Before acquiring any material, each consumer considers the flaws. Polyurethane foam is no exception. Every builder has heard a lot of information about this material, which is also called PPU.
What material to choose
If you ever thought about warming your home, you probably paid attention to this option as a thermal insulation. Maybe it will be the best solution, because along with the shortcomings it has many advantages.
Description
Polyurethane foam, the disadvantages of which you should be aware of before starting work on insulation, is a type of plastic. Products from it have a cellular structure. The composition of the polyurethane foam includes a gaseous substance, which is contained in a volume of from 85 to 90%. The whole structure consists of small cells that are well insulated from each other by the walls, it is these cells that are filled with gas. The remaining percent volume represents the solid part, namely the walls themselves.
The disadvantages of polyurethane foam as a heater are worth considering. Varieties of PUFs are used quite often today, the material is popular among consumers, since it is very simple to make it, you can do this directly at the construction site. In this case, two liquid components must be mixed, after which they enter into a chemical reaction. If you observe the necessary proportions of the ingredients, then the polymer will be synthesized, which is represented by hardened foam. If you slightly change the cooking technology, then you can get polyurethane foams that differ in characteristics from each other. Some of them are suitable for insulation of doors and windows, while others are suitable for thermal insulation of buildings made of reinforced concrete or brick. As for the third varieties, they are widely used for pipelines. Thus, depending on the proportions of the substances, it is possible to obtain polyurethanes, which consist of many cells of different sizes, at the outlet. Their walls can have different thicknesses, as well as strength.
The main disadvantage of polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam, the disadvantages of which will be presented below, can be used in many areas of construction. However, before acquiring it is important to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of the material. The main effect is the negative impact of sunlight on the surface, which can cause rapid wear of products. In order to exclude the destruction of the heat insulator, it is necessary to provide for its protection. To do this, you can use plaster, ordinary paint and all kinds of panels. Exactly such methods are advised by experienced builders.
The disadvantages of polystyrene as a wall insulation will allow you to understand whether it is worth using it. The protective composition can protect the insulation from ultraviolet radiation, and also make polyurethane foam more attractive. If we consider this minus in more detail, then we can note that preserving the properties of polyurethane foam will require more funds than we do insulation work, where materials that do not require appropriate protection are involved. Among other things, not all home craftsmen are able to perform plastering work, as well as to apply high-quality coloring compounds. As a result, the surface may be even less attractive than before the ennoblement.
Additional minus
If you decide to choose polyurethane foam, the disadvantages of which for some consumers may be too impressive, then it is worth considering that this material is thermal insulation, which begins to smolder when exposed to fire. This shortcoming is noted by experts. Despite the fact that PPU acts as a slow-burning material, it is not able to cope with fire at 100%. According to the classification, this insulation belongs to the combustibility group G-2. This indicates that when exposed to low temperatures, ignition will not occur. The flame will go out, the process will stop as soon as the surface of the material can be cooled. If there is a likelihood of strong heating or the possibility of ignition of a certain insulation zone, then in this case polyurethane foam should not be used.
Why you should not choose PPU for home insulation
The disadvantages of insulation with polyurethane foam, of course, exist. If you decide to make thermal insulation, then this is important to consider. If you use the wrong technology in the process, it can adversely affect the performance of the building. In order to exclude this, it is necessary to take into account some properties of the described substance. So, PPU has low vapor permeability - this refers to a rigid variety of material. If you apply the composition to the walls, when processing the attic floor or other panels, this will certainly lead to the appearance of dampness on the internal surfaces and in the structure. As the consequences, we can mention dampness and mold, but if freezing occurs, then the supporting elements will constantly collapse. This point is often noted in their reviews by experienced builders.
The need for fire protection
If you decide to purchase polyurethane foam, you should describe the shortcomings of customer reviews in detail. After all, it is precisely the negative aspects that people celebrate in the first place. Thus, it is necessary to be prepared for the fact that over time the structure will lose its heat-insulating qualities, in the best case they can only decrease. Such a result is not only the aging of the material, but also temperature differences, as well as exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Quite often, during thermal insulation works , the spraying method is used, this provides protection against exposure to open flame. If there is no desire to create an additional fire hazardous environment, then appropriate safety measures must be taken. They also become a source of additional expense, which does not always suit consumers.
Minus: the need to take structural strength into account
Polyurethane foam, deficiencies, reviews of which were analyzed in the article, provides for the need to correctly determine the strength of the structure. This is true in the case when the work involves blowing thermal insulation into the space between the walls. After this, the structure begins to expand, and subsequently the foam can cause destruction. Owners of private houses do not always have the opportunity to make the correct calculations.
Why sometimes consumers refuse to use polyurethane foam
If you decide to apply PPU, shortcomings, reviews about the material you should be evaluated. So, it is undesirable to use it for insulation inside the building. This may cause the dew point in the outer wall to shift toward the room. In this case, the wall begins to freeze, the resulting dampness causes mold to spread, after which the wood begins to rot. In this situation, the walls remain damp even in the summer, which negatively affects the microclimate of the premises. Experts advise, if it is not possible to use analog materials, use semi-rigid polyurethane foam. In this case, a layer with a thickness of 30 millimeters will be enough.