Soft heaters, hard insulation, loose heaters. Types of insulation of their properties and characteristics.

This question is always relevant for people who have their own private house, cottage or just want to insulate some structure, for example, a garage. Only the main materials used are listed. If for some reason we missed some insulation, then the survey will be completed. Such exotic materials as algae, straw, hemp and others we miss.
  Wall insulation for walls can be divided into three classes:

1. Hard heaters
2. Soft heaters
3. Warm plaster

Hard heaters

A solid heater, we will classify all materials in this category in which some polymers, for example, polystyrene (penoplex), extruded polystyrene foam, etc., are contained to some extent. etc. By their properties they are almost similar, there are differences in price. Therefore, we describe the properties of foam plastic, as the most commonly used in the insulation of the walls of the material.

Styrofoam is one of the most popular, light and cheap insulation materials. This is one of the most popular heat insulating materials, applied both in individual and in mass construction. To work with him does not require any special skills, adaptations or technology. It should be taken into account that the foam belongs to the category of combustible building materials, it is also possible to release harmful elements, therefore it is recommended to use only for external insulation of walls.
  As a heater used different density plates of foam plastic, having a different level of strength. Foam plates with a low density rating require maximum thermal protection for the thermal insulation device. Plates with a low density are most often used as a heater with a wireframe installation method.

Advantages of foam insulation:

• The material practically does not absorb moisture and almost does not change from its effect. No need for additional waterproofing.
• Excellent thermal insulation properties.
• Ease and ease of installation.
• Low weight of material.
• The surface of the material does not form fungus and mold.
• Low cost.
• It withstands severe frosts and intense heat, is indifferent to the daily temperature changes.
• Beautiful soundproofing.

  Cons of foam insulation:

• The material is very fragile and requires additional protection from mechanical damage after installation.
• Also, the foam is destroyed by the effects of various paints and varnishes.
• Polyfoam does not let air in, and to avoid turning the house into a thermos you need to make ventilation.
• The material is flammable, it releases dangerous substances during the combustion.

Soft heaters

The material from which soft heaters are made can be very different: glass wool, mineral wool, ecowool, stone wool, etc.
  But glass wool is now used extremely rarely because of its ability to give dust, which causes irritation on the skin and the respiratory tract.
  The most common and popular in the construction of a type of stone insulation is basalt wool and mats made on its basis. Stone heat insulation can be made of slag, diabase, porphyrite, gabbro and other minerals consisting of silica, including magnesium and iron oxides. Also widely used is ecowool, and other similar materials. On sale there are special plates from this material, which "sheath" the external walls, and this greatly simplifies the installation process. Can be used in the following cases:

• Warming of floors
• Plaster-based thermal insulation systems used outside buildings.
• Hinged ventilated facades
• Internal insulation of walls.
• Minvata and similar materials are used as a heat insulator in a multi-layer coating of a flat roof.
• Warming of the attic.
• Systems with insulation, located inside the enclosing structure - it is a question of layered laying, about three-layer concrete panels, etc.

  Pros of soft insulation:

• These materials let the excess moisture out of the room and let in air, that is, the risk of turning the room into a thermos or into a gas chamber is minimal.
• Versatility, can be used for both external and internal insulation. It is possible to heat both with the help of mounting the plates, and by spraying
• Resistance to atmospheric influences - certain types of material under consideration are exploited for a long time and do not collapse even when on the ground.
• Excellent thermal insulation properties - mineral wool (and in general all materials having the same structure) has a porous structure, in which there is a huge number of air layers. For this reason, it perfectly keeps the heat and further reduces the sound permeability.
• Fire risk is minimal, even such material as ecowool (composed of combustible cellulose) is specially treated with fire-resistant materials, as for mineral wool, it is not subject to combustion at all.

  Cons of soft insulation

• Higher cost, compared with polystyrene foam.
• If the insulation is not made using special slabs, then there is a possibility that the material will settle over time, and there will be an empty space in the walls.
• To increase resistance to corrosion and ignition, harmful substances can be added to the insulation material, it is often impossible to control and check the composition without special laboratory equipment.
• If the soft insulation is environmentally friendly and clean, then it can have rodents or insects,

Warm plaster

Material, which, in fact, is a dry mixture for plastering walls with inclusions of porous materials. In terms of its characteristics in terms of thermal insulation, it is completely inferior to any other materials. But at the same time this material is "breathing". It can be used for both external and internal insulation.
  It is applied both manually and with the help of special equipment.
  The properties of warm plasters depend on the composition of the plaster.

Pluses of warm plaster:

• The application of "warm" plaster is possible without preliminary leveling of the walls.
• It is not required to use reinforcing mesh, except for particularly difficult places.
• Thanks to the high adhesion, the plaster easily adheres to any material, therefore, there are practically no hollow places in the wall, however, when the ecowool is sprayed, the same effect can be achieved.
• Quickly applied: one worker per day can finish up to 100 m2 of the wall surface in a mechanized way.

  Cons of warm plaster:

• As a heater, the plaster loses to other materials.
• High price

Obligatory for the arrangement of the floor is its insulation. Thermal insulation protects from penetration of cold from below, will keep heat in the room and correctly distribute it. This will reduce the cost of heating the room during the cold season. Choosing a heater for the floor, you need to consider many aspects, so that it lasts long and was "to the place", performing its functions qualitatively.

When choosing a floor heater, consider the operating conditions

Mineral heaters are made of natural materials:

• Mineral wool: fiberglass, stone wool, slag wool. It is a shaded fiber of rocks or other materials.
• Foam glass.
• Claydite - granulated calcined clay.
• Blends based on cement with aggregates and additives.

Wood-based materials  Used for dry screeding or filling empty space:

• Moisture resistant plywood.

Cellulose wadding is used to insulate wooden floors

• Cellulose wadding - blowing out or just falling asleep and being tamped.

Polymeric materials  are not environmentally friendly:

• Polyurethane foam.
• Reflective polymeric heaters.
• Roll insulation.
• Liquid polymer insulation with foam structure.
• Liquid heat-insulating paint.

Choosing which insulation is better for the floor, be guided by their specifications  and future operating conditions. Ideal option will be the use of several materials at different stages of thermal insulation of the floor. For example, for a concrete floor, the expanded clay, basalt wool and roll insulation on top of the screed will do.

Important! Polystyrene, polyurethane foam and extruded polystyrene during combustion emit toxic gas, which can lead to death in two breaths. Therefore, if you decide to use them in construction, then lay them under a concrete screed, where there will be no contact with the fire.

  How to choose a floor warmer

First of all, it is necessary to consider which floor is wooden on the logs, concrete or the system "warm floor". In all three cases, different materials will be needed.

To insulate the wooden floor mats or linens are laid between the lags

For insulation of a wooden floor the loose porous material which does not hold the form, free-flowing will approach. It can be filled in the space between the lags, or lay mats, plates, linens, depending on the form of release of insulation. It is very important that in this case the heater "breathed" and let steam through. After all, the wooden floor is equipped precisely for the house to "breathe".

For concrete floors, solid heaters are suitable, which hold the mold well and do not deform under compressive and flexural loads. This is important, since a concrete screed will be poured on top. In this case, it is not necessary that the heater "breathe", but it is necessary that it does not absorb moisture.

For the "warm floor" system, the heaters will be the same as for the concrete screed, with only one caveat: they must have foil film to reflect the heat from the "warm floor" towards the lower floor. Materials with aluminum spraying or lamination can be used.

  Characteristics of thermal insulation materials

Coefficient of thermal conductivity  determines the ability of the material to transmit heat. It is equal to the amount of heat that passes through the material 1 m in thickness, an area of ​​1 m 2 per hour, provided that the temperature difference on both sides of the material is 10 ° C.

Porosity  is a very important indicator, it is determined by the ratio of the number of pores to the total volume of the material. Affects all other characteristics of heaters.

Water vapor permeability  material determines its ability to "breathe".

Water Absorption  influences the possibility of using the material in conditions of high humidity. The lower this figure, the better.

Strength  material is important for using it in structural elements, where there are loads on compression.

Biostability  means whether the material is able to withstand the action of pathogenic flora.

Fire resistance  It determines the ability of a material to withstand high temperatures for a certain time without breaking down.

Heat capacity  - the ability of the material to retain heat in conditions of frequent changes of temperature.

There are several other important characteristics:

• Density;
• Humidity;
• Temperature resistance;
• Frost resistance;
• Bending strength;
• Indicators of fire safety: flammability, flammability, smoke formation, toxicity of combustion products, etc.

  Heater for underfloor heating

Choosing a heater for the "warm floor" system, you need to pay attention to the ability of the material to redirect heat in the desired direction and block its spread in the undesirable.

To reduce the cost of heating, while not heating the ceiling to the neighbors or the basement in a private house, it is desirable to choose a heater with a foil or laminated layer. Such material will prevent the penetration of cold from below and direct heat from the "warm floor" system upwards.

For the "warm floor" system, the insulation must have a foil structure

You can meet under different names and trademarks: "Izolon", "Penofol", "Isoflex", "Energoflex". The material is produced in rolls of 90-120 cm in width, 2-3 mm in thickness. Excellent cope with the task, despite such a thin layer.

Extruded polystyrene foam is one of the most durable, durable and moisture resistant insulators

Available in plates that are easily cut into the necessary pieces, it is convenient in laying and operation. Has a very dense structure, which does not deform and does not break. The cellular structure is filled with gas, the cells themselves are impenetrable, so that this material is not affected by moisture: it does not swell, does not absorb moisture. Extruded polystyrene foam is resistant to acids, alkalis or alcohols. On its structure mushrooms and bacteria do not take root. It is durable, as it does not collapse under the influence of atmospheric precipitation and sun and does not react with most substances. Despite its undeniable advantages, extruded polystyrene foam has a number of significant drawbacks: it "does not breathe," which means that it does not make sense to use for warming a wooden floor, and it is flammable. Although in a normal state this material is non-toxic, during combustion it releases poison gas. In the "warm floor" system it will be completely isolated from the environment by a concrete screed, therefore it can be safely used.

Cork material is the most environmentally friendly and natural insulation

Produced from the bark of cork oak. This material is the most environmentally friendly and natural. It does not rot, does not "settle down", is inert, resistant to bending and compression loads. In addition, the cork is easily cut, which affects the speed of work with it. The life of the cork substrate can be about 50 years. The cork material does not burn, and during decay does not emit harmful substances. Withstands temperatures up to 120 ° C. Produced in the form of plates with a thickness of 25-50 mm.

  Floor heating for screed

To insulate the concrete floor is better in several stages, since it is the coldest.

Claydite is convenient to fall asleep under a concrete screed or to add in concrete instead of rubble

  - an ideal variant of a heater of floors on a ground. It is a pellet of round shape, made of clay by burning it with the addition of peat, sawdust and other additives. The dimensions of the granules can be different, and the thermal conductivity of the material also depends on this. The clay is resistant to changes in temperature and humidity, easy and does not create a heavy load on the foundation. Thanks to the porous structure, in addition to the thermal insulation properties, it has good sound insulation characteristics. The undeniable advantage of expanded clay is its environmental friendliness and naturalness.

Solid plates of basalt wool are laid under concrete screed

  - one of the varieties of mineral wool, is a hard insulation in slabs. Fits on the floor in staggered order under the concrete screed, which should be at least 4 cm thick. This material does not burn, is resistant to deformations and vapor permeable. Basalt wool has high thermal insulation characteristics and withstands high temperatures.

Also used for insulation of concrete floors under the screed.

Polyfoam is one of the most common insulation due to its low cost

You can also use. Its main advantage is low cost and ubiquity prevalence. It is durable, comfortable in operation, absorbs little moisture and has high thermal insulation properties. Of the shortcomings can be identified: it is flammable, subject to the influence of sunlight, "does not breathe." When using foam plastic as insulation under the screed, these imperfections are insignificant, and they can be neglected.

Correctly matched insulation for the floor will create a high-quality and durable thermal insulation. Compare the characteristics of heaters, weigh all the advantages and disadvantages, find a balance and be sure to take into account the operating conditions.

Build reliable roof over the house is an extremely important and large-scale event. However, it would be a mistake to believe that by laying a qualitative, non-leaky roof, you can "rest on your laurels", considering the case completed. A good owner will also think about roof insulation, regardless of whether it is planned to use the attic as a useful space.

Thermal insulation of roof slopes is a specific case, the peculiarities of which are predetermined by the very design of this architectural element of the building. Nevertheless, for this purpose, most of the modern insulating materials are suitable, and the specifics of the work are more concerned with the technology of their installation. So, the topic of today's consideration is the insulation for the roof: what to choose, which is better for carrying out an independent thermal insulation, which one will be the most safe, practical, durable in operation.

For those house owners who plan to use the attic space as a full-fledged living room or even just a warm pantry, the question should not even be raised. None of the roofing is able to create an effective thermal barrier, which would provide a comfortable level of temperature. And, not only protection from winter colds is important. A large area of ​​the roof, open to the sun's rays, in the summer time "catches" a huge amount of heat radiation, and in the attic room, unbearably hot conditions can be created. So the word "warming" should be considered still in a broader sense - the term "thermal insulation" is more appropriate.

And if the attic is not involved, is it worth it to insulate the roof slopes then? The case is certainly master, and many prefer to do without this stage of construction. But still such a measure, although causing some additional costs, seems reasonable.

• First, it is worth considering the energy efficiency of the entire building as a whole. It's no secret that the roof and roof structure accounts for up to a third of all heat losses at home. Partly this problem is solved by reinforced thermal insulation attic floor. But if we add to this the thermal insulation of the roof slopes, then the maximum energy efficiency regime is reached, which ultimately leads to the effect of considerable savings on energy consumption.
• Secondly, with the proper conduct of heat insulation and the accompanying hydro and steam insulation of the roofing pie, the structural elements of the rafter system will be subjected to external influences - temperature, humidity and biological - to a much lesser extent. And this, of course, significantly increase the durability of this site, and the whole building as a whole.
• Thirdly, almost any thermal insulating material has the properties to absorb the propagation of sound vibrations. Thus, the insulation of the roof slopes also gives a good soundproofing effect, which is especially important for "noisy" materials, such as corrugated board, slate, roofing iron or metal.

• And, finally, fourthly, a good boss should always think "strategically", that is, for the future. How to know, it is possible that in a couple of years there will be a need for additional space, and a previously insulated attic, without traces of fumigation and exposure to dampness, will only be "ennobled" and brought to the required degree of comfort. To remake the "cold", repeatedly experienced seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity attic space in a comfortable room - it will be extremely difficult. And sometimes it even has to be dismantled roof covering  and make changes to the truss system  with the crate, to fulfill all the necessary conditions for the insulation of the "roofing pie".

Is not it better to tackle this issue at once?

What are the requirements for a good quality insulation for the roof?

In order to insulate the roof slopes effectively, durable and safe, thermal insulation materials used for such purposes must meet a number of requirements.

• First of all, of course, we consider the thermal insulation capacity of the material, that is, its resistance to heat transfer. To insulate the roof was effective, it is desirable to use materials in which the thermal conductivity does not exceed the upper limit of 0.050 W / m × C °
• For roof truss construction, unnecessary, unnecessary weight loads are not necessary at all. And this means that the material should have a low specific density.
• The insulation must be "indifferent" to the temperature differences in a sufficiently wide operating range - from extreme winter frosts to strong heating of the roof under the influence of sunlight.

• A very important quality of insulation is a low hygroscopicity, that is, a property that minimally absorbs moisture. Overmoistening of the material leads to a sharp loss of thermal insulation properties, as water is a very heat-consuming substance. In addition, the moisture-saturated material becomes significantly heavier.
• Heat-insulating material should not be biodegradable, do not serve as a nutrient medium for microflora, do not become a comfortable place for nests of insects, rodents, birds.
• Ideally, the insulation material should be absolutely non-flammable, or, in any case, be as safe as possible from the fire point of view.
• Important requirements are environmental safety of the material, so that it does not pose a health hazard to the residents of the house and does not pollute the environment.
• No one will want to do roof insulation too often, so one of the criteria for choosing a quality insulating material is always its durability.
• And finally, the thermal insulation material should be affordable and convenient for carrying out insulation work, including - and on its own, without the involvement of specialists.

Unfortunately, none of the materials can be said that it fully meets all of the above requirements and is ideal for thermal insulation of the roof. So you have to choose from the available, carefully assessing their advantages and disadvantages.

Compare the different insulation for the roof

Is it convenient to use loose heaters?

If the speech in this publication is about the warming of the roof slopes from the inside, then "we'll remove the loose thermo-insulating materials, such as expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite." They are convenient to conduct the insulation of the attic floor, that is, the horizontal plane. They are also used for thermal insulation of wall structures, made according to the principle of wells masonry. There are technologies for using them on sloping roofs with a relatively small slope angle, however, this approach has no special spread because of the rather complicated "roof pie" design. In addition, the same expanded cladding significantly loses to other insulating materials in terms of its thermal insulation characteristics, which means that it will have to provide a thick layer of it, which is problematic on a pitched roof.

Vermiculite in terms of its thermal conductivity is closer to modern insulating materials, but its cost is very high, and the application in this case is unlikely to be justified.

We note at once that there are supporters of using and improvising natural materials. For example, for a long time, dry foliage, needles, sawdust, etc. have been used to warm the floors of houses. Again, which is good for horizontal surfaces - not entirely suitable for sloping roofs.

As a result, the finished foam plastic is a kind of conglomerate of "glued" balls between each other. The share of air in the foam structure is over 90%, which, in principle, determines its high thermal insulation properties.

The production of foam plastic does not require excessive costs, so the material can be attributed to the most affordable of all other heaters.

It would seem - what else do you want? The material gives a good thermal insulation, it is light, inexpensive, very simple to process, it is produced in blocks of calibrated "geometry", that is, it will not be difficult to work with it. However, not everything is as wonderful as it might seem at first glance.

• Let's start with the thermal insulation qualities. They are really good - the coefficient of thermal conductivity is usually around 0,038 W / m × C °. But it should be correctly understood that this value will only be valid for ideal operating conditions. The trouble is that although the foam is not considered particularly hygroscopic material - the input does not penetrate the balls, absorb moisture, and in a fairly large amount, there may be gaps between them. It happens that a low-quality foam is recruited by moisture, which is almost three times its mass! Naturally, in this scenario, the thermal insulation characteristics of the material are sharply reduced.
• The second alarming moment is a direct consequence of the first. Penetrating the inside of the material, moisture with temperature changes can cause cracks or even coloring of the foam. In addition, studies have shown that this material can not be classified as particularly durable - this "water corrosion" of the foam leads to the formation of soft cavities, through "cold bridges" through cracks, and as a result, there are cases when such important insulating qualities are already After 5 ÷ 7 years of operation are reduced several times!

• The third important drawback is the "inherent" chemical instability of polystyrene. The fact is that it belongs to the group of equilibrium polymers, that is, under certain conditions, the process of depolymerization - decay into components - can start. Not only does the foam become loose, it breaks down into separate balls - this is accompanied by the release into the air of free styrene - an extremely dangerous to humans toxic chemical compound that can cause or activate various diseases.

The process of decomposition proceeds the more actively the higher the temperature and humidity of the material. And in the under-roof space in the summer, both will be more than enough!

• The most, perhaps, important lack of polystyrene is its flammability. No matter how manufacturers describe the safety of the material, almost all of the styrofoam of this type belongs to the G4 group, the lowest. Moreover, in case of fire, the foam plastic melts and is able to become a distributor of the "liquid flame". And the most terrible thing is that during thermal oxidation in very large volumes extremely toxic products are released that can cause almost instantaneous poisoning or chemical burn of respiratory organs. Unfortunately, the statistics of tragedies in fires indicate that people who fall into the zone of burning polystyrene have a minimal chance of survival.

• And, finally, purely "everyday" considerations. The fact is that the simplicity of the production of foam has become the reason that it is produced everywhere, often in semi-domestic conditions. Naturally, in the pursuit of rapid profits, the owners of these "plants" often violate the established technology, ignore certain mandatory stages (drying, ripening, etc.), and as a result, the material at the output does not correspond not to GOSTs, but even more " liberal "TU. As a result - increased fragility, chemical instability, uneven density, persistent unpleasant odor, etc. And these shortcomings can be barely noticeable at first, but very quickly manifest later, already in the course of operation.

By the way, in many countries such expanded polystyrene is legally banned for use in residential construction. For the reasons mentioned above, they completely abandoned it in the production of cars, buses, railway wagons, switching to the application of a much safer polyurethane foam. And you probably need to be an extremely "risky" master of the house, to use it to insulate the roof. There are many other, much more effective and safe options.

Extruded polystyrene foam

The technology of production of this material is radically different. From the granulated raw materials, a melt is prepared, into which special additives are added, which increase the chemical stability of the polymer and give it greater resistance to fire. Special additives ensure the foaming of the melt, and in this state it is forced through the injection nozzles of the extrusion line. When solidified, a structure is obtained with gas-filled cells completely isolated from each other, completely buried, and without any spaces between them, where moisture can penetrate. Thus, the hygroscopicity of the material tends to zero.

The material is obtained with a large gas saturation, a pronounced uniform density throughout its thickness, and the strength properties are much higher than those of a styrofoam. Better look and the characteristics of resistance to heat transfer. Blocks have clear geometric dimensions, and most types of quality expanded polystyrene foam are also equipped with lamellas for seamless connection in one plane.

The introduction of special additives into the composition of extruded polystyrene significantly improves the fire safety of the material. Many types are assigned category G1, that is, the polymer does not almost ignite even when exposed to open fire, quickly self-extinguishes and does not spread the flame. Nevertheless, in the event of a fire during the thermal decomposition of such expanded polystyrene, toxic substances will be released to a no lesser degree than the foam, and this should be borne in mind.

The advantage of extruded polystyrene foam can also be called the fact that a rather complex technology for its production significantly reduces the risk of running into semi-handicraft production. in this segment of the market there are their "heavyweights", and one of the brands that deserve an unconditional reputation for quality is Penoplex. Plates of universal application "Penopex-Cofmort" are perfect for roof slopes.

To compare the parameters of expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene, their main physical and operational characteristics are summarized in the table:

Parameters of thermal insulation materials	Polyfoam (on the example of PSB-S-50)	Plates of extruded polystyrene foam (on the example of "Penoplex-Comfort")
Illustration
Thermal conductivity (W / m ° C)	0.039 ÷ 0.050	0,028 ÷ 0,034
Water vapor permeability (mg / m × h × Pa)	-	0,017
Water absorption for 24 hours in% of volume	0.6	0.4
Ultimate strength at statistical bending MPa (kg / cm²)	0,07 ÷ 0,20	0,4 ÷ 0,7
Compressive strength 10% linear deformation, not less than MPa (kgf / cm²)	0,15 ÷ 0,2 (1,5 ÷ 2)	0,25 ÷ 0,3 (2,5 ÷ 3)
Density (kg / m³)	35 ÷ 50	28 ÷ 35
Operating temperatures		-50 to +75
Fire resistance category	G4 (combustible)	G1 (non-flammable,   self-extinguishing)
Standard dimensions of panels, mm:
- lenght and width	1000 × 1000	600 × 1200
- Thickness	from 20 to 200	20; 30; 40; 50; 60; 80; 100

The glare of any expanded polystyrene is easily cut, and when they are insulated, the roofs are adjusted to the distance between the rafters. However, in this case, due to the lack of proper plasticity and elasticity of the material, it is impossible to do without crevices and gaps, and they have to be filled with mounting foam.

To get rid of the cold bridges, they often resort to double-layer insulation, the second layer being completely solid - the rigidity of the extruded polystyrene allows you to do without the crate.

Practice is also the reverse approach - continuous insulation is carried out from the outside, thus turning into a kind of continuous crate. Since extruded polystyrene foam has an extremely low hygroscopicity and vapor permeability, its continuous layer also becomes an effective hydro- and vapor barrier barrier.

Low vapor permeability of the material can lead to the effect of the "thermos" inside the attic space, therefore, in order to prevent a too raw atmosphere, the effective ventilation of both the attic and the under-roof space must be considered.

• If it is planned to heat the roof slopes with expanded polystyrene, then the choice should still be made in favor of extruded, in spite of the fact that this option will be more expensive.
• Do not forget about the fact that any expanded polystyrene in case of fire is capable of posing a mortal threat to people.
• Due to the chemical characteristics of the material, it is not worthwhile to practice warming with it, if there is a living room in the attic - under the influence of an elevated temperature, the emission of toxic styrene is not excluded from the roofs heated up in the sun.
• If it is possible to use a different, safer material, you should take advantage of it, since the disadvantages of polystyrene for roof insulation still outweigh its advantages.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool heaters are the most popular for thermal insulation works. All of them have a common feature - they are a thick layer of densely interwoven thin fibers that are pulled from a melt of a toga or other mineral component. This interlacing creates a layer of immobilized air, which becomes an excellent barrier to the transfer of heat.

Depending on the material of the production of fibers, all mineral wools can be divided into three groups - slag, fiberglass and basalt.

Slag

To produce heaters of this type, waste from metallurgical production is used - blast furnace slags are melted in furnaces and fibers are formed from them, which are then pressed together using a binder into mats. The material often turns out to be somewhat inhomogeneous, so the slag mats are usually additionally quilted with cords.

There are few advantages to the slag, and only the low cost of the material can be called significant. But there are so many drawbacks that it is better to immediately refuse from using such a heater in the construction of an apartment house

• The original characteristics of thermal and noise insulation seem to be good, but they are quickly lost due to the banal reason - the slag is extremely hygroscopic, and is able to be absorbed by the moisture of their air.
• The chemical composition of the raw materials is extremely heterogeneous, and therefore the slag can have a high percentage of residual acidity, which leads to corrosion of the metal elements of the structure touching it.
• Slag is afraid of even a small vibration - its fibers are extremely brittle, and the material quickly shrinks, shrinks in volume, cracks, losing all its insulating qualities.
• The breakage and tartness of the fibers make this kind of minvate extremely inconvenient to work - special measures are required to protect the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and there is still a chance of getting irritated.

In a word, it is better not to consider the slag as a probable insulation for the roof.

Glass wool

The material for the formation of fine fibers in this case is a melt of purified quartz sand or waste glass production (glass fight). Of the fibers, a "carpet" is formed using binders, which, after pressing, is cut into mats or blocks of the desired size.

As a rule, glass wool stands out against the background of other heaters with a characteristic yellowish tinge.

Steklovata has become extremely widespread due to its low price and good performance.

• It is very plastic, that is compressed to smaller volumes when packing, straightening before installation, which is convenient for transporting the material.
• It has low density and, therefore, mass, and will not weight the roof truss structure.
• The resilience of the blocks and mats makes it easy to install them between rafters, placed with a certain pitch.

• At the same time, the flexibility of blocks or mats allows the use of glass wool for thermal insulation of complex, curved or broken surfaces, which sometimes occurs in the construction of original roofs.

Nevertheless, a number of shortcomings are inherent in it.

• Hygroscopicity of the material is high enough, and, absorbing moisture, glass wool significantly loses its thermal insulation properties. When using this heater, it is necessary to provide a reliable vapor and waterproofing, conditions are created for the free evaporation of water vapor to prevent the formation of condensation.
• Glass is an amorphous material, so the processes of gradual sintering of fibers, increasing the density of glass wool, are inevitable. They are not as pronounced as in slag, but they should not be discarded.
• Fiberglass - quite brittle, and work with such a heater is necessary with the use of protective equipment. In addition, it is necessary to provide a barrier so that the smallest particles of fibers do not penetrate into the living quarters - they are capable of causing allergic reactions or exacerbations of respiratory diseases.
• It will not be possible to completely get rid of the emission of binders, which contain formaldehyde resins. Considering this, it is necessary to purchase exclusively reliable material of well-known brands, whose manufacturers carefully control the quality of their products.

For example, many of the significant flaws inherent in glass wool have been completely or partially eliminated by Ursa. A wide range of products is designed for a wide range of construction areas. But some materials are intended for private housing construction. Especially appreciated insulation blocks and mats «URSA GEO». One of the types of insulation even carries an eloquent name - "URSA GEO A private house", And it is suitable for almost all areas requiring thermal insulation.

They are distinguished by their durability - the manufacturer is not afraid to guarantee a service life of 50 years or more. The material is not subject to shrinkage, chemical or biological decomposition, and the formaldehyde emission indicators are reduced to such a minimum that there are no obstacles to the use of these insulating panels in the living quarters.

The name of this high-quality insulation - «URSA GEO Pitched roof", Speaks for itself

Specially for the insulation of the roof slopes between the rafters, a separate type is produced - "URSA GEO Sloped roof", which uses the technology "URSA Spannfilz", which literally means "elastic felt". The mats are perfectly compressed, installed between the rafter legs, and, straightening, provide an excellent fixation, not requiring even additional measures to keep them in place. Naturally, the tight fitting also relieves the "bridges of cold".

The table below shows the main indicators of glass fiber insulation "URSA GEO", any of which is suitable for the warmth of a pitched roof

	"M-11"	"Private   house"	"Light"	"Pitched   roof"	"Universal   plates "	"Frame"
Coefficient of thermal conductivity, W / m × ° С
λ10	0,040	0,041	0,044	0,035	0,036	0,035
λ25	0,044	0,044	0,047	0,038	0,039	0,038
λA	0,044	0,045	0,049	0,040	0,041	0,040
λB	0,046	0,047	0,052	0,042	0,044	0,042
Water vapor permeability, mg / m × h × Pa	0,64	0,65	0,7	0,64	0,51	0,54
Fire Safety Class	KM0	KM0	KM0	KM0	KM0	KM0
Flammability group	NG	NG	NG	NG	NG	NG
Operating temperature range, ° С	60 ÷ + 270	60 ÷ + 220	60 ÷ + 220	60 ÷ + 220	60 ÷ + 220	60 ÷ + 220
Water absorption for 24 hours, kg / m², not more than	1	1	1,2	1	1	1
Dimensions, mm
- length	7000 9000 10000	8350	7000	3900 3000	1000 1250	4500 3900 3000
- Width	1200	1200	1200	1200	600	1200
- Thickness	50 100	50	50	150 200	50 100	100 150 200

Video: heaters of the brand "URSA"

Basalt mineral wool

Basalt wool is fairly considered to be the best quality among heaters of this kind. It is made from a melt of rocks, and its fibers have a special elasticity and strength. They do not inherent fragility, which is noted in glass wool, so the installation is much easier.

Plates of basalt cotton wool usually have a uniform density, reminiscent even externally of natural felt. Special processing of the material makes it virtually hydrophobic - drops of water roll down the basalt cotton wool, not penetrating deep into the structure. At the same time - the material has excellent vapor permeability, which helps maintain the optimum moisture balance in the insulation, and with the correct organization of steam and waterproofing, water vapor will have a free outlet into the atmosphere.

Plates have a clear geometry, easily cut into the right size if necessary, and to work with such material is a pleasure. Some types of basalt insulation, in particular, the plates "Rockwool Light Battles", have an interesting structure - one side is made springy, using the "flexi" technology, that is, a reliable installation of the slabs between the rafters is simplified to the limit.

As already noted, basalt cotton wool almost does not cause skin irritation.

Leading manufacturers have tried to minimize formaldehyde emissions, and many types of basalt wool are allowed to use even in children's and medical institutions, that is, they can be safely applied for the warmth of residential attic rooms.

The disadvantages of the material can be attributed a higher price - but it's worth it.

Of course, the choice of basalt insulation will be the optimal solution. True, all the merits will be fair, if you get really high-quality material. Thus, the brands ROCKWOOL, Tekhnonikol, Izovol, Basvul, PAROC, Izobel and some others deserve full trust.

For an example in the table the parameters of universal basalt insulation boards «ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS»

Performance parameters of the material	Indicators
Coefficient of thermal conductivity (W / m × ° C):
- calculated at t = 10 ° С	0,036
- calculated at t = 25 ° С	0,037
- operational under conditions "A"	0,039
- operational under conditions "B"	0,041
Flammability group	NG
Fire Class	KM0
Water vapor permeability (mg / (m × h × Pa), not less than	0.03
Absorption at partial immersion	not more than 1kg / m²
Dimensions	1000 × 600 mm
thickness	50 or 100 mm

Video: advantages of insulation boards "Rockwool Lights Battles Scandic"

Spray heaters for roof slopes

To such types of insulation materials can be attributed polyurethane foam and ecowool.

Both of these materials deserve close attention, since they show excellent performance. They basically differ in their composition, but they are united by the fact that special equipment is needed to apply the layer of thermal insulation. But they are able to create a uniform, practically seamless coating on the back side of the roof slope, with the filling of the smallest cracks and cavities, which minimizes the probability of formation of cold bridges.

The features of applying these materials, that is, the mandatory use of special equipment and the availability of the experience gained with it, predetermine the popularity of such technologies, especially among the owners, who are accustomed to doing everything with their own hands. Therefore, in this article we will not dwell on these issues in detail, especially since they are given detailed coverage in other publications of our portal.

To finish the publication it will be logical to consider the question of what thickness of insulation will be required to create the optimal microclimate in the attic space.

Effective SNiP, which are immutable laws in the construction sector, set the standard values ​​of resistance to heat transfer for the construction of residential buildings, separately for all regions of Russia. In order not to result in long tables, below is a map-scheme, according to which it is easy to find an approximate value (with a sufficient degree of accuracy) for your place of residence.

Note that the resistance values ​​are indicated by three different numbers - for walls, for ceilings and for coverings. Of course, in this case we are interested in the coverings (figures of red color).

The total resistance to the heat transfer of the building structure is made up of the parameters of all the layers that create a barrier to the spread of cold. But in the case of insulation of the roof in the calculation can be taken only the heater itself, as well as materials inner lining  attic space. Roofing material, whatever it is, does not take part in thermal insulation, as it is separated from the warming layer by a ventilated layer. Thermal resistance of membranes of steam and waterproofing are so small that it is useless to take them into account.

So, if the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the chosen insulation is known, the parameters of the layers of the inner skin, the normalized value of the thermal resistance of the coating design for a given region, it is not worthwhile to calculate the required thermal insulation thickness.

We will not give here the calculation formulas, but rather we suggest using a special calculator, in which the basic parameters necessary for carrying out the calculations have already been laid.

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Your opinion has stopped on the title of this article and now it is extremely difficult to break away from it. Here you will not find standard phrases and typical images. We are serious people and we know how to appreciate important information. I suggest specifically and without "marketing moves" to talk about the main thing.

Did you intend to build a house? The first question that you ask yourself, what kind of house do I want? On the design issue, you can argue for a long time, but as for reliability and comfort, then opinions converge in one thing - the house should be warm, dry, reliable, at the same price!

Anyone who at least heard something about the insulation, knows - today the construction of suburban, and any house, it is impossible without the use of insulation. What kind of insulation? At what price? Is the service life? How in all this deal? We know for sure that it's easier to handle small portions with any business. So let's do it!

In order. What kind of insulation?

For reference. Heaters are "soft" and "hard". Soft heaters  - mineral wool, fiberglass, everything that looks like your home blanket. Rigid Heaters  - expanded polystyrene (expanded polystyrene), extruded polystyrene XPS, for example Primaplex. Here I would classify polyurethane (mounting) foam. Still there are loose heaters, such as expanded clay.

To perform different jobs there is a different tool. So it is here. For different applications there is a different kind of insulation.

Take the standard parts of the house: the basement, the first floor, the attic (attic).

Basement, concrete, external walls of the basement, they are the foundation, i.e. what is on the outside covered with earth. We think logically. The earth freezes in winter. Cold approaches the walls of the cellar. Penetrates the house. Therefore, in the basement is cool. We decided to make this room suitable for creative work. Insulate the cellar from the outside. Than? Extruded polystyrene foam Primaplex. Why? It's simple. Water, a conductor of cold (heat), can penetrate into the "soft" insulation. And the consequences you are aware of: wetting, freezing, and everything, the insulation does not work. Next need to explain? Oh yes, there is also a foam plastic ("solid" insulation), in which moisture penetrates just as well. Therefore, it can not be used either.

The floor in the basement is insulated in a similar way, extruded with expanded polystyrene, for example Primaplex.

We rise above - we heat walls. The thermal insulation inside the wall, the so-called well brickwork, is closed by two layers of reliable masonry. It is known that concrete and brick pass through themselves a certain amount of steam. Moisture from a warm, homey, cozy environment tries to get out - in the cold. In all, the partial pressure, or rather, its difference between street and house, is to blame. The steam went through the masonry and stayed in the "soft" insulation ... And now, attention to the question! What to do with your soft heaters after they get wet? Worse, when they sag from time to time. Where will all the insulation go? In order to sleep peacefully and warm, we recommend using extruded polystyrene foam, for example Primaplex. It must be remembered that the heater must be closely adjacent to the inner wall.

Roof. It is known that most of the heat we lose through the roof. Let's explain why. The warm air rises, the cold air descends. If we establish the correct resistance to heat in the roof structure, then we will be able to save our money. Well, if we install the right heater in the right place, then a lot of rustling bills will remain in your wallet. It used to be possible to "drown the street" with a large number of minerals on the territory of the former USSR. Now no one needs to explain that heat is money. Moreover, according to the most crude estimates, when using 10-16 cm of extruded polystyrene as insulation for a year, we save about 340 kWh of energy from 1 m2. So, here we will stop for a more detailed calculation. Let's translate the language of money. The average house has a roof area of ​​50 m2. 340 kWh is multiplied by 50 m2 is equal to 17,000 kWh. The cost of one kilowatt of energy now averages 1.6 rubles per 1 kWh. We obtained 27,200 rubles a year.

Stone wool

The surface of the heater is covered with a glass net and a layer of glue / plaster. After that, the base layer is primed and covered with the finishing layer of the facade plaster.

These manipulations are easy to make by oneself without unnecessary mechanisms or professional builders.

Advice! In buildings with a large number of people per unit of volume, or in rooms with high humidity it is recommended to make a vapor barrier from the inside of the wall in order to avoid the accumulation of moisture in its construction during severe frosts.

Stone wool

Tough, because it has similar properties.

It is characterized by:

• Water vapor permeability is high;

basalt wool is considered as a solid insulation

Since it has similar properties.

It is characterized by:

• Form in the form of a rigid plate, which does not deform in normal operation;
• The possibility of wall mounting without auxiliary structures;
• Possibility of applying plaster;
• Static parameters of heat conductivity and structure.

Characteristics of stone wool:

• Thermal conductivity - 0.039 W / m × ° C;
• Working operational density - 35 kg / m³;
• Load on the supporting structure - 5.85 kg / m²;
• Ecological cleanness - under normal conditions harmful compounds do not emit, at elevated temperatures the phenolic binder can release harmful chemicals;
• The recommended layer thickness is 100 mm;
• Water vapor permeability is high;
• Air permeability is high;
• Thermal stability - up to 700 ° C;
• Moisture resistance - low, requires a vapor barrier;
• The service life is about 50 years.

Installation of cotton wool reminds installation of expanded polystyrene. In the case of ventilated facades or siding instead of plaster, cotton wool is covered with panels.

Important! In contrast to polystyrene, mineral wool requires a vapor barrier from the side of the street, otherwise it will get wet and lose its thermal insulation qualities.

Warming up the loggia with cotton wool is not as convenient as using expanded polystyrene, since it is lighter and harder.

Foam glass

Another modern type of rigid heat-insulating building material is foam glass. This material is produced by foaming liquid molten glass.

The material has good qualities and characteristics:

• Thermal conductivity - 0.04 - 0.08 W / m × ° C;
• Operational working density - 110 - 200 kg / m²;
• The vapor permeability is 0.005 mg / m × h × Pa;
• Compressive strength is 0.7 - 4 MPa; on the bend - 0.4 - 0.6 MPa;
• Water absorption - up to 5% of the volume;
• Sound insulation - up to 56 dB;
• Moisture resistance is high;
• Environmental safety is complete;
• Chemical inertness is absolute;
• Permeability for air - high;
• The service life is unlimited.

The installation instructions for foam glass also coincide with that of expanded polystyrene. Plates glue and fix dowels, sometimes dispense with glue. Then the surface is plastered and covered with a mesh, which is applied the finishing layer of the facade coating.

Advice! Drill holes for dowels in rotation mode without impact, since otherwise the hole will be larger diameter.

Conclusion

The three brands of heaters have a number of advantages when insulating walls. The installation of these materials is simple and does not require special knowledge. In the video in this article you will find additional information on this topic.