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How thick should the insulation be, comparison of the thermal conductivity of materials. Comparison of thermal insulation of wall materials High-quality insulation with a low thermal conductivity coefficient

Today, manufacturers of thermal insulation materials offer developers a truly huge selection of materials. At the same time, everyone assures us that their insulation is ideal for insulating a house. Due to such a variety of building materials, accept correct solution in favor of a certain material is really quite difficult. In this article, we decided to compare insulation materials in terms of thermal conductivity and other equally important characteristics.

It’s worth first talking about the main characteristics of thermal insulation that you need to pay attention to when purchasing. Comparisons of insulation by characteristics should be made keeping in mind their purpose. For example, despite the fact that mineral wool is stronger than mineral wool, but near an open fire or at high operating temperatures, it is worth buying fire-resistant insulation for your own safety.

Thermal conductivity. The lower this indicator for the material, the less it will be necessary to lay a layer of insulation, which means that the cost of purchasing materials will be reduced (if the cost of the materials is in the same price range). The thinner the insulation layer, the less space will be “eaten up”.

Moisture permeability. Low moisture and vapor permeability increases the service life of thermal insulation and reduces the negative impact of moisture on the thermal conductivity of the insulation during subsequent operation, but this increases the risk of condensation on the structure due to poor ventilation.

Fire safety. If insulation is used in a bathhouse or boiler room, then the material should not support combustion, but rather must withstand high temperatures. But if you have a blind area at home, then the characteristics of moisture resistance and strength come to the fore.

Cost-effective and easy to install. The insulation must be affordable, otherwise it will simply be impractical to insulate the house. It is also important to insulate brick facade At home it would be possible to do it on your own, without resorting to the help of specialists or using expensive installation equipment.

Environmental friendliness. All materials for construction must be safe for humans and surrounding nature. Let's not forget to mention good sound insulation, which is very important for cities where it is important to protect your home from noise from the street.

What characteristics are important when choosing insulation? What should you pay attention to and ask the seller? Is only thermal conductivity decisive when purchasing insulation, or are there other parameters that are worth considering? And a bunch of similar questions come to the developer’s mind when it comes time to choose insulation. In the review, let us pay attention to the most popular types of thermal insulation.

Foam plastic (expanded polystyrene)

Polystyrene foam is the most popular insulation material today due to its ease of installation and low cost. It is made by foaming polystyrene, has low thermal conductivity, is easy to cut and convenient for installation. However, the material is fragile and fire hazard; when burned, the foam releases harmful, toxic substances. Expanded polystyrene is preferably used in non-residential premises.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Extrusion is not susceptible to moisture and rotting; it is a very durable and easy-to-install insulation. Technoplex slabs have high strength and compression resistance and do not decompose. Thanks to their properties, they are used to insulate blind areas and foundations of buildings. Extruded polystyrene foam is durable and easy to use.

Basalt (mineral) wool

Insulation is produced from rocks by melting and blowing them to obtain a fibrous structure. Basalt wool can withstand high temperatures, does not burn and does not cake over time. The material is environmentally friendly, has good sound insulation and thermal insulation. Manufacturers recommend using mineral wool to insulate attics and other residential premises.

Fiberglass (glass wool)

When many people hear the word glass wool, they associate it with Soviet material, however modern materials based on fiberglass do not cause skin irritation. A common disadvantage of mineral wool and fiberglass is low moisture resistance, which requires reliable moisture and vapor barriers when installing insulation. The material is not recommended for use in wet areas.

Foamed polyethylene

This roll insulation has a porous structure, various thicknesses are often produced with the application of an additional layer of foil for a reflective effect. Isolon is 10 times thinner than traditional insulation, but retains up to 97% of heat. The material does not allow moisture to pass through, has low thermal conductivity due to its porous structure and does not emit harmful substances.

Spray insulation

Sprayed thermal insulation includes PPU (polyurethane foam) and. The main disadvantages of these insulation materials include the need for special equipment to apply them. At the same time, sprayed thermal insulation creates a durable, continuous coating on the structure without cold bridges, while the structure will be protected from moisture, since polyurethane foam is a moisture-proof material.

Comparison of insulation materials. Thermal conductivity table

Comparison of insulation materials by thermal conductivity

The requirements for private houses and apartments in terms of heat retention have increased significantly. Many resort to additional finishing of attic floors, external walls due to the constant increase in energy costs.

Behind last years Enough materials have appeared that can significantly improve heat conservation in a private house or apartment. They also have a number of other properties, which overall make them an excellent alternative to major renovations.

Varieties and description

Consumers are offered materials with different mechanical properties to choose from.

The ease of installation and properties largely depend on this. According to this indicator, they distinguish:

1. Foam blocks. Made from concrete with special additives. As a result of the chemical reaction, the structure becomes porous.
2. Plates. Construction material of varying thickness and density, manufactured by pressing or gluing.
3. Cotton wool. Sold in rolls and characterized by a fibrous structure.
4. Granules (crumbs). with foam substances of various fractions.

It is important to know: selection of material is carried out taking into account properties, cost and purpose. The use of the same insulation for walls and attic floor will not achieve the desired effect unless it is indicated that it is intended for a specific surface.

The raw materials for insulation can be various substances. They are all divided into two categories:

• organic based on peat, reeds, wood;
• inorganic - made from foam concrete, minerals, asbestos-containing substances, etc.

Basic properties

The effectiveness of a material largely depends on three main characteristics. Namely:

1. Thermal conductivity. This is the main indicator of the material, expressed by a coefficient calculated in watts per 1 square meter. Depending on the level of heat retention required different quantities insulation. It is significantly influenced by the moisture absorption rate.
2. Density. No less important characteristic. The higher the density porous material, the more efficiently heat will be retained inside the building. In most cases, it is this indicator that is decisive when choosing insulation for walls, floors or roofs.
3. Hygroscopicity. Moisture resistance is very important. For example, basement floors, which are located in damp places, it is important to insulate them with a material with the lowest hygroscopicity, such as, for example, plastiform.

You need to pay attention to a number of other indicators. These are resistance to mechanical damage, temperature changes, flammability and durability.

Comparison of key indicators

To understand how effective this or that insulation will be, it is necessary to compare the main indicators of the materials. This can be done by looking at Table 1.

Table 1 Comparison thermal insulation properties materials

However, many people prefer plastiform, mineral wool or cellular concrete. This is due to individual preferences, installation features and some physical properties.

Features of application

Before deciding on materials for finishing a private house or apartment, it is necessary to correctly calculate the thickness of the layer of a particular insulation.

1. For horizontal surfaces (floor, ceiling) you can use almost any material. Application of an additional layer with high mechanical strength Necessarily.
2. It is recommended to insulate basement floors with building materials with low hygroscopicity. High humidity must be taken into account. Otherwise, the insulation will partially or completely lose its properties under the influence of moisture.
3. For vertical surfaces (walls), it is necessary to use plate-sheet type materials. Bulk or rolled ones will sag over time, so you need to carefully consider the method of fastening.

Installation of various types

When choosing a particular material for better heat retention in a house or apartment, you need to take into account the features of its installation. Complexity and set of tools for carrying out installation work largely depends on the form of thermal insulation. Namely:

• expanded clay For use exclusively on floors and interfloor ceilings. You need an entrenching tool and additional building materials (screed or boards). You will also need a waterproofing layer in the form of roofing felt or other similar material.
• mineral wool . Correct installation involves the use hand tools for attaching the frame. Mineral wool is very easily installed in pre-prepared cells, but uniform fastening is required over the entire plane. Waterproofing layer on top of the insulation - required condition long-term operation. Can be used for vertical and horizontal surfaces.

Note: When installing any type of insulation, it is important to remember about hydro- and vapor barriers. It is very important to protect the finish from direct exposure to moisture.

• Styrofoam. The slabs are attached to the surface with dowels with “nickels”. Among necessary tools screwdriver, hammer drill, construction knife and dowels. The shape of the building material and light weight even allows you to independently complete the entire volume of work in a short period of time.
• foam glass. For a tight connection to the surface, they are used mechanical fastenings or solutions (cement, mastic and other adhesive compositions). The choice depends on the wall material. Blocks are very popular, but slabs and granules are also available.

What to choose

Every year new building materials appear at various exhibitions. With their help, you can significantly reduce energy costs during the cold season. But which one will it be? optimal solution in all respects. Expert opinions differ in many respects.

The selection of material is based on properties, cost and ease of installation. Manufacturers apply certain markings to products, which greatly simplifies the choice. For example, foam plastic for walls, floors or roofs has different properties and has special marks.

Many people prefer mineral wool in dry rooms, polystyrene foam in rooms with high humidity, and sprayed insulation for hard-to-reach places.

Which insulation is better: ecowool, stone wool or polystyrene foam, see the following video:

Last time we determined . Today we will compare insulation materials. Table with general characteristics you can find in the article summary. We have selected the most popular materials, including mineral wool, polyurethane foam, penoizol, polystyrene foam and ecowool. As you can see, this is universal insulation with a wide range of applications.

Comparison of thermal conductivity of insulation

The higher the thermal conductivity, the worse the material works as insulation.

It is not without reason that we start comparing insulation materials based on thermal conductivity, since this is undoubtedly the most important characteristic. It shows how much heat a material transmits, not over a certain period of time, but constantly. Thermal conductivity is expressed by a coefficient and is calculated in watts per square meter. For example, a coefficient of 0.05 W/m*K indicates that square meter constant heat loss is 0.05 Watt. The higher the coefficient, the better material conducts heat, and accordingly, it works worse as insulation.

Below is a comparison table popular insulation materials by thermal conductivity:

Having studied the above types of insulation and their characteristics, we can conclude that, with equal thickness, the most effective thermal insulation among all is liquid two-component polyurethane foam (PPU).

The thickness of the thermal insulation is of utmost importance; it must be calculated for each case individually. The result is influenced by the region, the material and thickness of the walls, and the presence of air buffer zones.

Comparative characteristics of insulation materials show that thermal conductivity is affected by the density of the material, especially for mineral wool. The higher the density, the less air there is in the insulation structure. As is known, air has a low thermal conductivity coefficient, which is less than 0.022 W/m*K. Based on this, as density increases, the coefficient of thermal conductivity also increases, which negatively affects the ability of the material to retain heat.

Comparison of vapor permeability of insulation materials

High vapor permeability = no condensation.

Vapor permeability is the ability of a material to allow air to pass through, and with it steam. That is, the thermal insulation can breathe. On this characteristic of home insulation Lately Manufacturers pay a lot of attention. In fact, high vapor permeability is only needed when . In all other cases this criterion is not categorically important.

Characteristics of insulation in terms of vapor permeability, table:

A comparison of wall insulation materials showed that the highest degree of vapor permeability is achieved by natural materials, while polymer insulation has an extremely low coefficient. This indicates that materials such as polyurethane foam and polystyrene foam have the ability to retain steam, that is, they perform . Penoizol is also a kind of polymer that is made from resins. Its difference from polyurethane foam and polystyrene foam lies in the structure of the cells that open. In other words, it is a material with an open-cell structure. The ability of thermal insulation to transmit steam is closely related to the following characteristic - moisture absorption.

Review of hygroscopicity of thermal insulation

High hygroscopicity is a disadvantage that needs to be eliminated.

Hygroscopicity is the ability of a material to absorb moisture, measured as a percentage of its own weight of insulation. Hygroscopicity can be called weak side thermal insulation and the higher this value, the more serious measures will be required to neutralize it. The fact is that water, getting into the structure of the material, reduces the effectiveness of the insulation. Comparison of hygroscopicity of the most common thermal insulation materials in civil engineering:

A comparison of the hygroscopicity of home insulation showed high moisture absorption of penoizol, while this thermal insulation has the ability to distribute and remove moisture. Thanks to this, even when wet by 30%, the thermal conductivity coefficient does not decrease. Despite the fact that mineral wool has a low percentage of moisture absorption, it especially needs protection. Having absorbed the water, it holds it, preventing it from leaving. At the same time, the ability to prevent heat loss is catastrophically reduced.

To prevent moisture from getting into the mineral wool, use vapor barrier films And diffusion membranes. Basically, polymers are resistant to prolonged exposure to moisture, with the exception of ordinary polystyrene foam, which quickly deteriorates. In any case, water does not benefit any thermal insulation material, so it is extremely important to exclude or minimize their contact.

Installation and operational efficiency

Installation of polyurethane foam is quick and easy.

Comparison of the characteristics of insulation materials should be carried out taking into account installation, because this is also important. Easiest to work with liquid thermal insulation, such as polyurethane foam and penoizol, but this requires special equipment. It is also easy to lay ecowool (cellulose) on horizontal surfaces, for example, when or attic floor. To spray ecowool on walls using the wet method, special devices are also needed.

Polystyrene foam is laid both on the sheathing and directly on work surface. In principle, this also applies to slabs made of stone wool. Moreover, lay slab insulation Can be used on both vertical and horizontal surfaces (including under screed). Soft glass wool in rolls is laid only on the sheathing.

During operation, the thermal insulation layer may undergo some undesirable changes:

• absorb moisture;
• shrink;
• become a home for mice;
• collapse from exposure to IR rays, water, solvents, etc.

In addition to all of the above, the fire safety of thermal insulation is important. Comparison of insulation materials, flammability group table:

Results

Today we reviewed the most commonly used home insulation materials. Based on comparison results different characteristics we obtained data regarding thermal conductivity, vapor permeability, hygroscopicity and the degree of flammability of each of the insulation materials. All this data can be combined into one common table:

In addition to these characteristics, we have determined that it is easiest to work with liquid insulation and ecowool. PPU, penoizol and ecowool (installation using the wet method) are simply sprayed onto the work surface. Dry ecowool is poured manually.

The purpose of building insulation work is to retain heat in winter, save energy resources and reduce the cost of heating a home. Years of practice have shown that the most effective way insulate a private house, is to sheathe the outside with one of the insulation materials. The question is which one to choose, because construction market offered a large assortment new materials.

Table indicators

The table below will help you avoid making mistakes in choosing a thermal insulation material. It indicates not only the thermal conductivity coefficient, but also the degree of vapor permeability, which plays an important role in the use of insulation in outdoor work.

ABOUT additional properties construction insulation materials, which determine the reaction of materials to various physical influences, such as water absorption, thermal expansion, heat capacity, can be found in reference books of building materials.

The table shows that mineral (basalt) wool has the greatest vapor permeability. In addition, it has a fairly low thermal conductivity, which makes it possible to use thinner slabs for insulation.

Foam glass has the lowest heat saving coefficient, so it is better to use it when the question is how to insulate the foundation of a house from the outside.

If we compare mineral wool with polystyrene foam and other types of insulation listed in the table, then they have lower vapor permeability, having approximately the same thermal conductivity. Consequently, walls covered with these materials will “breathe” less.

What to look for when choosing

The first thing you should be interested in when buying insulation is its thermal insulation performance, and the lower the thermal conductivity figure, the better it will keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer.

The heat capacity of a material depends on its ability to accumulate and retain heat. The greater its density, the more energy the insulation can accumulate, therefore the best insulation materials those in the structure of which there are many bubble formations or microscopic cavities isolated from each other.

The next indicator is vapor permeability. The higher it is, the better excess moisture will be removed from the building and the less it will accumulate in the walls of the house. Materials with low vapor permeability properties reduce the building’s ability to retain heat, and it is necessary to install improved forced ventilation, and these are extra costs.

Low-weight insulation is easier to transport, install, and is always cheaper. But most importantly, hanging it requires fewer fastening devices, and there is no need to strengthen the walls and foundation. The flammability of materials also plays an important role, especially when insulating. wooden buildings. The most fire-resistant are foam glass and basalt wool.

It is possible based on several fundamental characteristics.

Main characteristics of thermal insulation materials

Thermal conductivity. The lower the thermal conductivity, the less insulation layer is required, which means your insulation costs will be reduced.

Moisture permeability. Less moisture permeability reduces negative impact moisture on the insulation during subsequent use.

Fire safety. The material should not support combustion and emit toxic fumes, but should be self-extinguishing.

Economical. Insulation must be affordable for a wide range of consumers.

Durability. The longer the period of use of the insulation, the cheaper it is for the consumer during operation and does not require frequent replacement or repair.

Environmental friendliness. The material for thermal insulation must be environmentally friendly, safe for human health and the environment. This characteristic is important for residential premises.

Material thickness. The thinner the insulation, the less the living space of the room will be “eaten up”.

Material weight. Less weight of the insulation will result in less weighting of the insulated structure after installation.

Soundproofing. The higher the sound insulation, the better protection residential premises from noise from the street.

Easy to install. The moment is quite important for those who like to do home renovations with their own hands.

Comparison of the characteristics of popular insulation materials

Foam plastic (expanded polystyrene)

This insulation is the most popular due to its ease of installation and low cost.

Polystyrene foam is made by foaming polystyrene, has very low thermal conductivity, is resistant to moisture, is easy to cut with a knife and is convenient during installation. Due to its low cost, it is in great demand for insulation. various rooms. However, the material is quite fragile and also supports combustion, releasing toxic substances into the atmosphere. It is preferable to use polystyrene foam in non-residential premises.

Penoplex (extruded polystyrene foam)

The insulation is not subject to rotting or moisture, is very durable and easy to use - it can be easily cut with a knife. Low water absorption ensures minor changes in the thermal conductivity of the material in conditions of high humidity; the slabs have high compression resistance and do not decompose. Thanks to this, extruded polystyrene foam can be used for insulation strip foundation and blind areas. Penoplex is fireproof, durable and easy to use.

Basalt wool

The material is made from basalt rocks by melting and blowing with the addition of components to obtain a fibrous structure of the material with water-repellent properties. During operation, basalt wool is not compacted, which means its properties do not change over time. The material is fireproof and environmentally friendly, has good sound insulation and thermal insulation. Used for internal and external insulation. In damp rooms requires additional vapor barrier.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is made from natural materials– rocks, slag, dolomite using special technology. Mineral has low thermal conductivity, is fireproof and absolutely safe. One of the disadvantages of insulation is its low moisture resistance, which requires the installation of additional moisture and vapor barrier when using it. The material is not recommended for insulation of basements and foundations, as well as in wet rooms - steam rooms, baths, dressing rooms.

Penofol, isolon (foil heat insulator made of polyethylene)

The insulation consists of several layers of foamed polyethylene, having different thicknesses and porous structures. The material often has a layer of foil for a reflective effect and is available in rolls and sheets. The insulation is several millimeters thick (10 times thinner than conventional insulation), but reflects up to 97% of thermal energy; it is a very light, thin and easy-to-use material. Used for thermal insulation and waterproofing of premises. It has long term operation, does not emit harmful substances.

The first one is coefficient of thermal conductivity, which is denoted by the symbol “lambda” (ι). This coefficient shows how much heat passes through a piece of material 1 meter thick and 1 m² in area in 1 hour, provided that the difference between the ambient temperatures on both surfaces is 10°C.

The thermal conductivity of any insulation depends on many factors - humidity, vapor permeability, heat capacity, porosity and others characteristics of the material.

Sensitivity to moisture

Humidity is the amount of moisture contained in the insulation. Water conducts heat well, and a surface saturated with it will help cool the room. Therefore, waterlogged thermal insulation material will lose its qualities and will not give the desired effect. And vice versa: the more water-repellent properties it has, the better.

Vapor permeability is a parameter close to humidity. IN numerically it represents the volume of water vapor passing through 1 m2 of insulation in 1 hour, subject to the condition that the difference in potential vapor pressure is 1 Pa and the temperature of the medium is the same.

With high vapor permeability, the material can become moist. In this regard, when insulating the walls and ceilings of a house, it is recommended to install a vapor barrier coating.

Water absorption is the ability of a product to absorb liquid when it comes into contact. The water absorption coefficient is very important for the materials that are used for the arrangement. external thermal insulation. Increased air humidity, precipitation and dew can lead to a deterioration in the characteristics of the material.

Density and heat capacity

Porosity is the number of air pores expressed as a percentage of the total volume of the product. There are closed and open pores, large and small. It is important that they are distributed evenly in the structure of the material: this indicates the quality of the product. Porosity can sometimes reach 50%; in the case of some types of cellular plastics, this figure is 90-98%.

Density is one of the characteristics that affects the mass of a material. A special table will help you determine both of these parameters. Knowing the density, you can calculate how much the load on the walls of the house or its ceiling will increase.

Heat capacity is an indicator demonstrating how much heat the insulation is ready to accumulate. Biostability is the ability of a material to resist the effects of biological factors, for example, pathogenic flora. Fire resistance is resistance to fire insulation, and this parameter should not be confused with fire safety. There are also other characteristics, which include strength, bending endurance, frost resistance, and wear resistance.

Resistance coefficient

Also, when performing calculations, you need to know the coefficient U - the resistance of structures to heat transfer. This indicator has nothing to do with the qualities of the materials themselves, but you need to know it in order to make right choice among a variety of insulation materials. The U-value is the ratio of the temperature difference on the two sides of the insulation to the volume of heat flow passing through it. To find the thermal resistance of walls and ceilings, you need a table where it is calculated

You can make the necessary calculations yourself. To do this, the thickness of the material layer is divided by its thermal conductivity coefficient. The last parameter - if we are talking about insulation - should be indicated on the packaging of the material. In the case of house structural elements, everything is a little more complicated: although their thickness can be measured independently, the thermal conductivity coefficient of concrete, wood or brick will have to be looked up in specialized manuals.

At the same time, materials are often used to insulate walls, ceilings and floors in one room. different types, since for each plane the thermal conductivity coefficient must be calculated separately.

Thermal conductivity of the main types of insulation

Based on the U coefficient, you can choose which type of thermal insulation is best to use and what thickness the layer of material should have. The table below contains information about the density, vapor permeability and thermal conductivity of popular insulation materials:

Advantages and disadvantages of various thermal insulations

When choosing thermal insulation, you need to consider not only its physical properties, but also such parameters as ease of installation, the need for additional service, durability and cost.

Comparison of the most modern options

As practice shows, the easiest way to install polyurethane foam and penoizol, which are applied to the surface to be treated in the form of foam. These materials are plastic; they easily fill cavities inside the walls of a building. The disadvantage of foaming substances is the need to use special equipment to spray them.

As the table above shows, extruded polystyrene foam is a worthy competitor to polyurethane foam. This material is supplied in the form of solid blocks, but with the help of a regular carpenter's knife it can be cut into any shape. Comparing the characteristics of foam and solid polymers, it is worth noting that foam does not form seams, and this is its main advantage compared to blocks.

Comparison of cotton materials

Mineral wool is similar in properties to polystyrene foam and expanded polystyrene, but it “breathes” and does not burn. It also has better resistance to moisture and practically does not change its qualities during operation. If you have a choice between solid polymers and mineral wool, it is better to give preference to the latter.

At the stone wool comparative characteristics the same as the mineral one, but the cost is higher. Ecowool has a reasonable price and is easy to install, but it has low compressive strength and sags over time. Fiberglass also sags and, in addition, crumbles.

Bulk and organic materials

Sometimes used for thermal insulation of houses bulk materials– perlite and paper granules. They repel water and are resistant to pathogenic factors. Perlite is environmentally friendly, it does not burn and does not settle. However, bulk materials are rarely used to insulate walls; it is better to use them to equip floors and ceilings.

From organic materials it is necessary to highlight flax, wood fiber and cork covering. They are safe for environment, but are susceptible to burning if not impregnated with special substances. In addition, wood fiber is susceptible to biological factors.

In general, if we take into account the cost, practicality, thermal conductivity and durability of insulation, then the best materials for finishing walls and ceilings - these are polyurethane foam, penoizol and mineral wool. Other types of insulation have specific properties, as they are designed for non-standard situations, and it is recommended to use such insulation only if there are no other options.