One of the best modern thermal insulation materials (TIM) is Penofol roll insulation. It is widely used for insulating loggias, walls, roofs, during construction and repair work. It is used to insulate pipes for heating and water supply systems. Penofol is a representative of a new class TIM, the action of which is based on the reflection of thermal radiation. This class of insulation is called reflective insulation (RTI).
Features of Penofol
The material is gas-filled polyethylene. The ethylene-based polymer is chemically inert, environmentally friendly, has a wide range of insulating properties (heat, sound, hydro and electrical insulation) and low weight.
Penofol consists of several parts:
- polyethylene foam base
- foil (foil basalt wool) on one or both sides of the polymer.
The thickness of the foil is 20 microns, and the thickness and density of the polymer layer may vary. Most often, Penofol foil insulation is used with a thickness of 2 to 10 mm, in special projects they are used with a thickness of up to 40 mm.
Specifications
Penofol can be used in the temperature range -60 / + 95 ° C. The thermal reflection from the surface is greater than 97%.
For comparison, to get the same thermal insulation value you need:
- the layer of expanded polystyrene is 1.8 times thicker;
- the layer of mineral wool is 2.2 times larger.
The thicker the insulating layer, the more space it requires, reducing the volume of the room.
Advantages and disadvantages
Being one of the latest technological solutions to the issue of thermal insulation, foamed polyethylene foam has both strong and weak qualities.
Material advantages:
- insignificant thickness with high rates of thermal insulation;
- ease of use - does not require special equipment, can be easily cut with ordinary scissors;
- the material is soft, does not crumble or break when used;
- environmentally friendly;
- good hydro and noise insulator;
- fireproof;
- rolls are easily transported;
- affordable.
For comparison: the popular insulation mineral wool is almost 2 times inferior in thermal insulation properties to Penofol, with low moisture resistance it has a limitation on use in wet rooms. Therefore, choosing between foamed polyethylene and mineral wool, preference is given to the former.
The weak side of Penofol is its softness - with slight pressure, it bends, which does not allow using the material under plaster or wallpaper.
Scope of application
Penofol can be used as the main or additional reflective thermal insulation. As the main material, it is used to insulate walls from the inside, and in wooden houses for underfloor heating.
As additional thermal insulation, the material is used in the arrangement of residential and industrial premises.
The use of Penofol allows you to solve several issues at once:
- reflection of dissipated heat;
- waterproofing;
- vapor barrier.
The material can be used not only for internal work - the insulation is also effective for insulating the walls of the house from the outside.
Types of Penofol
The material is available in several modifications. The main types and area of use.
- Type A. Foamed polymer is covered with foil on one side only. During installation, the aluminum side must face the interior of the room.
- Type B. The polymer is covered with a reflective film on both sides. Such an insulator will effectively reflect excess temperature in hot weather and keep the internal heat of the room in cold weather.
- Type C. Modification similar to type A: the polymer is foil-coated on one side only. The other side is a self-adhesive surface. Such OTI is used in places inconvenient for installation, since it does not require any fasteners.
Lightweight and environmentally friendly heat insulator will help keep the whole house warm. Penofol is used to insulate the floor, roof and walls on both sides. It can be easily installed in the space behind the radiator. Ideal for insulating a loggia or balcony.
When using OTI, there must be an air layer of at least 2 cm between the insulation and other elements.
Insulation of walls and floors of premises, balconies and loggias
Modern insulating materials allow, with even a little experience, to make insulation of a room or balcony with your own hands. It is used as an additional one - the main insulation of a room or balcony is performed with penoplex.
Before attaching Penofol, all cracks or gaps must be filled with polyurethane foam.
In a similar way, together using Penoplex and Penofol, they insulate the loggia.
Thermal insulation scheme for a room or balcony:
- Level and prime the surface with a primer.
- Attach the foam insulation panels.
- Attach Penofol strips with the reflective side to the room.
Penofol strips are tightly joined together and sealed with aluminum tape.
For the final finishing of the walls, you will need a frame for drywall or plastic panels. When insulating the floor, a reinforcing layer is made and poured with a screed.
Under floor heating
Underfloor heating, water or electric, requires mandatory thermal insulation. The most popular material is Penofol. It is laid directly on the floor with the foil side up. The thickness of Penofol for underfloor heating is chosen so as not to raise the surface too much.
When using cement mortars for floor finishing materials, the Penofol aluminum coating undergoes partial destruction - this is taken into account by the material manufacturers, therefore the reflective layer is applied with a significant excess.
Penofol insulation in a wooden house
Inside a wooden house, it is effective to use Penofol foil insulation for walls in all rooms. When mounted on walls or ceilings, it is placed between two layers of lathing from beams, at a distance of 2 cm from each. You can fix it with a furniture stapler or small nails. The insulation is fixed on the lathing joint to joint. The joint line is additionally insulated with aluminum tape.
The inner lathing serves for fixing panels or sheet materials, which will be painted or pasted over with wallpaper.
Penofol is not used to insulate the facade of wooden houses - the material "does not breathe", because of the accumulated moisture, the tree will collapse.
The use of all-grade polyethylene in wooden houses and outbuildings has another plus - due to its small thickness, rodents do not settle in it. When using foam or mineral wool, there is such a problem.
Foamed polyethylene foam is successfully used for warming any premises, has a high thermal insulation rate and does not require additional equipment. Among modern materials, Penofol is one of the best representatives of reflective thermal insulation.
