Varieties of materials and methods of insulation of brick walls

Brick houses are solid and durable. Natural material provides natural air exchange, does not burn, looks attractive without additional finishing. One of the disadvantages of brick blocks is their high thermal conductivity. In addition, thermal inertia requires a lot of time to warm up the walls. The solution to the problem is to increase the thickness of the masonry or the use of thermal insulation. Insulation of a brick wall from the inside, made in compliance with the technology, will provide a comfortable temperature in the house.

Requirements for vapor permeability

The technology of insulating a brick house from the inside causes controversy among specialists. Many people do not recommend using this method. The reason is the low vapor permeability of thermal insulation materials and the appearance of moisture on the walls. According to building codes, the vapor permeability of materials must increase from the inside out. The possibility of penetration of water vapor through the walls allows you to get rid of moisture accumulating in the room.

If problems arise in its diversion, dampness appears, mold and mildew grows. Microorganisms are dangerous to human health, they cause asthma, respiratory diseases. Moisture causes walls to collapse. To prevent negative factors, it is necessary to correctly choose materials for thermal insulation and observe the technology of installing insulation.

Features of internal insulation

Houses made of bricks, aerated concrete, aerated concrete blocks or panel blocks are best insulated from the side of the facade. But there are objective reasons why it is impossible to perform the procedure:

• a ban on changing the facade of the building;
• the room is bordered by a staircase or an elevator;
• insufficient funds to pay for services on the upper floors of a multi-storey building;
• there is an expansion joint on the structure.

The material for thermal insulation must meet the criteria for safety and environmental friendliness. During operation, the release of toxic vapors harmful to human health is not allowed. Another feature of the placement of materials from the inside of the room is the appearance of moisture on the walls. To prevent getting wet, insulating materials with minimal vapor permeability are chosen.

Insulation will be the basis for finishing. A solid surface will be provided by products in slabs - penoplex, expanded polystyrene, chipboard, warm plaster.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

Before starting repair work, it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons of the method. If there are more positive points, it is worth taking the thermal insulation of the brick walls from the inside.

Benefits:

• Heat does not escape through walls and heating costs are reduced.
• It is not required to obtain permission to carry out repair work.
• You can do the installation of insulation with your own hands.
• Work is carried out at any time of the year, regardless of weather conditions.

Disadvantages of technology:

• Falling out of condensation on the building envelope.
• Reducing the usable area of ​​the room.
• An increase in the level of moisture in the room, requiring the creation of forced ventilation.
• Freezing and wetting of external walls accelerates the destruction processes.

When choosing the optimal material for thermal insulation, a significant role is assigned to the coefficient of thermal conductivity. The lower this indicator, the more efficiently heat is retained in the house. Also, such an insulator can be mounted with a thin layer. It takes up less free space in the room.

Popular materials for insulating a brick house

When deciding to install thermal insulation indoors, it is important to choose the right material. Traditionally, the problem of keeping heat is solved with the help of foam, extruded polystyrene foam, mineral wool. In addition to these materials, there are modern roll and sprayed insulation. The apartment owners decide which heat insulator to use individually. In many cases, the cost of building materials is the deciding factor.

Expanded polystyrene

Polyfoam is the most affordable, and therefore popular insulation. It is made by foaming polystyrene. Gas-filled cells provide low heat transfer and excellent sound insulation properties. The material does not absorb moisture, is resistant to biological effects. Styrofoam is easy to cut, glued to the wall using a special solution. The disadvantage of the material is flammability. For safety, it is recommended to finish the insulation with a layer of plaster.

Penoplex

Extruded polystyrene foam (EPS) is characterized by high density, low thermal conductivity and vapor permeability. It is lightweight and does not absorb moisture. The material is produced in the form of slabs with groove-tongue connection. They are easy to install, can be glued directly to the wall, without installing a frame. The advantages of the material are:

• small slab thickness - 40-50 mm;
• resistance to fungi and mold;
• long service life;
• compression resistance.

When using EPS, it is not required to install a vapor barrier membrane. To create an airtight coating that does not allow moisture to pass through, it is necessary to treat all seams between the plates with polyurethane foam. The cost of extruded polystyrene foam is higher than that of polystyrene foam. But the material has improved performance characteristics.

Mineral (basalt) wool

Mineral wool has good vapor permeability, which is a disadvantage in the case of internal insulation. To prevent it from getting wet, it is necessary to cover the wall with a special waterproofing membrane or plastic wrap. The material is used in slabs and mats. The first option is preferable, the cotton wool will not sag due to the increased rigidity.

Basalt insulation is safe for health, does not burn, absorbs noise. The disadvantages of the material include the complexity of installation. It will be necessary to create a multi-layer vapor-tight cake and install it using frame technology. The insulation needs to be finished with plasterboard or OSB boards.

Penofol

Foamed polyethylene with a foiled outer layer refers to roll insulation. It is not afraid of moisture and can be installed without waterproofing. The foam backing contributes to thermal insulation, while the aluminum foil reflects infrared radiation. Thin material is rarely used on its own. It serves as an excellent addition to the installation of mineral wool.

Modern methods of insulation

New heaters have appeared on the construction market with all the necessary properties for installation in an apartment.

Warm plaster

A universal mixture based on cement or gypsum received heat-insulating properties due to the introduction of a porous filler into the composition. Plaster manufacturers use expanded clay, foam glass balls, perlite, vermiculite and expanded polystyrene granules.Working with mortar is no different from the traditional process of plastering walls. The advantage of the method is the absence of cold bridges. The plaster adheres well to any type of surface.

Sprayed polyurethane foam (PPU)

The composition has low thermal conductivity, does not allow steam and moisture to pass through. It is securely fixed on a brick, concrete, wooden surface. The continuous layer avoids the effect of cold bridges. Spraying is carried out by a machine method, which reduces the time of repair work. The material is safe for health, approved for use in residential premises. The airtight coating is done in a thin layer, does not take up much space. The only drawback is the high cost of work and the need to use special equipment.

Liquid ceramic insulation

Liquid insulation is still a novelty. The building material resembles acrylic paint, but it contains ceramic granules that reduce heat loss. It is applied directly to the wall in several layers using a brush or spray gun. The composition prevents the appearance of condensation, when applied, no seams remain. In terms of performance, a 1.5 cm layer is equal to 50 mm of mineral wool.

How to prevent condensation

Thermal insulation of walls inside a brick house leads to a shift in the dew point. Under normal conditions it is located outside or in the middle of the supporting structure. After installing the thermal insulation, warm air from the room collides with the cold wall, forming condensation on it. Constant moisture leads to structural destruction. It is especially destructive for silicate bricks. Dampness becomes a fertile environment for the development of microorganisms. High humidity negatively affects the condition of the insulation. Mineral wool loses its performance characteristics if it gets wet.

There are several ways to avoid condensation problems:

1. Before insulating brick walls from the inside, install a hydro and vapor barrier membrane for sealing. Mount the canvas with an overlap of 5 cm, glue the joints with tape.
2. Use a heat insulator with a minimum vapor permeability. The material will not allow moisture to pass to the wall.
3. Lay the insulation close to the enclosing structure, apply the adhesive in a continuous layer.
4. Arrange high-quality ventilation in the room. Moisture removal will reduce the amount of vapors entering the insulation.

It is recommended to lay the insulation with an approach to the floor and ceiling in order to avoid the creation of cold bridges.

Required tools and materials

The popularity of expanded polystyrene in the insulation of houses is explained by the low cost of the material, excellent insulating properties and ease of installation. To complete the work you will need:

• building level;
• roulette;
• stapler;
• hacksaw;
• screwdriver;
• putty knife.

It is necessary to prepare materials:

• foam plates with a density of 25-35 kg / cu. m, 50-100 mm thick;
• glue mixture;
• polyurethane foam;
• fiberglass;
• plastic dowels.

To dilute glue and plaster, you will need buckets, as well as a mixer attachment for a screwdriver.

Stages of wall insulation

Insulation of a brick house from the inside with expanded polystyrene occurs in several stages:

1. Cleaning and leveling the walls.
2. Surface treatment with a penetrating primer. The composition will improve adhesion and protect against mold.
3. An adhesive is applied to the foam plates. The material is pressed against the wall for a few seconds.
4. All rows are stacked with a shift of half the sheet.
5. For reliability, the plates are fixed with plastic dowels with fungi.
6. The seams between the insulation are sealed with foam.
7. After drying, fiberglass is applied to the surface of the expanded polystyrene and plastering is performed.

Painting and wallpapering are used as the finishing of the walls.

Insulation of brick houses from the inside is a justified measure to maintain a comfortable temperature with low heating costs. The main thing is to choose the right material and mount it according to the instructions.