Choosing insulation for the walls of a house outside: price, types and review of manufacturers. Insulation for the external walls of a house: types, how to choose, the best brands The best materials for home insulation

20.06.2020

External thermal insulation gives a much better effect than insulating a house from the inside. In addition to its main functions, insulation protects walls from precipitation, mechanical damage, and weathering, thereby extending the service life of the entire building. Installing insulation does not require special knowledge or skills, and most homeowners can easily cope with this task on their own. But in order to do everything as efficiently as possible, you need to know what materials are available for insulating walls outside, and how to attach them correctly.

Despite the fact that the operating conditions outside and inside the house are strikingly different, the same materials can be used in both cases. However, when choosing insulation, preference should be given to those options that best meet the following requirements:

increased resistance to shrinkage;
resistance to mechanical damage;
UV resistance;
durability;
ease of installation;
resistance to insects and microorganisms.

For wooden houses The vapor permeability of the insulation also matters, because wooden walls must "breathe". As a rule, finishing coatings for facades are designed for long-term use, and removing them every few years to replace thermal insulation that has become unusable is too troublesome and not always advisable. At the same time, if the insulation under the finishing becomes compressed, cracks, begins to rot, or is chewed off by mice, it will no longer be able to retain heat, which means it will not be possible to do without repairs. That is why it is so important that the selected material fully meets the specified criteria.

Types of thermal insulation materials

At the moment, the construction market offers the following materials for insulating houses:

They all differ in technical characteristics, installation technology, and have different service life. Moreover, each of them is suitable for outdoor use and has its own advantages. Let's look at these materials in more detail.

Mineral wool is made from fine fibers obtained by melting and pulverizing glass, blast furnace slag or rocks. Depending on the location of the fibers, the structure of the insulation can be corrugated, vertically layered or horizontally layered, and have different densities and thicknesses. Each type of mineral wool has its own characteristics:

Mineral wool is produced in slabs and mats with various options coverings – kraft paper, aluminum foil, fiberglass. In terms of cost, basalt insulation is the most expensive, and the higher its density, the more expensive it is.

Advantages mineral wool:

the fine-fiber structure facilitates the free passage of air and water vapor, so the risk of condensation on the insulated surface is minimal;
due to its mineral base, the material is not subject to combustion, which means it provides additional protection to the walls from fire;
the insulation has a relatively high moisture resistance, and therefore effectively prevents the penetration of dampness into the house;
mineral wool perfectly absorbs sounds and vibrations, and almost no street noise penetrates into the insulated room;
the insulation is lightweight, easy to process, and thanks to its elasticity, quickly restores its shape after being crushed during installation;
Microorganisms and insects do not develop in mineral wool; rodents do not like it.

Flaws:

mineral wool has a tendency to shrink, and the lower the density of the material, the faster deformations occur. Rigid basalt slabs are the least susceptible to shrinkage, but due to the high cost, not everyone can afford such thermal insulation;
when wet for a long time, the insulation becomes saturated with moisture and loses its thermal insulation qualities;
microscopic fibers are easily destroyed when squeezing and cutting the material, and then settle on the skin, causing irritation, and can enter the eyes and lungs. Glass wool is considered the most dangerous in this regard, but with other types of mineral wool you should use at least gloves and a respirator.

Popular brands of mineral wool.

Name	Brief characteristics
	Basalt insulation with increased rigidity is produced in the form of slabs with a thickness of 25 to 180 mm. Suitable for all types of facades, can serve as a basis for applying plaster. It is resistant to deformation and shrinkage, waterproof, low thermal conductivity, and absolutely non-flammable. Fastening is done using dowels and glue
	A type of glass wool with various additives that improve the characteristics of the insulation. Available in slabs and rolls, there are options with foil coating. Widely used for insulating facades of all types, frame structures, internal partitions, roofing systems
	Fiberglass insulation that does not contain formaldehyde additives. Available in slabs and rolls, it is characterized by biological and chemical resistance, elasticity, and good vapor permeability. Material thickness – from 5 to 10 cm
	Glass wool insulation with a high content of water repellents. Available in the form of rolls, mats, rigid and semi-rigid slabs, 50-100 mm thick. Suitable for all types of surfaces, ventilated facades, frame structures

Prices for mineral wool

Foam and EPS

Insulation materials based on polystyrene foam are excellent heat insulators due to their closed cellular structure. Almost 98% of the material is air or inert gas, enclosed in sealed cells, so the insulation weighs very little. Both polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam practically do not absorb moisture, which means they are excellent for insulating foundations, plinths, and basements. When thermally insulating facades, these materials serve as the basis for applying plaster.

Advantages:

polystyrene foam insulation is lightweight and easy to process during installation, so even a beginner can handle it. In addition, such thermal insulation does not place a large load on the base, which means there is no need for additional reinforcement of load-bearing structures;
microorganisms cannot develop in polystyrene foam, so the insulation is not afraid of fungi and mold;
with proper installation, these materials last quite a long time, especially EPS - up to 50 years;
polystyrene foam and EPS are resistant to soap and salt solutions, alkalis, bleach and other chemically aggressive substances;
installation does not require application protective equipment in the form of a respirator or gloves, since the insulation does not emit toxic fumes or small particles and does not cause irritation.

Flaws:

expanded polystyrene is a vapor-tight material, and therefore cannot be used for insulating wooden walls;
insulation is destroyed upon contact with solvents, drying oil, some types of varnishes, as well as under the influence of sunlight;
sound insulation properties are much lower than those of mineral wool insulation;
already at + 30 degrees polystyrene foam begins to release harmful substances– toluene, styrene, formaldehyde and others. When burning, the amount of toxic emissions increases significantly.

In the domestic market, domestically produced EPPS – Penoplex and Teplex – is in great demand, as well as polystyrene foam insulation of the Ursa, GREENPLEX, PRIMAPLEX brands.

Prices for foam plastic

Styrofoam

Cellulose insulation

Cellulose insulation, also called ecowool, is made from paper production waste and waste paper. Ecowool consists of 80% cellulose fibers, the remaining 20% are antiseptics and fire retardants. The material is tightly packed into all irregularities and voids and forms a dense, seamless coating with high vapor permeability. Installation of insulation is carried out in two ways - dry and wet-adhesive, and both options can be done either manually or using a special installation.

The dry method allows you to perform thermal insulation in a short time and immediately begin finishing. But at the same time, the coating density will not be high enough, which will lead to shrinkage and the appearance of cold bridges. In addition, dry blowing produces a large number of fine dust and you have to work in a respirator.

The wet-adhesive method ensures better adhesion of the insulation to the base; the layer is much denser and more resistant to shrinkage, which guarantees the durability of the thermal insulation. True, it takes time for the material to dry - from 2 to 3 days, and even longer in cold or damp weather. And until the layer is completely dry, you cannot begin finishing.

Advantages:

environmental Safety;
excellent heat and sound insulation properties;
resistance to bacteria, fungi, insects;
fire resistance;
long service life;
affordable price.

tendency to shrink;
high hygroscopicity;
the complexity of performing work manually.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam, or PPU, belongs to a new generation of insulation and has improved characteristics compared to traditional materials. It is a liquid polymer mixture, which, after application to the surface, hardens and forms a durable coating with a cellular structure. The components are mixed immediately before starting work, and the finished solution is applied by spraying using a special installation.

Advantages:

the liquid mixture easily fills all irregularities, cracks, recesses, and is conveniently applied in hard-to-reach places;
the material retains heat well and muffles sounds;
PU foam is resistant to chemically aggressive substances, practically does not absorb water, and can withstand sudden temperature changes;
can be applied to any type of surface - wood, concrete, brick, metal;
the insulation is very light, so it does not require reinforcement of the load-bearing foundations;
the average service life is 25-30 years.

polyurethane foam is destroyed when exposed to sunlight;
Spraying requires equipment and skills to work with it;
Polyurethane foam cannot be used in areas that are very hot;
high cost of materials and specialist services.

Wall insulation technology

Thermal insulation of the facade can be performed in different ways, depending on the type of insulation. But for all options, a prerequisite is high-quality preparation of the base, because not a single insulation can stop the processes of destruction of wall materials. Let's consider methods of insulation with mineral wool and polystyrene foam boards, as the most popular in frequent construction.

Insulation with mineral wool

External walls are cleaned of dirt, peeling plaster or paint. Repair cracks and problem areas, and be sure to treat areas affected by fungus. There is no need to eliminate minor irregularities - the mineral wool insulation is mounted using a frame, so all defects will be hidden inside. Finally, the walls are coated with a waterproof primer with antiseptic properties so that mold does not develop under the layer of thermal insulation.

Step 1. The beams for the frame are cut to the required length, treated on all sides with antiseptic impregnation and dried in air.

Advice. The cross-section of the beams should be selected taking into account the thickness of the heat-insulating layer. That is, if slabs with a thickness of 50 mm are laid in one row, the thickness of the frame should be 5-6 cm, with a two-layer laying - no less than 11 cm. In the first case, a beam with a section of 50x50 mm is suitable for the racks, in the second - a board 40x110 mm installed on the edge.

Step 2. Markings are made on the walls for the frame guides strictly according to the level, holes are drilled for fasteners and the beams are installed. The distance between the posts should be 10-15 mm less than the width of the insulation board. During the installation process, the arrangement of elements is controlled building level, if necessary, use wooden supports under the timber so that all the racks are in the same plane.

Step 3. The insulation is inserted into the cells of the frame. To do this, the plates are slightly squeezed along the edges, pressed between the racks and released. The material expands on its own and tightly fills the space. The insulation must be inserted so that there are no gaps between the plates.

Step 4. After filling all the cells on top, the insulation must be covered with a windproof, moisture-proof membrane. The membrane is laid with the marked side out, the canvases are positioned horizontally, starting from the bottom. A construction stapler is used to fix the membrane. The top sheet is overlapped by 8-10 cm, and it is recommended to glue the joints with tape.

Step 5. Stuffed on top of the membrane wooden slats counter battens 30-40 mm thick to provide an air gap. If this is not done, condensation will accumulate on the insulation and moisture will absorb wooden frame and the structure will quickly become unusable.

After this, all that remains is to install the finishing coating, for example, siding or corrugated sheeting. The finishing must completely cover the thermal insulation layer so that precipitation does not fall on the slabs. Only under such conditions will the material last long and effectively.

The last step is decorative finishing of the facade

Insulation with polystyrene foam

This method of insulation is noticeably different from the previous one. First, the base must be leveled so that the material fits snugly to the surface. Secondly, installation is carried out without sheathing; the slabs are attached with glue and mushroom dowels.

Step 1. The prepared walls are covered with a primer with quartz sand, for example, Betokontakt. If the base is porous, the primer is applied in 2 layers.

Step 2. The lower limit of thermal insulation is determined and a horizontal line is drawn along the perimeter of the house. Drill holes for dowels according to the markings in increments of 20-30 cm and secure the starting strip.

Starting bar fixed

Step 3. To fix the insulation you will need special glue. You can use mounting adhesive in cylinders, for example, TYTAN STYRO 753, or dry glue mixture(Ceresit CT 83). The mixture is diluted in clean water according to the manufacturer’s instructions, mixed until smooth with a mixer at low speed.

Take the first sheet, apply glue on the back side in a continuous strip around the perimeter and in the center. Next, apply the insulation to the wall, resting the bottom edge on the starting profile, check the location with a level, and press it firmly to the base.

Step 4. Secure the entire row, tightly joining the sheets together. The next row begins with half a sheet to offset the vertical seams. Excess glue that appears at the joints is carefully removed with a spatula.

Step 5. When the glue has hardened, each sheet must be secured with disc dowels. To do this, carefully drill holes in the wall through the insulation, insert dowels and carefully hammer them in with a hammer. One sheet requires 5 fasteners - in each corner and in the center.

Step 6. Next, knead glue solution, apply a continuous layer to the insulation, lay a fiberglass reinforcing mesh on top and embed it in the solution. Openings and corners are additionally reinforced with corner profiles.

When the solution has dried, the surface is sanded, dusted and plastered with a thin layer. Now all that remains is to paint the facade or apply decorative plaster.

Prices for Ceresit glue

Ceresit glue

Video - Materials for insulating walls outside

Video - Insulating the facade with penoplex

Arrangement of external thermal insulation allows you to get more high performance effectiveness than the same measures carried out with inside premises. Insulation can not only retain heat in the house, but also serve as protection for the walls from precipitation, mechanical damage, and wind erosion, which has a positive effect on the operational properties of the building.

Expert opinion

Konstantin Alexandrovich

Ask a question to an expert

To install insulation, you do not need special knowledge or special professional skills. Almost every homeowner can cope with this task on their own. In order for the work to be of high quality, you need to find out what types of insulation for external walls are, and also become familiar with the nuances of their installation.

Requirements for external insulation

The operating conditions of insulation inside and outside the house are completely different, but this does not mean that it must be used for external and internal thermal insulation different types materials. Another thing is important - when choosing insulation, you should pay attention to whether it has the following fundamental characteristics:

high degree of resistance to shrinkage;
minimal susceptibility to mechanical damage;
immunity to the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation;
long service life;
simple and quick installation;
unattractive to rats and mice;
high resistance to rotting processes.

If you plan to insulate a wooden residential building, pay attention to the vapor permeability characteristics of the material, which will allow the walls to “breathe.” Typically, the materials used for finishing the façade of a house are designed for long-term service. In this regard, dismantling them annually in order to inspect the current condition of the heat insulator will be too labor-intensive and not always justified. However, when caking and pressing the insulation, its properties will be significantly impaired. The material may undergo rotting processes, lose integrity, or become a victim of rodents or insects. In this case, its replacement will be absolutely necessary. Therefore, it is so important that the material you choose for thermal insulation fully fits the description given above.

Why do walls need to be insulated from the outside?

The main difference between the method of insulating buildings from the facade side and the arrangement of internal thermal insulation is that when implementing the second method, the air inside the room does not have the opportunity to warm up the building. During the cold season, drops of condensation form on the cold surface of the wall. Insulation does not allow this moisture to evaporate, which is why mold and mildew appear between the wall and the heat insulator, gradually destroying the wall. A couple of years after installing such insulation, a persistent smell of dampness is felt in the house, which cannot be removed by ventilation.

If the walls are insulated on the outside of the building, the situation takes a completely opposite turn. Even during severe frosts, the surface of the wall remains quite warm and dry. The insulation does not allow the walls to cool down, and cold air does not penetrate into the room, which contributes to condensation. This is the main reason why experts recommend using the facade insulation method.

The material used to build the house is not critical in this case. It can be wood, brick or a monolithic concrete structure. For each of them, it is possible to select insulation that will protect the home from the penetration of cold, moisture and wind loads. Such events are of particular relevance for buildings old building, since such houses are more likely than others to freeze in winter. External insulation is also important for country houses used mainly for seasonal living. After winter, the temperature inside the insulated cottage will be noticeably higher with low humidity levels.

To choose a thermal insulation material wisely, it is worth considering a number of factors that can have a significant impact on the final quality of the work:

Current condition of the foundation and load-bearing walls. If the house was built a long time ago, and the first signs of destruction of the foundation are visible, it is better not to use structures that can increase the level of load on the foundation. It is better to use materials that are lightweight and durable, fixed to a layer of glue without lathing.
Features of the building design. The easiest insulation materials to use are mineral wool and polystyrene foam. They are easy to cut according to the right sizes to efficiently insulate walls decorated with various decorative elements.
Resistance to the appearance of rats, mice and insects in the insulation layer. The situation when rodents make shelters for themselves under a layer of thermal insulation is very common. To avoid complications, insulation in such areas is usually carried out using bulk insulation. Animals will not breed in expanded clay and ecowool.

Factors such as the cost of insulation, the nuances of its installation, the material of wall construction, environmental friendliness, fire safety, etc. must be taken into account.

Thermal insulation materials for external wall insulation

Market building materials offers the widest range of products for insulating building walls from the facade side. Below are the groups of the most common thermal insulators:

cotton wool from various types feedstock;
polystyrene-based insulation materials;
thermal insulation made of polyurethane foam;
other varieties.

Below we will discuss the key features of thermal protection of each type, because the choice of insulation in each specific case may be different.

Basalt wool

The raw materials for its production are waste from the processing of igneous rocks. Its other name is stone wool. Unlike glass wool, the structure of which has a pronounced division into layers, basalt wool has a heterogeneous structure.

During the manufacturing process, the material is compressed, which gives it significant density, fairly large mass and clear outlines.

Glass wool

This type of heat insulator is made from a mixture of quartz sand and broken glass. The structure is flexible, especially at low density, which makes transporting the material more convenient - it is simply rolled up.

Mineral wool

The material has a fibrous structure and is obtained by melting and further spraying mining waste, slag, etc.

It is produced both in the form of rolls and in a slab version, characterized by its rigidity. Despite the existing shortcomings, insulation continues to be popular because it has already become traditional.

Polystyrene group insulation materials

The most common materials from this group are: ordinary polystyrene foam, produced using a non-press method, and its more modern variety - penoplex, produced by extrusion. The structure of the foam consists of many individual granules, loosely connected to each other. Penoplex is distinguished by a structure of small cells filled with carbon dioxide molecules. Both materials are lightweight and have excellent thermal insulation properties. More modern extruded polystyrene foam does not have the disadvantages inherent in polystyrene foam and has better quality indicators.

Styrofoam

To many, it seems to be perhaps the best material for insulation. But upon careful study of the characteristics, doubts may arise about the correctness of the choice. Polystyrene foam is flammable, toxic in case of fire and weakly resistant to mechanical damage.

Polyurethane foam (PPU)

One of the most modern insulation materials, characterized by a foamed structure. For application to vertical and horizontal surfaces, special equipment is used that pumps the mixture under high pressure to create a monolithic coating.

Optimal insulation thickness

For each specific case, it is necessary to perform an individual calculation, based on the climate in the region and the building material. The average calculation method consists of multiplying the level of thermal conductivity of the insulation by the indicator of its resistance to heat transfer.

Finally

As practice shows, you should not underestimate the importance of thermal insulation of walls and neglect it. The work algorithm is not complicated and allows you to carry out all the activities yourself. This will significantly save the family budget. When choosing a material, you should take into account not only the financial cost of the issue, but also design features your house. By insulating the walls, you can enjoy comfort and warmth in winter period and life-giving coolness in summer heat.

Video about insulating walls outside

Using basalt insulation for the exterior insulation of a home is a simple and effective way to increase its efficiency. In addition to thermal insulation, using this material will improve the sound insulation of the building. Among others technical characteristics– fire resistance, environmental friendliness and durability of the insulation.

What it is?

Insulation materials made from the finest fibers of mineral origin are called mineral wool. Depending on the basis of the composition, it has several varieties. The highest heat and sound insulation qualities, as well as environmental friendliness and fire safety, are demonstrated by insulation made from stone wool.

Basalt wool is a type of mineral wool insulation, its technical properties significantly superior to its main types. Basalt insulation consists of fibers melted and drawn into threads. Mixing in a chaotic manner, they form an airy, but durable and warm material.

A huge number of air bubbles accumulate between the fibers, which provide a thermal insulation effect and also demonstrate the ability to reflect and absorb sound. The insulation received its name due to the fact that the fibers of the material are obtained by processing rocks. Stone wool is also called “basalt” and “mineral”.

The types of basalt insulation can be determined by its density and the diameter of the fibers used. Based on density, soft, semi-rigid and hard wool are distinguished. The thickness of wool fibers ranges from 1 micron (microfine) to 500 microns (coarse fibers).

The material is produced in the form of facade slabs, produced in 2 sizes: 0.5 by 1.0 m and 0.6 by 1.2 m. Thickness is 5–15 cm. Most popular for external insulation country house slabs with a thickness of 10 cm are considered. The analogue in rolls is less common: it is less dense and at the same time subject to deformation.

The material has a wide range of applications. If we talk about thermal insulation of external walls, then it is suitable for both “wet” and “dry” types of facades.

How is it produced?

The ancestor of modern insulation was threads found in Hawaii near a volcano after its eruption. Local residents have discovered that these lightweight fibers, when woven together, improve the thermal efficiency of homes and are waterproof and tear resistant. Technically, the first basalt wool was produced in 1897 in the USA. However, at that time it was produced in open workshops, therefore, the smallest particles of basalt raw material penetrated the respiratory tract of workers. This almost became a refusal to produce the material.

After a while, a way to organize it differently was found. production process and employee protection. Today, basalt wool is produced from rocks that are heated in furnaces up to 1500 C. After this, threads are drawn from the molten raw materials. Then fibers are formed, which are impregnated with special compounds to increase technical properties insulation and stacked in a chaotic manner.

Advantages and disadvantages

Insulation based on stone wool has many positive properties.

Durability. A long service life (up to 50 years, according to the manufacturer) allows you to forget for a long time about the need to insulate the facade. If the installation rules are followed, the service life can be extended for another 10–15 years.
Thermal efficiency. The porous structure of the material ensures its high thermal insulation performance. Its use allows you to maintain a favorable microclimate in the house: warmth in the cold season, pleasant coolness in the summer heat. The material has low thermal conductivity, which is 0.032–0.048 W per meter-kelvin. Expanded polystyrene, cork, and foam rubber have a similar thermal conductivity value. Ten centimeters of basalt insulation with a density of 100 kg/m3. can replace a brick wall with a thickness of 117–160 cm (depending on the type of brick used) or wood, the thickness of which is almost 26 cm.
High levels of sound insulation. In addition to high thermal efficiency, the material has improved sound insulation characteristics. This is also due to the characteristics of the composition and structure of the material.

Fire resistance. The material is considered non-flammable because it can withstand temperatures up to 800–1000 C.
Vapor permeability. The vapor permeability of the material ensures condensate removal. This, in turn, guarantees the preservation of the technical properties of the insulation, the absence of high humidity in the room, and protection against the occurrence of mold and fungi both inside the building and on the surface of the facade. Vapor permeability indicators – 0.3 mg/ (m·h·Pa).
Chemical inertness, biostability. Stone wool is characterized by chemical passivity. When placed on top metal products you can be sure that they will not be subject to rust, and that mold and mildew will not appear on the surface. In addition, stone fibers are too tough for rodents.
Ease of use. Several options for sheet dimensions, as well as the ability to cut the material, greatly simplify its installation. Unlike glass wool, basalt fibers do not prick and do not have the ability to penetrate the skin.

Moisture resistance. Thanks to this property, drops of moisture do not settle inside the material, but pass through it. In addition, cotton wool has a special hydrophobic impregnation, so it literally repels moisture. The moisture absorption of the material is at least 2%, which makes it the optimal insulation not only for the facade of the house, but also for the walls of saunas, baths and other objects characterized by high humidity.
No deformation. The material does not deform or shrink, which guarantees the preservation of technical characteristics throughout the entire period of operation.
Environmental friendliness. Due to the natural composition, the material is non-toxic. However, the buyer should be careful: sometimes manufacturers add slags and additives to basalt insulation to reduce the cost of the material.

It should be remembered that they burn at a temperature of 400 C, and material with similar additives has worse performance characteristics.

The disadvantage of insulation is its high cost. However, if you insulate the façade of a building with it, you can save on heating costs in the future. Like all mineral wool materials, stone wool, when cut and during installation, forms tiny dust that irritates the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. This can be avoided by using a protective mask.

Finally, due to its high vapor permeability, basalt insulation is not recommended for finishing the base and basement of a house.

How to choose?

For the walls of a country house, medium-density basalt wool (semi-rigid material with a density of at least 80 kg/m3) 8–10 cm thick is sufficient. Pay attention to the location of the fibers. Randomly located threads provide better sound and heat insulation qualities compared to horizontally or vertically oriented fibers.

In order to increase the thermal insulation properties, you can purchase a foil analogue. On one side it has foil, which not only reflects thermal energy, but also has more reliable water protection and allows you to reduce the thickness of the insulation used. In addition, the foil version insulation will do for regions with high humidity levels, for houses located near bodies of water, as well as for brick walls, since it is characterized by improved hydrophobicity.

The latter property is especially valuable for a wet facade, since a layer of insulation that is too thick may not be firmly fixed to the walls, creating an excessive load.

For frame house, in the walls of which it is already assumed that there is a layer of insulation, you can use wool of a lower density - 50 kg/m3. For northern regions, as well as for operation in extreme conditions, it is recommended to use a hard stone wool mat. It has a wider operating temperature range.

When purchasing stone wool, preference should be given to well-known manufacturers who have received positive feedback from customers. Among them: products of the domestic company TechnoNIKOL, as well as products manufactured under the French brand Isover and the Finnish brand Paroc. Pay attention to how the product is stored: it must be in the original packaging and wrapped in shrink film. The packaging must not have holes or damage. It is unacceptable to store products in the open sun - only under a canopy.

When purchasing insulation in a cardboard box, make sure that it has not been wet. Dirty marks on the packaging, different densities of cardboard - all this may indicate moisture ingress. The purchase should be abandoned, since there is a high probability that the material will lose its technical properties.

Important point: The adhesive used to join the stone wool and the foil layer reduces the fire resistance of the finished product. This can be avoided by purchasing pierced basalt materials.

Subtleties of application

Stone wool is usually used for external insulation, which is due not only to the high thermal efficiency and moisture resistance of the material, but also to the ability to avoid reducing the area of the room, which is inevitable when covering walls from the inside.

To insulate the material from the outside, choose a dry, warm day. The air temperature should be +5... +25 C, the humidity level should be no more than 80%. It is advisable that the sun's rays do not fall on the surface to be treated.

Regardless of whether basalt wool is fixed under plaster or curtain façade, it is correct to start installation with preparatory work.

Preparation

At this stage, the facade should be freed from cement stains, protruding elements, and pins. It is necessary to remove all communications: pipes, wires. Be sure to eliminate gaps and cracks with cement mortar.

Once the surface is even and smooth, you can begin priming the façade. It should be applied in 2-3 layers, allowing the previous one to dry before applying the next one.

After the primed surfaces have completely dried, proceed with the installation of the frame. It consists of metal profiles, which are attached to the wall using dowels.

Installation

The technology for laying basalt insulation depends on the type of facade. If the facade is finished with plaster, then the slabs are attached with a special adhesive composition. The latter is pre-diluted with water in the proportions indicated on the packaging, after which it is thoroughly mixed.

The glue is applied to the surface of the insulation, after which the material is pressed tightly against the wall. It is important to install and smooth it before the adhesive fully bonds to the wall and batt surfaces. After the previous product is fixed, the next slab is laid.

For additional strengthening, holes are made in the center and sides of each insulation board into which dowels are inserted. After the wool is laid and fixed to the surface, it is covered with a thick layer of adhesive, and then a reinforcing mesh is pressed into it. Laying the latter begins from the corners, for which special reinforcing corners are used. After the corners are strengthened, after about a day, you can fix the mesh along the rest of the facade.

After another day, you can start plastering the walls. First, a rough finish is applied, which is not perfectly smooth. However, gradually, layer by layer, the facade becomes more even. When organizing hanging material with your own hands, after installing the frame, a waterproof film is attached to the wall, and layers of stone wool are placed on top of it. They do not require gluing - they are immediately fixed with dowels.

To protect the insulation from wind and precipitation, a windproof membrane is used; it is laid on stone wool. It is important to secure 3 layers at once with one dowel: windproof, insulation and waterproof. The thickness of stone wool is selected based on climatic conditions and design features of the building.

Finishing

Finishing under the “wet” facade begins with painting the plastered walls. For this, primer paint is used. For better adhesion to the surface of the walls, the latter are treated with fine sandpaper. Finishing performs 2 functions: protective and decorative. Plastered facades made using the “wet” method have become widespread. The dry plaster mixture is diluted with water and applied to the prepared walls.

The reason for external insulation is that the thermal insulation for walls made indoors does not allow the internal air to warm up the building. As a result, during the cold season, condensation forms on the cooled wall, on the inside. Thermal insulation prevents it from evaporating, which not only entails the formation of mold and mildew between the insulation and the wall.

A completely opposite result is obtained when insulating walls from the outside. In this case, the walls warm up normally even in very coldy- thermal insulation does not allow them to cool down and at the same time they remain completely dry - after all, the insulation does not allow cold air to penetrate inside. It is for this reason that facades are insulated, and not walls from the inside.

But in this case the question arises, what to do with the finishing? Modern thermal insulation materials Perfect for plastering or covering them with decorative tiles. All that is required is some preparation, which has already been discussed in one of our articles. Well, what kind of thermal insulator should be used for insulation is up to you to decide home handyman. We, in turn, will try to make this choice easier and talk about various materials used for these purposes.

There are two ways to insulate a building - apply internal insulation premises or make insulation for the walls of the house outside. Which insulation is better to use? The answer is hidden in a short expression - “dew point”.

Thermal insulation of the room from the outside will ensure the correct location of the dew point

Dew point is the temperature value at which condensation occurs. The point with this temperature can be located in the thickness of the wall, inside it or outside. Its coordinates depend on the physical properties of the wall materials, the thickness of their layers, as well as external and internal temperature and humidity.

Important! The dew point position will be more optimal even in a completely uninsulated wall than in one that is only insulated from the inside.

The correct location of the dew point (outside the wall) can only be obtained by installing the insulation of the walls of the house outside, selected taking into account the properties of the material and thermal calculations for thickness.

Each type of modern insulation for exterior walls of a house has its own characteristics and price range. But their main differences are:

low thermal conductivity coefficient;
minimum values of water absorption and vapor permeability;
the ability to regulate the indoor microclimate;
high sound absorption rates;
environmental cleanliness;
fire resistance and fire safety;
resistance to chemical attack;

Comparative table of thermal conductivity of building materials

resistance to biological and mechanical influences ( mold fungi, insects, rodents);
strength and durability;
elasticity and lack of shrinkage;
low weight;
possibility of installation without seams, joints, voids;
ability to fill complex and hard-to-reach areas;
ease of installation.

It is also important to take into account how the consumer prefers to install insulation for the walls of the house outside. Nowadays you can find enough videos showing the possibility of doing the work yourself (as well as other manuals).

The optimal insulation for walls is selected taking into account the material of construction

Water absorption and vapor permeability are taken into account to ensure maximum protection of the room from moisture and are selected taking into account the climate and depending on the installation method. Thermal conductivity is used to calculate the required thickness of thermal insulation material.

The most commonly used types of insulation are:

expanded polystyrene (foam);
extruded polystyrene foam (eps, penoplex);
polyurethane foam;
mineral wool;
basalt insulation;
liquid thermal insulation.

Polystyrene foam is a popular material for insulating exterior walls of a house.

Polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene) is one of the modern polymer insulation materials for house walls and is used in this capacity in almost all areas of the construction industry: civil and industrial.

First of all, this material is characterized by low thermal conductivity (from 0.037 to 0.052 W/m*K, depending on density) and water absorption, resistance to biological and chemical influences, and high sound-proofing and windproof properties. It belongs to the group of environmentally friendly substances and is quite durable: its service life exceeds 50 years.

Fact! A layer of foam plastic 50 mm thick is equivalent to a wall of one and a half bricks in terms of heat retention.

Expanded polystyrene - easy to install and light weight

Among its other advantages are flexibility and light weight. This helps reduce the cost of delivery and installation, ease of work, and reduces the load on the walls, which, in turn, eliminates the need for additional strengthening of the foundation.

The disadvantage of polystyrene foam is its flammability, however, the low price makes it possible to insulate all the outside walls of the house with foam plastic.

Extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex) is one of the latest generation of thermal insulation materials. In its production, graphite is used in the form of nanoparticles, which increases the strength and energy saving of the product.

Insulation of walls with penoplex followed by cladding with siding

The thermal conductivity coefficient of penoplex insulation ranges from 0.029 – 0.031 W/m*K. It is resistant to mold, chemicals, insects and rodents, and is an excellent sound insulator.

Thanks to this, it is possible to use penoplex as insulation outside: for the walls of wooden houses and other buildings, and inside: thermal insulation of ceilings (especially when installing “warm” floors), basements, balconies and loggias.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a type of plastic with a cellular foam structure. The mass of cells filled with air is 90% of the total weight of the product. Due to this, the thermal conductivity coefficient of polyurethane foam is one of the lowest - from 0.023 to 0.041 W/m*K.

Liquid polyurethane foam creates an airtight coating with excellent vapor and waterproofing

Polyurethane foam is different high level adhesion to all types of surfaces: concrete, brick, wood, metal - due to which an airtight coating is created with a guarantee of excellent vapor and waterproofing.

A seamless application method (using a compressor and a hose) and high elasticity make polyurethane foam an indispensable material for blown-in thermal insulation when insulating the outside walls of buildings of complex shapes and frame houses. Insulation for external walls using the blow-in method can be applied at temperatures up to 100ºС, the service life is up to 30 years.

Liquid polyurethane foam can be used as blow-in insulation between the building wall and the cladding

The only disadvantage of the material is its high cost and the need to use expensive equipment for installation.

Mineral wool is a product of processing slag (waste from the metallurgical industry) or rocks: basalt and dolomite. It is distinguished by strength, non-flammability, durability, environmental friendliness, elasticity, high degree of sound absorption, ease of installation and low cost. The thermal conductivity of this material is in the range of 0.034 – 0.037 W/m*K.

Mineral wool is fire resistant, environmentally friendly, has a high degree of sound absorption and is low cost.

For insulation work, mineral wool is used in the form of basalt slabs or in rolls with a wide range of sizes. Mineral wool is used as insulation for the outside walls of a house. The dimensions of the produced slabs can be as follows:

1000 x 600 x 50 mm;
7000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
9000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
10000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
10000 x 1200 x 100 mm.

Expanded polystyrene boards may have joint grooves for ease of installation

Basalt insulation is used in buildings for any purpose, especially for insulation in country houses, wooden houses and timber buildings. bricks or foam blocks. It is possible to work with this material at temperatures ranging from -60ºС to 220ºС, which is definitely convenient when installing on walls outside.

Which insulation is best for roofs of different designs. Types of insulation for roofs and ceilings. Mineral and synthetic insulation for roofs. Insulation of the attic roof.

It is most preferable to use mineral wool or basalt slabs when installing insulation for the walls of a house outside under the siding.

It is most preferable to use mineral wool to insulate the outside of the house followed by siding.

The use of mineral wool (along with polyurethane foam) to create blow-in insulation is also popular. With this method, using a compressor unit, the material is blown between the wall of the house and the finishing facade. which also serves as formwork.

Liquid thermal insulation materials can be called new generation insulation materials. They can be used for thermal insulation of metal parts (pipes or frames) and as insulation for houses made of foam blocks. On the outside, on the walls, these ceramic multi-component substances look like acrylic paint.

However, they differ from paint in the content of vacuumized voids (up to 80%), due to which they acquire the properties of a heat insulator.

Liquid insulation is similar to acrylic paint

Interesting! Liquid insulation has a record low thermal conductivity coefficient (from 0.0011 to 0.0015 W/m*K). For comparison, the thermal conductivity coefficient of vacuum is 0.

With a liquid consistency, these materials do not require professional skills and complex equipment for application to any surface: concrete, brick, metal, wood. They are applied using painting tools: brushes, rollers, airless spray guns - and fill all voids and crevices.

Choosing insulation for external walls. 3 options for external wall insulation

Insulation of walls from the outside can be carried out different materials. There is a wide range on the market. But what is the best way to insulate the facade of a house? The answer to the question depends on several factors. And you shouldn’t always believe the manufacturer’s advertising.

Insulating the facade of a house with modern materials will be useless without following the technology. This is also worth taking into account when preparing for work. Before you insulate your house from the outside, you need to understand the nuances of the process.

It is important not only to choose the right heat insulator, but also to follow the insulation technology

Wall insulation can be divided into two large groups:

inorganic;
organic.

The second group has more representatives. This includes chemical industry products: expanded polystyrene (foam plastic, penoplex), natural ecowool. When choosing how to insulate the exterior of a house, you first need to pay attention to the physical properties.

Styrofoam

This thermal insulation belongs to the class of foamed polymers. Polystyrene foam is highly efficient, easy to install, and insulates noise quite well. Another advantage is the affordable price. But such material has significantly more disadvantages. To choose the best way to insulate the walls of a house from the outside, it is important to consider that polystyrene has the following qualities:

flammability;
fragility (service life is rarely more than 10-20 years);
poor vapor permeability (additional room ventilation will be required);
instability to simultaneous exposure to cold and moisture (the material crumbles into individual balls);
low strength.

Polystyrene foam is affordable, provides excellent thermal insulation, but is flammable and short-lived

There is a possibility that during the aging process the material will release toxic styrene. The concentration is small, and when insulated from the outside, the substance practically does not penetrate into the room, but this property casts doubt on the manufacturer’s claims about environmental friendliness.

Read more about facade insulation with foam plastic.

To insulate a house from the outside with your own hands, you can use extruded polystyrene foam or, more simply, penoplex. This material is a close relative of polystyrene foam. It has all its advantages and some disadvantages. But compared to the previous option, it is devoid of such important disadvantages as:

instability to moisture and cold;
low strength;
fragility.

Flammability and low vapor permeability remain. Although some manufacturers increase the fire resistance class by introducing special additives, it is not possible to obtain a completely non-combustible material.

Penoplex - durable durable material, however, has a low fire resistance class

It is not recommended to insulate the facade of a wooden house with your own hands using penoplex or polystyrene foam. The owners value such buildings for the naturalness of the materials and the ability of the walls to “breathe”. External insulation with polystyrene will completely block air movement. In this case, additional forced ventilation may even be required, since natural ventilation will not be enough. Polystyrenes can easily turn a building into a greenhouse; this is worth remembering when deciding how to insulate a house from the outside.

Read more about façade insulation with extruded polystyrene foam.

Ecowool

This material deserves the title of environmentally friendly insulation, since it is made entirely from cellulose fibers. External wall insulation with such material is not subject to rotting and is unattractive to rodents. This can be achieved by adding minerals to the composition: boric acid and Boers.

21.06.2018

External insulation of a house has a number of advantages over internal thermal insulation. It does not reduce the usable area of the premises, allows the walls to accumulate heat, prevents them from freezing and protects them from the effects of precipitation.

The main methods of insulating the external walls of a house

There are several types of outdoor thermal insulation. But two of them are the most common.

Curtain facade

When choosing this technology, insulation sheets are glued directly to the walls, then fixed with disc-shaped dowels. Then they are covered with a frame and lined with siding, panels, or, if the insulation is perfectly smooth, such as PENOPLEX, the surface is plastered without additional manipulation.

Ventilated facade

Its essence lies in the fact that a ventilated gap remains under the finishing layer.

Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, a curtain wall façade using plaster is the cheapest, but will require special skills to carry out “wet” work. A ventilated facade, although it provides high performance, is more expensive than the gluing option sheet material straight onto the walls.

What requirements must the insulation of external walls meet?

There are several of them. Let's list the main ones.

No moisture absorption.
Health safety.
Low vapor permeability.
Affordable price.
A light weight.
Ease of installation.
Long service life.
Resistance to mechanical damage.
No shrinkage and adaptable to vertical installation.
Biological inertia.
High thermal insulation ability.

Focusing on these characteristics, let's analyze the most popular materials for external thermal insulation.

What materials are used to insulate external walls?

There are many of them on the market. But the most common ones can be divided into 5 large groups.

Various types of cotton wool.
Polystyrene insulation
Foamed polyurethane foams.
Other.

What are the features of each type of thermal protection? Let us consider this issue in more detail - the choice of material in each specific case depends on it.

Mineral wool

This is a fibrous material that is obtained by melting and spraying glass, various rocks, blast furnace slag, etc.

Insulation is available in rolls and rigid sheets. And although it has many disadvantages, its varieties such as glass wool and basalt wool still remain popular among Russian consumers, as they are familiar to them.

Glass wool

The raw materials for the production of this heat insulator are broken glass and quartz sand. It is quite plastic (especially when it comes to low-density products), so it can be rolled up during transportation.

Pros of glass wool

Minuses

Doesn't rot.
Suitable for thermal insulation of curved surfaces.
Installation can be carried out without the involvement of professionals.

The fibers are sharp, like any glass, and cause persistent skin irritation upon contact with them.
Thermal conductivity is higher than that of polystyrene group materials.
High coefficient of moisture absorption (up to 40% of its own weight).
Loss of thermal insulation properties when wet.
The fibers bind formaldehyde resins, which tend to bleed out.
Requires the construction of a frame using the suspended insulation method.
Low material strength.
Over time, fibers sag under their own weight, causing cold bridges to appear.

Basalt wool

It is created on the basis of igneous rocks belonging to the basalt group, which is why it is sometimes called “stone”. If glass wool has a layered structure, then basalt wool is rather chaotic. The material additionally passes through a press, therefore it has a high density, considerable weight and has rigid contours.

Polystyrene group insulation materials

Its two most prominent representatives are traditional foamed unpressed polystyrene foam (foam) and modern, processed by extrusion (PENOPLEX). The first consists of individual granules, loosely connected to each other, the second has a fine-mesh structure filled with carbon dioxide. Both are very light and have good thermal insulation properties. But PENOPLEX eliminates all the disadvantages of polystyrene foam and has higher quality characteristics.

Styrofoam

At first glance, it seems that this is the optimal insulation. But having studied its features in more detail, you should think three times before making a choice in favor of it.

PENOPLEX

But this insulation, unlike the previous one, can be called universal. And now you will understand why.

Pros of PENOPLEX

Minuses

The highest thermal resistance of the presented materials is 0.029-0.034 W/(m K).
Zero moisture absorption (coefficient 0.4).
Vapor tightness.
High strength.
Biological inertness, mold and fungi do not grow on it.
Easy to install, no special tools required.
It is glued directly to the walls without constructing a frame.
Has a perfectly flat surface.
Acceptable price.
Compressive and bending strength. When the house shrinks, it is not damaged.
Service life from 50 years. Moreover, over the years it practically does not change its characteristics.
Resistant to freeze-thaw cycles.
Environmentally friendly.

Not suitable for insulating high-rise buildings above 25 m.
Not resistant to kerosene, epoxy resins, acetone and formaldehyde.

Polyurethane foam (PPU)

This is a modern foam material that is applied directly to the wall using special pneumatic equipment.

What thickness of insulation will be required?

The answer to this question will be individual in each specific case. To a greater extent, it depends on the region of residence and its climate zone.

For average calculation, you can use the following principle. The heat transfer resistance coefficient is calculated according to SNiP. And then multiplied by the thermal conductivity of the material.

Another option is to use online calculators, which are available on many construction sites.

As the above analysis showed, the optimal insulation is PENOPLEX. It outperforms other materials in terms of price/quality characteristics, and by a fairly significant margin. We hope that our review will help you make the right choice, which will further ensure energy-efficient thermal protection for your home.