We understand the technical characteristics and features of the Osnova penoplex

Penoplex is a building heat-insulating material in the form of slabs of extruded polystyrene foam, in demand due to its lightness, strength and durability. In structure, it is similar to the usual polystyrene foam, but is more dense.

The barely visible pores of the insulation, measuring from 0.1 to 1 mm, are the result of new manufacturing technologies. In appearance, the slabs consist of a homogeneous material, which is actually finely porous with insulated cells, providing low thermal conductivity and water resistance.

A variety of grades and enhanced strength allow it to be used for insulating floors, roofs, and foundations.

Types, technical characteristics and purpose

Since 2011, product differentiation has been introduced depending on the purpose and area of ​​application. This allows you to quickly find out the type of insulation you need with a set of characteristics for a specific type of work and promotes maximum efficient use.

Several types of extruded polystyrene are available:

WALL, or penoplex 31 with fire retardants

Designed for insulation of surfaces without dynamic or static load. Optimal for insulating facade walls, partitions, swimming pools, wells, heating networks, water supply systems.

Characteristics:

FOUNDATION, or penoplex 35 without fire retardant

The slabs are designed for heavy loads and are durable. Ideal for road surfaces, foundations, floors, and basement equipment. The presence of a waterproofing barrier allows groundwater to be drained from the underground part of the house.

Characteristics:

ROOFING, or penoplex 35

The slabs are designed for insulation of roofs and attic spaces of any type, taking into account climatic precipitation and temperature changes. Currently, it is used for flat roofs with winter gardens or parking lots placed on it (inversion roofing).

Characteristics:

COMFORT, or penoplex 31C

Universal slabs are suitable for insulating loggias, balconies, walls and floors of saunas, and mansions. It is characterized by increased moisture resistance and provides an optimal microclimate. Due to technical features, slabs of this type are particularly tightly adjacent to each other.

Characteristics:

Penoplex 45

It is used for thermal protection of take-off surfaces and roads, protects against subsidence, deformation, and swelling of the canvas. Designed for heavy loads: can withstand the weight of an aircraft in regions with low temperatures. The strongest material retains its properties for a long time.

Characteristics:

Types of insulation boards

We insulate the floor on the balcony

Since there are plenty of varieties of penoplex on the construction market, manufacturers produce it with specific names that allow you to speed up the selection process. Let's look at these types:

• Penoplex “roofing” - the density of roof insulation slabs is 28-33 kg/m3. Lightweight and waterproof
• “Wall” - can be used for both interior and exterior work. The density of the material is 25-33kg/m3
• “Foundation” - high density and water resistance allows the material to be used during the construction of a foundation or basement. Density – 29-33kg/m3
• “Comfort” - slabs are used for balconies and apartments, as well as uninsulated loggias. Density – 25-35kg/m3
• Penoplex “45” - this material has the highest density among others, which is 35-47 kg/m2. This is why it is used during the construction of roads and runways.

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For the average consumer, I have compiled a table of the estimated cost of penoplex. Thanks to it, you can make approximate calculations of the required amount to purchase material of different thicknesses:

Dimensions, thickness and cost

The stability of thermal insulation properties allows the use of slabs of medium thickness from 35 to 50 mm. This is average for a standard solution in a temperate climate.

Increased thickness of penoplex up to 70 mm or more is used in northern regions, where temperatures often drop to -300 C. This approach is justified, especially since the usual thickness of other insulation materials reaches 150 mm.

The dimensions of the slabs are standardized by the manufacturer to standard 1200 mm in length and 600 mm in width.

Compared to other types of insulation, the cost of penoplex is quite high: the price of 1 square meter of sheet is on average $5. If the material is modified with improved qualities, including fire retardant additives, then the price will be $7-8 per 1 sq.m.

Choose what you need

Despite the fact that the production of Penoplex with technical characteristics corresponding to those declared is carried out by many manufacturers, one should take a responsible approach to the choice of the “homeland” and “parent” of the insulation. One should not discount the need to choose it to achieve maximum insulation in a particular case for certain conditions, materials, surfaces.

When selecting, you need to focus on:

• brand and series of heat insulator required for the work;
• the size of the slabs, especially if you plan to insulate a small room;
• the density of Penoplex slabs, which should not be less than 25 kg/m3 (the quality of insulation and strength depend on this indicator);
• manufacturer's brand;
• block packaging (it must be intact, which guarantees the integrity of the slabs).

If in doubt, read the characteristics on the Penoplex packaging. The description contains all the necessary data to make a selection decision.

If you are in doubt about the indicated density, weigh the slabs to determine the density yourself, subsequently dividing the weight by the volume. For example, a Comfort slab with a thickness of 50 mm and normal density should not weigh less than 1.3 kg. At the fracture of the “regular” Penoplex, you can see many polyhedra of regular shape, along the boundaries of which the fracture occurs. The fracture should be orange due to the coloring pigment included in the composition. Purchasing products from well-known European factories will guarantee the quality of the products. The domestic manufacturer, represented by the Penoplex and TechnoNIKOL enterprises, is not far behind them.

After reading about penoplex, understanding what it is, where it can be used, assessing its pros and cons, you can be confident in the targeted choice of the right brand and in its correct use. Having done insulation once using Penoplex, ensure that heat is retained in the house for many years.

Production technology and scope

The specifics of penoplex manufacturing are aimed at improving the strength and technical characteristics of the material.
It is given special properties by the process of extrusion from raw materials in special furnaces. First, polystyrene granules are mixed with a foaming agent under conditions of high humidity and temperature. The catalyst is a composition of carbon dioxide (CO2) and freon. The polystyrene foam composition is melted in ovens and resembles lush cream.

Then, through the extrusion installation, the substance begins to be squeezed out, the freon gradually evaporates, and the cells are filled with simple air.

The use of penoplex in the construction industry has practically no restrictions and, thanks to its technical characteristics, can significantly reduce the costs of other consumables and energy resources.

Currently, heat insulation is in demand in different climatic conditions for insulation and protection:

• foundations and walls of low-rise buildings;
• balconies and loggias;
• pools and wells;
• ceilings and basements;
• floors and ceilings;
• water supply systems;
• airfield runways;
• railways and roads;

Penoplex of various categories is widely used in the process of reconstruction of buildings due to its high resistance to environmental changes and chemical influences. The material is used to make sandwich panels.

What is Penoplex made of? Compound

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

The use of insulation in the construction of buildings significantly reduces heating costs in the winter and air conditioning during the summer heat.

Choosing the right thermal insulation is quite difficult. The market offers a huge number of rolled, bulk and tile insulation materials that do an excellent job of thermal insulation. Among modern and inexpensive means for insulation, the most popular is penoplex, which, among other advantages, can be independently installed in private construction.

What properties does insulation have, as well as how much penoplex costs and how to choose the most suitable block in size will be described in detail in the article.

Material properties

The main characteristics of the insulation meet the requirements of building regulations:

1. Low thermal conductivity coefficient. The average level corresponds to 0.027–0.031 W/m. The indicator is the best in the class of insulation. At the same time, its difference from related materials, for example, mineral wool, is not so significant. But the combination of low thermal conductivity with increased structure density provides noticeable advantages. An important factor is the constancy of the indicator; significant fluctuations in different conditions are not recorded, therefore the use of penoplex is allowed without an additional moisture-proof layer both on roofs and attics, and on foundations, floors, and basements.
2. Fire resistance. Fire resistance is characterized by categories G3 or G4, which means a moderate level that exceeds the properties of foam plastic that supports combustion. Operating temperatures from -50° to +70°C are acceptable for polystyrene foam. In open fire conditions, the material is destroyed. The melting process begins, but not combustion. Some types of penoplex are characterized by enhanced treatment with chemical reagents to exhibit self-extinguishing. This improved quality corresponds to complete fire safety under extended operating temperature conditions.
3. Moisture resistance. Water absorption of extruded polystyrene foam is 0.4% of the volume over a period of 28 days. Moisture enters only into the external pores of the insulation, which are opened when cutting and installing the slabs. Closed cells are kept unchanged. In fact, it can be argued that the material does not allow moisture to pass through. For insulation of facades and roofs of buildings, such moisture resistance indicators are very significant.
4. High compressive elasticity. This figure is 25-35 kg/m3 and is unsurpassed among polystyrene foam insulation. Compressive resistance is achieved through the uniform distribution of tiny cells with good adhesion, improving the strength characteristics of the material. Penoplex does not change dimensions even under heavy loads. The slabs are very difficult to break. Only material with a small thickness of 20 mm is subject to damage, but there is no crumbling or crushing along the fault line, unlike other related insulation materials.
5. Weak vapor permeability. Increased resistance is reflected in equal indicators of penoplex with a height of 2 cm and a layer of roofing material.
6. Long service life. The warranty period for use is 50 years, taking into account atmospheric exposure. Under favorable climatic conditions, the slabs will last much longer while maintaining all their characteristics.
7. Environmental friendliness. The use of freon in the manufacture of insulation is absolutely harmless: this type is non-flammable, non-toxic, and does not cause destruction to the ozone layer. Environmental properties are interconnected with the biostability of the insulation and the absence of toxic substances. The material is not subject to biological decay, therefore it does not require special storage conditions; the slabs can be placed on sites without shelter from precipitation or temperature changes.
8. Availability of installation and processing . You can cut the slab with a regular stationery knife. The low weight allows you to cover the walls yourself without additional effort in constructing special frames. The material adheres well to glue. Weather conditions do not interfere with installation.
9. Resistance to aggressive substances. Most construction mixtures and preparations are not capable of damaging penoplex, which does not react with them. These include organic and inorganic acids, alkalis, water-based paints, salt solutions, ammonia, cement or concrete mixtures, alcohols and oils, bleach. Extruded polystyrene foam has virtually no chemical activity. Attention! The exceptions are ethers, gasolines, formaldehydes, and oil-based paints.
10. High sound insulation. In private housing construction, the noise insulation factor is very important. Penoplex solves this problem.

What is penoplex

In order to properly perform insulation work with penoplex, you need to know about the basic technical capabilities of the material. Penoplex is a type of foam plastic that is significantly superior to its predecessor in many respects.

The basis of penoplex is polystyrene chips, which in a special chamber are exposed to high temperatures with the addition of substances that produce gas when heated. In this way, foaming of the molten polystyrene mass is carried out.

At the production stage, various plasticizers, light stabilizers, antioxidants and other fillers that improve strength and aesthetic qualities are added to the mixture. The final stage of penoplex production is its extrusion from the extruder, followed by uniform cooling on the transport belt. Where the material is shaped into a slab or block.

If extruded polystyrene foam was manufactured without violating the production technology, then the finished material will have a homogeneous structure with a cell size of less than 0.3 mm. At the same time, the amount of synthetic material should not exceed 2% of the volume of the finished product, the rest of the volume is the filler gas.

The most commonly used foaming gas is nitrogen or carbon dioxide. Both substances do not support combustion and are not toxic to humans.

Advantages and disadvantages

The positive features of insulation are manifested at all stages of use of this material:

1. Lightweight slabs are easy to prepare and process and do not require special knowledge and skills to operate.
2. They are attached in different ways and do not require additional layers of vapor and waterproofing.
3. Excellent thermal insulation qualities allow you to save on other building materials.
4. Durability and strength in any climate tests.
5. Safety and environmental friendliness.

The disadvantages of the new generation material include:

1. Susceptibility to attacks by rodents , which is typical for all types of insulation.
2. Emission of acrid smoke when decomposed by open fire.
3. Does not withstand combination with kerosene , gasoline or diesel fuel.
4. Insufficient sound insulation compared to materials intended for this purpose.
5. High prices for various types of penoplex, comparable to expensive mineral wool.

DIY installation

Installation of penoplex on the ceiling

Thermal insulation boards are fastened using a technology that is simple and accessible to everyone. Since I have already carried out insulation with my own hands more than once, I decided to describe all the stages by which the installation of penoplex takes place:

• Preparing the walls - at this stage, all stains of dirt and grease, as well as dust and old finishes, should be removed from the surfaces. If necessary, you need to use plaster mixtures to seal all cracks and obvious irregularities. In addition, the walls are treated with antifungal agents
• Before attaching penoplex, you should make a choice among fastening materials: you can use an adhesive solution that will be applied to the surface of the slab. It should be remembered that the surface of the walls must be completely dry. In addition, it can be applied using dowels. For 1 sq. meter should take 4 dowels, while at the corners of the house more fastening materials should be used
• When the thermal insulation is fixed, you should proceed to further steps on finishing the facades. Here you can use wet technology and use plaster compounds - for better strength you need to create additional roughness and use a reinforcing mesh
• For those who do not like the use of plaster for wall cladding, an option using siding, wood or another type of hanging system, which requires the installation of lathing, is suitable.

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There are times when it is not possible to insulate the outside of the house. In this case. Penoplex boards are attached to the internal walls, after which they are covered with foil-coated polyethylene film and sheathed with gypsum plasterboard sheets. After this, you can carry out subsequent interior decoration of the rooms.

Easy to use, easy to buy

Penoplex is produced at factories under the same name in Perm, Leningrad region (Kirishi), Novosibirsk, Taganrog and Irkutsk. This manufacturer has 10 official representative offices in all federal districts of Russia.

Technoplex is produced at the enterprises of the TechnoNIKOL group of companies in Mineralnye Vody, Novoulyanovsk, Uchaly (Bashkortostan), Ryazan, Yurga (Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug). And also has 10 representatives throughout Russia.

Both manufacturers have their dealers in each regional (territorial) center, as well as in large regional cities.

Errors when installing insulation

The dew point is the temperature at which condensation begins to form in air at a certain temperature.
In order for the thermal efficiency of the house to be at its best, the following mistakes must be avoided:

• Using sheets with a lower density. This reduces the thermal insulation performance by 2–3 times, which can be noticed already in the first 7–10 years of operation.
• Use of incompatible materials. If, during construction, substances that pose a danger to the structure of penoplex are used, for example, paint and varnish oil coatings or liquids containing solvents, this will cause destruction of the panels.
• Incorrect installation. If you leave a gap between the wall and the insulating coating, the dew point will shift into it. The wall will inevitably absorb condensation, which will greatly reduce thermal protection.

When selecting slabs, you should definitely take into account the grade of material, which will allow you to purchase an option that is suitable in terms of strength and not go over budget.

Low vapor permeability - good or evil?

As you know, the same property of a material can be considered a plus in one situation and a minus in another. This is exactly the case with the low vapor conductivity that extruded polystyrene foam is characterized by. Moreover, it does not conduct steam in any direction. Moisture does not penetrate from one side or the other. This distinguishes it from vapor barrier membranes, which may have one-way conductivity.

It is ideal on flat roofs

Where is vapor non-conductivity needed?

If installed correctly (without gaps and cracks) with joints taped, EPPS does not require the use of vapor barrier membranes. It hardly lets through steam. Neither in liquid nor in gaseous state. So the use of membranes and waterproofing is unnecessary. When using floors in a cake, this is excellent, because moisture usually comes from the ground. When using polystyrene foam, it does not penetrate either by capillary action or in the form of steam. In this case, this is definitely a plus.

Excellent for laying under screed

These properties are also a plus when using extruded polystyrene foam in blind areas, under paths, etc. In addition to protecting against freezing, it does not get wet. This allows, with a competent approach, to get rid of frost heaving and make, for example, not a deep strip foundation, but a shallow strip or Swedish slab.

The use of EPS in the roofing pie of a flat roof is also optimal - leaks are minimized, and almost no heat is lost. When using on pitched roofs, it’s already worth thinking about. The fact that Penoplex Roofing does not allow moisture into the attic space is good. But it will be possible to remove excess moisture from the attic only with the help of very good ventilation, which includes not only dormer windows. Additional elements will be needed on the ridge, in the roof plane. In general, given the cost of Penoplex, this is not always reasonable.

On the walls: yes or no?

Insulating walls with Penoplex is permissible only if you agree to make an effective ventilation system that will regulate the humidity in the house. In this case there are two options:

• Insulate the walls with EPS from the inside. With this solution, moisture practically does not enter the enclosing structures (the material from which the walls are made) due to the low vapor permeability of the material. In this case, the Penoplex layer for walls can be of small thickness. Specifically, it is necessary to count, since it depends on the material and thickness of the walls, and the region of residence. But, with such insulation, it is necessary to select the external finishing of the facade so that moisture is not trapped inside the wall. Ventilated facades are most suitable for this purpose.
• Stick the EPS on the outside. But at the same time, it is necessary to make an effective vapor barrier inside the room. It is needed to prevent moisture from entering the walls. Since there is EPS on the outside, it will not come out. To prevent moisture from accumulating in the wall, a vapor barrier is required. In this case, the thickness of Penoplex will be large. So large that the dew point is not in the wall, but in the thickness of the insulation. That is, in this case it will be necessary to insulate EPS walls with a thickness of 100 mm or more.

As you can see, there are options for using extruded polystyrene foam for wall insulation, but they are far from the best. Despite the fact that the material itself is good, it is poorly suited for this purpose.

When used on a pitched roof

And we must also take into account that the second option is only for non-hygroscopic materials.
Such a scheme is very undesirable for wooden, frame buildings; it is poorly suited for foam blocks. The fact is that no matter how good the vapor barrier is, some of the moisture will still get into the walls. If the material is non-hygroscopic, moisture will gradually be removed from the wall during the dry season. With hygroscopic materials this process is more complicated. As a result, the wood rots and the foam block walls “bloom.” Date: September 25, 2022