Penoplex is the second most popular heat-insulating material after mineral wool . Its main advantages are considered to be a low degree of thermal conductivity and a quite reasonable price. In some cases, for example, when warming basements from the outside, foam can be considered generally indispensable.
How to make the material
So, penoplex - what is it? Let's deal with this in more detail. This material is made on special extrusion plants. When gas-catalysts are added to polystyrene, it foams, greatly increasing in size. Thus obtained mass is then squeezed out of the installation to the outside. Here the gas escapes, as a result of which many pores remain in the frozen polystyrene.
Foam is produced in slabs with a thickness of 20-100 mm and in appearance resembles the well-known foam. From the latter, it differs in much greater strength and durability. Thin foam (20 mm, for example) is great for warming the floor and ceiling of balconies. For insulation of facades, foundations and roofs, usually use either 50 mm plates in two layers or 100 mm material in one.
Main advantages
Today, a variety of heaters for walls are produced. Penoplex can rightfully be attributed to the most effective and high-quality. The advantages of this material are, first of all:
- Excellent thermal insulation performance.
- Resistant to moisture. Penoplex does not absorb water.
- Easy to install. Install the slabs of this heat insulator either on glue, or with the help of dowels - “fungi”.
- Durability. The foam sheet is quite durable and does not crumble during installation. Also, this material does not dry out over time and does not rot.
- Light weight. There are no special requirements for the construction of the foundation or rafter system when using this material.
- Universality. Penoplex can be used for insulation of absolutely any building elements - the foundation, walls, roof.
- Excellent soundproof qualities.
The main disadvantage of the material
Now let's see what penoplex has. What is it, we have found out. Extruded polystyrene itself does not pose any danger to human health. In any case, the manufacturer claims so. However, in the free state, styrene is a very toxic substance. Some researchers believe that a small amount of it in the finished plates can still be preserved. Therefore, use penoplex for interior decoration with care. In any case, it is worth tightly covering it with plasterboard or plaster, trying not to leave cracks.
The main characteristics of the material
Thus, we have found out with what advantages and disadvantages penoplex differs. What it is, you now also know. Next, we will deal with the actual characteristics of this material. They are at penoplex such:
- compressive strength - 0.2-0.0.5 MPa;
- density - 28-53 kg / m 3 ;
- coefficient of thermal conductivity - 0.03-0.032 W / ( ° );
- moisture absorption coefficient - up to 0.5%;
- working temperatures - from -50 to +75 gr.
Extruded polystyrene foam brand "Penoplex" the dimensions are standard - 600 x 1200 mm.
Varieties of material
Choosing a penoplex for warming structures of one type or another should be correct. Currently, the following varieties exist:
- Penoplex-31. Plates of this type have a density of 31 kg / m 3 and are used mainly for insulation of building facades . Sometimes they are used to insulate roofs (without loads).
- Penoplex-35 is the most popular material in house building. It can be used not only for insulation of roofs, facades, but also as a cushioning layer under the soles of foundations. The insulation of the floor with penoplex in private housing construction is usually also carried out using this particular variety. The density of the plates 35 - up to 37 kg / m 3 . In the production of them, among other things, special components are added that significantly increase their fire resistance.
- Penoplex-45. This variety is intended for warming roofs under load, as well as roads and sidewalks in cold regions of the country. Also, such plates can be used to warm runways, heavily loaded foundations, floors, etc. The density of the material is 45 - up to 40 kg / m 3 .
- Penoplex-75. This is the densest variety (up to 53 kg / m 3 ). It is used mainly for the insulation of runways of airfields.
Penoplex in construction
Since 2011, materials of not too high density used for the construction of residential buildings, the manufacturer classifies in four more varieties:
- "Penoplex Foundation". It is used to warm those parts of the building that are underground. It can be either an ordinary foundation or a basement.
- "Penoplex Roofing". It is used, respectively, for warming roofs, including horizontal ones. The density of this species is also very high. When using it, the insulation from the attic side must be covered with a vapor barrier film.
- "Penoplex Wall". This variety was developed by the manufacturer specifically for the insulation of socles and facades of residential buildings. For vertical structures, this is actually the ideal insulation. For walls "Penoplex" (as well as for other elements of the house) is used, of course, with the obligatory selection of the required thickness. The minimum figure for Moscow, for example, is 100-124 mm. This variety is distinguished by such advantages as resistance to temperature extremes and precipitation, ease of installation, durability, etc.
- "Penoplex Comfort". This type of material is designed specifically for the insulation of small suburban private houses. Plates of this variety are not susceptible to infection by the fungus and can be used including in conditions of high humidity. It is possible to use such a foam, the dimensions of which are also standard, for warming foundations, facades, roofs, floors, ceilings, inside walls, etc. Very often baths and saunas are sheathed with such plates.
Features of installation for wall and roof insulation
So, you have chosen penoplex for insulation at home. What is it, you now understand. For warming houses, this material is very good. Especially outside. Now let's see what are the rules for installing it. When insulating the walls, foam foam is usually installed between the frame elements of the bars. Additionally, the plates are attached with dowels, "fungi." When installing roofing slabs can be installed directly between the rafters. Sometimes they are mounted on top. In this case, between the rafters, some additional insulation is installed. The walls before installing the foam are fitted with a vapor barrier film. When the roof is insulated with foil material, the attic is sheathed.
Floor insulation foam
On top of the floor, they are insulated as follows:
- The surface is laid with a waterproofing membrane.
- A crate of timber is packed on the floor or floor.
- Penoplex is laid. When building a new house, the plates are not mounted in the crate, but directly between the lags. Preliminarily, the space between them is laid out with a hydroinsulator.
- OSB boards or plywood are mounted. In the event that the polystyrene foam was laid between the lags, a floorboard is usually installed on top of it.
- Plywood or OSB sheathed with finishing material. For this purpose even parquet can be used. Penoplex itself is an excellent vapor barrier and does not allow water at all.
Heater penopleks: price
The cost of the slabs of this insulator depends on the variety and thickness. So penoplex-35 in 50 mm will cost about 180 rubles apiece. The price of slabs with a density of 31 kg / m 3 in 30 mm is about 120 r. The Comfort option of 50 mm costs about 180 rubles, with a thickness of 30 mm - about 100 rubles.
As you can see, for the insulation of structural elements of the building, foam insulation, the price of which is quite reasonable, fits simply perfectly. Mounting it is very simple, and the effect of its use will be more than noticeable.