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The technology of wall insulation with polystyrene is the insulation of a brick house from the outside with polystyrene foam. Facade insulation technology with extruded polystyrene foam An example of the use of polystyrene foam when arranging a heated area in front of a garage

Modern heaters can be divided into two types: organic and inorganic. The first type includes polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, the second - various kinds of wool (glass wool, stone wool ...)

In terms of prevalence and availability in the market thermal insulation materials(TIM) the most affordable are polystyrene foam insulation based on foamed polystyrene and extruded polystyrene foam.

I consider it superfluous to provide reference information of an alphanumeric nature. Data including the thermal conductivity of insulation, the density of polystyrene foam, etc. can be found on the net or read on the packaging before purchase. By and large, modern heaters of the vast majority of manufacturers are approximately the same in terms of characteristics, and with practical application their differences will be insignificant.

In this article I will try to focus on the features and properties of materials that can really (under certain circumstances) significantly affect the quality of the work performed. By the way, without competent warming polystyrene can be very expensive. And it’s not even so much about the danger to the building as about the harm to the residents of the house themselves.

In the process of performing thermal insulation work, I used both types of insulation (foam and polystyrene sheets).

Before talking about the features of these heaters, let's briefly consider examples of the possible use of polystyrene foam heaters in the private residential sector. Since it is almost impossible to describe all possible examples within the framework of one article, in some cases I will give a link to my previous articles, where the use of a particular material is shown in more detail.

Example of water pipe insulation

Along the entire length of the trench, we lay the PE film overlapping at the joints. On the film we lay cut sheets of PSB-15 foam plastic with a thickness of 50 mm (the numbers in the marking indicate the density of the expanded polystyrene and foam plastic). Next, we lay the PE pipe, pre-insulated pipe thermal insulation, on the sides of which we lay cut (narrower) foam sheets, also 50 mm thick. From above (along the foam and pipe) we lay another piece of foam and close the entire structure from above with a PE film. Due to gravity, after backfilling with soil, a sealed vapor-water-tight structure is formed. We make the first layer of backfill (15 - 20 cm) with loose soil, without stones and debris.

An example of the use of polystyrene foam when installing plastic windows

In this case, the use of foam was due to the following considerations:

Put plastic windows in openings brick wall, which, compared with wooden walls (in the house itself), are colder. Therefore, thermal breaks around the perimeter of the window at the points of interface with the wall create more comfortable conditions for the operation of the window (reduce the likelihood of fogging, freezing)

The next reason to use is that window openings in the annex were made without quarters. In this case, the probability of freezing (and blowing) at the junction is very high. Therefore, I used the foam plastic for the device of false quarters in the window opening. Which is exactly what is shown in the photo below.

Note. Naturally, the foam must be subsequently plastered, and the profile of the window itself (mechanically) must be fastened to the supporting structure of the wall. Mounting foam used in the usual (standard) way.

An example of the use of expanded polystyrene in the construction of a heated area in front of the garage

The insulation was used not as thermal insulation in the traditional sense, but as a thermal protective layer. The purpose of this layer is to keep the heat from the electrical heating cables from escaping into the ground. This ensures not only the efficiency of the snowmelt system, but also the economy of energy consumption.

An example of warming the blind area around the perimeter of the house

Since there is a separate article on this topic, where everything is described in detail, I will note the following. Firstly, I used a non-standard design of a warm blind area. This is my personal know-how. Operating experience has fully confirmed its effectiveness. At least, I am convinced that all other thermal insulation work around the house would not have given such an effect in the absence of insulation of the base of the perimeter of the house.

You can see the features of the performance of these works in the article.

An example of the use of foam plastic as a fixed formwork in the manufacture of a foundation

An example of performing these works is described in my article.
Since these were my first works related to the use of foam for building insulation, I must write the following in addition to the article.

It is more preferable, in this case, to use a heater based on extruded polystyrene foam. Firstly, it is more durable in terms of mechanical characteristics (ease of use), less susceptible to the negative effects of moisture (reliability and service life). Secondly, when constructing formwork in one layer (in the case of using sheets of extruded polystyrene foam with a selected quarter along the perimeter of the sheet), it allows you to completely eliminate cold bridges at the joints of insulation sheets.

An example of warming the basement of a house

The features of the work performed by me during the insulation of the basement of the house are due to the following circumstances.

First, the house (bought on the secondary housing market) was already finished structure. Therefore, the classical (and most correct) approach - the installation of insulation during the construction of the structure - is no longer relevant. We had to adapt and take into account the peculiarities of the design of individual parts of a real-life house.

Secondly, in view of the foregoing, the insulation of the basement of the house is done both from the outside (external insulation) and from the inside of the house. Features of the work performed are shown in the photo below.

External insulation of the basement of the house

Insulation of the basement of the house from the inside

An example of floor insulation on the ground

The photo shows a fragment of the work of floor insulation on the ground inside a residential building. In fact, I also used this method of insulation when insulating the floor in the boiler room, in the hallway, in the cellar. In more detail, the implementation of these works by me is described earlier in the article.

An example of using insulation inside a wall structure

The photo below shows a fragment of the implementation of thermal insulation work during the construction of non-residential premises.

After the publication of the article, during its discussion, different points of view were expressed on the use of this method of insulation. Now, after six years of using this premises, I can only confirm that in terms of "efficiency - price" I had no other alternatives. Moreover, structurally this room is almost closely adjacent to the house. It is almost impossible to make external insulation of the room along the wall adjacent to the house. If I had left one wall without any insulation, the temperature in the boiler room would have been noticeably lower. Now, depending on the frost, the temperature is stable around (10-15) degrees in the absence of heaters in the boiler room and hallways.

Since my house is wooden, then about the main method of using foam plastic as an outdoor facade insulation I don't speak. Moreover, there are many publications on this topic. I will only highlight a few of the most important points.

  • Firstly, despite the higher performance of extruded polystyrene compared to foamed polystyrene (in terms of thermal insulation, mechanical properties, etc.), extruded polystyrene cannot be used when insulating the facade of a brick building. This is explained by the fact that it has such vapor permeability indicators that it is practically impossible to select a wall material with the appropriate vapor permeability in private construction.
  • For external facade insulation of a brick structure, only foamed foam is suitable. It is recommended to use foam specifically designed for this, such as PSB-S-25F (facade). Although, as practice shows, the usual one is quite suitable. Do not use foam with a lower density (such as PSB-15).
  • Another important point that really takes place in practice when insulating the facade of a house with foam plastic is the use of foam plastic in one layer, usually 50 mm thick. For most regions of the Russian Federation, from the point of view of the effectiveness of insulation, such a layer of thermal insulation is clearly not enough. In addition, when insulating with foam plastic in one layer, the number of non-closed joints during the installation of PSB sheets along the entire facade of the house will be quite large, which will further reduce the quality of thermal insulation work due to the formation of cold bridges. Those. foam must be insulated in two layers in a checkerboard pattern (with overlapping joints).

Some Conclusions

Despite the abundance of examples of the possible use of polystyrene foam insulation when performing thermal insulation work in your home, there are conditions under which the use of polystyrene foam insulation is either absolutely impossible, or not optimal, or simply impossible. Let's consider them briefly.

It is very dangerous to use polystyrene foam insulation inside residential premises. The fact that they are fire hazardous is not so important, because everything burns in fire. But the formation of smoke with the release of toxic substances, for example, with a small local fire (at night, when the residents are sleeping), it may well turn out that the house will not suffer much, but the residents may not wake up. Therefore, it is better to refuse the use of polystyrene inside the house, or take very serious measures to protect it. For example, I used cotton wool insulation as thermal insulation inside a residential building. The photo below shows a fragment of the work on the thermal insulation of a wooden floor.

When arranging internal frame partitions in the house, for internal filling of the structure, he also used cotton wool insulation. True, the purpose of the application in this case is not so much thermal insulation as sound insulation. A fragment of the work is shown below.

An attentive reader may ask why I used polystyrene inside a residential building when insulating the floor and basement. Yes, I did. But after performing thermal insulation work using foam plastic inside the house, the thermal insulation layer was covered with a brick wall, plastered, and glued on the plaster fake diamond. The floors on top of the foam were concreted. Thus, we can say that the foam was inside a non-combustible structure. The photo below shows a fragment of the work.

It is practically impractical to use foam for insulation wooden structures. Firstly, and this is the main reason, due to the different vapor permeability of foam and wood, there is a high probability of moisture forming at the junction of materials. This can provoke mold, fungus on the tree. Secondly, polystyrene, unlike mineral wool insulation, is a rather elastic and poorly deformable material. Therefore, it can only be used on a fairly flat surface. Otherwise, with a loose fit, air voids will form, which will affect the quality of thermal insulation work. Therefore, when warming your wooden house using the ventilation facade system, I also used cotton wool insulation, which is shown in the photo below.

Thus, the most optimal, efficient and correct use of polystyrene foam insulation are building construction buildings located in the ground, or below the ground (foundations, basements, blind areas, the basement of buildings), as well as the insulation of the facades of stone (brick) buildings, but only with the use of foamed foam.

When a new insulation appears on the building materials market, then, naturally, it is advertised, compared with materials already tested in practice. And most often this comparison is not in favor of the "old" insulation. And about his positive properties they rarely mention, but the negative ones exaggerate, convincing consumers that it is generally better not to insulate a residential building with this material. Such a fate also affected polystyrene foam materials, which began to find fault in every way. Meanwhile, insulation with expanded polystyrene in certain parts of the house works much more efficiently than other materials, is cheap and does not require additional costs for vapor barrier. The main thing is to know where it is best to lay it.

Video about the use of polystyrene foam for home insulation

Characteristics of polystyrene materials: moisture-proof + heat insulation

From polystyrene materials today, two varieties are used in insulation: polystyrene foam and foam plastic. Both of them are created by foaming polystyrene, but with different additives. As a result, some specifications do not match.

Due to the large amount of air in the foam structure, the foam is not inferior in terms of thermal insulation to more expensive heaters

General properties polystyrene and foam plastic:

  • Both heaters are characterized by low moisture absorption. They do not absorb vapors like basalt materials, so they cannot lose their thermal insulation properties when wet. True, penoplex is absolutely impermeable to water, and polystyrene is impenetrable, but still able to absorb moisture.
  • The level of heat saving is high. It is believed that it is practically impossible to provide such a low thermal conductivity with another material.
  • Expanded polystyrenes are classified as combustible materials. Without a doubt, if set on fire, they would burn. But that's what it's for finishing to protect the insulation from possible fire. The tree also ignites easily, but the owners rarely worry about this.
  • Long service life. This parameter is really high when the insulation is isolated from sunlight, high temperatures, winds, etc. If you let the expanded polystyrene lie in the open for a week or two, then its “eternal” properties will instantly come to naught. Those. when buying a heater, you must immediately mount it and hide it under the finish coat, and not leave it unprotected for a couple of months until the finish is completed.
  • Compressive strength. Pushing the insulation with your finger is not so easy, if you only try hard. And in the construction of the house, it perfectly withstands the pressure of finishing on the floor or soil on the walls of the foundation.

What is the difference between foam and foam

As a result of foaming, the foam (aka ordinary polystyrene foam) acquires a light granular structure that is permeable to air. But it also acquires fragility, which causes certain difficulties when cutting sheets: corners easily break off.

Penoplex (aka extruded polystyrene foam) differs from its “brother” in a softer structure, so it is easier to mount it on uneven surfaces. The dense material is completely waterproof.

The elasticity and complete moisture impermeability of foam plastic make it indispensable for insulating uneven structures.

Foundation insulation: material advantages

In the foundation part of the house, insulation with polystyrene foam is very effective, because such a cake successfully resists ground pressure and protects the basement and basement from freezing. If you choose which of the options to peel off the foundation, then insulation with extruded polystyrene foam will cost more. But its elastic structure will withstand heaving soil with a high level of freezing. With the expansion of the volume, the frozen earth can displace the foundation slabs, and the foam plastic will become a barrier between the soil and concrete, softening the strong pressure. But if there are no harsh winters in your area, then cheap foam plastic will be enough to protect the foundation. True, you will need to protect it from moisture from the soil by covering it with a waterproof film on top.

When insulating the foundation with extruded polystyrene foam, it does not require waterproofing from the soil

Floor insulation: you can't imagine better

Another structural element that is 100% suitable for polystyrene insulation is floors. Due to the water resistance of the plates, you will save the house from damp rising from the basement. This is especially beneficial for owners whose buildings stand on soils with a similar level ground water. Both materials can be laid both on a concrete base and on a subfloor made of boards, if an underfloor heating system is conceived. Only in the case of wooden base the subfield must be well ventilated so that moisture does not saturate the boards. Without it, the tree will quickly rot, because on top of it there will be a waterproof material.

On a flat concrete screed installation of polystyrene foam boards is carried out very quickly, and the effect of insulation is high

Walls: Styrofoam insulation inside and out

But with the walls, the situation is ambiguous. The effectiveness of insulation in this case will depend on the wall material. We will immediately discard the possibility of using these heaters in a wooden wall, since insulating a house with polystyrene foam means depriving the house of the healing microclimate that wood is famous for. A beam or a log must "breathe", i.e. ventilate. In the case of laying foam plastic, this possibility is completely lost, and with foam plastic it is reduced to a minimum. In addition, a tree covered with polystyrene will not be able to regulate the level of humidity, and excess moisture will settle on the inside of the wall (between it and the insulation) in the form of fungus and mold. You can, of course, make a steam or hydro barrier to protect the timber, but that's all. beneficial features timber is lost.

But for brick, block walls, for filling frame structures, it is used quite successfully. But, again, with some reservations. So, for walls that weakly hold heat (block, brick, stone, etc.), these heaters are best used outside. Moreover, polystyrene turns out to be more profitable, because it does not overlap natural ventilation.

Why outside? In an uninsulated wall, the boundary between cold and heat is obtained approximately in the middle of the wall material. Those. part of the heat from the premises is still retained. If you close the blocks inside with insulation, then the boundary will move from the middle to the inner surface of the wall and get somewhere between the insulation and the wall material. This means that your entire wall will be cold and will not be able to retain at least a little heat coming from the inside. In addition, you completely isolate it with a heater that does not heat up by itself. It only blocks heat from escaping.

Exterior walls brick house it is better to insulate with foam, fixing it with dowel-umbrellas or putting it on glue

If you mount the foam outside, then in this case the wall itself becomes an additional source of heating. Those. if the temperature drops outside the window, then the blocks will not “feel” this, since the cold boundary will remain in the insulation. These walls feel warm to the touch. They do not need to take heat from the rooms to warm themselves.

Benefits external insulation the walls are especially noticeable when the heating is turned off. Despite the cold outside, the house will maintain a stable temperature for a long time, because the insulation will block the leakage of heat from the walls.

Ceiling insulation: polystyrene suitable for ventilated rooms

When insulating the ceiling, it is important to remember not only the thermal insulation properties of polystyrenes, but also moisture resistance. After all, it will strive upward and hot air, and steam from the kitchen, bath, etc. If you lay these heaters, then the steam will not go further than the ceiling, but may settle on them in the form of condensate. But if natural and forced ventilation works well in the house, then lay any of the options safely. Thermal insulation will be top notch.

In non-insulated rooms (balconies, summer verandas) polystyrene foam ceiling will be an excellent insulator from moisture

If you choose between a pitched and flat roof, then flat is definitely better for polystyrenes. It is even, so the insulation will lie better. True, it is imperative to waterproof the base on which you will lay polystyrene, and cover it with a thick layer of bitumen or other protective coating on top so that the insulation does not collapse under the influence of natural factors.

On the flat roofs it is more profitable to lay penoplex, as it will protect the premises from precipitation as much as possible

AT pitched roofs polystyrenes are practically not used due to the complexity of installation. Nobody wants to complicate construction works and level the surface under the heater, therefore, in pitched structures it is better to use soft or sprayed heaters.

If you plan to insulate a pitched roof with polystyrene foam, then you need to adjust the pitch of the rafters to the size of the sheets

Polystyrene materials can be a great addition to the design of the house, if they are used correctly. And the ideal insulation has not yet been invented!

Wall insulation from the inside with polystyrene foam has gained wide popularity due to the excellent thermal insulation of the material. Expanded polystyrene can be used to insulate a room both inside and outside.

It is possible to insulate with polystyrene foam from the outside and from the inside, this insulation is popular due to its qualities and low price.

Characteristics of expanded polystyrene

Extruded polystyrene foam is a product of mixing polystyrene with a substance based on carbon dioxide and light freons.

This mixture is heated and passed through a special apparatus - an extruder. This equipment contributes to good mixing and foaming of the mixture. This composition is then formed into sheets which, when solidified, form a light porous material.

Wall insulation with polystyrene foam is much more effective than with polystyrene foam. This is due to the fact that expanded polystyrene has a granule size of 2-8 mm, interconnected by heated steam. Extruded polystyrene foam is subjected to heat treatment while still in a liquid state, due to which the material acquires a solid solid structure.

Expanded polystyrene has the following properties:

Technical characteristics of expanded polystyrene boards.

  1. Low thermal conductivity: 0.03 W per 1 cc. Such a high ability to retain heat is due to the fact that this material consists of 90% of the air in the cells.
  2. Ability to withstand heavy loads: 35 tons per 1 sq.m.
  3. Resistant to temperature extremes, humidity, precipitation, direct sunlight.
  4. Chemical resistance: does not rot, is not destroyed by insects and rodents.
  5. Does not pass moisture, which eliminates the occurrence of mold and swelling.
  6. Low vapor permeability. Wall insulation with polystyrene foam eliminates the use of vapor barriers.
  7. Fire resistant.
  8. Long service life: up to 50 years and above.
  9. Environmental friendliness. Expanded polystyrene is widely used not only in construction, but also in the food industry. Containers and disposable tableware are made from this material.

Currently, the technique of erecting hollow walls has gained popularity. Its essence lies in the fact that a sheet of insulation is inserted into the cavity of the supporting structures. This allows you to save building materials, and also increases the performance of the building. In this case, the insulation lasts much longer, as it is hidden from the aggressive effects of the environment.

Partitions inside the house are rarely insulated with polystyrene foam, since in any case they are inside a warm room.

On a wall insulated with polystyrene foam, installation electrical sockets undesirable.

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Preparing walls for thermal insulation

Figure 1. Scheme of insulation using expanded polystyrene inside the building.

Insulation of walls from the inside is done when it is impossible to do it from the outside. For example, when the facade of the house has a great historical significance or a lot of decor. In other cases, it is advisable to insulate the room from the outside, since internal thermal insulation reduces the volume of the room.

Internal thermal insulation has a scheme, as in Fig.1.

To work, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • spatulas;
  • paint roller and brush;
  • perforator;
  • rubber mallet;
  • dowels;
  • mounting knife and pencil;
  • building level;
  • glue;
  • container for adhesive liquid;
  • painting net;
  • primer;
  • antifungal agent;
  • expanded polystyrene sheets, at least 5 cm thick.

Wall insulation begins with surface preparation. First you need to dismantle the old wallpaper or other finishing material. The old and plinth should also be removed to insulate the wall as low as possible.

Traces of mold should be removed with sandpaper. In the presence of irregularities and cracks, the wall must be leveled with plaster and puttied.

After the putty has dried, the surface should be coated with an antifungal agent. The next day, the walls are primed. This is for a good grip. finishing material with the wall and prevent the appearance of fungus. When performing this procedure, it is recommended to ventilate the room.

To prevent the accumulation of condensate, it is necessary to lay a waterproofing substrate before installing the insulation.

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Insulation of internal walls: instructions

Figure 2. Scheme of fastening polystyrene foam to the wall with dowels

Insulation with polystyrene foam from the inside can be done in two ways:

  • fixing sheets to the wall with dowels;
  • laying tiles on glue.

The scheme of the first method is shown in fig. 2.

The insulation begins to be fixed from the bottom up from the corner. The plate is set vertically and pressed against the wall to be insulated, and the end of the sheet against the side wall. Holes are drilled through the insulation with a perforator, into which the dowels will be hammered.

Then plastic dowels are inserted into the holes, and nails are hammered into them. The dowel cap should tightly press the sheets of insulation and not rise above its surface.

The second row is laid close to the bottom. To get a smaller sheet of insulation, it is cut with a knife. The gaps between the sheets are sealed with mounting foam, but not with adhesive tape.

The second method of insulation is performed using glue, the best option which is performed by Ceresit. This adhesive composition has good adhesion with polystyrene foam, drywall and other finishing materials.

Glue should be applied to the wall, not to the Styrofoam! To do this, with a notched trowel, the adhesive mixture is applied pointwise or in stripes to the surface, and then a sheet of insulation is applied to this area. The glue hardens very quickly, so the sheet should be mounted within 10 minutes.

For reliable fastening, the sheets can be fixed with dowels. 5 dowels are enough for one layer of material: 4 in the corners and 1 in the center.

Expanded polystyrene, or polystyrene, as a universal insulation for houses was announced relatively recently - in 1984. It was this material that formed the basis of the panel house built in Alaska by the American Hoot Haddock for his daughter.

The harsh climatic conditions of this region were a natural laboratory for testing the thermal insulation and other structural qualities of the foam.

The exam was passed "excellent". Since then, expanded polystyrene has been actively used in the construction of houses. It is used both for additional insulation, and as the main building material, in the form of panels and blocks.

Polystyrene materials - types and characteristics

There are several types of polystyrene foam materials, but two types of polystyrene foam are used in the construction of houses: polystyrene foam and polystyrene familiar to everyone.

Both materials have the same base - expanded polystyrene. However, they differ in various additional materials and production technology.

As a result, the characteristics of these varieties of polystyrene foam are basically similar, but in the details they have significant differences.

Styrofoam is ordinary polystyrene foam. It is obtained by foaming polystyrene granules with water vapor. The formed polystyrene foam is formed into plates, blocks, sheets and other structures.

In the foamed structure of the foam is held a large number of air, due to this it has excellent heat-insulating qualities.

This material is moisture resistant, but not one hundred percent. With prolonged exposure to moisture, it is saturated and retains it in itself.

Styrofoam is also able to "breathe", that is, it allows air to pass through. When insulating houses, this factor must be taken into account.

It should also be borne in mind that the foam is quite fragile, therefore it does not lend itself very well to processing, especially in the corner area. Having a granular base, it easily breaks off in uneven pieces. For cutting foam sheets, a special jigsaw with a red-hot nichrome thread is used.

Extruded, or extruded polystyrene foam, also called penoplex, is manufactured using a different, more advanced technology, the so-called extrusion method.

Polystyrene granules melt at high temperature and high pressure in a special device (extruder). Further, special foaming additives are introduced into the resulting homogeneous mass. The formed substance is squeezed out of the extruder into the prepared form.

According to its microstructure, extruded polystyrene foam is a uniformly porous, homogeneous substance filled with gas. The pore diameter does not exceed 0.1 - 0.2 mm.

This structure provides the foam with unique functional qualities that are an order of magnitude superior to the foam.

This material is much more durable and ductile, easy to cut and other processing.

Penoplex does not let moisture and air through at all.

Due to the unique combination of qualities: lightness, strength, plasticity, low thermal conductivity, vapor permeability and moisture resistance, penoplex has received a wide range of applications.

This is not only thermal insulation and insulation of houses: facades, foundations, floors, walls, roofs. Extruded polystyrene foam is used in the construction of highways subject to significant temperature changes, and even runways.

The tasks of thermal insulation of ice stadiums, industrial refrigeration rooms, sports arenas are also successfully solved with the help of foam.

Not only thermal insulation sheets are produced from this material, but also independent building blocks– even for load-bearing structures.

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Advantages of polystyrene foam materials

Expanded polystyrene materials have:

  • the lowest thermal conductivity compared to other materials: a sheet of 10 cm is equivalent in terms of thermal insulation properties to 15 cm of mineral wool, 45 cm of wood, 70 cm of aerated concrete, 100 cm of expanded clay concrete, 150 cm of brick and almost 400 cm of ordinary concrete;
  • the smallest specific gravity;
  • excellent strength characteristics;
  • high moisture resistance right technology applications;
  • ease of processing;
  • resistance to many chemicals, building materials;
  • durability, when used correctly;
  • human safety;
  • low price.

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Disadvantages and dangers of polystyrene foam

Penoplex and polystyrene are inferior to other materials, in particular - mineral wool, according to the level of sound insulation.

When insulating houses with foam plastic, the need for ventilation increases, since this polystyrene foam does not “breathe”.

When heated above 80 0 C, as well as when exposed to direct sunlight, the structure of expanded polystyrenes is destroyed.

Expanded polystyrene materials are not fireproof. High-quality penoplex must be self-extinguishing, but it melts, releasing a "moderately toxic" gas.

The disadvantage is not a very long service life of polystyrene foam. On average - 10-20 years. Some types of penoplex live up to 40 years with proper use, but this is much less than other materials.

It is necessary to be aware of the dangers posed by insulation with polystyrene foam.

The main danger is that low-quality polystyrene and polystyrene foam begin to melt and release gas during a fire, which can be deadly.

Therefore, it is imperative to use proven, quality materials with the necessary certificates.

Warming the house with polystyrene materials is best done from the outside, not from the inside. This will help to avoid another danger - the formation of mold. Fungal infection of the walls is caused by the displacement of the "dew point" inside the room when internal insulation walls.

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Where are polystyrene boards used?

Modern polystyrene foam insulation have wide range applications.

When insulating a house, the advantages of these materials are best manifested in several cases.

Base insulation. Suitable for both foam and foam. But the foam must be covered with a layer of waterproofing. Penoplex is able to independently withstand all the "attacks" of humidity, temperature and heaving of the soil.

Insulation of the floor surface. Both materials are excellent. Insulation can be mounted on any base, subject to necessary conditions, depending on the design of the floor.

Wall insulation. In this case, it is necessary to proceed from the characteristics of the material of the walls themselves. It is strongly not recommended to insulate wooden houses with polystyrene foam, especially log houses. The house is deprived of the unique microclimate that the tree is designed to provide.

But concrete, brick buildings are insulated with polystyrenes with a high degree of efficiency. However, it is necessary to carefully analyze the structures in order to correctly determine whether to insulate from the inside or outside. External insulation has proved to be the most effective, but there may be options for internal insulation. For example, unheated loggias or balconies.

Moreover, for external insulation, “breathing” foam is more suitable, while for internal insulation it is vapor-tight foam, eliminating the need for additional vapor barrier.

When mounting walls in frame structures of houses, it is more acceptable to use foam plastic, which has a better sound insulation coefficient.

The use of expanded polystyrenes for ceiling insulation is effective provided that the room is equipped with good natural or forced ventilation.

Styrofoam ceilings work great in unheated rooms. They are insulators from both temperature extremes and moisture.

Extruded polystyrene is a synthetic insulation material that was developed back in the 1950s. Among its main advantages are water resistance, excellent resistance to deformation, low thermal conductivity and resistance to inorganic solvents. If you decide to use polystyrene (insulation), you should be aware that it can withstand high temperatures. It can be operated in the range from -500 to +750 degrees. The material is thin, lightweight and durable. If we compare with wood, then polystyrene for insulation will need only 2 centimeters, as for wood, this figure should be equal to 2.5 meters. will be able to provide the same effect of insulation with a thickness of 3.7 centimeters, but to achieve the same effect, it should be 3.8 centimeters thick.

Consumer reviews

Polystyrene is a heater, which, according to buyers, has a wide range of uses. It can be installed both outside and inside buildings. It acts as the main part of the sandwich panels that are used in construction. This thermal insulation can be used to provide well masonry, and also, if necessary, experts emphasize that it has found wide application even in road construction. Polystyrene - a heater which is characterized by high resistance to influence of water. Due to these characteristics, it can be used for the restoration of basements, attics, where there is a high level of humidity. This material can be used even in those rooms that almost do not warm up. In civil engineering, it is used for arranging runways, as well as building swimming pools. Some grades of polystyrene are able to withstand huge loads, which reach 45 tons per square meter. Thanks to this, it is possible to use the described thermal insulation for insulation of pitched and concrete base. Polystyrene is an insulation that can be fixed with special glue or using mushroom-shaped dowels.

General characteristics

Extruded polystyrene is used for thermal insulation of freezers and refrigeration units, and ice arenas. He perfectly demonstrated his qualitative characteristics when working on surfaces that are deep into the ground and are under the influence of groundwater. Additional conditions can be complicated low temperatures. Therefore, the material can be used even for as well as in the construction railways and highways. Sheet polystyrene has excellent sound insulation characteristics, which are complemented by thermal insulation qualities. Due to its high resistance to biogenic pests, the material can be used for thermal insulation of loggias, balconies, walls of industrial and residential buildings, as well as roofs.

Fire resistance characteristics

You should not believe sellers, as well as manufacturers who claim that polystyrene has no flaws. The use of this thermal insulation is prohibited during construction in the USA and the European Union. The reason for this was the fire of a newly renovated building in Germany. Cause: extruded polystyrene fire. If you decide to purchase sheet polystyrene, you should remember that with all its obvious positive qualities, the attitude towards this material remains ambiguous. The stumbling block is fire resistance. During the manufacturing process, flame retardants are added to the ingredients, which are designed to prevent the spread of fire when exposed to it. However, the insulation will smolder, releasing toxic substances that can be fatal to a person.

Installation instructions

Polystyrene, the properties of which were described above, must be installed after preparing a certain set of tools and materials. Among them are glue designed to work with foam, primer, plaster, the last of which will be needed to treat the surface of the walls. Do not forget about dish nails, as well as nylon cords, the former will be necessary for additional mechanical fixation, while the latter will be used to determine surface irregularities. Among other things, it is important to have a tool - a level, a spatula, a screwdriver, a drill, as well as a hacksaw and a clerical knife.

Polystyrene, whose properties are the subject of our review, is best installed in the warm season, when the thermometer has not dropped below +5 degrees. This is important for those cases when it is supposed to be used. In order to achieve a positive result, it is recommended to use two types of insulation fixing, namely glue and dowels. This will ensure reliable thermal insulation that will last for many years.

Glue preparation

Polystyrene, the use of which was described above, must be installed using a special adhesive, the instructions for its preparation must be followed. It is important to exclude the use of independent actions and incorrect recipes, since non-compliance with the recipe will cause poor quality fixation of the material.

What the master needs to know

Polystyrene, the use of which is described above, must be installed according to a certain technology. It involves the advance application of glue. The composition must be coated with foam sheets an hour before they are attached to the surface. If the walls are fairly even, then the mixture should be rubbed as thinly as possible over the entire sheet. If the surface has irregularities, then it is necessary to carry out some work first.

Surface preparation

Insulation with polystyrene provides for the need for pre-treatment of the base. First, the surface must be washed from dust and dirt. After that, unnecessary items are removed, such as pieces of reinforcement, protruding nails, and other things. To level the facade, you can use a plaster mixture, and in those places where there are cracks and crevices, it is best to go through putty. This will eliminate unpleasant consequences and improve the quality of thermal insulation. The final stage of preparation is the application of a primer.

Insulation installation

It is important to install according to panel technology. Polystyrene in this case will show all its positive traits. It is necessary to join the sheets with cut sides, since they have a flat surface, due to this, the gaps will be minimal. Large seams are best dealt with with liquid Styrofoam or Styrofoam pieces. However, you should not use mounting foam, as it will contribute to the expansion of the insulation, which will negatively affect the integrity of the structure. Irregularities in the joints on the sheets can be eliminated with a grater or coarse sandpaper. Polystyrene, the characteristics of which were presented above, must be fastened with dish-shaped dowels that have a different hat. It will be able to efficiently drive the sheet to the surface. The rest of the fasteners, such as nails or self-tapping screws, should be discarded, since there is a possibility that strong wind will deform the insulation. After installing the fasteners, the self-tapping screw will need to be covered with putty.

After the polystyrene sheet is attached to the wall, you will need to install dowels in the holes. Initially, the fasteners will need to be installed around the perimeter, and then press the central part. As soon as one row is ready, you can proceed to the second. Work should be carried out moving from left to right. It is important to adhere to the level, for this you can use a laser or construction device. However, it is worth considering that it will not be possible to completely get rid of the error. Until the glue sets, you can still cut or substitute the material in certain places.

Installation of insulation in two layers

Polystyrene, the price of which is quite acceptable for a modern consumer, can be installed in two layers. If there is a need for more effective insulation, it is worth using this technology. The first layer does not need to be covered with putty; finishing work of this type should be transferred to the second layer. Fixing can be done without glue, using only dish-shaped dowels, the length of which should correspond to the thickness of two words. It should be excluded the possibility of mechanical fasteners getting into the place where the dowel is already installed. If this happens, then in this case it will be necessary to redo the work, and it will not be possible to get rid of the hole. The sizes of polystyrene are different. For this reason, before visiting the store, it is recommended to calculate the area of ​​​​the insulated surface. Thus, for a square slab of 1100x500 mm you will have to pay 1500 rubles.

Final works

Once the insulation is installed, it should be left until the glue dries. For decorative finishes surfaces, plaster can be used, however, surface reinforcement is used. The grid is installed by some owners of private houses. Used for decoration and plastic profiles, as well as lining. You must independently choose for yourself the option that will be most acceptable. If the work is carried out independently, then it is important to evaluate your abilities, because it will depend on the quality of the installation appearance your house. Polystyrene, the price of which was mentioned above, is an effective thermal insulation. You can use it in several layers in order to achieve a positive result. This is the approach recommended by experts in their field. Every home master will be able to do such work.