The modern construction market offers a large amount of foam. There are options for installing windows, doors and other works. There are professional compositions and ordinary ones. Every craftsman wants to know which polyurethane foam is the best. Let's try to find out.
What is polyurethane foam?
Professionals know, and for beginners in the construction business it will be very useful to find out what this material is. Generally speaking, these are fluoropolymer sealants, which contain isocyanate and polyol.
For foaming, as well as for creating excess pressure, a propellant is used.
Performance characteristics
The fact that this material is used in almost all areas of construction and repair work is due to its operational characteristics. The main properties and advantages of the mixture are its good soundproof characteristics. Also, the foam withstands moisture and has low electrical conductivity. In addition, the material is fire resistant and has excellent expandability. It easily fills any voids and cracks.
Varieties of polyurethane foam
Before you tell which mounting foam is best to use, you need to find out the varieties of these mixtures. There are several types of foam. And the first is professional. It can only be used with a special gun, which allows the polyurethane sealant to exit the tank. Professional products have a more uniform and dense composition, and secondary expansion is almost completely absent.
You can also select household foam, or, as it is also called, semi-professional. It can only be used once. In addition, the household version also has a low density filling capacity. Manufacturers take advantage of the fact that household cylinders with foam are often used by far from professional builders. Therefore, these products have significantly lower requirements. Often the composition can be frankly poor quality. The canister contains more gas than necessary, or vice versa - it comes out completely, and there is still a lot of polymer.
Foam varies in temperature conditions under which it is possible to work with this sealant. Allocate a summer composition, calculated for temperatures from +5 to +35 degrees. Winter foam is suitable for use in extreme conditions, as it easily withstands temperatures from -20 to +30. There is also all-weather foam. It contains the characteristics of summer and winter formulas. The universal mixture has a temperature regime of -10 to +30 degrees.
There is another type of sealant - these are special fire fighting compounds. This product has special characteristics. The composition uses non-combustible components, which retain their operational parameters even at high temperatures and an open flame. Typically, such mixtures are used in construction, where the highest fire safety requirements are imposed.
The best world brands
Among the manufacturers of polyurethane foam, five of the most famous can be distinguished, whose products are well sold and deserve positive reviews. These are mainly Belgian and German companies. Let's find out which polyurethane foam is the best.
Soudal (Belgium)
The main representative office of this company is located in Belgium, and production is established all over the world - in the USA, Europe, India and many other countries. The company is a leader in the production of polyurethane sealants, aerosol foams, various sealants. The brand has been in this market for over 50 years. During this time, the company's products have earned great popularity. It is very difficult to say which polyurethane foam is the best among the entire Soudal line, because the entire range is of excellent quality and reasonable prices. The company produces both professional and household products. Everyone will be able to find their own sealant for a specific task. Soudal specialists are constantly developing new formulas and are monitoring quality. It is in these laboratories that the future of construction technology is born. Technical specialists create foam that is characterized by a low level of expansion and enhanced performance characteristics.
One of the latest innovations is a special substance that simplifies and extends the options for working with these mixtures. If beginners in construction do not know which installation foam is better for windows, then it is better to choose high-quality materials, for example, this manufacturer, which is in the first place in the rating.
Penosil (Estonia)
This is a young brand that was founded in 1998. Today the company has achieved that the products are in good demand in more than 50 countries of the world. Under this brand, more than 10% of all foam in Europe is sold. The company constantly monitors the development of the market and gives customers what they really need.
Gold line-up is a professional line. This foam is suitable not only for work in the construction sector, but also in various industries. The products are characterized by low expansion, high density and do not cause any damage. If you look for which mounting foam is better for doors, then you can choose this series. Although the range of work that can be done with this foam is very wide.
The Premium line is home and professional compositions. These products are universal, of high quality and are offered at affordable prices. The series sells both ordinary and winter and all-weather foam. Standart is not what it seems at first glance. If you choose for a long time which mounting foam is the best, then here the manufacturer offers not only quality, but also the most favorable prices. The line includes products for simple work, where there will be no high loads.
Dr. Schenk (Germany)
This manufacturer has been around for over 80 years. Capacities are located all over the world, including Russia - this factory produces high-quality foam for Europe. Regardless of where the enterprise is located, production is carried out under strict quality control.
As for the assortment, this is not only mounting foam, but also various seals, adhesives and other goods for repair. If we talk only about mounting foam, then the buyer receives premium goods at affordable prices.
The brand offers high-quality compositions for exterior and interior use, for professional and domestic use. Foam for PVC windows is produced. Which is better depends on many factors, but all products get high marks from professionals.
Domestic manufacturers
Along with foreign brands, there are products of domestic companies on the market, which are no worse in quality and are more affordable for most prices. Professionals know which polyurethane foam is better. Reviews best position Profflex products.
Profflex
This manufacturer is located in the Tula region. Unlike Belgian and German brands, it specializes only in the production of foam. Reviews say that the quality of the product meets all the requirements and is practically no different from European formulations. Profflex produces not only high-quality building materials, but also makes sure that the cylinders have the correct weight. The product line includes products for professionals and household goods. There is also a large selection of winter products. If you choose which mounting foam is best for outdoor applications, then professionals are advised to choose a Profflex manufacturer.
The best of the best
Most specialists in the repair and construction industry agree that foam is better than Makroflex, there is not and cannot be. What causes this? A huge number of positive reviews are available about winter foam for outdoor work - this composition really works always and everywhere.
Despite the fact that this is a well-known brand, the cost of production is relatively low and is within the price at which any other good foam is offered. This polymer does not crumble, solidifies at sub-zero temperatures and is suitable for any coating. Many people ask what is the best polyurethane foam suitable for construction. Most professionals choose products from Makroflex.
Foam gun - which is better? Price and manufacturers
In stores you can see a lot of different devices for working with foam. All of them have different prices and quality, made by different manufacturers. If you need a gun for mounting foam, then professionals recommend choosing metal solutions with a collapsible design. They cost about 500 rubles. Many choose Kraftool pistols for Teflon coating and stainless steel. It is a reliable and simple equipment. Also in this device it is possible to regulate the flow of foam. Soudal offers pistols that use Click and Fix technology. It allows you to almost instantly prepare the cylinder for work.
So, we examined what types of polyurethane foam are and their properties. Now the choice is yours.