Thermal insulation is an important step in home decoration. It allows the room to stay warm longer, which leads to lower heating costs. Insulation is done at the construction stage (for example, when isolating the foundation) or during repair work (ceiling, walls). To create insulation, different materials are used with their own properties, characteristics and conditions of use.
Features of heaters
A heat insulator is a material that has low thermal conductivity and protects the room from heat loss. It is used for insulation of residential and non-residential buildings. Heat-resistant high-temperature materials for stoves are used in the bath and sauna. It is better to choose a waterproof insulation so that the installation of waterproofing is not required.
The range of insulation materials is wide. They differ in their composition, structure, thermal conductivity, vapor and waterproofing properties, and application conditions. They can be used to insulate the floor, ceiling, pipeline, building facade and other important parts of the house. A prerequisite is that a material that does not transmit heat to the outside must have a low level of thermal conductivity. Determining the appropriate look depends on the application and the type of surface to be insulated.
Styrofoam
The most famous inorganic insulation is polystyrene foam. It is an inexpensive material with high efficiency, which is usually used for wall insulation. Positive characteristics include:
- Low cost. The cost of manufacturing thermal insulation is minimal, and it is required less than other thermal insulators.
- Ease of installation.
- Versatility. Suitable for thermal insulation of different parts of the house.
- High efficiency.
- Low coefficient of thermal conductivity.
- Practically does not absorb moisture.
- Good insulation.
- Resistant to alcohols, alkalis.
- Environmentally friendly.
Polyfoam has a vapor permeability coefficient of 0.05 mg. Operated at temperatures from -60 ° C to + 80 ° C. It has a cellular structure and does not absorb liquid well.
Disadvantages:
- Flammability. At the stage of industrial production, ingredients that increase fire resistance are added to the insulation foam, but it is still considered combustible.
- Deformation of characteristics during prolonged exposure to temperatures above 80 ° C. It is not recommended to put in saunas and other buildings with high temperatures.
- Rodents can damage the insulation.
Despite its shortcomings, polystyrene has established itself as a high-quality insulation for home and summer cottages. Thermal insulation sheet material is used for walls and floors. The roll view is used for pipes.
Penoplex
Penoplex is equally well suited for indoor and outdoor use
Materials for thermal insulation are known as penoplex, expanded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene. It is a foam with improved characteristics.
The structure of the material is fine-celled, due to which its strength is higher than that of foam. It will also differ in other characteristics.
Main advantages:
- High degree of strength. Does not deform under loads, while the plates are easy to cut with a knife.
- Environmental friendliness.
- Resistant to fungus formation. The material is not affected by rodents.
- Low vapor permeability.
- Duration of operation.The shelf life is 50 years.
- Refers to the number of materials with low thermal conductivity.
There are different types of foam that are used to insulate facades, foundations, roofs, walls in a house or a bath.
Glass wool
Thermal insulation material consists of sand and glass raw materials, which are drawn into thin fibers under the influence of high temperatures. It is sold in mats and rolls and can be used to insulate vertical and horizontal surfaces.
Benefits:
- Availability. Due to its low cost, the polymer remains in demand.
- Convenience of transportation and use.
- Easy to cut.
- Safety. If you take into account the nuances when laying materials, there will be no difficulties.
- Lack of rodents.
- Non-flammability.
- Soundproofing.
Disadvantages:
- Fragility.
- The need for personal protective equipment when working with the material. The specialist must have goggles, a respirator and thick rubber gloves, otherwise it is prohibited to carry out work.
- Thermal conductivity. Other types of insulation have a lower value.
Glass wool is usually used to insulate floors and ceilings. It is also sometimes used for wall decoration.
Mineral wool
The heat insulator is also known as basalt, stone, mineral wool. One of the distinctive properties of the material is safety in use.
Has a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.077-0.12 W / m * K. It is considered one of the best heat insulators in terms of its characteristics.
Benefits:
- Lack of harmful substances in the composition. Environmentally friendly and organic heat insulator.
- Withstands prolonged exposure to high and low temperatures.
- Not susceptible to infection by fungus, mold.
- Not subject to combustion. The fibers of the product melt, but no further spread of fire occurs.
- It is used in the insulation of any buildings at any stage of construction, decoration or operation.
The disadvantages include the need to build a false wall. Without it, it is impossible to install thermal insulation. Also, insulating stone wool is expensive.
The thickness of the laying in the middle lane is 15-20 cm, and in the warm southern regions - up to 10 cm.
Polyurethane foam
The insulation contains polyester with the addition of water, reagents and emulsifiers. Insulation properties:
- Thermal conductivity coefficient 0.019-0.028 W / m * K.
- Application method - spraying. You will need to purchase additional equipment for installation.
- Low weight, which does not put additional pressure on the structure.
The benefits include:
- Easy to install. The use of fasteners and additional accessories is not required.
- Duration of operation.
- Resistance to low and cold temperatures, atmospheric precipitation.
- Environmental safety for humans and the environment.
- Corrosion protection of metal structures.
Polyurethane foam can be used on any surface, even glass, wood, plastic and painted walls. It is important to protect the material from direct sunlight.
