Thermal insulation materials penofol. The new standard for foam insulation

Foam based foil.

For complex insulation residential and non-residential buildings, the following synthetic materials are used: expanded polystyrene, foam plastic, polystyrene, other polymer products, including penofol. The technical characteristics of the latter are quite good. Unlike its counterparts, which accumulate heat in themselves, and then return it to the room, it reflects thermal radiation. As a result, the level of thermal permeability of the building is reduced several times. Another advantage of this insulation is fire safety. It is possible to perform wall insulation with penofol from the inside and outside. Neither the weather conditions nor the possible aggressive environment won't harm him.

What is penofol?

Penofol is a foamed, foil-coated polyethylene with a closed cell structure. Today you can buy the following types given material:

• A - the foil is applied only on one side, which reduces the cost of purchase;
• B - the foil is applied on both sides. This increases the resistance of the material to physical stress;
• C - foiling occurs only on one side, while the second is covered with a resistant, adhesive composition. This simplifies the use of insulation in hard-to-reach places;
• ALP - foil on one side. applied over the aluminum layer polyethylene film. Applied in agriculture;
• R - upper, reflective layer has a relief structure;
• NET - is characterized by increased vapor barrier, and therefore is used when laying pipes for heating mains, water utilities;
• AIR is indispensable for thermal insulation of ventilation wiring.

Cushion thickness may vary.

Penofol is characterized by the following:

• ultra-low thermal conductivity, which ranges from 0.037 W / m ° C to 0.052 W / m ° C;
• reflectivity of the surface of thermal radiation from 95% to 97%;
• low water absorption 0.35-0.7% per 1 cubic meter;
• low vapor permeability 0.001 mg/m h Pa;
• high level of sound insulation - over 32 dB;
• compressive and bending strength - 44-74 kg / m. cube

It is very convenient to insulate the walls with penofol from the inside and outside of the building, since it does not create additional loads on the ceiling. Material weight 44-74 kg/m. cube (weight depends on the type of thermal insulation). Actual and floor insulation penofol. After all, the material is not afraid of temperature changes (the operating temperature range is from -60°C to +100°C).

Penofol and floor

It is necessary to leave a ventilated gap.

Thermal insulation of the floor wooden house . Insulation of the floor with penofol in a wooden house is carried out along the logs. Material types A and B can be used for this. The installation method depends on the type of thermal insulation chosen. About complex we have already written earlier.

Method using type A insulation. Work progress:

• surface preparation;
• choice of timber;
• organization of vapor barrier;
• laying the lower tier lag;
• installation of the main insulation;
• laying penofol;
• second tier lag;
• clean flooring.

The previous coating is completely removed to the foundation. The surface is cleaned of debris, dust. To do this, it is advisable to use an industrial vacuum cleaner.

Penofol, as an independent, thermally insulating material, cannot protect the building from heat loss. That is why it is used in combination with the main insulation, for example, foam, mineral wool.

The height of the beam should be commensurate with the height of the selected main insulation plus 5 cm to organize a ventilated gap. In most cases, bars of 100 mm by 100 mm or 100 mm by 150 mm are suitable, where the first value is the height, the second is the width of the product. If necessary, the height is grown. The length is chosen arbitrarily. Experts recommend choosing the length of the timber in accordance with the size of the room. Otherwise, the logs will have to grow, which will adversely affect the stability and strength of the structure.

Joints are glued with special adhesive tape.

Vapor barrier can be a polyethylene film or a special membrane. In some cases, type B penofol is used. Previously selected bars go on top of it. They are laid across the width of the room in increments of 35-40 cm. At the same time, they indent from the walls by 1-2 cm. It is needed to compensate for the thermal and operational expansion of the lag. Between the last log and the wall, a gap of 1-2 cm is maintained, regardless of the step of laying the bars.

The main insulation material is mounted by surprise. In this case, there should be no gaps between the lags and thermal insulation. Penofol is laid on the insulation with a foil layer down. Floor insulation with penofol in a wooden house is not overlapped. This will adversely affect its protective functions. Only an overlap of about 10 cm is made on the walls. The joints between the sheets are glued with adhesive aluminum tape. Further, on top of the foil material, a second tier of lag is organized, along which there is a rough floor and a fine finish.

A stapler or building brackets for fixing are suitable if the balcony is insulated with penofol.

Thermal insulation of the concrete base. If it is impossible to insulate a wooden floor with penofol without organizing double logs, then everything is much simpler with a concrete or cement base. The main requirement is a perfectly even rough finish. For residential and administrative buildings, the presence of an additional layer of thermal insulation under the rough floor screed is mandatory. The next condition is the ventilation gap. It should be above the foil part of the penofol. Otherwise, condensation will accumulate on the foil, which will adversely affect the protective properties of the thermal insulation pad.

Logs are placed on top of reflective insulation.

Experts tell how to insulate the floor with penofol correctly according to concrete base. All work is carried out in several stages:

• rough floor screed;
• installation of penofol;
• metal frame device;
• organization of the second layer of penofol;
• clean flooring.

Penofol is laid on top of the rough, concrete floor screed. Here it is advisable to use type C material, since it already has an adhesive on one of its sides, it is easier to work with it. Penofol is mounted end-to-end on the floor, an overlap of 10 cm is made on the walls. All seams are glued with foil tape. Next, a metal frame is organized, on which the second layer of penofol is laid. On top is another metal frame. It will act as a support for the rough and finish flooring.

If the insulation of unheated premises or buildings that are used only in the warm season is carried out, one layer of penofol is enough.

Penofol and roof insulation

Penofol is placed with a reflective surface inside.

The main requirement for insulating the attic and ceiling of the house is a good vapor barrier. In the absence of such moisture, which accumulates indoors, will penetrate into the insulation material. This phenomenon is explained by the difference in steam pressure inside and outside the building. Gaseous water, accumulating in the insulation layer, leads to a deterioration in the technical characteristics of the latter. As a result, over time, you have to replace the entire thermal insulation pad. In the worst case, moisture affects the wood floors and beams of the house. They rot and lose their strength.

When organizing a vapor barrier, the presence of a ventilated gap is mandatory. After all, there is always the possibility of moisture penetrating into the upper layers of the insulating ceiling cushion. The air gap will allow the collected condensate to be removed from the insulation. When the ceiling is insulated with penofol, there is no need to make a ventilation gap between it and the main layer of heat-shielding material. Penofol has a low vapor permeability. In addition, this product is coated on one side with an adhesive substance, which simplifies the installation process.

Attic insulation with penofol also has its advantages. If outdoor work is carried out, then penofol can replace the waterproofing barrier, plus additional thermal insulation of the attic space is provided. Inside the attic, penofol is installed below the insulation, protecting the latter from water vapor. The use of penofol also helps to reduce the thickness of the layer of the main thermal insulation material. For example, a layer of penofol 4 mm and mineral wool 100 mm are equivalent to a layer of mineral wool 200 mm.

Only original material can provide full protection buildings from heat loss. How to choose the right penofol is described in the video:

Insulation of building envelopes

With external insulation, the reflective surface looks towards the street.

Thermal insulation of external walls with penofol has a number of advantages. This is an additional protection of the building from heat loss. This material is a high-quality vapor barrier on the way of gaseous water. Penofol can act as a hydrobarrier. When the house is insulated with penofol from the inside, in addition to heat-reflecting and vapor barrier properties, it performs the function of effective sound insulation.

The nuances of external insulation. Is it possible to use penofol insulation for outdoor work? The use of this material for thermal insulation of the outside of the building causes controversy among experts. Some are categorically against penofol, considering it ineffective in the fight against precipitation. Some blame the appearance of mold on the walls, the outer side of which is covered with penofol. According to the manufacturer, all of the above problems can occur if the installation is carried out incorrectly and the instructions for using foil thermal insulation are not followed.

Typical mistakes when installing penofol:

• incorrect location of the reflective surface;
• lack of a ventilated gap;
• organization of closed ventilated gaps.

So, the insulation is always laid with a reflective surface towards the heat source. That is why type C material (with an adhesive on one of its sides) is not used for external thermal insulation. In this case, penofol, foiled on both sides, is relevant. It features low thermal conductivity due to double reflection of thermal cure. This allows you to reduce the thickness of the main insulation.

The ventilation gap must be made between the finish and insulation, and not between the foam and the wall.

The second nuance is the mandatory presence of a ventilated gap. Otherwise, the walls of the house accumulate condensate in themselves. This explains the appearance of mold inside the building. The next nuance is choosing the right brand of material. The wall is insulated from the outside with foam type R, which implies a relief structure of one of the foil sides. It is the relief structure that makes the thermal insulation resistant to precipitation, thereby extending its service life.

When the roof is externally insulated with penofol, this material is used both as a vapor barrier and as a hydrobarrier. Penofol fits between interior decoration attic space and the main insulation. ventilation between them. The second layer goes on top of the insulation and under the main roofing material. There must be draft inside the ventilated gaps, that is, air must enter under the cornice and exit on the ridge of the house. Only in this way can condensation be prevented, maximum thermal protection of the roof and drying of its rafters.

The feasibility of using penofol

Penofol is not only a modern thermal insulation material. It acts as a hydro and vapor barrier, significantly increases the life of the building, protecting it from the effects of precipitation. The action of penofol is based on the reflection of thermal radiation, and not in its absorption. This is what distinguishes the above product from other heaters.

Is it possible to insulate the ceiling with penofol? How effective is the use of this insulation in the attic? Penofol is versatile, and therefore suitable for thermal insulation of any part of the building. Is it possible to insulate the floor with penofol in a wooden house without disturbing the air exchange of the building? Penofl will not harm the wooden frame if you take care of the presence of ventilated gaps during its installation. They prevent the formation of condensate, contribute to the removal of excess moisture vapor to the outside of the building, and also act as additional thermal protection.

What is penofol, what is its structure, varieties, specifications, pros and cons of a heat insulator, selection rules and installation features of foil material.

Description and features of the production of penofol

For the first time, reflective thermal insulation began to be used in the United States as one of the elements for the manufacture of space suits. Later, this technology was adopted by builders around the world.

Foil penofol is roll material, which combines the excellent thermal insulation properties of foil and polyethylene foam. Polyethylene foam can have a different structure and density. His pores are closed. The thickness ranges from 2 to 10 millimeters.

The thickness of the foil layer is about 20 µm. Aluminum foil with a purity of at least 99.4% is applied to the polyethylene base by heat welding.

To understand the principle of operation of this insulation, you should remember how heat is transferred from object to object. This happens in three ways: convection (moving warm air), conduction (thermal conduction of the objects themselves), thermal radiation (transfer of heat through electromagnetic infrared waves).

Most modern heaters are able to prevent only one type of heat transfer. Penofol acts in combination: polyethylene foam prevents convection, and foil increases the thermal reflection rate up to 97%. Thus, the total coefficient of resistance to heat transfer for a ten-millimeter thick penofol reaches 1.355. For example, the same indicator for a brick wall 54 centimeters thick is 0.405.

Unlike other types of insulation, penofol does not retain heat, but reflects it. The material is used both independently and in combination with other heat insulators.

The main types of penofol

This heat insulator comes in several varieties. They are indicated by a special marking in the name of penofol. Consider the main types:

• BUT. The material has an aluminum foil coating on one side only. Usually this penofol is used in combination with other heaters (for example, styrodur or polystyrene).
• IN. The foil covers the polyethylene foam layer on both sides. This type of heat insulator can be used as an independent heater.
• FROM. This is self-adhesive foam. On the one hand, such material is covered with foil, on the other hand, it has foamed polyethylene with a moisture-resistant adhesive composition. Installation of such a heat insulator is simple and does not require additional funds.
• ALP. This is a heater, on the foil part of which a polyethylene film is applied. It is also called laminated penofol. It is used in agriculture and in slightly aggressive environments.
• R&M. Varieties of embossed material with one-sided foil coating.
• Super NET. Penofol of a special structure, which is suitable for insulating various networks, for example, pipelines, air outlets, and thermal networks.
• AIR. This is a heater that is used to create structures for air venting.

There is also a special insulation for use in particularly harsh climatic conditions. The total thickness of the penofol of this variety reaches 40 millimeters.

On sale you can sometimes find material marked "2000". It is a cheap analogue of this heat insulator with reduced strength characteristics.

Technical characteristics of penofol

This heat insulator is considered universal, since it can be insulated various designs, residential and non-residential facilities, use from the inside and outside with the same efficiency.

Consider the main technical characteristics of penofol, which explain its high demand:

1. Thickness. According to this indicator, this insulation compares favorably with other heat insulators. The standard thickness of penofol ranges from 2 to 10 millimeters. The thicker the material, the more expensive it is. The most popular and optimal for domestic use is a 5 mm thick insulation.
2. Thermal conductivity of penofol. Since we are talking about a combined heat insulator, its thermal conductivity is difficult to derive and compare with other types of heaters. The material provides comprehensive insulation by reducing convection and reflecting heat rays. Therefore, it is customary to talk about the heat transfer resistance of penofol. If we calculate this indicator for a material of average thickness of 4-5 millimeters with double-sided foiling, then it will be equal to 1.2-1.23 m 2 / C / watt. To achieve the same results, you will need a layer of mineral wool of at least 85 millimeters.
3. moisture resistance. Penofol practically does not absorb water. It does not matter the humidity of the ambient air in the street or in the room. The moisture absorption index for this insulator is 0.35-0.7% per cubic meter.
4. Vapor permeability. When using penofol, it is not necessary to lay an additional layer of vapor barrier. The vapor permeability coefficient of the material is less than 0.001 mg/m/h/Pa.
5. Soundproofing. At correct installation penofol provides a decent level of sound absorption - 32 decibels and above. For good sound insulation, the material should be installed on top of the frame of the building structure with no seams. In this way, the penetration of acoustic and structural noises can be avoided.
6. combustibility. Penofol belongs to the class of materials that are difficult to ignite and do not support the combustion process. According to the licenses and certificates assigned to this heat insulator, it is not a fire hazard. When ignited, it releases carbon dioxide and water. However, with an insufficient amount of oxygen in the surrounding air, penofol begins to produce carbon monoxide.
7. Mechanical resistance. The material is non-rigid and has compressive and bending strength in the range of 44-74 kg per cubic meter.
8. Operating temperature range. Penofol can be operated at temperatures from -60 to +100 degrees Celsius.
9. Chemical resistance. The material is resistant to almost all chemicals.
10. Environmental friendliness. Penofol is considered an environmentally friendly material, since its basis is polyethylene foam, which does not emit any toxic substances and volatile compounds into the environment. In addition, this insulation allows you to protect yourself to a large extent from the influence of electromagnetic waves.
11. Lifetime. Manufacturers guarantee that penofol is able to serve without losing its qualities for about two hundred years. So far, there is no way to verify this statement in practice, since the material is relatively young.

Advantages of penofol

The main advantages of penofol include the following qualities:

1. small thickness. Compared to many heat insulators, foam foam is very thin. At the same time, it is not inferior in terms of thermal insulation. They can insulate the walls from the inside, and he will not "steal" the free space.
2. Light weight. The material is very light. Therefore, it is convenient to transport and install it alone.
3. Ease of installation. Penofol does not crumble, does not break, does not require the use of personal protective equipment and special tools. It is easily cut with an ordinary knife or scissors, and is attached to tape, staples or small nails.
4. Environmental Safety. Foil and polyethylene foam, which are components of the foam insulation, are absolutely harmless. They are also used in the packaging industry. food products. The toxicity of these substances is reduced to zero.
5. High resistance to fire. The material is difficult to ignite, so it can even be used to isolate places with high fire safety requirements.
6. No need for vapor barrier. Penofol has a low vapor permeability, so it does not require any additional insulating layers.
7. low price. This is a fairly economical material. In addition, there are no costs for its installation work.

Disadvantages of penofol

Like other heat-insulating materials, foil penofol has a number of disadvantages. Consider them:

• Insufficient rigidity. The softness of the material does not allow for plastering, painting or wallpapering over foam foam. A slight pressure can temporarily deform the material.
• Poor adhesion. Penofol is weakly glued to the walls, since its adhesive properties are quite low. It is necessary to purchase special glue or use fasteners. However, in the case of the latter, care must be taken not to reduce the insulating qualities of the material. Self-adhesive foil insulation can also be a way out of the situation.
• Aluminum conducts electricity well. When installing penofol, it is necessary to reliably protect the electrical wiring and prevent breakdowns.

Penofol selection criteria

When choosing foil polyethylene foam for thermal insulation purposes, you must follow these recommendations:

1. From the point of view of the ratio of price and quality, the material with a thickness of 4-5 millimeters is optimal.
2. Penofol can be used in any residential premises. But for saunas, baths, it is recommended to use reflective heat insulators based on polypropylene, which is more resistant to high temperatures than penofol.
3. To calculate the required amount of heat insulator, keep in mind that the size of the penofol is usually determined by square meters. One roll contains 9 to 18 squares.
4. The reflectivity of the insulation depends on the material from which the foil is made. The aluminum layer is optimal. However, sometimes there may be restrictions on the use of this metal due to the fact that it is a good electrical conductor. Then you should give preference to a material with a lavsan metallized film.
5. Pay attention to whether the penofol is sewn or not. If so, how. It could be chemical physical method. It is preferable to choose a non-crosslinked material or one that is chemically crosslinked.

When buying penofol, you can easily check its quality. To do this, you need to unfold the roll and look through it at a bright light source. So you can see the uniformity of the material, the presence of spots, stripes.

Price and manufacturers of penofol

Penofol is a registered trademark. In Russia, the plant that has the official rights to produce this material is LIT. On the market, you can also find analogues of penofol, which are produced under other names: Energoflex, Magnoflex, Tepofol, Izolon, Porileks, Maksizol and others.

It is worth noting that penofol-2000 is distinguished by a lower price. Its cost starts from 50 rubles for square meter. However, this material is based on cross-linked polyethylene foam, which has poorer technical characteristics.

The price of penofol varies depending on its brand, thickness and density. Grade A is the cheapest among classic penofols (from 155 rubles per square). The cost of grade B material starts from 180 rubles per square meter. The price of self-adhesive penofol starts at 230 rubles per square.

Carefully study the packaging and documents provided by the seller of the goods. Remember, if the manufacturer of penofol is not indicated, then you are not dealing with this material at all, but with its analogue.

Brief instructions for installing penofol

As a rule, this heat insulator is used to insulate the walls of the room from the inside. For these purposes, it is ideal.

Consider the instructions for installing penofol with your own hands:

• We prepare a frame on the wall from wooden beams. It is necessary to provide an air gap of about 20 millimeters.
• We fasten the bars with dowels in increments of 1 meter from each other.
• Checking the quality electrical wiring. We carry out its isolation if necessary.
• We cut the strips of penofol with a knife and apply end-to-end (without overlaps).
• We fasten the material to the frame with the reflective side facing us, using furniture stapler or special glue.
• We glue the seams with metal tape.
• We mount the wooden frame again with an indent of about two centimeters.
• On top of the second frame, you can lay drywall sheets, panels that are puttied, painted and wallpapered.

In exactly the same way, the floor is insulated with penofol. Only wooden logs will act as a frame.

Watch the video review of penofol:

Penofol is a relatively new heat insulator. It differs from most heaters in that it is able not only to act as an obstacle to the cold, but also to reflect heat into the room. Its cost is relatively low, and installation does not require special skills.

The heat-insulating material penofol is currently one of the most common in the field of energy saving. Such a universal insulation is ideal for use in a house or apartment. Niches for batteries, slopes, all kinds of partitions and roofs are quite often insulated with them. For the device of a warm floor, penofol with a reflector in the form of aluminum foil is also used.

Main types

Basically, all types of penofol consist of polyethylene foam and a reflective layer. Consider the most common types.

Modification "A"

Lightweight roll material coated on one side with a reflective layer. Available in thicknesses of 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 mm.

Modification "B"

Roll material with two reflective sides. A slightly more versatile insulation than "A", with increased requirements for mechanical stress.

Modification "C"

Self-adhesive insulation universal and easy to install.
Modification "ALP". Self-adhesive type of penofol foiled on one side only, as well as laminated with polyethylene protective film. Thickness 3 mm.

Some technical characteristics of foil foam

1. Thermal reflection up to 97%.
2. Application temperature -60+100 Celsius.
3. The coefficient of thermal conductivity, excluding heat reflection, is 0.037 - 0.038 W / m ° C.
4. Moisture absorption from 0.65-3.5% (by volume).
5. Specific heat capacity 1.95 kJ/kg °С.
6. Vapor permeability coefficient, m, not more (mg/m.h. Pa) than 0.001.

Where is it better to use penofol as a heater

Insulating walls from the inside with penofol is not a laborious process, if you use a simple tool (knife, stapler, screwdriver), insulation work can be done quickly and efficiently. Consider where and how best to use this type of material.

Type "A" is mainly used in combined insulation with other heat insulators, polystyrene foam and expanded polystyrene. For example, for wall insulation from the inside, in the case when it is not possible to carry out external installation. And you can also lay it under the screed when installing a warm floor. Primary insulation of food storage chambers is often carried out with this type of insulator, gluing it directly to the wall.

Type "B" is more suitable in the installation of partitions and ventilation systems, and it is very simple to make insulation with foil foam of any walls and ceilings, it works as an independent insulating material. The double reflective layer applied on both sides is excellent for this and is intended. Penofol "B" showed itself perfectly in the arrangement of loggias and balconies. They fix it by pressing it between the rail, the finishing guides, and the wall.

Type "C" has found more application for warming cars, or rather their thermal booths, different kind change houses and technical premises. As heat reflectors for heating radiators and various containers and heat exchangers.

Example:

For the arrangement of "", ALP type penofol is used, since the cement mortar in its raw state is aggressive to aluminum. And the sheets are mounted on a rough screed up with foil with a release on the walls up to 8 cm and fasten the seams with aluminum tape (metallized tape). After installing all the heating elements, a reinforcement mesh is placed on top and a finishing screed is poured. The edges are trimmed after pouring. In this application, it serves as an excellent reflector and heat insulator.

The versatile use of foil foam puts this product at the forefront of heat savings and efficiency in applications with minimal structural thickness.

Shiny foil foam insulation

When insulating various kinds of surfaces, walls, ceilings, partitions or pipes, you need to know exactly how to insulate the structure in each case. There are many thermal insulations, but we will consider thin, universal system. "Izolon" is light, easy to use, with high quality material. Excellent insulator of heat and cold.
Let's take the insulation of pipes, isolon brand PPE 3004-3010 with an additional coating of PET film over the reflector, for thermal and sound insulation, ventilation pipes, channels or tanks and heat exchangers.

Styrofoam or polystyrene is problematic to mount on such uneven surfaces, and it is generally unprofitable to blow out foam. Suddenly you have to remove the structure or upgrade. Isolon saves in such cases, because it is not possible to insulate pipes with bulky mineral wool using outdated technology. A foil isolon as a reflector will serve for a long time and with high quality.
And the price of such insulation is relatively low.

Fastening methods and properties of penofol

Option number 1

On the insulation of the loggia, you can use a frame mount with a 20 * 40 mm rail, press the insulator against the wall in increments of 40 centimeters. Fixing with screws if the wall is made of wood, or use a quick installation dowel (DBM) when the base is concrete. The seams must be glued with metallic tape. The thickness of the material is chosen based on the weather conditions in winter and summer. When buying, an experienced manager will calculate more accurately what kind of cold insulator is needed, taking into account the data in your region on temperature and humidity.

Option number 2

With combined insulation, polystyrene foam or foam plastic, foil foam for the second layer (reflector) is perfect. Let's take a refrigerator or heat exchanger insulation. Pinned on mounting foam or a dowel (fungus) polystyrene plates can be glued with self-adhesive penofol of the ALP brand in a day. But the brand "A" with one reflective side is quite easy to attach with silicone-acrylic (the modification must match the materials). Sometimes, despite the brand of glue, craftsmen melt polystyrene foam with unsuitable glues.

Option number 3

On the floor under a laminate or parquet board, it is not uncommon to roll out the material of modification "B" with two reflective surfaces. Thickness up to 5 mm. Such a substrate will last quite a long time, performing 97% of the thermal protection of your floor. You can also fix it with special non-aggressive mastics by gluing it to the base. Scotch brand Izospan FL will glue the seams perfectly.

Option number 4

Vibration protection when in use industrial equipment solves the laying of isolon under the machines. And by installing an additional layer (type "A") inside a partition or wall, the noise in the production room will decrease by 28-30%. The sound absorption of this material is up to 68%. The stapler and galvanized staples to it perfectly hold the insulator on any surface except concrete or plaster. On solid walls, the reflector can be glued or installed on dowels, then covered with a layer of finish (plastic, drywall).

The foamed polyethylene foam of which isolon consists is a polymeric chemically resistant material. The temperature range of operation of polyethylene foam brand: PPE from -60 to +100 degrees Celsius, standard brands without quenching additives are quite flammable.
In case of fire, it is extinguished with standard fire extinguishing agents: foam or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, sand, water. In case of fire, use a respirator!

The polyethylene foam itself does not contain harmful substances depleting the ozone layer of the atmosphere. When inhaled, contact with skin does not cause allergies. As you can see, such a versatile material as foil isolon is quite easy to use in the arrangement of any structures and premises.

This article is devoted to penofol - one of the most effective materials for reflective thermal insulation, among the heaters on the market.

1 Features and scope

Penofol is a two-layer heat-insulating material consisting of one or two layers of foil applied to a polyethylene foam base.

Depending on the type of product, the density, as well as the thickness of the polyethylene foam, may vary. As a rule, the standard thickness of the insulation is from 2 to 10 millimeters. There are also products with a thickness of 40 mm, but they are not very common due to low demand.

• Thermal insulation of internal surfaces of walls and facades in a brick and wooden house, mansards, verandas and attics;
• Heat, moisture, steam insulation of saunas and baths;
• Arrangement of reflective thermal insulation in underfloor heating systems;
• Thermal insulation of pipelines;
• Thermal insulation of ventilation systems, air conditioners and sewerage pipes;
• Shielding material for heating radiators.

2 Types of penofol and their technical characteristics

There are three main types of penofol, which differ from each other in both structural features and technical characteristics:

• Penofol type A;
• Penofol type B;
• Penofol type C similar to.

Type A is penofol with one-sided foiling. This is the most popular version of penofol for complex thermal insulation using additional heaters.

Type B - penofol, having foil on both sides. This material can be used as the main thermal insulation for walls, ceilings, floors, attic floors residential and industrial buildings, as well as for thermal insulation of baths, saunas, pipelines and industrial equipment.

Type C - a type of penofol with foil on one side and an adhesive coating on the other. This coating makes it possible to fix penofol without the use of any additional tools and materials.

Consider the technical characteristics of the most popular types of penofol.

• The temperature range for all three types of insulation is from -60 to +100 degrees as in;
• The coefficient of thermal shielding of the foil layer for all types is within 95-97;
• The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the material, W / mk: type A - 0.037-0.049; type B - 0.038-0.051; type C - 0.038 - 0.051;
• Moisture absorption at full immersion for 24 hours: type A - 0.7%, type B - 0.6, type C - 0.35;
• Specific weight, kg/m3 (± 10 kg): type A - 44, type B - 54, type C - 74;
• Modulus of elasticity at a load of 2 Kpa, MPa: type A - 0.27; type B - 0.39; type C - 0.26;
• Compression index at 2 Kpa: type A - 0.09; type B - 0.03, type C - 0.09 as in;
• The vapor permeability of all types of penofol does not exceed 0.001 mg / mchPa;
• The specific heat capacity of the material for all types is 1.95 J / kg;
• The compressive strength of all types of penofol is 0.035 MPa.

There are also less common types of penofol.

Penofol type R - the material is similar in technical characteristics to type A penofol, however, this type of foil is embossed, making it better suited for creating multilayer insulation. The thickness of the foil in foam type R is 14 microns, the thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.04 W/mk.

Penofol type ALP is a widespread option in agriculture, where it is used as a reflective thermal insulation for greenhouses, incubators and chicken coops. A feature of this type of penofol is one-sided lamination from a polyethylene film.

Penofol type NET - an option intended for thermal insulation ventilation ducts, pipelines and heating mains. The manufacturer indicates that the properties of NET foam are similar to those of type B, it is only distinguished by greater elasticity.

2.1 Disadvantages of foil foam

Let's start with the disadvantages, which, in foil penofol, are much less than the advantages. To be precise, there are significant disadvantages that limit the use of penofol as thermal insulation material all three.

1. Low density like .

Due to the lack of rigidity, penofol cannot be used as a coating for plastering or wallpapering. Penofol is very soft material who can't hold them properly.

Penofol, in case of use as the main heat-insulating layer, is sheathed with a facing layer, for which a special supporting frame is equipped.

1. Loss of thermal insulation characteristics due to mechanical damage.

When insulating with penofol, it is very important to monitor the integrity of the material, since even the slightest damage significantly reduces the shielding ability of foil penofol.

In this regard, when installing penofol, you should not resort to using nails or self-tapping screws. The manufacturer recommends attaching penofol to surfaces using a special adhesive composition. Reviews indicate that the glue fixes penofol on the walls with sufficient quality.

1. Insufficient thermal insulation properties for use as the main insulation.

One of the key advantages of penofol is the minimum thickness - the material does not eat up free space, however, it is quite obvious that the base thickness of 0.5-20 mm is not able to provide insulation that is similar in efficiency to insulation with 10 centimeters of mineral wool.

However, with the main functional purpose- reflective thermal insulation, foil penofol copes very effectively.

2.2 Benefits of penofol

The traditional strengths of foil penofol are the following characteristics:

• Vapor barrier properties and hydrophobicity of the material - penofol is not afraid of condensate, it does not absorb moisture and is not subject to accelerated destruction when constantly exposed to moist air, which allows the use of penofol for thermal insulation of baths and saunas;
• Penofol thickness - effective in terms of thermal insulation characteristics, the thickness of the material, as a rule, is about 1 centimeter. This thickness gives an effect similar to thermal insulation with 8 cm of mineral wool, or 4 cm of extruded polystyrene foam;
• Environmental friendliness and health safety - the materials from which penofol is produced - foil and polyethylene, are widely used in Food Industry as food packaging. Penofol itself is certified according to all sanitary and environmental standards of Europe and Russia;
• Noise isolation properties - the structure of polyethylene foam has the ability to effectively suppress both airborne noise and impact noise;
• Ease of transportation and ease of installation - the minimum thickness of the insulation makes it possible to wind it into a compact roll, which can be easily transported by any vehicle. When installing penofol, there is no need to use special tools - the material is perfectly cut with ordinary scissors;
• Fire resistance - in terms of flammability, foil penofol belongs to class G2 (hard-to-combust materials prone to self-extinguishing).

Penofol is a reflective insulating multilayer material consisting of a main body and polished aluminum foil. Depending on the required properties, polyethylene foam materials are used as the basis for penofol, which have different physical characteristics depending on the thickness and structure. There are two main types - foil and non-foil.

Non-foil penofol found less ways applications, since when using only a gas-foam base, its main property, thermal insulation, is lost. Foams in this form are used for civilian purposes - all kinds of camping mats, pet bedding, etc.

If you do not need reflective properties for insulation, you can use a non-foil base as a layer for insulating floors, walls, ceilings and pipes, since its application temperature varies from -40 to +100 ° C, which meets the basic operating conditions. This type is considered an outdated insulating material, it was replaced by a more advanced technology - applying a thin metal coating.

A reflective material is applied to the foil using thermal welding technology. The polished web with a reflectance of 96-98% has a thickness of up to 0.1 mm, while the thickness of the main foam material ranges from 1 to 25 mm, in the case of individual orders it can be up to 50 mm (this option is usually used in especially cold climates).

Classification of foil penofol

Depending on the application and the required operational properties The modern building materials market offers the following types of penofol:

• Marking "A"– has a reflective aluminum coating on one side only. Most often, this type is used in conjunction with other heaters, such as polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. The most common, used as insulation in residential premises, has vapor-reflecting properties.
• Marking "B"- the foil coating is applied on both sides, which allows its use as an independent insulation. With a sufficient thickness of the base layer, it is possible to insulate the floor or walls only with it. The upper part of the reflector will keep the heat inside the room, reflecting it back into the room, and the lower part will protect you from the cold penetrating through the walls from environment.
• "C" marking- this modification has a reflective coating on one side only, moisture- and heat-resistant glue is applied on the other side. This type allows you to use it in hard-to-reach places, as well as insulate walls and ceilings without any installation difficulties.
• Modifications "R" and "M" have one-sided aluminum coating with a thickness of 0.14 mm, deposited on a relief structure, while the other side is flat. Such indicators, different from the standard ones, provide increased sound, heat, and moisture insulation. These modifications are used for outdoor structures, as the relief structure provides maximum sound insulation. They are recommended for use in multilayer structures.
• "SuperNet" marking means that this type of penofol has increased resistance to aggressive environmental conditions due to the increased thickness and density of the gas-foam base. It is used to isolate communication networks, water pipes and heating mains - in places that require maximum insulation performance.
• Laminated (modification "ALP")- has a one-sided foil coating, on which a polymer film is applied. It is used as a reflective element in the “ ” system, laid directly under the heating elements with the foil side up. Thus, the heat released by pipes or heating elements is reflected upwards, without being wasted on heating the lower part of the floor. Lamination increases the resistance of the aluminum coating to the heat that is released from the heating elements.
• Marked "AIR" perforated penofol is indicated - a material that has in its structure through holes. It is used for external insulation of structures, the perforated structure allows steam emissions to pass from the structure to the outside. This type is recommended to insulate cold walls frame houses in multi-storey buildings.

Internal and external insulation of premises

For domestic needs, it is sufficient to use the first three modifications of penofol - A, B and C. The scope of this material as a heater is very extensive: floors, walls, ceilings, insulation of balconies, terraces and loggias, insulation of wooden and frame houses. Below are the insulation technologies.

Floor insulation

Before laying the insulating layer, you first need to level the initial surface of the thin concrete screed. To do this, a liquid solution of cement is kneaded and poured, then it is allowed to dry completely. It is not recommended to lay penofol immediately - a layer of foam plastic with a thickness of 7-15 cm is usually used.

Further actions are related to the selected type of penofol:

• If modification "A" is used, then a moisture-resistant adhesive-fixer is evenly applied to the foam, on which the insulating material is tightly laid.
• In the case of material marked "C", the adhesive is not needed, as it is already applied on the opposite side of the reflector. In the manufacture of this modification, the waterproof adhesive is immediately covered with a layer of polyethylene to prevent premature drying. To start laying foam foam, the polyethylene layer is carefully removed, then the material is carefully rolled out over the surface of the foam.

The material is laid with a five-centimeter overlap on the walls, all joints must be glued with aluminum insulating tape. This will achieve maximum steam and moisture insulation effect and protect the floor from impact noise. After the floor is laid, the protruding parts of the insulating material are carefully cut with a mounting blade.

When designing a "warm floor" system, there are two main types of subsequent installation - the use of a log and a concrete screed. Logs are recommended to use if you want to make a wooden floor on top of the insulated layer. To do this, it is necessary to lay wooden logs along the entire floor over the heating elements (it is first recommended to treat them with antiseptic preparations or soak them with special hydrophobic oils).

The horizontal installation of the bars should be controlled using a level. Then, boards or other variants of wooden floors are stuffed over the laid bars. Thus, the heat coming from the heating elements will be reflected upwards by the foil covering, warming up the wooden floor.

The second option is to install the "warm floor" system under the tile or a natural stone. To do this, the heating elements are covered with a thin reinforced mesh and poured with a concrete screed, or they are placed in a layer of tile adhesive retainer. It should be noted that in this case it is necessary to use penofol marked "ALP". A layer of polymer film-laminate will protect the thin aluminum foil, since the action cement mortar or glue-fixative has a destructive effect on it.

Wall insulation

When warming internal walls the room is recommended to use penofol marked "B". Its installation is more complex and time-consuming than modifications "A" and "C", but it is able to provide more serious insulation protection. For better sound and heat insulation, ventilation gaps are created between the wall and the penofol.

If the material with one-sided foil can be glued directly to the wall or to a heavier insulation (thick layer of foam), then double-sided installation metal coated takes place according to the following technology:

• With the help of dowels, wooden blocks 1-2 cm thick are attached to the wall;
• A layer of penofol marked “B” is screwed onto them with screws or nailed with mounting brackets;
• Drywall is applied to the surface of the insulating material, which is attached to the rail with self-tapping screws. If you decide to leave cavities for ventilation on the other side of the penofol, then first the slats with a thickness similar to the previous ones are screwed onto it again, and only then the drywall is fixed. You will lose 2-3 centimeters of space in the room, but provide very good insulation due to two air cushions.

The joints of the penofol must be carefully glued with aluminum insulating tape to avoid drafts.

Ceiling insulation

Indoors, it follows from gluing a thin layer of penofol to the original coating. It will serve as the primary insulating barrier, onto which wooden slats are then screwed, which act as a frame for the main layer of insulation.

After mounting the rails, a second, already thick layer is attached to them, which is attached to the frame with construction stapler or self-tapping screws. If another layer of insulation is needed, the previous layer of insulation is also attached. wooden slats, on which the third layer is mounted in the above way.

To create conditions for decorating the room, drywall is glued or screwed to the last level.
The formation of one or more air cushions provides the highest insulation performance, while the condensate accumulated in them will be removed by ventilation. Do not forget to process the foam foam joints with construction tape or silicone glue.

Warming of balconies, loggias, terraces

If you carefully study, then the isolation of these premises will not cause difficulties for you. However, when insulating balconies, one should not forget about the need for maximum lightening of the structure in order to avoid an accident.

Warming of a wooden house

The technology for installing penofol is no different from the technology in brick, cinder block or other houses. But it is worth noting that due to the high waterproofing feature of penofol, its installation on wooden walls both outside and inside, should be carried out exclusively in summer, at least after several hot days.

In no case should you insulate the house if the tree is swollen after the rains and saturated with moisture. After sheathing the house, it will forever remain inside, and the tree will simply rot, destroying your house.

When insulating walls and ceilings, we must not forget that the aluminum coating has a very high electrical conductivity. In no case should it be placed next to poorly insulated wiring, this can lead to instantaneous ignition of a large area of ​​​​the room! Before assembling the structure, it is necessary to carefully check the wires and insulate them well!

disadvantages

Despite the amazing physical performance and relative ease of use, this material has several disadvantages:

• It is somewhat more expensive than traditional insulating materials, but much more efficient - so this can be called a justified disadvantage.
• Penofol cannot be used as an independent element, it must be combined with heavier and more massive heaters like polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene.
• Care must be taken during installation, because the gas-foam base is very fragile, and unnecessary damage to the material is useless.

Video

From the video you will learn how to insulate the house with penofol.