Roll insulation: soft and self-adhesive, plate or rolls, thermal insulation for walls 150 mm, types and properties of thermal insulation materials

As practice shows, more than 10% of the heat in a house is lost through the foundation, so at the design stage it is necessary to provide high-quality thermal insulation for the base of the structure.
Is it necessary to insulate a monolithic slab foundation, what materials can be used to insulate the slab, what mistakes can be made during the work process and how to avoid them? We will answer these and other questions in the article.

Features of the species

There are several types of insulation, mainly divided by composition.

Minvata

One of the most common thermal insulation materials on the Russian market is mineral wool. This is mainly due to a combination of price and technological properties of the material itself. It is very easy to use. It is advisable to choose a white, soft and self-adhesive material for the timber.

The name “mineral wool” is inherent in many thermal insulation materials that differ in their composition and properties. Not particularly popular is insulation, which is made by melting certain rocks to form certain fibers. During manufacturing, these fibers are woven into a single carpet; this wool is called “basalt”. Any resident of Russia and the CIS is familiar with the term “glass wool”.

This thermal insulation material is an outdated technology, but due to its price it is still in demand today. It is made by melting broken glass into single fibers. There is also cotton wool obtained by melting waste from the metallurgical industry (slag wool).

Due to the raw materials used in its manufacture, its price is much lower than that of glass wool or basalt wool.

Foil material

Often one side of the insulation is covered with a layer of foil material. This allows you to protect the coating from moisture and ultraviolet rays. Most often, such materials are used for internal insulation of premises; the wool itself can be absolutely anything. The types of such material are varied. These include polystyrene foam, cork, and polyethylene.

The most popular material on the market is polystyrene foam. It is very practical and inexpensive. Copes perfectly with sound insulation and vibration. The length of the roll is usually 10 m, the width does not exceed 0.5 m. This material copes well with moisture and fungus. However, in terms of thermal insulation, it is significantly inferior to foamed polyethylene.

Thermal insulation with cork is characterized by high strength, light weight, harmlessness and good appearance. For wet rooms, it is recommended to use cork flooring with wax impregnation. The dimensions of this material are the same as those of expanded polystyrene. A fairly good material is foamed polyethylene. It consists of small cells filled with air, with cardboard or paper along the edges.

The substrate is secured by lamination. Due to this, it is possible to achieve the most durable and reliable connection with any type of base. Roll insulation has good thermal conductivity characteristics. Depending on the purpose, there are foil and metallized coatings.

For vapor reflection, a foil type of material is more suitable; for vapor containment, metallized spraying is required.

Spraying is very fragile and is damaged by small mechanical impacts. The foil material has excellent heat-reflecting characteristics. It is less susceptible to mechanical damage. Today, silver material with a reflector is quite popular.

Glass wool

The material is based on glass industry waste and sand. Raw materials are exposed to high temperatures (+1450°C). During the melting process, the finest fibers appear. To obtain a thermal insulation material, a binder is added to glue the fiberglass together. Then molding occurs. In order for the binder component to obtain the desired properties, it must undergo a polymerization process. At the last stage, the material acquires a yellowish tint as a result of dyeing.

Is it worth insulating a monolithic slab base?

To achieve maximum energy efficiency of a structure, it is necessary to implement thermal insulation of the slab foundation both from below and along the perimeter of the structure.

In some cases, you can limit yourself to an insulated floor and basement, but when organizing an exploitable basement, thermal insulation of the base is a prerequisite to ensure a reduction in heat loss and comfortable living in the house.

Opinions for and against

Some practicing builders save money and refuse thermal insulation, justifying this by using concrete with low thermal conductivity or a high base. However, improving the insulating parameters of the design will simplify and make its operation cheaper.

So, insulation of a monolithic foundation slab:

• prevents destruction of concrete from temperature changes;
• makes it possible to save on heating the building;
• reduces the heaving of the soil under the building.

Only these three factors are enough to think about carrying out work. It should also be noted that with competent engineering design, it is possible to move the dew point beyond the contour of the main part of the building.

As a result, water will not accumulate inside the structure, which means that corrosion processes will not develop and conditions will not be created for the appearance of fungus and mold.

When it is necessary?

The issue of insulating slab foundations should be given special attention to residents of regions with difficult climatic conditions and deeply frozen soil. This zone occupies up to 80% of the entire territory of the Russian Federation.

Without high-quality insulation in the foundation structure, heaving soils at subzero temperatures will increase in volume and rise, violating the integrity of the reinforced concrete slab and causing cracks to appear in the walls of the structure itself.

Manufacturers and selection criteria

One of the leading companies producing roll insulation is the German company Knauf . A distinctive feature of the product is the absence of formaldehyde. In addition, the materials are characterized by ease of use. This company provides installation instructions for almost every roll, which will allow novice builders to do their insulation work better. Due to the composition, insects (beetles, ants) and rodents (rats) will not be able to settle in such thermal insulation.

No less famous is the French brand Isover . This company has a huge selection of roll-type insulation. Foil rolls are also available. The products of this company are used for insulating interior spaces, as well as outside buildings.

Due to its composition, it is fire-resistant; in the event of a fire or brief ignition, it does not support combustion and goes out on its own.

The most widespread in the European part of Russia is the Spanish company URSA . Its products are somewhat cheaper than the French brand, the range is in no way inferior to it, which makes the materials in demand among buyers. The company provides a very long warranty on its products; it is better to check the exact warranty figures immediately before purchasing.

Choosing insulation for your home: 9 effective materials - well-known and those that will surprise you!

The main quality of a good home is the ability to retain heat for a long time without loss, and therefore you should be especially careful when choosing insulation. The modern market of thermal insulation materials includes about 15 types of insulation. We have selected 9 of the most effective ones that are suitable for any structure

Read in the article:

• Mineral (stone) wool
• Extruded polystyrene foam
• Liquid foam
• Cork insulation
• Foam glass
• Ecowool
• Sawdust
• Straw
• Hemp and flax

1

Mineral (stone) wool

Rock wool is one of the most common and sought-after insulation materials on the market, and there are several reasons for this.

High heat saving ability

. The thermal conductivity of stone wool varies from 0.035 to 0.042 W/(m*K). In other words, a 10 cm thick layer of this material retains heat as well as 25 cm of timber or 117 cm of brickwork.

Fire safety.

Stone wool does not burn or smolder, because the melting point of basalt fibers exceeds 1000°C.

Vapor permeability.

Thanks to its relatively loose, “airy” structure, stone wool allows water vapor to pass through, which is formed in the house as a result of human activity (showering, cooking, washing, etc.). This means there is no need to worry about mold formation.

Sound absorption ability.

The same fibrous structure makes mineral wool a good sound insulator. So, when covering facades with stone wool, you can solve two problems at the same time: the house will become both warm and quiet.

Resistance to aggressive environments.

Mineral wool insulation is not afraid of mold, mildew and aggressive chemicals. And of course, “foamed stone” does not arouse food interest among insects and rodents.

Light weight.

A package of slabs with a total area of ​​0.35 m² weighs from 10 to 70 kg (depending on the thickness of the material). Thanks to its relatively low weight, both transportation and installation are facilitated.

Minor shrinkage.

Unlike many loose materials, stone wool almost does not lose volume over time. And that means heat-saving properties.

Durability

. The material retains its performance characteristics for 70-100 years.

Mineral wool in rolls

Mineral wool in slabs

Flaws

High price.

Basalt wool is quite expensive. One cubic meter of material costs from 1,500 to 6,500 rubles. (depending on density and a number of other factors). Such a high price tag is primarily due to the complexity of production and the need to use expensive equipment, in particular blast furnaces.

Use of environmentally unsafe materials.

Stone wool consists of more than 95% of stone itself, but it cannot be called an absolutely natural product. To prevent the boards from falling apart into fibers, manufacturers are forced to use binders, in particular formaldehyde resins. Of course, self-respecting companies use them in minimal quantities, but there is always the possibility of “running into” a low-quality product that emits toxic fumes.

There is only one way to minimize risks - by checking the documents for the products. The laws of the Russian Federation require manufacturers of heat-insulating materials to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate, as well as an Expert Opinion on compliance with current sanitary standards and rules.

Types of stone wool

Basalt-based insulation is available in several modifications. Rolled fabric (the width of which is usually 1.2 m, and the length varies from 7 to 12 m), from most manufacturers has a low density - only 35 kg/m³. This material can only be used for horizontal laying in areas without any load. Such solutions do not occur very often.

The large area of ​​the rolled fabric allows it to be laid with a minimum number of seams, and therefore cold bridges

The most popular is stone wool in the form of slabs (dimensions 0.6-1 m by 1.2 m and thickness from 30-200 mm). The main factor determining the scope of their application is density. Depending on this, the material is divided into several grades.

P-75

(density 75 kg/m³). Used for insulating surfaces with minimal load, for example, interior partitions and ceilings.

P-125

(125 kg/m³). Suitable for thermal insulation of floors, interfloor ceilings and facades.

PZh-175

(175 kg/m³). Designed for thermal insulation of reinforced concrete and metal walls and ceilings.

PPZh-200

(200 kg/m³). The material of maximum density is used for insulating roofs and floors under screed.

What is the best way to insulate facades – from the inside or the outside?

There are three options for positioning the insulation relative to the wall.

The first one is from the inside.

This method has few advantages. This is ease of installation (working indoors is more comfortable than outdoors) and there is no need to protect the insulation from harsh external influences. The disadvantages are much more significant. First of all, this is a loss of precious usable space. And the greater the thickness of the insulation, the less free space.

Another disadvantage is the risk of the walls getting wet. Stone wool is a vapor-permeable material. Water vapor passes through it unhindered, after which it begins to accumulate at the “cold wall-insulation” boundary or in the thickness of the wall. So, when choosing this installation method, you need to install a vapor barrier on the side of the room and organize effective (possibly forced) ventilation.

If you place the insulation outside

, the so-called dew point (water vapor condensation zone) will shift into the thickness of the mineral wool, from where the liquid will evaporate naturally. This means that the wall will no longer get wet.

In addition, external insulation protects the wall from alternate freezing and thawing, which has a beneficial effect on the “weather in the house.” And of course, if the mineral wool is located outside, there can be no talk of any loss of usable space.

The disadvantage is that the insulation has to be protected from atmospheric moisture and mechanical damage by covering it with plaster (wet facade) or cladding panels (hinged ventilated facade).

And finally, the third way. In this case, the insulation is laid on the outside of the wall and covered with facing bricks

. In this case, stone wool is reliably protected from external influences, there is no loss of usable area and other disadvantages described above. The only problem is that this solution is optimal only for buildings under construction. It is problematic to insulate an already finished house in this way, since increasing the thickness often requires strengthening (remodeling) the foundation.

Read more in the article “Pele’s Hair”

2

Extruded polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam (EPP) is a progressive and modern material; it is quite closely related to the polystyrene foam familiar to each of us. Both insulation materials are made from polystyrene, but using fundamentally different technologies. And this causes significant differences in consumer properties.

Extruded polystyrene foam XPS
During the production of polystyrene foam, polystyrene granules are repeatedly treated with hot steam, which is why they increase in volume.

But at the same time, the micropores of the material increase. At first, the insulation copes with its duties perfectly. But over time, under the influence of moisture and other aggressive factors, it simply crumbles into individual grains. Although even polystyrene foam that has just “come off the assembly line” has rather low strength. It crumbles easily and has almost no resistance to bending.

In the case of extruded polystyrene foam, the granulated raw material is placed in a reactor where it is subjected to heat and pressure.

Then, when the polymer melts, the pressure is released, which leads to active foaming, and the resulting mass is passed through an extruder.
The result is a material consisting of closed cells with strong molecular bonds. This implies the main advantage of extruded polystyrene foam. It is approximately 5 times stronger than polystyrene foam.
Extruded polystyrene foam is an effective insulation material. A 10 cm thick EPP board retains heat as well as a 150 cm thick brick wall.

Lightweight, usable roof system for pedestrian loads with plastic supports.
High strength allows the EPP to withstand quite significant loads, and this, in turn, provides a wide range of applications. This insulation is used not only for walls and ceilings, but also for foundations, blind areas, and used roofs. It is used to fill well masonry during the construction of brick houses. It is included in the design of many sandwich panels.

It is also worth noting that polystyrene foam is an exceptionally lightweight material.

It puts virtually no load on the walls and foundation, and also does not create problems during installation
.
The slabs lend themselves perfectly to mechanical processing, and glue and dowels are enough to secure them to the walls.

An important advantage of polystyrene foam is its almost complete waterproofness.

. Even when dipped, it absorbs less than one percent of the liquid.

But unfortunately, EPP has quite noticeable disadvantages.

The first, and probably the main one, is
extremely low vapor permeability.
In simple words, this material does not “breathe” well. You should not insulate the walls from the inside with it - settling condensation will lead to the formation of mold. Experts recommend using this heat insulator outside and covering it with plaster. You can also lay polystyrene foam boards inside frame structures, but it is extremely important to create an air gap for proper ventilation.

Like regular polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam is “afraid” of certain chemical reagents.

For example, bitumen mastics, which are used as waterproofing. Under their influence, EPP becomes soft and sometimes even dissolves.

To avoid blowing through the seams, EPP boards should be laid in two layers, with bandaging

More details in the article “Foam plastic”

3

Liquid foam

Externally liquid foam (penoizol)

looks like elastic white foam, more than 90% consisting of air bubbles, which, in fact, provides a heat-saving effect.
According to the companies using this material, 10 cm of such insulation is equal to 30 cm of ordinary board foam, 20 cm of mineral wool or 2.5 m of brickwork.
Such impressive characteristics are largely due to the fact that the material is applied under pressure. Increasing in volume, the foam penetrates into the smallest depressions, cavities and cracks, forming a continuous heat-insulating layer without cold bridges.

High adhesion allows the use of liquid polystyrene for internal insulation of vertical and inclined planes, for example, attic roofs

Foamed foam insulation can be used to insulate almost any enclosed space: layered brickwork, false wall cavity, attic floor, etc.

Penoizol is especially popular among companies reconstructing old houses. After all, in order to insulate a building, you do not need to remove the façade cladding or dismantle the ceilings.

Penoizol can also be used outside the home. For example, it is used to insulate the walls of wells. To do this, you just need to make permanent formwork, spaced 3-5 centimeters from the outer walls of the shaft, and foam the resulting space.

Although carbide foam contains organic resins, it effectively resists fire and is self-extinguishing. According to the current classification in the Russian Federation, this insulation belongs to the flammability group G1 (low-flammability)

So, we have looked at the advantages of liquid foam, and there are quite a few of them. But, studying construction forums, you might think that penoizol is perhaps the worst material for insulating private houses. Of course this is not true. Most of the negative reviews are due to the fact that unscrupulous companies, seeking to save money at any cost, use low-quality raw materials and work “carelessly.” And yet it should be noted that this technology does have drawbacks.

The first, and perhaps the main one, is the environmental unsafety of the material.

. Liquid foam contains formaldehyde, which emits toxic fumes. Yes, they weather over time, but finishing work cannot be carried out in the house for another two weeks after insulation. And that's the minimum. It is advisable to wait a month or a month and a half with the “inner stuff” so as not to risk your health. As for finishing facades and other outdoor activities, there are no strict restrictions. But we repeat – it’s better not to take risks.

In addition, the relatively high hygroscopicity of liquid foam should be taken into account. Some companies add moisture-repellent agents (hydrophobizers) to the raw materials, and this minimizes the problem. But it doesn't solve it completely. Therefore, it is impossible to use liquid foam to insulate foundations and other areas that have direct contact with the soil.

Due to its low density, penoizol is categorically not suitable for insulating floors under screed. And the last problematic factor is shrinkage. Foam applied under pressure “deflates” over time. As a rule, it is insignificant - only 1-4%. But the heat-saving properties of the material are somewhat reduced.

To ensure that foam settlement is not critical, it should be applied in compliance with certain rules. So, in one pass, the material is applied to a height of no more than 3 m. But it is better to limit it to a height of 1 m. And only when the foam has slightly set, work can be resumed.

Read more in the article “Light foam”

4

Cork insulation

Cork insulation is made from granulate - a piece of bark from which a panel of acceptable sizes can be cut does not exist in nature. No synthetic glues are used; the binder is the lingin contained in the bark. However, environmental friendliness is not the main advantage of the material.

Cork oak bark is an amazing raw material. Structurally, it resembles a honeycomb: each cubic centimeter contains hundreds of thousands of tiny cells. They are filled with air, which makes up almost 90% of the total volume. This makes cork the most effective natural heat insulator. It has the same thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.037–0.04 W/m K (at t = 25°C) as mineral wool.

A 30mm thick cork panel retains heat as well as a 40cm thick brick wall or a 15cm thick timber wall

The building material of the cells is the aforementioned lignin, which not only glues the granules together, but also provides elasticity to the material, as well as suberin, a waxy substance impermeable to water. Yes, despite its wood origin, cork is completely impervious to moisture

. Wet insulation is as effective as dry insulation.

It is also worth noting that there is practically no protein in cork, which serves as a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.

But it contains a lot of tannin - tannin. This is what explains the durability of the material. By insulating your house with cork panels, you can forget about the problem forever - their lifespan is calculated in centuries. And these are not nice words from manufacturers: there are buildings with a centuries-old history that still have cork finishes to this day.

Another undeniable advantage of cork is its lightness.

One cubic meter weighs on average from 100 to 120 kg, which means it will be quite easy to install. And the load on the foundation will be minimal. This is especially important for wooden and frame structures that rest on piles or a monolithic strip foundation.

Despite its woody nature, cork is almost not subject to fire. When in contact with a flame, it does not light up, but only slowly smolders

Depending on the thickness (which varies from 5 to 30 cm), the slabs can be used to insulate walls, floors and roofs. This is a universal insulation. But why hasn’t this material displaced all other insulation materials from the market? The main limiting factor is price. Unfortunately, cork is a rather expensive material. The price for 1 m² 5 cm thick is 2277 rubles. (as of February 2021) But for effective thermal protection you need a layer at least 10 cm thick. Obviously, the cork “costs a pretty penny.” But, nevertheless, she is in demand.

Insulation of walls with cork

Cork in roof insulation

Cork in a green roof design

Read more in the article “Tested!”

5

Foam glass

Highly efficient insulation - foam glass has been known since the 30s of the last century. The method for its production was developed by the Soviet scientist I.I. Kitaygorodsky, but, unlike Western countries, where the material was successfully used in house construction, in our country it was used only in some industrial areas. Today, this “symbiosis” of glass and foam has attracted the attention of domestic private developers.

Mode of production

The material is obtained as follows. At the first stage, a mixture (charge) is prepared from finely ground silicate glass and a carbon-containing gas former, which can be coal coke, anthracite, limestone or marble. Then the mixture is sent to a tunnel furnace, where at a temperature of about 900–1000°C the glass particles are softened to a viscous-liquid state, and gaseous CO2 and CO released as a result of carbon oxidation foam the glass mass, forming closed pores in it. The final product can be presented in the form of granules and crushed stone of different fractions, slabs, blocks. Let's talk about the most popular forms of foam glass in private housing construction.

Thanks to its exceptional properties, foam glass (otherwise known as cellular glass) can provide excellent heat and sound insulation of various building structures: roofs, walls, ceilings, etc.

Granular foam glass

Foam glass in the form of granules is the optimal heat insulator for floors on the first floor of a building. Unlike, for example, expanded clay concrete, the material is not hygroscopic, which means there are no conditions for wood to rot. The vapor permeability of expanded clay is 0.21 mg/(m•h•Pa), and foam glass is 0.001–0.005 mg/(m•h•Pa), moreover, it has half the density, so when producing heat-insulating backfill, You can get by with a layer half as thin. But as for the price, there is a clear advantage of expanded clay, which costs significantly less than granulated foam glass: 1450–2750 rubles. versus 6,000-12,000 rubles. per cubic meter.

Foam glass slabs

A wide range of foam glass slabs and blocks designed for insulating various structural elements.
Foam glass slabs are a universal insulation material. In addition to excellent thermal insulation properties, they have high vapor and water resistance and exceptional strength. Foam glass has established itself as a material suitable for the construction of energy-efficient buildings using Passivhaus technology. In practice, it has been proven that if you lay 50 mm thick slabs with a thermal conductivity of 0.052 W/m•°C and a compressive strength of 16 kg/cm² between the base of the house and a brick wall, then with a temperature difference between the street and the room of 35°C (– 15 and +20°C, respectively) no condensation forms in the lower part of the wall, and its temperature is 16.3°C.

In comparison with other insulation materials, the service life of foam glass is practically unlimited, and over time it will not deteriorate its performance, and the slabs will not change their geometric dimensions, thereby eliminating heat loss through breaks in the insulating circuit. Foam glass provides noise absorption up to 56 dB, is environmentally and hygienically safe (does not emit toxic substances), and is immune to chemical influences.

The strength and load-bearing capacity of foam glass is such that a number of blocks laid under brick walls of seven floors can withstand this load without causing settlement and preventing the formation of cold bridges

One of the serious advantages of foam glass insulation is that it does not support combustion (which cannot be said about materials based on polystyrene foam) and does not deform at temperatures up to 450°C. And finally, “glass” will obviously not be to the taste of rodents and will not be harmed by microorganisms.

Slabs are produced with dimensions of 600 × 450 mm and thicknesses from 50 to 80 mm (in increments of 10 mm). For thermal insulation of building envelopes, products with a density of 150–250 kg/m³ are used. The material is easy to install: despite its rigidity, it can be easily machined (cutting, drilling) and glues well. To fasten the slabs and seal the seams between them, you should use compounds selected and recommended by the foam glass manufacturer, taking into account the characteristics of the base.

The slabs are glued outside the house directly to the insulated surface. If it is necessary to use two layers of insulation, the first of them is additionally fixed with dowels, and the second is laid with offset joints, also placing it on glue. Due to the excellent adhesive properties of foam glass, plastering work can be carried out without the use of reinforcing meshes and primers.

Read more in the article “Glass Formula”

6

Ecowool

As the name suggests, the majority of this insulation (about 81%) is recycled paper. The remaining 19% comes from antiseptics against pests and fire retardants that protect against fire. The material is extremely simple to manufacture, so it is inexpensive.

A layer of sprayed ecowool 150 mm in energy saving corresponds to a brick wall 4.5 bricks thick.
But what is more important is that paper insulation (aka ecowool) copes with its responsibilities perfectly. Just 15 cm of paper mixture corresponds in terms of heat conservation to a brick wall 4.5 bricks thick! In this case, the layer turns out to be homogeneous, without seams and voids. It is also important that it “breathes” perfectly, and therefore does not need a vapor barrier.

Another advantage of ecowool is that it can also serve as a sound insulator. A 100 mm thick layer reduces the noise level by approximately 60 dB.

Fire safety.

For material that is shredded paper, this issue is of great importance. As practice shows, cellulose insulation does not ignite upon contact with fire, but only smolders and quickly fades, having lost a heat source. But still, it’s worth dwelling on fire retardants in more detail.

Some manufacturers use ammonium sulfates and phosphates, which emit a pungent and unpleasant odor. But this is not the main problem. The trouble is that over time these additives lose their fire-retardant properties. Therefore, it is better to purchase material impregnated with borax (borax). This fire retardant does not have the disadvantages described above.

Borax protects not only from fire, but also from pests. Rodents cannot tolerate this substance, so they will not settle in the insulation layer.

Water resistance.

It would seem that the paper is not “friendly” with her. First of all, we note that it is impossible to allow any insulation to get wet - this has a very bad effect on its properties. But if an accident does occur, the cellulose fibers will retain some of the moisture that gets on it in the upper layers, from where it will quickly evaporate, so that the material will not be critically damaged.

Cellulose insulation is used to protect walls, attics, attics, roofs and floors on joists. But you can’t lay it under a screed - under the weight that has fallen, the loose material will become dense, which will reduce its useful properties to zero

The consistency of ecowool resembles fluff.
Ecowool is supplied in a compacted state (briquettes), which means that it must first be loosened. If manual installation is intended, this can be done with any convenient tools in a large container. Then the paper pulp is poured into the cavities of frame walls and ceilings. It is very important to observe the application density: for horizontal structures it is 35–40 kg/m³, for vertical structures it is 60–70 kg/m³. Obviously, this work requires a lot of time and effort. It is much faster and easier to apply the material using a special blow molding machine. It loosens the insulation itself and delivers it under pressure over a distance of up to 200 m horizontally and 40 m vertically. At the same time, ecowool penetrates into the smallest cavities and forms a uniform heat and sound insulating layer. The application density can be adjusted.

Flaws

So, it would seem that there are no obvious problems. So why is this insulation not popular among us? There are several reasons.

Let's start with the fact that in Russia there are no standards for the composition of paper insulation, so the manufacturer can regulate the quality of the product itself. It is unnecessary to say what this sometimes leads to.

During installation, there are also moments of risk. Workers interested in saving material may apply it in a looser layer than necessary. This means strict control is needed.

Although ecowool does not burn, it smolders, which means that when insulating attics and attics, you will have to insulate chimney pipes with non-combustible materials.

And finally, the most noticeable drawback is the price. The material itself is cheap, but workers’ services and equipment depreciation will also have to be paid for. The average cost of 1 m³ on a turnkey basis varies from 1,700 to 5,200 rubles.

Read more in the article “Boo...smears”

7

Sawdust

Sawdust insulation can confidently be called a time-tested technology. In the USSR it was actively used, which is reflected in SNIP II-A.7-62 “Construction heating engineering. Design Standards" 1962. Moreover, sawdust-fill houses erected in the 19th century still stand and are in use today.

To be fair, it is worth noting that most old buildings have rather thin walls - about 10-12 cm, and in cold weather they have to be heavily heated. In modern houses, the layer of sawdust insulation is much thicker - 30-35 cm, and they fully comply with heat transfer resistance standards. But what makes progressive developers abandon polyurethane foam and stone wool in favor of wood waste?

Advantages of sawdust

An important advantage of sawdust is its low cost.

A bag with a capacity of 50 liters costs on average 100-300 rubles, a compressed briquette weighing 20 kg will cost 200-230 rubles. And with some luck, you can get wood waste for free. Many industries are ready to give them away for free in order to save themselves the hassle of garbage disposal.

According to the thermal insulation characteristics of sawdust, covered with a layer of 10 cm, corresponds to 8-9 cm of mineral wool or 7 cm of polystyrene foam

However, the affordable price is not the only advantage of sawdust. This material has amazing durability.

Synthetic insulation materials, such as polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam, last on average about 30 years (PIR boards retain their stated characteristics for up to 50 years). Mineral wool “lives” a little longer - 50-70 years. Shredded wood can retain its performance properties for 100 years or even more.

It is also worth noting such a useful quality for insulation as vapor permeability.

Sawdust “breathes” perfectly, which has a beneficial effect on the microclimate of the house. In addition, the developer has the opportunity to save on vapor barrier membranes, which are simply not needed for this type of thermal insulation.

But that is not all. A house insulated with sawdust is never too damp or dry.

The fact is that crushed wood is able to absorb condensation if the air becomes too humid, and evaporate it in the opposite situation. Polymer materials cannot boast of this.

And finally, let us mention the environmental friendliness of sawdust. They do not emit unpleasant “chemical” odors and do not pose a threat to the health of the inhabitants of the house.

Disadvantages of sawdust

Of course, speaking about the advantages of sawdust, we cannot help but talk about the disadvantages. The first and main one is fire hazard.

. Despite the fact that compacted insulation does not readily ignite and smolders rather than blazes with a bright flame, it is much more afraid of fire than other materials.

In a house insulated with sawdust, it is important to strictly follow fire safety rules and keep a fire extinguisher on hand. A fire alarm would also be a good idea.

When giving preference to wood insulation, you should take into account that mice can live inside frame walls.

However, this applies to all fill-in insulation. A fine-mesh metal mesh will provide reliable protection against rodents.

Another problem is susceptibility to rotting,

which can occur due to leaks, ineffective ventilation, etc.

And finally, the complexity of the installation process.

Sawdust cannot simply be poured out of a bag and left to its own devices. They will settle, decreasing in volume by one and a half to two times, and voids will form at the top of the walls, which will become bridges of cold. Tamping required. It is made using a small wooden block or cutting a board every 20 cm of material.

In addition, pouring with lime milk is advisable. It makes tamping more efficient and also serves as an antiseptic for the wood, preventing possible rotting.

Read more in the article “And there is sawdust in my wall...”

8

Straw

The design of the wall of a domed house insulated with straw blocks
It is difficult to believe that in the twenty-first century builders still use straw, but nevertheless it is so. Threshed, crushed and well-dried stems, pressed into blocks, can serve as both thermal insulation and wall material. “Bricks” are laid between the frame posts and plastered both outside and inside.

Straw blocks have many advantages. These are high thermal insulation characteristics, the ability to absorb irritating noise, low weight, and, importantly, low price. The average cost of one block 36 × 46 × 75 cm is 150-300 rubles.

Unfortunately, there are also many disadvantages - flammability, “phobia of water”, susceptibility to biological damage and low load-bearing capacity. Turning to straw when constructing a year-round residential building is quite risky. But in small summer buildings it can be used without fear.

Important!

The frame can only be filled with straw blocks after the roof has been erected. This is necessary to protect the material from getting wet.

Rye straw is considered the best raw material for the block (rodents do not like it), but wheat straw is also used. The optimal size of the “brick” is 40 x 50 x 50 cm

9

Hemp and flax

Hemp insulation
Boards and mats are made from hemp. Both of them consist of more than 80% hemp fibers. The remaining 20% ​​comes from flame retardants and polyester. Insulation is produced in the form of plates and rolls with a thickness of 30 to 180 mm. But the most common products are standard 50 and 100 mm. The sizes of the slabs are from 60 × 120 cm to 100 × 240 cm.

Hemp is a natural antiseptic and therefore does not require any treatment against rodents, insects and mold. Even when wet, the fiber does not rot. And when it dries, it completely restores all its beneficial properties.

Elastic hemp fiber provides the slabs with the necessary rigidity and density (35-40 kg/m³). The shrinkage of this material is minimal, which cannot be said about many artificial insulation materials.

Hemp slabs are used to insulate walls, floors and floors. The cost of insulation is on average 6,000 rubles/m³. Unfortunately, at the moment there are few domestic products on the market. Foreign prevails. But there is reason to believe that in the future the situation will change for the better.

As for flax, insulation made from this raw material differs little from hemp. The thermal insulation properties of this material are in the range of 0.034-0.043 W/m·K. Like hemp, linen boards protect well from freezing, do not settle over time and, unfortunately, are quite expensive.

Linen insulation

Production of linen insulation

Insulation for the ceiling of a house - bulk, roll or slab

The main problem that every owner of a personal home faces is thermal insulation measures, including thermal insulation of the ceiling.

It is known that more than 60 percent of heat loss is due to an uninsulated ceiling or poor insulation.

The insulation of the ceiling of the house needs to be given special attention, therefore

You need to choose ceiling insulation according to a number of criteria:

• fire safety

• insulation characteristics (density and hygroscopicity)

• simplicity and accessibility of manual installation.

There are currently plenty of thermal insulation materials.

There are several technologies for insulating the ceiling of a personal home:

• using rolls or slabs (mineral wool, sheet polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam)

• spraying watery polyurethane foam.

How do professionals recommend insulating the ceiling in a house?

We study common brands of mineral wool

Mineral wool is usually divided into the following brands:

• P-75 (the number is the density in kg/m3). Such models are used mainly for horizontal planes on which there is no load. This is also written on the packaging.
• P-125. The most common area of ​​application is ceilings and floors in private homes. A special feature of this brand is its increased sound insulation properties.
• PZh-175 (the letter “zh” means increased rigidity). These grades are used primarily for wall slabs made of reinforced concrete and professional metal.
• PPZh-200 (hardness + fire safety). In terms of its properties, it is similar to the previous brand, but with one difference - it does not burn.

Ceiling thermal insulation methods

There are several methods for thermal insulation of the ceiling of a house:

• external method (with or without replacement of the roof covering)

• insulation from the inside.

An option for external insulation is created from the attic, under-roof space and attic of the house.

Naturally, this is a labor-intensive and expensive insulation method.

If you want to insulate the ceiling from the inside, then it is better to give preference to mineral insulation, made in the form of slabs or rolls.

A strong alliance with a plasterboard suspended ceiling will create a reliable barrier to heat leaking out. Let us tell you a secret, if there is a possibility of external insulation, then this option is more preferable.

Technological options for insulating the foundation slab

The most common method is to lay insulation under a concrete slab. In this case, at the construction stage, before pouring concrete, an insulating layer is laid at the bottom of the excavation.

Important! A sand base is required; the base is not a thermal insulator layer.

In terms of technology, there are also alternative methods:

• Insulation is added to the concrete solution at the time of its manufacture. Expanded clay chips are used as an insulator.
• On top of a monolithic casting. Various types of films and plates are used as insulation. In this case, the thermal insulation layer is the “finishing” surface on which the logs are laid, and on them the finished floor. Thus, the finished floor and the thermal insulation layer are separated by an air layer, which best dries moisture and traps cold from the ground.
• Combined installation method. You can lay the bottom layer, then pour a solution with expanded clay chips into the recess, and cover the base with film on top or lay felt briquettes (mineral wool) in the sheathing between the joists.

Types and characteristics

Mineral wool insulation materials are widely used.
Their popularity is explained by their high operational and technical indicators and relatively low cost.

Roll insulation based on mineral wool includes:

1. Basalt wool. The material is obtained by melting rocks of a certain type and forming thin fibers.
2. Glass wool. Insulation made from molten broken glass is affordable. Thanks to this, the material is in high demand, although it is considered obsolete.
3. Slag-like. The material is based on waste from the metallurgical industry, so it has a fairly low price.

Insulation based on mineral wool has its own distinctive properties:

• temperature resistance;
• low thermal conductivity;
• high density;
• absorption of vibrations and sound vibrations;
• no shrinkage after long-term use.

Foil roll insulation is made from expanded polystyrene foam by applying it to a layer of foil. The foil creates the effect of a thermos, pushing heat back into the room.

The main properties of foil roll insulation include:

• high thermal insulation;
• reliable vapor barrier;
• good noise absorption;
• fire safety;
• durability.

Intercrown roll insulation represents a rather specific solution. The main purpose is to fill the empty space between the crowns. Even high-quality assembly of houses from profiled timber or logs cannot guarantee a tight fit of the elements. An inter-crown heat insulator will fill the free space.

Factors determining the choice of insulation

Stone wool does not burn, retains heat well, and does not rot.
When building modern houses, much attention is paid to the choice of material for thermal insulation. Errors in selection provoke increased utility costs and great inconvenience during the cold season. There are many insulation materials on the construction market, which differ in price, installation method and technical parameters. First of all, the consumer should pay attention to the following parameters:

• thermal conductivity coefficient: the lower it is, the better the material is able to retain heat indoors;
• safety, environmental friendliness, resistance to fire, mold and rot, and environmental factors;
• cost taking into account the costs of other building materials;
• vapor permeability and the ability to pass moisture particles through;
• block size, shrinkage and weight, the ability not to lose volume under its own weight;
• hygroscopicity and moisture absorption;
• ease of installation;
• color.

By using insulation for walls or ceilings that is suitable in all respects, you can minimize possible costs and reduce costs during repairs.

The main manufacturers of insulation in rolls

The following brands are most popular among consumers:

1. The products of the German brand Knauf are absolutely safe and harmless, since they do not contain formaldehyde. The manufacturer guarantees a long service life and a wide product range, as well as the possibility of insulating both apartments and country buildings.
2. Izover roll insulation from a French manufacturer is presented to consumers in a wide range, including foil-coated material. Excellent thermal insulation properties allow the material to be used for insulating rooms both inside and outside.
3. The Spanish brand Ursa presents roll materials that have a long service life without loss of quality characteristics. The high quality of the products allows the insulation to be used not only in the private sector, but also in industrial construction.

Basic properties

When choosing an insulating material for wall, floor, ceiling and roofing surfaces, you should take into account its thermal insulation properties

Of no small importance is the fire resistance class, vapor permeability, and resistance to moisture. In all these respects, mineral wool is superior to many competing materials, and it also falls into the budget category

In all these respects, mineral wool is superior to many competing materials, and it also falls into the budget category.

Mineral wool slabs are often used to insulate ceilings, floors, walls, and roofs.

When starting to choose insulation from mineral wool slabs, it is necessary to understand the main criteria by which its suitability for use in certain conditions is assessed. The fibers of the material have a number of advantages:

high strength, the indicator of which is affected by the density of the slab; insignificant weight, which is very important in preventing overload of the created structure; prevention of rotting processes and fungal formation; repelling small pests; flammability resistance; service life up to 50 years.

Tips for choosing

When choosing roll materials for insulating rooms, you should listen to the advice of experts:

1. To insulate surfaces indoors and outdoors, it is better to use different insulation options.
2. Use a material suitable for specific types of work: for example, for walls, which means choosing insulation suitable for walls, etc.
3. When choosing the thickness of the material, you should take into account the climatic features of the area.
4. Insulation in rolls of any purpose and manufacturer must be certified.

Roll insulation materials are available to consumers in a wide range. They all have their own characteristics, their pros and cons. When choosing one or another insulation option, it is best to use the help of professionals. This will help to avoid unnecessary costs and unpleasant moments during the operation of the material.

Watch the video that explains the features of using roll insulation for pitched roofs:

Characteristics of mineral slabs according to GOST standards.

Mineral board is considered a progressive insulation made from inorganic raw materials. For its production, glass industry products are used, which are extracted from rocks, as well as metallurgical slag mixtures. Taking into account the standards of GOST 31913-2011, 3 groups of basalt mini-slabs are distinguished: 1. From stone wool. Basalt rocks, which do not contain toxic impurities or harmful additives, are used as the starting raw material for production. This allows us to produce high-quality, safe and environmentally friendly material for insulating buildings. The cost of the product is quite high, but this is justified by its advantages and distinctive properties. The main areas of operation are the installation of thermal insulation in private and industrial buildings.2. Made from glass wool. It is a type of mineral board made from staple fiberglass. The advantages of the material include increased sound and heat insulation properties. Insulating a house with a mini-slab allows you to create soundproof partitions in the room.3. Made from slag. The increased rigidity of the mineral slab does not allow its use in residential areas of the house. However, insulation is suitable for protecting equipment and building structures. A negative feature is the lack of moisture resistance. Products produced by domestic companies are resistant to moisture and do not have a long service life. And when interacting with metal products, it can provoke corrosive processes.

Distinctive advantages of basalt wool.

Thermal insulation boards made of mineral fibers have a wide list of advantages that make them popular in the construction industry. The key advantage is the low thermal conductivity of the minislab. The coefficient of this parameter varies from 0.042 to 0.048 W/m2. The declared service life exceeds 50 years. Therefore, all invested funds are compensated with savings of up to 60% on heating the building during the cold season.

In addition, the technical properties of the minislab provide a large margin of safety. The density of the material varies from 30 to 100 kg/m3. Plates of grades P75, 175 and PPZh 200 are not subject to deformation and are protected from the formation of cold bridges during prolonged use. Other advantages include:

1. Good sound absorption. Mineral wool products, which are available on our website at dealer prices, have noise-absorbing properties. In addition to preserving heat, it protects living spaces from outside noise from the street. High-quality material reduces background noise by 80%.2. Resistance to temperature changes. Rigid grades P75, P125, P175 and PPZh200 are not afraid of operation in the temperature range from -60 to +700°C. Under such conditions, the material does not lose its initial characteristics.3. Fire resistance. The mineral stove is non-flammable, and during the heating process it does not emit toxins or harmful substances. Therefore, the likelihood of the insulation catching fire becomes minimal, and the risk of poisoning by combustion products is eliminated.4. Practicality. Due to its light weight and convenient dimensions, the installation of a mineral slab is carried out without any particular difficulties. The material can be easily cut with a simple knife.

Areas of operation of slab insulation.

Construction mini-slabs are widely used when performing thermal insulation work. With its help you can insulate the roof, walls, facade of the house or ceilings. Mineral wool material is an inorganic product based on natural fibers. During the production process, the raw material is melted and formed into fibers. In addition, the composition may include third-party impurities that improve the performance properties of the material.

The areas of application of basalt slabs are quite extensive. Today they are used in: 1. Apartments. The slab allows you to insulate attics, frame walls and balconies. 2. Country buildings. The slabs are indispensable in the construction of private dwellings, including townhouses, country houses and cottages. After installation is completed, heat loss in the house through the roof structure, floor coverings and external walls is minimized. 3. Commercial premises. Among them: retail shops, shopping centers, office buildings, etc. Minslab is in demand when organizing floors, constructing frame walls or ventilation systems from the front of the house. 4. Civil and industrial facilities. In addition to thermal insulation properties, basalt slabs are suitable for sound insulation.

Roll Size Chart

For comparison, we take insulation whose thickness does not exceed 50 mm. This is due to the fact that more massive rolled thermal insulation materials roll up much worse. The review involves fiber coatings. Manufacturers of insulation in rolls:

Material gradeWidth, mmLength, mm

To compare coatings by cost and determine the most suitable option, take into account the number of strips in the package.

Principles of thermal insulation of a concrete foundation structure

To prevent freezing of the slab foundation, insulation is laid both under the monolith and along the perimeter of the structure . Despite the waterproofness of the materials used, there are seams between the heat insulation boards, so they are attached to a layer of waterproofing material.

The use of mechanical fasteners is not allowed so as not to damage the structure of the heat insulator. Therefore, the slabs are fixed with glue or cement-sand mortar. The seams between prefabricated parts are filled with polyurethane foam or other composition that is suitable for its intended purpose.

If the thickness of the heat insulation slabs is not enough, the material is attached in several layers in a checkerboard pattern to avoid the formation of “cold bridges”. The result should be a seamless surface through which moisture cannot penetrate.

Conclusion and video

Rolled thermal insulation is in many cases preferable because it is characterized by flexibility. In addition, the material of this group has low thermal conductivity, which allows it to be used to insulate an object. However, it should be borne in mind that fiber roll coatings do not tolerate contact with liquids well, so they must be carefully protected with waterproofing.

If you plan to use foam insulation, it is important to remember that they do not allow steam to pass through, which means the microclimate in the room may worsen. To avoid negative consequences when installing this type of insulation, it is recommended to install supply and exhaust ventilation or increase the efficiency of natural air circulation in the room.

Sources

• https://stroy-podskazka.ru/uteplenie/materialy/rulonnye/
• https://uteplix.com/materialy/rulonnyj-uteplitel.html
• https://dolgostroi.pro/drugoe/kakoy-uteplitel-luchshe-rulonniy-ili-plitniy.html
• https://teplo.guru/uteplenie/utepliteli/rulonnyiy.html

How to insulate?

Before carrying out foundation work, an individual developer needs to prepare material, foam for sealing joints, as well as a tool for cutting slabs.

The heat insulation sheets must have the same thickness. When possible, slabs with stepped edges are used to ensure maximum contact of materials with each other. If the gap between the insulation parts exceeds 5 mm, it is sealed with polyurethane foam.

From below

To protect the base of the house from freezing from below, a layer of insulation can be laid in two ways:

• into the body of the foundation;
• on top of the stove.

In the first case, the bottom of the pit is carefully leveled and covered with geosynthetic material. A cushion made of non-metallic material is placed on top. To do this, sand and crushed stone are poured layer by layer onto geotextiles, moistened and compacted using special equipment.

Overlapping waterproofing material is laid on the pillow, securely fixing the seams with a soldering iron . A layer of heat insulation, usually made of penoplex, is mounted on top. It is convenient to work by joining the slabs using a locking system.

The seams are sealed with polyurethane foam. One of the next technological stages will be to lay the reinforcement cage and utility networks on the horizontal surface of the insulation.

Thermal insulation of a slab foundation can be carried out on top of the slab:

1. 
   Waterproofing is installed on the monolith.

2. Logs are mounted on top.
3. A layer of thermal insulation is laid between the joists.
4. A waterproofing film is attached to the joists on top.
5. Install a plank base as a subfloor.

Since penoplex has increased strength, in this case you can do without logs. The slabs are placed on the waterproofing layer with a continuous surface, a substrate is laid on top and a finishing coating is arranged.

Along the perimeter

Thermal insulation of the slab foundation along the perimeter can significantly reduce heat loss in the house . Insulation boards are installed in a vertical position along the inner perimeter of the board formwork.

If a knitted reinforcement frame is used for a monolithic slab, then a layer of waterproofing film is laid to protect the insulation from the liquid components of the concrete solution. When the reinforced frame is assembled by welding, a thin screed of low-grade concrete must be made on top of the waterproofing insulation.

The insulation can also be placed on a finished monolithic slab with already implemented waterproofing . The heat insulator is attached to the surface with glue or through melted bitumen. The means for fixing the materials is applied pointwise, and then the canvas is pressed tightly against the wall.

Thermal insulation of the base begins from below, laying out the parts first in a horizontal row. Each subsequent sheet is attached butt to the previous one.

Changing the position of the heat insulator two minutes after applying the fixing solution is not allowed!