home · Installation · How to lay extruded polystyrene foam on a concrete floor. Floor insulation with polystyrene foam under the screed: phased laying of extruded polystyrene foam. Concrete base insulation

How to lay extruded polystyrene foam on a concrete floor. Floor insulation with polystyrene foam under the screed: phased laying of extruded polystyrene foam. Concrete base insulation

Warming the floor in the house is an important task in any repair, solving which reduces the risk of colds.

Walking on a warm floor is much more comfortable.

Expanded polystyrene is a popular insulating building material used primarily for insulating walls, ceilings and floors.

This is a gas-filled material that is extracted from polystyrene and derivatives, styrene copolymers.

The usual technology of its production involves the initial filling of styrene granules with gas that dissolves in the polymer mass.

Expanded polystyrene, obtained by foaming a low-boiling liquid, is a material that consists of finely cellular granules sintered together.

It is curious to know that inside the granules contain micropores, and there are voids between the granules.

The higher the density of the material of the type in question, the higher the strength and the lower the water absorption, hygroscopicity and water resistance.

  • high degree of compressive strength at low density;
  • the possibility of forming complex shapes;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • ease of processing with an ordinary saw or knife;
  • light weight;
  • possibility of bonding with various surfaces and materials;
  • the product is non-poisonous;
  • there is no smell;
  • does not form dust;
  • ease of mechanical fastening;
  • ease of processing and installation of plates;
  • fire-resistant qualities;
  • resistance to biological influences;
  • low dynamic rigidity;
  • excellent thermal qualities;
  • low water vapor diffusion;
  • poor water absorption;
  • lack of response to temperature changes;
  • resistance to a number of chemicals.

The advantages of this building material can be listed for a long time, but you should not do this, because the list provided is enough to make the right choice.

When buying, it is worth taking into account the disadvantages of expanded polystyrene, which this material, although insignificant, still has:

  • service life - 15 years;
  • after 10 years of using the material for its intended purpose, it may deform, become unusable (if there is inappropriate installation);
  • at the installation stage, the seams come out quite deep.

Engineering works

Technical points in floor insulation with polystyrene foam deserve special attention.

concrete base

In this video, you will learn how to insulate the floor with polystyrene foam on the loggia.

Happy viewing!

To insulate a concrete floor, careful preparation of the surface on which the material will be laid will be required.

Before you start work, you should know that the material must be of high quality and strength.

Layers:

  • waterproofing film;
  • expanded polystyrene;
  • reinforcing mesh, on which it is first necessary to apply 2 centimeters of the solution;
  • finishing screed with a thickness of 5 to 8 centimeters;
  • sealing gaps around the perimeter of the room where the work was done (you can use mounting foam or fiberglass for this).

Important to remember: roll waterproofing must be applied with an overlap, which should be approximately 10 centimeters.

Floor insulation with extruded polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam is a heat-insulating material with closed cells distributed among themselves.

The material does not shrink, moreover, it does not rot over time, does not absorb moisture, is quite resistant to chemicals, and does not swell.

Extruded polystyrene foam is characterized by high strength.

Laying technology:

  1. First, a layer of mounting adhesive is applied to the floor surface using a comb. The adhesive should be applied with gentle movements in a thin and even layer evenly over the entire area.
  2. The tiles are laid on the adhesive, followed by the indentation of the material by hand to obtain a better adhesion of the surfaces.
  3. Thus, the laying of the rest of the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room continues.
  4. The laid material is allowed to dry for a day, after which glue is applied to the plates.
  5. Next, a special cellular fiberglass fabric, better known as sickle, is glued. This action should be performed to increase the degree of rigidity and strength of the floors.
  6. The glue is leveled on the sickle with a spatula.
  7. In the end it will Smooth surface, on which the next day you can mount beacons and make a cement-sand screed.

Floor insulation with extruded polystyrene foam

Below is a video instruction for those who want to insulate the walls of the house with polystyrene foam.

Not less than effective method floor insulation - the use of modified polystyrene foam.

The thermal insulation of the first floor with this material provides for the installation of the material on the floor slabs.

In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the joints do not coincide between the sheets with the joints of the floors.

A waterproofing is laid on top, after which a screed mixed with cement mortar is poured onto it.

The layers will look like this:

  1. Overlap.
  2. Layer of plaster.
  3. Extruded polystyrene foam.
  4. waterproofing layer.
  5. Cement strainer.
  6. Flooring.

Sequencing:

  1. The surface is prepared accordingly, significant irregularities are cleaned.
  2. Next, laying insulation material.
  3. Next is a waterproofing layer.
  4. The surface is poured with a cement-sand mixture screed, while the thickness of the screed should be in the range of 30-50 centimeters.
  5. Next, the floor covering is installed.

wooden base

Often, wooden houses need to be laid insulating material, which is often used as polystyrene foam.

Work algorithm:

  1. To avoid subsequent subsidence, the soil is carefully compacted and leveled.
  2. After that, you need to fill up a layer of expanded clay.
  3. Next comes the waterproofing.
  4. Then a layer of polystyrene foam is made.
  5. Then a cement-sand screed is poured.
  6. The final step is flooring. finish coat.

It is important to remember: the tree is sensitive to high humidity, and therefore it is necessary to carefully monitor the ventilation foundation channels.

How thick should the insulating layer be?

The thickness of the extruded polystyrene foam should be a maximum of 10 centimeters.

Therefore, two layers of plates with a thickness of five centimeters each are needed.

It is worth noting that the desire to lay a layer of more than ten centimeters is impractical, since a large thickness of this heat-insulating material will not give anything.

  1. Cutting of material slabs is available with various hand tools.
  2. It is possible to seal large gaps and crevices at the joints of the base material and the log using fiberglass.
  3. Leave a centimeter of clearance along the wall when placing material slabs.
  4. When laying carpet on top of insulating building materials, a base of fiberboard, gypsum board or chipboard is required.

In contact with

Insulation of the concrete floor with polystyrene foam is a reliable way not only to give your family a feeling of comfort, but also to prevent heat loss in the cold season. In order for the floor to be fully insulated, it must be hygroscopic and have low thermal conductivity parameters. At the same time, the requirement to withstand high loads does not go anywhere.

Expanded polystyrene is a material with which all this is possible. It is sold by budget price and help keep you warm and country house, and in the bath, and in the apartment on any floor of the city high-rise building. And the installation of a floor insulated with extruded polystyrene foam will not be too difficult.

In this article

The use of expanded polystyrene as a heater - history and modernity

For the first time, floor insulation with polystyrene foam began to be practiced in Soviet times. Insulation plates were produced by Stroyplastmass, a well-known plant in Mytyshchi. After some time, the technology was appreciated and began to be widely used. Modern foam plastic is much simpler and more practical to work with than its Soviet "ancestor".

Well-known manufacturers of extruded polystyrene foam for floor insulation in residential premises are ECOBOARD, Izocam, Styrodur, Fibran, Ursa, etc. With their products, you can make a full-fledged insulation of the floor of an apartment, house or bath in a short time.

When choosing polystyrene foam for floor insulation, you need to pay attention to the moisture absorption coefficient has not been exceeded(normally it is 0.2-0.4%), and the size of the cells was not too large. EPS should be characterized by a high threshold of biostability. This is a guarantee that living organisms harmful to humans will not settle in the insulation.

How Styrofoam is Made

Expanded polystyrene is produced by saturating styrene granules and derivatives of this substance with gas dissolved in the polymer using a special technology.

After the filling stage, the mass is heated by the steam method. The volume of styrene granules should increase by at least fifty times. After that, the raw material of expanded polystyrene for the floor completely fills the block mold, and the individual particles are glued together into a single material.

There are two common technologies for the production of expanded polystyrene, according to which it is classified into two groups:

  1. Sintering polystyrene balls in a mold under the influence of high temperatures.
  2. Mixing of granules with a blowing agent at elevated temperature with further extrusion through an extruder.

So from the balls comfortable layers of material are obtained, which will then be used to insulate the floor of any room, even an attic or a bath.

Types of expanded polystyrene

By physical and mechanical properties Styrofoam for flooring can be classified into:


According to experts, high-quality extruded polystyrene foam can be used without changing the basic qualities for up to eighty years, while PSB and PSB-S serve for about forty.

EPS properties as an insulating material

As a material for warming the floor of a house or bath, extruded polystyrene foam is characterized by:

  • low coefficient of thermal expansion and heat conductivity;
  • optimal soundproofing properties;
  • durability;
  • the ability to effectively insulate the floor of a residential building at low, high temperatures or a sharp change in the high regime;
  • hygroscopicity (due to the plastic base). Steam and moisture do not damage EPS foam. If you put it in water, it will not dissolve or swell, which means it will endure any water leaks. Moisture will not get into the room insulated with expanded polystyrene flooring.
  • high resistance to chemical and biological influences;
  • high compatibility with electric and water floor heating devices;
  • ease of cutting and a suitable structure of the slabs for the floor of any configuration;
  • economical cost.

On construction market everything appears more slabs from expanded polystyrene of various colors. It would seem, why delve into the refinements of design. The color of polystyrene does not reflect its characteristics or quality in any way, but is the manufacturer's marking. Many companies offer functional solutions for mounting extruded polystyrene. For example, thanks to the milled edges, it has become possible styling insulation technology "thorn-groove".

XPS flooring laying technology

So, extruded polystyrene suitable for laying the floor of an apartment, house, bath is selected.

When starting its installation, it should be remembered that most of the mechanical load will fall on the logs. On the ground floor, the minimum thickness of the insulation layer should be 10 cm, on floors- 5 cm. Between the lags and polystyrene, gaps are made without fail.

Gaps are also needed along the perimeter walls for thermal expansion of the insulating material. To fill the gaps, fiberglass or polyurethane foam is used.

Before insulating the floor with polystyrene foam, a screed is made. A waterproofing film is placed on top of it, then extruded foam slabs, a mortar layer and a reinforcement mesh. A finishing screed is made on top of them (its thickness is from 5 to 8 cm). The next step is to fill the gaps around the perimeter with foam or fiberglass. And only after that you can proceed to the direct installation of the floor covering.

Features of laying extruded polystyrene foam flooring

For high-quality installation of a floor insulated with polystyrene, preliminary laying of soil is desirable. It's more practical than simple concrete base for a heater.

Additional soil preparation for EPS floor insulation consists of the following steps:

  1. alignment working surface by compacting the soil with mechanical action.
  2. Backfilling of crushed stone for a layer of 10 cm thick. The crushed stone layer must also be compacted until completely leveled.
  3. Filling voids between crushed stone particles with fine-grained sand. You can use sea, river or quarry sand - which is more accessible at the location.
  4. Direct installation of insulation.

Extruded polystyrene flooring for an attic or attic is somewhat different in technology. There, instead of waterproofing, steam is used. After all, the floor of the attic or attic is at the same time the ceiling top floor.

Therefore, the basis for the EPS layer is vapor barrier material. Another layer of vapor barrier is placed on top of the expanded polystyrene plates. Then - a concrete screed for mounting a floor covering or a crate for a subfloor.

The choice of extruded polystyrene foam as floor insulation has additional benefits. For example, it significantly improves the soundproofing properties of the room. The insulation layer reduces total load to the structure of the building. And the ease of installation of EPS allows even a novice master to cope with the task of installing the floor.

Options for using expanded polystyrene for floor insulation different types, advantages and disadvantages of this method of thermal insulation, the choice of consumables.

The content of the article:

Floor insulation with expanded polystyrene is an affordable and simple option for maintaining heat in rooms at any stage of building construction. The use of this material brings other benefits: it absorbs noise on floors and serves as a good vapor barrier. Where insulation is used and how to install it, we'll talk in this article.

Features of work on floor insulation with polystyrene foam


Extruded polystyrene foam is a granular heat insulator obtained from polystyrene and styrene copolymers with the addition of natural or carbon dioxide. It is made by extruding from an extruder, hence the name. The result is a high-quality porous substance with a uniform distribution of cells, the dimensions of which do not exceed 0.1-0.2 mm.

The material is marked with XPS and other alphabetic and numerical designations, each manufacturer has their own. For example, Styrofoam extruded polystyrene foam is marked 1B-AXPS-EN13164-Tl-C5(10/y)250DS(TH)-TR100. In encrypted form, there is information about the thickness, density, weight and other important characteristics.

Due to the increased resistance to steam movement, the product is used in such cases:

  • To insulate a concrete floor above a high basement, for which it is mounted to floor slabs with outer side. In conditions of high humidity, the coating will serve as additional waterproofing.
  • To protect a concrete floor over an existing base, followed by pouring the screed. In this case, the height of the room will decrease by at least 15 cm.
  • For thermal insulation of the ground base. The material is laid directly on the sand and gravel pad, and then poured with concrete.
  • For creating an insulating layer in underfloor heating.
  • Granulated polystyrene foam can be added to the cement mortar. In this case, the screed acquires heat-insulating properties.

Advantages and disadvantages of floor insulation with polystyrene foam


The material has become popular due to the unique qualities that distinguish it from other types of sheet heat insulators:
  • The insulation does not absorb ground water. Under the influence of moisture, it does not change its size and does not deform.
  • High density allows the panels to withstand significant loads.
  • It goes well with cables and pipes of the "warm floor" system.
  • Samples are easy to process. They can be easily cut into small segments of any geometric shape.
  • The insulator has properties that allow the exploitation of floors long time. Microorganisms, bacteria and fungi do not start in the plates. The product is resistant to biological and chemical attack, does not rot.
  • Expanded polystyrene soundproofs interfloor ceilings.
  • The material is environmentally friendly. It does not irritate the skin during installation work, does not create dust and does not emit an unpleasant odor.
The negative properties include the deformation of sheets at a temperature of + 80 + 90 degrees and the ability to ignite. Therefore, it is not used in fire hazardous areas. The cost of the product is much higher than other samples.

Technology of floor insulation with extruded polystyrene foam

Floor insulation with polystyrene foam is carried out in two stages. First, there is a process of preparation for the main operations, during which the base is cleaned and leveled. At this stage, one acquires Consumables- glue and other components of the insulating layer. Next, the heat insulator is laid according to the selected installation technology, which depends on the type of flooring, the design of the "pie" and the requirements for it. Let us consider in more detail all the stages of installation work.

Features of the choice of expanded polystyrene


Before buying, it is necessary to determine the main characteristics of expanded polystyrene for floor insulation in each case. These include the density and thickness of the material.

Features of the choice of expanded polystyrene, depending on its density:

  1. Products with a density of up to 15 kg / m 3 are used for thermal insulation of bases without load;
  2. From 15 to 20 kg / m 3 - for floors of low load;
  3. From 25 to 35 kg / m 3 - for bulk structures that can withstand a lot of weight;
  4. From 36 to 50 kg / m 3 - are used for insulation of especially loaded floorings.
The calculation of the thickness of expanded polystyrene for floor insulation is recommended to be carried out according to SNiPs or simplified according to our recommendations:
  1. The thickness of the insulation for laying above the basement or on the ground: at least 10 cm - for the southern regions, at least 15 cm - for the northern ones.
  2. For thermal insulation of floors in piled houses, the sheets should be: for the southern regions - at least 10 cm, for the regions of the middle zone - at least 15 cm, for the north - at least 20 cm.
Only high-quality insulation is able to reliably insulate warping. At home, it is difficult to check its characteristics, but a fake can be identified by indirect signs:
  1. Carefully inspect the end of the sheet. A quality product has a uniform structure, without seals. The cells are small and hard to see. If they can be distinguished with the naked eye, then this is a sign of poor-quality workmanship. Large pores neutralize one of the main advantages of the material - the lack of water absorption. When laid on the ground, moisture will seep through them, and when the wooden floors are insulated, insects will appear in the slabs.
  2. Break off the fragment and press in this place with your finger. A fake can be identified by the cod that appears when the thin walls of the cells burst. After laying, cracks appear in such plates, which leads to their destruction.
  3. Also, a fake can be detected by smell. The composition of high-quality material includes harmless chemical elements, and at the break you can smell a faint smell of alcohol or plastic.
  4. It is recommended to buy the product in company stores, packed in protective film. The label must indicate the manufacturer and his data, brand, characteristics, application information, board sizes and other information.

Rules for the selection of glue for polystyrene foam


To create an insulating layer, you may need special adhesives type Kliberit, Knauf, Ceresit on a polyurethane basis. They are sold dry, packaged in 25 kg bags. To prepare, it is enough to dilute them with water in the proportions indicated in the instructions.

Insulation can be glued with universal means, which do not contain gasoline, kerosene, formalin, acetone or toluene. They destroy polystyrene foam.

The instructions for the tool always indicate its consumption per 1 m 2, but it must be bought with a margin on an uneven base.

More recently, Penosil iFix Go Montage bottled foam has appeared on the market, designed to fix the product to any surface. It is applied with a mounting gun.

Insulation of floors with polystyrene foam on the ground


For decks that are built on a soil base, thermal insulation with extruded polystyrene foam is essential.

The technology of floor insulation with polystyrene foam on the ground looks like this:

  • Level the area under the base. If the soil is loose, compact it and let it settle for a month. During this time, the soil will shrink.
  • Pour a layer of coarse gravel 10 cm thick and tamp. From above, make a layer of sand of the same thickness and also compact.
  • Place a waterproofing film on the pillow, make joints with an overlap of 10 cm, and then glue with mounting tape.
  • Lay the sheets of insulation in a checkerboard pattern. The elements must fit snugly together. Seal the gaps with the rest of the material.
  • Cover the panels with a layer of vapor barrier with a slight overlap on the walls. Thus, they will be maximally protected from moisture from below and from above.
  • Lay a metal mesh over the membrane.
  • Fill the base with concrete or cement mortar thicker than 60 mm and align it in horizontal plane. The surface must comply with the requirements of the floor covering.
Insulation of floors on the ground in the presence of lags is found in private houses that have already been in operation for a long time. In this case, the use of extruded insulation is justified if high-quality vapor barrier of the base is required.

The work is done like this:

  1. Remove old floor boards.
  2. Compact the soil.
  3. Pour a layer of expanded clay or a sand and gravel cushion on it and compact it as well.
  4. Lay a waterproofing film over the pillow. The joints should be made with an overlap of 10-15 cm. After laying, glue them with mounting tape. It is necessary to waterproof only the gaps between the lags, with the approach to them.
  5. Fill the cells with a sheet of insulation, cutting them exactly in place. Fill the remaining gaps.
  6. Nail the finishing boards to the lags from above.
To quickly cut extruded polystyrene foam, you will need the following tools:
  • Sharp stationery or wallpaper knife. It is in every home.
  • An electric jigsaw will quickly cut a sheet of any thickness, but the cut edges are uneven.
  • heated kitchen knife cuts the material without the formation of crumbs.
  • Nichrome wire, heated to redness, will cut a workpiece of any shape.

Floor insulation with polystyrene foam on a concrete base


Sheets of extruded polystyrene can be fastened to a concrete base from the outside (for example, from the cellar). This option has its advantages, because. allows you to keep warm not only the floor slabs, but also the walls in contact with it. Also, the height of the ceiling in the room does not decrease.

Work on the insulation of the floor from the basement is carried out as follows:

  • Clean the concrete slab and rinse with water.
  • In the presence of cracks, depressions and other defects, seal them with cement mortar or glue for polystyrene foam. Take down the speeches.
  • Prime the cover.
  • Apply a layer of adhesive 12 cm thick to the sheet and level with a notched trowel. Place the plate on the surface and press down for a snug fit.
  • Join the following panels without gaps. If the cracks are still formed, fill them with pieces of material on the glue. Do not use mounting foam to seal gaps due to its complete waterproofness.
  • Also insulate the basement walls at a distance of 60 cm from the floor slab down with the same material. In this way, heat leakage through the flooring and partitions into the ground is eliminated.
  • Cover the insulation with fiberglass construction mesh and glue it with plaster. For reliability, fix it with dowels with wide heads with a plastic core. Install fasteners after 40 cm.
Insulation on concrete from the inside of the room is used to protect floors with polystyrene boards in high-rise buildings, including over basements.

The work is performed in the following sequence:

  1. Prepare the base in the same way as in the previous case.
  2. Using a hydrostatic level, check the deviation of the surface of the plates from the horizon. If the difference is more than 0.5 cm on maximum length rooms, level it with a self-levelling compound.
  3. After the solution has hardened, pour finishing layer 3-5 cm thick, which will eliminate minor irregularities. Further work floor insulation with extruded polystyrene foam can be carried out only after the surface has completely dried.
  4. To the walls along the perimeter of the room, above the screed, glue a damper tape, which should compensate for thermal expansion.
  5. To prevent moisture from getting on the screed, cover it tightly with plastic wrap with access to the wall. You can also use waterproofing membrane. On the middle floors, the film can not be used. If the floor is not floating, the insulation sheets are placed on polyurethane adhesive directly on the concrete.
  6. Lay the plates on the film close to the wall. Lay the sheets in a checkerboard pattern, gaps between them are not allowed. If necessary, close the gaps with the rest of the material.
  7. Cover the products with a vapor barrier film overlapping the wall and adjacent pieces. Seal the membrane connections.
  8. Put a reinforcing mesh on top and coat thin layer ties for fastening.
  9. Fill the "pie" with a 3-5 cm thick screed.
  10. After it has hardened, the floor covering can be laid.
In the case of thermal insulation of the floors of the attic and mansards, the design of the "pie" is somewhat different from that used on the middle floors. Not a waterproofing, but a vapor-permeable film is placed on the ceiling. This is due to the fact that the attic flooring serves as the ceiling of the upper floor, which must "breathe".

Put a heater on it and cover it with the same vapor barrier. Sheets can be stacked in several layers with offset vertical joints. Adhesion is allowed special solutions. Next, you can fill in the screed or assemble the crate and nail the boards of the finishing floor.

Thermal insulation of the floor with expanded polystyrene with lags


Thermal insulation of floors of a similar design is carried out in the following sequence:
  • Clean and level the concrete base as previously described.
  • Lay a waterproofing film on the floor with a call to the walls. Lay its fragments on top of each other with an overlap of 10 cm. Glue the joints with mounting tape.
  • Perform installation of lags. The width of the cells must correspond to the size of the insulation sheet. Choose the height of the rails so that it is greater than the thickness of the insulation. Fix the lags to the base with driven dowels.
  • Lay polystyrene foam boards in the cells.
  • Lay vapor barrier material over the beams.
  • Next, fix the finishing floor from boards or OSB boards. Leave a small gap between them for thermal expansion.

To protect concrete floors with extruded crumbs, you will need expanded polystyrene granules, which can be found in hardware stores. The solution is prepared in the following sequence: pour some water into the concrete mixer and add dry cement, mix the mixture until a homogeneous consistency, add granules in a ratio of 1:3, 1:4 or with other values. The more insulator, the better the heat will be retained, but the strength of the coating will deteriorate. It may crumble during use. Fill the floor with this solution.


How to insulate the floor with polystyrene foam - look at the video:


The technique of thermal insulation of the base with this sheet material is so effective and simple that it is deservedly considered the best of all. options. The main thing when insulating the floor with polystyrene foam with your own hands is to strictly follow the technology of work, since negligence can easily cross out what has been done.

Insulation of the concrete floor with polystyrene foam is a common thing for apartments located on the ground floor. This effectively solves the cold problem for them. In houses, the insulation of the concrete floor with polystyrene foam is also a self-evident solution.

Where and when is polystyrene foam used for floor insulation

Extruded polystyrene foam is distinguished by increased resistance to steam movement, almost complete absence of water saturation and high mechanical compressive strength. This makes it possible to use expanded polystyrene in damp basements, in contact with the ground without waterproofing, as well as under heavy screeds.

Insulation of a concrete floor with polystyrene foam is possible according to several schemes.

What thickness of the thermal insulator is needed

It is important that the total thermal resistance of the floors, as an integral structure consisting of several layers, would meet the requirements of the standards. Or would exceed them

Usually the thickness of the reinforced concrete base does not exceed 20 centimeters. The thermal insulation abilities of such a layer of reinforced concrete are so small that they can simply be ignored with a rough "home" calculation. You can calculate the required thickness of the insulation layer according to SNiP in a simplified way in one step, or use the following recommendations.

When the floors are located above an unheated and uninsulated basement, or located directly on the ground, the recommended thickness of expanded polystyrene should not be less than 10 centimeters for the southern and middle latitudes, and at least 15 centimeters for the northern region.

If there is frosty air under the floor in winter ( outdoor temperature), which is typical for pile and columnar foundations with a grillage, then the thickness of the expanded polystyrene should be at least 10 cm for the southern region, 15 cm for the middle lane, and 20 cm for the north.

Of course, 5 cm thick polystyrene foam can also be used for a concrete floor over a cold underground. But then the best energy savings will not be achieved, and the floors will be relatively “cool”.

And the thickness of the insulation of 3 centimeters will only allow you to get away from the concept of "ice floors".

How to insulate a concrete floor from the basement

If it is possible to insulate concrete floors outside the room (from the basement side), then this must be used. External insulation is much more effective than internal insulation, as it allows you to raise the temperature of the base, and hence the walls in contact with it.

Expanded polystyrene extruded is preferable, as it retains its properties in the humid environment of the basement. But if such insulation seems too expensive, then foam plastic with a density of at least 25 kg / m3 can also be used, on top of which it is desirable to apply a layer of coating waterproofing.

1 - plate dowel, 2 - protection against rodents - metal mesh, 3 - extruded polystyrene foam insulation, 4 - placement of insulation on the inner wall of the foundation (plinth), 5 - concrete floor.

Floor insulation from the basement side is carried out by gluing with insulation using a technology similar to the “wet facade”.

With significant volumes of basement insulation, it is recommended to consider the use of polyurethane foam. Savings are obtained due to the high productivity of spraying work, by reducing the layer thickness, since polyurethane foam has a lower thermal conductivity. This material in terms of vapor permeability and water saturation is close to expanded polystyrene.

How to make concrete floor insulation from the inside of the room

To insulate the concrete floor from the inside, you will have to sacrifice the height of the room.
Insulation of the concrete floor from the inside of the room (or on the ground) is done according to the "floating screed" type.

1 - reinforced concrete screed, 2 - waterproofing with an overlap on the walls, 3 - extruded polystyrene foam insulation, 4 - a seam along the wall filled with polystyrene foam, 5 - concrete base.


Cement-sand (concrete) screed is the best option arranging a subfloor on top of a layer of expanded polystyrene. Gypsum fiber boards (dry screed) can replace it.

It is not recommended to use any chipboard instead of a screed, due to problems with their environmental friendliness.

Using this technology, it is also possible to create a water-heated floor. A flexible pipeline is laid in the screed, and fibers and plasticizers are also included in the screed to make it resistant to thermal expansion. The pipeline is connected to special control equipment and heats the floors to a temperature of 30 - 35 degrees.

It remains to be noted that savings on the thickness of the insulation will only be at a loss. Saving money compared to all costs is not significant, a good result will not be achieved. As a result, a lot of money and labor will be spent as if in vain ...

The cold floor is a real scourge of the first floors! It can account for 7 to 18% of all building heat losses.

And, unlike walls and ceilings, a person directly feels these heat losses.

Floor insulation with polystyrene foam (or ordinary foam plastic) - simple and inexpensive method, which can be implemented without involving professional teams of builders.

Material Advantages

First, it should be said that polystyrene foam is classified depending on the thickness, density and method of manufacture.

And materials of different brands have completely different characteristics.

Expanded polystyrene happens:

  1. Foamed.
  2. extruded.

The first is the usual foam. The higher the density of its brand, the better it has an indicator of thermal conductivity.

Extruded polystyrene foam has more high density, which does not affect thermal conductivity. Thanks to graphite in its composition, this indicator is practically stable and varies between 0.3 - 0.32.

Microorganisms, fungi and mold do not multiply in the material.

In addition, foam and EPS (extruded polystyrene foam) have low capillary permeability, they practically do not absorb moisture.

XPS is much more resistant to fire, which is why it is advised to use it for indoor insulation.

It is absolutely safe to work with polystyrene, it does not generate dust, it has a light weight and perfectly cut (especially extruded board).

The cost of the material is one of the lowest on the market of heaters.

For floor insulation, in all respects, extruded polystyrene foam (Penoplex, for example) is better suited.

If you use ordinary polystyrene foam, then with a density of at least 30 kg / m3. The thickness of the plate depends on many features specific case.

Tools

You can prepare in advance what is useful for work:

  • Fine-toothed hacksaw. It is convenient for her to cut foam sheets.
  • Level.
  • Measuring instruments.
  • construction vacuum cleaner, a broom and other devices for cleanliness.
  • Self-tapping screws and a screwdriver, if laying on a wooden floor and on logs.
  • Spatulas and trowels level the layers of concrete screed (where required).

Sequence of work

The technologies for floor insulation with polystyrene foam are very different depending on what base the insulator layer will be mounted on.

Consider the instructions for warming:

  1. On the ground.
  2. By wood.
  3. On a concrete base.

Ground insulation

After leveling the soil (earthen base), the following steps are performed:

  1. Bedding. On an earthen base, a “cushion” is made of sand and gravel.
  2. Black tie. Poured reinforced layer concrete, which will serve as the base for the floor. Layer thickness 10 - 15 cm.
  3. Waterproofing. A layer of thick film, or special waterproofing, is laid.
  4. Styrofoam. Styrofoam sheets are laid. The joints between them are sealed with sealant, or sealed with metallized tape.
  5. Waterproofing. One more layer of film spreads.
  6. Top strap. A reinforcing mesh is laid and a layer of concrete is poured (thickness 5 cm). To do this, the surface is divided into zones, and stripes are poured sequentially, starting from the windows, moving towards the door. For best results, it is advisable to use beacons.
  7. Clean finish. Depending on preferences, any final floor is made, whether it be tile, laminate or any other.

Penoplex manufacturers allow it to be laid without a rough screed. To do this, the base is carefully leveled, rammed, crushed stone is added, then sand. And then XPS sheets are laid on the waterproofing layer.

Wood insulation

First, the old coating is dismantled, the vacant space is cleared of debris.

The sequence of work on the insulation of a wooden floor with polystyrene foam is as follows:

  1. Wooden logs. On draft floor logs are installed from a bar. The distance between them should take into account the dimensions and properties of the finish coating. It is on the bars that its subsequent fastening will be carried out, so the logs should “coincide” with the seams of the flooring. But you need to focus on a width of 35 - 60 cm.
  2. Styrofoam. Expanded polystyrene plates are inserted between the lags tightly, without gaps. If they are still formed, you need to seal them with acrylic sealant or foam.
  3. Clean coverage. This can be a layer of finishing boards, chipboard, OSB boards, etc.
  4. Finishing - depending on the preferences of the owner.

Warming along the lags

Insulation for concrete

Consider options for insulating a concrete floor with polystyrene foam. The concrete base must be prepared before the start of the main work. To do this, the previous coating is dismantled, all the cracks are sealed, the bumps are polished. The horizontal level is checked and if its absence is detected, the surface is leveled with special bulk trains. When the floor is dry, a thorough cleaning is carried out.

  1. waterproofing layer. The film is laid on a concrete base, the joints are glued with construction tape, and the edges are bent onto the walls so that there is a margin of 15 centimeters. Later, when the skirting boards are installed, these edges will be cut flush.
  2. If you plan on top of the insulation any wood flooring, then the bearing logs are laid. If the concrete screed - nothing is needed.
  3. Styrofoam is laid.
  4. You can lay a second layer of polystyrene foam - this will allow you to position the seams so that they do not match.
  5. If one layer of polystyrene is assumed, then the seams must be sealed with metallized tape or acrylic sealant. Large gaps are filled with foam.
  6. Another layer of waterproofing.

When using any insulation, the best effect is achieved when laying two layers with spaced seams.


The process of laying insulation

When a concrete screed is planned, the surface is divided into strips by beacons. A solution will be poured along them, starting from the windows and moving towards the exit. Work must be done quickly so that the edges of the mortar do not have time to begin to harden. The surface is leveled with a trowel and a rule, a plane is displayed.

If it is planned to install a “warm floor” system, it is not a waterproofing film that is laid, but foil penofol and heating pipes are laid, and then the screed is poured.

The loggia space is usually not large, so extruded polystyrene foam can be laid without a frame base. The method of fixation is called adhesive.

A special adhesive for foam is purchased. It is bred according to the instructions.

Toothed roller rolled smooth surface polystyrene foam. This will provide better adhesion to the glue and the subfloor of the loggia.

The adhesive is applied with a notched trowel to a clean, prepared floor surface or to foam sheets.

Then lay the XPS and topcoat.

This method of insulation goes well with the installation of underfloor heating and / or pouring a thin concrete screed.

Floating, or wireframe method

The surface is pre-cleaned. For foam, you can build a minimal frame, for example, only around the perimeter of the balcony.

To fix the logs to the concrete slab of the loggia, holes are made in it with a perforator, dowels are inserted, and logs are pressed against them with self-tapping screws.

The surface, together with the bars, is covered with a layer of waterproofing (it is fixed to the tree with a stapler).

Expanded polystyrene plates are laid in the grooves between the frame, then another layer of film (or foil insulation) and the finishing floor. A small air gap of 2–4 cm is left between the surface of the film and the finished floor.

Balcony slabs are made with a slope towards the street and a slot for rainwater runoff. But if glazing is carried out and the balcony is converted into extra room, the need for a slope and a gap disappears. Therefore, at the stage of constructing the frame, you can bring the floor to the level.

Conclusion

So, when insulating the floor, you need to remember that extruded material is always better than ordinary polystyrene foam. Styrofoam requires a waterproofing device at the top and bottom. A wireframe method used for finishing sheet materials or board.

Related video

No comments yet

microclimat.pro

How to insulate the floor with polystyrene foam with your own hands - the main stages of insulation, features of the work

High-quality thermal insulation of floors is the most important component of energy-saving buildings. Calculations were carried out by specialists in this field, from which it turned out that the insulation of the floor surface is of great importance, both in private housing construction and in apartment buildings. If the apartment has cold concrete floors, then using Styrofoam will help make them warmer.

Thanks to high-quality floor insulation, heat losses are significantly reduced, which increases the temperature in the room, making the stay of the residents of the apartment more comfortable. Therefore, I would like to consider the issue in more detail. self-insulation floors using expanded polystyrene, depending on the type of surface - wooden with logs, concrete or soil floor bases.

Expanded polystyrene insulation - characteristics

Heaters based on polystyrene have both common properties and significant differences. Expanded polystyrene plates, unlike foam analogs, have a denser structure resembling a sponge. For this reason, to ensure a high-quality heat-saving effect, similar to thick foam in plates, polystyrene foam analogs are made with a much smaller thickness.

If we compare the thermal insulation parameters of floors insulated with expanded polystyrene and, for example, expanded clay, then regardless of the differences temperature indicators on the street, when using the first heater, a person in the room feels warm. The indicators of heat-insulating parameters of floors insulated with foam plastic exceed those of expanded clay concrete floor surfaces by 20-25 times.

Naturally, it is impossible to call such a heater ideal. Due to the high moisture resistance, a fungus can form on the surface of such a material with constant moisture. Also, polystyrene foam insulation, despite its resistance to acids and alkalis, easily melts when interacting with resin or organic-based mastic.

Why choose this type of insulation?

Floor insulation using foam boards has become very popular, in construction industry due to a number of advantages compared to similar materials:

Varieties of polystyrene foam insulation

All heaters based on expanded polystyrene are divided into two main types depending on the manufacturing technology and technical characteristics.

  • Foam insulation, for which foaming substances are used, which later turn into granules under the influence of temperature. For convenience, such material is produced in the form of plates with a pronounced structure, round granules fastened together. At the same time, almost 90% of the material consists of air bubbles wrapped in a special sheath. Due to this structure, the material is practically weightless and has high thermal insulation characteristics.
  • Extruded polystyrene foam insulation for floor surfaces, obtained by foaming with carbon dioxide. Such a heater in the context resembles a foam rubber sponge. Such materials have better thermal conductivity, unlike foam counterparts.

Enterprises engaged in the production of building board insulation produce materials with parameters of 60 by 120 cm in width and length, respectively. At the same time, in almost every building materials store, the insulation will be cut to the size required by the buyer.

For insulation of residential premises, foam plastic plates of the PSB - C 35 brand are used. To insulate a garage box, hangar or other utility room, PSB - C 50 is suitable. At the same time, for greater ease of installation, the plates are produced with edges that fit into grooves.

I would like to note that it is very important when using such a heater to prevent its contact with organic solvents, such as mastics or resins, which will simply melt the material. It is also necessary to avoid the use of polymer-bitumen mastics, without preliminary insulation of expanded polystyrene boards.

How is insulation with polystyrene foam

Insulation with extruded polystyrene foam is carried out by laying sheets of material in the gaps between the lags. To do this, you can use the brand of insulation PSB - C 15, since the main load will be on the logs. In this case, the thickness of the material is 100 mm for the first floor and 50 mm between floors.

Also, when warming, it is important that all the gaps between the lags are filled. For this, standard fiberglass is suitable. At the same time, floor insulation with foam plastic is gaining more and more popularity and consists of certain technological stages.

  1. A polyethylene film is rolled out on a flat base, which acts as a waterproofing.
  2. The insulation is placed in the cells of the wooden crate.
  3. Before starting installation polystyrene boards it is necessary to get rid of cracks and other technical openings through which small rodents can penetrate.
  4. Chipboard boards are laid on top of the insulation on logs made of wood. Finally, a decorative floor covering is mounted - laminate, linoleum, etc.

How to properly insulate the floor on the ground?

For floor coverings that have a soil base, insulation with foam boards is not only desirable, but rather necessary.

  1. The base is qualitatively leveled. If the soil is loose, then it is compacted and left to settle for 3 weeks.
  2. A gravel pad 100 mm thick is constructed, which is compacted mechanically or manually.
  3. A layer of sand also 100 mm thick is poured onto the pillow, which is also rammed.
  4. A polyethylene film is laid, on which insulation sheets are laid, on top of which polyethylene is again spread. Thanks to this, the foam will be protected from moisture both from below and from above.
  5. A metal mesh is laid on top of the heat-insulating layer and concrete is poured. In this case, the thickness of the upper concrete layer must be at least 6 cm.
  6. At the final stage, the decorative finish coating provided for by the repair plan is laid. It can be either linoleum or tile or any other available finishing material.

To insulate a concrete floor base, it is better to use high-strength polystyrene brand PSB - S 35. Despite the fact that thanks to the insulation boards different thickness you can even out large differences, but it’s better to make a screed, on which the insulation cake will be laid out in the following order:

It is important that the expanded polystyrene plates are joined with maximum density into the grooves. In conclusion, a decorative floor covering is laid on top of the finishing screed, which is lined with a plinth around the perimeter.

Features of floor insulation on the balcony

To insulate the floor surface on a loggia or balcony, there is no better material than polystyrene foam. This is primarily due to the ease of installation and low weight of the insulation. If speak about thermal insulation characteristics plates, due to the foamed structure they are several times superior to other similar analogues, which guarantees the reliability of the work performed.

If planned as finishing floor on the balcony to lay wood or laminate, then a horizontal wooden crate. If it is planned to lay tiles on the floor, then a reinforced concrete screed is made on top of the vapor barrier.

Also, the use of such material on the balcony makes it safer. This is due to the fact that polystyrene foam material is non-combustible, and this is very important in rooms of this kind. At the same time, thermal insulation work is carried out by analogy with insulation along logs.

How to insulate the floor with foam in the attic?

When insulating rooms of this kind, high-quality vapor barrier plays an important role. This is due to the fact that the floors in the attics and attics, which are the ceiling of the room, must let air through. As usual, expanded polystyrene is laid on a vapor barrier, which is also spread on top of the plates.

A concrete screed is either made on top of the insulation layer, if it is an attic, or a crate is laid on which plywood sheets are laid, on top of which a finishing coating is laid, depending on the taste of the owner of the room. For the highest quality floor insulation in the attic, it is recommended to lay several layers of polystyrene with a shift in the joints.

Heaters made on the basis of expanded polystyrene perfectly cope with the tasks of floor insulation assigned to them. At the same time, all installation work is within the power of people who have nothing to do with construction.

Such a fairly inexpensive method of insulation significantly improves the thermal performance that protects rooms of any type from the penetration of cold from the outside. At the same time, it also does not allow heat to escape to the outside and allows you to significantly increase the sound insulation of the apartment, which is especially important in multi-storey buildings.

balcony.guru

How to use polystyrene foam for the floor as a heater?

High-quality floor insulation is very important aspect during the construction of a private house. The amount of heat loss through the floor is on average 20%. With insufficient thermal insulation of the floor, condensation can accumulate, and with high humidity, the floor becomes a favorable environment for the development of mold, fungi and other bacteria. In order for the microclimate in the house to be healthy and favorable for living, it is necessary to take measures to warm the floor. When choosing a heater, most owners of private houses prefer foam. Floor insulation with polystyrene foam is a simple and affordable way thermal insulation.


Insulation of the floor with foam plastic on the old floor covering ceramic tiles

What is better to choose foam or extruded polystyrene foam?

The main requirements for heaters are:

  • Low thermal conductivity.
  • High strength.
  • Fire safety.
  • Moisture resistance.
  • Light weight of the material (the insulation should not create additional loads on the structural elements of the building).
  • The ability of a material to withstand certain mechanical loads.

All of these qualities are characteristic of the now popular polystyrene foam insulation, and if you choose extruded polystyrene foam for insulation, you can solve the problem of sound insulation and waterproofing. Both ordinary and extruded polystyrene foam are moisture resistant, but ordinary foam becomes unusable when exposed to a humid environment for a long time: it crumbles and crumbles, while extruded polystyrene foam retains its operational qualities. Styrofoam does not differ in high soundproof properties, and extruded polystyrene foam reliably protects the room from extraneous sounds, this material also surpasses conventional foam plastic in other technical indicators, especially in terms of strength. But the cost of extruded polystyrene foam is much higher than the cost of foam, so most buyers choose cheaper insulation.

Installation of expanded polystyrene for thermal insulation of the floor

Expanded polystyrene for the floor is a functional and cheap insulation, the installation of which is not particularly difficult, even a person who does not have experience and professional skills can do it with his own hands. Thermal insulation of the floor with polystyrene foam can be carried out at the stage of building construction, this will reduce the cost construction works or when operating at home.

Styrofoam floor insulation is an easy way to reduce home heating costs

If the floors that are above the basement are insulated, there is no need to lay waterproofing, since the foam boards are laid on the floor itself. But if the floors are laid on the ground, then a layer of vapor barrier will be necessary.

Under the screed, floor insulation is done in the following sequence:

  1. The surface of the overlap is leveled with a layer of cement screed.
  2. A thermo-acoustic tape is laid along the perimeter of the walls to the height of the floor.
  3. The laid foam boards are covered with a layer of waterproofing, 0.2 mm thick. At the joints, the film is overlapped (the width of the overlap is about 10 cm).
  4. On top of the thermal insulation layer is applied cement strainer(thickness not less than 5 cm).
  5. After the screed has dried, the floor covering is laid.

It is possible to insulate the floor without a screed, in which case the floor covering is laid directly on the foam boards. The sequence of thermal insulation work is as follows: vapor barrier layer, from above - foam plates. It is not necessary to lay waterproofing on polystyrene foam, you can immediately equip the floor covering.

You can use foam plastic for floor insulation in a private house, cottage, apartment. Expanded polystyrene as a heat insulator is often used when installing underfloor heating.

The use of foam in the "warm floor" system

Styrofoam in the "warm floor" system plays the role of a reflective screen, preventing heat from escaping below. Thus, you can significantly reduce the consumption of electricity and save on electricity bills.

Styrofoam for underfloor heating retains heat well, this is enough durable material capable of retaining its physical and chemical properties in temperature range from - 180 to + 180°С. This material is resistant to chemical and bacteriological attack, can provide good thermal insulation due to the air bubbles that are in its structure.

Expanded polystyrene is convenient for installation. Special mounting markings, 50 × 50 mm in size, enable craftsmen, when arranging a warm floor system using foam, to accurately determine the step between the pipes.

When installing a floor heating system, thermal insulation is laid under a heating element. Insulation is necessary so that all the heat remains in the room and does not go to the base of the floor structure. If thermal insulation is not made, then heat loss can be up to 20% of all generated energy. Another reason for laying thermal insulation is to protect against moisture penetration from below, this is especially important if there is earth or a basement under the floor.

For thermal insulation in a water-heated floor system, it is better to use foil or laminated polystyrene foam. Foil foam can be called the ideal thermal insulation for underfloor heating. In addition to the fact that the thermal conductivity of the foam is very low (4 times less than that of wood or expanded clay), the foil layer additionally reflects heat rays. All together, this greatly improves the performance of the underfloor heating system.

The advantage of expanded polystyrene, as a component for a water-heated floor, is structural stability. For normal operation warm water floors, it is necessary that the insulation retains its physical, chemical properties in a wide temperature range; expanded polystyrene, which has stable characteristics from -180 to + 180 ° C, meets this requirement as well as possible. In addition, this insulation is not afraid of saline or acidic environments. Styrofoam is not a beneficial environment for the reproduction of microorganisms, since it is a completely synthetic product in itself.

Expanded polystyrene does not absorb moisture and does not swell, but its most important advantage can be called environmental safety. Styrofoam granules contain carbon and hydrogen. This ensures that the insulation used with the "warm floor" system, when heated, will not emit harmful substances.

Floor insulation in a private house

Expanded polystyrene has a long service life and among most heaters the most affordable cost. This material can be laid on any surface: concrete, wood, metal or old tiled flooring.

The technologies for installing a heat-insulating layer using foam plastic are significantly different.

Thermal insulation of floors in a private house is carried out in accordance with the established building regulations. These are complex works, consisting of insulation measures, which are carried out first outside the foundation to prevent cold and moisture from entering the building. Basements are also insulated, basements. The most common way to insulate the floor in a private house is the technology of arranging thermal insulation along the logs. It consists in the following:

  • Before starting thermal insulation work, the old coating is dismantled.
  • Wooden logs are laid on a concrete base or black floor at a distance of 600 mm - 1000 mm from each other.
  • First, a vapor barrier is laid between the lags, and a heater (polystyrene foam and other material) is placed on top.
  • Insulation plates are protected from above with a layer of waterproofing (usually polymer film).
  • They fit on the logs wooden planks or fiberboard, OSB, etc.

Thermal insulation of floors in wooden houses

High-quality thermal insulation of floors is necessary in houses built from different building materials, including wood. This is very important for creating comfort in the room. Today floor insulation in wooden house The process is not difficult, thanks to great choice technologies and a wide range of materials.

Heaters for wooden buildings must have the following characteristics:

  • incombustibility
  • moisture resistance
  • environmental safety
  • durability

Most economical way insulation of wooden floors is the use of polystyrene foam boards as a heater. Thermal insulation of the floor on the first floor starts from the basement. Expanded polystyrene is glued from the side of the basement using epoxy glue, resin, or a special fastening system. Fire safety standards limit the use of conventional foam as a floor insulation in a wooden house. Experts recommend using extruded polystyrene foam for thermal insulation, which has a minimum thickness of insulation and the best technical specifications including fire safety.

For waterproofing the thermal insulation system, you can use polyethylene film, PVC membranes, roofing material, isoplast. These materials well protect the insulation from moisture penetration.

The method of floor insulation in a wooden house depends on the type of foundation.

A house built on a columnar, strip foundation is insulated at its base first with sand, then expanded clay or other granular insulation is poured. After that, a draft floor is installed and heat-insulating material is laid.

Insulation of the concrete floor with polystyrene foam

Concrete floor insulation materials must be strong in compression and have little deformation during compression. In addition, heaters must have high thermal insulation qualities with minimum thickness material. Also thermal insulation materials for insulation of a concrete floor must withstand mechanical loads and be moisture resistant. Expanded polystyrene on a concrete floor is the best insulation, because at its low cost it has all the necessary characteristics.

Insulation of the concrete floor with foam

The technology of concrete floor insulation can be briefly described as follows:

  • A gravel cushion 30-40 cm high is poured onto the ground and carefully rammed.
  • 10 cm of sand is poured on top, and it is well pressed.
  • The subfloor is being built from reinforced concrete.
  • After the concrete has dried, a layer of waterproofing is laid.
  • The floor is insulated with polystyrene foam.
  • After laying the insulation, waterproofing is spread, and then another concrete screed with a thickness of at least 5 cm is installed.
  • The final floor covering is being installed.

Important! For thermal insulation of concrete floors on the ground, polystyrene foam with a thickness of at least 10 cm should be used.

79w.ru

Floor insulation with polystyrene foam

In order for the house to be warm and cozy, one should take care not only of the insulation of the walls, but also of the floors. Do-it-yourself floor insulation with polystyrene foam is a relatively simple floor insulation technology. The material itself is environmentally friendly and safe, it is for these qualities that it has become very popular today. Insulation of floors with polystyrene foam, you can also watch the video below, which describes in detail the nuances of the work.

Material Features

Today, expanded polystyrene is an inexpensive and affordable material. It is often used for thermal insulation in city apartments and private houses. Expanded polystyrene is represented by various brands that differ operational characteristics and material thickness. The floor on the first floor is insulated with expanded polystyrene using PSB-S-35 brand plates. Their thermal conductivity is approximately 0.038 W / sq.m, water absorption is not more than 2%. The edges of the slabs can be milled or flat, which makes it possible to overlap them according to the tongue-and-groove principle, thereby reducing the risk of thermal bridges.

If it is necessary to use a material that can withstand a large load, it is recommended to choose PSB-S-50 expanded polystyrene. This is a great option for warming the garage and other utility rooms. The only drawback of this material is that it begins to dissolve upon contact with organic resins.

Advantages and disadvantages of floor insulation with extruded polystyrene foam

Typically, experts recommend thermal insulation works for the floor using extruded polystyrene foam. The fact is that, in comparison with conventional plates, it is characterized by greater hardness, due to the dense cellular structure. On the ground floor, it can be laid on a layer of gravel.

This great option thermal insulation material where a very large load on the floor is expected. Therefore, it is also suitable for industrial buildings. The advantages of this method include low coefficients of water absorption and thermal conductivity, due to which a gravel base is suitable for expanded polystyrene, and it can also be laid on the first floors of houses where groundwater is close to the surface.

However, floor insulation with extruded polystyrene foam also has its drawbacks. In particular, it is worth noting that this material is able to dissolve upon contact with resins and mastics of organic origin.

The technology of floor insulation on the ground with polystyrene foam

The peculiarity of this technology is that the thermal insulation layer and the floor are in direct contact with the ground. Sometimes even with groundwater. Therefore, this method of floor insulation with polystyrene foam is aimed at improving waterproofing. Here you need to take into account the presence / absence of a basement. If it is, then the thickness of polystyrene foam during floor insulation can be made smaller, but should only be laid on top waterproofing barrier.

There are two options here. The first assumes: a flat floor and flooring, which are covered with gravel or slag and then rammed. Wooden logs are fixed on top, and sheets of extruded polystyrene foam are laid between them. In the second option, the floor is insulated with polystyrene foam under the screed. So first of all, sheets of polyurethane foam are laid, then they are covered with roofing material, and then poured with concrete or cement-sand screed.

Stages of floor insulation with polystyrene foam do it yourself

Regardless of the material for the finish coating, the process of thermal insulation of the floor proceeds as follows:

  • Leveling the base of the floor;
  • Arrangement of a "pillow" of crushed stone with a thickness of about 10 cm;
  • Use expanded clay sand to fill voids;
  • Styrofoam plates are laid on the prepared floor;
  • The insulation layer is covered waterproofing film, and at the joints there should be an allowance of 5 cm;
  • To strengthen the floor, a reinforcing mesh is placed on top, which allows you to evenly distribute the load on the floor.

If you are planning a screed device, then pouring it will be the next step. The final touch will be fine finish floor, which involves the installation of laminate, parquet or linoleum.

The video below shows how the insulation work is carried out.

Insulation of the concrete floor with polystyrene foam

In most cases, the technology of work is similar to the insulation of the floor with polystyrene foam under the screed. But this option is more labor intensive. It should also be remembered that when the concrete floor is insulated with expanded polystyrene, the height of the room decreases. True, there are cases when the thickness of the concrete screed is made no more than 5 cm, so much more is given under the thickness of the insulation. If the floor surface is leveled, it is permissible to use only expanded polystyrene plates, which will allow you to win back a couple of extra centimeters.