Types of insulation

Everyone knows the technology of insulating the outside walls of a house with mineral wool. Such systems prevent heat loss in rooms. Exterior finishing helps reduce walls’ minimum sufficient thickness and pressure on the foundation and maintains the thermal conductivity of construction projects. The cost of construction is significantly reduced thanks to this technology.
Mineral wool is not the only material from which facade insulation can be made for plaster. All products are usually divided according to physical characteristics such as density, strength, and wear resistance. There are several common materials for insulating the walls of a house:

• Mineral wool;
• Styrofoam;
• Basalt slab;
• Foam glass.

Sometimes, other means may be used, but most often, builders prefer these.
When choosing a system for insulating the walls of a house, it is necessary to consider the features of load-bearing structures, the finishing of which is planned shortly. For working with aerated concrete gas silicate and other high-strength materials, it is recommended to use mineral wool. Foamed polymers can also be used to decorate the walls of a house built from materials with increased thermal conductivity.

Mineral wool for insulation

Mineral wool slabs are created from slag, which accumulates as waste in metallurgical production. The material does not deteriorate when interacting with various fungi and bacteria. The most commonly used technology is the insulation of house walls with mineral wool. Such slabs are durable, do not catch fire, are endowed with vapour-proof properties and are heavier than conventional polystyrene foam. Such materials are treated with special water-repellent mixtures but can still absorb moisture when in contact with copious amounts of condensate.

Finishing with two-layer mineral wool is the most convenient option since the soft material on one side fits well to the wall, and the harder one is endowed with increased density. The marking of such plates indicates their specific purpose. Insulation for facades under plaster must have a minimum value of 130 kg/m.

Foam plastic for insulation

Polystyrene foam is created from petroleum waste and is the cheapest insulation material. This is a lightweight, moisture-resistant, vapour-proof material. It is best to use high-strength foam containing fire retardants to insulate the walls of a house. This material is characterized by self-extinguishing under the influence of flame. During combustion, polystyrene foam releases hazardous gases in huge quantities. For the most part, manufacturers of such insulating materials do not provide fireproof properties.

The price of such material is much lower than that of mineral wool. It is best to use extruded slabs for a house wall insulation system.

Foam glass

This versatile insulation material is durable, does not shrink, and is easy to process and install. Foam glass is characterized by increased strength and reduced density. Such facade insulation under plaster will retain its essential qualities throughout the entire period of use. In addition to thermal insulation, foam glass also has excellent moisture resistance. These properties make the material indispensable for designing a foundation insulation system.

Basalt slabs

The material is created based on the finest basalt fibres. Bentonite clay is used as a binder. High levels of sound insulation, heat resistance, and vapour permeability are characteristics of such a system for insulating the walls of a house.

Selecting insulation thickness

For insulating the walls of a house with mineral wool, the thickness of the slabs is usually 8-15 cm. Such a layer is enough to increase the heat transfer resistance and reduce heating costs. The fuel cost is constantly growing, so investing more in the design and installation of an insulation system and insulating with thicker mineral wool would be advisable. To select the minimum sufficient layer, an appropriate calculation must first be carried out.

Installation of insulation

Facade insulation under plaster is used after the installation of unique profiles. Finishing with mineral wool is perfect for treating surfaces with significant irregularities or brick walls. Quite often, buildings are constructed from cellular concrete. In such cases, installing insulation systems with mineral wool with a hard surface on one side is recommended. The unevenness of the building is filled quite densely when the material is laid with the soft side against the wall. Systems with mineral wool are installed using polymer plaster developed on a silicone basis and various mineral compositions. The vapour conductivity of such components is relatively high. Contact the best insulation installers Wollongong for affordable and high-quality home insulation services.

For this purpose, a special mesh, fixed with a plastic fastener, is almost always used. The device is screwed into the load-bearing wall, and the material is attached to the insulation. When the mesh is installed over the entire area, you can begin the final stage of applying plaster.

The production of adhesives for mineral wool insulation systems is relatively easy. Plaster beacons are installed on the walls to ensure that the surface is level after completion of construction work. The solution should be carefully applied along the border, starting from the bottom. This procedure will be carried out in several stages if the required thickness of the plaster layer is more than 15 mm. A distance of 10 mm must be maintained between the first level and the crests of the beacons. The final plaster application is carried out after the first layer has hardened.

Conclusion

Facade insulation under plaster is installed almost everywhere. A mineral wool design is often used, but polystyrene foam or some other suitable material is often used for such a system. Such technologies help maintain a minimum sufficient temperature in the building during the winter cold and make it possible to save money on heating. The method of insulating walls with mineral wool is widespread in our country.