Polyurethane foam ppu for insulation. Insulation with polyurethane foam pros and cons: insulation of the house with polyurethane foam, video Technical characteristics of liquid polyurethane foam

One of the most effective ways to deal with drafts and frozen corners is sprayed polyurethane foam for home insulation. Due to its positive characteristics, this lightweight and easy-to-use material has excellent thermal insulation properties.

PPU polyurethane foam - properties and characteristics

Liquid polyurethane foam is the result of a combination of two liquid components, which are polyol and isocyanate. Mixing the components allows you to get a fluffy mass sprayed onto the insulated base.

Technical characteristics of liquid polyurethane foam

• Density - 18-300 kg / m 3;
• Thermal conductivity - 0.019-0.03 W / m∙K;
• Water absorption - 1.2-2.1%;
• Compression resistance - 0.15-1.0 MPa;
• Bending resistance - 0.35-1.9 MPa;
• Pore ​​closure - 80-95%;
• Flammability class - slow-burning (GOST - 12.1.044);
• Service life - 25-35 years.

Depending on the structure of the PPU is divided into two types:

1. Semi-rigid polyurethane (has an open cellular structure);
2. Rigid structure polyurethane (closed).

Polyurethane foam spraying is mainly used for insulating apartments in multi-storey buildings. Thermal insulation is produced where parts of the room are most exposed to noise and cold air flow from the street.

Most often these are corner apartments, places near balconies, inter-apartment walls. It is possible to insulate the kitchen and bathroom with polyurethane foam.

Rigid PPU

Good insulation, but with low vapor permeability. Quite dense and durable in consistency. High cost compared to semi-rigid.

Semi-rigid polyurethane foam

It has a high level of moisture absorption and vapor permeability. They insulate walls, floors, roofs. If the insulation is external, you need a high-quality finish, protected from moisture. Used for wooden buildings.

Ideal for processing surfaces with a complex structure, does not weigh them down and easily penetrates into any cracks.

sheet solid

In addition to the liquid form, there is sheet polyurethane foam, also called solid. It is made with various density and thickness.

Fastening is carried out on a pre-aligned and cleaned plane by means of adhesives. Between themselves, for greater tightness and solidity, the sheets are glued using mounting foam.

Polyurethane foam can rightly be called a new generation of insulation. In recent years, this technology of thermal insulation of buildings is gaining more and more popularity among the owners of private houses. Do-it-yourself insulation with polyurethane foam is quite possible, but only if the necessary equipment is available, the master has studied the technology of applying this material quite well.

Polyurethane foam is suitable for insulating buildings both from the outside of the walls and from the inside. The material has a large number of positive qualities, and therefore has been used more and more recently. However, you need to be aware of the negative aspects that may arise when using this type of thermal insulation.

How polyurethane foam is used for insulation

Insulation with polyurethane foam is most often done by spraying a heat-insulating layer on almost any surface. Adhering well to it and gaining volume, the foam composition increases in size several times. Polyurethane foam, expanding, penetrates into all, even the smallest cracks, creates a dense and practically airtight coating, thanks to which the walls and roof are not afraid of cold and wind.

The most common method of using polyurethane foam is spraying it on walls.

Most common the method of its installation is spraying, but it should be noted that the pouring method is sometimes used. Most often, this technology is used at the stage of production of thermal insulation structures. Polyurethane foam is poured into special molds, and the resulting parts are used only after complete solidification.

Another pouring option is to fill with foamed composition certain horizontal areas or voids where spraying is not possible. For example, this method is used when it is necessary to fill a cavity between already installed or erected walls, or the space between installed layers of finishing material.

Polyurethane foam is a mixture of two of its constituent polymers, which are usually in liquid form - a polyol and a polyisocyanate. These components are mixed together without air access during the spraying process, foaming when exposed to carbon dioxide and heated to a high temperature.

The finished mixture is fed through hoses to the spray gun and applied to the structure, thanks to the high pressure generated. The foam composition perfectly adheres to the prepared surface and begins to actively expand, forming an insulating layer of the desired thickness.

Video - Modern method of thermal insulationII - polyurethane foam spraying

Polyurethane foam properties

This material is used for insulation of both industrial and residential premises. Polyurethane foam spraying is carried out on the floors of houses, the inner surface of the roof, various partitions, floors and walls. It is especially popular for warming the walls of frame structures.

Polyurethane foam is universal - it can be used to insulate walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, etc.

During the period of its active use, it has shown its unconditional effectiveness not only as a heater, but also as a waterproofing and soundproofing material. It perfectly protects the premises of the house from freezing, moisture penetration and external noise.

The main advantages of polyurethane foam

So, the remarkable properties of polyurethane foam include:

• Excellent adhesion, that is, reliable adhesion to almost any surface, be it concrete, wood, metal or roofing from other materials.
• The low thermal conductivity of polyurethane foam allows you to save the accumulated heat in the premises, if the insulation is made from the inside, it creates a reliable barrier against the penetration of cold air, if the material is sprayed from the outside of the walls.
• Polyurethane foam tightly fills all holes and crevices, which helps to isolate the room from extraneous street sounds. When sprayed on the inner surface of the roof, the insulation is able to drown out the sounds of raindrops, which is especially important for rooms located in the attic of houses.

• This insulation counteracts the appearance of corrosion on metal structural elements and protects the surface from the negative effects of an external aggressive environment.
• When spraying polyurethane foam, it covers not only large surfaces, but also neutralizes cold bridges that occur at the locations of the batten guides. No other types of material can close them as reliably, therefore, even if insulation is used in mats or slabs (for example, mineral wool or polystyrene foam), cold bridges are still treated with polyurethane mounting foam.
• Spraying can be carried out on the most complex structures in their configuration, on which it is simply impossible to install conventional heaters.
• Polyurethane foam refers to slow-burning materials, since polyol substance A is included in one of its components. One of the flame retardants giving the insulation the ability to self-extinguishing, to cessation burning even if the material enters the fire zone. The ignition of polyurethane foam is possible only at temperatures not lower than 450-500 degrees.
• The light weight of polyurethane foam allows it to be sprayed on any roofing material from the side of the attic or on the attic floor, without fear of weighing down these building structures. Moreover, the applied layer of insulation after complete solidification will also give them additional rigidity.

Video - The use of polyurethane foam for roof insulation

• When sprayed, the material forms a seamless surface, which cannot be done using other heaters without using additional means for their connection (mechanical or adhesive).
• Polyurethane foam is applied very quickly, expands and hardens in a short time. Therefore, the whole process of insulation will take a little - only one ÷ two days, depending on the area and complexity of the structures to be insulated.
• Due to the moisture resistance of polyurethane foam and the ability to seal surfaces, when using it, there is no need to use a vapor barrier and windproof film.
• Polyurethane foam is not subject to decay, mold, damage and insects.
• Leading manufacturers establish a guarantee for the life of polyurethane foam in 50 years. However, judging by its components and application technology, the insulation will last much longer without losing its qualities if the PPU spraying and its exterior finish are arranged correctly.
• Such high scores does not possess not alone existing insulation material, as not alone of them does not possess such adhesive properties.

Material disadvantages

It is impossible not to say about the shortcomings of polyurethane foam - with self-insulation by it and during further operation:

• The big disadvantage of this insulation technology is its price, since buying or even renting equipment for applying polyurethane foam is not cheap.
• For work on spraying, it is necessary to purchase personal protective equipment - a special suit and a respirator to protect against damage to the respiratory tract. Be sure to cover all areas of the skin, mucous membranes, eyes.

• In the absence of experience in the installation of such a heater, the work may drag on for a long time, and its quality will not be guaranteed.
• Polyurethane foam is not combustible, but when in contact with fire, it smokes heavily. At the same time, the smoke contains a large amount of substances harmful to humans.

Polyurethane foam should never be left open for a long time to sunlight - ultraviolet quickly "kills" the material

• If the insulation is applied from the outside of the building and is not covered with finishing materials, then it quickly begins to break down under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, decomposing at the same time into monomers that are dangerous to human health.

How to make insulation with polyurethane foam

Many would like to carry out the process of insulating their own housing with polyurethane foam on their own, however, you need to know that this is quite possible only theoretically, but in practice you will need specific equipment, materials and certain work skills. It should also be noted that the technological equipment requires a certain adjustment before the start of deposition, and it is necessary to be able to do it correctly.

One of the main difficulties is the need for special equipment for spraying polyurethane foam.

If there is an idea of ​​how the whole system works, but there is no equipment, it can be rented, for which, however, as mentioned above, you will also have to pay a lot.

So what can be the conclusion? Probably, it will be easier to invite a master with his own equipment - he will quickly, without delay, complete all the technological steps for warming, freeing the homeowner from a lot of problems.

If, nevertheless, it is decided to test your own strength, then you need to take into account some features of such a process:

Warming with this material can be carried out during the construction of a building or in an already built house. In addition, spraying is carried out on separate areas or on the entire surface. Or, if necessary, fill the cavities with polyurethane foam.

We insulated the house from the outside, and now find out and also consider options on how to choose the right insulation from our new article.

When carrying out work, it is necessary to take into account the region where the building is located, since the thickness of the sprayed layer of insulation will depend on climatic conditions.

The measures for insulation with polyurethane foam include the following actions:

• Insulated surfaces require some preparation. For example, existing old coatings should be removed from walls if they are clearly unstable (such as old crumbling plaster or peeling paint).
• Further, on the wall it is necessary to arrange a crate of wooden bars or metal profiles. The thickness of the guides is selected depending on which layer of insulation should be applied to the surface.

• In addition, the crate can play a leveling role for the wall. It is mounted on the wall surface in terms of level and plumb, and the openings between its elements are then filled with polyurethane foam, which will fill in the bumps and bring the coating to the proper level.
• A foaming insulation is sprayed onto the prepared plane using a special gun.
• The intensity of spraying also needs to be adjusted, since if a layer that is not too thick is needed, then it is necessary to set up the apparatus in such a way that the composition is sprayed in very small jets. Lathing, in this case, must be made of bars or profiles having a small thickness, as they will determine the thickness of the insulation layer.
• Spraying polyurethane foam always start from the bottom of the wall, and apply it to the surface between the elements of the crate.

• Polyurethane foam is applied in a thin layer, which immediately acquires volume. If the thickness of the first layer is not enough, then another layer of insulation is applied on top.

• After the polyurethane foam has hardened and the frozen coating has been leveled along the batten guides by cutting off the protruding reliefs of the insulation, it is fashionable to install siding and lining. Nothing prevents you from doing outside and brickwork or plastering the walls of the house.
• If it is planned to plaster the wall after insulation, then it must be tightened with a chain-link mesh, fixing it on the rails of the crate. Then apply the cement mortar to the wall using the throwing technique. After its setting and initial hardening, it will be possible to apply any leveling composition of the plaster, as it will lie well on this base.

Video: the process of self-applying polyurethane foam on the wall

In conclusion, I would like to note that two factors are very important in any work on insulation - the quality of the material used and the experience of the master. Therefore, it is best to entrust the work to a proven specialist who will save you from unnecessary worries and carry out spraying quickly and efficiently.

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Step-by-step instructions for insulation with polyurethane foam using a disposable kit "PENOGLAS ™ KIT"

The appearance in the assortment of stores of disposable kits for applying polyurethane foam has significantly expanded the horizons for using this effective insulation. It is possible to do without inviting a team of specialists with their equipment. The kit provides everything you need, up to personal protective equipment, without which it is not recommended to work with polyurethane foam.

One of the brightest examples of such equipment is a set of domestic production - "PENOGLAS ™ KIT".

The whole set is placed in three boxes, with a total weight of about 30 kilograms. Everything is very compact, so a normal car trunk is enough to carry the whole set.

The manufacturer declares the following physical and operational characteristics of the created thermal insulation:

• The system is two-component, giving foam with a closed cell structure, which minimizes possible water absorption.
• The density of polyurethane foam after complete curing is from 35 to 40 kg/m³.
• Thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.024 W / m × ºС.
• The number of closed cells is not less than 85%.
• The full volume expansion of the PENOGLAS™ KIT-400 kit is 1 m³, which will correspond to an area of ​​20 m² covered with a 50 mm thick thermal insulation layer.
• The period of complete solidification of polyurethane foam is 1 hour.

The kit includes:

• Two cardboard boxes, each of which contains a cylinder with one of the components. Both the boxes and the cylinders themselves have a clear color and letter marking: component “A” is indicated in red, component “B” in blue. The components are in cylinders under pressure of 8 atmospheres.

When working with the kit, the cylinders are not removed from the boxes - the very design of the package allows you to carry out all operations without completely removing it.

• The third box contains all the fixtures, tools and spare parts necessary for the job. It contains:

- Spray gun, in which the components are mixed. Two flexible transparent hoses are connected to the gun, ending with fittings with union nuts - for connecting to cylinders. Typically, the hoses are also color-coded - so that when reusing the kit, you do not get confused with the “polarity” of connecting to the cylinders. The length of each hose is 3 meters.

- For spraying a mixed composition, special interchangeable heads with a spray nozzle are put on the gun. The set includes ten such heads.

Silicone grease is used to facilitate the attachment of heads to the gun and ensure a reliable seal of this connection - a small package of it is included in the kit.

Attaching the hoses to the cylinders requires tightening the union nuts with a wrench, which is also provided in the accessory kit.

- The manufacturer also thought about the observance of safety measures - the basic kit always includes a set of personal protective equipment - gloves, goggles and a respirator.

Working with the system "PENOGLAS™ KIT-400" is quite simple and does not require any special qualification of the user. The entire assembly and preparation of equipment for use takes a matter of minutes. There is no need to use any power sources - the kit is completely autonomous. More details about this are in the instruction table below:

Illustration	Brief description of the operation to be performed
	The kit is delivered to the place of work. A small box is opened - you need to get it and immediately put on protective equipment.
	Gloves can be rubber or polyethylene. You can, of course, use your own, but the use of protective equipment is a prerequisite, since the components of PPU are very toxic, and the resulting foam is very difficult to wash off from the skin. It is not included in the kit, but it is also strongly recommended to use a disposable work suit - it is impossible to wash off the foam that has got on ordinary fabrics.
	Boxes with cylinders are being prepared for work. You can open the top covers of the boxes completely by cutting a strip of adhesive tape with a knife ...
	..and then - unfastening the locking connection of the cover.
	And you can even just push inside the windows on the lid, perforated around the perimeter. By the way, these windows are also convenient for carrying boxes - immediately below them are the metal handles of the cylinders.
	On the side wall of the box there is another window - a round shape. It is also easy to push it inward - there is a cardboard perforation around the perimeter. Directly behind this window is the fitting of the cylinder with the PPU component.
	The illustration clearly shows the threaded fitting of the cylinder and the valve - to open the supply of the PPU component.
	A spray gun with hoses attached to it is taken out of the box.
	Hoses collected in a bay must be unwound along the entire length.
	The ends of the hoses with connecting fittings (with union nuts) are near the windows of both boxes. Please note that hoses may be color-coded and should be adhered to. Of course, by and large, there is not much difference which hose to which cylinder to connect now - no. But it happens that the work needs to be suspended, rescheduled (it is allowed to use the contents of the cylinders for one month) or move to another facility. The system can then be temporarily disassembled. It is also practiced that during large-scale work, several pairs of cylinders and one set of accessories for them are purchased. Here it will be extremely important to keep the same “polarity” that was during the initial assembly. And color coding will help in this. By the way, there are kits that do not have color markings on the hoses - you should pay attention to this.
	The ends of the hoses are brought into cardboard boxes through round windows.
	Then the union nuts of the hoses are screwed onto the fittings of the cylinders with PPU components. At first, as far as possible, twisting is carried out manually ...
	... and then the connection is tightened with the wrench included in the delivery. In exactly the same way, the operation is repeated on the second balloon.
	Next, you need to make sure that the pistol trigger is locked. The spray nozzle should not be on it yet. After that, both valves on the cylinders are fully opened. It is necessary to take an empty plastic bag (or any other unnecessary container), and make a trial release of the components into it, for two to three seconds. This ensures that the pressure of the components is even in both hoses and that nothing prevents them from passing freely through the gun.
	Next, you need to put a spray nozzle on the gun. To facilitate this operation, use the special silicone grease included in the kit. They coat the end of the gun with it ...
	... and the cylindrical part of the removable nozzle and the nozzle at the edges.
	Then the spray nozzle is inserted into the gun and pressed firmly, so that the connection is securely fixed by the stopper located at the top of the gun (well shown in the illustration - yellow).
	Cylinders are located in a convenient place for work, taking into account that the length of the hoses is three meters. It is allowed to move the cylinders only by the metal handles located on their bodies. Carrying by the crane is strictly prohibited!
	You can proceed to the application of polyurethane foam. The gun is directed to the area to be insulated. The optimal distance from the spray nozzle to the surface of the building structure is 600 mm. Spraying is carried out sequentially, in a thin layer, gradually moving the polyurethane jet to the untreated areas.
	Often they start from traditionally hard-to-reach or vulnerable places in terms of the formation of “cold bridges”. This illustration shows that the wizard first processed the corners between the floor beams and the rough coating, and then proceeded to fill in the free space between them.
	And this illustration shows the foam filling of the often overlooked area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe connection of the Mauerlat, floor beams and rafter legs. The use of polyurethane foam allows you to cope with this task.
	This technology is also excellent for filling other voids formed at the junctions of building structures. For example, the figure shows the insulation of the junction of an old partition with a newly erected ceiling - filling this gap with polyurethane foam will provide both insulation and the necessary sound insulation.
	Polyurethane foam also fits perfectly on metal structures, which, due to their very high thermal conductivity, are always the most pronounced “cold bridges”.
	Do not try to immediately apply a thick layer of thermal insulation. The foam expands very quickly and without experience with this material it is very easy to make the mistake of wasting material unnecessarily. The optimal solution is to apply a thin layer, and after about 20 minutes, evaluate the degree of expansion of the foam. If necessary, then briefly bring the insulation layer to the thickness required by the calculations. (The calculation of the thickness of the insulation will be discussed below).
	In the process of work, it is necessary to monitor the quality of the applied foam. So, if it does not rise well or has changed in color (it has become darker or a pronounced brown tint has appeared), then the mixing proportions are violated. If the canisters are not empty and the hoses are fine, there is a good chance that one of the channels in the mix/spray head is clogged. There are spare heads in the kit, and, therefore, it is necessary to replace. To do this, the trigger lever is placed on the lock. Then the interchangeable head stopper is lifted.
	The head is gently pushed forward with the force of the fingers.
	Its cylindrical guides come out of the channels of the gun, and then it is completely removed and removed as unnecessary.
	To install a new head, the above-mentioned lubrication of the mating areas with silicone grease is carried out. Then the head is inserted into place ...
	... and sags with the force of the fingers to the end, so that the upper stopper, which fixes the atomizer in the gun, works.
	After that, you can again proceed to the spraying of polyurethane foam - the normal mixing of the components and good spraying of the jet will be restored.

When working, it is necessary to monitor the constant observance of safety precautions. If the components or the finished foam get on unprotected areas of the body or, even worse, on the mucous membranes, it is necessary to immediately rinse out with plenty of clean water. When washing off the skin, you can use ordinary soap. Foam that has frozen on your hands will not give in to soap - you can wipe it off with a rag soaked in a nitro-based organic solvent (acetone or 646).

What should be the thickness of the insulation sprayed with polyurethane foam?

In order to determine this parameter, you can independently carry out a thermal calculation. Its meaning lies in the fact that any building structure (wall, ceiling or roofing) after insulation must have a total resistance to heat transfer not lower than the normalized value established for a given area, taking into account its climatic features.

The initial data will be:

• Parameters of the insulated structure. This refers to its thickness and the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the material of manufacture. In addition, the structure may have a multilayer structure. For example, a wall (ceiling, inner side of a roof slope) has a continuous finish (sheathing) made of a material that also contributes to the overall thermal insulation. Those layers that are separated from the outside of the building from the main structure by a ventilated gap (ventilated facade or roof) are not taken into account.
• Normalized value of resistance to heat transfer. It can be determined by the proposed map-scheme - for your region.

Map-scheme for determining the normalized value of thermal resistance for building structures

Please note that for each area, three values ​​\u200b\u200bare indicated - separately for walls (purple numbers), floors (blue) and coverings (red). They differ significantly, and it is necessary not to confuse the values ​​​​when calculating the thickness of the insulation of a particular structure.

Knowing the listed values, it is possible to carry out the calculation using a special formula. The formula, however, will not be given, because below is a convenient calculator for quick and accurate calculations. All the necessary dependencies and table values ​​are already included in it.

Wall insulation with polyurethane foam is the most popular way of thermal insulation of a house today, both from the outside and from the inside. Such a material is prepared during construction or reconstruction work immediately before application, which can significantly reduce the cost of transporting foamed polymeric materials for thermal insulation.

What is polyurethane foam?

Polyurethane foam or PPU spraying is the process of creating a heat-insulating layer on any surface - smooth or with complex relief and shape. The material is applied by spraying or pouring. The preparation process is carried out by mixing two liquid polymers - polyisocyanate and polyol in a special device. Here they are foamed with carbon dioxide simultaneously with heating to a high temperature. The air mixture is then fed into the gun atomizer or mixer head.

Under pressure, liquid polyurethane foam is sprayed through a spray gun on surfaces with a complex configuration - pipes, columns, roofing, etc. Pouring is carried out in specially prepared forms, from where the finished solidified material is then removed and used for its intended purpose.

Advantages

Polyurethane foam is much cheaper than conventional polystyrene foam, thanks not only to lower transport costs, but also to the cost-effective material application technology. Liquid polyurethane foam self-fixes on the surface without any adhesives.

Other benefits of this coverage include:

• high adhesive qualities of liquid insulation when directly sprayed onto the surface;
• light weight of the applied coating, which is very important for old buildings;
• durability of PPU, which, in the absence of mechanical damage, can last more than 50 years;
• the strength of the material in compression and tension, due to the structure of the material, consisting of closed and tightly connected cells of a polymer filled with carbon dioxide;
• wind insulation, which is provided by the density and structure of the material;
• when applied, polyurethane foam forms a seamless layer that helps strengthen walls, roofs and other parts of the house, which is especially important for dilapidated buildings;
• insulation of the walls of the PPU house is possible with any surface configuration;
• the material has low thermal conductivity, the indicator of which is 0.023 W per cubic meter;
• ignites only upon direct contact with fire, and if the fire goes out, then it goes out, and it does not burn out and does not smolder;
• polyurethane foam itself acts as a vapor barrier, so there is no need to install a vapor barrier, except in exceptional cases (for example, in a bath or sauna);
• the heat insulator is resistant to decay, mold, rodents, insects, birds;
• PPU practically does not allow moisture to pass through; at an air humidity of 98%, a square meter of polyurethane foam absorbs only 2 g of water per day;
• capable of high noise reduction;
• non-toxic;
• has an affordable price.

At the construction stage or in the process of reconstruction measures, thermal insulation work can be carried out both inside the house and outside. In addition, insulation can be done both for the entire building, and for one part of the room. In any case, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances associated with the climate of a given region, the level of humidity inside the house or room, the thickness of the supporting structures, etc.

Internal thermal insulation of PPU walls

Internal wall insulation with this material is usually carried out in apartments in urban high-rise buildings. It happens that only some areas are insulated, which are more susceptible to the effects of outside cold and noise. Such areas include the area of ​​​​the apartment adjacent to the corners of the house, areas near balconies or loggias, walls between neighboring apartments or facing noisy streets.

In addition, it often becomes necessary to insulate the walls of the kitchen or bath with the creation of a vapor barrier film, which is installed with the foil side inside the room. At the same time, the vapor barrier is fixed to the insulation, and the room itself is supplied with an adequate ventilation system.

External thermal insulation of walls with PPU spraying

Wall insulation from the outside with polyurethane foam is carried out for balconies and loggias, walls of one-story residential buildings, office buildings and industrial facilities. The whole process of warming can be divided into several stages:

• wall preparation;
• polyurethane foam spraying;
• applying a reinforcing screed;
• finishing.

Surface preparation

Preparing the walls of the house involves only cleaning the surfaces from the old coating - paint, plaster, dirt, etc., in order to ensure high-quality adhesion of liquid polyurethane foam.

There is no need to make any measures to level the walls.

Spraying

Reinforcement

After spraying the heat insulator, a reinforcing screed is applied to its surface using a fine mesh of fiberglass material. The thickness of the reinforcing layer must be at least 60 mm. So any finishing material can be laid on the surface of the heat insulator - panels, plates, lining, siding, wallpaper, painting. You can pre-coat with drywall.

It is important to protect all surrounding surfaces from liquid polyurethane foam. It sticks to any material except greasy and cellophane coatings and is difficult to clean even with acetone.

It is also important not to forget about protective equipment and safety precautions.

Spraying polyurethane foam is very fast. At the same time, not only time is significantly saved, but also financial costs for building materials that are used with other heat-insulating means.

Do not forget that it does not make sense without replacing old window and door structures. In this case, liquid polyurethane foam can serve as a heater for hard-to-reach places around windows and doors.

With winter approaching, it is becoming more and more important to insulate your home. There are many on the construction market that can turn your home into. Along with classic materials, such as stone wool and extruded polystyrene foam, such a method of insulation as spraying polyurethane foam is of increasing interest among developers. And this is not surprising, because each of us wants to live in a warm, and therefore comfortable home.

So how to properly insulate a house with PPU? And what features does this material have? Users will help us answer these questions!

PPU, or polyurethane foam

Have you thought about the fact that in our modern and high-speed life we ​​encounter various polyurethane foams every day? The scope of this high-tech product is very extensive.

For example, in the manufacture of furniture, polyurethane foam is used as a cushioning material. And in the automotive industry, they fill seats and fight noise in the cabin.

Polyurethane foam belongs to the group of gas-filled plastics made on the basis of polyurethanes. These plastics are 85-90% composed of an inert gas phase. And it depends on the type of feedstock whether the polyurethane foam will be rigid or elastic.

Since we are primarily interested in the use of this material as a heater, it is necessary to understand its main features. According to the user of our forum Maxim Brovin (nickname on the forum Maxbrovin ), PPU for insulation can be divided into 4 groups:

1. Lightweight, open-cell polyurethane foams. Density - 9-11 kg / m3. Thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.04. The vapor permeability of this polyurethane foam is comparable to mineral wool.

Open-cell polyurethane foam should be considered as a heater only in cases where spraying occurs on surfaces with high adhesion.

Maxbrovin:

– In terms of its properties, open-cell polyurethane foam is similar to mineral wool, but it costs more. But it shows good sound insulation performance.

2. Closed-cell PPU. Density - 28-32 kg / m3. Thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.02-0.028. Vapor permeability 0.05.

3. Closed-cell PPU. Density - 40-60-80 kg / m3. Thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.03-0.04. Vapor permeability - 0.04-0.05.

It is used for insulation of ceilings and exploited roofs under a screed with heavy loads. In the case of wall insulation and conventional roofing, the use of this material is unjustified, since the coefficient of thermal conductivity and its price are higher than those of closed-cell polyurethane foam with a density of 28-32 kg / m3.

4. PPU for filling in the cavity.

In terms of its properties, this polyurethane foam is similar to closed-cell polyurethane foam, but it foams much more slowly and hardens only after full expansion.

The advantages of a closed-cell PPU with a density of 28-32 kg / m3 and sprayed with a high-pressure apparatus include:

• The lowest coefficient of thermal conductivity among heaters is 0.02. For air, this coefficient is 0.022.

Maxbrovin :

– This is achieved due to the content of carbon dioxide and other gases in the cells. After the warranty period of 25 years expires, the gases are gradually replaced by air, and the thermal conductivity coefficient increases to 10%. The rest of the properties are not changed.

• Seamless way of laying sprayed polyurethane foam. Due to this, an airtight, steam- and wind-tight insulating cocoon is created.
• High adhesion to any building materials (except polyethylene).
• Low vapor permeability and water absorption. Possibility to apply in extreme conditions of swimming pools and other premises with high humidity, to insulate structures underground without additional protection, etc.
• High speed of work on insulation.

Among the disadvantages of this heater are:

• the price of insulation is almost twice as high as when using mineral wool;
• complex spraying technology requires the use of expensive equipment, and also imposes increased requirements on the qualifications of performers;
• this technology is practically not used for self-insulation.

PPU application technology

In order to obtain foam that meets the specifications, many factors must be observed. Of fundamental importance is the "ideal" mixing of the components in the proportion specified by the manufacturer, and it must be done in less than one second. For this, airless spraying of each component is used separately with a pressure of at least 120 atmospheres.

Maxbrovin :

– Due to the high pressure, spraying is carried out in a very fine phase, almost a mist, which is mixed in the vortex chamber of the gun and then falls on the sprayed surface.

The second necessary condition is the temperature regime of the components. Components should arrive at the injectors with a temperature of about +45C. However, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment (both air and surface), the temperature of the components varies in the range of 30 degrees, and for each of the components (component temperatures are never equal).

For high-quality spraying, the following conditions must be met:

• ambient temperature - not lower than +10С, absolutely dry surface, absence of any oil on the surface;
• limiting conditions for spraying: -5C and high humidity.

Many users have a question: “How is spraying done?”

Maxbrovin :

– A large car arrives, in which there is a high-pressure compressor and barrels of raw materials. If the house has only 220V, then a small apparatus with short hoses is used.

In this case, work is slower than when using a three-phase electrical network of 15 kW, because. in this case, only long hoses are dragged into the house, and the installation itself is located on the street.

If there is no electricity, then a diesel generator is used to power the compressor.

All windows, doors, trim, etc. - everything that can be stained must be very carefully covered with films and glued with masking tape.

There is no solvent for hardened PPU. Because Since the adhesion of expanded polystyrene is large, then the hardened material can only be torn off mechanically. During the spraying process, there is a slight, but unpleasant smell. After airing, it is removed without a trace. "Standing up" PPU does not smell at all.

Maxbrovin :

- Because PPU is an absolutely inert material, so it does not release any volatile components or dust into the air.

Expanded polystyrene is approved for food storage. Flammability class - G2-G3 (self-extinguishing, non-combustible). That is, the foam itself will not burn, but if there is an open source of flame, then the polystyrene foam burns with the release of smoke.

PPU in questions and answers

Often, our users have many questions related to the correct use of PPU. Let's analyze the most private of them.

STASN:

- PPU is a good way to insulate, but I'm worried about the following question: what will happen to the tree inside the "fur coat" of PPU? I mean the bearing racks of the frame. They are installed with a humidity of 12-15%, or even more, and then they are inside a vapor-tight shell. There is no entry or exit for moisture.

Matilda:

- According to various sources, the vapor permeability of a tree is equal to the vapor permeability of polyurethane foam - this is somewhere around 0.05-0.06 . So there can be no problems.

Maxbrovin:

- There is one interesting moment. It turns out that for a tree this value is given across the fibers, and along - the value of vapor permeability is 0.3-0.4. From my own experience, I can say that there are no problems with wooden structures in houses after spraying with polyurethane foam.

Spray open-cell foam from the inside, it is forbidden on the roof in our climate! Although, as thermal insulation, light polyurethane foam works, because its lambda of 0.036 is better than that of mineral wool. But, due to its vapor permeability, such expanded polystyrene requires high-quality vapor barrier and ventilation, which leads to an unjustified increase in the cost of work.

Another question that worries many developers: is it possible to self-spray open-cell polyurethane foam, for example, from a foam can?

Proul23:

- Everything is clear with closed-cell polyurethane foam - spraying equipment is expensive and buying it to insulate your home is not very cost-effective. But I had this thought: what if you save money and spray the mounting foam yourself from a simple can?

GeoOs:

- Mounting foam with this method of spraying gives a mixed cell, i.e. approximately 50 to 50 open and closed cells. Moreover, the structure of the foam is highly uneven, and the more you make a mistake with the required humidity (the surface is pre-moistened, as well as the interlayer surface), and it is easy to make a mistake (many factors: temperature, initial humidity - both surface and air).

As for the mixed cell, it has no pluses. It absorbs water well, but gives it away badly; its strength is low, noise reduction is small.

FaSeG:

– Last year we set up an experiment on spraying foam from cans. The consumption is 1 can = 1 sq. m. with a layer thickness of 3 cm. They sprayed a neighbor's house from expanded clay concrete blocks. On the cut, the structure is heterogeneous, the cells are up to 3 mm. There is no data on thermal conductivity, but the neighbor still continued to freeze in winter, as before foam insulation.

And how is PPU doing with UV resistance?

amir_t:

- As for the disadvantages of PPU, I would add a strong sensitivity of polystyrene foam to sunlight.

But even here it is not so simple.

Maxbrovin:

- Sensitivity to ultraviolet in polystyrene foam, and the truth is strong. And it is expressed in the darkening of the initially almost white material to a dark brown color. For the sake of experiment, I tested a sample of PU foam sprayed 7 years ago on the south wall of the garage. So, during this time, a layer of only 1-1.5 mm collapsed, and then the polystyrene foam is white and strong, like just sprayed.

The destroyed layer of expanded polystyrene protects from ultraviolet radiation.

PPU is also sprayed inside the already laid brickwork, but there are some peculiarities and secrets here.

Maxbrovin:

– There are special systems for pouring into cavities. Here the main difference is in the time of PPU polyrimization. Ordinary foam foams in 2-3 seconds, jellied foam - several times longer. And it hardens in a few minutes.

Due to this, the foam fills the volume much better. In this case, there is no "bursting" of the structure. Hardening begins only after full expansion. The most common application is filling the air gap between the foam block and facing bricks.

Maxbrovin:

- For a 20-30 cm foam block, a PPU thickness of 5-7 cm is a good solution. The problem of the dew point at the border of the block and the PPU does not arise. The dew point is shifted to the PPU layer, which is vapor-tight, therefore, there can be no condensation.

It is impossible to fill in PPU if the thickness of the foam block is 40 cm, and the air gap is only 3 cm. In this case, the foam block will become damp, with all the negative consequences.

Maxbrovin:

– Filling occurs through holes drilled in the seams of the brickwork with a 12 mm drill every two bricks horizontally and four bricks vertically. The process is complicated by the fact that during pouring it is necessary to continuously balance between an insufficient amount of PPU (respectively, the remaining air cavities) and an excess of polystyrene foam, which climbs out of the holes and pollutes the facade with insoluble foam.

Due to significantly lower production volumes, the cost of pouring foam is 30% higher than sprayed foam.

When insulating a house from the inside, the main thing is to monolithically foam all the walls and ceilings bordering the street, and come to terms with the inevitable freezing of structures. Such spraying is widely used for warming loggias attached to an apartment.

If there is a gap or hole, serious problems are guaranteed with the release of steam through this single point.

Wall insulation from the inside is permissible with a low R (thermal resistance coefficient) of the wall. If the wall itself is warm, then it is necessary to insulate the house with PPU only from the outside. If you insulate from the outside, the wall becomes warmer, because. R walls and insulation are summed up. If from the inside, then the outer wall will begin to freeze and will not contribute to the total thermal resistance.

A hot discussion of the topic: "PPU polyurethane foam" is the topic of our forum. Users can learn about all the features of an open-cell PPU. A clear and detailed story of our forum member about how her frame-timbered house was insulated with PPU is available at this.

And this video tells in detail about all the features of home insulation by spraying polyurethane foam.

Many types of thermal insulation of premises exist today. All of them differ in complexity, cost and installation scheme. The proven method of insulation with polyurethane foam, or PPU, is widely used both for industrial buildings and for the private sector of suburban construction and apartments. Positive consumer feedback and the availability of technology do not allow this method to be ignored.

Rigid polyurethane foam is a chemical compound based on foamed plastic filled with carbon dioxide or freon up to 85-90%. Not to be confused with foam for the manufacture of sponges, filling pillows and mattresses - in this case, soft and elastic foam with an open-cell structure is used.

PPU is used in a wide range of construction works, including for insulation and soundproofing of all types of premises, filling prefabricated structures, as well as filling voids. This method came into use in the middle of the last century and gained its popularity due to the unique installation technology and the characteristic properties of the material.

Insulation with polyurethane foam in comparison with other available types of thermal insulation of residential premises has a number of significant advantages:

1. The material is universal, it can be applied to any substrate: paper, metal, wood, concrete, plaster, brick, roofing material, tiles, pipelines and others. There is no need to pre-level the surface or carry out other processing. Besides, application in the most hard-to-reach places and the closed cavities is possible.

2. All work with PPU is carried out directly at the construction site with a minimum set of components, which ensures the mobility of this method.

3. Spraying technology implies the creation of a single solid layer, without joints and joints. It also makes it possible to fill structures of any complexity and geometric shape.

4. It is worth noting the high strength after solidification. The top layer of closed-cell polyurethane foam with a density of 25 kg / m3 is able to withstand the weight of an average person.

5. Polyurethane foam is absolutely non-toxic, inert to any biological aggressors.

Unfortunately, the do-it-yourself polyurethane foam insulation scheme seems to be available only in theory. In practice, in order to do all the work yourself with high quality, you will need a considerable set of special equipment, materials and qualifications. Even if you have the necessary skills, the necessary equipment is available for hire, but it costs a lot of money. Therefore, according to the opinions of professionals, for high-quality insulation of a building, it is better to carry out the process with the participation of qualified craftsmen.

Technology Description

For insulation of walls and facades, and in some cases even floors, in addition to spraying, polyurethane boards can be used. By their properties, they differ little from foam. The nuances in their application is the need for an even base. Sheets are fixed with cement-based adhesive with further fastening with dowels. Insulation by PPU spraying is carried out both at the construction stage and in finished buildings. The climatic conditions of the region are necessarily taken into account, the thickness of future thermal insulation will depend on this.

All work is carried out according to the following scheme:

• walls and other surfaces are cleaned of old coatings;
• a crate of wooden beams is mounted according to the level, in size depending on the thickness of the insulation layer;
• thermal insulation is sprayed with a special gun, starting from the bottom of the wall between the details of the crate;
• polyurethane foam increases in volume immediately after application; if one layer is not enough, the second layer is sprayed to the required coating thickness;
• after solidification, all relief irregularities are cut flush with the wooden crate.

For 1 square meter of insulation, depending on the thickness of the sprayed layer, approximately 4.5 - 5 kg / m2 of material is consumed.

Consumer opinions

« Numerous advantages of insulation with polyurethane foam, as well as reviews from friends, contributed to the choice of this thermal insulation. Perfect for a wooden house. And, most importantly, the workers coped in a short time. The cost, of course, is somewhat expensive compared to other heaters. But the investment is worth the money. The house is warm and dry - as a result - a completely comfortable stay.

Irina Maslova, St. Petersburg.

“At first I wanted to take up the insulation with my own hands. But having carefully studied all the details of working with PPU, I realized that it is more profitable and safer to carry out the process under the guidance of professionals. I found the company quickly, since today many organizations are familiar with polyurethane foam. Everything was done in a short period of time, the result was satisfied. Already 2 years have passed, in winter I began to spend 2 times less on heating the house. So, the heater is worth the money.

Sergei, Moscow.

“The instructions for self-use of polyurethane foam turned out to be very tricky, so I decided not to stand out, but to seek help from a qualified organization. For all turnkey work, they asked for a very humane price. Consumption per sq. m of material is minimal. Eco-friendly foam, which is important when there are allergy sufferers in the house, like me. The installation was carried out at zero temperature, which, judging by the assurance of the manufacturer, will not affect the quality of the insulation. We'll live until winter, we'll check.

Dmitry Zarubin, Nizhny Novgorod.

“For a long time I thought about how to insulate the attic - too complicated a form for sheet materials. On the net I came across a technology using PPU. The scheme is quite simple: you call specialists, describe the work plan and that's it. No preparatory operations and other fuss. Area of ​​200 sq.m. covered in just a couple of hours. It freezes instantly, you can immediately start finishing. And I saved time, and, most importantly, heat saving at the highest level. Now I plan to move the bedroom to this room.

Ilya, Samara.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of insulating a house with polyurethane foam include:

1. excellent adhesive properties of polyurethane foam;

2. hides small surface irregularities;

3. thermal insulation is resistant to seasonal temperature changes;

4. wide temperature range of use;

5. no need for fasteners;

6. low consumption of transportation costs;

7. polyurethane foam weighs little, thus does not make structures heavier, which is important, for example, in roofing;

8. PPU insulation gives additional strength to the application surface;

9. practically does not shrink;

10. polyurethane foam is included in the group of slow-burning;

11. resistant to organic solvents;

12. made from environmentally friendly materials, safe for people;

13. short turnkey work - up to 24 hours;

14. long service life of thermal insulation, equated to the time of operation of the building itself.

There are also some disadvantages of warming, they are as follows:

• PPU tends to break down under the action of UV radiation, which, in turn, entails the need for additional protection of the insulation layer with plaster, panels, paint or other devices.
• Polyurethane foam is a slow-burning material, but this does not negate the possibility of its smoldering when exposed to high temperatures.
• Insulation with polyurethane foam is not carried out for roofing systems based on profiled sheets and metal tiles. In this case, the necessary ventilation gap is eliminated, due to which condensation subsequently forms, and the roof is destroyed.
• All works are not available for do-it-yourself production.

For insulation, semi-rigid and rigid polyurethane foam is used. The first option has a high level of vapor permeability and water absorption, hence the need for additional waterproofing. The second, in turn, is characterized by greater strength and density, poorly passes water vapor. Thus, semi-rigid polyurethane foam is used for wooden frame buildings or from plywood and logs, while rigid is more suitable for insulating basements and foundations, as well as for surfaces such as brick, concrete, and metal structures.

The use of PPU is impractical in places with a closely spaced open flame or other heating elements.

What does the price depend on?

In the cost of works on insulation with polyurethane foam per sq. m., as a rule, includes the type and brand of PPU used, the amount of material required, the type of construction and the presence of specific conditions.

Insulation of the house is available at the prices indicated in the following table.