Penoplex is an extruded form of polystyrene foam. An improved version of polystyrene foam is produced by extruding polystyrene and special additives. In order not to get confused among the variety of types and to choose the best option for thermal insulation of a house from the inside and outside, you need to familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics, scope and installation technology of each type, study weak sides and reveal all the advantages of penoplex.

To understand the operating principle and effectiveness thermal insulation material, you need to know its structure, properties, positive and negative sides.

Penoplex - a new generation of thermal insulation material

Production and composition of insulation

The penoplex manufacturing process consists of the following stages:

1. Expanded polystyrene granules are placed in an extruder, where they are heated to a temperature of 130-140°C.
2. Porophors - foaming additives - are introduced into the mass.
3. Thick foam is squeezed out of the extruder, enters a conveyor and is cut into sheets of a given size.

Composition of porophors as part of penoplex

The composition of penoplex, in addition to polystyrene foam and foaming agents, includes:

• antioxidants – prevent thermal oxidation during processing and prevent destruction when using insulation;
• flame retardants - reduce the flammability of the material;
• antistatic agents, light stabilizers and modifiers protect against the harmful effects of the external environment.

Specifications penoplex

Properties of extruded polystyrene

Evaluation of the technical characteristics of penoplex is the basis for making a decision on the use of one or another type of insulation.

Based on the digital indicators, we can conclude that penoplex is an effective thermal insulation material. However, for objectivity, it is worth considering its properties in more detail:

1. Minimal water absorption is one of the main qualities of insulation. Water can penetrate only into damaged external cells that were deformed during installation. There is no access for water inside the material.
2. Low thermal conductivity. Due to its cellular structure and lack of water absorption, penoplex insulation has a low thermal conductivity coefficient. The combination of these qualities allows the material to be used for insulating roofs, foundations, and facades without an additional moisture-proof layer.
3. Resistance to water vapor. The vapor permeability of a 2 cm thick penoplex slab is equal to that of one layer of wall roofing material.
4. Resistant to compression and mechanical stress. Due to extrusion production technology, the smallest cells are distributed evenly, increasing the strength of the material. Under heavy loads, dents up to 1 mm deep may appear.
5. Ease and convenience of installation. Despite its low thermal conductivity, penoplex is lightweight. This quality makes it easier to climb to great heights and does not entail significant weighting of the structure.
6. Duration of operation. Most manufacturers provide a guarantee for extruded polystyrene foam for up to 50 years. It should be noted that this period is not exaggerated, since the material has undergone multiple tests (freezing, thawing and heating to high temperatures).
7. Additional advantages: good soundproofing qualities and low chemical activity.

Penoplex is light in weight and easy to handle

Standard sizes of penoplex are:

• length – 1200-2400 mm;
• width – 600 mm;
• thickness – 20-120 mm.

Combustion of extruded polystyrene foam

Weaknesses and disadvantages of insulation

Despite the wide range positive characteristics, penoplex also has some disadvantages:

1. High level of flammability (G3-G4) and smoke generation. The ability to self-extinguish depends on the quality of the material, the presence of fire retardants and the composition of the decorative fabric. After the fire ceases, the penoplex smokes acridly.
2. The production uses polymers that, when in contact with UV rays, change their characteristics and can emit toxic fumes. In view of this, external use of penoplex is considered optimal.
3. Some petroleum products and organic solvents deform the insulation, changing its structure. Such reagents include:
   • formaldehyde/formalin;
   • acetone/methyl ethyl ketone;
   • complex and simple ethyls;
   • benzene, xylene, toluene and similar hydrocarbons;
   • polyesters – hardeners epoxy resin;
   • oil paints;
   • kerosene, diesel fuel and gasoline.

Comparative characteristics parameters different insulation materials

Comparison with other thermal insulation materials

The effectiveness of insulation is primarily determined by its thermal conductivity. The lower this indicator, the more heat is retained indoors. The scope of application of thermal insulation material largely depends on its density and vapor permeability. Comparative characteristics of popular insulation materials are presented in table form.

As you can see, penoplex (extruded polystyrene foam) has average thermal conductivity, inferior in thermal insulation properties polyurethane foam, polyurethane mastic and roofing felt. Important advantage the use of “foam” means – there are no joining seams, like with slabs.

Interesting. To preserve heat, foam insulation made from foamed PVC paste is sometimes used. In addition to the thermal insulation function, the material also plays a decorative role. However, it does not tolerate humidity and temperature fluctuations well, so it is recommended for indoor use.

The thickness of insulation to ensure heat capacity

High heat capacity allows you to reduce the thickness of the insulation.

• Q – thickness of the wall structure, m;
• R – heat transfer resistance (depends on climate zone, the average value is 2.1 sq. m°C/W);
• Y – thermal conductivity of insulation, W/sq. m°C.

For example, when laying bricks minimum thickness the wall should be: 2.1 * 0.7 = 1.47 m. The same wall is made of polystyrene foam with a density of 30 kg / cubic meter. m will be thick: 2.1*0.036=0.076 m, or 76 mm.

Application area of ​​pressed heat insulator

The scope of application of extruded polystyrene foam is very wide:

• Foundation protection. Insulating the base of a building reduces the depth of soil freezing and increases service life waterproofing material.
• Thermal insulation of the basement. Installation of slabs is possible directly on gravel.
• Insulation of floors and ceilings. Penoplex sheets are easily mounted on a flat base, and there is minimal waste when cutting.
• Creation of an insulating layer of the roof, attic room and a balcony. These measures reduce home heating costs or office space.
• Insulating the outside of a house with penoplex is a popular way to reduce heat loss. You can complete the facade cladding yourself - the technology is quite simple and does not involve the use of expensive tools.

Technical characteristics of different brands

Principles for marking thermal insulation boards by density

Modern designation different types Penoplex is an alphanumeric code. The marking indicates the properties and purpose of the insulation.

Penoplex 31 and 31C - characterized by low strength and maximum density of 30.5 kg / cubic meter. m. The difference between the two categories is in the flammability class - the first option contains fire retardants that increase fire resistance. Insulation materials 31 and 31C provide thermal insulation of static structures: sewer pipes, engineering and heat-conducting systems.

According to GOST, penoplex 35 should have a density in the range of 28-38 kg/cu.m. m and compressive strength 83 kPa. Such indicators determine the versatility of the material. Type 35 is in demand for insulating walls, floors, pipelines and foundations. Plus - low fire.

Penoplex 45 and 45C have similar characteristics. High density allows its use in the construction of runways, highways, thermal insulation of foundations and floors in industrial and warehouse premises.

Parameters of Penoplex-Wall

Classification of insulation by purpose

Along with the marking described above, there is another system for designating different types of penoplex. It is simpler, and the name of the insulation indicates its scope of application.

Penoplex-Wall (series C) is mainly used for external insulation walls and when arranging plastered facades. Base finishing and internal partitions improves sound insulation and energy saving of the house.

Advice. When deciding which penoplex to choose for wall insulation, it is better to give preference to the C series material. Its characteristics are in many ways similar to extruded polystyrene foam grade 31C.

Characteristics of K series penoplex

Penoplex-Roofing (series K) is used as a thermal insulation layer roofing pie or insulation for attic floor. The density of the brand is 28-33 kg/cubic. m, so the material does not significantly weigh down rafter system.

Technical characteristics of Penoplex-Foundation series F are designed for insulation of the basement of a house and foundation. Suitable as a thermal insulation material for septic tanks where there is a risk of freezing of the body. Insulation materials of category F are used for upgrading garden paths on a sand-cement base.

Qualitative properties of Penoplex Foundation

Penoplex-Comfort is designed for internal and external home insulation work. It is considered universal and is in demand for thermal insulation of balconies, loggias, roofs and walls. Minimal water absorption makes it indispensable for insulating “damp” rooms.

The density of the Penoplex base of the Comfort series is in the range of 25-35 kg/cu. m, and the remaining parameters correspond to insulation category 31C.

Characteristics of Penoplex-Comfort

Features of installation in different areas of application

The specifics of working with penoplex depend on the purpose of the insulation and the upcoming conditions of its operation. Compliance with the scheme and technology for placing the thermal insulation layer helps to maximize the properties of extruded polystyrene foam.

Technology for insulating house walls from the inside

In itself, insulating the walls from the inside of the room is an undesirable process, which should be resorted to only if thermal insulation from the facade is impossible. Internal installation insulation has significant disadvantages:

• the point of condensation accumulation moves to the side into the thickness of the wall, and increased humidity leads to its destruction;
• effective area rooms are reduced;
• bearing structures remain unprotected from exposure to cold air.

Important! Penoplex is the best option to insulate the room from the inside. Mineral wool It has high level water absorption, and polystyrene foam is a fragile material that collapses under mechanical stress.

Negative Impact condensation on the wall

Thermal insulation algorithm from the inside:

1. Prepare the base:
   • take off old finishing;
   • fill cracks, clean from dirt and dust;
   • treat the surface with a primer.
2. Cut the penoplex and prepare glue solution.
3. Apply glue to the wall and insulation boards.
4. Glue the penoplex to the wall, check the evenness of the adjoining sheets in the door and window openings.
5. Additionally, secure the material with plastic dowels.
6. Plaster the walls.

When working, you must consider:

• optimal thickness penoplex for insulating walls from the inside - 3-5 cm;
• it is necessary to ensure normal air circulation in the room - install wall valves or air handling unit.

“Rolling in” the insulation with a needle roller

How to properly insulate a building from the outside

Technology for installing extruded polystyrene foam boards with outside at home is similar to the process described above. However, there are some nuances:

1. The recommended thickness of penoplex, according to SNiP 23-02-2003, is at least 12.4 cm.
2. To increase the adhesion of the insulation to the wall surface, the slabs must first be “rolled in” with a needle roller.
3. Installation of penoplex is carried out after installing window sills, ebbs and finishing slopes.
4. The support for the insulation is the base profile, which is selected in accordance with the thickness of the material.
5. The cladding is carried out with tile moisture-resistant adhesive, for example, Ceresit CT-83.
6. The final fastening with dowel umbrellas is carried out after the glue has hardened - after 3 days.
7. The joints between the sheets must be foamed.
8. When using two layers of insulation, the layout of the slabs is done in a checkerboard pattern.
9. A reinforcing mesh is glued onto the fixed insulation, and a leveling layer and finishing are placed on top.

Video: using penoplex to insulate walls outside

Thermal insulation of floors in different rooms

The technology of floor insulation depends on its base. Thermal insulation of the floor on the ground is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Cover the soil base with gravel 40 mm thick.
2. Lay down sand cushion at 10 cm.
3. Thoroughly compact the base.
4. Lay out the penoplex, insulating the seams with metallized tape.
5. Lay down waterproofing membrane, fasten the joints with tape.
6. Place reinforcing composite or galvanized mesh.
7. Place beacons for the screed and fill cement-sand mortar.
8. After the screed has dried, cover the floor with finishing.

Scheme of floor insulation on the ground

Insulation of a concrete floor is carried out in several stages:

1. Inspect the floor slabs for damage.
2. Level the base, removing cracks, recesses, protrusions and remove dust from the surface.
3. On the first floor, the floor is covered with waterproofing film, and on the second floor and above, polystyrene foam is laid directly on the concrete.
4. Place the insulation on the glue, placing the sheets offset so that the seams do not coincide.
5. Lay down waterproofing film and fill the floor with self-leveling mixture.
6. Lay down a clean surface.

Insulation of concrete floor

Laying a water-heated floor involves placing layers in the following sequence:

1. Fill the reinforced concrete floor with a leveling screed.
2. Lay foam sheets and cover them with polyethylene, seal the joints.
3. Place reinforcing mesh over the entire area of ​​the room.
4. Arrange in a spiral heating elements and fill them with heat-resistant screed.
5. Cover the floor finishing– tiles or laminate.

Layout of pipes when installing heated floors

Knowing the purpose, loads and operating conditions of penoplex, it will not be difficult to choose the right insulation. It is quite possible to do the installation of penoplex yourself, with the exception of high-rise buildings. facade works– in this case it is better to resort to the help of construction climbers.

Insulation in construction is given a separate column. For each object, its own material is selected that will be used for these purposes. One of the universal ones is penoplex. It is used everywhere. Why did he gain such popularity? Thanks to what technical characteristics does it outperform its competitors? This is exactly what this article is dedicated to.

History of appearance

Penoplex is a material produced by extrusion. Its appearance was impossible without the appropriate equipment. This type of machine first appeared in the USA more than fifty years ago. As a result of several experiments, it was possible to arrive at exactly the form that penoplex has today. In fact, the word “penoplex” has become a common noun from the name of the manufacturer “Penoplex”. It is he who has been the leader in the production of this material in Russia since 1998. The production process itself is quite simple, but requires sophisticated equipment.

Penoplex insulation is based on polystyrene granules. They melt under the influence of temperature to a homogeneous liquid mass. The process occurs at 140° Celsius. After this, substances are added to the resulting mass, which, when heated, begin to release gases. The latter create foam inside the polystyrene mass. The bubbles do not burst or float up, but remain in the melt. During this stage, additional substances are introduced, which, for example, increase resistance to open fire, preventing the finished product from igniting, but only melting. Other additives include antioxidants. Their task is to extend the service life finished product under the influence of various factors, in particular air, which contains oxygen.

Antistatic agents are mandatory in penoplex insulation. The fact is that during installation, the sheets may accumulate a large number of static energy that can cause harm electrical appliances. After the solution is completely ready, it is squeezed out through a special molding hole in the extruder. The formed elements enter the conveyor and move further. The final product consists of only 2% polystyrene and additives; the rest is occupied by gases formed from the catalysts. At the same time, the size of the bubbles is correct due to formation under pressure. Below is a video about the production of penoplex.

Specifications

Knowledge of the technical characteristics of penoplex will make it possible to use it correctly when insulating various parts of the building. It is important to know how much penoplex insulation can resist moisture, provide sound insulation, or interact with other building materials.

Hygroscopicity

Hygroscopicity is an indicator that reveals the ability of a substance to absorb moisture. If the insulation has a high value, then it cannot be used in rooms or conditions high humidity. After absorbing water, it will lose its properties and fungus may appear in it. Penoplex insulation has a minimal hygroscopicity. An experiment was conducted during which a piece of polystyrene foam was completely immersed in water. He stayed in the vessel for a month. After weighing control sample It was revealed that it still absorbs moisture. It amounted to 0.6% of total mass a piece of penoplex. In this case, moisture did not get inside the sheet. This is simply impossible. All granules are sealed and do not contact each other, so water cannot accumulate on them. And the percentage of weight that was gained is explained by the ingress of water into the damaged bubbles that remained after cutting the penoplex.

Thermal conductivity

Thermal conductivity is one of the main indicators that pay attention to insulating material. For example, in oak that was sawn across the grain, it is 0.1 W×m×K. This is a pretty good indicator, which allows you to erect buildings from rounded logs without any special difficulties. additional insulation. For penoplex this figure is 0.03 W×m×K, which is three times lower than for oak. Paired with minimal water absorption, penoplex insulation becomes an ideal material for insulating buildings or foundations that are constantly located in a humid environment.

Vapor permeability

Vapor permeability is a certain feature of materials to carry out gas exchange. It is mandatory to ensure a healthy atmosphere indoors. The ability of the material to be vapor permeable is explained by its porous structure. The process of vapor permeability itself depends on partial pressure, which may not depend on atmospheric pressure. Penoplex has a very low vapor permeability rate. This means that they cannot insulate rooms from the inside. This will certainly lead to the fact that a fungus will begin to develop between the wall and the penoplex, which will cause trouble both for the building material and for the health of the owners. Penoplex should be installed only from the outside and laying a vapor barrier is mandatory. But this is a positive point for refrigeration or heating equipment. Penoplex insulation is capable of retaining heat or cold for a fairly long period of time.

Environmental friendliness

During the production of penoplex, no substances are used that over time can produce emissions that would be harmful to humans. It is true that freons are used in the manufacturing process of penoplex, but this is not the category of elements that destroy the ozone layer or become toxic when heated. Perhaps for some the argument will be that Penoplex insulation is used in a bathhouse at a research station in Antarctica.

Flammability

Almost all materials used for insulation burn well. This applies only to polymers and does not apply to stone wool. Different types of penoplex are susceptible to combustion to varying degrees. Those that have anti-flammable additives can simply melt. But there is penoplex insulation that is free from fire retardants. This penoplex insulation burns well. This releases not only carbon dioxide, but also other substances that can harm human health. But this harm does not exceed in its indicators that which can be caused by burning materials such as wood, plastic, MDF and others. During a thermal reaction, hydrocyanic acid is not released, so this statement can be considered a myth.

Chemical resistance

Before covering penoplex insulation with any composition, you need to know exactly how they will interact. For the most part, penoplex insulation tolerates its proximity to building materials and more. These include various types of alcohols and paints that are diluted with alcohol. If you have to work with penoplex near various types acids, then there is no need to worry. It withstands their impact well without any damage. Also outside the risk zone are alkalis, ammonia, natural gas, cement mortars and vegetable fats.

At risk are oil-based paints, which can destroy penoplex insulation. Benzene, xylene and derivatives will also leave no hope for insulation. You should also beware of using ethers next to such insulation. Does not tolerate insulation in proximity to all types liquid fuel, so if you want to wash off paint or other substance, it is better to do it as far as possible from the polystyrene foam.

Life time

The service life of a material is most often determined by its resistance to temperature changes. For this purpose, the insulation is arranged extreme conditions. In them, he has to freeze repeatedly and again return to a state above zero. Some building materials simply crumble into powder after 30 such changes. Extruded polystyrene foam can withstand several hundred such procedures. The average service life of the insulation would be set at 50 years. But this is not the limit. During the tests, insulation material was also exposed to other factors that are an integral part of its daily operation.

Mechanical influences

Due to the structure of the material, penoplex insulation perfectly tolerates mechanical loads. This is explained by the stability of the walls of the bubbles that exist in the thickness. With significant physical effort, penoplex may bend, but will subsequently restore its shape. This makes it possible to use insulation even under highways where the throughput exceeds a thousand cars per day. Depending on the density, the resistance of the insulation to compression may vary.

Varieties of penoplex

The manufacturer of penoplex insulation has in its arsenal several solutions that are suitable for insulating specific areas of the building or other surfaces. One of them is foam insulation for the foundation. At modern construction Insulation of the basement floor is mandatory. This is what this type of polystyrene foam is suitable for. It is also called penoplex 35. This type of insulation does not contain additives that guarantee attenuation, so it is a fire hazardous material, but this is not so critical, because a fire almost never starts from the foundation. The thermal conductivity of this subtype of insulation is 0.03 W×m×K.

The most common and versatile is penoplex insulation, which is used for wall decoration. They can also insulate floors and foundations. In the manufacturer’s catalog it is listed as “Wall”. It replaced insulation with index 31, which has fire retardant additives. It is they who prevent the burning of the insulation, reducing it to smoldering. Thermal conductivity is also 0.03 W×m×K, but the density is slightly lower than that of the foundation and the maximum is 32 kg/m 3. A separate type of insulation is developed for roof insulation. It has the same thermal conductivity as the two previous versions of penoplex, but the density is slightly higher than that of the wall one and is 33 kg/m3. Such penoplex insulation will provide additional sound insulation to the metal flooring.

Insulation road surfaces also not a problem for penoplex. For this, there is insulation with index 45. Its density reaches 47 kg/m 3. This insulation has the highest degree of resistance to compression forces. Even runways are tough for such penoplex. Another universal type of insulation, which comes with a sheet thickness of 20 mm or more, is “Comfort”. Insulation can be used for walls, balconies, saunas and other purposes. The standard dimensions of all types of penoplex are 120 by 60 cm.

conclusions

As you can see, the manufacturer Penoplex has prepared an excellent line of products that have become the undisputed leader among insulation materials. Many began to copy technical process production and a large number of purely domestic analogues appeared.

Penoplex Comfort 50 is one of the new insulation materials that recently appeared on the building materials market. A feature of this variety is ease of use, as well as cost-effectiveness and high quality. The material is based on extruded polystyrene foam. The same raw materials are used in the production of foam plastic. However, thanks new technology, performance characteristics Penoplex Comfort 50 are considered significantly improved.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing process involves the processing of polystyrene granules under conditions of high temperature and pressure. In this case, a catalyst is used, represented by a foaming component, the composition of which assumes the presence of freon and carbon dioxide. Thanks to these substances, the mass turns out to be very fluffy. It passes through an extrusion unit, after which the freon evaporates. Accordingly, air remains in the cells.

This technology provides penoplex Comfort 50 with a microporous structure, reliability and strength. All cells, the size of which ranges from 0.1–0.2 mm, are evenly distributed.

Specifications

This insulation has a certificate of conformity, which indicates all the main properties:

Separately, it is worth mentioning the dimensions of the slabs. They are standard. So, the width is 600 mm, the length is 1200 mm, and the thickness ranges from 20–100 mm.

Advantages

All Penoplex Comfort 50 slabs have a clear shape, as well as an L-shaped edge, thanks to which the material fits tightly together during installation. This makes the elements truly resistant to stress, and the structure itself is more durable.

Thanks to the special structure of the material, even those who do not have significant experience in this industry will be able to finish walls.

Installation of penoplex Comfort 50 can be performed in almost any conditions, because the material is not afraid of exposure to precipitation and other external factors.

Main advantages:

• vapor tightness;
• increased strength;
• ease;
• ease of processing and installation;
• durability;
• safety for environment and human health.

It is worth noting the fact that chemical substances, which are used during construction, do not react with the heat-insulating material. Exceptions are acetone, as well as polyesters and esters. They are able to change the shape of the slab and even dissolve the product.

An important advantage of the material is its biostability. Thus, penoplex is not subject to decomposition or rotting. To maintain the dimensions of the insulation, you need to monitor the ambient temperature. This is explained by If heated too much, the material may become deformed., and in the worst case it will melt.

Penoplex is often used to insulate various enclosing elements. It can be used even in northern regions. It is worth noting that penoplex does not sag in vertical structures. It is also not susceptible to crumbling or cracking. Accordingly, the material will retain its properties throughout the entire period of operation.

It is important to remember that such thermal insulation solves several problems:

• reduction of labor costs, as well as the timing of construction work;
• reduction of air conditioning and heating costs;
• formation of an optimal microclimate;
• creating a thermal barrier.

Scope of application

Thanks to all the mentioned characteristics and advantages, Penoplex Comfort 50 is considered universal. With its help you can insulate:

Price

The price for 1 m² of penoplex depends on the thickness, ranging from 20–100 mm. Therefore, experts recommend paying attention to volume. As a rule, most companies offer 1 m³ of material for 3.5–5.5 thousand rubles.

When choosing a material for insulating a house, you will definitely come across the name “PENOPLEX” - this is one of the most popular insulation materials on the market. Russian market. It is quite natural that there are a lot of rumors around the material: they say it is harmful, does not cope with thermal insulation, and is unreliable. To thoroughly understand this issue, it makes sense to separate the wheat from the chaff and consider in detail all the characteristics thermal insulation boards.

What is this. History of the creation of the material

The material first appeared back in 1941, when the DOW CHEMICAL company (USA) patented a fundamental New Product with high thermal insulation properties and moisture resistance. The production of the material was put on stream, but initially it was manufactured only for the needs of the Navy.

Due to its resistance to humid environments, Penoplex was used for the production life rafts. After some time, the material began to be used in refrigeration units. Penoplex occupied its rightful niche only in 1950, when it began to be used in construction. It's interesting that construction market In the USA, the material is known under the brand name STROYFOAM.

Penoplex is a Russian brand that appeared only in 1988.

What is Penoplex? Essentially, it is foamed polystyrene, which is produced on extrusion machines. In its structure, the material resembles polystyrene foam, which is familiar to many, but has a denser structure and, accordingly, better characteristics.

What is Penoplex made of? Compound

We have before us a completely artificial material, which is made from chemical components mixed in certain proportions. The technology involves using a temperature of 140 degrees, which causes the ingredients to melt and foam, forming porophores. If we talk about specifics, the following materials are used in production:

Polystyrene.

Ground perlite.

Lemon acid.

Tetrabromoparaxylene.

Barium or zinc stearate.

Bicarbonate of soda.

The use of such components in certain proportions forms a strong cellular-porous structure filled with gas.

Advantages and disadvantages of heat-insulating material

Like anyone construction material, this insulation has its strengths and weaknesses. The fine balance of price and quality makes it competitive and distinguishes it from numerous analogues. Let us immediately note that it is not worth singing odes of praise to Penoplex: despite many undeniable advantages, there are also disadvantages. If you conduct an impartial analysis of the characteristics, you will get the following picture.

Pros:

High thermal insulation performance.

Absolutely neutral to humid environments.

Convenient installation.

Easy to process.

Multifunctionality.

Durability (subject to certain conditions).

Soundproof.

Minuses:

Low fire safety of unmodified material.

Low vapor permeability.

Sensitive to aggressive substances: gasoline, acetone, oil paint.

Unstable to ultraviolet light. Destroys in direct sunlight.

Types and technical characteristics of thermal insulation board

It is worth noting that the material has different densities, which determines the scope of its application. Usually the manufacturer indicates this data on the packaging, significantly simplifying life for inexperienced builders. So, according to their characteristics and scope of application, the following types of extruded polystyrene can be found on the market:

For roofing. This material is suitable for increasing the thermal insulation of roofs and is used in commercial and residential buildings. The density of this category varies between 28-33 kg/m3.

For walls. Suitable for insulating facades and interior spaces. Here the density indicators are 25-32 kg/m3.

For the foundation. The density of the material varies within 29-33 kg/m3, application area: initial stages construction, arrangement basements.

"Comfort". Here the density indicators look like this: 25-35 kg/m3, due to its characteristics, the material is optimal solution for multi-storey buildings (apartments, balconies, loggias).

Considering that the cost of the material directly depends on its density and thermal insulation, knowledge of these features will help to acquire suitable material and save money.

If we talk about technical characteristics, Penoplex has the following parameters:

Physical and mechanical properties	Those. norms	Unit change	Penoplex - Roofing	Penoplex-Wall	Penoplex-Foundation	Penoplex-Comfort	Penoplex-Type 45
Average density	GOST 17177-94	kg/m 3	from 28.0 to 33.0	from 25.0 to 32.0	from 29.0 to 33.0	from 25.0 to 35.0	from 40.1 to 47.0
Compressive strength at 10% linear deformation, not less	GOST 17177-94	MPa	0,25	0,20	0,27	0,20	0,50
Water absorption in 24 hours, no more	GOST 17177-94	% by volume	0,4	0,4	0,4	0,4	0,2
Flammability group	Federal Law 123 (TR on TVET)	group	G3	G3	G4	G4	G4
Thermal conductivity coefficient at (25+ 5) C	GOST 7076-99	W/m∙єS	0,032	0,032	0,032	0,032	0,032

It is worth noting that the material achieved such high performance thanks to fully insulated cells, whose diameter is 0.1/0.3 mm.

How much brickwork does extruded polystyrene replace?

The answer to this question lies in the thickness of the insulation boards. It looks like this:

Penoplex 20 mm thick = 370 mm brickwork.

Penoplex 30 mm = brickwork 750 mm.

Penoplex 47 mm = brickwork 925 mm.

Accordingly, the insulation board can replace brick wall, twice as thick as the insulation itself.

Dimensions of insulation boards

Penoplex is produced in the form of slabs, with the following external parameters: length - 1,200/2,400 mm, width - 600 mm. Thanks to its porous structure, the material has a relatively low weight even with impressive dimensions, and is easy to process.

By doing interior work It should be taken into account that the space will be reduced by the thickness of the insulation + finishing coating.

The key indicator of thermal insulation is the thickness of the slab. Depending on the installation conditions, the recommended material thickness looks like this:

Let's carry out comparative analysis with other popular insulation materials found on the domestic construction market.

Available analogues. What is the difference? Which is better and warmer?

1. Penoplex or Mineral wool

If you compare these materials, you must take into account their scope of application. For example, mineral wool is definitely not suitable for a foundation or basement: it absorbs moisture well, which leads to weight gain. Accordingly, the insulation slides down, exposing the walls. To avoid these problems, you will have to install additional moisture insulation, and this proportionally increases costs.

However, in terms of heat and sound insulation, Penoplex loses to mineral wool, although latest material looks more difficult to install.

2. Penoplex or Foam plastic

Both materials do not absorb moisture, so they are equally suitable for insulating basements. Thermal conductivity indicators are better for Penoplex, but only slightly. It is worth noting that polystyrene foam can be classified as an eternal material, and the service life of Penoplex declared by the manufacturer is: 50 years.

Therefore, for internal and external insulation, both materials can be used with equal efficiency, but if service life plays a decisive role, it is better to give preference to polystyrene foam.

3. Technoplex or Penoplex

These are two materials that are almost identical in their properties. Here you can see the same indicators mechanical strength and bending resistance: 250 kPa And 0.4 MPa respectively.

If we talk about resistance to sub-zero temperatures, then Technoplex looks warmer - working temperature material: -70 degrees Celsius However, such temperatures are difficult to meet in most regions of Russia. The thermal conductivity of insulation is the same: 0.031 W/mK, but Technoplex is more resistant to humid environments.

4. Styrex or Penoplex

Between these materials there is no fundamental differences, so they have identical scope. Here we can highlight the following difference: Stirex is more resistant to bending deformation, but is more expensive to purchase. In addition, Stirex is more suitable for insulating rooms where there is a significant difference between external and internal temperatures.

5. Izolon or Penoplex

Thanks to its structure, Izolon is ideal for insulating floors and roofs, increasing the thermal and sound insulation of rooms. However, for walls it is better to use Penoplex as a material that is more convenient to install.

Three questions that concern buyers most

Fire safety. Is the insulation burning or not?

The answer to this question is clear: yes, it burns. Perhaps it is this feature that prevents the widespread spread of Penoplex. However, on the building materials market, there are products marked “G1” and “NG”, which means low-flammable and non-flammable material.

In this case, an antiperen is used - a substance that prevents the spread of fire. It is worth noting that it is spread, not fire. Of course, for Penoplex to ignite, it will take quite heat However, the essence is the same: the material is flammable!

Do mice chew insulation boards?

The material does not contain natural substances and therefore cannot attract rodents. However, this feature does not prevent mice and rats from chewing the insulation, making nests there and breeding offspring. To avoid these problems, a fine mesh is installed over the insulation.

By the way, Penoplex does not attract insects and is neutral to the appearance of mold and mildew.

Is polystyrene foam harmful to health?

In principle, Penoplex is environmentally friendly pure material, provided that the material is created without violating production technology. However, given that we are talking about artificial material, chemical components can evaporate under the influence of certain factors, for example, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Therefore, Penoplex is not on the walls in pure form and is always covered with finishing materials.

In addition, when the material burns, it releases acid vapors, carbon dioxide and other dangerous substances, including hydrogen chloride. Accordingly, in the event of a fire, there is a direct threat to human life.

Hexobromocyclododecane, which is a bioaccumulative toxin and this moment allowed here, but prohibited for use in the European Union since 2015.

Where is Penoplex made? Reliable manufacturers you can trust

Penoplex is produced in Russia, so the material is sold in an affordable price segment. If we talk about representative offices trademark, then you can pay attention to the following cities:

Kirishi. The production line has been operating since 1998, specializing in the production of insulation standard size. Currently, there are four lines involved. Total capacity up to 600,000 m3 annually.

Perm branch. The plant was launched in 2005. Now, this is the most productive enterprise, supplying the market with about 650,000 m3 annually.

Novosibirsk. The enterprise was launched for residents of the Siberian region of the country, specializing in the production of Penoplex with increased thermal insulation and water resistance.

Taganrog. The plant produces about 500,000 m3 of insulation annually and, accordingly, fully supplies the residents of the Southern and Central regions with products.

It is worth noting that the products of these branches are subject to mandatory certification and undergo multi-stage quality control at all stages of production.

Penoplex is used as a building thermal insulation material. To make it comfortable to live in a house in any weather, so that you can go out on the loggia even in winter without warm clothes, you need high-quality insulation of walls, floors, and ceilings. Today, many new insulation materials have appeared that protect house structures from heat loss. And among them, penoplex stands out. Why has it become so popular in the industrial and household use, what are its advantages and where is it used?

Reasons for popularity

Penoplex insulation has now become very popular in the insulation of buildings. They protect everything from foundations to ceilings on balconies.

This is explained by the fact that the material attracts with its most important properties:

• Working with it does not require special skills and knowledge,
• It is inexpensive, and insulation is economical in price.

The main reason for the popularity of expanded polystyrene is that it is cheap, but at the same time its thermal properties are at a high level.

What is penoplex

Penoplex insulation is extruded polystyrene foam. In its structure, penoplex - be it 31, 45. 31 - resembles the well-known polystyrene foam, but it has slightly different characteristics due to the peculiarities of production.

During production, polystyrene foam granules are foamed with freon or carbon dioxide. This allows us to obtain a material that is absolutely harmless to health, hypoallergenic and has a number of advantages over foam plastic and other insulation materials.

Penoplex is produced in the form of slabs. The technical characteristics of penoplex insulation are considered one of the most optimal for protecting a building. The dimensions of the slabs are standard, but they can be cut.

Penoplex insulation is extruded polystyrene foam

Related article: Stylish curtains for kitchen with bay window

Material properties

Penoplex does not contain any biological substances. Therefore, it never decomposes or rots. At least in the foreseeable future, the material cannot decompose under the influence of the environment and microorganisms - manufacturers claim that its service life reaches 50 years or more.

The material has a very low thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.03 W/mºK, so it is a universal insulation material.

Penoplex is currently used for:

• insulation of buildings,
• road insulation,
• insulation of runways.

The high degree of resistance of penoplex to rotting and chemical modification makes it possible to widely use it as insulation

Specifications

• Significant flexural and compressive strength,
• Its water absorption is 0.2-0.3%,
• Vapor permeability of the material is 0.007-0.008 mg/m h Pa,
• Temperature resistance – the insulation retains its characteristics and properties at temperatures from -50 to + 75 degrees.

Expanded polystyrene insulation retains its characteristics and properties at temperatures from -50 to + 75 degrees

Pros of penoplex

Thanks to these technical characteristics, the insulation has the following advantages:

• The material is resistant to combustion and is considered fireproof,
• Serves without loss of its qualities for a long time - from 50 years,
• Does not release toxic substances into the air during operation,
• Does not absorb moisture
• Simple and easy to use.

The advantages of penoplex are environmental friendliness, strength and its resistance to compression

Types of penoplex

Currently, several types of penoplex are produced, each of which has its own areas of application. Although this is a fairly universal material, it is still better to follow the manufacturers’ recommendations and use it for certain types of work. different types penoplex.

Currently, several types of penoplex are produced, each of which has its own areas of application.

Penoplex comes in the following types:

• Penoplex Wall has a density of 25-32 kg/cubic. m. and serves for insulation of walls and partitions of buildings, ground floors.
• Penoplex foundation has a density of 29-32 kg/cubic. m. and serves to protect foundations from freezing, basements, and ground floors. The water absorption of this type of material is almost 0.
• Penoplex roofing has a density of 28-33 kg/cub.m. It is particularly lightweight, moisture resistant and has a rigid construction. Therefore, it is more convenient for them to insulate roofs of any type.
• Penoplex insulation 31 Perfect for insulating walls, ceilings, and floors. It is widely used for insulating loggias and balconies, as well as for protecting a number of roofs that are not in use - that is, not loaded with anything other than snow during precipitation.
• Insulation 35 designed for insulating floors and is especially often used to create heated floors.
• Penoplex insulation 45 has a density of 35-47 kg/cubic. m. and has a number of special characteristics that allow it to be universal material. Its compressive strength reaches 10% and is equal to 0.5 MPa. Its water absorption is such that even with full immersion insulation 45 is practically not saturated with water.