Polyurethane foam insulation: liquid foam

Thermal insulation of the house with foam

Thermal insulation work is one of the most important stages of construction. This applies to technical structures and residential buildings. High-quality insulation can significantly reduce energy costs and extend the life of walls and finishing materials.
Thermal insulation with polyurethane foam (PPU) came to the construction market recently, but quickly gained popularity among professionals and customers. This technology can significantly reduce the time spent on work. Polyurethane foam can be used as a heater on any surface, since it has high adhesion rates and has practically no restrictions.

Wall insulation can be done in three ways:

The method is selected based on the individual characteristics of the premises and the calculation of the cost of work. But each of these methods has its own characteristic nuances that must be taken into account. Spraying and insulation with plates is carried out both outside and inside the house. And the filling is carried out into the air space between the parts of the partition, which is specially left during the construction phase.

1. Spraying technology.

Due to its high adhesion, polyurethane foam instantly adheres to the base and creates a uniform layer in which there are no cold spots inherent in most types of thermal insulation. Foam insulation by spraying is carried out using special equipment. It can be professional, and is used repeatedly, as well as one-time, which is quite suitable for work on your own.

If it is necessary to insulate a small room, for example, a loggia in an apartment, foam from ordinary cylinders is often used. It differs slightly in consistency, but contains the same polyurethane in the base. The application technology is similar to spraying by professional devices, which are used by specialists, but occurs much more slowly due to the low pressure in the cylinder. Polyurethane foam has a higher cost, but it is compensated by the fact that you do not need to buy equipment.

• As a result of expansion, it completely fills the area to be insulated.
• There is no need to level the walls before application.
• High speed of work performed.

• Relatively high cost.

2. Technology of filling.

If the house is under construction and polyurethane foam is selected, a special wall construction is required, which provides for an internal empty space, where the foam is filled. But even if the house is already fully built, thermal insulation is possible through special technological holes, which are drilled in several places, and foam is pumped through them. The device delivers insulation through hoses inserted into the wall. After the material has completely solidified, dense thermal insulation is obtained, excluding air chambers.

• Has the highest efficiency and energy saving rates.
• The interior space is completely preserved, and additional exterior finishing is not required.

• Do-it-yourself insulation with polyurethane foam by filling is impossible without specialized equipment.
• The injection through the holes does not exclude the formation of air bubbles inside.
• The pressure that the foam creates during expansion can damage the walls if the house is made of poor quality materials.

The foam is presented not only in a liquid state, but also in the form of finished slabs.Warming is done by gluing the segments to the surface and fixing them with dowels with a wide head. Unlike spraying, this process does not require special equipment and can be done by hand.

To prevent the insulation from accumulating condensate, before installation, the surface must be treated with impregnations that prevent the appearance of mold and mildew. This should be done not depending on which side the house is insulated from. At the final stage, polyurethane foam is filled into the seams from a cylinder. Thus, the thermal insulation becomes monolithic.

• Lowest cost among other methods.
• Ease of installation.

• Thermal insulation of PU foam plates is not so effective in terms of energy saving.
• The house needs decorative finishing.
• For installation, you must first level the surface, otherwise the insulation will lie unevenly.
• Foam in slabs has a lower degree of durability.

Penoizol has a similar structure to polyurethane foam, but differs in technical characteristics. According to the standards, in rooms with increased requirements for fire and environmental safety, such as:

• Public places.
• Kindergartens and schools.
• Medical institutions.

Insulation with polyurethane foam is prohibited due to the flammability and toxicity of products emitted as a result of combustion. This applies to both the slab version and the liquid one. Fire safety regulations allow the use of polyurethane only in private construction or in the construction of non-residential premises.

In turn, penoizol complies with all standards and has no restrictions on use. It is made on the basis of a complex chemical compound - urea-formaldehyde. It is a porous white material with a lot of air bubbles. The main advantage of spraying foam insulation over polyurethane is that it does not support combustion at all, and at high temperatures decomposes into carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water. The absence of toxic emissions allows this insulation to be used in any premises, regardless of their intended purpose.

Insulation technology

There are several principles of insulation with a do-it-yourself sealant. Let's highlight two basic principles and consider them in detail:

• The first and most common technology of insulation, produced with the participation of polyurethane foam, is sputtering... As the name implies, this is the process of distributing polyurethane foam over the surface using a spray gun. The sealant instantly connects to the base on which it is applied, creating an even layer that covers the area to be insulated. This allows you to quickly insulate and, which is important, does not require leveling the walls before spraying. The rest of the material is simply cut off.

• Filling... This technology is most often used in the construction process, when the structure of the building being erected provides for voids that must be filled with an insulating substance. However, the application of this principle of insulation is also possible with a fully erected structure, however, in this case, it is necessary to have technological holes through which the foam will be supplied, as well as equipment for its injection. There is a fairly complex drilling. Using the infill method is dangerous for buildings built with poor quality materials - after all, the sealant, expanding, can harm the walls. A significant advantage of filling is the absence of the need for external finishing.

Penoizol

Liquid insulation usually means foam, which is used to insulate premises. One of its varieties is called penoizol. In structure, this material resembles foam, but in fact it is a urea polymer. Penoizol can be supplied not only in the form of a foam mass, but also in the form of plates.Also, granules are made from it for filling with the main material.

Penoizol is best suited for thermal insulation of frame buildings. It is designed to fill air gaps between:

• inner and outer walls;
• plastic panels and a wall;
• plasterboard and wall;
• wood flooring and its base.

Also, the material is suitable for insulating tanks and heating mains. In terms of operational properties, the foam is superior to mineral wool and expanded polystyrene. The advantages of penoizol are:

• high speed of work performance;
• undemanding to the conditions of temperature and humidity conditions;
• long service life;
• weak flammability;
• elasticity and resistance to deformation.

When hardened, the material does not form butt seams, which means it is resistant to tensile loads. In addition, it does not create a favorable environment for the development of fungi and mold, it is not damaged by rodents.

Penoizol has soundproofing properties, and can significantly reduce the level of noise in the living space. In addition, the manufacturer assures that the material is environmentally friendly.

Polyurethane foam

Externally, polyurethane foam resembles ordinary polyurethane foam, but it has a closed fine-mesh structure. The material is applied in a layer from 4 to 8 cm, good adhesion to any materials is ensured. Polyurethane foam has low water absorption, so no additional waterproofing is required. Other benefits include:

• light weight;
• elasticity, the ability to fill voids of any shape;
• low vapor permeability;
• resistance to biological factors, including fungus and mold.

Polyurethane foam

When insulating premises, foam is often used, intended for installation work. There are many varieties of this material, including those that are specially designed for the purpose of warming rooms. Often, foam is used to fix boards of solid thermal insulation materials or to fill the joints between them.

Foam grades with increased adhesion have been developed for use with insulation sheets. By their functional purpose, they resemble glue: foam is applied to the surface of the thermal insulation material and pressed against the wall. Polymerization of the composition takes place within 5-10 minutes, and the board is firmly fixed.

Insulation with polyurethane foam - application methods

Depending on the readiness of your room, wall insulation with polyurethane foam can be carried out in several ways - by spraying and pouring. In the first case, your construction has not yet been completed, in front of you are bare, uncouth walls, some kind of minimal frame is attached to them in order to break the area into peculiar sections, and a thin layer of foam is sprayed on. Expanding, it forms a "fur coat", which you then have to level and carry out external finishing. When insulating floors or roofs in this way, you already have a frame in the form of a rafter system and a log under your feet.

Pouring is used in cases when it is necessary to insulate a cavity in the wall with a finished finish, or during construction, the frame of the house consists of several rows of bricks, for example. The difficulty of this process is that you do not see how evenly the foam has filled all the voids, because you simply blindly pour it into the cavity on top of the wall under construction or through the holes in the wall that is already covered with a ceiling or roof. For this, a special hose is used, which is fixed on the spray machine, and with the other end is inserted into a hole in the wall.

Heat insulating paint

Insulating foam is not the only product for arranging thermal insulation that has a liquid consistency. Liquid ceramic paint is used along with it. Compared to foam, this paint has less pronounced thermal insulation properties.At the same time, the latter has the best waterproofing properties.

It is recommended to apply paint only at the junction of structural elements of a residential building, for example, between the roof and walls. Some people use this material to insulate rooms from the inside, but this is a big mistake. On the one hand, at least 10 paint coats are required to achieve the desired thermal insulation effect. On the other hand, the thermal insulation layer is never placed on the inside of the walls, as this will lead to the formation of condensation in the building due to an incorrectly calculated dew point.

Application procedure

The sequence of work depends on which liquid insulation is chosen.

If you decide to use penoizol or polyurethane foam, you need to purchase a disposable or reusable kit for spraying or pouring the mass.

Spraying involves working with open surfaces. The essence of this technology lies in the fact that the foam is sprayed on the wall in a uniform layer 5-10 cm thick. Before that, the wall is cleaned, and the remnants of wallpaper or paint are removed. With a step of up to 50 cm, guides are attached using self-tapping screws - wooden slats or aluminum profiles.

Usually, the guides are located vertically, strictly at right angles to the ceiling and floor, but sometimes horizontal strips are also installed. The space between them is filled with foam, while the guides themselves should protrude above the foam. They are needed in order to mount sheets of drywall on top of them when the insulation is dry.

Fill method

The fill method is more difficult to implement. It consists in filling voids with foam, which cannot be processed using spraying due to difficult access. During pouring, liquid insulation is fed into the cavity, where it is evenly distributed due to its elasticity.

The pouring technology allows you to get rid of voids in the already installed main walls, or after installing the plasterboard coating. In this case, one condition must be fulfilled: there must be access to the cavity, at least in the form of a small hole, where the nozzle of the unit for pouring the mass can fit. Sometimes the foam is poured into the mold immediately during production. This is how thermal insulation blocks are obtained, which can later be mounted inside the walls instead of spraying.

Corrosion protection

If thermal insulation of a metal pipeline is planned, then first it must be painted or protected from corrosion in some other way. Manufacturers of penoizol and polyurethane foam never warn about this, but without proper protection, the pipe will rot and crumble. Then you will have to completely remove the insulation in order to gain access to it for the purpose of repair.

Foam for insulation is fed into a gun for pouring or spraying through hoses from a container with raw materials. In the case of polyurethane foam, these are two tanks, one containing the polyisocyanate and the other containing the polyol. It is important that there is no air in containers and hoses, as it will interfere with the reaction of substances.

Polyurethane foam insulation: liquid foam

Polyurethane foam - insulation, easy to use

Polyurethane foam insulation can not only be poured into containers and voids, but also sprayed directly onto the structure. In the process of spraying, the volume of the foam increases tenfold. The ability to grow and ultra-fast solidification is a definite plus of the material. At the same time, the structure does not become heavier, it does not burst. This is especially good for frame houses, in which the thermal insulation material carries not an additional, but the main load in terms of the thermal resistance of the building.
Low density polyurethanes (8–12 kg / m3) are called soft or lightweight foam. Rigid foam has a classic density (40-50 kg / m3).

Features of light foam

• Not flammable when applied. Hard foam can be applied at a time no more than 3-5 cm. In the case of low-density foam - 30 cm.
• The material is extremely flexible. The insulation will not break if the surface on which it is sprayed suddenly changes its geometry. Wooden structures "play" - polyurethane foam will gladly "play along" with a bar or log.
• Surfaces on which PPU (polyurethane foam) is applied do not need preliminary preparation. The "death grip" of the material is guaranteed on any materials (wood, glass, concrete, metal, brick, paint, etc.), in any condition (rusty, wet, dusty or covered with frost).
• Installation of thermal insulation does not depend on the weather. Works can be carried out both in heat and high humidity, and in frost down to –20 ° С. The installers will have a hard time, but the quality of the insulation will not suffer from low temperatures.

Hydrophobic properties

Light foam achieves high thermal insulation and performance properties due to its open cellular structure. What does an open cell give for thermal insulation of a country house? It allows moisture contained in the pores of the insulating layer to evaporate. Moisture is also not retained in the material to which the foam is applied. When using a closed-cell rigid polyurethane foam, the wooden surface can squeak, but an open cell will not allow this.

Light foam is a hydrophobic material - water can be forcibly pumped into its open pores, under pressure, but the liquid will flow out due to gravity, and not move inside the material. After drying, the thermal insulation capacity of the foam is completely restored.

Super penetrating ability

In principle, all polyurethane foam spraying systems (regardless of the characteristics and start time) are similar: there are two components A and B, which are mixed at a certain temperature and pressure. Getting to the surface, the liquid mixture multiplies in volume and solidifies. The resulting "fur coat" is a durable seamless coating that excludes the appearance of the so-called "cold bridges".

When expanding, the foam fills all cavities, voids, the smallest cracks and structural defects. This super-penetrating ability of the foam and the seamlessness of the material allow it to be used where other insulation fails.

Lightweight foam is especially useful:

• For complex roof geometries. Foam insulation firmly adheres to the surface and does not require additional protection from water and steam.
• When insulating spherical parts of a building, bay windows, semi-columns, etc. foam can take any shape, even the most florid.
• When insulating the pool bowl. Polyurethane foam is inert to acidic and alkaline environments, so it is very appropriate to use it for ground work.

Durability of polyurethane foam

One of the known problems with insulation is aging. PUF has a long service life, and some of the polyurethane foams have a lifetime manufacturer's warranty.

It is still difficult to check this, because this insulation technology has been used in Russia not so long ago. So let's take our word for it - the foam does not roll up, does not deform and does not crumble during the entire service life. Moreover, applied to a wooden or metal base, it prevents the processes of decay and corrosion, prolonging the life of the house itself.

The only thing that polyurethane foam is afraid of and that can deprive it of its strength and durability is the sun. Therefore, if insulation is used to insulate the facade, it needs a final protective coating in the form of siding or wall panels. Covering soft foam with plaster is a waste of time, as this polyurethane is too elastic and soft.

Environmental safety of polyurethane foam

Eco-safety of soft polyurethane foam is confirmed by a hygienic certificate.The material is free of formaldehyde, chlorofluorocarbons and volatile organic compounds. The only blowing agent in it is water. By the way, international green building programs recommend Canadian soft foam for use in homes with allergy sufferers, for insulating hospitals and schools.

As for the fire hazard, the material corresponds to the G3 classification, that is, it belongs to self-extinguishing (it burns, but does not support combustion in the absence of a flame). When burning, the insulation is charred, but does not melt and does not form deadly toxic substances.

Another good news for potential customers is the rodent resistance of the foam. According to the manufacturer, it has no nutritional value for rats and mice.

Installation speed

Under favorable weather and technical conditions, one team of workers is able to lay per shift from 200 to 400 m2 of polyurethane foam with a thickness of 3–7 cm.

So, the two-component foam insulation is at a height for almost all "vital" indicators. One of the drawbacks is the price, which can vary depending on the density of the material, the area of ​​insulation, working conditions and the availability of surfaces on which it is sprayed.

Another costly point in foam insulation is the quality of the raw materials.

Thank you for your help in preparing the material to Oleg Tovpenko, head of the ICYNENE department of Inverta LLC.

Popular manufacturing companies

Today in Russia there are a large number of manufacturers of foam insulation, polyurethane foam, polyurethane foam and other liquid mixtures that are used to insulate premises. Among the domestic manufacturers, the following are the most famous:

When it comes to buying a disposable construction tool, it doesn't matter what brand it is released under. Along with the Russian ones, Chinese kits are also very popular. At the same time, the choice of the material itself must be taken with responsibility. To avoid premature wear of structures, it is advisable to purchase raw materials of domestic or European production.

Features of facade insulation with polyurethane foam

Creating comfortable conditions for living in a house or apartment is the primary task of every zealous owner. Modern technologies make it possible to inexpensively organize an optimal indoor climate and save energy resources at any time of the year. Insulation of facades with polyurethane foam contributes to the extension of the life of the building's structural elements.

Types of polyurethane foam and its properties

Thermal insulation facade is a fast and reliable way to insulate a house. Due to its technical characteristics and method of application, smooth or textured facades of any geometry can be processed. Polyurethane foam (PPU) consists of polymer compounds that are foamed with an inert gas, which provides more than 85-90% of the air pockets.

Figure 1. Insulation of the facade of the house with polyurethane foam.

Depending on the composition of the thermal insulation material, polyurethane foam structure may be:

• Semi-rigid - has a cellular and open, but rather dense, structure and is used to insulate facades with wooden base, that is, buildings made of timber, logs or plywood.
• Rigid - has a closed structure and is used for permanent structures made of concrete or brick. Due to its high density, water is not absorbed by the material.

Both types provide excellent moisture protection. PPU does not allow the walls to cool down in winter, even in the most severe frosts and heat up in summer, and with a well-thought-out heating and air conditioning system, the house will have an ideal microclimate all year round. In addition, the material also has good sound insulation properties.

Types of foam for insulation

Depending on the composition and structure, several types of insulation are distinguished. Among the main materials are:

1. Penoizol. The material contains aldehydes. Therefore, it is dangerous to human health. Despite this, manufacturers deny the shortcomings of their products. But still, during work, it is worthwhile to strictly follow the safety rules. Penoizol is sold in a liquid state or in the form of ready-made slabs. It is ideal for insulating walls, load-bearing structures and floors. When using a liquid substance, it is worth considering that, due to its structure, it will dry for 3 days.
2. Foam concrete. The material is sold in liquid form. The disadvantage is that it carries a lot of weight. It is not recommended to use it for facade insulation, as this will create an additional load on the structure.
3. Polyurethane foam... Despite the fact that manufacturers are furiously offering their material, experts do not recommend using it for wall insulation and other structures. This is due to the fact that polyurethane foam has low thermal insulation properties. It is often used for sealing seams and holes. When using a substance, it should be borne in mind that upon contact with air, it significantly increases in volume.
4. Polyurethane. It is a popular thermal insulation material due to its versatility. It is often used for facade insulation. Two-component polyurethane foam manufactured by machine. On contact with air, it increases in size 40 times its original volume. A large number of bubbles form in the coating, which explains the high thermal insulation properties.

When choosing a heater, there are many factors to consider. First of all, this concerns the scope and features of the use of a particular material. So, to apply penoizol, you will need special equipment. As a result, this will lead to significant investment in insulation.

Important! Cylinders with the substance are especially popular. In this case, apply gun for spraying polyurethane foam.

Features of work on the insulation of facades with polyurethane foam

Insulation of the facade with polyurethane foam is carried out by spraying. Liquid PPU is poured into the tank and, using a pneumatic spray gun connected to the compressor, the mixture is applied to the facade under pressure. As it cools, it turns into foam, which fills in all the cracks on the facade and then hardens. To ensure good adhesion, the walls must be cleaned of dirt and dust before application. Since the foam does not form a uniform surface, after the end of the polymerization process, the master carefully cuts off the excess so that you can make the plaster facing.

Material analysis in comparison with analogues

Modern technologies offer many options for facade insulation. Compared to other thermal insulation materials, liquid thermal insulation PPU has a very high level of thermal conductivity. For example, a layer of 1 cm of polyurethane foam has the same thermal conductivity as 5 cm of mineral wool or 30 cm of reinforced concrete.

Insulation with penoizol and polyurethane foam PPU

Liquid thermal insulation for the floor

This type of liquid insulation is a mixture of polymers and special additives, as a result of the reaction between which and, simultaneously, with the external environment (air and moisture), they foaming and increasing in volume, followed by hardening. Thus, foam insulation is able to fill a plane of any configuration, forming a strong protective barrier. The absence of seams eliminates all possible heat escape paths, which provides effective thermal insulation.

The process of warming with foam solutions is more complicated, in contrast to warming with heat paint.To perform work, special equipment and protective clothing are required, and it is recommended to wear a respirator indoors.

PPU is used to insulate surfaces of any type. It is suitable for insulating upper floor ceilings, mansard roofs, freezing ceilings, floors and basements, interpanel joints, cracks and any irregularities, window and door openings.

Liquid insulation for walls

Separately, it is worth highlighting the sprayed insulation, which is produced in cylinders. Its content is a pink polymer substance and is sprayed with a pistol. You can work with this type of insulation without the involvement of specialists and the necessary equipment. The temperature of the cylinder should not be below 25 ° C and above 35 ° C.

Penoizol is mainly intended for insulating a brick wall from the inside while still at the construction stage, by pouring the composition into the gap between the walls.

Advantages of foam insulation

These include the following:

1. A high degree of adhesion to a substrate of any origin (wood, glass, metal, stone).
2. Long service life.
3. Resistant to changes in weather conditions.
4. Excellent sound insulation.
5. Low thermal conductivity.
6. Fire safety.
7. Good vapor permeability (penoizol).

The procedure for working with foam insulation

1. Surface preparation, which includes cleaning from dirt and a primer.
2. Installation of the lathing.
3. Foam application, filling all joints and gaps.
4. Sheathing with finishing material.

Disadvantages of penoizol

• shrinkage of the insulation may occur over time;
• the material cannot be applied by spraying, the only way to use this insulation is to fill.

Facade insulation technology with polyurethane foam

Application technology liquid heaters requires special knowledge, skills and equipment, so it is difficult to do it yourself. To carry out the work, it is best to hire a team of experienced craftsmen who will quickly perform the necessary actions and will be able to provide guarantees for the quality of thermal insulation.

High quality facade insulation at home polyurethane possible only for low-rise buildings. The purpose, size, configuration and geometry of buildings are not important. The whole procedure goes through several stages:

• preparation of walls;
• application;
• reinforcement;
• finishing activities and finishing works.

Selection of equipment for spraying polyurethane foam

The equipment consists of:

• Two cylinders designed for formulationsforming foam.
• Hoses connecting cylinders to spray guns.

  
  Figure 3. Equipment for spraying polyurethane foam.

• Spray gun.
• A set of nozzles of various modifications.
• A set of keys and technical grease.

Set spraying equipment quite voluminous and expensive, so it is impractical to buy it for self-insulation of your own walls. It would be much cheaper and wiser to hire a team of equipped craftsmen.

Instructions for spraying polyurethane foam on the facade

The equipment can be household (disposable) or professional. The assembly of the entire structure is quite simple - hoses with a gun are connected to the cylinders - and you can start spraying.

The optimum temperature of the components for application is 20-30 degrees Celsius. Area theat-insulating material for thermal insulation of facades by spraying depends on the volume of the cylinders. If it is necessary to pause during the execution of liquid thermal insulation, it should be borne in mind that the duration of the operating life of the equipment does not exceed 30 days, so do not pull too long. That is why experts do not recommend purchasing cylinders with a volume open PPU more than necessary.

Preparation for the application of polyurethane foam

Characteristics and properties of polyurethane foam to work require protective clothing.It is important not to leave any exposed areas of skin or hair, as after contact with the skin, the foam is extremely difficult to remove. To prevent small particles of foam from getting into the lungs, all work is carried out in a respirator or mask.

Walls must be cleaned of loose particles and old coatings. Lighting fixtures, ebbs, grilles and other elements are removed. The crate is installed with cells 20-50 cm. Installation is carried out using a level, which helps to level the walls. Next, a layer is applied polyurethane.

Facade reinforcement rules

To avoid the formation of cracks in the openings, and the finishing materials lay well, it is recommended to reinforce walls special mesh. The procedure begins with the installation of perforated aluminum corners, to which the mesh will be fixed. The corners are installed with assembly glue and gently pressed down with a spatula. Excess glue is removed.

The reinforcing mesh is made of fiberglass and is resistant to chemical and mechanical influences. It is fixed with an adhesive solution, which is sold ready-made in hardware stores.

Figure 4. Thermal insulation of facades by spraying.

To achieve good quality, polyurethane foam processed with coarse sandpaper. After removing the dust, glue is applied to the surface, into which the mesh is carefully recessed. The adhesive is evenly distributed over the surface. The mesh does not need to be pulled tightly or pressed into the heat-insulating layer. When the entire facade has been reinforced, it is recommended to apply a second layer glue with a mesh that should not show through.

Finishing works

It takes a day to dry the reinforcing layer and after that you can start finishing work. In order not to violate the integrity of the thermal insulation layer, it is not recommended to use siding or other materials that are mounted on dowels or self-tapping screws.

The best option is a simple decorative plaster for facades. This will allow you to create any effect you like and paint the house in your favorite color.

If you are looking for the most effective method of organizing ideal thermal insulation at home, PPU is the best choice. Since the procedure requires compliance with some rules, you should carefully, realistically and adequately assess your strength, and it is best to invite a team of experienced craftsmen.

Features of insulation

For self-insulation of a house with foam, a protective suit is required. Foam is usually sprayed from a cylinder onto the entire surface of the facade, it is used to fill the voids between the walls, rafters, and beams.

There are many advantages of this type of wall insulation with foam in the air gap. The main ones include:

• vapor permeability;
• fire resistance;
• the ability to increase in volume;
• resistance to all kinds of mechanical stress;
• the upper temperature limit remains within +80 degrees.

Often, foam is used to seal the gaps that remain after the installation of plastic windows. Due to this, thermal insulation in the apartment also increases. A pneumatic gun is convenient to use for insulating not only windows and outer walls, but also the foundation, loggia and balcony, pipes.

The facade, after being treated with foam insulation for the walls, turns out to be ideal - without visible joints and seams. One container contains an average of 600-700 ml of the composition, which is enough to process a square meter with a layer up to eight centimeters thick. It is very simple to work with such a gun: first, a full cylinder is inserted into it, then you need to direct it to the surface to be treated and pull the trigger. On average, the applied composition hardens within a day.

Types of foam insulation

Foam insulation can differ in its structure and composition. The main types of material for insulating walls and windows can be distinguished:

1. Penoizol.It contains aldehydes that are harmful to health, although manufacturers often claim the opposite. Dries much longer than polyurethane (complete drying time can be up to three days). It is usually used to insulate attics, load-bearing walls and structures. It can be purchased in the form of ready-made slabs or as a liquid composition.
2. Ecowool and foam concrete. Can be purchased in liquid form, more often used for pouring the foundation. When finishing facades, they are practically not used due to the significant weight, which gives a large load on the walls. In addition, the high cost often speaks against this material.
3. Polyurethane foam. Suitable only for sealing seams, joints, holes, since it does not allow moisture and steam to pass through, and this is a critical moment for insulating material. When interacting with air, its volume increases twenty times, while there is a minimum amount of air bubbles inside. It can be purchased in convenient small-volume cylinders with a significant shelf life.
4. Polyurethane foam or polyurethane. The most common option, which is considered the most versatile. Polyurethane insulation is very effective as a thermal insulation for facades. Consists of two components, they must be mixed by a machine method immediately before application. The foam expands from the initial volume thirty to forty times, small balloons are formed inside. Due to this, high-quality insulation of the house is achieved.

Polyurethane foam specifications

Consider what is polyurethane foam. This material is considered one of the best for insulating aerated concrete and other surfaces. Foam of this type has both advantages and disadvantages, which can manifest themselves both during operation and in the future.

As a rule, special combinations of polymers are the main component of the foam. Initially, they are in a liquid state, but after being applied to the surface when interacting with air, the foam hardens almost instantly, filling the pores and forming a very dense and reliable layer.

Positive properties

Consider the main advantages of using polyurethane foam for wall insulation. There are quite a few of them, which explains such a high degree of demand for the material among builders and people who have started wall insulation.

Insulation of the window with polyurethane foam

1. Very high degree of sound insulation. As a rule, foam today even better than extruded polystyrene foam insulates the room from extraneous sounds. This applies to both external and internal insulation. In both cases, the effect will be achieved. Only natural cork material can compete with foam in terms of sound insulation.
2. The absolute degree of environmental friendliness. This property allows the use of polyurethane foam for any purpose, even for patching up cracks in the walls in a children's room. The foam does not emit any toxic substances even when exposed to external factors.
3. Polyurethane foam is relatively resistant to negative environmental factors, it is a non-combustible insulation. She is practically not afraid of rain, wind, or extreme heat. The polymer composition gives the polyurethane foam greater stability, especially high if a protective layer of plaster is applied over it.
4. Polyurethane foam is fairly easy to work with. It has good adhesion - it adheres perfectly to almost any surface, it can even be applied to metal panels. It has the ability to expand several times. As a result, even a large crack can be filled with a small amount of liquid foam.
5. The degree of thermal conductivity of the foam is considered one of the minimum among other materials for wall insulation in the house. This allows her to keep warm in the room, keep out air and moisture. And fire resistance protects the house from fire.

Disadvantages of polyurethane foam

But there are also disadvantages to using polyurethane foam.Of course, there are not so many of them as there are advantages, but still they must be taken into account. This will avoid mistakes and make the right choice.

Sealing cracks with foam

1. The polyurethane foam is not resistant to UV radiation. As a rule, after filling it with gaps and cracks, additional materials should be applied on top or finishing with plates. This will protect the foam from the sun's rays, which provoke the destruction of polymers in the structure.
2. Another disadvantage is cost. Now on the building materials market, you can find many varieties of foam, which differ from each other in their characteristics. But usually even a small can of foam is not cheap. And when working with damaged walls and large areas, you will have to buy a lot of foam at once.

So, if you carefully weigh all the pros and cons, then you can choose a good polyurethane foam that will last a long time and will firmly protect the interior of the house. Taking into account all the subtleties described above will not allow you to make a mistake.

Which variety to choose

In many ways, the choice will depend on the specific situation, which area needs to be processed. You can use an example to consider the most common cases when a house needs foam insulation:

1. If you need to close cracks or remove any other defects on the surface, then polyurethane will do. But such material should not be exposed to sunlight.
2. If you need to fill a large volume, then Penoizol will do. But the usual cylinder is not enough here, you will need to purchase a special high-pressure apparatus. It is not at all necessary to buy it - you can rent it or borrow it from friends, because often no one will use it.
3. If you need to close up small cracks and carry out thermal insulation in small areas of the area, then you can buy a cylinder with ordinary polyurethane foam. It does not support combustion, after solidification it is particularly hard, while it has an ecological composition.
4. If defects are found on the outside of the wall, then you need to apply a composition based on polyurethane. It is applied in a direct way using a special balloon or apparatus.

It is worth remembering that the foam insulation creates errors inside the layer that need to be eliminated. This requires a long hose to push the material inward. If you want to fill air spaces inside the insulation, then holes are made in the wall with something sharp.

Polyurethane foam is not suitable for insulating the entire external facade - it does not have the appropriate characteristics necessary for this. Therefore, you should not choose it for these purposes, even despite its more economical cost.

Definition and main types of foam

Scheme of a spray gun for a PPU steam generator.

Foams are a class of polymer-based substances that, when in contact with air and moisture, quickly solidify, while increasing in volume, in some cases by 20 times. The most common is polyvinyl chloride-based insulation. It is divided into 2 groups. The first includes semi-rigid foams. They are more durable and resilient, withstand high temperatures well up to 120 degrees. This insulation is not deformed. The second group includes plastic foams. The name speaks for itself. They can withstand high loads and temperatures, and are more elastic than the previous ones.

This material is characterized by the presence of gas in the structure. If the insulation is organized incorrectly, then the gas can escape outward, thereby destroying the structure. Nowadays, more modern foams with special stabilizing additives are being introduced.

There are a lot of materials based on foam in modern construction business. These are polyurethane foam, foam concrete, ecowool, polyurethane foam, foam insulation and others.

Wall insulation scheme with penoizol.

Let's consider some of them. Insulation with penoizol is characterized by the fact that this foam material for house insulation can be used already in the form of finished sheets, and for large buildings and structures it is kneaded in machines, and then it is poured into the wall or prepared formwork.

It hardens for a long time (3 days), in addition, it is harmful. Thermal insulation with ecowool and foam concrete is expensive. In addition, the materials are heavier, which complicates the work. The most widespread use was found for thermal insulation using foam concrete and polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam completely consists of closed pores, therefore it is the most reliable insulation. It cures in seconds and can be applied to walls, roofs and any vertical surfaces.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before you start insulating your home, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Of course, many are interested in what the benefits will be from this method of insulation. These include:

• fast speed of insulation, even if a large surface is being processed;
• foam is not subject to biological influences, mold or mildew is unlikely to appear on the wall;
• hardly flammable material: it can melt only at temperatures over 80 degrees;
• it is not required to pre-fix the frame to the facade - this saves both effort and time and money;
• a monolithic surface without seams is obtained, into which cold air could penetrate;
• when insulating pipes or other metal elements, a sufficiently dense layer is created through which moisture does not leak, and corrosion does not appear.

But, like any other method of insulation, it has its drawbacks. You should find out about them in a timely manner:

• should not be exposed to direct rays;
• the impossibility of frequent interaction with water;
• material cost: to insulate large areas, you will need to buy or rent special equipment;
• insufficient level of vapor permeability, you will have to install artificial ventilation inside;
• do not carry out the application procedure without a tarpaulin suit, a respirator mask with goggles and gloves. Of course, all this is unlikely to be found at home, and this is also an extra cash expenditure.

People have long begun to insulate their homes with foam, but the ideal means of insulation has not yet been invented. Of course, the effectiveness of this method cannot be disputed. The main thing is to buy high quality materials. If equipment is available for installation, the process does not take much physical effort and time.

After applying the foam and after it dries completely masters advise treating the surface of the facade with a special coating, which can be purchased at any hardware store. This is required first of all to protect human health, and only then - as protection of the insulation itself.

Foam cost

If you buy a cylinder at retail, then on average you can pay 300-500 rubles per piece. But this type of insulation is rarely bought separately. Usually its cost is included in the cost of work:

• polyurethane foam - about 100 rubles per running meter;
• penoizol - 700-2000 rubles per cubic meter;
• polyurethane - 3000-5000 per cubic meter.

The price of the material also plays a big role in its choice. But you should not save on high-quality thermal insulation if you need to insulate your home for a long time for a comfortable stay in it.

Foam insulation is suitable for most walls, including panel, block and aerated concrete. Therefore, they can be safely used as insulation for apartments and private houses. Which type of foam to choose is a purely personal matter for everyone. But first, it still does not hurt to learn more about the selected composition, read reviews, get advice from a seller in a hardware store.It is not recommended to use backfill insulation, which easily ignites, in contrast to the foam refractory version. And it is not the most convenient to use, the only exception is the floor surface.

Thermal insulation with liquid foam - better solution, because this procedure, if desired, can be carried out independently, without resorting to the help of specialists. If you do everything right and be careful, you will be able to quickly insulate any surface that needs it.

Insulation with polyurethane foam - a step-by-step scheme

Step 1: Getting Started

If you fill the cavity between the walls, where there will be nothing but foam, then special preparation is not required. Also, you do not need to worry too much if you spray foam, then you will lay all communications directly in it. The only thing is that to spray foam you need a frame that will break your wall into sections, which you will fill in in turn. Usually this role is played by the crate. For the rest, the preparation will consist in observing safety measures, get a respirator, goggles, better a mask to cover your face, a tight work suit and gloves. The foam is poorly removable not only with solvents, but also with acids, so you run the risk of wearing a "gift" on your skin for a very long time. If you pour polyurethane foam into a finished wall, but you need to drill technological holes in it according to the size of the hose, the first is at the middle of the wall , the second is at the top. Seal all the holes and crevices with masking tape so that, while expanding, the material does not leak out and contaminate your wall, there will be enough damage from it in the form of several holes. These slots include sockets for sockets, window and door openings, etc. If there are any niches, then they should not only be glued, but also stuffed with the fabric in a dense layer.

Step 2: pouring and spraying the foam

For spraying, you just need to spray from the bottom. Apply a small layer and work upward evenly. Having sprayed 30 centimeters in height, stop, watch how the foam expands, how thick it is enough, and how far up it will creep. If necessary, spray some more foam on top of the finished layer, achieving the desired thickness. This will help you develop the right pace of work and spray strategy. For pouring, the biggest challenge will be to determine the filling method, that is, what trajectory to move the hose to evenly fill the entire space, because you pour the liquid, and then it begins to foam and expand. In practice, it is almost impossible to check this, because you cannot see anything inside the cavity. Therefore, it is best to set the hose stationary in a straight down direction, and pour it. In this case, there will be less splashes, and below the liquid itself will decide how it spreads, most likely, it will have time to do it evenly in the area adjacent to the hole. Then it will systematically creep up, filling the free space.To create symbolic uniform sections for pouring, make holes at a distance of 1 meter from each other horizontally, and about two holes are enough in height (one is almost at the ceiling, the second is 1.5 meters from the floor). Having filled in some portion, let it react, then pour the next one, this will allow liquid foam to fill in some of the imperfections of the previous portion.

Step 3: Completion

This stage consists in waiting for the foam to completely solidify, this can take up to 3 days, recall that for this you need to ensure a good flow of air. Then, if spraying was done, the outer side of the "fur coat" is leveled and covered with a finishing material, most often, drywall, clapboard and other dense materials to protect the foam from possible mechanical damage in the future.Although many argue that after it has completely solidified, you can even walk on it, therefore plastering will be enough, but this is at your discretion. If the pouring was carried out, then you just need to remove the streaks that appear, remove all protection, and close up the technological holes.

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