Carrying out work on floor insulation with slab foam glass. Insulation of basement and attic floors with foam glass gravel. Foam glass laying technology
One of best warmth And soundproofing materials is foam glass. This insulation was created by Soviet scientists in the 30s, but due to the high cost and imperfect manufacturing technology, it was not widely used. Three decades later, Canadians found practical application for it, where foam glass was used as thermal insulation for a building. This material entered mass construction relatively recently, when all the shortcomings were taken into account and production costs were reduced. The article will discuss how to insulate with foam glass.
What is foam glass
- This inorganic thermal insulation material has a porous structure. During the production process, the glass melt is heated at high temperatures, the added gas-forming substance forms bubbles with a diameter of a millimeter to a centimeter. Porosity varies between 80-95%.
Foam glass photo
- The color of the products can be different: cream, green or black. This property depends on the source raw material, because crushed quartz, sodium sulfate, sedimentary rocks, and irrecoverable glass cullet are used in production.
- The insulation is offered in the form of granules, slabs and shaped products (pipe shells). Foam glass blocks are popular and can be of the following sizes:
- length - 200, 250, 400, 475 mm;
- width - 125, 200, 250, 400 mm;
- thickness - 80,100, 120 mm.
- Installation is carried out using mechanical fastenings, cement mortars, mastics and other adhesives. The fixation method is selected depending on the type of surface (concrete, iron, wood).
Characteristics of foam glass
- This is a lightweight material, its density is 120-200 kg/m. cube
- As for the compressive strength, this indicator is very high and varies from 0.5 to 1.2 MPa.
- Thermal conductivity is even better than that of wood - 0.06 W/m*s versus 0.09 W/m*s, respectively.
- The absorption index of sound waves by a 100 mm thick slab is 50 dB, which provides increased comfort.
- The amount of sorption is negligible and does not exceed 4% of the volume.
- The temperature range for using the material is very wide - from -200 to +500C. With more high temperature(from +540C) the slabs begin to deform, but do not emit toxic gases or vapors. Heat resistance makes it possible to use foam glass in facilities that have increased fire safety requirements.
- Chemical inertness is at a high level. The material does not interact with acids, alkalis, petroleum products and other aggressive environments.
Advantages of using foam glass
- In addition to high physical and technical characteristics, absolute environmental cleanliness can be noted among the advantages. The material is recommended for use in buildings with increased sanitary and hygienic conditions.
- The mats do not change their size throughout the entire service life. Glass cells do not deform under operational loads and seasonal temperature changes. Thus, the formation of cold bridges due to compression, sagging, swelling or shrinkage is prevented.
- Foam glass is not subject to rotting and the development of corrosion processes. It is also not attractive to microorganisms, mold, fungi and rodents, which indicates biological resistance. Thanks to the above advantages, the service life of the blocks is at least 100 years.
- Thermal insulation material is easy to process. It can be cut, drilled and sawed without forming crumbs or cracks. It goes with almost all types building materials: cement, brick, iron surfaces, holds finishing compounds well.
Disadvantages of foam glass insulation
- The main disadvantage is the high cost, because the manufacturing process itself is a complex technological task. To produce insulation in the form of a shell, you need optional equipment, which entails an increase in the cost of the finished product.
- One more drawback can be noted - low resistance to shock loads. But this indicator is not critical, since the insulation is not subjected to such tests.
Attention! "Analogs"
- There is a cheaper analogue on the market, which is made from liquid glass. Ready product does not differ in strength and moisture resistance. At its core, it is porous glue.
- The only advantage of this material is its low cost, which can be 2 or even 3 times less than that of foam glass products made from solid raw materials.
Foam glass application
Due to its thermal insulation properties, the material is used:
- in civil engineering. It is widely used for thermal insulation engineering communications. This material is used for “warm floors”, used roofs, attic spaces, basements, foundations. They also insulate internal and external walls;
- in sports facilities. Block and granular material is widely used in the construction of ice arenas, swimming pools, playgrounds and other objects that have special requirements;
- V industrial facilities. Foamed glass melt works to reduce operating costs due to its high thermal resistance. Therefore, its use is relevant not only for above-ground, but also for underground structures, such as: buried tanks and other containers;
- V national economy. Crushed foam glass makes it possible to erect buildings on clayey and marshy soils. It provides reliable thermal insulation of farms intended for breeding poultry, cattle, etc.;
- in the improvement of personal gardens. Foam glass bulk material has found its application in the construction of greenhouses and greenhouses. Operational characteristics allow you to shape the relief on the site, equip pedestrian paths, create gabions, use in drainage systems and diversions groundwater. They also insulate buried containers.
Increased efficiency
- When choosing the thickness of the slabs, it is necessary to take into account thermal insulation properties material used to build a house. So for external insulation of brick, concrete and silicate walls foam glass slabs with a thickness of 120 mm are used.
- This thermal insulation material with a thickness of 80-100 mm is suitable for buildings made of wood, foam and expanded clay concrete blocks.
- Internal insulation work is carried out using foam glass 60 mm thick. The plates are fixed using adhesives, thin dowels and steel L-shaped brackets.
- Granular material is used for the “warm floor” system, foundation and interfloor (attic) floors. It will fill all voids and provide the necessary thermal insulation. Layer thickness calculation is based on temperature conditions region of residence.
Foam glass installation
- To attach the mats, a special foam glass adhesive is used. It is applied to the reverse side and 2 side walls. Cement-containing solutions and bitumen-based compositions are evenly distributed around the perimeter.
- If there are minor bulges or depressions on the surface, then it is recommended to apply the adhesive mixture to the foam glass in “slaps” (at least 5 pieces per slab). With this method, glue consumption will increase, but the base will become as smooth as possible.
- For wooden surfaces, special dowels are used. This is explained by the fact that wood is subject to thermal expansion. In this connection, the slabs must be fixed mechanically, which will allow the foam glass blocks to “move” after the wood.
- Before installing the slabs on vertical surfaces at the level of the plinth, a horizontal strip under the level is installed. It could be timber or metallic profile, if necessary, wedges are placed between the base and the rail. The empty space is filled with foam.
- The first row of insulation is installed on a profile that acts as a support. After the adhesive composition has hardened, the support is dismantled. For reliability horizontal bar It is better to remove it after all work is completed.
- Foam glass mats are mounted on walls and sloping roofs from the bottom up, on horizontal surfaces (for example, on interfloor ceilings, foundations) in the “toward” direction, that is, from the far corner.
- Laying of foam glass products is carried out close to each other with the obligatory displacement of one row relative to the other (with bandaging of the seams). If, in addition to glue, you plan to additionally use dowels, then they are fastened after the binder mixture has completely dried.
- Thermal insulation boards around windows or doorways, chimney pipes and other elements are mounted in solid figures. Joining foam glass blocks on corner lines is not permitted.
Foam glass laying technology
Knowing the method of fastening this material, you can easily and quickly insulate any objects under construction. Proper placement of all layers will help increase the efficiency of thermal insulation.
Unique physical and technical properties make it possible to reduce the thickness of the “pie” and abandon the use of wind and moisture-proof membranes. Below are the most common uses of foam glass slabs.
- Wall with heavy cladding. To reinforced concrete or brick surface products made of foam glass are glued. Additional fixation is done mechanically (4-5 dowels per slab). After the entire perimeter has been laid, they proceed to the installation of a metal profile intended for facing stone. This option is also applicable for arranging the basement.
- Plastered wall. Foam glass mats are attached to brickwork or walls built from foam or aerated concrete blocks using an adhesive composition. Before applying the finishing material, the slabs are covered with an overlapping mesh (at least 100 mm). It is fixed with disc-shaped dowels with pressure washers. The thickness of the plaster layer can be up to 30 mm.
- Wall with facing brick. The brick base is covered with foam glass slabs. It is more convenient to insert flexible connections after laying the insulation, and not before its installation. Next, the masonry is erected from facing bricks. Here you can also use granular material, which is poured between the main and facing walls as the latter is erected (the distance between the masonry is at least 250 mm).
- Wall under profiled sheet. Wall surfaces are covered with foam glass mats. On top of them there is a sheathing made of wooden slats or metal profile. Fasteners are selected depending on the material from which the walls are built. Profiled sheets are installed using the appropriate technology (from bottom to top and from left to right, overlapping horizontally and vertically).
- Internal walls (partitions). Indoor work is not much different from the external installation of the presented insulation. Also, insulation is attached to the surface, which is covered with a layer of plaster (you can mount the profile under plasterboard sheets).
- Roof under roll materials . If necessary, the reinforced concrete slab is coated with a bitumen-polymer primer, which ensures high level moisture protection. Next, hot bitumen-based mastic or glue solution and with gentle pressure is fixed on the surface. The finished canvas is treated with hot bitumen. Fused with a torch waterproofing layer EPP, and then EKP-type roll material.
- Roof with a slight slope for sheet coverings. On the ceiling from reinforced concrete foam glass blocks are glued. You can use special adhesive compositions or bitumen mastics. Upon completion of the work, the foam glass surface is covered with a hot bitumen-polymer mass. To increase the waterproofing of the roof, fused rolled materials are used. After hardening, a sheathing is made corresponding to one or another roofing material.
- Wooden roof. A continuous flooring is installed on the rafters. A layer of waterproofing materials on a bitumen basis, the fastening of which is carried out mechanically. Next, foam glass is installed, then waterproofing material. Now the surface is completely ready for laying any roofing material.
- Insulation of floors with foam glass. Foam glass slabs are laid tightly on top concrete base or a compacted layer of sand or cement. Here the thickness of the slab will depend on the expected loads. Next, polyethylene is laid in 2 layers, and then the entire cake is poured sand-cement mixture. This base is completely ready for arrangement with various finishing materials: linoleum, parquet, ceramic tiles etc.
Foam glass products have the characteristics necessary for effective thermal insulation of buildings for any purpose. They combine: low heat transfer rates, ease of installation, long term operation, fire and biological resistance, environmental Safety for both the person and the structure.
Foam glass video
Despite the high cost of this material, laying foam glass will cover all costs due to the absence of additional layers of the cake and due to the minimal amounts in heating bills.
Application of granulated foam glass in individual construction
Everyone dreams of making their home a real fortress, and today the latest building and insulation materials, which can significantly increase the thermal parameters of the projects being carried out, help to make their dreams come true. structural elements and improve the microclimate in interior spaces residential building. Many building elements require insulation, a unique set of properties granulated foam glass allows this material to be used quite widely.
Usage granulated foam glass in individual construction, it allows you to create energy-saving buildings that are much lighter than conventional ones, reducing the cost of construction by 20 - 25%; used as a heat-insulating material in the construction of cottages, dachas and other residential premises, as it does not emit harmful substances during operation and environmentally friendly. It is worth noting that this type of insulation is suitable for rooms with special requirements for humidity (baths, saunas, basements).
Granulated foam glass has a unique strength-density ratio. None mineral porous material does not have such high compressive strength (without any deformation!!) at low density; low thermal conductivity, absolute non-flammability, ease of processing and installation.
Let's look at the features of insulation using some examples.
Foundation insulation
It should be noted that a lot of heat is lost through the foundation if it is not insulated. To eliminate various accidents that could negatively affect the structure, there is the most reliable type foundation: monolithic slab, which is a thick reinforced concrete slab, reinforced in two layers. Insulating such a foundation with granulated foam glass allows not only to reduce heat loss through the floor of the first floor, but also to avoid uneven subsidence of the foundation. The high strength of granulated foam glass allows the foundation slab to be poured over a layer of compacted gravel.
1- primer 
2 - geotextile
3 - granular foam glass
4 - waterproofing
5 - geotextile
6 - foundation slab
Insulation of walls.
One of the private solutions for multi-layer wall structures is effective well brickwork. Insulated brick well masonry consists of three layers: outer and inner walls, rigidly interconnected by vertical diaphragms made of masonry brick, and a layer of wall thermal insulation located between them. When constructing diaphragms, a space is left between the bricks of the diaphragm, which is later filled with bulk thermal insulation - granulated foam glass. It fills wells easily brickwork various forms to obtain a uniform backfill.
Due to the complete absence of organic matter, granulated foam glass does not contain a nutrient medium for flora and fauna, including microorganisms. Thus, foam glass cannot be eaten by rodents and mold will not form on it.
Floor insulation.
If timely thermal insulation of the floor is not carried out, or the floor is poorly insulated, heat loss through the floor will be the norm. Floors carry high static and dynamic loads, so insulation should be calculated so that heat loss through the floor is reduced. For floors it is better to use this heat insulating material, which has high compressive strength and almost no problems with deformation.
The high strength of foam glass allows you to obtain a flat and rigid base; this factor significantly increases the service life of the floor’s thermal insulation system. Foam glass has a number of unique features, which allows it to be used as insulation for wooden and concrete floors in various residential premises, chemically resistant material, which is especially important when insulating a wooden floor on the first floor, insulating a concrete floor, or insulating a bathhouse floor.
Insulation of the roof (roof).
The roof is one of the most exposed elements of a home to moisture.
IN 
In this case, insulation with granulated foam glass is optimal. Flat roofs are more popular today. Many designs take into account roofs and architectural solutions, exploiting options such as “winter gardens”, cafes, terraces located in the fresh air.
When insulating a flat roof, granulated foam glass can simultaneously act as a heat-insulating and slope-forming layer.
Flat roof experiencing great snow loads than pitched, since it is absent rafter system and the load is transferred directly to the floor. The low density of foam glass, combined with high strength, can significantly reduce these loads. In this case, the layer of foam glass required for effective thermal insulation will be significantly smaller compared to the same expanded clay. The high drainage properties of the granulated foam glass layer, combined with the low water absorption of the granules themselves, make it possible to avoid the main problem of inversion roofing - the accumulation and freezing of moisture in the insulation layer. When thermally insulating a pitched roof, granulated foam glass is poured between the rafters, which also reduces the load on the load-bearing elements and significantly increases the service life of the structure.
Insulation of floors.
Depending on the location, there are attic, interfloor, basement and basement floors. When insulating floors with granulated foam glass, plank flooring can serve as a subfloor; when insulating the floor using joists/beams cement-sand screed, prefabricated floor systems. To insulate unattended rooms, for example, unused attics, the backfill can be left free.
The use of foam glass in private housing construction when insulating floors will provide increased comfort due to its sound-absorbing properties. The ecology of the house is also important, which is increasingly receiving increased attention, and foam glass perfectly satisfies all the requirements of “cleanliness”.
Insulation of the pool.
When constructing a swimming pool, its thermal insulation plays a key role, because 
The main problem of such structures located in open areas is large heat loss. In this regard, the question arises: How to insulate a pool to avoid excessively rapid cooling of the water?
A swimming pool will only be built correctly if all conditions for its operation are met and reliable protection from heat loss. The bowl of the pool is of particular importance in this regard. Due to the fact that it is located directly on the ground, it must be insulated with materials that have a high heat resistance coefficient. The average ground temperature is about 5-7 degrees, while the water temperature in the pool is more than 25 degrees. Taking into account the fact that heat tries to penetrate into cold areas, insulation of the pool bowl must be carried out even before installation work begins.
Landscape design(garden sidewalk paths)
The purpose of garden paths is to be able to reach the desired location without loss of plantings, especially in rainy weather.Functional and convenient - such qualities can rightfully be given garden paths. If the Romans had beautifully laid paths in their gardens, and the Japanese generally endowed such paths with a special meaning, now paved paths emphasize the attractiveness of flower beds and greenhouses, connecting different areas and its buildings.
You must clearly know which paths will play a dominant role and which will play a secondary role; their size and the material chosen for paving depend on this. So, in order for a car to drive into a garage, you need a path that can withstand maximum loads, so you need to thinkabout fundamental strengthening.Secondary paths can be made smaller in width. Here granulated foam glass with its own will come to your aid unique properties and characteristics.
Construction of pedestrian paths
- Priming
- Geotextile material
- Granular foam glass
- Geotextile material
- Support layer
- Stone shawl
We looked at several application examples Granular foam glass in individual construction. Granulated foam glass - comparatively new insulation on modern market building materials. When studying and comparing the physical characteristics of the studied building material, we can say that the main advantages are high thermal insulation, not susceptible to temporary destruction, environmental safety, resistance to aggressive environments, moisture resistance, high adhesion, non-flammability and high mechanical stability at low density.
We can confidently say that this material is the future!
Installation and dismantling of traditional wall insulation with mineral wool, foam plastic and other boards is a rather labor-intensive process. In some cases it is appropriate to use bulk insulation. It is much cheaper and more convenient with the same efficiency. There is a very diverse selection of such materials on the market.
Characteristic
Bulk heat insulator is used not only for internal surfaces– they can be used to insulate the room and outside. Walls, floors, roofs - you can insulate all elements that structurally allow for backfilling of material.
Loose fill insulation is cheap. Some of its types are simply production waste (sawdust) or ready-made natural materials(sand).
The only drawback is hygroscopicity. If wet, it loses its properties.
It is necessary to pay special attention to the hydro- and vapor barrier of its layers. However, the fear of moisture is characteristic to the same extent for all types of thermal insulation.
Features of the material
There are several types of bulk material for insulation. Each of them has its own properties. List of bulk insulation materials:
- expanded clay;
- polystyrene foam in granules;
- foam concrete crumbs;
- ecowool;
- sawdust and sand;
- boiler slag;
- vermiculite.
The usual form of this material is round or oval granules. Granules or other shaped material are porous and very light (some types can float on the surface of the water). Expanded clay is formed by firing light alloy clay. It is absolutely non-flammable, safe, and environmentally friendly in its composition.
The material can be in three forms:
- sand with grain size from 0.14 to 5 mm. It is used as a filler for lightweight concrete and for floor insulation;
- Expanded expanded clay crushed stone is granules with a fraction of 5–40 mm. The best option for thermal insulation of foundations and floors of residential premises;
- expanded clay gravel. Round granules 5–40 mm with a fused surface, absolutely resistant to fire. Inside they have closed pores, which gives them excellent frost resistance. This type of gravel is recommended for insulation attic floors: the material is lightweight and has low thermal conductivity.
The labeling of a material must include the size of its fraction:
- 5–10 mm – floors and roofs;
- 10–20 mm – baths and saunas, able to maintain temperature and humidity in the room for some time;
- more than 20 mm - for foundations and basements.
This is the most controversial bulk material. Contains very light, airy granules white. It is used as backfill for insulating roofs and walls; it is also used as an additive in mixtures for insulating concrete.
The disadvantages are toxicity and flammability, but its properties have not yet been fully studied. Instead, it is recommended to use granulated foam glass. Expanded polystyrene is cheap and convenient for insulation using the well-laying method.
This is a layered material based on mica. No chemical additives or impurities are used in the manufacturing process. Is excellent option for insulation of loggias and rooms. Used as an energy-saving cladding for housing inside and outside. For floors and walls, a layer of at least 10 cm is recommended, for the roof - at least 5 cm. Backfilling with this material 5 cm thick reduces heat loss by 75%, 10 cm - 92%.
Material Features:
- high breathability of insulation - the material is porous - which allows the walls to “breathe”, ideal for natural circulation, renewing air and ensuring indoor microclimate;
- environmentally friendly, without toxic substances;
- non-flammable, fire-resistant, belongs to the G1 flammability group;
- fungi, mold, rodents, insects are not afraid of such isolation;
- special skills or experience, special tools are not needed to fill it. The layer of material is simply poured back and compacted. No additional fasteners are needed;
- service life - more than 50 years.
For walls, a vermiculite backfill thickness of 10 cm is sufficient, for attics, roofs, interfloor ceilings– 5 cm. When laying it is advisable to use vapor barrier film– this will additionally protect the insulation from moisture.
Sawdust and sand
This traditional materials to preserve heat, which are used in attics and basements, have been used for centuries. Disadvantages: they are poorly insulated from moisture, pests can grow in them. Sawdust is flammable and susceptible to mold and mildew. It is still recommended to use more modern materials.
For insulation, they use not ordinary sand, but perlite. It is light in weight, less hygroscopic, and its characteristics resemble mineral wool. Due to its low bulk density, it does not create a load on the walls and does not burst them.
Ecowool or cellulose
The components of this insulation are ecowool (7%), shredded paper (81%), antiseptics (12%) and fire retardants (7%). The material is non-flammable and does not rot thanks to special impregnations. It has been used in the world for more than 80 years; it has been known in the CIS for the last decade.
This material uses boric acid as an antiseptic and borax as a fire retardant. These substances are environmentally friendly.
The material is quite practical: the fibers fill small voids well, so it is recommended for complex structures.
For backfilling there are the following recommendations. Firstly, bulk material It settles over time, so it needs to be compacted well. It is advisable to use boiler slag and expanded clay in regions where winter temperatures do not drop below -20°C. Insulation pitched roofs expanded clay and similar compounds are carried out from the outside, after laying the vapor barrier. Transverse stops are installed along the slope between the rafters - they evenly distribute the insulation.
After laying it on the floor or in the basement, it is well compacted to prevent shrinkage and deformation of the finish. The only problem is moisture ingress; bulk insulation materials are quite hygroscopic. In baths and saunas and, indeed, everywhere, the insulation layer must have high-quality hydro- and vapor barrier. It is necessary to ensure that there are no cracks in the finishing and that bulk material does not spill through them. It is also worth remembering that expanded clay is quite heavy. It is necessary to ensure that its mass does not push apart too weak partitions or walls.
Backfilling methods
The process of filling any insulation is the same: the material is poured into the cavity and compacted. It is recommended that the issue of insulation be addressed immediately when designing a house. In case not internal cavities under filling the insulation, layers are made using PVC panels or plasterboard.
A good option is when the insulation is poured between facing and ordinary bricks, between internal and external masonry. There may be ribs inside so that it is well distributed. Thanks to loose thermal insulation, the walls do not need to be made thick, which saves costs. There are ready-made concrete products on sale - slabs, inside of which there are already cavities filled with expanded clay; they retain heat 50% better than ordinary ones.
Options
For floors, these methods of insulation with bulk components are used. The first option is fill-in (or loose) insulation on joists. Joists are made on the floor on posts, skull blocks are nailed, then flooring is made of boards. A vapor barrier is placed on the flooring and expanded clay is poured. Further, if necessary, the next layer of thermal insulation, on it - screed, rough wood flooring.
The second option is an embankment on top of a concrete slab. An option for low-quality housing - Khrushchev, for example - when it is possible to raise the floor level. The floor covering is removed, waterproofing is laid, expanded clay is poured onto it in a layer of 5 - 10 cm. Then you can put a mesh for reinforcement, and on it you can make rough screed– the basis of the finishing flooring. A vapor barrier is laid on top of the expanded clay cushion, and another layer of insulation is placed on top of it.
Finally, the third option is a dry expanded clay screed. A layer of expanded clay is poured, a layer of gravel is placed on it, then another layer of expanded clay. The surface is leveled, gypsum fiber boards are laid on it, and any finishing coating is placed on them.
Foam glass is a durable, strong and popular material for insulation. It is easy to install and high efficiency. The technology was invented almost a century ago in the USSR, and practical application was invented later in Canada. Foam glass appeared on the building materials market recently, when its production technology made it possible to make it affordable and of high quality. Before use, it is worth considering what granules or foam glass slabs are, their main advantages and disadvantages, as well as methods of use for insulation.
Foam glass combines the advantages of two materials at once. It combines silicate glass, which is durable and brittle, and foam, an incredibly light material. The production of foam glass involves heating a silicate mass with the addition of a substance that forms a gas. High temperature leads to the melting of the substance, as well as the formation of small bubbles. This technology allows us to obtain a lightweight and durable material that has a high heat resistance.
In the field of thermal insulation, two main types are used:
- Slab foam glass. The insulation is in the form of a plate, which has a structure with closed cells. Ideal for insulating basements, facades, ceilings, floors and foundations. The thickness is 6-12 cm, and the size of the plate is 45*60 cm. They can withstand even significant operating loads, do not shrink and are resistant to deformation under mechanical stress.
Slab insulation
- Granular material. It is a microporous spherical granule. Made in granules various sizes from 1-5 mm to 7-20 mm. Can be used as insulation for interior walls, ceilings and floors.
Granular foam glass
The technical characteristics of the two types of material are similar, so when choosing it you should base only on the convenience and feasibility of using insulation of one form or another.
Main characteristics
According to statistics, the higher the hardness of a material, the lower its thermal insulation properties. Foam glass is one of the insulation materials that not only withstand heavy loads, but also have a low thermal conductivity.
Other material characteristics include:
- Thermal conductivity. Foam glass has a thermal conductivity of 0.04 W/m*s. If we compare it with wood, then for this material this indicator is two times lower, and for minimal wool it is higher by an average of 25%. Therefore, foam glass perfectly protects against heat loss better than wood, mineral wool and many other insulation materials. High thermal insulation properties are explained by the presence of small closed cells with thin partitions in the structure.
- Strength. A square meter of insulation can withstand pressure of 40-100 tons, and the strength indicator is 0.5-1.2 MPa. This indicator does not deteriorate over time. However, the impact strength of the material is low. Foam glass can be broken under strong mechanical stress.
- Soundproofing. Foam glass can be used effectively not only for protection against heat loss, but also against extraneous noise. The material is capable of dampening sound waves with a force of 45-56 decibels.
- Temperature resistance. The insulation can withstand temperatures from -200 to +300 degrees, which allows it to be used even at extreme temperatures.
- Density. This indicator for the material is very low and is equal to 100-250 kg per cubic meter. And this figure is at least three times lower than the density of wood.
- Vapor permeability. Foam glass can also be used as a vapor barrier. The vapor permeability indicator is only 0.005 mg/(m*h*Pa).
- Moisture resistance. Foam glass slabs and granules can absorb no more than 2% of water from their own volume. The material not only does not absorb moisture, but also does not change its properties when interacting with it.
High moisture resistance
- Biological stability. Foam glass has a high resistance to insects, rodents and microorganisms. The insulation does not absorb water, so mold and mildew do not form in it. And the high hardness of the material protects it from insects and rodents.
- Chemical resistance. Foam glass is chemically inert material. Therefore, when in contact with acids, alkalis, gases and oil products, foam glass does not interact. The only substance with which foam glass interacts is hydrofluoric acid.
- Ecological cleanliness. Foam glass does not burn, does not emit toxic gases and does not produce decay products. This makes the material safe for insulating residential premises.
The unique characteristics of the material are explained by the combination of the properties of silicate glass and gas microcapsules.
Main advantages
Using foam glass as insulation has a number of significant advantages. These include:
- Excellent thermal insulation characteristics. They are explained by the peculiarity of the structure of the material - small closed cells with thin partitions.
- Versatility. The material is universal, therefore it can be used for insulation of facades, roofs, foundations, communications, walls and floors. It can be used even for objects with a high fire hazard.
- Long service life. The material can last more than 100 years without loss performance qualities. At the same time, it tolerates high and low temperatures, as well as their sharp changes.
- Good sound insulation properties. A 10 cm layer of insulation can even muffle the sounds of a running tractor engine behind the wall. Therefore, the material can be effectively used not only for protection against heat loss, but also against extraneous noise.
- Easy to install. An ordinary hacksaw can be used to cut slabs; the granules can simply be poured onto the prepared surfaces. The material is incredibly light, so working with it is easy.
- Safety. The material does not emit hazardous compounds, therefore it can be used in public and residential premises.
- Non-flammability. Foam glass does not burn, and at very high temperatures it only melts, without releasing toxic components or smoke.
The advantages of foam glass have made it one of the most successful and quality materials for insulation of floors, roofs, ceilings, basements, walls and other surfaces.
Main disadvantages
Despite the obvious advantages of foam glass, when choosing it as insulation, the disadvantages should also be taken into account. These include:
- High price. On the building materials market, foam glass is one of the most expensive insulation materials. This is due to high energy consumption during production. In addition, production requires expensive equipment.
- Low impact strength. The material has a high compressive strength, but is quite brittle. Therefore, with strong impacts, foam glass can crack, and such cracked slabs can no longer be used as insulation.
- Low vapor conductivity. This property of the material is both its advantage and disadvantage. Despite the fact that fungi and mold cannot form in foam glass, the surface it covers does not allow air exchange, so pockets of infection may appear.
Foam glass - high quality and modern insulation For various types surface, however, when choosing it, disadvantages should also be taken into account.
Details of insulating a house with foam glass can be found in the video:
Application
A special feature of the material is its excellent thermal insulation abilities combined with high strength. Therefore, it can be used to insulate the base, foundation, load-bearing walls and pipelines. The low water absorption rate allows it to be used for thermal insulation of basements, foundations and ground floor. Granular material can be used as an insulation additive for concrete. To insulate walls, it is enough to pour it into their cavities.
Insulation with granulated foam glass
Foam glass cuts and drills well, so it’s easy to make pieces from slabs the right size. In addition, the slabs hold plaster, putty, glue and other surface finishing compounds well.
The material can be used not only for residential and public premises. It is used for housings of various technological and industrial equipment, which operates at high temperature.
Foam glass insulation
Foam glass insulation technology
To guarantee high thermal insulation qualities of the material, it is necessary to follow the technology of its installation:
- To attach the slabs, it is recommended to use a special glue, which must be applied to reverse side slabs and side walls. After which the glue should be evenly distributed over the surface of the sheet.
- If the surface has pits, bulges or other irregularities, the adhesive should be applied to the foam glass with slaps to obtain the most even base possible.
- When insulating wooden base It is recommended to secure the slabs with special dowels. Wood expands when exposed to moisture and temperature, so insulation must be installed mechanically.
- When installing the slab on a vertical surface, it is necessary to install the bottom strip using building level. It is best to use a metal profile or rail as a strip.
- The first row of insulation should be mounted on a profile that will act as a support. After the glue has completely hardened, the support can be removed. However, it is best to remove it after the work is completely completed.
- When installing slabs on vertical or inclined surfaces, start from the bottom, and on horizontal surfaces, start from the far corner.
- The slabs should be laid close to each other with one row offset relative to the other. After applying and completely drying the glue, it is additionally recommended to strengthen the slabs with special dowels.
- It is recommended to install heat-insulating boards around windows and doors in one piece. On corner lines, connecting individual pieces of material to each other is not allowed.
Roof insulation with foam glass
Foam glass is a high-quality, modern and very lightweight material for thermal insulation various surfaces. Proper adherence to installation technology will increase the efficiency of thermal insulation and extend the service life of the material.
Cullet
Granular foam glass is produced in the form of particles having a close to spherical shape. Production is based on the foaming of individual, pre-rounded semi-finished granules in a rotating continuous kiln.
Slab foam glass obtained by foaming billets in continuous tunnel ovens. At the exit, the material is sent for long annealing and then to sawing machine to give the slabs precise geometric dimensions.
Roof insulation
Cullet
In Russia, at least 5 million tons of glass are formed annually in solid materials alone. household waste. Foam glass production is a method of converting cullet from landfills into a highly efficient, energy-saving material.
Production of granulated foam glass
Granular foam glass is produced in the form of particles having a close to spherical shape. Production is based on the foaming of individual, pre-rounded granules- semi-finished products in a rotating continuous kiln.
Production of slab foam glass
Slab foam glass get foaming of workpieces in walk-through tunnels ovens . At the exit, the material is sent for long annealing and then to a sawing machine to give the slabs precise geometric dimensions.
Insulation of horizontal surfaces
Granulated foam glass easily fills any unevenness and can serve not only as a heat insulator, but also as a deflection
Insulation of vertical surfaces
Granulated foam glass fills any cavities and creates reliable thermal insulation protection.
Roof insulation
Slab foam glass is an indispensable rigid, waterproof, durable thermal insulation material for roof insulation.
Thermal insulation of process equipment
All over the world, slab foam glass is used at facilities where compromise is unacceptable - nuclear power plants, submarines, factories, etc.
