The best way to insulate a house from the outside: choose insulation. How to choose insulation for thermal insulation of the external walls of a house Thermal insulation for the external walls of a house
We will send the material to you by e-mail
Home insulation is one of the the most important factors, affecting savings family budget. After all, if the house is ventilated from all sides, heating costs increase many times over. Experienced craftsmen It is not recommended to insulate 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, in the cold season, on a cooled wall, with inside, condensation forms. 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, adhesive bases without the use of acetone, but the best option for external decoration, special plastic anchors can be called.
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. Moreover, “thanks” to his 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 others roofing materials 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. In simple words without using construction terms, a frame is assembled on the wall from a 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 facing bricks. But although the quality of such thermal insulation is not bad, this method also has its drawbacks. The main one is the low durability of insulation compared to building and facing materials. 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. Much big problem here represents 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
Help ensure that your living space maintains optimal air temperature and humidity levels high-quality insulation materials for the external walls of the house. External wall insulation is carried out using the most modern thermal insulation materials, each of which has its own character traits, advantages and disadvantages: these are mineral wool and polystyrene foam, warm plaster and polyurethane foam, penoplex and technoplex. In each individual case, the most suitable insulation can be selected in accordance with certain requirements, its technical characteristics and operating conditions.
Features of external insulation
Installation of external wall insulation is the most effective way protecting the building from negative impact:
- moisture;
- high temperature;
- frost.
That is why right choice insulation for the walls of the house outside has this great importance. For each area and each region, there is a certain calculated indicator of the total resistance of supporting structures of buildings to heat transfer. This value can be achieved by creating thermal insulation for external walls in accordance with all the requirements of SNiP and GOST.
Among the many ways to insulate building facades in modern private construction, the following are especially popular:
- Applying plaster over materials for external insulation. With this method, several layers of the construction cake are created, the first of which is an assembly adhesive, which ensures the tightest possible fit of the thermal insulation boards, the next is the insulation directly for the external walls, then the nylon reinforcing mesh, which creates the strength of the structure, decorative coating. The role of such a layer is siding or decorative plastic panels used to decorate the facade of the building.
- Creation of thermal insulation for external walls according to the principle of ventilated construction. In the course of performing these works, various materials are used for insulation, including slabs or rolled mineral wool. This type of cake is more complex and requires the assembly of a frame and sheathing made of metal profiles or wooden blocks. Slabs or blocks are placed in the cells of the assembled structure, in the form of which manufacturers produce modern insulation materials. To protect against wind and moisture, a waterproofing diffuse vapor-permeable membrane is attached. Next important stage- fastening the counter-lattice strip necessary to create a ventilated gap. The final layer is plastic panels or siding.
All materials for insulating walls outside have many positive qualities, but when doing work to create high-quality thermal insulation with your own hands, they choose the method that requires minimal material and physical costs.
Creating a high-quality thermal fur coat requires certain knowledge and skills in performing plastering works. It is easier to work with a level, but high precision is required when installing the frame and sheathing. Few ordinary people or novice craftsmen are capable of making plaster in such a way as to give greater aesthetics to the facade of a building. Complex methods for insulating the external walls of a building have been developed for them.
Decorative materials for thermal insulation
Modern views insulation materials for facade walls are so numerous and varied that it is not so easy for the consumer to make a choice. Decorative panels made from polystyrene foam are extremely popular. If their thickness reaches 6 cm, then this guarantees high level protecting walls from freezing in the winter. Decorative panels for wall thermal insulation make it possible to avoid the need to apply decorative façade plaster to the surface.
An important condition for performing work to insulate external load-bearing structures using expanded polystyrene panels is surface preparation. Of course, particularly careful plastering is not required, but the walls must be absolutely smooth:
- The presence of bumps, sagging mortar or large voids is unacceptable.
- After complete drying plaster mortar An adhesive composition of the “Foam Cement” type is applied to a clean, dry surface. The panels are applied to the wall and pressed firmly, achieving a tight fit.
- Excess glue protruding from under each panel fills the seams, strengthening them and protecting them from moisture penetration.
The advantage of external wall insulation using decorative panels is not only the absence of the need for so-called “wet” work. Thermal insulation panels are insulation of the walls of a house, for the creation of which environmentally friendly materials are used. pure material, quite resistant to negative influences, characterized by high water-repellent ability. This is not just a decoration for the facade, it is a means to protect the walls and preserve the interior comfortable conditions for accommodation. Deciding which external insulation better, you need to take into account all the nuances, including features:
- climatic conditions;
- materials that served as the basis for the construction of walls;
- creating a thermal insulation structure.
In some situations, such thermal insulation materials are not the optimal solution and can provide effective protection buildings from freezing. In this case, to insulate the external walls, install suspended thermal insulation by constructing a frame and sheathing.
Mineral wool
External thermal insulation of walls using mineral wool involves performing the work using the “dry method”. To achieve a positive result, it is necessary to install a frame, the constituent elements of which are metal profiles or wooden blocks. They are installed strictly vertically. Vertical is checked laser level or building level with a spirit level.
The distance between the frame guides should be 2-3 cm less than the width of the slab or roll strip. This will ensure that the insulation fits tightly into the cells of the sheathing.
The laid slabs or mats are covered with waterproofing material, fixing it with construction stapler. Next stage- assembly of sheathing from transverse beams. To do this, you will need slats whose thickness is half the height of the bar. This counter-lattice creates an effective air barrier that prevents the penetration of cold and moisture. When choosing which insulation is best for the external walls of a house, many consumers give preference to mineral wool. This choice is based on the properties of this material:
- light weight;
- ease of installation;
- affordability;
- environmental cleanliness;
- high quality sound insulation.
The main advantage of mineral wool is fire resistance. Further implementation of insulation work and decorative design facade is associated with the installation of decorative plastic panels or siding. Outer layer finishing improves the aesthetic appeal of the building and provides high-quality, reliable and effective protection of thermal insulation material from the destructive effects of various negative factors.
Polyurethane foam
A special type of plastic with a cellular structure, which has become widespread when used as a thermal insulation material for the external walls of buildings, is polyurethane foam. With its help, you can create a particularly durable, high-quality and, most importantly, seamless coating, which will guarantee good sound and heat insulation when installing protection façade walls country private houses.
Such work requires the participation of qualified specialists and the use of special equipment. The insulation in liquid form under high pressure is supplied through a hose for application to the surface to be insulated. The ability to change the pressure in the system allows you to adjust the thickness of the applied layer, increasing it in places where the insulation layer is too thin.
When creating thermal insulation using polyurethane foam, the location of the dew point remains unchanged.
Polyurethane foam is used not only for application directly to the outer surface of the walls, it is poured between the elements during the construction of the supporting structure, which guarantees a high level of protection of the walls from freezing. When creating a building façade insulation system, some features and advantages of this insulation are taken into account, including:
- The ability to completely repeat the shape of the wall, even when insulating buildings with complex geometry.
- Creation seamless coating preventing the penetration of cold air or moisture.
- Correct calculation of the thickness of the insulation layer allows you to protect the building from shifting the dew point and protect the building from the appearance of condensation, the development and growth of mold and mildew.
- The closed-cell structure does not allow the insulation to deteriorate under the influence of moisture.
Carrying out work to insulate the facade of a house using other materials does not guarantee the elimination of the appearance of cold bridges, thermal joints, or a large number of joints that require additional strengthening and protection. All this is excluded when applying polyurethane foam to the surface. The composition fills the space between the frame guides or completely covers the surface of the external walls along the entire perimeter of the house.
In order to make the only right decision when choosing insulation for the external walls of a private building, you should carefully study the characteristics of currently existing thermal insulation materials and the features of each of them. The video will help you understand the nuances and get reliable information about all the insulation methods and substances used during the work.
When deciding which wall insulation can be used in each individual case, it is worth carefully studying the features and advantages of each of the materials offered by modern manufacturers.
Content
Not only comfort, but also people’s health depends on the microclimate in the house. The optimal temperature for a living space is 20–25°C, and the humidity level is 50–60%. If winters are harsh, much of the heat energy is lost through the walls, roof, door and window openings. To retain heat as much as possible, wall structures must be insulated.
Choosing insulation for the outside walls of a house
It is recommended to insulate a private house outside, since internal insulation has many disadvantages. Insulation for the external walls of a house is not uncommon on the market. Therefore, in order to select a quality material, it is enough to take into account when choosing technical specifications and installation features. This way you can choose the ideal thermal insulation.
Principles of insulating the external walls of a house
It is important to understand why façade insulation is a priority over thermal insulation of residential premises from the inside. There are situations when it is not possible to install heat-insulating material and external finishing of the building from the outside; in these cases, internal insulation is the only possible option.
The problem is the location of the “dew point” - the place where heat meets cold, causing condensation to form. And in a living room, moisture is always present in the air due to evaporation from bodies, breathing, and the use of water for domestic needs.
The dew point in an uninsulated wall is located approximately in the middle of the enclosing structure. This means that the wall is picking up moisture from the room. If you install thermal insulation on the inner surface of the walls, the structure will freeze through and the slightest access of warm, moist air behind the insulating layer will lead to condensation - the wall will get wet under the insulation.
Experts say that it is better to insulate the house from the outside. In this case, the wall structures will be insulated from contact with cold air, as a result of which the walls will not freeze. Depending on the insulation technology used on the outside, wet warm air, which goes through the wall:
- will not come into contact with the cold, since the insulating layer is mounted directly on the wall structure;
- gets into the ventilation gap between the wall and the heat insulator, the moisture will quickly evaporate, due to which there will be no conditions for the wall to get wet - with external insulation, the dew point is located outside the structure.
To choose the best option for external insulation, you need to take into account the characteristics of the materials from which the house is built, as well as the technical characteristics of the heat insulators.
Properties of thermal insulators
Thermal insulation with mineral glass wool Insulation for a home, regardless of the type of construction, is characterized by a low thermal conductivity. But heat insulators are compared not only by this parameter. It is equally important to evaluate other characteristics that affect the durability, safety and functional properties of the material for external insulation:
- indicators of vapor permeability and water absorption;
- impact on the microclimate of the room;
- resistance to aggressive environments;
- fire resistance;
- environmental friendliness and health safety;
- resistance to biological damage (mold, rodents, insects);
- physical and mechanical parameters (including tendency to shrinkage, resistance to mechanical stress, elasticity, etc.);
- noise-absorbing properties;
- installation technology and ease of work;
- the ability to create a seamless thermal insulation coating;
- possibility of application on surfaces of complex configuration with a large number of hard-to-reach places;
- strength and long service life.
When designing wall insulation, it is necessary to calculate the thickness of the thermal insulation layer using the thermal conductivity value of the selected material. Pay attention to the indicators of water absorption and vapor permeability of the insulation, because they affect the technology installation work.
Types of heat insulators
Examples of various thermal insulators Present on the market different kinds insulation for walls, each of which has its own advantages. Thermal insulation of the facade is most often carried out using:
- foam plastic (expanded polystyrene);
- extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex, eps, extruded polystyrene foam);
- sprayed polyurethane foam;
- mineral wool (basalt);
- liquid thermal insulation.
Choose good thermal insulation should take into account the material from which the wall is built, as well as the planned option exterior finishing.
Styrofoam
Thermal insulation of external walls using foam plastic Expanded polystyrene boards are actively used for external thermal insulation building structures. Advantages of polymer material: light weight, easy installation, moisture resistance, affordable price. In addition, the heat insulator does not become a haven for fungus and is not damaged by insect pests. If you prevent ultraviolet radiation from entering the insulation, the material will last more than 50 years.
At the same time, the material also has a number of serious disadvantages - it is flammable and easily damaged by rodents. With a density of less than 35 kg/m3, the foam has a loose structure, and it is vapor permeable due to the pores between the interconnected foamed polymer granules. The denser the material, the higher it thermal insulation properties.
Extruded polystyrene foam
Insulation with polystyrene foam EPPS, penoplex is a foamed polymer material with a closed-cell structure. Polymer insulation for thermal insulation of a house has the same advantages, but extruded polystyrene foam differs for the better from polystyrene foam:
- low flammability (combustion is maintained only with constant contact with the flame; in the absence of a fire source, the material extinguishes itself);
- vapor tightness;
- resistance to damage by rodents.
EPS is widely used as external insulation; if graphite nanoparticles are used in its production, the material has higher energy-saving properties and strength.
Spray polyurethane foam
An example of insulation with sprayed polyurethane foam PPU is a heat-insulating material with a closed-cell structure. Due to the fact that 90% of the weight is air contained in the cells, modern insulation characterized by low thermal conductivity.
Polyurethane foam is resistant to biological damage, does not spread fire, and due to its low weight, such wall insulation does not load structures and foundations. The material is moisture- and gas-proof and provides an airtight coating.
The spraying method allows the use of polyurethane foam to create seamless elastic thermal insulation on surfaces of any configuration. Polyurethane foam has high adhesion and adheres reliably to any type of base - wood, brick and block structures.
The disadvantages of polyurethane foam include high cost and the need to use professional equipment during installation.
Mineral wool
Thermal insulation of walls using mineral wool Fibrous materials for insulating walls outside are stone wool, slag wool, glass wool. The type of mineral wool depends on the raw materials used. They can be glass production waste and metallurgical industry, melt of stone (basalt) rocks.
To choose the right mineral wool heat insulator, you should take into account that slag wool is not environmentally friendly; it is better for insulating non-residential buildings. Glass wool tends to cake over time, losing its thermal insulation properties. Perfect option – basalt wool, which holds its shape well, does not burn, is easy to install, dampens sound waves, is not afraid of biological damage and is durable.
Basalt wool can be used to insulate walls made of building blocks, bricks, and timber. Work on thermal insulation of the facade is carried out at any temperature.
The fibrous material is vapor permeable and capable of absorbing moisture, which requires it reliable vapor barrier when installing internal insulation and external thermal insulation under the cladding. Moisture condensation reduces the thermal insulation properties of the material.
However, vapor permeability is useful property, if thermal insulation external walls made from “breathable” materials using the “plastered” technology. In such a situation, moist warm air from the room passes through the mineral wool and is discharged outside, and a favorable microclimate is maintained in the house.
Liquid thermal insulation
Application of liquid thermal insulation Liquid thermal insulation is an innovative material for insulation wall structures outside. It is used for processing metal structural elements (prevents the formation of cold bridges), as well as for insulating walls made of foam blocks, bricks, and wood.
The ceramic multicomponent composition visually looks like paint, but has a porous structure with vacuum voids. The total volume of voids reaches 80% of the material, due to which thermal insulation properties are ensured.
The list of advantages of the material includes:
- integrity of the coating, absence of seams;
- a simple method of applying to walls from the outside (using a roller, brush or vacuum sprayer);
- Possibility of application on surfaces of any configuration;
- resistance of the heat-protective layer to external influences(high and low temperatures, moisture, ultraviolet radiation, mechanical damage);
- decorative appearance (the building does not require finishing on top of the insulating layer);
- protection of structures (protects metal from corrosion, wood from UV radiation and moisture);
- resistance to biological damage.
Using liquid thermal insulation, you can successfully insulate the facade of a private residential house, outbuilding, or industrial facility.
Methods of external insulation
The materials used to insulate the outside of a house are mostly universal and suitable for wall structures built from any materials. But it is important to understand how insulation will affect the wall’s ability to “breathe” with a particular installation technology. Pay attention to the external finish on the outside of the insulation. As a rule, plaster, facade panels, siding, and facing bricks are used.
There are three main ways to insulate a building from the outside:
- fastening the heat insulator under the plaster;
- arrangement of a non-ventilated three-layer system;
- installation of a ventilated facade.
The application of liquid heat-insulating composition has not yet become widespread.
Insulation of walls under plaster
“Pie” of the wall when thermally insulated with mineral wool For installation under plaster, slab insulation is used for the external walls of the house. The material is attached using special glue and umbrella fasteners to the leveled walls (wooden structures are pre-treated with an antiseptic). Sheathing elements are mounted “in a staggered manner” so that there are no long connecting seams.
Then plaster is applied with the obligatory use of mesh for reinforcement. To prevent the plaster layer from falling off the polymer insulation over time, it smooth surface It is recommended to treat with abrasive for better adhesion and use a plaster material with high adhesion.
When choosing a heat insulator, it is important to consider:
- If as insulation material use polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam, the house turns into a thermos, since these materials are vapor-proof. To prevent the walls from becoming damp from the inside, the house must have effective exhaust ventilation.
- Using mineral wool, you will maintain the vapor permeability of the wall, but provided that the plaster is not painted acrylic paint, because it creates a film.
Non-ventilated three-layer system
Section of a wall during installation of a non-ventilated three-layer system Used if wall material brick or blocks. The procedure for insulating walls when installing a three-layer non-ventilated system:
- a heat insulator of any type is attached to the wall using glue or spraying;
- with an indentation for an air gap, the external cladding of the house from decorative brick is installed.
If you insulate a house using this technology with foamed polymer, you need to take care of good ventilation, since the walls stop “breathing.” The advantages of the technology include the ability to create a beautiful brick facade of the house. You can also install façade panels.
Ventilated facade
Insulation of walls using a ventilated facade The most common option provides the possibility of covering the house with siding, decorative panels, clapboard The materials for thermal insulation of the facade can be mineral wool, EPS boards, or polystyrene foam.
The design of the “pie” is as follows:
- sheathing of boards to create a ventilation gap;
- fastening of hydro-vapor barrier;
- lathing (on boards) for laying heat insulation;
- insulation in the resulting sections;
- windproof film;
- counter-lattice to create an air gap;
- finishing cladding with the selected material.
Note! A common mistake is to install waterproofing directly on the wall of the house. In this case, the vapor permeability of the structure is lost.
Conclusion
To prevent a wall insulated from the outside from becoming damp and moldy, it is necessary to use a technology that does not interfere with its vapor permeability, or it is necessary to install a high-quality ventilation system.
Insulation of the walls of a house is carried out when the house is intended for living and the walls do not retain heat sufficiently.
All devices for heating a house (steam, stove, gas heating) consume maximum energy, but the heat is not retained.
By carrying out thermal insulation, you can ensure a comfortable environment in the house by insulating the walls, because a wall is a vulnerable place in a house that experiences high wind loads.
If the walls are not insulated sufficiently, the cold easily penetrates into the house.
Insulating walls from the inside or outside is an individual decision. A less popular method of insulation is from the inside. With this method, the area of the room is significantly reduced.
This disadvantage of the method plays an important role in deciding the method of thermal insulation in favor of external insulation work. In addition, there is a high probability of moisture occurring inside the wall, this is especially true in regions with high humidity.
Insulation of walls from the outside is carried out significantlymore often. This method requires more costs, but the internal living space in the house is preserved, which is important especially in houses whose area is already small.
Methods of wall insulation
Types of thermal insulation, their advantages and disadvantages
Among the many insulation materials, those that best suit their physical characteristics and thermal insulation properties.
What is the best way to perform external insulation? The main types of wall insulation intended for external thermal insulation are:
- (good thermal insulator, resistant to deformation, waterproof, but poor vapor permeability, risk of damage by rodents, toxic when burned);
- (low water resistance, durability, resistance to temperature changes, but is vapor-tight, susceptible to rodents);
- (durable, low thermal conductivity, durability, resistance to temperature changes, no seams during application, however, it can create pressure in the cracks of the building, susceptible to ultraviolet radiation, low fire safety during application);
- (excellent heat insulator, sound insulator, non-flammable, durable, but during installation it releases harmful formaldehydes);
- (waterproofing, sound insulation, environmental friendliness, durability, no seams, not affected by mold, rodents, however, it shrinks during application, which can provoke peeling, recommended for combined insulation);
- glass wool(thermal insulation, sound insulation, not affected by mold, rodents, fire safety, moisture resistance, non-toxic, but due to the fragility of the fibers requires additional protection);
- fiberboard(thermal insulation, sound insulation, environmental friendliness, fire resistance, durability, but at all positive properties short-lived, not recommended for rooms with high humidity: baths, saunas);
- cork material(lightweight, durable, non-flammable, environmentally friendly, heat insulator, sound insulator, but quite expensive). In addition, there are other materials, but they are less popular.
Choice of insulation
Differences in insulation of aerated concrete, wooden, brick houses
The method of insulation depends on what material the walls of the house are made of. If we compare houses made of wood, brick and aerated concrete, we can highlight the following points that deserve attention:
- Unlike brick walls and aerated concrete houses, a prerequisite for installation is the installation of sheathing to ensure ventilation. Installation of sheathing of block walls is carried out only under or other suspended cladding;
- the most suitable insulation materials for aerated concrete and brick walls are materials with a high moisture resistance (penoplex, expanded polystyrene), while For wooden houses the ideal insulation is breathable mineral wool slabs;
- thermal conductivity brick wall higher than that of aerated concrete, so the wall must either be insulated with a thicker layer of insulation, or the thickness of the brickwork must be increased;
- with external insulation wooden house the surface should be carefully prepared by treating it with antiseptics;
- most often for attaching cake layers wooden wall Installation of chipboard or OSB sheathing is required.
In addition, you should keep in mind all the indicators of the materials from which the walls are built, such as moisture resistance, thermal conductivity and heat resistance.
How to calculate the thickness of insulation for walls
Before purchasing insulation, you must correctly calculate 
thickness of the purchased material.
An indicator of the thickness of a material is the result of thermal resistance. The value for each region is different and is determined in accordance with the readings of SNiP.
For the region of the central part of the Eurasian continent it is approximately equal to three.
The thickness of the insulation layer is equal to the difference between this indicator according to SNiP and the total thermal conductivity of each material that is present in the wall.
To determine the thermal conductivity coefficient for each material, use the formula:
P=R/K ,
where R is the thickness of the material, K is an indicator of its thermal conductivity (the manufacturer indicates on the packaging).
After adding all the coefficients, the value is subtracted from three. It turns out material thickness necessary for insulation.
Wall pie device
A wall pie is a collection of layers of materials that are laid vertically in a certain order.
Each layer of the wall pie has its own laying characteristics. If the sequence of layers is disrupted, there is a risk of destruction of the entire structure.
The construction of a wall pie for external insulation must correspond to the order of laying materials, starting from the inside of the walls:
- interior decoration;
- internal load-bearing layer (plasterboard, sheathing);
- vapor barrier (required in frame houses);
- load-bearing wall;
- insulation;
- waterproofing (depending on insulation);
- sheathing;
- ventilation gap (depending on the heat insulator);
- finishing.
Wooden wall pie
This scheme for laying materials should be followed if the house is timber, frame or log.
If the wall is brick or aerated concrete, then the wall pie is slightly different:
- interior decoration;
- Brick wall;
- insulation;
- ventilation gap (if mineral wool is used);
- load-bearing layer on the outside or sheathing (if it is necessary to install façade materials);
- finishing (plaster, siding, porcelain stoneware).
"Wet" wall cake
Especially important attention should be paid to waterproofing and vapor barrier.
Installation of sheathing
Lathing for external insulation is necessary when attaching siding as an external wall finish. With vertical siding, the sheathing is attached horizontally, and vice versa: with horizontal siding - vertically.
The sheathing can be made from wooden beams or their metal profile.
Lathing made of beams
Before you start lathing, you need to prepare the beams: treat them with an antifungal agent.
- saw off the beam of the required size;
- secure the brackets around the entire perimeter with self-tapping screws according to preliminary markings;
- secure the timber as guides along the right and left sides of the wall;
- If there is no thermal insulation, then the beam must be attached to the wall by drilling holes for dowels and securing it with self-tapping screws.
Perform lathing along the entire wall; if necessary, level the surface, use special mounting wedges.
Lathing made of beams
Profile lathing
The metal profile should be secured using hangers and brackets.
Installation of metal sheathing:
- fix the profile on the right side of the wall and on the left so that there is at least 100 mm from the corner to the guide;
- According to the markings, drill holes for dowels and attach brackets along the entire wall;
- if thermal insulation is installed, then the insulation boards are pinned onto the brackets;
- lay a vapor barrier in the same way as insulation;
- install metal profiles along the edges of the wall;
- Use a thread to set the height of the profile and secure the profile along the entire wall;
- between the elements, fasten stiffening ribs from the remains of the profile.
NOTE!
It is better to choose metal profiles for siding with curved edges.
Best to use aluminum profile good quality.
Profile lathing
Why do you need a counter-lattice?
Lathing and counter-lattice are concepts that are often confused. The lathing is necessary for attaching covering elements to it.
The counter-lattice is attached perpendicular to the sheathing and performs the function of ventilation and at the same time secures the water barrier.
Counter battens must be installed in the walls on the sheathing or on the rafters.
The walls of houses equipped with counter-lattice are called ventilated.
With a ventilated facade, the properties of the cake materials are preserved and the formation of moisture and mold is prevented.
Installation of waterproofing and vapor barrier
When installing waterproofing outside the wall of a wooden house, it can be done:
- by applying a special solution to the walls;
- using additional materials (waterproofing polyurethane foam).
If the wall is brick, then you can use special solutions or resort to an adhesive form of waterproofing: roofing felt. Glue it vertically, overlapping, removing any air bubbles that have formed and gluing the joints with mastic.
When using decorative facing materials, special plaster waterproofing is used.
Waterproofing mineral wool
When installing a vapor barrier from the outside, films should be used that protect the wall surface from the outside and allow moisture to pass through from the walls.
Installation of vapor barrier films comes down to the following rules:
- they should be laid between the insulation layer and the wall;
- provide a gap for ventilation between layers;
- Lay the film overlapping, glue the joints, secure the film with staples.
If the vapor barrier is installed on a round beam, then there is no need to install a ventilation gap. In case of square boards- such a necessity is mandatory.
External wall insulation with mineral wool for siding
For effective wall insulation with mineral wool the surface should be prepared for subsequent installation work: clear debris, seal cracks, remove gutters and other decorative elements, apply markings, attach hangers.
- laying mineral wool slabs from bottom to top between the guide posts end-to-end, placing the material on hangers and attaching with dowel nails;
- seal the cracks with pieces of insulation;
- cover vapor barrier membrane similar to insulation;
- attach racks to hangers;
- then proceed to cladding.
Metal sheathing
This method is suitable for metal profiles.
If wooden beams are used, then insulation with mineral wool is somewhat different:
- Attach the beams to the prepared wall with corners at a distance of the width of the mineral wool slab;
- the insulation is laid end-to-end between the studs, secured with a pair of dowels, and the cracks are sealed with polyurethane foam;
- if a second layer of insulation is needed, then counter-battens are attached to the racks and mineral wool slabs are laid between them;
- a diffusion membrane is attached to the frame with staples;
- install a counter-lattice, which serves as the basis for fastening the siding panels and creates air gap in a wall pie.
Wall cake for siding
Fastening mineral wool to the wall with dowels
External insulation technology using foam plastic
To insulate the walls of a private house from the outside, you can use polystyrene foam. The procedure for foam insulation involves the sequence of work performed:
- preparation of walls (cleaning of debris, sealing cracks, priming);
- applying the necessary markings;
- attach a profile at the bottom of the wall, which will serve as the basis for the even laying of the first row of slabs;
- attach the foam by applying the adhesive solution, starting from the bottom corner. The second row of sheets is fastened in a cross pattern;
- after the glue has completely dried, secure the foam with umbrellas;
- The joints are sealed with polyurethane foam, if large, with pieces of polystyrene foam. After hardening, excess foam is cut off;
- To finish slopes and corners, you should use special corners that are glued to the reinforcing mesh tape.
Laying sheets in a checkerboard pattern
Fastening sheets
CAREFULLY!
It is better not to insulate wooden houses with polystyrene foam., since with breathable wood it is better to use porous insulation that can allow moisture and air vapor to pass through.
In this case, mineral wool is ideal.
Basic insulation mistakes
External wall insulation country house must be carried out in accordance with the requirements and rules for installation of materials. Errors that most often occur during insulation contribute to improper circulation of air flow and the formation of moisture inside the cake, which leads to a weakening of the thermal insulation qualities:
- incorrect calculation of thermal resistance;
- if there is no base strip at the bottom of the wall, the insulation may come into contact with the ground;
- Expanded polystyrene should not be left in the sun for a long time during installation;
- cracks between insulation boards lead to the appearance of cold bridges;
- Expansion dowels should be installed at the corners of the building and around doors and windows to securely fasten the material.
In addition, you should not skimp on materials, since in addition to their correct installation, the low quality of the material should not cause poor-quality insulation.
Thus, when insulating walls, the living space, a careful study of details is required to calculate the amount of materials and determine the order of installation work.
Useful video
Mineral wool insulation technology in video instructions:
In contact with
30% of the heat from a house escapes through the walls. This has been proven by research. Therefore, in order to reduce heat loss, it is recommended not to do it from the inside. Firstly, internal thermal insulation– this is a reduction in the space of rooms. Secondly, the dew point passes under the insulation, that is, between the wall and the heat-insulating layer. This means that the wall will freeze, which will affect it technical condition. Today, manufacturers of thermal insulation materials offer a wide range of their products. But the question of which one to choose does not become less relevant. Insulation for the exterior walls of a house (price, technical characteristics, installation methods) is the most important component of construction. Therefore, its choice must be approached with special care.
Read in the article
Criteria for choosing insulation for the external walls of a house
The main indicator by which to make a choice is. The smaller it is, the better. The second criterion is hygroscopicity. This property is designated as - to absorb moisture. The thing is that the moist air vapors that have penetrated inside when low temperatures will begin to turn into ice, which will negate all the characteristics of the thermal insulation material. They learned to deal with this by covering the insulating layer on both sides with steam and waterproofing films. But these are just another material expense. Although in some cases this cannot be avoided.
The third criterion is strength. The outer side of the wall is an area often subject to various loads, including mechanical ones. And although the thermal insulation layer will still need to be covered, this does not mean that the strength of the insulation should be approached from the position of “this is an unimportant component.”
The fourth rule of choice is the price of the product. There is a fairly wide range, which includes both very cheap and very expensive materials. Of course, the price is determined by the quality. But there are offers on the market in which the price-quality ratio is within optimal limits. Therefore, it is worth understanding all the offered insulation materials and choosing not the most expensive one, but with good technical and operational characteristics.
Types of thermal insulation materials for external wall insulation
Thermal insulation for external walls is several modern materials, belonging to the categories of fibrous and cellular.
- The first group includes mineral wools: stone, glass, slag. The first is made from various rocks, which are melted and drawn into threads, then they are woven in a chaotic manner. For the second, the raw material is glass, for the third, blast furnace waste (slag). Three types have an increased hygroscopicity coefficient.
- The second group includes polymer materials, which acquire a cellular structure during the production process. It can be closed or open. The first option is better because such insulation does not absorb moisture.
Let's look at several basic insulation materials for exterior walls and outline their technical characteristics.
| Characteristics | Glass wool | Slag | Stone |
| Thermal conductivity, W/(m×K) | 0.03÷0.052 | 0.046÷0.048 | 0.035÷0.041 |
| Maximum heating temperature, °C | 500 | 300 | 600 |
| Water absorption,% | 2÷3 | 2 | 1÷2 |
| Fiber thickness, microns | 5÷15 | 4÷12 | 3÷5 |
| Fiber length, mm | 15÷50 | 16 | 5÷10 |
The table shows those characteristics that are not related to the density of the material. Because manufacturers offer models with different densities, hence the purpose of each brand. For example, P-75 insulation has a density of 75 kg/m³. This type of wool is recommended to be used for thermal insulation of surfaces that are not subject to heavy mechanical loads. That is, for insulating walls outside the house this option will do just right. Although we must take into account the fact that this material does not have the most high strength. It is optimal to use PZh-175 wool for reinforced concrete walls.
Attention! Mineral wool is available in rolls and mats. For thermal insulation of walls, it is better to use the second form of manufacture.
Manufacturers today, for example, offer basalt wool in mats, one edge of which compresses well, but expands when installed between frame elements. Thus, the material fits tightly to the frame without creating cold bridges.
Polymer cellular insulation
The most famous insulation from this category is polystyrene foam. Essentially, these are polystyrene boards in which the original material is only 2%, the rest is air. Hence the good thermal insulation performance, low strength, and low price.
It should be noted that the polystyrene foam used as packaging cannot be called insulation. That is, when talking about insulation for the external walls of a house, we must mean modified polystyrene foam boards.
Modified polystyrene foam
Expanded polystyrene boards for thermal insulation differ from packaging foam by their increased density. The second one is made using a non-press method, hence its low strength characteristics. Expanded polystyrene boards are molded under pressure using high temperatures, due to which their density and, accordingly, strength increase.
There is also so-called extruded polystyrene foam in this category; its prominent representative is the slabs produced under the brand name. This is still the same polymer insulation, only its production technology is based on melting the raw materials, followed by the addition of a foaming agent and molding under pressure, or rather, extrusion. This process is called extrusion. Wherein this technology allows you to cast any shaped product, not just slabs.
So, let's compare three foam polystyrene insulation materials; pressless - PSB, pressed - PS, extruded - EPS.
| Characteristics | PSB | PS | EPS |
| Thermal conductivity, W/(m×K) | 0.032÷0.036 | 0.032÷0.035 | 0,032 |
| Density, kg/m³ | 15÷50 | 25÷45 | 25÷45 |
| Compressive strength, MPa | 0.07÷0.38 | 0.15÷0.25 | 0,2 |
| Bending strength, MPa | 0.15÷0.42 | 0.2÷0.25 | 0,25 |
| Water absorption,% | 8÷10 | 4 | 0,4 |
Now, as for insulating the house from the outside with polystyrene foam, that is, a non-pressed model. This material has a high water absorption rate. Therefore, in any case, it will have to be closed. Insulating a house from the outside with Penoplex is an opportunity not only not to cover the thermal insulation layer with waterproofing, but also to apply wet types of finishes to it: and.
Again, pay attention to the density. All other parameters depend on it. The denser the slab, the higher the quality of its characteristics.
Polyurethane foam (PPU)
This is the most best insulation with the lowest thermal conductivity – 0.019÷0.03 W/(m×K). At the same time, the polymer also has other high characteristics:
- does not absorb water;
- does not allow steam to pass through;
- high chemical resistance;
- attaches to any building materials without additional fasteners;
- low G1, some varieties of polyurethane foam are self-extinguishing types;
- the density of the material is 30÷80 kg/m³;
- service life of at least 30 years.
Attention! Polyurethane foam is prepared for construction site by combining two components: a polyol and an isocyanate. Mixing with each other, they form a liquid mixture, which is applied to the wall for thermal insulation. In air, the insulation turns into a hard and durable material.
That is, to carry out thermal insulation measures with polyurethane foam, special equipment is needed, where the two components are mixed. The insulation itself is applied under pressure to the surfaces to be insulated.
Alternative solutions - liquid insulation for walls
The term " liquid insulation“for walls and other structures is just slang among ordinary people. This material is mastic or, which includes:
- hollow microgranules in the form of spheres (0.02÷0.1 mm in diameter), made of ceramics, glass, polymers;
- microporous titanium dioxide particles;
- binding component, acrylic or latex is often used.
Since the consistency of the material is liquid, it is applied to the surfaces to be treated. in the usual ways: using a brush, roller or spray. In this case, a thin film is formed on the surfaces - at least 1 mm. And it is enough to talk about thermal protection.
But why does such a thin coating create a warming effect? Here you need to understand in what ways heat flows through the walls of the house.
- Thermal conductivity of the wall. That is, heat is transferred from a heated material to a cold one. In liquid thermal insulation, only binding ingredients can transfer heat. And there are only 20% of them in the volume of insulation.
- Convection. There are no options here, because the composition of the thermal insulation material consists of granules filled with air that occupy a large volume.
- Radiation. This is the transfer of thermal energy due to the energy state of the substance itself. Inside the mastic, 90% are balls that reflect thermal energy. That is, the material applied to the walls of the house creates the effect of a thermos.
Today, manufacturers of liquid thermal insulation offer different compositions, which are used for various building structures. Since materials for insulating walls from the outside are being sorted out, it is necessary to choose mastic intended for application to the facade of the building. Its name must contain the word “Facade”. For example, Korund-Facade, Bronya-Facade. Although many universal thermal paints can be used for thermal insulation of external walls of buildings.
Here are the technical characteristics of Korund-Facade:
| Characteristics | Paint Corundum-Facade |
| Thermal conductivity, W/(m×K) | 0,0012 |
| Heat transfer, W/(m²×K) | 4 |
| Vapor permeability, mg/(m×h×Pa) | 0,03 |
| Water absorption,% | 2 |
| Service life for concrete surfaces, years | 10 |
| Film elasticity for bending, mm | 1 |
| Resistance to temperature changes, °C | -60 to +120 |
| Paint application temperature, °C | +7 |
| Adhesion, point | 1 |
Ventilated facades
In modern construction, two types are used:
- Traditional, when applied directly to the wall surface with different methods of fastening.
- Ventilated- this is when there is a gap between the wall and the cladding that acts as ventilation. With its help, damp vapors and condensation are removed from the wall surface.
So, in the first case, when the task is to thermally insulate a wall, moisture-resistant materials are used. These include polystyrene foam boards made using extrusion technology. That is, if the question of choosing insulation for the walls of a house outside is raised, then Penoplex is used. It is simply glued to the wall with a special adhesive composition or fastened with mushroom-shaped self-tapping screws. Polyurethane foam performs well under wet surfaces.
As for ventilated facades, any of the insulation described above can be used here. Because this structure, firstly, is a frame structure, and secondly, it can be attached to it in the form of a membrane, which will preserve the insulation from the negative effects of moisture.
For example, how to properly use mineral wool in ventilated insulated facades.
- The frame is placed on the wall - these are vertical wooden ones, the distance between which should be slightly less than the width of the basalt mat.
- Stacked vapor barrier film with sagging. That is, it is attached to the frame, but the main canvas must be adjacent to the wall surface.
- Insulation is placed between the sheathing elements.
- On top frame structure the waterproofing membrane is filled.
- Exactly the same bars are installed and fastened along the frame elements.
- Cladding in the form of and other sheet or panel products is mounted on them.
Three-layer wall structure
This technology for wall insulation has been known for a long time. Essentially, these are two walls between which thermal insulation material is laid. The option is very good, but with some requirements specifically for the insulation, because this layer must work big time. Getting to it if replacement or repair is required will be difficult, and often impossible. Therefore, there are two main requirements:
- The material must be resistant to shrinkage. This can only be achieved by polystyrene foam boards of the PS or EPS brand with a density of at least 45 kg/m³.
- Water absorption of thermal insulation should not exceed 1%. We turn to the tables with technical characteristics and see that only polystyrene foam boards made by extrusion meet this requirement.
There are no other options, so this technology uses Penoplex.
Rules for calculating insulation for house walls
Let's move on to a very important question: how to calculate the thickness of the insulation. To make it clear, let’s consider it using the example of insulating a wall built from a foam block 30 cm or 0.3 m thick. The insulation is basalt wool, which will be covered from the outside with facing bricks 12 cm thick (0.12 m).
Input data:
- Thermal conductivity of the foam block is 0.26 W/(m×K).
- The thermal conductivity of mineral wool is 0.045.
- Thermal conductivity of brick is 0.52.
- Thermal resistance of the region where the house is being built is 3.45 m²×°C/W. This corresponds to an indoor temperature of +22°C.
R = N / λ , Where
N – material thickness,
λ – its thermal conductivity.
- Rс = 0.3 × 0.26 = 0.078 is the thermal resistance of the wall.
- Rк = 0.12 × 0.52 = 0.062 - this is an indicator for brick.
The resistance of a region is the sum of the resistances of all materials used in the construction of the wall of a house. That is:
R = Rс + Rк + Rу , Where
Rу - this is the thermal resistance of the insulation, and you need to find it.
It turns out:
Rу = R – Rс – Rк = 3.45 – 0.078 – 0.062 = 3.31.
From the formula: R=H/λ You can display the thickness of the insulating layer: H = R × λ = 3.31 × 0.045 = 0.15 m , or 15 cm, or 150 mm.
The thickness of thermal insulation materials in comparison