Insulation for the interior walls of the house is a rather urgent issue for summer cottages, because their walls are usually quite thin and poorly retain heat. To reduce the cost of heating a country house, it is necessary to correctly insulate the structure. If external insulation is impossible due to the structural features of the building, then thermal insulation is made from the inside. When choosing insulation for walls inside a house in the country, not only the price of the material is taken into account, but also its characteristics, installation features.

The choice of heaters for interior work is huge, but not all materials can be used for thermal insulation of walls Source strodom.ru

Advantages and disadvantages of internal insulation

This type of insulation has several disadvantages:

  • Due to the size of the insulation, the useful area of \u200b\u200bthe room is reduced - for small rooms this is especially critical.
  • Due to a shift in the dew point (condensation), if the technology is not followed, condensation and mold may appear on the walls.
  • During the work, the living room cannot be used.
  • Cheap wall insulation can negatively affect human health.

But it is this method that many prefer, which is explained by the positive aspects internal insulation:

  • The work can be carried out regardless of weather conditions, which allows the room to be insulated several times faster.
  • Internal insulation technology is cheaper than external insulation.
  • There is an opportunity to align the walls and change the interior of the room.

Dew point displacement during internal wall insulation leads to the accumulation of condensate Source sovet-ingenera.com

Condensation on the walls is the main problem of internal insulation. There are several methods to solve it:

  • use a high-quality vapor barrier membrane;
  • choose insulating material with minimal thermal conductivity;
  • as finishing material it is better to use moisture-resistant drywall;
  • organize additional ventilation in the room.

How to choose the right insulation

The choice of thermal insulation material is influenced by the characteristics of the room and the budget of the upcoming work.

More often used for internal work:

  • mineral wool;
  • styrofoam;
  • penoplex;
  • ecowool;
  • sprayed materials.

When choosing a material for internal insulation of a country house, a number of parameters should be taken into account:

  • Thermal conductivity of insulation - the lower this indicator, the better.
  • Frost resistance - summer cottages are not constantly heated in winter, therefore low temperatures will inevitably affect the insulation.
  • Durability - saving on insulation, you may be faced with the need to replace the insulation after 4–5 years.
  • Sustainability - the material for internal insulation should not emit harmful substances.

In addition, the compatibility of the insulation with the material from which the walls are made is also taken into account. The calculation of the thickness of the insulation is carried out based on the thermal conductivity of the material itself, as well as the thickness, type of walls to be insulated.

Often there is a temptation to choose the cheapest insulation for the walls inside the house in the country, without delving into the study of its characteristics and preliminary calculations. This approach leads to disappointment with the results of thermal insulation, the appearance of additional problems in the form of mold, mildew, condensation.

The main problem with improper internal insulation is the formation of mold Source alayam.com

But it makes no sense to buy the most expensive insulation, to make several additional layers for wall insulation in the country. Professionals who regularly deal with such work will help to find a middle ground, to make competent calculations. A competent choice of insulation for interior work, adherence to technology is a real way to save money.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool for wall insulation inside the house is one of the most popular and widespread materials.

Mineral wool is the most popular material for insulation Source eurodach.lutsk.ua

It is a fibrous material. Fibers are formed by spraying certain types of slag or basalt. Thanks to this production technology, the material is environmentally friendly and natural.

Mineral wool properties

Cotton wool does not burn, which is important when used in wooden houses.

Characteristics of different species mineral wool Source pro-uteplenie.ru

This insulation has several more advantages:

  • Resistance to biological organisms. Does not promote the formation of mold and mildew.
  • Good sound insulation performance. The randomly superimposed fibers of mineral wool perfectly inhibit sound waves.
  • It is not subject to shrinkage, which retains the properties of this type of insulation throughout the entire service life.
  • The ability to pass air, which allows you to maintain a healthy indoor climate.

The correct functioning of the insulation is possible only in combination with additional moisture insulating materials. When exposed to water, mineral wool loses some of its thermal insulation properties. Over time, mineral wool is able to break down into fibers, which requires replacement of the heat insulator

It should be borne in mind that mice and other small rodents can make nests and passages in glass wool. Therefore, the country house must be protected from rodents before insulation.

Mice have chosen glass wool for nesting Source ecousadba.org

Features of insulation with mineral wool: the need for additional materials

It is necessary to work with cotton using personal protective equipment - small particles of fibers can get on the mucous membranes and cause irritation.

With such insulation, the finishing material for wall decoration is drywall. A metal profile and hangers are used to mount it to the wall. Warming is done in the following order:

  • Waterproofing is fixed to the wall - any roll material will do. With the help of a construction stapler, the waterproofing is attached to the wall, at the joints the material is laid with an overlap of about 15 cm.
  • Vertical markings are applied to the wall in 60 cm increments for the convenience of attaching drywall sheets (its standard width is 120 cm).
  • After marking, metal hangers are attached to the wall - for this, dowel-nails are used.
  • Mineral wool is put on the suspensions, the entire wall is sequentially filled.
  • After that, metal profiles are attached to the suspensions, and to them a vapor barrier film.
  • With the help of self-tapping screws, sheets of drywall are attached, the joints are putty.

The result is an insulated wall, ready for fine finish... It can be both putty and painting, and wallpapering.

The cost of mineral wool

Mineral wool is a relatively cheap insulation material. Sold in slabs or rolls. Standard sizes slabs:

  • 800x600 mm;
  • 1000x600 mm;
  • 1 200x600 mm;
  • 1170x610 mm;
  • 1250x610 mm.

The material in rolls can be selected in various lengths - from 5 to 12 m.

Cost for 1 sq. m of mineral wool is:

  • 50 mm thick - from 50 to 100 rubles;
  • 100 mm thick - from 105 to 210 rubles.

When choosing mineral wool, it is necessary to take into account not only the dimensions of the slabs, the thickness of the insulation, but also the need for additional materials necessary for the installation work.

Styrofoam

A budget material, almost 98% air. 2% falls on the main component of raw materials - polystyrene. It can be used as insulation for walls outside the house in the country and from the inside.

Styrofoam specifications Source probalcony.ru

Properties and advantages of foam

Among the advantages of this material:

  • Versatility and ease of installation. This material is used to insulate any structures. It is easy to cut, installation does not take much time.
  • Low price. One of the cheapest heaters.
  • Security. Does not generate dust and harmful vapors during operation. You can work with him without protective equipment.

However, the foam is combustible material, in direct contact with fire, the sheets easily ignite, and the release of harmful substances begins.

Advice! It is undesirable to insulate wooden buildings with foam.

Does not allow steam to pass through, practically does not absorb moisture. A significant disadvantage is its attractiveness to rodents. Rats and mice easily make moves in foam plastic, equip burrows.

One of the disadvantages of foam is flammability Source depstroi.ru

Features of wall insulation with foam

Instead of guides metal profiles you can use wooden blocks. This method is very convenient when working with foam. The thickness of the foam sheet should be equal to the thickness of the bars, which will be the guides for attaching the insulation between them.

Depending on the width of the foam, the step of fixing the bars to the wall is selected. Waterproofing is fixed on the surface of the entire resulting structure. In the resulting recesses between the timber, sheets of foam are tightly inserted - this avoids additional fixation. If necessary, the joints are filled with polyurethane foam.

Video description

In this video, we will dwell in more detail on the insulation of the house with foam. How safe is expanded polystyrene:

After filling the entire wall with insulation, it is closed with a protective vapor barrier. Sheets of plywood are fixed on top, the joints are putty - the surface is ready for finishing.

Wall, insulated with foam Source stroyday.ru

Cost, sizes of foam

Standard sizes of foam sheets:

  • 1000x600 mm;
  • 1200x600 mm.

The thickness can vary from 20 to 100 mm. The cost of foam depends on the density of the material, manufacturer and region.

You can buy 50 mm thick foam in Moscow from 50 rubles per 1 sq. m.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Thermal insulation material, the basis of which is polystyrene, as in foam. But thanks to the manufacturing technology, penoplex, technolex and other similar materials have better performance characteristics than their counterparts.

Comparison of the characteristics of foam and extruded polystyrene foam Source klub-masterov.ru

Main advantages:

  • perfectly retains heat in the room;
  • due to its small thickness, when insulating the walls inside the room, it practically does not reduce the useful area;
  • light weight and ease of installation - properties are similar to foam;
  • environmental friendliness - does not emit toxic substances and does not require protective equipment during installation work;
  • availability - the material is relatively inexpensive.

This material is universal, it is used as insulation for walls outside the house in the country, from the inside, for the floor and ceiling.

Video description

The video shows the tests of foam for strength, fire safety in real conditions:

Penoplex insulation

Another popular insulation for walls inside the house is penoplex, the price and quality of which attracts buyers with its good ratio.

This material can be wall-mounted without additional preparation. It does not need waterproofing, since it does not allow water to pass through, but some experts argue that the film will not be superfluous. Due to its low thickness, it can be fastened with glue or a nail dowel with large heads. After filling the wall with insulation, it is plastered.

This method of insulation is suitable for flat walls. If there is a need to align the plane, then you cannot do without guides.

Walls insulated with foam Source market.sakh.com

Penoplex cost

Standard sizes of sheets of extruded polystyrene foam:

  • 1200x600 mm;
  • 1185x585 mm;
  • 1180x580 mm;
  • 1180x600 mm;
  • 2360x580 mm;
  • 2500x600 mm.

Insulation thickness - from 10 to 100 mm (depending on the brand of material).

The price of packing the insulation depends on the size, thickness of the material, the manufacturer and the number of plates in the package.

For example, Penoplex Comfort will cost:

  • 1254 rubles for 18 plates measuring 1185x585x20 mm;
  • 1252 rubles for 12 sheets - 1185x585x30 mm;
  • 1234 rubles for 9 plates - 1200x600x40 mm.

Ecowool

Cellulose based insulation made from waste paper and paper waste. The bulk of the insulation is 80% cellulose fiber. There are additives that prevent the burning and reproduction of microorganisms - boric acid and borax. These additives are practically not harmful to humans.

Ecowool is a safe insulation Source deal.by

Ecowool is a good heat-insulating material that is practically not inferior in its properties to others. But it has much more significant drawbacks:

  • Loss of thermal insulation properties over time - ecowool is subject to shrinkage.
  • Expensive installation. Spraying is carried out with a special technique. Basic material handling skills are required to obtain the correct layer of insulation.

Application features

Various technologies are used for insulation with ecowool:

  • dry backfill;
  • wet spraying;
  • wet adhesive plaster.

Each method has its own characteristics. For wall insulation, the wet method is most often used, which requires the use of special equipment, as well as an adhesive.

The use of special equipment for working with ecowool Source chrome-effect.ru

Ecowool cost

Ecowool is packed in sealed bags of 13-15 kg. The price for 1 kg of insulation is 30–40 rubles.

But the consumption of material depends not only on the desired thickness of the heat-insulating layer, but also on the skills of the performer, compliance with the insulation technology.

Issue price

Mineral wool and polystyrene are the most affordable insulation for walls inside the house, the price will depend on the size of the area to be insulated and the installation method of the insulation. Penoplex is a more expensive material, but you do not need to build a frame to attach it to the walls.

It is not easy to choose the type, size, thickness of insulation without a certain experience and knowledge Source ursgroup.ru

The process of insulation with mineral wool and foam is almost identical, and foam can compensate for its price with economical installation work.

The price of ecowool is low, but thermal insulation work will require the use of special equipment, which will increase costs.

Conclusion

The choice of insulation method and materials depends on many factors. Before starting work, it is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons between internal and external insulation, think over which thermal insulation material is suitable in a particular case, determine the thickness of the insulation, the need for additional materials. Therefore, it is advisable to entrust the purchase of insulation to a competent contractor who will take into account all the features of the technology of internal insulation and the wishes of the customer.

A wide selection of heaters for wooden houses, they can insulate the house outside, and some even inside the house. What types are suitable for a frame house? Which is the best, consider their characteristics in this article! Correctly carried out will not be superfluous in any climatic conditions.

When it is done correctly, under its “protection” it will not only be warmer in the house in winter, but also noticeably cooler in summer.

Installation of insulation will create a comfortable microclimate in a room for any purpose - in a residential building, office or in a production workshop.

Besides, saving heat is an obvious financial saving. It is completely unreasonable to heat the street, given that the technologies used today provide an opportunity to start saving energy resources at an early stage. construction works... Most of all, those parts of the building that are more adjacent to external environment -, and.

The material produced in this way has excellent, moreover, it is not flammable, and therefore does not pose a fire hazard. But a huge part of the remarkable qualities of the insulation can be irretrievably lost when it gets wet. This should be taken into account.

Stone wool

Stone wool

It is a fibrous material that is marketed in rolls and slabs and has an extremely low thermal conductivity.

The highest quality product is made from rocks called gabbro-basalt. This non-combustible material is used with equal success in the construction of private facilities and the construction of various production facilities. The wide range of uses is also explained by the possibility of its use at extremely high t, reaching an indicator of one thousand degrees.

The complete fire resistance of the insulation is complemented by its excellent resistance to moisture. It is a hydrophobic material, the peculiarity of which is that it does not absorb water, but repels it.

This ensures that the insulation remains dry even after a long period of time. This, in turn, will allow her to maintain her high working qualities. The unique properties of basalt wool make it possible to use it even in boiler rooms, baths and saunas, where both high humidity and high temperature are combined. Strength in this case is not directly related to the density of the material.

This is a fairly soft material, while having a sufficient margin of safety. Its structural stability is due to the special arrangement of the individual constituent fibers - chaotic and vertical. The material has high anti-corrosion properties.

It can quite peacefully coexist with concrete and metal, without the occurrence of all sorts of chemical reactions. High biological resistance makes it immune to various biological pests: damage by insects and rodents, the occurrence of fungal diseases,


Combustion test basalt insulation withstood, and organic insulation burned

Basalt rock is the main raw material for the production of this type of wool... Processing with formaldehyde resins gives the material a sufficient level of strength, and the modern technologies used guarantee the complete elimination of harmful phenols even at the stage of material production.

The final product that reaches the consumer is a harmless and environmentally friendly material with high insulating qualities.

It is actively used for insulation of floors of residential and industrial premises, for thermal insulation of roofs and facades, including as an external insulation.

He found wide application in rooms with extreme humidity and temperature. The best basalt insulation, stone wool made from rocks is a guarantee of high quality for a long time.

Glass wool

The missing 7% comes from specially added flame retardants. Insulation fibers contain lignin, which becomes sticky with increasing humidity. All elements that make up the insulation are non-toxic, absolutely non-volatile and harmless to health. Cellulose insulation does not lend itself to combustion, decay processes, has excellent sound insulation and heat insulation performance.

It can hold about 20% moisture, while maintaining its working qualities. The material gives off moisture to the outside and dries quickly, retaining all its performance characteristics. The disadvantage of ecowool can be considered the difficulty of its manual application to the surface, as well as the impossibility of arranging a "floating floor" due to its inherent softness.

Penoizol

Another name for the material is carbamide foam. it modern material with high sound and heat insulating characteristics, which is a cheap insulation. It is a honeycomb organic foam with a particularly low density and low thermal conductivity. The material has a high resistance to fire, resistance to the effects of microorganisms, and a low price. It is easy to handle and has an air content of 90%.


Insulation of the attic with penoizol

The tests carried out have demonstrated the capabilities of the material. It turned out that the time of its operation, as the middle layer of the structure frame structure, the actual is not limited by anything. Tests of its fire resistance have shown that the material can be safely attributed to hardly combustible.

It is the only used polymer thermal insulation material that is not at all adapted to self-combustion. Its fire resistance index assigns it to the G2 flammability subgroup.

Even if the highest temperature occurs during a fire, when the metal begins to melt, the carbide foam will only evaporate, and without the release of toxic or harmful substances.

Izokom

This is a special foil material (on both sides or only one). It is a polyethylene foam fabric covered on the outside with highly polished aluminum foil. It is a multilayer steam, sound and heat insulating material that combines completely different qualities.

With a minimum thickness of the insulating layer, it provides excellent reflection properties of the heat flux, successfully combined with the highest (almost maximum) thermal resistance. A properly installed material is characterized by extremely effective thermal insulation of the building along its entire contour.

It is a harmless, environmentally friendly material that does not pose a threat to the ozone layer. It does not contain glass or other fibers that are unsafe for human and animal health.

Without changing its exceptional properties, it serves for about 50 years, without deforming and not being damaged during all this time.

The installation is quite simple and very convenient: it does not need special equipment. Excellent protection against steam and moisture. It is used almost everywhere.

The choice of thermal insulation material is a responsible process. Today, many manufacturers have begun to produce insulation that is capable of performing several functions at once. It not only makes the surface warm, but also creates reliable protection from wind, moisture, steam and corrosion.

Kinds

If you decide to insulate the walls, then going to the hardware store, you can see that the range is wide enough outside. Each of the available insulation differs not only in its thermal insulation qualities. Let's consider the main ones.

Liquid materials

Several years ago, builders actively used solid heat-insulating materials for wall insulation. But not so long ago, new ones with a liquid consistency began to appear on the construction market. In appearance and consistency, such products are similar to paint, therefore they are often called insulating paint.

In the photo, liquid thermal insulation materials for walls

In terms of composition, liquid thermal insulation is presented in the form of small ceramic and glass capsules. They are filled with air or inert gas. The role of the binder is played by acrylic polymers. The finished product is a thick dough.

Rigid materials

For wall insulation, rigid insulation can be used, the installation of which is much easier. They are geometrically correct slabs, thanks to which a perfectly flat surface can be obtained. Then simply plaster or veneer it. various materials... Most of them fit like.

In the photo, there are rigid thermal insulation materials for walls:

Solid insulation does not shrink or wrinkle. Installation of solid insulation does not need crate, frames and other structures. The materials are highly durable, and their service life is more than 50 years.

Warm plaster

Among the advantages of this material are high strength indicators. This suggests that the surface is very difficult to damage, which cannot be said about the previous materials. Warm plaster refers to a liquid heat insulator. This is nothing more than a cement-sand mortar with the addition of natural and polymer fillers.

In the photo, warm plaster

Thanks to them, it is possible to reduce the thermal conductivity of the original composition. The thermal conductivity of walls with a heat insulator will directly depend on the fillers used. When laying a thin layer with a thickness of 1-1.5 cm, 50 ml of foam can be replaced. But how it looks and how warm plaster is used for the facade, you can understand by looking at the photo and information

Gas-filled plastics

This material for thermal insulation of walls is considered one of the most effective. To obtain it, use the foaming method different materials... The result of this process is a sheet foam heat insulator.

In the photo, gas-filled plastics

Its installation is simple and convenient. Expanded polystyrene can be safely attributed to the leaders among all produced foams. You can use a heat insulator to insulate walls from the outside. But what and where exactly it is used is described in this article.

Liquid foam

This is another option for liquid insulation. Its name is penoizol. Its filling is realized with the help of hoses between the walls, in the cracks, the formwork at the time of construction. This insulation option belongs to the budget, since its cost is 2 times cheaper compared to other analogues.

In the photo, liquid foam for walls

Liquid foam is anti-microbial, breathable, does not burn well, and has a long service life. But what kind of liquid thermal insulation for the walls from the inside exists in addition to the above, is described in this

Extruded polystyrene foam

For the manufacture of this material, polystyrene granules are used. They are melted by high temperature. The material is then extruded from the extruder and expanded. This gives such.

Pictured is extruded polystyrene foam for walls

Thus, it is possible to obtain a strong, durable and breathable insulation. It has excellent contact with various wall coatings.

Glass wool

This material is a kind of mineral fiber. For its manufacture, glass breakage is used. Glass wool is released from different density and thick. If you need thin fiberglass, then you need to choose a material with a thickness of 5 cm. This is enough to replace a brick meter wall.

In the photo, glass wool for the wall

Fiberglass is highly fire resistant and resilient. It is characterized by excellent performance of heat and sound insulation. But when installing fiberglass, you need to take care of your safety by wearing a respirator.

Selection criteria

When choosing a heat-insulating material for insulation of external and internal walls, it is necessary to take into account a number of requirements:

  1. Thermal insulation indicators... The higher this indicator, the better material will keep warm.
  2. Weight... The lighter the heat insulator, the less difficulties arise during its installation.
  3. Vapor permeability... If this indicator is high, then the excess liquid will leave without hindrance.
  4. Flammability... In this case, the indicators can determine how fire hazardous the material is and whether it poses a threat to the house and its residents.
  5. Ecological cleanliness... By purchasing modern insulation, you can be sure that it consists exclusively of natural raw materials.
  6. Lifetime... It is necessary to absorb insulation that has a long service life, so as not to waste extra energy and money on performing repeated work.
  7. The cost... And although the price of a heat insulator is indicated by the last criterion, for many it is the most important. Of course, you must understand that the more expensive the material, the higher it is specifications.

When working with walls, it is helpful to know what is different.

Thermal insulation of walls is a demanding job that requires the selection of high-quality insulation. Today, there are enough options on the construction market, each of which has its own technical characteristics and is suitable for wall insulation outside or inside the house.

One of the primary tasks that is solved at the stage of construction or repair of commercial and private housing is its insulation. Today it is not so much a matter of comfort as of saving on expensive energy resources. Therefore, as never before, all kinds of insulation for walls that are used inside and outside buildings are relevant.

Insulation materials market

The modern market for thermal insulation materials demonstrates high growth rates. The reason is the proven efficiency of the use of energy-saving technologies, which allows saving up to 40% on heating resources. This problem is usually solved in a complex manner, but one of the important stages is invariably the thermal insulation of walls and facades with such materials:

  • mineral and glass wool;
  • cellulose insulation;
  • expanded polystyrene (foam);
  • fibrolite;
  • liquid ceramic insulation;
  • cork and other materials.

When choosing insulation for walls, buyers pay attention to thermal conductivity, unit cost, installation complexity and performance.

Mineral wool is an affordable and popular insulation material. It is a material with a chaotic fibrous structure, obtained by melting igneous and metamorphic rocks. Mineral wool is used to insulate frame structures and walls designed for different degrees of load, contours of structures and structures. Its advantages:

  • high resistance to fire;
  • low thermal conductivity;
  • biological and chemical resistance;
  • soundproofing of premises;
  • the ability to repel moisture without saturation with it (hydrophobicity);
  • mechanical strength;
  • resistance to thermal deformation;
  • ease of installation.

And now about the cons of mineral wool. This insulation contains harmful components that negatively affect the human body. The respiratory organs, skin and mucous membranes are especially susceptible to them. The phenol in the mineral wool used to insulate the walls causes nausea, weakness and headaches. In order to prevent the harmful effects of this building material, it is isolated from direct contact with the air circulating in the room.

Properties and characteristics of glass wool

Glass wool is a variety mineral insulation... Waste from the glass industry is used in its production. Glass wool consists entirely of fibrous inclusions and is distinguished by high elasticity, strength and vibration resistance. Its thermal conductivity varies from 0.030 to 0.052 W / (m · K).

Glass wool is sold in the form of mats and rolls. Thanks to the technology of pressing in a rolled or pressed form, it takes up a small volume, which simplifies its transportation, storage and installation at a construction site. Glass wool properties:

  • high sound insulating ability;
  • mechanical strength;
  • flexibility and elasticity;
  • mold and mildew resistance;
  • environmental Safety.

The main disadvantage of glass wool is the need to strictly observe personal safety precautions when working with it. Thin and sharp fibers are susceptible to brittleness, and, getting on the skin or mucous membranes, they cause irritation, injuring them. Therefore, it is necessary to process the walls with glass wool in overalls that do not leave open areas of the body (the use of gloves is mandatory!).

Properties and characteristics of cellulose insulation

Ecowool, or cellulose insulation, is a loose and lightweight insulating material that covers walls, roofs, partitions and individual structures. 80% of its composition is occupied by paper waste (recycled waste paper), the rest is boric acid or borax, which provides a low burning ability.

The popularity of cellulose as insulation is due to its affordable cost and environmental friendliness (it gives a second life to the waste that litters the planet). Its main characteristics:

  • density - 30-65 kg / m 3;
  • thermal conductivity - 0.032-0.041 W / (m · K);
  • vapor permeability - 0.3 mg / (m · h · Pa);
  • sound absorption - 36-45 dB.

Cellulose does not cause corrosion of metals in contact with it, has low air permeability, hypoallergenic and hygienic. During installation, it fills the available hollow spaces to form a seamless wall covering. When laying with a dry method, you can work at sub-zero temperatures.

Benefits of expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene is a synthetic gas-filled material based on polystyrene, which is foamed with vapors of low-boiling liquids. It looks like a huge amount of fine-cellular granules, sintered together. The higher the density of the material, the more durable it is. Other properties of expanded polystyrene for wall insulation:

  • low thermal conductivity - 0.028-0.034 W / (m · K);
  • mechanical strength;
  • chemical and biological resistance;
  • low vapor and moisture permeability;
  • ability to sound absorption;
  • long service life (up to 30 years).

Extruded polystyrene foam: properties and characteristics

Extruded polystyrene foam for walls has the same structure as extruded, but the closed pores are smaller - 0.1-0.2 mm. The main thing that distinguishes these two materials is the granule manufacturing technology. Because of it, the extruded polystyrene foam received less flexibility and margin of safety than the foamed version, a different vapor permeability - 0.013 mg / (m · h · Pa), but retained high thermal conductivity - 0.029-0.034 W / (m · K).

Properties and characteristics of fiberboard

Fibrolite - insulation in the form of slabs made of wood fibers and binders. The cut shows a base of natural fibers and a layer of Portland cement (60 and 40%, respectively). Features of fiberboard for walls:

  • thermal conductivity - 0.08-0.1 W / (m · K);
  • humidity - up to 20%;
  • water absorption - 35-40%;
  • bending strength - 0.5-1.3 MPa.

Fibrolite is a non-combustible insulation, provides excellent sound insulation, does not rot, it is not affected by fungus and mold, and the service life is up to 60 years.

Environmentally friendly cork materials

If you choose ecological insulation for walls, you should pay attention to cork materials. They are 100% natural, as they are extracted from oak bark. The structure of the cork sheet resembles microcells that are filled with gases.

The heat transfer coefficient of the plug is 0.043-0.050 W / (m · K). The insulation does not burn, does not rot and does not absorb foreign odors. It withstands temperature changes, absorbs sound and vibration, and can be easily installed on the wall without special knowledge and tools.

Liquid ceramic insulation: properties and characteristics

Liquid ceramic insulation is a modern insulation in the form of a liquid foam suspension. It is an innovative product that replaces the classic solutions for reducing heat loss through walls. The coating is flexible and dense, evenly fills the available cavities. The maximum effect of thermal insulation is achieved due to the vacuum in the microcavities of the substance.

Advantages of liquid ceramic insulation as wall insulation:

  • high anti-corrosion properties;
  • durability (up to 15 years);
  • wide range of operating temperatures;
  • flexibility in thermal expansion;
  • ease of application;
  • environmental friendliness.

Liquid foam is made from a polymer resin that hardens in air. To apply it, you must use special equipment. It is a practical and inexpensive option to reduce heat loss through walls, roofs or foundations. Liquid foam has the following properties:

  • excellent adhesion to any surfaces and materials;
  • minimal preparation of the base (cleaning and draining the wall);
  • high vapor permeability;
  • no excessive pressure after drying;
  • easy application and removal of excess.

Liquid foam is ideal as insulation for horizontal and inclined surfaces, but also works well in wall insulation.

In the practice of private construction, it is not so common, but still there are situations when heating communications are required not only to be spread across the premises of the main house, but also to extend them to other nearby buildings. It can be residential outbuildings, outbuildings, summer kitchens, household or agricultural buildings, for example, used for keeping pets or birds. The option is not excluded when, on the contrary, the autonomous boiler room itself is located in a separate building, at some distance from the main residential building. It happens that the house is connected to a central heating main, from which pipes are drawn to it.

Heating pipes can be laid between buildings in two ways - underground (channel or channelless) and open. The process of installing a local heating main above the ground seems to be less time-consuming, and to this option in conditions self-construction resort more often. One of the main conditions for the efficiency of the system is a correctly planned and well-executed thermal insulation for outdoor heating pipes. This issue will be addressed in this publication.

What is pipe insulation for and the basic requirements for it?

It would seem nonsense - why insulate the already almost always hot pipes of the heating system? Perhaps someone can be misled by a kind of "play on words". In this case, of course, it will be more correct to conduct a conversation in terms of "thermal insulation".

Thermal insulation work on any pipelines has two main goals:

  • If pipes are used in heating or hot water supply systems, then the reduction of heat losses, maintaining the required temperature of the pumped liquid, comes to the fore. The same principle is also true for industrial or laboratory installations, where the technology requires maintaining a certain temperature of the substance transmitted through the pipes.
  • For pipelines of cold water supply or sewer communications, the main factor is precisely insulation, that is, preventing the temperature in the pipes from falling below the critical mark, preventing freezing, leading to the failure of the system and deformation of the pipes.

By the way, such a precautionary measure is required both for heating mains and for hot water pipes - no one is completely insured against emergencies on boiler equipment.

The very cylindrical shape of the pipes predetermines a very large area of \u200b\u200bconstant heat exchange with the environment, which means significant heat loss. And they naturally grow as the diameter of the pipeline increases. The table below clearly shows how the amount of heat loss changes depending on the temperature difference inside and outside the pipe (column Δt °), on the diameter of the pipes and on the thickness of the thermal insulation layer (the data are given taking into account the use of an insulation material with an average coefficient of thermal conductivity λ \u003d 0.04 W / m × ° C).

Thermal insulation layer thickness. mm Δt. ° С Pipeline outer diameter (mm)
15 20 25 32 40 50 65 80 100 150
The amount of heat loss (per 1 running meter pipeline. Tue).
10 20 7.2 8.4 10 12 13.4 16.2 19 23 29 41
30 10.7 12.6 15 18 20.2 24.4 29 34 43 61
40 14.3 16.8 20 24 26.8 32.5 38 45 57 81
60 21.5 25.2 30 36 40.2 48.7 58 68 86 122
20 20 4.6 5.3 6.1 7.2 7.9 9.4 11 13 16 22
30 6.8 7.9 9.1 10.8 11.9 14.2 16 19 24 33
40 9.1 10.6 12.2 14.4 15.8 18.8 22 25 32 44
60 13.6 15.7 18.2 21.6 23.9 28.2 33 38 48 67
30 20 3.6 4.1 4.7 5.5 6 7 8 9 11 16
30 5.4 6.1 7.1 8.2 9 10.6 12 14 17 24
40 7.3 8.31 9.5 10.9 12 14 16 19 23 31
60 10.9 12.4 14.2 16.4 18 21 24 28 34 47
40 20 3.1 3.5 4 4.6 4.9 5.8 7 8 9 12
30 4.7 5.3 6 6.8 7.4 8.6 10 11 14 19
40 6.2 7.1 7.9 9.1 10 11.5 13 15 18 25
60 9.4 10.6 12 13.7 14.9 17.3 20 22 27 37

As the thickness of the insulation layer increases, the overall heat loss rate decreases. However, please note that even a sufficiently thick layer of 40 mm does not completely exclude heat loss. There is only one conclusion - it is necessary to strive to use insulation materials with the lowest possible coefficient of thermal conductivity - this is one of the main requirements for thermal insulation of pipelines.

Sometimes a pipeline heating system is required!

When laying water supply or sewer communications, it happens that, due to the peculiarities of the local climate or the specific installation conditions, thermal insulation alone is clearly not enough. We have to resort to forced installation of heating cables - this topic is discussed in more detail in a special publication of our portal.

  • The material used for thermal insulation of pipes, if possible, should have hydrophobic qualities. There will be little current from a heater soaked in water - it will not prevent heat loss, and will soon collapse under the influence of negative temperatures.
  • The thermal insulation structure must have reliable external protection. First, it needs protection from atmospheric moisture, especially if a heater is used that can actively absorb water. Secondly, materials should be protected from exposure to the ultraviolet spectrum of sunlight, which affects them destructively. Thirdly, one should not forget about the wind load, which can violate the integrity of the thermal insulation. And, fourthly, there remains a factor of external mechanical impact, unintentional, including from animals, or due to banal manifestations of vandalism.

In addition, any owner of a private house, for sure, is not indifferent to the moments of aesthetic appearance laid heating main.

  • Any thermal insulation material used on heating mains must have a range of operating temperatures corresponding to the real conditions of use.
  • An important requirement for the insulation material and its external cladding is the durability of use. No one wants to go back to the problems of thermal insulation of pipes, even once every few years.
  • From a practical point of view, one of the main requirements is the ease of installation of thermal insulation, and in any position and in any difficult area. Fortunately, in this regard, manufacturers do not tire of delighting in easy-to-use developments.
  • An important requirement for thermal insulation is that its materials must themselves be chemically inert, and not enter into any reactions with the pipe surface. Such compatibility is the key to long-term trouble-free operation.

The cost issue is also very important. But in this regard, the range of prices for specialized ones is very large.

What materials are used to insulate aboveground heating mains

The choice of thermal insulation materials for heating pipes with their external laying is quite large. They are of roll type or in the form of mats, they can be given a cylindrical or other figured shape convenient for installation, there are heaters that are applied in liquid form and acquire their properties only after hardening.

Insulation with polyethylene foam

Foamed polyethylene is rightly referred to as a very effective thermal insulator. And what is also very important, the cost of this material is one of the lowest.

The thermal conductivity coefficient of polyethylene foam is usually in the region of 0.035 W / m × ° C - this is a very good indicator. The smallest bubbles, isolated from each other, filled with gas, create an elastic structure, and with such a material, if its rolled version is purchased, it is very convenient to work on pipe sections that are complex in configuration.


Such a structure becomes a reliable barrier to moisture - when correct installation neither water nor water vapor can penetrate through it to the pipe walls.

The density of polyethylene foam is low (about 30 - 35 kg / m³), \u200b\u200band thermal insulation will not make the pipes heavier.

With some assumption, the material can be classified as low-hazard in terms of flammability - it usually belongs to the G-2 class, that is, it is very difficult to ignite it, and without an external flame it quickly extinguishes. Moreover, combustion products, unlike many other thermal insulators, do not pose any serious toxic hazard to humans.

Rolled polyethylene foam for insulation of external heating mains will be both inconvenient and unprofitable - you will have to wind it in several layers in order to achieve the required thickness of thermal insulation. It is much more convenient to work with the material in the form of sleeves (cylinders), in which an internal channel is provided, corresponding to the diameter of the insulated pipe. For putting on pipes, an incision is usually made along the length of the cylinder on the wall, which, after installation, can be sealed with reliable tape.


Putting insulation on the pipe is easy

A more effective type of polyethylene foam is penofol, which has one on one side. This shiny coating becomes a kind of thermal reflector, which significantly increases the insulating qualities of the material. In addition, it is an additional barrier against moisture penetration.

Penofol can also be of roll type or in the form of shaped cylindrical elements - especially for thermal insulation of pipes for various purposes.


And all the foamed polyethylene for thermal insulation of heating mains is used infrequently. Rather, it is suitable for other communications. The reason for this is the rather low operating temperature range. So. if you look at the physical characteristics, then the upper limit balances somewhere on the brink of 75 ÷ 85 degrees - higher, structural disturbances and the appearance of deformations are possible. For autonomous heating, most often, such a temperature is enough, however, on the verge, and for central heating, heat resistance is clearly not enough.

Insulation elements from expanded polystyrene

The well-known expanded polystyrene (in everyday life it is more often called polystyrene) is very widely used for various types of thermal insulation work. Insulation of pipes is no exception - for this, special parts are made from foam.


Usually these are half-cylinders (for pipes of large diameters there can be segments of a third of the circumference, 120 ° each), which are equipped for assembly into a single structure lock connection type "thorn-groove". This configuration allows completely, over the entire surface of the pipe, to provide reliable thermal insulation, without remaining "cold bridges".

In everyday speech, such details are called "shells" - for their obvious resemblance to it. Many types are produced, for different external diameters of insulated pipes and different thicknesses of the thermal insulation layer. Usually the length of the parts is 1000 or 2000 mm.

For the production of polystyrene foam type PSB-S of various brands - from PSB-S-15 to PSB-S-35. The main parameters of this material are shown in the table below:

Estimated material parametersExpanded polystyrene brand
PSB-S-15U PSB-S-15 PSB-S-25 PSB-S-35 PSB-S-50
Density (kg / m³)to 10up to 1515.1 ÷ 2525.1 ÷ 3535.1 ÷ 50
Compressive strength at 10% linear deformation (MPa, not less)0.05 0.06 0.08 0.16 0.2
Flexural strength (MPa, not less)0.08 0.12 0.17 0.36 0.35
Dry heat conductivity at 25 ° C (W / (m × ° K))0,043 0,042 0,039 0,037 0,036
Water absorption in 24 hours (% by volume, no more)3 2 2 2 2
Humidity (%, no more)2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4

The advantages of foam as an insulation material have long been known:

  • It has a low thermal conductivity coefficient.
  • The light weight of the material greatly simplifies the insulation work, which does not require any special mechanisms or devices.
  • The material is biologically inert - it will not be a breeding ground for mold or mildew.
  • Moisture absorption is negligible.
  • The material is easy to cut, adjust to the desired size.
  • Polyfoam is chemically inert, absolutely safe for pipe walls, no matter what material they are made of.
  • One of the key advantages is that foam is one of the most inexpensive heaters.

However, it also has many disadvantages:

  • First of all, it's a low level fire safety... The material cannot be called non-flammable and does not spread flame. That is why, when using it to insulate above-ground pipelines, fire breaks should be left behind.
  • The material does not have elasticity, and it is convenient to use it only on straight pipe sections. True, you can also find special curly details.

  • Polyfoam is not a durable material - it is easily destructible under external influences. Ultraviolet radiation also affects it negatively. In a word, the above-ground sections of the pipe, insulated with a polystyrene foam shell, will definitely require additional protection in the form of a metal casing.

Usually, in stores where foam shells are sold, galvanized sheets are also offered, cut to the desired size, corresponding to the diameter of the insulation. An aluminum sheath can also be used, although it is certainly much more expensive. Sheets can be fixed with self-tapping screws or clamps - the resulting casing will simultaneously create anti-vandal, anti-wind, waterproofing protection and a barrier from sunlight.

  • And yet this is not even the main thing. The upper limit of normal operating temperatures is only around 75 ° C, after which linear and spatial deformation of parts can begin. Whatever one may say, this value may not be enough for heating. It probably makes sense to look for a more reliable option.

Thermal insulation of pipes with mineral wool or products based on it

The most "ancient" method of thermal insulation of external pipelines is with the use of mineral wool. By the way, it is the most budgetary one, if there is no way to purchase a foam shell.


For thermal insulation of pipelines, various types of mineral wool are used - glass wool, stone (basalt) and slag. Slag wool is the least preferable: it, firstly, absorbs moisture most actively, and secondly, its residual acidity can very destructively affect steel pipes. Even the cheapness of this wool does not in the least justify the risks of its use.

But mineral wool based on basalt or glass fibers will do the trick. It has good indicators of thermal resistance to heat transfer, high chemical resistance, the material is elastic, and it is easy to lay it even on difficult sections of pipelines. Another advantage is that you can, in principle, be completely calm in terms of fire safety. It is almost impossible to heat up mineral wool to the degree of flammability in the conditions of an outdoor heating main. Even exposure to an open flame will not spread the fire. That is why mineral wool is used to fill fire gaps when using other pipe insulation.


The main disadvantage of mineral wool is its high water absorption (basalt is less susceptible to this "ailment"). This means that any pipeline will require mandatory protection from moisture. In addition, the structure of the cotton wool is not resistant to mechanical stress, it is easily destroyed, and it should be protected with a durable casing.

Usually, a strong plastic film is used, with which a layer of insulation is reliably wrapped, with a mandatory overlap of the strips by 400 ÷ 500 mm, and then all this is closed on top with metal sheets - just by analogy with a polystyrene foam shell. Roofing material can also be used as waterproofing - in this case, 100 ÷ 150 mm of overlap of one strip on another will be enough.

The existing GOSTs determine the thickness of protective metal coatings for open sections of pipelines for any type of thermal insulation materials used:

Covering materialMinimum metal thickness, with the outer diameter of the insulation
350 and less Over 350 and up to 600 Over 600 and up to 1600
Stainless steel tapes and sheets0.5 0.5 0.8
Sheet steel sheets, galvanized or polymer coated0.5 0.8 0.8
Aluminum or aluminum alloy sheets0.3 0.5 0.8
Aluminum or aluminum alloy strips0.25 - -

Thus, despite the seemingly inexpensive price of the insulation itself, its full-fledged installation will require considerable additional costs.

Mineral wool for insulation of pipelines can also act in a different capacity - it serves as a material for the manufacture of finished thermal insulating parts, by analogy with polyethylene foam cylinders. Moreover, such products are produced both for straight sections of pipelines and for bends, tees, etc.


Usually, such insulation parts are made of the most dense - basalt mineral wool, have an outer foil coating, which immediately removes the problem of waterproofing and increases the efficiency of insulation. But you still can't get away from the outer casing - a thin layer of foil won't protect you from accidental or intentional mechanical stress.

Thermal insulation of heating mains with polyurethane foam

One of the most effective and safe to use modern insulation materials is polyurethane foam. He has a lot of all sorts of advantages, so the material is used on almost any structure that requires reliable insulation.

What are the features of polyurethane foam - insulation?

Polyurethane foam for pipeline insulation can be used in various forms.

  • Foam shells are widely used, usually with an outer foil coating. It can be collapsible, consisting of half-cylinders with groove-ridge locks, or, for pipes of small diameter, with a cut along the length and a special valve with a self-adhesive back surface, which greatly simplifies the installation of insulation.

  • Another method of thermal insulation of a heating main with polyurethane foam is to spray it in liquid form using special equipment. The resulting layer of foam, after complete hardening, becomes an excellent insulation. This technology is especially convenient at complex junctions, pipe bends, in nodes with shut-off and control valves, etc.

The advantage of this technology is also that due to the excellent adhesion of polyurethane foam spraying to the pipe surface, excellent waterproofing and anti-corrosion protection are created. True, the polyurethane foam itself also requires mandatory protection - from ultraviolet rays, so again it will not be possible to do without a casing.

  • Well, if a sufficiently long heating main is required, then, probably, the most the best choice will become the use of pre-insulated (pre-insulated) pipes.

In fact, such pipes are a multi-layer structure assembled at the factory:

- The inner layer is, in fact, the steel pipe itself of the required diameter, through which the coolant is pumped.

- The outer cover is protective. It can be polymeric (for laying a heating main in the soil) or metal galvanized - what is required for open sections of the pipeline.

- A monolithic, seamless layer of polyurethane foam is poured between the pipe and the casing, which serves as an effective thermal insulation.

On both ends of the pipe, an assembly area was left for welding during the assembly of the heating main. Its length is calculated in such a way that the heat flux from the welding arc will not damage the polyurethane foam layer.

After installation, the remaining non-insulated areas are primed, covered with polyurethane foam shell, and then with metal belts, comparing the coating with the common outer casing of the pipe. Often, it is in such areas that fire breaks are organized - they are tightly filled with mineral wool, then they are waterproofed with roofing material and are still closed from above with a steel or aluminum casing.

The standards set a certain range of such sandwich pipes, that is, it is possible to purchase products of the required nominal diameter with optimal (conventional or reinforced) thermal insulation.

Outside diameter of steel pipe and minimum wall thickness (mm)Dimensions of the sheath made of galvanized sheet steelEstimated thickness of polyurethane foam insulation layer (mm)
nominal outer diameter (mm) minimum thickness of steel sheet (mm)
32 × 3.0100; 125; 140 0.55 46,0; 53,5
38 × 3.0125; 140 0.55 43,0; 50,5
45 × 3.0125; 140 0.55 39,5; 47,0
57 × 3.0140 0.55 40.9
76 × 3.0160 0.55 41.4
89 × 4.0180 0.6 44.9
108 × 4.0200 0.6 45.4
133 × 4.0225 0.6 45.4
159 × 4.5250 0.7 44.8
219 × 6.0315 0.7 47.3
273 × 7.0400 0.8 62.7
325 × 7.0450 0.8 61.7

Manufacturers offer such sandwich pipes not only for straight sections, but also for tees, bends, expansion joints, etc.


The cost of such pre-insulated pipes is quite high, but with their purchase and installation, a whole range of problems are solved at once. So these costs seem to be quite justified.

Video: production process for pre-insulated pipes

Insulation - foamed rubber

Thermal insulating materials and products made of synthetic foam rubber have recently become very popular. This material has a number of advantages that bring it to a leading position in the issues of pipeline insulation, including not only heating mains, but also more responsible ones - on complex technological lines, in mechanical engineering, aircraft and shipbuilding:

  • Foamed rubber is very elastic, but at the same time has a large margin of tensile strength.
  • The density of the material is only 40 to 80 kg / m³.
  • The low coefficient of thermal conductivity provides very effective thermal insulation.
  • The material does not shrink over time, completely retaining its original shape and volume.
  • Foamed rubber is flame retardant and self-extinguishing.
  • The material is chemically and biologically inert; no foci of mold or mildew, no insect nests or
  • The most important quality is almost absolute water and vapor resistance. Thus, the insulation layer immediately becomes an excellent waterproofing for the pipe surface.

Such thermal insulation can be produced in the form of hollow tubes with an inner diameter from 6 to 160 mm and a layer of insulation from 6 to 32 mm, or in the form of sheets, which are often given the function of "self-adhesive" on one side.

The name of indicatorsThe values
Length of finished tubes, mm:1000 or 2000
Colourblack or silver, depending on the type of protective coating
Application temperature range:from - 50 to + 110 ° С
Thermal conductivity, W / (m × ° С):λ≤0.036 at a temperature of 0 ° С
λ≤0.039 at a temperature of + 40 ° С
Vapor permeation resistance coefficient:μ≥7000
Fire hazardGroup G1
Allowable change in length:± 1.5%

But for heating mains located in the open air, ready-made insulation elements made using the Armaflex ACE technology with a special protective coating ArmaChek are especially convenient.


ArmaChek coating can be of several types, for example:

  • "Arma-Chek Silver" is a multilayer PVC-based casing with a reflective silver coating. This coating provides excellent protection of the insulation from both mechanical stress and ultraviolet rays.
  • The black Arma-Chek D coating has a high strength fiberglass backing that retains excellent flexibility. This is an excellent protection against all possible chemical, weather, mechanical influences, which will keep the heating pipe intact.

Typically, such products using the ArmaChek technology have self-adhesive valves that hermetically “seal” the insulation cylinder on the pipe body. Curly elements are also produced, allowing installation on difficult sections of the heating main. Skillful use of such thermal insulation allows you to quickly and reliably install it without resorting to creating an additional external protective casing - there is simply no need for it.

Probably, the only thing that hinders the widespread use of such thermal insulation products for pipelines is the still prohibitively high price for real, "branded" products.

Prices for thermal insulation for pipes

Thermal insulation for pipes

A new direction in insulation - thermal insulation paint

Another modern insulation technology cannot be missed. And it is all the more pleasant to talk about it, since it is the development of Russian scientists. This is a ceramic liquid insulation, which is also known as thermal insulation paint.

This is, without a doubt, an "alien" from the field of space technology. It is in this scientific and technical industry that the issues of thermal insulation from critically low (in open space) or high (when launching ships and landing descent vehicles) are especially acute.

The thermal insulation qualities of ultra-thin coatings seem fantastic. At the same time, such a coating becomes an excellent hydro and vapor barrier, protecting the pipe from all possible external influences. Well, the heating main itself takes on a well-groomed, eye-pleasing look.


The paint itself is a suspension of microscopic, vacuum-filled silicone and ceramic capsules suspended in a liquid state in special composition, including acrylic, rubber and other components. After application and drying of the compound, a thin elastic film is formed on the pipe surface, which has outstanding thermal insulation qualities.

Indicator namesunit of measurementThe quantity
Paint colorwhite (can be changed on request)
Appearance after application and complete hardeningmatt, even, uniform surface
Flexural elasticity of the filmmm1
Coating adhesion by pull-off force from the painted surface
- to the concrete surfaceMPa1.28
- to the brick surfaceMPa2
- to steelMPa1.2
Coating resistance to temperature drops from -40 ° C to + 80 ° Cwithout changes
Coating resistance to temperature +200 ° С for 1, 5 hoursno yellowing, cracks, peeling or bubbles
Durability for concrete and metal surfaces in a moderately cold climatic region (Moscow)years oldnot less than 10
Thermal conductivityW / m ° C0,0012
Vapor permeabilitymg / m × h × Pa0.03
Water absorption in 24 hours% by volume2
Operating temperature range° Cfrom - 60 to + 260

Such a coating does not require additional protective layers - it is strong enough to cope with all influences on its own.


Such a liquid insulation is realized in plastic cans (buckets), like ordinary paint. There are several manufacturers, and among the domestic brands "Bronya" and "Korund" can be especially noted.


You can apply such a thermal paint by aerosol spraying or in the usual way - with a roller and a brush. The number of layers depends on the operating conditions of the heating main, the climatic region, the diameter of the pipes, and the average temperature of the pumped heat carrier.

Many experts believe that such heaters will eventually replace the usual thermal insulation materials on a mineral or organic basis.

Video: presentation of Korund super-thin thermal insulation

Insulation paint prices

Heat insulating paint

What is the thickness of the heating mains insulation required

Summing up the review of the materials used for thermal insulation of heating pipes, you can see the performance indicators of the most popular of them in the table - for clarity of comparison:

Thermal insulation material or productAverage density in the finished structure, kg / m3Thermal conductivity of heat-insulating material (W / (m × ° С)) for surfaces with temperature (° С)Range of working temperatures, ° СFlammability group
20 and up 19 and below
Broached mineral wool plates120 0,045 0.044 ÷ 0.035- 180 to + 450 for mats, on fabric, mesh, fiberglass canvas; up to + 700 - on a metal meshNon-flammable
150 0,05 0.048 ÷ 0.037
Thermal insulation boards made of mineral wool on a synthetic binder65 0.04 0.039 ÷ 0.03From - 60 to + 400Non-flammable
95 0,043 0.042 ÷ 0.031
120 0,044 0.043 ÷ 0.032From - 180 + 400
180 0,052 0.051 ÷ 0.038
Thermal insulation products from foamed ethylene-polypropylene rubber "Aeroflex"60 0,034 0,033 From - 55 to + 125Low-flammable
Mineral wool semi-cylinders and cylinders50 0,04 0.039 ÷ 0.029From - 180 to + 400Non-flammable
80 0,044 0.043 ÷ 0.032
100 0,049 0.048 ÷ 0.036
150 0,05 0.049 ÷ 0.035
200 0,053 0.052 ÷ 0.038
Thermal insulation cord made of mineral wool200 0,056 0.055 ÷ 0.04From - 180 to + 600 depending on the material of the mesh tubeIn mesh tubes made of metal wire and glass filament - non-combustible, the rest are slightly combustible
Glass staple fiber mats on synthetic binder50 0,04 0.039 ÷ 0.029From - 60 to + 180Non-flammable
70 0,042 0.041 ÷ 0.03
Superfine glass fiber mats and wadding without binder70 0,033 0.032 ÷ 0.024From - 180 to + 400Non-flammable
Mats and wadding made of super-thin basalt fiber without binder80 0,032 0.031 ÷ 0.024From - 180 to + 600Non-flammable
Perlite sand, expanded, fine110 0,052 0.051 ÷ 0.038From - 180 to + 875Non-flammable
150 0,055 0.054 ÷ 0.04
225 0,058 0.057 ÷ 0.042
Thermal insulation products from expanded polystyrene30 0,033 0.032 ÷ 0.024From - 180 to + 70Combustible
50 0,036 0.035 ÷ 0.026
100 0,041 0.04 ÷ 0.03
Thermal insulation products made of polyurethane foam40 0,030 0.029 ÷ 0.024From - 180 to + 130Combustible
50 0,032 0.031 ÷ 0.025
70 0,037 0.036 ÷ 0.027
Thermal insulation products made of polyethylene foam50 0,035 0,033 From - 70 to + 70Combustible

But the inquisitive reader will surely ask: where is the answer to one of the main questions that arise - what should be the thickness of the insulation?

This question is quite complex, and there is no definite answer to it. If desired, you can use cumbersome calculation formulas, but they are probably understandable only to qualified heating engineers. However, not everything is so bad.

Manufacturers of finished thermal insulation products (shells, cylinders, etc.) usually lay down the required thickness, calculated for a specific region. And if mineral wool insulation is used, then you can use the data of the tables, which are given in a special Code of Rules, which was developed specifically for thermal insulation of pipelines and technological equipment. This document is easy to find on the web by entering a search query "SP 41-103-2000".

For example, here is a table from this reference book concerning the overground placement of the pipeline in the Central region of Russia, when using mats made of glass staple fiber grade M-35, 50:

Outer
diameter
pipeline,
mm
Heating pipe type
innings return innings return innings return
Averaged temperature regime coolant, ° С
65 50 90 50 110 50
Required insulation thickness, mm
45 50 50 45 45 40 40
57 58 58 48 48 45 45
76 67 67 51 51 50 50
89 66 66 53 53 50 50
108 62 62 58 58 55 55
133 68 68 65 65 61 61
159 74 74 64 64 68 68
219 78 78 76 76 82 82
273 82 82 84 84 92 92
325 80 80 87 87 93 93

Similarly, you can find the required parameters for other materials. By the way, the same Code of Rules does not recommend significantly exceeding the specified thickness. Moreover, the maximum values \u200b\u200bof the insulation layer for pipelines have been determined:

Outer diameter of the pipeline, mm Maximum thickness of the thermal insulation layer, mm
temperature 19 ° C and below temperature 20 ° C and more
18 80 80
25 120 120
32 140 140
45 140 140
57 150 150
76 160 160
89 180 170
108 180 180
133 200 200
159 220 220
219 230 230
273 240 230
325 240 240

However, do not forget about one important nuance. The fact is that any insulation with a fibrous structure inevitably shrinks over time. And this means that after a certain period of time, its thickness may become insufficient for reliable thermal insulation of the heating main. There is only one way out - even when installing insulation, immediately take into account this correction for shrinkage.

For the calculation, you can apply the following formula:

Н \u003d ((D + h) : (D + 2 h)) × h× Kc

H- thickness of the layer of mineral wool, taking into account the correction for compaction.

D- the outer diameter of the pipe to be insulated;

h- the required thickness of insulation according to the table of the Code of Rules.

Ks- coefficient of shrinkage (compaction) of fibrous insulation. It is a calculated constant, the value of which can be taken from the table below:

Thermal insulation materials and productsCompaction factor Kc.
Mineral wool stitched mats 1.2
Heat-insulating mats "TEKHMAT" 1.35 ÷ 1.2
Mats and webs made of super-thin basalt fiber when laid on pipelines and equipment with nominal bore, mm:
Du3
1,5
DN ≥ 800 at medium density 23 kg / m32
̶ the same, with an average density of 50-60 kg / m31,5
Glass staple fiber mats with synthetic binder grades:
M-45, 35, 251.6
M-152.6
Glass staple fiber mats "URSA" brands:
M-11:
̶ for pipes with DN up to 40 mm4,0
̶ for pipes with DN 50 mm and more3,6
M-15, M-172.6
M-25:
̶ for pipes with DN up to 100 mm1,8
̶ for pipes with DN 100 to 250 mm1,6
̶ for pipes with DN over 250 mm1,5
Mineral wool slabs on a synthetic binder grade:
35, 50 1.5
75 1.2
100 1.10
125 1.05
Glass staple fiber slabs grades:
P-301.1
P-15, P-17 and P-201.2

To help the interested reader, a special calculator is placed below, which already contains the indicated ratio. It is worth entering the requested parameters - and immediately get the required thickness of mineral wool insulation, taking into account the amendment.


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