In private houses with hermetic double-glazed windows and modern doors, the main heat losses in winter occur through building envelopes. Most building materials used for the construction of, for example, walls, unfortunately, are unable to provide complete isolation of the interior from the cold in the Russian climate. In order for the building envelopes made of brick, concrete, foam concrete to reliably retain heat in the house, they must be made either too thick or insulated.
The last isolation method, of course, is much simpler and cheaper. Different materials can be used as insulation for building envelopes. For example, quite often for this purpose, modern 50 mm foam plastic plates are used. The dimensions of this material are very convenient, and therefore easy to install. Insulates penoplex walls, floors, ceilings, etc. very efficiently.
What is a
Externally, the foam resembles the usual, well-known to many, polystyrene. However, such plates have a higher density, are more expensive and can serve as a heater much longer. Penoplex is much more resistant to ultraviolet and other adverse environmental factors.
Modern industry produces many varieties of foam, differing in technical characteristics. One of the most popular types of this material are 50 mm sheets. Sizes of a penoplex of such thickness are standard, it weighs a little and, therefore, is very convenient to use, transport and store. The scope of its application is very wide.
How do they do it?
This material is produced at enterprises from polystyrene granules using various kinds of additives, ultimately improving its performance. The feedstock in the manufacture of foam is previously subjected to high temperature under high pressure. Then a special catalyst for foaming is poured into the mass. Then, substances that increase its fire-resistant properties, ability to resist the effects of ultraviolet radiation, etc. are added to the penoplex.
Sheet sizes
All penoplex used in construction has standard dimensions. Due to this, it is very convenient to use it for cladding walling and make preliminary calculations of its required quantity.
Dimensions penoplex 50 mm, supplied to the modern market, in most cases has 60x120 mm. It is such sheets that are most common and in demand among private developers.
Many owners of country houses who decided to insulate their enclosing structures are also interested in how many 50 mm foam plastic pieces are put into packaging by manufacturers. Depending on the variety, such plates can be sold simultaneously for 7-8 pcs. Sheathe using material from one package, so you can 4.85 or 5.55 square meters of insulated surfaces.
Such sheets are widely used in both private and industrial construction. In the latter case, sometimes 50 mm foam plates 60x240 mm in size can also be used. Of course, it is more convenient to sheathe the walls and foundations of high-rise buildings with such sheets.
This material is sold in absolutely all construction supermarkets. It is relatively inexpensive. The price for packing a foam 50 mm is about 1500 p.
Scope of use and main varieties
Most often, penoplex is used in private housing construction. Walls, ceilings, roof slopes can be sheathed in country houses using this material. Very often penoplex is also used for floor insulation in houses, garages, outbuildings. Of course, you can use this material to warm the foundations, basement floors and even garden paths.
In private housing construction, the following varieties of penoplex are most often used:
"Comfort" - universal sheets with a density of 26 kg / m 3 . This penoplex can be used for insulation of floors, socles, walls, roofs, etc. of absolutely any buildings.
"Foundation" with a density of 30 kg / m 3 . This variety is intended for warming heavily loaded structures, including plinths and garden paths.
"Wall" with a density of 26 kg / m 3 . This penoplex is designed specifically for the insulation of walls and partitions. Slabs of this variety with a thickness of 50 mm protect the interior of the house from the cold as effectively as brickwork with a thickness of 930 mm.
In professional construction, for example, such varieties of foam can be used:
"45" with a density of 45 kg / m 3 . This material is able to withstand a load of 50 t / m 2 and is used for warming roads, railways, and airport runways. A variety of penoplex is the most expensive.
"Geo", capable of withstanding a load of 30 kg / m 3 . This penoplex is used to warm the foundations of high-rise buildings, floors in public buildings, etc.
The main technical characteristics of foam 50 mm
Different types of this material differ mainly in density. Otherwise, their technical characteristics are similar:
operating operating temperature - from -50 C to +75 ° C;
moisture absorption coefficient - 0.4% per day;
vapor permeability - 0.007 Mg / m * h * Pa;
combustion temperature - 450 ° C;
ultimate bending - 0.4 MPa.
The thermal conductivity coefficient of a foam 50 mm, depending on the variety, can vary between 0.030-0.032 W / m * K. In accordance with GOST 30402, in terms of combustibility, foam foam belongs to class B, that is, it is a moderately flammable material.
What contact is allowed with?
The advantage of a 50 mm foamlex insulation, among other things, is that it is resistant to various types of paints, mortars, acids and alkalis. For example, such plates are not destroyed by contact with butane, ammonia, animal and vegetable fats, alcohol and water based paints.
Penoplex material is resistant to various kinds of chemicals. However, some such substances can still have a negative effect on it. These may include, for example:
gasoline and kerosene;
tar;
oil paint;
epoxy resin;
acetone and xylene;
formaldehyde;
toluene;
formalin;
diethyl alcohol.
What consumers think about the material: positive reviews
Technical characteristics penoplex 50 mm is very good. Accordingly, the owners of country houses have a good opinion on this insulation. The advantages of penoplex are primarily its very low degree of thermal conductivity. This material costs a little more than the same mineral wool. But it also insulates building envelopes a little better.
Consumers consider this material particularly suitable for covering ceilings, as well as loggias. Very effective, as noted by the owners of country houses, such plates isolate both the walls or the floor. However, in both of these cases, many consumers advise stacking them in at least 2 layers with offset joints. Using this technology, cold bridges can be easily removed and insulation made most effective.
The advantages of penoplex owners of country houses include the relative ease of installation. Installing such slabs is somewhat more difficult than mineral wool. However, if necessary, it will not be difficult to mount a penoplex including with your own hands. Such sheets are attached on various surfaces to special glue and dowels with large heads.
Are there any negative reviews about 50 mm foam?
Consumers consider mainly a rather high cost as some disadvantage of this material. The price of a heater of this variety is higher than mineral wool. Also, the disadvantages of penoplex include its low degree of vapor permeability. This material can be used mainly only for cladding walling from the street.
Consumers consider one more minus of penoplex that in it, as well as in polystyrene, moves and nests of the mouse are very often arranged. In houses with rodents, this material for cladding walls, floors and ceilings, respectively, has to be used usually only in combination with a metal mesh with a small cell size. Many owners of such private buildings are also advised to use mineral wool, not foam, for their insulation.