The best polyurethane foams
The range of application of polyurethane foam is quite wide: it is used to fill seams, voids during construction or repair. You can also glue foam plates or laminate on it. Creative people embody real masterpieces from this product. An overview of this segment of the building materials market allows us to identify the best polyurethane foams that have heat and sound insulation qualities, are hermetically sealed and resistant to temperature changes.
Content
How to choose polyurethane foam
The choice of polyurethane foam depends primarily on the conditions in which it will be sprayed and used. For domestic use, a universal option is suitable. For fire hazardous premises, all materials used, including insulating materials, must be fire resistant. And to install the frame in the cold, you need to decide which winter foam for windows is best, and check the range of its operating temperatures.
When reviewing the proposals of construction stores, the characteristics of the finished mass, user reviews, and the opinions of professionals were studied. When comparing materials and adding them to the TOP of the best, the following criteria were taken into account:
- Performance and output volume;
- Ease of application;
- Operating temperature range;
- The quality of heat and sound insulation properties;
- Secondary expansion rate;
- Uniformity and density of texture;
- Value for money;
- Possibility to buy in popular stores;
- Buyability level.
It is also important for the home user to have an applicator, while professionals will find it more important to use a can with a gun.
The best universal polyurethane foams
At home, in most cases, universal polyurethane foam is used, which can be applied to the surface both indoors and outdoors. To add products to the TOP, more than a dozen proposals were studied and 4 best representatives of this segment were identified.
Macroflex
Macroflex from the Estonian manufacturer Henkel is one of the best all-season polyurethane foam with a one-component composition. It combines a reasonable price and good product properties, thanks to which it is loved by professional builders. The output is up to 65 liters of material. The curing period is 24 hours, during which time the mass turns into a strong aggregate that is resistant to mechanical damage.
The balloon is equipped with a temperature indicator showing whether the material can be applied under the given conditions or not. In addition to the standard 750 ml cylinder, the manufacturer offers 300 or 500 ml options for filling small local cracks. Macroflex is on sale complete with an applicator tube.
Advantages
- Simple application;
- Bonding to most surfaces;
- Fills the cavity evenly;
- Non-toxic;
- Good insulating properties.
disadvantages
- Afraid of the sun's rays;
- The entire container must be used immediately.
The final output volume of the material depends on the conditions and technique of its application. Low humidity will not allow it to fully expand, and an incorrect position of the cylinder reduces its throughput.
TechnoNIKOL No. 800 Master
Reviews of TechnoNIKOL polyurethane foam are mostly positive. It was developed by a Russian manufacturer for domestic use in various weather conditions. The withstand temperature range is wide - from -10 to +35 degrees.The material is sold in 800 ml cylinders, the output of which reaches 60 liters of finished insulating material. The tack-off time is only 15 minutes, and the full polymerization time is 24 hours. The mass hardens under the influence of moisture.
Advantages
- High penetrating power;
- Even distribution without jerking;
- Dense homogeneous texture after drying;
- Manufacturer's reputation.
disadvantages
- It may bubble at low temperatures.
You need to store the balloon exclusively vertically, otherwise the composition loses some of its properties.
Titanium O2
The best universal polyurethane foam for a gun from those presented in this rating. One-component formula expands well when applied to surfaces. It is intended for professional use. High performance (65 liters from a 750 ml bottle) is achieved thanks to an innovative formula.
The composition has a high level of adhesion to concrete, brick, glass, gypsum, wood surfaces. The foam is free of CFC and HCFC, making it environmentally friendly.
Advantages
- Economical consumption;
- Low secondary expansion;
- Has no pungent smell;
- High degree of sound and thermal insulation.
disadvantages
- The price is above average.
Titanium O2 is loved by professional builders because it speeds up the work process. Due to express drying, it can be cut off within 25 minutes after application.
Soudal
Professional polyurethane foam that can be purchased at most hardware stores. It is characterized by low expansion and is suitable for thin joints where accurate application is particularly important.
Soudal adheres well not only to brick or concrete, but also to metal or glazed surfaces. The tip is included, so the cylinder can be used not only with a construction gun.
Advantages
- Dimensional stability;
- Uniform texture;
- Ease of application;
- Complete protective gloves.
disadvantages
- Is not washed off.
Users note in reviews that they come across defective cylinders with a poorly working valve.
The best fire resistant polyurethane foams
Fire-resistant qualities are especially important when applied in rooms with high temperature conditions: baths, factories, restaurants, nightclubs and other entertainment establishments. Flame retardants are added to their composition, giving non-combustible properties to the entire composition. After analyzing this market segment, 3 leaders were identified that professionals prefer to buy.
Nullifire
Renowned manufacturer of excellent quality fire retardant coatings. Branded fire-resistant polyurethane foam is capable of holding back fire in the assembly joint for up to 4 hours, prevents the spread of smoke and toxic gases. The quality of the product is confirmed by a safety certificate.
The mass is sold in cylinders of 880 ml, from which 45 liters of finished insulating material are obtained. The universal valve will fit a sprayer or gun. The material can be applied at temperatures from +5 to +35 degrees. The aggregate can withstand the full load, including the movement of the joints, after 24 hours.
Advantages
- Promotes good sound insulation;
- Suitable for most building surfaces;
- Loses stickiness within 10 minutes after application;
- The operating temperature limit reaches +130 degrees.
disadvantages
- Destroyed by UV rays;
- The price is above average.
For maximum effectiveness, the foam is recommended to be used together with the manufacturer's sealants.
Rush Firestop Flex 65
Professional installation material with fireproof qualities that can be bought at an affordable cost. It ideally fills joints of any thickness, has a low level of expansion during hardening and expansion of the material. The aerosol form gives a uniform mass release throughout the use of the entire container.
Up to 65 liters of insulating compound can be obtained from a 1 liter cylinder using a pistol, which makes consumption extremely economical.And the initial processing is possible after 35 minutes. The formula of the composition refers to all-season.
Advantages
- Moisture resistance;
- Operating temperature - from -50 to +90 degrees;
- Affordable price;
- Good adhesion to various materials.
disadvantages
- Bubbles when applying a layer thicker than 5 cm;
- Short shelf life (9 months).
For maximum performance, the cylinder should be kept strictly upright and shaken from time to time. In this case, the output of a homogeneous dense material is obtained. In cold weather, the yield will be slightly less than in warm weather.
Remontix PRO 65
Good foam for a gun, corresponding to the flammability class G1 and GOST. It can resist heating for 4 hours, and is suitable for use in rooms with increased fire safety requirements.
An 850 ml can gives up to 65 liters of finished mass. An applicator for application is included for convenient single use at home. When spraying, the mass spreads evenly and expands well, making it suitable for filling large voids.
Advantages
- High-quality result in any weather;
- It is well cleaned with flushing fluid;
- Durability;
- Hardens quickly.
disadvantages
- High price.
The material has problems with adhesion to polymer coatings. They must be thoroughly cleaned before application and the air must not be too dry.
The best winter polyurethane foams
Winter foams are designed for sealing joints at low temperatures, which is important for outdoor construction work in cold weather. In terms of adhesion and insulation properties, they are not inferior to summer materials. We analyzed 10 winter aggregates sold in home improvement stores and selected 3 of the best.
Penosil Gold Gun 65 Winter
The best polyurethane foam for winter. Its consumption is economical: from a cylinder with a volume of 875 ml, 65 liters of the finished mass are obtained. Product spray temperature - from -18 to +30 degrees. Neither in the cold nor in the heat, it does not spread when applied.
The composition has strong adhesion to almost any surface. It is not necessary to wet the material, since Penosil Gold Gun hardens well at any humidity. All material comes out of the container, leaving nothing in the package.
Advantages
- Fast hardening;
- Moderate secondary expansion (15%);
- Uniform structure;
- Eco-friendly composition;
- Low cost.
disadvantages
- I need a gun.
When applying the mass in the cold, it must be borne in mind that the balloon itself must be warm.
Irfix STD Winter
Inexpensive winter polyurethane foam with application temperatures from -10 to +30. It adheres to all common building materials. From a 750 ml bottle, 60 liters of finished aggregate are obtained. Complete solidification of the mass occurs in just 6-16 hours, depending on weather conditions. After which it becomes resistant to mechanical damage and temperature changes.
Advantages
- Complete applicator;
- Aging resistance;
- Uniform expansion;
- Low price;
- Easy to paint.
disadvantages
- Afraid of the sun's rays.
Before use at subzero temperatures, the container must be kept for 12 hours at a temperature of + 20-25 degrees. It is recommended to apply the mass from the bottom up, filling it with no more than 40% of the seam.
Makroflex winter Pro
The most popular option for winter. It can be applied to almost any surface at temperatures down to -10 degrees. As it expands, the mass exerts low pressure on the surrounding structure, allowing it to work with fragile materials such as drywall. The mass is sold in 750 ml cylinders with an output of up to 65 liters.
Advantages
- Extended shelf life;
- Manufacturer's reputation;
- Dries quickly;
- Suitable for filling large spaces;
- Excellent insulating properties.
disadvantages
- High price.
There is no application tube included, the balloon is only intended for use with a construction gun.
Which polyurethane foam is better to buy
To decide which polyurethane foam is best, you need to understand on which surface and under what conditions it will be applied. When working with fragile structures, you need to pay attention to the level of secondary expansion, and when spraying in frost, you need to make sure that the material has a wide operating temperature range.
Among the universal joint fillers, the leaders are:
- Macroflex is the best all-season foam at an affordable price. A complete applicator tube, a large selection of balloon volumes and good mass properties make it popular among builders and non-professionals who make repairs on their own;
- TechnoNIKOL №800 Master is the cheapest option from those presented in the rating. It is good at various temperature conditions and is not inferior in quality to more expensive analogues;
- Titanium O2 is a high performance foam gun. From a 750 ml cylinder, 65 liters of finished mass is obtained;
- Soudal is the best filler for thin joints or where a gentle application is required.
For commercial facilities, use refractory materials. Polyurethane foam is no exception. Among fire-resistant aggregates, the best are:
- Nullifire - an insulating core that restrains the spread of smoke and fire for 4 hours at the junction;
- Rush Firestop Flex 65 is suitable for filling joints of any size, differs from other fire-resistant options for its low price;
- Remontix PRO 65 is the best option for a gun for professional use in rooms with high fire safety requirements.
The TOP of polyurethane foams for winter includes:
- Penosil Gold Gun 65 - material with the lowest spraying temperature down to -18 degrees without loss of mass quality;
- Irfix STD is the fastest solidifying mass. Complete hardening occurs in just 6-16 hours;
- Makroflex Winter Pro is the best option for working at low temperatures. High performance, uniform application and expansion speaks in favor of buying it.
Having studied the TOP-10, each builder or layman will understand the advantages and disadvantages of insulation materials from different manufacturers and will be able to choose the option that suits them best among universal, fireproof or winter mounting foams.
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