The choice of insulation and the technology of insulating a frame house. Technology of insulating the walls of a frame house with mineral wool from the inside and outside Thermal insulation for a frame house what to choose

September 6, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction work (laying a foundation, erecting walls, constructing a roof, etc.). Internal construction work (laying internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communications, high technology, computer equipment, programming.

Today I want to talk about how to choose insulation for frame house. This is a specific structure consisting of a timber frame covered with sheet material, therefore the comfort and energy efficiency of the entire building depends on the quality and efficiency of the thermal insulation layer. Therefore, special requirements are placed on the materials used.

Specifics of insulation of frame housing

A comfortable indoor microclimate and the amount of energy spent on maintaining it directly depends on the thermal insulation material used for the walls of the building. And this rule applies to the greatest extent to a frame house, since the materials used in its construction have a fairly high thermal conductivity coefficient, and their thickness leaves much to be desired.

Therefore, the only barrier to cold or heat outside is insulation. At the same time, the dimensions of the walls and the material of the enclosing structures significantly limit the choice, because thermal insulation for such a building must have several features, which I described in the table below.

Characteristic	Description
Low thermal conductivity	The insulation material must have excellent heat-retaining properties. The lower the thermal conductivity coefficient, the thinner the insulating layer should be. For a frame house optimal thickness thermal insulation is from 10 to 15 cm. But the final decision on how much insulation to put in is made depending on climatic conditions the area where the house is operated.
Light weight	I advise you to choose a material that does not place significant additional load on the building envelope. A frame dwelling is already not particularly durable, so you should not aggravate the problem by installing heavy insulation.
Vapor permeability	The sheet materials with which the walls are sheathed allow air to pass through well. Therefore, I would advise buying insulation that does not prevent its infiltration. This will extend the service life wooden structure and provide a comfortable microclimate for living inside with normal level humidity.
Fire safety	Safe to live in wooden house can only be built using non-combustible insulation materials, which do not ignite in a fire and do not support combustion. As a last resort, it is necessary to purchase thermal insulation containing fire retardants.
Environmental friendliness	To protect the people living in the house, I advise using environmentally friendly thermal insulation material that does not release toxic chemical compounds into the air, regardless of operating conditions.
Hygroscopicity	Walls of a frame house, regardless of method exterior finishing, are constantly exposed atmospheric moisture(during rain and melting snow). Therefore, it is better to use waterproof insulating materials or those that do not change their technical characteristics depending on the moisture content inside.
Antiseptic	The insulating layer must be protected from the appearance of harmful microorganisms inside, which can not only impair the effectiveness of insulation, but also have a destructive effect on the enclosing structures (wood is susceptible to rotting). In addition, I would advise choosing a material that does not harbor insects and rodents.
Strength	For a frame house, it is very important that the insulation used retains its original dimensions throughout its entire service life, and its shrinkage is minimal. During construction, the distance between the racks for the insulation is calculated in such a way that the slabs of material fit as closely as possible to each other without forming islands of cold.
Affordable price	Considering that the estimated cost of constructing a frame house is low (when compared, for example, with a brick building), the insulation also needs to be chosen cheaper, but in no case sacrificing quality.

In the next section I will talk about popular types of insulation, and based on this information you can decide for yourself which insulation is best for a frame house.

Characteristics of materials used

Let's consider which insulation to use for thermal insulation of a frame dwelling. In my opinion, the best way Several varieties are suitable, which are shown in the diagram below:

Well, now let's determine the most best material for work.

Basalt mats

This thermal insulation material is made from a mineral of volcanic origin - basalt. The collected raw materials are melted at high temperature, after which ultra-thin threads are formed from the melt. Subsequently, they are formed into mats or slabs by gluing with phenol-formaldehyde resins.

Thanks to the use of basalt and special production technology, the material in question acquires some features, especially from the point of view of its use for thermal insulation frame structure.

I will describe the most important of them in more detail:

Low thermal conductivity. The insulation consists of a large number of thin fibers, oriented in different directions and glued with resin in such a way that there are many spaces filled with air between them.

Thanks to this, the material acquires a very low thermal conductivity coefficient. Exact value this parameter is between 0.032 and 0.048 W/(m*K) and depends on the density of the slabs used. To reliably insulate frame house, it is enough to use several layers of basalt mats with a total thickness of 10 to 15 cm.

This exactly corresponds to the cross-section of the beams that form the basis of the building. In other words, the insulation is completely placed inside the frame and covered with sheathing sheets. There is no need to construct additional sheathing on top or inside.

Low hygroscopicity. Basalt mats can safely be classified as hygroscopic thermal insulation materials. Unlike, for example, fiberglass, insulation fibers do not absorb water. And to increase water-repellent properties, the necessary substances are added to the resins used for gluing.
Water absorption of basalt insulation boards is no more than 2% of its own volume. In this case, the liquid that gets inside does not increase the thermal conductivity of the material and is quickly removed outside. To evaporate it, ventilation gaps are usually made in the outer cladding of a frame house.
In some cases, the material is covered with vapor-permeable membranes, which do not allow the insulating layer to get wet during rain and prevent the fibers of the mats from fraying.
High vapor permeability. Basalt insulation has an open structure, so it does not prevent air infiltration through the enclosing structures. As a result, the liquid contained in the wood has the opportunity to freely evaporate during the operation of the building, and the level of humidity in living quarters is automatically regulated.

The vapor permeability coefficient of mineral wool (0.49 mg/(m*h*Pa)) is much higher than, for example, plywood (0.02), which is usually used for cladding the walls of a frame house. Therefore, the insulation will not become a bottleneck that limits the “breathing” of the building.

High fire safety. Basalt fibers are made from a mineral of volcanic origin, so they have a very high melting point (more than 1000 degrees Celsius).
According to the requirements of the standards fire safety(NPB number 244-97) mineral mats made of basalt fiber belong to the category of non-combustible insulation. They do not ignite under the influence of an open flame and limit the further spread of fire.
What is very important is that when the walls of a home burn, the insulation does not emit toxic smoke, which can harm human health and complicate the evacuation of the inhabitants of the house.
Mineral wool, due to its open structure and random arrangement of fibers, perfectly absorbs structural (impact) and airborne noise. This is very important for a frame house, the enclosing structures of which do not differ in thickness.

Another important point– reduction of reverberation time of sound waves. In other words, mineral wool insulation protects the inhabitants of the home not only from external noise, but also limits the propagation of sound waves through internal ones.

High strength. Basalt mats can withstand very heavy loads. At 10% deformation, the insulation has a compressive strength reaching 80 kPa.
The special beauty of the material is that it retains its geometric dimensions throughout its entire service life, regardless of temperature and humidity. Installed inside the walls, it does not shrink or fall off, forming gaps through which heat escapes.
Typically, the pitch of the racks for insulation is calculated in advance and adjusted to the size of the mineral mats that will be used in building the house.
High antiseptic and chemical resistance. The material does not undergo biocorrosion, regardless of air humidity and the method of its operation. Inside mineral mats and, accordingly, frame walls, mold and fungi that can destroy the wood do not grow.

Another advantage of mineral wool is that its fibers are not destroyed by mice and insects. Therefore, I recommend using such insulation for construction country houses and similar suburban dwellings.

Thermal insulation material tolerates contact well with many chemicals and does not create an acidic environment that promotes corrosion. metal elements, used during the construction of a house according to frame technology.

Highly environmentally friendly. The insulation discussed in this section is made from gabbro-basalt, therefore, by definition, it cannot cause harm to the environment and human health.
However, formaldehyde resin is used for gluing resins, which can release toxic substances during operation. To reduce negative impact of this substance on the human body, mineral mats are subject to thermal effects during production. The formaldehyde emission level fully complies with established standards.

Moreover, with use, the possible harm from mineral wool decreases.

I believe that mineral wool is the best option for home insulation. The only limitation is that high price on the material. Therefore, for people who want to save as much as possible, I offer another option for insulation - polystyrene foam.

Foam boards

This insulating material is made from polystyrene by foaming it with steam. As a result, a large number of thin-walled polymer granules are formed, filled inside with atmospheric gas. From them, slabs are formed using the pressless method, which are used for insulation of various buildings, including frame houses.

As in the previous case, I will focus on describing the important technical characteristics of this material:

Low thermal conductivity. Styrofoam is a material that is 98% air and the rest is very thin walls that hold the gas in place. Thanks to this, it acquires a very low thermal conductivity coefficient - less than that of mineral wool.
The thermal conductivity coefficient of the material ranges from 0.028 to 0.034 W/(m*K). In other words, the heat-preserving properties of hardened polystyrene foam are quite enough to save heat inside a frame house in winter and prevent it from overheating in summer.
If we take block foam with a density of 34 kg per cubic meter, then the sufficient thickness of the insulating layer for central Russia will be 10 cm, which fits well into the standard cross-section of the timber used in the construction of the frame.
Low hygroscopicity. Given the closed cell structure of polystyrene foam, it absorbs liquid very poorly. When the surface of the material is moistened, it absorbs no more than 4% of the liquid during the first 24 hours. After this, water absorption stops completely.

Two conclusions follow from this:

Firstly, the material does not require additional protection in the form of waterproofing membrane, And his specifications do not deteriorate as they get wet.
Secondly, the thermal insulation layer is able to withstand a huge number of freezing and thawing cycles, since there is no water inside it, which, when crystallized, destroys the structure of the material.

Low vapor permeability. In this indicator, the insulation differs sharply from the mineral wool described above. Its vapor permeability coefficient is 0.05 mg/(m*h*Pa), which is comparable to monolithic concrete. Therefore, the thermal insulation layer sharply limits air infiltration, although it does not stop it completely.
When using polystyrene foam to insulate a frame house, I advise installing the insulation in such a way that the frame of the house has contact with environment, that is, it ensured the removal of moisture from the wood during operation.
It is also advisable to equip a reliable ventilation system, otherwise water vapor generated as a result of human activity will accumulate inside.
High fire hazard. Regulatory documents regulating fire safety building materials, polystyrene foam belongs to the category of very flammable materials (G4). Combined with the wood used for construction, this makes the home very dangerous to use.

The problem is further aggravated by the fact that in the event of a fire, the insulation spreads the flame further and emits black toxic smoke, which limits visibility, complicates the evacuation of people and the elimination of the fire, and can also cause serious poisoning.

To avoid at least part negative consequences, I recommend using material marked with the letter “C” for work, which contains fire retardants that promote self-extinguishing of the flame. Well, no one has canceled the treatment of wooden parts of the house with fire-prevention impregnations.

High sound insulation properties. Polystyrene foam protects rooms well frame construction from structural noise, but poorly absorbs sound waves propagated through the air.
If you want to achieve complete silence inside your home, in addition to polystyrene foam, you need to use additional material with a high sound absorption coefficient. As an example, I can cite foam rubber (polyvinyl chloride foam) or mineral wool.
High strength. Despite its brittleness to fracture, the material has an excellent coefficient of compressive strength. Like mineral wool, insulation of sufficient density can withstand a force of 80 kPa at 10% surface deformation.

Another important point is dimensional stability. Once installed between the frame posts, the insulation retains its width, length and thickness throughout its entire service life.

The only feature is low elasticity. The insulation cannot be bent and placed between the frame, so it is important to carefully observe the dimensions when installing timber or cutting foam boards.

High antiseptic properties and good chemical resistance. Research has long proven that the existence of microorganisms on the surface and inside the foam is impossible. That is, there is no need to worry about rotting and molding of the insulation layer.
But polystyrene is susceptible to destruction by rodents. Mice love to gnaw passages inside the material and make nests, although they do not feed on it themselves. Therefore, when using the material, I recommend additional protection of the material.
The insulation in question withstands the effects of most chemicals used in construction. Antiseptic and fire-prevention impregnations, as well as (with the exception of oil) used in the construction of frame houses do not destroy the material.
An important point is that foam plastic should be reliably protected from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Direct sunlight can destroy the material.
Environmental friendliness. The insulation described in this section, if the conditions for its installation in a frame structure and subsequent operation are observed, does not harm human health in any way.

As you can see, polystyrene foam is suitable for insulating a frame house, but with some reservations. And I would advise using it only if the cost of the material is the determining factor in your choice.

Polyurethane foam

This is a porous material obtained as a result of a chemical reaction of two components that occurs immediately before applying insulation to the heat-insulated surface.

I consider polyurethane foam separately due to the fact that it is almost impossible to use for self-insulation dwellings:

firstly, you need to purchase or rent a spraying installation with a compressor;
secondly, you need to be able to work with it.

But no one is stopping me from telling you about the features of this insulation. Perhaps this will help you make a choice in favor of innovative polyurethane foam rather than obsolete, but no less popular mineral wool and polystyrene foam.

Low thermal conductivity. When applied polyurethane foam on the treated surfaces it is possible to regulate the density of the material. Thermal conductivity also depends on it, which ranges between 0.019 and 0.035 W/(m*K).

Therefore, hardened polyurethane foam fits perfectly into the rule I derived that all insulation should be placed in the space between the sheathing sheets of the frame structure. It is enough to place a 10 cm thick layer of polyurethane foam in the gap between the frame beams in order to avoid problems with unproductive losses of thermal energy during the heating season.

Low hygroscopicity. Like polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam has a very low water absorption coefficient. A frozen layer of insulation can absorb no more than 2% of its own volume, which is even less than that of other cellular insulation.
To further enhance the water-repellent properties of the foam, castor oil is added to one of its components.
In other words, there is no need to take any measures to insulate polyurethane foam from moisture. However, this does not mean that the thermal insulation layer does not require external decorative finishing. After all, this substance is destroyed by other natural factors.
Low vapor permeability. The material is among the leaders in this indicator. The vapor permeability coefficient of polyurethane foam with a density of, for example, 40 kg per cubic meter is no more than 0.05 mg/(m*h*Pa). That is, after hardening, the foam completely stops air circulation through the frame walls.

A particular danger (when compared with polystyrene foam) is that when sprayed, foam covers the elements of the building’s frame, so the moisture inside the not completely dry beams is locked inside and can cause premature destruction of the building.

To avoid this, when constructing a frame dwelling, I advise using only well-dried lumber and ensuring the possibility of ventilation of the wooden parts.

High fire safety. Despite the fact that, like polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam is made of polymer components, it belongs to the category of fire-resistant, self-extinguishing and low-flammable materials. Special additives give increased fire resistance to insulating foam.
Wooden parts of a frame house treated with polyurethane foam receive additional protection from fire. IN special cases You can use specialized, fire-resistant polyurethane foam, a layer of which is applied on top of the base one. However, it costs much more and this method of insulation can only be used in rooms where there is a high risk of fire (furnace rooms in a bathhouse or boiler room in a house).
High sound insulation properties. The ability of polyurethane foam to absorb sound waves directly depends on the rigidity of the frame on which it is applied, as well as the density of the material itself.

In any case, sprayed insulation protects interior living spaces from impact structural noise and partially protects against sounds propagated through the air. There is a special highly elastic polyurethane foam that can act as a reliable sound insulator.

Strength. A material of a certain density (over 35 kg per cubic meter) has such high strength characteristics and compression resistance that it can be treated on top with thin-layer cement plaster.
An important property of the insulation under consideration is its almost zero shrinkage coefficient. When applied, the foam increases in size, and after the end of the chemical reaction it hardens and retains its size until the end of operation. Moreover, the geometric parameters of the insulation are not affected by ambient temperature and humidity.
Another advantage of polyurethane foam is that when applied inside frame structure it adheres tightly to the surface and fills all cracks, defects and irregularities. As a result, the appearance of cold bridges that reduce the energy efficiency of the building is eliminated.
Antiseptic and chemical resistance. Like mineral wool, polyurethane foam is neutral to biological damaging factors. Mold and mildew, as well as other harmful microorganisms, do not appear on the surface of the insulation. But unlike polystyrene foam, mice don't like polyurethane foam.

As for chemical resistance, the insulating foam is not damaged chemical solutions contained in other building materials. Due to low vapor permeability and chemical neutrality, the insulation reliably protects the metal fasteners of the frame structure from damage.

However, polyurethane foam has an inherent disadvantage of polystyrene foam - poor resistance ultraviolet radiation. The hardened insulating layer must be protected from the sun by external cladding.

Environmental friendliness. After polymerization, the foam has almost zero level emissions of harmful substances. However, during spraying the material emits harmful substances, therefore, it is necessary to work with it only in a special suit and carefully protect the respiratory and visual organs.

If for some reason you do not want to use mineral wool, I advise you to try polyurethane foam. But to obtain a high-quality result, it is better to seek help from special companies that deal with thermal insulation of buildings using polyurethane foam.

Summary

Based on the considered characteristics of thermal insulation materials, you can independently decide which insulation to choose for a wooden frame house. The instructions presented in the video in this article will help you to insulate such a home yourself.

What do you think is the best material to use for thermal insulation of a frame house? You can leave your thoughts on this issue in the comments.

September 6, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, or ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!

Insulation is a necessary component of any residential building. A large temperature difference is the main reason why you need to choose this material very carefully. The comfort of living in the house will depend on the right decision, especially in the coldest and hottest seasons. Do optimal choice Information about the characteristics of popular methods of thermal finishing of a house will help.

Insulation for the walls of a frame house - what functions does it perform?

Almost half of the heat supplied by the heating system is lost due to poor-quality wall cladding. To make it warmer in winter, we simply turn on the boiler higher, and the temperature becomes comfortable again. A caring and practical owner will definitely think about good thermal insulation.

The advantages it gives:

saving gas fuel used to heat water in the heating system;
effective sound insulation;
no need for air conditioning in summer;
constant comfortable temperature;
increasing the service life of the frame and the “filling” of the walls, roof and floor.

It’s hard to believe, but all this is provided by insulation for a frame house. The heat will not escape outside the room, which means the heating boiler will operate at minimum power. You will save on fuel. Walls with dense filler will block noise coming from the road and street, even if the house is located near a highway, it will be quiet and peaceful. In summer, the heat in your home will not go away - you can do without air conditioning. With an optimal microclimate inside the wall, the filler and load-bearing components will be protected from premature destruction.

The best insulation for a frame house - types, properties, characteristics

Before going to a building materials store, analyze the following components:

what condition is it in?
terrain characteristics, climatic conditions;
your experience in construction work - if you decide to insulate your home yourself;
budget that can be allocated to purchase the necessary materials.

The specificity of the structure of a frame house is that it is entirely made of wood. On the one hand, such a cottage is quickly built and environmentally friendly. On the other hand, a wooden base is not capable of retaining heat. The entire load falls on the insulation. What is the best way to insulate a frame house and what should you pay attention to when choosing a material:

Heat-retaining properties. The material must have low thermal conductivity. The lower its coefficient, the thinner the width of the insulating sheet will be. For a frame structure, the optimal value is in the range from 10 to 15 cm. This is suitable for the middle zone. The further north you go, the thicker it should be, and vice versa.
Weight. A frame house is not able to withstand heavy weight loads, so you should not choose heavy materials for its cladding and insulation. Lightweight items are easier to install.
Vapor permeability. The life of a wooden structure will be significantly extended if you choose insulation that allows air to pass through. The walls of the frame are usually sheathed with sheet materials that “breathe” well. Properly selected filler will ensure good infiltration and a normal indoor microclimate. If excess moisture leaves the house, its level will always be normal. You will not need to additionally ventilate the rooms.
Environmental friendliness. Living in a house will be safe if you use environmentally friendly materials for its construction. The health of the residents will depend on what kind of insulation is inside the wall.
Hygroscopicity. Regardless of the method of exterior finishing of the building, its “filling” will be exposed to moisture contained in the atmosphere. The direct culprits are rain and snow. Choose waterproof materials or those that will not change their characteristics due to water contact. Relevant for areas where atmospheric humidity is high.
Strength. The insulation for the frame structure must retain its original shape and dimensions. If the shrinkage is minimal, then the cold will not get inside the room. During installation, the dimensions of the insulating boards are calculated so that they fit together as tightly as possible.
Price. This figure depends on your budget. How to insulate a frame house if the amount of funds is limited? The main rule is do not take the cheapest one. This will cause you to lose money in the future.

Look at the characteristics of the most popular insulation and choose what suits your situation best.

Basalt mat or mineral wool

Basalt consists of minerals of volcanic origin. First they are melted, then ultra-thin threads are obtained, which are glued together with phenol-formaldehyde resin. Slabs or mats are formed from the resulting mass.

Why basalt is interesting:

has very low thermal conductivity. This indicator is provided by the air located between the fibers;
due to the resin it contains, it does not absorb water;
the open structure does not interfere with normal air infiltration;
the mineral from which the cotton wool is made burns only when the temperature reaches 1000 degrees;
absorbs airborne and impact noise;
has antiseptic and chemically resistant properties, does not undergo biocorrosion, mold or mildew will never grow here;
very durable in compression, retains its geometry throughout the entire period of use, does not fall off or shrink inside the wall;
environmentally friendly.

The disadvantage of mineral wool is its high cost. Among the options for insulating the frame of a house, it is considered one of the best materials.

Foam plastic - inexpensive and convenient

It is produced by foaming polystyrene using steam and high temperature. Polystyrene foam consists of thin-walled polymer granules, which are filled with atmospheric gas inside. In construction it is used in the form of slabs various configurations and sizes. Advantages:

Since this insulation consists of 98% air, its thermal conductivity coefficient is lower than that of basalt wool. For located in middle lane, several layers with a total thickness of 10 cm are quite enough. Choose foam with a density of 34 kg/m3.
The closed cell structure inside the foam does not allow moisture to pass inside. General indicator water will never exceed 4%. During construction work, the material does not need to be covered with films from the outside - it will not warp or become damp if it rains.
The material does not deform inside the wall, despite the fact that it is quite fragile when fractured.
Blocks noise.
Resistant to mold.
It's inexpensive. If you are looking a budget option with good characteristics, it is best to insulate it with foam plastic.

The thermal insulation layer of polystyrene foam can withstand freezing and thawing in unlimited quantities. This does not affect its condition in any way, because water, which usually destroys the structure during crystallization, is almost absent here.

Polystyrene foam does not conduct air. Its vapor permeability coefficient is comparable to monolithic concrete. In order for the walls of the frame to breathe and release moisture from the wooden beams, they do not need to be tightly covered with slabs. In a house with foam insulation, it is necessary to install a good ventilation system.

Disadvantage - destructibility under influence sun rays, high level flammability. This can be dealt with by treating the slabs protective compounds.

Polyurethane is a new word in the field of wall insulation

Construction technologies do not stand still. Appeared new way insulation - using polyurethane foam. It is obtained through a chemical reaction of components that are connected to each other using a special installation, right before application. PU foam is applied by experienced specialists; during work, a special spraying installation equipped with a compressor is used.

Positive traits:

Today, polyurethane foam is the leader in low thermal conductivity. It can be adjusted during application.
Compared to polystyrene foam, the material can absorb only 2% of its volume of moisture. To enhance water-repellent properties, castor oil is added to the composition.
Does not burn thanks to special additives.
Does not allow noise to pass through.
It has a high level of strength with a density above 35 kg/m3. On top of the polyurethane foam it is enough to simply treat it with plaster, because... shrinkage coefficient is zero. When applied, the foam first expands, fills the space and hardens. Ideally maintains geometry for the entire period of operation.
Ecologically pure.

The disadvantages of the newest material include low vapor permeability. Foam applied to frame walls completely blocks air circulation with the street. The frame should not be completely foamed - the moisture inside the tree should evaporate. If you cover everything completely with foam, the water will be trapped inside the material. This will lead to premature destruction of the building. Before working with polyurethane foam, all wooden components must be thoroughly dried.

Which insulation option from the ones presented is right for you? Weigh the pros and cons, visit construction stores, look at what the materials look like, compare prices. Take your time, study the characteristics again, this will help you make the right decision.

The correct “pie” of the walls, floor and roof of a frame house must include a reliable one. You should choose it based on material density and thickness, taking into account climatic features region. It is desirable that the insulation lasts the entire service life of the building itself, providing good thermal insulation, otherwise heating bills in winter threaten to greatly spoil the owner’s mood.

General requirements for insulation for frame frames

If you are planning to live in a frame house permanently, you should not skimp on insulation. In winter, the cost of heating rooms with “economical” finishing can cost a pretty penny. Frame houses are distinguished by the fact that their heat loss rate is quite high.

The general criteria for choosing thermal insulation materials for a frame house are as follows:

Low thermal conductivity (heat should remain indoors and not go outside).
Moisture resistance (the insulation should not absorb moisture like a sponge).
Fire safety (the material must be resistant to high temperatures).
Environmentally friendly (no harm to human health).

In addition, good insulation does not lose its functional properties throughout the entire period of operation.

Types of insulation for frame houses

The modern market offers a number of solutions for thermal insulation of frame houses. Below we will consider the types of insulation that are in consistently high demand.

. Pros: inexpensive, lightweight, environmentally friendly material that is easy to install and holds heat well. Cons: brittle, easily catches fire, poor sound insulation, susceptible to destruction due to rodent activity. An acceptable option for seasonal country houses.
Mineral wool exists in two “states”: soft and hard. Soft mineral wool, or, is fire resistant, does not allow heat to pass through, and is virtually not subject to chemical decomposition. However, during installation the material must be secured with transverse wooden inserts from boards, otherwise the insulation will not be tightly fixed, which over time will lead to the appearance of so-called “cold zones” - sections of the walls not covered with a heat-insulating layer.
It looks more rational to use . The material is most often made from basalt (sometimes from slag). Pros: excellent thermal insulation, light weight, good sound insulation, fire resistance, strength, durability. However, the insulation allows moisture to pass through, so when installing it, the openings of the frame blocks must be additionally protected with waterproofing materials.
(EPP) is a durable and dense material, easy to install. Pros: heat and moisture resistance, good sound insulation, relatively inexpensive. Minus: when high temperatures(from +70º) the structure of the EPP sheet is subject to deformation, and the material itself releases toxic substances.
PIR insulation is more versatile, but also expensive (about 450 rubles per square meter) option. PIRs can be used on any construction site: they insulate walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, and foundations. The material is durable, environmentally friendly, retains heat well, and is resistant to temperature changes (from - 65 to + 110º).
When insulating frame-panel houses, which are environmentally friendly, but susceptible to rotting and fire-resistant, polyurethane foam spraying technology is used. The solution keeps the thickness, volume of the walls and the weight of the supporting structures unchanged, and the processing of the house itself requires much less time than installing traditional insulation. Disadvantage: you will have to call in professionals for such work.
Ecowool. Environmentally friendly insulation, safe for humans, fire-resistant, does not rot or become damp, and retains heat well. Disadvantages: only European production guarantees the environmental friendliness of the material, and insulation of walls with ecowool must be carried out using the so-called “wet” method (eliminates the possibility of shrinkage of the material), which will require the services of specialists.
Clay with a certain fat content. The most environmentally friendly option. It is important to remember that incorrectly selected clay (low-fat) will not insulate your home for long: after some time, the thermal insulation layer will begin to crack and crumble.
Sawdust is cheap, but this is perhaps its only advantage. Disadvantages: high thermal conductivity (twice as much as mineral wool), fire hazard, settling of the material over time.

How to properly insulate a country house

When installing insulation on a frame house, you must take into account the climatic characteristics of the region in which you live, and based on this, select the material according to density, thickness and other characteristics.

Since a house, as a rule, is a zoned object (walls, floor, roof, living quarters, storage rooms, etc.), you should approach the selection of insulation materials creatively. The floor can be insulated with sawdust, while for the walls it is better to use dense material (foam plastic, EPP, rock wool), and for the roof it is worth purchasing soft mineral wool or using PIR.

Helps you get a more accurate idea of what and how much you will need regulations, containing parameters and characteristics various types insulation materials. For this there is our domestic “Code of Rules” - SP31-105-2002 (here is its updated version), copied from the Canadian Code.

For example, for a region with a stable -35º in winter, a “pie” is sufficient, including plasterboard, 150 mm thick foam plastic, thick veneer, wind protection and wall finishing material with outside.

For those who want to experiment and make a combination of different materials, it’s easy to find free calculators on the Internet for calculating the insulation of multi-layer walls.

Another important question: should the walls be insulated from the inside or outside? Thermal insulation from the inside involves the use only soft materials. This method is not very effective and also has significant drawback: due to the insulation layer, the useful, often living, area of the room is reduced.

When the outside is insulated, heat is retained much better. In addition, insulation made from almost any material is suitable for it; it does not “eat up” the living space, which means you can choose any material required thickness, even with a margin (the main thing is to keep within the width of the foundation).

They are assembled in a fairly short time, using minimal labor resources. However, with all its advantages, it still has one small drawback. If you do not provide high-quality insulation of the walls and roof, it will be possible to use it only in the summer, since it is not suitable for year-round use in our climate.

Insulation of a frame house - types of materials

The modern market offers a huge selection of building materials for insulating frame houses. Based on the above, it is very important that the insulation retains its functionality for decades; for this it is necessary to use only high-quality material.

Currently, thermal insulation materials are conventionally divided into two categories - organic and synthetic.

The first include natural materials that have natural origin (sawdust and shavings, compressed straw, etc.).
The second category includes types of insulation obtained using a high-tech production method, using various chemical components and compositions, namely: mineral wool, polystyrene foam, basaltine, and others.

Magnificent thermal insulation properties synthetic materials make them the undisputed winners in this group. They boast such qualities as:

good moisture resistance;
low thermal conductivity and flammability level;
no shrinkage and long service life;
prostate to use;
safety for humans.

Insulating a house is the most popular and well-proven method. The material has excellent noise absorption, retains heat well, and also has a high class of environmental friendliness.

Insulation of walls from inside and outside

There is no particular difference from where to start work on insulating a frame house, from the inside or the outside. Here it is more convenient for anyone. For example, installing insulation from the street is a little easier, but there is a risk that it may start to rain and then the work will have to be stopped for some time.

Standard mineral wool insulation has a width of 600 mm. Therefore, when constructing a frame, this point must be taken into account. To ensure that the material fits tightly to the vertical posts, perfect size the pitch between them is 580-590 mm. This distance will not allow the insulation to slide down over time, since it will be tightly clamped.

According to established standards, the thickness of insulation for a structure in the central region of Russia is 150 mm. Therefore, it would be advisable to use slabs with a thickness of 100 and 50 mm.

Thus, instead of three slabs, two slabs will be enough for the structure, thereby significantly reducing labor costs. Also the material is 100 mm. less prone to deflection and therefore more securely attached to the structure.

Fastening vapor barrier and OSB boards

In order to prevent moisture from entering the insulation, it must be well protected from it. To do this with inside the wooden walls of the frame must be covered with a vapor barrier film. Using a regular stapler, we roll out the roll in horizontal stripes and fasten it overlapping along 5 cm. to the vertical posts. Make sure that the film adheres tightly to the surface everywhere;
Next, we need to cover the vapor barrier film with OSB boards, which will serve as the base under interior decoration. Using ordinary wood screws and a screwdriver, we fasten the panels one by one, cutting them with an electric jigsaw if necessary.

Installation of insulation

Let us consider, as an example, the insulation of a frame with slabs based on mineral (stone) wool. The material is quite elastic, so fixing it does not require additional method fastening, simply insert it between the posts. The slabs must be held tightly there due to the difference in size.

Installation of insulation is carried out in two layers, using a checkerboard pattern. The second one should overlap butt joints first, exactly in the middle. This method allows you to avoid the appearance of so-called “cold bridges”, which contribute to the appearance of condensation and dampness on the inner surface finishing, which may result in mold and mildew.

Once all the slabs have been installed, they will need to be protected from rain and strong winds. To do this, by analogy with internal walls, external ones are sheathed in the same way.

The material used is a hydro-windproof membrane; it will reliably protect the walls from drafts and raindrops getting inside. To securely connect the membrane, secure it to the posts with counter-latching.

External wall cladding

Depending on the material you choose for finishing, you need to properly prepare the base for it. For ordinary siding or a house block, moisture-resistant OSB boards are attached to the counter-batten, to which guide bars are nailed.

It is very popular among the population, which accurately imitates the structure of real wood.

Sectional diagram of insulation

In case the walls are sheathed with any other finishing material (facade tiles, artificial or natural stone etc.), nail to OSB boards guide bars are unnecessary; the walls are left in this form for finishing.

Roof insulation

Not many people know that roof insulation plays a very important role in creating a favorable microclimate in the house. High-quality insulation of this element reduces heat loss at home by 25-30 % , therefore it is very important to approach this issue responsibly.

One of the most common ways to insulate a roof is to lay insulation between the roofs, and in order for the insulation to last a long time, roofing pie must have a ventilation gap.

The essence of the frame house process mineral wool is quite simple and looks like this:

On the outside of the roof, a diffusion membrane is nailed to the upper base of the rafters, which is fixed with a counter-latten;
Next, on the inside in two layers (each 100 mm.), using the same checkerboard order, insulation boards are laid. Special attention give places to the gables and the ridge part of the roof;
The insulation must be covered with a vapor barrier film, which is attached with horizontal stripes from bottom to top, overlapping 5 cm.;
The final stage is lining the ceiling with finishing materials (lining, plywood, block house, plasterboard, etc.)

Floor insulation

Another place where the leak occurs 15-20% warmth that is so precious in our time. You can, of course, fork out the cash and install a system in your home, especially since in our time there is plenty for this.

However, why not try to insulate it well first. After all, the floor is the place where a lot of interesting things happen.

You can’t even count how many kilometers your baby crawls along it, and then takes his first steps in life on it. Spending time doing yoga and reading interesting books will bring pleasure in addition to benefits.

Sequence of floor insulation in a frame house:

A layer of waterproofing film is rolled out onto the subfloor. All joints are taped with reinforcing tape;
Between the floor joists, insulation is laid (thickness not less than 200 mm.). To prevent the formation of a gap, the width of the insulation must exceed the distance between the joists by 1-2 cm;

Overlapping insulation on top 5-10 cm. covered with a vapor barrier carpet;
Further, depending on flooring, the floor is covered with sheets of plywood, or a finishing board is laid.

Conclusion

Today there are many different modern materials, which are suitable for insulating houses built using frame technology. However, numerous positive reviews from owners show that overpaying for expensive materials in this case there is no point. Mineral wool, which is quite affordable, does an excellent job of protecting your home from the cold.

Therefore, we can safely conclude that mineral wool is reliable, inexpensive and quite efficient material for insulation of a frame house. Due to its environmental friendliness and fire safety, insulation can be used both inside and outside the house, and nothing else is needed.

The question of how to insulate a frame house is usually not raised in those countries where this technology came to us - it is believed that it is sufficiently insulated at the structural level. Our winters are very harsh - in the central part of the country the frosts are much stronger than at the same latitude in Europe or in North America, so it is necessary to insulate even frame houses, the design of which initially includes a layer of insulation.

Another layer of insulation for our climate will not be “superfluous” Source fasad-exp.ru

Choosing insulation for a frame house

Before insulating a frame house from the outside, you need to find out what thermal insulation materials were used inside the walls. And, focusing on their properties, choose an insulation scheme. This dependence is determined at the level of standards, which directly state that the materials and external insulation scheme should not create conditions for the wall itself to get wet. What does this mean?

It is estimated that per day, during the life of one person, up to 4 liters of water evaporate in a room: cooking, washing, hygiene, wet cleaning, pets and houseplants. The main part should be ventilated due to ventilation, but the other part of the moisture will penetrate into the enclosing structures.

The standard wall design is a frame sheathed with thin-sheet materials on both sides, between which the insulation is located. And so that it does not get wet, it is protected from the inside with a vapor-proof membrane, and from the outside - with a windproof and waterproofing film that can “pass” water vapor.

Standard diagram of the facade of a frame house Source stroyfora.ru

If you use thermal insulation outside with a vapor permeability lower than that of the main insulation, the process of diffusion (removal) of water vapor to the street will be disrupted.

Three types of materials are used in the construction of the wall of a frame house:

expanded polystyrene;
polyurethane foam (mainly in SIP panels);
mineral wool.

Polymer insulation has approximately the same vapor permeability, and it is low.

Note. The exception is PVC foam, but this is an expensive insulation material that is used to insulate the hulls of yachts and other small elite class vessels.

If a frame house is insulated with mineral wool, the scheme must take into account the fact that this is a “breathable” material, but hygroscopic. Last property compensated by the fact that the fibrous structure (as opposed to the cellular structure) gives off moisture as easily as it absorbs it. Provided it is freely weathered.

If polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam is placed inside the wall, then the outside of the frame house can be insulated with any material.
If there is mineral wool inside, then only it can stand outside. As an alternative, ecowool or open-cell sprayed polyurethane foam, which have approximately the same vapor permeability coefficient.

It is advisable to insulate a frame house outside and inside Source k-dom74.ru

Properties, advantages and disadvantages of insulation materials

Each type of insulation has a certain “set” of properties that influence the choice. Vapor permeability was mentioned above. It is worth focusing on other qualities and differences.

Density

What density of insulation for the walls of a frame house, in addition to direct thermal insulation, also affects the method of fastening. When using insulation with fastening sheets or mats inside the frame (sheathing), there are no strict requirements for strength.

Stone wool. If we are talking about stone wool, then it should not be too loose - so that it does not slip and wrinkle in vertical design. In ventilated facades, its density can start from 50 kg/m³.

When choosing a “wet” façade technology with a thin layer light plaster, mineral wool must have a density of at least 85 kg/m³. For heavy plaster - from 125 kg/m³.

Note. The division of plaster is quite arbitrary. Light weights are considered to be up to 1500 kg/m³, heavy - above.

If we consider that the density of cement is 1100-1300 kg/m³, and acrylic polymers are about 1200 kg/m³, then the main factor influencing the “heaviness” is fillers. For decorative facade plaster Usually coarse quartz sand, screenings and stone chips are used, which provide higher strength to mechanical stress, but increase specific gravity. Therefore, most of its types are classified as severe.

Choosing the density of polystyrene foam is a little easier. For external insulation, it is used either according to the “wet” facade scheme, or as part of thermal panels. And here we are usually talking about PSB-S-25 or PSB-S-35. The second option is preferable - stronger, with almost the same thermal conductivity.

Video description

We will dwell in more detail on insulating a house with polystyrene foam. Find out how safe polystyrene foam is in our video:

Extruded polystyrene foam, used for facade insulation, has a density of 35 kg/m³. But thanks to its cellular structure with a monolithic “skeleton” (and not glued together from individual microcapsules), its strength is much higher than that of conventional PSP-S-35 foam.

Extruded polystyrene foam is not susceptible to water Source remontik.org

PPU (polyurethane foam). There are two types of sprayed polyurethane foam: open cell and closed cell.

Open cell polyurethane foam refers to lightweight insulation (9–11 kg/m³). Its properties are similar to mineral wool: high vapor permeability and almost the same thermal conductivity coefficient. It can only be used when spraying between frame or sheathing elements followed by paneling. But it is more expensive than mineral wool.

Closed cell sprayed polyurethane foam for insulating facades it has a density of 28–32 kg/m³. He is already able to withstand a layer finishing plaster and has the lowest thermal conductivity coefficient among all types of insulation.

On our website you can find contacts construction companies who offer house insulation services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.

Thermal conductivity

The lower the thermal conductivity, the better the thermal insulation properties of the material. For calculations, coefficients fixed at the standard level are used. Although manufacturers often indicate characteristics that were obtained during laboratory tests, and they always differ in better side. However, when calculating according to standard indicators, you can be sure that things will not get worse.

Comparison of thermal conductivity of various materials Source realsroier.ru

Both two-component and one-component polyurethane foam are considered the best thermal insulation materials. Their thermal conductivity, according to some sources, is not higher, and sometimes lower, than that of dry air - 0.02–0.023 W/m*deg. Expanded polystyrene insulation has the same coefficient in the range of 0.031–0.38, and mineral wool - 0.048–0.07.

Other characteristics influencing the choice

Water absorption indicates the tendency of a material to become wet. The best performance here is for extruded polystyrene foam and closed-cell sprayed polyurethane foam - about 2%.

Next on the list is expanded polystyrene - up to 4%.

Mineral wool (including stone) - up to 70%. When wet, ecowool can increase its weight several times. But after drying, they restore their thermal insulation properties.

Video description

Which thermal insulation is better: based on stone wool or fiberglass, discussed in the video:

If we talk about the cost of insulation, then the most expensive technologies are spraying ecowool and polyurethane foam. "In the middle" - curtain facades with stone wool. Then - insulation using EPS. And the most accessible view - « wet facade» with expanded polystyrene.

It would seem that insulating a frame house with foam plastic outside and inside the walls should be the most popular technology - low cost and water absorption with high thermal insulation properties.

For brick and monolithic houses, this is indeed the most common material. And the scheme for insulating the walls of a frame house, like a wooden one, must first of all take into account the fire safety of materials and their environmental properties.

Foam insulation is incredibly popular Source lineyka.net

When polymer insulation is “surrounded” on all sides by non-combustible materials (brick, concrete, building blocks, plaster), and it itself is low-flammable and self-extinguishing, then such insulation is safe for residents. But if Basic structure The house is made of wood, polystyrene foam is dangerous - in the event of a fire, it begins to melt and release life-threatening suffocating gases.

Therefore for internal insulation For frame walls, non-flammable mineral wool is often chosen, and as a result of the requirements for vapor permeability of materials, it is also used outside.

Insulation of a frame house from the outside with mineral wool

Of three types of mineral wool for insulation residential buildings use stone (basalt) wool. When working with glass, quite a lot of microscopic fragments of fiberglass are formed, which are dangerous for the respiratory organs of workers during the installation of insulation and residents during the first time after moving into the house. Slag wool is not recommended for use due to its low environmental qualities.

Scheme for insulating the walls of a frame house with an additional outer layer Source stroyfora.ru

With external insulation with mineral wool, the technology of a ventilated facade is somewhat different from the usual scheme. For a house made of brick, building blocks, logs or timber, the sheathing is attached to the wall. A frame house does not have a wall as such in the usual sense. What's the point of covering the frame on the outside with OSB board, and attaching the sheathing on top for the next layer of insulation, if it can be immediately mounted on the load-bearing racks.

This is also justified by the fact that “fresh” OSB boards have lower vapor permeability than stone wool. Therefore, ideally “pie” proper insulation frame house with mineral wool looks like this:

interior finishing (with lathing for panels);
vapor-tight membrane;
frame with insulation;
lathing for the outer layer of mineral wool;
windproof, vapor-permeable membrane:
counter-lattice to create a ventilated gap;
façade cladding and finishing.

External insulation with polymer materials

With the technology of constructing frame houses from SIP panels, they are still at the stage of factory production as internal insulation foam is laid - polystyrene foam or rigid polyurethane foam.

This is what a factory-made sandwich panel looks like Source superdom.ua

In addition, the usual technology for assembling a “sandwich” on site allows the use of polymer insulation in the form of slabs or sprayed liquid polyurethane.

Application of polyurethane foam as internal insulation of a frame house Source pinterest.es

In both cases, the wall has a “finished” structure with double-sided cladding with thin-sheet materials. And it is possible to insulate a frame house with polystyrene foam from the outside using the “wet facade” technology.

Along the base, a horizontal level is struck along which the starting bar is attached.
The first row of foam boards is secured with glue.
The second row is fastened with an offset of at least 20 cm relative to the first.

It is impossible to install EPS this way. Intersecting horizontal and vertical seams are the cause of cracks in façade plaster. Source es.decorexpro.com

The corners of the openings should not be located at seams or at the intersections of seams.
Each sheet is additionally fixed with plastic disc-shaped dowels, 5 pieces per sheet.

The plastic dowel does not form a “cold bridge” Source kronshtein.by

A layer is applied to the foam adhesive solution 3 mm thick, attach a reinforcing mesh to it and cover it with another layer of glue.
Finishing is carried out with plaster.

Another way to use foam plastic for external insulation of a frame house is thermal panels with clinker tiles.

Thermal panels - insulation plus finishing under the brick Source pro-uteplenie.ru

Spray insulation

To some extent, this technology is reminiscent of applying plaster on beacons - vertical slats are filled level on the walls, between which polyurethane foam or ecowool is sprayed.

Frame house, insulated on the outside with polyurethane foam, ready for façade finishing Source mirstrojka.ru

After the polyurethane foam “hardens”, its excess is cut off with a special hand-held electric cutter or electric saw. On top you can either install façade panels, or apply a layer of decorative plaster.

Video description

You can get acquainted with the technique of trimming excess polyurethane foam with an electric saw in the video:

When insulating frame walls with ecowool, it is covered with panels.

Conclusion

Technically, insulating a frame house is not difficult. If you do not consider the option of insulation with sprayed thermal insulation, then this does not require any special equipment. But in each case, you need to carefully calculate the density of insulation for the walls of a frame house, plus, there are always technological “nuances” that you need to know - otherwise the result will not give the expected effect. Therefore, it is better to have professionals handle the insulation of your home.