Reflective type insulators have become a real discovery in insulation. Today, such material in the domestic market is simply very popular. This type of insulation is called penofol and is used in construction very widely.
What is the material
Penofol insulation differs from other types of modern insulators primarily in its small thickness. This type of material consists in most cases of three layers - two aluminum foil and one - polyethylene foam. Penofol is supplied to the market in rolls.
Foil before being applied to polyethylene in the manufacture of this insulator at the enterprises is carefully polished until a mirror shine appears. The reflectivity of penofol often reaches 97%. Sometimes on sale today you can also find material of this type with only one foil layer. Such an insulator is also quite in demand on the market nowadays.
Foil is applied to polyethylene in the manufacture of this material by heat welding. This isprovides maximum layer adhesion.
Pros and cons
The main advantages of penofol developers include, first of all, its versatility. This material can be used for thermal insulation of enclosing structures built from almost any materials in buildings for various purposes - residential, warehouse, utility, industrial, etc.
Another indisputable advantage of penofol insulation is the minimum degree of vapor permeability. When installing mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, ecowool, etc., it is necessary to additionally use special condensate-retaining films. When the walls are insulated with penofol, there is no need to use vapor barriers.
Many consumers, among other things, refer to the advantages of this material and excellent noise-absorbing properties. Very often, such material is used in residential buildings not for insulation, but with the aim of making the premises more "quiet".
The small thickness of penofol, of course, can also be attributed to its unconditional advantages. When insulating buildings from the inside, unlike other modern insulators, this material practically does not “eat up” the usable space in the premises.
Among other things, the advantages of penofol developers include:
- ecological cleanliness;
- ease of installation;
- fire resistance;
- ease of transportation, etc.
Material imperfections
Plus insulation penofol, thus, has just a hugeamount. However, there are, of course, this material and some disadvantages. The disadvantages of penofol consumers include primarily its soft structure. Walls covered with this material before using a fine finish often have to be additionally sheathed, for example, with drywall or plywood. Sticking the same wallpaper directly on the penofol, of course, will not work.
Mount this material on the enclosing structures is possible only by tightening. At the same time, the fastening of such an insulator is, although technologically simple, but still somewhat labor-intensive. In this regard, penofol is inferior, for example, to the same mineral wool, mounted between the racks of the crate, simply by surprise - without the use of glue, dowels, etc.
Technical characteristics of penofol insulation
With a small thickness, this material is able to protect the premises of the building from the cold no worse than traditional mineral wool and expanded polystyrene. This is primarily due to the presence of polished layers in this insulator. Penofol foil on the walls of the building simply reflects heat rays back into the premises, preventing them from escaping into the street.
In terms of the ability to protect rooms from the cold, such a 4 mm thick material is comparable to:
- with 2.5 bricks;
- layer of expanded clay concrete 50 cm;
- aerated concrete - 39 cm;
- mineral wool - in 7cm;
- polystyrene foam - in 5 cm.
Specificationspenofol insulation is different as follows:
- thermal reflection coefficient - up to 97%;
- water absorption - 0.6-3.5%;
- specific heat capacity - 1.95 kJ/(kg °С);
- modulus of elasticity at a load of 2-5 kPa - 0.26-0.77 MPa;
- relative compression at the same load - 0.09-0.2;
- moisture content - 2%;
- thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.037-0.038 W/m °С.
This material is able to maintain its technical properties at temperatures from -65 °С to +110 °С.
Varieties
Penofol, foiled on both sides, is marked by manufacturers, according to GOST, with the letter A. One-sided material of this type is marked as B. There are also the following varieties of such an insulator on the market:
- one-sided self-adhesive penofol insulation - С;
- self-adhesive polyethylene laminated one-sided - APL;
- designed for insulation of air ducts of ventilation systems - AIP.
This insulation, like any other, of course, can differ in such an indicator as thickness. If desired, modern developers can choose the material of this variety, ideal for warming rooms for any purpose. The thickness of this insulator of any type can vary between 3-10 mm. The warmest in this case, of course, is a foil insulation penofol 10 mm.
On the marketToday there is such a material of various brands. This insulator is produced by many companies, both foreign and domestic. For example, the material supplied to the market by the manufacturer Penofol 2000 is very popular with Russian developers. The insulation of this brand is not too expensive and at the same time it is distinguished by simply excellent performance.
Installation of penofol: advice from builders
This material is used mainly for the insulation of buildings from the inside of the premises. Indeed, on the street, the foil layer simply will not “work”. Outside, this material is usually used only as a vapor barrier. When installing penofol insulation, it is imperative to follow the following recommendations from experienced builders:
- when using one-sided material, the lining is made with a foil layer towards the room;
- between the wall and the penofol during installation leave a ventilation gap of 1.5-2 cm;
- the same gap is provided between the insulation and the exterior finish;
- seams between foam sheets are carefully sealed using foil masking tape.
Mounting technology step by step
They insulate walls and ceilings in houses or, for example, baths with penofol using usually this technology:
- sheathing bars are attached to the wall;
- fixed to the crate penofol;
- a counter-lattice is attached over the penofol;
- perform wall or ceiling cladding with panel or piece material;
- mounting the fine finish.
According to this instruction, the walls are sheathed with any kind of this insulation, with the exception of the one intended for air ducts.
Most often, with the use of penofol, walls or ceilings are insulated, of course. But sometimes such an insulator is also used for the floor. Penofol insulation in this case is mounted using the same technology. At the final stage, in this case, it is usually sheathed on top with strong OSB sheets, on which, in turn, laminate, linoleum, carpet, etc. are attached.
Installing the crate
First of all, when insulating a building with foam, of course, an air gap should be provided between the walls and this material. It is for this that the crate is stuffed on the enclosing structures. For its assembly, it is recommended to use a well-dried beam 2 cm thick. Before stuffing on the walls, this material must be treated with antiseptic and antifungal compounds.
It is possible to fix the beam of the lathing under the penofol on the enclosing structures both vertically and horizontally. Mount the elements of the crate, taking into account the width of the material chosen for insulation. But in any case, the timber on the walls should not be located in increments of more than 1 m.
The method of fastening the frame elements to the walls depends on what material they are built from. To stuff the crate on the wooden enclosing structures, you can use nails orself-tapping screws. The crate is fixed to the concrete with dowels. In any case, such a frame should be assembled using galvanized, corrosion-resistant fasteners.
Mounting material
Penofol insulation 10 mm, 5 mm, etc., of course, must also be attached to the crate in compliance with all the required technologies. Such material is fixed on the walls on the beam exclusively end-to-end. Overlapping during the installation of penofol between the strips is not done. Attach this material to the battens of the crate with brackets using a construction stapler. The joints between the strips are covered with masking tape. Use for penofol, of course, should be foil material of this type.
Penofol can be cut when mounted on walls using ordinary sharp scissors. This thin material is very easy to cut.
Installation of the counter grille
As already mentioned, when installing foam foam, it is supposed to leave a gap not only between it and the walls, but also behind the sheathing material. To ensure ventilation, a cat-lattice is stuffed over the insulation. For its manufacture, they also usually take dried, processed timber 2 cm thick.
Mount this material on top of the foam in the opposite direction to the elements of the crate. The beam is fixed in this case, usually using self-tapping screws. Such fasteners are screwed not into the walls, but into the elements of the crate. Self-tapping screws for the counter-lattice are also better to use galvanized ones. Condensation will subsequently accumulate in the ventilation gap.
What can be sheathedfoil walls
According to the technology described above, it is supposed to mount foam insulation 5 mm, 3 mm, 10 mm and any other. It is allowed to sheathe walls upholstered with this insulator using any kind of materials. The room can be finished, for example, with clapboard or block house. Such materials are ideal for both living rooms and, for example, for baths or saunas. It is allowed to sheathe the walls insulated in this way with plastic panels. This finishing method is very often used not only in living rooms, but also, for example, on balconies.
You can also sew plasterboard, plywood or OSB over the foil insulation. In this case, the walls at the final stage will have to be additionally finished with a finishing material. It can be, for example, wallpaper, decorative plaster, etc.
Material reviews
Of course, most private developers consider penofol insulation for walls, floors and ceilings to be very effective. This material, according to consumers, is convenient both in installation and in operation. Many people advise using such an insulator for warming residential premises and baths.
Some consumers believe that the ability of penofol to isolate rooms well is not at all related to its structure and the presence of foil layers, but to the method of its installation. The effect of heat preservation, according to such developers, occurs when using this material, solely due to the presence of two air gaps.
But be that as it may, the premisesinsulated with penofol, able to stay warm even on the coldest days. And therefore, in any case, it is worth using such material for warming residential buildings or baths. However, this insulation, of course, will perform its functions effectively only if all the required technologies are observed when installing it.
