Types of external insulation for the home. The choice of insulation for thermal insulation of the external walls of the house. The better way to insulate a house from the outside - standards for the number of layers

In most cases, people are accustomed to insulating their houses with inside, although this is not entirely correct. Thermal insulation of walls with external insulation has a number of advantages compared to internal insulation of an apartment. Insulation installed indoors reduces the usable space of the rooms, especially when it comes to corner apartments or private housing construction.

By installing insulation only on the internal walls of the house, not all energy saving problems can be solved. In such a situation, the outside of the building will continue to freeze and accumulate excess moisture, which over time can penetrate inside the house. Therefore it is advisable carry out external insulation. But just before we start installation work you need to learn to understand the basic characteristics of external wall insulation.

Advantages of external wall insulation

The main advantages of insulating walls outside are saving usable space indoors, protecting the house from freezing and increasing the overall service life of the building. At the same time, external insulation of the walls does not increase the load on the structure of the building and does not put additional pressure on the foundation.

Home insulation deserves special attention high degree of protection from freezing. First of all, this is due to the fact that laying thermal insulation from the inside prevents heat from escaping from the room to the outside, while the walls continue to freeze when negative temperatures. Between internal walls and thermal insulation material, a zone is formed in which water condenses, accompanying the formation of fungal mold and rapid cooling of the room under the influence of moisture.

The insulation inside the room, saturated with moisture, does not dry out even in the summer heat, creating a constant zone of water accumulation, which significantly affects the service life of the building. When using external insulation for walls, the point of condensation formation shifts towards the thermal insulation layer. Walls insulated from the outside do not cool down and retain heat, reducing heat loss for a long time. External thermal insulation materials quickly lose moisture, maintaining their basic characteristics, increasing the service life of the walls. To the main advantages External wall insulation includes the following characteristics:

• saving thermal energy in winter;
• keeping the room cool in the summer heat;
• saving energy resources when heating or cooling a home;
• increasing the service life of the house;
• preventing the development of fungal mold;
• the aesthetic component of external insulation transforms the house.

Another advantage of using external thermal insulation materials The high sound insulation of the room can be attributed. If in private sector buildings this issue is not so important, then in large cities soundproofing of premises remains relevant.

Requirements for external insulation for walls

Carrying out outdoor thermal insulation works should be comprehensive. This is because right choice insulation depends on the material from which the structure is built. Yes, for brick houses most often use the familiar foam. In its turn, wooden buildings it is better to insulate with mineral wool. Naturally, the final choice remains with the homeowner. At the same time, choosing outer insulation for walls, you need to pay attention for the following material characteristics:

But regardless of the insulation used and its main characteristics, the main thing is to try to create a rational thermal insulation structure that will avoid a lot of unwanted problems with external wall insulation. In particular it is necessary take into account external factors, such as rain, snow and other precipitation, as well as a strong temperature difference in winter and summer, which the outer thermal insulation material must withstand.

Types of fastening external insulation

To the most popular methods carrying out installation work on wall insulation with external insulation include the following:

Naturally, each version of insulation has its own characteristics and difficulties of implementation. Today there are a lot of materials on the market combined type, which not only solve the issue of insulating the building, but, subject to installation technology, ensure waterproofing and fire safety of the building.

Selection criteria and types of external insulation

Regardless of which thermal insulation material the homeowner chooses, he will cope with the tasks assigned to him. But they all differ in their basic characteristics and, of course, in price, which plays an important role in external insulation. In this case you will have to choose from the following typical materials:

• foam or polystyrene foam boards;
• mineral roll insulation;
• plates or liquid polyurethane foam;
• basalt insulation;
• cellulose insulation material.

If we consider the main differences between external insulation materials, they lie in the degree of moisture resistance, vapor permeability and heat conductivity. In this case, the first two parameters should be selected based on the climate conditions of the region in which the structure was erected. In turn, the thermal conductivity of the material affects the thickness and installation of insulation, depending on the goals pursued.

Preparatory stage of insulation work

Having selected a thermal insulation material that is suitable for price and quality, you can proceed to the stage of external wall insulation. But first surface preparation is in progress. If necessary, old plaster is removed, in some cases down to the base of the building. The result of this work should be Smooth surface made of brick or stone, it all depends on the material used in construction.

An important role is played by the primer, which is often neglected by people carrying out do-it-yourself repair. If differences or other defects in the walls that exceed several centimeters are detected, they are sealed with mortar. The most suitable primer is considered to be a deep penetration primer. To obtain an even thermal insulation layer that will not interfere with the following steps finishing works, need in advance install plumb beacons. This will allow you to outline the outer plane of the wall, which will facilitate installation work.

Self-tapping screws are attached to the upper edge of the wall surface, to which a construction cord is attached, which is supplied with a weight at the end and lowered to the very bottom of the wall. Horizontal ropes are stretched between the outer cords to create a control grid, which will be the main guide during installation. external thermal insulation. Then they proceed to attaching sheets of material, the installation of which differs depending on the characteristics of the insulation.

We insulate the outside wall of the house with polystyrene foam

Sheets of insulation are attached to the wall using an adhesive compound and are additionally secured with dowels. The reliability of the dowels will directly affect the quality of the insulation retention under strong wind loads. In this case, there are two main types of dowels with a standard and extended spacer zone. At the same time, standard fasteners are used to fix polystyrene foam on concrete and brick walls. In turn, it is advisable to use extended dowels for walls made of porous material – foam block, lightweight concrete, etc..

Polystyrene insulation boards have one significant drawback - the high flammability of the material. Although manufacturers were able to solve this problem through the use of new manufacturing technologies. Therefore, it is the resistance of the material to fire that needs to be paid Special attention when choosing.

After the adhesive composition has been applied to the surface of the wall, begin attaching the slabs. The glue is applied in sufficient volume so that the composition completely fills all the irregularities. The insulation slab is pressed tightly against the wall surface, while excess adhesive solution comes out from under it and falls under the adjacent slab, making the joints more reliable. After this, the plate is additionally secured with dowels in the corners and center of the product. Neighboring joints of plates, as well as dowel caps, are smeared with mastic.

After laying the outer insulation perform reinforcement of the resulting structure. To do this, use a fiberglass mesh, and, if necessary, metal products. The slabs are opened with adhesive compounds, on which the mesh is laid, by pressing them against the heat insulator. For greater reliability, the mesh is fastened with an overlap. After the adhesive has dried, it is sanded and the finishing is applied. The most popular is decorative plaster, which, after drying, is covered with a layer of weather-resistant paint.

Liquid polyurethane foam - quality and durability

One of the most interesting and effective ways External wall insulation is considered to be polyurethane foam. The liquid insulation has many advantages compared to slab materials. The preparation of the material occurs immediately before applying the insulation to the wall surface. In addition, polyurethane foam is there some more whole line advantages:

The process of installing polyurethane foam itself consists of spraying a layer of heat-insulating polymers onto wall surfaces of any shape, followed by hardening of the insulation. In a special container mixing of two polymers foaming with carbon dioxide. The resulting composition is sprayed from a gun onto the surface of the wall, covering it with an even layer.

On finishing stage insulation is applied on top of the heat-insulating layer decorative finishing. Thanks to this finishing coating, the insulation will be completely protected from exposure external factors environment. Plus, this will improve the aesthetic appeal of the building.

Only by choosing the right material for external wall insulation and only if technological process by installing it, the homeowner can be sure that his house will be cool in summer and warm in winter for a long time.

How to choose the best insulation for the exterior walls of your home. The most comfortable temperatures for residential premises are temperatures in the range of 20-25ºС and humidity from 50 to 60%. To ensure such a microclimate in the house, it is necessary to take care of the thermal insulation of the walls. The optimal exterior is selected taking into account the material of construction and must meet a number of requirements. The main criterion for any thermal insulation material is its thermal conductivity coefficient. The smaller this value, the better material prevents heat loss into the environment.

Fact! A home loses up to 30% of its heat through the walls.

How best to insulate the walls of the house

There are two ways to insulate a building - use internal insulation of the premises or make insulation for the walls of the house outside. What is the best heater to use? The answer is hidden in a short expression - "dew point".

Thermal insulation of the room from the outside will ensure the correct location of the dew point

Dew point is the temperature value at which condensation occurs. The point with this temperature can be located in the thickness of the wall, inside it or outside. Its coordinates depend on physical properties wall materials, the thickness of their layers, as well as external and internal temperature and humidity.

Important! The dew point position will be more optimal even in a completely uninsulated wall than in one that is only insulated from the inside.

The correct location of the dew point (outside the wall) can only be obtained by installing the insulation of the walls of the house outside, selected taking into account the properties of the material and thermal calculations for thickness.

The better to insulate the walls from the outside

Each type of modern insulation for exterior walls of a house has its own characteristics and price range. But their main differences are:

• low thermal conductivity coefficient;
• minimum values ​​of water absorption and vapor permeability;
• the ability to regulate the indoor microclimate;
• high sound absorption rates;
• environmental cleanliness;
• fire resistance and fire safety;
• resistance to chemical attack;

Comparative table of thermal conductivity of building materials

• resistance to biological and mechanical influences (molds, insects, rodents);
• strength and durability;
• elasticity and lack of shrinkage;
• low weight;
• possibility of installation without seams, joints, voids;
• ability to fill complex and hard-to-reach areas;
• ease of installation.

It is also important to take into account how the consumer prefers to install insulation for the walls of the house outside. Video showing the opportunity self-execution Works (as well as other manuals) in our time can be found enough.

The optimal insulation for walls is selected taking into account the material of construction

Water absorption and vapor permeability are taken into account to ensure maximum protection of the room from moisture and are selected taking into account the climate and depending on the installation method. Thermal conductivity is used to calculate required thickness thermal insulation material. The most commonly used types of heaters are:

• expanded polystyrene (foam);
• extruded polystyrene foam (epps, penoplex);
• polyurethane foam;
• mineral wool;
• basalt insulation;
• liquid thermal insulation.

Polystyrene foam is a popular material for insulating exterior walls of a house.

Expanded polystyrene (foam)

Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) is one of the modern polymeric insulation for house walls and is used as such in almost all areas of the construction industry: civil and industrial. First of all, this material is distinguished by low coefficients of thermal conductivity (from 0.037 to 0.052 W/m*K, depending on the density) and water absorption, resistance to biological and chemical influences, and high soundproofing and windproof properties. It belongs to the group of environmentally friendly substances and is quite durable: its service life exceeds 50 years.

Fact! A layer of foam plastic with a thickness of 50 mm is equivalent to a wall of one and a half bricks in terms of the degree of heat retention.

Expanded polystyrene - easy to install and light weight

Among its other advantages are flexibility and light weight. This helps to reduce the cost of delivery and installation, ease of work, reduce the load on the walls, which, in turn, eliminates the need for additional strengthening of the foundation. The disadvantage of expanded polystyrene is its combustibility, however, the low price makes it possible to insulate all the walls of the house from the outside with polystyrene foam.

Extruded polystyrene foam (eps, penoplex)

Extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex) is one of the latest generation of thermal insulation materials. In its production, graphite is used in the form of nanoparticles, which increases the strength and energy saving of the product.

Insulation of walls with penoplex followed by cladding with siding

The thermal conductivity coefficient of penoplex insulation ranges from 0.029 – 0.031 W/m*K. It is resistant to mildew, chemical substances, insects and rodents, and is an excellent sound insulator. Thanks to this, it is possible to use penoplex as insulation outside: for walls wooden houses and other buildings, and inside: thermal insulation of ceilings (especially when installing “warm” floors), basements, balconies and loggias.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a type of plastic with a cellular foam structure. The mass of cells filled with air is 90% of the total weight of the product. Due to this, the thermal conductivity coefficient of polyurethane foam is one of the lowest - from 0.023 to 0.041 W/m*K.

Liquid polyurethane foam creates an airtight coating with excellent vapor and waterproofing

Polyurethane foam is different high level adhesion to all types of surfaces: concrete, brick, wood, metal - due to which an airtight coating is created with a guarantee of excellent vapor and waterproofing. A seamless application method (using a compressor and a hose) and high elasticity make polyurethane foam an indispensable material for blown-in thermal insulation when insulating the outside walls of buildings of complex shapes and frame houses. Insulation for external walls using the blow-in method can be applied at temperatures up to 100ºС, the service life is up to 30 years.

Liquid polyurethane foam can be used as blow-in insulation between the building wall and the cladding

The only disadvantage of the material is its high cost and the need to use expensive equipment for installation.

Mineral wool (basalt insulation, stone wool, glass wool)

Mineral wool is a product of processing slag (waste from the metallurgical industry) or rocks: basalt and dolomite. It is distinguished by strength, non-flammability, durability, environmental friendliness, elasticity, high degree of sound absorption, ease of installation and low cost. The thermal conductivity of this material is in the range of 0.034 – 0.037 W/m*K.

Mineral wool is fire resistant, environmentally friendly, has a high degree of sound absorption and is low cost.

For insulation work, mineral wool is used in the form of basalt slabs or in rolls with a wide range of sizes. Mineral wool is used as insulation for the outside walls of a house. The dimensions of the produced slabs can be as follows:

• 1000 x 600 x 50 mm;
• 7000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
• 9000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
• 10000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
• 10000 x 1200 x 100 mm.

Expanded polystyrene boards may have joint grooves for ease of installation

Basalt insulation is used in buildings for any purpose, especially for insulation in dachas, wooden houses and buildings made of timber, brick or foam blocks. It is possible to work with this material at temperatures ranging from -60ºС to +220ºС, which is definitely convenient when installing on walls outside. Insulation in dachas, houses made of wood, brick or foam blocks, garages, warehouses and other buildings - this is an incomplete list of possibilities for using mineral thermal insulation.

It is most preferable to use mineral wool for insulating the house from the outside followed by siding

It is most preferable to use mineral wool or basalt slabs when installing insulation for the walls of a house outside under the siding. The use of mineral wool (along with polyurethane foam) to create blow-in insulation is also popular. With this method, using a compressor unit, the material is blown between the wall of the house and the finishing facade, which also serves as formwork.

Liquid thermal insulation

Liquid thermal insulation materials can be called new generation insulation materials. They can be used for thermal insulation of metal parts (pipes or frames) and as insulation for houses made of foam blocks. Outside, on the walls, these ceramic multi-component substances look like acrylic paint. However, they differ from paint in the content of vacuumized voids (up to 80%), due to which they acquire the properties of a heat insulator.

Liquid heaters are similar to acrylic paint

Interesting! Liquid insulation has a record low thermal conductivity coefficient (from 0.0011 to 0.0015 W/m*K). For comparison, the thermal conductivity of vacuum is 0.

With a liquid consistency, these materials do not require professional skills and complex equipment for application to any surface: concrete, brick, metal, wood. They are applied using painting tools: brushes, rollers, airless spray guns - and fill all voids and crevices. After 6 hours of drying, a solid, highly mechanically resistant coating is formed.

Fixing sheets of polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene is carried out with special fastenings of the “mushroom” type.

Due to their low thermal conductivity, liquid insulation for house walls helps reduce heat loss, even if applied externally in a thin layer. They protect the surface from weather influences (operating temperature range - from -60 to +260°C), solar radiation and precipitation, and metal parts from corrosion.

Interesting! Water absorption of most liquid insulation materials within 24 hours does not exceed 0.4% by weight.

Coating with liquid insulation is one of the effective ways to prevent the formation of condensation and protect an industrial or residential premises from freezing and the development of all types of mold fungi.

Ways to insulate the walls of a house from the outside

Most modern heaters are universal and can be mounted outside the house on any walls: wood, timber, foam blocks, red or white brick; as well as for various types exterior finishing: plaster, vinyl siding, decorative brick, stone facade slabs. After reviewing all the characteristics, you can choose the appropriate type of wall insulation. The outside of houses made of timber is insulated in the same way as buildings made of other materials. Based on the variety of existing thermal insulation materials, for each type of wall in combination with its finishing, it is selected best option installation:

1. Installation of insulation under plaster.
2. Three-layer non-ventilated wall.
3. Ventilated facade.

Examples of wall insulation followed by brick cladding

Installation of insulation under plaster

When installing insulation under plaster, for exterior walls of houses, polystyrene foam, basalt insulation boards, sheets of mineral wool or penoplex insulation are most often used as a heat insulator. The insulation is fixed to the outside walls of the house using an adhesive solution and reinforced with fiberglass reinforcing mesh. Special fastenings“fungus” type additional fixation of foam sheets or basalt insulation slabs is performed. For the exterior walls of the house, plaster (the “wet facade” method) or facing materials are used as finishing materials.

“Wet façade” insulation system

Three-layer non-ventilated wall

A three-layer non-ventilated wall is formed by the outside walls of the house, insulation and facade finishing, laid out taking into account the air gap. This method is used for installation with exterior brick finishing for the walls of a house. Insulation materials various types are used with this option, including thermal insulation materials for blow-in installation. This method is used for insulating various buildings, both brick or foam concrete, and wooden or timber.

Non-ventilated façade with blow-in insulation

Facade finishing is carried out with facing slabs, decorative or building bricks.

Ventilated facade

Insulation insulation for a ventilated facade is assembled from the following layers:

• waterproofing;
• insulation;
• wind protection;
• finishing facade cladding (lining, siding, panels).

The principle of arrangement of a ventilated facade

Installation of insulation as part of a ventilated facade is the most preferable option, since heat losses are minimized due to wind protection. Waterproofing also provides additional protection of the wall surface from moisture. The use of a ventilated facade is possible with most types of buildings, materials and configurations of external walls and varieties facade finishing. This option is most common when installing insulation for the walls of a house outside under siding. Also, this installation method is the best for insulating the outside walls of wooden houses: made of logs or timber.

Insulated walls can be lined with material for every taste

Regardless of the variety and type of material used as a heat insulator, any of the installation options mentioned must cope with the main tasks - insulation of the room, waterproofing of walls, protection from wind and drafts, as well as heat retention. An undoubted advantage of most of the materials mentioned in the article is the ability to independently install them as insulation for the walls of a house outside. Photo and video clips, as well as other instructions, will be very useful in this case.

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, which would be 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 wall insulation is combined with any type of modern finishes, for example, by siding, so that a dilapidated facade can be updated
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. Way hinged facade , 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 external masonry from decorative brick 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.

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 characteristics, installation technology, and have different service life. 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, aluminium 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.

On domestic market Domestic-made EPPS – “Penoplex” and “Teplex” – is in great demand, as well as polystyrene foam insulation of the brands Ursa, GREENPLEX, PRIMAPLEX.

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, dry blowing produces a large number of fine dust and 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. To fix the membrane use construction stapler. 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 and moisture will absorb 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

30% of the heat from a house escapes through the walls. This has been proven by research. Therefore, in order to reduce heat loss, it is recommended not to do it from the inside. Firstly, internal thermal insulation– this is a reduction in the space of rooms. Secondly, the dew point passes under the insulation, that is, between the wall and the heat-insulating layer. This means that the wall will freeze, which will affect its technical condition. Today, manufacturers of thermal insulation materials offer a wide range of their products. But the question of which one to choose does not become less relevant. Insulation for the exterior walls of a house (price, technical characteristics, installation methods) is the most important component of construction. Therefore, its choice must be approached with special care.

Read in the article

Criteria for choosing insulation for the external walls of a house

The main indicator by which to make a choice is. The smaller it is, the better. The second criterion is hygroscopicity. This property is designated as - to absorb moisture. The thing is that moist air vapors that have penetrated inside at low temperatures will begin to turn into ice, which will negate all the characteristics of the heat-insulating material. They learned to deal with this by covering the insulating layer on both sides with vapor and waterproofing films. But these are just another material expense. Although in some cases this cannot be avoided.

The third criterion is strength. The outer side of the wall is an area often subject to various loads, including mechanical ones. And although the thermal insulation layer will still need to be covered, this does not mean that the strength of the insulation should be approached from the position of “this is an unimportant component.”

The fourth rule of choice is the price of the product. There is a fairly wide range, which includes both very cheap and very expensive materials. Of course, the price is determined by the quality. But there are offers on the market in which the price-quality ratio is within optimal limits. Therefore, it is worth understanding all the offered insulation materials and choosing not the most expensive one, but with good technical and operational characteristics.

Types of thermal insulation materials for external wall insulation

Thermal insulation for walls outside is a few modern materials, belonging to the categories of fibrous and cellular.

1. The first group includes mineral wool: stone, glass, slag. The first is made from various rocks, which are melted and drawn into threads, then they are woven in a chaotic manner. For the second, the raw material is glass, for the third, blast furnace waste (slag). Three types have an increased hygroscopicity coefficient.
2. The second group includes polymer materials that acquire a cellular structure during the production process. It can be closed or open. The first option is better because such insulation does not absorb moisture.

Let's look at several basic insulation materials for exterior walls and outline their technical characteristics.

The table shows those characteristics that are not related to the density of the material. Because manufacturers offer models with different densities, hence the purpose of each brand. For example, P-75 insulation has a density of 75 kg/m³. This type of wool is recommended to be used for thermal insulation of surfaces that are not subject to heavy mechanical loads. That is, for insulating walls outside the house, this option is just right. Although we must take into account the fact that this material does not have the highest strength. It is optimal to use PZh-175 wool for reinforced concrete walls.

Attention! Mineral wool is available in rolls and mats. For thermal insulation of walls, it is better to use the second form of manufacture.

Manufacturers today, for example, offer basalt wool in mats, one edge of which compresses well, but expands when installed between frame elements. Thus, the material fits tightly to the frame without creating cold bridges.

Polymer cellular insulation

The most famous insulation from this category is polystyrene foam. Essentially, these are polystyrene boards in which the original material is only 2%, the rest is air. Hence the good thermal insulation performance, low strength, and low price.

It should be noted that the polystyrene foam used as packaging cannot be called insulation. That is, when talking about insulation for the external walls of a house, we must mean modified polystyrene foam boards.

Modified polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene boards for thermal insulation differ from packaging foam by their increased density. The second one is made using a non-press method, hence its low strength characteristics. Expanded polystyrene boards are molded under pressure using high temperatures, due to which their density and, accordingly, strength increase.

There is also so-called extruded polystyrene foam in this category; its prominent representative is the slabs produced under the brand name. This is still the same polymer insulation, only its production technology is based on melting the raw materials, followed by the addition of a foaming agent and molding under pressure, or rather, extrusion. This process is called extrusion. Wherein this technology allows you to cast any shaped product, not just slabs.

So, let's compare three foam polystyrene insulation materials; pressless - PSB, pressed - PS, extruded - EPS.

Now, as for insulating the house from the outside with polystyrene foam, that is, a non-pressed model. This material has a high water absorption rate. Therefore, in any case, it will have to be closed. Insulating a house from the outside with Penoplex is an opportunity not only not to cover the thermal insulation layer with waterproofing, but also to apply wet types of finishes to it: and.

Again, pay attention to the density. All other parameters depend on it. The denser the slab, the higher the quality of its characteristics.

Polyurethane foam (PPU)

This is the best insulation with the lowest thermal conductivity - 0.019÷0.03 W/(m×K). At the same time, the polymer also has other high characteristics:

• does not absorb water;
• does not allow steam to pass through;
• high chemical resistance;
• attaches to any building materials without additional fasteners;
• low G1, some varieties of polyurethane foam are self-extinguishing types;
• the density of the material is 30÷80 kg/m³;
• service life of at least 30 years.

Attention! Polyurethane foam is prepared on a construction site by combining two components: polyol and isocyanate. Mixing with each other, they form a liquid mixture, which is applied to the wall for thermal insulation. In air, the insulation turns into a hard and durable material.

That is, to carry out thermal insulation measures with polyurethane foam, special equipment is needed, where the two components are mixed. The insulation itself is applied under pressure to the surfaces to be insulated.

Alternative solutions - liquid insulation for walls

The term “liquid insulation” for walls and other structures is just slang among ordinary people. This material is mastic or, which includes:

• hollow microgranules in the form of spheres (0.02÷0.1 mm in diameter), made of ceramics, glass, polymers;
• microporous titanium dioxide particles;
• binding component, acrylic or latex is often used.

Since the consistency of the material is liquid, it is applied to the surfaces to be treated in the usual ways: using a brush, roller or spray. In this case, a thin film is formed on the surfaces - at least 1 mm. And it is enough to talk about thermal protection.

But why does such a thin coating create a warming effect? Here you need to understand in what ways heat flows through the walls of the house.

1. Thermal conductivity of the wall. That is, heat is transferred from a heated material to a cold one. IN liquid thermal insulation Only binding ingredients can transfer heat. And there are only 20% of them in the volume of insulation.
2. Convection. There are no options here, because the composition of the thermal insulation material consists of granules filled with air that occupy a large volume.
3. Radiation. This is the transfer of thermal energy due to the energy state of the substance itself. Inside the mastic, 90% are balls that reflect thermal energy. That is, the material applied to the walls of the house creates the effect of a thermos.

Today, manufacturers of liquid thermal insulation offer different compositions that are used for different building structures. Since materials for insulating walls from the outside are being sorted out, it is necessary to choose mastic intended for application to the facade of the building. Its name must contain the word “Facade”. For example, Korund-Facade, Bronya-Facade. Although many universal thermal paints can be used for thermal insulation of the external walls of buildings.

Here are the technical characteristics of Korund-Facade:

Ventilated facades

IN modern construction two varieties are used:

1. Traditional, when applied directly to the wall surface with different ways fastenings
2. Ventilated- this is when there is a gap between the wall and the cladding that acts as ventilation. With its help, damp vapors and condensation are removed from the wall surface.

So, in the first case, when the task is to thermally insulate a wall, moisture-resistant materials are used. These include polystyrene foam boards made using extrusion technology. That is, if the question of choosing insulation for the walls of a house outside is raised, then Penoplex is used. It is simply glued to the wall with a special adhesive composition or fastened with mushroom-shaped self-tapping screws. Polyurethane foam performs well under wet surfaces.

As for ventilated facades, any of the insulation described above can be used here. Because this design, firstly, it is framed, and secondly, it can be attached to it in the form of a membrane, which will preserve the insulation from the negative effects of moisture.

For example, how to properly use mineral wool in ventilated insulated facades.

1. The frame is placed on the wall - these are vertical wooden ones, the distance between which should be slightly less than the width of the basalt mat.
2. A vapor barrier film with sagging is laid. That is, it is attached to the frame, but the main canvas must be adjacent to the wall surface.
3. Insulation is placed between the sheathing elements.
4. A waterproofing membrane is placed on top of the frame structure.
5. Exactly the same bars are installed and fastened along the frame elements.
6. Cladding in the form of and other sheet or panel products is mounted on them.

Three-layer wall structure

This technology for wall insulation has been known for a long time. Essentially, these are two walls between which thermal insulation material is laid. The option is very good, but with some requirements for the insulation, because this layer must last a long time. Getting to it if replacement or repair is required will be difficult, and often impossible. Therefore, there are two main requirements:

1. The material must be resistant to shrinkage. This can only be achieved by polystyrene foam boards of the PS or EPS brand with a density of at least 45 kg/m³.
2. Water absorption of thermal insulation should not exceed 1%. We turn to the tables with technical characteristics and we see that only polystyrene foam boards made by extrusion meet this requirement.

There are no other options, so this technology uses Penoplex.

Rules for calculating insulation for house walls

Let's move on to a very important question: how to calculate the thickness of the insulation. To make it clear, let’s consider it using the example of insulating a wall built from a foam block 30 cm or 0.3 m thick. The insulation is basalt wool, which will be covered from the outside with facing bricks 12 cm thick (0.12 m).

Input data:

1. Thermal conductivity of the foam block is 0.26 W/(m×K).
2. The thermal conductivity of mineral wool is 0.045.
3. Thermal conductivity of brick is 0.52.
4. Thermal resistance of the region where the house is being built is 3.45 m²×°C/W. This corresponds to an indoor temperature of +22°C.

R = N / λ , Where

N – material thickness,

λ – its thermal conductivity.

• Rс = 0.3 × 0.26 = 0.078 is the thermal resistance of the wall.
• Rк = 0.12 × 0.52 = 0.062 - this is an indicator for brick.

The resistance of a region is the sum of the resistances of all the materials used in the construction of the house wall. That is:

R = Rс + Rк + Rу , Where

Rу - this is the thermal resistance of the insulation, and you need to find it.

It turns out:

Rу = R – Rс – Rк = 3.45 – 0.078 – 0.062 = 3.31.

From the formula: R=H/λ You can display the thickness of the insulating layer: H = R × λ = 3.31 × 0.045 = 0.15 m , or 15 cm, or 150 mm.