Technology insulation expanded polystyrene

Polystyrene foam is one of the most popular insulation used at all stages of private construction: for the foundation, base, walls, roofs, etc. Low thermal conductivity, low weight, durability and low cost - not all the advantages that this material possesses. In today's article, we will tell about the technology of insulation polystyrene foam with their own hands.

A brief overview of the characteristics

The foam or polystyrene foam is obtained from a polymer mass, which is exposed to water vapor under high pressure. As a result, polymer granules increase ten times, and the foam material is obtained. In fact, it is millions of air bubbles concluded in the finest polystyrene shells, which account for only 2-3% of the total material. Polystyrene foam is a solid and sufficiently durable foam, created by one goal - to hold heat in the room.

The main characteristics of polystyrene foam:

1. Healing - mineral wool is the main competitor to polystyrene foam, but if you compare the indicators of their thermal conductivity, it becomes clear that the Ministry of Service loses significantly. At the same time, the level of thermal conductivity of expanded polystyrene can be varied, choosing material of different density - the denser the structure, the higher the thermal conductivity.
2. Parry permeability - in conventional polyfoam zero permeability, since dense polystyrene shells of air bubbles are not able to pass wet evaporation. The extruded polystyrene foam differs from the usual, since the cutting method is used to form it, which means steam can be closed inside through cuts.
3. Water absorption - the situation with moisture absorption is somewhat different. The usual polystyrene foam immersed in water absorbs 10 times more water than a dense extruded polystyrene foam. For this reason, the extruded polystyrene was recommended for the outer decoration of the houses. In order for the foam to serve for a long time and continued to retain heat, it needs to be protected from wetting.
4. Strength is the extruded polystyrene foam in tens of times more than normal, since it has a more dense structure, and accordingly, tightly the connection between molecules. The bending strength is from 0.4 to 1 kg / cm² while in conventional expanded polystyrene, it is equal to 0.02-0.2 kg / cm².
5. Soundproofing - many foam sellers argue that it is equally well protected from the cold, and from noise, but it is not true. Air bubbles are capable only to a little degree of impact shock noise and only if the foam will be laid with a thick layer and in compliance with technology. With air noise, which usually deliver to us discomfort, cannot cope with the foam.
6. Environmentally friendly - It is believed that insulation of expanded polystyrene from the inside, and in general, the use of this material in the construction of a residential building will affect human health and the environment. In environmental terms, expanded foam is safe, however there are several reservations. First, the material is oxidized in the outdoor, which is particularly quickly happening with the usual non-stored foam. During oxidation into the atmosphere, toxic substances are distinguished: toluene, formaldehyde, acetophenone, ethylbenzene, methyl alcohol, etc. That is why after laying a foam insulation, you need to immediately shut off with insulation and trim.
7. Flavoring - if you look at the advertising of polystyrene foam in the construction market, it can be noted that many manufacturers make focus on the fact that their products in the fire safety plan are harmless wood. In fact, a smaller temperature is needed to fire a tree than to fire expanded polystyrene. But before to light up it will melt and at the same time allocate toxic smoke. If the manufacturer assures that its polystyrene foam is able to spill himself, do not believe. To make sure that such a statement is sufficient to familiarize themselves with the Russian GOST 30244-94, which states that polystyrene foams belong to the group of the most dangerous materials on the combustible - G3 and G4.
   Many manufacturers, presenting their products, use European combustibility definition standards for biological, chemical and comprehensive characteristics. Therefore, it turns out that the most dangerous and easily flammable material is a tree. The toxicity of polystyrene was determined approximately because there is no possibility of accurately compare the products of the combustion of foam and wood. As for a comprehensive check, which can provide reliable information about products, then it simply does not include in the overall list of technical specifications. The consumer receives only part of the information, that is, inaccurate chemical characteristics and foggy biological analysis. It is also worth considering that over time, any foam, even with anti-view additives, literally ages and loses its qualitative indicators, including the gramificence class (becomes more susceptible to fire).
   
8. Durability - this indicator depends on the set of factors, ranging from the quality of the material itself, ending with operational conditions and climate. An important role is played by the compliance with the installation technology and the use of suitable adhesive and protective mixtures. If the insulation of the walls of the polystyrene foam is produced in all the rules, the material is guaranteed to last 25-30 years.

How to choose expanded polystyrene

The most important mistake when choosing polystyrene foam for insulation is the wrong calculation of the thickness of the plates. Many think that the thickness of the insulation, the better, but not much that it leads to an increase in cash spending, it also reduces the service life of the insulation itself and walls.

Polyfoam is one of the cheapest insulation, with the stacking of which you can cope without professional skills. That is why the demand for it is so great, and since the demand gives rise to a proposal, the varieties of polystyrene foam is very, if not to say too much. The unfair person immediately confused in such a variety, and nothing will remain anything but to trust the sales consultant. Many manufacturers play a deftly on this, promoting not what suitable specifically in your case, but what needs to be sold. Therefore, before you go beyond the foam, spend a detailed analysis: what you will warm up for what purposes, the features of the climate in your region, financial capabilities, etc.

If you need to insulate the walls of the house outside, choose PSB polystyrene foam with not lower than 40 stamps. If you see the marking of 25 or less on the marking, such material is unsuitable for any construction work. After determining the brand, select the density of the material - for PSB-C40, it can vary from 28 to 40 kg / m³. Be sure to pay attention to the density, and not only on the brand!

Useful advice: If you are assured that the density of the selected polystyrene foam is not lower than 35 kg / m³, specify how it was produced. The usual method allows to obtain a foam density with no more than 17 kg / m³, while more qualitative material can be made only by the extrusion method (strong pressure).

Finally, break a small piece from the corner of polystyrene - if the edge breaks unevenly, and small balls on the break will be visible, it means the quality of the product is low. High-quality extruded expanded polystyrene is shaken smoothly, and on the break you will see the right polyhedra.

Features of insulation expanded polystyrene

Despite many complaints about expanded polystyrene, he remains the most popular insulation for many years. There are more reasons for this than complaints: it is cheap, easily cuts, easily mounted, it serves a long time and keeps warm well. However, the main thing is what you need to remember when insulation - as soon as possible to close the polystyrene foam insulation to protect it from direct sunlight and oxidation. To do this, use special plastering mixtures on a mineral base for an outer finish and drywall - for the internal. Next, we will tell how to use polystyrene foam for insulation of the main parts of the house.

Warming of the foundation and base

Since the construction of any home begins with the foundation, consider the technology of its insulation in the first place. If you insulate the foundation, then instantly increase the thermal insulation indicators of the whole house, and also prevent the freezing of the soil. This means that you will need less money, forces and time to warm the walls and roofs, and the foundation itself will last longer, because it will not be freeze annually and dishona.

Technology of insulation of the foundation by polystyrene foam:

1. It is possible to warm the foundation at the stage of building a house and even after putting it into operation. In the second case, the foundation needs to completely dig up all over the perimeter, clean from dirt, rust and any stains. If on the outer walls there are residues of rolled waterproofing, they must be removed. To insulate the foundation, like the walls, you can and outside, and from the inside, but the specialists are all as one advise it to do it outside.
2. For insulation of the foundation and base, it is better to use extruded polystyrene foam, given when choosing its density and calculated thickness. The density should be at least 35 kg / m³.
3. Before attaching polystyrene foam, it is necessary to make waterproofing the outer walls of the foundation. For this, any materials are suitable with the exception of bitumen mastic on organic solvents, since it will quickly destroy it during contact with expansion. If you want to use masts, choose a mixture on aqueous or polymer basis.
4. Now you can attach polystyrene foam plates. Use for this special glue, designed exclusively for expanded polystyrene. Apply it all over the perimeter and a pair of lanes in the center, wait a minute so that it is forged and tightly pressing the wall for 2-3 minutes. Machine the plates in the level to prevent breakage at the points of the connections. If you are going to lay a polystyrene foam in two layers, secure the sheets of the second layer so that their seams are shifted in relation to the seams of the lower layer on half the plate (stacking of seams). The slots remaining after fixing the plates fill in the mounting foam.
5. Even extruded polystyrene foam does not have high mechanical strength and are subject to various damage, including damage to rodents. For this reason, after laying the plates from above, you need to attach the reinforcing grid or wooden shields. Fix them with dowels around the perimeter of the foundation to the height of its backfill. If you use the mesh, you need to apply cement plaster with waterproofing additives.
6. If you insulate the foundation of the house located on a wet soil with a high level of groundwater running, you need to make drainage. To do this, over the entire perimeter, the perforated pipe is installed, laying it on the powder from sand and crushed stone. Fall as a foundation in this case you need sand or soft soil.
7. For the insulation of the base, the plates were first glued to the prepared base on the prepared base, and after 1-2 days, when the glue will freeze, increase the fixation of umbrella dowels. Each plate must be strengthened with 3-5 such dowels. To reduce the number of fasteners, umbrellas can be installed in the joints between the stoves. To protect the polystyrene foam from atmospheric and mechanical effects on it, it is necessary to put the painting mesh and attach the surface with the mineral mixture. After that, you can move to the decorative facing.

Despite popular practice, the foundation of the foam is better not to warm up - this is not entirely suitable for such operational loads. Experts recommend replacing expanded polystyrene with more durable analogues: penplex or polyurethane foam.

Wall insulation

Many mistakenly believe that there is no difference between the insulation of the walls outside and from the inside, moreover, it is much easier to warm the walls from the inside, because you can do it at any time of the year and do without equipment for high-altitude work. However, in fact, everything is exactly the opposite - experts recommend not to insulate the walls from the inside without extreme necessity. And the need can only occur if the house represents architectural or historical value, or if the insulation of the facades of the polystyrene foam is impossible for technical reasons.

What problems arise with internal wall insulation:

1. The dew point is a place where the cold temperature from the street faces the warmth, which comes from the inside of the house - moves inside the room into the space between the insulation and the wall. As a result, dampness accumulates there, the mold is developing, the mold is destroyed.
2. Since the Wall gradually collapsing from moisture, the service life of the building itself is also reduced several times.
3. Inside the room, the walls of which are insulated from the inside, there is a constantly increased humidity, and if you do not provide additional ventilation of the rooms, interior decoration and furniture will also begin to deteriorate. Moreover, due to changes in the internal climate, the health of residents will suffer.
4. For the insulation of walls, the layer of thermal insulation should be thicker than for external work. This leads to an increase in costs and reducing the useful internal space.

All these factors in the amount lead to the rapid destruction of the walls of the house and discomfort, and therefore it is better to immediately insulate the polystyrene foam outside. More useful information about this you will find in the article. "The insulation of the facade of the house with foam".

Floor insulation

Even if you were insulated the foundation and base, it does not mean that the heat insulation can be neglected. Especially acute this issue is worthwhile for tenants of the first floors of multi-storey buildings and owners of private houses. Floor insulation polystyrene foam makes it possible to significantly reduce heating costs, and will also eliminate the causes of "household" diseases associated with supercooling.

If you work with the floor on the lags, it is better to use PSB-C15 expanded polystyrene foam for insulation, since the main load will not be on them, but on lags. Power for thermal insulation of floors on the first floors requires 10 cm, and for inter-storey floors - 5 cm.

For insulation of concrete coatings, a more durable polystyrene was needed from the PSB-C35 and higher. First spend coarse alignment with plates of different power, but experts advise before insulating to make an aligning screed. Before laying the insulation plates to the floor put a waterproofing film. The polystyrene foam is coated 2 cm with a layer of cement mortar, in which the reinforcing mesh is bleated, after which they make a 1-8 cm thick with a thickness of 5-8 cm. The technological gaps around the perimeter are filled with fiberglass or mounting foam.

Warming Mansarda

Recently, many began to remove the attics to cozy attic, thereby increasing the useful living area of \u200b\u200bthe house. But so that there is truly warm and comfortable, the walls and the ceiling need to warm up well. In this case, there is no particularly strong load on the surface, but the insulation is exposed to other. Since the attic is under the roof, all warm air from the house rises exactly there, and if you do not create a serious barrier for him, he will just leave the house, and you will spend a lot of money for heating. For the same reason, on the attic always for several degrees warmer than on the lower floors of the house.

The ceiling on the attic is more subject to condensate, rather than other overlaps in the house, so it needs not only to warm up well, but also take care of vaporizolation and ventilation.

Mansard insulation is a polystyrene focus on more stringent requirements. This topic is considered in more detail in the article. "Warming roof by foam".

Below on video - insulation expanded polystyrethic of the mansard premises:

The polystyrene foam can serve as an excellent help for creating a warm house for many years, but only if you carefully examine all aspects of its use.