How to properly insulate foam concrete walls. The better way to insulate the outside of a house made of foam blocks. How to insulate a foam block house from the outside with your own hands

I will insulate a house made of foam concrete 30 cm thick OUTSIDE + BLOCK HOUSE. Any questions!

Blocks brand D-600 size 300x200x600 mm Wall thickness 300 mm
laying on a sand-cement mixture with a fifth of lime to retain moisture in the solution.

Information on the properties of foam concrete walls is taken from STO-00044807-001-2006:
Laying walls from small cellular concrete blocks on cement-sand mortar (γo = 1800 kt/m3 with a thickness of mortar joints of 12 mm (λ and w are determined according to GOST 26254)
Blocks made of gas and foam concrete, gas and foam silicate, density 600 kg/m3.
Thermal conductivity coefficient λB = 0.25 W/(m °C).
Heat transfer resistance of block masonry: 1.2 m2 °C/W.
The reduced heat transfer resistance of your wall is now: 1.36 m2 °C/W.
Heat loss through 1 m2 of wall at the temperatures you set: 19.14 W*h.

As an example of insulation, I took it from the same document:
Mineral wool products "Rockwool" and JSC "Mineral wool" (Zheleznodorozhny)
Mats with a density of 35 kg/m3.
Thermal conductivity coefficient λB = 0.048 W/(m °C).

With 50 mm insulation:
Reduced heat transfer resistance: 2.4 m2 °C/W.
Heat loss through 1 m2 of wall: 10.83 Wh.

With 100 mm insulation:
Reduced heat transfer resistance: 3.44 m2 °C/W.
Heat loss through 1 m2 of wall: 7.55 W*h.

With 150 mm insulation:
Reduced heat transfer resistance: 4.48 m2 °C/W.
Heat loss through 1 m2 of wall: 5.8 W*h.

Calculations may have inaccuracies. In particular, wooden sheathing is not taken into account.

So:
1. As you can see, the dependence of heat loss on the thickness of insulation is not direct. The thicker the insulation layer, the less the effect in reducing heat loss.
This relationship is true for all types of insulation. The numbers may change a little.
You will choose the required thickness of insulation yourself based on how the costs of insulation compare with the savings on heating costs.
My opinion: 50 mm is not enough.

2. Foam concrete is a material with good vapor permeability.
As insulation, it is recommended to use materials with no less (or better yet, greater) vapor permeability than foam concrete.
Mineral wool or cellulose (so-called Ecowool) or similar insulation materials. What exactly is up to you to decide again.
EPS and especially EPS are materials with low vapor permeability.
Foam concrete itself is a good heat-protecting material.
Those. at the junction of foam concrete and insulation, temperatures will be significantly lower than room temperature and the likelihood of moisture condensation increases.

3. It’s always better to insulate yourself from the outside. From the inside there are many disadvantages and problems.
In your case, it is better to plaster the inside. You can use “warm” plaster. Under no circumstances should you use drywall on the guides. Otherwise, temperature fluctuations between fillings of “solid fuel” can be significant. The same applies to the ceiling and floor. Not plaster, of course, but the material should be heat-intensive.

4. Walls are far from the only thing you need to pay attention to to reduce heat loss.

P.S. I'm not an "experienced builder". And not a builder at all.

In private construction, products made from foam concrete and gas silicate are widely used. Buildings erected with their help retain heat well and hardly freeze, but for this it is necessary to comply with technological standards.

If the masonry was carried out incorrectly and the thickness of the walls is insufficient, then additional insulation of the house from foam blocks will be required to maintain a normal microclimate. Maximum thermal stability is achieved by placing the insulator in the middle of the three-layer enclosing structure.

Advantages of external insulation

The bubble structure of the material itself is a good thermal insulator, but sometimes this is not enough. If the need for thermal insulation does arise, for example, when housing is built in an extreme climatic region, the best solution would be external insulation (foam blocks are usually not insulated from the inside).

Its advantages for the property owner are:

• high-quality sound insulation;
• reduction in heating costs;
• maintaining the overall integrity of the building and protecting it from temperature changes (constant freezing and thawing can lead to the destruction of blocks in just one weather season);
• removal of the dew point outside the building, which makes it possible to increase the dryness of the walls (in normal conditions, condensation accumulates in the depths of the foam block product, creating an ideal environment for mold growth);
• preserving usable space from inside the house;
• protection of enclosing structures from freezing and cracks.

Selection of thermal insulator

Foam concrete structures are often insulated with mineral wool, polystyrene foam and expanded polystyrene. These fillers are characterized by low cost, ease of installation and a variety of configurations.

When choosing a material, it is necessary to take into account the vulnerability of foam blocks to high humidity and correctly calculate the area of ​​​​the insulated space. In the case of vapor-permeable and cellulose), installation of an additional layer of waterproofing will be required.

For water-repellent substances (foam and polystyrene foam), it is necessary to install ventilation ducts to remove possible condensation from the surface of the walls.

The main advantages of mineral wool are its fire resistance, resistance to heat loss and environmental safety. It is widely used both for insulation from the inside of a building and for external insulation.

Individual particles of mineral wool repel water, but the entire fabric absorbs it well, and therefore, when installing such material on the outside, you need to lay a waterproof film. In addition, improper installation of insulation can lead to its shrinkage and the need for repeated finishing work.

The low heat transfer coefficient of polystyrene foam and its derivatives makes it one of the best insulation materials for private construction. Insulators of this type do not allow steam to pass through, do not absorb water, and do not lose shape over time.

The disadvantage of this substance is its vulnerability to ultraviolet radiation when used outside a building. Unprotected walls are destroyed under the influence of sunlight, and therefore the better the foam is plastered, the longer the building will last.

When using polystyrene foam from inside a building, it is necessary to consider the issue of fire safety, since when melted, the material can release toxic substances.

This type of foam is especially effective as insulation for foam block buildings. During the production process, granules of raw materials are not sintered among themselves, but are fused into one mass, which significantly increases the strength of the material and its protective properties.

A negative factor will be the high price of such thermal insulators. The cost of expanded polystyrene starts from a thousand rubles per square meter.

All measures for thermal protection of enclosing structures are carried out in accordance with technical standards. Studying the documentation will help you correctly calculate the thickness of the insulating layer, as well as understand which material is best suited for a given region.

To complete the work you will need:

• pre-prepared foam boards;
• construction adhesive for attaching them;
• plastic dowels;
• reinforcing mesh;
• primer material;
• plaster;
• facade paints.

Preparation

Before installation, you need to clean the surface from dirt and debris. The remains of dried mortar are knocked off the walls, and all cracks and irregularities are thoroughly primed. The priming procedure is important for the arrangement and prevents the glue from seeping into the thickness of the blocks.

Starting metal profiles are fixed on the walls outside. In the future, the first layer of insulator will be installed on them.

To effectively adhere the material to the treated surface, you will need an adhesive solution. Its mixing is carried out in a separate container using a special attachment on a drill.

Laying

Polystyrene foam intended for wall insulation is sold in the form of ready-made slabs. The coincidence of the joints impairs the tightness of the structure, and therefore the installation is carried out in a checkerboard pattern from bottom to top. To avoid drying out of the solution and waste of material, at one point in time, not the entire wall, but a separate area is covered with glue. You need to attach a sheet of thermal insulation to it and fix it.

Additional fastening is carried out using dowels cut into the edges and in the center of each slab. The fragility of foam block products makes it impossible to use metal screws, and therefore insulation is carried out using plastic fastening elements.

Excessive load experienced by the insulation often leads to its damage. Timely installation of steel mesh will strengthen the wall structure and prevent the material from expanding beyond its limits.

Proper reinforcement involves lubricating the foam with glue, fixing a fine-mesh mesh on it that is resistant to chemical influences, and applying an additional layer of adhesive solution. To avoid cracks, the mesh is laid overlapping at the joints.

Finishing

After completion of the installation work, the surface outside the building must be brought to an aesthetic and finished appearance. To do this, it is plastered and the façade paint is applied. Different types of decorative plaster increase the moisture resistance of the surface, protecting the house from mold and fungal attack.

Do you need foam blocks? The answer to this question depends on the thickness of the walls of the building and the climate zone. If there is such a need, then it is enough to insulate the facades with one of the common insulation materials, for example, polystyrene foam, and the house will become more comfortable, and the structure itself will be additionally protected from negative external influences.

Foam concrete is widely used in low-rise construction. This affordable, practical material has a number of undeniable advantages. Insulating a house from foam blocks allows you to reduce heat loss in winter and maintain the strength of the outer layer of the block. Let's consider all possible options for insulating houses made of foam blocks, and also evaluate the effectiveness of the placement of thermal insulation both inside and outside.

Many experts give a clear answer to this question: it is still worth insulating a house made of foam concrete from the outside. The location of insulation indoors has its disadvantages:

• Reducing the total area of ​​rooms by an average of 5-8%;
• Using drywall over insulation makes it impossible to attach shelves and wall cabinets to the wall surface;
• The dew point shifts and falls on the inside of the wall. Consequently, there is a high risk of mold and damp developing inside the house.

Insulating a house from the inside is advisable only if the final exterior finishing of the facade has already been completed and its dismantling is too expensive. Laying insulation on the outside allows you to save internal space, avoid shifting the dew point to the inner surface of the wall, and also makes it possible to use various modern materials.

Insulation of a foam block house

How to insulate a house made of foam blocks from the inside

Experts recommend insulating from the inside using mineral wool. This is an environmentally friendly material that is safe for the health of all family members and does not cause allergic reactions. Also among its advantages is the minimum flammability index, which is of paramount importance when determining the risk of fire hazard.

Insulating a house from the inside using mineral wool

To fix mineral wool you need:

• secure a layer of vapor barrier membrane.
• Fix the guide bars to the wall. The distance between them should be 2-3 cm less than the width of the insulation.
• Place the thermal insulation layer tightly between the guide bars.
• Secure the insulation using perpendicular battens or bars. This eliminates the risk of material shifting.
• Install an internal plasterboard wall.

Insulating houses made of foam blocks from the inside is not the best choice. But in the absence of other options, this is a real chance to reduce heat loss and make a building made of foam blocks more comfortable and livable.

Materials for insulating a house made of foam blocks from the outside

When choosing a material for insulating a building, you should focus on its technical characteristics and fastening features. The most popular types of thermal insulation include:

• Styrofoam;
• Mineral wool;
• Polyurethane foam;
• Dry mixes (plaster for foam blocks).

Let's consider each of the above types of thermal insulation to get the most complete picture.

Foam plastic (expanded polystyrene)

According to experts, it is one of the most popular, affordable and practical options for facade insulation. Its undeniable advantage is its strict geometric shape, which simplifies the process of cutting and laying slabs. Expanded polystyrene does not require preliminary production of a frame for attaching the slabs. For fixation, an adhesive composition or special dowels are used. An affordable price, as well as several options for density and thickness, allows the material to be used for insulating buildings in any climate.

Mineral wool

Another inexpensive and very easy-to-use material. Experts note that mineral wool has excellent technical characteristics. This is a high degree of vapor permeability, ease of installation and high thermal insulation of the finished structure.

Insulation of the house using mineral wool and subsequent siding.

The disadvantages of this choice include the need to install lathing to securely fix the wool. The process is fraught with certain difficulties. When drilling foam blocks, it is necessary to use a specialized tool, due to the fact that the material is fragile. You will also need to attach a vapor barrier membrane, since mineral wool absorbs moisture well. The final stage will be the purchase of siding. Experts remind that the use of mineral wool is only possible as insulation followed by external finishing of the building wall with siding.

Polyurethane foam

The use of polyurethane foam for insulating foam block houses has caused heated discussions among experts. This material has high technical characteristics, but also a number of disadvantages. Among its undeniable advantages is the unusually high speed in the process of performing work. This is directly related to the use of expensive specialized equipment and the involvement of a team of specialists. It should also be noted the increased protection of the surface of the foam block from negative atmospheric influences.

The disadvantages of using this technology include:

• Dense coating of the base (foam block surface) with sprayed polyurethane foam. As a result, the ventilation process of the finished building is disrupted. Foam concrete stops “breathing”.
• High cost of work. The use of special equipment makes it impossible to apply polyurethane foam yourself. The process of proper preparation of the base surface before applying thermal insulation material is also important. Otherwise, the risk of peeling off the applied thermal insulation increases.
• Low maintainability rate. If the integrity of one of the sections of thermal insulation is damaged, you can try to remove the material yourself. But not all of it. And to restore the integrity of the coating you will have to resort to the help of specialists.
• The need to disassemble a wall covered with siding. You cannot leave polyurethane foam without a finishing coat. The ideal solution would be siding, so all repair work is carried out only after its dismantling. And this means additional time and financial costs.

Polyurethane foam as thermal insulation

The use of polyurethane foam as a thermal insulation material for insulating a foam block house is becoming widespread despite the apparent difficulties and impressive financial costs. This is due to the durability of the spray layer when applied correctly, as well as the high speed of the process itself.

Dry mixes for plaster

Insulating a house with plaster has a number of undeniable advantages:

• High maintainability rate. If a section of plaster is partially or completely destroyed, it can be restored as quickly as possible.
• Affordable price.
• Possibility to carry out finishing work yourself.
• Light weight, which ensures minimal loads on the foundation and walls of the building.
• High levels of protection of foam concrete from the adverse effects of external factors.

When choosing a suitable thermal insulation material option for insulating your own foam block house, the owner must evaluate the pros and cons of each of the above methods.

Insulation of ceiling and floor

It is important to understand that no matter how well the walls are insulated, the amount of heat loss through the ceiling can reach 30%. Therefore, high-quality insulation of the ceiling and floor is a prerequisite.

In a one-story house in the absence of a residential attic, it is enough to simply spread a layer of mineral wool. Its thickness should be at least 10cm for maximum protection against heat loss. Boards or OSB should be laid on top of the wool, which will prevent damage to the thermal insulation layer when the owner is in the attic. If the attic is planned to be prepared for living, then it is necessary to insulate the roof using sheathing and a layer of thermal insulation material. For example, the same mineral wool. It is important to position the vapor barrier membrane correctly to prevent mold and mildew from developing as a result of moisture accumulation. And on top of the insulation layer, sheathing and decorative trim are attached. This could be PVC panels, lining, block chaos or a false wall made of plasterboard.

Floor insulation allows you to save from 15 to 25% on energy costs during the cold season. For insulation purposes, experts recommend using polystyrene foam, expanded clay, mineral wool, linen mats, fiberglass, self-leveling floors with Thermo Plast effect, as well as other modern materials. They can all be divided into several groups:

• Bulk;
• Tiled;
• Rolled;
• Sprayable.

Depending on the type of materials chosen, the method of floor insulation also changes. The height of the ceilings in the room also plays an important role. The higher its value, the greater the number of materials and their thickness you can afford. The humidity in the room is also taken into account. Some materials will require additional waterproofing at high humidity levels (for example, glass wool), and some cannot be used at all in such conditions (flax, gypsum fiber board material). In some cases, the use of an electric floor in combination with other methods of thermal insulation gives the optimal result, since it allows you to independently regulate the intensity of heating and achieve a comfortable temperature in the room.

How to calculate materials for insulating your own home

You can do this yourself. Many construction sites offer online calculators that make the task much easier. But you can solve this issue without using hints. To do this, it is enough to measure the surface area of ​​the walls that need to be insulated, as well as the area of ​​the ceiling and floor. Then carefully study the instructions from the manufacturer of thermal insulation materials. It indicates the consumption of thermal insulation. We remind you that the insulation layer on the ceiling and the outer surface of the wall for mineral wool should be 10 cm, and for the floor this value varies depending on the chosen insulation method. And it averages 7-10cm.

A thoughtful approach to insulating your own home from foam blocks will allow you to complete all the work with minimal costs and the greatest efficiency. A thorough study of the materials on the market saves time and financial costs.

The foam block is insulated from the inside to reduce heating costs for the building. Walls are responsible for 25-30% of heat loss. Compared to facade insulation, the internal type will be less labor-intensive and cheaper. There are some important factors to consider before choosing an insulation material. For example, it is better to carry out repair work in the warm season without sudden temperature changes. The quality of installation will be influenced by the evenness of the building walls, a well-designed ventilation system and adherence to the hermetic adhesion of material surfaces.

Is it possible to insulate from the inside?

According to the laws of physics during the construction and design of walls, the layer should be positioned in such a way that there is a decrease in vapor barrier qualities and a simultaneous increase in thermal insulation qualities from the inside to the outside.

As a result, it turns out that if the thermal insulation material is located in the interior of the room, then the above rules will be violated. For this reason, high humidity is created indoors.

To properly install thermal insulation indoors, you will need to organize a vapor barrier and an air conditioning system. Additionally, problems arise such as a decrease in the service life of foam concrete blocks due to a sharp temperature difference from the inside and outside of the house. When floors come into contact with cold walls, cold bridges are created and the corners freeze.

For internal insulation, fibrous, vapor-permeable and moisture-absorbing building materials are not used. Also, during installation, joints are not allowed, as condensation penetrates into the rooms through them. For this reason, mineral wool, expanded polystyrene and liquid ceramics cannot be used as insulation without additional vapor barrier.

Foamed polyurethane

Foamed polyurethane applied to the wall will serve as a good water barrier. This technique will increase thermal insulation. During the application process, some nuances arise:

1. To obtain the required layer thickness and a flat surface, you will need to construct the formwork and fill it in stages. To do this, you will need to make a frame; metal and wood are not suitable as the main material. Because these elements provoke the formation of bridges with cold and dampness.
2. When the entire surface has been treated, it will need to be covered with hydro- and vapor barrier material. For these purposes, a polyethylene layer is suitable, which is secured with lath, glue or mastic.
3. The structure of the material has low density and strength. For this reason, plaster cannot be applied directly to the surface. To do this, it is recommended to build false walls on top of the insulation, for example, from plasterboard panels. The frame part is attached to adjacent partitions, ceiling and floor.

With this technique, the dew point will be located in two options:

• at the junction of polyurethane foam and walls;
• inside the insulation.

Due to the fact that air and moisture elements will not enter the internal zone, condensation will not form.

Double wall

Double wall type using underfloor heating technology. Such a partition will serve as a heat barrier. Installation features:

1. Heating elements are mounted on the wall. In frosty conditions, when the device is turned on, the dew point will move inside the wall.
2. Next, install the second wall. The insulation material is attached in such a way that an air gap is maintained.
3. This method is not cheap in terms of installation costs for a heating device and electricity costs. In fact, it is not the rooms in the house that will be heated, but the load-bearing walls.

Due to the formation of joints during installation, penoplex is not the most suitable material for insulating the inside of a room. This option promotes moisture penetration, but it is still used subject to certain rules:

How can you seal the gaps between extruded polystyrene foam boards? It is recommended to purchase cylinders with polyurethane foam. You should also apply the adhesive evenly over the entire surface of the wall when installing the slabs, this will prevent the formation of voids.

Tools

Fastening of building elements must be carried out using professional tools:

• drill;
• screwdriver;
• hammer;
• roulette;
• putty knife;
• level;
• paint brush with stiff bristles;
• safety glasses and gloves.

Execution of work

How to insulate a wall made of foam blocks from the inside with mineral wool with your own hands.

Work progress:

1. Rolled vapor barrier is laid on the working surface.
2. A frame of wooden beams is constructed on the surface of the wall. The recommended thickness of the timber is the size of the thickness of the thermal insulation layer.
3. The step between the guides is made equal to the width of the mineral wool slab, minus 1-1.5 centimeters for a more dense installation of the basalt slab in the structure.
4. The entire structure should be covered with a vapor barrier on top.
5. A frame frame is mounted on top to create an additional ventilation gap.
6. Afterwards, the wall is sheathed with plasterboard sheets; clapboard can also be used.

Using this technique, the insulating material will not be affected by moisture and mechanical damage.

When gluing insulation, you can use a universal adhesive mixture that is resistant to water. For fastening heavier products, it is recommended to use special plastic brackets.

Large developers and private builders recommend using the correct method for insulating walls made of foam blocks. To do this, you need to provide high-quality vapor barrier on the inside and on top of the insulation, and additionally think through the air conditioning system. In the opposite case, there may be a negative effect from the work done.

Installation should be carried out only in the warm season of the year. Before starting work, the room is thoroughly dried. To reduce the level of humidity in the room, use a heat gun or heater.

If the design features of the building do not have a provision for insulation inside, then it is very difficult to do it yourself. Even small gaps can negatively affect all the effects of insulation. As a result, instead of a warm building, you will get a wet greenhouse house. For this reason, it is better to insulate the facade of the building.

Stones made from this type of cellular concrete, due to their low cost and ease of working with them, are widely used in low-rise construction. Opinions differ greatly on whether it is worthwhile to insulate a house made of foam concrete from the outside. This material is characterized by high thermal insulation properties, and many consider additional finishing to be a waste of money. For those who have decided that this stage of general construction work should not be neglected, this article is recommended.

General information about the material

Before we begin a short review of the materials most suitable for external insulation, it is useful to recall some of the features of foam blocks. If you do not take them into account, then it is unlikely that you will be able to make the optimal choice.

Firstly, foam concrete stones have a porous structure. And here there is a relationship between their density and thermal insulation properties, and the opposite. Consequently, if better insulation of the house is needed, then the thickness of the walls will have to be increased, and therefore the width of the foundation strip.

Secondly, the porosity of foam blocks dictates the need to minimize the risk of condensation. From this point of view, the best solutions are a “wet” or ventilated façade. Although when choosing insulation that is glued or sprayed on the outside (foam, polyurethane foam), there are other options. In any case, this must be taken into account.

Thirdly, the porous structure of foam blocks makes it difficult to fix the load-bearing frame on the external walls, and also limits the choice of insulation based on the total weight of the entire structure. Therefore, any material, such as, for example, a brick building, is not suitable for thermal insulation of a house.

The reasons when a decision is made to insulate a house are different - local climatic conditions, insufficient thickness of foam block walls, the desire to save more on heating, and so on. But thermal insulation is always installed only on the outside. It is not advisable to install it from the inside, since it will reduce (sometimes significantly) the usable area of ​​the building. Plus, it will complicate the installation of anything mounted on the walls of a house made of foam blocks.

Brief overview of insulation

I. Foam plastic

One of the best options. As a rule, when insulating buildings from the outside, a type of polystyrene foam is used.

• It is quite easy to work with these slabs, since they have strict geometry and, if necessary, are easy to cut.
• To mount it on the wall of a house made of foam blocks, you do not have to mount a supporting frame. The insulation is fixed with an adhesive composition, in some cases, with “fastening” with special dowels.
• The high moisture-repellent properties of the material provide additional waterproofing of foam concrete blocks.

It is perhaps the only one in polystyrene foam, but it is significant. A characteristic feature of such thermal insulation is low vapor permeability. If you do not provide for high-quality air exchange, then there is no need to talk about a good microclimate in a house made of foam blocks. Reviews from owners indicate that when the temperature outside is high, the inside of the building becomes stuffy.

Many people note that natural ventilation is not enough, so they have to install a hood. And this is additional costs, including for the project, since it is unlikely to be possible to make complex engineering calculations on your own. In the case of using polystyrene foam for insulation under siding, this problem is partially eliminated. There are several ways. For example, by installing ventilation/ducts at the joints of foam blocks.

It remains to add that the external finishing of such insulation is usually done by plastering.

II. Minvata

In relation to foam concrete, many consider it almost an ideal option, although not everything is so simple here. In addition, mineral wool comes in several modifications.

• Good vapor permeability of insulation.
• Convenience of laying mineral wool due to its elasticity.
• High degree of thermal insulation of foam blocks.

III. Polyurethane foam

They provide insulation only under the siding.

• High speed of insulation work.
• Maximum protection of foam blocks from atmospheric influences.

No matter what the apologists of this technology claim, there are quite a few disadvantages of such insulation of the house from the outside.

• Spraying polyurethane foam results in it completely insulating the base. She stops breathing. Moreover, the insulation partially penetrates deep into the structure, filling the pores of the foam blocks, and problems will arise with ventilation that cannot be solved on your own.
• The high cost of this method of thermal insulation. Such insulation is possible only with the use of special equipment. In addition, before applying it to foam concrete blocks, the composition still needs to be prepared, and correctly. The services of professionals will definitely be needed, and you will have to pay for it.
• Poor maintainability of the thermal insulation layer. You can dismantle the insulation in a separate area yourself, but in order to restore the integrity of the coating, you will have to again invite craftsmen to apply a “portion” of polyurethane foam. In addition, since it is installed under the siding, it will be necessary to dismantle the external cladding over a large area.

IV. Insulation with plaster

In this case, the use of special compounds is implied, which themselves differ in thermal insulation properties. Dry mixtures for finishing foam blocks are commercially available.

• High rate of insulation from the outside.
• The ability to change the appearance of a building and update walls at low cost.
• High maintainability.
• Good protection of foam concrete from external factors.

1. It is necessary to choose a mixture specifically for finishing foam concrete. One of the main criteria is good vapor permeability of the layer.

2. Before you start insulating walls made of foam blocks, you will have to seriously practice. The peculiarity of the work is that it must be performed at high speed. The plaster “sets” quite quickly, so there is a high risk of the formation of joints in individual areas that will be noticeable.

3. Exact adherence to technology. This insulating composition is laid on foam blocks in at least 2 layers. The thickness of the outer one should be approximately half that of the inner one. It is important! The recommended ratio (in cm) is 0.5 to 1.

4. Mixtures for foam blocks differ not only in manufacturer, but also in composition. Consequently, they are characterized by different degrees of adhesion. Therefore, you need to take into account the manufacturing technology of the purchased stones - whether they are cast or sawn.

Well, which method of insulating foam blocks to choose is up to you, dear reader, to decide.

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What is the best way to insulate the outside of a house made of foam blocks?

A foam block house is never left unfinished. This is due to the unpresentable appearance of the walls. Together with the facade cladding, thermal insulation is often performed, which should protect the building from heat loss in winter and maintain normal temperature and humidity conditions in the premises. It would be more correct to insulate a house made of foam blocks from the outside.

Why is it better to insulate from the outside?

Thermal insulation can be placed on both sides, but if possible, choose the right solution for insulation from the outside. This is justified by the following facts:

1. When thermal insulation is placed from the inside, the free area of ​​the room is reduced; insulation of the walls from the outside does not affect the internal dimensions.
2. The external location of thermal protection allows you to increase the service life of load-bearing structures. They are reliably protected from freezing and external adverse influences. Placing the material from the inside does not give such an effect; protection is provided only for the room; the surface of the walls remains cold.
3. The next fact follows from the previous one. If thermal insulation is done from the inside, the outer wall remains cold. In this case, the dew point (condensation, moisture from steam) gets inside the supporting structure and can lead to its destruction. When the thermal insulation material is located outside, moisture does not form inside the wall.

House without insulation and with insulation inside/outside

It only makes sense to protect walls from the inside under special circumstances:

• work is carried out at a high altitude (this is practically not applicable for a house made of foam concrete, since the strength characteristics of the material do not allow the construction of high walls);
• The finishing of the facade has been completed (without insulation), performing the work correctly (from the outside) will require serious financial and time costs.

If you decide to thermally insulate walls from the inside, you need to especially carefully monitor the quality and safety of materials and adherence to technology (laying vapor barriers, waterproofing). It is better to give preference to more natural types of insulation, such as ecowool or insulated plaster.

You can insulate the walls from the inside with mineral wool. It is effective in terms of protection and will not block the passage of air through the enclosing structures.

Insulation options on the cold air side

In general, protecting the walls of a foam block house is the same for all insulation options. Before starting work, you need to make two decisions:

• choice of insulation;
• choice of finishing method.

Insulating a house made of foam blocks with warm plaster

If the house is located in areas that are quite favorable from a climatic point of view, you can combine these two solutions by choosing “warm” plaster. The material simultaneously performs two functions. To increase the strength characteristics, the layer is laid on a reinforcing mesh made of fiberglass. The work is carried out in the following order:

• cleaning hard surfaces from dirt, dust and grease;
• applying a layer of primer;
• first layer of plaster;
• securing the reinforcing mesh;
• Next you need to apply the required number of layers of plaster;
• The finishing layer can be paint based on silicone.

Choice of insulation

There are several options here, which are among the most common:

• mineral wool;
• Styrofoam;
• extruded polystyrene foam;
• ecowool;
• polyurethane foam.

It is best to choose a material that will not block the movement of air through the walls of a foam block house.

The most economical material that meets this requirement is mineral wool. It is important to carry out insulation with mineral wool taking into account the characteristics of the material.

Insulating a house made of foam blocks using mineral wool

The following activities are required:

• vapor barrier on the warm air side (the cheapest option is polyethylene film, but it will not allow the walls to “breathe”; it is better to opt for more technologically advanced vapor barrier membranes);
• waterproofing from the cold air side (again, in this case it is worth choosing a waterproofing or vapor diffusion membrane);
• an air-ventilated layer to remove moisture from the surface of the material is placed between the thermal insulation and the sheathing and is assumed to be at least 50 mm thick.

Selection of sheathing material

At this stage you need to choose the appearance of the house. The following materials are suitable for cladding a house made of foam blocks:

• siding;
• lining;
• block house;
• brick.

Siding is the most economical and common option. If you have sufficient funds, it is worth considering other options. The lining will allow you to finish it as a timber, and the block house as a log.

In general, installation of thermal insulation and sheathing is carried out in the following order:

Scheme of covering a house made of foam block with siding

• surface cleaning;
• securing vapor barrier;
• assembly of a frame from wooden blocks (section depending on the thickness of the insulation) or a metal profile;
• installation of insulation with fastening it to disc-shaped dowels;
• fastening the waterproofing (if the frame is made of wood, you can fasten it with a construction stapler with the obligatory gluing of the joints with tape, the same is true for vapor barriers);
• installation of sheathing, method of fastening is selected depending on the selected material.

Another option for exterior decoration of the house is the construction of a mile of brick. In this case, it is necessary to provide metal or plastic connections between the two parts of the wall. Thermal insulation is installed before the brick wall is erected and is protected from external influences.

domzastroika.ru

Insulating a house made of foam blocks from the outside: choosing insulation

Many people believe that houses built from foam blocks do not need additional wall insulation. Such adherents refer to the porous structure, which allows steam to pass out well, but at the same time leaves heat inside the house.

But an insulating layer is still used when the building is located in a climatic zone where the thickness of the walls is not enough to retain heat. Moreover, it is recommended to insulate the house from foam blocks from the outside.

Why outside

This method of installing insulation has many positive aspects before using internal insulating finishing:

• Firstly, the porous structure of foam blocks needs to be protected from the negative influence of the external environment. If you install insulation and decorative finishing on top of it, this will greatly extend the life of such a wall.
• Secondly, the internal insulating layer increases the possibility of condensation in the foam concrete structure, which can lead to the destruction of the wall. Exterior finishing, if you follow all the recommendations, will protect against moisture.
• Thirdly, the use of thermal insulation from the outside does not in any way affect the area of ​​the rooms.

But if the external finishing work has already been completed, and the house needs to be insulated, then, of course, you will have to do it inside, or remove the finishing and do it all over again.

Which insulation to choose

There are several options on the construction market that may be suitable. But before you insulate a house made of foam blocks with the first cheap material you come across, you need to evaluate its capabilities and consider all the pros and cons.

Styrofoam

This is a lightweight material that is very easy to work with. It retains heat well inside and prevents atmospheric moisture from entering the walls from the environment. It is installed with glue, so there is no need to mount an additional frame.

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But polystyrene foam does not allow steam to pass through at all. This can cause condensation to build up on interior wall surfaces, causing mold and mildew to grow inside your home. To prevent this situation from happening, it is necessary to install hoods and additional ventilated ducts. In this case, using cheap material, you will need to pay extra for high-quality ventilation.

Plaster is most often used for decorative finishing of polystyrene foam.

Polyurethane foam

The insulation is applied very quickly and perfectly protects the house from negative influences. But you won’t be able to apply it yourself; you need special devices and the ability to work with them.

In this case, the walls do not breathe at all, and the composition can penetrate into the pores of the base. The price of this insulation is very high, and at the same time it is very difficult to replace part of the thermal insulation. Most often it is used for siding, which means that a large area will have to be dismantled to carry out repairs.

Mineral wool

Most professionals believe that this is the best option for insulating a house made of foam blocks. It is better to choose a basalt-based option because:

1. The vapor permeability of this material is at a high level.
2. It is easy to work with, very elastic and soft.
3. It isolates the foam block well from negative factors.

But this also has its downsides. It will be necessary to install a vapor-permeable membrane and waterproofing, since the material is hygroscopic - it absorbs moisture. Installation will require a frame, the installation of which may cause problems. Foam block is a very fragile material and must be drilled carefully, and to install the frame you will need holes for dowels.

Plaster

Also a very good option. Such a layer does not create additional loads on load-bearing walls, you can quickly update the appearance of the house, performs well protective functions, and of course you can do it yourself.

And you can’t do without minuses here either. You need to choose special compounds that are suitable for working on foam blocks. So-called breathable plasters. Not everyone can handle this type of finishing, since you have to work quickly so that the seams at the joints are not visible. It is also necessary to adhere to a special application technology.

After installing any of the insulation, you can use siding, block house, lining or brickwork to decorate the facade.

As you can see, each insulation has its pros and cons. The main thing is that the thermal insulation allows you to maintain a good microclimate inside the house, and which insulation to choose is up to everyone.

1pofasadu.ru

Insulation of the outside of a house made of foam blocks, process and materials

The frame of the house made of foam concrete was built, the roof was erected, communications were laid, and interior decoration was done. Can I move in? Can. The thermal conductivity of the foam block used in construction will ensure the creation of a comfortable microclimate. Is it necessary to insulate such a structure? What benefits will the owner receive by spending money on additional work and purchasing materials? Does she exist?

Foam block house insulation diagram

Foam block as a basis

Foam blocks are actively used in the construction of buildings and structures in low-rise construction. The popularity of this material for the construction of vertical enclosing structures is due to the fact that the material has a low thermal conductivity coefficient (about 0.036 units, which is comparable to the characteristics of some insulating materials).

The use of blocks, subject to technology, allows:

• create optimal temperature comfort inside, both in winter and summer;
• prevent the appearance of dampness, the spread of fungus and mold throughout building structures;
• reduce energy consumption for heating;
• reduce costs for purchasing necessary materials and laying walls;
• ensure high speed of construction.

Porosity, lightness, and large block sizes significantly reduce the mechanical strength of the walls being built. Designers recommend taking additional measures to protect foam blocks from external environmental influences.

Violation of technology, dishonesty of workers, and personal inexperience can lead to a decrease in the level of heat conservation.

Whether it is necessary to insulate a house made of foam blocks can be determined by monitoring the readings of external and internal thermometers and analyzing heating costs.

Design and research organizations do not recommend insulating a house from the outside using stone panels, due to a significant increase in the load on the walls.

We improve it by insulating it from the outside

For a house made of foam blocks, insulation from the outside is the most acceptable option. This method has a number of undeniable advantages:

• additional protection of wall material from the damaging effects of wind and moisture;
• removal of the dew point outside the enclosing structure, which prevents freezing and premature destruction of the blocks.

Insulating a house made of foam blocks from the inside significantly reduces the usable area. There is a certain feasibility of carrying out internal work in the event that the cost of money and time is significantly less than when carrying out external work or insulation is carried out on an already functioning facility with expensive finishing.

Insulating a house from a foam block from the inside is not the most practical option

Before insulating a house from foam blocks from the inside, carefully weigh all the pros and cons of this method of thermal insulation.

When insulating a block house located in areas with a warm climate, it is enough to plaster the walls with cement-sand mortar.

Basic thermal insulators

What is the best way to insulate a house made of foam blocks from the outside? The insulation material should be light in weight, convenient and easy to install, have high heat-holding capacity, and have a decent service life.

According to most parameters, the following can be considered optimal heat insulators:

• fibrous materials;
• expanded polystyrene (for example, penoplex).

It is possible to use polyurethane foam.

Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages when insulating foam blocks.

Basalt fiber

The use of thermal insulators based on individual fibers of different origins is based on the formation of a stationary air layer inside the slab or fabric. It is this that provides high heat-saving ability. For external insulation, it is recommended to use mineral insulation materials made from basalt. They have:

• long service life;
• absolute resistance to biological and chemical influences;
• zero fire hazard;
• good vapor permeability.

The disadvantages include their high hygroscopicity, rapid destruction under the influence of wind loads, and the possibility of shrinkage if the installation procedure is not followed.

To protect the heat insulator, use:

• masonry;
• ventilated and “wet” facades.

Expanded polystyrene

To decorate the facade of a house made of foam blocks, polystyrene foam is used: foamed (foam plastic) and extruded (penoplex). Various manufacturing technologies make it possible to obtain materials with similar technical characteristics at different costs. Polystyrene foam is much cheaper than its “relative”.

The main user characteristics are as follows:

• unsurpassed thermal protection;
• almost zero moisture saturation and vapor permeability;
• long service life,
• biological passivity.

The negative properties of these materials are a high fire hazard, destruction of the structure under the influence of chemically active substances and sunlight.

To level out deficiencies, it is possible to use protection made of stone materials, plaster, sheet (panel, lamella) materials. Due to the high fire hazard of penoplex, it would be most preferable to install insulation using the “wet” facade technology.

Installing brick protection requires expanding the width of the foundation.

Polyurethane foam

For all its valuable performance qualities, polyurethane foam insulation has a significant drawback for the common man. To apply it, you need special equipment and the involvement of outside specialists. It has almost the same qualities as expanded polystyrene. Its advantage is a durable, single insulating coating over the entire surface. But this creates additional difficulties when it is necessary to carry out restoration and repair work.

Protecting the thermal insulator

Any insulation requires protection to one degree or another. Mineral mats are afraid of water and wind, polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam are afraid of fire and sun. It is necessary to provide them with shelter so that everything does not have to be redone in a very short time.

The procedure for insulating walls depends not on the choice of thermal insulator, but on the choice of material used for protection.

Masonry

One of the most expensive, but most durable methods of insulating walls from the outside. First of all, the foundation is expanded to the thickness of the insulation layer, taking into account decorative plastering.

To avoid the cost of gluing the insulation, it is necessary to carry out two operations in parallel: installing the insulator and laying the bricks (blocks). When using blocks, you subsequently have to apply plaster. The costs of this work are more than offset by the low cost of foam concrete and the high speed of work due to their large geometric dimensions.

"Wet" facade

The production technology of such a facade is equally successfully used when using basalt and polystyrene foam insulation.

The walls are pre-cleaned of layers, mortar residues, and dust. Cracks, block defects, and uneven masonry are sealed with mortar. The surface is primed. Using special compounds, thermal insulation slabs are attached to it close to the wall over the entire surface.

Adhesive compositions for fiber and polystyrene foam boards have different compositions. Buy glue recommended for a specific material. How to prepare the composition correctly is written in the instructions.

After the time required for complete fixation and indicated on the packaging, it is necessary to secure the slabs using umbrella dowels. It is recommended to level the deepening areas of the fasteners using an adhesive composition.

After this, a reinforcing mesh is applied to the surface of the heat insulator using glue and plastered. After drying, the decorative facade plaster is painted in accordance with the developed project.

Ventilated facade

The most labor-intensive insulation protection is made of sheets, lamellas, and panels. To install it, it is necessary to provide sheathing with ventilation gaps.

Boards are laid vertically on a cleaned and leveled surface to create an air gap. A vapor barrier membrane is fixed on top of them (when using polystyrene foam, its installation is not necessary). Logs up to 300 mm high are packed (depending on the calculated thickness of the thermal insulator). Insulation is placed in the gaps. A waterproofing film is installed on top (when using mineral insulation, it performs a windproof function; when installing expanded polystyrene, it is not necessary).

To create a ventilation gap, counter slats are sewn vertically onto which the selected facing material is subsequently installed.

Insulation of walls made of foam blocks is necessary. This will increase living comfort, reduce heating costs, and extend the life of external enclosing structures.