Currently, when constructing new buildings, developers pay special attention to the thermal protection of the outer walls. This is required not only by building codes, but also by the desire to increase their competitiveness. However, the situation with walls in old houses is somewhat different. Owners of private houses have to carry out the insulation of the premises with their own hands in order to keep the heat inside and leave the cold outside.
There can be several reasons for the decrease in the temperature inside the house: a poor heating system, the presence of cracks, drafts. However, the most common reason is poor thermal insulation of the walls. Walls occupy the largest area in the room and are the main source of heat loss. There are several ways to insulate the walls in a private house from the outside.
Why insulation should be carried out outside
Experts recommend insulating walls from the outside, and resorting to thermal insulation from the inside only in extreme cases. This is due to some features:
- When warming the house outsidethe material protects the walls not only from heat loss, but also from the negative effects of moisture. Home heat warms up the wall and, in case of moisture and condensation, contributes to its rapid drying.
- The dew point moves closer to the outer edge of the wall. This prevents condensation from forming.
- Warming the house from the outside with your own hands not only protects the room from the cold, but also saves the usable area of the rooms.
Wall insulation options from the outside
There are several options for how best to insulate a private house from the outside:
- Installation of heat-insulating material on the wall with adhesive mortar and further coating with plaster.
- Formation of a three-layer non-ventilated wall. The insulation is fixed with a solution. Next, the outer wall is laid in one layer of brick, taking into account the airspace.
- Installation of a ventilated facade. A heater is attached on top of the waterproofing, on which a wind protection is installed. The finishing stage is lining with decorative clapboard or other siding.
Each method has its own nuances in execution. There are combined materials, as well as modern modified ones, the installation of which should follow a special technology. Installation of a ventilated facade can be carried out even in the cold season, as its technology does not require the use of adhesive composition.
The better to insulate the house from the outside
There are several types of insulation material. Each of themhas its own characteristics and price range. The following heaters are considered the most popular:
- foam (polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam);
- mineral wool;
- polyurethane foam;
- bas alt slabs;
- cellulose-based insulation.
Proper insulation of the walls of the house from the outside with your own hands depends on the choice of the optimal option for wall insulation. The main differences between the above materials are vapor permeability, moisture resistance and thermal conductivity. The first two parameters are selected based on the characteristics of climatic conditions, as well as the method of attachment to ensure maximum protection of the room from dampness. Thermal conductivity is taken into account when calculating the required thickness for optimal effect.
Calculation of insulation thickness
Start work on wall insulation from the outside with the calculation of the thickness of the heat insulator. Calculations are carried out on the basis of data from SNiPa, GOST and SP. If it is not possible to carry out calculations on your own, it is better to use the services of private design organizations. The thickness of the insulation depends on the heat loss of the house through the exterior walls, window frames, foundation, ceilings and roofing. Taking into account the data obtained, and also taking into account the power of the heating system, the thickness of the heat-insulating layer is calculated.
Then they decide on the choice of material and do the insulation of the house from the outside with their own hands. It is important to take into account not only the type and dimensions of the heat insulator, but alsothe number of layers required. For example, it is better to abandon polystyrene foam if laying in several layers is required. For this, mineral wool or polyurethane foam, the thickness of which is much less, is suitable.
Preparation of walls for insulation
After choosing the best way to insulate the house from the outside, proceed to the main work. The main goal is to prepare the walls for further installation of the material. To achieve a perfectly even brick, wood or concrete surface, the old layer of plaster or other insulator is completely removed.
Special attention should be paid to the primer of the walls. If there are differences in the levels on the wall (protrusions and recesses over 2 cm), it is better to repair them with a special solution or comb them to the desired level. A primer with deep penetration should be used. Before applying the primer, the wall is cleaned of dust and dirt.
In order for the insulation for the walls to lay down evenly on the outside and not interfere with the construction of an external wall of decorative bricks or plastering, you should think over a system of plumb lines and lighthouses in advance. They are used to determine the plane of the outer edge of the insulation, which facilitates its installation.
Anchors or screws are installed to the top edge of the wall. A strong thread is tied to them and lowered with plumb lines to the very bottom. Between them, horizontal threads are attached, which form a control grid. It serves as a guide when mounting the frame or installing insulation.
Installation of foam and extruded polystyrene foam (EPS)
Styrofoam is attached to the wall with a special adhesive for polystyrene boards. Sometimes building "fungi" are used for these purposes.
When insulating walls with XPS, the surface on which the adhesive solution will be applied is made rough. This contributes to a more reliable bonding. There are no such problems with foam, as the glue fixes it without additional processing.
Often, both glue and "fungi" are used to strengthen the fastening. This is a more correct solution that prolongs the life of the insulation.
The final stage of wall insulation from the outside is the application of plaster or cladding with decorative materials.
How to insulate the walls in a private house from the outside with foam using wooden slats
In practice, another method of fastening foam sheets is used - by forming a frame from wooden slats.
For the construction of the frame, slats are used, the thickness of which is not less than the thickness of the insulation. If the thickness is slightly larger, this will create a ventilated space between the insulation and the facing material. The distance between the slats is calculated in such a way that the plates are tightly inserted into the niches and do not fall out.
This type of installation is acceptable if siding or lining will be used to finish the walls. The slats will serve as the basis for fixing the facing material.
Mineral wool: fastening features
With the help of mineral wool, you can also insulate a private house from the outside. Materials and tips for doing worksimilar to the instructions for fastening bas alt slabs and cellulose-based insulation.
For more reliable installation of mineral wool sheets, a frame system of wooden slats is formed. The width of the crate should be 2-3 cm less than the width of the heat-insulating material. This ensures that the mineral wool is tightly inserted between the bars and there are no gaps. Additionally, anchors are installed, on which sheets of insulation are subsequently put on. If the wall surface is uneven, two-layer mineral wool is used, the layers of which have different densities. The soft layer provides a secure grip on the wall.
In terms of exterior finish, mineral wool is more versatile, unlike other types of heat insulators. On top of the insulation, you can install an external horizontal lining, under which a windproof layer is attached in the form of a dense polyethylene film. For wall cladding, decorative brick, lining or other siding is used. This technology allows you to create a three-layer ventilated insulation that is suitable for most climatic zones.
How to insulate walls in a private house outside with polyurethane foam
The principle of mounting polyurethane foam is similar to the technology of fastening mineral wool. However, it is almost impossible to independently perform wall insulation using this material. The method involves the use of special expensive equipment that distributes the liquid mixture over the treated surface. In addition, without professional skills, working withinstallation causes many difficulties.
The main feature of this method of insulation is the very fast execution of work. With the above installation, polyurethane foam is sprayed onto the surface. As a result of a chemical reaction, a liquid substance is transformed into a solid state and foams. The insulation does not form an air space between the wall and the heat insulator, which provides a stronger and more durable coating.
Features of polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam has many advantages, including:
- fills all cracks and crevices after hardening;
- vapor permeability is significantly lower than other materials;
- attaches quickly and securely to the wall;
- excellent mechanical strength;
- good heat and sound insulation.
However, the cost of the material and its installation are quite expensive. Durability and high quality indicators justify the high cost of its installation.
If sooner or later the question arises of how to insulate the house outside with your own hands, instructions for using polyurethane foam will help solve the problem of heat loss and maintain a comfortable temperature in the room.
Despite what material is used as a heat insulator, any of the above options copes with its main task - warming the room. In addition, the outer insulationallows you to keep warm and protect the surface from moisture. Step-by-step instructions and practical recommendations from experts will tell you how to insulate walls in a private house from the outside.
