The best floor insulation

For a comfortable stay in the house during the cool season, it is important that it is warm. But it should not only be generated, but also remain indoors. And for this, insulation of the floor is necessary, through which a lot of losses occur. This applies to both wood and concrete surfaces. The rating presents the best floor insulation of both types, as well as for the organization of the "warm floor" system.

Rating of floor insulation

The formation of the TOP by the expertpro.techinfus.com/en/ team was carried out by excluding from the list of nominees, which included 30 positions, the least safe, convenient, durable and cheap heat insulators.

The rating was based on the following characteristics:

• Floor type - wooden, concrete, warm;
• Material type - polymer, mineral, wood-shaving;
• A kind of insulation - cotton wool, polystyrene, etc .;
• Release form - sheets or rolls;
• Heat insulator thickness and dimensions;
• Density of sheets or rolls;
• Heat and sound insulation degree;
• Water absorption level;
• Covered area;
• Water vapor permeability;
• Insulation structure;
• Operating temperature;
• Flammability and fire safety group;
• Resistant to rodents and decay;
• Composition and absence of hazardous substances in it;
• Amount in a package.

The analysis results are presented taking into account the ratio of cost and quality of heat insulators, their prevalence in stores.

The best floor paints

The best insulation for a wooden floor

Thermal insulation of a wooden floor is carried out from below, under the main boards, which are subsequently finished with the main coating. This reduces the risk of swelling of the top layer. Penoplex, stone wool, etc. are used for such surfaces. Before understanding which insulation is better for the floor of a wooden house, 10 nominees were analyzed taking into account their safety, ease of installation and durability.

Penoplex Comfort 118.5 х 58.5 cm 50 mm

Thermal insulating material of a new generation, used for finishing not only the floor, but also walls, roofs and foundations. Extruded polystyrene foam is suitable for both external and internal use. It comes in the form of 118.5 x 58.5 cm slabs, which makes installation quick and easy. The model can be used without consequences in a wide temperature range - from -50 to + 75 ° C.

Penoplex has a good density - 25 kg / m³, so it reliably retains heat and at the same time has some sound insulation properties. In this regard, it is also relevant for finishing interfloor ceilings in the house. Due to water absorption at the level of 0.4%, the accumulation of liquid inside and the appearance of unpleasant odors is excluded, but you should not completely ignore the vapor barrier. The insulation is strong in compression and can withstand high mechanical loads.

Advantages:

• The area covered with one sheet is 0.7 m²;
• Good waterproofing;
• Ease of installation;
• Long service life (up to 40 years);
• Low thermal conductivity - 0.033 W / (m⋅K).

Disadvantages:

• Sometimes attacked by rodents.

The sheets are produced with a thickness of 5 cm with a density of 25 kg / m³, which is enough for a wooden (frame or log) house, including an attic. At the same time, they do not take up space and are relevant with a low ceiling height.

TechnoNicol Rocklight 1200 x 600 x 50 mm

When trying to decide what kind of insulation to put on the floor, it should be noted that stone wool is supplied in slabs, which makes it easier to install. This material is non-combustible and can withstand temperatures up to 870ºC. It possesses, along with heat-insulating, sound-absorbing properties due to its dense structure - 35 kg / m³. This parameter is suitable for installation between logs under laminate, parquet, linoleum, solid wood.

TechnoNIKOL Rocklight has low heat loss - 0.041 W / (m⋅K), which reduces the cost of heating the house. The insulation is resistant to compression, allowing it to be used in areas with high traffic. It practically does not absorb moisture - its absorption coefficient does not exceed 2%. Thanks to this, the material can be used when arranging the floor on the lower floors, including above the basement.

Advantages:

• Immunity to decay;
• Not affected by mold;
• The optimal leaf area is 0.72 m²;
• 8 sheets per pack.

Disadvantages:

• Weighs 10.28 kg.

Stone wool does not lose its performance in a wide temperature range: from -180 to +700 degrees. Due to this, it can be used for thermal insulation in rooms with high fire safety requirements.

Isolon 500 3020 AV / AH 1m 20 mm

A versatile material used in construction for steam, sound and heat insulation. The insulation is produced in the form of a 1 m wide slab. It covers an area of ​​2 square meters. m, which allows quick installation. Its density of 33 kg / m³ makes it possible to heat-insulate a room with a concrete floor, including under the screed. Izolon is also relevant for finishing above the basement.

Isolon 500 3020 AV / AH has a low thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.036 W / (m⋅K), which reduces the need for additional heating. The use of a slab significantly reduces the thickness of the "pie" of the interfloor overlap and eliminates excessive pressure on the load-bearing parts of the building. It is a fireproof material that does not support combustion. Good steam and moisture resistance makes it possible to lay the material in Finnish saunas, rooms with a pool, in baths.

Advantages:

• Eliminates floor leakage;
• Reflects heat;
• Protected from UV rays;
• 15 sheets per pack;
• Suitable for outdoor use.

Disadvantages:

• Not found.

Heaters for concrete floor

Heat insulators are used for laying both under the screed and on top of concrete. For these purposes, slab and roll mineral and ecowool, polystyrene and polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam are suitable. Having considered 10 options, experts at expertpro.techinfus.com/en/ have selected 3 heaters for concrete floors, excluding the least safe, easy-to-install and affordable ones.

Polyfoam PSB S-15 1000 x 2000 x 100 mm

Polyfoam PSB S-15 has been widely used in the insulation of residential premises. It consists of 98% air and 2% foam. Thanks to this distribution of components, it also has good sound insulation properties. The dimensions of the sheets are considerable - 1 x 2 m, but if necessary, the insulation is cut easily and practically without waste.

This material is not subject to deformation due to a compressive strength of 0.04 MPa. Due to its resistance to water, which absorbs no more than 4% per day, it can be used in any area: dry, normal, wet. The insulation does not lose its characteristics at temperatures ranging from -60 to + 80 ℃. The thickness of the sheets of 10 cm is irrelevant except for rooms with low ceilings.

Advantages:

• Water vapor permeability - 0.05mg / (m.h.Pa);
• Density - 8 kg / cubic meter;
• Non-porous structure;
• It can be used in different climatic regions;
• Fire safety.

Disadvantages:

• Due to the large size, the sheets often have to be cut.

According to reviews, the insulating material is resistant to mechanical stress and does not sag under human weight.

Chipboard QuickDeck grooved moisture resistant Plus 1200 x 900 x 16 mm

The material is included in the rating due to its availability and ease of installation due to the presence of grooves on both sides.It is resistant to moisture, therefore it is used for floor insulation in bathrooms and saunas. Its main advantage over alternative options is environmental friendliness, because deciduous and coniferous species are used for the manufacture of sheets.

This insulation for the floor is characterized by better sound insulation and has a low thermal conductivity, maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room, despite its small thickness (1.6 cm). This can be explained by the high density of sheets - 550-820 kg / m3. It is completely safe for humans, since it burns weakly and releases no more than 10 mg of formaldehyde per 100 g.

Advantages:

• Convenient dimensions - 1200 x 900 cm;
• Lack of unpleasant odor;
• Suitable for decorating walls and ceilings;
• Relevant for outdoor work;
• Cutting leaves a minimum of waste.

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for screed applications.

The reviews note that when laying chipboard under a finishing floor covering on logs, the distance between them should be no more than 30-40 cm.

Black cork agglomerate 50 mm Amorim

The material is used for heat and sound insulation of residential and non-residential premises. It is made by pressing small particles of wood, which are glued together under the influence of natural resins. Cork agglomerate does not contain synthetic additives, which eliminates the risk of emission of harmful substances. It is distinguished by its hypoallergenicity and non-susceptibility to attacks by rodents and insects.

Technical agglomerate made of cork is sold in 5 cm thick sheets, due to which it practically does not steal space. 6 pcs are sold in one package. with a total weight of 17.2 kg, so it is convenient to stack the material. It is actively used as a heat and sound insulator when installing a "warm floor".

Advantages:

• Does not spread fire;
• Compressive strength;
• Low thermal conductivity;
• After swelling, it dries up and does not lose its shape.

Disadvantages:

• Transmits vibration waves;
• High price.

Heaters for underfloor heating

To organize a warm floor, foam insulation and foil polyethylene foam fiber in rolls are placed under it. The rating presents one thermal insulation material, selected taking into account customer reviews and expert opinions.

Thermo

Insulating material "Thermo" is designed to create warm floors in order to reduce heat loss. It consists of several layers - foamed polyethylene and a foil-based coating (on one side). Thanks to this, moisture does not penetrate inside and a reliable waterproofing is provided. The heat insulator is supplied in rolls 5 mm thick and 1 m wide.

Insulation "Thermo" is characterized by resistance to decay and aging. It is distinguished by safety, since it burns weakly and, when ignited, extinguishes on its own. At the same time, no harmful toxic substances are released. Subject to the installation rules, the material is similar in properties to mineral analogues with a thickness of 7 cm.

Advantages:

• Moisture resistance;
• Good soundproofing;
• Easy to cut;
• Sold in rolls ranging from 1 to 5 sq. m.

Disadvantages:

• Thin.

Thermo material is mainly suitable as an additional insulating layer when installing underfloor heating. It makes little sense to use it in its pure form for thermal insulation of concrete and wood.

How to choose floor insulation

When choosing a heat-insulating material, it is recommended to take into account the type of floor (concrete or wooden), type (there are more than 10 of them), climatic conditions in the region and ease of installation. The better to insulate the fields in the house, the warmer it will be.

View

The most popular - mineral floor insulation - stone and slag wool, fiberglass. Their plus is cheapness, minus is the release, albeit in small quantities, of chemicals. Mineral options are relevant in rooms where there is no large accumulation of moisture and in rooms with low ceilings.

The second type of floor insulation is wood-based: chipboard and fiberboard.Compressed wood waste is used for their manufacture. The advantages of this insulation are good heat and sound insulation properties, high strength, the disadvantage is the content of harmful resins. It is relevant for installation on a dry, clean concrete surface.

The last type of heat-insulating materials is polymers. We are talking about polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam. They are chosen because of their affordable cost and ease of installation, and they are not liked because of their fire hazard. This option is suitable for screed mounting.

The form

Floor insulation is sold in the form of a roll and plate. It is definitely easier to work with solid forms. They fit faster, but they also leave more waste. It is recommended to choose them for insulation, including vertical and inclined surfaces. If necessary, this material is easier to cut. Rolled insulation is cheaper.

Thickness

If the insulation of a water floor, concrete or wood, is laid in a thin layer, then even at high density it will not be able to provide sufficient thermal insulation. On the other hand, too thick material will steal height from the room. This is only justified in living rooms on the ground floor, located above the basement, as well as in houses on pile foundations and in attics. If it is thinner, then it can be used for finishing interfloor ceilings, serving mainly as a sound insulator.

When insulating wooden floors in a private house or in the country, the material should not be less than 200 mm, and in apartment buildings - 100 mm. The concrete surface is finished with at least 50-100 mm sheets or rolls. Regardless of climatic conditions and type of material, the minimum recommended thickness for all types of floors is 50 mm.

The best insulation for walls

Which floor insulation is better

Any insulation must be environmentally friendly, fireproof, durable, easy to install and provide good thermal insulation. In buildings with high traffic, materials that are resistant to mechanical stress should be placed: stone wool or fiberglass. In rooms with high humidity, it is necessary to lay options that are resistant to water, for example, expanded polystyrene, which is also relevant in unheated buildings.

As a result, you can dwell on the following options, taking into account the type of floor, type of material and a number of other nuances:

• If you need a material with a density of 25 kg / m³, for example, for interfloor floors, Penoplex Comfort, sold in sizes 118.5 x 58.5 cm, is suitable.
• For installation between lags under laminate and other wooden coatings, it will not be a mistake to choose TechnoNicol Rocklight.
• In wet rooms for arranging a concrete floor, Polyfoam PSB S-15 has proven itself well.
• In bathrooms and above basements, QuickDeck grooved and moisture resistant chipboard can be used.
• In non-residential, including unheated premises, the Black cork agglomerate 50 mm Amorim is relevant.
• Foiled polyethylene foam fiber is actively used in underfloor heating systems.
• Isolon 500 3020 AV / AH with low thermal conductivity can be recommended as insulation for the floor under the screed.

Floor insulation will be effective only when choosing a material, taking into account its thermal conductivity and the condition of the coating.