Building insulation
Along with a proper heating system, it is essential to insulate the building in order to avoid energy losses and minimize heating costs. An important part of energy efficiency measures is the insulation of walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors of a building. The table below provides information on the most accessible and inexpensive methods of building insulation in Kyrgyzstan.
Methods of building insulation
| Wall insulation | It is recommended to produce outside, so as not to reduce the useful area of the room. In a house whose exterior finish is completed, you can resort to internal insulation. When combining both methods of preserving heat, it is necessary to monitor compliance with certain proportions: the thermal resistance of the insulation from the outside should be three times greater than the internal one. There is insulation in the middle of the wall. Each method must be well studied. |
| outdoor work | External wall insulation not only “warms” the house, but also increases the life of the building. It almost completely eliminates the possibility of the appearance of mold fungi and protects the walls from the effects of external negative factors. Ideally, when building a house, you need to worry about the insulation of the basement / foundation: this will significantly reduce heat loss. |
| Floor insulation | If there is a basement, you should first insulate it, and then make the floor. You can also make floor insulation using the "warm floor" technology. Most often, water-heated floor systems are used, but infrared heated floors are becoming increasingly popular. The standard flooring scheme that will save heat looks like this: |
| Ceiling insulation | Even when the roof is done according to the standards, heat loss through the ceiling is ≈10%, so it is important to insulate the ceiling. Particular attention should be paid to the choice of material. It must be safe and environmentally friendly. Since in a fire all the heat rushes up, it is desirable to use a non-combustible material that does not emit acrid smoke. To insulate ceilings, ecowool, mineral wool, as well as new generation equipment are usually used: infrared film, frame and cassette heaters. The latter can be fixed on the ceiling surface as elements of a decorative coating.. |
| Insulation of windows and doors | It is important to install high-quality modern insulated entrance doors and energy-efficient PVC windows with seals. Also, you need to monitor the condition of the seals and replace them in a timely manner. For those who prefer environmentally friendly and beautiful wooden windows and doors, the issue of their insulation is especially relevant. Wood is a wonderful natural material that "breathes" and creates a favorable microclimate. However, he needs protection and care. For the winter, wooden windows and doors need to be insulated. You can use modern sealants, cotton wool and paper or fabric strips, a special self-adhesive film with foam insulation, linen cord and paraffin, heat-saving film or Swedish insulation EuroStrip. |
Selection of materials for insulation. Warming can be carried out independently or entrusted to professionals, but first of all you need to choose the very material that will give the following advantages:
- Guaranteed isolation.
- Moisture removal.
- Immunity to biological factors.
- Durability.
- Non-flammable.
- Minimal space reduction.
- Optimal cost of all works.
- Ease and efficiency of installation.
- Affordable cost.
Naturally, there are no cheap and at the same time ideal options, so you have to rely on those advantages that seem to be the most significant. There are a huge number of materials on the market.
- Penoplex - This is a well-known trade name for high-quality extruded polystyrene. Today this material is in the lead in the market of heaters. Basically, this material is recommended for use when insulating the floor, foundation, due to its good moisture resistance.
- Styrofoam - It is well suited for wall and ceiling insulation. It is not vapor permeable, therefore it requires a reliable vapor barrier. It is worth noting the low moisture resistance of the foam, which makes it mandatory to install hydroprotection.
- Sprayed polyurethane foam - PPU - is a new insulating material that begins to perform its functions immediately after application to the surface and hardening. This is an effective seamless insulation that allows you to perform insulation of any building structure with the function of sealing and soundproofing. It is mainly used for roof insulation (soft polyurethane foam), but wall insulation is often found with hard polyurethane foam.
- Mineral wool (basalt) - One of the best insulating materials on the market. Mineral wool is non-combustible compared to others, provides not only heat, but also sound insulation. This insulation is used for wall insulation in the form of high-density plate material, and also for roof insulation in the form of rolls.
Using insulation, you can reduce electricity costs by up to 30-40%. In addition, modern heat-insulating materials for the most part have sound-proofing properties.
Speaking about the insulation of a house inside or outside, it is important to understand that walls are far from the only source of heat loss. In this regard, it is necessary to isolate unheated attics and basements.
When carrying out internal thermal insulation work, great attention should be paid to the joints between the floor and the wall, the wall and the ceiling, the wall and the partitions. It is in these places that “cold bridges” are most often formed.
In other words, regardless of the type of work performed, it is important to remember that thermal insulation requires an integrated approach.
