Application of insulation with foil

While dealing with problems of insulation during the repair of an apartment, the construction of a house, a bath, other utility or household facilities, any owner always gets before the problem of choosing the best thermal insulation materials. It's good that in our time their assortment is on sale - it is quite wide. But this variety of choices can play with an ignorant person and "evil joke" - no wonder to get confused in such abundance and make a mistake. Therefore, , going to the store to buy or intending to make an online order, the consumer should already have an idea about the characteristics of the material, its features, applications and basic techniques installation.

In this article, an overview of thermo-insulating materials will be made which, although they may have different base bases, are still combined by one common important feature - the foil surface. So, we consider varieties, advantages and disadvantages, price level and practical application of heaters with foil.

Advantages and disadvantages of insulation from foiling

Any of the insulation materials has its own insulation properties for the light of a foamed, porous, fluffy, fibrous or other substrate that allows creating and retaining an air layer. Well, the air itself has an extremely low thermal conductivity, and in the total we get a thermal insulation layer, the transfer of heat energy through which, if not completely eliminated, is significantly reduced. It is clear that any material has its own indicators of thermal resistance, and the general possibilities of a heater depend on its thickness.

1 - mineral wool

2 - foamed polyethylene

3 - expanded polystyrene.

4 - foamed concrete.

But this, so to speak, the passive role of a heater. Is it possible to make sure that the thermal insulator not only did not let heat through its structure, but also participated more actively, reflecting the heat energy in the right direction? It turns out that you can - and for this use by foil .

The wavelength of the infrared radiation is close to that of visible light, and the heat flux, like a light beam, is able to reflect off the mirror surface and be redirected back. It is on this principle that any thermos bottle works - a thin glass or metal liquid flask with an internal mirror or polished surface, and an air( or vacuum) layer around.

The heat in such simple construction remains very long. Precisely the same principle is also used for the warming of residential premises, bathhouses, industrial buildings and technological lines, agricultural facilities and t. .To do this, use foil insulation.

Modern technologies allow to apply a layer of aluminum foil practically on any thermo-insulating materials, so that the strength of the resulting multi-layer construction is maintained, without its bundle. As a result, new heaters acquire a number of remarkable qualities:

• The "effect t t yermos" in the room allows much better to keep the warm in the winter, and vice versa - cool in the summer.
• Increasing the effectiveness of thermal insulation leads to a reduction in energy consumption for heating.
• The foil surface itself is a good barrier against penetration of moisture and water vapor, which in some cases makes it possible to do without an additional waterproofing layer.
• Foiling does not reduce the thermal insulation properties of the material, on the contrary - it strengthens them and allows the use of insulators of a much smaller thickness, which in cases of close rooms is sometimes extremely important.
• Any of the types of foil insulation is still and good sound insulator .
• Application of foil on thermal insulator poses no threat from an environmental point of view. On the contrary, often it becomes a reinforcing boundary from the penetration of tiny particles of material into the space of the room.
• The material is easy to assemble, for which no special skills are required. Moreover, it can , if necessary, be dismantled, and then installed on the same or another location.
• The form of material - rolls or panels, it is very convenient for installation work.

From the shortcomings we can note the following:

• Aluminum is still subject to gradual corrosion, why begins to grow dull, and over time its reflective qualities are somewhat weakened.
• The metal layer can become very hot, and therefore, during installation, a small air gap between the heater and the surface finishing should be provided. By the way, the same air gap will promote the airing of the aluminum coating, and the absence of moisture on the foil surface will greatly reduce the aggressiveness of corrosion processes and thereby increase the operational life of the material.

The main types of insulation with foil

Now it is worth considering the main types of foil insulation, their characteristics and applications. In private construction, materials are widely used from foam polyethylene, from mineral wool or from expanded polystyrene. There are other materials, for example, basalt fiber-base plates with foil , but this material is expensive, and has a specific purpose - for thermal insulation of process lines, power plants, special industrial facilities and .

Foiled insulation based on foamed polyethylene

This - is one of the most common and easy-to-use types of foil insulation. It is a layer of foamed by special technology of polyethylene, coated with one or two layers of foil with a thickness of 10 ÷ 15 μm.

The thickness of the insulation layer can be different - from 2 to 15 mm. The form of release is usually rolls, but there may be also sheets of standardized size, which is especially characteristic for the thickest( 15 mm) species.

. Three types of material are produced:

• type A - one-way foil ;
• type B - foil is applied on both sides, which is sometimes required to enhance the thermal insulation properties;
• type With - with on one side foil, on the other hand it is covered with a protective film self-adhesive layer, facilitating, if necessary, the process of mounting on the ceiling or on vertical surfaces of .

The type of raw material used can also be different:

• In inexpensive brands, the usual and H PE is used, which undergoes repeated foaming during production with the creation of a closed gas-filled porous structure. The disadvantage of this material is a low resistance to deformation loads, a property of gradual shrinkage.
• The best indicators are a heater based on specially processed, "cross-linked" polyethylene( PPE).The density is somewhat higher, but for the account of the of transverse intermolecular bonds, it not only maintains a mechanical effect, but also seeks to recreate its original form after removing the dynamic load. With the acquiring material, this nuance must be taken into account.

Some types of such insulation can additionally have in their structure a fiberglass reinforcing mesh.

You can find many names of insulation based on foam polyethylene." Penofol ", " Ecofol ", " Isoflex ", " Izolon ", " Jermaflex ", " Folgoisol ", have a well-deserved popularity. Some characteristics of these materials are given in the table:

Material name	Penofol	Isolon	Ecofol	Isoflex
Thumbnail
Heat conductivity coefficient, W / m × ° C	0,049	0.04	0,049	0,035
Density, kg / m³	35	26 ÷ 33	33	35 ÷ 45
Thermal reflectivity	not less than 90%	up to 95 ÷ 97%	not less than 80%	not less than 90%
Operating temperature range	from -60 ° to + 100 ° C	from -80 ° to + 80 °With	from -60 ° to + 90 ° C	from -60 ° to + 80 ° C
Water vapor permeabilityMethods and material, mg / m × h × 0.001 Pa			0.001 0.001 0.001
Product form	Thickness 2, 4, and 5 mm from the foil layer 14 microns rolls 1.2 × 30 m;thickness 8 and 10 mm - rolls 1.2 × 15 m	The width of the web is 1.5 m, the thickness is 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 mm, the length of the roll is 200, 170, 130, 100,80 and 50 m. Individual sheets 15 mm thick, dimensions 1500 × 2000 mm	Rolls 1200 mm wide, thickness of insulation 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10 mm, length 25 and 15 m.	Rolls of 1200 mm width, thickness of insulation 2, 3, 5, 8 or 10 mm, lengths of 25 and 15 m. The thickness of the foil is 10 μm.

Foamed polyethylene foam is widely used in repair and construction works. Sheets or stripes of insulation are fastened to the surface in any convenient way, but in such a way as to prevent a strong disruption of the integrity of the foil( for example, it is permissible to fasten it with the brackets of the structural stapler ).Typically, the linens are laid back to back, which is then glued with foil tape for providing with a single integral reflective and insulating surface.

• Warming of the floor. It is used as an additional or even basic( for example, in multi-storey houses) thermal insulation layer, which can simultaneously play the role of waterproofing .Folds the foil part up before the flooring of the floor finish.

• Thermal insulation and additional noise insulation of walls and ceilings, especially in conditions when the size of the room does not allow the use of thicker types of insulation( a classic example - a narrow balcony or loggia).It is fixed with a foil side towards the room. A gap between the foil and the finish coat is mandatory( lining, panels and , .).Usually fixed on the surface of the slats are the ( rolls ), which become the basis for the cladding.

• Thermal insulation of roof slopes. Can be used alone or in combination with other materials. In any case, the foamed polyethylene foam is fastened last to the attic space, and on top of it, with the gap observed, a casing is mounted.

• Thermal insulation of the bath. The foil layer simultaneously plays the role of as a reliable vapor barrier , protecting the wall material from waterlogging. True, in a steam room where there can be critical high temperatures, the use of the material is not always justified due to the limited temperature range of its operation.

• Thermal reflecting screens behind radiators. Such a non- measure gives the in vain to utilize the heat energy to unnecessarily heat the into the of the outer wall, redirecting the infrared flow back to the room.

It is interesting that this material is widely used for other purposes not related to construction. So, it is great for insulation and noise insulation of car interiors. It is also used for the manufacture of warm insoles for winter footwear.

Video: comparative tests of insulation from foamed foam polyethylene

Mineral wool with foil

The thermal insulation properties of mineral wool are very high in themselves. But the additional foil will only increase the efficiency of insulation. In addition, this material is very hygroscopic, and an additional barrier against penetration of moisture and water vapor will not allow Minvate to get wet and lose its qualities.

Material release form - rolls, pre-compressed or sectional, or individual slabs.

Name insulation	ISOVER Sauna	Rockwool Sauna Butts	Knauf Insulation LMF AluR	PAROC
Miniature
Thermal conductivity, W / m × ° C	0.041	0.036	0.04	0.039
Density, kg / mm³	11	40	36	32
thickness	50 or 100 mm	50 or 100 m	20 or 50 mm	50 or 100 mm
Form	Rolls with a width of 1200 mm, length 12.5 or 6.25 m, with a three-fold compression of the material.	Packs of 10 or 5 slabs of mineral woolen foil plates with dimensions of 1000 × 600 mm	Rolls with a width of 1000 mm, length of 10 or 5 m	Mats 1200 × 600 mm or rolls up to 5 m

Due to the fact that the upper temperature limit for the exploitation of mineral wool exceeds 300 degrees, it is the best suited for warming the surface of walls and ceilings in baths. In principle, this is the main purpose of such a foil insulation, although, of course, there is nothing to prevent it from being used for other purposes, for example, for thermal insulation of the roof.

In any case , plates or mats are located between rails .The step of the guides is initially set by at 10 ÷ 20 m m m is less than the width of the insulation - so it is tight will enter in the niche intended for it. The density of foil is usually such that it is possible to fasten the heater with clamps over the aluminum layer. Joints must be glued with foil tape to observe the effect of hydroparop insulation. Between the heater and the lining of the wall( ceiling) is left 20 ÷ 25 mm air gap.

is issued as mineral wool heater and in the form of collapsible cylinders or semi-cylinders - these products are excellent for thermal insulation pipelines .

The thermal stability of mineral foamed cotton wool allows using with its and for additional thermal insulation of boilers, boilers, storage tanks , other heat engineering devices.

Video: Thermal insulation bathhouses with foil insulation «ISOVER Sauna »

Styrofoam mats with foil

Not so often, but still applies still one kind of foil insulation. Speech comes about plates( mats) of expanded polystyrene with aluminum foil on one side.

Such products can with single mats , or with rolls of several meters, made sectionally, according to the type of tractor track .

The main purpose of such insulating foils is thermal insulation, both and warm floor. The aluminum foil layer reflects the heat flow upwards to warm up the finish coat so that expensive energy is not wasted on the on the grate of massive floor slabs or the rough floor laid on the ground.

To simplify the process of laying the contours of the " warm floor", most models of these mats feature comfortable, clearly visible markings. Fixation of pipes is not particularly difficult - for this you can use special clamps with "harpoon" tips, which reliably will keep the element in the thickness of expanded polystyrene.

mat. It is better to purchase mats made of extruded polystyrene. Its increased density makes the material resistant to quite significant mechanical stresses, which is especially important for the installation of floors.

In conclusion of the review, it is necessary to make one very important observation. All listed advantages of foil insulation will be valid only if the material is of high quality. The fact is that some unscrupulous manufacturers are limited to applying thin alluminized spraying. This is by no means foil , although outwardly the materials may be similar. Thin sprayed layer is not able to properly reflect the heat flow - infrared radiation for the most part will pass through it. And the barrier to penetration of moisture and water vapor such a "decorative" shiny layer will also not.