Warming a balcony or loggia is not a matter of first urgency, and some owners often postpone it for later, relying on the fact that the thermal insulation is fully provided with high-quality glazing. And, despite the fact that the glazed balcony really performs a soundproof, windproof and heat-insulating function, without additional insulation it is not able to provide optimal thermal characteristics for a comfortable stay on the balcony.
Today's range of heaters provides an opportunity to choose material of any price category and quality, of which penofol is perhaps one of the most inexpensive and convenient to use, which makes it possible to insulate the loggia with penofol with your own hands.
Penofol - the latest generation of heaters
- Penofol can rightfully be considered the newest and most modern development in the field of insulating materials. The whole essence of penofol lies in the ideal combination of foamed polyethylene and aluminum. In addition to the function of insulation, this material perfectly provides comprehensive protection for the balcony.
- Foamed plastic has low thermal conductivity, and aluminum foil perfectly reflects heat. In combination, these characteristics guarantee a low heat loss in the room. They are able to save about 95% of the heat on the balcony.
- Penofol perfectly repels moisture and can be used to waterproof a room. Insulation will not allow rain drops or moisture vapor to enter the room.
- The porous foam is excellent at absorbing external noise. This fact is of particular importance if the loggia faces a busy street.
Penofol can be mounted without using other materials. This is due to the rich protective functions of the insulation. The hydrophobic properties of the material make it possible not to lay a moisture-proof layer under it when carrying out work on the insulation of the balcony.
Overview of materials for thermal insulation
The insulation market is annually replenished with new types of high-quality products with low thermal conductivity, but the new options are more advanced modifications of traditional materials for thermal insulation.
Technoplex is the best development of the TechnoNICOL company. This is the already popular extrusion polystyrene foam for general purposes, improved by the inclusion of technological additives and a steam generator
There are universal insulation materials that are equally well suited for cladding floors, ceilings and walls (extruded polystyrene foam plates, for example, Penoplex), and there are materials that are suitable only for finishing any one area of the balcony. Suppose the floor is covered with expanded clay, but it is not used for walls and ceilings due to its flowability.
An overview of modern heaters, affordable and safe:
To decide what is better and faster to insulate the balcony, you need to analyze the installation conditions. Suppose, on balconies with a lack of space, it is better to use thin materials - penofol, polyethylene.
If the area allows or you need to raise the floor to the height of the floor covering in the room, then any thick insulation in the crate will do - mineral wool, glass wool, foam.
Types and advantages of polyethylene foam
When carrying out work on the insulation of the loggia, you can use several types of penofol, which are indicated by letter indices:
Type "A"
This type is lined with aluminum foil on one side only. For this reason, it makes sense to use it only together with other materials for insulation.
Type "B"
This type is finished with aluminum foil on both sides. This makes its thermal insulation properties an order of magnitude higher than that of type "A", and it can be used independently.
Type "C"
This insulation has a layer of adhesive on one side. This makes it much easier and faster to mount it in place.
Type "ALP"
This type of penofol is used for thermal insulation of greenhouses.
NET type
Penfol used in industry.
Type "M" and "R"
One side of these types has a corrugated foil. This difference significantly increases the thermal insulation properties of the material.
Expert opinion
Konstantin Alexandrovich
Each of the types of penofol is able to save up to 97% of the heat in the room, and its performance is guaranteed at temperatures from -60 to 100 degrees.
Insulation is almost impervious to vapors and does not absorb moisture. One cubic meter of penofol weighs in the range from 44 to 74 kilograms. The weight of the material depends on the type.
Balcony floor vapor barrier
To perform insulation from steam on this section of the loggia, they put a lathing crate. After it, a vapor barrier is placed. Planks or plywood will act as the floor surface. On top of them, linoleum or laminate should creep. In the latter case, an additional thin polyurethane backing is required.
Be sure to place air vents in the space under the floor. They need to be connected to ventilation ducts. Then the vapor barrier of the balcony will function normally.
To create insulation from steam and at the same time insulate the floor, you can use Izospan. This material is cut into small rectangular pieces and overlapped. Its size should be about 8-10 cm. So that the edges of the vapor barrier gasket do not disperse, they are glued with construction tape.
The main advantages of foil insulation
This material guarantees:
- Excellent protection against fire due to non-combustible materials.
- Environmental friendliness.
- Penofol guarantees excellent protection against external noise, thanks to a layer of foamed plastic.
- Penofol is not at all interested in any insects and rodents.
- Ease of installation.
- The insulation block is small in thickness. This will come in handy when installing in difficult locations.
- Penofol has excellent insulating properties and practically does not release heat from the room to the street.
Polyurethane based formulations
For the installation of penoplex, such means are often used. Most are sold in cylinders, so using them is convenient and easy even for a beginner. The products are ready for use, they do not need to be kneaded, the consumption is economical. The most popular lineup of the series is Insta-Stik. It is sold in 750 ml cylinders, the consumption for gluing is 12-15 sq.
Another well-known glue is "Titan Styro-753". Its consumption is about the same (about 14 sq. M). The product has a high peel force (600 kPA), and the setting time is even shorter (15 minutes). Penosil Fix {amp} & Go Montage is frost-resistant, it is operated at -65 ... 130 degrees. With the help of the described means, it is easy to connect the foam sheets to each other, stick on wood, attach to a brick wall, to concrete.
If necessary, the adhesive will provide adhesion to most building materials. Among them are plaster, stone, wood, expanded clay blocks, metal, cork, cellulose. If the material had to be foil, this tool is incompatible with it. Foam is also not suitable for polyethylene, silicone, teflon. Here are the main characteristics of the material:
- drying - 10-12 minutes;
- complete hardening - 24 hours;
- the possibility of cutting - within 30-40 minutes.
The tool is used both for outdoor work and for internal thermal insulation in a room, it is suitable for insulating loggias and balconies.
Cons of foam insulation
- Complexity of installation. It will not work to plant the block on nails due to the fact that this will spoil its waterproof and thermal insulation properties. You can use only staples, however, type "C" foam foam provides for the presence of an adhesive layer for installation.
- The insulation has a low strength, which does not allow laying it under the wallpaper or as an independent external insulation.
Arrangement of lathing for a clean floor
Since, as a heater, it is planned to use penofol (isolon), which has a metallized aluminum surface, ceramic tiles or thin flooring (linoleum, laminate, parquet) cannot be directly laid on it. Due to the porous structure of the insulation, such a coating will “walk” underfoot and creak.
Therefore, when the screed fully gains technological strength (indicated on the package), it is necessary to make a crate.
There are two options for laying lathing bars - longitudinal (along the length of the balcony) and transverse (along the width of the balcony (loggia). The first option is preferable for balconies of regular shape, the second, for wedge-shaped, rounded, curved, corner balconies.
Be sure to focus on the material from which the clean floor will be laid. If these are panels (chipboard, moisture-resistant plasterboard 10-12 mm), the dimensions of the material must be taken into account so that there is a bar in the places where the plates are joined. Otherwise, chips are possible during operation.
Bars prepared to size are drilled with a thin ∅ 2.5-3 mm. drill, unfold with a pitch of 400-450 mm. and a thin long nail inserted into the drilled holes marks the places for drilling for plastic dowels.
For reliable fastening of the battens, dowels of at least ∅ 10 mm should be used. Be very careful with the markup. Most of the balcony slabs have voids. If you drill holes for fastening the lathing and get into them - the floor will "play".
The second important condition is the use of a depth stop (stop) for the hammer drill. The balcony slab is only 100 mm thick. Therefore, it is not worth drilling deeper than 80 mm. Otherwise, you will find problems with neighbors living on the floor below due to the perforated roof of their balcony (loggia).
Step-by-step instructions for installing insulation.
Even though this insulation is quite easy to install and performs many functions, it is necessary to adhere to some standards and comply with technical conditions. This is the only way to achieve the maximum effect of insulation with penofol.
So the side that faces inward must be covered with aluminum foil. There is no need to lay penofol under concrete, as this will only spoil the properties of the material. To maximize the effect of insulation, it is necessary to put insulation only on external surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, floors.
Like any other work, the procedure for insulating a balcony should begin with preparatory work.
Preparatory activities
Before starting work, it is necessary to clean the walls of all unnecessary and eliminate their defects. All cracks must be filled with polyurethane foam. At the same time, it is necessary to decide on the additional material that will be used together with foil foamed foam, and to determine the number of layers. As a rule, work is carried out in two layers. For walls, penoplex can be used as an additional material, for the ceiling - only penofol, and for the floor - foam.
Also, it is worth performing an antifungal primer and waterproofing using a waterproofing film.
Floor insulation
To insulate the floor, the following measures must be taken:
- A frame made of beams is mounted and fixed to the floor with screws. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that there must be space between the wall and the timber. The surface should be as flat as possible so that the insulation does not crawl out of the frame.
- After laying the insulation, the surface should be as dense as possible. To correctly calculate the length of the material, you need to add 40 centimeters to the length of the loggia.
- The first layer of lathing is laid, which must be covered with black material for finishing.
Algorithm of work: how to insulate a loggia with your own hands
The insulated loggia or balcony successfully serves as a pantry where you can store canned goods and other food supplies. There are options for using a loggia or balcony as a dressing room or dining area, etc.
How to insulate a balcony with your own hands - the main options for modern insulating materials will help to carry out the thermal insulation process accurately and with the maximum heat-saving effect.
In general, the thermal insulation of a loggia or balcony, as mentioned above, consists of such stages as:
- Installation of windows;
- Insulation of the floor, walls, parapet and ceiling;
- Finishing of the loggia is being carried out, i.e. lighting, ventilation, etc. are mounted.
According to the recommendations of repair specialists, a balcony or loggia should be insulated in the summer. So, in the winter period, it is possible to carry out repair work if the air temperature is not lower than -20 ° C. But in autumn and spring, the increased humidity of the surrounding air should be taken into account.
Primer for ready-mix waterproofing
Each waterproofing has its own type of primer. For waterproofing with a dry cement mixture with water dilution, different primers may be required (read the instructions carefully). Sometimes this is a deep penetration primer, and in other cases, you can simply moisten the surface with plenty of water.
It is important that the waterproofing layers do not dry out.
Acrylic or rubber backing - usually requires a deep penetration of soil to prevent dust from entering (both building and street). Liquid waterproofing should be applied to a good tacky surface. Some manufacturers require the surface to be treated with a primer that is specifically designed for this type of waterproofing.
Bituminous bases - a primer is strictly required! A very liquid soil of this composition is often sold ready-made in hardware stores. However, it is quite difficult to find such a primer. In order to make it yourself, you can buy a minimum amount of bituminous waterproofing (mainly based on kerasin or its derivatives), dilute with water in a ratio of 1:10 or 1: 7. You should get a liquid that penetrates well into all the pores. The substance will visually resemble highly diluted coffee (light brown tint).
It should be noted that sometimes there are bitumen-rubber mastics (also water-based). The instruction will indicate which soil needs to be used - deep penetration, water or prepare it yourself
What consequences can a violation of balcony water insulation cause
Answering the question why and why protection from moisture is needed on the loggia and balcony, it must be borne in mind that damaged waterproofing of the loggia and balcony can lead to the following unpleasant consequences:
- Loss of quality of finishing materials with constant ingress of liquid on them - warping and twisting of the made wooden frames for fastening PVC panels, cracking of plaster, peeling off tiles, swelling of the laminate, leakage of the hatch on the balcony. Formation of fungus and mold, damaging the finish and impairing the appearance of the room. corrosion of steel trim parts and internal bearing reinforcement of concrete slabs in a closed humid environment without air access.
Fig. 2 Waterproofing the loggia from the inside with insulation
The secret of the effectiveness of Penofol
In appearance, these are thin canvases, but only by studying the principle of operation and technical parameters can the potential of its effectiveness be assessed.Insulation combines the best properties of two materials, which we will now talk about.
Foamed polyethylene is the basis. It is a closed cell material consisting of air bubbles. Each bubble is surrounded by a polymer shell, and all cells are tightly connected to each other. Water, and even fine steam, does not penetrate into such a structure. Polyethylene foam has high thermal insulation properties.
The second functional layer of insulation is a reflective coating. Most often it is aluminum foil. The property of metals has long been proven to return the radiant component of thermal energy. The thicker the foil layer, the more heat will return to the surface. The thickness of the aluminum coating is not less than 14 microns, which makes it possible to recover 97% of the thermal energy.
FAQs
Should foil on insulation face in or out? ›
if it is hot outside, the reflective part of your foil insulation must face outside. if it is freezing outside, the best orientation of the reflective part is inside. if you press the foil side of the insulation tight up against the wall (foil facing outward), the radiant barrier will not work.
Which side of foil faced insulation faces out? ›The reflective side of the board should be oriented to the exterior and the nonreflective white side should be oriented to the interior. EXCEPTION: If vinyl siding is to be installed over AP™ Foil-Faced sheathing, install foam boards with the white nonreflective side toward the vinyl siding.
Do you need Vapour barrier with foil backed insulation? ›Foil-backed Plasterboard
Vapour control layers are always required whenever you insulate, irrespective of the insulation used. They should be used to form a continuous airtight layer and so all the joints and any penetrations must always be sealed with the appropriate airtightness tapes.
The shiny side is a radiation barrier. You get more radiation heat transfer at hot temperatures, so the best answer is shiny side facing towards the hotter side.
Does the faced side of insulation go up or down? ›If using faced insulation, keep the paper vapor retarder facing up and against the subfloor. The insulation should fit snugly against the subfloor and between the joists.
Where does foil insulation go? ›Reflective foil insulation installation on a roof is usually done in the ceiling, attics, or other spaces that separate the roof from the ceiling. Due to the varying nature of the construction of buildings, each property may require a slightly different approach when installing insulation on the roof.
Which side of insulation goes on the outside? ›Picking the right face is essential with fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier (meaning with Kraft paper or foil attached on one side). It should always face the warm-in-winter side. Thus, in cold climates, it should face the interior; in hot humid climates, it should face the exterior.
What is the thickness of foil faced insulation? ›| Material | Aluminum Foil,HDPE Fabric,LDPE |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 1-4 mm |
| Size | 1220 mm |
| Usage/Application | Under Roof Insulation Material |
| Brand | Akshar CoPack |
Two-component polyurethane adhesives
These are best for foil-to-foil bonding. To achieve greater thermal values it may be required to bond insulation material to itself, and, in the case of foil-to-foil boards, two-component adhesives are recommended to be used to ensure full curing of the adhesive.
For most long-term applications, double bubble foil insulation is going to be the better option to use. Because of the double layer of polyethylene bubbles, double bubble insulation provides the most effective thermal break, making it harder for radiant heat to transfer through than with single bubble insulation.
How much does it cost to overlap foil insulation? ›
Simply roll the insulation across the vertical timber joists, staples into place (using minimum 14mm staples), overlap the material by 50mm (leaving the overlaps untapped), tape and seal the perimeter of the product using ThermaWrap Foil Tape.
Is foil insulation enough? ›Foil insulation can prevent radiant heat loss all year round. In summer, it can prevent heat from entering by reflecting sunlight. In winter, it can reflect heat back inside a room, keeping it warmer.
What happens if you don't install vapor barrier? ›Vapor barriers can often double as added insulation, protecting buildings against excess cold and heat. Failure to use a vapor barrier can lead to higher energy costs and an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth.
Does vapor barrier go in front or behind insulation? ›You should always put down the vapor barrier before installing insulation. That way, you don't end up with gaps in the insulation that allow moisture to get into the wall cavity, floor joist, or on a crawlspace floor.
Does it matter if insulation is installed upside down? ›If the vapor barrier is installed upside down (not towards the living area) often it deteriorates the insulation and the vapor barrier and makes the insulation less efficient. If the house is occupied, there is a substantial amount of moisture in the air from cooking, bathing, washing, and even breathing.
Does insulation need facing? ›Most types of insulation come as faced. Faced just means that kraft paper is attached to the insulation itself. The paper helps improve the sturdiness of the insulation so it doesn't fall down as much. Unfaced insulation is just as good as faced, but it doesn't have that paper attached to it.
What is the difference between single and double sided insulation? ›Single-sided radiant barriers reflect radiant heat only from the reflective side facing a radiant heat source. Double-sided radiant barriers have two reflective surfaces, one on each side of the radiant barrier, allowing the radiant barrier to reflect radiant heat from both sides independently.
How do you insulate a cold wall from the inside? ›Internal wall insulation is done by fitting rigid insulation boards to the wall, or by building a stud wall filled in with insulation material such as mineral wool fibre. Internal insulation: Is generally cheaper to install than external wall insulation.
How do I keep my insulation from falling down? ›Use mechanical fasteners, such as staples or clips to attach the insulation to the studs or joists. You can also use an adhesive to glue the insulation in place. The last method is to install a vapor barrier over the insulation, which will help to keep it in place and prevent it from sag- ping.
Do you need plastic over faced insulation? ›Fiberglass Insulation
In most climates, it needs a vapor barrier. Some builders rely on batts with attached kraft-paper facing to do that job, but Tom recommends unfaced batts, covered in plastic with all the seams taped shut.
Should faced insulation be stapled? ›
With facing material flush to the face of the framing, the flanges will overlap the framing. Staple the flanges to the face of the framing, using enough staples to hold the insulation firmly in place to avoid gaps and “fishmouths.”
Can you install insulation yourself? ›With certain types of insulation materials, installing your own insulation is definitely doable—and you can save money not hiring a professional. Installing fiberglass or mineral wool insulation are simple DIY projects. Other insulation types, such as spray foam insulation, require the use of a professional.
Can I put plastic sheeting over faced insulation? ›More than likely, installing an additional layer of poly over kraft facing won't cause any problems — it's no more risky than if the wall had only unfaced batts and poly — and the risk of using poly on the interior is relatively low in a cold climate like New York's.
Can foil faced insulation be left exposed? ›AP™ Foil-Faced insulation must be covered with an approved thermal barrier and cannot be left exposed.
Does foil insulation work in cold weather? ›Reflective, radiant-barrier insulation is usually made of aluminum foil with a variety of different backings, including plastic film and cardboard. This type of insulation is most effective in warmer climates, but can also be used for comfort and energy savings in cold weather.
Does insulation keep heat in or cold out? ›Insulation in your home provides resistance to heat flow and lowers your heating and cooling costs. Properly insulating your home not only reduces heating and cooling costs, but also improves comfort.
What is the purpose of foil faced insulation? ›Foil faced insulation is the best type of insulation for retaining heat in the winter and keeping heat out in the summer. This insulation product is designed to slow heat transfer and enhance acoustical performance. It also works as a barrier for methane, radon, vapor, termites and other vermin.
Is foil faced insulation flammable? ›Note that some fiberglass and mineral wool facings (kraft paper, foil) are combustible, but when properly installed with a code-approved barrier, don't pose a fire hazard.
What is foil insulation called? ›Multifoil insulation, also known as foil insulation, is a type of insulation made up of layers of sheets, foils and insulating materials.
What mat do I use for adhesive foil? ›Cutting Adhesive Foil with a Cricut Machine
Place Adhesive Foil shiny liner side down onto StrongGrip Mat. Select images and size, and load mat into the machine.
What is insulation foil called? ›
Simply put, reflective foil insulation (sometimes known as a house's radiant or reflective barrier) is a type of insulation that has a thin layer of reflective foil on one or both sides of it.
What are the disadvantages of reflective foil insulation? ›Disadvantages of Reflective Insulation • It is generally more expensive due to being a metal-based product. Whilst effective in warmer climates, it will be required to be combined with other forms of insulation in colder climates. This is in order to prevent heat loss in cold weather from convection.
Do you need 2 layers of insulation? ›ABOUT INSULATION
The thermal barrier of a home should consist of a continuous layer of insulation on all sides—including the lowest floor, the exterior walls, and the ceiling or roof. Doubling the thickness of insulation will double the insulation's R-value, cutting heat loss in half.
This type of insulation reflects heat by up to 95% and prevents it from transferring to the other side of its panel. In cases of extreme temperatures, this can help prevent the hot summer heat from entering your building and also help preserve the heat within your building in the winter.
How effective is reflective foil insulation? ›The reflective foil reflects heat – turning it away from your home. Whilst normal insulation traps the heat and allows it to slowly pass through – the reflective foil adds another layer of defence by redirecting it outwardly. When installed correctly, reflective foil insulation can reflect up to 97% of radiant heat.
Where do you put reflective insulation in the attic? ›If your attic is empty (no duct work, no HVAC units, no storage, etc.), then installing it over the insulation on the attic floor is always the way to go. This method blocks heat on the top surface of the foil during the hot months, keeping the insulation below the foil cooler.
How do you use aluminum foil as a reflector? ›We made our reflector by taping aluminum foil onto a large sheet of cardboard, for a powerful reflection with a silvery light, but an even simpler option is a piece of blank, white card. Hold it at the opposite side to the light source in relation to your subject, and the light will bounce back in to illuminate it.
Does reflective insulation keep cold out? ›Reflective insulation, installed in the attic ceiling, helps reflect sunlight and reduce the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. This helps keep your home cooler and more comfortable.
Does attic foil help in winter? ›But did you know that AtticFoil also helps keep the heat IN for climates that have long cold seasons? It's true! The foil prevents radiant heat loss by blocking 97% of the heat from escaping through the foil.
Can you double layer foil insulation? ›You can either install a single layer or multiple layers of foil insulation, and you can mix it with other products.
Which way should reflective insulation? ›
Reflective insulation must be installed with the reflective side facing the air gap. direction. Reflective insulation must be installed with air gaps that are fully enclosed.
Does foil insulation keep heat out? ›Unlike other insulation materials, foil insulation does not prevent the conduction of heat but reflects radiant heat back towards the source. Plus, it can drive heat out in summer and it can trap it inside during winter.
Does Reflectix keep heat in or out? ›Reflectix lets you insulate spaces that might ordinarily go uninsulated because it would be prohibitive to insulate them with fiberglass. You might have a cold workshop with heat escaping through the roof. Stapling a layer of Reflectix along the rafters will cut down on some heat loss and stop air infiltration.
What is the R-value of foil insulation? ›Most brands of foil-faced bubble wrap are only 3/8 inch thick or less, and have an R-value of only 1.0 or 1.1.
Should insulation be above or below roof? ›A flat roof should preferably be insulated from above. A layer of rigid insulation board can be added either on top of the roof's weatherproof layer or directly on top of the timber roof surface, with a new weatherproof layer on top of the insulation. This is best done when the roof covering needs replacing anyway.
Where is the best place to put insulation? ›Insulate all exterior walls, including (3A) walls between living spaces and unheated garages, shed roofs, or storage areas; (3B) foundation walls above ground level; (3C) foundation walls in heated basements. 4. Apply insulation to floors above unconditioned spaces, such as vented crawl spaces and unheated garages.