Characteristics
Foam production was started more than eighty years ago. The first block was produced in Germany, after which it began to be applied everywhere in various territories. Polystyrene balls serve as the basis for the insulation boards. Initially, they are elements with a dense structure that do not even remotely resemble foam. At the first stage of production, they are foamed. Next, the base is dried and aged, which is subsequently immersed in a special chamber, where it is sintered with steam at a certain pressure. At the presale stage, the foam is in large blocks that are cut to specification.
The size of a standard sheet that is used for insulation has a length and width of one meter, there are also options for a foam sheet with a half-width smaller. The most popular sheet size is 120 by 60 cm.The difference in types lies not only in size, but also in the density of the material. A density of 25 kg per cubic meter is considered normal for facade insulation. Plates with a density of 15 and 40 kilograms are also produced. This indicator directly affects thermal conductivity. The higher the number, the lower the thermal conductivity and the higher the price for the foam. A denser insulation can withstand heavy loads, so it is often used to insulate the floor.
Due to the fact that the balls undergo preliminary foaming, this saturates them with gas, which determines the low thermal conductivity of the foam. Its indicator is in the range of 0.038 W / (m × K). Typically, the foam is produced in white, but in the process of making polystyrene balls, the manufacturer can add any required pigment to make his products stand out from other options. In some cases, extruded polystyrene foam and expanded polyethylene can also be called foam. These materials differ from polystyrene in the manufacturing method and the underlying material.
Properties
Based on the characteristics and experience of using foam, it is quite easy to highlight its strengths and weaknesses. The advantages of such an insulator include:
- minimum weight;
- ecological cleanliness;
- low cost;
- the possibility of self-assembly;
- the possibility of insulating various surfaces;
- ease of processing and fitting;
- resistance to biological processes;
- soundproofing properties.
The solids in the foam are only a few percent compared to the total volume of gas contained in the material. This makes it lightweight. Thanks to this, the insulation is perfect for use with frame structures, since it does not exert significant pressure on the foundation and walls. This feature also simplifies the process of lifting the material to a height and self-assembly. Polystyrene is a polymer that, in its structure and composition, does not cause any harm to human health and the environment, if you do not eat it, therefore, you can insulate the structure with foam plastic without fear that, over time, harmful substances will begin to be released from heating. The comparative cost of such a material is low, so it is suitable for low-budget insulation of temporary buildings.
The installation of the material does not cause any particular difficulties, therefore it can be carried out without assistance. Due to its versatility, insulation can be made for any available surface.At the same time, the foam does not react with most building materials, if you do not take into account organic solvents. Therefore, when laying foam on wooden, brick or concrete surfaces, there are no problems. The insulation can be processed with an ordinary knife or hacksaw, which simplifies the process of adjusting it to various shapes. The material of small thickness can take curvilinear shapes, therefore, insulation of semicircular bay windows is available. Polyfoam is an excellent insulation for the basement and foundation. This is due to the fact that it can be in the ground for many years without changing its properties, since it is not subject to decay processes and mold and fungus do not develop on the surface of the foam. The wall insulated with foam acquires additional soundproofing properties, which is also a positive effect.
It is also important to know about the disadvantages, which, however, are covered by the existing advantages:
- instability to organic solvents;
- low mechanical strength;
- fire hazard;
- lack of vapor permeability.
It is not recommended to use insulation during painting work. Certain types of paints that are diluted with solvents can damage the material by decomposing it. A surface insulated with foam requires additional reinforcement by installing a fiberglass mesh in order to increase its strength, since even a slight mechanical effect can leave a dent in the material. Although fire retardants are added to the insulation during production, this does not make it absolutely fireproof. When exposed to high temperatures, the material melts with the release of carbon dioxide, but is capable of self-extinguishing. Due to the density of the material, air does not pass through it, which provides insulation from moisture, but creates a barrier during its outflow, which can result in the formation of mold under the insulation.
Note! Rodents can get inside the insulation slabs. Mice and rats do not eat it, but simply make passages inside, arranging a dwelling. Poultry also loves to peck on styrofoam, damaging its integrity.
How to quickly and efficiently insulate a house with foam plastic?
The best option is to turn to professionals. They will select the material, taking into account the peculiarities of the frame house for permanent residence, carry out preparatory work, securely fix the sheets, do plastering and other finishing procedures. The works will be delivered on a turnkey basis.
A guarantee is provided for the insulation of a wooden or frame house with polystyrene foam. For consultations and applications, call the contact phone.
Is it worth it to insulate from the inside
The question of insulating a house or other building with foam from the inside causes a lot of controversy, since it is difficult to unequivocally answer this question. It is worth saying that this method of foam insulation exists, but it also has opponents. The main argument is that heat-absorbing materials should be placed inside the building, since they absorb the ambient temperature, and the heat-insulating materials should be left outside so that they prevent the penetration of cold to the building materials. Insulation from the inside with foam is possible if you provide high-quality ventilation of the room, which will remove moisture in a timely manner, which will prevent the formation of mold. It is also important to calculate everything correctly so that the dew point does not shift towards the dwelling. In this case, due to the difference in air temperatures inside and outside, condensation will occur between the insulation and the wall, which will lead to the destruction of the blocks. A video of the process of internal foam insulation is below.
Insulation of the walls of the house with penoplex
When can this heat insulator be used, for which wall materials?
First, any wall cake in which steam is supposed to escape from the room to the outside through the wall material of the wall is excluded in this case.
The vapor permeability of foam is extremely low. Therefore, this heat insulator will trap steam at the level of the interior wall decoration. In a practical form, this use of a heat insulator will result in dampness of the walls from the inside and mold stains on all walls.
Secondly, it is absolutely impossible to use penoplex as a top layer in a combined insulation cake, where several types of insulation are used.
For example, if there is basalt wool on the side of the room, and then there will be a layer of foam, then the wool will always be damp. Steam will condense on the inner surface of the foam sheets.
But on any vapor-proof wall material, penoplex will be in place. Any heavy concrete, for example, expanded clay concrete, can be insulated with penoplex.
Analyzing which is better, polystyrene or polystyrene foam, for insulating walls outside in frame houses, it is worth noting that there is no difference here.
Why? Because with the help of a vapor barrier, we cut off the steam from the room from the insulation layer. And therefore, we can well use penoplex in a frame wall.
Testimonials
“We used foam to insulate the roof of the garage, which is adjacent to the house. There are no complaints about the thermal insulation qualities of the material, since the temperature in the garage has increased significantly. The joints between the foam sheets were treated with adhesive foam to prevent cold bridges. The main problem is that there are mice in the foam. Especially at night you can hear how they move inside the insulation. Most likely, over time, the holes will become through, which will nullify all the insulation. We are not planning to use foam for other premises, so as not to observe the same effect. "
Julia, Moscow region
“By itself, foam is a pretty good insulation. But before using it, you should think about what specific needs the room has, which will be insulated. If there are problems with rodents in the area or in the house, then it is better not to use this type of material. It is worth using a different type of insulation even if there is high humidity and poor ventilation inside the room. Insulation material can be considered one of the cheapest and ideal for insulating city apartments, but it is not suitable for country houses and summer cottages. "
Elena, Yaroslavl
“I used polystyrene as insulation during construction. The first floor was finished before the frost, and the second remained unfinished, so I had to think about how to quickly insulate it. Around the perimeter, I stuffed a wooden beam from the outside as a crate for siding. Between it I laid foam plastic, gluing the joints with special foam. Siding was laid on top. In February, it was noticeable that the thermal insulation was working perfectly. I have experience in using such a heater, because two years before the house was insulated I used it for a change house and was satisfied with the result. The main disadvantage of the material is the destruction under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, as well as the fragility of the sheets. "
Evgeniy, Ufa
“The need for thermal insulation became an edge after the purchase of a corner apartment in an old brick building. In summer, the temperature was tolerable, but the first winter showed disappointing results. I opted for polystyrene on the advice of friends, who persuaded for a long time, praising the material. For four years after warming, no shortcomings were noticed. In winter, the surface of the wall remains dry, and in summer it is not too hot in the apartment. Thanks to the use of polystyrene, heating and air conditioning costs have been reduced.Over the entire period of use, no cracks or other damage appeared on the surface of the finish. "
Nikolay, Verkhnyaya Salda
“We are the owners of an end apartment with two walls facing the street. We decided to replace the old wooden windows with plastic ones, which worsened ventilation and led to the appearance of moisture on the walls in winter. Frequent airing did not give a positive result. Over time, cracks were noticed under the windowsill. It was decided to insulate the apartment. We were looking for suitable material from reviews on the Internet and opted for foam. Foam insulation was carried out in early autumn, so I was looking forward to a cold snap to test the effectiveness of the foam. In winter, the effect of wet walls is gone thanks to the foam, and the apartment has become noticeably warmer, which allows you to save on heating. The insulation was relatively expensive as the styrofoam was laid on two walls, but the result was worth it. The neighbors realized the benefits and decided to also use the insulation of the walls with the help of polystyrene. "
Elena, Saratov
Insulation of a private frame house with foam: features and nuances
The material can be laid on any surface: partitions, ceilings and floors, walls, ceilings, etc. In addition to good thermal insulation characteristics, it also has sound-absorbing qualities. Therefore, it can also be used for additional sound insulation between individual rooms.
Both external insulation of the house with foam plastic and interior wall decoration are possible. The first option is preferable because it does not reduce the usable area of the rooms and does not require a vapor barrier.
