Today it has become very important to use polystyrene as an external insulation. Indeed, we can say with great confidence that this is a good way to keep the heat in the room. Let's look at what the technology of wall insulation with foam from the outside is, as well as its main stages and nuances. Believe me, there really is something to talk about.
Why is this needed, or what will it give?
It is a logical question, because hardly anyone wants to spend an impressive amount of money without receiving the proper result. The fact is that any technology of wall insulation with foam from the outside has several undeniable advantages. Firstly, in the heating season you save a significant amount of fuel, and in the summer, lower air conditioning costs. Secondly, unlike internal insulation, the area of the rooms is not reduced, and this is very important, especially when it comes to a small house or apartment. The so-called "dew point" will be located behind the insulation. This completely solves the problem of freezing the wall, and also prevents its rapid destruction due to moisture. It is worth paying your attention to the fact that these are far from all the advantages of this method of warming. The rest we will consider a little later.
Material selection
The first step is to choose the right foam. It would seem that could be easier? But not everything is so easy, as there are some nuances. It is necessary to choose the right density of the material, most often a dense foam of the S-25 grade (25 kg / m 3 ) is used. But you probably ask why the choice falls on this particular brand, because the lower the density, the better the thermal insulation properties. That's right, but a large number of closed cells in the structure of the foam leads to the fact that air convection and ultraviolet radiation are almost completely eliminated, and this is what is required from a good heat insulator. If we take material of lower density, for example 10-15 kg / m 3 , then it becomes a problem to plaster such a surface, as well as any mechanical shock will violate the integrity of the sheet. For a cubic meter of S-25 will have to pay about 2,000 rubles.
Foam insulation of walls from the outside: surface preparation
Before starting work, you must try to prepare the surface as much as possible. First you need to align the wall, well, or at least try to do it. Any hollows and protrusions will contribute to a loose fit of the foam, and, as a result, air and moisture can not be avoided. Of course, it is very difficult to completely avoid bumps, but they should be no more than 1-2 centimeters. Remember, the smaller the rough surface, the better the adhesion of the material. That is why the presence of old paint is unacceptable. If there is one, it must be cleaned and the surface primed. As practice shows, priming walls is almost always necessary. In any case, this does not harm, but only strengthens the wall and improves communication with glue. After that, you can start wall insulation from the outside with foam. Let's see what's what.
Preparation and fixing of insulation
Typically, novice masters use glue, in principle, the result will be normal. But much better for these purposes are dowels, umbrellas. On the horizon at the bottom of the wall you need to mount the start profile. Glue is applied at several points along the perimeter of the sheet. By the way, where there are recesses, you can apply a little more glue, which slightly compensates for the depressions. Further, the sheet simply simply clings to the wall, and we proceed to work with the following. In principle, this is a fairly simple scheme that allows you to make high-quality insulation of the walls of the house from the outside with foam. It is always necessary to remember that horizontal rows are glued with vertical displacement of the seams, which allows you to more evenly distribute the load on the lower row. After a few days, when the glue sets, you can attach it to the dowels, umbrellas (fungi). If there are gaps more than 5 mm, they need to be filled with foam.
Foam insulation of walls from the outside: customer reviews and recommendations
Before using this method, you need to make sure its effectiveness. It is best to do this by listening to the comments of other people who have made such insulation. Such a source is the most informative and at the same time completely free. As practice shows, wall insulation from the outside with foam, reviews about which are mostly positive, really makes sense. According to consumers, the cost of electricity is reduced by about 15%, and gas - by more than 20%. These are very good numbers. In a few years, the purchase of polystyrene will fully pay off. Nevertheless, professionals recommend that you carefully deal with this issue and pay attention to important details. For example, you do not need to buy sheets of the same thickness, as this makes no sense. This is due to the fact that the corners should have a larger layer, like the south wall. In addition, users recommend that you do not purchase polystyrene grades below S-20 (20kg / m 3 ), since it is easily deformed, and in general there are more problems with it.
Do I need a reinforcing mesh?
A very strange question, the answer to which can be only one - of course, yes. This is due to the fact that without such an important element, cracks will soon appear, and it is quite possible that the sheets will float. A glass mesh should act as a basis for plaster. The preferred density is not less than 150-160 g / m 2 . It is best to fix it on glue (cement base). The latter is applied by meter to meter. Next, we need a wide spatula, with which we will drown the reinforcing mesh in glue. Many recommend applying another layer of glue on top for greater reliability. We periodically check how flat the surface is. It is advisable that the horizontal strips overlap at least 7-10 cm, and the corners of the facade are reinforced with a perforated corner.
A little bit about the finish
In principle, the technology of wall insulation with foam from the outside is fully considered. All that remains to be done is to take care of the exterior. Of course, this is a personal matter for everyone, but the painted facade looks much better than untreated. Do not forget to prime the surface before painting. It can be said that the insulation of wooden walls with foam from the outside is performed in the same way as concrete, with a few minor differences. First, you need a thin layer of plaster to protect the room from fire. Secondly, it is necessary to provide an air gap, which eliminates the appearance of condensation between the wall and the insulation. Do not forget that, ideally, the foam sheet should not have a thickness of more than 50 mm.
Conclusion
So we have considered a question of interest to you. As you can see, the technology of wall insulation with foam from the outside (with your own hands) is quite simple. If you want, then all the work can be completed in just a few days, even without any experience in construction. The main thing is not to rush, but also to perform all the steps efficiently. As a result, you get good thermal insulation, thanks to which you can save some of the money on heating the premises in cold weather. Of course, it is up to you to make the final decision, but it can be said with great certainty that polystyrene is not only an inexpensive insulation, but also quite effective. In addition, the facade of the building will look more bright and attractive, since you have the opportunity to use the paint you want.