What is the best way to insulate a wall from the outside. How to choose a heater for thermal insulation of the outer walls of the house. Among the positive qualities are

The approach of winter is a good reason to think about warming the house for those who have not done it yet. Indeed, in the warm season, we do not feel the loss of heat as much as in the cold.

It is better to think about correct and effective energy saving at the design stage. But what about those who have already built a house or cottage or residents of apartment buildings. Of course, additionally insulate the walls from the outside and from the inside.

Wall insulation works can be divided into three types:

external insulation;
internal insulation.

Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Within this article, we will consider how to insulate walls from the outside and make an overview of materials for insulation with photos, graphs and diagrams.

External insulation, as follows from the definition, is the insulation of the outer wall.

Advantages of insulation technology from the outside:

freedom of access. Agree, it is much easier to perform work outside the building than inside;

the ability to perform work in a residential building. Warming the walls of the house from the outside does not violate the way of life (there is no need to move the furniture, freeing the walls, and then finish the interior of almost all rooms);

preservation of the usable area of the interior of a residential building. The thicker the insulation, the more heat will remain in the house. But the size of the room will decrease by the same amount. Residents of high-rise buildings are especially reverent about the area of \u200b\u200bthe apartment;

heat storage in walls. The wall material accumulates heat or cold in itself, depending on which side the insulation is located on. If from the side of the rooms, then it accumulates cold, and will give it away for a long time. Even when the air temperature rises higher. Insulation from the outside will additionally protect the building from the appearance of dampness in the walls. In the summer, the insulation will not allow the house to warm up much.

no additional load on the foundation. Installation of heat-insulating materials from the outside does not increase the load on the load-bearing walls and foundation;

aesthetic appearance. Decorative finishing of the house is an obligatory stage of warming from the outside, because. thermal insulation material also needs protection. Therefore, after completing all the work, the house is transformed.

But, all these advantages can be achieved only in the case of the correct choice of heat-insulating material, its high-quality installation and correct calculation.

When calculating the insulation, you need to consider:

type of heater. Each of the materials has its own properties;
condition of the wall to be insulated. The material from which it is made will have a significant impact. The construction of the building, the presence of cracks, protrusions, metal elements also significantly reduces the ability of the wall to accumulate heat;
purpose of the insulated room. After all, the requirements for insulation, for example, baths and garages are different. Even when insulating a house, you need to understand that the bedroom needs to be insulated more than the corridor.
location of the house. Here the wind, the amount and level of precipitation, the minimum temperature play a role.

Make external wall insulation with your own hands or trust professionals?

The quality of insulation will depend on the correct consideration of the listed components. And vice versa, if something is taken into account incorrectly, either insufficient insulation of the house is possible, or high costs for its excessive insulation.

Therefore, when performing the calculation, you need to turn to professionals. When choosing a construction company, pay attention to the period of their work, the objects made, the availability of licenses and, of course, reviews, which are the best evidence of the quality of work. However, there are types of work in which you simply cannot do without professionals. So, for example, it is almost impossible to perform the insulation of the walls of an apartment from the outside on your own. You can't do without help here (you need to take into account the complexity and danger of high-altitude work, and not everyone has the skills of industrial mountaineering).

It is quite possible to insulate the outer walls of a private or low-rise building on your own. As a reliable guide, when doing do-it-yourself work, there will be SNiP 23-02-2003 "Thermal protection of buildings". The document establishes requirements for the protection of buildings.

External wall insulation materials

The main indicators of a heater are:

thermal conductivity- the ability of the insulation to transfer heat. The lower this indicator, the more heat will be stored in the insulated room.

refractoriness- the ability of the insulation to resist the effects of fire. The higher this indicator, the safer the insulated building will be.

hygroscopicity- the ability of the insulation to absorb and accumulate moisture. The lower the value of this indicator, the better. This is explained simply, the molecules in a humid environment are located closer to each other than in a gas (air layer in cotton wool). Pressed molecules conduct heat better. An ideal thermal insulation material should have zero hygroscopicity. Since the presence of moisture in it reduces the thermal insulation properties and destroys the material over time. It has been proven that an increase in the humidity of a heater by 1% will lead to a decrease in its thermal insulation properties by 25%. In addition, a building insulated with such insulation will be exposed to fungi, which will negatively affect the microclimate in the house.

breathability- the ability of the insulation to ensure the movement of air between the interior and the environment;

chemical and biological resistance- the ability of the insulation to withstand the action of chemicals and living organisms, respectively.

Comparative characteristics of heat-insulating materials in terms of density and minimum allowable layer are given in the table.

Comparative characteristics of thermal insulation materials in terms of thermal conductivity, fire resistance and hygroscopicity.

Type of	Material	Thermal conductivity	fire resistance	Hygroscopicity
Bulk	Slag	*****	****	****
	Expanded clay	****	****	**
	Glasspore	**	****	*****
	perlite, vermiculite	*	****	*****
rolled	Basalt fiber	**	****	****
	glass wool	**	**	****
	mineral wool	**	**	****
	Stitched mats	**	**	****
	Plastiform	**	***	*
	Izover, URSA	**	**	****
Plate-sheet	Styrofoam	*	*	*
	Styrofoam	*	*	*
	polyurethane foam	*	*	*
	From glass wool and mineral wool	**	**	***
	Woody fibrous	****	*	*****
Wall blocks	Expanded clay concrete	*****	**	***
	foam concrete	****	**	****
	aerated concrete	****	**	****
	Cellular concrete	****	**	****
	gas silicate blocks	****	**	****

Testing the refractoriness index of the most common materials: polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam and basalt wool, is presented in the video

An ideal thermal insulation material should have such parameters.

Naturally, in practice it is impossible to achieve such indicators. Therefore, most often materials are combined with each other or with other materials. And the insulation system as a result looks like a multilayer cake. Such a scheme allows leveling the disadvantages of some materials by the advantages of others. The device of the "puff" system requires knowledge and experience from the master.

The table illustrates how thick the insulation must be in order to perform external wall insulation and ensure the same wall insulation.

At the same time, the laying technology of each of the presented materials is different.

As already mentioned, the insulation of the walls of panel houses from the outside differs from the increased complexity of the work and a smaller selection of materials. Since in this case only rigid heaters can be used. On the one hand, their price is much lower than all the others, on the other hand, the cost of work is much higher.

When designing insulation, you need to take into account the material of the wall. Sometimes wall material imposes significant restrictions.

So, for example, the insulation of wooden walls from the outside is carried out only with natural materials such as tow, felt jute or moss. Their use allows you to preserve the natural beauty of natural wood and reduce heat loss through the cracks.

But, the insulation of brick walls outside can be done with almost any material. It does not impose significant restrictions on the choice of material for insulating gas silicate walls from the outside.

External wall insulation technologies

Today on the market there are various materials for insulating walls from the outside. Their wide range allows you to choose the one that is suitable for a particular room. Depending on the type, different arrangement instructions will be used. However, for understanding, we will briefly present the main approaches to insulating a house from the outside with various materials.

Styrofoam is the most popular material for thermal insulation, both private and high-rise buildings. Due to its low thermal conductivity, light weight, availability and low cost, it has become widely used among users. The process is relatively simple.

Frameless foam installation involves the use of glue to attach the sheets to the surface. Sheets are carefully joined to each other. However, cold bridges form at the junctions. To avoid this, it is better to lay sheets in two layers. Overlapping each other, they will better save heat. The sheet is fixed with a plastic dowel and closed with a polymer mesh. This method is used if plaster is applied over the foam.

Frame method of fixing foam- requires mandatory installation of the frame. It should be noted that this method is rarely used and most often if the exterior of the building is planned to be finished with siding or lumber (lining).

For more information about foam insulation, see the video

Wall insulation from the outside with polystyrene foam and foam plastic is carried out according to a similar principle. Since foam, this is the trade name for extruded polystyrene foam.

Mineral wool slabs (mats) are suitable for wall insulation outside a private house. The use of mineral wool (except for material with increased density) requires the mandatory installation of a frame. In addition, mineral wool, due to its porous structure, absorbs moisture well. Therefore, the installation scheme of wool provides for the use of protective films. Plus, mineral wool is well suited for.

Video instruction for wall insulation with mineral wool

External wall insulation with polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam spraying (PPU or simply “foam rubber”) is a novelty in the field of insulation. This inflatable material (from the group of gas-filled plastics) quickly finds its adherents due to the high speed of work, excellent quality of insulation.

Even the high cost and the inability to do the work with your own hands are not an obstacle to the growing popularity of this heater.

What are the advantages of wall insulation with polyurethane foam? The main thing is that it simplifies the work, is applied to any base and has high insulating properties. Using this material, you do not need to prepare a drawing, examine the wall for defects. Various structural features of the wall - protruding parts, pipes, are no longer a hindrance. After all, the material is simply sprayed (inflated) onto the wall. The process is well shown in the video

The technology of plaster wall insulation is a very conditional concept. In fact, the so-called "wet" method of insulation involves the use of insulation as the main thermal insulation layer and plaster as a finishing layer. That is, in order to achieve the effect, it is necessary to insulate the walls from the outside under the plaster.

The technology of siding insulation, along with the use of the wet method, also does not apply to self-insulation. , and even more so, cannot be attributed to heat-insulating materials. They are also used only as a facing (finishing) material for finishing. Wall insulation from the outside under the siding can be done using foam or mineral wool. The materials are placed in the frame, the installation of which is a mandatory step when hanging the siding.

Conclusion

External wall insulation will allow you to save from 10 to 25% of heat. But walls are not the only source of heat loss. In order for the insulation of the house to be effective, it is necessary to take care of the thermal insulation of not only the walls, but also the basement, roof, attic (mansard), windows and doors.

Owners of private houses often ask themselves what kind of wall insulation from the outside is the most effective. Which is better to choose a heater so that the load-bearing wall structures do not conduct cold in winter and repel heat in hot summers. Many modern heat-insulating materials not only prevent heat loss in the cold season, but also protect the room from the penetration of thermal radiation in summer. The issue of thermal insulation of your home must be approached with all seriousness. How comfortable and cozy the house will be for its residents depends on how high-quality you make the thermal insulation system for your home.

External wall insulation

Thermal insulation materials, types and characteristics

Previously, organic insulation in the form of sawdust, peat, etc. was used to insulate the building structure. A significant drawback of these materials was combustibility, high moisture absorption, susceptibility to decay and mold.

At the moment, organic heaters for thermal insulation of the house are practically not used. Now the construction market offers a wide range of synthetic thermal insulation materials with the best technical characteristics.

Expanded polystyrene, its advantages and disadvantages

Most people, when deciding how to insulate the house from the outside, prefer polystyrene foam. Such popularity of this heater is due to its low cost and excellent performance.

Of particular note are the following advantages of polystyrene foam:

lower, in comparison with mineral wool heaters, thermal conductivity (this allows the thickness of the insulation layer to be made smaller);
affordable cost (polystyrene foam is cheaper than mineral wool);
ease of installation (this material lends itself well to processing).

The disadvantages of expanded polystyrene can be called: lower vapor permeability, in comparison with mineral wool insulation, and higher flammability.

Expanded polystyrene, despite some of its shortcomings, is widely used for facade insulation. The use of this material for thermal insulation of a building is three to four times cheaper than the use of other insulation, in particular mineral wool.

Important! Due to the low vapor permeability, expanded polystyrene is not recommended for insulating wooden houses. The only area of its application is the insulation of stone facades.

Expanded polystyrene is very effective for warming brick houses. Styrofoam thermal insulation with a thickness of only 80 mm makes it possible to four times reduce fuel consumption during the cold season.

Polyfoil insulation material

Quite an interesting modern insulation is pnofolgirovannyy insulation. It is a layer of polyethylene foam, which is clamped on both sides with aluminum foil. The features of this material are low weight and low thermal conductivity (the thermal conductivity of this insulation is 1.5 times less than that of basalt insulation).

The advantages of this material include ease of installation, the insulation is attached to the walls with a construction stapler. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the absolute vapor and gas impermeability.

Pressed cork insulation

Such a rather exotic insulation, like pressed cork, is made from the bark of a cork oak growing in the Mediterranean. This insulation is produced in rolls and plates, has a very attractive appearance, is an environmentally friendly material. Pressed cork is used for internal wall insulation; this material, due to its excellent appearance, also performs the functions of a decorative finish. Cork boards can also be used for external insulation of facades.

Mineral wool on a stone basis

A distinctive feature of mineral wool fibers is their ability to withstand temperatures above 1000° without melting. Thanks to this, mineral wool prevents the spread of fire and protects the structures of houses built from combustible materials (for example, wooden houses) from fire. Insulators with high water absorption rates lose their thermal insulation properties, since water entering the thermal insulation material fills the air pores and increases the thermal conductivity of the insulation. Mineral wool practically does not absorb moisture, therefore it remains dry and retains its properties of low thermal conductivity, even if moisture gets on its surface.

The numerous advantages of mineral wool also include high resistance to mechanical stress.

Fiberglass thermal insulation materials

Fiberglass materials can be used to insulate the house from the outside. The main components used to make fiberglass are cullet, sand, dolomite, limestone, soda, etibor, etc. The fiberglass raw material is melted in a melting furnace at 1400°C and fed into the front hearth where it goes through the fiberization stage. On centrifuges, molten glass breaks up into fibers 6 microns thick. After that, the resulting products are impregnated with polymer resin and fed to the conveyor, where they are formed into mats. The remaining water is evaporated from the mats and a high-quality insulation is obtained.

Fiberglass materials have the best qualities for thermal insulation of building facades, which include:

Fire safety.
Economy in transportation.
Ease of installation.
Low coefficient of thermal conductivity (from 0.035 to 0.044 W / mK), due to the ability of fiberglass to firmly retain air, and, as a result, excellent thermal insulation properties. Fiberglass insulation can reliably protect against cold in winter and heat in summer.
Moisture resistant. Due to its non-hygroscopicity (glass wool does not absorb water), the heat-insulating properties do not deteriorate when moisture enters the material.
Environmental friendliness. Fiberglass insulation does not emit harmful substances and is safe for health, it does not form mold and rot.

Glass wool is an effective insulation

What is better for thermal insulation of walls from the outside: mineral wool or expanded polystyrene

Mineral wool and expanded polystyrene are the most requested insulation for thermal insulation of walls from the outside. The installation of mineral wool slabs is similar to the technology of laying polystyrene foam, in addition, these two heaters have similar technical characteristics, so when they decide what is better to insulate the house from the outside, these two heaters are first of all compared.

When they want to cheaply insulate walls from the outside, in most cases polystyrene boards are chosen. This material is not only cheaper than mineral wool, but its installation does not require special skills or complex tools; almost every owner can install thermal insulation using foam boards with their own hands. But when installing cheap foam insulation of walls from the outside, you should not discount that this material has low mechanical strength. In addition, rats and mice love to gnaw on polystyrene.

To insulate facades, manufacturers produce special types of vapor-permeable foam with a compacted outer layer. But the cost of such material is not less than the cost of mineral wool.

Insulation such as extruded polystyrene foam is not suitable for insulating walls from the outside, as it has zero vapor permeability. Using it to insulate facades leads to dampness of the material from which the walls are erected. From moisture on the surface of the walls, mold and fungi appear. On the market, you can buy vapor-permeable perforated extruded polystyrene foam intended for external insulation of facades. But their price is not less than the cost of mineral wool insulation.

When using expanded polystyrene for external wall insulation, it is better to purchase material with atipirenes, these are special substances that prevent the material from burning. Styrofoam with flame retardant acquires fire-fighting properties.

Mineral wool is not combustible, it resists mechanical stress well, it has sufficient vapor permeability, therefore, it is more preferable for external wall insulation, but with the correct design of the thermal insulation system, foam boards will also cope well with their functions.

The use of thermal insulation systems in building structures can significantly reduce heating costs. The use of various heaters makes it possible to accelerate the pace of construction and reduce the budget for building a house. In order for them to cope with their duties, you need to know how to choose them. Do you agree?

We will tell you how to choose the right insulation for the walls of the house outside. The article presented by us describes all the types of heat-insulating materials used in practice and the features of operation. Independent owners of country estates will find the technology of facade insulation with us.

Heat loss through walls averages about 40%, depending on the structural integrity and wall thickness. With rising prices for gas and electricity, it becomes unacceptable to spend money on street heating.

Therefore, it is necessary to insulate the walls from the outside, which gives the following advantages:

thermal insulation of the house from the outside does not take away the usable area of \u200b\u200bthe living space inside the building;
the insulation layer performs decorative and protective functions for the walls, extending the period of their use;
walls insulated from the outside do not freeze and are not saturated with moisture from steam, as with internal insulation;
thermal insulation materials also perform a soundproofing function.

But the main reason for insulating the facade of the house is still economic, because this simple procedure can almost halve the amount in receipts for heating.

For a competent selection of material designed to reduce heat loss, you need. The article recommended by us will acquaint you with its examples and formulas.

Types of insulation materials

So what is the best way to insulate the house from the outside in order to reduce heat loss? Manufacturers offer many materials suitable for these purposes. But there are several main types. Among them: foam plastic, basalt wool, glass wool, extruded expanded polystyrene, mineral wool and others.

A less effective way of warming is considered to be the application of a layer of plaster on the outer part of the walls. This is an inexpensive way to reduce heat loss, but it requires experience and certain skills - just desire will not be enough.

External wall insulation requires certain professional skills from the performer. They are useful, both when choosing a material, and during its installation.

Wooden houses are often insulated with a double frame. In this case, any of the listed materials is attached to the walls, and cladding is performed on top. At the same time, an air “cushion” remains between the insulation and the decorative layers for air ventilation.

Option number 1 - foam

Expanded polystyrene has gained the greatest popularity among heat-insulating materials. First of all, this is due to its low cost. A distinctive feature of the insulation is also its low weight.

Other advantages of the material:

low thermal conductivity;
affordable cost;
long service life.

Among the shortcomings, one can single out the fact that the foam does not let steam through. This feature does not allow it to be used for warming wooden houses.

Among other shortcomings, it is also significant that expanded polystyrene is a combustible material that releases substances harmful to humans during combustion. In addition, the fragility of the material, which leads to damage to the insulation even with minor mechanical stress, greatly complicates its installation.

Styrofoam insulation is a great way to reduce heat loss, both in a private house and in an apartment or industrial enterprise, and for quite a bit of money

Option number 2 - mineral wool

This material is also well-deservedly popular with owners of residential and non-residential premises.

Benefits of mineral wool:

high vapor permeability, which prevents wooden structures from rotting, and bricks are not saturated with moisture, which prevents the appearance of mold and fungi on the surface of the walls;
low cost;
low weight of mats, which makes it easier to work with them and reduce transportation costs;
the material is not combustible, there are no toxic odors;
long service life.

There are three types of mineral wool: slag wool, glass wool and stone (aka basalt). Each of the materials has its own characteristics.

Basalt wool is considered the most suitable for residential buildings, as it is made from safe raw materials, unlike glass wool. At the same time, the material is stronger and more durable than slag wool. But the high cost of basalt wool is its disadvantage.

Mineral wool, made in the form of mats, is the most practical option for insulating low walls and small rooms. And anyone who knows at least a little about construction will be able to cope with its installation.

Modern glass wool is considered safe to use. Unlike the material of the same name, made ten years ago, it does not irritate the respiratory tract. It can be used to insulate not only external, but also internal walls and ceilings.

Differs in convenience of installation, small weight. Can be purchased in rolls or slabs. It is more expedient to buy rolled material for warming long walls. And glass wool slabs are suitable for small walls.

There are the following advantages of the material:

does not absorb moisture from the air;
no toxic odors;
does not ignite;
does not change shape during operation;
high performance vapor permeability;
good soundproofing properties;
does not interact with chemicals;
can be used in all climatic zones of the planet.

In some cases, rolled glass wool will cost less than made in the form of plates. For cutting it, you can use ordinary sharpened knives.

There are not many shortcomings in the material. Among them:

when insulating walls with glass wool, you need to work in protective gloves and goggles;
fragility of the fibers of the material, due to which a lot of synthetic material is in the air during installation and prevents safe breathing.

Despite the fact that modern insulation material is much more environmentally friendly and safer for humans, with a significant amount of polymer particles in the air, it is better to use a respirator.

In some cases, rolled glass wool will cost less than made in the form of plates. For cutting it, you can use ordinary sharpened knives.

Option number 3 - e extruded polystyrene foam

Make this material from ordinary foam.

After special processing, it receives the following benefits:

increased compressive strength;
low moisture absorption;
low flammability or its complete impossibility, which depends on the amount of flame retardant substance;
reduced thermal conductivity.

For such material, you will have to pay a higher price than for ordinary foam. But more durable and reliable.

Another disadvantage is the smooth surface of the material plate. Because of this, solutions do not “seize” with it, therefore, without preliminary surface preparation, such foam cannot be used in the “wet facade” construction.

You will need to process the smooth side with fine sandpaper to give it a rough surface. Additionally, you can apply a layer of adhesive primer, which will increase the penetration of the solution into the insulation material.

Option number 4 - loose insulation

Bulk materials can also be used for external thermal insulation.

Among them, the most popular are:

vermiculite;
perlite crushed stone;
expanded clay.

Vermiculite can be used not only for wall insulation outside the room, but also from the inside. They insulate sewer and water pipes, floors, attics, foundations. It can be made in the form of plates. There are technologies by which this material is added to concrete or solutions.

Vermiculite is a natural material that does not emit harmful toxic odors. Its advantages are: durability, lightness, fire resistance, low thermal conductivity and sound absorption. It also does not absorb moisture.

To insulate the outer wall, bulk material can be added to the mortar or poured between the main wall and the decorative wall, erected on a foundation of facing bricks. This method is more expensive, as it requires the expansion of the foundation. An additional load on the foundation slab is also assumed.

Vermiculite is sold in paper bags, usually 25 kg each. This is very convenient for transportation, because for delivery you can do with your own cars.

Perlite, depending on the fractions, can be of various sizes. It is also used for roof and floor insulation. It is a volcanic glass-like rock that is odorless. It is widely used not only in construction, but also in metallurgy, agriculture.

Material advantages:

porous structure;
low cost;
easily absorbs and releases moisture without losing its qualities;
resistance to fire;
low thermal conductivity.

A perlite layer of only 3 cm has the same thermal insulation efficiency as a 25 cm wide brickwork.

Expanded clay- granular porous material obtained artificially. When burning several components (peat bog, intumescent clay, solar oil, sawdust, sulphate-alcohol stillage), low-melting raw materials are obtained. It is foamed and thermally processed into its final shape.

To save on the purchase of expanded clay, you need to buy it from the manufacturer. Of course, this is not always convenient, but there is a guarantee that the material is really of high quality.

The material is sold in fractions from 2 mm to 40 mm. Expanded clay from 10 mm to 20 mm is considered the most popular. It is they who need to fill the space between the walls - the main and decorative.

An interlayer of only 100 mm replaces brickwork of 1000 mm in terms of thermal conductivity. In the frosty season, the insulation will not allow the house to lose a lot of heat, and in the summer heat it will keep the room cool due to the extremely low thermal conductivity.

Advantages of wall insulation with expanded clay:

this is one of the cheapest heaters;
reduction of heat losses reaches 75%;
can be used at any outdoor temperature and humidity;
long service life;
there is no combustion and decay of the material;
expanded clay does not attract insects and rodents;
you can insulate the house yourself, as high technical skills and special tools are not required.

Expanded clay can be poured into the layer between the decorative and load-bearing walls in its pure form, or mixed with cement. Proportion 1:10 - one part of cement and ten parts of expanded clay. You will need a concrete mixer and water to dissolve the cement. The empty space between the walls is poured with the finished mixture.

It looks like a cement mixture with expanded clay, which can be poured as a heater between two walls. Of course, insulation with a cement mixture is a rather lengthy process, but it's worth it.

You can also do otherwise: first pour expanded clay to a height of 300 mm, and then soak it with prepared cement "milk". Then add insulation again. And so repeat until the height of the insulation reaches the desired level.

Any of the methods will not worsen the thermal insulation properties of the material.

Facade insulation technologies

There are three main technologies for facade insulation:

"well" method- arrangement of a multilayer wall;
"wet" method- under plastering;
"dry" method- technology "ventilated facade".

Depending on the chosen one, thermal insulation materials suitable for implementation should be selected.

"Wet" method is the application of a finishing coating on a layer of insulation in the form of a plaster mixture. Since the mixture is rich in moisture, it is necessary to use only materials that do not absorb water. Styrofoam is best suited for this, but mineral wool is also used.

Depending on the strength of the wall and the integrity of the brickwork, the plaster system can be "light" or "heavy". In the first case, the main goal is to reduce the weight of the thermal insulation layer.

The insulation is fixed to the wall with glue and dowels. Outside, it is protected by a metal profile made of thin aluminum. Only a thin decorative layer of plaster is applied to it to level the surface of the wall and give it a finished visual appearance.

In the "heavy" system, the insulation is fixed with metal anchors and pressed against the reinforcing mesh. A layer of plaster of 5-5.5 cm is applied on top. This design is reliably protected from temperature extremes and moisture.

With the "dry" method insulation plaster is not used at all. The insulation is fixed on the wall with glue and mounting "umbrellas". In this case, it is ideal, for which telescopic fasteners with wide hats and other mounting elements are specially produced.

From the outside, the insulation is protected by a membrane layer, the main task of which is to provide protection from atmospheric water. The membrane is fixed with remote metal or wooden slats, which form a ventilation gap between the thermal insulation and the cladding.

The gap width is up to 5 cm. The sheathing layer can be made of various panels: wooden, steel. It can also be laying in "half-brick", tile or siding. This method of insulation is more durable, in contrast to the "wet", and can reach a service life of half a century.

By multi-layer technology the surface is insulated with two more layers: from a heater and an external brick wall. This method of insulation has been described above. Various bulk materials are suitable for it, which are resistant to steam, condensate and moisture (expanded clay, perlite, etc.).

For a competent choice of insulation, you need to take into account several more factors that can affect the quality of the work performed.

Condition of walls and foundations. If the house is old, and the foundation or brickwork has already cracked, then it is necessary to abandon heavy insulation structures. In this case, the installation of light and durable materials is best suited. It is better to fix them with the help of special adhesive compositions.

The architectural complexity of the building. Styrofoam and mineral wool are well processed and make it possible to provide reliable insulation of walls with recesses, patterns and other decorative elements.

Insect and rodent resistance. Often, small rodents and insects, such as mice or ants, can make nests under a layer of heat insulator.

If there is such a problem on the site, then it would be advisable to conduct insulation using bulk materials. Expanded clay is well suited, as it does not attract animals.

It is also necessary to take into account other factors, such as the price of the insulation, the features of its installation, the material of the walls, the impact on the environment, resistance to fire, etc.

If you plan to install a thermal insulation system from inside the house, it is worth reading, which details the materials and methods for their use.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

To avoid common mistakes when choosing materials for insulation, we recommend watching the following videos:

With all the variety of available materials and methods of insulation, you can always choose the most suitable one. Despite the fact that some works seem easy to perform, it is better to entrust them to experienced builders and heat engineers.

Do you want to talk about how you selected insulation for arranging your own country house? Do you have information that will be useful to site visitors? Please write comments, ask questions on controversial or interesting points, post a photo in the block below.

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

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

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

Types of insulation

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

Mineral wool

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

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

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

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

Types of mineral wool:

Mineral wool stone

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

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

Mineral wool slag

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

fiberglass mineral wool

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

Styrofoam board

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

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

Peculiarities:

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

Technologies for external thermal insulation

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

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

External thermal insulation is of 2 types:

Bonded thermal insulation;
Hinged ventilated facade.

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

Benefits of monolithic bonding

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

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

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

Bonded thermal insulation with polystyrene boards

This mounting method depends on the material used.

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

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

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

Method of external bonded thermal insulation:

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

External thermal insulation with polyurethane foam

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

A promising modern method of insulation has several advantages:

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

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

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

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

This thermal insulation includes the following steps:

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

Warm plaster for external thermal insulation

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

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

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

Plaster properties:

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

Where to apply warm plaster:

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

External thermal insulation of wooden houses

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

Attention: External insulation of wooden walls is possible with the use of technologies that provide ventilation. To protect wooden walls from decay, a ventilation gap is required.

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

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

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

The process of insulating wooden walls:

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

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

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

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

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

How to keep warm in your home? Leading experts from all over the world are studying this issue, and everyone agrees that it is necessary to reduce the heat loss of the building. It has been experimentally established that about 30% of the heat escapes through the walls. The way out of this situation is to reduce the thermal conductivity of the walls, that is, to isolate the walls from the cold external environment with materials with a thermal conductivity coefficient tending to zero. In the common people they say: - insulate the facades. Indeed, an insulated facade significantly reduces heat loss through the walls of the house, which means it saves the energy needed to replenish these losses.

traditional materials

Insulated walls are many advantages: protect the structure from adverse natural and climatic conditions, increase the noise insulation characteristics of the house, prevent the freezing of the outer walls and, as a result, the appearance of fungi and mold on the inner walls of the house. If it is cold in your house in winter, at a coolant temperature of 90 degrees, and hot in summer, the walls inside are wet (especially visible on the tiles) - it's time to think about warming your home.

traditional materials facade insulation are:

Styrofoam
glass wool

Styrofoam is a plastic foaming product consisting of 90% air and 10% polymer itself. Due to this structure, it is characterized by low thermal conductivity. Of the heaters, it has the most low price, easy to cut and install. glass wool fibrous material, in the manufacture of which waste from the glass industry is used. Glass wool fibers reach 5 cm in length, and thanks to this, insulation has increased elasticity and strength. During installation, glass wool poses a danger to human health. Small particles of glass getting on open areas of the skin cause itching, if they get into the eyes or respiratory tract, they can cause irreparable harm to health. When working with this material respiratory protection required, face and human body.

Modern heaters

Progress does not stand still. Appear new materials, such as:

polyurethane foam
mineral wool
basalt wool

These materials retained the advantages and eliminated the shortcomings of their predecessors. polyurethane foam(also known as polyurethane foam) is one of the types of foam in liquid form, followed by hardening. Due to the initially liquid consistency, this insulation is poured into the air gap between the walls (if any), thereby ensuring the best adhesion to the wall. It has all the advantages of expanded polystyrene and, thanks to the application method, forms a heat-insulating layer without seams and gaps. It should also be noted the possibility of application in hard-to-reach places and the speed of installation.

Extruded polystyrene foam- XPS is also a material derived from foam, produced by extrusion using foaming agents at high pressure and temperature. As a result, EPPS is dense and mechanically strong, unlike foam, and is used in auxiliary and load-bearing structures. Also, the advantages of EPPS are - low thermal conductivity, frost resistance, lack of water absorption.

Mineral wool, like glass wool, is a fibrous heat-insulating material, but is made from metallurgical slags, rocks or other silicate materials. The main advantage of min. wool in comparison with glass wool - the safety of installation work.

Basalt wool is a heat-insulating material for the manufacture of which basalt rocks are used. In this regard, the service life of materials from basalt fiber reaches 30–40 years, which is much higher than materials from glass wool and min. Cotton wool.

Each of the listed materials has its advantages and disadvantages, but giving preference to any of them, it is necessary to take into account several essential characteristics: thermal conductivity, water absorption, density. Thermal conductivity, from a physics course, is quantitative characteristic of the ability of a material to conduct heat o, the smaller its value, the higher the amount of heat retained in the room. Water absorption shows the ability of the insulation to absorb water upon direct contact, wet materials change their properties, including thermal conductivity. The density of the insulation depends on what load it will exert on the supporting structures of the building. The choice of one or another material depends on certain tasks and installation conditions, to perform high-quality and durable insulation.

For convenience and clarity, the characteristics of the above heaters are summarized in the table

Functional characteristics of heaters

insulation	glass wool	Mineral wool	Basalt wool	Styrofoam	Extruded polystyrene	polyurethane foam
*Thermal conductivity coefficient (W/(mK))**	0,038 -0,046	0,077−0,12	0,033 -0,038	0,038 - 0,05	0,028 - 0,032	0,018 - 0,032
*Vapor permeability (mg/mhPa)*	0,5 - 0,6	0,4 - 0,6	0,5 - 0,6	0,05	0,013 - 0,018	0,02 - 0,03
Water absorption (% of volume)	10	5−10	2−5	1 - 10	Missing	1 - 5
Fire resistance (°C)	350 - 450	300 - 600	1000	160	120	200
Sound absorption (db)	0,35−0,50	0,35−0,60	0,45 - 0,80		Weak sound absorption	Weak sound absorption
Environmental friendliness		contains phenol-formaldehyde binders	contains phenol-formaldehyde binders		Emits styrene, toxic when burned	Emits styrene, toxic when burned
Elasticity, strength, vibration resistance		Increased elasticity and strength	Increased elasticity, strength and vibration resistance	Resistant to stretching and compression	Increased elasticity and strength	Increased elasticity and strength
Mechanical strength	Fragility of fibers. Shrinks	Not subject to shrinkage, does not break	Not subject to shrinkage. Basalt wool slabs are not deformed	Limited strength, susceptibility to mechanical damage	High mechanical strength. Exposure to UV radiation	Destroyed by ultraviolet radiation
Density	15 - 65	20 - 80	20 - 80	15 - 50	35 - 45	25 - 60
Service life (years)	15−25	22 - 35	30 - 40	5 - 10	gt; fifty	10 - 20
Mounting	Requires the use of personal protective equipment during installation. Easy to cut and install		Does not require the use of ISP. Easy to cut and install	Easy to cut and install. Requires surface protection from mechanical damage	Easy to cut and install. Can carry load and is used in auxiliary structures	High installation speed. Improved adhesion to the wall. Requires the use of special technology.

The choice of material also depends on specific conditions of use: the basement or massandra will be insulated, or the walls of the house can be wooden. For example, when insulating a wooden house, one feature should be taken into account, the walls must breathe, otherwise mold, fungus and the tree begin to rot. Therefore, for insulation, materials with high vapor permeability such as mineral wool.

Summarizing this article, we can say that it is necessary to insulate the house, but it is necessary to take into account a number of conditions for choosing a specific material for insulation. It is important not only to insulate the facade, but also to choose the most optimal material for these walls, which has high characteristics. sound absorption, moisture resistance, fire resistance. The material that is the most environmentally friendly is able to protect the walls from freezing, the formation of fungi and mold.