistance to biological and chemical attack. When insulating a private house, an important factor is the absence of unwanted "guests" in it, such as insects and rodents. Therefore, it is worth choosing a material that will not become a favorable environment for their habitat. In addition, the components of the insulation should not be subject to decay, as well as decomposition under chemical influence. They should not serve as a nutrient medium for microflora - mold, fungus, moss, etc.
- Compatibility with building wall material. In order for the insulation to “work” as expected of it, it must be well combined with the base material, which it is planned to thermally insulate with it. In addition, when choosing the thickness of the insulation, it is also necessary to take into account the thickness and material of the walls of the building. This will be discussed in detail below.
Varieties of modern thermal insulation materials
In order to insulate the walls of any private house from the inside, one or more types of thermal insulation materials can be used. To understand which of them is most suitable for a particular structure, it is necessary to consider the characteristic features of each of them.
So, the following heat insulators are most often used for wall insulation:
- Mineral wool - glass and basalt, for example,. This material goes on sale in rolls and mats.
- Expanded polystyrene - produced in rigid slabs.
- Ecowool. This insulation is made from natural cellulose, goes on sale in bulk or in the form of mats. The loose version of the material can be applied to the walls with a “wet” spraying method or simply poured into the cavity.
- Polyurethane foam and penoizol. These insulations are sprayed onto the walls, forming a seamless continuous coating.
You may be interested in information about what characteristics it has
To take the first step towards choosing a material, for a start it is worth considering their positive aspects and obvious disadvantages:
| Illustration | Name of insulation | Material advantages | Material disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basalt (stone) wool | - flammability class NG; - has low thermal conductivity; - a modified version of the insulation does not absorb moisture. | - hygroscopicity of a conventional, unmodified insulation; - high price. |
|
| glass wool | - has good thermal insulation characteristics; - high vapor permeability; - affordable cost. | - refers to the flammability class G1 (low combustible); - hygroscopic; - insufficiently high stability of forms, poor resistance to vibrational influences, a tendency to gradual caking; - does not differ in environmental cleanliness. |
|
| Ecowool | - ecological purity of a heater; - low thermal conductivity; - long service life; - resistance to biological damage. | - is a low combustible material - G1; - hygroscopicity; - with dry laying (in bulk), there is a tendency to caking, therefore, it requires periodic replenishment of the heat-insulating layer. |
|
| - low thermal conductivity; - moisture resistance; - small weight of plates; - non-toxic under normal temperature conditions; - has a long service life; - has high mechanical strength; - resistant to biological influences. | - flammable (no matter how they say otherwise); - when melting and burning under the influence of high temperatures, it releases toxic gas dangerous to human life; - not vapor-permeable (which, by the way, under certain conditions can be regarded as a virtue). |
||
| polyurethane foam | - moisture resistant; - has a markedly low thermal conductivity; - forms a continuous seamless warming layer; - long service life; - non-toxic under normal conditions. | - refers to the flammability group G1 (low combustible); - not vapor-permeable (the controversy of the disadvantage has already been mentioned); - for application requires special equipment and experience with it; - rather high cost of material and work on its application. |
The table below shows comparative characteristics that allow to evaluate the parameters of the above materials at the "digital level":
| Material name | Density, kg/m³ | Coefficient of thermal conductivity, W/(m×°С) | vapor permeability, mg/(m/h/Pa) | moisture absorption, kg/m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| glass wool | 15:40 | 0.039÷0.046 | 0.4÷0.6 | 0.55÷1.0 |
| Basalt wool | 30÷50 | 0.035÷0.042 | 0.4÷0.6 | 0.1÷0.5 |
| Extruded polystyrene foam | 35÷45 | 0.030÷0.035 | 0.0÷0.013 | 0.01÷0.05 |
| polyurethane foam | 30÷80 | 0.024÷0.030 | 0.0÷0.005 | 0.01÷0.05 |
| Ecowool (mats) | 33÷75 | 0.038 ÷ 0.045 | 0.3÷0.5 | 0.3÷0.8 |
It should be clarified that today modified insulation materials with improved technical and environmental characteristics are on sale. However, only large manufacturers are engaged in their production, which are highly responsible for the quality and potential of their products. Naturally, the cost of such products is much higher, but they will last longer without harming either the building itself or the health of the residents of the house.
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The parameters of such thermal insulation materials will be presented below.
Basalt thermal insulation
This type of insulation materials is also called stone wool, as they are produced by melting gabbro-basalt rocks. Products from this raw material could be called the best option for thermal insulation of surfaces inside the house. If not for one nuance, which will be discussed.
Basalt insulation has a very low thermal conductivity. Stone-based materials are more suitable for warming residential premises, as their fibers are more elastic. Thanks to this quality, the mats have a higher density, and also have high strength characteristics. The fibers have a sufficient degree of elasticity, and therefore are not as brittle as those of glass wool.
Basalt heaters are produced in rolls and mats. Some material options are equipped with a layer of aluminum foil, which can enhance insulation by reflecting heat flows into the room. In addition, the foil becomes a vapor barrier, which is of particular importance under such conditions.
And now - about the very nuance that still casts doubt on the appropriateness of such a process as. Consider whether it is permissible to use mineral wool for insulation from the inside?
In general, the optimal structure of the insulation structure is one in which the vapor permeability of each subsequent layer (in the direction from the room to the street) is higher than that of the previous one. In such a situation, water vapor will simply freely escape into the atmosphere. Mineral wool with its location indoors does not fit these requirements.
The fact is that with such a structure of the thermal insulation "pie", the dew point will be precisely in the thickness of the mineral wool or on the border between it and the wall. That is, it is here that condensation will form in the cold season. Since the vapor permeability of mineral wool will always be higher than that of any wall material, and a high concentration of water vapor in the room is a normal phenomenon, it is impossible to exclude the gradual wetting of both the insulation itself and the wall.
The way out is to provide the insulation layer with a reliable vapor barrier from the side of the room, so that water vapor simply does not have a chance to penetrate the mineral wool. And plus to it in the house effective ventilation has to be provided. Under such conditions, mineral wool will show all its advantages.
The general characteristics of this insulation were shown in the above table. However, large manufacturers produce improved versions of products, while the technical characteristics of heaters vary in their performance.
« Knauf»
« Knauf" is a well-known German manufacturer of various building materials known to the Russian consumer for their quality. The company has been supplying its products to Russia for decades, and has established the production of materials directly on the territory of the Russian Federation. And these products fully comply with the requirements of GOST and sanitary and epidemiological standards, which is confirmed by numerous quality certificates.
« Knauf” supplies several brands of basalt insulation to the Russian market, both universal and designed for different sections of the building. For example, the Insulation line of heaters is a professional class product and is used for thermal insulation of various objects. For private buildings, the manufacturer provides a separate line of products that takes into account not only the thermal insulation capabilities of the material, but also the "human factor" - these are TeploKNAUF Dom, TeploKNAUF Dacha and TeploKNAUF Cottage. All heat insulators are vapor-permeable and non-combustible (NG).
The rest of their performance characteristics are presented in this table:
It should be noted that the range of insulation products produced in the form of boards has been expanded with Cottage+ and Dom+ products. They differ from the materials named in the table by their thickness of 100 mm.
rockwool
Rockwool is constantly working on modifying its products, improving its performance. All lines of basalt insulation from this manufacturer belong to the NG class, that is, to non-combustible materials.
Despite the very wide variety of thermal insulation products of this manufacturer, for the insulation of the walls of a country house, it would be optimal to opt for "ROCKWOOL LIGHT BUTTS SCANDIC" or "ROCKWOOL LIGHT BUTTS"
Special processing of the material during its production gives the blocks water-repellent qualities. Compact packaging is especially convenient - after opening it, the plates quickly take on a given initial size. In addition, one edge of the plates is made "spring-loaded" - for easy and tight installation between the drains of the crate.
The main characteristics of the heat insulator "ROCKWOOL LIGHT BUTTS" are as follows:
| Operating parameters of the insulation | Indicators |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient (W/m×°С): | |
| - calculated value at t = 10 °С | 0,036 |
| - calculated value at t = 25 °С | 0,037 |
| - operational under conditions "A" | 0,039 |
| - operational under conditions "B" | 0,041 |
| Flammability class | NG |
| Fire safety class | KM0 |
| Vapor permeability (mg/(m²×h×Pa), not less | 0.03 |
| Moisture absorption at partial immersion | no more than 1kg/m² |
| Dimensions | 1000×600 mm |
| thickness | 50, 100 or 150 mm |
"TechnoNIKOL"
This insulation material is produced by a domestic manufacturer, which is well known to the Russian consumer.
Modified basalt wool "TechnoNIKOL" is also a non-combustible material (NG), as the manufacturer reports on its packaging. The heat insulators of this manufacturer are manufactured under strict control, in accordance with the established GOST standards, and also fully comply with the sanitary and epidemiological requirements of the Russian Federation.
This table presents the most popular options for TechnoNIKOL basalt insulation, as well as their technical characteristics:
| Material Grade | Compressibility, %, no more | Vapor permeability, mg/(m×h×Pa) | Moisture absorption, kg/m² | Density, kg/m³ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Rocklight" | 0.037÷0.041 | 30 | 0.3 | 2 | 30÷40 |
| "Technolight" | 0.036÷0.041 | 20 | 0.3 | 1,5 | 30÷38 |
| "Teploroll" | 0.036÷0.041 | 55 | 0.3 | 2 | 25÷35 |
| "Technoacoustic" | 0.035÷0.040 | 10 | 0.3 | 1,5 | 38÷45 |
| "Technoblock" | 0.035÷0.040 | 8 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 40÷50 |
For wall insulation from the inside of a country house, any Technoacoustic brands are well suited, since they have a low thermal conductivity and optimal density. In addition, Technoacoustic is designed to isolate the house from external noise, so it can be called a multifunctional material.
glass wool
Glass wool is made from fibers obtained by melting cullet and quartz sand, as well as other natural additives. Phenol-formaldehyde resins are used as a binder for joining glass fibers into a single structure. The rigidity of the plates and mats is obtained as a result of pressing with simultaneous heat treatment. The heat insulator obtained by pressing glass fibers into blocks or mats has a fairly high dimensional stability, but not the most outstanding vibration resistance.
Glass wool is a good sound and heat insulator, is resistant to chemical attack and endures temperature changes. Its working temperature range varies from -60 to + 180 degrees. However, if this is exceeded for the time being, the fibers themselves are not damaged, but the substance binding them is destructed, so the structure of the mats is sintered, deformed or disintegrates.
Experts do not recommend the use of glass wool for insulation of residential premises. This is due not only to its high hygroscopicity. It is also a matter of the possibility of microparticles of fibers getting into the air of the room, which poses a rather serious threat to the health of the residents of the house. Therefore, if for some reason glass wool is chosen for insulation, then after its installation in the crate, the thermal insulation should be hermetically sealed with a plastic film or a vapor barrier membrane. However, as we have seen, basalt wool needs exactly the same protection.
Isover
"Isover" is a high-quality heat insulator produced on innovative equipment in accordance with all the requirements of existing standards.
"Isover" is produced in mats and slabs, so it can vary in its density. The slab material has a higher density, and it can be used to insulate walls for plastering. High density materials include Isover OL-A and Isover OL-E. But plastering of mineral wool insulation is permissible only on the outside of the wall.
Glass wool "Isover" is positioned by the manufacturer as a non-combustible insulation, that is, it belongs to the NG class.
On sale are several options for glass wool, which is designed to insulate various parts of the house. The main characteristics of these products are as follows:
| Insulation brand | Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/(m×°С) | Compressibility, %, no more | Vapor permeability, Mg/(m×h×Pa) | Moisture absorption, kg/m² | Density, kg/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Isover Light" | 0.035÷0.040 | 10 | 0.3 | 1,5 | 38÷45 |
| "Isover Standard" | 0.036÷0.041 | 55 | 0.3 | 2 | 25÷35 |
| "Isover Optimal" | 0.036÷0.041 | 20 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 30÷38 |
| "Isover Facade" | 0.035÷0.038 | 30 | 0.3 | 2 | 30÷40 |
In addition to the above options , Isover also produces other brands of insulation materials. Moreover, the company continues to develop and launch innovative products that are able to withstand the necessary loads in a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe structure.
"URSA"
Another well-known brand of insulation materials are URSA products. The manufacturer uses innovative technologies in the production of its products, trying to minimize the shortcomings of glass wool. Thanks to this approach, URSA glass wool is characterized by increased durability and special strength. The density of plates and mats greatly simplifies installation work.
Since URSA produces a wide range of insulation products, unknowingly it will be difficult to choose the required material option. We give a hint - for the thermal insulation of a country house, it is recommended to use heaters of the URSA GEO line. They are safe for the health of the residents of the house, as much as possible adapted to the conditions of private construction.
The URSA GEO line includes the following products:
| Insulation type "URSA GEO" | Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/(m×°С) | Vapor transmission mg/(m×h×Pa) |
|---|---|---|
| "M-11" | 0.04 | 0.64 |
| "Mini" | 0.041 | 0.64 |
| "Private house" | 0.041 | 0.55 |
| "Universal plates" | 0.036 | 0.51 |
| "Light" | 0.044 | 0.35 |
| "Pitched Roof" | 0.035 | 0.55 |
| "Noise protection" | 0.04 | 0.6 |
| "Frame" | 0.035 | 0.64 |
In addition to those presented in the table, this series of materials also includes other heaters suitable for thermal insulation of private houses.
Speaking about any of the mineral wool heat insulators, one cannot but mention their general shortcomings, which may well affect the choice of material.
- The binder in most brands is phenol-formaldehyde resins, which are a toxic substance. Throughout the entire period of operation of the insulated structure, emissions of compounds harmful to humans will be observed. Some leading manufacturers claim that these components are no longer used in the manufacture of their products, as they have been replaced by environmentally friendly binders. It is quite difficult to verify this statement without special devices, and you have to take it on faith. However, it is better to give preference to heaters with the ECO label.
- Another problem with mineral wool is rodents, which perfectly adapt to this material, arranging their nests in it and making moves. It will be possible to get rid of these neighbors only by disassembling the skin and replacing the insulation with another version of it. If measures have been taken in the country house to protect against these ubiquitous animals, then mineral wool can be purchased to insulate the walls. In another case, it is better to give preference to denser insulation or those options that mice bypass.
Extruded polystyrene foam
Many people think that extruded polystyrene foam is the same as the familiar polystyrene foam. But that's not the case at all. Yes, the raw materials for their production are similar, but they differ not only in appearance, but also in their technical characteristics. Until recently, inexpensive foam plastic was widely used for warming both internal and external surfaces. However, it has a large number of significant shortcomings, which have led to the complete abandonment of this material in many countries of the world.
Starting repairs, many, wanting to save money, prefer foam plastic, but before making your choice, you need to be aware of its negative qualities.
- combustibility of the material. Styrofoam does not just burn - it melts and spreads over the surface, becoming a flame spreader. At the same time, so toxic smoke is released from the molten mass that just a few breaths can cause poisoning that is incompatible with life.
- Styrofoam (polystyrene foam) - the polymer is not chemically stable enough. And during long-term operation, under the influence of temperature changes and other external factors, it also begins to release substances harmful to the environment - free styrene. These fumes will not be able to contain the plaster or brick layer, and they will penetrate into the premises.
- Styrofoam has breathability, and therefore mice calmly settle in it. They not only easily gnaw through this material, but also arrange their nests in it. This is especially common when the foam plates have a rather large thickness of 70 ÷ 100 mm.
- Styrofoam is short-lived, it collapses rather quickly - it begins to crumble. As a result, the material loses its thermal insulation qualities.
Extruded polystyrene foam is made from the same raw materials as the familiar foam. But in its manufacture, a completely different technology is used.
The fine-mesh structure of expanded polystyrene plates is created by melting polystyrene granules. Foaming and hardening additives are added to the molten mass. Freon-free compositions are used as blowing agents.
The advantage of extruded polystyrene foam is its high density. Due to this quality, the material is not attractive to mice. Plus, it is impervious to steam and air, so rodents do not make nests in it. The maximum they can do to him is to gnaw his edges.
Extruded polystyrene foam is non-hygroscopic, has a markedly low thermal conductivity, high compressive strength, and good frost resistance. In addition, the insulation is not subject to biological damage and chemical decomposition, so it is often used even to insulate the foundations of buildings.
However, with regard to its flammability - this is a moot point. Manufacturers position expanded polystyrene as slow-burning and self-extinguishing, that is, not supporting combustion. Practice shows that it nevertheless ignites when exposed to an open fire, is often able to sustain combustion, and, just like polystyrene, emits toxic smoke. They are trying to fight this - many materials of this group undergo special processing that increases their fire resistance. But still oh how far to incombustibility!
Extruded polystyrene foam has almost zero vapor permeability. And this factor is just at hand for warming the walls from the inside. That is, the laid layer of plates in itself becomes a good vapor barrier, and the structure of the material will definitely always be dry inside, that is, there is simply nothing to condense in it. True, this still does not eliminate the need to create a general hermetic vapor barrier under the finishing layer, or, at least, from the hermetic “sealing” of the seams between the plates laid on the wall. The requirements for creating an effective ventilation system do not become less - they are mandatory for any type of internal insulation.
In the construction market, both well-known and completely unfamiliar manufacturers present their products. Sometimes you can find plates that do not have any markings at all. It is clear that one should not expect any guarantees from such materials. Therefore, if the choice is stopped on this particular heater, then well-known brands should be preferred.
"Penoplex"
The most popular in the Russian market can be called extruded polystyrene foam "Penoplex". These are products of a domestic manufacturer, which produces several varieties of material that differ in some characteristics.
The names of the plates indicate their purpose - this is the universal material "Comfort", "Roof", "Foundation" and "Wall". Accordingly, two types of slabs are used for thermal insulation of wall surfaces - "Comfort" and "Wall", performed by "Roof" slabs, etc.
Penoplex plates (namely, such a colloquial name is most often practiced) are produced in a wide range of thicknesses - from 20 to 100 mm (20, 30, 30, 50, 60, 80 and 100 mm). Linear dimensions - 1200 × 600 mm. Plates of the "Comfort" type can be produced in lengths of 2400 mm.
The main characteristics of the Penoplex heat-insulating material, indicated by the manufacturer, are as follows:
- thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.030 W / (m × K);
- moisture absorption - no more than 0.2 ÷ 0.4% of the total volume;
— vapor permeability – 0.007÷0.008 Mg/(m×h×Pa);
- flammability group - G2 - G4;
– operating temperature range – from -50 to +75 °С;
- the durability declared by the manufacturer is 50 years.
- "Penoplex C", designed for thermal insulation of walls. Contains in its composition components - flame retardants that reduce the risk of fire. High thermal insulation properties, minimal moisture absorption, resistance to temperature extremes, as well as the grooves provided for connecting the plates, make the insulation of the walls of the house reliable and durable.
- "Penoplex Comfort" is a universal version of the plates that can be used in different areas of the structure, from the roof to the foundation. In this regard, it may well be used to insulate the walls of a country house from the inside.
- "Penoplex F" is designed for thermal insulation of the foundation. Due to the fact that this insulated area of the building is located in the ground, the plates are made without the addition of flame retardants. Therefore, it is not recommended to use them for installation in other areas, since they belong to the G4 combustibility group.
- "Penoplex K" is used for insulation of roofs and ceilings, but it can also be used for thermal insulation of wall surfaces.
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Styrodur
Styrodur extruded polystyrene foam boards are not as popular as Penoplex, although they also have decent technical characteristics.
Several types of this heat-insulating material are supplied for sale - these are 2500 C, 2800 C, 2800 CS, 3035 CS, 3035 CN, 4000 CS, 5000 CS. The difference between the plates primarily lies in their density and compressive strength. The surface of all boards is protected by a smooth, more durable layer of material, while Styrodur 2800 C and Styrodur 2800 CS are equipped with a ribbed finish.
In order to prevent the formation of cold bridges at the joints of the plates, various options for docking locks can be provided at their ends. This plate also differs from each other.
Due to its strength characteristics, as well as different configurations of locks, this insulation is well suited for internal insulation of house walls.
| Name of characteristics and units of measurement | Digital marking of insulation "Styrodur" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2500 C | 2800 C | 3035 C | 4000 C | 5000 C | |
| Dry thermal conductivity, W/m×K | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.029 | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Density (not less than), kg/m³ | 25 | 30 | 33 | 35 | 45 |
| Moisture absorption in 24 hours,% of the volume | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.07 | 0.07 |
| Compressive strength at 10% linear deformation (not less than) | 0.2 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.5 | 0.7 |
| Plate surface | smooth | corrugated | Smooth or grooved | smooth | smooth |
| Linear dimensions of plates, mm | 1250×600 | 1250×600 | 1265×615 | 1265×615 | 1265×615 |
| Plate thickness, mm | 20,30,40,50,60 | 20,30,40,50,60 | 30,40,50,60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160 | 30,40,50,60,80 | 40,50,60 |
| Operating temperature range, С | -180...+75 | ||||
| Flammability group | G2 | ||||
| Frost resistance | Over 300 cycles | ||||
Styrodur boards are produced only in light green color, so they are difficult to confuse with other similar materials. The heat insulator is non-toxic under normal operating conditions; freon is not used in its production. In addition, the material is odorless, so it can be used to insulate the internal surfaces of residential buildings.
polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam, as an effective insulation, has appeared in the public domain relatively recently, but has already managed to prove its reliability in thermal and sound insulation of rooms. The application of polyurethane foam is carried out by spraying, for which special equipment is used. The material can be applied in several layers to achieve the required thermal insulation thickness.
The composition applied to the surface, after foaming and polymerization, forms a monolithic layer on it, as it expands and fills the space. In addition, the finished mass has excellent adhesive properties, therefore, when sprayed, it is firmly fixed on almost any surface of walls and ceilings.
This material is used for thermal insulation of both indoor and outdoor surfaces, and is particularly well suited for use in regions with low winter temperatures. The thermal conductivity of polyurethane foam is very low, ranging from 0.025 to 0.030 W/m×K. That is, among the heaters under consideration, it is an absolute “champion” in this indicator.
Due to the fact that the structure of polyurethane foam decomposes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, it must be mounted under the decorative cladding.
When the house is insulated with this material from the inside, a frame structure is installed on the wall to fix the facing material. And between its racks and jumpers, the composition is sprayed. After the polyurethane foam applied to the wall or ceiling has solidified, the excess that has protruded beyond the frame, formed during its expansion, is cut off.
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Polyurethane foam has a low moisture absorption index, therefore it retains its thermal insulation qualities at any environmental humidity. Vapor permeability is practically zero. And since the coating is seamless, continuous, you can even do without additional vapor barrier.
This material can belong to different fire safety groups - from G1 and even to G4, depending on the additives added to the composition. However, polyurethane foam, as a rule, does not become a source of fire and through the spread of fire. It quickly chars, stopping the supply of oxygen necessary for combustion deep into its structure. And the gases formed during thermal decomposition are still not as dangerous as those of polystyrene foam.
Excellent material for internal insulation. But it requires special raw materials and equipment for its application, the presence of skills in work. And the cost is very high. All this limits its wide application for such purposes.
Ecowool
Ecowool is not yet a familiar material, therefore it is not so popular. But it is successfully used for insulation of residential buildings both from the inside and outside. The main advantage of this insulation is its environmental friendliness. Ecowool is made from cellulose fibers that are treated with boric acid, which protects the material from mold and makes it unattractive to rodents.
Slabs are formed from the fibers, or ecowool is sold in bulk and is intended for laying in the so-called "wet" method - spraying.
Loose ecowool is also used in dry form, most often this method is used for thermal insulation of horizontal surfaces, for example, ceilings or floors in a house. Another method of insulation is filling the closed space (specially provided cavities) with dry ecowool. For example, in a frame partition sheathed on both sides with plywood sheets.
The "wet" method of application can be called the best styling option. However, this process is hampered by the fact that it requires special equipment. This means that for warming you will have to invite a specialist.
Ecowool, applied by the "wet" method, forms a monolithic seamless layer on the surface, which reliably protects the premises from the cold. The material retains its thermal insulation qualities throughout the entire period of operation.
If you plan to produce insulation yourself, then the best option would be ready-made, molded plates. They are installed between the construction of the crate in the same way as mineral wool, by surprise. Of course, with internal insulation, this again will require a reliable vapor barrier - the hygroscopicity of ecowool is considerable.
When installed dry, both on horizontal surfaces and when filling empty space, wool can shrink over time. Therefore, when conducting insulation, it must be well sealed.
Ecowool in its combustibility belongs to the G1 group (low combustible material) due to special processing during the production process. When burning, cellulose does not emit toxic products that are extremely dangerous for humans.
There are several varieties of this material on the market from various manufacturers. For example, you should pay attention to the Finnish manufacturer Termex.
Ecowool "Termex" goes on sale in packages weighing 13 kg and has the following characteristics:
— coefficient of thermal conductivity 0.040 W/(m×°С);
- density, depending on the application - 35 ÷ 79 kg / m³;
- soundproofing capabilities with a layer of 25 mm - 9dB.
Ecowool freely passes water vapor, and for external insulation - you can’t imagine anything better. But for the internal - this again becomes a problem, which has already been mentioned more than once above. Such a thermal insulation design will require a very reliable vapor barrier. The hygroscopicity of ecowool is considerable, and without such protection it can literally swell with water soon, losing all its insulating qualities.
* * * * * * *
In order for the insulation of a country house to be of high quality and safe, when choosing a heat-insulating material, it is necessary to carefully study its characteristics, as well as methods of application with all the nuances. It is recommended to purchase heaters from well-known manufacturers who have been working in the building materials market for a long time and managed to gain credibility.
As we have seen, heaters can be produced in a wide range of thicknesses. And the thickness of the layer of application of polyurethane foam or ecowool can be adjusted by the worker. In any case, you need to know what thickness of the insulation will be guaranteed to cope with the task of reliable thermal insulation of the walls assigned to it. And this issue should also be considered.
What thickness of insulation is required?
Each of their owners of the house is able to make such a heat engineering calculation. Now we will “arm” him with an understanding of the calculation algorithm and a convenient online calculator.
What is the calculation based on?
Try to imagine any abstract insulated structure. Since our theme is a wall, we will leave this example.
So, a multilayer structure will include the actual wall of the house itself, made of one or another material. Often, its decoration is provided from the outside. The same thing - and from the inside, well, a layer of insulation, the thickness of which is required to be found.
In order to maintain a comfortable temperature in the premises of the house at any time of the year, this entire multilayer structure must have a certain total resistance to heat transfer. And it consists of the resistances of each of the layers.
It is appropriate to make a reservation here - the external facade decoration, organized according to the ventilated facade system, is never taken into account. It does not contribute to the overall insulating qualities of the wall.
Where to get the necessary data?
What the total resistance should be is shown by its normalized value, established by SNiP for each region, taking into account climatic features. This indicator is easy to check with any local construction organization. Or, even easier, identify it from the map below. In this case, for further calculation, it is necessary to take the value “for walls”, which are highlighted in purple.
The thermal resistance of any of the layers is not difficult to determine - for this, the thickness of the salt (expressed in meters) must be divided by the tabular coefficient of thermal conductivity of the material from which this layer is made.
Rc =hc /λc
Rc- thermal resistance of the layer, m²×K/W;
hc- layer thickness, m;
λc- coefficient of thermal conductivity of the material, W/m×K.
It is clear that there is little point in taking into account too thin layers (for example, membranes). But some options for external and internal decoration are quite capable of influencing the general thermal characteristics of the wall structure.
So, if we calculate all the thermal resistances of the layers planned for the future arrangement and sum them up, this will still not be enough to reach the normalized value. It is this very "deficiency" that should cover the thermal insulation layer. The difference is known, the thermal conductivity of the insulation is also, which means that nothing prevents you from finding the desired thickness:
Well =Ry × λy
Well- required insulation thickness, m;
Ry- "lack" of thermal resistance, which needs to be filled with thermal insulation;
λy- coefficient of thermal conductivity of the selected insulation material.
To simplify the task for the reader as much as possible, a special online calculator has been compiled. When making calculations, it is possible not to take into account the insulating qualities of the finishing layers - just their thickness is left by default equal to zero. And the rest - everything is simple, and, probably, does not require special additional explanations.
The result will be immediately shown in millimeters - it's more convenient. The value obtained is the minimum, and it is usually brought to the standard thicknesses of insulating materials, somewhat rounded up.
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 already a finished 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 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
It is quite difficult to achieve optimal efficiency in energy saving at home, even with an ultra-modern heating system, but without resorting to insulation of external walls. It has been experimentally established that about 30% heat escapes through uninsulated walls. The best way out of this situation is one - this is the insulation of the walls of the house from the outside. Thus, with the help of special materials with a minimum coefficient of thermal conductivity, the protection of walls from external influences is enhanced. Warming from the outside creates a kind of barrier between the damp and cold atmosphere of the street and the microclimate inside the home. However, the success of this process will directly depend on the right insulation.
Types of materials for wall insulation outside
Most often, houses are insulated from the outside with the following types of materials:
- has a low thermal conductivity. 90% air and 10% polymers. Easy to install and pretty cheap.
Mineral wool- a heat-insulating material that is made from metallurgical slags and silicates. Unlike glass wool, working with it is safe.
- does not require the construction of frame structures. All work is carried out only by professionals, since working with insulation requires certain skills.
- a new formula of wall insulation, which retains heat better and more efficiently. It has a finely porous structure due to extrusion. Possesses high heat-insulating characteristics.
They also use thermal insulation, expanded polystyrene, liquid expanded clay materials, cellulose, etc. for insulation. However, these heaters are not used as often as the above. Therefore, we will focus on the consideration of the main insulation for walls.
Mineral wool
Mineral (basalt, stone) wool is a fibrous structure insulation, which is similar to the natural material basalt. This insulation is made from alloys of volcanic rocks at a very high temperature. Such wool is completely fireproof and is not affected by fire.
Benefits of mineral wool:
Thermal insulation characteristics are very high due to the porous qualities of the fiber. The material perfectly retains heat, and in summer it does not allow heat into the house.
The soundproofing qualities of basalt wool are high, thanks to the chaotic interweaving of basalt fibers, which delays sound waves.
Long service life. Once you have insulated the walls of your house with mineral wool, you can no longer worry about thermal insulation.
High tightness throughout the entire period of operation.
Mineral wool is an absolutely ecological wall insulation that does not pose a danger to either people or the environment. Installation of mineral wool on the facade and walls takes place in several stages:
Preparing the walls of the house outside.
Laying a layer of a vapor-permeable membrane over the wall.
Fastening wooden slats or profiles to walls.
Laying heat-insulating mats.
Another layer of film is stretched over the insulation.
The device of the ventilating facade of the house outside.
And at the finishing stage, new slopes, window sills and trim elements are installed due to the increase in wall thickness.
The cost of such a house insulation varies from 100 to 400 rubles per m².
Styrofoam is very often used to insulate walls from the outside. After all, its thermal conductivity is lower than that of mineral wool - 0.032-0.038 W/m*K and are slightly inferior to extruded polystyrene foam.
Such a heater has many advantages:
Excellent sound insulation of walls;
Light weight, which does not increase the load on the building;
Simplicity and ease of installation.
Installation of foam on the walls of the house is as follows:
Facade preparation.
Setting the start profile.
Applying adhesive to the insulation.
Sticking foam boards on the walls of the house.
Fixing sheets with dowel fasteners.
Installation of reinforcement elements.
subsequent reinforcement.
Application of a decorative protective layer on the wall.
Giving texture to the facade.
The cost of such a heater is available - about 50 rubles per m²
This material for insulating the walls of a house from the outside is one of the varieties of plastic. It has a cellular foamy structure and 90% is made up of gaseous matter. The rest of the volume is the walls of the cells.
Sectional polyurethane foam
Thermal insulation and properties of polyurethane foam:
The thermal conductivity of the material lies in the range of 0.018 to 0.035 W / m * K, which is better than that of mineral wool.
Perfectly absorbs noise and delays sounds.
Resistant to aggressive chemicals.
It has low moisture permeability properties.
The service life of polyurethane foam reaches 30 years old. This material is absolutely environmentally friendly.
Insulation of the walls of the house with the help of this heat-insulating material takes place in the following order:
Wall preparation.
Applying a heater.
Reinforcement to improve thermal insulation.
Finishing work.
The cost of polyurethane foam is calculated based on the size of the wall to be insulated. For example, it is necessary to make thermal insulation of the facade up to 50 sq. m. It will cost from 300 rubles per m².
Extruded foam is an innovative development that is designed to save energy.
Advantages of foam insulation:
The lowest thermal conductivity than all of the above materials.
Can withstand heavy loads.
It has a long service life - more than 40 years.
Today, more and more homeowners prefer penolex because of its high performance. How is the process of installing insulation:
Preparatory work on the walls.
Profile mounting.
Applying glue to insulation boards.
Foam sticker.
Fastening with dowels.
Finishing outside.
The cost of such material varies from 300 to 400 rubles per m².
Features of installing insulation for the home
It is worth noting that the process of installing any type of insulation may differ depending on what material the house itself is built from. Log walls, for example, do not require an air layer between the layers of thermal insulation and the outer surface of the walls. After warming a house made of wood, a ventilated facade is almost always preferred, which provides air circulation. Sometimes it is lined with boards, clapboard or facade tiles are installed. The insulation of the walls of the house, made of bricks and panel blocks, is carried out according to a similar, standard principle.
Read about the following stages of construction:
Read about the previous stages of construction:
The most important condition for comfortable living in your own home at any time of the year and with the lowest possible cost of energy used for heating and air conditioning And almost all parts of the building should be insulated. The roof is no exception, which, incidentally, is not always remembered by inexperienced novice developers.
If you look at the percentage of heat loss of any building that does not have proper thermal insulation, it is clear that the "lion's share" of them falls on the attic floor and roof. The specificity of this section of the general design of the house imposes special requirements on the materials used for its insulation. Let's try to understand this issue in order to help the reader eliminate possible errors and make the right choice. So, what is the best roofing insulation?
The need for roof insulation
First of all, it is necessary to dispel doubts about the need for roof insulation. Let's start with this.
The limited area of the site for building a house, and simply the considerations of the most efficient construction at the lowest possible cost, often move the owners to use the attic space usefully. Attic "floors" are very popular in our time, when the attic turns into a full-fledged living space, which does not differ from other rooms in terms of convenience and comfort. You can place in the attic and a utility room, for example, a warm pantry, office or workshop.
It is clear that with this approach to the useful use of the attic, there is no doubt about the insulation of the roof. Whatever type of roofing is chosen, none of them will provide the required protection against winter cold. And in the hot summer period, the roof slopes heat up in the sun to such an extent that staying in an uninsulated attic becomes not only uncomfortable, but even completely unbearable from the heat. This, by the way, should never be discounted - insulation, or rather, thermal insulation of the roof helps to ensure an optimal microclimate in the attic at any time of the year.
And what about those who do not have the conversion of the attic into a useful room in their immediate plans for construction? Maybe limit yourself to high-quality thermal insulation of the attic floor?
How is an attic floor insulated?
The ceiling of the room, bordering from above with an unheated and uninsulated attic, becomes not a "bridge", but a whole "main" for heat losses. This is eliminated by the implementation of a whole range of thermal insulation works. - read in a special publication of our portal.
Of course, you can limit yourself to this. But it would be better to listen to the arguments in favor of insulating the roof slopes, even if this is, of course, associated with additional costs:
- All details of the truss system and the internal arrangement of the attic space will be protected from the destructive effects of temperature and humidity changes. Therefore, the durability of the entire roof structure as a whole will increase.
- Energy efficiency increases dramatically if we consider it on the scale of the entire building. That is, the insulation of the roof, even with high-quality thermal insulation of the attic floor, will still make its “mite” in achieving the most comfortable conditions at minimal cost from an external energy source.
- Most modern insulation materials have the ability to effectively absorb sound vibrations. Insulated roof slopes will not become "resonators" in heavy rain or hail. This is especially true for roofing materials that are traditionally considered "noisy" - metal or slate.
- Finally, what seems unnecessary or temporarily unfeasible today may turn into an urgent need in the future. This means that the prevailing circumstances can lead the owners of the house to the idea of the need to expand the usable area due to the attic space. So it’s better to have a warm attic right away than to subsequently do it “from scratch”, which can often be associated with the alteration or replacement of individual elements of the truss system that have already experienced a long-term negative impact of external factors. Sometimes such work cannot be carried out without temporary removal of the roofing. In a word, it will be much more expensive. So it makes sense to think ahead.
Criteria that a roof insulation must meet
To make the right choice, you need to know the criteria by which this material should be evaluated. There are many of these criteria, and it should be immediately noted that not a single heater fully corresponds to all of them. So you often have to face the choice of which of the advantages to give preference.
So, the "ideal" material for thermal insulation of the roof is one that meets all of the following requirements:
- Of course, thermal insulation qualities should be put in the first position. The material must have low thermal conductivity, that is, create the maximum possible resistance to heat transfer under specific conditions of use. This indicator can be estimated by looking at the thermal conductivity coefficient, which is necessarily indicated in the list of thermal insulation characteristics. To insulate the roof, where you can’t really “run up” with the thickness of the insulation and the mass of the thermal insulation structure, they try to use materials with a thermal conductivity coefficient of not more than 0.05 W / m × C °. And the lower this figure, the better.
- In second place in importance can be put the density of the material. Nobody needs unnecessary overloads of the truss system. So the less the insulating layer weighs enough to create comfortable conditions, the better.
- The trouble with many insulating materials is excessively high hygroscopicity, that is, the property of being saturated with moisture literally from the air. And waterlogging always leads to at least a loss of thermal insulation qualities. So, ideally, the insulation should have a minimum moisture absorption, and even better - pronounced hydrophobicity. This is especially important in roof conditions, where moisture is indispensable.
- The insulation material must retain its qualities over a wide temperature range. That is, thermal insulation should “work” equally well both in extreme frosts and at the peak of summer heat.
- The most important qualities of the material, especially used for roof insulation, are fire safety indicators. This applies to resistance to fire, the ability to become a flame spreader, smoke generation, toxicity of combustion products. The ideal material is seen completely non-combustible, but, alas, in this matter for a lot of heaters - far from everything is safe.
- The stability of the material, that is, its durability under real operating conditions. Ideal insulation should not change shape and volume, be resistant to chemical or biological decay, spontaneous or due to external negative influence of one type or another.
- The insulation should not serve as a breeding ground for microorganisms, should not be an attractive place for nests of insects, birds, mice. And this, by the way, is also a very difficult problem to solve.
- The thermal insulation material during operation should not pose a danger in terms of the release of fumes harmful to human health and other environmental pollution.
- For those who are going to carry out thermal insulation work on their own, the clarity and simplicity of working with the material is important, which does not require excessive effort, special experience, special equipment.
- Finally, an important criterion for any building material, including insulation, has been and remains affordability.
As you can see, there are a lot of criteria for assessing the quality of thermal insulation materials. And now we will begin to “try on” them to heaters that are suitable for thermal insulation of a pitched roof.
What is the best roofing insulation?
This post will focus on the most widespread in private construction pitched roof. Flat roofs have their own specifics of thermal insulation, and the materials used for this purpose may be different. So, bulk heaters, special building mortars with special filling, high-density mineral wool slabs and other materials are widely used. This issue requires a separate detailed consideration, so it will be omitted in this article.
And for pitched roofs, where on the insulation itself will not have a significant mechanical effect, they still try to use materials with a small specific gravity. They can be roughly divided into three groups:
- Insulation with fiber structure.
- Rigid heaters with a gas-filled porous structure.
- Sprayed heaters.
These groups are also heterogeneous - materials can vary significantly both in basic composition and in performance.
Insulating materials with a fiber structure
This group of materials has one thing in common - all of them are an interweaving of thin fibers, due to which a layer of immobilized air enclosed in them is created. And this, in turn, becomes a thermal insulation layer. But the raw materials for the production of fibers can have serious differences, up to their "nature" - mineral or organic. The first includes all varieties of mineral wool, the second subcategory - cellulose-based ecowool.
Mineral wool
For thermal insulation of building structures in residential buildings, two types of mineral wool are used. In the first of them, the fibers are formed from a melt of quartz glass, in the second, the raw materials for production are rocks of the basalt group. Hence the names - glass wool and stone (basalt) wool.
There is another type of mineral wool - it is made from waste from metallurgical enterprises, slag. But in residential construction, it has not received distribution, since it loses both in insulating qualities and in durability. Yes and in terms of environmental safety She, too, is not all right. In a word, to detain your attention on it - there is not much point.
Mineral wool prices
mineral wool
But you should take a closer look at glass wool and basalt wool.
Mineral wool based on glass fibers
For the production of glass wool, glass cullet and purified quartz sand are used as raw materials. After melting the mass in furnaces, thin fibers are drawn from it using a special technology, which are then pressed into “carpets” using binder additives. At the final stage of production, cutting into blocks or mats of the sizes established by the standard is carried out.
The production process has been worked out for a long time, there is no shortage of raw materials either, and therefore the cost of glass wool is quite affordable, which predetermines its wide popularity. The inlet form is blocks (plates), mats in rolls, and recently, easy-to-install plates in rolls have also been practiced.
To dignity m of glass wool include the following:
- The specific gravity of the insulation is small, and therefore its laying does not require much physical effort, and the thermal insulation system does not exert a significant load on the roof structure.
- Blocks or mats of glass wool have good elasticity. That is, they can be laid in spaces that are somewhat smaller in size - after straightening they fit quite tightly both to each other and to the enclosing elements (in this case, most often to the rafter legs).
“The same quality allows you to significantly reduce the volume of material when it is packed on the production line. This property allows to reduce the overhead costs for the transportation of insulation. And after unpacking, blocks or mats, expanding, take on the specified dimensions.
- The material is flexible, that is, it can be used without additional cutting into smaller fragments for thermal insulation of complex, for example, curved or broken sections.
At the same time, glass wool also has certain limitations which should never be forgotten:
- Such a heater has a fairly high hygroscopicity. Therefore, when using it, special attention is paid to the creation of a reliable vapor barrier from the side of the attic, and to the possibility of free evaporation of moisture from the side of the roof. Otherwise, the insulation will quickly become damp and lose all its thermal insulation qualities.
— Glass fibers are characterized by rather high brittleness. This means that vibrating effects are completely contraindicated for glass wool. Small broken fiber particles become a serious irritant for the skin, eyes and mucous membranes of the respiratory system, that is, thermal insulation work should be carried out in compliance with special protective measures. Measures should be considered to completely exclude the possibility of these particles entering the atmosphere of the residential area of the house during operation, as they cause allergic reactions.
- The emission of formaldehydes, which are part of the binders, is also one of the disadvantages of the material. But this is more typical of cheap heaters of unknown brands (or even those that do not have any trademark at all - this happens too!) Leading manufacturers are trying to nullify emission indicators, and many modern types of glass wool are approved for use not only in residential and public buildings but even in educational and medical institutions.
A few more words can be added about the “branding” of glass wool. The fact is that the construction market is filled with inexpensive materials of very dubious origin. In the production of such glass wool, either outdated technologies are used, or the process of technological control is completely absent. Such mats are characterized by high fragility of fibers and strong shrinkage, and glass wool can turn into dust in just a few years. Naturally, there can be no talk of any quality of thermal insulation of the roof here. So the pursuit of cheapness often results in considerable additional costs.
If a decision has already been made to use glass wool for roof insulation, then you should pay attention to quality products, for example, Ursa or Isover companies.
For example, let's take a closer look at the insulation from the line « UrsaGeo». Suitable for roof insulation "Private house", "M -11" and "Pitched Roof", whose name speaks for itself.
The basis of all these materials is fiberglass with the addition of special mineral components that reduce the disadvantages characteristic of glass wool. Products of this series are considered completely safe for both humans and the environment.
Ursa products are characterized by a number of special advantages:
— The material belongs to the group completely non-combustible heaters. Not only does the insulation not ignite itself - it can become a barrier to the spread of flame.
- The company's technologists managed to reduce the emission of binder organic compounds to such a low level that it can be ignored altogether - it does not affect the cleanliness of the indoor air in any way.
“Thanks to special mineral additives, which are the technological secret of the company, glass fibers have received additional elasticity, that is, it has been possible to reduce their characteristic fragility.
— In many types of thermal insulation "Ursa Geo", in particular, in the "Pitched Roof", an interesting technology "URSA Spannfilz" is used. Literally, this expression can be translated as "elastic felt." The special structure of the fiber plate gives it increased elasticity, and the insulation blocks fit very well between the rafters, which allows you to do without even additional fastening. A tight fit eliminates the formation of voids, unfilled insulation.
- Heaters are produced in a form that is very convenient for laying. For example, the material "Pitched roof" is a slab in a roll, which greatly simplifies cutting to the desired size, if necessary.
– The manufacturer guarantees a long term of properly laid thermal insulation without loss of its insulating qualities, without shrinkage and destructuring- at least 50 years old.
The main characteristics of fiberglass insulation of the Ursa Geo line, which are excellent for thermal insulation of a pitched roof, are shown in the table.
| Private house | M-11 | pitched roof | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/m×°С | 0,045 | 0,044 | 0,040 |
| Vapor permeability, mg/m×h×Pa | 0,65 | 0,64 | 0,64 |
| Fire safety class | KM0 | KM0 | KM0 |
| Flammability group | NG | NG | NG |
| Operating temperature range, °С | 60÷+220 | 60÷+220 | 60÷+220 |
| Water absorption for 24 hours, kg/m², no more | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Release form | mats in a roll | mats in a roll | slabs in a roll |
| Dimensional parameters, mm | |||
| - length | 8350 | 7000; 9000; 10000 | 3900; 3000 |
| - width | 1200 | 1200 | 1200 |
| - thickness | 50 | 50; 10 | 150;200 |
| approximate cost | 1100 rub/m³ | roll 1200×10000×50 mm - 1220 rub. | 980 rub. with a thickness of 150 mm; 1070 rub. with a thickness of 200 mm. |
Mineral wool based on basalt
Fibers obtained from the melt of rocks gabbro-basalt groups have a number of advantages over glass ones. They become thinner and longer, they have more pronounced elasticity, much less fragility. All this gives mineral wool on this basis higher performance. All the advantages inherent in glass wool are also characteristic of basalt, and there are, in addition, a number of advantages.
Prices for basalt wool
basalt wool
It is even visually noticeable that high-quality basalt wool has a pronouncedly homogeneous structure, it is given clear geometric shapes. It is much easier to work with such a heater - it is certainly not worth neglecting the means of protecting the skin and respiratory organs, but it does not cause such strong irritation as glass wool.
Better with basalt wool and with hygroscopicity - a special treatment dramatically reduces moisture absorption, and products from some manufacturers even have properties close to hydrophobicity. But this still does not give reason to refuse vapor barrier. Vapor permeability is at a height, that is, when the right conditions are created, even moisture that accidentally penetrates into the material will easily evaporate through the ventilation gaps of the roofing pie.
The products of well-known brands are doing well with formaldehyde emission indicators - heaters have sanitary certificates with permission for safe use in any residential premises. By the way, it will never be out of place to check the presence of a copy of such a certificate when purchasing any insulation material.
Basalt wool slabs are extremely easy to install - both due to the exact "geometry" and due to the pronounced elasticity. And besides, manufacturers provide other "chips". So, for example, the ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC boards popular with builders have an edge “spring-loaded” using a special technology, which ensures their accurate and reliable fixation at the installation site - between rafters, beams,
An excellent solution for roof insulation - ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC boards with a springy edge zone, which makes installation simple and very reliable There are few significant shortcomings in basalt wool (if we are talking about really high-quality products of well-known brands). Perhaps, only the higher cost of the material can be attributed here.
The range of basalt heaters is quite wide. Along with the "heavyweights" in this area of \u200b\u200bproduction - the companies "ROCKWOOL", "PAROC", "TechnoNIKOL", quite worthy products are offered by the companies "Basvul", "Isobel", "Izovol" and others. Before purchasing, it makes sense to get to know the brand you like better - trustworthy companies always have informative Internet portals, and a network of representative offices is organized on the territory of Russia.
As an example, to get acquainted with the physical and operational characteristics, you can take the already mentioned above insulation " ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS". By the way, another of its advantages is that during packaging in production it is compressed more than twice due to vacuum technology. But when the packaging is removed, the plates take on the specified dimensions without any loss of their performance.
| Name of the main operational parameters of the material | Indicators |
|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity coefficient (W/m×°С): | 0,039 |
| Specific Gravity (kg/m³) | 30 |
| Flammability group | NG |
| Fire safety class | KM0 |
| Vapor permeability (mg/(m×h×Pa), not less than | 0.03 |
| Moisture absorption at partial immersion | no more than 1kg/m² |
| Dimensions | 800×600 mm (XL boards - 1200×600 mm) |
| thickness | 50 or 100 mm (XL boards - 100 and 150 mm) |
| approximate cost | - with a thickness of 50 mm - 145 rubles / m² - 100 mm - 285 rubles/m² - 150 mm - 430 rub/m² |
The service life of such thermal insulation is estimated at at least 50 years.
Fiber insulation on an organic basis - ecowool
This insulation appeared in wide use not so long ago, and is even unknown to many. And meanwhile - it shows very good thermal insulation qualities.
The basis for the manufacture of ecowool are ordinary cellulose fibers obtained from woodworking waste, paper and other scrap raw materials. The total content of cellulose in the composition of this insulation reaches 80 ÷ 85 percent. The rest is additives that ensure the biological stability of the material (boric acid) and special fire retardants that increase the resistance of cellulose to fire.
The thermal performance of ecowool is very decent: the thermal conductivity is approximately in the range from 0.038 to 0.043 W / m × ° With, that is, it is quite comparable with mineral wool.
The material is famous for its ecological cleanliness (hence its name), and antiseptic treatment reliably protects it from debate and decay, from damage by pathogenic microflora. Rodents and insects do not make nests in ecowool.
According to the degree of combustibility, the material belongs to the group G 2 - low combustible, self-extinguishing. Combustion products do not contain toxic substances, which is typical, for example, of synthetic heaters.
Ecowool is quite hygroscopic, so the issues of reliable hydro and vapor barrier will have to be thought through unequivocally. But due to the capillary structure of natural fibers, moisture also easily evaporates from the material without violating its qualities. Interestingly, in this way, an ecowool insulation stand is able to “automatically” maintain an optimal humidity balance in the room.
Ecowool prices
Ecowool is laid using "dry" and "wet" technologies. But applying the “wet” method, that is, by spraying, is not particularly justified on roof slopes that have a negative slope from the attic side - there will be too much waste. Therefore, most often this insulation is blown into cavities that are created using vapor barrier membranes or the inner lining of the attic.
Insulation of the roof slopes with ecowool - the material is blown into the created cavities using a special installation The density of the insulation layer, depending on the application method, ranges from 40 to 75 kg / m³.
To shortcomings similar insulation can be attributed to the following:
- Even the "dry method" of laying ecowool (with the exception of floor insulation) requires a special installation. In addition, well-developed skills are needed for the quality performance of such work.
- The process of laying ecowool - in any case, it turns out to be very dusty. It is impossible to start it without personal protective equipment.
The cost of ecowool ranges from 20 to 35 rubles per kilogram. She usually does for sale in sealed plastic bags, packaged in 15 or 20 kilograms.
It seems to be not so much. But if you look at the price lists for the services of manufacturers or distributors of such a heater, you can see that you still have to pay about the same amount for installation. And without special equipment - it is extremely difficult to do this. This, perhaps, is the most important "minus" of such thermal insulation.
Sprayed heaters
One of the most effective ways to insulate a roof is to spray foam insulation on the back of the roof slopes. With this approach, the thermal insulation layer becomes almost seamless, that is, without leaving cold bridges.
There are several types of such materials. But polyurethane foam is closest to “ideal” in terms of all criteria for the quality of thermal insulation.
Perhaps the most reliable and effective way to thermally insulate a pitched roof is to spray polyurethane foam. The coefficient of thermal conductivity of PPU is very low, estimated at less than 0.03 W/m×°C. The material shows excellent adhesion to almost all surfaces. The closed cell makes the insulation layer vapor-tight, that is, in some cases, you can do without additional costs for vapor barrier.
However, all the advantages of the material are also combined with a rather high price for it. Moreover, polyurethane foam is synthesized directly at the place of work from two initial components, for which special installations are used. That is, "lovers of independent creativity", one way or another, will have to resort to calling the brigade. And it also costs a lot of money.
There is, however, a caveat - disposable mini-installations for spraying PPU have recently appeared in hardware stores. However, the price for them is not lower than the cost of professional services.
If you look at the prices of construction companies in the Central region of Russia, then the cost of spraying polyurethane foam 100 mm thick on an area of 1 m² ranges from 1100 to 1400 rubles, depending on the manufacturer of the initial components. Agree, very expensive.
You can talk about polyurethane foam for a long time and a lot, but we confine ourselves to the above brief information. The fact is that on our portal a special publication has been given to this type of insulation. By the way, it also talks about another type of foamed insulation - foam insulation, which can also be used for thermal insulation of roofs.
Prices for polyurethane foam
polyurethane foam
Special thermal insulation technology - foamed insulation
These differ from all other insulating materials, first of all, by a special application technology. Read about the advantages and disadvantages and the features of working with them in a special article of our portal.
Rigid insulation boards on a synthetic base
Polystyrene based materials
This group of heaters includes the familiar white foam and extruded polystyrene foam. Despite the similarity in chemical composition, the difference in the performance of these materials is very large.
- Let's start with foam. And here we will immediately express a categorical judgment, with which, perhaps, some will not agree. Nevertheless, it is highly undesirable to use polystyrene for thermal insulation of roof slopes.
No words - the foam captivates with a low price, quite worthy thermal insulation characteristics, lightness, ease of installation. What more could you want?
But let's take a closer look at its shortcomings:
- The production of foam plastic is a fairly simple process that does not require highly sophisticated equipment. And they do this business everywhere, very often without observing any technical requirements. So talking about some quality standards is just ridiculous.
- The main disadvantage of polystyrene is its combustibility. And this material not only spreads the flame very well, but also emits deadly toxic substances during combustion. Literally a few breaths - and a person receives a powerful poisoning, leading to the most sad consequences. The statistics of tragedies in a fire show that when polystyrene foam ignites, people have little chance of surviving even with a not very big fire. Is it worth it to plant such a “bomb” on such a vulnerable section of the building from the point of view of fire danger as the roof?
Prices for PIR boards
The main component of such boards is polyisocyanurate foam (PIR for short). It is a gas-filled rigid structure with isolated cells.
Due to the special production technology and the specifics of the polymer itself, insulation boards are still considered unsurpassed for their thermal insulation properties. So, the manufacturer claims an absolutely fantastic thermal conductivity of 0.022 W / m × ° With! In fact, in real conditions, it can, of course, be more, but even 0.025 is a very good indicator.
The material is characterized by high mechanical strength - up to 120 kPa at 10% deformation. At the same time, the density of the plates does not go beyond 40 kg / m³
Wide temperature range of operation: from - 70 to + 110 ° С.
Almost complete hydrophobicity - a closed cell does not allow moisture to penetrate inside.
PIR-plates can be covered with foil, which gives them additional slickness from moisture. Other types of coatings are also practiced.
Many models of slabs have convenient tongue-and-groove interlocks that allow you to cover large areas with a seamless coating.
One of the "pioneers" in the production of such thermal insulation was the Russian company TechnoNIKOL. In its product range - plates for insulation of any parts of the building, including - for the roof. At the same time, the company also offers ready-made solutions - sets of materials for thermal insulation of the roof between the rafters, under them and above them - at the choice of the consumer.
The standard dimensions of the drink are 600 × 1200 mm. The thickness is chosen according to the needs - in the assortment of a number of plates with a thickness of 25 to 150 mm.
There is no doubt that such thermal insulation materials have a great future. But so far they have not received wide distribution - simply because of the high cost. So, depending on the specific type, on the type of external coating and on the thickness of the plates, the price for them varies from 11 to 15 thousand rubles per cubic meter.
TechnoNIKOL is not the only company that has mastered the production of these innovative materials. Watch a video about the insulation of a pitched roof with PIR boards from the company " Pirro Group.
Video: Insulation of roof slopes with innovative thermal insulation - PIR-plates "PirroGroup"
Appendix: How to determine how much insulation is required?
If there is certainty with the choice of insulation, then the question will inevitably arise - what thickness of thermal insulation should be made in order to ensure comfortable conditions in the attic. You will need to make a small calculation, and a convenient online calculator will help us with this.
The calculation is not particularly difficult. The algorithm is based on the fact that the thermal insulation system being created should create a total resistance to heat transfer not less than that established by the standards for a particular region, taking into account its climatic features. You can find out the normalized thermal resistance from the attached map-scheme. Pay attention - in this case we are interested in red numbers - for coatings. This indicator in the "troika" is always the largest.
The second value required for the calculation is the thermal conductivity of the insulation material. The calculator database has already entered the operational values of these coefficients for heaters, about which discussed in this publication.
If desired, you can also take into account the sheathing of the attic, if it is solid. The materials of such sheathing also have certain thermal insulation qualities. And this can give, although not very large, but still a decrease in the required thickness of the insulation. However, this item is optional, and if the skin is not taken into account, just leave the default value of its thickness - 0 mm.
The final result will be shown in millimeters. It remains only to bring it to the standard thicknesses of the selected insulation, rounded up. For example, it turned out 132 mm. You can apply two-layer insulation with 100 and 40 mm thick slabs, or use 150 mm thick slabs. Here you can choose for reasons of economy of one or another possible option and according to the planned scheme for installing insulation.
For the warmth of the house, it is necessary not only to make competent heating, but also to insulate the house. Roof insulation is key. In our article, we will present a rating of the TOP 10 best roof insulation! Read reviews, addresses of companies, comparison of the basics about everything below.
What are roof insulation?
The modern market provides a huge selection of different roof insulation. Let's consider the main ones:
- Basalt wool- a fairly new, high-tech, reliable and durable material for roof insulation. The insulation is made from basalt rocks. Cotton wool consists of the thinnest fibers up to 5 millimeters thick, which are intertwined. Such fibers have water-repellent properties, so cotton wool will not get wet. This kind of insulation is designed for temperatures up to + 750 degrees Celsius, it is not subject to destruction and retains its shape. Basalt wool allows you to maintain a comfortable temperature in the room at any time of the year.
- Fiberglass by far the most affordable roofing insulation. Its structure is similar to the structure of basalt wool, only this insulation does not consist of basalt fibers, but of sand, which melts at a certain temperature and is formed into fibers. When purchasing such a heater, it is necessary to pay attention to thermal conductivity, water-repellent properties and density.
- Styrofoam(Styrofoam). Lightweight and easy to install foam is used in the insulation of all types of roofs. Expanded polystyrene does not get wet, does not rot and does not make the roof structure heavier, however, there is a significant drawback - the flammability of the material. When working with this material, care must be taken to comply with fire regulations.
- Extruded polystyrene foam. The complete absence of water absorption allows the material to be used for all types of roofs, including inverted roofs. Such material is easy to install and does not weigh down the roof structure.
- polyester fiber differs from all modern heaters in its environmentally friendly composition. The manufacturing technology of such a heater is identical to the manufacturing technology of clothing and similar products with which a person comes into contact. Polyester fiber insulation is a non-woven insulation material with good performance, which can significantly save money.
Comparison table of bases
When choosing a heater, the question immediately arises: which roof insulation is better? The price is different for everyone, as are the indicators. Let's compare the main types of heaters in the comparative table below.
2 best basalt insulation
Basalt insulation providing heat and sound insulation. Ideal for insulating any type of roof frame structure of houses. The insulation is sold in a package in the form of plates of 8 pieces per package and is absolutely safe and non-flammable.
Price: 225 rubles.
Hotrock Smart insulation
- convenient in laying;
- has excellent sound insulation.
- harmful to breath (additional use of a vapor barrier is necessary).
Used this heater on my mansard roof. Excellent sound insulation, the house is warm and cozy. Laying the material was easy and simple and did not even have to hire people for these purposes, they did it on their own.