Reviews about the insulation of the frame house with foam. Do-it-yourself insulation of a frame house with foam plastic - how to insulate it correctly Is it possible to insulate a frame extension with polystyrene foam from the outside

The quality of life in it depends on the quality of insulation work in the house. In winter it should be warm enough, and in summer it should be cool. The frame house is no exception. The lightweight construction of the house makes the insulation the only barrier to the cold.

The article describes in detail how to insulate a house with polystyrene foam, how safe and profitable it is, in comparison with other methods of insulation.

Features of warming a frame house

The frame structure of Canadian houses is a convenient solution for thermal insulation work. The insulation material is conveniently placed between the support rails of the frame, fixed, insulated from the formation of steam, moisture, sheathed with decorative panels - and that's it.

For carrying out insulation work, it is not required to involve the use of special equipment and a large team of builders. A couple of ordinary Russian men can carry out work to protect the future home from the cold.

When following the instructions and technological requirements, the ease of construction of the house is preserved, and the thermal insulation properties are superior to traditional brick, cinder block and concrete. There are few requirements for materials for warming a frame house:

  • The heat insulator must be safe for health;
  • Be resistant to water and fire;
  • Easy to mount on any type of surface - ceiling, walls, roof and floor;
  • Have the lowest thermal conductivity;
  • Be resistant to mechanical damage.
Styrofoam - a profitable and easy-to-use option for insulating a frame house

Styrofoam as a heater: pros and cons

Preparing for the installation of a heat insulator

As mentioned above, you need to start with the preparatory work of all surfaces on which foam boards will be laid:

  • gaps are blown with mounting foam;
  • surfaces are carefully leveled;
  • protruding objects are removed (nails, build-up debris, cement and mounting foam);
  • places that have been exposed to moisture are dried so that condensation does not form in the future.

Some experts are in a hurry to reduce the cost and simplify the preparatory stage, and neglect waterproofing. As an argument, they cite the resistance of the foam to water. But there is also the frame of the house, which, unlike thermal insulation, suffers from the formation of dampness. Having penetrated into the structure during the off-season with precipitation, moisture freezes in the cold season, when it is minus outside, destroying the frame that is sensitive to water and temperatures.

The moisture-proof layer is laid on the outside - for walls, roofs. It will create additional protection from wind and precipitation. All surfaces are covered with waterproofing, leaving allowances up to 10 cm. They are fixed by gluing with construction tape.

To protect against water use:

  • glassine;
  • polyethylene;
  • penofol and other membrane materials.

The subtleties of foam insulation of individual parts of a frame house

The technologies for insulating the walls of a frame house, floor, ceiling and roof are basically the same. We will consider each stage separately, indicating the nuances of laying foam boards.

Floor insulation

Let's start from the axiom that the foundation of the house - pile-screw - is the optimal type of foundation for the construction of a frame cottage.

The foundation plays a role in the construction of a special structure designed to support all thermally insulating floor coverings. In the case of a pile-screw foundation, it is likely that the house rises above the ground at a sufficient distance to make it possible to crawl under the floor. In this case, the waterproofing membrane is installed with a mounting stapler. For tightness and exclusion of drafts, the membrane sheets are laid with laps. After the membrane, also from below, a board is nailed - it will serve as a frame on which the thermal insulation will be held. The optimal laying of the board in increments of 40-50 cm - this distance is enough to hold the heat insulator.


Floor box prepared for thermal insulation with lags

If the installation is done from above, then the steps simply change places in order: first the plank frame is laid, and then the waterproofing is attached to it.


Water protection laying

Logs are stuffed onto the prepared base, between which foam sheets are laid. The step between the lags is calculated based on the dimensions of the thermal insulation plates - so that they fit freely into the niches. All gaps, as mentioned above, are carefully blown with mounting foam.

The height of the lags is selected depending on the thickness of the foam sheets. If the width of the lags turned out to be a little with a margin, it's okay. In this case, the main thing is not vice versa. The whole point is that a vapor barrier membrane will be mounted on top. The vapor barrier must lie evenly on top of the thermal insulation. Vapor barrier sheets are hermetically fastened together with double-sided tape.

The last layer is a board, chipboard, fiberboard or OSB-plate, and then finishing work is carried out on laying the floor.


Covering the insulated floor with OSB boards

Wall insulation

Both internal and external walls are subject to thermal insulation. The amount of material used is the same. The difference is that instead of waterproofing, a soundproof coating is used on the internal walls. its use is considered optional - the foam has good soundproofing properties.

The surface of the walls after preliminary preparation is covered with impregnation, then with an adhesive composition. The foam is glued on top. Impregnation and glue will guarantee the absence of air gaps between the frame and thermal insulation. After laying, the heat insulator is fastened with plastic dowels.


All gaps are carefully blown out so that drafts do not form.

In order not to doubt whether it is possible to insulate the outer walls of a frame house with only foam plastic without using other materials, it is better to use thin sheets and lay them in several layers in a checkerboard pattern. This means that the second layer overlaps the joints of the first layer of thermal insulation. For mid-latitudes, it is recommended to lay a heat-insulating coating in three layers. One of the layers, at the same time, is blown with a special foam that is resistant to low sub-zero temperatures. It is better to process the last layer - which is closer to the facade.


The final composition of the outer wall (with double cladding on both sides) will look like this:

It is better to choose waterproofing with a special adhesive coating around the perimeter - this will make installation easier, and it is more likely that the waterproofing will be airtight. If the material does not have such a feature, then double-sided tape can be used instead.


Laying the waterproofing membrane is carried out with an overlap, from the bottom up - in order to protect the coating from moisture dripping

Ceiling insulation

The ceiling foam sheathing should be approached with the utmost responsibility. During heating, warm air rises to the top. Incorrect thermal insulation of the ceiling can cause warm air to escape through voids. The house will heat the street.

It is ideal to carry out installation before the roof is completely assembled - so that it is more convenient to carry out work on laying thermal insulation.

  • First, a vapor barrier is laid directly on the beams.
  • A wooden or plywood frame is placed on top, which will support the foam boards.
  • The next layer is laid foam, with overlapping seams and carefully blowing out gaps and voids.

When laying thermal insulation on the ceiling, the material is placed with overlaps on the walls, with their full coverage.


Overlapping walls with thermal insulation of the ceiling - a mandatory requirement

If it is not intended to carry out thermal insulation of the roof, then the last layer is treated with frost-resistant mounting foam.

When insulating the ceiling from the inside of the house, all work is carried out in the reverse order. In this case, the material must be securely fixed with plastic dowels so that it does not sag over time.

Roof insulation

To create a warm attic or attic floor, the roof is sheathed with polystyrene foam. All work is carried out according to the same principle as the insulation of the ceiling. A prerequisite is the laying of waterproofing.


Scheme of the roof of a frame house with thermal insulation

Finishing work

A prerequisite for the completion of work is the laying of a vapor barrier. Styrofoam reacts little to moisture, however, the formation of condensate can adversely affect the frame and other layers of the frame house structure. For vapor barrier, a material or its analogues from foil coatings is used. In addition, there are new membrane films on the market designed for vapor barrier of frame houses.

Waterproofing is laid with the penultimate layer from the bottom up from the outer part of the wall - to protect the thermal insulation, frame, and finish from moisture.

Immediately on the waterproofing coating, you can lay the finish. The choice depends on the wishes of the owner of the household - to use siding, facing brick, blackhouse or stone.

Frame housing construction is quite a promising direction in the construction of private houses. They do not require powerful foundations, they are easy to install. When building a frame house, much less financial investment will be required than when building a brick building. So that the savings do not end at the construction stage, it is necessary to think in advance about ways to preserve heat inside the premises. One option may be to insulate a private frame house with polystyrene foam.

What is styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene is a foamed material of artificial origin. There are two types of polystyrene foam for insulating walls and other building structures with your own hands:

  1. Styrofoam;
  2. extruded polystyrene foam.

Styrofoam can be used as the most affordable option for thermal insulation. It consists of small balls with a cavity filled with air inside. Air is one of the most effective heaters; only inert gases prevent heat loss better. Do-it-yourself insulation with polystyrene foam allows you to achieve excellent results due to the following material characteristics:

  • availability and low cost;
  • high thermal insulation characteristics;
  • resistance to biological effects (mold, fungus);
  • ease of work with the material and installation with your own hands;
  • the material does not shrink over time;
  • safety for a person.
  • low strength (additional protection of the foam from mechanical stress is necessary);
  • instability of the material to high humidity at low temperatures, can easily crumble into separate balls;
  • resistance to fire.

All these shortcomings are compensated by the low price of the material, but it is possible to take them into account and reduce negative manifestations to zero.

Wall insulation


Insulation scheme with a hinged facade: 1 - interior decoration; 2 - vapor barrier; 3 - frame rack; 4 - expanded polystyrene; 5 - siding; 6 - vapor-permeable moisture-proof membrane.

In this case, the insulation of the frame house with polystyrene foam is carried out between the racks of the frame. After that, sheathing is performed on both sides. Work is carried out in the following order:

  1. frame processing: cleaning from dirt and dust, eliminating irregularities, removing unnecessary sharp objects;
  2. laying a waterproofing layer on the outside of the walls;
  3. insulation installation;
  4. laying a vapor barrier layer;
  5. wall cladding.

When using foam plastic, there is no need to equip a ventilated facade, unlike the equally popular mineral wool.

Option using OSB as hydro and wind protection

Waterproofing is laid to protect the wall material from moisture penetration from the outside. When building a house with your own hands as a waterproofing layer, you can use:

  • polyethylene film;
  • modern moisture-proof vapor-permeable membranes;
  • OSB-3.

The waterproofing material is laid with an overlap of 10 cm, the joints are sealed with a special tape. Manufacturers present polystyrene as a material with a small degree of water absorption, but it must be remembered that in winter it can collapse when moisture enters.

To prevent this unpleasant phenomenon, it is necessary to provide waterproofing of the walls.


Additional foam insulation on the outside

It is important to remember that waterproofing is always located on the side of cold air (when the walls are insulated from the outside), and vapor barrier on the side of warm air. As a vapor barrier of the walls, you can use a plastic film.

Floor insulation

There are several options for using foam:

  • insulation of ceilings above a cold basement or technical underground;
  • insulation of attic floors in the presence of a cold attic;
  • increasing the soundproofing characteristics of interfloor floors.



In the case of a frame house, the material is laid between the joists. When using extruded polystyrene foam, it is possible to insulate under a reinforced cement-sand screed.

When insulating floors with your own hands with polystyrene foam, it is important to correctly observe the order of the layers. In the floor structure of the first floor, waterproofing is first laid, then foam, and on top - vapor barrier. For interfloor and attic floors, the vapor barrier and waterproofing layers must be interchanged.


Attic floor insulation scheme

As a compromise option for price and quality, you can use expanded polystyrene insulation in the following form: the main layer of polystyrene is laid inside the floor pie, and a layer of extruded polystyrene foam of small thickness is laid outside. This will increase the strength of the insulation layer without large financial costs.

Attic roof insulation


The order of the layers when insulating the attic

When building a private house, the option of using the under-roof space as an attic is becoming increasingly popular. In this case, it is necessary to ensure comfortable conditions of stay and reliably protect the room from the cold. The main heat losses occur precisely through the roof, so sufficient attention must be paid to its insulation.

In the vast majority of cases, expanded polystyrene is laid between the rafters.. Fastening is carried out with the help of adhesives and special nails to the rafter legs. The lower crate acts as an additional fastening.

The thickness of the insulation in the main territory of the country will be in the range of 150-200 mm. It is important to remember that the height of the rafter legs cannot be taken less than the thickness of the insulation layer. In the case of polystyrene, an air ventilated layer is not necessary. To protect structures and foam from negative internal and external influences, the following materials are used:

  • vapor barrier;
  • waterproofing;
  • wind protection.

As the second and third layers, modern moisture-windproof membranes can be used, which are mounted outside relative to the heat-shielding material.

Mounting technology


The main difficulty when working with foam is to maintain the exact gaps between the plates of the material. Expanded polystyrene is subject to thermal expansion, it is to compensate for it that small gaps must be provided. The joints of the plates are glued with a special adhesive tape, it can also be foil tape.

Fastening to the surface from the outside and from the inside can be done using adhesives or dowels. The latter provides a reliable connection, but violates the integrity of the layer. When using expanded polystyrene, several requirements apply to the adhesive composition, but one of them is the most important: the adhesive must not contain chemically aggressive components. Taboo applies to:

  • acetone and other solvents;
  • petrol;
  • kerosene;
  • formaldehydes;
  • formalin;
  • toluene;
  • benzene;
  • aggressive resins.

Warming a frame house with polystyrene foam is a simple but effective measure that does not require large financial costs. With its help, without special preparation, it is possible to carry out the insulation of walls and other structures. The long service life of the material allows you to forget about the problem of heat loss for a long time and significantly save on heating a private house.

Insulation of a frame house with polystyrene foam is a common method of thermal insulation of residential and industrial buildings. The second most used material after mineral wool. Popular due to low thermal conductivity and low cost.


Heat loss of frame houses

Styrofoam - a material consisting of foamed cellular plastics. Due to the high content of gas, it has a low density and low specific gravity. In everyday life, types are common: pressless and extruded polystyrene foam.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages include:

  • high thermal insulation performance;
  • low coefficient of moisture permeability;
  • good indicators of sound and noise permeability;
  • light weight;
  • suitable for work outside and inside the house.

There are a number of disadvantages:

  1. It is subject to destruction from influence of chemical liquids. Therefore, when finishing work, this must be taken into account.
  2. When burned and heated, toxic substances are released. It is worth choosing carefully when decorating interiors, facades.
  3. Subject to mechanical stress.
  4. Vapor permeable. Drops settle inside, when frozen, they destroy the material.

In construction, it is used as a heat-insulating material for. It has found its application in the creation of structural and decorative details - arches, false fireplaces.

Video: choice of foam

Kinds

According to the structural structure, method of application, the foam is divided into types. Distinguish:

  • tile expanded polystyrene (EPT);
  • pressless self-extinguishing foam (PSB-S);
  • penoplex - improved foam;
  • penofol - rolled heat-insulating material;
  • liquid - carbamide-formaldehyde polystyrene foam.

All types are classified according to the principle of use and application specification.

Density and marking

To distinguish between types of expanded polystyrene, marking with letters and numbers is used. For press foam - PS, for non-press foam - PSB. The numbers following the letters indicate the density of the material.

The main brands of non-press foam:

  1. PSB-S-15. Due to the low density (15 kg/m³) the material is used in cases where there are no special requirements for stiffness.
  2. PSB-S-25. A common heat insulator for building insulation. High density, long service life.
  3. PSB-S-35. Thermal insulation of the foundation, pipeline.
  4. PSB-S-50. The highest density. Mainly used in the construction of industrial enterprises.

Thermal conductivity of the material and the level of fire resistance

The thermal conductivity of a material directly depends on its density. The higher the density, the lower the heat loss. Consider this ratio in the table.

Watch the video: testing of polystyrene foam in practice.

The fire resistance of a material can be determined by its marking. PSB-S foam contains flame retardants, so the material does not support combustion and will not ignite. The letter C in the marking means self-extinguishing.

Mixtures and fasteners that are used for foam insulation

Construction markets offer various mixes for foam fixings. The main types of fastening:

  • adhesive mortar based on cement mixtures;
  • plastic dowels.

Popular types of mixtures:

  1. mapei.

Mixtures can be applied in several ways, it all depends on the surface to be insulated. The main types of application:

  • solid - with differences on the insulated surface up to 5 mm;
  • applying stripes over the entire area;
  • point, up to 5 points over the entire surface (differences over 10 mm).

For reliability, fix the plates with plastic dowels.

Calculation of the required amount of foam

  • plate size;
  • insulated surface (floor, ceiling, walls);
  • foam thickness;
  • surface area to be insulated.

Heat resistance must be taken into account. It has its own for each region.

floor insulation technology

For thermal insulation, you need to install beams on which the floorboard will be laid. When choosing a material, consider the density. It must be at least 25 kg / m³. Basically, when insulating floors in a frame house, four methods are used:

  • laying insulation under the rough screed;
  • installation on sand or carving;
  • laying foam on a layer of waterproofing material;
  • floor insulation along the lags.

Let's consider each method in detail.

Under the rough screed

In this case, one layer of insulation consists of three sheets of foam.

  1. A layer of waterproofing is laid.
  2. Install damper tape around the perimeter.
  3. Glue the boards together and lay them on the waterproofing layer.
  4. The insulation is covered with vapor barrier material.
  5. Pour a rough screed over it. The thickness of the layer is not less than 7 centimeters.

On the sand or carving

Evenly apply a layer of wet sand or carving on the foundation. Lay insulation boards on top. To make the laying even and dense, cut the foam into pieces with dimensions of 20 x 30 cm. Install beacons on the laid insulation, apply a finishing screed. The disadvantage of the method is that the slightest irregularities will make the screed "play".

For waterproofing film

The most unusual way. Lay a waterproofing film between the beams, and lay foam sheets on top of it. Then another layer of waterproofing. Sew up the entire surface with boards.

Warming along the lags

This method can be used to insulate floors during the construction process and in an already finished building. Use the method of dividing into a draft and a finishing floor. Stages of work:

  1. Lay boards on the floor beams. They must be treated with an antiseptic solution, and covered with a metal mesh on top. This will protect the house from mice.
  2. The next step is a layer of wind protection. Fasten with a construction stapler to the logs.
  3. Lay a layer of insulation. It is better to combine two types - mineral wool and polystyrene foam. Mineral wool is laid on top of foam boards. For ventilation, the gap between the thermal insulation and the finishing floor boards must be at least 50 mm.
  4. Seal all joints with mounting foam.
  5. The last layer is a vapor barrier film. On top of it, you can lay a finishing floor.

To reduce humidity, cover the underground space with a layer of sand with expanded clay.

How to properly insulate a frame house with foam

Styrofoam insulation is one of the simplest and most well-known methods of preparation for both temporary and permanent residence in a country house. Let's try to figure out how to properly insulate a frame house with this inexpensive popular material. and at the same time we will discuss some prejudices against its use, which currently exist among many developers and specialists.

The main characteristics of the foam

A frame-panel house is the optimal design for the highest quality insulation. Thermal insulation material, which is laid between the racks of the frame block, provides maximum protection against freezing of the inner surface of the walls and protects them from destruction. When using foam plastic, in addition to low price, such important advantages as convenient processing, resistance to moisture, ease of installation and no shrinkage are provided.

Along with this, you can often find negative opinions about this insulation, which boil down mainly to the following statements:

  • Mice eat it. In fact, no rodents feed on foam, they make their nests and passages to them in it. In this sense, foam is no worse (and no better) than other materials;
  • He is hot. For a frame house made of wood, this is not critical. In addition, the production technology of modern foam plastic involves the addition of special fire-resistant additives;
  • It releases harmful substances. This serious misconception can rather be attributed to mineral wool, while polystyrene foam is absolutely harmless from this point of view;
  • It is impossible to insulate a frame-panel house with polystyrene foam, because it lets cold through the joints. With inept handling of it, this is true. However, the correct location of the plates inside the walls and their processing at the joints will ensure a minimum of heat loss.

Thus, the effect that can be obtained from the insulation of walls and other cold-permeable parts of the house depends to a large extent on compliance with the rules for handling this material and protecting it from harmful influences throughout its entire service life. We will talk about this in the next section. In the meantime, look at the properties of polystyrene, which in the industry is often called polystyrene foam, and the features of its production:

Wall insulation

Most often, foam in a frame house insulates the surface of the walls between the uprights and the sheathing on both sides. This is done in the following way.

Pre-cleaning and sealing

Insulation of a frame house with foam plastic always begins with the processing of the frame itself. If this is not done, then even the most careful laying of heat-insulating material will not help to avoid thermal losses through the air channels remaining at the joints.

Despite the fact that foam insulation technology assumes a high processing speed of even large areas as one of its main advantages, preliminary steps must be carried out very carefully.

All bumps, nails and other protruding sharp objects must be removed. Existing gaps and cracks must be filled with mounting foam. If during the construction phase the wood was exposed to moisture, we treat damp places with a building dryer.

As a result, the frame should be a dry, even and sealed structure, ready for laying insulation.

Waterproofing

The waterproofing layer is laid on the outside of the walls and protects them from moisture and wind. Many experts argue that polystyrene foam does not absorb moisture at all, so it is possible to insulate a house with it without external insulation. However, dampness and humidity, which penetrates the frame at low temperatures, can freeze and destroy the material of the insulation and walls.

Usually used as waterproofing:

  • glassine;
  • polyethylene film;
  • modern membrane coatings.

The waterproofing material must be laid with an overlap of one row on another (about 10 cm) and glued with a special tape.

Styrofoam laying

Insulation sheets are placed in the opening between the racks of the frame and fixed in it:

  • If the inner or outer surface of the walls is already ready, the foam is attached to it on an impregnation pre-treated with an adhesive composition. This is done in order to avoid air gaps. For additional fastening of the insulation, you can use plastic dowels.

Fastening polystyrene foam on dowels

To insulate a frame-panel house with maximum quality, it is better to use three layers of foam plastic 5 cm thick each, laying them on top of each other and overlapping the joints in the previous one with the next layer. The joints of the plates within one layer must be smeared with professional frost-resistant mounting foam.

One of the most important parameters that must be provided when insulating walls with foam plastic is the size of the gaps between the plates. The fact is that in the insulation of a frame house it undergoes expansion and contraction with changes in temperature outside. The correct location of the plates will not allow them to warp during expansion and affect the outer skin.

For more information about laying insulation during heat treatment of walls, see:

Vapor barrier and wall cladding

A vapor barrier film is laid on the inside of the walls. It protects the insulation layer from excessive moisture due to condensation. Most often, foil materials (penofol) or special membrane films are used for these purposes.

Please note - all seams must be foamed

The outer skin can be mounted directly on the waterproofing. A ventilated facade in case of insulation with foam plastic is not necessary. Interior decoration is carried out in a similar way; if necessary, preliminary plastering of the surface, a reinforcing mesh is used.

Floor insulation

In a frame house, it is imperative to insulate the floor well. The technology for building a “pie” is the same here: waterproofing from the bottom, then a substrate made of bars nailed to the edge of the log, foam plastic and a vapor barrier film. As the latter, you can also use penofol, laid with foil down. In this position, it will protect the floorboard from dampness and will not allow heat to escape from the room.

Insulation of the under-roof space

A frame-panel house most often has a pitched roof, under which there is a cold attic. The easiest way to insulate the ceiling and roof is to place foam sheets between the beams in the same order as for wall insulation. Equally important here is the correct foaming of all joints - warm air always rises and tends to escape through various cracks.

The methods of working with polystyrene that we have described irrefutably indicate that insulating a frame house with your own hands is quite affordable and interesting. We hope that the above tips will help you make your home warm and cozy and calmly survive the most severe frosts in it.

Do-it-yourself insulation of a frame house with foam plastic - how to insulate it correctly


Do-it-yourself insulation of a frame house with foam plastic - how to insulate it correctly How to properly insulate a frame house with foam plastic Foam insulation is one of the simplest and most well-known methods

Features of insulation of residential frame houses with polystyrene foam

Frame housing construction is quite a promising direction in the construction of private houses. They do not require powerful foundations, they are easy to install. When building a frame house, much less financial investment will be required than when building a brick building. So that the savings do not end at the construction stage, it is necessary to think in advance about ways to preserve heat inside the premises. One option may be to insulate a private frame house with polystyrene foam.

What is styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene is a foamed material of artificial origin. There are two types of polystyrene foam for insulating walls and other building structures with your own hands:

  1. Styrofoam;
  2. extruded polystyrene foam.

Styrofoam can be used as the most affordable option for thermal insulation. It consists of small balls with a cavity filled with air inside. Air is one of the most effective heaters; only inert gases prevent heat loss better. Do-it-yourself insulation with polystyrene foam allows you to achieve excellent results due to the following material characteristics:

  • availability and low cost;
  • high thermal insulation characteristics;
  • resistance to biological effects (mold, fungus);
  • ease of work with the material and installation with your own hands;
  • the material does not shrink over time;
  • safety for a person.
  • low strength (additional protection of the foam from mechanical stress is necessary);
  • instability of the material to high humidity at low temperatures, can easily crumble into separate balls;
  • resistance to fire.

All these shortcomings are compensated by the low price of the material, but it is possible to take them into account and reduce negative manifestations to zero.

Wall insulation

Insulation scheme with a hinged facade: 1 - interior decoration; 2 - vapor barrier; 3 - frame stand; 4 - expanded polystyrene; 5 - siding; 6 - vapor-permeable moisture-proof membrane.

In this case, the insulation of the frame house with polystyrene foam is carried out between the racks of the frame. After that, sheathing is performed on both sides. Work is carried out in the following order:

  1. frame processing: cleaning from dirt and dust, eliminating irregularities, removing unnecessary sharp objects;
  2. laying a waterproofing layer on the outside of the walls;
  3. insulation installation;
  4. laying a vapor barrier layer;
  5. wall cladding.

When using foam plastic, there is no need to equip a ventilated facade, unlike the equally popular mineral wool.

Option using OSB as hydro and wind protection

Waterproofing is laid to protect the wall material from moisture penetration from the outside. When building a house with your own hands as a waterproofing layer, you can use:

  • polyethylene film;
  • modern moisture-proof vapor-permeable membranes;
  • OSB-3.

The waterproofing material is laid with an overlap of 10 cm, the joints are sealed with a special tape. Manufacturers present polystyrene as a material with a small degree of water absorption, but it must be remembered that in winter it can collapse when moisture enters.

To prevent this unpleasant phenomenon, it is necessary to provide waterproofing of the walls.

Additional foam insulation on the outside

It is important to remember that waterproofing is always located on the side of cold air (when the walls are insulated from the outside), and vapor barrier on the side of warm air. As a vapor barrier of the walls, you can use a plastic film.

Floor insulation

There are several options for using foam:

  • insulation of ceilings above a cold basement or technical underground;
  • insulation of attic floors in the presence of a cold attic;
  • increasing the soundproofing characteristics of interfloor floors.

In the case of a frame house, the material is laid between the joists. When using extruded polystyrene foam, it is possible to insulate under a reinforced cement-sand screed.

When insulating floors with your own hands with polystyrene foam, it is important to correctly observe the order of the layers. In the floor structure of the first floor, waterproofing is first laid, followed by foam, and on top - vapor barrier. For interfloor and attic floors, the vapor barrier and waterproofing layers must be interchanged.

Attic floor insulation scheme

As a compromise option for price and quality, you can use expanded polystyrene insulation in the following form: the main layer of polystyrene is laid inside the floor pie, and a layer of extruded polystyrene foam of small thickness is laid outside. This will increase the strength of the insulation layer without large financial costs.

Attic roof insulation

When building a private house, the option of using the under-roof space as an attic is becoming increasingly popular. In this case, it is necessary to ensure comfortable conditions of stay and reliably protect the room from the cold. The main heat losses occur precisely through the roof, so sufficient attention must be paid to its insulation.

In the vast majority of cases, expanded polystyrene is laid between the rafters.. Fastening is carried out with the help of adhesives and special nails to the rafter legs. The lower crate acts as an additional fastening.

The thickness of the insulation in the main territory of the country will be in the range of 150-200 mm. It is important to remember that the height of the rafter legs cannot be taken less than the thickness of the insulation layer. In the case of polystyrene, an air ventilated layer is not necessary. To protect structures and foam from negative internal and external influences, the following materials are used:

As the second and third layers, modern moisture-windproof membranes can be used, which are mounted outside relative to the heat-shielding material.

Mounting technology

The main difficulty when working with foam is to maintain the exact gaps between the plates of the material. Expanded polystyrene is subject to thermal expansion, it is to compensate for it that small gaps must be provided. The joints of the plates are glued with a special adhesive tape, it can also be foil tape.

Fastening to the surface from the outside and from the inside can be done using adhesives or dowels. The latter provides a reliable connection, but violates the integrity of the layer. When using expanded polystyrene, several requirements apply to the adhesive composition, but one of them is the most important: the adhesive must not contain chemically aggressive components. Taboo applies to:

Warming a frame house with polystyrene foam is a simple but effective measure that does not require large financial costs. With its help, without special preparation, it is possible to carry out the insulation of walls and other structures. The long service life of the material allows you to forget about the problem of heat loss for a long time and significantly save on heating a private house.

Insulation of a frame house with polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam


One of the most inexpensive and effective ways to insulate a frame house is insulation with polystyrene foam: polystyrene foam or foam plastic

Insulation of a frame house with foam plastic outside and inside

Many owners use frame houses not only as a summer residence, but also as a place of permanent residence. In order for a house built using this technology to be comfortable for living, it is necessary to insulate it. Insulation of a frame house with polystyrene foam has become widespread.

Pros and cons of foam as a heater

Like any thermal insulation material, foam plastic has both positive and negative sides. It is important to know about them.

It is important to comply with fire safety requirements and regulations by laying materials on top of the foam that are the least supportive of combustion.

And here is an article about autonomous gasification of a private house.

And here is a video about the features of insulating a frame house with foam plastic.

Styrofoam insulation of the walls of a frame house from the outside

To ensure thermal insulation, it is necessary to carefully follow the sequence of work.

First step. Preparatory.

  • Prepare the surface and all supporting structures;

Second phase. Direct fixing of the insulation.

  • Using cords, install vertical sags that will help maintain the accuracy of the location of the plates and avoid distortions, as well as beacons;

Third stage. Applying a protective layer.

  • A layer of putty will protect the structure from external influences and precipitation. It is advisable to cover the surface with putty in two layers;

And this article talks about hydraulic accumulators for water supply.

Insulation of the walls of the frame house with foam inside

The technology that will insulate the walls inside the building is similar to that used outside.

  • Prepare the walls: clean, remove the remnants of wallpaper or other decorative coating;

Which foam to choose for insulating the walls of a frame house

  • Increased density brand PBS-S-25 or 35;
  • Plate thickness: not less than 50 mm. For areas with low temperatures, choose thicknesses up to 150 mm.

What mixtures are used when insulating walls with foam boards

Here are examples of quality, well-established mixtures that are used with foam.

The price does not include decorative coating and installation work.(for 100 sq.m).

  • mixtures of Greinplast + polystyrene (Premium class). Serves at least 20 years. Price - 18900 rubles;

If you have decided to insulate your house, built using frame technology, using foam, do not hesitate in your choice. This material has various advantages.

And this article is about septic tanks for a private house.

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Insulation of a frame house with foam plastic


Among the materials for warming frame houses from the outside and inside, polystyrene occupies a worthy place. Profitability, durability, moisture resistance, good heat and noise insulation, easy installation provided this insulation with wide popularity.

Insulation of a frame house with foam plastic

Today, the insulation of a frame house with polystyrene foam, as a method, is losing its popularity. Styrofoam (like its counterpart - expanded polystyrene) due to its properties is not very suitable for buildings of this kind. We'll explain why below.

Why is it undesirable to insulate a frame house with polystyrene

Polyfoam is an excellent insulation for brick, aerated concrete and other types of stone buildings. As for wooden buildings, and especially frame houses, there are some nuances here. The chemical structure of expanded polystyrene does not allow it to absorb moisture and pass steam. Although this material itself is not a favorable environment for the reproduction of fungi and harmful microorganisms, it often contributes to the appearance of moisture on the wood paneling of the house, as a result of which it begins to deteriorate and rot. Of course, this problem can be solved with the help of high-quality processing of wood and joints between sheets of material with a waterproofing coating. But here you just have to either rely on the conscientiousness of the builders, or install a heater with your own hands.

The second point is also related to the vapor barrier effect. A frame house insulated with this material is somewhat reminiscent of a thermos: it is warm in winter and hot in summer. This effect is achieved due to the fact that the material does not release warm air from the room. In terms of insulation, this is undoubtedly good. On the other hand, in such housing you can simply suffocate if it is not regularly ventilated.

Cost and types

If the above inconveniences associated with laying foam in a frame house are not a good reason for you to abandon this inexpensive and effective insulation, we will continue to study it further.

A standard foam sheet is marked with the letters PS. PSB - means non-press foam. PSB-S - pressureless, self-extinguishing. Typically, the manufacturer labels the foam as follows: "PSB-S-15". The final figure in this abbreviation means the density of the material. 15 kg/m³ - low density. 50 kg / m³ - high. There are also heaters with medium density. The most common and popular option is 25 kg / m³.

Styrofoam, which is used in construction, also has differences in its chemical structure:

        • conventional (separate granules of the material are filled with gas)
        • polystyrene foam (the total mass of the insulation is filled with gas)

Price in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, etc.)

(in rubles per 1 m³)

Price in Ukraine (Kyiv, Lvov, Kharkiv, etc.)

(in UAH per 1 m³)

Together with polystyrene, they usually buy the building materials necessary for its installation. This is a waterproofing film, construction adhesive and sealant.

floor insulation technology

Insulation of the floor in a frame house begins with the installation of wooden beams, on which the floor itself will be located in the future. After the beams are installed, you can begin to lay the insulation. Its density in this case should not be less than 25 kg/m³.

There are several ways to lay insulation on the floor:

The first method is effective if you use 1-3 sheets in thickness for floor insulation. In this case, they are glued to the foundation (and, if necessary, to each other) using tile adhesive. It is better to cut the material with a circular saw or grinder. The high-speed slicing disc ignites the material, which prevents it from crumbling and cuts evenly. A damper tape is installed around the perimeter of the room. A layer of a rough screed up to 7 cm thick is poured on top. A damper tape is needed so that the screed can expand and contract during drying and at the same time cracks do not appear on its surface.

The second method is to apply wet carving or sand to the foundation of the room. The material is evenly distributed on the surface. For this, a building rule is used. Insulation sheets are installed on top of the sand. The sheets should be cut into small pieces, approximately 20x30 cm. This is necessary so that they lie evenly and tightly on the sand. Beacons are installed on top of the insulation. Next, the finishing screed is applied. The disadvantage of this method is that even with perfect laying of sheets, due to small irregularities, the finishing screed can “play” a little.

The third way is somewhat non-standard. Its essence lies in the fact that a waterproofing film is suspended between the floor beams. Several sheets of insulation are laid on the film. Another layer of film is stretched over the insulation on the beams. After that, the surface is sheathed with boards.

Ceiling and roof

It is advantageous to insulate the ceiling with polystyrene foam for the reason that sheets of these materials can be laid both from the inside of the building and from the outside. If you will be laying the insulation from the inside, you can glue it to the ceiling with tile or other construction adhesive. You can fix the sheets with self-tapping screws. In this case, the insulation sheets are connected to the wooden beams on the ceiling using metal mounting brackets. All this is sheathed with boards.

It is more difficult to insulate the roof of a frame house. Here, the insulation can be laid from below - in the same way that we insulated the ceiling. There is a second option - to lay the insulation on top. In this case, the frame between the roof rafters is covered with a special moisture-proof film, after which insulation sheets are installed in the formed forms. Then the material is again covered with a moisture-proof film, after which it is sheathed with wooden beams, on which tiles are subsequently laid.

Insulation of the walls of a frame house

The walls of a frame house can be insulated in three ways:

The first way is to lay polystyrene sheets on the inside of the building. In this case, the technology is not much different from the technology of insulating the ceiling of a frame house from the inside. A layer of moisture-resistant film is applied to the wall, on top of which insulation is laid between the wooden beams. After that, it is sheathed with a board.

On the outside of the frame house, you can also lay insulation. The whole process takes place in several stages:

            • installation of horizontal support strips or ebbs
            • marking and cutting a corner (it is from the corner part that the warming of the whole house begins)
            • heating the surface of the material to bend it (if we insulate the corner of the frame)
            • applying construction adhesive to the surface of the house
            • gluing a corner element with obligatory level control
            • marking, cutting and gluing ordinary sheets (in this case, the glue should also be applied to the end of the sheets so that they stick to each other; when performing this procedure, it is necessary to constantly control the level)
            • sealing seams with building sealant
            • subsequent wall cladding

The combined method includes the two previous ones. The most preferred method for a frame house is method No. 1 - wall insulation from the inside.

Environmental and fire safety

There is a lot of conflicting information on the Internet regarding the fire and environmental safety of expanded polystyrene and its counterpart. Moreover, the positive information on the network is mostly posted by the producers of this material, which, as you understand, does not inspire confidence.

How are things really?

Styrofoam and expanded polystyrene are combustible materials. Their modern manufacturers are trying to minimize their flammability, however, they remain substances that have an increased fire hazard class. When burned, these materials emit acrid black smoke, which is toxic to the human body.

It should be noted that high-quality self-extinguishing foam cannot burn on its own for more than 4 seconds. For its burning, a constant source of fire is needed, which may well serve as a burning wooden sheathing of a frame house.

Calculating the amount of polystyrene foam for insulating a frame house is quite simple. The vast majority of sheets of this material are produced in the amount of 1 m². To find out the required number of sheets, you just need to calculate the insulated area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room, multiply by the number of layers of insulation and add 5% to the resulting number. For example, if we insulate an area of ​​80 m² with one layer of polystyrene foam, we will need 84 sheets of material, etc.

for frame houses of standard sizes

Styrofoam is not the best option for insulation for a frame house. Buildings of this kind are best insulated with sawdust or mineral wool. However, this method of insulation has a place to be, as many people consider it inexpensive and effective.

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Video: Insulation of the attic with foam from the inside

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And how much foam is required to insulate a one-story frame house 7 * 10.5m, with a cold attic, walls 2.7m high. Insulation 100mm, two layers of 50mm. Thank you.

Insulation of a frame house with polystyrene foam, Builder's Book


Insulation of a frame house with foam plastic is a controversial method, since this material is not very suitable for insulating buildings of this type.

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