How to choose insulation for thermal insulation of the external walls of a house. Choosing insulation for thermal insulation of the external walls of a house. What types of insulation are there for the external walls of a house?

Insulating walls is an operation that is designed to solve several problems at once.

Firstly, in this way errors in calculations can be corrected when designing a house when the walls do not have the required thickness and do not cope with heat-saving functions.

Secondly, insulation can be initially included in the house design as part of the construction plan, reducing material consumption and increasing functionality external walls.

There are two insulation options that should be considered carefully.

Two types of wall insulation are used:

• Outside.

Comparing these options with each other is not entirely correct., since the process of insulating a wall is literally possible only if the insulation is located externally.

The outer wall of a house performs three main functions:

• Mechanical barrier to protect against penetration into the premises.
• Load-bearing structure of the building.
• Barrier to outside cold air.

Thus, when the insulation is placed outside, all the working functions of the wall are preserved, plus an additional barrier appears that eliminates contact with cold air, which is why the internal heat does not dissipate into the atmosphere. Accordingly, the temperature of the wall increases, dew point moves outward, the process of moisture condensation and wetting of the material stops. All problems are solved in the most effective way.

Comparison of insulation methods

When the insulation is placed internally, the wall completely ceases to perform heat-saving functions, remaining only a load-bearing structure and barrier. The fact is that the wall is not insulated from the inside, but, on the contrary, is cut off from contact with warm internal air. Its temperature sometimes drops to the point of equalization with the outside, which creates a lot of problems for organizing the removal of steam from the interior of the house.

If the insulation allows steam to pass through, the wall will definitely get wet, which is fraught with undesirable consequences. The solution to this problem is a complex procedure, which includes the need to organize supply and exhaust ventilation, ensure the most hermetically sealed shutoff of the internal atmosphere from contact with the insulation, etc.

The presence of such problems quite eloquently convinces of the preferability of external insulation as an effective process, practically devoid of disadvantages or harmful consequences.

The most common insulating materials

Almost all insulation materials available in wide sale, are suitable and common materials.

These include:

Minvata

Most good option — , a dense fibrous material made from molten rock. It has high heat-saving qualities and conducts water vapor well, which is important for external wall insulation.

Does not promote the appearance of insects or rodents, does not burn. The disadvantage of the material is its ability to absorb moisture, requiring the organization of high-quality water protection.

Basalt wool

Foam plastic (PPS)

A material that is very popular due to its low price and very high heat-saving qualities. It consists of many small sealed granules filled with gas bubbles and welded into a single mass using hot steam.

It has a convenient manufacturing format, is easy to process and holds its shape well, which is very helpful during installation. Wherein, almost impervious to moisture or water vapor, which requires taking appropriate measures to remove it.

In addition, it is not elastic - it crumbles or breaks when deforming loads appear.

Styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene (EPS)

Chemically, the material is an analogue of foam plastic, but a different manufacturing technology significantly changes its characteristics.- a frozen foam mass that does not consist of individual particles, but is a continuous porous slab.

That's why EPS has almost zero permeability to water or steam. The heat-saving properties of the material are very high, it is durable, and is produced in the form of rigid slabs. At the same time, it is much more expensive than polystyrene foam, which somewhat reduces its use.

Expanded polystyrene

Polyurethane foam

How is insulation used? , which is applied by spraying using special equipment. Most useful property Polyurethane foam is able to be applied to the surface as densely and hermetically as possible, without the formation of cracks or gaps.

A layer of frozen foam is formed, quite dense and at the same time light, impermeable to either steam or water.. It is quite expensive, in addition, it requires equipment, as well as a specialist who knows how to work with polyurethane foam. It is used most often for internal application.

Polyurethane foam

Penoplex

A type of EPPS that has similar qualities to it, but is somewhat modernized. Different types are made - for walls, for foundations, etc. The material is ideal for insulation and waterproofing of buried areas of walls or structures; it has proven itself as an insulation material for interior work.

Available in the form of slabs of various thicknesses.

Penoplex

What material is best for wall insulation?

largely depends on the general climatic and atmospheric characteristics of the region, as well as on the material of the walls. The main selection criterion is the ratio of the vapor conductivity of the wall and the insulation, ensuring the unhindered passage of steam from one layer to another without the formation of accumulations or barriers.

NOTE!

The basic rule of insulation must be followed: the vapor permeability of materials should be maximum inside and decrease as you move out.

Compliance with this condition guarantees high-quality work of the wall pie, durability, and preservation of the properties of wall materials and insulation.

Let's look at the most common wall options:

Foam concrete

Such porous material It conducts steam most easily and absorbs moisture. Such properties determine the choice of insulation that can easily transmit steam - mineral wool. At the same time, it is necessary to provide high-quality external vapor and water protection, ensuring the removal of vapors to the outside and preventing moisture from penetrating inside.

The best choice would be a single-acting waterproof membrane.

Insulation of foam concrete walls with mineral wool

Wooden

From the point of view of insulation, wood is a reliable insulator in itself.. In this case, the risky areas are the joints of logs or beams, connecting planes and corner joints. The meaning of the entire procedure in this case is transferred to the plane of waterproofing and cutting off cracks.

Therefore, both mineral wool and polystyrene foam can be used as insulation., although in any case careful preparation of surfaces and, in particular, sealing of all cracks will be required. Without this, a positive result is not guaranteed.

From time immemorial, Russian huts were saved by the presence stove heating- the draft carried away excess particles of steam, and the kindling mode contributed to this. Currently, high-quality ventilation of premises is required.

Insulation of wooden walls with mineral wool

brick

Brick is the most dense material; of these, it is least capable of transmitting water vapor. At the same time, having maximum density, brick has a fairly high thermal conductivity and easily transfers heat to environment.

Therefore, the most effective thermal insulator is required, capable of retaining heat and protecting the wall from external influences. The recommended material can be mineral wool, polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene), moreover, mineral wool will require waterproofing, and foam plastic will create a risk of moisture accumulation at the outer wall-insulation boundary.

Thermal insulation using polyurethane foam

How to calculate the thickness of insulation?

The thickness of the external insulation can be calculated using several parameters:

• According to the location of the dew point.
• According to the thermal conductivity of the material.

Both methods require a lot of special data and are produced using complex formulas. Most importantly, such calculations do not take into account the impact of subtle effects that can change ongoing processes in completely unpredictable ways. Therefore, in practice, they usually use ready-made data from similar projects that have shown positive results in operation, or they use online calculators, of which a sufficient number are offered on the Internet.

Specifications

You just need to insert the necessary data and get the finished result. To be on the safe side, you should check it on several others to get the most accurate average.

How to avoid mistakes when insulating walls?

The cause of all errors is a lack of information about the technology and a poor understanding of the meaning of the actions performed. Therefore, you should study the issue as completely as possible, find out all the nuances of vaporization and finding the dew point.

In addition, it is necessary to carefully analyze the technological processes used to insulate walls in these conditions and on this material, clarify all the weak points and find out the most effective ways their elimination. Only after this should work begin.

Dew point

External thermal insulation of walls - the most successful and effective procedure. The main condition for success is the correct choice of material and the possession of the necessary knowledge, skills or other information. This approach guarantees high-quality and reliable insulation external walls, creating a cozy atmosphere in the house.

Useful video

In this video you can watch an overview of modern types of thermal insulation:

In contact with

Nowadays, insulation of buildings is increasingly being used from the outside. This applies to both private houses and high-rise buildings. By insulating the walls from the outside, you can save up to 50% of energy on heating and air conditioning, so the cost of thermal insulation sometimes pays off in less than five years.

However, before starting thermal insulation measures, you need to decide on the choice of insulation that is better suited in a particular case. It is also important to choose which method of insulating the outside will be more suitable. It is these questions that we will consider next.

Why is it better to insulate from the outside?

External thermal insulation of walls is used more often than internal insulation for several reasons.

1. The living space is not insulated when thermally insulated. This is especially true in small apartments and small houses, because the amount of insulation with cladding reaches 7-8 cm, which significantly reduces the already small living space.
2. Outside, you can put a much larger layer of insulation, which will, as a result, give a much better thermal insulation effect.
3. External thermal insulation of walls is combined with some type of modern finishing, for example, siding, thanks to which you can update a dilapidated facade
4. The seams between the slabs are closed when insulating the outside of multi-storey block houses.
5. The building material from which the walls are constructed is protected, thereby extending its service life.
6. A home that is insulated on the outside, covered with siding or plastered with a modern decorative compound will increase in value dramatically, so insulation is a good investment.

What technologies are used for external insulation

External thermal insulation involves several methods, among which three main methods are most widespread.

1. Wet insulation technology, when sheet heat-insulating material is glued to the wall, followed by additional fastening using dowels with a mushroom-shaped perforated cap. Next, the surface is reinforced with a special fiberglass mesh, which is mounted on a layer of plaster glue. After a full cycle of surface preparation, one of the types of decorative plaster coating is applied to it, which, after drying, is painted with tinted water-based paint.
2. Curtain façade method, which is somewhat reminiscent of in-wall insulation. In this case, the heat insulator is fixed to the existing surface, in the same way as with the method described above. Next, the external masonry is erected, which is then plastered and painted. You can make the exterior masonry from decorative bricks to avoid the need for finishing. A ventilation gap is left between the wall surface and the heat-insulating layer.
3. The most popular, especially for external insulation of private houses, is ventilated facade technology. If this option is implemented, a sheathing is constructed, which is intended for covering with thermal panels or siding. Between the guides of such a frame, a heat-insulating material is laid, which is attached either spaced between the sheathing elements, or with the help of mushroom-like dowels. A windproof film is fixed on the outside, which protects against moisture, including if a hygroscopic heat insulator is used. The last step here is siding or some similar finishing cladding.

The choice of one of the methods described above depends on the type of building, its number of storeys, and the material from which the walls are built. So, for external thermal insulation of the walls of high-rise buildings, it is better to use the “wet” method. When insulating private houses, it is preferable to construct a ventilated facade with siding. Depending on the technology used, preferences for one or another thermal insulation material change.

What types of insulation exist?

All the most common thermal insulation materials used externally are divided into natural and polymeric. The first include:

• mineral insulation (mineral wool, glass wool);
• cellulose heat insulators (ecowool).

Polymers are:

• Styrofoam;
• penoplex;
• polyurethane foam.

Now let's look at each type in more detail.

Mineral wool thermal insulation materials

Mineral wool is used for installation on walls with subsequent finishing decorative plaster, and for arranging a ventilated façade siding system.

In the first case, mineral wool mats measuring 100x60 cm are used, which are attached to the wall with glue and dowels, reinforced with a fiberglass mesh, which sits on plaster glue.

The second option involves the construction of a frame, on which siding is sewn as a final cladding. Here it is better to use medium-density mineral wool. Considering that the insulation is capable of absorbing moisture, while deteriorating its thermal insulation qualities, it is necessary both from the side of the wall and from the outside to make waterproofing protection with a special perforated film. Before installing the siding, it is better to make a counter-lattice to ensure that there is a ventilation gap.

Exterior insulation with ecowool

For insulation with ecowool, it is also necessary to equip the frame for siding.

First, the sheathing is done. Then a heater is applied to the wall, which is a cellulose mass mixed in certain proportions with water. Ecowool adheres to the wall, forming a continuous, seamless heat-insulating layer. After drying, the excess that is outside the outer plane of the sheathing is removed. Then a layer of wind protection is laid, a counter-lattice is made, and siding or a material similar in function is sewn on.

Thermal insulation with foam plastic and penoplex

These sheet insulation mainly used for arranging a “wet” facade. They are very convenient to use and subsequent finishing. Due to the fact that penoplex is much stronger than polystyrene foam, it is better to use it at the bottom of the building, where there is a high probability of damage of mechanical origin.

Above the level of one and a half to two meters from the ground surface, it is more advisable to use polystyrene foam, since it is much cheaper than penoplex and this will help make thermal insulation more economical.

How external walls are insulated with polyurethane foam

The method of thermal insulation using polyurethane foam spraying is in many ways similar to the method of applying ecowool. The scheme is the same - sheathing, spraying of insulation, covering with finishing cladding. The difference is that, unlike “breathable” ecowool, polyurethane foam does not allow moisture or steam to pass through, so it is not suitable for, say, thermal insulation of wooden walls. But they can insulate walls made of brick, concrete or cinder block much better than sheet materials.

In this article, we briefly told you about materials for insulating walls outside, so that you can decide which one is better suited in a particular case.

Market thermal insulation materials offers us a huge selection of options for external wall insulation, especially popular. These are products based on mineral wool, liquid insulation, classic polystyrene foam, and a variety of products made from polystyrene foam.

In this article we will figure out which insulation is better, study reviews, and find out what should be followed when choosing a thermal insulation material in each specific case.

1 Why do you need external insulation of the walls of the house?

External thermal insulation of walls greatly increases the comfort of living in the house, both in winter and in cold seasons. By insulating the walls of your house with high-quality insulation, your house will receive full protection at any time not only from freezing, but also from overheating of brick, expanded clay concrete or gas silicate blocks in the summer.

Moreover, good thermal insulation materials, as a rule, are completely hydrophobic (for example) - they do not absorb water, so the walls of the house will be reliably protected from moisture.

Executed according to the right technology external thermal insulation increases the average temperature inside the house by 4-5 degrees, since the walls do not freeze in winter and do not transfer cold to the air inside the house, which, as reviews indicate, can significantly reduce the financial costs of heating the room.

High-quality calculated and executed thermal insulation even at the stage of building a house makes it possible to optimally select the elements of the heating system and save on both the boiler and radiators.

Similar savings apply to equipment for maintaining a comfortable temperature for humans during the hot season. Thermal insulation materials work not only for insulation.

Since their thermal conductivity is minimal, they do not allow the walls of a house made of brick, expanded clay concrete or gas silicate blocks to warm up under the scorching rays of the sun, as a result of which in the summer the inside of such a house is much cooler than in non-insulated buildings.

The right approach to "sandwich" wall insulation

2 Types of insulation

Depending on financial capabilities, foam plastic, mineral (basalt wool), liquid penoizol, or extruded polystyrene foam can be used as a material for external thermal insulation of walls. It is not recommended to save on thermal insulation materials.

Of course, there are ways to insulate walls made of brick, expanded clay concrete, or gas silicate blocks with polystyrene foam on a budget; such insulation will provide a certain improvement, however, you should not expect from it the same effectiveness as from insulating a house with basalt wool or foam insulation.

When choosing insulation, the key factor is its thermal conductivity coefficient, which will determine the thickness of the material layer required for wall cladding.

For almost all materials in demand today in the average price category, this indicator ranges from 0.025 to 0.045 W/μ (Watt per meter per Kelvin). The extreme place is occupied by polystyrene foam, for which this indicator is equal to 0.043 W/μ like that of.

When choosing materials for external wall insulation, it is also important to take into account such qualities as hydrophobicity (resistance to water), chemical inertness and mechanical strength, since these factors directly affect the durability of the insulation.

It is best that the heat insulator also has noise-reducing properties, which will allow you to kill two birds with one stone: external insulation of the house will also solve the issue of sound insulation of the home.

According to statistics, at least 85% of private residential buildings built over 20 years ago do not meet thermal insulation standards. As a result, people are forced to spend a large number of funds for heating the premises in order to maintain a comfortable temperature for housing during the winter period.

As the graph below shows, even insulating the external walls of a house with a ten-centimeter layer of ordinary inexpensive insulation (the same polystyrene foam, or extruded polystyrene foam) reduces heat loss through the walls by at least 3 times.

2.1 Mineral wool

The most popular insulation for the outer part of walls is mineral wool. Insulating walls outside with mineral wool is very popular due to the excellent thermal insulation characteristics and reasonable price of this material.

The concept of mineral wool can mean three types of insulation: wool based on basalt rocks, slag wool (made from slag left in blast furnaces of the metallurgical industry) and glass wool made from cullet and similar waste.

The most quality option mineral wool is considered basalt wool. The production methods of this insulation are based on the melting of basalt rocks.

Rock smelting can be carried out either in blast furnaces or by induction heating under the influence of electromagnetic radiation.

Molten basalt rock is fed into a centrifuge, inside of which there is a cooled forming drum. Due to the pressure drop and centrifugal force of the drum, individual basalt fibers are formed from the melt on its surface, which are fed to the former.

The forming unit turns individual mineral wool fibers into a continuous carpet like that, which is impregnated with additives that improve the performance properties of mineral wool.

Mineral wool itself is susceptible to moisture absorption; to eliminate this drawback, manufacturers impregnate it with a polymer mixture, which, after hardening, gives the mineral wool the required hydrophobicity.

Comparison of technical characteristics different types mineral wool

1. Temperature conditions: slag wool (SHW) – up to 250, glass wool (SV) – up to 450, basalt wool (BV) – up to 1000 degrees;
2. Thermal conductivity coefficient: ШВ – from 0.46 to 0.48; SV – from 0.038 to 0.046; BV – 0.035 to 0.042 W/m-k;
3. Flammability class: all types correspond to class NG (non-flammable);
4. Absorption coefficient for 24 hours of immersion in water: SW – 1.9%, SW – 1.7%, BW -0.095%;
5. Causticity: SHV – yes, SV – yes, BV – absent;
6. Concentration of binding impurities: for all types of mineral wool from 2.5 to 10%;
7. Nominal heat capacity: ШВ – 1000, СВ – 1050, БВ – 1050 J/kg;
8. Mineral wool sintering temperature: ШВ – 250, СВ – 450, БВ – 600 degrees;
9. Length of individual fibers: SHV – 16, SV – 15-50, BV – 16 millimeters;
10. The noise reduction coefficient is the same as: ШВ – 0.75-0.82; CB - 0.8-0.92; BV - 0.75-0.95.

Mineral wool is produced in the form of rolls and slabs, suitable for insulating walls made of brick, expanded clay concrete, or gas silicate blocks. This insulation, as evidenced by reviews, the best option for thermal insulation attic floors, floor, and any flat surfaces.

2.2 Liquid penoizol

Of the liquid insulation materials, the most popular option is penoizol.

This is not an option that is suitable for arranging thermal insulation with your own hands, since you will need to rent special equipment that produces foam insulation directly on the job site, and pay the labor of the workers managing it, however, if you are not afraid of these difficulties and the accompanying financial costs, then penoizol is the best option for insulating the external walls of a house.

In general, the cost of insulating a house with foam insulation is comparable to the final price of insulating the house mineral wool.

However, there is one important difference: penoizol can also be successfully used to insulate the internal voids of already used hollow walls made of brick, expanded clay concrete, or gas silicate blocks, without the need to dismantle them, which cannot be done with the help of other insulation materials.

Among the advantages of insulating a house with penoizol is maximum protection of the walls from any external influence, since after hardening the penoizol turns into a monolithic surface through which neither wind nor moisture passes.

Solidity also guarantees high-quality insulation, since it eliminates the possibility of the formation of cold bridges, which reduce the effectiveness of the entire thermal insulation.

To insulate a house with penoizol, a plant is delivered to the work site that produces foam from a special resin and chemical reagents.

Penoizol is applied to the wall using a hose; the surface of the walls is first coated with special compounds to improve adhesion. A facing layer of siding or any decorative material is installed on top of the penoizol.

2.3 Extruded polystyrene foam

This material is used not only for insulating the external walls of a house. Due to its mechanical strength and durability, expanded polystyrene is also used for thermal insulation of the external contour of a foundation located in the ground.

Using extruded polystyrene foam to insulate a house stand is justified if your house itself has good thermal insulation and you are looking for an inexpensive and durable material.

Among all budget options insulation, polystyrene foam is the best option, superior to conventional foam in all respects. Among strengths The following advantages can be identified from this material:

• Maximum hydrophobicity (expanded polystyrene, like polystyrene foam, is completely waterproof);
• Low thermal conductivity coefficient, from 0.029 to 0.034 W/m-k;
• High density, and, as a result, resistance to deformation;
• Chemical resistance;
• Wide range of permissible temperatures, from -500 to +700 degrees;
• Self-extinguishing property;
• Minimum panel weight and thickness.

It is also worth highlighting the ease of installation of extruded polystyrene foam on all types of walls. In order to fix this insulation on a surface made of brick, expanded clay concrete or gas silicate blocks, it is not necessary to install an additional supporting frame, which is necessary when installing mineral wool.

Extruded polystyrene foam panels are mounted on the walls using liquid nails and secured around the perimeter with umbrella-shaped anchors.

The use of thermal insulation systems in building structures allows you to significantly reduce heating costs. The use of various heaters makes it possible to accelerate the pace of construction and reduce the budget for building a house. In order for them to cope with their responsibilities, you need to know how to choose them. Do you agree?

We will tell you how to choose the right insulation for the exterior walls of your home. The article presented by us describes all the types of heat-insulating materials used in practice and the features of operation. Independent owners of country estates will find the technology of facade insulation with us.

Heat loss through walls averages about 40%, depending on the integrity of the structure and the thickness of the wall. With rising prices for gas and electricity, it becomes unacceptable to spend money on heating the street.

Therefore, it is necessary to insulate the walls from the outside, which provides the following advantages:

• thermal insulation of the house from the outside does not take away the useful area of ​​the living space indoors;
• the insulation layer performs decorative and protective functions for the walls, extending their service life;
• walls insulated from the outside do not freeze and are not saturated with moisture from steam, as with internal insulation;
• Thermal insulation materials also perform a soundproofing function.

But the main reason for insulating the facade of a house is still economic, because this simple procedure can almost halve the amount in receipts for heating.

To correctly select a material designed to reduce heat loss, you need. Our recommended article will introduce you to its examples and formulas.

Types of insulation materials

So what is the best way to insulate a house from the outside to reduce heat loss? Manufacturers offer many materials suitable for these purposes. But there are several main types. These include: polystyrene foam, basalt wool, glass wool, extruded expanded polystyrene, mineral wool and others.

Less effective way Insulation is considered to be the application of a layer of plaster to the outer part of the walls. This inexpensive way reducing heat loss, but it requires experience and certain skills - just desire will not be enough.

External wall insulation requires certain professional skills from the performer. They will be useful both when choosing a material and during its installation.

Wooden houses are often insulated using a double frame. In this case, any of the listed materials is attached to the walls, and cladding is done on top. At the same time, an air “cushion” remains between the insulation and the decorative layers for air ventilation.

Option No. 1 - polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene has gained the greatest popularity among thermal insulation materials. First of all, this is due to its low cost. A distinctive feature of the insulation is also its low weight.

Other advantages of the material:

• low thermal conductivity;
• affordable price;
• long service life.

One of the disadvantages is that foam does not allow steam to pass through. This feature does not allow it to be used for insulating wooden houses.

Among other shortcomings, it is also significant that expanded polystyrene is a combustible material that releases substances harmful to humans during combustion. In addition, the fragility of the material, which leads to damage to the insulation even with minor mechanical stress, greatly complicates its installation.

Styrofoam insulation is a great way to reduce heat loss, both in a private house and in an apartment or industrial enterprise, and for quite little money

Option No. 2 – mineral wool

This material is also well-deservedly popular with owners of residential and non-residential premises.

Advantages of mineral wool:

• high vapor permeability that doesn't let you rot wooden structures, and the bricks are not saturated with moisture, which prevents the appearance of mold and fungi on the surface of the walls;
• low cost;
• low weight of mats, which makes it easier to work with them and reduce transportation costs;
• the material is not flammable, there are no toxic odors;
• long service life.

There are three types of mineral wool: slag wool, glass wool and stone (aka basalt). Each material has its own characteristics.

Basalt wool is considered the most suitable for residential buildings, as it is made from safe raw materials, unlike glass wool. At the same time, the material is stronger and more durable than slag wool. But the high cost of basalt wool is its disadvantage.

Mineral wool, made in the form of mats, is the most practical option for insulating low walls and small rooms. And anyone who knows at least a little about construction will be able to cope with its installation.

Modern glass wool is considered safe to use. Unlike the material of the same name, made ten years ago, it does not irritate the respiratory tract. It can be used to insulate not only external, but also interior walls, and floors.

It is easy to install and lightweight. Can be purchased in rolls or slabs. It is more advisable to buy rolled material for insulating long walls. Glass wool slabs are suitable for small walls.

The following advantages of the material are highlighted:

• does not absorb moisture from the air;
• no toxic odors;
• does not ignite;
• does not change shape during use;
• high performance vapor permeability;
• good sound insulation properties;
• does not interact with chemicals;
• can be used in all climatic zones planets.

In some cases, rolled glass wool will cost less than made in the form of plates. To cut it, you can use ordinary sharpened knives.

The material does not have many disadvantages. Among them:

• when insulating walls with glass wool, you need to wear protective gloves and goggles;
• fragility of the fibers of the material, due to which a lot of synthetic material is in the air during installation and prevents safe breathing.

Despite the fact that modern insulation material an order of magnitude more environmentally friendly and safer for humans, with a significant amount of polymer particles in the air, it is better to use a respirator.

In some cases, rolled glass wool will cost less than made in the form of plates. To cut it, you can use regular sharpened knives.

Option #3 – uh extruded expanded polystyrene

This material is made from ordinary polystyrene foam.

After special processing he receives the following benefits:

• increased compressive strength;
• low moisture absorption;
• low flammability or its complete impossibility, which depends on the amount of flame retardant substance;
• reduced thermal conductivity.

For such material, you will have to pay a higher price than for ordinary foam. But more durable and reliable.

Another disadvantage is the smooth surface of the material slab. Because of this, solutions do not “set” with it, so without pre-training the surface of such foam cannot be used in the design of the "wet facade".

You will need to sand the smooth side with fine sandpaper, to give it a rough surface. Additionally, you can apply a layer of adhesive primer, which will increase the penetration of the solution into the insulation material.

Option No. 4 - bulk insulation

Bulk materials can also be used for external thermal insulation.

Among them, the most popular are:

• vermiculite;
• perlite crushed stone;
• expanded clay

Vermiculite can be used not only for wall insulation outside the room, but also from the inside. They insulate sewer and water pipes, floors, attics, foundation. It can be produced in the form of slabs. There are technologies by which this material is added to concrete or mortars.

Vermiculite – natural material, does not emit harmful toxic odors. Its advantages are: durability, lightness, fire resistance, low thermal conductivity and sound absorption. It also does not absorb moisture.

For insulation outer wall bulk material can be added to the mortar or poured between the main wall and the decorative wall, erected on a foundation of facing bricks. This method is more expensive, as it requires expanding the foundation. An additional load on the foundation slab is also expected.

Vermiculite is sold in paper bags, usually 25 kg. This is very convenient during transportation, because for delivery you can use your own passenger transport.

Perlite, depending on the fractions, can be of different sizes. It is also used to insulate roofs and floors. It is a volcanic glass-like rock that has no odor. Widely used not only in construction, but also in metallurgy and agriculture.

Advantages of the material:

• porous structure;
• low cost;
• easily absorbs and releases moisture without losing its qualities;
• fire resistance;
• low thermal conductivity.

A perlite layer of just 3 cm has the same thermal insulation efficiency as brickwork 25 cm wide.

Expanded clay– granular porous material obtained artificially. When burning several components (peat, expanding clay, diesel oil, sawdust, sulfate-alcohol stillage) produces low-melting raw materials. It is foamed and heat treated to give it its final shape.

To save on purchasing expanded clay, you need to buy it from the manufacturer. Of course, this is not always convenient, but there is a guarantee that the material is really of high quality.

The material is sold in fractions from 2 mm to 40 mm. Expanded clay from 10 mm to 20 mm is considered the most popular. It is they who need to fill the space between the walls - the main and decorative.

A layer of only 100 mm replaces 1000 mm of brickwork in terms of thermal conductivity. In frosty weather, insulation will prevent the house from losing a lot of heat, and in summer heat- will keep the room cool, due to the extremely low thermal conductivity.

Advantages of wall insulation with expanded clay:

• this is one of the cheapest insulation materials;
• reduction in heat loss reaches 75%;
• can be used at any outside temperature and humidity;
• long service life;
• there is no burning or rotting of the material;
• expanded clay does not attract insects and rodents;
• you can insulate the house yourself, as high technical skills and special tools are not required.

In the layer between decorative and load-bearing wall Expanded clay can be poured in pure form, or mixed with cement. The proportion is 1:10 - one part cement and ten parts expanded clay. You will need a concrete mixer and water to dissolve the cement. The prepared mixture is poured into the empty space between the walls.

It looks like a cement mixture with expanded clay, which can be poured as a heater between two walls. Of course, insulation cement mixture quite a long process, but worth it

You can also do otherwise: first pour expanded clay to a height of 300 mm, and then soak it with prepared cement "milk". Then add insulation again. And repeat this until the height of the insulation reaches the desired level.

Any of the methods will not worsen the thermal insulation properties of the material.

Facade insulation technologies

There are three main technologies for facade insulation:

• "well" method- construction of a multilayer wall;
• "wet" method- under covering with plaster;
• "dry" method- “ventilated facade” technology.

Depending on the chosen one, thermal insulation materials suitable for implementation should be selected.

"Wet" method is the application of a finishing coating on a layer of insulation in the form of a plaster mixture. Since the mixture is rich in moisture, it is necessary to use only materials that do not absorb water. Polystyrene foam is best suited for this, but mineral wool can also be used.

Depending on the strength of the wall and the integrity of the brickwork, the plaster system can be “light” or “heavy”. In the first case, the main goal is to reduce the weight of the thermal insulation layer.

The insulation is fixed to the wall with glue and dowels. From the outside it is protected by a metal profile made of thin aluminum. Only a thin decorative layer of plaster is applied to it to level the surface of the wall and give it a finished visual appearance.

In a “heavy” system, the insulation is fixed with metal anchors and pressed reinforcement mesh. A 5-5.5 cm layer of plaster is applied on top. This design is reliably protected from temperature changes and moisture.

With the “dry” method Insulation plaster is not used at all. The insulation is fixed to the wall with glue and mounting umbrellas. In this case, it is ideal, for which telescopic fasteners with wide hats and other mounting elements are specially produced.

On the outside, the insulation is protected by a membrane layer, the main task which is to provide protection from atmospheric water. The membrane is fixed with spaced metal or wooden slats, forming a ventilation gap between the thermal insulation and the sheathing.

The gap width is up to 5 cm. The cladding layer can be made of various panels: wood, steel. It can also be laying in "half-brick", tile or siding. This method of insulation is more durable, unlike the “wet” one, and can reach a service life of half a century.

By multi-layer technology the surface is insulated with two more layers: insulation and an outer wall made of brick. This method of insulation has been described above. Various bulk materials that are resistant to steam, condensation and moisture (expanded clay, perlite, etc.) are suitable for it.

To choose the right insulation, you need to take into account several more factors that may affect the quality of the work performed.

Condition of walls and foundation. If the house is old and the foundation or brickwork are already cracked, then it is necessary to abandon heavy insulating structures. In this case, it is best to install lightweight and durable materials. It is better to attach them using special adhesives.

Architectural complexity of the building. Polystyrene foam and mineral wool are well processed and make it possible to provide reliable insulation of walls with recesses, patterns and other decorative elements.

Resistance to insects and rodents. Often, small rodents and insects, such as mice or ants, can make nests under a layer of thermal insulation.

If there is such a problem on the site, then it would be advisable to carry out insulation using bulk materials. Expanded clay is good because it does not attract animals.

It is also necessary to take into account other factors, such as the price of insulation, features of its installation, wall material, impact on the environment, fire resistance, etc.

If you plan to install a thermal insulation system from the inside of the house, it is worth reading, which describes in detail the materials and methods of their use.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

To avoid common mistakes when choosing materials for insulation, we recommend watching the following videos:

With all the diversity available materials and insulation methods, you can always choose the most suitable one. Despite the fact that some works seem easy to perform, it is better to entrust them to for experienced builders and heating engineers.

Do you want to talk about how you selected a heater for arranging your own country house? Do you have information that will be useful to site visitors? Please write comments, ask questions on controversial or interesting points, post photos in the block below.

External thermal insulation gives a much better effect than insulating a house from the inside. In addition to its main functions, insulation protects walls from precipitation, mechanical damage, and weathering, thereby extending the service life of the entire building. Installing insulation does not require special knowledge or skills, and most homeowners can easily cope with this task on their own. But in order to do everything as efficiently as possible, you need to know what materials are available for insulating walls outside, and how to attach them correctly.

Despite the fact that the operating conditions outside and inside the house are strikingly different, the same materials can be used in both cases. However, when choosing insulation, preference should be given to those options that best meet the following requirements:

• increased resistance to shrinkage;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• UV resistance;
• durability;
• ease of installation;
• resistance to insects and microorganisms.

For wooden houses, the vapor permeability of the insulation is also important, because wooden walls must "breathe". As a rule, finishing coatings for facades are designed for long-term use, and removing them every few years to replace thermal insulation that has become unusable is too troublesome and not always advisable. At the same time, if the insulation under the finishing becomes compressed, cracks, begins to rot, or is chewed off by mice, it will no longer be able to retain heat, which means it will not be possible to do without repairs. That is why it is so important that the selected material fully meets the specified criteria.

Types of thermal insulation materials

At the moment, the construction market offers the following materials for insulating houses:

They all differ in technical specifications, installation technologies, have different service lives. Moreover, each of them is suitable for outdoor use and has its own advantages. Let's look at these materials in more detail.

Mineral wool is made from fine fibers obtained by melting and pulverizing glass, blast furnace slag or rocks. Depending on the location of the fibers, the structure of the insulation can be corrugated, vertically layered or horizontally layered, and have different densities and thicknesses. Each type of mineral wool has its own characteristics:

Mineral wool is produced in slabs and mats with various options coverings – kraft paper, aluminum foil, fiberglass. In terms of cost, basalt insulation is the most expensive, and the higher its density, the more expensive it is.

Advantages of mineral wool:

• the fine-fiber structure facilitates the free passage of air and water vapor, so the risk of condensation on the insulated surface is minimal;
• Due to its mineral base, the material is not subject to combustion, which means it is additional protection walls from fire;
• the insulation has a relatively high moisture resistance, and therefore effectively prevents the penetration of dampness into the house;
• mineral wool perfectly absorbs sounds and vibrations, and almost no street noise penetrates into the insulated room;
• the insulation is lightweight, easy to process, and thanks to its elasticity, quickly restores its shape after being crushed during installation;
• Microorganisms and insects do not develop in mineral wool; rodents do not like it.

Flaws:

• mineral wool has a tendency to shrink, and the lower the density of the material, the faster deformations occur. Rigid basalt slabs are the least susceptible to shrinkage, but due to the high cost, not everyone can afford such thermal insulation;
• when wet for a long time, the insulation becomes saturated with moisture and loses its thermal insulation qualities;
• microscopic fibers are easily destroyed when squeezing and cutting the material, and then settle on the skin, causing irritation, and can enter the eyes and lungs. Glass wool is considered the most dangerous in this regard, but with other types of mineral wool you should use at least gloves and a respirator.

Popular brands of mineral wool.

Prices for mineral wool

Foam and EPS

Insulation materials based on polystyrene foam are excellent heat insulators due to their closed cellular structure. Almost 98% of the material is air or inert gas, enclosed in sealed cells, so the insulation weighs very little. Both polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam practically do not absorb moisture, which means they are excellent for insulating foundations, plinths, basements. When thermally insulating facades, these materials serve as the basis for applying plaster.

Advantages:

• polystyrene foam insulation is lightweight and easy to process during installation, so even a beginner can handle it. In addition, such thermal insulation does not place a large load on the base, which means there is no need for additional reinforcement of load-bearing structures;
• microorganisms cannot develop in polystyrene foam, so the insulation is not afraid of fungi and mold;
• with proper installation, these materials last quite a long time, especially EPS - up to 50 years;
• polystyrene foam and EPS are resistant to soap and salt solutions, alkalis, bleach and other chemically aggressive substances;
• installation does not require the use of protective equipment in the form of a respirator or gloves, since the insulation does not emit toxic fumes or small particles and does not cause irritation.

Flaws:

• expanded polystyrene is a vapor-tight material, and therefore cannot be used for insulating wooden walls;
• insulation is destroyed upon contact with solvents, drying oil, some types of varnishes, as well as under the influence of sunlight;
• sound insulation properties are much lower than those of mineral wool insulation;
• already at + 30 degrees polystyrene foam begins to release harmful substances– toluene, styrene, formaldehyde and others. When burning, the amount of toxic emissions increases significantly.

In the domestic market, domestically produced EPPS – Penoplex and Teplex – is in great demand, as well as polystyrene foam insulation of the Ursa, GREENPLEX, PRIMAPLEX brands.

Prices for foam plastic

Styrofoam

Cellulose insulation

Cellulose insulation, also called ecowool, is made from paper production waste and waste paper. Ecowool consists of 80% cellulose fibers, the remaining 20% ​​are antiseptics and fire retardants. The material is tightly packed into all irregularities and voids and forms a dense, seamless coating with high vapor permeability. Installation of insulation is carried out in two ways - dry and wet-adhesive, and both options can be done either manually or using a special installation.

The dry method allows you to perform thermal insulation in a short time and immediately begin finishing. But at the same time, the coating density will not be high enough, which will lead to shrinkage and the appearance of cold bridges. In addition, when dry blowing, a large amount of fine dust is formed and you have to work in a respirator.

The wet-adhesive method ensures better adhesion of the insulation to the base; the layer is much denser and more resistant to shrinkage, which guarantees the durability of the thermal insulation. True, it takes time for the material to dry - from 2 to 3 days, and even longer in cold or damp weather. And until the layer is completely dry, you can not start finishing.

Advantages:

• environmental Safety;
• excellent heat and sound insulation properties;
• resistance to bacteria, fungi, insects;
• fire resistance;
• long service life;
• affordable price.

• tendency to shrink;
• high hygroscopicity;
• the complexity of doing the work manually.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam, or PPU, belongs to the new generation of insulation and has improved characteristics compared to traditional materials. It is a liquid polymer mixture, which, after application to the surface, hardens and forms a durable coating with a cellular structure. The components are mixed immediately before starting work, and the finished solution is applied by spraying using a special installation.

Advantages:

• the liquid mixture easily fills all irregularities, cracks, recesses, and is conveniently applied in hard-to-reach places;
• the material perfectly retains heat and muffles sounds;
• PU foam is resistant to chemically aggressive substances, practically does not absorb water, and can withstand sudden temperature changes;
• can be applied to any type of surface - wood, concrete, brick, metal;
• the insulation is very light, therefore it does not require strengthening of the supporting bases;
• the average service life is 25-30 years.

• polyurethane foam is destroyed when exposed to sunlight;
• Spraying requires equipment and skills to work with it;
• Polyurethane foam cannot be used in areas that are very hot;
• high cost of materials and specialist services.

Wall insulation technology

Thermal insulation of the facade can be performed in different ways, depending on the type of insulation. But for all options, a prerequisite is high-quality preparation of the base, because not a single insulation can stop the processes of destruction of wall materials. Let's consider methods of insulation with mineral wool and polystyrene foam boards, as the most popular in frequent construction.

Insulation with mineral wool

External walls are cleaned of dirt, peeling plaster or paint. Repair cracks and problem areas, and be sure to treat areas affected by fungus. There is no need to eliminate minor irregularities - the mineral wool insulation is mounted using a frame, so all defects will be hidden inside. Finally, the walls are coated with a waterproof primer with antiseptic properties so that mold does not develop under the layer of thermal insulation.

Step 1. The beams for the frame are cut to required length, treated on all sides with antiseptic impregnation and dried in air.

Advice. The cross-section of the beams should be selected taking into account the thickness of the heat-insulating layer. That is, if slabs with a thickness of 50 mm are laid in one row, the thickness of the frame should be 5-6 cm, with a two-layer laying - no less than 11 cm. In the first case, a beam with a section of 50x50 mm is suitable for the racks, in the second - a board 40x110 mm installed on the edge.

Step 2. Markings are made on the walls for the frame guides strictly according to the level, holes are drilled for fasteners and the beams are installed. The distance between the posts should be 10-15 mm less than the width of the insulation board. During the installation process, the arrangement of elements is controlled building level, if necessary, use wooden supports under the timber so that all the racks are in the same plane.

Step 3. The insulation is inserted into the cells of the frame. To do this, the plates are slightly squeezed along the edges, pressed between the racks and released. The material expands on its own and tightly fills the space. The insulation must be inserted so that there are no gaps between the plates.

Step 4. After filling all the cells on top, the insulation must be covered with a windproof, moisture-proof membrane. The membrane is laid with the marked side out, the canvases are positioned horizontally, starting from the bottom. A construction stapler is used to fix the membrane. The top sheet is overlapped by 8-10 cm, and it is recommended to glue the joints with tape.

Step 5. Stuffed on top of the membrane wooden slats counter battens 30-40 mm thick to provide an air gap. If this is not done, condensation will accumulate on the insulation, moisture will nourish the wooden frame and the structure will quickly become unusable.

After that all that remains is to mount finishing coat, for example, siding or corrugated board. The finishing must completely cover the thermal insulation layer so that precipitation does not fall on the slabs. Only under such conditions will the material last long and effectively.

The last step is decorative finishing of the facade

Insulation with polystyrene foam

This method of insulation is noticeably different from the previous one. First, the base must be leveled so that the material fits snugly to the surface. Secondly, installation is carried out without sheathing; the slabs are attached with glue and mushroom dowels.

Step 1. The prepared walls are covered with a primer with quartz sand, for example, Betokontakt. If the base is porous, the primer is applied in 2 layers.

Step 2. The lower limit of thermal insulation is determined and a horizontal line is drawn along the perimeter of the house. Drill holes for dowels according to the markings in increments of 20-30 cm and secure the starting strip.

Starting bar fixed

Step 3. To fix the insulation you will need special glue. You can use mounting adhesive in cylinders, for example, TYTAN STYRO 753, or a dry adhesive mixture (Ceresit CT 83). The mixture is diluted in clean water according to the manufacturer's instructions, mix until smooth with a mixer at low speed.

Take the first sheet, apply glue on the back side in a continuous strip around the perimeter and in the center. Next, apply the insulation to the wall, resting the bottom edge on the starting profile, check the location with a level, and press it firmly to the base.

Step 4. Secure the entire row, tightly joining the sheets together. The next row begins with half a sheet to offset the vertical seams. Excess glue that appears at the joints is carefully removed with a spatula.

Step 5. When the glue has hardened, each sheet must be secured with disc dowels. To do this, carefully drill holes in the wall through the insulation, insert dowels and carefully hammer them in with a hammer. One sheet requires 5 fasteners - in each corner and in the center.

Step 6. Next, mix the adhesive solution, apply a continuous layer to the insulation, lay a fiberglass reinforcing mesh on top and embed it in the solution. Openings and corners are additionally reinforced with corner profiles.

When the solution has dried, the surface is sanded, dusted and plastered with a thin layer. Now all that remains is to paint the facade or apply decorative plaster.

Prices for Ceresit glue

Glue Ceresit

Video - Materials for insulating walls outside

Video - Insulating the facade with penoplex