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Reducing heat loss is the main task of every homeowner, both private owners and legal entity. Only right choice heat, hydro and sound insulation can guarantee the presence of a comfortable microclimate inside the building. In this article we will consider Alufom reflective insulation.

Features of Alufoma

Since the main share of heat loss comes from infrared radiation (about 65%), massive insulating materials cannot completely protect the house. The main material that is able to return the rays back to the source is foil containing a high proportion of aluminum. The walls of the building having such protection, in summer heat will reflect thermal radiation outward, and in winter - heat inward.

Alufom is an innovative hydro-, sound-, and thermal insulation with a high heat reflection coefficient. Its functionality is based on the properties of polished foil with a high aluminum content and air bubbles inside polyethylene microfoam. This structural feature of the material is clearly visible in the photo. Aluf insulation can reflect about 97% of radiated heat, preventing the room from heating up in summer and cooling in winter.

Scope of application

Today, the use of Alufom knows no bounds. It is used in construction, transport, in greenhouses (awnings, blinds), in thermal insulation packaging, in sleeping bags, thermal blankets, and in tent flooring. This material is most widely used in construction. It is used in the following cases:

• roofs;
• under heated floors;
• walls (inside, outside);
• climatic equipment;
• ventilation;
• pipelines;
• heating appliances, boilers;
• metal structures;
• country houses;
• agricultural buildings;
• saunas.

In the transport industry, Aluf insulation is indispensable in vans and containers; it is excellent for protecting engines and bodies.

Technical characteristics of Alufoma

Types of material

Depending on the technical characteristics, Alufom is divided into several varieties. Aluf A- This is polyethylene foam, which has a one-sided foil coating. Can be used as a vapor barrier or as an additional layer of thermal insulation. This insulation is sometimes placed in 2 layers. Then it is able to provide water protection and complete thermal protection. Alufom V- polyethylene foam covered with foil on both sides. Alufom S- a material based on polyethylene foam, which is covered on one side with foil, and on the other with glue and a special coating material. This type is mainly used on air vents.

Advantages of Aluf insulation

This material has many advantages over its analogues. According to reviews, with the help of Alufom you can provide the most reliable thermal protection. In addition, it creates sound insulation, vapor and waterproofing, and provides protection against radon. It is able to function reliably when high humidity. It has no significant disadvantages. The use of Alufom saves usable space, because the material has a small thickness. In addition, it does not rot, does not wear out, and is environmentally friendly. It is installed quite simply; no special clothing is needed. This lightweight material, which is available for transportation and installation.

Video

Alufom-A

1. Scope of application
2. Features of Alufoma
3. Advantages
4. Varieties

Reducing heat loss is one of the main tasks of both a private owner building his own house and any other homeowner. Only correct selection hydro, heat and sound insulation materials can guarantee in the future (after completion of construction or repairs) the presence of a fairly comfortable indoor microclimate. Therefore, on the pages of this article on the site we will talk about innovative building material Aluf - has reflective insulation to reduce heat loss.

Scope of application

Aluf for arrangement heated floors

Alufom is used quite widely, today it is used for thermal insulation of various packages, in thermal blankets, in sleeping bags, in tent flooring, in construction, in transport (blinds, awnings), etc., but Alufom is used quite widely in construction. It is used mainly to reduce heat loss;

Insulating a balcony with Alufoma

• in saunas;
• in country houses;
• walls (outside, inside);
• in agricultural buildings;
• roofs;
• climatic equipment;
• when installing heated floors;
• ventilation;
• boilers, heating devices;
• pipelines;
• metal structures.

  Insulation of the engine compartment in a car using Alufoma

In addition, Aluf is used in the transport industry in containers and vans to protect bodies and engine compartments.

Features of application

Since most of the heat loss occurs due to infrared radiation (this is approximately 60-65%), therefore massive thermal insulation materials don't provide enough good protection home from heat loss. The main material that can return infrared rays back is aluminum foil. The walls of the building, which have such protection, return heat to the inside of the building in winter, and in the summer heat they reflect thermal radiation outside.

As mentioned above, this is an innovative sound-, hydro-, and heat-insulating material that has a fairly high coefficient of heat reflection. The functionality of Alufom is based mainly on the properties of polished foil with a high aluminum content and the presence of air bubbles in polyethylene microfoam. Such a structure is capable of reflecting up to 97 percent of heat radiation in summer time and preventing cooling in winter.

Aluf is used for pipeline insulation

Advantages

Alufom has many advantages over similar materials. If you look at the reviews, you can use it to create the most reliable and high-quality thermal protection. It also creates hydro-, steam-, and sound insulation and is able to function reliably even in conditions of high humidity. When used, it saves usable space, as it has a small thickness; in addition, during operation it does not wear out, does not rot, and is environmentally friendly. To work with it, you do not need any special clothing; installation of this material is quite simple, since it is light in weight. It has no significant disadvantages.

Alufom on a self-adhesive basis

Types of material

Alufom, depending on the available technical characteristics, can be divided into varieties, such as Alufom A, Alufom B, Alufom S.

1. Aluf A– made on a polyethylene base, which is coated with foil on one side. It can be used as a vapor barrier or as an additional layer of thermal insulation, and sometimes it is laid in two layers. In this case, Alufom is able to provide complete warmth and waterproofing.
2. Alufom B– made of polyethylene and covered on both sides with foil. It is used for arranging roofs, insulating attics, floors, etc.
3. Alufom S(on a self-adhesive basis) - polyethylene is covered with foil on one side, and its other side is covered with glue, and on top of the glue with a special coating material. This type of Alufoma is used mainly only on air vents.

The latest thermal insulation materials help to significantly reduce the cost of heating rooms. Covering walls with foil insulation is an economical solution for homeowners who are ready to install thermal insulation on their own.

Features of foil material

Combined insulation includes two main components: heat-insulating material, foil. The aluminum coating provides the main quality property of the insulation: reflective thermal insulation with an effect of 97%. In addition to thermal insulation, the main advantage, the material is characterized by the following properties:

• elasticity;
• soundproofing;
• waterproof;
• environmental friendliness.

Combined insulation

The foil product has a long service life without loss quality characteristics, is not subject to decomposition or deformation. Manufacturers indicate a service life of up to 95 years. The low weight and thickness of the layer are convenient for transportation and installation, and do not take up living space. interior decoration apartments, allow you to simulate structures when finishing figured elements. Even an inexperienced person can cope with the installation of foil panels and slabs. construction work Human.

For external walls buildings are finished with foil insulation - reliable protection from the adverse effects of climatic factors: wind, severe frost, high humidity, temperature changes. The heat resistance of the material is combined with resistance to solar and radon radiation. An important factor is the interaction of the heat insulator with different facing materials.

Types of foil insulation

Products are produced with different densities of the foil layer and types of heat-insulating base.

Penofol

Universal insulator (second name: isolon, ecofol) based on polyethylene foam. Foil coating is allowed both one-sided and two-sided. One of the types of products is a self-adhesive sheet with an adhesive layer underneath. protective film– the installation of the heat insulator is significantly simplified. Foam fiber is supplied in rolls. Some types of material are reinforced within the structure with fiberglass mesh reinforcement. Penofol is known as an environmentally friendly and safe heat insulator.

Penofol foil self-adhesive

Layer thickness 3-8 mm. Thermal conductivity 0.038 W/(mK), moisture absorption within 0.35-0.7%. The vapor permeability of the material is 0.001 mg/m*k.

Penofol is fixed on the walls behind the batteries central heating to retain warm air through reflective insulation. Free space It is recommended to maintain approximately 2 cm between the wall and the battery. The material serves not only as cladding interior walls premises. Foil foam is used to finish floors, roofs, and insulate pipes. The high water resistance of insulation with foil justifies its use in the construction of saunas.

The cost of a roll of penofol is influenced by the thickness of the heat-insulating base of the insulation.

Foiled mineral wool

The product is produced in the form of slabs, mats, and rolls with an insulating layer thickness of 5-10 cm. The foil coating is present only on one side.

Fiberglass and stone basalt wool are used as insulation. The use of the second material is limited external finishing walls of buildings or use in non-residential buildings. The reason lies in phenol emissions that are dangerous to human health. Additional insulation of foil plates with a protective film is carried out where increased resistance to high temperatures is required.

According to technical characteristics, basalt wool can withstand temperature fluctuations from – 200 to +300°C. Thermal conductivity up to 0.07 W/(mK). Aluminum protection provides hygroscopic material against high humidity. The products are highly durable, do not attract rodents, and are not susceptible to fungal infections. An important factor is ignition resistance, which is why the material is often used for cladding. wooden buildings, baths A long service life allows the use of basalt insulation in non-residential buildings with an aggressive environment.

Fiberglass wool with a waterproofing layer of foil is often used in internal thermal insulation walls of saunas, showers.

Styrofoam

A foil product based on the fusion of polystyrene granules is in demand for “warm floor” systems. The markings made by the manufacturer are intended for routing the cable system. Material thickness 3-5 mm. Thermal conductivity indicators do not exceed 0.035 W/m2, density – up to 45 kg/m3.

Foil insulation for underfloor heating

Increased strength ensures safe use in places with mechanical stress and high humidity. Retains properties in the temperature range from -180° to +180°C.

The use of foil insulation

Thermal insulating materials with foil coating are compatible with almost any surface. Taking into account properties different types Insulation materials, most often, walls with internal and external sides, verandas, floor, entrance doors, balconies of various buildings.

• for floor insulation - solid polystyrene foam boards;
• for saunas, baths - mineral wool with high vapor barrier;
• for walls, doors, ceilings - insulation based on foamed polyethylene.

Perform thermal insulation of the surface of walls, partitions heating devices, batteries are lighter with self-adhesive material.

Rules for installing foil insulation

The peculiarity of installing foil insulation is that the shiny side is metal coating should always be directed indoors. Incorrect installation will result in loss of reflection effect, i.e. reduction of thermal insulation.

Between finishing walls and a layer of foil insulation are recommended to be preserved air gap up to 1.5 cm for additional heat protection, thermos effect.

To install insulation, a home handyman will need:

• nails with large heads;
• hammer and nail puller;
• construction tape;
• acrylic or rubber glue;
• construction stapler.

You can cope with the work alone, but installation together, with an assistant, will go faster.

Sealing gaps with aluminum tape

Insulation of walls indoors

The main stages of laying insulation:

1. Preparing the wall. Insulating walls with old wallpaper from the inside requires preliminary cleaning and coating with an antiseptic.
2. Fastening the insulation. It is allowed to stick rolled sheets on the wall or construct a sheathing in the cells of which the slabs are attached. The first installation option is more common.
3. Additional fixation of insulation with a construction stapler or nails.
4. Treating cracks with aluminum tape.
5. Fastening the slats to create an air gap before the final cladding.

Thermal insulation of the basement with foil insulation from the inside

When installing insulation inside a room or home, you should consider:

• laying mineral wool should be in dense rows without gaps between the slabs;
• material foiled on both sides needs two air pockets - from the outer wall, from the finishing;
• sheets roll insulation never overlap each other;
• The fastening of self-adhesive mineral wool with a foil layer must be reinforced with nails around the perimeter to reduce the risk of delamination.

Insulating the garage from the inside

If the room is completely covered with insulation, then work should start from the ceiling, then move on to the walls, laying the floor insulation last.

Insulation of walls outside

Insulating walls from the inside is preferable, as it allows for better heat retention. If for some reason this cannot be done, then heat-insulating materials are installed outside. Experts recommend using foiled mineral wool.

To carry out the work, the master will need following materials and tools:

• medium-thick mineral wool with a foil layer;
• glue;
• construction gun;
• brush;
• windproof film;
• dowels

Insulation of walls outside

Insulation of an external wall is the formation of a “layer cake” in a certain way with a filling in the form of a heat insulator - foil mineral wool. The work is carried out in stages:

1. Creation of a metal sheathing for the placement of slabs of heat-insulating material. The structure is attached to concrete or wooden wall buildings using dowels. Choice metal frame more reliable than wood, since the cladding will be resistant to deformation when exposed to different temperatures and humidity.
2. Fastening the insulation to the sheathing and gluing it to the wall. On reverse side Foil-coated mineral wool slabs need to be spot-applied with adhesive mass and pressed against the wall. Additional fasteners can be dowels.
3. Leveling the surface using a sanding brush.
4. Fastening windproof film, waterproofing. Fixation is carried out with a construction stapler, small nails with large heads.

Insulation brick house outside

It should be noted that the construction of a metal sheathing made of galvanized profiles should take into account the width of the panels and heat insulation slabs in order to reduce the number of joints.

The finishing is usually mounted on an additional subsystem while maintaining the ventilation gap.

External walls of wooden structures can be covered with foil foam. The material is lighter, the cost of insulation is lower. It is recommended to choose a perforated type of penofol to enhance protection against getting the walls wet.

Before direct installation of the insulation, the walls must be treated with an antiseptic, paying particular attention to Special attention corners of the house. It is recommended to glue the joints of penofol sheets with metal tape. The sheathing can be wooden. The work is carried out in the same order as when installing mineral wool.

It is important to take into account that insulation of the external walls of the house is carried out exclusively in dry weather at positive air temperatures.

The use of foil insulation enhances the effect of maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. Experts recommend taking this factor into account when making decisions about choosing a thermal insulation material.

2017-09-27 Evgeniy Fomenko

Installation of foil insulation

Foil insulation has a fairly wide range of applications; it is used for insulating pipes with cold and hot water, for insulating walls, as a substrate when laying parquet or under laminate, for insulating hives, soundproofing a room, roofing works, insulation of ventilation ducts, thermal insulation of industrial equipment.

This insulation is used to line the walls from the inside of the room behind the radiators to reduce heat loss, since it is heat-resistant. Our market offers the following trade marks: Alufom, Ursa, Penofol, Folgoizol, Izolon, Knauf, Lavsan, Magnel, Megaflex, Penoplex, Ecoteplin, the most popular type is with foil and foam rubber.

How much does this material cost? It all depends on the manufacturer you choose; the price ranges from $1 to $4 per meter2. Let's try to take a closer look at how to properly place this material on various surfaces.

On the wall

Often walls are insulated with similar material in baths, saunas, and balconies; in this case, polyethylene-based material is used. It is recommended to use insulation with a thickness of at least 10 mm; such material can be covered with foil on one side or on both sides.

If you consider options for what you can attach it to, a construction stapler is best suited, Double-sided tape, you can also use a special rubber-based glue; the joints of the sheet are taped with tape. If we're talking about about insulating the balcony, then you need to lay an additional thermal insulation layer, for example, polystyrene foam, basalt material or other.

Is it possible to insulate without them? Of course yes, however you will not get the desired result. In order for the insulation to fulfill its intended purpose, it is necessary to figure out how to install it correctly. The distance between the material and the sheathing should be approximately 20 mm, this will create a certain air gap, which will serve as an air barrier.

Let's take a closer look at how to properly mount it to the wall:

• Attach the foam to a previously prepared surface.
• on top of it secure the foil insulation.
• Then on top install wooden beams, then sew everything up with the selected material (gypsum, siding), and seal the joints with foil tape.

To the ceiling

As a rule, the maximum thickness of insulation is selected for the ceiling, since all the heat rises upward, and its maximum loss occurs there. Thanks to its reflective surface, the insulation is able to reflect up to 90% of the heat, thus increasing the overall efficiency of the insulation system by 60%. These characteristics can be obtained subject to compliance with the installation rules.

To carry out the work you will need the following:

• Construction stapler.
• Small nails.
• Hammer.
• Insulation material.
• Aluminum tape.

This product is sold in rolls; for ease of installation, cut it into the required lengths. Which side should you lay it on? Installation should be done so that the foil surface is indoors (with the silver side facing you). So, let's figure out how to nail this material.

Gap between finishing material and the insulation should be about 20 mm, this buffer zone protects the room from heat loss.

When attaching to the ceiling, secure it using a stapler; the fastening should be butt to end, and assembly seams glue with aluminum tape to ensure hydro- and thermal insulation.

On the floor

Perhaps the installation process on the floor is the most labor-intensive, and there are more possible variations, since you can lay a warm floor system (not just a water floor) under linoleum, parquet, laminate. All this is possible thanks to its non-flammable base, since there is reflective foil on one side and foam rubber on the other.

Some manufacturers have variations with foam on both sides. So, let us describe in more detail the process of installing a wooden floor. To do this we need the following: construction knife, insulation, aluminum tape, meter, grinding machine, antiseptic primer, putty.

For this type of work, it is better to give preference to a material with an adhesive backing, however, you can get out of the situation with double-sided tape.

Work order:

• Prepare the base, remove the baseboard, treat the floor grinder If there are any unevenness, remove them using putty.
• Treat with antiseptic liquid. After drying, take measurements and cut into the required pieces. Lay a sheet with foam inside and foil outside.
• Execute seam sealing using metallized tape.
• Then lay parquet, laminate.

If you are insulating a concrete floor, the technology is similar, however, it is better to use specialized rubber adhesive for gluing. But in all other respects the technology is the same. If you have a very cold floor, in such a case they stuff the insulation with wooden joists, the niches in them are filled insulation material, it is covered with sheets of OSB boards on top, then the selected coating material is primed and laid.

Types of material

Let's look at what types of insulation are called:

How to put insulation on pipes

As a rule, such material has the form of a pipe “cocoon” made of mineral wool (withstands high temperatures) or polystyrene foam (moisture resistant). How to insulate them, the question disappears in itself, since they have the appearance of a “cocoon”, which is put on top and fixed. There are main lines for chimneys, various diameters and temperature conditions.

However, if you decide to purchase sheet insulation, you may be faced with the question of how to glue it to metal? Aluminum tape will come to your aid, which is wound onto the insulation over the pipe. And, as in the options described above, you need to wear it with the shiny side facing you.

Is it possible to insulate the walls from the outside?

To insulate the walls from the outside, perforated foil insulation is used. This is a material that, among other things, has soundproofing qualities, can protect your home from moisture and wind, and also does not prevent moisture from leaving the room. This option is ideal for those who do not have the opportunity to perform such work indoors. However, such activities can only be carried out in the warm season and in dry weather.

To do this you will have to do the following:

• If you had any kind of covering on the wall, you need get rid of him. Then treat the surface with an antiseptic solution. It is better to do this in hot weather so that everything dries well; treat the lower part of the building especially carefully. Within two days the surface will dry completely.
• Further build a frame from timber, secure it with self-tapping screws. Lay Penafol, then leave an air tunnel, glue the joints, then install the outer frame.

In conclusion, we suggest watching a video about the installation of Penofol thermal insulation:

The majority of heat loss in buildings occurs due to infrared radiation. In this regard, massive materials (basalt wool, penoplex, etc.) are not able to provide the maximum level of thermal insulation. However, this problem has constructive solution- Aluf.

Alufom has a base made of aluminum foil, thanks to which it is able to reliably protect buildings. On hot days it reflects thermal radiation, and in winter it retains heat inside. Next, we will get acquainted with the main features of such thermal insulation.

Advantages and disadvantages

This type of thermal insulation has the following advantages:

• Highest heat reflection. In this aspect, foil models are more than superior to bulk materials. Their efficiency is close to 100% (on average it is 97%), which practically eliminates the possibility of heat loss.

Advice: such thermal insulation is the best option for finishing baths.

• Another important advantage of this insulation is its absolute moisture resistance. The aluminum layer is not “afraid” of even direct contact with water, which provides the material with a long service life.
• Due to its properties, Alufom can also serve as sound and waterproofing. Laying two layers will completely solve the problem of finishing the floors.
• High temperature resistance. The operating temperature range is quite high, making it suitable for use in all regions, even the coldest.
• Space saving. The thickness of the insulation does not exceed 5 mm, which significantly reduces costs usable area when creating a thermal insulation layer.
• Easy to install. Alufom is very light, which makes it easy to work with. There is no need to create any strength frames - the sheets can be immediately attached to the original surface.

Are there any significant disadvantages to this insulation? The only serious disadvantage of this material is the relatively high price. It is possible to create a high-quality insulating layer at a cost 1.5-2 times lower. However, it should be borne in mind that it provides sound and moisture protection, so there is no need to lay the appropriate layers.

Key Specifications

Most experienced craftsmen when choosing insulation, first of all pay attention to specifications, since its effectiveness will depend on them. Next, we will consider the main indicators that affect the overall efficiency.

Technical specifications	Material type
	A	IN	WITH
Thermal reflection coefficient (from)	0,9
Optical reflectance (from)	97
Thermal conductivity index (under normal conditions), W/m*C	0,031	0,032	0,033
Specific gravity (for models standard thickness) kg/m2	0,15-0,22	0,17-0,24
Water absorption coefficient (percentage)	0,7	0,65	0,6
Elasticity index (dynamic) MPa	0,26	0,39
Heat absorption rate (per day)	0,51	0,45
Specific heat capacity m2*C/W	1,95

All available classifications

There are several types of Alufom insulation, differing in their key technical characteristics:

• Alufom A is polyethylene foam, coated on one side with aluminum spray foil. Most often used as a vapor barrier or additional insulation. Laying in 2 (for cold layers 3) layers allows you to create reliable protection from heat loss.
• B - is polyethylene foam covered on both sides with aluminum foil. These are more advanced models with a maximum service life. Most often used for finishing roofs, attic premises, attics, etc.

Important! When purchasing, ask the seller for certificates of conformity. Today, cheap, partly “handicraft” analogues are often sold under the guise of popular materials. This is especially true for the field of foil insulation, which the population has not yet fully understood.

• C is a particularly flexible polyethylene, which is coated with aluminum coating on one side and adhesive base on the other. This greatly facilitates the installation of the material, since it is self-adhesive and there is no need to take additional measures for fixation. Most often, this variety is used for arranging air vents and heating lines (in combination with kaolin)

Application area

As mentioned earlier, Alufom has found wide application in many industries. This happened thanks to him high efficiency, which most competitors cannot boast of. It is used for insulation:

• Roofs, attics and attics. Here, high moisture resistance comes to the fore.
• Saunas, baths, garages.
• Climate systems.
• Walls of private and industrial buildings. In this case, both external and internal insulation is permissible (in the second case, the efficiency will be many times higher).
• Water mains. In this case, group B is used.
• Heating boilers, heated floors. This is achieved thanks to wide range operating temperatures. Not many competitors are able to withstand such colossal loads (daily changes of up to 400 degrees)
• Transport facilities. In particular, they are even more often used for finishing containers and vans. Its properties are ideal for these conditions.
• Country and agricultural buildings.

Conclusion

In general, Alufom seems to be an excellent material capable of solving many problems. However, given the high cost, it can only be recommended in cases where there is very high humidity (baths, saunas, baths, etc.), or when design features do not allow the use of more massive materials.