It’s no secret that the heat loss of a private house is much higher compared to apartments. The air heated by the heating system transfers its heat to the walls, ceiling, floors, which then partially release it into the environment. To save on heating — on bills or on fuel, it is advisable to insulate the building with special materials. There are quite a few on the market.
Professional builders say that there are no good or bad heaters, there are materials that are suitable or not suitable for each specific situation. We decided to help our readers in choosing the best products, and made a rating of the best wall insulation. We tried to cover each position of the review in as much detail as possible so that no one has any questions about the cases in which this material is used, how environmentally friendly it is, what composition it has. However, before starting to analyze heaters, I would like to give a number of useful tips regarding their correct choice.
How to choose the right insulation for the walls?
One of the fundamental factors is thermal conductivity — this indicator indicates the amount of heat that can seep through the thickness of the material. The lower the value, the better it will be possible to protect the building from freezing in the winter, respectively, the heating costs will be much lower. Another key point is the vapor permeability of the insulation. This implies the ability of the material to pass vapor particles through itself, without detaining them either in its structure or in the room itself. If the vapor permeability is low, then excess moisture will remain in the walls, which will ultimately lead to the appearance of mold, fungus and other unpleasant moments, which are not so easy to get rid of.
Over time, some materials can shrink, losing shape or volume simply under their own weight. To prevent this from happening, you will have to provide more frequent fixation points during the installation process. At the same time, there are materials on sale that can only be installed in a horizontal position, for example, during floor or ceiling insulation.
The mass and density of the insulation is also important, because the insulating qualities directly depend on these parameters. The density value usually ranges from 11 to 220 kg/m3. The higher the indicator, the better, however, with an increase in density, the mass of the material also increases — it is necessary that the supporting structures withstand the additional weight.
It is possible that during operation the insulation will be exposed to direct moisture. If there is no certainty that this will not happen, you need to purchase products with minimal hygroscopicity — it does not allow moisture to pass through itself, it does not deform under its influence. Depending on climatic conditions, a range of operating temperatures is also selected, which can range from -180 to +1000 degrees. Of course, you should also pay attention to the service life of the material — for some it is about 20 years, while for others it can reach 70 years. If you plan to insulate the room from the inside, then it is advisable to check that the products do not emit harmful or toxic substances into the environment that can adversely affect human health.
When we chose products to include in our ranking of the best wall insulation, we took into account all the factors considered. In addition, user reviews (including experienced professional builders) were taken into account, as well as value for money.
Top 10 best home insulation
10. TeploKnauf NORD
This type of thermal insulation materials is very simple not only during installation, but also does not require additional care during operation. It is produced by a world-famous company that has been specializing in the manufacture of high-quality products for building construction and interior decoration for many years. Insulation is used both by professional builders who pay special attention to quality at every stage of the work performed, but also by homeowners who seek to give preference to the best materials. With the help of such a heater, it is possible to reduce heating costs by about 30-40% even in the most severe winter. The material is durable, well withstands temperature and other physical stress, well suited for work in conditions with extremely low temperatures. Produced using a unique technology in one layer (mono layer), which allows you to maintain the integrity of the plate even under strong impacts. The technique of the most elastic Fine Fiber fiber is also involved here.
The product contains about a third more fibers compared to other heaters. It retains heat well with a slight thickness of the mat, is characterized by increased hardness. The product is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use — it does not emit harmful substances at all. The material has increased hardness and elasticity. It retains its useful qualities for 50 years, it is absolutely moisture resistant. Such a heater can be sheathed on any base — roofing, frame walls, internal partitions, ceilings.
Advantages:
- Convenient during installation;
- Acceptable cost;
- Long service life;
- Does not irritate the skin of the hands — you can work without gloves;
- Versatile at work.
Flaws:
- Mice can get in it.
HeatKnauf NORD
9. Rockwool Light Butts Extra
It is made on the basis of natural rock — basalt. Absolutely environmentally friendly insulation, which is a multifunctional solution for work in individual housing construction. Well suited for load-bearing and self-supporting structures, as well as for non-load-bearing partitions. In particular, they can insulate three-layer walls, in which the decoration is carried out using small-format materials. It is allowed to insulate surfaces both outside and inside the room, floors, ceilings. Products are characterized by increased strength, resistance to temperature effects, high thermal insulation effect. Installation is not associated with complex work on preparing the base and installing insulation, so even a novice builder can perform it.
The material feels good both in a vertical and horizontal position — the maximum height of the plates stacked on top of each other can reach 6 meters, and they are allowed to insulate even inclined structures, for example, a roof. Does not shrink, retains rigidity throughout the entire service life. Differs in the increased vapor permeability — in rooms excess moisture will not accumulate. Also, the insulation does not create an additional load on the walls.
Advantages:
- Does not burn;
- Differs in insignificant weight;
- During operation it is not subject to deformation;
- Long service life;
- Versatile in use;
- It has high vapor permeability and improved sound insulation characteristics.
Flaws:
- Quite expensive.
Rockwool Light Butts Extra
8. ISOVER Warm House Stove
This material is based on very thin fibers, which are obtained by melting mineral raw materials at a very high temperature. The product is produced in the form of plates, which can be easily cut and sawn. The insulation does not conduct heat well through itself, but water vapor escapes through it almost instantly — you don’t have to worry about the formation of mold. It can also be used as thermal insulation. This characteristic is provided due to the special structure of the material, because the air gap between the fibers dampens not only sound, but also vibration vibrations. The products are non-combustible, so it is absolutely safe to use, which allows it to be used for finishing frame, wooden and block houses. The mass of plates is insignificant, the service life is at least 50 years. In the manufacturing process, insulation is treated with special water repellents that provide high water-repellent qualities.
It is undesirable to use this product for interior decoration, as it is produced with the addition of phenol-formaldehyde resins, which are used as a binder for fibers. Over time, they begin to emit harmful fumes into the environment, which can harm human health.
Advantages:
- In addition to high-quality thermal insulation, it has high soundproofing and water-repellent characteristics;
- Long service life — from 50 years and more;
- Low price;
- Small amount of material.
Flaws:
- Not recommended for residential use.
ISOVER Warm House Stove
7. PENOPLEX Comfort
It is used in professional and individual construction quite often. It has excellent technical parameters. In fact, the material is extruded polystyrene foam. High quality is provided largely due to the cellular structure of products. The size of the cells is in the range from 0.1 to 0.2 mm. They are located in the structure as evenly as possible, which positively affects the strength of the material itself and allows you to provide not only heat-insulating, but also sound-proofing characteristics. It is worth noting that the cells are not isolated, but connected to each other. Through such passages, water vapor escapes without lingering in the room. The sheets have edges made in the form of the letter «L», which allows not only to greatly facilitate the installation process, but also to reduce heat loss. As a rule, islands of cold appear at the joints of plates; this does not happen when working with such material.
This is one of the lightest materials in our review — its density is a maximum of 35 kg / m3. The insulation does not absorb moisture, retains its original shape even with significant physical exertion — its compressive strength is 0.2 MPa. The thickness of the plates is in the range from 2 to 12 cm. They are allowed to be used for interior decoration, since they do not emit toxic substances. The plates have shown themselves well when insulating the roof, in addition, they have an extended temperature range from -50 to +75 degrees. In their structure, fungus or mold does not occur. The strength of the insulation is much higher compared to the foam, in addition, it does not crumble. Due to the grooves, endurance in relation to physical influences increases.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive material;
- Has extended functionality;
- Absolutely harmless to humans;
- Easily withstands any physical activity;
- Easy to install;
- You can work without the use of protective equipment.
Flaws:
- Some users say that ants quickly start up in it.
PENOPLEX Comfort
6. TechnoNIKOL Rocklight
This type of insulation is non-combustible plates made from thin filaments of rocks, the thickness of the material can be 50 or 100 mm. It is allowed to be used for additional sound insulation of residential, industrial and office premises, that is, places where a person spends quite a lot of time. Insulation is very easy to install, so it is often used not only at construction sites of large facilities, but also in the construction of residential buildings. Mineral wool board is made from rocks, has an extremely low thermal conductivity — according to this indicator, it is almost on par with the most expensive materials available on the market today. This product does not allow combustion processes to spread, it itself can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees. The shape and size of the insulation retains throughout the entire period of operation.
With its help, absorption of up to 97% of sound waves is ensured, while it does not absorb moisture into itself, however, a special vapor barrier will need to be laid on top of the material. The product does not rot or decompose during use, neither insects nor rodents live in it. Mold and fungus will also not develop in this product.
Advantages:
- The service life of the insulation is about 50-60 years;
- Pathogenic microorganisms do not start in it, insects and rodents do not live;
- A high level of vapor barrier can provide excellent ventilation for the wooden walls of the house.
Flaws:
- It is necessary to work in protective gloves, and when cutting, wear a respirator.
TechnoNIKOL Rocklight
5. Ecoplanet Linen Insulation
It is made exclusively on the basis of natural materials, which give this product unique performance. The products are produced in the form of flexible boards, designed primarily for internal thermal insulation of roofs, attics, walls, floors, ceilings, attic floors, partitions, and so on. Thermal insulation material is excellent for private construction, but it is often used for civil and industrial buildings. Linen products allow you to create the most comfortable microclimate in the room, which is very important in frame buildings, where insulation is the main building material. The product is absolutely environmentally friendly, no foreign odors are felt in the room, no harmful substances are emitted either. The wooden structure receives high-quality protection against fungus, mold.
Excellent thermal insulation performance is largely due to the low coefficient of thermal conductivity and increased heat capacity of the material. It is worth noting that the products also have bactericidal characteristics, so it additionally purifies the air in the room. Despite the fact that the insulation is made exclusively from natural materials, it is absolutely not subject to decay, it passes moisture well through itself, without absorbing it. The service life is very long — about 70 years, the final load on the supporting structures is small. Installation is simple, does not require special skills and takes a minimum of time.
Advantages:
- Well suited for interior decoration;
- Does not absorb moisture;
- Differs in long service life;
- It has high soundproofing characteristics.
Flaws:
- Relatively expensive;
- Not found in every hardware store.
Ecoplanet Linen Insulation
4 Steico Flex
It has another name Woodflex, it is an environmentally friendly insulating material that is produced on the basis of natural wood fibers. It can be used to fill elements of roofs, ceilings and walls in frame construction, suitable for thermal insulation of technical rooms and utilities. The products are quite elastic, so it is comfortable to finish even quite complex shapes. In use, the insulation is absolutely safe, you can not be afraid of the release of chemical compounds into the air of the room, and it is also not capable of causing an allergic reaction. Such plates are easy to install, since during operation a large amount of debris is not formed. Thermal insulation characteristics are very high due to the fact that in the manufacture of boards, wood retains all its basic natural qualities. Each fiber of the material has the ability to absorb and accumulate heat in itself. With this feature, a comfortable atmosphere will be created in the house, and daily temperature fluctuations will be minimized, which is most important on hot summer days.
Moisture can accumulate in the material, but at the same time its useful qualities will remain at the same level. Even if one cubic meter of insulation contains about 10 liters of water, it will still be able to maintain its original shape without a hint of deformation. The unique structure also provides sufficiently high soundproofing characteristics.
Advantages:
- Easy to mount on any surfaces;
- Can be used as a filler in frame construction;
- Long service life;
- Excellent soundproof performance.
Flaws:
- The ability to absorb moisture.
Steico Flex
3. Isobox cooker
This insulation was launched on the market back in 2007 — it is manufactured by a fairly well-known domestic company «TechnoNIKOL», founded in 1992 and specializing in the production of finishing and building materials. When creating products, the latest scientific developments, as well as the most modern technologies, were used. Largely due to this, the insulation fully complies not only with Russian, but also with international standards. The basis here is mineral wool, which is an absolutely environmentally friendly material. With its help, you can significantly reduce heat loss, keeping the heat inside the room. This product interacts calmly with various chemicals found in masonry materials. It does not react with plaster and other mortars, gypsum, dry mixes.
Thermal conductivity is practically zero, however, it is necessary to lay the insulation in such a way that it does not come into contact with water. Otherwise, it begins to lose its useful characteristics. However, mineral wool easily tolerates mechanical and physical influences, it can be laid even in rooms with an aggressive environment. Despite the fact that the material is afraid of water, it easily passes water vapor through itself.
Advantages:
- Environmentally friendly composition;
- Convenient to use;
- The minimum level of thermal conductivity;
- Low cost.
Flaws:
- It is necessary to work with such a heater strictly in protective gloves, otherwise skin irritation is guaranteed;
- Afraid of exposure to moisture.
Isobox cooker
2. Shelter EcoStroy Premium
Heat and sound insulating material made on the basis of polyester fibers. In the course of production of production elements harmful to health and gluing substances are not added. The technology of thermal fastening of fibers is adopted as a basis, that is, they are connected to each other under the influence of only high temperature. Insulation can be used not only for walls, but also for other purposes — for example, for working with communications and engineering networks. Designed for professional and home use. During installation, it does not emit dust and does not irritate the skin and mucous membranes — it is allowed not to use personal protective equipment. In the process of work, there are no shreds that could not be used in the future, which allows you to seriously save on working with such material. The insulation itself has no smell at all, it is not the cause of allergic reactions.
The main difference from other materials is an unlimited service life. It can be dismantled from one place and installed somewhere else. Practically does not absorb water, always remains dry. Helps extend the life of wood, as moisture will not act on it. Thanks to the original technology, thermal insulation is unsuitable for the emergence of fungal microorganisms, mold and other bacteria, although it consists entirely of organic fibers. According to users, it is an excellent barrier that prevents rodents from entering the house.
Advantages:
- Quality material that can be used for various purposes;
- It is made on a natural basis, does not cause allergies;
- Insensitive to water, fungi, mold.
Flaws:
- Fairly expensive;
- Does not withstand high temperatures.
Shelter EcoStroy Premium
1. Isomine
Basalt rock is used as the main raw material for this product, which is first crushed and then melted into fibers. They are fastened together with a binder based on synthetic materials, then the insulation is molded into plates or rolls. The organic content here is low — about 4-5%. As a result, a fibrous structure is formed, where the main part is air. It is with its help that it is possible to minimize heat loss, create an obstacle to the passage of sound waves. The material is resistant to acids, alkalis, other active chemical compounds, excellent resistance to thermal effects. The products are absolutely environmentally friendly, as evidenced by the relevant certificates, it also has hypoallergenic properties.
The insulation is able to withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees, while maintaining its structure and performance, so they often process the passages of exhaust pipes through wooden floors, the roof. It is allowed to use for thermal insulation of pipelines with hot water, boiler rooms. A high degree of vapor permeability prevents the formation of condensate and wetting of the insulated base. Products perfectly resist mechanical stress. The average service life is about 50 years.
Advantages:
- Acceptable cost of the material;
- Sufficiently high density and strength, despite the small mass;
- Superior quality;
- Holds heat and sound waves well;
- Does not allow condensation to form;
- No smell;
- Made from environmentally friendly materials.
Flaws:
- Not very convenient packaging.
Izomin
In conclusion, a useful video
Summing up our review of the best wall insulation, I would like to say that we considered mainly universal products that will suit almost all of our readers. In any case, if you still have any questions or ambiguities — write to us about it in the comments, we will try to immediately dispel your doubts.