Expanded polystyrene boards are one of the best and most convenient building materials used to insulate walls, floors or roofs of buildings. Due to its properties, the foam provides a fairly high insulation of the premises. The strengths of this material include its strength. It can withstand quite a large mechanical load, having a minimum density.
Wall insulation with expanded polystyrene can be done not only in low-rise buildings, but also in the construction of large-panel houses. Also, this material is used for the reconstruction of old buildings, which is possible due to its density, which is usually minimal. The material does not provide additional load on the supporting structures.
Before starting work, the treated surface is examined for the need for cleaning or plastering. For washing, you can use a jet of water under high pressure, detergents. After this, the walls must be primed. The mixture for this is to choose a quality one. If the surface has a porous texture (for example, for buildings that are built of foam concrete), it is recommended to make a primer twice. Expanded polystyrene plates are easy to install, they are easy to cut, and they are attached using a special adhesive or dowels.
Wall insulation with expanded polystyrene can significantly increase not only the thermal insulation of the room, but also the sound insulation. Performing such work is not recommended if the outside temperature is less than 5 and more than 30 degrees. Do not install the slabs in strong gusty winds or with precipitation.
When choosing glue for plates, you must first carefully study the instructions. It should be written that the tool is suitable for bonding polystyrene foam. In addition, the surface to be treated must be completely dry. For best results, adhesive mortar can be used in combination with dowels. Wall insulation polystyrene foam is as follows. On each plate, glue is applied in several places, after which the panel is pressed to the surface. For better fixation, you can support the boards with boards. After the whole wall is glued, the cracks between the sheets should be treated with mounting foam.
In order to prevent condensation from forming under the insulation, it is recommended to leave small ventilation openings in the plates above windows and doors (if any). These openings are advised to seal with a heat-insulating material with vapor-permeable properties (for example, mineral wool).
After the foam is laid, it can be treated with plaster on top or glued with a facing tile. If the first method is chosen, then it is better to use a special brush that has two edges, smooth and serrated. After the walls have been insulated with polystyrene foam, a special adhesive base (about 1 meter wide) is applied to the material with a jagged end for the reinforcing layer. Fiberglass mesh is placed on top. With the help of the smooth edge of the brush, it is "recessed" in the primer layer.
If the wall should be smooth, it is recommended to putty it. The finished surface can be painted with structural paint, choosing any color for this. Expanded polystyrene is referred to as self-extinguishing substances, however, when heated, it can melt and release toxic substances, therefore it is better to use it for exterior walls built of non-combustible materials.
Doing home insulation with your own hands is a very important task, so you should approach its solution as responsibly as possible. After all, it will depend on proper thermal insulation how cozy and good it will be in the house. In addition, this will help reduce heating costs.