New types of insulation for walls. Choosing insulation for walls and roofs. Manufacturers of mineral wool

On the market building materials There is a wide variety of products intended for thermal insulation. Choosing the right insulation can be difficult. To purchase the best products, you need to take into account its main characteristics and application features.

What you need to know about insulation?

The main task of thermal insulation is to reduce heat loss in winter and reduce heating of the structure in summer. Also, thanks to the insulation, the load-bearing structures will be protected from negative external factors. This will help avoid deformation of building elements, which will have a beneficial effect on the service life.

It is important to remember that all types of insulation must have certain characteristics.

• Thermal conductivity. If this coefficient is small, then the room will be quite warm. Thanks to appropriate materials, heat loss can be almost completely eliminated. It must be remembered that different types of insulation have different coefficients. If it is minimal, a small layer of thermal insulation will be required.
• Moisture resistance. Due to its thermal insulation characteristics, the material will not absorb moisture.
• Non-flammability. This property ensures that the product will not burn.
• Vapor permeability. Using a layer of insulation helps remove water vapor.
• Dimensional retention and strength. Thanks to the absence of shrinkage operational properties the selected insulation will last for quite a long time. Moreover, there will be no cold bridges at the joints.
• Environmental friendliness. All thermal insulation materials must be environmentally friendly, so that during the execution of work and operation of the structure, the release of harmful substances will not be observed.

Modern thermal insulation materials are conditionally are divided into several groups:

• cotton wool - mineral and glass wool, as well as mineral wool blocks and slabs;
• sheet - extruded polystyrene foam and polystyrene;
• foam - all materials that are usually sprayed onto the surface using appropriate equipment;
• others - we are talking about such rare exotic insulation materials as cellulose, flax, etc.

Mineral wool insulation

Such soft insulation materials usually include mineral and glass wool. Such materials are very popular due to affordable price and good quality. Products are produced in slabs or rolls. In this case, the products can be cut using a regular knife.

The main disadvantage is considered to be insufficient moisture resistance, due to which the heat-protective characteristics deteriorate. Accordingly, such insulation materials are used for thermal insulation of structures where a waterproofing layer is provided.

Most often, glass wool is used to insulate pitched roofs. A material with a density of 35 kg/m³ is suitable for this. Modern manufacturers do not always indicate this parameter on the packaging. They usually write that the material is intended for pitched roofs. When using such products for roof insulation, it is important to remember that if there is a leak, moisture will get even onto wooden rafters. For this reason it is necessary take care of reliable waterproofing. Mineral wool is not suitable for a flat roof, because it can be difficult to waterproof such a surface.

Other applications:

• using glass wool you can insulate walls under cladding or plastering;
• For floors, thermal insulation with a minimum density is suitable.

Foam glass

This type of insulation is produced based broken glass And quartz sand , as well as a foaming agent. Thanks to the use of an appropriate installation, a durable porous material with increased thermal protection is obtained. The product is not afraid of fire and moisture. It can be cut with a simple hacksaw. TO important characteristics refers to frost resistance and the ability to withstand high pressure. The material is produced in blocks and granules.

Most often, such products are used as fill-in insulation during well masonry walls. But if frame technology is followed, foam glass will not be suitable due to its heavy weight.

This material is used to insulate the facades of brick houses. The material is fixed with tile adhesive, and the process itself resembles bricklaying. After this, the coating is plastered or tiled.

Other applications:

• since the material is moisture resistant and can withstand increased loads, it can be used to insulate flat roofs, but it is not suitable for pitched roofs;
• foam glass is used to insulate interfloor ceilings, as well as the floors of the first floor;
• foam glass is a good option for thermal insulation of blind areas, foundations and basements, since the material has a high density.

Foamed perlite

This building material has recently appeared on the market. For its formation, frozen volcanic lava is used. First, perlite is crushed and then impregnated with special protective compounds. Products Available in slab form. For this purpose, the finished granules are mixed with cellulose and pressed. The properties of the finished material are similar to those of foam glass. In general, foamed perlite is easy to process and is resistant to mold, moisture, and high pressure.

Application area:

• the material is intended for insulation flat roofs, and in the case of thermal insulation of pitched structures, a significant load will be placed on the rafters;
• when finishing walls, foamed perlite acts as a backfill insulation;
• perlite in the form of granules is suitable for floors, as well as foundations and blind areas.

Expanded polystyrene

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this type of thermal insulation. Some believe that the material is harmful because it emits toxic substances, while others admit modern views polystyrene foam is more environmentally friendly.

Naturally, technology is constantly evolving, and manufacturers want to improve product quality. It is for this reason that modern varieties of material are often used for external insulation of housing.

Application area:

• Most often, walls are finished with polystyrene foam;
• thermal insulation material suitable for installing floors on concrete or soil, but it is necessary to choose the right density;
• A good option for using polystyrene foam is to insulate the foundation, but you should first ensure that there is reliable waterproofing.

On the building materials market you can find many heat-insulating materials that lose their relevance or appeared not so long ago.

On sale today big choice insulation materials. They all have advantages and disadvantages. To decide on the right option, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the application. Thus, lightweight insulation materials, including ecowool or extruded polystyrene foam, are optimal for roofs. Last option It is also suitable for thermal insulation of the foundation, but when finishing walls you can use almost any materials.

On the modern construction market you can find a huge variety of materials that can be used as insulation. Figure it out and do it right choice with so many options, sometimes I can’t even professional builders. Next, various types of insulation and their characteristics will be considered so that everyone can purchase exactly the product that will create high-quality insulation of the building.

Basic properties of materials

These properties include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Classification of existing insulating materials

All huge assortment modern materials This type can be safely divided into four main groups:

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

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

• organic;
• inorganic;
• mixed.

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Cotton wool as insulation

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

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

All types of cotton wool have their own disadvantages:

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

Based on the above-described characteristics of glass and mineral wool, it can be understood that this material most suitable for indoor insulation work.

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Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene foam: characteristics

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is a wide choice of insulation materials for wooden houses; they can be used to insulate a house outside, and some even inside the house. What types are suitable for a frame house? Which is the best, let's look at their characteristics in this article! If carried out correctly, it will not be superfluous in any climatic conditions.

When it is done correctly, then under its “protection” the house will not only be warmer in winter, but also noticeably cooler in summer.

Installation of insulation will create a comfortable microclimate in a room for any purpose - in a residential building, office or production workshop.

In addition, saving heat means obvious financial savings. It is completely unreasonable to heat the street, despite the fact that the technologies used today provide an opportunity to start saving energy resources already at initial stage construction work. Most of all, those parts of the building that are most adjacent to the external environment need to use insulation -, and.

The material produced in this way has excellent properties; moreover, it is not flammable and therefore does not pose a fire hazard. But a huge part of the wonderful qualities of insulation can be irretrievably lost when it gets wet. This should be taken into account.

Stone wool

Stone wool

This fibrous material, which goes on sale in the form of rolls and portioned slabs, and has an extremely low thermal conductivity.

The highest quality product is made from rocks, called gabbro-basalt. This non-flammable material It is used with equal success in the construction of private facilities and the construction of various industrial facilities. The wide range of uses is also explained by the possibility of its use at extremely high temperatures, reaching one thousand degrees.

The insulation's complete immunity to fire is complemented by its excellent resistance to moisture. This is a hydrophobic material, the peculiarity of which is that it does not absorb water, but repels it.

This ensures that the insulation remains dry even after a long period time. This, in turn, will allow her to maintain her high performance qualities. The unique properties of basalt wool allow it to be used even in boiler rooms, baths and saunas, where high humidity and high temperature are combined. Strength in this case is not directly dependent on the density of the material.

This is a fairly soft material, but at the same time has a sufficient margin of strength. Its structural stability is determined by the special arrangement of the individual component fibers - chaotic and vertical. The material has high anti-corrosion properties.

It can coexist quite peacefully with concrete and metal, without the occurrence of various types of chemical reactions. High biological stability provides it with immunity to various biological pests: damage by insects and rodents, the occurrence of fungal diseases,

The basalt insulation passed the combustion test, but the organic insulation burned out

Basalt rock is the main raw material for the production of this type of wool.. Treatment with formaldehyde resins gives the material a sufficient level of strength, and the materials used modern technologies guarantee the complete elimination of harmful phenols at the production stage of the material.

The final product reaching the consumer is a harmless and environmentally friendly material with high insulating qualities.

It is actively used for insulating the floors of residential and industrial premises, for thermal insulation of roofs and facades, including as external insulation.

It has found wide application in rooms with extreme levels of humidity and temperature. The best basalt insulation, stone wool made from rocks, is the key to quality for a long time.

Glass wool

The missing 7% comes from specially added flame retardants. Insulation fibers contain lignin, which becomes sticky when humidity increases. All elements included in the insulation are non-toxic, absolutely non-volatile and harmless to health. Cellulose insulation is resistant to combustion and rotting, and has excellent sound and heat insulation properties.

Can hold approximately 20% humidity while maintaining its performance. The material releases moisture to the outside and dries quickly, maintaining all its performance qualities. The disadvantage of ecowool is the difficulty of manually applying it to the surface, as well as the impossibility of arranging a “floating floor” due to its inherent softness.

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

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

general information

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

In most cases, builders insulate those parts of the house that are constantly in contact with outside world. It's about O:

1. Floors.
2. Wall structures.
3. Roof.

In this video you will learn how to insulate a house:

Types of insulation are divided into several groups according to destination. They can also have different appearance and shape. On sale you can find both rigid piece structures, including segments, cylinders, plates, etc., and flexible models . The latter include:

1. Wide and narrow mats.
2. Tourniquets.
3. Cords.

There are also loose insulation materials. These include sand, vermiculite and cotton wool. Depending on the structural features, products are divided into fibrous, granular and cellular, and taking into account the composition, materials can be classified into organic and inorganic.

Floor insulation

When choosing insulation for your home, you need to be guided by various factors. First of all, you should pay attention to the type of construction and the purpose of thermal insulation raw materials, and then evaluate your financial capabilities.

To prevent drafts in the house, it is necessary to completely insulate the floors and walls

If you want to ensure a stable temperature inside the house, you need to carefully insulate the floor. Insulation materials for floor structures differ different properties, and when choosing a specific variety, it is customary to give preference to the one that is able to cope with impressive loads and retain heat indoors, regardless of environmental influences.

Often, for such work, expanded clay is used, which, if possible, is poured together with a concrete screed. If the building has a basement, the insulation layer must also be strengthened on the basement side. Expanded polystyrene is best suited for these purposes.

Basalt insulation. Mineral wool:

Wall structures

Thermal insulation of wall structures differs significantly from floor insulation. The types of insulation and their characteristics will depend on the scope of application - for external or interior walls.

Do not forget that the house remains attractive after insulation

In the first case ideal option is basalt mineral wool, which is capable of maintaining its shape and operational benefits. Even after prolonged use, the material does not lose strength, does not compact or cake.

When arranging the internal thermal insulation layer, it is necessary to abandon bulk products so as not to disturb the aesthetic appeal of the interior. Mineral wool or polystyrene foam can be used as insulation.

Another modern way of insulating walls from the inside is the use of ceramic-based paints. At minimum thickness The paint layer guarantees better sealing and durability.

Ceiling insulation

High-quality mineral wool is used as the main material for insulating ceilings. Its popularity is due to its excellent performance properties, reliability and durability, and to perform installation it is enough to lay the raw materials in the interfloor ceilings or rafter frame.

Sawdust is a good replacement for mineral wool

Even with prolonged use, the insulation continues to retain heat inside the house and does not release it outside. Resistance to any environmental influences makes it the most popular material for modern construction.

If you can’t buy mineral wool, you can make do with sawdust with clay or ordinary slag. But, unfortunately, this raw material is not cheap and requires complex installation, so it cannot be called popular.

Mineral wool

When studying information about what types of insulation there are, their types, characteristics and applications, you should pay attention Special attention mineral wool. The group contains various subtypes of thermal insulation raw materials, including:

1. Slag.
2. Stone.
3. Glass.

In the process of manufacturing insulation, a method is used to process metallurgical alloys or rocks to a glassy state. Finally, a special synthetic binder is added to the fiber.

The resulting material is characterized by excellent sound and heat insulation, and in addition to this, it remains resistant to fire. The only, and perhaps the key, disadvantage of mineral wool is that when it gets wet, a significant part of its benefits are irretrievably lost.

Which insulation to choose for a country house:

Stone insulation

Among other types of insulation, stone wool is in particular demand. It is offered on the market in the form of portioned slabs and rolls with a minimum thermal conductivity. Elite insulation models are created on the basis of rocks called gabbro-basalt. Due to its high fire resistance, the material is used for the construction of industrial buildings. It is able to remain resistant to extremely high temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Celsius.

Another valuable advantage is excellent resistance to high humidity. Unlike other types of mineral wool, this insulation does not absorb water, but repels it. As a result, the insulation layer remains dry even in heavy rains, which will preserve its service life and performance properties.

Basalt wool is in demand when arranging baths and saunas, where there is an increased flammability and a high level of humidity. At the same time, the strength of the raw material is not determined by density.

One of the main criteria for choosing stone wool is its harmlessness.

Stone wool has a relatively soft structure, but an impressive margin of safety. This is explained by the use of a special fiber placement technology. The insulation is also able to withstand corrosive influences and coexist with aggressive materials such as concrete and metal, without the risk of a chemical reaction. Damage by rodents, insects and other pests is practically excluded, due to good biological stability.

It is basalt rock that is considered the key component of stone wool. It is pre-treated with formaldehyde resins, which guarantees better strength properties and environmental friendliness. The finished product that goes on sale is completely harmless and environmentally friendly. At the same time, its performance properties are at the highest level.

Currently, stone wool is actively used for insulating floors in residential and industrial buildings, insulating roof structures and facades, as well as for many other purposes.

Glass variety

Molten glass is used to create glass wool, and the insulation materials available on the market are divided into two groups: soft rolls and hard slabs. This insulation is characterized by excellent strength characteristics and elasticity. The role of the binding component is played by formaldehyde resins, as in the case of stone wool. And although many advantages basalt insulation are absent in glass wool, it has its own unique properties. One of the most important is excellent ductility, due to which the material is easily compressed during installation and does not deform.

Foil will help your insulation last longer

Meanwhile, fiberglass insulation accumulates moisture and retains it in its structure, which is considered a serious drawback. To prevent quick loss performance properties, glass wool can be covered with foil or a special membrane film, which will eliminate excessive moisture absorption. The raw material is characterized by good resistance to biological and chemical influences, so it is actively used in conditions with significant loads. We are talking about roofing structures, facades of buildings, basements etc. Glass wool is often combined with roofing felt or fiberglass fabric.

Properties of foam plastic

Another good thermal insulation material is polystyrene foam. Its ability to retain its shape for a long time and protect a room from the cold is highly appreciated by a wide audience of consumers, which is why it is currently used to insulate roof structures, walls, floors and ceilings both inside and outside buildings. Polystyrene foam granules are used as the main component.

Available on the market ready-made slabs polystyrene foam with dimensions 1x2 meters. Their thickness varies from 2 to 50 cm. The material is also characterized by different performance properties for specific applications. Using different manufacturing methods, manufacturers create the following insulation materials:

1. Poroplast is a high-quality thermal insulation raw material with a porous structure. This type can have a lot of subtypes, including mipore, polyvinyl chloride foam, polyurethane foam and others.
2. Traditional foam plastic is created in such a way that its internal components do not interact with the environment and other structures.

Don’t forget about several types of insulation

Expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foam

As for expanded polystyrene, it is characterized by a cellular structure and excellent thermal insulation properties. The advantages of such raw materials are obvious:

1. Minimum weight.
2. Increased rigidity.
3. Resistant to wet environments.
4. Excellent biological and chemical resistance.

The only downside is the inability to withstand high temperatures. Maximum temperature limit is 150 degrees.

To improve the fire resistance of insulation, it is often treated with fire retardants. This is done at the production stage, and the prefix “C” appears in the product name, which means “self-extinguishing.”

Due to its significant advantages and relatively low cost, polystyrene foam is in great demand. Today it is being implemented when performing a wide variety of thermal insulation works.

Polyurethane foam has wide application in various fields

Spray polyurethane foam is another popular type of foam, which is created on the basis of polyisocyanate, polyester and additional components. The raw material is applied to wall, floor or roof structures using a special sprayer. Even when covering vertical products, the material does not fall off, which is due to its adhesive properties. It can also be freely applied to concrete structures, plaster, metal and gas silicate blocks.

The areas of application of sprayed polyurethane foam are very extensive. . With its help you can insulate:

1. Internal and external wall structures.
2. Roof (pitched and flat).
3. Floors.
4. Ground floors.
5. Foundations.
6. Cellars.

Modern insulation:

Application special method application guarantees better thermal insulation, which is ensured by filling any holes and eliminating gaps. One of the disadvantages of polyurethane foam is its inability to interact with wood. The fact is that when wooden structures are processed with this material, they lose their initial qualities and are subject to the development of putrefactive processes. This is due to the disruption of natural air exchange in the structure of the tree, which causes irreversible consequences.

The rest of the polyurethane foam - good alternative for other thermal insulation materials, therefore, when insulating a room, special attention should be paid to it.

Saving heat entails saving money. It is unwise to waste heat and heat the street, while modern technologies make it possible to take care of saving thermal resources already at the stage of construction and renovation.
The main part of the responsibility for heat conservation falls on those parts of the building that are most in contact with the environment, participating in heat exchange with it.
These are the walls, roof and floor of the building. It is through them that heat leaves the room and cold gets inside. The use of energy-saving materials allows not only to minimize heat losses, but also to reduce the thickness of walls, reduce their construction time, and reduce the final cost of construction.
Thermal insulation materials and products have an important impact on the quality, cost, and most importantly on the operating costs of buildings and structures.

Their use contributes to the creation comfortable conditions indoors, protects parts of the building from temperature fluctuations and extends the service life of building structures.
The modern tendency to determine the quality of insulation by measuring the level of their thermal resistance has gradually moved towards determining what types of radiation they can protect against.
In addition, there is a division of thermal insulation materials according to the intended destination. Their shape and appearance may vary. There are rigid piece insulation (bricks, slabs, cylinders, segments), flexible (mats, bundles, cords) and bulk (vermiculite, cotton wool, perlite sand).

The structure of insulation can be fibrous (fiberglass, mineral wool materials), cellular (foam glass, cellular concrete), granular (vermiculite, perlite).
The substances included in the composition also determine the type of specific thermal insulation. Based on the type of their main raw materials, traditional thermal insulation materials are divided into organic (natural substances are used as raw materials for their production), inorganic (the basis is mineral raw materials) and materials made from artificial plastics.
Thus, each of the insulation materials existing today can be classified according to several criteria at once.
No comparison of thermal insulation materials is possible without determining which element is more suitable for which coating.

When deciding to insulate the floor, you need to know that such a solution will ensure a constant temperature in the house.
By comparing the characteristics of thermal insulation materials, we can select for this purpose the coating that will withstand the constant pressure exerted on it.
Good compression performance is important. One of the requirements for the material is to maintain its insulating properties, even if moisture penetrates inside and the coating is subjected to mechanical stress.
Expanded clay is often used for insulation if it is possible to fill it in when pouring a concrete floor.
If your house has a basement, then to insulate the floor you need to attach insulation from the basement or cellar side. Expanded polystyrene is used for this.

For walls, the classification of thermal insulation materials is somewhat different, it all depends on the place of application - inside or outside the room.
To insulate the house from the outside, mineral basalt wool, which is distinguished by its durability and lack of deformation. It also does not become compacted or become thinner during prolonged use.
The walls are insulated from the inside depending on the permissible insulation layer; sometimes the layout features do not allow it to be large.
The most popular method is polystyrene foam or mineral wool, but these are also the thickest options. More modern - ceramic-based paint, a thinner layer is required, and it is easier to maintain tightness conditions. True, the choice of material is complicated by the fact that each option has its own dew point, and if the place you are trying to cover exceeds the permissible value, then your insulation will not bring results.
For ceiling insulation, mineral wool is considered the permanent leader, since it is easiest to required quantities put in frame rafter system or interfloor ceilings, and during operation in such places there is almost no threat to it (which could reduce the quality of insulation).
If you sacrifice the ease of installation and the low cost of mineral wool, then by optimal means Slag or sawdust with clay could retain heat, but the volume and troublesomeness of the work, and high price the material still does not make them popular.
One name “mineral wool” combines several types of thermal insulation: stone, glass and slag wool.
Mineral wool is produced by processing rock melts or metallurgical slags. Synthetic binders are added to the resulting glass fiber. Has good heat and sound insulation characteristics; when wet, these qualities of mineral wool are significantly reduced. This insulation is not flammable.

Characteristics of mineral wool
Thermal conductivity, W/(m*K): 0.039-0.054
Flammability group: NG, G1, G2
Resistance to deformation: medium
Water and biological resistance: low
Destruction temperature, °C: 350
Density, kg/cubic m: 75-350
Service life, years: 20-30

Stone wool

Stone wool is a fibrous thermal insulation material produced in the form of slabs and rolls.
Stone wool is characterized by a low level of thermal conductivity. Its production is a process of melting metallurgical slags and various types of rocks. At the same time, the highest quality product is made from gabbro-basalt rocks.

Stone wool belongs to the class of non-combustible (NG) materials, which makes it possible to use it at various production facilities, as well as in private construction in conditions elevated temperature– up to 1000 °C.
Immunity to fire is complemented by resistance to moisture. Stone wool, being a hydrophobic material, does not absorb moisture, but on the contrary, has water-repellent properties.
Thermal insulation, while remaining dry, does not lose its performance properties over time. These two properties (non-flammability and hydrophobicity) make it possible to use cotton wool for insulation of rooms with high temperature and humidity conditions, such as baths, saunas, and boiler rooms.
Strength in the case of stone wool is not directly dependent on density. Cotton wool, being a fairly soft material, has a known level of strength. The level of compressive strength at 10% deformation is in the range of 5–80 kPa.
The structural stability of wool is due to the special vertical and chaotic arrangement of the fibers.
Stone wool is an anti-corrosion material. When in contact with metals and concrete, it does not initiate chemical reactions. Biological resistance guarantees the material’s immunity to the effects of fungi and mold, insects and rodents.
Basalt is the main raw material for the production of stone wool. Basalt raw materials are treated with formaldehyde resins, which gives it the required level of strength.
Modern production technologies make it possible to completely eliminate the content of phenols from the material at the stage of its production.
The product reaching the end consumer is an environmentally friendly thermal insulation material that can be used to insulate building facades, roofs and floors of industrial and residential premises, as well as rooms with extreme temperature and humidity conditions.
Rock wool is the choice for long-lasting and high-quality thermal insulation.

Glass wool

Fiberglass is a fibrous thermal insulation material made from molten glass.
Insulation based on it is available in two forms: hard slabs and soft rolled mats.

The finished product is characterized by a high level of strength and elasticity. The glass fiber binders are also made from safe, recycled formaldehyde resins.
Not all performance properties of fiberglass thermal insulation are close to those of stone wool. The plasticity of the material makes it easier to work with, allowing you to compress the insulation up to 4 times during its installation.
During operation, fiberglass insulation can sag and slightly change its original shape.
Glass fiber is hygroscopic, i.e. capable of accumulating moisture, accumulating it from the air (especially humid and cold).
Taking into account these properties of the material, it is often covered with a special waterproof film or foil, thus compensating for the moisture absorption property.

Glass wool is characterized by chemical and biological resistance.
The maximum temperature for using fiberglass insulation is limited to 650 °C.
Glass wool - excellent soundproofing material. The space of fiberglass insulation absorbs well sound waves, due to which it is successfully used not only as a heat insulator, but also as a sound insulator.
Glass wool is used where it will not experience mechanical stress. As a rule, these are building facades, roof spaces, and space under floors. Often its use involves the use of additional external protective layers, such as fiberglass or roofing felt.
Ventilated façade systems are usually constructed using glass and stone wool.
Glass wool in the form of separate fractions of glass fiber, it is used to insulate hard-to-reach elements of building structures using the blowing method.

Styrofoam

Polystyrene foam is a solid board material used for insulation of walls, ceilings, floors and roofs of buildings. It is used both for external and internal insulation of buildings. It is based on foamed polystyrene foam granules.
It is made in the form of slabs up to 2 m long, up to 1 m wide. Thickness - from 2 to 50 cm. All parameters may vary, because foam insulation selected individually based on specific needs.
In everyday life, the word “foam plastic” refers to all low-density synthetic cellular plastics that contain big number non-communicating cavities.

Depending on the specifics of the manufacturing process, one of two main types of foam can be obtained from the raw materials:
porous plastic (a porous substance in the structure of which there are interconnected cavities). In turn, foam plastics can be different: polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam and mipora;
polystyrene foam itself (a substance formed as a result of foaming of the raw material. The contents of isolated granules of the material do not come into contact with adjacent cells and the environment).
Expanded polystyrene is a plastic class material characterized by a cellular structure. It is characterized by high water and biostability, low specific gravity.
Feature expanded polystyrene has low fire resistance, so it is usually used at temperatures not exceeding 150 °C. Combustion of polystyrene foam is accompanied by the release of large amounts of smoke and toxic substances.
To prevent such consequences, fire retardants are added to this type of insulation during production. Such expanded polystyrene is called self-extinguishing and the letter “C” is added to its name at the end.
The sound insulation qualities of polystyrene foam are low.

Characteristics of expanded polystyrene
Thermal conductivity, W/(m*K): 0.04
Flammability group: G3, G4
Resistance to deformation: high
Water and biological resistance: high
Destruction temperature, °C: 160
Density, kg/cubic m: 10-100
Service life, years: 20-50

The production of foam boards is carried out by thermal bonding and pressing of polystyrene foam granules. Due to their granular structure, foam boards consist of more than 95% air, which makes them a unique thermal insulation material.
To ensure the level of thermal conductivity that a 30 mm layer of foam has, it is necessary to build brick wall, which should be almost 15 times thicker. And in the case of a reinforced concrete structure, this level increases to 35 times!

The performance properties of polystyrene foam make it a fairly popular material in the thermal insulation market:
Polyfoam has a high level of strength to mechanical loads. This level significantly exceeds that of mineral wool;
Polystyrene foam is a moisture-resistant material. It practically does not absorb water, which makes it possible to use it as insulation for the foundations of buildings in direct contact with the ground;
When insulated with foam plastic, the building retains its ability to exchange air. At the same time, the level of wind resistance is not reduced;
The environmental purity of the material is due to the absence of harmful impurities in it. It contains only two chemical compounds: carbon and hydrogen;
Possessing soundproofing properties, polystyrene foam can be used for insulation and soundproofing needs at the same time;
The service life of foam insulation is limited only by the life of the building. The resistance to corrosion is explained by the moisture resistance of the material. During the operation of the foam plastic, no changes in its dimensions are observed: shrinkage, displacement.
Main parameter foam plastic, which determines the place of application and the specifics of installation, is its density. It depends on where a particular type of foam insulation can be used. So, foam chips used for bulk work, for insulating floors, the space between floors, while rigid foam sheet is used for insulating the foundation of a building.

Spray polyurethane foam

Spray polyurethane foam is a polyurethane foam material applied by spraying. This insulation contains polyester polyol, polyisocyanate and various additives.
The technology of its application involves spraying using a feed pump or mixing the components directly on the surfaces to be insulated.

The adhesive properties of sprayed polyurethane foam allow it to be applied to horizontal and vertical surfaces. At the same time, it is securely fixed on a variety of substrates: concrete, gas silicate blocks, plaster, metal, roofing felt. Excellent adhesion and moisture resistance characteristics determine the widespread use of this heat insulator.
Sprayed polyurethane foam is successfully used for insulating external and internal walls, pitched and flat roofs, basements, basements and building foundations, and insulating joints between parts of various building structures.
The method of applying the material by uniform spraying ensures that there are no joints or gaps between the coating sections. This increases the thermal insulation properties of the material, because The continuous coating layer does not have “cold spots” that cause freezing of the structure.
Speaking about the disadvantages of this material, first of all it should be noted that it is unsuitable for use in combination with wood.
Of course, the adhesion of the insulation allows it to be applied to wooden surfaces. But wood treated with sprayed polyurethane foam soon loses its physical and chemical qualities and rots.
This occurs due to the cessation of air exchange between the wood and the atmosphere. Moisture entering the wood layer does not find a way out, and the material undergoes destruction.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam is one of the synthetic thermal insulation materials belonging to the group of foam plastics.
It is made from polystyrene foam raw materials by extrusion - molding a molten substance under pressure. In this case, a special agent is added to the feedstock to ensure foaming and obtain the required structure of the finished product.

Low level thermal conductivity and water absorption ensures the resistance of the thermal insulation material to the effects of precipitation and temperature changes.
The structure of the material guarantees strength – something that is so lacking in conventional polystyrene foam. Becomes accessible use slabs of extruded polystyrene foam in those places of buildings where they will be subject to mechanical stress. The strength of the material makes it unpretentious to the installation process.
Insulation boards can be laid on a sand bed. At the same time, they will not be deformed due to mechanical pressure, and will not absorb moisture from the soil.
The process of installing extruded polystyrene foam boards is simple and convenient. The material is easy to cut into pieces required size, and it does not crumble or spray. Fastening of polystyrene foam boards is carried out using adhesives and mounting dowels.

There are no complaints regarding chemical and biological resistance to extruded polystyrene foam. The material is not destroyed by oil products, acids and alkalis, and its composition and structure make it unsuitable for the appearance and growth of fungi, as well as for consumption by rodents and insects.
Among the disadvantages of this thermal insulation material, its instability to fire should be noted. At the same time, burning polystyrene foam also releases toxic compounds.
This property of the material must be taken into account, providing it with additional protective insulation from fire. This insulation is not only afraid of open fire, but also of direct sun rays. Under influence ultraviolet radiation its upper layers can change their structure and collapse.
This factor must also be taken into account when installing thermal insulation made of extruded polystyrene foam.

Ecowool

Ecowool (cellulose insulation) is a heat-insulating material made from waste paper and cardboard. At the same time, the properties of cotton wool are largely determined by the substances included in its composition. Thus, Western manufacturers use, in addition to recycled cellulose, sawdust, cotton production waste, hay.
Ecowool or cellulose wadding typically consists of 81% processed cellulose, 12% antiseptic, and 7% fire retardants. The fibers of the material contain lignin, which, when moistened, imparts stickiness.
All components of this material are non-toxic, non-volatile, natural components harmless to humans.
Cellulose insulation does not support combustion, does not rot, and has good thermal and sound insulation properties.
Ecowool can retain up to 20% moisture, which has almost no effect on the thermal insulation properties. The material easily releases moisture into environment and does not lose its properties when dried.
The level of cleanliness of ecowool depends on what chemical substances were used in the manufacture of the material. Ammonium phosphates and sulfates, widely used as fire retardants in the production of ecowool in the West, are characterized by increased content harmful substances.
In addition, the insulation in use, which contains these compounds, loses its performance properties over time. In particular, the ability to resist combustion.
Domestic manufacturers use borax (borax) as a fire retardant, which guarantees the absence of unsafe chemical compounds And unpleasant odor ammonia, as well as consistency practical properties material.
When choosing ecowool, special attention should be paid to what substances are used in it as fire retardants and antiseptics.

Characteristics of ecowool
Thermal conductivity, W/(m*K): 0.036-0.041
Flammability group: G1, G2
Resistance to deformation: low
Water and biological resistance: average
Destruction temperature, °C: 220
Density, kg/cubic m: 30-96
Service life, years: 30-50

There are 3 ways to use ecowool: dry, wet and wet-adhesive.
They are implemented using special equipment for blowing.
For small volumes and low complexity of work, insulation with ecowool can be done manually.

It is important to carry out blowing and compacting of ecowool correctly so that voids do not form in the future and the insulation does not sag.
TO practical advantages The features that distinguish this thermal insulation material include:
environmental cleanliness;
high degree of adhesion;
possibility of application in hard to reach places;
formation of a single seamless layer during application;
fire resistance (when using borax as a fire retardant);
moisture resistance (capable of absorbing large amounts of moisture, gradually releasing it into the surrounding space).
Thus, the room is maintained optimal microclimate with a humidity level of 40–45%;
long term services.
Among the disadvantages of ecowool are the difficulty of manual application to the treated surfaces and the impossibility of organizing a “floating floor” due to the softness of the material.

Penoizol

Urea foam (penoizol) is a modern heat and sound insulating material.
In accordance with GOST 16381-77, penoizol, by type of raw material, belongs to organic cellular urea foams; in terms of density - to the group of materials of especially low density (ELD) (density 8-28 kg/cubic m), and in terms of thermal conductivity - to the class of materials with low thermal conductivity (thermal conductivity coefficient from 0.035-0.047 W/mCHK).

Installations for producing penoizol (urea foam) by foaming polymer resins appeared in the world about 50 years ago. In Russia, the creation of a similar technology for the production of penoizol was carried out by employees of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Surfactants.
Penoizol is characterized by high resistance to fire, resistance to microorganisms, lightness machining, low price. The air content in penoizol reaches 90%.
Climatic tests of penoizol have shown that the time of reliable operation of penoizol as a non-load-bearing middle layer of three-layer building structures is not limited. Tests of penoizol for fire resistance showed that penoizol belongs to the group of low-combustible materials.

The technology for producing penoizol is very simple. It involves foaming compressed air polymer resin in a gas-liquid unit (gas-liquid installation) using a foaming solution and subsequent curing of the resulting soufflé-like mass with a curing catalyst included in this solution.
The foaming agent solution with the curing catalyst and the resin are fed into the corresponding pumps into the foam generator; under pressure in the foam generator, foam is formed, which is supplied to the mixer. A dosed amount of resin is also supplied there. After passing through the mixer, the mass of penoizol enters the supply hose and the final formation of penoizol occurs in it.
Penoizol can be poured into molds (followed by cutting into sheets) or directly on the construction site poured into technical cavities (walls, floors, etc.)

Main characteristics of penoizol:
Bulk density 8 … 25
Thermal conductivity coefficient 0.031 ... 0.041
Compressive strength at 10% linear deformation, MPa 0.003 ... 0.025
Water absorption in 24 hours by volume, % no more than 18 ... 14
Sorptive moistening by weight, % not more than 18
Operating temperature range, 0С - 60 … + 90

Izokom

Isocom - Foil material (on one or both sides).
One of the promising areas of energy saving is the use of reflective isocom insulation.
This material is a polyethylene foam sheet laminated on one or both sides with polished aluminum foil.
Isocom is a unique multilayer heat, steam and sound insulating material.
The combination of a core of extruded polyethylene foam in the form of a closed-cell system with enclosed air and reflective highly polished pure aluminum foil gives the material exceptional properties for reflecting heat flow and maximum thermal resistance with minimal insulation thickness.
At correct installation Isocom has exceptional effectiveness as thermal insulation along the entire contour of the building.
Ecologically pure material, without freon, does not destroy the ozone layer.
Does not contain glass or basalt fiber, other materials harmful to the human body.
Durability of more than 50 years without changing properties. Does not rot or deform throughout its entire service life.
Simple and easy to install, saves working time. Does not require special devices and mechanisms for installation.
Reliable protection from moisture and steam.
Effectively prevents the spread of sound in any type of building. It has great elasticity and physical strength in tension and compression.

Specifications:
Thermal conductivity according to GOST 7076-99: Thermal resistance (per 1 mm of thickness): >0.031 m2 OS/W
Application temperature: from -60 C to +80 C
Flammability group: G2 according to GOST 30244-94
Smoke generating ability: D2 according to GOST 12.1.044-89
Flammability group: B1 according to GOST 30402-96
Water absorption over 24 hours by volume: 2%
Vapor permeability: 0 mg/m h Pa

Application of isocom:
As a heat shield behind radiators: Reduces heat loss on the external wall, increases the efficiency of heating devices by 30% or more! Promotes uniform distribution of thermal energy indoors.

Thermal insulation of walls around the perimeter of the building: Inside the building, an iso-coated wall is laid, covering massive thermal insulation, with a reflective surface inside the room and covered with wall panels, preserving air gap not less than 15 mm. Massive insulation receives protection from the destructive effects of water vapor and greater heat resistance, plus the reflectivity of the isocom.
Thermal insulation of floors: When thermally insulating floors using isocom, heat flows reflected from the foil layer do not enter the supporting structures under the floor, which avoids the formation of condensation.
To thermally insulate the under-roof space, a double-sided isokom is attached behind massive insulation on counter-battens with a slight sag to ensure an air gap of at least 15-20 mm.
The double-sided reflective surface on one side prevents the massive insulation under the roof from overheating, reflecting solar energy, on the other it reflects thermal energy indoors, eliminating heat loss and making the climate in the house uniform.