Insulation for the walls of the house outside what is better for external thermal insulation. Materials for wall insulation from the outside Preference for insulation of the exterior walls of the house

How to insulate the walls of the house from the outside must be decided before starting work. After all, there are several materials and they are different not only in their composition, but also in the fastening system. And the better to insulate the walls of the house from the outside, we will consider below.

External insulation performs an important protective function and has several advantages:

The most important plus of external thermal insulation- no freezing. When the house is insulated from the inside, the walls are not protected from freezing and hypothermia. In cold walls, heat loss occurs faster.
Increasing the strength of structures made according to frame technology . With internal insulation in structures of this type, a constant accumulation of condensate occurs, which contributes to their gradual destruction.
No extra pressure on bearing walls and foundation.
The dew point is the accumulation of steam. It is located in the outer insulation layer, which eliminates condensation. Insulation, having vapor-permeable properties, lets condensate out. With internal insulation in the wall, from the side of the room, moisture accumulates, creating a favorable environment for the appearance of fungi, mold and freezing of the walls.
The walls are protected from the cold and the heat is kept inside them for a long time.. His losses are minimal.
External thermal insulation has such an important property as high-quality sound insulation. An aspect insignificant for suburban real estate is important when insulating houses and buildings located on noisy city streets.

Types of insulation

In the manufacture of thermal insulation boards, various materials with thermal insulation properties are used. As a heat-insulating material, slabs of foam plastic and mineral wool are most in demand. The quality characteristics of the plate should be the main selection criterion when buying insulation.

Mineral wool

If you are thinking about the best way to insulate a facade wall, then you should immediately pay attention to mineral wool (see How to insulate walls from the outside with mineral wool). These are boards made up of various fibres. The thickness of the material is usually 5-10 cm.

For working surfaces of a large area, mineral wool mats are produced. Ease of installation and a number of advantages provide a high demand for insulation.

Mineral wool does not burn, has moisture resistance, low thermal conductivity, vapor permeability, soundproofing properties, is not subject to external influences.

Depending on the material on the basis of which the insulation board is created, its types are classified.

Types of mineral wool:

Mineral wool stone

The material for the manufacture of this type of mineral wool is molten rocks: basalt, clay or limestone. Stone wool does not burn, does not rot, withstands large temperature differences. Its porous surface has excellent "breathing" properties.

The plate made of natural material is a natural, environmentally friendly insulation that does not emit toxins.

Mineral wool slag

It is made from metallurgical waste - molten slags. The thinnest fibers at the base of the material give it a resemblance to felt. It has high thermal insulation properties, does not burn, and passes steam condensates well.

fiberglass mineral wool

The material made on the basis of glass chips is resistant to high temperatures. Like other types of mineral wool, it does not burn, does not absorb moisture, is not susceptible to damage, has "breathing" properties and is easy to install. Glass wool contains the smallest glass dust, so care must be taken precautions to avoid contact with skin and mucous membranes.

Styrofoam board

If you are thinking how to insulate aerated concrete walls, then this material is completely suitable:

It consists of small spherical or cellular granules with hydrophobic properties.
In the manufacture of foam plastic, a high temperature effect on the granules contributes to the formation of a single structure.
The lowest price in the niche of heat-insulating materials and easy installation during the insulation process provided expanded polystyrene with great popularity (see Do-it-yourself insulation of walls from the outside with expanded polystyrene).
Plates are made with a thickness of 5 to 15 cm and you can carry out insulation without taking away a lot of usable area.

Peculiarities:

A styrofoam board consists almost entirely of air trapped in the micropores of the granules. This is due to the light weight of the material.
There are 2 types of foam: expanded, from larger round granules, and extruded, from small cells. For external insulation of the walls of the house, the first option is preferable. Extruded polystyrene foam has a finer structure and is used mainly for insulating non-residential premises and household buildings.
When erecting a heat-insulating structure from expanded polystyrene foam, it is necessary to apply additional lining to the insulated surface or apply plaster (foam plastic under the influence of high temperature can release toxins).

Technologies for external thermal insulation

Before insulating the walls of the house, you need to think about how to do it. After all, the fastening of the material and the subsequent finishing are of great importance.

If this is the entrance wall, then it is stupid to talk about mineral wool. After all, it will still need to be revetted. But the foam is suitable, it is enough to plaster it.

External thermal insulation is of 2 types:

Bonded thermal insulation;
Hinged ventilated facade.

The first, the method of monolithic bonding of heat-insulating material, is most in demand. This type of thermal insulation is easy to do with your own hands, while the complex technology of a hinged facade requires a qualified approach and high costs.

Benefits of monolithic bonding

The method of monolithic-bonded insulation requires positive air temperature, above 5°C. Therefore, work on insulation in this way is seasonal. popular in Western countries method of thermal insulation is becoming popular in Russia.

Energy efficiency: a significant reduction in heat loss through monolithic walls reduces heating costs.
A monolithic heat-insulating shield reliably protects the walls from cold, wind, and moisture. A single enclosing structure eliminates the appearance of "cold bridges". The simplicity of the design allows, if necessary, to easily dismantle the layers of thermal insulation.
The light weight of insulating materials does not put additional pressure on the foundation.
Installation of bonded thermal insulation is possible on surfaces made of any material (blocks, bricks, panels, frame).
The use of non-combustible types of insulation ensures the durability of the structure.

For the effectiveness of external insulation by the method of bonded thermal insulation, it is necessary to comply with the technology. The quality of the insulating material also matters. The most commonly used foam, mineral wool or glass wool. When choosing polystyrene, one must take into account its flammability, although manufacturers began to produce non-combustible types of polystyrene foam.

Bonded thermal insulation with polystyrene boards

This mounting method depends on the material used.

If we are talking about mineral wool, guide aluminum profiles and additional fasteners are needed.
Expanded polystyrene is fastened with special glue and dowels. The plates are glued to the wall, and the dowels provide additional fixation.
Dowels must withstand the load of the entire structure and strong gusts of wind.

Attention: Special dowels for mounting thermal insulation have large diameter hats, 5 cm or more. For fixing polystyrene foam plates, 2 types of dowels are used: regular (5 cm) and elongated (9 cm).

For external thermal insulation, it is necessary to choose expanded polystyrene with fire-resistant characteristics.

Method of external bonded thermal insulation:

Special glue is applied to the surface in a continuous layer, according to the size of one foam plate.
The foam is pressed against the wall with adhesive applied with force and held for better adhesion for a short period of time.
Excess glue from under the foam plate is distributed under the neighboring ones. This contributes to additional bonding of the joints.
The joints of the plates are filled mounting foam or small pieces of polyurethane foam.
The corner joints of the insulation sheets are fixed with dowels. The joints on the surface of the plates, together with the caps of the dowels, are smeared with a mastic composition. You should get a single monolithic layer of heat-insulating material.
The next stage is the installation of a reinforcing mesh, which is fastened to the surface of the plates with glue. To create a continuous reinforced area, overlapping mesh is used.
After complete drying, the resulting heat-insulating layer is leveled for further decorative cladding.
Application of decorative plaster.
The final stage is painting with paint intended for outdoor use. Paint and plaster must be resistant to environmental influences.

External thermal insulation with polyurethane foam

Thermal insulation with polyurethane foam (PPU) involves spraying the composition onto the wall. The polymer layer, solidifying, provides reliable thermal insulation and a monolithic, even surface. The heat-insulating composition is being prepared immediately before work.

Perspective modern method insulation has a number of advantages:

High adhesive properties, instant strong bond with any kind of surface;
Seamless technology increases the thermal inertia of the walls, providing additional strength;
Polyurethane foam (see Insulate the wall with polyurethane from the outside - how to make the right construction), applied with a layer of 5 mm, is not inferior in thermal insulation properties to a 15 cm thick mineral wool slab or 10 cm foam;
The plasticity of the polymer material ensures quick application and the absence of gaps, seams;
High moisture-repellent and sound-proof properties;
The tightness of the applied layer does not require additional protection with vapor barrier and windproof material;
The light weight of the applied polymer does not exert a load on the load-bearing walls and foundation;
Fast application;
The polymer composition does not emit toxic substances.

Attention: If the question is how to insulate the wall before wallpapering, then this material comes first.

Working with polyurethane foam involves careful spraying and protection of other surfaces with a covering material. When frozen, it is almost impossible to remove.

The prepared mixture is applied using special equipment, in which 2 polymer compositions are mixed under high temperature exposure. The mass brought to the state of foam is sprayed onto the insulated wall through a special sleeve.

This thermal insulation includes the following steps:

Preparatory stage. The surface of the wall must be cleaned of dirt, dust, previous coating. Any foreign particles on the wall will reduce the bonding factor.
Spraying of the polymer composition. The plasticity of the polymer allows you to level the walls, filling the cavities. The thickness of the polymer layer depends on the feed power. You can adjust it with the spray gun.
Laying a reinforcing layer (fiberglass mesh is excellent). It is recommended to apply a layer of screed with a thickness of more than 6 cm.
Decorative cladding with finishing materials (paint, siding, block house).

Warm plaster for external thermal insulation

This type of plaster differs from ordinary cement mortar in its composition: in addition to cement, it contains particles of heat-insulating filler: granulated polystyrene foam, crushed volcanic glass, a mixture of sawdust with paper or foamed vermiculite.

The porous structure of the plaster gives it "breathing" properties. For external insulation of facades, plaster with foam plastic granules or expanded clay chips is suitable. The sawdust base of the plaster is only suitable for interior work.
The composition must have high thermal conductivity, air permeability, pass steam condensate well and repel moisture.
Warm plaster has a plastic texture and is easy to apply without requiring additional alignment. Reinforcing mesh can be omitted. It is applied like regular plaster. Sanding or putty will provide a perfectly flat surface.
Plaster with thermal insulation properties is well bonded to any wall material, has a "breathing" surface.

Warm plaster meets the high requirements for heat-insulating materials.

Plaster properties:

Low thermal conductivity;
Vapor-permeable and hydrophobic properties;
breathability;
Durability;
Resistance to external influences and decomposition;
incombustibility;
Absence of toxic substances.

Where to apply warm plaster:

Plaster is used for exterior cladding, insulated with it window slopes, cover the connecting seams, cracks.
Easy application does not require additional correction. Properties such as resistance to external influences, strong bonding to the base, allow it to be used on any surface.
The mixture is applied in the same way as ordinary plaster. After complete drying, the surface can be sanded.

External thermal insulation of wooden houses

IN suburban construction Quite often, wood is used as a material for building walls. This is explained by naturalness and safety from the point of view of ecology.

Attention: External insulation of wooden walls is possible with the use of technologies that provide ventilation. For guard wooden walls from rotting, a ventilation gap is required.

As a heater for wooden structures most preferred are expanded polystyrene or mineral wool. The choice is due to the excellent thermal insulation properties of the material, high rates vapor permeability, fire resistance, the ability to remove moisture and ease of installation.

The heat-insulating structure of wooden walls is a multilayer "pie":

Interior decoration;
Bearing wall made of wood;
vapor barrier film;
Insulation plate (mineral wool, expanded polystyrene);
windproof material;
ventilation gap;
External cladding with finishing material.

The process of insulating wooden walls:

Preparation of a wooden surface. At this stage, the wooden wall is treated with a special antiseptic solution and fire retardant impregnation. Slots are filled with mounting foam or caulked. For caulking, you can use tow, felt, or a special wood sealant.
Fixing on the wall in strips, overlapping, vapor barrier material. The joints are sealed with sealing tape.

Lathing installation. The crate is made from bars prepared and treated with an antiseptic. The thickness of the insulation board should be 20% of the guide rail width. In other words, the crate should protrude above the insulation layer. The distance between the guide bars is aligned along the width of the plate.

The crate is filled with slabs. Additional fastening of the plate is carried out using anchors.

Installation of wind protection material.
Exterior finish (block house, siding, decorative brick).

How to insulate the walls of the house from the outside, you will now figure it out on your own. Be sure not to miss the size of the insulation, you will still need to add a layer to it finishing material. After all, he also takes a place. After watching the video in this article and the photo, you can make the right choice.

For many years the motto of the Soviet construction industry was total economy. So misguided economic policy made it possible to minimize the capital costs of construction, which made it possible to quickly and easily build buildings for residential, public and industrial purposes. Permissible temperature and humidity conditions for human residence or work were achieved due to the high operating costs for heating, the price of which was regulated by the planned economy. Times have changed, the planned economy of the USSR has gone down in history, but the thin walls remain. Prices for all types of energy carriers are steadily rising, and the centralized heating system has ceased to justify itself. Wall insulation is one of the main solutions to ensure comfortable living conditions, minimizing the cost of additional heating.

External wall insulation

Exterior walls should be properly insulated from the outside by adding a layer of effective insulation made of foam or similar material to the wall, characterized by high heat resistance, sufficient strength and low water absorption.

Why it is necessary to insulate from the outside, the following figures clearly demonstrate:

Fig.1 - "classic" thin wall; L1- thickness of the main wall, 1- material lightweight concrete with porous fillers; 3 - outer and 5-inner decorative layer, they are usually neglected in thermal engineering calculations; 6 - temperature graph inside the wall, where T (Vn) and T (Nar) - internal and external air temperature. 7 - graph of the "dew point" temperature. Analyzing the scheme, one can note the closeness of graphs 6 and 7, there is very little left to create the conditions for the occurrence of condensate.

Fig. 2 - the same wall, but the situation has changed: the outside temperature has dropped, the heating power is not enough. Temperature graphs 6 and 7 - “dew points” intersected, a condensation zone formed - L (k), the wall inside became wet, condensate can penetrate deeper, worsening the characteristics of the wall. Prolonged exposure to moisture on the material of the outer wall leads to the appearance of fungus and efflorescence. Interior putty can peel and crack just like paint.

Now outer wall insulated by placing a layer of effective insulation on the outside.

Fig.3 Symbols:

Outer wall.
Effective insulation, for example, expanded polystyrene.
The outer decorative layer is made of special putty, which is reinforced with glass mesh and painted with paint for facade works. Reliably protect expanded polystyrene from weather influences, increase the fire resistance of the structure.
The adhesive solution provides mechanical fastening of the insulation layer and its tight fit to the wall, if the area of the insulated surface is more than 8 m², special dowels are additionally used.
Inner decorative layer.
temperature chart.
Dew point chart.

The temperature graph - 6 and the dew point graph -7 are far from each other, which means that the occurrence of a condensation zone does not threaten such a layered structure.

If the heating is central, then the room will become warmer, if it is individual, you can save a little by screwing the boiler thermostat.

Materials and technology of insulation of external walls.

Most often, foam is used for insulation, or more precisely, polystyrene foam, made by extrusion. Such a material is characterized by very low thermal conductivity, sufficient strength with low weight, practically does not absorb moisture, as it has closed pores. The chemical industry produces a sufficient range of such expanded polystyrene in the form of plates of various thicknesses (from 2 to 10 cm), density and strength.

Expanded polystyrene boards by TechnoNIKOL, Carbon series. The edge of the sheet is made with a special “L-shaped” groove, which eliminates the formation of “cold bridges” at the seams.

Rigid polystyrene boards from URSA, with a special groove, allow you to insulate walls, floors, attics and basements in one layer.

Ordinary foam boards are not recommended for wall insulation, but due to their low cost (3-5 times cheaper than extruded polystyrene foam), they are still used very often, which in turn negatively affects the quality and durability of insulation.

The general scheme of insulation of external walls with expanded polystyrene:

The outer wall can be brick, foam or expanded clay concrete panel.

The technology of conducting work when insulating walls with polystyrene foam:

The surface of the walls is cleaned of dirt and peeling fragments of paint or plaster.
Recesses and irregularities are filled with facade plaster solutions.
The prepared surface is primed, depending on the condition, with primers that strengthen and increase adhesion.
Plates are installed on the prepared surface with the help of an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition can be applied both on the plate and on the wall.

Adhesive compositions of the company "Caparol".

Dry mixes from Ceresit, for gluing ST83 expanded polystyrene, for gluing and reinforcing ST85.

Schemes for applying the adhesive solution: 1 - continuous, 2 - stripes, 3 - beacons. The adhesive solution is applied so that 1-2 cm is left to the edge of the plate, and the composition does not get into the seams.

Glue the plates, similarly with brickwork with dressing:

Mechanically, polystyrene foam plates are fixed using plastic dowels with a wide plate cap, at the rate of at least four pieces per plate, the installation of which should be done a day after gluing to the mortar. Such dowels are suitable for fixing all types and brands of polystyrene foam boards, regardless of the manufacturer.

Dowel-sets with a metal rod are characterized by high strength, and with a plastic (reinforced polycarbonate) rod - thermal performance, excluding the appearance of a "cold bridge".

When installing an insulating layer from ordinary polystyrene foam or from polystyrene foam boards that do not have a groove, dowels are often installed in seams or at joints, but this may not be entirely true.

Large firms, manufacturers of building chemicals and mixtures, for example, the German Ceresit, have developed their own wall insulation technologies. They produce a range of building chemicals and mixtures designed to fully satisfy the need for materials at all stages of insulation.

It should be noted that insulation with extruded polystyrene foam reduces the overall vapor permeability - the walls "do not breathe" and, therefore, measures and engineering solutions are needed to ensure sufficient ventilation of the premises.

Insulation of external walls from the inside.

Consider the case of insulation of the outer wall when the insulation is located on the inside.

Fig.4 Symbols are similar to Fig.3. The graphs of temperature-6 and "dew point" -7 intersected, forming a vast zone of condensate occurrence - L (k), both in the wall itself and in the insulation.

Despite the fact that theory and practice have proven the fallacy of insulating external walls from the inside, such attempts continue. Why is insulation from the inside so attractive:

Work can be carried out at any time of the year, even in winter or in the rain.
Simplicity of work: no ladders, scaffolds, cars with lifts or climbing equipment are needed, which means that you do not need to hire specialists.

It is rational to insulate the first and second floors from inventory scaffolding.

For builders who have mastered climbing equipment, the floor does not matter.

A false wall made of drywall with mineral wool insulation is cheaper than external insulation both in terms of material and cost of work.

Negative moments of insulation of external walls from the inside:

Condensation may appear on the wall and, as a result, fungus, efflorescence and rust spots.
The condensation zone moves into the volume of the insulation, and mineral wool in such humid conditions loses its properties and can collapse.
The device of an impenetrable vapor barrier will greatly complicate the “breathing” of the walls, which is unacceptable in the absence of ventilation (systems ventilation ducts and breather).
Insulation inside reduces the useful area of the premises.

In theory, it is possible to insulate the outer walls from the inside. As a heater, you should use extruded foam or ordinary foam with a density of at least 50 kg per cubic meter, which is not only durable, but also waterproof, as it has closed pores. It should be glued to the wall with a special glue for cement-based polystyrene foam. The cement stone of such glue, as well as extruded polystyrene foam, is not affected by moisture. The foam-2 layer (see Fig. 4) will act as a vapor barrier. Thus, there will be no problem with condensation. Moreover, in winter, due to heating, air humidity is less than normal (to ensure normal humidity, household and climate equipment stores sell special humidifiers and dehumidifiers that reduce humidity). In practice, doing enough quality installation foam sheets with the organization of the same ideal joints will be very difficult. In addition, foam is a combustible material, so in the event of a fire it will release toxic combustion products, which can cause death.

It should be added that due to the widespread use plastic windows And entrance doors with rubber seals, ventilation must be made the rule, otherwise it will be very difficult to achieve normal room humidity.

Options with vapor barrier between insulation and drywall sheet with decorative trim, as well as with ventilation of the internal mineral wool insulation using air gaps and ventilation holes, which are quite expensive. When insulating the outer wall from the inside, it is logical to insulate part of the floor and ceiling adjacent to it, leading vapor barriers to these areas. Craftsmen can add insulation and foam molds to such a “layer cake”, where a 1-3 cm layer of foamed polymer material is reinforced with aluminum foil. If such calculations turned out to be erroneous, then black mold and traces of efflorescence, red spots will appear on the walls (see Figures 5 and 6).

Wall insulation from the inside is considered incorrect, but it cannot be completely ruled out. Regardless of the opinion and evidence of the majority, each landlord makes his own decision.

The only case when the installation of insulation from the inside is fully justified is the insulation of basements, because there is soil outside.

Insulation of external walls will reduce operating costs with individual heating or make the rooms warmer with central heating. It should be insulated only from the outside, and as a heater it is recommended to use extruded polystyrene foam or high density. Rigid mineral wool boards are used in ventilated facade systems, which are rarely suitable for thermal insulation of residential buildings, and this is more suitable for public buildings.

In order to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors even in the most frosty winter, it is necessary to properly insulate the house. If a new building is being erected, then the insulation is carried out after the walls and roof of the building are installed.

If a private house has been around for many years, then it is possible that the wall material has already lost its strength and in some places cracks of various sizes have appeared that contribute to heat loss, in this case it is necessary to first seal all the cracks and irregularities, and only then proceed to work on warming the house.

Materials for insulation

There are a huge number of materials with which you can carry out the insulation of the walls of the house.
Most popular:

Styrofoam

This material is the most inexpensive among heaters for outdoor work. This is not the only merit. Expanded polystyrene has a very low thermal conductivity, which allows the use of a smaller layer of insulation, has a low weight, and is easily cut into pieces of the required size.

The disadvantages of this insulation include low vapor permeability and high flammability. It is not advisable to use polystyrene foam for insulation wooden houses, due to insufficient good air exchange, as a result of which the tree will be subject to decay processes.

This material is most often used for insulation of brick and stone houses. A layer of insulation 100 mm thick will reduce the cost of space heating by 5 times.

Expanded polystyrene has a very low thermal conductivity, which allows the use of a smaller layer of insulation, has a low weight, and is easily cut into pieces of the required size.

glass wool

This material has a large number of advantages, among which one can single out a small weight, thanks to which this insulation can be used to insulate old buildings. Glass wool is not subject to rotting, mice are not able to gnaw through this material.

Glass wool bends easily, so the insulation of walls that have various roundings in their design is not a problem. This material is made from quartz sand and cullet, which cannot but positively affect the final cost of this product.

Glass wool is not without drawbacks, among which the most unpleasant is the hygroscopicity of the material. Absorbing moisture, the insulation loses to a large extent its thermal insulation properties, therefore it is undesirable to use this material for external insulation, in places where the groundwater level comes too close to the surface of the earth.

If the climate in this region is too humid, then it is better to abandon the use of this insulation, or to carry out high-quality waterproofing of glass wool. Over time, glass wool fibers can stick together and decrease in volume, which also contributes to a decrease in thermal insulation properties.

When working with this material, you must adhere to strict safety requirements, use rubberized gloves, a respirator and goggles. If the smallest particles of glass enter the lungs and eyes, it can lead to undesirable consequences. If you work with this insulation without gloves, then the glass fibers can penetrate the skin, causing prolonged irritation and tingling.

Glass wool is not subject to decay, mice cannot gnaw through this material

stone wool

This material resembles glass wool in many characteristics, but there are several fundamental differences that make this material more attractive for use in outdoor home insulation. The manufacturing process of this material consists in drawing thin threads from the melt of rocks of the basalt group.

The threads are randomly placed in forms in which the material is pressed under certain temperature conditions. Stone wool is a denser material in comparison with glass wool, but it surpasses this material in terms of its thermal insulation characteristics. Stone wool can be easily cut into blocks of any shape, which makes the process of installing the slabs easy and not time consuming.

This material has a very high vapor permeability with almost no hygroscopicity. If technological errors were not made during the insulation, then the wall will remain “breathing”. Due to the fact that this heat-insulating material has a high density, it can be easily installed on glue, which also speeds up the installation process.

Stone wool has disadvantages, among which the most unpleasant is the high cost.

Stone wool is a denser material compared to glass wool, but surpasses this material in terms of its thermal insulation characteristics.

Foil insulation

It is mainly used for floor insulation, but can also be used for thermal insulation of walls. The insulation consists of a layer of polyethylene foam and thin aluminum foil. Due to its high heat reflecting characteristics, this material is 2 times higher than the insulating properties of stone wool.

Foil insulation is easily mounted on the wall due to its very low weight, which significantly reduces the time of work.

The disadvantage of this material is almost 100% vapor tightness.

Due to its high heat reflecting characteristics, this material is 2 times higher than the insulating properties of stone wool

For implementation correct installation preliminary alignment of the walls is necessary so that the cork slabs can be installed on the outer wall of the house without gaps. Unlike the materials listed above, no synthetic substances are used for the production of cork insulation, which makes cork slabs one of the most environmentally friendly materials for insulating residential premises.

This material can be used for interior decoration and for wall insulation. Unlike glass wool, cork does not absorb moisture, which allows it to be used even in conditions high humidity and high groundwater level.

Even after a long period of operation, there is no shrinkage of the material, so the plastered surface does not deform and does not form cracks. The material does not impede the passage of steam, which allows it to be used for insulating the exterior facades of wooden houses. When insulating brick and stone walls, steam exchange also occurs through the pores of the walls and the insulation layer.

Cork insulation is fireproof; when exposed to high temperatures, it does not emit substances hazardous to humans. The disadvantage of cork is its high cost, which significantly exceeds stone and glass wool slabs of similar size.

Unlike glass wool, cork does not absorb moisture, which allows it to be used even in conditions of high humidity and high groundwater.

Making a choice

In order to determine which material to use for external wall insulation, the following questions should be answered:

What material are the walls made of?
What is the humidity in the area where the house is located.
How high are ground water.
What is the financial possibility of acquiring 1 m2.
How many people will be involved in the work.

If the walls of the house are made of wood, then materials such as polystyrene foam, foil insulation and glass wool are not used.

Styrofoam is combustible, which increases the fire hazard of a wooden structure.

Foil insulation almost completely seals the structure resulting in wood decay and mold formation.

With high humidity and close proximity to groundwater, glass wool is not used to insulate wooden houses.

Most suitable material cork insulation is used to insulate wooden walls, but its cost is quite high, so before you go to the store to purchase this product, you should make correct calculations full cost.

Produce insulation wooden house cork slabs can be done independently. Cork - has a low weight and is attached to wooden base using nails or screws.

If you want to insulate the outside stone or brick house, then expanded polystyrene is the most suitable material for this purpose.

Even if groundwater is close to the construction site, this fact does not have a negative impact on the quality of the thermal insulation layer.

In terms of financial costs, expanded polystyrene is the most inexpensive of known materials for wall insulation.

For insulation of brick and stone walls, basalt slabs are used, which do not absorb moisture and have high thermal insulation properties. The price of this material is quite high, but the cost of heating a house insulated with stone wool will be significantly reduced.

Features of insulation

Foam insulation

Due to the high flammability and low vapor permeability, it is practically not used for thermal insulation works of wooden structures.

Insulation of concrete and brick walls carried out in the following sequence:

The surface of the wall must be perfectly flat. Cracks, sags and other irregularities must be sealed with sand-cement mortar.
After the wall is leveled, the surface should be primed to improve adhesion. For this purpose, primers with deep penetration are used. This work can be done with a roller, brush or spray gun.
Installation of plates is made after complete drying of the primer layer. Styrofoam is glued to the wall with a special glue for polystyrene foam or with the help of dry mixes. The foam installation starts from the bottom, the rows are set in a checkerboard pattern with a half-sheet step. If dry mixes are used to install polystyrene foam, then immediately before starting work, a working solution is prepared using a construction mixer or a special nozzle that is installed on a drill. The mortar is applied with a comb trowel to the wall, while it is possible to level the wall a little, applying more mortar where the wall has slight inward curvature.
After applying the adhesive, the foam sheets are installed manually. When pressing each slab against the wall, it is necessary to ensure that there is no adhesive solution in the joints between the slabs. If a gap has formed between the plates, then it must be repaired with pieces of polystyrene or polyurethane foam.
After the installation of the boards on the adhesive base is completed, and the solution is kept for at least 3 days, the expanded polystyrene boards are additionally fixed with plastic dowels. For this purpose, 5 holes are drilled for each sheet with a depth slightly greater than the length of the plastic dowel. One hole is drilled exactly in the middle of the sheet, four others are drilled in the corners. Then a plastic “fungus” is installed in each hole, the cap of which should be in the same plane with the surface of the foam sheet. After installing the “fungus”, a plastic nail is hammered in, which is inserted in such a way that the cap of the “fungus” is immersed 2-3 mm inside the foam. After the foam plastic is fixed, the outer surface is reinforced with plastic dowels using a plastic facade mesh and special adhesive mixtures for reinforcement. The adhesive composition is applied with a spatula on the installed foam plates in an even layer, after which a reinforcing mesh is installed in the adhesive layer, and the solution layer protruding beyond its surface is leveled. Thus, the insulation of the outer walls of the house with foam is carried out.

Wall insulation with mineral wool

Insulation of the outer walls of the building using mineral wool can be done in three different ways:

ventilated way- a hinged frame structure is used.
The "well" method- when implementing this method of installation, a layer of heat insulator is laid between two layers of brickwork.
wet way- a layer of plaster is applied to the insulation.

When using a ventilated laying method, insulation can be carried out as wooden, concrete or brick walls. The installation process is carried out in the following sequence:

An adhesive base is applied to the wall.
A mineral wool slab is pressed against the wall.
After the glue has dried, the plates are additionally fixed with plastic dowels.
Then, with a small gap from the insulation layer, facing plates are installed on the frame.

Thus, between the layer of mineral wool and the facing slabs, constant air circulation will be carried out, which will prevent the formation of increased air humidity between these layers.

When erecting brick walls, the method of laying mineral wool of the “well” type is the most preferable. In this way, old buildings can also be insulated.

This method of insulation is very simple, and is carried out in the following sequence:

Heat insulator plates are fixed to the main layer of the wall.
The wall is faced with silicate or ceramic bricks.

Using this method of insulation of the outer walls of the building, it is possible to obtain a high degree of thermal insulation, while the wall will be absolutely vapor-permeable.

The wet method involves applying a plaster layer over the insulation.

First, mineral wool slabs are laid on the wall in the manner described above. Then, on the heat-insulating layer, with the help of an adhesive solution, a reinforcing plastic mesh. Are being completed thermal insulation works applying a plaster layer to the reinforcing mesh.

Insulation with polyurethane foam

The modern method of wall insulation is spraying a layer of polyurethane. In terms of time costs, this method takes less time than the installation of various heat-insulating boards.

Spraying can be done under siding and under plaster:

Under the siding, brackets are first installed on the wall, on which the profile will be installed. Then the calculated layer of insulation is sprayed.
Under plaster, a layer of polyurethane foam is applied to the wall in an even layer. After the foam has completely dried, the most protruding tubercles of the hardened substance are cut off. After that, a layer of a special primer is applied to increase adhesion between the layer of insulation and plaster. Then a uniform layer of plaster is applied to the insulation, into which a reinforcing plastic mesh is embedded. After the first layer of plaster is completely dry, the final, decorative layer of plaster is applied.

Walls insulated on the outside allow not only to keep warm, but also significantly increase the mechanical strength of the walls from the effects of negative environmental factors.
When using polyurethane foam for home insulation and glass wool must use personal protective equipment.
When carrying out insulation of external walls at a considerable height, it is necessary to equip special scaffolding.
To purchase materials for external wall insulation, please contact only in specialized outlets.

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

A completely opposite result is obtained when the walls are insulated from the outside. In this case, the walls warm up normally even in severe frosts - 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 the facades are insulated, and not the walls from the inside.

But in this case, the question arises, what about the finish? Modern thermal insulation materials great for plastering or pasting them decorative tiles. It only requires some preparation, which was already mentioned in one of our articles. Well, what thermal insulator should be used for insulation - decide for yourself home master. We, in turn, will try to facilitate this choice and talk about various materials used for these purposes.

There are two ways to insulate a building - apply internal insulation rooms or make insulation for the walls of the house outside. What is the best heater 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

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

Important! The position of the dew point 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 from the outside, selected taking into account the properties of the material and thermotechnical calculation by thickness.

Each of the types of modern insulation for the walls of the house outside has its own characteristics and price range. But their main differences are:

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

Comparative table of thermal conductivity of building materials

resistance to biological and mechanical influences (molds, insects, rodents);
strength and durability;
elasticity and lack of shrinkage;
low weight;
the 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 the way in which the consumer prefers to mount insulation for the walls of the house outside. Videos showing the possibility of independent work (as well as other manuals) in our time can be found enough.

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 premises from moisture and are selected taking into account the characteristics of the climate and depending on the method of installation. Thermal conductivity is used to calculate the required thickness of the thermal insulation material.

The most commonly used types of heaters are:

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

Styrofoam is a popular material for insulating the walls of a house from the outside.

Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) is one of the modern polymeric insulation for house walls and is used as such in almost all areas of the construction industry: civil and industrial.

First of all, this material is distinguished by low coefficients of thermal conductivity (from 0.037 to 0.052 W/m*K, depending on the density) and water absorption, resistance to biological and chemical influences, and high soundproofing 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 with a thickness of 50 mm is equivalent to a wall of one and a half bricks in terms of the degree of heat preservation.

Expanded polystyrene - easy to install and has a small weight

Other advantages include flexibility and light weight. This helps to reduce the cost of delivery and installation, ease of work, reduce the load on the walls, which, in turn, eliminates the need for additional strengthening of the foundation.

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

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

Insulation of walls with foam plastic, followed by cladding with siding

The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the penoplex insulation ranges from 0.029 - 0.031 W / m * K. It is mildew resistant chemical substances, insects and rodents, and is an excellent sound insulator.

Due to this, it is possible to use penoplex as a heater 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 total weight product. Due to this, the value of 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 has a high level of 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.

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

Liquid polyurethane foam can be used as a blown insulation between the wall of the building 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. Differs in durability, incombustibility, 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 characterized by fire resistance, environmental friendliness, high degree of sound absorption and low cost.

For insulation works, mineral wool is used in the form of basalt slabs or in rolls with a wide range of sizes. Mineral wool is used as a heater for the walls of the house outside. The dimensions of the boards produced 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 plates can have docking grooves for ease of installation

Basalt insulation is used in buildings of any purpose, in particular - for insulation in the country, wooden houses and buildings made of timber. bricks or foam blocks. It is possible to carry out work with this material at a temperature in the range from -60ºС to 220ºС, which is definitely convenient when mounted on walls from the outside.

What insulation is best for the roof different designs. Types of insulation for roofs and ceilings. Mineral and synthetic roof insulation. Mansard roof insulation.

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

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

It is also popular to use mineral wool (along with polyurethane foam) to create blown insulation. 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 a formwork.

Liquid heat-insulating materials can be called heaters of a new generation. It is possible to use them both for thermal insulation of metal parts (pipes or frames), and as a heater for houses made of foam blocks. 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 heaters are similar to acrylic paint

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

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

The choice of insulation for external walls. 3 options for wall insulation from the outside

Wall insulation 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 the house? The answer to the question depends on several factors. And you should not always believe the manufacturer's advertising.

Insulation of the facade of the house modern materials will be useless without technology. This should also be taken into account when preparing for work. Before insulating the 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 comply with the insulation technology

Wall insulation can be divided into two large groups:

inorganic;
organic.

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

Styrofoam

Such thermal insulation belongs to the class of foamed polymers. Styrofoam is highly efficient, easy to install, and isolates noise quite well. Another advantage is the affordable price. But the disadvantages of such material are significantly greater. To choose the best way to insulate the walls of the house from the outside, it is important to consider that polystyrene has such qualities as:

combustibility;
fragility (service life rarely exceeds 10-20 years);
poor vapor permeability (additional ventilation of the premises will be required);
instability to the simultaneous effects of cold and moisture (the material crumbles into separate balls);
low strength.

Styrofoam is affordable, excellent thermal insulation, but 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 statements about environmental friendliness.

Read more about the insulation of the facade with foam plastic.

To insulate the house from the outside with your own hands, you can use extruded polystyrene foam or, more simply, foam plastic. This material is a close relative of foam. It has all its advantages and some disadvantages. But compared to the previous version, 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 is a strong durable material, but it has a low fire resistance class.

Do-it-yourself insulation of the facade of a wooden house is not recommended using foam or polystyrene foam. Such buildings are valued by the owners for the naturalness of the materials and the ability of the walls to “breathe”. External insulation polystyrene will completely block the movement of air. 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, it is worth remembering this when deciding how to insulate a house from the outside.

Read more about facade insulation with extruded polystyrene foam.

Ecowool

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

- this is the placement of a thermal layer inside the wall frame. In some situations, it is necessary to minimize heat loss by supplementing the internal thermal insulation with an external one. Let's figure out how and what to insulate wooden house outside, we will evaluate the characteristics, features of operation and installation of different materials.

The specifics of the insulation of frame houses from the outside

In rapidly erected buildings using Scandinavian or American technology, the role of a heat insulator is assigned directly wall panels. The insulation is mounted between the racks of the frame and covered with a rough sheathing - wood-fiber panels, OSB boards, etc.

However, with poor-quality work, improperly selected thickness or density of the heat insulator, the house may not retain heat well. To reduce the cost of paying for energy resources and improve the indoor climate in winter, additional insulation is required.

A set of requirements is put forward for a heat insulator for external walls:

Low thermal conductivity. Among the heaters, this property can boast of: polystyrene foam and mineral wool.
Minimum water absorption. Despite the additional protection of the heat-insulating layer from water, the insulation, one way or another, will come into contact with water vapor. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a material with low hygroscopicity.
Fire safety. It is optimal if the insulation has the ability to self-extinguish, does not contribute to the spread of fire and smokes little during combustion.
Light weight. Frames are built on a lightweight foundation and are not designed for significant loads.

In addition, facade insulation for exterior finish at home should hold linear dimensions well and not shrink. Additional requirements: environmental friendliness and affordable cost.

The choice of thermal insulation: characteristics and features of materials

The best option for insulation for outdoor use in frame construction- basalt wool. The material is heat-efficient and fireproof, but quite expensive. With a limited budget, foam or extruded polystyrene foam with flame retardants is suitable.