Comparison of thermal conductivity of building materials by thickness. Comparison of the main characteristics of various heaters: thermal conductivity and density, hygroscopicity and thickness. Heat transfer resistance of heaters table

We do not live in the hottest country on Earth, which means that we have to heat our homes for at least most of the year. This explains such a high demand for.

Of all the materials used for insulating residential and other objects, polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene and mineral wool are now especially popular. Let's talk about the last two of them.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is a material based on basalt fiber.

Mineral wool may not be used everywhere, since it has a lower temperature limit. For example, this one cannot be used in a refrigerator.

Under the influence of low temperatures, mineral wool becomes brittle and deformed, which is unacceptable for insulation. Here, as a comparison of thermal conductivity heaters shows, the advantage is on the side of expanded polystyrene, which has no lower temperature limit.

As for the upper temperature limit, it all depends on the mechanical stress during exposure to high temperatures and the duration of this exposure. If you are interested in the thermal conductivity of heaters, the table on our website will help you in obtaining information about this. In particular, there is given the thermal conductivity coefficient mineral wool.

Mineral wool allows steam and moisture to pass through. This significantly reduces its thermal insulation properties. Also, the accumulation of moisture contributes to the development of mold and mildew, rodents begin to settle in the insulation, putrefactive bacteria, etc.

Also, mineral wool insulation is hygroscopic, which is why it is necessary to erect ventilated walls and a roof. In some cases, this leads to a large expenditure of funds.

Mineral wool insulation is 1.5-3 times heavier than its counterpart. Hence the higher cost of transporting it. Also, the disadvantage is that such insulation can be used only when the foundation of the structure, which is insulated with it, is strong enough. Of course, it is more difficult to carry out loading and unloading and construction and installation work using a large amount of insulation.

Expanded polystyrene

Compared with the above-described insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation has better characteristics. The thermal insulation properties of this material are high, as a result of which, its use becomes economically viable.

Insulation from expanded polystyrene, in addition to good thermal insulation properties, absorbs noise well, resists bacteria and fungi. Also, this material is resistant to the effects of solutions of alcohols, acids and alkalis. The coefficient of thermal conductivity of expanded polystyrene and its other characteristics can be found by examining the “thermal conductivity of heaters table” on our resource.

One of the main advantages of expanded polystyrene is its ability to withstand a sufficiently large mechanical load at a minimum density.

It is necessary to highlight the advantage of expanded polystyrene over mineral wool. Since it has a low average density, it practically does not change the load on the foundation and supporting structures.

Comparison of heaters in terms of thermal conductivity shows that, depending on the density, the thermal conductivity coefficient of mineral wool is 0.048-0.07; - 0.038-0.05.

Other properties of the described heaters

Mineral wool insulation is non-flammable. The fire resistance of these materials is determined not only by the properties of the material, but also by the conditions in which they are used.

The degree of fire resistance is greatly influenced by the materials with which the insulation is combined. The way of arrangement of protective and covering layers also plays a role.

As for expanded polystyrene, it belongs to self-extinguishing materials. Therefore, the walls decorated with it do not ignite so quickly. And if this does happen, the flame spreads over their surface also slower than in the case of other heaters.

When a polystyrene foam insulation burns, about 1000 MJ / m3 heat is released, which is 7-8 times less than when burning a dry tree. The self-combustion time of expanded polystyrene is no more than a second.

Mineral wool is a non-flammable substance. Therefore, the flammability of the surfaces lined with it, as well as the spread of the flame along them, is minimal. Since the basis of this insulation - basalt - is natural stone, mineral wool is able to withstand temperatures - up to 1000 ° C, and the spread of fire can resist - up to three hours.

The first question that arises is for the one who decided to build own house, - what material to use for this. The choice of the foundation depends on this, in turn ...

Expanded polystyrene plates, colloquially referred to as foam, is an insulating material, as a rule, white... It is made from thermal expansion polystyrene. In appearance, the foam is presented in ...

Today, manufacturers of thermal insulation materials offer developers a really huge selection of materials. At the same time, everyone assures us that it is his insulation that is ideal for house insulation. Due to such a variety of building materials, take correct solution in favor of a certain material is really quite difficult. In this article, we decided to compare heaters in terms of thermal conductivity and other equally important characteristics.

It is worth first talking about the main characteristics of thermal insulation, which you need to pay attention to when buying. Comparison of heaters by characteristics should be done with their purpose in mind. For example, despite the fact that XPS extrusion is stronger than mineral wool, but near an open fire or at high operating temperatures, it is worth buying a fire-resistant insulation for your own safety.

Comparison of heaters by characteristics

Thermal conductivity... The lower this indicator for the material, the less it will be necessary to lay a layer of insulation, which means that the cost of purchasing materials will decrease (if the cost of materials is in the same price range). The thinner the layer of insulation, the less space will be “eaten up”.

Moisture permeability... Low moisture and vapor permeability increases the term of use of thermal insulation and reduces the negative effect of moisture on the thermal conductivity of the insulation during subsequent operation, but this increases the risk of condensation on the structure in case of poor ventilation.

Fire safety... If the insulation is used in a bath or in a boiler room, then the material should not support combustion, but, on the contrary, should withstand high temperatures. But if you are insulating a strip foundation or a blind area of \u200b\u200ba house, then the characteristics of moisture resistance and strength come to the fore.

Cost-effective and easy to install... Insulation must be affordable, otherwise it will be simply impractical to insulate the house. It is also important that the brick facade of the house could be insulated on its own, without the help of specialists or using expensive installation equipment.

Sustainability... All materials for construction must be safe for humans and the environment. Let's not forget to mention good sound insulation, which is very important for cities where it is important to protect their homes from noise from the street.

Comparison of heaters by thermal conductivity

What characteristics are important when choosing a heater? What to look for and ask the seller? Is it only thermal conductivity that matters when buying insulation, or are there other parameters worth considering? And a bunch of similar questions come to mind of a developer when it comes time to choose a heater. Let's pay attention in the review to the most popular types of thermal insulation.

Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)

Polyfoam is the most popular insulation today, due to its ease of installation and low cost. It is made by foaming polystyrene, has low thermal conductivity, is easy to cut and easy to install. However, the material is fragile and fire hazardous; when burning, the foam emits harmful, toxic substances. Expanded polystyrene is preferably used in non-residential premises.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Extrusion is not subject to moisture and decay, it is a very durable and easy-to-install insulation. Technoplex slabs have high strength and compression resistance, do not undergo decomposition. Thanks to its technical specifications technoplex is used to insulate the blind area and foundation of buildings. Extruded polystyrene foam is durable and easy to use.

Basalt (mineral) wool

Insulation is made from rocks, by melting and blowing them to obtain a fibrous structure. Rocklight basalt wool withstands high temperatures, does not burn and does not cake over time. The material is environmentally friendly, has good sound insulation and thermal insulation. Manufacturers recommend using mineral wool to insulate the attic and other living quarters.

Fiberglass (glass wool)

At the word glass wool, many people have an association with Soviet material, however modern materials on the basis of fiberglass do not irritate the skin. A common disadvantage of mineral wool and fiberglass is low moisture resistance, which requires a reliable moisture and vapor barrier device when installing a heater. The material is not recommended for use in wet rooms.

Foamed polyethylene

This roll-up insulation has a porous structure; various thicknesses are often produced with an additional layer of foil for a reflective effect. Izolon and penofol have a thickness 10 times thinner than traditional insulation, but retains up to 97% of heat. The material does not allow moisture to pass through, has a low thermal conductivity due to its porous structure and does not emit harmful substances.

Sprayed thermal insulation

Sprayed thermal insulation includes PPU (polyurethane foam) and Ecotermix. The main disadvantages of these heaters include the need for special equipment for their application. At the same time, the sprayed thermal insulation creates a solid, continuous coating on the structure without cold bridges, while the structure will be protected from moisture, since the PU foam is a moisture-proof material.

Comparison of heaters. Thermal conductivity table

A complete picture of which insulation should be used in this or that case is given by the thermal conductivity table of thermal insulation. You just have to correlate the data from this table with the cost of insulation from different manufacturers and suppliers, and also consider the possibility of using it in specific conditions (insulation of the roof of a house, strip foundation, boiler room, chimney etc.).

Comparison of heaters by thermal conductivity

Comparison of heaters in terms of thermal conductivity. In this article, we decided to compare heaters in the table for thermal conductivity and other important characteristics.

Comparison of thermal conductivity of building materials by thickness

There are many available for sale building materialsused to improve the properties of the structure to retain heat - heaters. In the construction of a house, it can be used in almost every part of it: from the foundation to the attic. Next, we will talk about the main properties of materials that can provide required level thermal conductivity of objects for various purposes, and also a comparison will be made, in which the table will help.

The main characteristics of heaters

When choosing heaters, you need to pay attention to various factors: the type of structure, the presence of exposure to high temperatures, open fire, the characteristic level of humidity. Only after determining the conditions of use, as well as the level of thermal conductivity of the materials used for the construction of a certain part of the structure, you need to look at the characteristics of a particular insulation:

• Thermal conductivity. The quality of the insulation process carried out directly depends on this indicator, as well as required amount material to ensure the desired result. The lower the thermal conductivity, the more efficient the use of insulation.
• Moisture absorption. The indicator is especially important when insulating the external parts of the structure, which can be periodically affected by moisture. For example, when insulating a foundation in soils with high waters or an increased level of water content in its structure.
• Thickness. The use of thin insulation allows you to preserve the interior space of a residential building, and also directly affects the quality of insulation.
• Flammability. This property of materials is especially important when used to reduce the thermal conductivity of the ground parts of the construction of residential buildings, as well as buildings for special purposes. High-quality products are distinguished by their ability to self-extinguish, do not emit toxic substances when ignited.
• Thermal stability. The material must withstand critical temperatures. For example, low temperatures for outdoor use.
• Environmental friendliness. It is necessary to resort to the use of materials that are safe for humans. The requirements for this factor may vary depending on the future purpose of the structure.
• Soundproofing. This additional property of heaters in some situations allows you to achieve a good level of protection of the room from noise, as well as extraneous sounds.

When a material with low thermal conductivity is used in the construction of a certain part of the structure, then you can buy the cheapest insulation (if preliminary calculations allow it).

The importance of a particular characteristic is directly dependent on the conditions of use and the allocated budget.

Comparison of popular heaters

Let's take a look at a few materials used to improve the energy efficiency of buildings:

• Mineral wool. Made from natural materials. Resistant to fire and environmentally friendly, as well as low thermal conductivity. But the inability to resist the effects of water reduces the possibilities of use.
• Styrofoam. Lightweight material with excellent insulation properties. Affordable, easy to install and moisture resistant. Disadvantages: good flammability and emission of harmful substances during combustion. It is recommended to use it in non-residential premises.
• Balsa wool. The material is almost identical to mineral wool, only it differs in improved indicators of resistance to moisture. During manufacture, it is not sealed, which significantly extends its service life.
• Penoplex. Insulation well resists moisture, high temperatures, fire, decay, decomposition. It has excellent thermal conductivity, is easy to install and durable. Can be used in places with maximum requirements the ability of the material to withstand various influences.
• Penofol. Multi-layer insulation natural origin... Consists of polyethylene, pre-foamed before production. It can have various parameters of porosity and width. Often the surface is covered with foil to achieve a reflective effect. Differs in lightness, ease of installation, high energy efficiency, moisture resistance, low weight.

Thermal conductivity coefficient dimension

When choosing a material for use in close proximity to a person, special attention must be paid to its environmental friendliness and fire safety characteristics. Also, in some situations, it is rational to buy more expensive insulation, which will have additional moisture protection or sound insulation properties, which ultimately allows you to save money.

Comparison using a table

The indicator of heat conduction properties is the main criterion when choosing insulation material... It remains only to compare the pricing policies of different suppliers and determine the required quantity.

Insulation is one of the main ways to obtain a structure with the required energy efficiency. Before making the final choice, precisely define the conditions of use and, armed with the given table, make the right choice.

Comparison of heaters in terms of thermal conductivity and density of materials

Many building materials are available for sale that are used to improve the properties of a building to retain heat - insulation. In the construction of a house, it can be used in almost every part of it: from the foundation to the attic.

Comparison of different types of insulation

Last time we defined the cheapest insulation... Today we will compare insulation materials. You can find a table with general characteristics in the summary of the article. We have selected the most popular materials, including mineral wool, polyurethane foam, penoizol, polystyrene and ecowool. As you can see, these are versatile insulation materials with a wide range of applications.

Comparison of thermal conductivity of heaters

The higher the thermal conductivity, the worse the material works as insulation.

We start comparing thermal insulation materials for a reason, since this is undoubtedly the most important characteristic. It shows how much heat the material passes not over a certain period of time, but constantly. Thermal conductivity is expressed as a coefficient and is calculated in watts per square meter. For example, a factor of 0.05 W / m * K indicates that the square meter constant heat loss is 0.05 watts. The higher the coefficient, the better material conducts heat, respectively, as a heater it works worse.

Below is a table comparing popular thermal conductivity heaters:

Having studied the above types of insulation and their characteristics, we can conclude that, with the same thickness, the most effective thermal insulation among all is liquid two-component polyurethane foam (PPU).

The thickness of the insulation has an arch essential, it should be calculated for each case individually. The result is influenced by the region, material and wall thickness, the presence of air buffer zones.

Comparative characteristics of heaters show that the density of the material affects thermal conductivity, especially for mineral wool. The higher the density, the less air in the structure of the insulation. As you know, air has a low thermal conductivity, which is less than 0.022 W / m * K. Based on this, with an increase in density, the coefficient of thermal conductivity also increases, which negatively affects the ability of the material to retain heat.

Comparison of vapor permeability of heaters

High vapor permeability \u003d no condensation.

Vapor permeability is the ability of a material to pass air, and with it, steam. That is, the insulation can breathe. Manufacturers have been focusing a lot of attention on this characteristic of home insulation lately. In fact, high vapor permeability is needed only when insulation wooden house ... In all other cases, this criterion is not categorically important.

Comparison of heaters for walls showed that natural materials have the highest degree of vapor permeability, while polymer heaters have an extremely low coefficient. This indicates that materials such as polyurethane foam and polystyrene have the ability to retain steam, that is, they perform vapor barrier function... Penoizol is also a kind of polymer made from resins. Its difference from polyurethane foam and polystyrene lies in the structure of the cells that open. In other words, it is a material with an open-cell structure. The ability of thermal insulation to pass steam is closely related to the next characteristic - moisture absorption.

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Insulation hygroscopicity overview

High hygroscopicity is a drawback that needs to be eliminated.

Hygroscopicity - the ability of a material to absorb moisture, measured as a percentage of its own weight of insulation. Hygroscopicity can be called the weak side of thermal insulation and the higher this value, the more serious measures will be required to neutralize it. The fact is that water, getting into the structure of the material, reduces the effectiveness of the insulation. Comparison of the hygroscopicity of the most common thermal insulation materials in civil construction:

Comparison of the hygroscopicity of heaters for the house showed a high moisture absorption of penoizol, while this thermal insulation has the ability to distribute and remove moisture. Due to this, even when wet by 30%, the thermal conductivity does not decrease. Despite the fact that mineral wool has a low moisture absorption percentage, it especially needs protection. After drinking water, she holds it, not allowing it to go outside. At the same time, the ability to prevent heat loss is dramatically reduced.

To exclude moisture from entering the mineral wool, vapor barrier films and diffusion membranes are used. Basically, polymers are resistant to prolonged exposure to moisture, with the exception of ordinary polystyrene foam, it quickly degrades. In any case, water has not gone to any thermal insulation material, so it is extremely important to exclude or minimize their contact.

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Installation and operational efficiency

Installation of PPU is quick and easy.

Comparison of the characteristics of heaters should be carried out taking into account the installation, because this is also important. It is easiest to work with liquid thermal insulation, such as polyurethane foam and penoizol, but this requires special equipment. It is also easy to lay ecowool (cellulose) on horizontal surfaces, for example, when floor insulation or attic floor... For spraying ecowool on walls with a wet method, special devices are also needed.

Polyfoam is laid both along the crate and directly onto the work surface. In principle, this also applies to stone wool slabs. Moreover, it is possible to lay slab insulation on both vertical and horizontal surfaces (including under the screed). Soft glass wool in rolls is laid only along the crate.

During operation, the thermal insulation layer may undergo some undesirable changes:

• saturate moisture;
• shrink;
• become a home for mice;
• collapse from exposure to infrared rays, water, solvents, etc.

In addition to all of the above, the fire safety of thermal insulation is important. Comparison of heaters, table of flammability group:

Today we reviewed the most commonly used home insulation materials. By comparison different characteristics we received data on thermal conductivity, vapor permeability, hygroscopicity and flammability of each of the heaters. IN

In addition to these characteristics, we have determined that it is easiest to work with liquid insulation and eco-wool. PPU, penoizol and ecowool (wet installation) are simply sprayed onto the work surface. Dry ecowool is filled up manually.

Comparison table for home insulation by thermal conductivity

A table comparing the characteristics of insulation for a house in terms of thermal conductivity. An overview of the most popular types of thermal insulation materials for walls in terms of efficiency.

Thermal conductivity table of heaters and other materials

In order to enjoy the warmth and comfort in your home in winter, you need to take care of its thermal insulation in advance. Today, it is completely easy to do this, because the construction market has a wide range of insulation. Each of them has its own pluses and minuses, it is suitable for insulation under certain operating conditions. When choosing a material, such a criterion as thermal conductivity remains very important.

What is thermal conductivity

It is the process of releasing thermal energy in order to obtain thermal equilibrium. Temperature regime must be aligned, the main thing is the speed with which this task will be carried out. If we consider the thermal conductivity in relation to the house, then the longer the process of equalizing the air temperatures in the house and on the street takes place, the better. Speaking in simple words, thermal conductivity is an indicator by which you can understand how quickly the walls in the house cool down.

This criterion is presented in numerical value and is characterized by the coefficient of thermal conductivity. Thanks to him, you can find out how much heat energy per unit of time can pass through a unit of surface. The higher the thermal conductivity of the insulation, the faster it conducts thermal energy.

The lower the value of the heat conductivity coefficient, the longer the material will be able to retain heat on winter days and cool on summer days. But there are a number of other factors that must also be taken into account when choosing an insulating material.

Expanded polystyrene

This heat insulator is one of the most demanded. And this is due to its low heat conductivity, low cost and ease of installation. On store shelves, the material is presented in slabs, the thickness of which is 20-150 mm. Obtained by foaming polystyrene. The resulting cells are filled with air. Foam is characterized by different density, low heat conductivity and moisture resistance.

In the photo - expanded polystyrene

Since expanded polystyrene is inexpensive, it is widely popular among many developers for insulation different houses and buildings. But foam has its drawbacks. It is very fragile and flammable quickly, and releases harmful toxins into the environment when burned. For this reason, it is better to use foam for insulating non-residential buildings and unloaded structures.

Extruded polystyrene foam

This material is not afraid of the influence of moisture and decay. It is durable and easy to install. Easily lends itself machining... It has a low level of water absorption, therefore, at high humidity, extruded polystyrene foam retains its properties. The insulation belongs to fireproof materials, it has a long service life and ease of installation.

In the photo - extruded polystyrene foam

The presented characteristics and low heat conductivity will make extruded polystyrene foam the most the best insulation for strip foundations and blind area. When installing a sheet with a thickness of 50 mm, you can replace a foam block with a thickness of 60 mm in terms of heat conductivity. At the same time, the insulation does not allow water to pass through, so there is no need to worry about auxiliary waterproofing.

Mineral wool

Minvata is a heater that can be classified as natural and environmentally friendly. Mineral wool has a low coefficient of heat conductivity and is completely unaffected by fire. Insulation is produced in the form of plates and rolls, each of which has its own stiffness indicators.

In the photo - mineral wool

If you need to isolate the horizontal surface, then it is worth using dense mats, and for vertical ones - rigid and semi-rigid plates. As for the disadvantages, the mineral wool has a low resistance to moisture, so when installing it, you need to take care of moisture and vapor barrier. It is not worth using mineral wool for arranging a basement, cellar, steam room in a bath. Although if you correctly lay out the waterproofing layer, then the mineral wool will serve for a long time and efficiently. But what is the thermal conductivity of mineral wool, the information from the article will help to understand.

Basalt wool

This insulation is obtained by melting basalt rocks with the addition of auxiliary components. The result is a material with a fibrous structure and excellent water repellency. The insulation is non-flammable and completely safe for health. In addition, basalt has excellent performance for high-quality sound and heat insulation. It can be used for insulation both outside and inside the house.

In the photo - basalt wool for insulation

When installing basalt wool, you must wear protective equipment. This includes gloves, a respirator, and goggles. This will protect the mucous membranes from the ingress of cotton wool debris. When choosing basalt wool, the Rockwool brand is very popular today.

During the operation of the material, you do not have to worry that the plates will be compacted or caked. And this indicates the excellent properties of low thermal conductivity, which do not change over time.

This insulation is produced in the form of rolls, the thickness of which is 2-10 mm. The material is based on foamed polyethylene. On sale you can find a heat insulator, on one side of which there is a foil to form a reflective background. The thickness of the material is several times smaller than the previously presented materials, but at the same time it does not affect the thermal conductivity at all. It is able to reflect up to 97% of heat. Foamed polyethylene boasts a long service life and environmental friendliness.

In the photo, Penofol insulation:

Izolon is completely light, thin and easy to install. A roll-up heat insulator is used when arranging wet rooms, which include a basement, a balcony. In addition, the use of insulation will allow you to save the useful area of \u200b\u200bthe room if you install it inside the house.

Thermal conductivity table of materials and insulation, comparison

Thermal conductivity table of materials and insulation. Comparison of heaters in terms of thermal conductivity. Comparative table of thermal conductivity of materials.

In recent years, when building a house or renovating it, much attention has been paid to energy efficiency. With already existing fuel prices, this is very important. Moreover, it seems that further savings will become increasingly important. To correctly select the composition and thickness of materials in the pie of enclosing structures (walls, floor, ceiling, roof), it is necessary to know the thermal conductivity of building materials. This characteristic is indicated on packages with materials, and it is necessary even at the design stage. After all, it is necessary to decide what material to build the walls from, how to insulate them, how thick each layer should be.

What is thermal conductivity and thermal resistance

When choosing building materials for construction, you need to pay attention to the characteristics of the materials. One of the key positions is thermal conductivity. It is displayed by the thermal conductivity coefficient. This is the amount of heat that a particular material can conduct per unit of time. That is, the lower this coefficient, the worse the material conducts heat. Conversely, the higher the number, the better the heat dissipation.

Materials with low thermal conductivity are used for insulation, with high ones for transferring or removing heat. For example, radiators are made of aluminum, copper or steel, since they transfer heat well, that is, they have a high coefficient of thermal conductivity. For insulation, materials with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity are used - they retain heat better. If an object consists of several layers of material, its thermal conductivity is determined as the sum of the coefficients of all materials. When calculating, the thermal conductivity of each of the components of the "pie" is calculated, the found values \u200b\u200bare summed up. In general, we get the thermal insulation capacity of the enclosing structure (walls, floor, ceiling).

There is also such a thing as thermal resistance. It reflects the ability of a material to prevent heat from passing through it. That is, it is the reciprocal of thermal conductivity. And, if you see a material with high thermal resistance, it can be used for thermal insulation. An example of thermal insulation materials is the popular mineral or basalt wool, polystyrene, etc. Materials with low thermal resistance are needed to dissipate or transfer heat. For example, aluminum or steel radiators are used for heating, as they give off heat well.

Thermal conductivity table of thermal insulation materials

To make it easier to keep the house warm in winter and cool in summer, the thermal conductivity of the walls, floor and roof must be at least a certain figure, which is calculated for each region. The composition of the "pie" of the walls, floor and ceiling, the thickness of the materials are taken so that the total figure is not less (or better - at least a little more) recommended for your region.

When choosing materials, one must take into account that some of them (not all) conduct heat much better in conditions of high humidity. If during operation such a situation may arise for a long time, the calculations use thermal conductivity for this state. The thermal conductivity coefficients of the main materials used for insulation are shown in the table.

Material name	Thermal conductivity coefficient W / (m ° C)
	Dry	At normal humidity	With high humidity
Woolen felt	0,036-0,041	0,038-0,044	0,044-0,050
Rock mineral wool 25-50 kg / m3	0,036	0,042	0,045
Rock mineral wool 40-60 kg / m3	0,035	0,041	0,044
Rock mineral wool 80-125 kg / m3	0,036	0,042	0,045
Rock mineral wool 140-175 kg / m3	0,037	0,043	0,0456
Rock mineral wool 180 kg / m3	0,038	0,045	0,048
Glass wool 15 kg / m3	0,046	0,049	0,055
Glass wool 17 kg / m3	0,044	0,047	0,053
Glass wool 20 kg / m3	0,04	0,043	0,048
Glass wool 30 kg / m3	0,04	0,042	0,046
Glass wool 35 kg / m3	0,039	0,041	0,046
Glass wool 45 kg / m3	0,039	0,041	0,045
Glass wool 60 kg / m3	0,038	0,040	0,045
Glass wool 75 kg / m3	0,04	0,042	0,047
Glass wool 85 kg / m3	0,044	0,046	0,050
Expanded polystyrene (polystyrene, PPS)	0,036-0,041	0,038-0,044	0,044-0,050
Extruded polystyrene foam (EPS, XPS)	0,029	0,030	0,031
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on cement mortar, 600 kg / m3	0,14	0,22	0,26
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on cement mortar, 400 kg / m3	0,11	0,14	0,15
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on lime mortar, 600 kg / m3	0,15	0,28	0,34
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on lime mortar, 400 kg / m3	0,13	0,22	0,28
Foam glass, crumb, 100 - 150 kg / m3	0,043-0,06
Foam glass, crumb, 151 - 200 kg / m3	0,06-0,063
Foam glass, crumb, 201 - 250 kg / m3	0,066-0,073
Foam glass, crumb, 251 - 400 kg / m3	0,085-0,1
Foam block 100 - 120 kg / m3	0,043-0,045
Foam block 121 - 170 kg / m3	0,05-0,062
Foam block 171 - 220 kg / m3	0,057-0,063
Foam block 221 - 270 kg / m3	0,073
Ecowool	0,037-0,042
Polyurethane foam (PPU) 40 kg / m3	0,029	0,031	0,05
Polyurethane foam (PPU) 60 kg / m3	0,035	0,036	0,041
Polyurethane foam (PPU) 80 kg / m3	0,041	0,042	0,04
Cross-linked polyethylene foam	0,031-0,038
Vacuum	0
Air + 27 ° C. 1 atm	0,026
Xenon	0,0057
Argon	0,0177
Airgel (Aspen aerogels)	0,014-0,021
Slag	0,05
Vermiculite	0,064-0,074
Foamed rubber	0,033
Cork sheets 220 kg / m3	0,035
Cork sheets 260 kg / m3	0,05
Basalt mats, canvas	0,03-0,04
Tow	0,05
Perlite, 200 kg / m3	0,05
Expanded perlite, 100 kg / m3	0,06
Linen insulating plates, 250 kg / m3	0,054
Polystyrene concrete, 150-500 kg / m3	0,052-0,145
Granular cork, 45 kg / m3	0,038
Mineral cork on bitumen basis, 270-350 kg / m3	0,076-0,096
Cork floor covering, 540 kg / m3	0,078
Technical plug, 50 kg / m3	0,037

Some of the information is taken from standards that prescribe the characteristics of certain materials (SNiP 23-02-2003, SP 50.13330.2012, SNiP II-3-79 * (Appendix 2)). Those materials that are not spelled out in the standards are found on the manufacturers' websites. Since there are no standards, they can vary significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer, so when buying, pay attention to the characteristics of each material you buy.

Thermal conductivity table of building materials

Walls, ceilings, floor, you can make from different materials, but it so happened that the thermal conductivity of building materials is usually compared with brickwork... Everyone knows this material, it is easier to associate with it. The most popular are diagrams that clearly demonstrate the difference between different materials. There is one such picture in the previous paragraph, the second is a comparison brick wall and walls made of logs - shown below. That is why thermal insulation materials are chosen for walls made of bricks and other materials with high thermal conductivity. To make it easier to select, the thermal conductivity of the main building materials is tabulated.

Material name, density	Coefficient of thermal conductivity
	dry	at normal humidity	at high humidity
CPR (cement-sand mortar)	0,58	0,76	0,93
Lime-sand mortar	0,47	0,7	0,81
Gypsum plaster	0,25
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on cement, 600 kg / m3	0,14	0,22	0,26
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on cement, 800 kg / m3	0,21	0,33	0,37
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on cement, 1000 kg / m3	0,29	0,38	0,43
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on lime, 600 kg / m3	0,15	0,28	0,34
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on lime, 800 kg / m3	0,23	0,39	0,45
Foam concrete, aerated concrete on lime, 1000 kg / m3	0,31	0,48	0,55
Window glass	0,76
Arbolit	0,07-0,17
Concrete with natural crushed stone, 2400 kg / m3	1,51
Lightweight concrete with natural pumice, 500-1200 kg / m3	0,15-0,44
Concrete on granulated slag, 1200-1800 kg / m3	0,35-0,58
Boiler slag concrete, 1400 kg / m3	0,56
Crushed stone concrete, 2200-2500 kg / m3	0,9-1,5
Concrete on fuel slag, 1000-1800 kg / m3	0,3-0,7
Porous ceramic block	0,2
Vermiculite concrete, 300-800 kg / m3	0,08-0,21
Expanded clay concrete, 500 kg / m3	0,14
Expanded clay concrete, 600 kg / m3	0,16
Expanded clay concrete, 800 kg / m3	0,21
Expanded clay concrete, 1000 kg / m3	0,27
Expanded clay concrete, 1200 kg / m3	0,36
Expanded clay concrete, 1400 kg / m3	0,47
Expanded clay concrete, 1600 kg / m3	0,58
Expanded clay concrete, 1800 kg / m3	0,66
ladder made of solid ceramic bricks on the CPR	0,56	0,7	0,81
Ceramic hollow brick masonry on CPR, 1000 kg / m3)	0,35	0,47	0,52
Hollow ceramic brick masonry on the centralized construction site, 1300 kg / m3)	0,41	0,52	0,58
Masonry of hollow ceramic bricks on the CPR, 1400 kg / m3)	0,47	0,58	0,64
Full-bodied masonry sand-lime brick for central processing unit, 1000 kg / m3)	0,7	0,76	0,87
Hollow sand-lime brick masonry on CPR, 11 voids	0,64	0,7	0,81
Hollow sand-lime brick masonry on CPR, 14 voids	0,52	0,64	0,76
Limestone 1400 kg / m3	0,49	0,56	0,58
Limestone 1 + 600 kg / m3	0,58	0,73	0,81
Limestone 1800 kg / m3	0,7	0,93	1,05
Limestone 2000 kg / m3	0,93	1,16	1,28
Building sand, 1600 kg / m3	0,35
Granite	3,49
Marble	2,91
Expanded clay, gravel, 250 kg / m3	0,1	0,11	0,12
Expanded clay, gravel, 300 kg / m3	0,108	0,12	0,13
Expanded clay, gravel, 350 kg / m3	0,115-0,12	0,125	0,14
Expanded clay, gravel, 400 kg / m3	0,12	0,13	0,145
Expanded clay, gravel, 450 kg / m3	0,13	0,14	0,155
Expanded clay, gravel, 500 kg / m3	0,14	0,15	0,165
Expanded clay, gravel, 600 kg / m3	0,14	0,17	0,19
Expanded clay, gravel, 800 kg / m3	0,18
Gypsum boards, 1100 kg / m3	0,35	0,50	0,56
Gypsum boards, 1350 kg / m3	0,23	0,35	0,41
Clay, 1600-2900 kg / m3	0,7-0,9
Refractory clay, 1800 kg / m3	1,4
Expanded clay, 200-800 kg / m3	0,1-0,18
Expanded clay concrete on quartz sand with porization, 800-1200 kg / m3	0,23-0,41
Expanded clay concrete, 500-1800 kg / m3	0,16-0,66
Expanded clay concrete on perlite sand, 800-1000 kg / m3	0,22-0,28
Clinker bricks, 1800 - 2000 kg / m3	0,8-0,16
Ceramic facing bricks, 1800 kg / m3	0,93
Medium density rubble masonry, 2000 kg / m3	1,35
Plasterboard sheets, 800 kg / m3	0,15	0,19	0,21
Plasterboard sheets, 1050 kg / m3	0,15	0,34	0,36
Plywood, glued	0,12	0,15	0,18
Fiberboard, chipboard, 200 kg / m3	0,06	0,07	0,08
Fiberboard, chipboard, 400 kg / m3	0,08	0,11	0,13
Fiberboard, chipboard, 600 kg / m3	0,11	0,13	0,16
Fiberboard, chipboard, 800 kg / m3	0,13	0,19	0,23
Fiberboard, chipboard, 1000 kg / m3	0,15	0,23	0,29
Linoleum PVC on a heat-insulating basis, 1600 kg / m3	0,33
Linoleum PVC on a heat-insulating basis, 1800 kg / m3	0,38
PVC linoleum on a fabric basis, 1400 kg / m3	0,2	0,29	0,29
PVC linoleum on a fabric basis, 1600 kg / m3	0,29	0,35	0,35
PVC linoleum on a fabric basis, 1800 kg / m3	0,35
Asbestos-cement flat sheets, 1600-1800 kg / m3	0,23-0,35
Carpet, 630 kg / m3	0,2
Polycarbonate (sheets), 1200 kg / m3	0,16
Polystyrene concrete, 200-500 kg / m3	0,075-0,085
Shell rock, 1000-1800 kg / m3	0,27-0,63
Fiberglass, 1800 kg / m3	0,23
Concrete tiles, 2100 kg / m3	1,1
Ceramic tile, 1900 kg / m3	0,85
PVC roof tile, 2000 kg / m3	0,85
Lime plaster, 1600 kg / m3	0,7
Cement-sand plaster, 1800 kg / m3	1,2

Wood is one of the building materials with a relatively low thermal conductivity. The table provides approximate data on different breeds... When buying, be sure to look at the density and thermal conductivity coefficient. Not all of them are the same as prescribed in the regulatory documents.

Name	Coefficient of thermal conductivity
	Dry	At normal humidity	With high humidity
Pine, spruce across the grain	0,09	0,14	0,18
Pine, spruce along the grain	0,18	0,29	0,35
Oak along the grain	0,23	0,35	0,41
Oak across the grain	0,10	0,18	0,23
Corkwood	0,035
Birch tree	0,15
Cedar	0,095
Natural rubber	0,18
Maple	0,19
Linden (15% moisture)	0,15
Larch	0,13
Sawdust	0,07-0,093
Tow	0,05
Oak parquet	0,42
Piece parquet	0,23
Panel parquet	0,17
Fir	0,1-0,26
Poplar	0,17

Metals conduct heat very well. They are often the cold bridge in the structure. And this must also be taken into account, to exclude direct contact using heat-insulating layers and gaskets, which are called thermal rupture. The thermal conductivity of metals is summarized in another table.

Name	Coefficient of thermal conductivity		Name	Coefficient of thermal conductivity
Bronze	22-105		Aluminum	202-236
Copper	282-390		Brass	97-111
Silver	429		Iron	92
Tin	67		Steel	47
Gold	318

How to calculate wall thickness

In order for the house to be warm in winter and cool in summer, it is necessary that the enclosing structures (walls, floor, ceiling / roof) must have a certain thermal resistance. This value is different for each region. It depends on the average temperatures and humidity in a particular area.

Thermal resistance of enclosing
structures for the regions of Russia

In order for heating bills not to be too large, building materials and their thickness must be selected so that their total thermal resistance is not less than that indicated in the table.

Calculation of wall thickness, insulation thickness, finishing layers

For modern construction, a situation is typical when the wall has several layers. Besides supporting structure there is insulation, finishing materials. Each of the layers has its own thickness. How to determine the thickness of the insulation? The calculation is simple. Based on the formula:

R is thermal resistance;

p is the layer thickness in meters;

k - coefficient of thermal conductivity.

First, you need to decide on the materials that you will use in the construction. Moreover, you need to know exactly what kind of wall material, insulation, decoration, etc. After all, each of them makes its own contribution to thermal insulation, and the thermal conductivity of building materials is taken into account in the calculation.

First, the thermal resistance of the structural material is considered (from which the wall, floor, etc. will be built), then the thickness of the selected insulation is selected "according to the residual" principle. You can also take into account the thermal insulation characteristics of finishing materials, but usually they are a "plus" to the main ones. This is how a certain stock is laid "just in case." This reserve allows you to save on heating, which subsequently has a positive effect on the budget.

An example of calculating the thickness of insulation

Let's take an example. We are going to build a brick wall - one and a half bricks, we will insulate it with mineral wool. According to the table, the thermal resistance of the walls for the region should be at least 3.5. The calculation for this situation is shown below.

If the budget is limited, you can take 10 cm of mineral wool, and the missing will be covered finishing materials... They will be inside and out. But if you want your heating bills to be minimal, better finish start up "plus" to the calculated value. This is your reserve for the time of the lowest temperatures, since the norms of thermal resistance for enclosing structures are calculated based on the average temperature over several years, and winters are abnormally cold. Therefore, the thermal conductivity of the building materials used for decoration is simply not taken into account.

Yes, in our country, unlike countries with hot climates, there are fierce winters. That is why you need to build from warm materials using special heaters. Otherwise, all the expensive heat from boilers and stoves will go through walls and other ceilings.

We need to know exactly which of the modern popular materials for insulation are the most effective.

What is thermal conductivity?

Thermal conductivity can be described as heat transfer process before thermal equilibrium occurs. The temperature, one way or another, will be leveled, the only question is the speed of this process. If we apply this concept to a home, it is clear that the longer the temperature inside the building equalizes with the outside, the better. Simply put, how quickly the house cools down is a matter of what the thermal conductivity of its walls is.

In numerical form, this indicator is characterized by thermal conductivity coefficient... It shows how much heat per unit of time passes through a unit of surface. The higher this coefficient of the material, the faster it conducts heat.

The thermal conductivity of heaters is the most informative indicator, and the lower it is, the more efficiently the material retains heat (or coolness on hot days). But there are other indicators that affect the choice of insulation.

Thermal conductivity table of heaters

The table shows data on the most widely used heaters that are used in private construction: mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam and polystyrene foam. Comparative data for other species are also provided.

Thermal conductivity table of heaters

Insulation	Thermal conductivity, W / (m * C)	Density, kg / m 3	Water vapor permeability, mg / (m * h * Pa)	«+»	«-»	Combustible.
Polyurethane foam	0,023	32	0,0-0,05	2.Seamless installation with foam; 3.Long-term; 4.Best thermal and waterproofing	1. inexpensive 2. Not resistant to UV radiation	Self-extinguishing
	0,029	40
	0,035	60
	0,041	80
Expanded polystyrene (foam)	0,038	40	0,013-0,05	1.Excellent insulates; 2. Cheap; 3. Moisture proof	1. Fragile; 2. Does not "breathe" and forms condensation
	0,041	100
	0,05	150
Extruded polystyrene foam	0,031	33	0,013	1.Very low thermal conductivity; 3. Waterproof; 4.Compression resistant; 5. Does not rot or mold; 6. Operation from -50 ° С to + 75 ° С; 7.Convenient to install.	1. Much more expensive than polystyrene; 2. Susceptible to organic solvents; 3. Low vapor permeability, condensation forms.	G1 for brands with antifoam additives, others G3 and G4. Fire resistance and self-extinguishing
Mineral (basalt) wool	0,048	50	0,49-0,6	1.Good vapor permeability - "breathes"; 2.Resists fungi; 3.Soundproofing; 4.High thermal insulation; 5. Mechanical strength; 6.Does not crumble	1.Inexpensive	Refractory
	0,056	100
	0,07	200
Fiberglass (glass wool)	0,041-0,044	155-200	0,5	1.Low thermal conductivity; 2.During fires does not emit toxic substances	1. Over time, thermal insulation decreases; 2.Mold may appear; 3. Problematic installation: the fibers fall off and harm the skin, eyes; 4. Low vapor permeability, condensation forms.	Does not burn
PVC foam	0,052	125	0,023	1.Rigid and easy to install	1. Short-lived; 2.Poor vapor permeability and condensation	G3 and G4. Fire resistance and self-extinguishing
Sawdust	0,07-0,18	230	-	1. Cheapness; 2.Environmental friendliness	1. To deteriorate and rot; 2.Thermal insulation properties drop at high humidity	Fire hazard

Comparing "+" and "-" will help determine which insulation to choose for specific purposes.

Useful indicators of insulation

What are the main indicators you need to pay attention to when choosing a heater:

Who is the warmest in the world?

The purpose of such a thorough study of insulation is one - to find out which one is the best. However, this is a double-edged sword, as materials with high thermal insulation may have other undesirable characteristics.

Polyurethane foam or extruded polystyrene foam

It is easy to determine from the table that the champion in thermal insulation is polyurethane foam... But its price is much higher than that of polystyrene or foam. This is because it has two of the most demanded qualities in construction: incombustibility and water-repellent properties. It's hard to set it on fire, so fire safety such insulation is high, moreover, he is not afraid to get wet.

But polyurethane foam has a real alternative - extruded polystyrene foam. In fact, this is the same foam, but it has undergone additional processing - extrusion, which has improved it. It is a material with a uniform structure and closed cells, which is presented in the form of sheets of different thicknesses. It differs from ordinary foam by enhanced strength and ability to withstand mechanical pressure. That is why it can be called a worthy competitor to polyurethane foam. The only drawback of installing individual plates is the seams, which are successfully sealed with polyurethane foam.

And what is more convenient for you to use - liquid insulation from a spray can or plates, it's up to you to choose. But remember that these materials do not "breathe" and can form the effect of misted windows, so that all insulation can leave the window during ventilation. Therefore, it is necessary to insulate with such materials reasonably.

Mineral wool or foam

If we compare mineral wool and polystyrene, then their thermal conductivity is at the same level ≈ 0.5. Therefore, choosing between these materials, it would be nice to evaluate other qualities, such as permeability. So, the installation of cotton wool in places with possible wetting is undesirable, since it loses its thermal insulation properties by 50% when wet by 20%. On the other hand, cotton wool "breathes" and lets in steam, so no condensation will form... In the house, which is insulated with basalt fiber wool, the windows will not fog up. And cotton wool, unlike foam, does not burn.

Other heaters

Eco-friendly materials such as sawdust are now very popular, which are mixed with clay and used for walls. However, a material as pleasant at a price as sawdust has many disadvantages: it burns, gets wet and rots. Not to mention the fact that by gaining moisture, sawdust loses its insulating properties.

Also, cheap and environmentally friendly foam glass is gaining popularity, which can be used only without loads, since it is very fragile.

Choosing insulation

Energy prices are rising, and at the same time, the popularity of insulation is growing. Our article presents a table of thermal conductivity of materials for insulation and comparative analysis popular types of insulation. The main thing I would like to note is that you will get good performance by purchasing only a high-quality certified product. The choice of thermal insulation materials on the market is very wide and one type of insulation is offered by more than five manufacturers. Many of them may disappoint you with their quality, so be guided by the reviews of those who have tested specific brands on their own skin.

Today in this article we will consider the current issue of the service life of heaters in the table.

As a rule, houses, buildings and other structures are insulated for a long time, therefore materials are needed as reliably and of high quality as possible. Many believe that various kinds of insulation do not last more than 30 years. Taking into account that the wall, which is insulated, costs about 100 years, we come to the conclusion that during this time the procedure must be done 2-3 times. If you calculate the cost of such an upgrade, then it may be far from pleasing.

As with everything, it is believed that the service life of the insulation depends on its cost and quality. Manufacturers of the inexpensive substance claim that it can last at least 50 years. In practice, this figure is not confirmed by anything, therefore, in the footnotes, they write that today there is no standard operating time for heaters.

Also, what matters is what the material is made of. Experts confirm that man-made fibers cannot be guaranteed for more than 35 years, during which time they dry out and deteriorate. But most importantly, they lose half of their heat-saving properties.

While natural fibers do not lose their original qualities and can last for a longer period, according to the regulatory recommendations, after completion of construction, every house must undergo an energy audit. Such checks should be carried out every 25 years in order to assess the level of heat-saving properties at the moment. But since we are unable to find out the exact figures due to the verification, we use the data that come to us from Europe.

Comparative characteristics of the service life of heaters table

There are many types of heaters, but today we will consider in detail the most budgetary and reliable options. These include:

Mineral wool. Basal wool. Styrofoam.

Name Service life Mineral wool 25-40 years Basal wool 40-50 years Foam polystyrene 30-50 years Polyurethane foam 20-50 years Foam glass 80-100 years

The first type is called stone. It has a fairly high level of quality, since it is made from basalt stone. Its cost is much higher, but the quality and the period of validity meet expectations.

According to statistics, mineral wool is used most of all in construction. The service life is about 50 years. But this figure is still contested, and it has several nuances. There are currently two types of mineral wool.

The second is slag. This means that water practically cannot penetrate into it, and the material itself is quite dense. Accordingly, it is made from slags from the metallurgical industry and is significantly inferior to the previous one in terms of price, quality, and service life.

In addition, it is not resistant to sudden changes in temperature and can deform after a certain time. Despite this, it is often used as the best option in case the building is temporary or less significant. Of course, for structures of a larger scale, it is recommended to use stone wool. It may be more expensive, but when it comes to safety and quality, there can be no question of savings. It is worth noting that this substance has two important advantages: Non-flammability. You do not need to worry that the material is not subject to fire from metal tiles, which in extreme heat can heat up to high rates.

And also other effects of high temperatures will not become a threat to the insulation, and, accordingly, to you. Isover has the ability to "breathe", which is also important. The material easily passes all the vapors through itself, but at the same time they do not accumulate inside. This property makes mineral wool environmentally friendly, and in combination with thermal insulation, this is a huge plus.

In addition, additional treatment from condensation is not required. Basal wool is not inferior in the duration of the period of action of the previous substance. Manufacturers give a guarantee for over 50 years. A very long time ago, insulation made of fibrous material began to be used in construction, but its peak is in the last couple of decades.

This was due to intensive construction country housesand the rise in heating prices. It is there that the material is very popular. Over time, the quality of basal wool has improved significantly. Now it is an environmentally friendly and safe product.

Of the main advantages, several aspects can be distinguished: Fire safety. The material is easily able to withstand high temperatures without losing its properties. Low hydrophobicity. The substance repels moisture, which significantly increases the service life of insulation. Compressibility. Basal wool is very resistant and does not undergo deformation. Chemical resistance.

Decay, fungus, rodents, mold and harmful microorganisms will no longer be a threat to your home. Despite the coincidence, the materials are of excellent quality, do not deform or crumble. The substances are used everywhere and have many positive reviews. With such insulation, your walls can stand for over 100 years.

The service life of polystyrene as insulation

Another commonly used insulation material is polystyrene foam. It is generally accepted that the shelf life of expanded polystyrene reaches several decades.

Manufacturers give a guarantee for material durability for 50 years. However, with the correct insulation procedure, this period can be doubled. This is one of the main reasons it is so popular.

It should be borne in mind that there are several types of insulation made of foam:

Polystyrene. A material that is made in the form of foam rubber. Suitable for protecting a room from the inside.

It has very high performance characteristics. Polyvinyl chloride substances are very elastic. They have a very high resistance rate. Polyurethane foam. It is considered to be a hardy thermal insulation that will last quite a long time, quickly hardens, forming a very strong protection that can withstand many external influences.

Based on the above materials, we can conclude that the service life of the foam is very long and fully meets expectations.

Today, manufacturers of thermal insulation materials offer developers a really huge selection of materials.

At the same time, everyone assures us that it is his insulation that is ideal for house insulation. Due to such a variety of building materials, it is really quite difficult to make the right decision in favor of a particular material. In this article, we decided to compare heaters in terms of thermal conductivity and other equally important characteristics.

It is worth first talking about the main characteristics of thermal insulation, which you need to pay attention to when buying. Comparison of heaters by characteristics should be done with their purpose in mind. For example, despite the fact that XPS extrusion is stronger than mineral wool, but near an open fire or at high operating temperatures, it is worth buying a fire-resistant insulation for your own safety.

Comparison of heaters by characteristics

Thermal conductivity. The lower this indicator for a material, the less it will be necessary to lay a layer of insulation, which means that the cost of purchasing materials will be reduced (if the cost of materials is in the same price range). The thinner the layer of insulation, the less space will be "eaten up".

Heat loss of a private house through structures

Moisture permeability. Low moisture and vapor permeability increases the term of use of thermal insulation and reduces the negative effect of moisture on the thermal conductivity of the insulation during subsequent operation, but at the same time, the risk of condensation on the structure in case of poor ventilation increases.

Fire safety. If the insulation is used in a bath or in a boiler room, then the material should not support combustion, but, on the contrary, should withstand high temperatures. But if you insulate the strip foundation or the blind area of \u200b\u200bthe house, then the characteristics of moisture resistance and strength come to the fore.

Economy and ease of installation. Insulation must be affordable, otherwise it will be simply inappropriate to insulate the house. It is also important that the brick facade of the house could be insulated on its own, without the help of specialists or using expensive installation equipment.

Characteristics of expanded clay fraction 20-40 mm

Environmental friendliness. All materials for construction must be safe for humans and the environment. Let's not forget to mention good sound insulation, which is very important for cities where it is important to protect their homes from noise from the street.

What characteristics are important when choosing a heater? What to look for and ask the seller?

Is it only thermal conductivity that matters when buying insulation, or are there other parameters that should be considered? And a bunch of similar questions come to mind of a developer when it comes time to choose a heater. Let's pay attention in the review to the most popular types of thermal insulation.

Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene)

Polyfoam is the most popular insulation today, due to its ease of installation and low cost.

It is made by foaming polystyrene, has low thermal conductivity, is easy to cut and is convenient for installation. However, the material is fragile and fire hazardous; when burning, the foam emits harmful, toxic substances. Expanded polystyrene is preferable to use in non-residential premises.

Penoplex insulation of the blind area and the basement of the house

Extruded polystyrene foam

Extrusion is not subject to moisture and decay, it is a very durable and easy-to-install insulation.

Technoplex slabs have high strength and compression resistance, do not undergo decomposition. Due to their technical characteristics, technoplexes are used to insulate the blind area and foundation of buildings. Extruded polystyrene foam is durable and easy to use.

Basalt (mineral) wool

Insulation is produced from rocks, by melting and blowing them to obtain a fibrous structure.

Rocklight basalt wool withstands high temperatures, does not burn and does not cake over time. The material is environmentally friendly, has good sound insulation and thermal insulation. Manufacturers recommend using mineral wool for insulation of the attic and other living quarters.

Roof insulation with Rocklight TechnoNICOL mineral wool

Fiberglass (glass wool)

At the word glass wool, many people have an association with Soviet material, but modern materials based on fiberglass do not irritate the skin. A common disadvantage of mineral wool and fiberglass is low moisture resistance, which requires a reliable moisture and vapor barrier device when installing a heater. The material is not recommended for use in wet rooms.

Foamed polyethylene

This insulation roll has a porous structure; various thicknesses are often produced with an additional layer of foil for a reflective effect. Izolon and foam foamed has a thickness 10 times thinner than traditional insulation, but retains up to 97% of heat. The material does not allow moisture to pass through, has a low thermal conductivity due to its porous structure and does not emit harmful substances.

Insulation of the strip foundation outside the PPU

Sprayed thermal insulation

Sprayed thermal insulation includes PPU (polyurethane foam) and Ecotermix. The main disadvantages of these heaters include the need for special equipment for their application. At the same time, the sprayed thermal insulation creates a solid, continuous coating on the structure without cold bridges, while the structure will be protected from moisture, since the PU foam is a moisture-proof material.

Comparison of heaters. Thermal conductivity table

Comparison of heaters by thermal conductivity

A complete picture of what kind of insulation should be used in this or that case is given by the table of thermal conductivity of thermal insulation. You just have to correlate the data from this table with the cost of insulation from different manufacturers and suppliers, and also consider the possibility of using it in specific conditions (insulation of the roof of a house, strip foundation, boiler room, chimney, etc.). (4.33 out of 5) )Loading…

When building a new home or overhaul the question arises about the choice the best way insulation. In order that after the end of the work there is no feeling of bitter regret about wasted money and time, the option of thermal insulation must be selected based on its characteristics, main advantages and disadvantages.

When designing a house, you must also think about its thermal insulation.

What requirements should a high-quality insulation for a home meet?

On the modern construction market, there is a huge variety of materials for insulation. They are divided into insulation for walls, floors, roofs, doors, quality. The widespread opinion that the main criterion for choosing a given building material is density is erroneous.

The average density of thermal insulation materials is quite low in comparison with most building materials, since a significant volume is occupied by pores. The density of modern heaters is in the range from 17 to 400 kg / m 3.

The table of the effectiveness of the use of insulation.

It is taken into account when comparing the characteristics of heaters intended for thermal insulation of floors, foundations and external cladding, for which a finishing and decorative additional protective layer is not provided. In addition, this characteristic influences the choice of the supporting structure and the method of fastening. Everything various materials can have the same density, but have different thermal conductivity.

An important indicator that should influence the choice is water absorption.

The room itself and the walls of both an ordinary and a wooden house always contain a certain amount of moisture, which can condense and adversely affect the quality of thermal insulation. Sorption humidity is a characteristic showing the limiting mass volume of moisture in a building material, absorbed from the atmospheric layer or home air. Especially the water absorption coefficient is important when choosing a heater designed for rooms with high humidity (bathroom, toilet, bath and sauna).

This indicator must be taken into account when performing external thermal insulation of buildings located in swampy areas or with a high occurrence of groundwater. For example, extruded polystyrene foam is different high density, but at the same time low water absorption. The water absorption of mineral wool and fiberglass heat-insulating materials can be significantly reduced by their hydrophobization, for example, by introducing organosilicon additives.

High-quality insulation materials always have good sound insulation.

Characteristics of mineral wool.

The durability of the coating structure is also influenced by the chemical resistance of the heat-insulating material (this, as a rule, should be taken into account when choosing materials for the insulation of the coatings of industrial buildings) and its biological resistance.

It is also worth considering such physical properties as:

Water vapor permeability. This parameter becomes important when installing energy-saving cladding in houses with high humidity and when insulating the roof; Air permeability.

The characteristic takes on significance if the insulating material will be mounted in several layers, and especially with thermal insulation inside the room (walls, floor and ceiling) and the balcony. It must be taken into account if the insulating cladding does not provide for a decorative and protective finish. This rule is regulated by the fire safety instructions.