What is expanded polystyrene, or in other words, foam? This is a material that is filled with gases. It consists of polystyrene and its derivatives, as well as styrene. The styrene components are dissolved in polymers using gas. Afterwards heating is carried out using steam, thanks to which the elements become larger in volume. Next is baking. Such production has expanded polystyrene. 20 millimeters - this is the average thickness of a foam sheet.
Natural gas is used to create ordinary polystyrene foam. Carbon dioxide is used when it is necessary to impart fire resistance to a given material. The main advantages of this material are its low cost on the construction market, and it is also quite easy to install.
To work with it you do not need to have any specific knowledge, skills or experience. More often this insulation used to create high-quality thermal insulation. This material is used to insulate floors, walls, ceilings, balconies and so on. For many procedures, extruded polystyrene foam is used.
Extruded polystyrene foam is a product that has a uniform structure. Extruded polystyrene foam consists of small closed cells. There are many positive reviews about extruded polystyrene foam.
This building product is not suitable for every material. For example, thermal insulation of a wooden floor with polystyrene foam (foam plastic) is not carried out.
Wooden materials are very rarely insulated with foam plastic.
For floor insulation, different building materials. This article will reveal how to insulate a floor with polystyrene foam and what technologies are used.
You want to insulate using of this product. How to make a choice in favor of quality material?
Before purchasing required material, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:
- The first criterion is appearance. The granules should not flake off and the color should be uniform white. There should be no damage to the surface of the material.
- The next criterion is smell. There should be no foreign odor. This smell is, for example, chemical.
- Pay attention to the structure. The components must be perfectly sintered. When you break polystyrene foam, the boundary should pass between the granules, as well as inside them.
- The material must be well packed. Also, the packaging must have labeling and manufacturer's information. The brand and manufacturer's recommendations must be written. All this will be proof that this product is of high quality.
- Information on the properties of the foam should be available. It should also be on the packaging. The packaging indicates the technical, physical, mechanical qualities of this product.
- Please pay attention to where you buy this material. Make sure the store is a legal location and has a warehouse.
Area of use of expanded polystyrene
This material is used in the following areas. Let's look at each one separately:
- In the first area, polystyrene foam is used, which is unloaded. Its density is up to 15 kg/m3. This material is used for flooring internal partitions, pitched roofs, attic floors, loggias.
- Expanded polystyrene with a density of up to 25 kg/m3. used for the manufacture of sandwich panels, floors, and walls, which are three-layer. Perfect for three-layer floors.
- Plates whose density varies from 15 to 20 kg/m3. are used to insulate building envelopes that are vertical.
- Slabs with a density of just over 25 kg/m3 are used for self-leveling floors. They are also used for thermal insulation of the base of the house (foundation) and basement. This polystyrene foam is perfect for flooring.
- For a more loaded surface, slabs with a density of 35 to 50 kg/m3 are suitable. This polystyrene foam is needed for floors located in the basement, garage or parking lot. They are also used in roof and floor structures that have loads from people and cars.
Therefore, anyone who wants to purchase this material must know all the characteristics in order to make right choice.
Pros and cons of expanded polystyrene
Let's look at the pros first:
- This material is easy to work with. It is easy to process with a household knife. You can also use mounting hardware for fastening. You can glue it using glue or a mixture of mortar.
- The plates have a small mass. Thanks to this factor, they can be raised to absolutely any height, without the need to use any additional mechanisms for this procedure.
- This product is absolutely safe for human health. When the product is processed, no dust is released. The product also does not have any specific odor. It is impossible to get skin irritation during work.
- Expanded polystyrene has a high level of resistance to various substances: biological, chemical. Since this product is made of synthetics, various harmful microorganisms cannot grow in it, because they do not like such material. Fungus and bacteria are also not dangerous for this material.
These are the main advantages, however, they also include excellent sound insulation, high level resistance to moisture, low cost on the construction market, as well as a huge service life - it can reach up to 50 years.
Let's discuss now weaknesses expanded polystyrene boards:
- Plates are prone to deformation. This material has a low level of heat resistance. Therefore, when the temperature reaches 80 degrees Celsius, the product begins to break down.
- Pellets may catch fire. Since polystyrene foam is made from a gas filler, it can ignite when exposed to high temperatures.
- The product needs additional protection, since it does not tolerate mechanical stress.
After we have become familiar with the main characteristics, we can begin to use it for floor insulation. Warm floors are an opportunity to save on space heating. The effect of polystyrene foam boards is that they significantly reduce heat loss, and the room will maintain a comfortable temperature for you.
Procedure technology
Using granules to insulate concrete floors
Floor insulation with polystyrene foam, which is made of concrete. The technology of the procedure is that granules are introduced into the concrete solution, thanks to which this material acquires thermal insulation properties. The process begins with preparing the concrete solution. Dry cement must be added to the water. Mix everything using a drill. A specially designed nozzle is used for this. Stir everything until it reaches the consistency of sour cream. Then you need to add insulation granules, but don’t stop stirring. The ratio should be 1:6.
The more granules you add, the higher the thermal insulation properties of the floor will be. However, the more you add, the lower the strength rating becomes.
Also, thanks to these particles, the concrete coating will acquire excellent sound insulation characteristics. This is how a concrete floor is insulated with polystyrene foam.
Using expanded polystyrene sheets for insulation under screed
What does this technology include? First, it is necessary to compact the soil before insulating it. To do this, crushed stone is backfilled and a layer consisting of sand and film is applied to the top. After this procedure, the sheets of this construction product should be tightly laid over the entire floor. The resulting joints must be filled, for this you can use mounting tape. Next, another layer of film is laid.
In order to protect this material from mechanical influences, it is necessary to lay a durable mounting mesh on top of the insulation sheets. Then the screed mixture is poured. Its thickness should be 50 millimeters. After a certain period of time, the coating will become hard, after which it is necessary to lay the floor covering on a concrete screed. You need to devote some time to installation.
If you need a layer 50 millimeters thick, then you need to lay three layers of foam at once. The foam sheet is 20 millimeters thick.
Thermal insulation on joists
The floor can be constructed using wooden logs. In this case, the thermal insulation procedure becomes quite easy. At the very beginning, you need to process each wooden log, this can be done thanks to antifungal and moisture-protective agents.
Afterwards, the boards are secured with self-tapping screws from the bottom of the logs. Next, cut sheets of extruded polystyrene foam are installed on the boards. At the end, the film is mounted and installed flooring. This is how the floor is insulated with polystyrene foam along the joists (flooring).
As we have seen, each technology has its own installation rules.
Work on mistakes
In order for all the work to be carried out correctly and efficiently, the following mistakes cannot be made:
- Please pay special attention on the base rail. Defects may appear on the plaster - this means that the plinth was installed incorrectly. In order to eliminate these defects, it is necessary to remove ten centimeters of plaster from the edge that is located below. It is also necessary to cut off some of the heat insulation covering the base rail. After this, you need to secure the rail again, then cover it with reinforcing mesh to the edge, which is located below. At the end, a connection is made between the old and new mesh. The connection is made with an overlap of ten centimeters. The final stage is coating with plaster.
- Avoid contact of polystyrene foam boards with the ground layer. Due to such contact, the product becomes wet and is no longer suitable for use. The protection function in this case is performed by the base rail. In order to eliminate this error, you need to eliminate bottom part heat insulator, and then replace it with polystyrene foam. Namely, the floor is insulated with extruded polystyrene foam.
- During installation, pay attention to weather conditions. The work must take place at room temperature(20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Make the insulation layer as thick as possible. Otherwise, the floor will remain cold if the thickness is small.
- If you have a wooden house, then this building product is generally not recommended for use for thermal insulation. Because polystyrene foam boards delay the release of moisture, which will significantly harm the wood and ruin it. Wooden floors are not insulated. Remember that floor insulation is wooden house produced using other building materials.
Using expanded polystyrene for floor insulation guarantees you unique comfort and coziness. This material has proven itself in the construction market and has a lot of positive reviews. When insulating, you just need to follow some rules and nuances. Insulation requires only high-quality materials.
Despite all its shortcomings, foam plastic is still good insulation and copes with the tasks assigned to it one hundred percent - it is a cheap, easy to install and, most importantly, effective material. It, or rather one of its areas of application, will be discussed in this article. Together with the site, we will talk about how floor insulation is carried out with polystyrene foam - we will look at various options its use and get acquainted with their technological nuances.
Foam plastic for floor insulation photo
Floor insulation with foam plastic: features of thermal insulation of cement floors
It's no secret that cement and similar floor subfloors are very cold, especially if they are flooded or the room below does not have its own heating. The ability of concrete to conduct cold has other negative features - again, if such floors border on a cold room or street, then mold fungus appears. Residents are familiar with this situation firsthand. apartment buildings- fight these adversities in different ways, but the most effective technology is floor insulation with foam plastic. Or rather, not even insulation, but thermal insulation - what is meant by insulation is the banal insulation of a concrete or cement floor from the cold coming from below.
You can use polystyrene foam in two ways - one of them is suitable when it is located under the floor, and the second is universal and can be used in any situation.
In general, the technology is useful, both of them. Once again, I would like to ask you to note that you can’t count on any effect here - you won’t be able to walk on such a base barefoot. Concrete is concrete, even without additional heating it won't get warm.
Is it possible to insulate a floor with foam plastic: features of thermal insulation of boardwalks
When approaching the question of how to insulate with polystyrene foam, the first thing you need to pay attention to is the properties of these two materials - wood and polystyrene foam. What is this for? In order to understand how incompatible these two materials are with each other. Wood loves stability - constant temperature and humidity. It must be ventilated and remain dry enough not to rot. Remember the design of a wooden floor - our grandfathers and great-grandfathers created the so-called air vents, whose task was to ventilate the underground.
Now let's look at the foam. How do you think, if you fill the underground with it, will it be ventilated? Naturally, no - this is the first nuance. The second point is vapor permeability or, to put it in simple and understandable language, the effect of a thermos. Dampness will always accumulate under the foam, and what it lies on (on the ground or concrete pad) has no effect at this point. Dampness is still the same fungus, which for humans is by no means best friend. It is for this reason that an experienced master will never recommend insulating a wooden floor with foam plastic. In most cases, thermal insulation is carried out using bulk materials, preferably natural ones (for example, granulated screenings, or, as an option, granulated slag). In extreme cases, it can be used - at least it conducts moisture vapor.
How to insulate a wooden floor with polystyrene foam photo
The only situation in which foam can be used to insulate a wooden floor is when the plank flooring is laid on a concrete pad - in this case, the floor foam is immersed directly into the concrete itself. You can also cover the floor slabs from below with polystyrene foam, as was described in the case of concrete, if you live on the first floor and border on the basement. In all other situations, insulating a wooden floor with polystyrene foam will only shorten the service life of the flooring.
Another thing - modern materials made from wood. The same or moisture-resistant material is quite capable of coexistence with foam plastic, provided they are in close contact. The fact is that these particle boards contain various additives, including antiseptics, moisture-proofing components, and other chemicals designed to extend the service life of the material. It is thanks to them that such modern building materials have high technical characteristics and it is thanks to them that these materials can hardly be called environmentally friendly.
Is it possible to insulate the floor with polystyrene foam photo
Let's sum it up? Although, even without them, in my opinion, everything is clear as it is - it’s enough to simply insulate a concrete floor with polystyrene foam without any consequences, but not wood flooring. The only thing that can be done in these results is to draw a line under the area of application of polystyrene foam as insulation. It can only be installed from the cold side - that is, from the outside, but not from the inside of the room.
And to conclude the topic, I will add only one thing - in principle, any floor can be insulated with polystyrene foam, but it is important to maintain certain points. It would not be amiss to treat the wood with all possible means, and it would also be a good idea to treat the very base on which the floor is laid with special “chemicals” - in general, insulating the floor with foam plastic can turn into a very complex and, as practice shows, unnecessary technological operation. All these wood upgrades only worsen the “ecology” of the room. In general, such insulation should be seriously considered.
From the author: Good day everyone! Such a solution as insulating the floor with polystyrene foam will create a cozy room and significantly reduce the amount spent on heating it in the cold season. And if we think globally, it will help preserve forests and other energy resources of our planet. Therefore, you should not delay making this decision a reality. It's time to get to work!
Briefly about floor insulation
A set of measures to insulate a room, namely its ceiling, walls and floor, will help avoid heat losses of the building as a whole. Moreover, work must begin from the floor, since its structure often becomes a source of heat leakage. In addition, often after correctly performed steps to insulate a wooden or concrete floor with foam plastic, the need to carry out similar work with walls and ceilings disappears.
Studying the demand in the building materials market, experts note that most often buyers purchase the following types of insulation:
- expanded polystyrene (foam plastic) is a constant sales leader;
- , other light cement-based mixtures;
- mineral wool, glass wool, mineral fibers;
- liquid insulation - paint that forms a porous layer after drying;
- dry sawdust, fiberboard, cork, plywood.
It is worth mentioning separately about such popular material as. It is made from extruded polystyrene foam, 4 times stronger than polystyrene foam and has higher waterproofing properties.
To choose a thermal insulation material that is suitable specifically for your case, you need to take into account its compatibility with the main building material, the conditions of upcoming operation, the presence and further impact groundwater, fungus, likelihood of damage by rodents.
Properly selected insulation is half the success in the process of creating a home with a pleasant microclimate. Since polystyrene foam is at the very top of the list of these materials, let’s take a closer look at it. technical specifications and performance properties.
Manufacturing technology and material features
To help you make a decision, let's take a look at the foam manufacturing technology. It is made from expanded polystyrene, which is foamed in a special container, dried, then goes through the stages of stabilization, baking, maturing and cutting. The material obtained in this way, if all stages of the work are followed, has low thermal conductivity, repels moisture well, is hypoallergenic and safe.
However, we should not forget about situations in which this insulation can become truly dangerous. The first of these is a fire in the premises. And although foam plastic does not support combustion well, under the influence high temperatures it melts, filling the space with smoke and corrosive gas.
The second is constant humidity in a building insulated with this material. Foam plastic does not conduct steam well, so in some cases the formation of fungus and mold on surfaces is possible.
Source: https://opolax.ru
Performance characteristics
Insulating a concrete or wooden floor with this material is the right solution when you need to complete work in a short time, at low cost, while obtaining quite a decent result. It is achieved thanks to the many advantages that this thermal insulation material has:
- does not collapse in a humid environment;
- does not require special skills for cutting and subsequent installation;
- retains heat indoors in winter and does not let heat from the street into the house in summer. It has very low thermal conductivity, so for insulation, a small thickness of foam board is usually sufficient;
- has high levels of sound insulation, which plays an important role in creating a truly cozy room;
- retains the original structure during temperature fluctuations (from -180°C to +80°C);
- has a low cost;
- does not interact with most liquid media (light acids and alkalis, alcohol, salt solutions), however, it is easily destroyed by some technical liquids, their vapors, as well as acetone.
Insulation of various types of floors
Considering all the positive properties inherent in polystyrene foam, slabs made from it are used as insulation in the most different rooms. Polystyrene foam is used to insulate a wooden base from below (from the basement side) or indoors; it is also used as a heat-insulating material for concrete foundations in buildings. These types of work differ in technology, so let’s look at each in a little more detail.
Wooden floor
The most popular ones, coming from time immemorial. They look aesthetically pleasing, are durable and retain heat well. Their main drawback- cracks that form at the joints of ceilings and walls, which are blown by the wind and therefore require insulation. Anyone can lay wooden floors on their own, the main thing is to follow correct sequence actions:
- prepare the surface by cleaning it from dirt, sealing cracks and crevices;
- lay a waterproofing layer (loosely and without tension), on top of which place wooden logs;
- lay polystyrene foam slabs tightly between the floor beams;
- Seal any existing cracks using polyurethane foam, putties, etc.;
- lay any sheet material - chipboard, OSB, others;
- install the selected floor covering.
It’s easier when the insulation is carried out from below, from the basement side. In this case, sheets of expanded polystyrene are attached to a previously cleaned surface using self-tapping screws, slats, and adhesives. The cracks are sealed, a vapor barrier layer is laid, and sheet materials or plaster that protects the foam from mechanical stress.
Concrete floor
As in the case of wood, it is optimal when work is carried out outside, the procedure for this will be very similar - cleaning the surface, treating it with a moisture-proof compound, installing insulation on a dowel-fungus, laying film protection. When insulating from the inside, follow the following sequence:
- dismantling all layers of the floor “pie”, cleaning the surface of debris;
- removal of damage and elimination of the causes of its occurrence;
- (optimally - with the help of special ones);
- laying a waterproofing layer;
- installation of insulation, sealing joints;
- laying a vapor barrier layer (necessarily overlap, at least 10 centimeters);
- installation of the selected floor covering.
As you can see, polystyrene foam is an excellent insulation material, and there is nothing complicated about it. self-installation. Minimum performance skills construction work, a little time, your desire - and the dream of a warm home begins to come true!
This is where we will end the article. We wish you warm floors and cozy homes!
Properly carried out floor insulation work is the key to maintaining a comfortable temperature in the house and minimal heat loss. Such work can be carried out both during the construction of a new building and in existing houses, for example, insulating the floor in a wooden house from below from the basement. Not only high-quality floor insulation, but also the correct choice of heat-insulating material will help achieve energy savings and reduce heat losses by up to 20%.
The presence of a basement in the house allows you to insulate the floor below Source oig-homes.com
Advantages of bottom insulation
From the point of view of labor costs, it is more profitable to insulate the floor from above. In this case, the insulating layer is mounted between the frame (joists) and the top finishing layer.
But in some situations, bottom insulation is preferable.
This method of thermal insulation is most often used in private houses with an uninsulated basement, garage, frame buildings on pile and pile-screw foundations.Bottom insulation has a number of advantages:
the insulation layer is not subject to loads from furniture standing on the floor and people moving around the house, so you can use thermal insulation material of any hardness;
the height of the room does not decrease;
Not only the top flooring, but also the entire floor frame is protected from freezing, which reduces the likelihood of freezing and water getting on the wood - this increases the service life wooden structures and ensures their reliability.
It is more expedient to insulate a house on stilts from below Source valet.ru
Thermal insulation materials
The choice of insulation for a wooden house is based on two criteria: non-flammability and the ability to resist the formation of mold fungi and other microorganisms. But when choosing material for bottom insulation take into account the specific situation and the intended installation method.
Before purchasing materials, it is better to consult with a contractor than to insulate the floor in a private house from below. Most often used:
-
expanded clay
mineral wool;
foam;
penoplex;
Minvata It is considered one of the best insulation materials, so many people prefer it. A plus is good sound insulation performance. Cotton wool is not subject to biological destruction and does not burn.
Cons: low mechanical strength and deterioration of thermal insulation properties when exposed to water or steam. Therefore, when using, special attention should be paid to vapor and waterproofing. Cotton wool can be presented in flexible rolls or dense slabs.
Mineral wool in slabs is often used for insulation on the basement side Source silastroy.com
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer house insulation services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
Foam plastic- another popular insulation material. Combines good qualities mineral wool and mechanical strength. But in case of possible fire it releases toxic substances. Thanks to its structure, it retains heat well and ensures minimal heat loss. Long service life eliminates the need for replacement, but the ability to absorb moisture may negatively affect some characteristics.
Penoplex. A recently appeared material is based on polystyrene, into which gas is introduced. The mass is foamed and squeezed into molding containers. The gas evaporates and the output is a sheet of insulation with many pores. This is a material with unique thermal insulation characteristics, very light, and easy to install. Durability and immunity to biological organisms ensure a long service life. The material is not flammable and does not emit harmful substances and does not absorb water.
Penofol- a material for the production of which foamed polyethylene is used. An aluminum film is applied to its top layer, which reflects heat, giving the room the characteristics of a thermos. The structure of penofol does not contain pores, which prevents it from allowing air to pass through.
Penofol perfectly reflects heat Source ultra-term.ru
Expanded clay- bulk material in the form of porous balls, which is formed during the firing of clay or shale. This is completely environmentally friendly material, which has high heat savings, good fire resistance and resistance to freezing. But over time, expanded clay cakes under the influence of gravity and begins to lose quality, so this material must be changed periodically.
To decide how to insulate the floor in a wooden house from below, you need to choose the insulation that will perform the function of a heat insulator better than others in a particular situation.
Principles of installation work
Regardless of the choice of type of thermal insulation, it is necessary to follow the sequence of work performed for proper insulation. If we consider the structure from bottom to top, it will look like this:
waterproofing layer;
thermal insulation layer;
vapor barrier layer;
design for floor installation;
Compliance with this order of work guarantees the maintenance of normal temperature conditions indoors and protecting the structure from freezing and rotting.The easiest way to insulate the bottom is through joists. They are beams measuring 5x10 cm or more, on which the floor is subsequently laid.
Scheme of floor insulation by joists Source nehomesdeaf.org
After their installation (the recommended distance between adjacent logs is 1 m), sheets of plywood, chipboards or beams are hemmed from below, on which a layer of waterproofing is laid. This is a measure to combat condensation, which can reduce the performance of the thermal insulation layer. Approximately the same technology is used when insulating the Stanislav Chalet house.
Next, the insulation is installed. Its thickness should not exceed the thickness of the log, but it is better to be a few centimeters smaller. The next stage is laying a vapor barrier, which will prevent moisture from entering the insulation from inside the room. And finally the floorboards are laid.
If it is necessary to insulate the finished floor in a wooden house from below, problems with attaching the insulation may arise, which can be solved in one of the following ways:
Glue mount. Almost any insulation can be glued to the surface of the floor (and ceiling in the basement) using special adhesives.
Fastening with slats. To support the insulation, beams, slats, etc. are nailed to the joists.
Fit to size. Tight docking thermal insulation material with joists using, if necessary, spacer wedges.
When laying insulation end-to-end with joists, it is necessary to strictly maintain the size Source nehomesdeaf.org
In any case, it is necessary to lay a vapor barrier, and after insulation, hem the basement ceiling with boards. This will prevent the insulation and its particles from falling down.
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that have a full production cycle. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.
Technology and features of floor insulation from below in a wooden house
For each type of insulation, there are some specific features of use.
Mineral wool
The sizes of rolls and slabs are usually multiples of 60 cm, which makes this distance the optimal step between the logs. Mineral wool is cut to size with a cutter and placed in the space between the joists. For a tight fit, the size should be 1–2 cm larger than the distance between the joists. Cotton wool should not be pressed down forcefully as this may affect its characteristics.
The best option would be to lay two layers of insulation. The second layer is laid so that the joint of the lower layer falls on the center of the upper piece. This method of installation will prevent cold air from entering the room.
Video description
You can see the stages of floor insulation with mineral wool along joists in the video:
When working with this insulation, you must use individual means protection - gloves, a respirator and goggles, since small particles can get into the mucous membranes and respiratory tract, which will cause irritation.
Penoplex and foam plastic
If foam plastic is used when insulating a wooden floor from below in a private house, you must take into account several rules for working with it:
Foam absorbs water, so waterproofing is required. Many experts do not take this property into account during installation, which leads to a decrease in thermal insulation characteristics.
It is recommended to cut the sheets not exactly to the size of the gap between the joists, but 1–2 cm smaller. This will allow you to fill the gaps between the sheet and the joist with polyurethane foam, which will increase thermal insulation properties. The joints between the sheets also need to be foamed.
Sheets can be fastened using slats, spacer wedges or special adhesives.
Floor insulation with foam plastic in a wooden house Source sk-amigo.ru
The principle of working with penoplex is no different. But due to the smaller thickness of the material, it can be laid with overlapping sheet joints to avoid the formation of cold islands (similar to mineral wool).
But this method significantly increases material consumption, which means additional financial costs.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the popular one - from the construction company "Shelf" - presented at the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".
Penofol
Due to its property of not allowing moisture to pass through, penofol does not require additional installation of vapor and waterproofing. But to prevent the water vapor that forms in the room from settling on the insulation layer, an air gap is needed between it and the floor covering for air circulation.
Laying is done with the foil side up only. This will allow heat to be reflected, which will increase the temperature in the house. Penofol can be used as waterproofing when laying mineral wool or polystyrene foam. This can increase thermal insulation several times, but this method is quite expensive.
Penofol joints are sealed with adhesive tape Source build.4-u.info
The material is sold in rolls and can be easily cut into pieces the right size. Fastening is carried out with a construction stapler on staples or with thin slats that are nailed. To improve the result, it is recommended to lay penofol in several layers.
Conclusion
One of the main problems wooden houses– cold floor, which interferes with a comfortable life and increases heating costs. Proper insulation will solve this problem. Regardless of the material that is chosen for insulating the finished floor in a wooden house from below, you must strictly follow general technology and the order of insulation, as well as take into account the characteristics of a particular insulation. The cost of installing insulation pays off within one season.
The insulation process is one of the most important during repairs. Thanks to high-quality insulation, the room becomes more comfortable, and heating costs are significantly reduced. Construction market offers a huge selection of insulation materials. Let's consider how floor insulation is carried out with polystyrene foam and how to choose it correctly, as well as what is associated with positive and negative reviews about the material.
Foam plastic as a material
Foamed polystyrene granules pressed into blocks are polystyrene foam. To create it, the material is treated with saturated steam, after which these granules undergo a drying and gluing procedure. This is how they are formed required dimensions blocks. It is during drying that the material acquires its main characteristics.
It should be noted that there is a significant difference between polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam. These two materials are very often confused. Despite this, their production technology varies greatly. Types of production are as follows:
- By gluing granules under high temperatures;
- By mixing the granules at elevated temperature, then special foaming components are added, and as a final step, the entire composition is removed through a polymer processing machine called an extruder.
Polystyrene foam has low thermal conductivity properties, which allows it to retain heat. Sound insulation is also reduced when using polystyrene foam; this property is due to its porous structure.
The main advantages of polystyrene foam are:
- The material is environmentally friendly and safe for health;
- Polystyrene foam does not have an expiration date; microorganisms cannot multiply in it;
- The material is classified as fireproof; temperature fluctuations will not lead to changes in its properties and characteristics. The high-quality material contains a fire retardant, it is self-extinguishing, and therefore resists combustion;
- Foam blocks are lightweight, which will not lead to heavier structures and load on the foundation;
- The price of polystyrene foam is low, and it is quite easy to install.
Like any material, foam plastic also has some disadvantages:
- low mechanical strength, so additional protection of the structure is required;
- paint and varnish compositions and nitro paints have a destructive effect on the material;
- does not allow air to pass through;
- does not withstand rodent attacks, and therefore requires additional coating with plaster.
What types of foam are there?
GOST 15588-66 regulates the production of polystyrene foam. This document clearly describes what properties and characteristics the material must have, as well as what dimensions are acceptable. Let's consider what kind of foam can be purchased on the building materials market.
When choosing polystyrene foam for floor insulation, you need to pay attention to its density and dimensions. For construction work, you can find sheets on sale whose length is 100, 120 and 200 cm. The width, as a rule, reaches 100 cm. The thickness of the sheets ranges from 10 to 500 mm. The most common thickness is from 10 to 80 and 100 mm, in increments of 10 mm.
If for work it is necessary to use material of other dimensions, you can contact a foam plastic manufacturing company and order the required size.
The most important property of this material is its density. The unit of measurement for this indicator is considered to be kg per cubic meter, the most common values are 15, 25, 35 and 50 (kg/m3). Plates with this density are most often found on sale. The higher the number, the higher the hardness of the foam.
To insulate the floor, it is best to choose a material whose density is 25-35. Polystyrene foam, which has a lower density, will be damaged by slight mechanical stress. Whereas a denser one has higher prices. Moreover, the price varies greatly.
Cost of work and materials
It is best to entrust floor insulation with polystyrene foam to professionals. Prices for their services for laying insulation are approximately from 1 to 1.5 USD. for square meter. Of course, there is a separate price for additional work, such as dismantling the old floor (if necessary) or installing joists. But if you have no experience, thanks to the quality of professionals, the floor will last much longer, and the insulation will be installed much better.
As for the material itself, the minimum price per sheet fluctuates at 0.7-0.9 and 1-1.2 USD, with a density of 25 and 35, respectively, with a thickness of 20 mm.
If we are talking about a unit of measurement such as cubic meter, then the price reaches approximately 35-36 c.u. with a density of 25 and about 45 c.u. at a density of 35, in this case the thickness of each sheet can be selected. Of course, this price is approximate, so you can find the material slightly cheaper or more expensive.
Reviews about polystyrene foam as an insulating material are very varied. However, with the right choice of the material itself and entrusting the installation work to specialists, it is excellent in terms of thermal insulation and very durable. Positive Feedback are also related to the price of polystyrene foam, especially when it comes to comparison with other materials. Negative reviews occur when it comes to exposure to rodents, for this the material must be properly processed.
The process of floor insulation in a wooden house
If you have certain skills, you can insulate the floor with your own hands. Let's consider how the floor insulation in a wooden house is carried out and how the screed can be insulated.
The technology for floor insulation with foam plastic is determined depending on the surface on which the floor of the building is laid. During construction wooden house on the ground, it is necessary to lay the floor and insulate it taking into account these specifics. You can see how the floor in a wooden house is insulated in the video.
It is best to insulate the floor with foam plastic from below. IN general view The entire procedure can be divided into the following stages:
- Leveling the surface. Before proceeding to the next stage, you should wait 25-30 days;
- A so-called cushion of sand or crushed stone is formed on the ground; its height should be more than 0.1 m;
- The pillow is compacted and covered with polyethylene. This material at the bottom of the insulation will serve to better demonstrate the properties of the foam;
- After this, you can begin laying the slabs. They are placed at a corner and slightly shifted;
- This layer will be located below. Laying a second layer is also necessary;
- It is best to lay the panels in accordance with the tongue-and-groove principle. Otherwise, the binding procedure cannot be avoided;
- Next is the filling concrete screed, the thickness of which is at least 5 cm.
If the floor is wooden, then it is somewhat easier to insulate it. This procedure can be done with your own hands, especially if you have certain knowledge and skills. To do this:
- Logs are laid on top of the polyethylene;
- Seal all cracks, this will avoid rodent attacks;
- After this, insulation should be used, it is laid between the lags, it is advisable to lay a film underneath;
- Plywood or chipboard sheets are placed on top of the insulation;
- The work is completed by laying the flooring.
In this way (as shown in the video) you can insulate the floor of a wooden house or cottage.
How to insulate a screed with foam plastic?
For these activities, if you do the work yourself, it is best to use a material with a density value of 35. And for better joining, choose sheets that have milled edges.
This option is suitable not only for owners of a private house, but also for those who live on the first floors of an apartment building.
- Polyethylene should be spread underneath the foam. This layer will help create insulation.
- The sheets are laid over the entire surface of the room; the joints are best filled with polyurethane foam or properly secured. A mesh is installed on top of the foam. Next they make a screed. She might be from various materials, most often it consists of concrete.
- After the screed has dried, you can begin laying the floor coverings.
As for the thickness of the foam, the height of the ceilings should be taken into account. Due to the insulation and screed, several centimeters are lost, so a layer that is too thick is not recommended. For ordinary apartment a thickness of 20-30 mm will be sufficient.