Materials for thermal insulation. The best thermal insulation materials: types and properties

The modern construction market offers many beautiful, durable, environmentally friendly finishing materials. Nowadays, thanks to new technologies, it is possible to realize almost any fantasy in terms of repair or design work. But as for the economics of maintaining a home, it also needs to be carefully calculated.

Unfortunately, not every material, even the most beautiful or unusual, is capable of retaining heat well in a room. Therefore, often the issue of wall insulation at the time of repair has to be raised quite often. And without even planning repair work, insulation is a hot topic for our country.

There are various types of insulation materials on the shelves of construction hypermarkets. Puzzled by the choice of this material, every unprepared buyer will probably be confused when he sees what a huge assortment the manufacturers offer us! Therefore, before you go shopping, let's figure out what kind of insulation is needed in each specific case and how to choose it correctly.

Insulation will bring several important advantages not only to your budget, but also to the quality of your home - this is clear even without special calculations. Some homeowners find it convenient to install insulation inside the room, however, this is not entirely convenient: firstly, it reduces the living space, and secondly, it does not allow the heat inside the room to warm up the walls and thus maintains dampness inside the building.

Therefore, it is definitely necessary to insulate the walls outside the house - it does not matter whether it is a detached household or an apartment. Properly selected and laid insulation allows the room to warm up evenly due to the free circulation of warm air. The outer layer of insulation retains heat and allows the walls to remain dry, which means it prevents their destruction.

As an additional bonus from the insulation, there is also sound insulation of the room, this is an important property, especially if the housing is located near a highway or a busy part of the city.

As for the aesthetics of finishing walls with insulation, modern finishing materials are perfectly adapted to implement various design solutions.

What types of wall insulation are there?

Conventionally, insulation materials can be divided into 2 types: organic and inorganic. What it is?

Organic insulation

These are materials that are produced from raw materials from natural components. They do not contain synthetic ingredients. Some organic materials contain cement and plastic.

Organic insulation materials are easy to use because they do not get wet, are not prone to fire, and are not susceptible to fungus, mold, or any bacteria. Organics are convenient to use as internal insulation or in multilayer structures, in the form of the first, inner layer.

There are quite a few examples of insulation materials of organic origin:

  1. Arbolite insulation– made on the basis of cement and kaolin. Additionally, it contains heat-saving substances - straw, sawdust, shavings, etc.
  2. Polyvinyl chloride foam insulation– based on polyvinyl chloride resins. The technology of its production is such that the resins acquire a porous structure; it can be hard or soft, and, accordingly, has a wide range of uses.
  3. Chipboard. Insulation based on wood chips, to which resins and antiseptics are added.
  4. Polyurethane foam is a new generation heat insulator. It is made on the basis of polyester through a complex chemical reaction. It has excellent insulating properties and is not afraid of moisture, pests and temperature changes.
  5. Penoizol, also called mipora. Material based on a natural emulsion of urea-formaldehyde resin. Mipora universal material, it is sold in dry form, in the form of blocks. If necessary, it can also be used in liquid form, poured into specially prepared containers, where it hardens over time.
  6. Expanded polystyrene, or, more simply, polystyrene foam.
  7. Foamed polyethylene. It is obtained by adding special foaming additives to the liquid polyethylene mass. The result is a material with a large number of pores - which allows it to retain heat well and provide sound insulation.
  8. Fibrolite. A completely organic material consisting of fine wood shavings. Cement or magnesite is used as a binder. The material holds up well wet conditions operation and can be used for insulation of saunas, swimming pools and similar premises.
  9. Sotoplast. Unusual insulation modern type. Its porous structure consists of cells that visually resemble a honeycomb - hence its name. It consists of cellulose or fabric fibers, wrapped in film, and the outer part of each panel is made of soft plastic.
  10. Ecowool. Made from waste from cardboard or book production. The basis for it is scrap or second grade cellulose cardboard or paper. It is also possible to produce from waste paper, however, the quality in this case will be much lower.

Inorganic insulation materials

Made from minerals, slag, asbestos or glass. These materials have been known to everyone for many years - glass wool, cellular concrete, foam glass and the like. They have shown excellent performance properties, work at any temperature, and are suitable for any design.

Inorganic insulation materials are available for sale in a variety of forms: wool, panels, slabs, rolls, and even loose. This is an additional plus, since it is possible to choose the most convenient installation method.

There are also quite a few varieties of inorganic heat insulators:

Probably the most common insulation. Can be made from slag waste from steel production or rocks. Based on the type of raw material from which it is made, mineral wool is divided into two types: stone and slag.

The process of its production is almost identical to glass production, although glass production waste is often used for production. It differs from mineral wool in its structure and properties.

3. Ceramic wool. It is made on the basis of silicon, aluminum or zirconium oxides. High temperature conditions and a centrifuge are used for production. Ceramic wool is practically not subject to deformation, does not burn and has excellent heat and sound insulation properties.

Reflective Thermal Insulators

As you know, classic insulation acts directionally - they slow down the process of heat passage. That is, from a heated room, be it a residential building or public building, the heat comes out. If you do research infrared radiation, then the rays will be visible, especially strong radiation where building materials transmit heat well. Therefore, trying to insulate a room, it is sheathed with various types of insulation that retains heat or prevents the free passage of infrared rays.

However, there is another approach to increasing the thermal insulation of buildings. This is the use of materials that reflect heat. The most popular among these is aluminium foil, its surface is capable of reflecting up to 97% of the heat falling on it.

At the same time, aluminum foil is laid in one or two layers, which are subsequently covered with a layer of polyethylene - such covering is very thin and takes up practically no space. And in terms of its thermal insulation it can compete with the most high-quality insulation, retaining heat. Moreover, it is also beautiful vapor barrier material, therefore, for buildings with high humidity- saunas, baths - such thermal insulation will be just a godsend. In other cases it is best to consider it as auxiliary material, for example for finishing walls and ceilings indoors.

Choosing insulation for walls

Among the huge range of insulation materials, it can be difficult to choose just one. Let's look at the most common heat insulators:

For many years it has been used as insulation at all kinds of private and industrial facilities. It can be made from stone or basalt raw materials, which gives it fire resistance and fire safety. Modern ones are made from volcanic fossils using special equipment, reaching high temperatures. It has a specific porous structure, which determines its main advantages:

  1. Excellent thermal insulation of the room. Thanks to its fibrous structure, mineral wool retains the temperature inside the building well; in winter the house will remain warm, and in summer it will be cool.
  2. Soundproofing. Also, due to the random structure of cotton wool fibers, it is capable of retaining at least 50% of sound vibrations passing through it.
  3. Wear resistance. Made from volcanic rocks, mineral wool is not prone to destruction and can last for a long time without needing replacement.
  4. Tightness. Provided that the correct technology for laying mineral wool is followed, this type of thermal insulation can maintain the tightness of the coating for many years.
  5. Mineral wool is environmentally safe for health.

Laying this type of insulation is not particularly difficult, but, as already mentioned, it is important to observe correct sequence operations:

  1. Preparing the wall. Clear from old decoration, dirt, putty cracks and chips.
  2. Laying a vapor-permeable membrane. This needs to be done directly on the wall, in one layer.
  3. Installation of a frame from wooden planks or metal profiles.
  4. Laying mineral wool. It is usually sold in sheets of various sizes.
  5. Cover the layer of cotton wool with another layer of film.
  6. Façade cladding with finishing material. Usually in this case it would be correct to install a ventilated façade.
  7. Installation of slopes, window sills. The old ones will have to be replaced due to a significant increase in the thickness of the walls.

Styrofoam

Polystyrene foam, or its more modern analogue - polystyrene, is a very popular material for external insulation of a building. This is a common type of organic insulation, consisting of 90% air, the remaining ten percent are substances produced from petroleum products. At their core, these are medium and small air bubbles enclosed in a polystyrene shell.

Advantages:

  1. Low cost. Sheathing a house with polystyrene foam is available to anyone.
  2. Excellent retention of heat indoors.
  3. It is not afraid of moisture, dampness and temperature fluctuations.
  4. Good soundproofing material.
  5. Suitable for various types of exterior, it can be either plastered or covered with wall panels.

Flaws:

  1. Small mammals love polystyrene foam. Rodents make their burrows in it - it’s easy and convenient for them. To avoid such incidents, foam wall coverings must be immediately covered with a top, decorative layer. Moreover, this must be done efficiently, without leaving gaps.
  2. Foam styrene is not a flammable material, however, when exposed to open fire, it lights up. This disadvantage is not significant, since this insulation is capable of self-extinguishing in the absence of strong gusts of wind.

The process of attaching polystyrene foam is not particularly complicated; you can insulate a house with it yourself, without involving specialists. The sequence of actions is as follows:

  1. Prepare the walls. Preparation includes standard cleaning of dust, dirt and old finishes. If there are large cracks or potholes, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate them.
  2. Set up a starting profile. In general, such a procedure is not necessary, but this measure will guarantee accurate alignment of the cladding over the entire area of ​​the facade. Starting from the starting profile, your work will be much faster and easier.
  3. Prepare foam sheets as necessary: we are talking about dimensions, that is, if there are windows, doors, or other elements on the wall that are not planned to be insulated, then you need to cut them taking into account these objects. Cutting it is not difficult using a construction knife or even an ordinary knife of a suitable size.
  4. Apply special glue to the foam. This can be done with a spatula, following a certain application pattern: it is important to coat well not only the corners and perimeter of each plate, but also the ends, which will subsequently join with the adjacent ends of the material.
  5. Additionally, secure the foam panels with dowel fasteners. Recommended consumption of fasteners: at least five pieces per sheet.
  6. Application of a reinforcing layer. This is usually a synthetic mesh that is attached using adhesive or cement mortar directly onto the foam. This measure will strengthen the insulating layer and prevent it from settling or destruction.
  7. Finishing work. This type of cladding is most suitable for plaster, followed by the application of textures – “”, “lamb”, and other relief coatings that will fit well on the foam insulation.

Polyurethane foam

This material is a kind of plastic, 90% of its structure is in a gaseous state. The structure is porous, with pronounced cells. In modern industry, it is successfully used not only as insulation for facades, but also as a seat filler in sofas, armchairs and the like. Visually and tactilely it looks like an ordinary one.

This material is used as insulation due to the following positive characteristics:

  1. Good thermal insulation.
  2. It also works as a noise absorber.
  3. Not exposed to aggressive chemicals.
  4. Practically does not absorb moisture and does not dampen.
  5. Environmentally friendly.
  6. Long service life - up to thirty years.

Why is this material bad as insulation:

  1. Due to its soft surface, polyurethane foam is not suitable for finishing. Can only be used under panels.
  2. This insulation is fire hazardous, and moreover, when ignited, it is capable of releasing substances that are dangerous to human life.

For laying polyurethane foam on walls, machine application of polyurethane foam is also used.


Penoplex

This material is also called. This type of insulation is relatively new, developed not so long ago, and therefore fully takes into account modern needs for thermal insulation of housing. Penoplex has a porous structure, which determines its main positive characteristics: high heat resistance, lightness, availability of subsequent processing.

It actually has a lot of advantages:

  1. High thermal insulation performance. Has the highest thermal insulation characteristics of all popular materials,
  2. Wear-resistant. Withstands moderate loads,
  3. Durable. The service life of penoplex insulation is forty years or more,
  4. Does not attract rodents and other pests, not prone to the formation of fungus or mold,
  5. Easy. This circumstance makes it possible to work with it independently, without hiring professional builders, and even one person can perform installation work.

This type of polystyrene has shown itself to be excellent in use both for private households and for insulating public buildings.

Among the disadvantages, you need to remember:

  1. Flammability. Penoplex is not a fire-resistant material and for fire-fighting purposes, it is necessary to apply protective measures.
  2. Quite a high cost.

As for the price, given the characteristics of the material and its service life, its cost is completely worth it and justified.

The installation of penoplex is identical to the installation of foam panels; it is also attached to special polymer adhesives - please note - they must be without acetone. But in addition to glue, of course, it is advisable to secure the insulation with anchor fasteners in order to avoid annoying troubles after some time.

Extruded polystyrene lends itself perfectly to decoration, it can be plastered, and reliefs of a wide variety of structures can be created.

Manufacturers

In connection with the constantly increasing demand for thermal insulation materials, along with the import of imported materials - European, less often American, production, began to unfold and develop and domestic producers. Today, both European and Russian brands are present on the shelves of construction hypermarkets. Here are the most popular ones:

Ursa– one of the leaders in this field of building materials. This is a subsidiary of the large Spanish concern Uralita. In fact, Ursa insulation products are regularly supplied to both the Russian and European markets, where they are also very popular.

Thermal insulation of this brand is produced in different variations, but the most popular type is insulation slabs or mats small sizes. They are convenient to use for installing ventilated building facades, insulating roofs, floors, and partitions. But it is also possible to insulate heating mains and high-rise buildings for private and industrial purposes.

  • Armacell

Well-known manufacturer of insulation materials from Germany. Insulation materials of this brand are known for the fact that they are produced by foaming synthetic raw materials based on rubber. This method is patented by Armacell and any other materials of similar design are analogues or replicas of this type of insulation. The modern Russian insulation market has several standard types of Armacell insulation. They are, in particular, convenient to use for heating systems, refrigerators, ventilation shafts, as well as standard systems heating with not too high heating temperatures.

  • Partex

A well-known Finnish company in the world construction markets, its production facilities are located in the cities of Poland, Lithuania and Finland. On Russian market This brand is represented under the Paroc brand - on its basis there is a wide range of stone wool insulation materials. This heat insulator is available in the form of slabs, mats and rolls of soft and rigid construction.

This insulation is popular among private buyers; it is convenient to sheathe detached households and multi-storey residential buildings with it. The properties of Paros thermal insulators: high vapor permeability, excellent thermal insulation properties, durability and lack of deformation, make this material convenient and universal for use in civil construction.

  • Isover

The widely known Finnish brand is actually a subsidiary of a large French concern. Their insulation is made on the basis of fiberglass, widespread both in Europe and in Russia and has remained popular for many years.

  • Rolls Isomarket

One of the largest domestic companies producing insulation materials. Founded in 1994, since then it has been actively developing and mastering new technologies. Under the Energoflex brand, this manufacturer offers a wide range of products on the Russian market. various insulation materials based on foamed polyethylene.

  • JSC "Chemical Plant"

Is in Sverdlovsk region, also a large Russian manufacturer. The Extrapen brand, produced by this plant from polystyrene foam raw materials, confidently occupies its niche among the thermal insulation materials presented on the Russian construction market.

Video: the best way to insulate walls

Insulation of walls is an important stage, it should not be missed or done poorly. The benefits of properly insulated walls are obvious: you will protect the inside of the house from condensation and freezing, retain heat inside the room, significantly saving energy resources. Nowadays, insulation is not an unnecessary precaution, but right choice for any home, no matter what it is built of or how well it is heated.

Modern building materials allow you to select insulation to match any finish, hide it securely, leaving the façade of the building visually attractive. It is also important that to comply the right technology Laying insulation is not difficult, even if you do it yourself. Thus, you can significantly save on construction work without involving professionals for cladding.

Insulation materials serve for a long time without needing replacement; one day, you will forget about heat loss for many years to come. Take care of your home by installing good thermal insulation!

Thermal insulation of walls from the inside often has to be used to save heat and money in already used rooms where external finishing is not possible. And the question of choosing the material for the work becomes the most important. What to choose? How ? Let's talk about this in this article.

Materials

Polystyrene foam, or as it is also called - polystyrene foam, is produced by polymerization of styrene. Heated and foamed granules can be used on their own, poured into ceilings. But most often on sale there are pressed slabs and blocks made from them. This type of insulation has been used for a long time and successfully. It has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

  • high thermal insulation coefficient;
  • convenient for installation (easily cut with a knife);
  • moisture resistant;
  • has low weight;
  • high vapor barrier;
  • does not require additional waterproofing;
  • retains its properties for several decades;
  • low price.

Minuses:

  • fragile;
  • low sound insulation;
  • flammable (when burned it releases harmful substances);
  • rodents often appear;
  • not suitable as insulation for interior walls wooden house(does not allow steam to pass through, which is necessary for proper air circulation in the room).

In order for the selected material to meet all conditions, it must be used correctly.


Installation features

Using polystyrene foam to insulate walls, it is possible to increase thermal insulation even with thin slabs. Due to the fact that foam plastic does not allow moisture to pass through, there is no need to use additional hydro- and vapor barrier.

But, in order for it to work as it should, it is necessary to very carefully seal all the joints between the slabs and in the places where they adjoin the structure. This can easily be done using polyurethane foam. In addition, some manufacturers have foam boards made with a stepped edge, which allows them to be connected very tightly to each other.

Perfectly attached to walls with disc-shaped dowels or adhesive. Both methods can be used simultaneously. It is better to use adhesive for fixing foam in the form of foam. This composition acts as additional insulation.

Due to the strength of foam plastic, finishing can be done directly on it without building additional frames. Thanks to its low weight, there is no overloading of the walls. Compared, for example, with mineral wool, the same layer of foam will weigh 2-2.5 times less.


Scheme of insulating walls from the inside with foam plastic

This no less popular insulation is made on the basis of rocks (basalt, slag), which is why it is also called “ stone wool" It is produced in rolls and pressed slabs. The different densities of the material determine both the thermal insulation properties and the cost.

But roll version They are used to insulate ceilings or floors; slabs are more suitable for walls. This material also has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

  • It retains heat well in winter and cool in summer;
  • high sound insulation (moreover, looser material protects from noise, and denser material protects from the sound of external impacts);
  • not flammable;
  • upon contact with open fire, it does not emit harmful substances and does not smoke.

Minuses:

  • the security provided by certificates does not always correspond to what is declared;
  • during installation, it is necessary to cover your hands and face from small particles;
  • strong moisture absorption (if wet, it loses its thermal insulation properties).


Installation features

Best suited for wall insulation basalt wool made of very fine fiber. To work with mineral wool, you must protect your body and face. It is better to work in a respirator.

When choosing mineral wool as insulation, you should not hope for an excellent result. Its main disadvantage is high vapor permeability. It is several times higher compared to other materials for thermal insulation.

That is, any moisture from the outside will be easily absorbed. And since wet mineral wool loses its properties, it very quickly ceases to act as insulation. Of course, you can avoid this effect by insulating the layer of cotton wool with film.

You can “solder” the slabs into bags, although this will complicate the technology of attaching them to the walls. But all these precautions may be in vain if small holes appear in the waterproofing material. If the cotton wool begins to get wet, this will inevitably lead to smudges or fungus.

If you still choose mineral wool as insulation, then the easiest way is to lay it in plasterboard construction, and be sure to waterproof it. In addition to its direct purpose, the film is also designed to prevent small particles of cotton wool from getting into the room.


This type of insulation is one of the most famous and previously used. But now, thanks to more technologically advanced materials, the use of glass wool is fading into the background. This cotton wool is made from glass waste, which looks like fibers up to 5 cm long.

Pros:

  • high resistance to vibration;
  • high sound insulation;
  • non-toxic;
  • not flammable;
  • high elasticity (can be pressed for storage);
  • is not subject to the formation of mold and mildew;
  • it does not harbor pests and rodents;
  • low cost.

Minuses:

  • short service life;
  • some formulations contain formaldehyde;
  • You need to work in a protective suit.


Installation features

The very first thing you need to think about before installing glass wool insulation is protecting your face and body. If the smallest particles of cotton wool get on the skin, they will cause severe itching. When you get into Airways probably irreversible and serious problems with health. After work, you need to throw away all clothing and the respirator.

To lay glass wool, a lath covered with plasterboard is used. Insulation is placed in the empty space, previously covered with a layer of film. You can first put cotton wool in the sheathing, cover it with waterproofing, and then sew it up with plasterboard.


This is a modern and safe insulation made from cellulose, boric acid and an antiseptic composition. Externally it is a loose, gray material.

Pros:

  • natural composition;
  • hypoallergenic;
  • high thermal insulation;
  • does not shrink and moves even in a vertical position;
  • can be used on metal structures;
  • high sound insulation;
  • fungus does not appear in it;
  • not flammable;
  • installation by spraying will fill all cracks.

Minuses:

  • installation requires special equipment (installation is performed by specialists);
  • may begin to smolder from high temperatures (near a fireplace, chimney);
  • higher cost.


Installation features

To insulate walls with ecowool, a special blowing installation is used, which crushes and then blows out ecowool through a hose. Thanks to high blood pressure and fine structure, the material penetrates into all crevices and hard to reach places, covering the surface with a continuous monolithic layer.

You can also blow ecowool into finished cavities. If the surface is blank, then small technological holes are drilled through which the material is blown. It can also be used to soundproof interior partitions.


This modern heat insulator looks similar to regular paint. It contains antiseptic additives that prevent the formation of fungus. Compared to conventional insulation, for example, mineral wool, a 1 mm layer of liquid-ceramic insulation will be equal in thermal insulation characteristics to a 50 mm layer of mineral wool.

Pros:

  • service life is several decades;
  • no need for vapor barrier;
  • very easy to install;
  • does not complicate further finishing;
  • does not reduce the area of ​​the room;
  • does not load walls;
  • good adhesion with any materials.

Perhaps the only negative this decision its cost will be higher compared to other insulation materials.


Installation features

Since liquid-ceramic insulation is similar in composition to ordinary paint, its installation is carried out in the same way - with a brush, roller or spray gun. The latter option is preferable, since the insulation under pressure will fill all cracks and hard-to-reach places. In addition, the consumption of a spray gun is lower than when using a roller.

Liquid insulation does not change its performance properties even at temperatures from -60 to +250 C⁰. The absence of vapor and waterproofing makes the work much easier.


General requirements for materials

Insulating walls from the inside is not always a measure used, but if you decide to do it, it means there really is a need for it.

To do everything correctly and achieve the desired result, you need to comply with a number of requirements for materials:

  • low conductivity of heat from the inside and cold from the outside;
  • long service life, the insulation should not slip or deform;
  • the material must be non-flammable and not release toxic substances when smoldering;
  • water resistance and ability to repel moisture;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • vapor permeability;
  • the material should not attract rodents and be convenient for arranging their burrows;
  • compactness, which is especially important for small houses.

What material to use

When choosing a material for insulating walls from the inside, you need to focus on its basic properties. So the foam does not allow air to pass through, does not breathe, but is easy to install, without requiring a frame. Glass wool easily absorbs moisture, requires careful handling and must be placed in the frame.

Ecowool is environmentally friendly, but it needs to be applied with special devices and preferably by specialists, this increases the cost of insulation. Liquid ceramics are quite expensive, but do not require the creation of additional structures and do not reduce the area of ​​the room.

Whether you choose low cost, environmental friendliness, moisture resistance or easy installation, remember that the main thing is to follow all the rules of insulation technology.

Technology for insulating walls from the inside

No less important than the choice of material will be compliance with all rules for installation and operation of the heat insulator.

In order for the insulation to serve for a long time and with high quality, you must adhere to some rules:

  1. Ensure the necessary insulation by accurately calculating materials. The amount of material required can be calculated by knowing the area required for insulation and using the tables on the insulation packaging.
  2. Attach the heat insulator tightly to the base. To avoid vapor formation that will occur in the air space between the heat insulator and the wall, you must try to avoid gaps between these two planes.
  3. The thermal insulation layer must be covered moisture-proof film.
  4. Do not install sockets, switches, or other devices that require through holes in the heat insulator casing. This is done for reasons of tightness of the waterproofing insulator, holes in which will lead to the passage of moisture to the insulation and ultimately to its deterioration.
  5. Ensure tightness of joints and connections of material to walls.
  6. Before starting work, make sure that the surfaces are dry.

When starting to insulate walls, you must first properly prepare these same walls. To do this, wooden surfaces are impregnated with antiseptic primers, concrete and brickwork are cleaned of dust and dirt, and dried well.

Next, if necessary, a frame is assembled into which the insulation will subsequently be laid. A frame is necessary when using mineral wool, glass wool, or similar sheet or roll insulation, if it is not possible to stick them on the walls. To build the frame, it is best to use a material similar to the material of the walls.

So, if you insulate wooden house, then it is better to assemble the frame from wooden blocks, impregnating them with special antifungal compounds. If the room is built of brick or concrete, then it would be better to use metal profiles.

Attaching the insulation to the walls depends on the type of material chosen. So soft sheets or the rolls are laid in the sheathing, the foam is simply glued to the walls, and the sprayed insulation is blown out with special devices.

Cost of insulation materials

Prices for building materials for insulating walls from the inside vary quite widely. For some sellers, the price depends on the volume of the purchase, and you can get a discount on a large batch:

The cost is approximate, check it on the websites of material sellers.

Also, to the cost of wall insulation work, it is necessary to add not only waterproofing films and fittings necessary for installation, but also to think about the fact that if the room was already residential, then after insulating the walls it will be necessary to make repairs.

  1. When purchasing fragile materials(foam), it’s worth taking them with a reserve.
  2. Pay attention to the main indicator insulation – thermal conductivity.
  3. Insulation materials must be environmentally friendly.
  4. All joints (thermal insulation or waterproofing film) are made very tightly. The overlapping film is joined with adhesive tape, and the joints between the layers of insulation are sealed polyurethane foam or acrylic sealants.
  5. Insulate the partitions, which are adjacent to the outer wall.
  6. To further reduce humidity on windows special control valves are installed.
  7. Request from sellers quality certificates.












Insulation for the interior walls of a house is a fairly pressing issue for country houses, because their walls are usually quite thin and do not retain heat well. To reduce heating costs country house, it is necessary to properly insulate the structure. If external insulation is impossible due to the design features of the building, then thermal insulation is carried out from the inside. When choosing insulation for walls inside a country house, not only the price of the material is taken into account, but also its characteristics and installation features.

The choice of insulation for interior work is huge, but not all materials can be used for thermal insulation of walls Source strodom.ru

Advantages and disadvantages of internal insulation

This type of insulation has a number of disadvantages:

  • Due to the size of the insulation, the usable area of ​​the room is reduced - for small rooms this is especially critical.
  • Due to a shift in the dew point (condensation), if the technology is not followed, condensation and mold may appear on the walls.
  • The premises cannot be used for living while work is being carried out.
  • Cheap wall insulation can negatively affect human health.

But this is the method that many people prefer, which is explained by positive aspects internal insulation:

  • Work can be carried out regardless of weather conditions, which allows you to insulate the room several times faster.
  • Internal insulation technology is cheaper than external insulation.
  • It becomes possible to align the walls and change the interior of the room.

A shift in the dew point during internal wall insulation leads to the accumulation of condensation Source sovet-ingenera.com

The formation of condensation on the walls is the main problem of internal insulation. There are several methods to solve this:

  • use a high-quality vapor barrier membrane;
  • choose thermal insulation material with minimal thermal conductivity;
  • as finishing material It is better to use moisture-resistant drywall;
  • organize additional ventilation in the room.

How to choose the right insulation

The choice of heat-insulating material is influenced by the characteristics of the room and the budget for the upcoming work.

Most often used for interior work:

  • mineral wool;
  • Styrofoam;
  • penoplex;
  • ecowool;
  • sprayed materials.

When choosing a material for internal insulation country house A number of parameters should be taken into account:

  • Thermal conductivity of insulation– the lower this indicator, the better.
  • Frost resistance– country buildings are not constantly heated in winter, so the insulation will inevitably be affected by low temperatures.
  • Durability– having saved on insulation, you may be faced with the need to replace the insulation in 4–5 years.
  • Environmental friendliness– the material for internal insulation should not emit harmful substances.

In addition, the compatibility of the insulation with the material from which the walls are made is also taken into account. The thickness of the insulation is calculated based on the thermal conductivity of the material itself, as well as the thickness and type of insulated walls.

There is often a temptation to choose the cheapest insulation for the walls inside a country house, without delving too deeply into the study of its characteristics and carrying out preliminary calculations. This approach leads to disappointment with the results of thermal insulation and the appearance of additional problems in the form of mold, mildew, and condensation.

The main problem with improper internal insulation is the formation of mold Source alayam.com

But it doesn’t make sense to purchase the most expensive insulation or make several additional layers to insulate the walls in your dacha. Professionals who deal with such work regularly will help you find the golden mean and make competent calculations. A competent choice of insulation for interior work and adherence to technology is a real way to save money.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool for insulating walls inside the house is one of the most popular and widespread materials.

Mineral wool is the most popular material for insulation Source eurodach.lutsk.ua

Represents fibrous material. The fibers are formed by atomizing certain types of slag or basalt. Thanks to this production technology, the material is environmentally friendly and natural.

Properties of mineral wool

Cotton wool does not burn, which is important when used in wooden houses.

Characteristics of different types of mineral wool Source pro-uteplenie.ru

This insulation has several more advantages:

  • Resistance to biological organisms. Does not contribute to the formation of fungus and mold.
  • Good soundproofing characteristics. Mineral wool fibers randomly superimposed on each other perfectly retain sound waves.
  • It is not subject to shrinkage, which retains the properties of this type of insulation throughout its entire service life.
  • The ability to allow air to pass through, which allows you to maintain a healthy indoor microclimate.

Proper functioning of the insulation is only possible in combination with additional moisture-proofing materials. When exposed to water, mineral wool loses part of its thermal insulation properties. Over time, mineral wool can disintegrate into fibers, which requires replacing the thermal insulation

It should be taken into account that mice and other small rodents can make nests and passages in glass wool. That's why country house Before insulation it is necessary to protect it from rodents.

Mice have chosen glass wool for making nests Source ecousadba.org

Features of mineral wool insulation: the need for additional materials

It is necessary to work with cotton wool using means personal protection– small particles of fibers can get on the mucous membranes and cause irritation.

With such insulation, the finishing material for finishing the walls is plasterboard. To attach it to the wall, a metal profile and hangers are used. Warming is carried out in the following order:

  • Waterproofing is fixed to the wall - any will do roll material. Using a construction stapler, the waterproofing is attached to the wall; at the joints, the material is laid with an overlap of about 15 cm.
  • Vertical markings are applied to the wall in increments of 60 cm for ease of fastening sheets of drywall (its standard width 120 cm).
  • After marking, metal hangers are attached to the wall - dowel-nails are used for this.
  • Mineral wool is placed on the hangers and the entire wall is sequentially filled.
  • After this, metal profiles are attached to the hangers, and a vapor barrier film is attached to them.
  • Drywall sheets are attached using self-tapping screws, and the joints are puttied.

The result is an insulated wall, ready for finishing. This can be either puttying and painting, or wallpapering.

Cost of mineral wool

Mineral wool is a relatively cheap insulation material. Sold in slabs or rolls. Standard sizes slabs:

  • 800x600 mm;
  • 1,000x600 mm;
  • 1 200x600 mm;
  • 1170x610 mm;
  • 1250x610 mm.

The material in rolls can be selected in various lengths - from 5 to 12 m.

Cost per 1 sq. m of mineral wool is:

  • 50 mm thick – from 50 to 100 rubles;
  • 100 mm thick – from 105 to 210 rubles.

When choosing mineral wool, it is necessary to take into account not only the size of the slabs, the thickness of the insulation, but also the need for additional materials necessary for installation work.

Styrofoam

Budget material, almost 98% consisting of air. 2% comes from the main component of the raw material – polystyrene. Can be used as insulation for walls outside and inside a country house.

Technical characteristics of polystyrene foam Source probalcony.ru

Properties and advantages of polystyrene foam

Among the advantages of this material:

  • Versatility and ease of installation. This material is used for insulation of any structures. It is easy to cut and installation does not take much time.
  • Low price. One of the cheapest insulation materials.
  • Safety. During operation, it does not generate dust or harmful fumes. You can work with it without protective equipment.

However, polystyrene foam is a flammable material; in direct contact with fire, the sheets easily catch fire and the release of harmful substances begins.

Advice! Insulate with polystyrene foam wooden buildings undesirable.

Does not allow steam to pass through and practically does not absorb moisture. A significant disadvantage is its attractiveness to rodents. Rats and mice easily make passages in the foam and create holes.

One of the disadvantages of polystyrene foam is flammability Source depstroi.ru

Features of wall insulation with foam plastic

Instead of guide metal profiles, you can use wooden blocks. This method is very convenient when working with foam. The thickness of the foam sheet should be equal to the thickness of the bars, which will be guides for attaching the insulation between them.

Depending on the width of the foam, the step of fixing the bars to the wall is selected. Waterproofing is fixed over the surface of the entire resulting structure. Sheets of foam plastic are tightly inserted into the resulting recesses between the beams - this avoids additional fixation. If necessary, the joints are filled with polyurethane foam.

Video description

In this video we will take a closer look at insulating a house with polystyrene foam. How safe is polystyrene foam?

After filling the entire wall with insulation, it is covered with a protective vapor barrier. Sheets of plywood are fixed on top, the joints are puttied - the surface is ready for finishing.

Wall insulated with foam plastic Source stroyday.ru

Cost, foam sizes

Standard sizes of foam sheets:

  • 1000x600 mm;
  • 1200x600 mm.

Thickness can vary from 20 to 100 mm. The cost of polystyrene foam depends on the density of the material, manufacturer and region.

You can buy foam plastic 50 mm thick in Moscow from 50 rubles per 1 sq. m. m.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Thermal insulation material, the basis of which is polystyrene, as in polystyrene foam. But thanks to manufacturing technology, penoplex, technolex and other similar materials have better performance characteristics than their counterparts.

Comparison of the characteristics of polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam Source klub-masterov.ru

Main advantages:

  • perfectly retains heat in the room;
  • due to its small thickness, when insulating walls indoors, it practically does not reduce the usable area;
  • light weight and ease of installation - properties similar to polystyrene foam;
  • environmental friendliness - does not emit toxic substances and does not require protective equipment during installation work;
  • accessibility - the material is relatively inexpensive.

This material is universal, used as insulation for walls outside a country house, inside, for floors and ceilings.

Video description

The video shows tests of penoplex for strength and fire safety in real conditions:

Penoplex insulation

Another popular insulation for walls inside the house is penoplex, the price and quality of which attract buyers with its good ratio.

This material can be attached to the wall without additional training. It does not need waterproofing because it does not allow water to pass through, but some experts say that the film will not be superfluous. Due to its small thickness, it can be attached using glue or dowel nails with large heads. After filling the wall with insulation, it is plastered.

This method of insulation is suitable for smooth walls. If there is a need to level the plane, then you cannot do without guides.

Walls insulated with penoplex Source market.sakh.com

Penoplex cost

Standard sizes of extruded polystyrene foam sheets:

  • 1200x600 mm;
  • 1185x585 mm;
  • 1180x580 mm;
  • 1180x600 mm;
  • 2360x580 mm;
  • 2500x600 mm.

The thickness of the insulation is from 10 to 100 mm (depending on the brand of material).

The price of insulation packaging depends on the size, thickness of the material, manufacturer and number of slabs in the package.

For example, Penoplex Comfort will cost:

  • 1254 rubles for 18 slabs measuring 1185x585x20 mm;
  • 1252 rubles for 12 sheets – 1185x585x30 mm;
  • 1234 rubles for 9 slabs - 1200x600x40 mm.

Ecowool

Cellulose-based insulation, which is made from waste paper and paper waste. The bulk of the insulation is 80% cellulose fiber. There are additives that prevent the combustion and proliferation of microorganisms - boric acid and borax. These additives are practically not harmful to humans.

Ecowool - safe insulation Source deal.by

Ecowool is a good thermal insulation material, which in its properties is practically not inferior to others. But significant shortcomings he has much more:

  • Loss of thermal insulation properties over time - ecowool is subject to shrinkage.
  • Costly installation. Spraying is carried out using special equipment. Basic skills in working with the material are required to obtain the correct layer of insulation.

Features of application

Various technologies are used to insulate ecowool:

  • dry backfill;
  • wet spraying;
  • wet-adhesive plaster.

Each method has its own characteristics. To insulate walls, the wet method is most often used, which requires the use of special equipment, as well as an adhesive.

The use of special equipment for working with ecowool Source chrome-effect.ru

Cost of ecowool

Ecowool is packaged in sealed bags of 13–15 kg. The price for 1 kg of insulation is 30–40 rubles.

But material consumption depends not only on the desired thickness of the thermal insulation layer, but also on the skills of the performer and compliance with insulation technology.

Price issue

Mineral wool and polystyrene foam are the most inexpensive insulation materials for walls inside a house; the price will depend on the size of the insulated area and the method of installing the insulation. Penoplex is a more expensive material, but you don’t have to build a frame to attach it to the walls.

Choosing the type, size, thickness of insulation without specific experience and knowledge is not easy Source ursgroup.ru

The process of insulation with mineral wool and polystyrene foam is almost identical, and penoplex can compensate for its price with economical installation work.

The price of ecowool is low, but carrying out thermal insulation work will require the use of special equipment, which will increase costs.

Conclusion

The choice of insulation method and materials depends on many factors. Before starting work, it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons between internal and external insulation, think about which thermal insulation material is suitable in a particular case, determine the thickness of the insulation, and the need for additional materials. Therefore, it is advisable to entrust the purchase of insulation to a competent contractor who will take into account all the features of the internal insulation technology and the wishes of the customer.

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Home insulation is one of the most important factors influencing family budget savings. After all, if the house is ventilated from all sides, heating costs increase many times over. Experienced craftsmen do not advise insulating rooms from the inside - this leads not only to a decrease in usable area, but also to the destruction of walls due to the formation of condensation between the walls and thermal insulation, which means that such work should be carried out outside the buildings. Types of insulation for external walls, price and materials for making thermal insulation - this is the topic of our conversation today.

Wall insulation is very important for saving the family budget

The reason for external insulation is that the thermal insulation for walls made indoors does not allow the internal air to warm up the building. As a result, during the cold season, condensation forms on the cooled wall, on the inside. Thermal insulation prevents it from evaporating, which not only entails the formation of mold and mildew between the insulation and the wall. This leads to fairly rapid destruction of the wall. In addition, literally after a year or two a persistent smell of dampness begins to appear in the home, which is quite difficult to get rid of.

Extruded polystyrene foam - what is it?

This material has a higher cost, but its technical characteristics are much better. The most famous of such insulation for external walls can be safely called penoplex. It is quite durable, although it has a porous structure. It is also very convenient for plastering. Installation is carried out using special mastics and adhesive bases without the use of acetone, but the best option for external finishing can be called special plastic anchors.

For rodents and various pests, such insulation is of no interest. In addition, in its manufacture, substances are used that are not susceptible to the formation of fungus. In fact, there is only one minus - high flammability. The weight of the slabs is small, which, coupled with its strength, allows one person to carry out work on insulating the outside of the house with penoplex foam without any help.

Polyurethane foam - what are its disadvantages and advantages

This material has been known for a long time and has found application not only as a thermal insulator. It is used as a filler in armchairs and sofas, car and bus seats. To put it simply, this is foam rubber, which is probably known to every person.

It can only be used as insulation under panels. Its soft structure does not allow plastering. Although some home craftsmen, using foam rubber as a heat insulator, then close it or, which allows subsequent plastering of the wall.

It is important to know! Its huge disadvantage is its instability to high temperatures. In addition, “thanks to” its chemical composition, this thermal insulator, when ignited, releases very toxic substances that are quite easy to poison, unlike extruded polystyrene foam, which is not subject to combustion.

Many people are now talking about the harm caused by the phenol allegedly released by this material. However, the opinions of scientists here are divided. Some say that it is absolutely neutral, while others, on the contrary, claim that it causes colossal harm to the body. We will not take sides, limiting ourselves to stating the facts - this material is now used in almost all furniture, in cars, and even as a filling for pillows. And if its harm had been proven, it is unlikely that a self-respecting manufacturer would dare to poison people.

Mineral wool, its varieties and the possibility of using it for thermal insulation

This heat insulator can be used inside or in external thermal insulation of walls with subsequent finishing with siding or wall panels. It is most widely used in the construction of ventilated facades and insulation. Most often, a variety of it is used for these purposes - slabs of a certain size of basalt insulation, the price of which is relatively low.

Mineral wool has higher thermal conductivity and vapor permeability than previous options. It is due to this that it is the cheapest insulation. However, when using it, the heat in the house becomes quite sufficient. A rather unpleasant moment is that when working with it, the body begins to itch. Of course, not as strong as it was with its predecessor - glass wool, but still sensitive. In addition, it is a rather brittle and fragile material. But still, for this type of insulation, such as a ventilated facade, such a thermal insulator is practically irreplaceable.

Liquid insulation for walls - how to use it and how well it performs its functions

In appearance, such a heat insulator resembles thick paint. There is no doubt about the quality of its performance of its functions. However, its popularity is reduced by its high cost - not everyone can afford it. It is for this reason that professionals advise applying it only in the corners of the house and at the joints of the foundation and walls. It is better to cover the remaining area with more affordable insulation. Choosing it to insulate all wall surfaces will be very wasteful.

This material can be divided into 2 groups - heat paint and liquid foam. Both of them do an excellent job not only with insulation, but also with. It fits well on them, which means they are compatible with any material. High adhesion allows the use of this heat insulator on any surface, be it stone, concrete, brick or wood.

Main manufacturers of thermal insulation materials - a brief overview

There are quite a lot of thermal insulation manufacturers in Russia. And each of them is good in its own way, and therefore there is no point in compiling any kind of rating. So today we’ll just say a few words about each of them.

  • "Ecover"– manufacturer basalt slabs very good quality. In addition to wall materials, it produces roofing heat-insulating materials and sandwich panels.

  • "Knauf"- the same mineral wool, but the manufacturer’s peculiarity is that he produces it not in slabs, but in rolls. The thickness of the layer may vary.
  • "Isover"– glass wool and its varieties. Such a thermal insulator has a very big drawback - it requires organization of moisture removal
  • "Penofol"– basalt slabs are of quite high quality, but this brand brought great popularity heat insulating material from extruded polystyrene foam.
  • "TechnoNIKOL" is a brand known throughout Russia and with factories in many regions. In addition to roofing felt and other roofing materials, it produces EPS boards and basalt insulation.
  • "URSA"– mainly basalt and fiberglass slabs of excellent quality
  • "Penoplex"– the name has become a household name. “Penoplex” is now the name given to all EPS boards, regardless of the manufacturer.
  • "Ekoteplin"– unique and completely natural tile materials, which contain flax fibers, borax and starch.

  • "Astratek"– liquid insulation materials that have no analogues in Russia. High-quality thermal insulation is achieved by applying a layer of only 3 mm.

Related article:

Having picked up the slabs suitable thickness, it is possible to ensure a sufficient level of thermal insulation of walls, floors, and ceilings. Let's talk about this insulation in more detail in our review.

The list of manufacturers can be endless; we have named only a few of the most famous.

Features of wall insulation outside the house - ventilated facade

Mineral wool is used for the ventilated façade. Speaking in simple words without using construction terms, a frame is assembled on the wall from metal profile with cells the size of mineral, fiberglass or basalt slabs, or the same profiles are attached in a line from the bottom to the top of the building, between which insulation is laid. Afterwards it is closed with a special hydro-and. The cladding is made with ceramic-granite tiles (usually 50x50 cm), which are fixed to the same guides using special metal clamps called “crabs”.

In this way, the developer achieves a solution to several problems at once - insulation, vapor barrier and finishing.

Three-layer wall construction - installation features

In this way, the walls of low-rise buildings are often insulated from or. The technology is quite simple. A building made of rough brick is insulated from the outside using any polymer thermal insulator, and then covered with facing bricks. But although the quality of such thermal insulation is not bad, this method also has its drawbacks. The main one can be called the low durability of insulation compared to construction and facing material. Despite this, the popularity of such insulation is quite high.

Calculation of insulation for house walls: convenient online calculators

Calculate required dimensions Placing slabs along the length and width of the wall is easy. A much bigger problem here is the calculation. required thickness, which depends on the set various parameters, including the region in which the residential building is located. That is why we suggest you use our online calculators, which will perform all the calculations themselves.

Online calculator for calculating the thickness of insulation of the walls of a wooden house

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Online calculator for calculating the thickness of wall insulation with Penoplex