Types of modern heaters. Types and characteristics of modern thermal insulation materials

Topics with a choice and description of the features of a particular type of insulation are deservedly popular on our portal. These questions become more urgent the higher the growth in energy prices and the desire of homeowners to save on heating. FORUMHOUSE has already talked about and about.

Choosing the best insulation for the walls of the house, which is right for you, we suggest looking at the nuances of insulating a private house from a slightly different angle. To do this, consider the following questions:

• How to start choosing a material.
• What are the types of heaters.
• Is it possible to do without using it.
• Should I use eco-insulators?
• What is lacking in modern means and methods of wall insulation.

Choosing a material

The modern market of thermal insulation materials offers a lot of options and types. Conventionally, they can be divided into artificial (man-made) and natural. Artificial include: mineral wool (stone and glass wool) and polystyrene foam insulation (PPS, or polystyrene, EPPS - extruded polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam), foam glass, sprayed polyurethane foam, ecowool, expanded clay, etc. Natural materials include sawdust, straw, moss, flax, hemp and other eco-materials.

The materials of the second group are most often used by enthusiasts in the construction of environmentally friendly houses.

To determine the type of material, you need to pay attention to the following parameters: thermal conductivity, hygroscopicity, density, flammability class, efficiency, environmental friendliness, durability. You also need to understand in advance what and how you are going to insulate. Those. – choose the scope of the material. To do this, we ask ourselves the question in which structural unit of the house should work. To the materials that are used for and insulation of the foundation (), etc. working in the ground, in an aggressive environment, there are certain requirements. These are non-susceptibility to moisture accumulation, rotting, high compressive strength, thermal efficiency, durability.

The main (perhaps even the only) disadvantage of foam plastics is their combustibility (under certain conditions) and limited thermal stability. In the event of a fire, first of all, interior items (furniture, curtains, etc.) burn. Therefore, measures must be taken in advance to protect polystyrene foam (in case it is used for internal insulation) from an open source of fire. To do this, the foam must be covered with a good layer of concrete or plaster. It is better if PPS is used for external insulation. It must also be covered with non-combustible material (concrete, plaster), and not used as an element of a ventilated facade!

In civil housing construction, expanded polystyrenes are widely used for insulation of foundations and flat roofs (EPS). Facades of houses, as the basis for thin-layer plaster, the so-called. "wet facade" (PPS).

• In a number of situations (especially in the field of low-rise housing construction), it is necessary to insulate frame structures, where, instead of rigidity, elastic options mounted by surprise are more technologically advanced. Here, it is most widely used on the basis of stone () or glass fibers - this material combines high manufacturability of installation (no special experience and special professional tools are required) with incombustibility (including fire resistance) and low production cost.

When using mineral wool materials, care must be taken to prevent moisture from entering them. In the event that water enters the insulation, the "pie" of the frame structure and the vapor transparency of the layers should ensure that excess moisture escapes to the outside. Why should steam and waterproofing films and membranes be used correctly?

The above methods are far from the only effective option for warming a room.

Alexey Melnikov

To a lesser extent, such insulation methods are now common as: poured (such as a screed from a solution of polystyrene concrete) and filling options (expanded clay gravel, foam glass chips, aerated concrete block rejection, etc.). Because they, in my opinion, are more appropriate as additional sound insulation in horizontal structures.

44alex FORUMHOUSE user

I would choose perlite for ceilings and for backfilling stone walls, but not under the floor on the ground, because. this is an excellent material in terms of price / thermal conductivity / combustibility / environmental friendliness / service life.

Recently, blown versions of heaters are also gaining popularity. Type of cellulose fiber (the so-called ecowool) or its mineral counterpart. According to Alexey Melnikova, these materials should be used for thermal insulation of hard-to-reach places.

natural materials

It is also necessary to highlight materials based on natural fibers (flax, sea grasses), which are now being promoted under the ideology of ECO-construction. Due to the limited choice and significant price tag, these materials have not yet become widespread.

The main disadvantages of natural materials:

• shrinkage;
• unpredictability of behavior in the long term;
• susceptibility to rodents.

Let's see how true this is.

Russian FORUMHOUSE user

Unexpectedly, the following experiment came out: in the summer they folded substandard linen insulation in the corner, in a stack 1.5 meters high. In winter, a water pipe leaked, which passed nearby. We noticed this only in the summer, i.e. the bottom layer of flax has lain for at least 6 months in water. And here are the results:

• For a material 5 cm thick, under the pressure of the upper layers, only 1 cm sat down;
• The material that had taken in water turned dark and was left to dry until morning. The next morning he regained his form, i.e. again became 5 cm thick;
• Breaking loads have not changed either.

After drying, the linen insulation remained practically unchanged, because the structure of the linen material is fixed by melted lavsan fibers. This structure can be changed only when heated to 160-190 ° C or when the flax is destroyed. And flax, as you know, is still used in plumbing work when sealing water pipes.

Extensive experience has been accumulated abroad in the use of this material. Mice do not eat it, they make passages in it and make their dwellings. To avoid this, appropriate measures are taken - in the form of installing a fine-mesh steel mesh, etc.

SCM FORUMHOUSE user

I believe that the use of sawdust is a very environmentally friendly way to insulate. The main thing is to follow the technology. It is better to fill up sawdust in layers, with careful tamping of each layer with a shovel handle.

Both industrial materials and “folk” materials have pros and cons. “Commercial” materials are a ready-made product with known properties and a certain installation technology, following which you can be sure of the final result. Eco-insulations are more of an experiment, with a possible lower cost (sawdust), you will have to sweat during installation. The construction itself can take time. Again, you can not guarantee 100% of the final result, because. we still have little experience in using such materials in different climatic zones.

Based on the foregoing, we can conclude: any material has the right to life. It all depends on the area of ​​​​its application, the prevalence of one or another type of material in a particular area, its price, thermal characteristics, etc. Hence: when choosing a heater, first of all, it is necessary to build on the economic calculation and the expediency of its use in the long term.

You should also check your tasks with our questionnaire:

• Where will the material be used?
• what is it for;
• what structure needs to be insulated.

Having puzzled with such questions, you will understand which material is suitable specifically for your case and specifically for your building.

Is there a universal heater

If you dream and imagine an “ideal” insulation, with a set of universal properties, then it will be a material whose various characteristics will not be stable - they must change flexibly depending on the operating conditions. In one situation, the material needs strength, high density, rigidity, clear geometry, and increased moisture resistance. In other conditions, it requires vapor transparency, low density (which means it will not work “in the ground”), workability in hard-to-reach places, flexibility, and good environmental friendliness. With all this, an affordable price for the masses remains important. It turns out mutually exclusive requirements. So it is hardly worth chasing after some special and new materials.

From our videos you will learn

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

Important! It is best to pay attention to modern materials - they are of high quality, durable, environmentally friendly. The “correct” insulation will help reduce heating costs. The main thing is that it does not shrink after construction, does not succumb to insects and small rodents, and is also adapted to an aggressive weather environment (if necessary). Then it is worth starting to assess the value for money.

Manufacturers of modern building materials have done everything possible so that the eyes run wide in the store, and the hands do not know what exactly to grab onto. Kinds heaters and their purpose for most inexperienced inhabitants remain a mystery shrouded in darkness. Well, let's try to understand everything in order.

Types of heaters, characteristics and application

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

Preventive type heaters

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

Preventive type insulation (inorganic base)

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

Arbolite properties:

• Density - 450-700 kg per cubic meter;
• Thermal conductivity 0.06-0.14 watts per meter;
• The compressive strength is 0.2-1 megapascal.

Foam-polyvinyl chloride (PVC)- made from PPVC resins. Resins are given a foamy structure by industrial porization. Such insulation can be both soft and hard. In essence, it is a universal heat insulator (both for the roof, and for walls, and for the floor, windows and entrance doors). Its density is about 0.1 kg per cubic meter.

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

Chipboard properties:

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

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

DVIP properties:

• Density - up to 250 kg per cubic meter;
• Tensile strength when bending the material - up to 12 megapascals;
• Thermal conductivity - up to 0.08 watts per meter.

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

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

Properties of polyurethane foam:

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

Mypora. It is also called penoizol. Mipora is produced by whipping urea-formaldehyde resin. For the strength of the material, glycerin is added to it. The foamed structure is obtained due to the content of sulfonic acids. An organic acid is used as a hardening catalyst. Mipora is sold both in the form of crumbs and in blocks, and in the form of a ready-made solution. This is another type of insulation that is loved in wooden houses.

Mypore properties:

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

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

Expanded polystyrene properties:

• Thermal conductivity - 0.038-0.044 watts per meter;
• Does not absorb moisture;
• Resistant to corrosion;
• Does not give in to influences of microflora and bioagents;
• Nearly incombustible. Even if it catches fire, it will emit much less heat than burning wood.

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

Features of polyethylene foam:

• Density - 20-55 kg per cubic meter;
• Thermal conductivity - 0.042-0.050 watts per meter;
• Used at temperatures from 40 degrees below zero to 100 degrees above zero;
• Poorly absorbs moisture;
• Practically does not give in to chemical and biological influence.

Fiberboard insulation- based on thin wood shavings in conjunction with cement and magnesia component. Produced in the form of plates. Ideal for wet areas.

Properties of fiberboard insulation:

• Density - 200-500 kg per cubic meter;
• Thermal conductivity - 0.06-0.1 watts per meter;
• Refractory.

Honeycomb insulation- consists of cells resembling a honeycomb. But this is not necessary, the cells, sometimes, come in a different shape. Such a heater is filled with a special fabric or paper based on organic fibers and resins. Outside, the insulation is covered with thin sheets of plastic.

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

Ecowool properties:

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

Preventive insulation (organic base)

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

Properties of mineral wool:

• Does not burn;
• Perfectly absorbs noise;
• Resistant to chemicals;
• Poorly absorbs water
• Almost does not shrink with time;
• Passes steam. Therefore, mineral wool needs insulation.

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

Glass wool properties:

• Density - up to 130 kg per cubic meter;
• Thermal conductivity - 0.02-0.053 watts per square meter;
• Withstands temperatures up to 450 degrees Celsius;
• Poorly absorbs moisture;
• Resistant to corrosion.

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

Ceramic wool properties:

• Withstands temperatures over 1000 degrees Celsius;
• Thermal conductivity - 0.12-0.17 watts per meter;
• Density - up to 350 kg per cubic meter.

Thermal insulation of walls from the inside often has to be used to save heat and money in already used rooms, where exterior decoration is not possible. And the question of choosing the material for the work becomes the most important. What to choose? How ? Let's talk about it in this article.

materials

Styrofoam, or as it is also called - expanded polystyrene, is produced by polymerization of styrene. Heated and foamed granules can be used on their own, falling asleep in the ceiling. But most often on sale there are plates and blocks pressed from them. This type of insulation has been used for a long time and successfully. It has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• high coefficient of thermal insulation;
• easy to install (easy to cut with a knife);
• moisture resistant;
• has a low weight;
• high vapor barrier;
• does not require additional waterproofing;
• retains properties for several decades;
• low price.

Minuses:

• fragile;
• low sound insulation;
• combustible (when burning, it releases harmful substances);
• rodents often start;
• not suitable as a heater for walls inside a wooden house (does not allow steam to pass through, which is necessary for proper air circulation in the room).

In order for the selected material to meet all the conditions, you need to use it correctly.

Mounting Features

Using foam for wall insulation, it is possible to increase thermal insulation even with thin slabs. Due to the fact that the foam does not allow moisture to pass through, there is no need to apply additional hydro and vapor barrier.

But, in order for it to work as it should, it is necessary to very carefully seal all the joints between the plates and at their junction with the structure. This can easily be done with polyurethane foam. In addition, some manufacturers have foam boards made with a stepped edge, which allows them to be joined very tightly to each other.

Perfectly attached to the walls with dish-shaped dowels or adhesive. Both methods can be used at the same time. Glue for fixing foam is best used in the form of foam. This composition acts as additional insulation.

Due to the strength of the foam, finishing can be done directly on it, without building additional frames. Due to its low weight, there is no overload of the walls. Compared, for example, with mineral wool, the same layer of foam will weigh 2-2.5 times less.

This no less popular insulation is made on the basis of rocks (basalt, slag), which is why it is also called "stone wool". It is produced in rolls and in pressed plates. The different density of the material determines both the thermal insulation properties and the cost.

But the roll version is used to insulate the ceiling or floor, while plates are more suitable for walls. This material also has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• retains heat well in winter, and coolness in summer;
• high sound insulation (moreover, a looser material protects against noise, and a denser material protects from the sound of impacts from the outside);
• not combustible;
• in contact with open fire does not emit harmful substances and does not smoke.

Minuses:

• the security provided by certificates does not always correspond to the declared one;
• during installation, it is necessary to cover hands and face from the ingress of small particles;
• strong moisture absorption (in case of getting wet, it loses its thermal insulation properties).

Mounting Features

As a heater for walls, basalt wool made of very thin fiber is best suited. To work with mineral wool, it is necessary to protect the body and face. It is better to work in a respirator.

Choosing mineral wool as a heater, you should not hope for an excellent result. Its main disadvantage is high vapor permeability. It is several times higher than other materials for thermal insulation.

That is, any moisture from the outside will be easily absorbed. And since the wet mineral wool loses its properties, it very quickly ceases to act as a heater. Of course, this effect can be avoided by isolating the layer of wool with a film.

You can "solder" the plates into packages, although this will complicate the technology of their fastening to the walls. But all these precautions may be in vain, as soon as small holes appear in the waterproofing. If the cotton wool starts to get wet, then this will inevitably lead to smudges or fungus.

If you nevertheless chose mineral wool as a heater, then the easiest way is to lay it in a plasterboard structure, while it is imperative to make waterproofing. In addition to its direct purpose, the film is also designed to prevent the ingress of small particles of cotton wool into the room.

This type of insulation is one of the most famous and previously used. But now, thanks to more technologically advanced materials, the use of glass wool is receding into the background. This wadding is made from glass waste, which looks like fibers up to 5 cm long.

Pros:

• high resistance to vibration;
• high sound insulation;
• non-toxic;
• not combustible;
• high elasticity (can be pressed for storage);
• not subject to the formation of mold and fungus;
• pests and rodents do not start in it;
• low cost.

Minuses:

• short service life;
• some formulations contain formaldehyde;
• you need to work in a protective suit.

Mounting Features

The very first thing to think about before installing glass wool insulation is to protect your face and body. If the smallest particles of cotton wool get on the skin, they will cause severe itching. If it enters the respiratory tract, irreversible and serious health problems are likely. After work, you need to throw away all clothing and a respirator.

For laying glass wool, a crate sewn with drywall is used. Insulation is placed in the empty space, previously covered with a layer of film. You can first lay cotton wool in the crate, cover it with a waterproofing agent, and then sew it up with drywall.

This is a modern and safe insulation made from cellulose, boric acid and an antiseptic composition. Outwardly, it is a loose, gray material.

Pros:

• natural composition;
• hypoallergenic;
• high thermal insulation;
• does not shrink and shifts even in a vertical position;
• can be used on metal structures;
• high sound insulation;
• fungus does not occur in it;
• not combustible;
• installation by spraying will fill all cracks.

Minuses:

• installation requires special equipment (installation is carried out by specialists);
• may begin to smolder from high temperatures (next to the fireplace, chimney);
• higher cost.

Mounting Features

To insulate walls with ecowool, a special blowing unit is used, which crushes and then blows ecowool through a hose. Due to high pressure and fine structure, the material penetrates into all cracks and hard-to-reach places, covering the surface with a continuous monolithic layer.

You can also blow ecowool into finished cavities. If the surface is deaf, then small technological holes are drilled through which the material is blown. It can also be used for soundproofing interior partitions.

This modern heat insulator looks similar to ordinary paint. It contains antiseptic additives that prevent the occurrence of fungus. Compared to conventional heaters, for example, mineral wool, a layer of 1 mm hard-ceramic insulation will be equal in terms of thermal insulation characteristics to a layer of 50 mm of mineral wool.

Pros:

• service life is several decades;
• no need for vapor barrier;
• very easy to install;
• does not complicate further finishing;
• does not reduce the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room;
• does not load the walls;
• good adhesion with any materials.

Perhaps the only drawback of this solution will be its higher cost compared to other heaters.

Mounting Features

Since the composition of liquid ceramic insulation is similar to ordinary paint, then its installation is carried out in the same way - with a brush, roller or spray gun. The latter option is preferable, since the pressurized insulation will fill all cracks and hard-to-reach places. In addition, the consumption of the spray gun is lower than when using a roller.

Liquid insulation does not change its performance properties even at temperatures from -60 to +250 C⁰. The absence of steam and waterproofing makes the job much easier.

General requirements for materials

Wall insulation from the inside is not always a measure used, but if you decide on it, then there really is a need for it.

To do everything right and achieve the desired result, you need to follow a number of requirements for materials:

• low conductivity of heat from the inside and cold from the outside;
• long service life, the insulation should not slip and deform;
• the material must be non-flammable and not emit toxic substances during smoldering;
• water resistance and the ability to repel moisture;
• environmental friendliness;
• vapor permeability;
• the material should not attract rodents and be convenient for arranging their holes;
• compactness, which is especially important for small houses.

What material to use

When choosing a material for wall insulation from the inside, you need to focus on its main properties. So the foam does not let air through, does not breathe, but it is easily mounted without requiring a frame. Glass wool, on the other hand, easily absorbs moisture, requires careful handling and must be laid in a frame.

Ecowool is environmentally friendly, but it needs to be applied with special devices and preferably by specialists, this increases the cost of insulation. Liquid ceramics is quite expensive, but it does not require the creation of additional structures and does not reduce the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room.

Whether you choose low cost, environmental friendliness, moisture resistance or easy installation, remember that the main thing is to follow all the rules of insulation technology.

Wall insulation technology from the inside

No less important than the choice of material will be the observance of all the rules for the installation and operation of the heat insulator.

In order for the insulation to serve for a long time and with high quality, it is necessary to adhere to some rules:

1. Provide the necessary insulation by accurate calculation of materials. Calculate the amount of material needed can be calculated by knowing the area required for insulation and guided by the tables on the packaging of the insulation.
2. Fasten the heat insulator tightly to the base. In order to avoid vaporization, which will occur in the air space between the heat insulator and the wall, it is necessary to try to avoid gaps between these two planes.
3. The heat insulator layer must be closed waterproof film.
4. Do not install sockets, switches, and other devices requiring through holes in the heat insulator casing. This is done for reasons of tightness of the waterproofing, the holes in which will lead to the passage of moisture to the insulation and, ultimately, to its damage.
5. Ensure tight joints and adjoining material to the walls.
6. Before starting work, make sure that surfaces are dry.

When starting to insulate walls, you must first properly prepare these same walls. To do this, wooden surfaces are impregnated with antiseptic primers, concrete and brickwork is cleaned of dust and dirt, and dried well.

Further, if necessary, a frame is assembled, into which the insulation will subsequently be laid. The frame is necessary in case of using mineral wool, glass wool, or similar sheet or roll insulation, if it is not possible to stick them on the walls. For the construction of the frame, it is best to use a material similar to the material of the walls.

So, if you are insulating a wooden house, then it is better to assemble the frame from wooden bars, soaking them with special antifungal compounds. If the room is built of brick or concrete, then it would be better to use metal profiles.

The insulation is attached to the walls depending on the type of material chosen. So soft sheets or rolls are laid in the crate, the foam is simply glued to the walls, the sprayed insulation is blown out with special devices, respectively.

The cost of insulation materials

Prices for building materials for wall insulation from the inside vary quite a lot. For some sellers, the cost depends on the volume of the purchase, and you can get a discount on a large lot:

The cost is approximate, check it on the websites of material sellers.

Also, to the cost of wall insulation, it is necessary to add not only waterproofing films and accessories necessary for installation, but also think that if the room was already residential, then after the walls are insulated, it will be necessary to make repairs.

1. When buying fragile materials(styrofoam), it is worth taking them with a margin.
2. Pay attention to the main indicator heaters - thermal conductivity.
3. Materials for insulation must be environmentally friendly.
4. All joints (heat insulator or waterproofing film) are made very tightly. The film is overlapped with adhesive tape, and the joints between the layers of insulation are sealed with mounting foam or acrylic sealants.
5. Insulate partitions, which are adjacent to the outer wall.
6. For additional moisture reduction on windows special control valves are installed.
7. Ask sellers quality certificates.

Preservation of heat in the room and the creation of a microclimate are the main priorities in the construction of residential buildings. To achieve these goals, an integrated approach is used in thermal insulation measures. Efficiency of follow-up work, incl. The result is due to the choice of insulation. To decide which insulation to choose, you should be guided by a number of criteria.

As an external wall insulation, three methods of thermal insulation protection are used - well, wet and ventilated facades. Each of these methods involves the use of separate materials.

However, despite this, each of them must have common properties:

• thermal conductivity - W / (m × K);
• heat capacity - KJ / (kg × K);
• porosity;
• density - kg/m³;
• vapor permeability;
• water absorption;
• flammability - from G1 to G4 (non-combustible - NG);
• flammability and smoke formation;
• strength limit;
• acidity - pH.

In addition to these characteristics, the choice of insulation is influenced by: environmental safety, sound insulation, waterproofing, resistance to environmental influences and biological damage. Also in construction, durability and cost parameters are taken into account.

The most popular thermal insulation materials on the market are mineral wool, polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam and liquid material. Further, in the article we will figure out which insulation is better, based on their properties.

Pros and cons of mineral wool

Thermal conductivity (0.070 W (m * K) per 200 kg / m³) and vapor permeability (0.490 per 200 kg / m³) of mineral wool indicate that this material is the most effective. However, its resistance to moisture is low. In view of this, during the repair, reliable protection is guaranteed only in conjunction with waterproofing.

The release form of mineral wool is convenient for use. So, for facing the surface of a wall or roof, choose plates. Mats are optimal as floor thermal insulation. It is noteworthy that the texture can imitate sand, stone chips and other natural materials. In this case, which mineral wool is better, the user must decide.

Benefits include:

• service life - 30 years;
• environmental Safety;
• resistance to temperatures from −260°С to +900°С;
• chemically neutral to alkaline and other acids;
• optimal cost.

The main disadvantage is low moisture resistance, which at times increases the price tag, because. you need to use additional waterproofing.

One of the best insulation - foam

Styrofoam is the best heat-insulating material, according to consumers. This is due to the affordable price tag, quality performance and resistance to stress. In view of this, polystyrene is used both in the construction of residential buildings and in the construction of public buildings.

Heat transfer from 0.031 to 0.042 W/(m*K) is one of the highest. This parameter is achieved due to the structure of the foam: a foamed polystyrene mass is produced in layers, between which there is gas. It is because of it that the density of raw materials initially increases.

The scope of this type of insulation is attics, utility rooms, outbuildings, where the walls are sensitive to temperature changes.

However, for the thermal insulation of the foundation, the foam must be used in combination with other protection (brick, wood). This is due to changes in the soil depending on the season.

Positive properties of foam:

• water repellent;
• mold resistance;
• light weight;
• maintains performance, regardless of the weather.

But unlike mineral wool, polystyrene quickly collapses when exposed to nitro-paint. To avoid this situation, it is recommended to choose the right glue. Another disadvantage is the low mechanical stability. Therefore, after facing, the foam must be further protected.

The difference between foam and this material is only in the production method. However, foaming is higher. Moreover, extruded polystyrene foam is additionally processed through high-strength molds (dies). This achieves water resistance. Also, the material is able to withstand mechanical and atmospheric loads.

Advantage Features:

• withstand temperatures from −500°С to +750°С;
• used in industrial facilities;
• involved in road construction;
• used as a heater for wells and roofs.

However, extruded polystyrene foam has been banned in Europe and America. This decision was influenced by the lack of this insulation - a high level of flammability. This parameter has repeatedly caused the destruction of buildings after repair in several European countries. As a protection for their products, the manufacturer began to add substances that prevent combustion. But this too has been subjected to extensive criticism, since during smoldering, dangerous toxins were released. Therefore, it is impossible to assign the title of "best insulation" to this material.

A new way of thermal insulation - liquid insulation

Liquid insulation relatively recently appeared on the building materials market. Its practicality and ease of use are the main selection criteria. When compared with other thermal insulation materials, it does not take up space.

The scope is very extensive - facades, internal walls, pipelines, metal roofs and garages, basements. It is also actively used in the fight against the formation of condensate.

• application to the base, incl. hard-to-reach places;
• minimum level of thermal conductivity (0.001 W/(m×K);
• up to 100 m² can be treated per day;
• resistance to mechanical stress;
• reduction of heat costs by 27%;
• does not change appearance;
• there is no preparatory stage;
• fireproof.

The disadvantages of insulation are sensitivity during transportation and a high price range. In addition, there are no formulas for accurately calculating the need, which can subsequently increase the budget.

Summary

The article discusses popular heaters: positive and negative sides. The conclusion about which thermal insulation is better, the consumer must make himself. This is due to the fact that each of the representatives of isolation is good in its own way. Therefore, when choosing a suitable insulation, you should rely on technical parameters and prices. This is true both for houses under construction and for those that have already been put into operation.