Thin insulation for interior walls and floors, the flattest material, do-it-yourself installation: instructions, photo and video tutorials, price

Do you know how wide a range of insulation materials exists today? If not, we will fix it now. After all, this knowledge will be very useful in insulating your own home with your own hands.

This is especially true for those cases about which they say: whether you drown or not, it’s still cold. We will tell you how to solve this problem in this article.

Thin insulation

If winter has come and you suddenly realized that the heat in your home tends to quickly evaporate, you need to urgently correct the situation. The most correct and logical step in this case would be insulation.

Moreover, it is not only windows and walls that can be insulated. You can also improve the thermal insulation properties of the floor, doors and even the roof.

You can insulate not only the walls, but also the roof

But most often, of course, the walls freeze. The reasons for this may be the following:

• insufficient wall thickness;
• violations of construction and installation work technology;
• lack of thermal insulation of slabs at their joints;
• the presence of micropores in the walls;
• severe wear and tear of engineering structures.

Advice! To achieve greater effect, before insulating the walls inside the house, you should insulate the facade. This will allow you to make your home as warm as possible.

Unfortunately, insulating the facade is not always possible, especially when it comes to an apartment. The cost of carrying out such work is quite high. And, in addition, their implementation will require permission from the architecture department.

Facade insulation

Therefore, internal thermal insulation of premises is more affordable. But it is not as effective as a facade insulation system.

This is explained simply. Due to temperature changes, moisture will accumulate on the walls. It will also fall on the joints of the walls and the insulating material. And because of this, mold and even fungi can form.

To avoid this, you need to soften the transition of warm air to cold surfaces. That is, insulation should be smooth and gradual.

Having decided to start thermal insulation of walls, first of all you need to remove the old finishing material. Then, the freed surfaces must be puttied and then primed.

And only after this can you proceed to installing new insulating materials. Moreover, they should not take up too much living space.

This is especially true in cases where the loggia is insulated. After all, in most cases it is not spacious enough anyway.

To avoid this, you should choose insulating material of small thickness. We will consider the types of such insulation below.

Technology of creation and composition of an innovative product

Product composition

In appearance, ultra-thin thermal insulation is most similar to paint. It comes in liquid form, which can be applied to any surface area. This allows you to use ceramic insulation even where standard foams and materials from the review of polystyrene foam insulation cannot be used.

Thermal insulation consists of several components:

• Filler. Small spheres made of polymer or ceramic that are filled with vacuum. The material from which the balls are made directly affects the characteristics of the composition.
• Binder. Acrylic or latex, which combines all the balls into a single composition.
• Additives that promote improved adhesion. Without these substances, the material would be quite difficult to apply to the surface and would not be able to adhere to it confidently.

The insulation must be applied using tools that can provide a thin, uniform layer.

Insulation works on the principle of distributing incoming waves of heat and energy, followed by dissipation. In this case, the material does not heat up and does not transmit heat through itself. This keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Important! The composition, due to additives, adheres reliably to any surface.

Video description

The advantages of stone wool are described in this video:

• Ecowool.

The basis of this insulation is made up of cellulose waste, treated with substances that prevent rotting and burning, damage by microorganisms and insects. Subject to the production technology, its composition does not contain toxic substances. Internal insulation of the walls of a house with ecowool is carried out by spraying using special equipment, and floors and ceilings can be covered manually with dry material.

• Warm plaster.

Plaster with perlite or vermiculite not only helps retain heat, but is also an excellent finishing material, which allows you to solve several problems at once: insulate, level and decorate walls. The material is non-flammable, non-toxic, and resistant to moisture, mold, and insects.

This category of insulation also includes liquid ceramic insulation - an acrylic-based material filled with small expanded clay granules.

A thin layer of liquid thermal insulation allows you to save the usable area of ​​the room Source kraski-net.ru

Special properties and characteristics of ultra-thin insulation

Special properties and characteristics
Ultra-thin insulation has the necessary characteristics that will help maintain the required temperature in the room. After the mixture has been applied to the surface, it must be given time to dry.

As soon as the insulation dries, it immediately acquires a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.001 W/m*K. This is approximately 5 times more effective than mineral wool. The surface is not afraid of either weather conditions or chemical influences. Alkalis and salts do not cause any harm. The sun's rays also do not change the structure of matter. Thus, insulation can be used both indoors and outdoors.

For humans, such compositions are absolutely safe. No vapors pass through them, and they themselves do not emit harmful substances. Fungus or mold cannot develop on the material either. Unlike other insulation materials, ultra-thin insulation does not load the walls of the building and does not reduce the space inside.

Important! With proper use, the composition can last up to 18 years. In this case, the properties are not lost. If a crack or chip appears in any place, everything can be easily corrected by applying a new layer of insulation to this place.

The operating temperature range of the substance is very impressive: from -60 to +220 degrees. In everyday life, such temperatures are extremely rare, but in industrial buildings they may well occur. So the material is easily used both in ordinary apartments and houses, and in industry.

Such a number of advantages make the material one of the most attractive for use. But before buying, it is important to know that there are also disadvantages. They consist in high cost and almost complete lack of sound insulation.

Material composition

Any ultra-thin insulation contains several components:

• acrylic binder;
• catalysts;
• clamps;
• microspheres made of ceramics that contain a vacuum.

Sometimes additional substances are added that counteract various fungi or mold.

The best basalt insulation

Many builders call this category of insulation stone or mineral wool. Basalt rocks are involved in the production of such insulation. As these rocks melt, thin fibers are formed. This insulation is environmentally friendly, since only natural materials are used in its production; resins of natural origin are even used to bind the fibers. Let's list the best representatives of this type of insulation according to many experts.

Rockwool insulation

The first place of honor among basalt insulation materials is rightfully occupied by the insulation material of a Danish company. This company produces basalt wool in two types. It can be in rolls, or maybe in slabs. This solution provides ease of installation both on joists and when embedded in walls. Rockwool insulation is used both for internal and external insulation of a house. There is also a choice of different material thicknesses, ranging from 50mm to 100mm with a density of 37 kg/m3. An excellent property of stone wool is that it is a non-flammable material, and most importantly, it is safe for residential premises. On various forums, professional builders say that they sell such wool in various packaging, 6-12 sheets in one package. And this is another plus, since you can choose the right volume for your needs.

Rockwool insulation

We have already said that the material is not afraid of high temperatures, so it is suitable for all building materials that you want to use when building a house. Even the walls of a fireplace can be laid with such material without danger; the fibers can withstand temperatures up to 1000 °C. Here's another thing our experts remember about this insulation. The relatively new Flexi technology allows you to improve the sealing of the room. This technology is as follows. A special edge that has spring properties, this edge expands after installation. This edge is marked by the manufacturer, so you can find it easily.

Advantages of Rockwool insulation

• Resistant to mechanical stress during installation, does not crumble.
• Has good sound insulation properties.
• The material is easy to install.
• Relatively light weight with a density of 37 kg/m3.

Disadvantages of Rockwool insulation

• After laying the material, it causes severe itching throughout the body.
• The thermal conductivity of insulation increases sharply if it gets wet.
• The material quickly absorbs water. reaches 1 kg per 1 m2.
• If installed vertically, more supports will be required.

The rating of this insulation according to buyers was 4.9 out of 5. We can say that this is the best representative of its type. Below are several reviews from YandexMarket for this product. The price depends on the size of the package and the material itself.

Reviews about Rockwool insulation

Hotrock Smart insulation

Second place among basalt insulation materials went to Russian-made products. Such insulation is produced and sold in the form of slabs. The thickness of these plates ranges from 50 to 100 mm, and most importantly, this insulation has a thermal conductivity of 0.036 W/(m*K), which is very good

It is important that organic substances and resins are used in the production of this material, which means that it is also safe for health. There will be no odors or other disturbing factors from it

It also does not burn and often experts even use the material as a fire barrier in metal doors.

Hotrock Smart insulation

This insulation made it to the TOP due to its excellent combination of price and quality. You can read about this from many positive reviews from satisfied customers. The manufacturers of this insulation guarantee a long service life. Voiced up to 50 years of age. Due to the fact that high-quality European equipment is used in production, and the production itself is domestic, we get the same combination of good price and acceptable quality. The compressibility of such insulation is up to 50%, while competitors have this value of about 30%. Thanks to this compressibility, the laying of Hotrock Smart insulation is dense and airtight.

Advantages of Hotrock Smart insulation

• Lightweight material. For example, a 1200x600 mm slab weighs less than one kilogram.
• The material does not burn at all.
• Excellent thermal conductivity.
• Has many safety certificates in Russia.
• It is used in various types of work: insulation of cold attics, insulation of pitched roofs and floors.

Disadvantages of Hotrock Smart insulation

• Water absorption 1.5%.
• May lose shape if necessary fixation is not done.
• The density is only 22 kg/m3, which is less than its analogues.
• Experts do not recommend using it for the walls of the house.

Features of application and layer thickness

Applying a layer
In stores, thin insulation for floors and walls is sold in special containers. In this case, no manipulations with the substance are necessary. Also, no fastening structures are needed, as is the case with foam plastic. There is no need to apply a layer for better adhesion, since the substance itself adheres well to the surface.

Apply the composition using a roller or brush. No special skills are required. If you need to insulate a large area, it is recommended to use a sprayer. This will help to significantly reduce work time and efficiently apply the composition to the entire surface. This method allows you to fill all microcracks, preventing the formation of “cold bridges”.

At the first stage, you need to apply a layer 1 mm thick. Then a day is given to dry, and then the procedure is repeated. There may be several such cycles, but the final layer should not exceed 5 mm. Further spraying will simply be ineffective

Ultra-thin insulation does not require special skills or much labor. Everything is done quite easily and quickly.

Important! The finished material has a pleasant appearance and does not require further finishing.

Rules for applying liquid thermal insulation

Wall insulation

For insulating walls using liquid materials, insulation with ceramic components is more suitable. Liquid ceramic insulation with a water base is ideal for internal wall coverings, and for external facades the option with a varnish base is suitable. With this material you can easily insulate hard-to-reach places and do the work yourself.

Before starting work, you should prepare the surface. To do this, you need to remove all irregularities and, if necessary, plaster using a dry gypsum mixture. Afterwards you need to apply a primer. When the wall is completely prepared, you should start mixing liquid insulation. It should be mixed immediately before application and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Thermal paint is applied in several layers; a new layer can be formed after the previous one has completely dried. Also, the paint layer should be about 1 mm thick. The number of layers depends on the material and thickness of the walls. You can apply the product with a foam roller or spray, then there will be an even coating.

To insulate the walls externally, you need to not only level the surface, but also get rid of mold and mildew, and then treat it with a special antiseptic. After this, the wall is primed. When the primer has dried, you can begin thermal insulation. The weather during work should be warm; in the presence of wind or rain, it is prohibited to apply thermal paint. The layer of applied paint should be no more than 1 mm. It is recommended to use a brush or spray. Each layer takes about 24 hours to dry. Complete drying of the finishing layer depends on the number of layers applied.

Insulation of floors

To reduce heat loss, it is possible to insulate floors using liquid thermal insulation; this option goes well with a heated floor system. But this method can be used in rooms where there is no floor heating.

Before starting work, you should clean off dust and dirt and remove all uneven surfaces. Then a primer in the form of acrylic impregnation is applied. After it has completely dried, you can apply thermal paint. It is best to use a spray bottle here. It should be kept at a distance of 50 cm from the floor, and should be worked at one angle. Then the paint will be evenly distributed over the entire floor area.

Pipe insulation

Liquid thermal insulation is used for insulation of pipelines in the gas and oil industries, as well as for water supply pipes. This coating reduces heat loss and also provides protection from chemical and mechanical stress. For this purpose, a special line of thermal paints designed for pipes is produced.

Before starting work, remove dirt and rust, then prime the pipe. After the primer has completely dried, you can begin the insulation process. Ceramic thermal paint is applied using a brush or a special sprayer. It is necessary to apply about 5 layers, each layer dries in about 4-5 hours. After this, the pipe is coated with special enamel.

Scope of application of the latest thermal insulation

Scope of application
Modern thermal insulation materials have become widespread in various spheres of life. They are used in industrial buildings, apartments, houses, etc. There are practically no restrictions in this regard.

Such compounds are widely used in highways. They will protect pipelines from temperature changes or the appearance of various unpleasant phenomena in the form of rust or mold. In this case, one thin layer is sufficient, which is equivalent to standard films or primer.

Due to its economy and efficiency, the composition has become widespread in the production of not only buildings, but also cars, ships, and containers.

The main mistakes when choosing insulation for walls

Let's look at the main mistakes when choosing thermal insulation materials. This will save you from unnecessary expenses and rework.

• Saving. A low-quality thermal insulator will not only quickly become unusable, but will also compromise the integrity of the wall. Poor insulation can cause mold, mildew, or even the collapse of part of the façade. Therefore, when choosing insulation, you should not take the cheapest product in the store.
• Fire safety. The insulation must not only be non-flammable or low-flammable, but also environmentally friendly. When choosing between synthetic and natural insulation, give preference to the latter.

Kinds

Before choosing one or another type of insulation, study its properties; the insulation should be:

• Waterproof so as not to carry out additional waterproofing work;
• If, in addition to insulation, it is necessary to protect the house from excessive sound, then you can opt for fibrous materials, for example, mineral wool;
• When purchasing foam or polystyrene boards, you should make sure that the entire package is intact;
• Pay attention to the thermal conductivity and density indicators - they must meet established quality standards, which must be confirmed by the appropriate certificate.

Now let’s look at specific types of thermal insulation of walls from the inside.

It is also useful to read about what types of insulation for ceilings are available.

On the video there are types of insulation for walls inside:

Mineral wool

Stone wool can be produced from a variety of natural components, for example, from rock with a mixture of waste from various steel production. Usually it is pressed into slabs, which of course is associated with ease of installation. If this material is not used in rolls, then the quantity is calculated based on the dimensions of the mineral wool in the slabs.

In the photo - mineral wool

In addition to its excellent thermal insulation properties, it has a number of positive qualities:

• It is an excellent temperature regulator - it retains the heat of the room in winter, and prevents it from overheating in summer;
• It is characterized by good material that absorbs any sounds and noise, smoothes out vibration processes;
• It is a non-flammable and smoking material, and even if this happens, it will not be able to emit substances harmful to health.

Information from the article will help you understand which floor insulation for concrete under screed is the best.
This article describes which foil floor insulation is the most popular among builders and how to make the right choice.

You may also be interested in learning about which insulation for walls outside a country house you should choose.

Top 5 materials for internal insulation of apartments and houses

What materials can be used for internal wall insulation in an apartment or private house. In the previous article, I shared my own experience of internal thermal insulation; now it’s worth understanding the variety of insulation materials.

I have compiled a rating of the most popular and optimal materials for internal insulation.

1. FOAM POLYSTYRENE (PS, PSB, PSB-S-20). Polystyrene foam can be used to insulate walls, ceilings, and even floors, as it is available in different densities. For floors, we recommend PSB-S-50, which has a high density and is resistant to loads and any weather conditions.

PSB-S-15 is the least dense of the polystyrene foams. They are recommended to insulate external loggias, balconies, and attics. The choice of density is yours, since the difference in price is not significant.

Pros:

• Excellent heat and sound insulator
• long service life
• DIY installation possible
• inexpensive price.

It is glued with special glue onto previously prepared surfaces, secured with “umbrellas” - special plastic dowels, and puttied.

Minuses:

• Low strength
• impossibility of use without decorative finishing
• a noticeable reduction in the dimensions of your room (this depends on the thickness of the material). This is a fly in the ointment, without which it is difficult to find any insulation.

2. PENOFOL, UTAFOL (AND OTHER FOIL THERMAL INSULATION). Foil insulation with high heat and sound insulation properties and good waterproofing due to aluminum foil.

Its disadvantage is that penofol is attached to the wall by lathing it, on which drywall is then installed, and this significantly affects the dimensions of the room.

Such foil insulation is recommended to be used in addition to the main thermal insulation - as a vapor barrier. The thickness of the material is up to 10 mm and it is sold in rolls of 10 m.

Foiled penofol is well suited for:

• country houses
• unheated rooms
• balconies
• loggias
• in places with a risk of dampness and moisture.

3. THERMAL INSULATING PLASTER. Sold packaged in bags of various weights. It is not inferior in its characteristics to expanded polystyrene. Fire-fighting properties are excellent, environmentally friendly, and do not require any additional materials (diluted with water). I won’t write recommendations for use; each manufacturer makes its own adjustments. Thermal insulating plasters are mineral and organic.

• MINERAL PLASTER consists of mineral porous materials expanded at high temperatures (such as vermiculite and perlite). Such mixtures are treated with water repellents, as they are too hygroscopic. Mineral fillers use a hollow foam glass ball that does not absorb moisture and has high mechanical strength.
• ORGANIC PLASTER. Foamed polystyrene is used in organic fillers; these plasters are softer, unlike mineral mixtures. Also waterproof like foam glass beads. Carrying out work on applying plaster does not require special skills - it is applied directly to the wall, without the use of a plaster mesh. After drying, it is monolithically connected not only to brick and concrete, but also to glass and metal. There is a huge selection of such mixtures on the market.

Related article: Retaining walls made of monolithic reinforced concrete

4. LIQUID THERMAL INSULATION . The Internet is replete with advertisements for various types of this material. BUT! Nowhere can they reasonably explain the process itself, how this type of thermal insulation works. In reviews and on forums, basically the same questions are asked - how effective and advisable is it to use liquid thermal insulation for walls, ceilings and floors in residential premises.

Although there are also positive reviews on the use of such materials for pipelines and in places that are difficult to reach for conventional types of insulation. There is a large selection of liquid insulation in the form of paints on the market, so if you want to take a risk, go ahead. But in the reviews of those who have already used liquid insulation for residential premises, the preponderance is towards the negative. I didn’t have a chance to use liquid heat insulator, so I won’t scold or praise it, and I also wouldn’t want to duplicate advertising information here.

5. ROLL INSULATIONS for walls for wallpaper and painting are presented on the market in several versions. These are CORK insulation and FOAM POLYSTYRENE roll insulation. A few words about these thin, but based on experience and reviews, quite effective heat insulators.

• CORK roll insulation, as well as decorative wall coverings (wallpaper or plates) are made from cork chips by pressing with the application of cork veneer and wax. Wax-coated cork is used for finishing and insulating walls, even in damp rooms. The thickness of cork insulation is from 2mm to 30mm, so its scope is varied - from wallpaper to insulating walls, ceilings or floors with plates or slabs. Cork insulation does not emit harmful substances when burning, is not afraid of mold and mildew, is breathable, has low thermal conductivity, and is environmentally friendly. It's easy to stick it on yourself. One of the disadvantages is the high price of this material, but after gluing you don’t have to do any finishing work, since the cork itself has a natural decorative effect and fits well into most interior styles. I give my subjective plus to the cork because it can be safely used in a nursery.
• FOAM POLYSTYRENE roll insulation is produced in rolls with a width of 50 to 100 cm, a length of up to 10 m and a thickness of up to 10 mm. It is made from a thin layer of polystyrene. On one side the insulation is covered with cardboard or a thin layer of paper. It is glued like cork - with special glue. Expanded polystyrene insulation is an environmentally friendly material, since freon is not used for its production, and even when burning it does not emit toxic substances and gases. Low thermal conductivity and vapor permeability, ease of use, environmental friendliness, and fairly low price have earned this insulation a good reputation.

These are not all materials for internal insulation, but I tried to briefly describe the most used ones that give results. Wrote an article about the pros and cons of internal insulation.

There is also polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam boards, mineral wool (by the way, very popular in the northern states of America for insulating private houses), foam concrete, foam glass and even nanotechnology. BUT working with them requires certain skills and special equipment. This means we’ll leave it to the specialists and try to deal with the problem ourselves.

Insulating a house from the inside with mineral wool

Mineral wool is not an optimal thermal insulation material for internal insulation. There is only one reason for this - cotton wool allows steam to pass through perfectly. Because of this, described at the beginning of the article, the dew point shifts from the inner surface of the wall into the insulation itself. Condensation can accumulate in it, thermal performance deteriorate, and mold and mildew can form. However, it is possible to use mineral wool for internal insulation if all technological nuances are observed.

Choosing mineral wool for internal insulation

Mineral wool should be selected based on criteria such as thickness and environmental friendliness. It is possible to use rolled wool, which is cut to the required length directly during installation. Also, such products are produced in slabs. For internal insulation, 50 mm is the optimal thickness at which good insulation is achieved without significant loss of the usable volume of the room.

Example of suitable types of mineral wool:

• Ecoroll Plate 40. It has a relatively small thickness of 50 mm and does not contain phenol resins. Recommended by the manufacturer for internal insulation, including walls.
• TeploKNAUF For COTTAGE Thermo Plate is a modern insulation material from a well-known manufacturer, the features of which are: low thermal conductivity (0.37 W/m*K) and excellent water-repellent properties due to impregnation of the fibers with a special composition. In addition, this board has a special fiber arrangement structure, due to which sound absorption significantly increases. Thus, this insulating material is recommended for insulating the inside of walls, floors, and attics in houses located in noisy areas.

Basalt wool for internal insulation

Separately, attention should be paid to a type of mineral insulation such as basalt wool.
The peculiarity of this heat insulator is not only its excellent thermal insulation properties and environmental friendliness, but also its high fire safety. Basalt fiber is obtained from natural stone. Accordingly, such a material has excellent resistance to open flames. The fire resistance of basalt wool is an important nuance that must be taken into account when insulating the walls of wooden houses, country houses, and baths. In this case, we especially recommend choosing certified products.

These could be slabs:

• Rockwool Light Butts SCANDIC. Products that are designed specifically for insulating residential buildings, apartments and cottages. It is characterized by compliance with environmental standards (has low resin emissions, safe in residential areas). Flexi technology ensures simple installation with filling of gaps in the frame due to the spring properties of the insulation. The material is biostable - bacteria and mold do not form in it, and it is not a good habitat for insects or rodents.
• Rocklight insulation. Manufacturer TechnoNIKOL recommends using this insulation for internal thermal insulation from inside walls, floors, and attics. The material has low thermal conductivity (0.39-0.41 W/m*K). It is non-flammable, bioresistant, and due to special impregnations, it repels water well without accumulating it inside the structure. At the same time, the compressibility of the slab is 30%, which makes it possible to simplify the process of laying it between the joists and efficiently seal all the cracks and gaps.

Installation of mineral wool indoors

• A vapor barrier film must be installed around the perimeter of the wall.
• A frame made of wooden blocks is mounted on top of the vapor barrier. It is not recommended to use metal profiles. Metal perfectly transmits heat and will become an artificial bridge of cold
• !!! The metal frame should be used when arranging thermal insulation from the inside of objects with increased fire safety requirements together with basalt wool. These include wooden buildings: baths, saunas, etc. !!!
• The joints between the frame and the vapor barrier are taped with tape, since when fastened to the vapor barrier, a hole from the dowel is formed.
• Cotton wool is installed in the frame and carefully compacted to avoid the formation of any cracks.
• A second layer of vapor barrier is installed on top of the frame. This creates a double vapor barrier between the insulated wall and the room.
• The fastening points and joints of the vapor barrier are taped with aluminum tape.
• The frame is covered with preferred slabs - gypsum plasterboard, chipboard, etc.

How to choose the best insulation for your home

Before choosing the best insulation, you need to clearly understand what exactly you will be insulating: walls, pipes, ceilings, floors or roofing. You also need to immediately understand whether you will use insulation inside or outside the house.

When you have decided on these nuances, you can make a list of all the insulation materials that will suit you according to the required characteristics.

Having familiarized yourself with all the properties of insulation, do not forget to take into account the technical characteristics of the material, which we discussed at the beginning of the article.

When choosing insulation, the brand often plays an important role. This is understandable; people are more willing to trust a manufacturer that has proven itself. Here is a list of domestic manufacturers who are trying to win the trust of buyers: TechnoNIKOL, Penoplex. GK Wirtz, Energoflex. Technoflex, Penofol, Mosfol. Due to the fact that they know the Russian climate like no one else, their products are maximally adapted to our climatic conditions. Although foreign companies also deserve detailed consideration, for example, Knauf (Germany), Rockwool (Denmark). By the way, this applies not only to insulation, it also applies to wiring. Here's a great article about two-way switches and their installation.

Nevertheless, the best decision would be to consult with people who understand this issue. To choose the best insulation you need to know many subtleties and nuances that only come with experience. Therefore, look for such specialists, this is not the easiest task, but the effort is worth it.

Recommendations for wall insulation

Often, especially in apartments, a situation arises when the walls literally “pull” cold. This feeling occurs due to the fact that the air temperature in the room differs from the temperature of the inner surface of the wall by more than 4º.

Causes of cold

This effect occurs for the following reasons:

• poor performance of the heating system - the heating it provides may be insufficient to create a comfortable microclimate in the premises;
• Wetting of the walls - because of this, the thermal resistance of the wall decreases, and, consequently, the temperature in the room;
• a defect made during the construction or design of a house - for example, insufficient filling of brick joints on the front wall of a house with cement mortar.

The easiest way to insulate

The easiest and fastest way to insulate a wall is by hanging a carpet . In this case, of course, its surface must be dry.

A full-wall carpet is also a method of thermal insulation.

This method cannot be called fashionable and modern. Especially considering that this is far from the thinnest insulation for walls. But, nevertheless, it is very effective.

If the carpet occupies the entire wall, or at least most of it, then this makes it warmer. And she doesn’t feel so cold anymore.

But this method is more suitable only as a temporary solution to the problem. For permanent insulation, other measures must be taken.

Optimal insulation

The most optimal way to insulate walls is to use thin foil insulation. They need to be secured with the foil facing out. In this case, the seams must be carefully taped with aluminum tape.

But there is another option. This is replacing plaster with plasterboard sheathing. This method is only suitable for rooms with a good, dry microclimate.

If the humidity in the room is high, then you will have to use moisture-resistant plasterboard instead of regular plasterboard. An alternative is to use PVC wall panels or moisture-resistant plywood.

Any of the above materials must be attached to the wall using special glue. You can also make a frame and install sheets of insulating material on it.

In this case, you can do the following. We glue foil insulation to the wall under the frame. We insulate its joints with aluminum tape.

Thermal insulation with polyethylene foam

Thus, an air layer 2 to 5 cm thick is formed between the insulation attached to the frame and the wall. It prevents the wall from freezing.

In this case, another difficulty may arise. Condensation may begin to form on the foil. It accumulates and will flow down onto the ceiling.

To prevent this, it is worth providing ventilation holes near the floor and ceiling. But, unfortunately, not every interior option allows you to do this.

The problem of dew occurs especially often when walls are insulated with thick heat-insulating material. Therefore, it is more desirable to use thin roll insulation. After all, even with thermal insulation of floor coverings, thin floor insulation is more preferable.

Option without insulation

It is sometimes possible to eliminate the discomfort caused by low wall temperatures without the use of insulating materials. To do this, we simply increase the thickness of the wall, making cladding without the use of thermal insulation products.

Wall cladding

To ensure that the heat-insulating layer does not hide part of the living space, you need to use thin insulation. It is best to use the foil version. It will not only increase the temperature in the room, but also reduce the likelihood of condensation forming on the walls.

You can learn more about all this from the video filming posted on our website. In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic (also find out what liquid insulation is).

List of materials for effective insulation

The list of vapor-tight materials recommended for use in internal thermal insulation is small:

• extruded polystyrene foam;
• slab polyurethane foam (PPU);
• Styrofoam;
• foam glass.

When performing thermal insulation, the following rule must be observed: with each layer, the vapor permeability of the material increases. In a situation with internal insulation, it is best to allow air and water molecules to pass through the walls.

Polyurethane foam slabs have the same characteristics as the sprayed composition:

• do not support combustion;
• environmentally friendly;
• service life up to 25 years;
• thermal conductivity - 0.022;
• moisture resistance and complete vapor tightness;
• sheet thickness - 35-70 mm.

The material is an effective insulation material for private and multi-storey buildings, warehouses and industrial buildings. To increase the thermal insulation properties, a layer of foil is applied to the slabs, reflecting infrared radiation back into the room. The ends of the polyurethane foam panels have grooves for joining without cold bridges.

Due to its strength and moisture resistance, extruded polystyrene foam is used as insulation in all areas of construction: individual, industrial and civil. It has optimal characteristics for internal thermal insulation:

• vapor permeability - 0.013;
• low water absorption allows use in damp areas;
• slab thickness - 40 mm;
• thermal conductivity - 0.028-0.03.

The material can be used to insulate walls made of concrete, wood or brick.

The thermal insulation sequence includes the following steps:

The slabs are installed directly on the wall, so it is important to check the plane of the structure. There should be no protrusions or depressions on it

Old finishes are carefully cleaned off. The wall surface must be dry and level. To prevent the appearance of mold, it is primed with an antiseptic composition. To attach the slabs, a special adhesive composition is used, applied to the entire surface with a notched trowel. Installation of insulation begins from the bottom of the corner. The joints of the panels are blown with foam, which is cut off after drying.

There are two ways to finish the thermal insulation layer with your own hands: stick a reinforcing mesh onto the surface of extruded polystyrene foam and apply plaster, or attach foil film to the material, stuff the lathing and sew it up with sheets of plasterboard. The second option will take up more room space, but the insulation effect will be significantly enhanced.

Foam glass has many positive characteristics:

• vapor permeability - 0.005;
• excellent sound insulation;
• low water absorption;
• thermal conductivity - 0.04-0.06;
• environmental friendliness;
• strength and lack of deformation;
• does not burn, does not emit toxins;
• the material is resistant to microorganisms and rodents.

Foam glass is a universal heat insulator; it has not become popular due to its high cost and installation difficulties. The rough surface of the material does not allow for tight joining of the plates; the joints must be sealed with liquid rubber. This takes time and requires additional costs.

Polystyrene foam is an affordable and popular insulation material, but when choosing a material, you should pay attention to its density. Its indicator must be at least 35 kg/m3, then the material will have the necessary characteristics:

• thermal conductivity - 0.32-0.38;
• light weight and easy installation;
• vapor permeability - 0.05.

The disadvantage of polystyrene foam is its flammability, so its use is not advisable in residential areas. The technology for installing the thermal insulation layer is similar to the installation of extruded polystyrene foam. For additional fixation of the pot after the glue has dried, you can use umbrella dowels. A hole is drilled under them in the foam and the wall, and then plastic fasteners are hammered in. 5 dowels are used per slab - 4 at the edges and 1 in the middle.

Conditions for the use of internal thermal insulation

The outer walls of an apartment building are now finished using building materials that retain heat. In private houses, thermal insulation along the facade is also not uncommon. If this method is not enough for you, you can insulate the walls from the inside.

The case for technology

By simply installing insulation, you will retain up to 30% of the heat in your rooms that escapes to the street. Other advantages of the technique include:

• ease of laying materials from the inside with your own hands - no need to make scaffolding or use special equipment;
• work is carried out year-round, in any climate;
• independent cost planning - if there is no money for a full-scale renovation, you can make thermal protection room by room;
• wide selection of thermal insulators.

List of main disadvantages

Some craftsmen consider insulating walls inside a house problematic for the following reasons:

• cracking of the external supporting structure during its interaction with the environment;
• protection from the cold of the building on only one side;
• condensation formation as a result of a shift in the dew point between materials and the surface;
• reducing the usable area of ​​the room by 10 cm on each side;
• risks of the appearance of “cold bridges” when arranging the frame and reducing the efficiency of work.

On a note! Before starting the event, you should choose the size of the insulator using an online calculator.

Rules for laying insulation

To prevent the formation of condensation, cold bridges, mold and fungi, it is worth understanding how to insulate the walls from the inside. Builders recommend:

• use vapor barrier materials. They will eliminate dew point shifts, moisture accumulation and extend the life of the structure;
• buy thermal insulation with an adhesive base - this way you can save space in small rooms;
• the house is equipped from the inside with forced or natural ventilation to control humidity levels;
• monitor the steam-heat balance, selecting the thickness of the thermal insulation inside in accordance with the average daily temperature in winter;
• consider any situation. If you don’t know how to insulate a wall in an apartment from the inside if there is mold, listen to the experts. They advise “treating” the surface with antifungal primers;
• control the quality of thermal insulation at joints and load-bearing partitions.

Important! Installation operations are carried out on a completely dry surface.

Video description

Answers to many questions about cork flooring can be found in this video:

• Polyurethane foam.

This insulation is ideal for external thermal insulation, but is also suitable for internal insulation. Like other “foams”, it is airtight, but thanks to a special method of application by spraying, it creates a seamless coating through which moisture from the house does not penetrate to the walls. Therefore, a vapor barrier is not needed.

When polyurethane foam burns, water, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are released, but they are also formed when wood burns. However, this polymer is more difficult to ignite and supports combustion less well.

What to choose

When choosing what and how to insulate a wall from the inside, it is worth assessing the initial data: climatic conditions, the required degree of thermal insulation, wall material. For example, in regions with a warm climate or if you want to raise the air temperature in the building by only 2-3 degrees, warm plaster, cork panels or polystyrene foam wallpaper for painting will be sufficient.

Decorative foam wall panel Source allegroimg.com

Particular care should be taken when insulating a wooden house. When the wall material gets wet and excess moisture cannot evaporate, it will quickly begin to rot, mold and collapse, so it is better to cover them with vapor-permeable materials and leave the outside without an airtight finish. The best options would be stone and ecowool. Synthetic insulation is more suitable for concrete and stone walls.

Whatever material you choose, insulating the inside of the room should begin with eliminating any gaps and cracks in the walls through which cold air can enter. To seal them, special materials are produced - fibrous (felt, jute, tow) and sealing (sealants, polyurethane foams, mastics).

Sealing cracks in timber walls Source tildacdn.com

Cracks in wooden walls can be repaired with a homemade mixture of small wood shavings or sawdust mixed with wood glue. It is especially good for repairing facade surfaces that will not be hidden by finishing.

The best spray-on insulator

Continuous thermal insulation is becoming more common. To create it, sprayed materials are used. This type of insulation is characterized by a complete absence of joints, and therefore cold bridges. But professional equipment is used to apply the material.

Penoizol is one of the most popular liquefied insulation materials. It is based on urea-formaldehyde foam, sold in cylinders. The insulation applied to building structures hardens at temperatures exceeding + 15 degrees. Vapor permeability is one of the most valuable properties of penoizol. In addition, its main difference from installation foam is that during hardening the material does not expand. It can be used to insulate brick walls, frame-based buildings, or for siding. The fire resistance of penoizol is highly valued. It does not support combustion, but can only melt. No harmful substances are released.

Professionals consider the main advantages of liquid thermal insulation to be low thermal conductivity, high level of thermal permeability and fire safety. But it must be taken into account that its porous structure must have reliable protection from moisture. During operation, the heat insulator may shrink. For installation on an insulated surface, you will have to hire equipment and qualified personnel.

Content

The modern building materials market offers different types of thermal insulation for walls. The right choice will ensure warmth in winter and coolness in summer. This is achieved by reducing heat loss and eliminating drafts. Also, in a properly insulated room there will be no dampness and mold, and the microclimate will be healthy. Remember the following properties that thermal insulation must meet:

• low thermal conductivity;
• soundproofing;
• fire resistance;
• environmental Safety;
• durability;
• waterproof;
• breathability;
• biostability.

When choosing, you should consider what material the house is built from, how many floors it has, and what climate zone you live in.

So, insulation for the walls of a frame house and a wooden house (mezhventsovy) is not the same thing. In the first case, polystyrene foam, mineral wool boards, glass wool, penoizol are suitable, in the second - ordinary tow, jute, linen felt.

Materials can be organic or inorganic. The first group includes cellulose fiber, wood, rubber, cork, felt, moss, jute or tow. Fibrous (glass wool, mineral wool) or cellular (expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, penoizol, etc.) insulation materials, liquid ceramics are inorganic materials. Organic ones are more environmentally friendly, but they are not as functional or durable as mildew-resistant polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam. Development and testing in this industry continues and new types of wall insulation are emerging. Thus, liquid insulation for walls is gaining increasing popularity. Let's look at how different types differ, their advantages and disadvantages.

What can be classified as liquid insulation?

Today on the market you can find several types of liquid insulation, made from various materials and differing in application technology.

Thus, the following types of insulation can be classified into this category of materials:

• liquid ceramic compositions;
• liquid polystyrene foam or penoizol;
• sprayed ecowool.

Each of the materials has its own characteristics, its own “pros” and “cons,” and differences in the area of ​​application. What these insulation materials have in common is the ease of application to the surface, which does not take much time. Thus, using such materials, it is quite possible to carry out the process of thermal insulation of even large areas in just one day.

You may be interested in information about what kind of insulation is suitable for walls outside a country house

Unfortunately, not all liquid heat insulators can be applied without the use of special equipment. In this regard, it will be necessary to invite specialists who have the technological skills to perform the work and have special installations for applying liquid material to carry out the work.

Before applying any of these heat-insulating compounds, the surface of the walls must be prepared by cleaning it from dirt and dust deposits, etc. if necessary, making repairs in the form of sealing cracks, protrusions and depressions. However, for some types of liquid insulation there is no need to repair surfaces, since the applied materials are capable of closing or filling all existing cracks, gaps at the joints of building structures and other surface defects that appeared, for example, during the shrinkage of the building. But in any case, cleaned and prepared walls will have better adhesion to the liquid insulation material, which will improve the quality of thermal insulation and reduce heating costs.

To understand what the different types of such liquid insulation are and what the features of their application are, you should consider each of them in more detail.

Liquid ceramic wall insulation

Ceramic liquid insulation material is practically no different in appearance from thick acrylic paint. Nowadays, there are several compositions on the building materials market that have different names, but approximately the same structure and consistency:

An approximate diagram of the structural structure of ceramic liquid heat insulator compositions.

• The binding basis of ceramic liquid thermal insulation compositions is a water-acrylic mixture that promotes adhesion of the insulation to the wall and uniform distribution of heat-insulating components on its surface.
• Additional components are introduced into the water-acrylic mixture, which improve the quality and performance characteristics of the heat insulator. Most often, such additives are natural and artificial rubbers, silicone, and similar materials that give the composition elasticity and water resistance.
• Ceramic granules are the main component that helps reduce heat loss from the insulated surface. The granules have microscopic dimensions and a perfectly spherical shape, filled with highly rarefied air (gas), which provides high thermal insulation and makes it possible to distribute the mixture over the wall surface in a thin layer. Ceramic granules make up 80% of the total volume of the thermal insulation material, so its consistency resembles a thick dough or paste.

A high-quality ceramic liquid thermal insulation material is considered to be one in which, after complete polymerization, the percentage of voids in the layer applied to the surface will be 75-80%, which makes it possible to create an ultra-thin layer with a very high heat transfer resistance between the wall surface and the outer surface of the applied insulation.

It should be noted that the proportions of the components of this material are, in principle, approximately the same, regardless of its manufacturer, brand and name. The difference can only be in the quality of the raw materials used and the technology for making the mixture.

Prices for liquid thermal insulation

liquid thermal insulation

DIY application technology

Applying liquid insulation does not require any professional skills or expensive equipment (with the exception of liquid foam). To work, you will need a roller (brush or spray). When using a roller, you will also need a container to evenly rub the mixture over its surface. The process itself includes the following steps:

• We prepare the surface (clean the walls from excess mortar, sweep with a brush and wash with water).
• We prepare the material (if necessary, dilute it to the desired consistency).
• Pour paint into the roller container.
• Dip the roller in paint and roll it out on a special area until the mixture evenly saturates the roller.
• We carefully apply the insulation to the wall, no need to press hard. The first layer is applied from bottom to top.
• Subsequent layers are applied after complete polymerization of the first, usually after 24 hours (to find out the exact values, see the instructions for the insulation).

When drying any of the layers, it is necessary to avoid getting them wet, since most liquid thermal insulators are water soluble. Because of this, the impact of water on insulation that has not completely hardened can cause its complete or partial removal from the surface.

Application technology - video instructions:

Subscribe

HelpfulUseless

Comparison table of characteristics

The table below presents the main characteristics of the materials under consideration. By comparing them with each other, it will be much easier for you to navigate the range and choose insulation that meets your requirements and wishes.

Results

In this article we looked at what is the best insulation for a home. For the foundation and blind area - extruded polystyrene foam. For the base - polystyrene foam or liquid thermal insulation. For wooden walls, mineral wool and penoizol. For concrete and brick walls - any insulation suitable for the price. For the roof - mineral wool (reasonable price) or liquid insulation (easy installation). For the floor along the joists - mineral wool or bulk insulation. For floors under plaster - regular and extruded polystyrene foam, as well as stone wool. Communications are insulated with shells made of polystyrene foam, mineral wool or polyethylene foam. Mineral wool in rolls is also used.

Tips for choosing

Choosing quality insulation can be difficult. We advise you to pay attention to several key points:

• Place of insulation. Decide whether it will be indoor or outdoor. Private houses are often covered with thermal insulation on the outside, but apartment owners should take care of the internal insulation of the apartment.
• Thermal conductivity level. The main criterion for high-quality and safe insulation is low thermal conductivity. The lower the indicator, the better the material will retain heat indoors.
• Material and safety. Be sure to choose fire-resistant materials that are resistant to external influences and biological damage. They will last you much longer.
• Price. This is a subjective indicator, since it is based solely on one’s own financial situation.