Thermal insulation works are primarily the protection of buildings, structures, pipelines and other buildings from unwanted heat transfer. Thanks to thermal insulation, you can save 2-5 times the consumption of gas or electricity in order to heat the room.
Classification of thermal insulation materials
A large number of materials act as thermal insulators, all of them are divided according to different criteria, including density:
- High, over 250 kg / m 3 .
- Average, in the range of 100-250 kg / m 3 .
- Low, less than 100 kg / m 3 .
All modern materials for the production of thermal insulation works have high-quality characteristics, most of them are environmentally friendly. A wide range of such products is presented on the market, but before you buy them you need to carefully familiarize yourself with them and their characteristics, applications, installation features.
All materials can be divided into three groups:
According to their structure, heat-insulating materials are divided into:
- fibrous;
- cellular;
- granular.
Also, all materials can be with or without a binder. By fire resistance they are divided into:
- Combustible.
- Fireproof.
- Flame retardant.
Each material for thermal insulation works has a certain vapor permeability, humidity, water absorption, biostability, temperature resistance. Therefore, choosing one or another material, you need to compare them and choose the most acceptable one that meets all the requirements.
Popular materials for insulation
Consider the most popular materials, their advantages and disadvantages. Currently, there are a huge number of companies that produce thermal insulation products, and even more of their varieties. Below we describe the most popular materials for thermal insulation.
Mineral wool
Mineral wool is highly porous, has a high thermal insulation ability. It is considered one of the most common materials for working in the domestic environment.
Thermal insulation work with it has the following advantages:
- simplicity in work;
- cheapness;
- does not burn;
- well ventilated;
- soundproof and frostproof;
- long term of operation.
But in addition to the obvious advantages, mineral wool also has disadvantages:
- after contact with water loses its heat-insulating properties;
- It is not vapor barrier and waterproofing, therefore, when warming, additional materials will be required;
- not durable.
Glass wool and basalt slabs
Glass wool is sold in rolls. Widespread for pipe insulation. More durable than mineral wool. Basalt slab - a subspecies of glass wool. They make it from basalt rocks.
Its advantages:
- increased strength;
- fire resistance;
- It is not deformed and durable.
Facades, panels, foundations, roofs of houses - all this is insulated with basalt plates.
Foam glass
The glass powder and blowing agent are sintered, after which foam glass is formed. Its porosity is within 95%.
Advantages of foam glass:
- waterproof and durable;
- easy to work;
- frost-resistant and fireproof;
- chemically neutral;
Disadvantages:
- high cost;
- unable to pass air.
Foam glass is used mainly in industrial enterprises.
Cork and Styrofoam
Cork is an environmentally friendly material, popular all over the world.
Cork has many positive aspects:
- does not decay and does not settle due to low weight;
- strong, but easy to cut;
- durable
- smolders during a fire without emitting harmful substances.
But the cost of cork is quite high, so few can afford it.
One of the most popular insulating materials is foam. It can be bought at any hardware store. The advantages of polystyrene include:
- high thermal insulation, durability;
- practically does not absorb water;
- ease in work;
- cheapness.
Cons of foam:
- does not allow air to pass;
- with prolonged exposure to moisture, its structure collapses.
Expanded polystyrene
Durable, consists of closed cells filled with gas. Advantages of the material:
- strength and durability;
- low thermal conductivity;
- does not absorb water;
- non-toxic and does not interact with other substances.
But expanded polystyrene does not pass air and burns.
Liquid insulation
It consists of empty ceramic balls connected by a special solution.
Benefits:
- Minimum thermal conductivity.
- It is applied on any surface.
- Resistant to high and low temperatures, as well as to open fire.
- It is enough to apply a layer of 2-3 mm - a small consumption of the substance.
Heat Insulation Tools
After choosing the right material, you can proceed with the selection of tools. To carry out insulation work, you will need such tools:
- wide adhesive tape;
- mounting foam;
- polyethylene;
- buckets, spatulas of different widths and brushes;
- fiberglass mesh;
- glue, depending on the insulation;
- dowels;
- self-tapping screws;
- gloves and glasses;
- knife, tape measure;
- anchors.
Stages of wall insulation
In order for the result to pay off, you need to take every step seriously. Otherwise, no thermal insulation will not work, the appearance will be, to put it mildly, ugly. Depending on the insulation, the technology of thermal insulation works will be slightly different. Preparatory steps:
- Wall preparation. Thorough cleaning of them from old and clouded coatings, cleaning of cables, drains, plates and other things.
- Sealing cracks, potholes, upholstery of hillocks.
Installation thermal insulation works during plastering work consist of the following processes:
- Fixing auxiliary profiles.
- Bonding of insulation and additional fixation on anchors or dowels.
- Slopes and ebbs are fixed.
- Reinforcing coating.
- Sanding and painting.
At the same time, it is important to make intervals during operation until each layer is completely dry.
Frame systems are mounted as follows:
- Marking the axes of the subsystem.
- Dividing the facade into small sections.
- Determination of reference points, installation of screws in them and tensioning of a cord on them.
- Installation of supporting elements and frame belts.
- Insulation mount.
- The waterproofing membrane is mounted on top.
- Thermal insulation plaster for outdoor use is used as a finishing layer.
When performing internal work, all the above materials are used. The sequence of all actions is practically the same. Only as a final layer is used heat-insulating plaster for interior use.
General norms of SNiP
Thermal insulation work can be carried out at an air temperature of +60 ° C to -30 ° C. If water compositions are used during operation, then the minimum temperature value is +5 ° C.
In the base under the roof and insulation, according to the project, you need to perform:
- Sealing joints between precast slabs.
- Installation of heat-shrink joints.
- Installation of embedded elements.
- Plastering plots of vertical surfaces of stone structures.
Thermal insulation work must be carried out without any defects, for this all compositions and materials must be applied uniformly. After drying, each layer should be sanded.