What kind of insulation is used for insulation of external walls. Warming the house from the outside: selection of materials, main standards and installation methods

- this is the placement of a thermal layer inside the wall frame. In some situations, it is necessary to minimize heat loss by supplementing the internal thermal insulation with an external one. Let's figure out how and what to insulate wooden house outside, we will evaluate the characteristics, features of operation and installation of different materials.

The specifics of the insulation of frame houses from the outside

In rapidly erected buildings using Scandinavian or American technology, the role of a heat insulator is assigned directly wall panels. The insulation is mounted between the racks of the frame and is covered with a rough sheathing - wood-fiber panels, OSB boards etc.

However, with poor-quality work, improperly selected thickness or density of the heat insulator, the house may not retain heat well. To reduce the cost of paying for energy resources and improve the indoor climate in winter, additional insulation is required.

A set of requirements is put forward for a heat insulator for external walls:

  1. Low thermal conductivity. Among the heaters, this property can boast of: polystyrene foam and mineral wool.
  2. Minimum water absorption. Despite the additional protection of the heat-insulating layer from water, the insulation, one way or another, will come into contact with water vapor. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a material with low hygroscopicity.
  3. Fire safety. It is optimal if the insulation has the ability to self-extinguish, does not contribute to the spread of fire and smokes little during combustion.
  4. Light weight. Frames are built on a lightweight foundation and are not designed for significant loads.

Moreover, facade insulation for exterior decoration of the house, it should hold linear dimensions well and not shrink. Additional requirements: environmental friendliness and affordable cost.

The choice of thermal insulation: characteristics and features of materials

The best option for insulation for outdoor use in frame construction- basalt wool. The material is heat-efficient and fireproof, but quite expensive. At limited budget Styrofoam or extruded polystyrene foam with flame retardants is suitable.

Video: facade insulation in a "wet" way

Content

Not only comfort, but also the health of people depends on the microclimate in the house. The optimum temperature for a living space is 20–25°C, and the humidity level is 50–60%. If the winters are severe, a significant part of the heat energy escapes through the walls, roof, door and window openings. To retain heat as much as possible, wall structures must be insulated.

Choosing insulation for the walls of the house outside

It is recommended to insulate private house outside because internal insulation has many shortcomings. Heaters for the exterior walls of the house are not uncommon on the market. Therefore, in order to select the material with high quality, it is enough to take into account the technical parameters and installation features when choosing. So you can choose the perfect thermal insulation.

Principles of insulation of the outer walls of the house

It is important to understand why the insulation of the facade is a priority over the thermal insulation of residential premises from the inside. There are situations when it is not possible to mount heat-insulating material and external finishing of the building from the outside, in these cases, internal insulation is the only possible option.

The problem lies in the location of the "dew point" - the place where heat meets cold, which provokes condensation. And in a residential area, moisture in the air is always present due to the evaporation of bodies, respiration, and the use of water for domestic needs.

The dew point in an uninsulated wall is located approximately in the middle of the building envelope. This means that the wall is gaining moisture from the side of the room. If you install thermal insulation on the inner surface of the walls, the structure will freeze through and the slightest access of warm, moist air beyond the insulation layer will lead to condensation - the wall will get wet under the insulation.

Experts say that it is better to insulate the house from the outside. In this case, the wall structures will be isolated from contact with cold air, as a result of which the walls will not freeze. Depending on the insulation technology used outer side, moist warm air that passes through the wall:

  • will not come into contact with the cold, since the insulation layer is mounted directly on the wall structure;
  • gets into the ventilation gap between the wall and the heat insulator, the moisture will quickly evaporate, so there will be no conditions for the wall to get wet - when external insulation the dew point is outside the structure.

To choose the option of external insulation, which is the best, you need to take into account the characteristics of the materials from which the house is built, as well as specifications heat insulators.

Properties of heat insulators


Thermal insulation with mineral glass wool

Insulation for the house, regardless of the type of construction, is characterized by a low thermal conductivity. But heat insulators are compared not only by this parameter. It is equally important to evaluate other characteristics that affect the durability, safety and functional properties of the material for external insulation:

  • indicators of vapor permeability and water absorption;
  • impact on the microclimate of the room;
  • resistance to aggressive environments;
  • resistance to fire;
  • environmental friendliness and safety for health;
  • resistance to biological damage (mold fungus, rodents, insects);
  • physical and mechanical parameters (including the tendency to shrink, resistance to mechanical stress, elasticity, etc.);
  • noise-absorbing properties;
  • installation technology and convenience during work;
  • the possibility of creating a seamless thermal insulation coating;
  • the ability to use on surfaces of complex configuration with a large number of hard-to-reach places;
  • strength and durability.

When designing wall insulation, it is necessary to calculate the thickness of the heat-insulating layer using the thermal conductivity value of the selected material. Pay attention to the indicators of water absorption and vapor permeability of the insulation, because they affect the technology of installation work.

Types of heat insulators


Examples of various heat insulators

There are various types of wall insulation on the market, each of which has its own advantages. Thermal insulation of the facade is most often carried out using:

  • polystyrene (expanded polystyrene);
  • extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex, epps, extruded polystyrene foam);
  • sprayed polyurethane foam;
  • mineral wool (basalt);
  • liquid insulation.

To choose good thermal insulation should take into account the material from which the wall was built, as well as the planned version of the exterior finish.

Styrofoam


Thermal insulation of external walls with foam

Expanded polystyrene boards are actively used for external thermal insulation. building structures. Advantages of polymer material: light weight, easy installation, moisture resistance, affordable price. In addition, the heat insulator does not become a refuge for fungus and is not damaged by pests. If you prevent ultraviolet radiation from entering the insulation, the material will last more than 50 years.

At the same time, the material also has a number of serious drawbacks - it is combustible, it is easily damaged by rodents. At a density of less than 35 kg/m3, the foam has a loose structure, and it is vapor-permeable due to the pores between the interconnected foamed polymer granules. The denser the material, the higher its thermal insulation properties.

Extruded polystyrene foam


Insulation with expanded polystyrene

EPPS, penoplex is a foamed polymer material with a closed cell structure. Polymer heaters for thermal insulation of a house have the same advantages, but extruded polystyrene foam differs from polystyrene for the better:

  • low combustibility (combustion is maintained only with constant contact with the flame, in the absence of a fire source, the material self-extinguishes);
  • vapor tightness;
  • resistance to rodent damage.

XPS is widely used as an external insulation, if graphite nanoparticles are used in its production, the material has higher energy-saving properties and strength.

Sprayed polyurethane foam


Example of insulation with sprayed polyurethane foam

PPU is a heat-insulating material with a closed cell structure. Due to the fact that 90% of the weight is air contained in the cells, modern insulation is characterized by low thermal conductivity.

PPU is resistant to biological damage, does not spread combustion, due to its low weight, such wall insulation does not load the structures and the foundation. The material is moisture- and gas-tight, provides an airtight coating.

The spraying method allows the use of polyurethane foam to create a seamless elastic thermal insulation on surfaces of any configuration. Polyurethane foam has high adhesion and securely adheres to any type of base - wooden, brick and block structures.

The disadvantages of PPU include high cost and the need to use professional equipment during installation.

Mineral wool


Wall insulation with mineral wool

Fibrous materials for wall insulation from the outside are stone wool, slag, glass wool. The type of mineral wool depends on the raw materials used. They can serve as waste from glass production and the metallurgical industry, a melt of stone (basalt) rocks.

In order to choose the right mineral wool heat insulator, it should be borne in mind that slag wool is not environmentally friendly, it is better for it to insulate non-residential buildings. Glass wool tends to caking over time, losing its thermal insulation properties. Perfect option- basalt wool, which holds its shape well, does not burn, is easy to install, dampens sound waves, is not afraid of biological damage and is durable.

Basalt wool can be used to insulate walls made of building blocks, bricks, and timber. Works on the thermal insulation of the facade are carried out at any temperature.

The fibrous material is vapor-permeable and capable of absorbing moisture, which requires its reliable vapor barrier when installing internal insulation and external thermal insulation under the skin. Moisture condensation reduces the thermal insulation properties of the material.

However, vapor permeability useful property if the thermal insulation of external walls from "breathing" materials is carried out using the "under plaster" technology. In such a situation, moist warm air from the room passes through the mineral wool and is expelled outside, and a favorable microclimate is maintained in the house.

Liquid thermal insulation


Application of liquid insulation

Liquid thermal insulation is an innovative material for insulating wall structures from the outside. Used for processing metal elements structures (prevents the occurrence of cold bridges), as well as for insulation of walls made of foam blocks, bricks, wood.

The ceramic multicomponent composition visually looks like paint, but has a porous structure with vacuum voids. The total volume of voids reaches 80% of the material, due to which thermal insulation properties are provided.

The list of advantages of the material includes:

  • the integrity of the coating, the absence of seams;
  • a simple way to apply to the walls from the outside (using a roller, brush or vacuum sprayer);
  • possibility of application on surfaces of any configurations;
  • resistance of the heat-shielding layer to external influences (high and low temperatures, moisture, ultraviolet, mechanical damage);
  • decorative look (the building does not need finishing on top of the insulation layer);
  • protection of structures (protects metal from corrosion, wood - from UV radiation and moisture);
  • resistance to biological damage.

With the help of liquid thermal insulation, it is possible to successfully insulate the facade of a residential private house, an outbuilding, an industrial facility.

External insulation methods

The materials used to insulate the house from the outside are for the most part universal and suitable for wall structures built from any materials. But it is important to understand how insulation will affect the wall's ability to "breathe" with a particular installation technology. Pay attention to the exterior finish on the outside of the insulation. Generally, plaster is used facade panels, siding, facing brick.

There are three main ways to insulate a building from the outside:

  • fixing the heat insulator under the plaster;
  • arrangement of a non-ventilated three-layer system;
  • installation of a ventilated facade.

The application of a liquid heat-insulating composition has not yet become widespread.

Insulation of walls under plaster


"Pie" of the wall with thermal insulation with mineral wool

For installation under plaster, slab heaters are used for the exterior walls of the house. The material is attached with special glue and "umbrella" fasteners to aligned walls ( wooden structures pre-treated with an antiseptic). The cladding elements are mounted "in a run-up" so that there are no long butt joints.

Then plaster is applied with the obligatory use of mesh for reinforcement. To prevent the plaster layer from falling off the polymer insulation over time, it is recommended to treat its smooth surface with an abrasive for better adhesion and use a plaster material with high adhesion.

When choosing a heat insulator, it is important to consider:

  • If foam plastic or extruded polystyrene foam is used as an insulating material, the house turns into a thermos, as these materials are vapor-tight. To prevent the walls from dampening from the inside, effective exhaust ventilation must be provided in the house.
  • By using mineral wool, you will maintain the vapor permeability of the wall, but provided that the plaster is not painted with acrylic paint, as it creates a film.

Non-ventilated 3-layer system


Wall section when installing a non-ventilated three-layer system

It is used if the wall material is brick or blocks. The procedure for wall insulation when installing a three-layer non-ventilated system:

  • a heat insulator of any type is attached to the wall with glue or spraying;
  • with an indent for the air gap, the outer cladding of the house is made of decorative bricks.

If you insulate a house using this technology with a foamed polymer, you need to take care of good ventilation, since the walls stop "breathing". The advantages of the technology include the ability to make a beautiful brick facade of the house. It is also possible to mount facade panels.

Ventilated facade


Wall insulation with a ventilated facade

The most common option, provides for the possibility of sheathing the house with siding, decorative panels, clapboard. The material for thermal insulation of the facade can be mineral wool, XPS boards, foam plastic.

The construction of the "pie" is as follows:

  • crate of boards to create a ventilation gap;
  • fastening of hydro-vapor barrier;
  • crate (on boards) for laying a heat insulator;
  • insulation in the resulting sections;
  • windproof film;
  • counter-lattice to create an air gap;
  • finishing cladding with selected material.
Note! A common mistake is to install waterproofing directly on the wall of the house. In this case, the vapor permeability of the structure is lost.

Conclusion

In order for the wall insulated from the outside not to become damp and not covered with mold, it is required to use a technology that does not violate its vapor permeability, or it is necessary to install a high-quality ventilation system.

For a comfortable stay in your home in winter, many perform its external insulation. In addition, it improves the thermal insulation of the room in the summer, prevents overheating of the walls. What is better to use insulation for the walls of the house outside, their features will tell the article.

Before making the insulation of external walls, it is worth getting acquainted with its characteristics and main advantages.

Insulation of the walls of a private house from the outside allows:

  • Save usable indoor space.
  • Protect your home from freezing.
  • To increase the overall operational resource of the building, without additional load on its structure and on the foundation.
  • Improve frost protection. This is due to the fact that the insulation of the outer wall of the house allows you to shift the point of condensation towards the heat-insulating layer. There is no risk of mold and mildew formation.
  • Do not cool the walls insulated from the outside, and long time keep heat inside the building, without its loss.
  • Insulators for the exterior walls of the house from the outside quickly lose moisture, without changing their basic characteristics.
  • Provide high sound insulation of the room.

Before you insulate the walls of the house from the outside, you need to pay attention to such characteristics of the material as:

  • Steam and moisture permeability.
  • The degree of absorption of air and moisture.
  • Thermal conductivity.
  • Resistant to temperature changes.
  • biological stability.
  • Resistance to chemicals.
  • Temperature retention coefficient.
  • No shrinkage and aesthetics.
  • Light weight.
  • Ease of installation with your own hands, so that there are no butt seams.

Some characteristics of the most popular materials for thermal insulation of walls from the outside are presented in the table:

Tip: In any case, the external thermal insulation of the walls of the house should create a rational warm design. In this case, all external factors should be taken into account: rain, snow, a strong temperature drop, which the insulation must withstand.

Types of materials

When choosing insulation for the wall of the house, first of all, the material of the building should be taken into account.

The most popular types of heaters and their characteristics are presented in the table:

Advantages Flaws

  • Excellent thermal insulation properties.
  • Small weight and small size.
  • Almost does not absorb moisture.
  • Durability.
  • Affordable price.
  • Quick and easy installation.
  • Almost does not pass air.
  • It is exposed to the negative effects of paint and varnish coatings made on the basis of nitro-paints - it gradually begins to break down.

  • Frost resistance.
  • Low thermal conductivity.
  • Strength.
  • Durability.
  • Does not absorb moisture.
  • Quick and easy installation.
  • Negative influence high temperatures- the material begins to melt.
  • No resistance to rodent attacks.
  • High price.

  • The absence of CFCs makes the material environmentally friendly.
  • Lowest moisture absorption.
  • Durability.
  • Special additives increase fire resistance.
  • Very light.
  • Poor resistance to ultraviolet radiation.
  • Do not work or leave on cold surfaces.

  • Ecological cleanliness and harmlessness.
  • Fire resistance.
  • Repels moisture.
  • Lets air through.
  • budget cost.
  • If installed incorrectly, the material may deform over time.
  • Does not tolerate significant temperature changes.

  • Ecological purity. Only natural raw materials are used for manufacturing.
  • Easy to cut and install.
  • The service life of the structure is up to 50 years.
  • The air layer provides low thermal conductivity.
  • Moisture absorption no more than 5%.
  • Passes steam well.
  • Does not burn.
  • High sound insulation.
  • In contact with the skin, does not cause irritation.
  • Good sound absorption.
  • High price.
  • When working with basalt wool, a lot of dust is generated, which requires respiratory protection.
  • There is no tightness of the seams after the installation of the material.
  • Cannot be used to insulate the basement.

  • You can get a very thin vapor-permeable coating with protective functions from snow, rain, frost, which significantly increases the service life.
  • The walls "breathe". Inside the room, the most comfortable microclimate for a person is maintained.
  • Good adhesion to all materials used for wall construction.
  • The composition of the material consists of 80% liquid thermal insulation consisting of microspheres with rarefied air, almost with a vacuum, and only 20% are binder components, the quality of which determines the adhesion of the material to the wall surface.
  • Poor quality insulation contributes to the rapid loss of its characteristics. In this case, the microspheres begin to collapse inwards due to the higher atmospheric pressure.
  • Poor-quality binders contribute to flaking and peeling of the material from the walls.

Tip: To avoid negative phenomena, it is necessary to purchase coatings only from manufacturers with good positive reviews.

Calculation of the thickness of the insulation layer

Of great importance for the quality insulation of the building is the correct heat calculation of the outer wall of a residential building.

This should take into account:

  • Insulation thickness. Too small can cause freezing of the walls, transfer the “dew point” inside the room. This will lead to an excess of moisture in the house, the formation of condensation on the walls. With an increase in the thickness of the heat-insulating layer more than necessary, it will not bring significant improvements, but will only add additional financial costs.

Tip: Only a correctly calculated thickness of thermal insulation for the house will save money and keep the house in a normal thermal regime.

  • Thermal resistance of the material for insulation - R. This is a coefficient representing: the temperature difference along the edges of the insulation / by the amount of heat flow going through it. This value reflects the properties of the insulation and is determined by: material density / thermal conductivity.

With an increase in R, the thermal insulation properties of the material improve. Calculation formula: R = wall thickness in meters / coefficient inherent in the thermal insulation of a particular material.

  • Meaning R can be selected for different climatic zones according to the relevant tables.

For example, the calculation of house insulation with polystyrene foam 100 mm thick, with walls made of silicate brick, whose thickness is 51 centimeters.

For this:

  • The coefficients of heat resistance R for the wall and foam are calculated.
  • The two obtained values ​​are added.
  • Wall thickness 0.51 meters / for the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the wall material 0.87 W / (m ° C) \u003d 0.58 (m 2 ° C) / W.
  • The heat transfer resistance of the wall was obtained from brickwork R \u003d 0.58 (m 2 ° C) / W.
  • The R value is calculated for foam plastic 0.1 meters thick.
  • It is divided by the coefficient of thermal conductivity corresponding to the foam, equal to 0.043 W / (m ° C).
  • The result was R = 0.1 / 0.043 = 2.32 (m 2 ° C) / W.
  • The obtained coefficients R for silicate brick and foam plastic are added up: R \u003d 0.58 + 2.32 \u003d 2.9 (m 2 ° C) / W.
  • The value is compared with the required values ​​of the coefficient for external walls in different climatic zones.

Analyzing the result, we can conclude that it is necessary to insulate the building with a heater with a thickness of at least 10 centimeters.

External wall insulation

After choosing the material, before insulating outer wall at home, you need to prepare the surface for further work.

For this:

  • If necessary, the remaining layer of plaster is removed to the very base. The result is a flat surface.
  • If there are significant level differences on the wall, recesses or protrusions of more than one centimeter, they are sealed with mortar or combed.
  • The surface is cleaned from dirt and dust.
  • The wall is primed. The primer is best used with deep penetration.
  • To obtain an even layer of insulation, a system of beacons and plumb lines is pre-mounted. These elements determine the plane of the outer edge of the insulation, facilitating installation.
  • On the anchors or screws installed along the upper edge of the wall, threads of great strength are tied and lowered with a plumb line to the bottom.
  • Tied with horizontal threads.
  • According to the obtained control grid, you can navigate when installing a heat insulator or frame.
  • Further technology for insulating the outer walls of the house for each material is somewhat different.

In order for all processes to be performed correctly, it is better to first get acquainted with the video in this article.

Foam insulation

The work instructions are as follows:

  • After surface preparation, window sills are installed outside and slopes are insulated.
  • The ebbs are attached to the window itself or to an additional profile.
  • The window sill is taken out taking into account the insulation of the wall - one centimeter is added to the thickness of the insulation. In this case, the window sill will protrude 4 centimeters beyond the finished wall.

  • The starting profile is mounted from below, which will give reliability of fixing the insulation from below.
  • The mixture is applied to the wall.

Tip: Do not apply the solution to the foam. Otherwise, when gluing parts to the wall, voids may form between the even plane of the foam and the uneven wall.

  • The solution is distributed along the perimeter of the sheet in a discontinuous strip. This strip, when the foam sheets and the wall come into contact, will diverge under the edges of adjacent sheets, which will increase the strength of the joints.
  • A sheet is glued to the mixture, carefully exposed and pressed with force.

Tip: Laying foam on the wall should be done in a checkerboard pattern.

  • Three days after gluing the sheets, they are nailed to the wall with special fungi or hats with a plastic sleeve.

  • After attaching the fungus, a plastic or metal nail is hammered into its sleeve.
  • About 5 fungi should be placed on the sheet, stepping back from the corner of the wall about 10 centimeters.
  • The joints between the foam sheets are carefully examined for gaps. If they are more than 5 millimeters, they should be filled with foam.
  • Strips of insulation are additionally inserted into gaps over 1.5 centimeters and blown with foam.

  • After 5 hours, the protruding parts are cut off with a knife.
  • The joints are corrected with a foam grater.
  • All butt joints and fungal caps are puttied with an adhesive mixture.
  • Mesh is glued to the corners and walls.

  • The mixture is rubbed with sandpaper.
  • The facade is primed.
  • The facade walls are being finished.

Warming with mineral wool

Before you insulate the wall of the house outside with mineral wool, you need to properly prepare the walls.

For this:

  • Wooden structures are impregnated with an antiseptic to prevent damage to the log house by microorganisms.
  • Damaged sections of the walls with rot, fungus or mold are carefully cleaned and impregnated with appropriate solutions.
  • Walls made of brick and foam concrete are freed from peeling paint and plaster.

  • Wet walls are thoroughly dried.
  • Slopes and platbands of windows are dismantled.
  • All decorative and fasteners that can harm the vapor barrier and insulation are removed from the walls.
  • A layer of a vapor-permeable membrane is laid under the insulation. In this case, the film is located with a vapor-permeable side to the wall of the house, and smooth - to the insulation. The role of the membrane is to ensure the removal of water vapor from the surfaces of the walls of the building through the insulation.

  • Mounted with screws or dowels guides wooden slats, or a metal profile for fixing drywall. The step between the rails is taken 2 centimeters less than the width of the insulation elements used, and the thickness of the rails is equal to the thickness of the insulation.
  • Reiki are fixed from the corner of the house.

Tip: When using insulation in the form of mats, you should additionally fix a horizontal rail at the bottom of the wall to install the lower insulation mat.

  • Mats or rolls of mineral wool are laid between the guide rails: mats are laid from below, and rolls are laid from above, fixing the materials on the wall between the rails by surprise, or using dowels with a wide head.
  • To brick or block surfaces board material fastened without a gap on a special glue, for a snug fit of the insulation.
  • First, whole pieces of insulation are laid, then the remaining areas around the door and window openings are filled.

  • Another layer of film is laid for wind protection and waterproofing.
  • The material must be vapor-permeable, for unhindered removal of moisture from the insulation to the outside.
  • The film is attached to the rails with staples without tension.
  • The entire layer of insulation and vapor barrier is additionally fixed to the wall with dowels with a wide cap.
  • For better waterproofing, the attachment points are glued with metallized tape.

  • An important stage of wall insulation is the installation of a ventilated facade. In this case, the ventilation gap should be more than 5 centimeters. To do this, additional counter rails are stuffed onto the guides, and a ventilated facade is mounted on them. It can be: siding, block house or other materials.

  • With external wall insulation, their thickness increases, which will require the installation of new window slopes, window sills, platbands and trim elements.

External insulation of building walls with mineral wool is one of the most popular methods used for thermal insulation of buildings.

These are just some of the recommendations on how to properly insulate the walls outside the house, from the most used types of material. When performing work, you need to be guided by your desires and capabilities, and most importantly, strictly follow the rules for installing a particular insulation.

Now more and more often the insulation of buildings is used outside. This also applies to private houses and high-rise buildings. By insulating the walls from the outside, you can save up to 50% of energy resources on heating and air conditioning, so that the cost of thermal insulation sometimes pays off in less than five years.

However, before embarking on thermal insulation measures, you need to decide on the choice of insulation, which is better suited in a particular case. It is also important to choose which of the methods of insulation from the outside will be more suitable. These are the questions we will consider next.

Why is insulation better outside

External wall insulation is used more often than internal insulation for several reasons.

  1. Does not deal with thermal insulation of the living space. This is especially true in small apartments and small houses, because the length of the insulation with sheathing reaches 7-8 cm, which significantly reduces the already small living area.
  2. Outside, you can put a much larger layer of insulation, which will, as a result, give a much better heat-insulating effect.
  3. External wall insulation is combined with any type of modern finishes, for example, by siding, so that a dilapidated facade can be updated
  4. The seams between the slabs are closed in case of insulation from the outside of multi-storey block houses.
  5. defended construction material, from which the walls are built, thereby extending its service life.
  6. A house insulated from the outside, clad in siding, or plastered with a modern decorative mix increases in value dramatically, so insulation is a good investment.

What technologies are used for external insulation

External thermal insulation provides for several methods, among which the most common are three main methods.

  1. Wet insulation technology when sheet heat-insulating material is glued to the wall, followed by additional fastening with dowels with a mushroom-shaped perforated cap. Further, the surface is reinforced with a special fiberglass mesh, which is mounted on a layer of plaster adhesive. After a full cycle of surface preparation, one of the types of decorative plaster coating is applied to it, which, after drying, is painted with tinted water-based paint.
  2. Curtain facade method, which is somewhat reminiscent of intra-wall insulation. In this case, the heat insulator is fixed to the existing surface, in the same way as with the method described above. Next, the exterior masonry is erected, which is then plastered and painted. You can make the exterior masonry of decorative bricks to avoid the need for finishing. A ventilation gap is left between the wall surface and the heat-insulating layer.
  3. The most popular, especially for external insulation of private houses, is ventilated facade technology. In the case of the implementation of this option, a crate is constructed, which is intended for sheathing with thermal panels or siding. Between the guides of such a frame, a heat-insulating material is laid, which is fastened either in a spacer between the elements of the crate, or with the help of mushroom-like dowels. Outside, a windproof film is fixed, which protects against moisture, including if a hygroscopic heat insulator is used. The last step here is cladding with siding or some similar finishing cladding.

The choice of one of the methods described above depends on the type of building, its number of storeys, the material from which the walls are built. So, with external thermal insulation of the walls of high-rise buildings, it is better to use the “wet” method. When insulating private houses, the construction of a ventilated facade with siding is preferable. Depending on the technology used, preferences for a particular thermal insulation material change.

What types of heaters exist

All the most common thermal insulation materials applied outside are divided into natural and polymeric. The first ones include:

  • mineral heaters (mineral wool, glass wool);
  • cellulose heat insulators (ecowool).

Polymers are:

  • Styrofoam;
  • penoplex;
  • polyurethane foam.

Now let's look at each type in more detail.

Mineral wool insulation materials

Mineral wool is used both for mounting on walls with subsequent finishing decorative plaster, and for arranging a ventilated facade cladding system with siding.

In the first case, mineral wool mats 100x60 cm in size are used, which are attached to the wall with glue and dowels, reinforced with fiberglass mesh, which sits on plaster glue.

The second option involves the construction of a frame, on which siding is sewn as a final cladding. Here it is better to use mineral wool of medium density. Given that the insulation is able to absorb moisture, while deteriorating its thermal insulation qualities, it is necessary both from the side of the wall and from the outside to make waterproofing protection with a special perforated film. Before installing the siding, it is better to make a counter-lattice to ensure that there is a ventilation gap.

Outside insulation with ecowool

For insulation with ecowool, it is also necessary to equip the frame for siding.

First, a crate is made. Then a heater is applied to the wall, which is a cellulose mass mixed in certain proportions with water. Ecowool sticks to the wall, forming a continuous seamless heat-insulating layer. After drying, the excess is removed that is outside the outer plane of the crate. Then a layer of wind protection is laid, a counter-lattice is made and siding or a material similar in function is sewn on.

Thermal insulation with styrofoam and polystyrene foam

These sheet heaters are mainly used for arranging a "wet" facade. They are very convenient in work and subsequent finishing. Due to the fact that foam plastic is much stronger than foam plastic, it is better to use it at the bottom of the building, where there is a high probability of mechanical damage.

Above the level of one and a half to two meters from the surface of the earth, it is more expedient to use foam plastic, since it is much cheaper than foam plastic and this will help make thermal insulation more economical.

How walls are insulated from the outside with polyurethane foam

The method of thermal insulation using polyurethane foam spraying is in many ways similar to the method of applying ecowool. The scheme is the same - crate, spraying insulation, sheathing with finishing cladding. The difference is that, unlike "breathable" ecowool, polyurethane foam does not let moisture or steam through, so for, say, thermal insulation wooden walls, not suitable. But they can do much better than sheet materials insulate walls made of brick, concrete or cinder block.

In this article, we briefly told you about the materials for wall insulation from the outside, so that you can decide which one is best suited in a particular case.

How to choose the best insulation for the walls of the house outside. The most comfortable for residential premises are the temperature within 20-25ºС and humidity from 50 to 60%. To ensure such a microclimate in the house, it is necessary to take care of the thermal insulation of the walls. The optimal outside is selected taking into account the material of construction and must meet a number of requirements. The main criterion for any thermal insulation material is the coefficient of its thermal conductivity. The smaller this value, the better material prevents heat from escaping into the environment.

Fact! Through the walls, the dwelling loses up to 30% of heat.

How best to insulate the walls of the house

There are two ways to insulate a building - apply internal insulation of the premises or make insulation for the walls of the house from the outside. What is the best heater to use? The answer is hidden in a short expression - "dew point".

Thermal insulation of the room from the outside will ensure the correct location of the dew point

The dew point is the temperature at which condensation occurs. A point with this temperature can be located in the thickness of the wall, inside it or outside. Its coordinates depend on physical properties wall materials, the thickness of their layers, as well as the external and internal temperature and humidity.

Important! The position of the dew point will be more optimal even in a completely uninsulated wall than in one that is only insulated from the inside.

The correct location of the dew point (outside the wall) can only be obtained by installing the insulation of the walls of the house from the outside, selected taking into account the properties of the material and the thermal calculation of the thickness.

The better to insulate the walls from the outside

Each of the types modern heaters for the walls of the house outside has its own characteristics and price range. But their main differences are:

  • low coefficient of thermal conductivity;
  • minimum values ​​of water absorption and vapor permeability;
  • the ability to regulate the microclimate in the room;
  • high sound absorption rates;
  • ecological cleanliness;
  • fire resistance and fire safety;
  • resistance to chemical attack;


Comparative table of thermal conductivity of building materials

  • resistance to biological and mechanical influences (molds, insects, rodents);
  • strength and durability;
  • elasticity and lack of shrinkage;
  • low weight;
  • the possibility of installation without seams, joints, voids;
  • ability to fill complex and hard-to-reach areas;
  • ease of installation.

It is also important to take into account the way in which the consumer prefers to mount insulation for the walls of the house outside. Video showing the opportunity self-fulfillment Works (as well as other manuals) in our time can be found enough.


The optimal insulation for walls is selected taking into account the material of construction

Water absorption and vapor permeability are taken into account to ensure maximum protection of the premises from moisture and are selected taking into account the characteristics of the climate and depending on the method of installation. Thermal conductivity is used to calculate the required thickness of the thermal insulation material. The most commonly used types of heaters are:

  • expanded polystyrene (polystyrene);
  • extruded polystyrene foam (epps, penoplex);
  • polyurethane foam;
  • mineral wool;
  • basalt heaters;
  • liquid insulation.


Styrofoam is a popular material for insulating the walls of a house from the outside.

Expanded polystyrene (styrofoam)

Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) is one of the modern polymeric insulation for house walls and is used as such in almost all areas of the construction industry: civil and industrial. First of all, this material is distinguished by low coefficients of thermal conductivity (from 0.037 to 0.052 W/m*K, depending on the density) and water absorption, resistance to biological and chemical influences, and high soundproofing and windproof properties. It belongs to the group of environmentally friendly substances and is quite durable: its service life exceeds 50 years.

Fact! A layer of foam plastic with a thickness of 50 mm is equivalent to a wall of one and a half bricks in terms of the degree of heat retention.


Expanded polystyrene - easy to install and has a small weight

Other advantages include flexibility and light weight. This helps to reduce the cost of delivery and installation, ease of work, reduce the load on the walls, which, in turn, eliminates the need for additional strengthening of the foundation. The disadvantage of expanded polystyrene is its combustibility, however, the low price makes it possible to insulate all the walls of the house from the outside with polystyrene foam.

Extruded polystyrene foam (epps, penoplex)

Extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex) is one of the latest generation of thermal insulation materials. In its manufacture, graphite is used in the form of nanoparticles, which increases the strength and energy saving of the product.


Insulation of walls with foam plastic, followed by cladding with siding

The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the penoplex insulation ranges from 0.029 - 0.031 W / m * K. It is mildew resistant chemical substances, insects and rodents, and is an excellent sound insulator. Due to this, it is possible to use penoplex as a heater outside: for the walls of wooden houses and other buildings, and inside: thermal insulation of ceilings (especially when installing "warm" floors), basements, balconies and loggias.

polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a type of plastic with a cellular foam structure. The mass of cells filled with air is 90% of the total weight of the product. Due to this, the value of the thermal conductivity coefficient of polyurethane foam is one of the lowest - from 0.023 to 0.041 W / m * K.


Liquid polyurethane foam creates an airtight coating with excellent vapor and waterproofing

Polyurethane foam has a high level of adhesion to all types of surfaces: concrete, brick, wood, metal - due to which an airtight coating is created with a guarantee of excellent vapor and waterproofing. The seamless method of application (using a compressor and a hose) and high elasticity make polyurethane foam an indispensable material for blown thermal insulation when insulating walls outside buildings complex shapes and frame houses. Insulation for walls outside by blowing can be applied at temperatures up to 100ºС, the service life is up to 30 years.


Liquid polyurethane foam can be used as a blown insulation between the wall of the building and the cladding

The only disadvantage of the material is its high cost and the need to use expensive equipment for installation.

Mineral wool (basalt insulation, stone wool, glass wool)

Mineral wool is a product of processing slag (waste from the metallurgical industry) or rocks: basalt and dolomite. Differs in durability, incombustibility, durability, environmental friendliness, elasticity, high degree of sound absorption, ease of installation and low cost. The thermal conductivity of this material is in the range of 0.034 - 0.037 W / m * K.


Mineral wool is characterized by fire resistance, environmental friendliness, high degree of sound absorption and low cost.

For insulation works, mineral wool is used in the form of basalt slabs or in rolls with a wide range of sizes. Mineral wool is used as a heater for the walls of the house outside. The dimensions of the boards produced can be as follows:

  • 1000 x 600 x 50 mm;
  • 7000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
  • 9000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
  • 10000 x 1200 x 50 mm;
  • 10000 x 1200 x 100 mm.


Expanded polystyrene plates can have docking grooves for ease of installation

Basalt insulation is used in buildings of any purpose, in particular - for insulation in the country, wooden houses and buildings made of timber, brick or foam blocks. It is possible to carry out work with this material at a temperature in the range from -60ºС to +220ºС, which is definitely convenient when mounted on walls from the outside. Insulation in the country, houses made of wood, brick or foam blocks, garages, warehouses and other buildings - this is an incomplete list of the possibilities for using mineral thermal insulation.


It is most preferable to use mineral wool to insulate the house from the outside, followed by siding.

It is most preferable to use mineral wool or basalt slabs when installing insulation for the walls of the house outside under the siding. It is also popular to use mineral wool (along with polyurethane foam) to create blown insulation. With this method, with the help of a compressor unit, the material is blown between the wall of the house and the finishing facade, which also serves as a formwork.

Liquid thermal insulation

Liquid heat-insulating materials can be called heaters of a new generation. It is possible to use them both for thermal insulation of metal parts (pipes or frames), and as a heater for houses made of foam blocks. Outside, on the walls, these ceramic multi-component substances look like acrylic paint. However, they differ from paint in the content of vacuumized voids (up to 80%), due to which they acquire the properties of a heat insulator.


Liquid heaters are similar to acrylic paint

Interesting! Liquid heaters have a record low coefficient of thermal conductivity (from 0.0011 to 0.0015 W / m * K). For comparison, the thermal conductivity of vacuum is 0.

With a liquid consistency, these materials do not require professional skills and sophisticated equipment for application to any surface: concrete, brick, metal, wood. They are applied using paint tools: brushes, rollers, airless spray guns - and fill all voids and crevices. After 6 hours of drying, a solid, highly resistant to mechanical stress coating is formed.


Fixing sheets of foam or expanded polystyrene is carried out with special fasteners such as "fungus"

Due to the low thermal conductivity, liquid insulation for the walls of the house helps to reduce heat loss, even if applied from the outside in a thin layer. They protect the surface from weather influences (operational temperature range - from -60 to +260°C), solar radiation and precipitation, and metal parts from corrosion.

Interesting! Water absorption of most liquid heaters within 24 hours does not exceed 0.4% by weight.

Coating with liquid insulation is one of the effective ways prevent the formation of condensate and protect the industrial or residential premises from freezing, the development of all types of mold fungi.

Ways to insulate the walls of the house from the outside

Most modern heaters are universal and can be mounted outside the house on any walls: wood, timber, foam blocks, red or white brick; as well as for various types of exterior finishes: plaster, vinyl siding, decorative brick, stone facade slabs. After reviewing all the characteristics, you can choose the appropriate type of wall insulation. Outside, houses made of timber are insulated similarly to buildings made of other materials. Based on the variety of existing thermal insulation materials, for each type of wall, in combination with its finish, is selected the best option Mounting :

  1. Installation of insulation under plaster.
  2. Three-layer non-ventilated wall.
  3. Ventilated facade.


Examples of wall insulation followed by brick cladding

Installation of insulation under plaster

When installing insulation under plaster, for the walls of houses outside, polystyrene foam, basalt insulation boards, sheets of mineral wool or foam insulation are most often used as a heat insulator. The insulation is fixed on the walls of the house from the outside with the help of an adhesive solution and reinforced with a fiberglass reinforcing mesh. Special fasteners of the "fungus" type perform additional fixation of foam sheets or basalt insulation boards. For the walls of the house outside, plaster is used as a finish (method " wet facade”) or facing materials.


Insulation system "wet facade"

Three-layer non-ventilated wall

A three-layer non-ventilated wall is formed by the walls of the house from the outside, insulation and facade decoration, laid out taking into account the air gap. This method is used when installing with finishing for the walls of the house outside under the brick. Heaters various kinds are used in this variant, including heat-insulating materials for forced-air installation. This method is used for the insulation of various buildings, both brick or foam concrete, and wooden or timber.


Non-ventilated facade with blown insulation

Facade finishing is carried out with facing slabs, decorative or building bricks.

Ventilated facade

Insulation from a heater for a ventilated facade is assembled from the following layers:

  • waterproofing;
  • insulation;
  • wind protection;
  • finishing facade cladding (lining, siding, panels).


The principle of arrangement of a ventilated facade

Installation of insulation as part of a ventilated facade is the most preferred option, since heat losses are minimized due to wind protection. It also provides waterproofing. additional protection wall surfaces from moisture. The use of a ventilated facade is possible with most types of buildings, materials and configurations of external walls and facade finishes. This option is most common when installing insulation for the walls of the house outside under the siding. Also, this installation method is the best for insulating the walls of wooden houses from the outside: from a log or from a bar.


Insulated walls can be lined with material for every taste

Regardless of the variety and type of material used as a heat insulator, any of the mentioned installation options should cope with the main tasks - room insulation, wall waterproofing, protection from wind and drafts, as well as heat preservation. The undoubted advantage of most of the materials mentioned in the article is the ability to independently install them as insulation for the walls of the house from the outside. Photo and video clips, as well as other instructions, will be very useful in this case.