Insulation for walls of expanded polystyrene

Now, when the cost of utility payments is constantly growing, the population has increasingly begun to pay attention to the insulation of their homes. But simply replacing the glass unit does not always help. Up to 45% of the heat flows through the cold and thin walls. Conscientious builders produce heat insulation work on the construction process, but how to be to those people who inherited the old cold apartments in the cold "Khrushchev" or in a private country house . It helps that this can be done during the repair work in the already constructed and operated premises. It is then that many people have a problem of choosing a heat insulator for their walls. Today we will tell you what is the insulation of extruded polystyrene foam, what characteristics it has and how it differs from other similar materials.

Characteristics of expanded polystyrene insulation

For the first time this excellent material was received in the States about fifty years ago, and it quickly became widespread in the world. The thing is that it has high insulating qualities at its rather low cost. Very often consumers confuse polystyrene with extruded polystyrene, and buy cheaper material. Both substances have much in common, because the raw material for them is polystyrene. But the foam consists of sintered pellets, and the insulation of the extruded polystyrene foam turns into a liquid that then cools and solidifies. It has a unique structure, consisting of 90% of the air, enclosed in small cells.

The whole structure and molecules of extruded polystyrene foam have a stronger inextricable bond, which significantly increases the physical properties required in construction. Even if you just take these materials in your hand, you will instantly see the difference. Cheap polystyrene is scattered on the granules under a light pressure of the fingers, and in order to destroy the expanded polystyrene, it will be necessary to exert some effort. In addition, the foam has properties to absorb moisture, its low density affects. That is why it is better to pay in the store for extruded polystyrene, than to pay for your carelessness and excessive economy.

Recommendations for working with expanded polystyrene:

  1. This material has a dense structure and the walls need some preparation - to remove the protruding hillocks, unevenness, the possible difference should not exceed 2 cm. We clear all the detached masonry or concrete surface fragments.
  2. Apply the primer.
  3. If you use the bowl dowels together with the glue, then the masonry will be much more reliable.
  4. The first dowel is scored in the middle of the tile, then the rest, retreating from the edge 10-15 cm.
  5. On the packaging with glue ("Ceresite" or other) it should be indicated that it can be used for EPS board.
  6. If the wall is smooth, then it is better to apply a continuous layer of solution.
  7. Begin laying from the bottom, attaching the first row of plates to the wall horizontally.
  8. The next rows of plates are glued in checkerboard pattern, making a dressing of the seams.
  9. Construction work should be carried out in dry, warm weather with an air temperature of at least 5 degrees Celsius.
  10. All possible gaps between the slabs must necessarily be sealed, if the gap is large enough (0.5-2 cm), then you can use the mounting foam.
  11. The insulation must be protected from the sun and precipitation by covering it with siding or by performing plastering works.

To understand how the insulation for walls of expanded polystyrene exceeds the older and familiar building materials, here are some calculations. 12 centimeter tile of our insulating material replaces the 45 cm wall of wood, two-meter brick laying, 4 m 20 cm of reinforced concrete. The fact that expanded polystyrene can withstand physical loads and is a sufficiently durable material (the service life is up to 50 years), allows it to be used to insulate not only walls , but also floors, roofs, foundations. But while it is also easily cut and easy to work, like foam. Manufacturers make on the tile a kind of step that greatly simplifies the installation work. In addition, such a groove is a protection from the cold at the place where the sheets are joined.