home Walls

Types of insulation for the walls of the house from the inside: materials for insulation and their characteristics. Modern types of insulation White insulation what is the name

When arranging residential premises and household buildings, it becomes necessary to insulate wall structures. Due to the wide variety of types of heaters that are offered for sale, it is sometimes difficult to decide in favor of a particular type. But if you understand the characteristics and properties of such products, the upcoming purchase will be faster and more successful.

Before buying a heater, you should take a closer look at their specifics.

general information

Properly selected building insulation is a guarantee of protection from the cold in winter, as well as providing coolness in summer time. Such material guarantees a comfortable microclimate inside the building, regardless of its purpose and season. But the ability to save heat also significantly reduces heating costs. With good insulation you can achieve maximum energy savings, as well as make the room protected from environmental influences.

In most cases, builders insulate those parts of the house that are constantly in contact with the outside world. It's about about:

High-quality insulation for the house will not only make the building more comfortable for living and reduce heating costs, but will also help extend the life of other building materials, preventing their premature damage due to freezing. At the same time, it is important to choose the right insulation: only if this condition is met, the thermal insulation of the house will be reliable and effective.

How to choose a heater

Choosing a heater for the house, consider the following basic factors:

type of heat-insulated structure: walls (external or internal), roof, ceiling, plinth, facade, balcony, etc.;
features of the insulated structure: for walls - the material of manufacture, thickness, for the roof - its variety, for floors and facades - the type of finishing materials that will be laid on the insulation;
technical requirements: insulation for the house must be environmentally friendly. In some cases, conditions are also put forward in terms of fire safety, vapor permeability, low weight, etc.

The budget allocated for thermal insulation works is also important. It is natural that every buyer seeks to save. But when choosing a heater, one should still not give preference to cheap materials of dubious quality and without specialized certificates. Their use can lead to inefficiency and / or fragility of the thermal insulation of the house, and, consequently, to additional costs associated with the replacement of insulation in the near future.

Pay attention to the thermal conductivity of the material. The lower this value, the greater the thermal insulation performance of the insulation for the house. The thickness of the material laying also affects the level of thermal insulation.

Another important factor in choosing a heater is the method of its installation. Depending on the type of material and the form of its release, this can be:

laying with fixing, gluing - for mats, plates;
spraying - for sprayed polyurethane foam and other similar materials;
application with painting tools - for liquid formulations;
pouring - for expanded clay and other similar materials.

The choice of application method often depends on the type of structure. For example, it is convenient to fill the attic with expanded clay, and paste over the walls with mats.

Popular heaters for the home

Mineral wool (basalt). The material is made from the melt of rocks, blast-furnace slags and consists of many microfibers. The advantages of such a heater are its durability, which is due to mechanical strength, resistance to mold and moisture, as well as incombustibility. Mineral wool is often used for external insulation (ventilated, plaster facades), thermal insulation of flat roofs, walls and pipelines. When choosing such a heater for your home, pay attention to the composition. Materials with phenol-formaldehyde resins as a binder are not desirable for use in residential areas.

Fiberglass. This is a type of mineral wool, consisting of glass fibers. The advantage of the material is increased chemical resistance, strength and elasticity. The main disadvantage of this insulation is the significant fragility of the fibers. Broken glass wool microfragments cause skin irritation, are dangerous if they get into the eyes, and are difficult to remove from clothing.

Expanded polystyrene (styrofoam). This is a synthetic insulation for the home, which combines an extremely affordable cost with good thermal insulation performance, which makes it popular. At 98%, such a material consists of air in closed cells, and its effectiveness in terms of insulation is related to this. Among the advantages, one can also note hygroscopicity, light weight, preservation of its thermal insulation performance in any climatic zone. Disadvantages: low strength, ability to oxidize in air, release harmful substances when heated.

Sprayed polyurethane foam. This is one of the modern heaters that appeared on the market relatively recently. The material is a plastic with a foamy cellular structure. It is characterized by elasticity, breathability, good noise-absorbing properties, chemical resistance, low moisture absorption. Application by spraying makes it possible to create a high-quality thermal insulation layer even on structures with a complex configuration. The disadvantages are the high price, sensitivity to ultraviolet light and the ability to break down due to exposure to high temperatures.

Ecowool. Such a home insulation is made from recycled cellulose (more than 80%) and additional additives (antiseptics and flame retardants, usually boric acid and sodium tetraborate are used for this purpose, respectively). The material is considered environmentally friendly. If ventilation is possible, ecowool can be used in damp rooms (for a house, these are basements, plinths, bathrooms), including those in which condensation can form on surfaces. The disadvantages of the material are a decrease in volume during operation (usually by 20%) and the fragility of properties (thermal insulation characteristics decrease over time).

Penoizol. This material is a liquid foam produced in cylinders. The foamy substance well fills the cracks and gaps in the structure, which provides reliable thermal insulation. Not required to perform preliminary training surfaces, there are no seams. Penoizol is produced on the basis of a polymer resin, into which diverse additives are introduced. On sale there are foam insulation insulation for residential and non-residential premises. The former are distinguished by a more environmentally friendly composition (usually they are made on the basis of urea-formaldehyde resins), the latter often have better performance, although they are not environmentally friendly. After hardening, the foam insulation layer has good vapor permeability, which ensures a normal indoor microclimate. But such a heater can temporarily emit bad smell, possesses high hygroscopicity and gives linear shrinkage.

polyester fibre. Environmentally friendly insulation for the home. Does not contain glue and does not smell. The fibers do not break during installation and do not generate dust. The advantages of the material also include biological stability and minimal water absorption. It is not recommended to lay polyester fiber in areas that are under constant pressure.

Floor insulation

Up to 20% of heat loss is carried out through the floor (for comparison: up to 30% goes through windows and doors). To reduce heat loss will help insulation, laid under decorative coating. The most commonly used materials for floors are:

foamed materials (polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, etc.) with one foil side;
wood materials (plywood, fiberboard, sawdust, cork insulation);
mineral wool.

When choosing, consider:

floor load. The insulation should not be deformed under its influence;
requirements for vapor permeability, hygroscopicity, sound insulation and fire safety.

The latter requirements are usually determined by the type of flooring material and the conditions of use. For example, moisture-proof foam is suitable for concrete, but not for wood floors. Glass wool dampens noise well, but due to its high moisture absorption, it does not fit in wet rooms.

Types of wall insulation

First of all, it matters where exactly the insulation will be used.

Outside the building. It is important that the material is resistant to atmospheric factors, including high humidity, temperature jumps. For outdoor work, foam plastic, basalt insulation, and heat-insulating plaster are often used.
Inside the building. The environmental friendliness of the material is of paramount importance. In some cases, the requirement of a small thickness is also put forward so that the insulation layer does not greatly reduce the interior space of the premises. You can use mineral wool, expanded polystyrene (polystyrene), polyester fiber.

It is also necessary to analyze the compatibility of thermal insulation materials with wall and finishing materials: the insulation must be well attached to them.

Ceiling heaters

Ceiling insulation can be:

top - the insulation is laid, poured or glued in the attic;
lower (internal) - the material is glued to the ceiling from inside the room.

Most often, mineral wool, polystyrene foam, and foil polyethylene foam are used to insulate the ceiling. The choice depends on the installation method, technical requirements for thermal insulation.

Conclusion

Due to the wide range of thermal insulation materials, many homeowners find it difficult to choose the right means for insulation, especially since each option has both advantages and disadvantages. In such cases, it is advisable to contact a company that sells thermal insulation materials. Specialists will consult in detail on the characteristics of each of the heaters, help you choose the best option, taking into account operating conditions, type of construction, technical requirements for thermal insulation.

In the modern construction market, you can find just a huge amount of a variety of materials that can be used as a heater. Understand and do right choice in such a number of options, sometimes even professional builders are not able to. Next, various types of heaters and their characteristics will be considered so that everyone can purchase exactly the product that will create high-quality insulation of the building.

Basic material properties

These properties include:

The ability to retain heat or thermal conductivity. The lower the thermal conductivity of the material, the better it will be able to keep heat in your home. Materials with a minimum value of this characteristic can minimize or completely eliminate heat loss.

Such a coefficient various kinds heaters can be different, but one pattern has been identified: the smaller the value of this indicator, the thinner the insulating layer you will need to create.

Moisture resistance or moisture resistance. All the thermal insulation properties of any material are directly related to how much it is able to resist moisture, or how quickly this material gets wet.

The ability to pass steam, or steam conductivity. One of the main properties of any insulating material is the ability to remove excess moisture from the premises, so this indicator is extremely important.

Strength or the ability to maintain its size and shape. If the material does not deform and does not shrink during operation, this means that the insulation system will retain its characteristics for a long time and prevents the occurrence of cold bridges at the joints of the material.

Fire resistance. This property is of great importance for the fire safety of the building. Those who are worried about their safety and the safety of their home should give preference to non-combustible materials.

Ecological purity. Laying a layer of insulation during the construction of houses involves the use of this material for the entire life of the building, so it is very important for future residents that the selected insulation remains safe both at the time of its installation and throughout its entire life.

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Classification of existing insulating materials

The entire huge range of modern materials of this type can be safely divided into four main groups:

Cotton. In the role of such products can be glass wool known to everyone from ancient times or its more modern version of mineral wool, blocks and slabs of mineral wool type that exist today.
Sheet. Foam plastic, extruded polystyrene foam, etc., beloved by children, acts as products of this kind.
Foamy. Such materials are applied directly by spraying onto the very surface of the structure that needs to be insulated. Installation of these heaters is carried out using specialized equipment.
Rest. This group should include materials that are used quite rarely. These are such exotic options as insulation with cellulose, reeds, flax, etc.

There is another classification that divides heaters into groups based on the type of raw materials used for and manufacture. These are groups such as:

organic;
inorganic;
mixed.

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Cotton wool as a heater

Glass wool and mineral wool, very similar in their fibrous structure, are widely used in the construction of residential and industrial facilities, in the shipbuilding industry. They are also used as heat and noise insulation, as well as a layer that resists the spread of fire. The benefits include:

excellent indicators of vapor permeability, allowing to absorb excess moisture;
dielectric characteristics;
low thermal conductivity;
increased fire resistance;
ecological cleanliness;
resistance to such natural processes as decay, aging and vital activity of microorganisms and insects.

All types of cotton wool have their drawbacks:

Inability to keep the shape, and as a result, low strength and susceptibility to deformation.
Hygroscopicity, or the ability to absorb moisture, but modern manufacturers hydrophobize the fibers, which changes this property of the material.

Based on the above characteristics of glass and mineral wool, it can be understood that this material is the most suitable for the production of insulation work indoors.

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Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene: characteristics

Granules of this type of insulation are mixed and sintered by exposing them to high temperature. As a result of this process, a material is obtained, consisting of a huge number of small balls, which form fairly homogeneous plates.

It is this cellular structure that endows the foam with properties and characteristics that make it popular among the varieties of materials for home insulation. These properties include:

increased impermeability to water and non-conductivity of heat;
strength to mechanical impacts;
important for the owners of the building property of environmental friendliness and hypoallergenicity;
resistance to low temperatures;
ease of handling the material.

Despite all the positive qualities, expanded polystyrene is not without its drawbacks:

this material will not be non-combustible, but quite the contrary, during the combustion process, dangerous toxic substances will be released;
it is also impermeable to steam, which led to the prohibition of its use for the insulation of wooden structures.

Expanded polystyrene is a material with which any owner can insulate his house with his own hands. Professionals recommend its use in places of high probability of mechanical stress: floor, flat roofs, basements etc.

Thermal insulation works not only in winter, but also in summer. If it is carried out correctly, then in cold weather the house will be much warmer, and cooler in the heat. Manufacturers offer a huge range today. There are not only traditional products, but also new ones. modern materials. Building insulation comes in rolls, in mats, in granules, in the form of powder, cylinders, similar to blocks and bricks, to slabs.

Types of thermal insulation

The most important characteristic of a thermal insulation material is its thermal conductivity. The lower it is, the better. In fact, this indicator determines how much heat the material can pass through itself.

The main classification of heaters divides them into two groups:

reflective type. The reduction of heat losses during installation of this type occurs due to the reduction of infrared radiation.
preventive type. Their main quality is a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Preventive type thermal insulation is the broadest category. Consider the most popular samples and analyze their characteristics.

It is made from polyethylene granules, where a foaming agent is added when heated. The result is a porous material with good soundproofing and vapor barrier properties.

From the characteristics can be distinguished:

thermal conductivity of the material - 0.043-0.05 W / m K;
25-50 kg/m³;
maintains temperature in the range from -40 °C to +100 °C;
the degree of water absorption is low;
Good resistance to biological and chemical stresses.

Some manufacturers produce foamed polyethylene with a foil outer layer (a new modern analogue), this option already belongs to the second category. And another product made of polyethylene foam - heat-insulating cylinders for pipe insulation.

Many ordinary people confuse polystyrene foam with polystyrene foam. These are two different heaters, where the first has completely replaced the second, which has been used in construction for many years. Distinctive characteristic expanded polystyrene - its porosity. So 98% are pores filled with gas. And only 2% is the material itself. But at the same time, the insulation itself is very dense.

Here are its characteristics:

thermal conductivity - 0.024-0.041 W / m K;
vapor permeability (water absorption) - 0.017;
bending strength 0.5-1.1 kg / m² (comparable to foam - 0.03-1.9 kg / m²);
in construction, material with a density of 15-35 kg / m³ is most often used.

We add that this insulation is used for all types of building structures: floors, facades, roofing, foundations. They can be insulated from the inside or outside.

The Penoplex brand is especially popular today. Expanded polystyrene is also used to produce cylinders for pipe insulation.

This material is a mixture of water, polyester, emulsifiers, diisocyanate. Catalysts are added to this mixture, a chemical reaction occurs and polyurethane foam is obtained. This is a foamy liquid substance that is applied to building structures by spraying.

Characteristics:

density - 40-80 kg / m³ (above 50 kg / m³ the insulation becomes moisture resistant);
thermal conductivity - 0.018-0.027 W / m K;
water absorption up to 0.05.

In private construction, polyurethane foam is rarely used, but with large volumes of work it is a sought-after material.

This insulation belongs to the group of inorganic heat-insulating materials. It is made either from slag or from rocks. The second option is more common. The raw material for production is basalt, limestone, dolomite and others. The binder is either urea or phenol. By the way, phenolic mineral wool is used in construction. She has a high coefficient of moisture resistance.

Characteristics:

thermal conductivity - 0.031-0.05 W / m K;
density - 75-150 kg / m³;
withstands temperatures up to +600 °C;
moisture resistance is not very high.

We add that it is an excellent sound insulator. Insulation is produced in rolls and mats. Manufacturers also offer cylinders made from this material. This is a non-combustible material.

It is made from the same raw materials as the glass itself. Compared to mineral wool, this insulation has a higher strength due to elongated fibers. Does not burn, passive to chemicals.

Characteristics:

density - 130 kg / m³, no more;
thermal conductivity of the insulation - 0.028-0.52 W / m K;
withstands temperatures up to +450 °C;
high water absorption.

This material is made from waste paper and cardboard. Waste paper is also used, but in this case the quality drops dramatically. This insulation is most often used for warming crowns in wooden construction.

Characteristics:

thermal conductivity of ecowool - 0.031-0.042 W / m K;
material density - 30-75 kg / m³;
vapor permeability - 0.3;
insulation belongs to the group of moderately combustible materials;
sound absorption at a layer thickness of 50 mm 63 dB.

Felt

Construction felt is a heater of animal origin. Most often it is used in wooden construction, where external walls, window and door openings are covered with this material. Often it is used as a heat-insulating layer for plaster. wooden ceilings and also, by mixing with clay, as insulation for chimneys.

To prevent felt from becoming a breeding ground for moths and other insects, manufacturers treat it with a three percent solution of sodium fluoride.

Characteristics:

thermal conductivity of the material 0.06 W/m K;
density - 150 kg / m³;
tensile strength - 2-5 kg / cm².

This is a new heat-insulating material, the production of which is based on sawdust or shavings, finely chopped reeds or straw. Cement acts as a binder. Be sure to make chemical additives (liquid glass, alumina sulfate and calcium chloride), which increase the technical qualities of the material. The finished insulation in the form of blocks is treated with a mineralizer.

Characteristics:

wood concrete density - 500 -700 kg / m³;
thermal conductivity of the insulator - 0.09-0.13 W / m K;
compression pressure - 0.6-3.6 MPa;
for bending - 0.5-1.2 MPa.

This fibreboard insulation board is very similar to chipboard. But not only wood is used in its production. Instead, you can use straw, corn on the cob with the addition of waste paper. Synthetic resins are added as a binder, plus antiseptic and antiperine solutions, as well as water repellents. The form of production is a plate.

Characteristics:

density - 250 kg / m³;
thermal conductivity - 0.07 W / m K;
bending strength is not more than 12 MPa.

Warming is usually done by installing plates on the crate. Most often used for interior work.

This heater is called differently. One of the names of mipor. Why? Because there is an intermediate stage in the manufacturing process of the insulation, this is when an aqueous solution of urea-formaldehyde resin is strongly whipped with the addition of sulfonic acid. This foamed solution is mipore. Then glycerin is added to it, which gives the material strength and organic acid, which acts as a catalyst for the solidification of the mass.

Penoizol is sold in the form of blocks or powder. The powder must be diluted with water and poured into the cavity. Solidification occurs at room temperature.

Characteristics:

density - 20 kg / ³;
thermal conductivity - 0.04 W / m K;
starts to burn at a temperature of +500 °C;
high water absorption;
low passivity to chemicals.

Comparative analysis

In such a variety of thermal insulation materials, it is difficult to choose the one that will be needed specifically for certain purposes. We must pay tribute to the manufacturers who began to separate products by model. For example, insulation made of expanded polystyrene brand Penoplex. Models are offered only for indoor use, for facades, for roofs and so on. What is indicated on the packaging.

Let's compare some heaters with each other, after which it will become clear which one is best to choose for thermal insulation.

For example, let's take the famous Penofol brand - this is a foam polyethylene insulation. To begin with, the manufacturer supplies this heat insulator with a double-sided foil layer. Penofol 4 mm thick can replace 80 mm mineral wool rolls, 30 mm expanded polystyrene boards. In addition, there is no need to install hydro and vapor barrier.

But you can not use it for plaster. In this regard, polystyrene foam boards win. You just need to apply a plaster mesh on them and leveling can be carried out.

Mineral wool is the cheapest insulation on the market. But its cheapness is imaginary, because for installation it will be necessary to build a wooden frame, which must be treated with an antiseptic. That is, all these costs will negate its cheapness.

Plus, mineral wool is afraid of moisture, and these are two more layers of protective materials. And still, together with expanded polystyrene plates, it is the leader in the category of modern heaters.

PPU

As for polyurethane foam, it is rarely used in private housing construction. Too expensive this pleasure. It is impossible to apply it with your own hands. Requires special equipment and permission to work.

Arbolit and penoizol

These materials are most often used for warming balconies and loggias. Both heaters today compete with blocks of cellular concrete.

Unfortunately, while they are losing due to the lack of promotion of the brand. Although, in terms of thermal insulation characteristics, foam blocks will not yield. But for the thermal insulation of facades, wood concrete is a good option.

Conclusion

These are the most popular thermal insulation materials in private housing construction. Of course, the market for heaters has not exhausted its range of products. There are completely new materials, for example, from foamed polyvinyl chloride.

There are long-used, for example, the same chipboard or fiberboard. Or a combined option - honeycomb insulation, the shell of which is laminated plastic in the form of hexagonal honeycombs (hence the name), and paper, fabrics, fiberglass, cellulose, and so on are used as fillers.

Thermal insulation of house structures in different quantities is needed for all temperature conditions from the equator to northern latitudes. To date, there are so many materials that retain heat in the premises that when choosing among them, you can get confused and choose not what you need. Next, we will consider the most popular and effective types of heaters, compare their characteristics and determine the scope of each of them.

Classifications

Thermal insulation materials can be divided into groups according to different criteria. For example, in terms of composition:

Organic heaters made on the basis of natural components (fibreboard, cork);
Synthetic materials created by chemical reactions(all polyethylene, polyurethane materials);
Mineral wool.

Types of insulation for the home can also be divided by resistance to external precipitation and other influences. This will determine the scope of the material:

For internal applying;
For external thermal insulation.

It should be noted that only materials that do not absorb water in any way are suitable for outdoor use. Their fibers must repel moisture, and the pores in the insulation must be closed. These include all types of polyurethane foams, polyethylene foam, foam plastic.

Types of insulation for walls inside should, first of all, let steam through so that it does not linger in the room. Otherwise, moisture accumulates in the rooms, condensation forms, and pockets of mold colonies spread. The material must be safe for others (odorless, toxic fumes, if possible with a high ignition threshold). The group will include:

Mineral wool;
Heaters based on cement and organic components;
Ecowool;
Cork.

There are much more types of insulation for walls from the inside than for external walls, because some plates that can be used to sheathe the facade are also suitable for internal insulation.

There are other, narrower classifications, for example, division by pore type:

With closed pores (PPU, polystyrene);
With open pores (cork, foam block).

Now we will consider each type of heat-insulating material and determine its main parameters for ease of choice.

Polymer heat-insulating materials

Synthetic thermal insulators are a large family of components for keeping your home warm.

polyurethane foam

PPU has not yet been widely used, since surface finishing with this material is a relatively expensive process. And yet, PPU is considered one of the most effective heat insulators for several reasons:

Light weight, only 40…60 kg/m3;
Low degree of thermal conductivity no more than 0.025 W / m * C;
Easy installation - spraying;
No cold bridges with proper surface coverage;
Low vapor permeability;
Cheap raw materials.

The disadvantages include:

The need for special spray equipment;
The high cost of the work itself.

To reduce the cost of finishing, you can rent assembly plant and make the heat-insulating coating yourself, but the quality of the work cannot be guaranteed if handled ineptly.

When spraying, PPU is applied in a certain layer (depending on the calculated thickness), and after polymerization and solidification it turns into a porous coating that is not afraid of moisture and rodents.

PPU can be used to insulate walls, ceilings of rooms and attics.

Extruded polystyrene foam

This is a material similar in properties to conventional polyurethane foam in the form of decorated plates. It is easier to work with it - you just need to lay the blocks over the area of the insulated coating and you do not need to dry anything. Extruded polystyrene foam is sometimes called foam rubber.

PPU boards almost do not differ from their “relative” in terms of characteristics:

Thermal conductivity is only 0.3 W / (m * C);
Density up to 45 kg/m3;
Vapor permeability is even lower - only 0.015 mg / (m * h * Pa).

Material advantages:

Low price compared to the total cost of PPU;
Simple installation, which can be done by hand;
The lightness of the material.

Disadvantages:

There are bridges of cold;
Sealing of joints between plates is required;
Insufficient material safety data. Like PPU, expanded polystyrene is tested for safety only in the factory.

This type of insulation for walls outside and inside fits equally well.

Styrofoam

A relative of the group of foamed thermal insulation materials made of synthetic polyester. One of the most available materials, contributing to the preservation of heat in the house. Represents the balls compressed among themselves with emptiness thanks to which heated air does not get outside of the room.

Advantages of foam:

Sufficient efficiency - thermal conductivity is only 0.05 W / m * C;
The mass can vary between 40-125 kg depending on the composition and density of the material;
Low price for plates;
Easy installation.

Disadvantages:

According to many sellers, foam plastic is a completely safe insulation that is not afraid of fire and does not flare up when sparks occur. This is a deep delusion: if you try to set fire to the stove in the middle, keeping it strictly on the horizon, then only the light from the candle will remain on the surface. If the ignition is started from the edge, the material will immediately begin to melt and smoke heavily. The emitted gas is very dangerous for human life.
Insufficient environmental friendliness: the foam does not breathe, it lacks natural components;
Low vapor permeability contributes to the accumulation of moist air in the room. To solve the situation, it is necessary to install a ventilation system.
A considerable degree of absorbency can fail in a frosty winter: water accumulates in the channels, where it can expand when it solidifies and turns into ice.

Styrofoam should be used for outdoor use, but it can work well indoors if needed.

Penoizol

Another name is carbamide foam. It's the same sprayed polymer material like PPU, but less expensive.

Penoizol is able to absorb water up to 1/5 of its volume, but then it easily gives up liquid, while maintaining its shape. This allows the use of a heat insulator even in wet rooms.
Penoizol serves up to 60 years without changing the initial characteristics.
Low shrinkage up to 5% of the total volume.

Disadvantages:

When using low-quality raw materials, you can get a result that is far from expected. For example, when drying, the foam will smell unpleasant or shrink significantly;
Like PPU, penoizol requires special equipment for spraying.

The material is suitable for indoor use.

Mineral wool

Mineral wools are natural heaters which are received by processing of natural raw materials.

glass wool

It is based on recycled glass fibers, stretched to the state of thin threads. On sale you can find glass wool in slabs or rolls, they are the same in terms of characteristics.

Glass fiber is a safe material, moreover, it is also effective:

The thermal conductivity of the plate is only 0.056 W / m * C;
Density up to 100 kg/m3;
But the vapor permeability failed - only 0.53 mg / (m * h * Pa). In other words, glass fiber easily takes on moisture, and then it is difficult to give it away.

What should be prepared in advance:

Glass threads are fragile, so it is necessary to take the stove correctly and move it at least once from place to place;
Shrinkage of the material occurs relatively quickly; after 10 years, the insulation becomes unusable and needs to be replaced.

Glass wool is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, but with the condition of mandatory hydro and vapor barrier.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is of two types:

1) Slag;
2) Stone.

Both types are produced from the remains of the stone industry. To bind the components, carbamide or phenol is used, which gives the plate a waterproof effect.

Averaged specifications mineral wool:

Thermal conductivity - 0.047 ... 0.12 W / m * C;
Density depending on origin 35…150kg/m3;
The ability to pass steam is high - 0.51 mg / (m * h * Pa).

Like glass wool, stone wool can be used both indoors and outdoors. However, it is not recommended to sheathe living rooms with this material: blocks can emit phenol fumes.

Ecowool

This is a special type of insulation material based on cellulose and additives. Ecowool is sprayed like polyurethane foam. It lays down evenly on the surface of the wall or ceiling, after which it is necessary to allow the material to dry completely. Unfortunately, during drying, cellulose can settle down significantly, as a result of which it is necessary to carefully work out each joint, seam, correctly distribute the solution and apply it.

Advantages of ecowool:

Low thermal conductivity up to 0.041 W / m * C;
Excellent sound insulation: a layer up to 1.5 cm thick is able to absorb sounds up to 9 dB;
There are no cold bridges at the joints of the supporting frame and the main parts of the building.

Disadvantages:

The thermal efficiency parameter is constantly decreasing due to rapid shrinkage;
Due to the above reason, after a few years, the upper section of the wall is exposed.

Ecowool is not suitable for insulation of facades from the outside.

Izolon

Combined material based on polyethylene foam, closed on both sides with aluminum foil. As you know, metal conducts heat well, but not in our case: the shiny layer reflects heat in the opposite direction. It turns out that the insulation will be effective only if proper styling shiny layer to the room.

Izolon is a completely safe material. They do not burn and do not support combustion, with a minimum sheet thickness, the effect of heat transfer is achieved, as is the case with conventional heaters, and does not require special installation skills.

As a rule, isolon is used indoors, including cast floors.

Fiberboard

Fiberboard is a combined material, which includes:

wood shavings;
A solution of cement and water;
Liquid glass.

Insulation is produced in the form of plates, which are laid in the usual way.

The material absorbs little water, has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity.

Despite the fact that the fibrolite almost does not absorb water, the liquid that nevertheless got on the fibers evaporates for a long time, mold starts in the coating.

Fiberboard is used to assemble internal and external walls and partitions, to cover the roof, attic, floor, etc.

Cork

The cork tree is a unique representative of the flora, which provides a person with a heat-insulating material of natural origin. The removed bark is carefully prepared:

1) Grind in a special machine;
2) Add natural glue suberin;
3) Form plates and rolls of different thicknesses and densities.

The output is an excellent heat-insulating material for flooring, indoor walls. Cork is an exceptionally safe and environmentally friendly product that can be used to decorate children's rooms.

The appearance of the coating allows you to use it as a floor covering and insulation at the same time.

We systematize information

The types of insulation and their characteristics that we reviewed are presented in the table, where you can compare them and choose the option that suits you:

The modern market offers a huge variety of heaters of organic, mineral and synthetic origin. We examined the basic products that are most often used to preserve heat in residential and office premises.