Polyurethane foam slabs are successfully used today for thermal insulation of roofs, floors, ceilings of buildings, internal and external walls of houses. The use of these panels can significantly reduce the thickness of the walls being erected. This reduces the cost of acquiring expensive building materials, and also reduces heating costs.
Characteristics of polyurethane foam boards
The panels are distinguished by good technical characteristics, their thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.019-0.028 W / m * K. It is much higher than that of concrete and brick (about 10 times).
Polyurethane foam insulation in the plates is not afraid of temperature extremes, it can be worked with under any weather conditions. This differs from liquid polyurethane foam, which is sprayed from cylinders.
Polyurethane foam boards are lightweight, which reduces the load on the foundation when using this material.
Plates are made of closed-cell rigid polyurethane foam. They are simple and coated with kraft paper, fiberglass fabric, foil, armofol. The coating (one-sided and two-sided) increases the strength of the panels, protects them from ultraviolet radiation.
Polyurethane foam boards have a smooth surface, so the entire surface sheathed with this insulator will be flat. They can be used not only for insulation, but also during the installation of a warm floor, as well as as a basis for plaster.
Varieties of material
Polyurethane foam is of three types:
- Open cell. The structure of the material consists of interconnected open cells. This type of polyurethane foam has the best indicators for heat conservation. Also, this insulation absorbs excess moisture, and when it drops sharply in the composition of the air, it gives off. In a room where the walls are covered with this material, it is not too wet or, conversely, dry. The ability to quickly absorb moisture is both an advantage and a disadvantage (in some cases). If there is too much moisture, and the air temperature drops below zero, the wet insulation begins to freeze and collapse. Therefore, open-cell polyurethane foam is used only for sheathing surfaces indoors, where the temperature does not drop to zero. This type of polyurethane foam is inexpensive.
- Closed cell. The material also consists of cells, but they are isolated from each other. This property does not allow it to absorb moisture, therefore it is used for outdoor work. But it is precisely this quality that is an advantage if it is necessary to insulate the house from the outside. The material can withstand not only moisture, but even rain and snow. The disadvantage of the material is the high cost.
- Sheet. Affordable material with good heat saving performance. It is used primarily for interior work. If you insulate the outer walls with these plates, you must additionally isolate them from moisture. The thickness of the plates can be from 2 to 10 centimeters, they can be installed independently. Installation of plates does not take much time and does not require the use of special equipment. The service life of the insulation is up to 20 years.
Benefits
The popularity of polyurethane foam slabs for insulation is understandable. The material has high sound insulation and thermal insulation. Unique waterproofing properties allow polyurethane foam to resist decay, fungus formation, and large temperature differences. The material does not cause allergies, which is also important when using it in residential premises.
The low weight of polyurethane foam does not cause a load on the frame of the entire structure. The material can take any necessary shape, this property allows you to use it for the manufacture of mattresses, furniture upholstery.
Polyurethane foam boards are easy to install and process, they are easy to cut, drill, saw. Durable, retain their thermal insulation properties without loss of quality up to fifty years. They can be dismantled and used elsewhere.
disadvantages
Polyurethane foam can be destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. To protect it from sunlight, you can paint or apply plaster.
Another disadvantage of the material is that it quickly heats up. High temperatures will not ignite it, but the material may begin to smolder. In those places where the surface may heat up, it is better to use another insulation.
Insulator installation
Most often, PUF panels insulate the internal and external walls of buildings. It is convenient to use foamlex plates with a size of 600 × 1200.
First, the surface is cleaned of dirt and dust, then all cracks are covered with cement mortar and primed. Plates are fixed to the wall using special glue or bitumen mastic.
To warm the apartment building with polyurethane foam slabs (foam is an analogue of it, but it is mainly used for outdoor work) plastic dowels are used. To ensure that the plates lie flat on the surface, they are pressed against the wall, the installation accuracy is checked, and then through holes are made with a puncher. Care must be taken that the drill passes through the slab into the wall.
Holes must be made in the middle and at the edges of the panel (10 cm back from them). Then it remains to insert the dowels into the holes, and then nail the panels to the wall.
Scope of application
Polyurethane foam is used in the manufacture of household appliances (refrigerators, freezers), as well as for the isolation of special mobile equipment (refrigerators, tank cars).
This material is insulated roofs, ventilation ducts, attics, basement floors, outer walls of residential and industrial buildings.