Loose foam. Loose ceiling insulation - Insulation for the ceiling for a cold attic: which is better inside the house, what should be the thickness? How to properly insulate the ceiling, installation of insulation on the ceiling under a cold roof

Loose insulation - material properties and installation features

insulation attic floors... since the material is lightweight and has low thermal conductivity. The device of an energy-saving layer on the floor of the attic is easy to do with your own hands.

The marking of the expanded clay fraction indicates the size of the granules:

Fractions from 5 to 10 millimeters are recommended for thermal insulation of floors and roofs;
Expanded clay with fractions from 10 to 20 millimeters - ideal thermal insulation for baths and saunas. This option of insulation is able to maintain a certain temperature and humidity in the room;
Granules over 20 millimeters are used for thermal insulation of foundations and basements.

Important. Carrying out insulation bulk materials, it should be borne in mind that such insulation settles over time. Therefore, the installation instructions for granular expanded clay recommends carefully tamping the insulation layer.

Below is a comparative table of the thickness of the insulation depending on the average winter temperatures.

Granular polystyrene foam

The photo shows expanded polystyrene granules

About this insulation there are still disputes between specialists. On the one hand, it is a lightweight material that is used as backfill, when insulating walls and roofs, or used as an additive in concrete insulation mixtures.

Opponents of this insulation talk about its toxicity and flammability. And it is recommended to use it as an external and internal heat insulator granulated foam glass... But this insulation is relatively new and its properties have not yet been sufficiently tested in various temperature conditions exploitation.

Combining these two opposite opinions, we can come to the conclusion that it is wiser - golden mean... In addition, the price of granular polystyrene foam is low. Therefore, it can be used for wall insulation using the well masonry method.

Or add as additional thermal insulation to concrete mixes for finishing basements and foundations.

Vermiculite

Laying a layer of vermiculite for thermal insulation of the floor

This heat-insulating material is made on the basis of mica and has a layered structure. In the process of vermiculite production, chemical additives and impurities are not used, therefore this insulation can be used to insulate a loggia, external and internal energy-saving facing of residential premises.

Backfilling with vermiculite in a thickness of five centimeters reduces heat loss by 75 percent, and a layer thickness of 10 centimeters guarantees a 92 percent reduction in heat loss.

To the advantages of this modern insulation include the following characteristics:

The high porosity of the material ensures breathability of the insulation, which allows the walls to "breathe" under the finish. This quality of vermiculite provides a comfortable indoor climate;
Vermiculite is environmentally friendly and does not emit toxic substances;
This non-combustible material(flammability group - G1);
The insulation is resistant to mold and mildew. And also rodents and insects do not spoil this insulation;

Layout of insulation layers

Backfill insulation for walls vermiculite does not require special skills during installation. It is enough to fill up the insulation layer and seal the insulation. During installation, no additional fasteners are needed;
The service life of this insulation is at least fifty years, and the price is quite affordable.

Important. The instructions for thermal insulation recommends insulating the walls with a layer of backfill of ten centimeters. And for thermal insulation of attics and roofs and floor slabs enough backfill five centimeters. To protect the insulation from moisture, it is recommended to lay a layer of vapor barrier foil.

Wood sawdust and sand

Thermal insulation of the attic with sawdust

Traditional insulation materials used for energy-efficient decoration of basements and attics. These free-flowing floor insulation have traditionally been used for more than one century. But there are many modern, more convenient materials for installation, which have low thermal conductivity and good water-repellent characteristics.

insulation materials used for energy-efficient decoration of basements and attics. These free-flowing floor insulation have traditionally been used for more than one century. But there are many modern, more convenient materials for installation, which have low thermal conductivity and good water-repellent characteristics.

Cellulose insulation - ecowool

Ecowool is an inexpensive and safe option for thermal insulation

Loose sealant made from shredded newsprint (81 percent), antiseptics (12 percent) and flame retardants (7 percent). In the world construction practice, such a composition of insulation has been used for more than eighty years, but it appeared on the construction market in Russia and the CIS ten years ago.

Isolation contains as an antiseptic boric acid, and as a fire retardant - borax. So it is safe to talk about environmental safety material.

Due to the fact that the fibers of the material fill all the voids in energy-saving finishes, it can be recommended for the insulation of complex building structures.

Features of installation of bulk insulation materials

Laying loose insulation for pitched roofs

Warming pitched roofs bulk materials, for example, expanded clay, occurs outside, after laying the vapor barrier. For even distribution of insulation along the slope, it is necessary to install transverse stops between the rafters;
Bulk insulation for the floor and basement must be tamped after installation. This is necessary in order to avoid shrinkage of the insulation and deformation of the finish;
When insulating premises with high humidity(baths, saunas) it is necessary to provide high-quality hydro and vapor barrier of the insulation layer;
Loose heaters are laid in such a way as to avoid spillage of insulation through cracks and cracks in the finish.

There are several basic rules for the installation of bulk materials. But experts recommend, first of all, to be guided by the requirements that are regulated by the instructions for laying this or that insulation.

Conclusion

Laying loose insulation on floors

Temporary loose thermal insulation allows high-quality and inexpensive energy-saving cladding in short time... In the video presented in this article, you will find Additional information on this topic.

Backfill insulation - insulation overview

The popularity of insulation in the form of mats or slabs is understandable - they are easy to transport, convenient to work with, while saving time. But often builders use another type of insulation - backfill. It differs from foam or mineral wool boards in its structure. Perhaps, for some jobs, backfill insulation will be preferable.

Features and Benefits

Insulation is a low-density porous material, the granules of which are produced by firing foamed raw materials at a high temperature. The simplicity of manufacture is reflected in the low cost of thermal insulation, and the structure also saves on labor costs.

The disadvantages of backfill insulation are:

their shrinkage by 10-15% of the initial volume;
loss of thermal insulation properties when wet.

Backfill insulation is used, usually for horizontal surfaces. The job seems simple, but requires careful preparation. For example, when insulating the floor in buildings without basements, the soil is previously compacted and covered with a screed. Further on the last one is laid waterproofing material, and insulation is poured onto it. It looks like the situation with the insulation of the roof, only the screed is not required. Instead, a layer of vapor barrier is laid on top of the backfill material.

When cladding walls, a frame is pre-built, consisting of durable sheet elements. After that, a heater is poured into the resulting structure.

Types of backfill insulation

Hundreds of years ago during construction wooden houses from a bar or logs, the very first backfill insulation was used - sawdust. Like modern counterparts, they were quite good in terms of thermal conductivity, but shrank or lost their properties when wet. Today's materials are more advanced in many ways. The most popular of them are discussed in detail below.

Insulation based on clay. It is used as an independent heat insulator for residential or industrial buildings, and in combination with concrete (expanded clay concrete is obtained). Today it is obtained by firing clay shale.

The production technology varies depending on the required size of the final granules.

Having studied the marking of the backfill insulation, you can understand what size of granules of the material and for which areas of the house it is suitable. For example, expanded clay sand is used as a heat insulator for the floor or protrudes constituent element concrete sheathing. Granules with a diameter of 5-10 mm are suitable for pitched and flat roofs, floor, attic; larger than 15 mm - for warming a basement or foundation.

Expanded clay inevitably settles during operation, therefore, during the initial installation, it must be strongly compacted in order to minimize shrinkage. It is recommended to insulate the walls with the material only in regions where the temperature in winter does not drop below -20 degrees.

Insulation is made from silicate volcanic rocks using the same technology as expanded clay. When heated to 1000-1200 degrees, moisture evaporates from the surface of the stones, leaving air inside them. The result is white or gray granules with a diameter of 1 to 10 mm. The density of perlite ranges from 75 to 150 kg / m3, and for its color it is also called "glass insulation".

The smallest granules (1-2 mm) form perlite sand used in the following areas:

insulation of residential buildings;

production of acoustic materials;

production of insulating plaster;

creation of fire-resistant concrete.

Air-filled granules weigh less than expanded clay, therefore they are suitable for thermal insulation of walls. In addition, the material resembles mineral wool, since, in addition to retaining heat, it will prevent the penetration of extraneous noise into the room.

Expanded material from hydrated mica, through heat treatment, increased in volume 15-20 times. Has increased fire-resistant properties, due to which it is used when installing chimneys. Ideal for floors and walls.

A thin layer of vermiculite 5 cm thick will retain up to 70% of the heat of the room. This is enough for roof insulation. For walls, floors and foundations, it is recommended to make a double layer of material.

The density of vermiculite is lower than that of expanded clay or perlite - the largest bulk density is 100 kg / m3. This backfill insulation is supplied in bags of a certain volume, and is used in almost all premises of a residential building.

The advantages of vermiculite include:

low coefficient of thermal conductivity (0.04-0.06), comparable to foam and mineral wool;

lack of the likelihood of voids and seams;

high melting point (1400 degrees);

absence of toxic materials in the composition;

biological resistance (prevents mold, fungus, is not of interest to rodents);

good sound insulation;

the lightness of the material, allowing it to be used in frame houses, on supporting systems or foundations;

ease of insulation work and time saving.

Ecowool.

Relatively new material, which appeared on the market only 10 years ago. It is made from recycled paper materials, fire retardants (substances that prevent combustion), antiseptics. It is safe for humans, resistant to decay, does not spread fire. It is more often used for thermal insulation of walls, attics or roofs of complex structures.

Scope of backfill insulation

Since the material in question is light and hardly makes the structure heavier, it is usually used when sheathing a sloped roof. It also finds application in the insulation of such areas of houses:

attic floors;
attic;
frame structures (walls);
floor, foundation;
horizontal partitions between floors;
brick walls.

The optimal combination, price, quality, as well as the combination of lightness with reliable thermal insulation contributed to the growth in demand for the considered backfill insulation. If the house needs good protection from the cold, and there is little time for work, expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite and ecowool will perform excellent helpers in the implementation of the plans.

Once again about backfill insulation
A kind of backfill insulation

Differences of bulk heat insulators from roll, tile and other heaters in moderate, affordable price, in a simple styling technology. You just need to distribute it evenly, taking into account correct vapor barrier ... As a rule, only backfill insulation does not leave gaps, penetrates into hard-to-reach areas. However, the variety of material dictates its own rules - how not to be mistaken, take into account all the advantages and disadvantages and choose the one that is ideal for your home? A comparison after the review below will surely make this task easier.

Vermiculite (bulk)

Heat-insulating backfill Vermiculite belongs to natural materials, since it is a mineral of the hydromica group that has been fired. Thermal conductivity depends on the size of the fractions. For backfill thermal insulation in civil engineering, expanded vermiculite of a coarse fraction up to 1 cm with a characteristic shine and scaly structure is used for mica. Firing allows to increase the volume of the feedstock by 7-10 times, its bulk density is about 90 kg per cubic meter... The heat insulator layer does not cake, it easily gives off the absorbed moisture. It is used for insulation of ceilings, roofs, inter-wall space, backfilling of foam blocks.

The most positive moment in its environmental friendliness - when heated, Vermiculite does not emit toxins, has no smell. It is bio-resistant, fireproof, air permeability has a beneficial effect on the formation of the microclimate of rooms insulated with expanded expanded vermiculite. Vermiculite does not interfere natural circulation air (not to be confused with drafts and convection). Used as an additive in cement mortars, in finishing materials... The high cost does not always serve positive point when choosing.

Aerated concrete crumb (filling)

Aerated concrete crumb... it is a mixture of porous crushed stone and sand , obtained after crushing aerated concrete. Irregularity of fractions up to 30mm, irregular shapes of particles form a layer that does not lose its shape. It is used as a bulk insulation, an additional bedding for sound insulation in building structures(walls, floors). In demand as insulation pitched roof with a slight angle of inclination. Does not disrupt natural circulation, providing optimum humidity and gas exchange. Backfilled aerated concrete crumb is used instead of expanded clay in lightweight concrete, when pouring the foundation. In this case, aerated concrete crushed stone insulates the foundation, due to its low thermal conductivity, and also contributes to its anti-bulging. Inexpensive drainage and insulation for road surfaces... The disadvantage is the dusting of fine fractions during backfill.

Expanded clay (backfill)

Expanded clay, traditional backfill heat insulator. Firing low-melting clay makes it possible to obtain oval granules of various fractions. The porous structure, low weight of hardened foamed clay, and the natural base will keep this material on the market of bulk insulation for a long time. Although, it is widely used in filling lightweight concrete, as a drainage. Fireproof, resistant to decay. Its cost is equal to the cost of rough building materials... It is widely used for ceiling insulation, but here it is necessary to take into account the disadvantages of expanded clay. It is fragile, easily absorbing moisture, it gives it away hard. It is necessary to provide reliable waterproofing, it is undesirable to fall asleep on the floor itself. A vapor barrier substrate and mandatory waterproofing will somewhat increase the cost of such insulation. Shrinkage is possible. Expanded clay gravel of coarse fractions up to 20mm is also suitable for insulation of saunas and baths. For foundations and basements, a coarser fractional material is recommended, which can be attributed to rubble.

Foam glass (backfill insulation)

Foam glass. As a backfill insulation, it can be of several types and this is due to the different technology of its manufacture. This:

filing of a foam glass plate;
foam glass crushed stone obtained by foaming the massif and rapid cooling. This leads to destruction, additional mechanical crushing gives crushed stone at the exit without an outer melted layer;
granulated foam glass, which has found wide application in the construction market, as an independent backfill, and as a basis for heat-insulating plasters.

Granulated foam glass is obtained from foamed raw granules. Basically it is glass foam with a melted outer surface. The porous structure with a melted surface gives unique properties inorganic insulation. It is tough, with high compressive strength, waterproof, and is not subject to chemical and bacteriological degradation. Eco-friendly. Virtually no temperature limits during operation (from -200 to + 500 ° C.). Perfect for arranging and insulating inverted roofs, warming basements, foundations, since it is not afraid of external and groundwater... Reuse and multiple use is possible, the thermal conductivity coefficient remains unchanged (0.05-0.07 W / (m · ° C)). It can be used as a backfill insulation in ceilings and walls. But this is not a budget option.

Penoplex or Polyfoam (Zasypny)

Light air (made of foamed polymers) spherical granules are often pressed into plates, which simplifies the installation of a heat-shielding layer. Penoplex, Styrofoam, Expanded polystyrene. But non-pressed granules or expanded polystyrene chips after the disposal of substandard sheets are used as an independent heat insulator and as an additive to concrete (polystyrene concrete). Such insulation does not have absorbing properties - it does not absorb moisture, the amortization capabilities of a layer of polystyrene granules are high (remember the "living" Bubble chairs, a bag filled with a similar filling). Crumb is always cheaper than granules, but its properties are not strictly regulated either. Very lightweight material that needs to be protected from sun rays, chemical and temperature effects. Easily "lifted" by air flow. The material is relatively new, its properties have not been tested by time and often cause controversy, both among builders and consumers. The trend towards the development of environmentally friendly housing is clearly against. Although the heat and sound insulation properties declared by the manufacturers are high and the price is affordable for budget construction.

Mineral wool (filling)

Raw material for mineral wool serves a number of rocks, metallurgy slags, quartz (fiberglass). Slag mineral wool is inferior in quality and characteristics to a heat insulator made from molten rocks. Since mineral wool fibers affect the mucous membranes and respiratory tract, the production process does not always stop at the receipt of the fibers and their deposition. Cotton wool is either glued with glue based on polymer resins (plates, roll insulation) or granulated mechanically... Filled mineral wool includes both fibers and granules. Loose rock wool is not always suitable for insulation, as compaction breaks the fiber structure and there is a risk of shrinkage. And it is difficult to work with it, protective measures are needed for the skin and respiratory tract. Granular mineral wool is recommended as an effective insulation technological equipment, chimneys, it is resistant to high temperatures (stability threshold 1090 ° C), is not combustible and has less weight in volume (250kg / 1m3) than loose. The pellet size is usually 10-15mm. Minerals are not characterized by bio-degradation, therefore, mineral wool does not rot, it has good vapor permeability, but when it gets wet, its thermal insulation properties decrease. Mineral wool is hard to dry.

Cellulose insulation (ecowool)

Ecowool filling is recommended as an excellent insulation and sound-insulating material for any structures. But having a wood base - recycled cellulose treated with borates, it is ideal for wooden structures, since it has 100% compatibility of characteristics with wood. This avoids many of the incompatibility problems of the contacting materials. It is widely used in low-rise frame construction as a backfill heat insulator for walls, roofs and ceilings. Environmentally friendly material, does not rot, resists fire. Ecowool is the right insulation for naturally ventilated houses... no risk of exposure to volatile toxins. Removes the issue of the appearance of rodent populations in the overlap. Along with the advantages, filling ecowool has disadvantages. Manual laying is a very laborious process, in which it is difficult to adhere to the recommended density. It is "dusty" because it has the fibrous structure of wood down. In the cost of insulating a house with ecowool, it is advisable to include the service of installing the layer in a mechanized way (under measured pressure and using a blowing machine). But insulation with ecowool is produced once, it does not reduce its thermal insulation properties under the influence of time and external factors for the entire life of the house.

Teploservice SPb provides services for the supply and installation of ecowool in St. Petersburg. Any consultations are possible by phone and in the form of feedback in the section Contacts .

Nowadays, during the construction of buildings, internal and external energy-saving cladding is very often performed using bulk materials. The world market offers huge selection a similar option for insulation. In this article, it will be sorted out what types of bulk insulation for walls and ceilings are, which types of insulation fillings are best for walls, and which for floors and ceilings.

Types of loose insulation

Manufacturers of free-flowing granular heat insulators have a fairly large selection of materials. Bulk insulation is made of paper, stone, resin, polymers and even clay. Let's see what the advantages and disadvantages of certain types are, and also describe the main technical characteristics.

In order for the replacement of insulation in the house to be carried out correctly, you need to have some experience. The recommendations of specialists will also help in this. It is necessary to mix everything in the right proportions, choose a hygroscopic material, and foam powder can also be used.

Expanded clay

This is probably the oldest and all famous species raw materials. V modern construction expanded clay can be safely called a "classic" of bulk heat insulators. This species has good advantage- light weight and porous structure. It is produced by firing light-alloy clay and is an environmentally friendly raw material. Expanded clay does not burn and practically does not absorb moisture, does not enter into any chemical reactions, mold does not start in it, mice do not live.

The main disadvantage is that, with possible absorption of moisture, expanded clay gives it back poorly - it is very difficult to dry a wet layer of insulation.

There are three types of these raw materials:

expanded clay sand (screening);
expanded expanded clay crushed stone;
expanded clay gravel.

It should be noted that this bulk heat insulator is much cheaper than its competitors. It can be mixed with sawdust, while the insulation layer should be slightly larger, since wood has a slightly lower heat transfer resistance.

Granular polystyrene foam

We often hear this loose insulation under a different name - polystyrene. If you look closely at the expanded polystyrene sheet, you can see that it consists of many balls. If they are loosened well, then their density decreases, and their volume increases.

This type of heat insulator is mainly used when filling voids in ready-made structures. The crumb is simply blown out using a special device, while it is very important to bring the process to maximum compaction. The downside of this raw material is that it can shrink over time.

It can be used for floor, ceiling and sloped roof insulation. But there are still disputes about the use of expanded polystyrene in this area:

on the one hand, it is a light material that is used to insulate walls and roofs or is used as an additive to concrete (polystyrene concrete);
on the other hand, they warn about its toxicity and flammability.

This material in the form of insulation began to be used relatively recently, and its properties have not yet been fully studied. Expanded polystyrene does not absorb moisture, but it is afraid of very high air temperatures.

Vermiculite

Many do not even know what vermiculite is, despite its natural origin... The basis of this thermal insulation material is mica, which explains its layered structure. During the production of vermiculite, the addition of chemical additives and impurities is avoided, which allows its frequent use when insulating loggias, balconies, as well as living quarters.

When this heat insulator is covered with a layer of 5 cm, heat loss is reduced by 75%, and with a thickness of 10 cm, the heat loss is guaranteed to drop by 92%. The service life is unlimited because it does not contain any perishable impurities. The insulation is non-flammable and non-toxic.

Even with a strong wetting of a separate area, this insulation will evenly distribute moisture over the entire area, and then completely bring it out. Thanks to this "smart" property, all the consequences of the heat insulator getting wet are minimized. Mold and pathogens will not develop in it, and the load on the foundation from structures with this type of insulation will be minimal.

And it can also be mixed with sawdust in a 50/50 ratio.

Sawdust

Sawdust is the name given to particles of recycled wood obtained by sawing; outwardly, they look like fine dust. These loose insulation have traditionally been used for more than one century. And yet, due to their tendency to absorb moisture, sawdust rot over time. Many are mixed with other materials such as clay or vermiculite. It is important to know that only small sawdust can be used as a heater, which is obtained by processing wood on modern machines with high speeds.

Cellulose insulation - ecowool

This loose insulation is a mixture of shredded newsprint (81%), antiseptics (12%) and fire retardants (7%). For the first time, this type of heat insulator began to be used on the world construction market about a hundred years ago, but in Russia it became known about ten years ago. The main antiseptic component is boric acid, and borax is used as a fire retardant (fire retardant element). Thanks to these substances, ecowool fully justifies its name. The material is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

The minus of ecowool is the rapid absorption of moisture, which leads the insulation to shrinkage, therefore, it is not recommended to use it in regions with high humidity. Cellulose insulation is great for construction complex structures as the fibers of the material fill all the voids in the energy-saving finish.

Foam glass in granules

Foam glass is produced from broken glass, which is crushed into smallest particles, remelted, and then mixed with coal. As a result, carbon dioxide escapes from this alloy, which forms air bubbles in the structure of the foam glass. The manufacture of this heat insulator is quite expensive, as a result of which it is very rarely used in private construction. But it is often used in industrial facilities or in the construction of high-rise buildings.

This material is found in two fractions - in the form of granules and crushed stone. Its advantages are that it does not absorb water, does not burn, does not pass steam, and has high compressive and bending strength.

Most often, due to its light weight, this loose insulation is used for the ceiling. Foam glass can be used for manufacturing cement mortars, for example, when pouring a screed or foundation, replacing ordinary rubble.

Aerated concrete crumb

It is a mixture of porous crushed stone and sand, made by crushing aerated concrete blocks and waste. Its fractions are always of different sizes (up to three centimeters) and often varied irregular shapes, but this does not affect the quality of insulation in any way - the shape of the backfilled layer does not change.

It is used not only as a bulk insulation, but also as an additional bedding for sound insulation in walls and ceilings. Perfectly maintains optimal humidity and air exchange. Often this material is used instead of expanded clay in the lungs. concrete mixes, for example, when pouring a foundation. In this case, this component additionally insulates the foundation and protects it from swelling.

The cost of aerated concrete crumb is low, which does not prevent it from being used as an inexpensive drainage and insulation of road surfaces. The only drawback is the dusting of small pieces during backfill.

Perlite

It is produced by melting volcanic ore (sour glass) at a temperature of 1000 degrees. When the ore is heated, the water in its structure evaporates and the material acquires a porous structure. The volume of raw materials sometimes increases up to 90%. Finished granules do not absorb moisture, but they do allow steam to pass through. For better insulation with this raw material, it is treated with bitumen, then the particles stick together and turn into a single insulating layer of any shape.

The main characteristics of this loose insulation are that it does not burn, does not absorb moisture, passes steam, and is chemically inert. During insulation, the disadvantage is the impossibility of using membranes, since they are clogged with perlite dust.

Granular penoizol

In everyday life, it is also called thermovat or foam-insulated crumbs. This heat insulator is based on a hardened urea resin. The manufacturing process consists in crushing the polymerized material into fractions of 10-15 mm in size. These granules retain their elasticity. The advantage of such a heater is that when it is crushed, the volume of the crumb increases several times.

His appearance penoizol is similar to snow flakes, at first glance it can be easily confused with expanded polystyrene, but it still differs from it. Its structure is smaller and rather soft, very light in weight - suitable for insulation of both walls and ceilings. It does not burn and does not absorb moisture.

To properly fill up this heat insulator, it is necessary to use the help of a special blowing machine, since it will take much longer manually.

Features of raw materials

Having familiarized yourself with the main types of bulk insulation, we can summarize - that it is always a secondary raw material. It is produced by recycling various wastes ranging from cellulose to minerals. Loose heat insulators in most cases are clean ecological raw materials. Their common disadvantage is the need for a facing partition: insulation is poured between it and the main ceiling, for example, a wall.

The disadvantages of backfill insulation are:

their shrinkage by 10-15% of the initial volume;
loss of thermal insulation properties when wet.

Backfill insulation is used, usually for horizontal surfaces. The job seems simple, but requires careful preparation. For example, when insulating the floor in buildings without basements, the soil is previously compacted and covered with a screed. Next, a waterproofing material is laid on the latter, and insulation is poured onto it. It looks like the situation with the insulation of the roof, only the screed is not required. Instead, a layer of vapor barrier is laid on top of the backfill material.

When cladding walls, a frame is pre-built, consisting of durable sheet elements. After that, a heater is poured into the resulting structure.

Types of backfill insulation

Hundreds of years ago, in the construction of wooden houses from timber or logs, the very first backfill insulation was used - sawdust. Like modern counterparts, they were quite good in terms of thermal conductivity, but shrank or lost their properties when wet. Today's materials are more advanced in many ways. The most popular of them are discussed in detail below.

The production technology varies depending on the required size of the final granules.

Having studied the marking of the backfill insulation, you can understand what size of granules of the material and for which areas of the house it is suitable. For example, expanded clay sand is used as a heat insulator for the floor or acts as a component of concrete sheathing. Granules with a diameter of 5-10 mm are suitable for pitched and flat roofs, floors, attic; larger than 15 mm - for warming a basement or foundation.

The smallest granules (1-2 mm) form perlite sand used in the following areas:

insulation of residential buildings;
production of acoustic materials;
production of insulating plaster;
creation of fire-resistant concrete.

A thin layer of vermiculite 5 cm thick will retain up to 70% of the heat of the room. This is enough for roof insulation. For walls, floors and foundations, it is recommended to make a double layer of material.

The advantages of vermiculite include:

low coefficient of thermal conductivity (0.04-0.06), comparable to foam and mineral wool;
lack of the likelihood of voids and seams;
high melting point (1400 degrees);
absence of toxic materials in the composition;
biological resistance (prevents mold, fungus, is not of interest to rodents);
good sound insulation;
the lightness of the material, allowing it to be used in frame houses, on load-bearing systems or foundations;
ease of insulation work and time saving.

A relatively new material that appeared on the market only 10 years ago. It is made from recycled paper materials, fire retardants (substances that prevent combustion), antiseptics. It is safe for humans, resistant to decay, does not spread fire. It is more often used for thermal insulation of walls, attics or roofs of complex structures.

Scope of backfill insulation

Since the material in question is light and hardly makes the structure heavier, it is usually used when sheathing a sloped roof. It also finds application in the insulation of such areas of houses:

attic floors;
attic;
frame structures (walls);
floor, foundation;
horizontal partitions between floors;
brick walls.

The optimal combination, price, quality, as well as the combination of lightness with reliable thermal insulation contributed to the growth in demand for the considered backfill insulation. If the house needs good protection from the cold, and there is little time for work, expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite and ecowool will be excellent assistants in the implementation of the plans.

Installation and dismantling of traditional wall insulation with mineral wool, foam and other plates is a rather laborious process. In some cases, it is appropriate to use bulk insulation. It is much cheaper and more convenient with the same efficiency. There is a very diverse selection of such materials on the market.

Characteristic

A loose heat insulator is used not only for internal surfaces - it can be used to insulate a room outside as well. Walls, floor, roof - you can insulate all elements that structurally allow backfilling of the material.

Backfill insulation is cheap. Some of its types are just production waste (sawdust) or ready-made natural materials (sand).

The only drawback is hygroscopicity. Wet, it loses its properties.

It is necessary to pay special attention to the waterproofing and vapor barrier of its layers. However, the fear of moisture is characteristic to the same extent for all types of thermal insulation.

Material features

There are several types of bulk material for insulation. Each of them has its own properties. List of loose insulation:

expanded clay;
expanded polystyrene granules;
foam concrete crumb;
ecowool;
sawdust and sand;
boiler slag;
vermiculite.

The usual appearance of this material is round or oval granules. Granules or other form of material is porous and very light (some species can float on the surface of the water). Expanded clay is formed as a result of firing light-alloy clay. It is absolutely non-flammable, safe, environmentally friendly in its composition.

The material can be in three forms:

sand with a grain size of 0.14 to 5 mm. It is used as a filler for lightweight concrete and for floor insulation;
expanded crushed stone from expanded clay is granules with a fraction of 5–40 mm. The best way for thermal insulation of foundations and floors of residential premises;
expanded clay gravel. Rounded granules 5–40 mm with a melted surface, absolutely fire resistant. Inside, they have closed pores, which gives them excellent frost resistance. Such gravel is recommended for insulating attic floors: the material is lightweight, has low thermal conductivity.

The size of its fraction must be present in the marking of the material:

5-10 mm - floors and roofs;
10–20 mm - baths and saunas, able to keep the temperature and humidity in the room for some time;
more than 20 mm - for foundations and basements.

This is the most controversial bulk material. It is a very light, airy white granules. It is used as a backfill when insulating roofs and walls, it is also used as an additive in a mixture for insulating concrete.

The disadvantages are toxicity and flammability, but its properties are not yet fully understood. Instead, it is recommended to use granulated foam glass. Expanded polystyrene is cheap, convenient for insulation by means of well masonry.

It is a mica-based laminate. In the process of its manufacture, no chemical additives or impurities are used. It is an excellent option for insulating loggias, rooms. It is used as an energy-saving interior and exterior cladding for housing. For the floor and walls, a layer of at least 10 cm is recommended, for the roof - at least 5 cm. Backfilling with this material 5 cm thick reduces heat loss by 75%, 10 cm - 92%.

Material features:

high air permeability of the insulation - the material is porous - which allows the walls to "breathe", ideal for natural circulation, air renewal and ensuring the microclimate in the room;
environmentally friendly, without toxic substances;
non-combustible, fireproof, belongs to the flammability group G1;
fungi, mold, rodents, insects are not afraid of such isolation;
special skills or experience, no special tools are needed to fill it. The layer of material is simply filled up and compacted. Additional fasteners are not needed;
service life - more than 50 years.

For walls, a vermiculite backfill thickness of 10 cm is sufficient, for attics, roofs, interfloor floors - 5 cm.When laying, it is advisable to use vapor barrier film- this additionally protects the insulation from moisture.

Sawdust and sand

This traditional materials to retain heat, which are used in attics and basements, have been used for more than one century. Disadvantages: poorly insulated from moisture, pests can start in them. Sawdust - combustible, susceptible to mold, mildew. It is still recommended to use more modern materials.

For insulation, not ordinary sand is used, but perlite. It is lightweight, less hygroscopic, and its characteristics resemble mineral wool. Due to its low bulk density, it does not create a load on the walls, does not expand them.

Ecowool or cellulose

The components of this insulation are ecowool (7%), shredded paper (81%), antiseptics (12%) and antipyrine (7%). The material is non-flammable and does not rot due to special impregnations. It has been used in the world for more than 80 years, in the CIS, it has been known over the past decade.

Boric acid is used as an antiseptic in this material, and borax is used as a fire retardant. These substances are environmentally friendly.

The material is quite practical: the fibers fill small voids well, therefore it is recommended for complex structures.

For backfill, there are the following recommendations. Firstly, bulk material settles over time, so it needs to be tamped well. It is advisable to use boiler slag and expanded clay in regions where temperatures do not drop below -20 ° C in winter. Insulation of pitched roofs with expanded clay and similar compounds is carried out outside, after laying the vapor barrier. Along the slope between the rafters, transverse stops are installed - they evenly distribute the insulation.

After laying on the floor or in the basement, it is well rammed to prevent shrinkage and deformation of the finish. The only problem is moisture ingress, bulk insulation is quite hygroscopic. In baths and saunas, and, incidentally, everywhere, the insulation layer must have high-quality hydro and vapor barrier. It is necessary to ensure that there are no cracks in the decoration, and bulk material does not wake up through them. It is also worth remembering that expanded clay is quite heavy. It is necessary to ensure that with its mass it does not burst too weak partitions or walls.

Backfill methods

The process of filling any insulation is the same: the material is filled in the cavity and rammed. It is recommended that the issue of insulation be resolved immediately when designing a house. If there are no internal cavities for filling insulation, layers are made using PVC panels or drywall.

A good option when the insulation is filled up between facing and ordinary bricks, between the internal and external masonry. There may be ribs on the inside so that it is well distributed. Thanks to free-flowing thermal insulation, the walls can not be made thick, which saves costs. There are ready-made concrete products on sale - slabs, inside which there are already cavities filled with expanded clay, they retain heat by 50% better than ordinary ones.

Variants

For the floor, such methods of insulation with bulk components are used. The first option is a backfill (or loose) insulation on the logs. On the floor, logs are made on posts, cranial bars are nailed, then the flooring is made of boards. A vapor barrier is placed on the flooring, expanded clay is poured. Further, if necessary, the next layer of thermal insulation, on it - a screed, a rough wood floor covering.

The second option is an embankment on top concrete slab... An option for low-quality housing - Khrushchev, for example - when it is possible to raise the floor level. The floor covering is removed, waterproofing is laid, expanded clay is poured on it with a layer of 5 - 10 cm. Then you can put a mesh for reinforcement, and on it is done rough screed- the basis of the finish flooring... A vapor barrier is laid on top of the expanded clay pillow, and another layer of insulation is placed on it.

Finally, the third option is a dry expanded clay screed. A layer of expanded clay is poured, on it - a layer of gravel, then - another layer of expanded clay. The surface is leveled, gypsum-fibrous plates are laid on it, and on them - any finishing coating.

For insulation of walls, ceilings and other structural parts of buildings, use different types heaters. It is more profitable to use bulk insulation, which is much cheaper with equal efficiency of traditional slab and roll materials... In addition, such material is much easier to mount.

Home insulation is very an important milestone upon completion of construction. The main task of this procedure is to significantly reduce the level of heat loss, which will save on insulation, you just need to choose the right heat-insulating material. In addition to the low thermal conductivity of bulk materials, which makes them especially popular, they have other indisputable advantages:

are distinguished by good resistance to temperature fluctuations;
have a fairly low weight, creating a minimum load on walls or floors;
are environmentally friendly and fireproof material;
keep heat well in rooms;
are distinguished by their durability.

It is quite simple to work with bulk materials; their installation does not require special skills and expensive tools. Delivery of bulk insulation in bags does not require special equipment or a manipulator. Bring such a high quality modern thermal insulation can be in a regular car trailer and even in the trunk. When laying, backfill insulation easily fills any space without leaving voids and cracks, it is only important to select the required fraction.

Floor insulation

Loose floor insulation is used very often.

The most popular material is expanded clay.

Its production is quite simple, the advantages of expanded clay include low price and high quality, besides, such a material is environmentally friendly, is not afraid of moisture and is frost-resistant enough. Depending on the required area of insulation, expanded clay can be purchased either in bags or in bulk, which is much more economical.

For insulation of floors in rooms with high humidity, it is recommended to use a perlite backfill insulation made from volcanic rocks. Natural material with a high degree of environmental friendliness, it is chemically inert and fire-resistant, capable of withstanding very high temperatures. Due to its porosity, perlite is an excellent thermal insulation material.

Fill-in thermal insulation from natural raw materials, with high fire resistance and hardness, is distinguished by a significant moisture absorption coefficient, chemical and bacteriological resistance. Mold and pathogens will not develop in it, and the load on the foundation from structures with this type of insulation will be minimal.

The free flowing nature of such cheap and widespread sawn timber as ordinary sawdust allows it to be used after special antiseptic treatment for floor insulation.

Insulation of walls and ceilings

To keep the house warm and comfortable, it is necessary to insulate the outer walls. For this purpose, foam glass can be used, a granular eco-friendly material obtained from raw fractions by foaming. Such insulation for walls is chemically resistant and can be the basis of insulating plaster. Foam glass is ideal for warming basement walls and foundations, as it is not afraid of groundwater.

A granule made of foamed polymers is the basis of polystyrene foam, a lightweight and moisture-resistant heat-insulating material. Such a heat insulator does not have a very wide range of operating temperatures, therefore it is not recommended to use it for thermal insulation of baths. Penoplex can be easily filled up with frame walls... In this case, the granules fill the smallest voids.

Mineral wool for wall insulation can be used not only in the form of usual slabs or rolls, but also in the form of granules larger than 10 mm. Such bulk insulation is vapor-permeable and fire-resistant, not afraid of high temperatures. In addition to thermal insulation properties, granulated mineral wool has good sound insulation properties. When laying mineral wool, it is necessary to provide protection for the skin and respiratory tract.

Mineral wool for wall insulation can be used not only in the form of usual slabs or rolls, but also in the form of granules larger than 10 mm.

To preserve heat in the premises, thermal insulation of the ceiling is often performed. V Lately popularity was gained by penoizol, which outwardly resembles foam crumbs. This lightweight, low-density material is highly bio-resistant. In such an insulating layer, rodents and mold will not start.

When choosing heat-insulating bulk materials, one should pay attention to such characteristics as thermal conductivity, density, moisture absorption, weight and size of the fraction. Most of the bulk insulation can be delivered and installed independently, which will significantly reduce the cost of insulation work, which is especially important for owners of summer cottages and small country houses.

An interesting argument comparing two types of insulation: