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Characteristics of various types of insulation. Types of insulation and their properties: thermal insulation materials and their main characteristics. What is the classification of home insulation?

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What types of insulation are there - 4 groups of thermal insulation materials for housing construction

Solving the problem of energy saving and maximizing effective use thermal energy, today is one of the most priority tasks in individual housing construction. For this reason, it is very important for the future owner of private housing to know what modern views insulation materials are best used in one case or another, during the construction or reconstruction of your own home.

Criteria for choosing thermal insulation materials

Currently, in construction hypermarkets you can find a huge number of different thermal insulation materials, which differ significantly from each other not only in price, but also in their technical properties and performance characteristics.

To make it easier for the reader to understand the variety of such products, I have compiled a review instruction in which I will talk about the main distinctive properties and basic technical characteristics of the most popular types of insulation.

First of all, I would like to dwell in detail on the description of the main consumer and performance qualities that materials for external and internal insulation of housing should ideally meet:

1. It's probably easy to guess that the most important quality of any thermal insulation material is its low thermal conductivity. In most cases, this is achieved due to the low specific density and a large number of small pores capable of holding atmospheric air, which in itself has a very low heat transfer coefficient;

1. Since the thermal insulation material is installed from the street side, it should not absorb moisture from the surrounding air, and should not be destroyed or change its properties when directly exposed to water. Despite the fact that almost all types of insulation are considered moisture resistant, some materials with a fibrous structure or open pores partially lose their heat-insulating qualities when wet;
2. An important condition for ensuring a normal microclimate indoors is the ability of insulated walls to pass air and water vapor through themselves, therefore external insulation must be vapor permeable. Best vapor permeability, just have materials with open pores and a fibrous structure;

1. The insulation is located in close proximity to building structures, and in some cases it is installed indoors, therefore, in order to prevent fire safety, it must be made of non-flammable or self-extinguishing material that does not itself support combustion.
2. In conditions of low temperature, poor ventilation and high air humidity, favorable conditions are created for the development mold and putrefactive bacteria. For this reason, I do not recommend using materials based on plant fibers or with the addition of organic components for outdoor work, as they can become a source of mold, as well as food for mice, rats and other rodents or pests;

Summary table comparing the technical characteristics of thermal insulation materials.

In addition to all that has been said above, when choosing materials for thermal insulation, I advise you to pay attention to their cost, manufacturer’s guarantees, as well as the complexity and convenience of laying and installing them yourself, since their durability and the quality of the final result of the work will depend on this.

Group 1. Rigid porous mineral insulation

Modern projects low-rise buildings for individual housing construction, are initially developed taking into account the use of energy-saving technologies. For this reason, external load-bearing walls and internal interior partitions in such houses are erected from ready-made building blocks made of lightweight porous foam and aerated concrete.

These materials have sufficient load-bearing capacity, allow air and water vapor to pass through well, and at the same time they themselves have good heat and sound insulation properties:

1. Foam concrete is a hardened foam cement-sand mixture, from which, during the solidification process, finished blocks or slabs of the required size are formed.

To correctly determine which foam concrete to choose, you should keep in mind that all products made from it are divided into two groups:

• Thermal insulation grades of foam concrete can have a density from 200 to 500 kg/m³, depending on the number and volume of gas bubbles in the thickness of the material. Products in this group are not highly durable, but have good thermal insulation properties, therefore they are used exclusively as insulation for floors, flat roofs or external walls of a building;
• Structural and thermal insulation grades of concrete have a density from 500 to 900 kg/m³, therefore have a higher load-bearing capacity, and in addition to insulation, can be used for the construction of walls or other structural elements building;

1. Aerated concrete is no different in appearance from foam concrete, and the main difference between these materials is only in the manufacturing technology, so their operational properties can conditionally be considered similar to each other. Before choosing aerated concrete, you should study the main features of the application:

• Blocks and slabs made of foam and aerated concrete can be installed on the foundation in the form of a separate self-supporting structure, therefore they do not require the installation of an additional load-bearing frame, and do not exert a weight load on the main facade of the building;
• With an increase in the density of aerated concrete, its thermal insulation properties deteriorate, and with a decrease in density, on the contrary, they improve;
• Due to open pores on the surface of the material, aerated concrete actively absorbs moisture, so it cannot be used under open air without external waterproofing coating;
• Foam concrete does not burn and does not support combustion, is unsuitable for food for rodents and insect pests, but over time it can crack and collapse as a result of direct contact with water and subsequent freezing.

1. Expanded clay is a moisture-resistant bulk heat-insulating material, which is produced in the form of round pellets of reddish-brown color, with the diameter of individual particles from 5 to 40 mm. The technology for making expanded clay involves the use of special types of clay, which are rolled into balls, then dried and fired in an oven at a temperature of 1200°C.

After such processing, each pellet acquires a closed, finely porous internal structure with a strong and hard outer shell.

• Most often, expanded clay is used for insulation of flat roofs, interfloor and attic floors and wooden floors on the ground.
• The main advantages of this material include low weight, low degree of water absorption, absolute non-flammability and fire safety, high stability to exposure to moisture, as well as high and low temperatures;

When choosing the cheapest insulation for ground floors, I advise you to pay attention to coal slag, which can be purchased inexpensively, or even collected for free in any coal boiler house. Slag can be used as an analogue of more expensive expanded clay, since its particles have a similar porous internal structure.

Group 2. Fibrous mineral wool insulation

Unlike previous types of insulation, these materials have a flexible fibrous structure, and therefore do not have sufficient rigidity, but they have a significantly lower specific gravity and much better thermal insulation properties. This insulation is non-flammable and can withstand very high temperatures for a long time, so it is often used for thermal insulation of stoves, heating boilers and stove chimneys.

1. Basalt wool is made from thin, randomly intertwined fibers of molten gabbro-basalt rocks, and is produced in the form of sheet or roll material of various thicknesses. Rigid mats or flexible rolls of basalt wool are considered a universal thermal insulation material, therefore they are widely used for insulating roofs, attics, ceilings and interfloor ceilings, ventilated facades, utilities, as well as boiler and furnace equipment.

• Basalt wool does not burn at all and can withstand temperatures up to 1000° C, therefore, it is used for insulating chimneys and arranging a fireproof seal when chimneys pass through walls, roofs and ceilings;

• Mineral wool fibers practically do not absorb moisture, do not break or wrinkle under the influence of external load, and after getting wet they do not lose their thermal insulation properties, therefore such a moisture-resistant and non-flammable material is best suited for outdoor use;
• Mineral wool sheets and slabs allow air and water vapor to pass through them well, do not rot, do not mold, and do not deteriorate over time. Due to the unpleasant, piercing structure, mice do not dig holes in them and mice do not build their nests, therefore, in my opinion, this is the best insulation for a system of ventilated facades;
• Besides everything else, mineral wool is an environmentally friendly and non-corrosive material, therefore it does not have a negative impact on other building structures, and can be used for external and internal insulation of residential buildings.

1. Glass wool, more popularly known as glass wool, is produced from glass production waste in the form of coarser and thicker fibers of ordinary silicate glass, therefore it is considered the cheapest option. In fact, I can say that glass wool has almost the same properties as basalt wool, however, there are some restrictions for its use in construction:

• Glass fibers are quite hygroscopic, so on the street or in damp rooms they quickly absorb moisture, and after getting wet, they lose their thermal insulation properties by 30-50%.
• Sheets of ordinary glass wool easily crumple under the influence of external load, and during operation, over time they shrink and decrease in size, as a result of which their heat-insulating properties also deteriorate;
• The maximum operating temperature of glass wool is no more than 450° C, therefore it cannot be used as a winding for a flame tube, in the immediate vicinity of a furnace or heating boiler;
• Glass wool fibers are more fragile than basalt wool, therefore, as a result of deformation, they can break into small pieces and penetrate under the human skin, causing severe itching and irritation on the body.
• If you need insulation that rodents do not eat and mice do not live in, then glass wool in this case will be the most suitable option.

1. Ceramic wool has similar characteristics, but is considered a rather specific insulation material, so it is rarely found on sale and is much more expensive than other materials. Ceramic wool fibers have all positive properties basalt wool, however, they can withstand higher temperatures (up to 1200°C), so it is used exclusively for thermal insulation of heating boilers, chimneys and fire pipes.

In the manufacture of rigid mineral wool slabs, toxic phenol-formaldehyde resins are used as a binder. I do not recommend using such materials for thermal insulation of floors, walls and interior partitions inside living and sleeping areas, since they are not very safe for human health.

Group 3. Foamed polymer insulation

Polymer thermal insulation materials have a number of fundamental differences from mineral insulation. They have a lower specific gravity, do not get wet in water and have a very low degree of water absorption, so they do not require additional waterproofing. Most often they are produced in the form of rigid panels of various thicknesses, therefore, in some cases, they are more convenient to install and install.

When choosing which insulation is best to use for a particular case, you should keep in mind that all polymer materials have one significant drawback.

The fact is that when exposed to high temperatures, they themselves do not ignite, but they can melt and release caustic toxic smoke, so they cannot be used as insulation for heating boilers and furnaces, chimneys, fire doors and external partitions.

1. Polystyrene foam is produced in the form of rigid sheets of various sizes, thickness from 20 to 500 mm, which consist of many small granules of polystyrene foam pressed and welded together. If you choose which one is cheaper from polymer insulation, then I recommend choosing polystyrene foam.

Despite its low cost, it meets almost all the criteria discussed in the first section of this article.

• Foam panels have a low specific density, but have sufficient rigidity, therefore they can be used not only for cladding walls and roofs, but also for insulating concrete screeds on the ground;
• The rough surface of the foam has good adhesion, therefore, after installation, decorative plaster with reinforcing mesh can be applied to it, facade tiles, or perform other types decorative finishing facade;

• Chemically neutral foam does not emit during operation harmful substances , not suitable for food for small rodents and insects, does not rot over time and does not contribute to the development of mold.
• The pores of the foam have a closed structure, therefore it is the warmest, is absolutely not afraid of water and practically does not absorb moisture, does not freeze and does not change its properties in conditions of direct exposure to rain and snow, or prolonged exposure to damp soil;
• The disadvantage of all closed cell materials is that they do not allow water vapor and air to pass through., so I do not recommend using them for insulating frame-panel and wooden houses from logs or timber;

1. Extruded polystyrene foam, or in other words EPS, is a more progressive and high-quality type of foam. It is also produced in the form of rigid panels made of polystyrene foam, but does not have individual granules, and is characterized by a uniform porous structure throughout the entire thickness of the material:

• Due to this manufacturing technology, it has all the listed properties of foam, but is characterized by significantly greater strength, rigidity and resistance to external loads.
• Thanks to this, it can be used for making permanent formwork for filling load-bearing monolithic structures, and also used for insulating the walls of a swimming pool, buried foundation or other loaded building structures;
• In my opinion, this is the most effective and versatile heat-insulating material, but its main disadvantage is its fairly high price, which significantly exceeds the cost of conventional polystyrene foam.

1. Sprayed polyurethane insulation is fundamentally different from the materials presented above, since produced in the form of a liquid plastic polymer composition. It is sprayed onto the insulated surface using a pressure pump, and foams under the influence of ambient air humidity, directly at the installation site.

At first glance, polyurethane insulation may seem more complicated, but this technology has its advantages and disadvantages compared to panel types of insulation:

• Liquid polyurethane mass has very good adhesion to almost any building materials, therefore it quickly and firmly adheres to any surface, even without pre-treatment;
• Spraying technology makes it possible to insulate vertical and horizontal walls, roof, attic, closed underground space, interpanel joints and other hidden cavities, without dismantling the external finishing cladding;

• Do-it-yourself polyurethane spraying is good for difficult areas of the facade or roof, with a large amount of internal corners or protrusions, as well as in areas with a radius curved surface;
• After hardening, the polyurethane foam layer does not allow air to pass through, so I do not recommend using it on wood or wood fiber surfaces. Otherwise, the polymer film will block the access of air for ventilation and evaporation of moisture, as a result of which the wood will rot and gradually collapse;
• The disadvantages of this method of application include the high cost Supplies, as well as the need to use special injection equipment, which is also quite expensive.

1. Foamed polyethylene is produced in the form of rolled thermal insulation material with a thickness of 3 to 10 mm. It is a flexible base made of extruded polyethylene with a large number of large closed pores containing air bubbles. To improve heat reflectivity, polyethylene is coated with a very thin layer on one or both sides. aluminum foil. So that the reader can understand what types of these products there are, I can name the most common trade marks, for example, “Izocom”, Izofol”, “Penofol”, etc.

• Polyethylene does not contain toxic additives or volatile substances, therefore it is an environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic material, and accordingly, can be used without restrictions in residential and sleeping areas;

• Aluminum foil reflects infrared thermal radiation, therefore, in combination with a foam base, it represents a heat shield that effectively reflects heat from household radiators or other heating devices.
• In addition to heat preservation, polyethylene film can be used as waterproofing and wind protection, so Penofol is well suited for external protection of building structures and insulation of residential buildings;
• When installing a heated floor system, such a film is laid on a concrete screed, foil side up. Firstly, it prevents moisture from penetrating from the concrete into flooring, and secondly, it reflects heat rays and directs them into the room.

• For internal insulation of housing, it is better to use one-sided foil foamed polyethylene film. It needs to be fixed to the wall, with foil inside the room, and then at a distance of 20-30 mm from it, the sheets should be installed on the guide profiles.
• Using polyethylene film inside a living space, caution should be exercised, since it does not breathe at all and does not allow water vapor to pass through. This can lead to condensation and dampness on cold exterior walls, which in turn can cause mold.

All polymer thermal insulation materials described in this section can deteriorate over time and lose their properties when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. If they are used for outdoor work, then after installation, I recommend not leaving them in direct sunlight for a long time, and immediately begin installing the exterior finishing.

Group 4. Thermal insulation from organic materials

Currently, many adherents of environmentally friendly housing are trying to use all kinds of construction, finishing and thermal insulation materials made exclusively on an organic basis. On the one hand, there is nothing wrong with this, but I must warn that the raw materials for the production of organic materials are made using natural cellulose and plant fibers.

1. I want to say right away that these materials are very capricious: when wet, they can swell and increase in size, and when dry, on the contrary, they can shrink significantly. Moreover, in both cases, their thermal insulation properties will deteriorate;
2. Even with minor changes in temperature and humidity conditions, areas of mold growth may appear on the surface of organic materials. After drying, at first glance it may seem that it has disappeared, but in fact, its roots are deep, so after moisturizing and lowering the temperature, it will appear again;

1. Natural cellulose fibers, wood shavings and sawdust, chopped straw, reeds and corn tops are considered a favorite food for rodents, mice, rats and various insects, so getting rid of their presence in such a house will be very difficult;
2. It's no secret that all these materials burn very well., therefore, no compliance with the rules fire safety in this case, there is no question.
3. If you decide to insulate your home using organic materials, then I recommend performing a thorough antiseptic treatment and fire retardant impregnation, and also think about how best to prevent the appearance of rodents.

From personal experience I categorically do not recommend using sunflower husks or straw and cereal cakes as insulation for the attic, because in this case, mice are guaranteed to settle there with whole families and constantly dig their holes.

Conclusion

Taking into account the numerous types of insulation that I wrote about above, when choosing the final option, several should be taken into account important factors. First, you need to understand the climatic features of the region, and know the minimum and maximum average annual air temperatures. Secondly, the choice of insulation depends on the building materials from which the walls, floor and roof of a residential building are made.

And thirdly, you need to ensure that this thermal insulation material is affordable and that it is convenient for you to work with it. ABOUT technological features You can learn about the use of the described insulation from the video presented in this article, and if you have any questions, ask them in the comment form.

On modern construction market you can find simply a huge variety of materials that can be used as insulation. Even professional builders are sometimes unable to understand and make the right choice in so many options. Next, various types of insulation and their characteristics will be considered so that everyone can purchase exactly the product that will create high-quality insulation of the building.

Basic properties of materials

These properties include:

The ability to retain heat or conduct heat. The lower the thermal conductivity coefficient of a material, the better it will be able to retain heat in your home. Materials with a minimum indicator of this characteristic can minimize or completely eliminate heat loss.

This coefficient various types insulation materials may be different, but one pattern has been identified: the lower the value of this indicator, the thinner the insulating layer you will need to create.

Moisture resistance or moisture resistance. All thermal insulation properties of any material are directly related to how strongly it is able to resist moisture, or how quickly this material gets wet.

The ability to pass steam, or steam conductivity. One of the main properties of any insulating material is the ability to remove excess moisture from rooms, so this indicator is extremely important.

Strength or ability to maintain its size and shape. If the material does not deform or shrink during operation, this means that the insulating system will retain its characteristics for a long time and prevents the formation of cold bridges at the joints of the material.

Non-flammability. This property is of great importance for the fire safety of the building. Those who are concerned about their safety and the safety of their home should give preference to non-combustible materials.

Ecological cleanliness. Laying a layer of insulation during the construction of houses involves using this material for the entire service life of the building, therefore it is very important for future residents that the selected insulation remains safe both at the time of its installation and throughout its entire service life.

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Classification of existing insulating materials

The entire huge range of modern materials of this type can be safely divided into four main groups:

1. Cotton ones. The role of such products can be glass wool, known to everyone since ancient times, or its more modern version, mineral wool, or mineral wool-type blocks and slabs that exist today.
2. Leafy. Products of this kind include children's favorite polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam, etc.
3. Foam. Such materials are applied directly by spraying onto the very surface of the structure that needs insulation. Installation of these insulation materials is carried out using specialized equipment.
4. Rest. This group includes materials that are used quite rarely. These are such exotic options as insulation with cellulose, reeds, flax, etc.

There is another classification that divides insulation into groups based on the type of raw materials used for production. These are groups such as:

• organic;
• inorganic;
• mixed.

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Cotton wool as insulation

Glass wool and mineral wool, which are very similar in their fibrous structure, have been found wide application in the construction of residential and industrial facilities, in the shipbuilding industry. They are also used as heat and noise insulation, and also as a layer that resists the spread of fire. The advantages include:

• excellent vapor permeability, allowing you to absorb excess moisture;
• dielectric characteristics;
• low thermal conductivity;
• increased fire resistance;
• environmental cleanliness;
• resistance to natural processes such as decay, aging and the activity of microorganisms and insects.

All types of cotton wool have their own disadvantages:

1. Inability to maintain shape, and as a result, low strength and susceptibility to deformation.
2. Hygroscopicity, or the ability to absorb moisture, but modern manufacturers hydrophobize the fibers, which changes this property of the material.

Based on the characteristics of glass and mineral wool described above, it can be understood that this material is most suitable for the production insulation works indoors.

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Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene foam: characteristics

Granules of this type of insulation are mixed and sintered by exposing them to high temperature. The result of this process is a material consisting of a huge number of small balls that form fairly homogeneous slabs.

It is this cellular structure that gives foam plastic the properties and characteristics that make it popular among the types of materials for insulating houses. These properties include:

• increased indicators of impermeability to water and non-conductivity of heat;
• resistance to mechanical impacts;
• the property of being environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic is important for the owners of the building;
• resistance to low temperatures;
• ease of working with the material.

Despite all positive traits, expanded polystyrene is not without its disadvantages:

• this material will not be non-flammable, but quite the contrary, during the combustion process it will release dangerous toxic substances;
• It is also impervious to steam, which has led to a ban on its use for insulating wooden structures.

Expanded polystyrene is a material with which any owner can insulate his home with his own hands. Professionals recommend its use in places with a high probability of mechanical stress: floor, flat roofs, basements etc.

Today the market offers consumers various types of insulation, differing in cost, installation and thermal conductivity. In addition to these indicators, it is necessary to pay attention to other characteristics in order to have an idea of ​​​​the correct use of thermal insulation when building a house.

A comprehensive assessment of the material will help you choose the right insulation for your home. The use of different types of thermal insulation depends not only on their properties, but also on the architectural features of the building, the thermal conductivity of individual structural elements, as well as the expected cold bridges. The insulation of each component of the house is carried out with different materials.
External insulation of a loggia, balcony, basement is made with penoplex. Due to the fact that it can withstand loads of up to 0.5 MPa and is resistant to moisture, the insulation is optimally suited for exterior finishing basements Penoplex, being under the ground, is protected from fire and retains all its properties.
Thermal insulators for exterior finishing The walls of the house are chosen depending on the material from which the structural element is built. Wooden houses It is best to blow it with penoizol. The foam, applied under high pressure, fills all cracks, and its structure allows the wood to breathe. The high price does not always allow the use of penoizol. As a replacement option, you can lay mineral wool. Walls made of concrete, gas blocks and others similar materials insulated with penoplex or glass wool. Although, in government construction, they are more inclined to use glass wool due to its resistance to fire.
Inside the house, the walls and ceiling are insulated non-flammable materials. Usually these are mineral wool mats laid in a frame. They are covered with a vapor barrier on top, which prevents moisture from penetrating the mats and fleecy fibers into the room. If there are lags, the ceiling is covered with ecowool. To insulate the floor, a 100 mm layer of expanded clay is filled, plus foam boards are laid. The concrete screed poured on top prevents the insulation from burning, and the reinforcing mesh gives strength to the floors.
A modern and very practical insulation for roofing is polyurethane foam. It is applied by spraying. But its high price is not affordable for everyone. Most often, traditional insulation - mineral wool - is used for roofing. It is produced in different sizes in the form of mats and rolls.
Correctly selected insulation according to its characteristics will create comfortable living conditions inside the room.

Review of thermal insulation materials

Preventive types of insulation are most often used to finish various structural elements of a house. They have a low thermal conductivity.
Organic-based insulation materials are made from wood and agricultural waste. To improve properties, cement and plastic are added to natural raw materials. The result is insulation that is resistant to fire and moisture. It can withstand heat up to 150 degrees. The scope of application is wide, but is mainly used as internal insulation of a multi-layer roof or facade structure.

• white agglomerate is made from the bark of oak branches;
• black agglomerate is made from bark removed from a tree trunk.

Cork can be used as a base for wallpaper or as a finish. Thin roll material has found its application as a substrate for laminate flooring. The price of this natural material quite high. Depending on the modifications, the cost ranges from 800 to 4 thousand. rub./m2.

Honeycomb plastic insulator

The structure of the material consists of hexagonal cells like a honeycomb. Inside they are filled with fabric or paper filler held together with epoxy resin. Phenolic resins can be used as a fixative. In appearance, honeycomb panels resemble plastic. The characteristics of the material depend on the raw materials used in the production of the base. For example, the sheet density can be from 230 to 500 kg/m2.

Foam-polyvinyl chloride

PPVC heat insulator is made from foamed resins. The porousization method gives them this structure. The material is produced soft and hard, which gives it versatility. PVC is suitable for insulating roofs, floors and walls. Its density is 0.1 kg/m3.

Many people believe that chipboard is simply building material. But as insulation, the slabs have proven themselves to be good. Their base is small sawdust bonded with synthetic resin. The density of the slabs ranges from 500 to 1 thousand kg/m3, and water absorption is 5–30%.
Application of chipboard as insulation it is justified for floors, walls and ceilings. The cost of the sheets is quite low and is affordable for every developer. Depending on the size, the sheet can be purchased for 400–900 rubles. The slabs are used as a base for installing soft roofs.

Fiberboard

The fiberboard board looks like chipboard. Its base consists of fibers of straw, corn or any wood. It is even possible to use waste paper. Synthetic resins are added as an adhesive. The density of fiberboard compared to chipboard is small, only up to 250 kg/m3, and the thermal conductivity is 0.07 W/m/K, plus low strength.
The scope of application is similar to that for chipboard. Low cost ranges up to 800 rubles. per sheet.

Lightweight thermal insulation has a unique closed-cell structure, which creates the lowest thermal conductivity compared to other insulation materials. PPU is formed from the interaction of liquid components, polyester and MDI. Exposure to catalysts creates a chemical reaction that results in the formation of a new substance. The density of the insulation is 40–80 kg/m3, and the thermal conductivity of polyurethane foam is about 0.028 W/m/K.
Polyurethane foam is applied to the insulated surface using the spraying method, which allows you to process any difficult areas. The optimal use of polyurethane foam is to insulate the roof and wooden walls of a house. The cost of the material along with the spraying work is quite high and can reach $200/m3.

Penoizol

Another name for insulation is mipora. It is obtained on the basis of a whipped water emulsion of urea-formaldehyde resin. Glycerin and sulfonic acid are used as additives. Mipore is delivered to the consumer in blocks or crumbs. It is used in liquid form at construction sites. Mipora poured into prepared cavities hardens at a positive temperature.
Low density up to 20 kg/m3 promotes strong water absorption. The thermal conductivity index is 0.03 W/m/K. Not afraid of fire.

Polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam

These two insulation materials consist of 2% polystyrene and 98% air. The thermal conductivity index is 0.037–0.042 W/m/K. They differ from each other in structure. Polystyrene foam consists of small balls, and expanded polystyrene, when broken, resembles foam rubber.
Polystyrene is flammable and emits toxic smoke. Polystyrene foam is afraid of moisture, so it is more used for insulating facades. Extruded polystyrene foam can remain in wet soil for a long time, so it is more suitable for external insulation of basements. The cost of the material is low.

Minvata

A common insulation material for walls and roofs is mineral wool. It comes in two types:

• slag wool is made from dissimilar metal casting waste;
• stone wool is made from rocks, for example, basalt, limestone, etc.

The material is non-flammable, resistant to chemical attack, and has a low cost. Produced in slabs and rolls.

Glass wool

The material differs from mineral wool in fibers bigger size. The basis of production is the raw materials used to make glass. The thermal conductivity index is from 0.03 to 0.052 W/m/K, and the density is no more than 130 kg/m3. Glass wool is also popular for insulating roofs and walls.

Ceramic wool

Produced by blowing zirconium, silicon or aluminum oxide. Cotton wool is resistant to high temperatures and does not deform. The thermal conductivity index at +600°C is from 0.13 to 0.16 W/m/K, and the density is no more than 350 kg/m3. It is used for insulation of facades and roofs of buildings.

Mixed type insulation

Materials are produced from asbestos mixtures with the addition of perlite, dolomite and other components. The initial state of the material resembles dough. They cover the surface prepared for insulation and leave until completely dry.

Asbestos is resistant to fire and can withstand heating up to 900 ° C, but it is afraid of moisture, so such thermal insulation requires mandatory waterproofing.

Example material mixed type is vulcanite and sovelite. Their thermal conductivity is 0.2 W/m/K. The cost of insulation is low, but it is dangerous to human health.

Reflective materials

Foil is used as a reflector, and foamed polyethylene creates a thermal barrier. The material has a thin structure up to 25 mm thick, but its effectiveness is equivalent to 100 mm thick fiber insulation. One popular example is penofol.
Reflective thermal insulation simultaneously acts as a vapor barrier, so it is convenient to use in baths and saunas. The cost of the material is low and accessible to everyone.
The main types of insulation materials discussed today and their characteristics will help you make the right choice of material for specific construction needs.
In the following video you can get acquainted with the characteristics of some types of insulation.

Nowadays, choosing the right insulation for your home is a rather difficult task. There are a huge number of types of insulation. But all this diversity faces one task - to ensure winter time maximum heat retention indoors, and in the summer, on the contrary, to prevent penetration as much as possible warm air from the street.

Variety of insulation materials

The insulation must ensure a constant indoor microclimate at any time of the year. It must be said right away that in nature there is not yet one single ideal insulation material that would be suitable for both external and internal insulation, would be effective in any climate and would cost mere pennies.

Each insulation has its own pros and cons. Therefore, the choice of a specific type is always determined by a number of initial conditions. And almost the most an important condition in this case are the financial capabilities of a particular person. Some people can afford expensive cork panels or polyurethane foam coating, while others have to make do with free sawdust from the nearest sawmill. The reality is that, despite the abundance of modern insulation materials, sometimes old, time-tested insulation methods work no worse, and in some cases much more effectively, than their modern, expensive counterparts.

physical characteristics

All insulation materials have certain physical properties, which can be used to determine in advance how effective a particular type is and how justified its use is under given conditions. Knowing these indicators greatly simplifies the task of choosing a specific material from the variety that modern retail offers. It is important to know what properties insulation materials have, namely:

Classification of heat insulators

There are many classifications depending on which specific property in this case is the main one when choosing a particular heat insulator. For example, they can be classified depending on their density, thermal conductivity, material of manufacture, method of application, method of heat conservation, degree of flammability, etc.

The classification according to the heat-saving mechanism is the most comprehensive, as it covers almost all types of heat insulators. Effective heat saving is achieved through the use of a heat insulator with low thermal conductivity or through a thermal insulator that can reflect infrared radiation back into the room.

• Thermal insulators of a preventive type of organic or inorganic origin.
• Reflective type thermal insulators.

Organic type insulation

• Chemical inertness.
• Environmental Safety.
• Good fire resistance.
• Relatively cheap.
• Good mechanical strength.
• High moisture resistance.

They are often used as intermediate layers in multilayer structures, such as sandwich panels. The main representatives of these insulation materials are:

Arbolite or wood concrete

The base is wood chips; a cement mixture and special additives are used as a binder, which neutralize the sugars in the wood and thereby make the composition more durable. This type insulation can be used not only as a heat insulator, but also, given its good strength characteristics, can be used as an independent construction material with very good thermal insulation properties.

This type of heat insulator is environmentally friendly, as it does not contain potentially harmful substances.

Polyvinyl chloride foam (PPVC)

Thermal insulating foam plastic obtained by porousization of polyvinyl chloride resins. Has reduced flammability. Belongs to the group of low-combustible and low-flammable materials. The material is environmentally very controversial, since the combined chlorine contained in it can be released in the form of hydrogen chloride if corrosion occurs metal surfaces, which come into contact with this heat insulator.

Chipboards (chipboards)

95% consist of wood shavings, the remaining 5% are adhesive resins and water repellents. For greater resistance to environmental influences, chipboards are treated with antiseptics. Thermal conductivity is slightly lower than that of wood concrete. One variety is fibreboard (fibreboard), which is less durable than chipboard.

Polyurethane foam

This environmentally friendly thermal insulator is a reaction product of two extremely toxic substances: diisocyanate and polyol. The peculiarity of this insulation is that it is prepared directly on construction site and immediately applied to the surface to be treated. The material is completely environmentally safe and, given the method of application by spraying, is able to penetrate into all hard-to-reach places.

In the West, this highly effective insulation has been successfully used for several decades. It has just appeared on the market and is not yet known to everyone. Of the negative qualities, perhaps, only one can be highlighted: its high price.

Fibrolite

Its characteristics are very similar to wood concrete, since the heat-insulating basis of this insulation is the so-called wood wool, which consists of narrow strips wood shavings. Cement is used as a binder. Special additives from liquid glass and calcium chloride make it unable to burn with an open flame. Depending on the brand of cement, fiberboard is divided into heat-insulating (F-300) and heat-insulating-structural (F-500).

The second name is ecowool. 80% consists of shredded newsprint, 20% non-volatile flame retardants. The latter are used boric acid and borax. Thanks to these additives, the insulation can withstand open fire quite well. It has very good heat-insulating properties. The main disadvantage is that after several years of use, ecowool cakes, loses up to 20% of its volume and partially loses its heat-saving properties.

Cork insulator

It is used mainly in the form of cork panels for internal insulation of floors and walls. The heat-insulating base is cork oak bark. The same bark contains natural glue suberin, which makes it possible to avoid the use of artificial adhesives. From an environmental point of view, it is the safest insulation material, resistant to rotting, and not eaten by insects. The best insulation for floors and walls. The only negative is the high price.

Inorganic insulation materials

Various mineral components are used as a heat insulator. For example, glass, slag, rocks, asbestos, etc. After special processing, these components acquire pronounced heat-saving properties. The main properties of such insulation are:

• High fire resistance.
• Environmental Safety.
• Long term operation without loss of thermal insulation properties.
• Chemical inertness.

Mineral wool

In addition to excellent thermal insulation properties, it has pronounced resistance to high temperatures And chemical substances. There are three varieties depending on the initial products of production:

• Glass wool.
• Slag-like.
• Stone wool.
• Basalt wool.

Glass wool is a material consisting of fibers 15−50 mm long and 5−20 microns wide. Glass industry waste is used to produce fibers.

In other words, in the case of glass wool we are dealing with glass needles of microscopic thickness. This causes one of the most unpleasant properties of this material: if it gets on the body, it causes persistent skin itching, if it gets into the eyes it can lead to serious vision problems, and if it gets into the lungs it causes inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system. At the same time, glass wool has very good thermal insulation properties, is chemically completely inert, and has high strength characteristics.

Slag wool is produced from blast furnace slag. It has medium-sized fibers: length 10-16 mm, width 4-12 microns. Like glass wool, it is quite prickly and causes skin irritation. It has very high hygroscopicity, absorbs water well, which makes it unsuitable for external insulation. In addition, in a room with high humidity may exhibit increased corrosive aggression towards metals due to the residual slag acids contained.

Stone wool is obtained from rocks by heating them to 1500 degrees and then stretching them into thin fibers. In terms of its heat-saving properties, it is approximately the same as the other two, but, unlike glass wool or slag wool, it has one significant advantage: the fibers of stone wool do not prick, so it is much safer to work with it.

Basalt wool does not contain any other components other than basalt. This makes it the most environmentally safe of all. four varieties mineral wool.

Reflective type

Relatively new reflective heat insulators have a fundamentally different type of action. It is based on the ability of these materials to slow down thermal convection. The absorbed heat is subsequently infrared radiation is again released into the surrounding space. Reflective heat insulators are capable of retaining up to 97% of thermal energy due to their reflective surface. Heat insulators of this type include the following:

• Penofol.
• Armophone.
• Porilex.
• Ecofol.

This is very effective insulation materials, for example, penofol with a thickness of 4 mm corresponds in heat-saving properties to mineral wool with a thickness of 10 cm. Types of insulation for walls are primarily determined by this list, since reflective heat insulators are most effective for interior decoration of walls and ceilings.