Types of materials for insulating the outside of the house. Polystyrene, mineral wool and polyurethane foam

In the last article we presented general information about the exterior insulation of the house, how much it helps and what characteristics should have the materials used to ensure the thermal and sound comfort sought. Today's article presents some of the most used materials in this process and what advantages and disadvantages they have.

1.Polystyrene. It is the most used material for exterior insulation because it is available on the market at a good price and it is also easier to install. There is expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene.
Expanded polystyrene is often used in new constructions. It is a light material that does not load the foundation of the house and also ensures sound comfort. Among the disadvantages of this material is the fact that it can catch fire more easily, it does not have a high resistance in time, and rodents can penetrate inside the house. However, it is good to know that if it is protected by a good plaster, then there will be no problem of degradation (it must be protected from water, air, sun).
Extruded polystyrene is more expensive than expanded polystyrene, it has the same advantages, but it is harder. For this reason it can also be used when installing underfloor heating. It can also be used to insulate foundations or basements. It is more durable over time, although it is as light as the expanded one. As a disadvantage it should be mentioned that an incorrect installation leads to allergens.

2.Mineral wool. It is as well known and used as polystyrene. And in this case you can choose between glass or basalt mineral wool. The two types have different characteristics and for this reason are used for specific areas of the house.
In the case of the exterior walls of the facades and for the internal partition walls, glass mineral wool is used because it is more malleable and for this reason it is easier to mount. The basalt one has a higher density and is more difficult to mount, which is why it is used for the resistance structure of houses, for floors or roof type roofs.
It resists very well over time, guarantees thermal and sound insulation and has maximum fire resistance.
It is more expensive than polystyrene, but much more advantageous in the long run.

3.Polyurethane foam. It is a synthetic material that contains sugar and mineral oil, and the structure of this foam stores a very suitable gas as a thermal or sound insulator. And it is fire resistant and waterproof. Its disadvantage is that it leads to allergens in the situation where the insulated portions contain wood and are not properly ventilated.
It is highly recommended for thermal insulation of roofs. It can be applied on different materials (metal, concrete, sheet metal, etc.), and this makes it applicable both on new surfaces and in the case of renovations.
The acquisition cost is higher, unlike the other types.

4.Sheep wool. Although not very well known and used in this process, it should definitely be due to the properties it has. It is one of the best materials in terms of thermal insulation. Sheep wool regulates humidity, being very suitable for areas where condensation is formed and especially suitable for wooden houses. It is a very good sound insulator and is fire resistant, it burns very hard. It is a more expensive material than the others, but it is a very good thermal and sound insulator.

5.Ecological materials. Why are they a good choice? Because they are low cost and very environmentally friendly. The disadvantages of environmentally friendly materials are that they are not as resistant in case of fire and have a lower resistance to the external environment.
Among the well-known ecological materials are: straw, hemp, cork or straw.

Regardless of the type of material you use, you must not forget that for an optimal result you must ensure good ventilation of the interior and also there must be a balance between the insulated walls and the areas through which air can enter (windows, ceiling).

A material by Mirela Ionita

Photo credit: shutterstock.com
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