Modern types of insulation. Characteristics of various types of insulation What types of insulation are there

On the market building materials today there are many different types materials for insulation various types houses.

These insulation materials differ in their characteristics, types (slabs, mats, etc.) and places of application. They insulate walls, roofs, pipes (technical insulation), foundations, partitions and other elements of building structures.

By choosing the right insulation for your home or cottage, you can reduce your home heating costs in winter and keep your home cool in summer.

Which insulation is better, what characteristics should it have?

Which insulation is better, and what characteristics it should have, is the question of everyone who is going to insulate their home.

When selecting insulation for a particular surface, many are mistaken that the maximum density and thickness of the insulation will allow more heat to be retained in the house. But this is not so, because. all materials can be the same density, but different in thermal conductivity, water absorption, mechanical strength and other parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing insulation. Below are also the main characteristics of insulation materials that you should pay attention to when insulating your home.

Main characteristics of insulation:

thermal conductivity coefficient of a material (the amount of thermal energy passing through units of area, thickness, time and temperature difference)
density
mechanical strength
water absorption
vapor permeability
fire resistance
low caking over a long period of time
harmlessness to humans (ecological qualities)
ease and convenience in working with the material

Main types of insulation for home

In most cases, to insulate a house they use:

Mineral wool

Mineral wool- these are various types of insulation from minerals, which are divided into two groups:

Mineral wool

To obtain mineral wool, slags from metallurgical production are used, the melts of which are blown through an extruder, forming wool fibers, which are produced in the form of rolls, mats and slabs.

Mineral wool in rolls , as a rule, used for pipe insulation, industrial equipment and roofs, and mineral slabs and mats for insulation of facades, walls, floors, roofs and ceilings.

U this insulation, like any other, has its pros and cons.

pros mineral wool

the ability to use it inside residential premises
non-flammability
low thermal conductivity
excellent sound absorption
Environmental friendliness
application temperature from -60 to 500 degrees
cheap cost compared to basalt insulation.

Cons of mineral wool

High water absorption and caking properties. These two indicators greatly reduce its service life.

Manufacturers of mineral wool

In the building materials market, a large amount of mineral wool is currently produced, with which you can solve various types of problems for insulating the facade, walls, floors, roofs and other structures of the house.

At the moment, the most famous leaders in the production of mineral wool are the following companies: TeploKnauf, ISOVER and Ursa.

Basalt or stone wool

Basalt and gabbro group rocks are the strongest in the world. From their melt is made stone wool , which is produced in mats and slabs, using binding resins that are harmless to human health, and therefore it is used for insulating houses in all structural elements.

Advantages of basalt insulation

Does not conduct heat
Permits steam and does not absorb moisture
Does not burn
Not poisonous
Doesn't cake
Much denser and stronger than mineral wool
Application temperature from -160 to 1000 degrees

Disadvantages of basalt insulation

The only drawback of stone wool is its increased cost compared to other insulation materials.

Stone wool manufacturers

Today there are many manufacturers of stone wool, which produce it in a fairly large assortment, with the help of which you can solve any problems related to the insulation of a house, industrial equipment, ventilation and pipes.

The most famous brands of stone wool are ROCKWOOL, PAROC and TECHNONICOL.

In most cases, when choosing stone wool, they choose the brand ROCKWOOL, because this stone wool is the cheapest Among others, the manufacturer has a fairly large line of basalt mats and slabs, which can be produced in foil and wire, which is very convenient for insulating the technical insulation of pipes and chimneys.

Foam plastic (expanded polystyrene)

Insulation in the form of plates various sizes and thicknesses are produced on the basis of polystyrene. They are marked PSB-S , which means self-extinguishing self-extinguishing polystyrene foam (EPS).

Using a special technology, polystyrene granules are foamed and pressed into slabs, which are usually used for insulation of walls, foundations and attic floors with further plastering, because this material is a fire hazard and is not exposed to direct sunlight.

Pros of polystyrene foam

Low thermal conductivity
Ease of material and installation
Good strength
Does not allow steam to pass through (therefore it is not recommended for insulating the facade of residential buildings)
Doesn't rot
Does not deform or cake
Not destroyed by ultraviolet light
Cheap cost

Disadvantages of polystyrene foam

Flammability, although it self-extinguishes in the absence of a fire source
When burned, it emits a toxic odor that is hazardous to human health.
Poor noise absorption

Manufacturers of expanded polystyrene PSB-S

The largest manufacturer of expanded polystyrene today is KNAUF, which produces a large assortment polystyrene foam under the KNAUF Therm trademark, of various thicknesses, densities and sizes, with which you can insulate lightly loaded surfaces.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Special production technologies make it possible to obtain extruded polystyrene foam (EPS or XPS), which has all the same properties as polystyrene foam, only it is much stronger, has vapor permeability, low water absorption and does not burn, so it is perfect for insulating plastered facades, basements, flat roofs and floors.

Disadvantages of extruded polystyrene foam

Poor noise absorption
when melting, it emits a toxic odor hazardous to human health

EPS Manufacturers

The leaders in EP production today are PENOPLEX and URSA XPS. They produce a fairly large line of extruded polystyrene foam of various thicknesses, densities and sizes, which help solve the problems of insulating surfaces with increased load.

Expanded clay

Expanded clay- this is one of the types of traditional insulation for horizontal surfaces, which consists of small porous balls of baked clay. Typically this material is used to insulate attic floors, foundations, basements and floors.

Expanded clay has a reasonable price and has all the positive properties. It conducts heat poorly, does not burn and is not poisonous.

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

Basic properties of materials

These properties include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Classification of existing insulating materials

All huge assortment Modern materials of this type can be safely divided into four main groups:

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

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

organic;
inorganic;
mixed.

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Cotton wool as insulation

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

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

All types of cotton wool have their own disadvantages:

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

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

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Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene foam: characteristics

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

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

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

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

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

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

In a capricious, damp, cold climate, room insulation is one of the most important construction procedures. Which insulation to choose? Where to start?

Important! It's best to pay attention to modern materials- they are high-quality, durable, environmentally friendly. The “correct” insulation will help reduce heating costs. The main thing is that it does not shrink after construction, is not susceptible to insects and small rodents, and is also adapted to an aggressive weather environment (if there is such a need). Then you should start assessing the value for money.

Manufacturers of modern building materials have done everything possible to make sure that in the store your eyes run wild and your hands don’t know what exactly to grab onto. Kinds insulation materials and their purpose remain a mystery shrouded in darkness for most inexperienced people. Well, let's try to figure everything out in order.

Types of insulation, characteristics and application

There are two types of insulation: reflective (organic, inorganic) and preventive.

Preventive type insulation

This thermal insulation helps reduce heat consumption by reducing the degree of infrared radiation.

Preventive type insulation (inorganic base)

Arbolite - made from shavings, small sawdust, straw and finely chopped reeds. As a strong base, the insulation contains cement and a small content of chemical additives (calcium or soluble glass). At the end of production, such a product is treated with a solution with a high mineral content.

Properties of wood concrete:

Density - 450-700 kg per cubic meter;
Thermal conductivity 0.06-0.14 Watt per meter;
Compressive strength is 0.2-1 megapascal.

Polyvinyl chloride foam (PPVC)- made from PVC resins. The resins are given a foamy structure by industrial porousization. Such insulation can be both soft and hard. In essence, it is a universal heat insulator (for roofs, walls, floors, windows and entrance doors). Its density is about 0.1 kg per cubic meter.

Based on fine chips. Wood shavings make up 90% of its composition. The remaining 10% is: synthetic resin, antiseptics and water repellent.

Chipboard properties:

Density - 400-1000 kg per cubic meter;
Tensile strength - 0.2-0.7 megapascal;
The tensile strength when bending the material is 10-30 megapascals;
Humidity - 4-12%;
Hygroscopicity - 5-30 percent.

Insulation board made of wood fibers. Made from scrap wood, straw or corn stalks, and even old paper. Resins are used as the basis for binding materials. DVIP also contains antiseptics and water-repellent substances. This is one type of insulation used in country houses.

DVIP properties:

Density - up to 250 kg per cubic meter;
The tensile strength when bending the material is up to 12 megapascals;
Thermal conductivity - up to 0.08 Watt per meter.

Made on the basis of polyester with the addition of water, diisocyanate, emulsifiers.

Polyurethane foam is an excellent sound absorber. It is also resistant to wet environments. It is convenient in construction - it is applied by spraying. This makes it possible to process surfaces of complex configurations.

Properties of polyurethane foam:

Density - 35-75 kg per cubic meter;
Thermal conductivity - 0.017-0.027 Watt per meter. This is the maximum and best value for thermal insulation today;

Mipora. It is also called penoizol. Mipora is produced by beating urea-formaldehyde resin. To make the material stronger, glycerin is added to it. The foamed structure is obtained due to the content of sulfonic acids. Organic acid is used as a hardening catalyst. Mipora is sold both in the form of crumbs and in blocks, and in the form ready solution. This is another type of insulation that is popular in wooden houses.

Properties of mipora:

Density - within 20 kg per cubic meter;
Thermal conductivity - 0.03 Watt per meter;
Mipora is fireproof (burns only at 500 degrees), but is subject to deformation in extreme heat;
Minus - deformed under the influence of aggressive chemicals. Too hygroscopic.

(PPS). 98% of the insulation composition is air. The remaining 2% is polystyrene. Fire retardants may also be found in EPS.

Properties of expanded polystyrene:

Thermal conductivity - 0.038-0.044 Watts per meter;
Does not absorb moisture;
Corrosion resistant;
Unaffected by microflora and bioagents;
Almost non-flammable. Even if it catches fire, it will emit significantly less heat than burning wood.

Consists of polyethylene and its foaming agent. Perfectly protects against steam and any external noise due to its small pores.

Features of foamed polyethylene:

Density - 20-55 kg per cubic meter;
Thermal conductivity - 0.042-0.050 Watt per meter;
Used at temperatures from 40 degrees below zero to 100 degrees above zero;
Poorly absorbs moisture;
Practically resistant to chemical and biological effects.

Fiberboard insulation- based on thin wood shavings in conjunction with cement and magnesium component. Available in slab form. Ideal for wet areas.

Properties of fiberboard insulation:

Density - 200-500 kg per cubic meter;
Thermal conductivity - 0.06-0.1 Watt per meter;
Fireproof.

Honeycomb insulation- consists of cells resembling a honeycomb. But this is not necessary; cells sometimes come in other shapes. This insulation is filled with special fabric or paper based on organic fibers and resins. The outside insulation is covered with thin sheets of plastic.

Made from paper production waste (defective books, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, etc.). For lower cost ecowool, waste paper is also used.

Properties of ecowool:

Excellent sound insulation;
High thermal insulation. Gradually, ecowool decreases in volume and its properties deteriorate;
High hygroscopicity;
No visible joints after installation.

Preventive type insulation (organic base)

It can be slag or stone. Slag is made from waste from metal production (both non-ferrous and ferrous). Stone is made on the basis of rocks (limestone, basalt, etc.). Phenol or urea is used to bind the components.

Properties of mineral wool:

Does not burn;
Perfectly absorbs noise;
Resistant to chemicals;
Does not absorb water well;
Almost does not shrink over time;
Lets out steam. Therefore, mineral wool needs insulation.

Made from glass and glass production waste. Its fibers are thicker and longer. It does not burn, absorbs sound and is not subject to the destructive effects of chemical compounds.

Properties of glass wool:

Density - up to 130 kg per cubic meter;
Thermal conductivity - 0.02-0.053 Watts per square meter;
Withstands temperatures up to 450 degrees Celsius;
Poorly absorbs moisture;
Does not corrode.

Ceramic wool is based on aluminum and silicon oxide. It is produced in a special centrifuge. Not afraid of chemicals and resistant to high temperatures.

Properties of ceramic wool:

Withstands temperatures of more than 1000 degrees Celsius;
Thermal conductivity - 0.12-0.17 Watt per meter;
Density - up to 350 kg per cubic meter.

Thermal insulation works not only in winter, but also in summer. If done correctly, the house will be much warmer in cold weather and cooler in hot weather. Manufacturers today offer a huge range. There are not only traditional products, but also new modern materials. Construction insulation materials come in rolls, in mats, in granules, in the form of powder, cylinders, similar to blocks and bricks, and slabs.

Types of thermal insulation

The most important characteristic thermal insulation material is thermal conductivity. The lower it is, the better. Essentially, this indicator determines how much heat the material can transmit through itself.

The main classification of insulation materials divides them into two groups:

Reflective type. Reducing heat losses when installing this type occurs due to a decrease in infrared radiation.
Prevention type. Their main quality is their low thermal conductivity coefficient.

Thermal insulation of the preventive type is the broadest category. Let's look at the most popular samples and analyze their characteristics.

It is made from polyethylene granules, to which a foaming agent is added when heated. The result is a porous material with good soundproofing and vapor barrier properties.

The characteristics include:

thermal conductivity of the material – 0.043-0.05 W/m K;
25-50 kg/m³;
withstands temperatures ranging from -40 °C to +100 °C;
the degree of water absorption is low;
resists biological and chemical stress well.

Some manufacturers produce foamed polyethylene with a foil outer layer (a new modern analogue); this option already belongs to the second category. And another product made of polyethylene foam - heat-insulating cylinders for insulating pipes.

Many people confuse expanded polystyrene with polystyrene foam. These are two different insulation materials, where the first has completely replaced the second, which was used in construction for many years. Distinctive characteristic foamed polystyrene - its porosity. So 98% are pores filled with gas. And only 2% is the material itself. But at the same time, the insulation itself is very dense.

Here are its characteristics:

thermal conductivity – 0.024-0.041 W/m K;
vapor permeability (water absorption) – 0.017;
bending strength 0.5-1.1 kg/m² (comparable to foam plastic - 0.03-1.9 kg/m²);
in construction, material with a density of 15-35 kg/m³ is most often used.

Let us add that this insulation is used for all types of building structures: floors, facades, roofing, foundations. They can be insulated from the inside or outside.

The Penoplex brand is especially popular today. Foamed polystyrene is also used to produce cylinders for pipe insulation.

This material is a mixture of water, polyester, emulsifiers, diisocyanate. Catalysts are added to this mixture, and chemical reaction and the result is polyurethane foam. This is a foam-like liquid substance that is applied to building structures by spraying.

Characteristics:

density – 40-80 kg/m³ (above 50 kg/m³ the insulation becomes moisture resistant);
thermal conductivity – 0.018-0.027 W/m K;
water absorption up to 0.05.

In private construction, polyurethane foam is rarely used, but for large volumes of work it is a popular material.

This insulation belongs to the group of inorganic heat-insulating materials. It is made either from slag or from rocks. The second option is more common. The raw materials for production are basalt, limestone, dolomite and others. The binder is either urea or phenol. By the way, phenolic mineral wool is used in construction. It has a high coefficient of moisture resistance.

Characteristics:

thermal conductivity – 0.031-0.05 W/m K;
density – 75-150 kg/m³;
withstands temperatures up to +600 °C;
moisture resistance is not very high.

Let us add that this is an excellent sound insulator. Insulation is produced in rolls and mats. Manufacturers also offer cylinders made of this material. This is a non-flammable material.

It is made from the same raw materials as glass itself. Compared to mineral wool, this insulation has higher strength due to elongated fibers. Does not burn, is passive to chemicals.

Characteristics:

density – 130 kg/m³, no more;
thermal conductivity of insulation – 0.028-0.52 W/m K;
withstands temperatures up to +450 °C;
high water absorption.

This material is made from waste paper and cardboard. Waste paper is also used, but in this case the quality drops significantly. This insulation is most often used to insulate crowns in wood construction.

Characteristics:

thermal conductivity of ecowool – 0.031-0.042 W/m K;
material density – 30-75 kg/m³;
vapor permeability – 0.3;
insulation belongs to the group of moderately flammable materials;
sound absorption with a layer thickness of 50 mm 63 dB.

Felt

Construction felt is an insulation material of animal origin. Most often it is used in wooden construction, where this material is used to cover external walls, window and door openings. It is often used as a heat-insulating layer under plaster. wooden ceilings, and also, mixed with clay, as insulation for chimneys.

To prevent felt from becoming a breeding ground for moths and other insects, manufacturers treat it with a three percent solution of sodium fluoride.

Characteristics:

thermal conductivity of the material is 0.06 W/m K;
density – 150 kg/m³;
tensile strength – 2-5 kg/cm².

This is a new thermal insulation material, the production of which is based on sawdust or shavings, finely chopped reeds or straw. Cement acts as a binder. Chemical additives must be added ( liquid glass, alumina sulfate and calcium chloride), which increase the technical qualities of the material. The finished insulation in the form of blocks is treated with a mineralizer.

Characteristics:

wood concrete density – 500 -700 kg/m³;
thermal conductivity of the insulator – 0.09-0.13 W/m K;
compression pressure – 0.6-3.6 MPa;
bending – 0.5-1.2 MPa.

This fibreboard insulation board is very similar to chipboard. But not only wood is used in its production. Instead, you can use straw, corn cobs with the addition of waste paper. Added as a binder synthetic resins, plus antiseptic and anti-foam solutions, as well as water repellents. Manufacturing form: plate.

Characteristics:

density – 250 kg/m³;
thermal conductivity – 0.07 W/m K;
bending strength no more than 12 MPa.

Insulation is usually done by installing slabs on the sheathing. Most often used for interior work.

This insulation is called differently. One of the names of mipore. Why? Because in the process of making insulation there is an intermediate stage, this is when an aqueous solution of urea-formaldehyde resin is strongly beaten with the addition of sulfonic acid. This foamed solution is mipora. Then glycerin is added to it, which gives the material strength and organic acid, which acts as a catalyst for hardening the mass.

Penoizol is sold in the form of blocks or powder. The powder must be diluted with water and poured into the cavities. At room temperature hardening occurs.

Characteristics:

density – 20 kg/³;
thermal conductivity – 0.04 W/m K;
starts to burn at a temperature of +500 °C;
high water absorption;
low passivity to chemicals.

Comparative analysis

With such a variety of thermal insulation materials, it is difficult to choose the one that will be needed specifically for certain purposes. We must pay tribute to the manufacturers who began to separate products by model. For example, insulation made of expanded polystyrene brand Penoplex. Models available only for internal use, for facades, for roofs and so on. As indicated on the packaging.

Let's compare some insulation materials with each other, after which it will become clear which one is best to choose for thermal insulation.

For example, let's take the famous brand Penofol - this is insulation made of foamed polyethylene. Let's start with the fact that the manufacturer supplies this heat insulator with a double-sided foil layer. Penofol 4 mm thick can replace 80 mm of rolled mineral wool, 30 mm of expanded polystyrene board. In addition, there is no need to install hydro- and vapor barriers.

But it cannot be used under plaster. In this regard, polystyrene foam boards win. You just need to apply it to them plaster mesh and alignment can be carried out.

Mineral wool is the cheapest insulation on the market. But its cheapness is imaginary, because for installation you will have to build wooden frame, which must be treated with an antiseptic. That is, all these expenses will negate its cheapness.

Plus, mineral wool is afraid of moisture, and that’s two more layers protective materials. And yet, together with polystyrene foam boards, it is a leader in the category of modern insulation materials.

PPU

As for polyurethane foam, it is rarely used in private housing construction. This pleasure is too expensive. It is impossible to apply it with your own hands. Required special equipment and permission to carry out work.

Arbolit and penoizol

These materials are most often used for insulating balconies and loggias. Both insulation materials today compete with cellular concrete blocks.

Unfortunately, they are still losing due to the lack of promotion of the brand. Although thermal insulation characteristics they will not yield to foam blocks. But for thermal insulation of facades, wood concrete is a good option.

Conclusion

These are the most popular thermal insulation materials in private housing construction. Of course, the insulation market has not exhausted its range of products. There are completely new materials, for example, from foamed polyvinyl chloride.

There are long-used ones, for example, the same chipboard or fiberboard. Or combined option– honeycomb insulation, the shell of which is laminate in the form of hexagonal honeycombs (hence the name), and paper, fabric, fiberglass, cellulose, and so on are used as fillers.

When arranging residential premises and buildings for domestic purposes, it becomes necessary to insulate wall structures. Due to the wide variety of types of insulation that are offered for sale, it can sometimes be difficult to decide in favor of a specific type. But if you understand the characteristics and properties of such products, the upcoming purchase will be faster and more successful.

Before buying insulation, you should take a closer look at their specifics.

general information

Properly selected building insulation is the key to protection from the cold in winter, as well as providing coolness in summer time. This material guarantees a comfortable microclimate inside the building, regardless of its purpose and time of year. But the ability to retain heat also significantly reduces heating costs. WITH good insulation You can achieve maximum savings in energy resources, as well as make the room protected from environmental influences.

In most cases, builders insulate those parts of the house that are constantly in contact with outside world. This is about: