Choice of materials: how to insulate the walls of an aerated block house from the outside and inside?

Ensuring adequate insulation is essential when constructing a home using aerated concrete blocks in order to improve energy efficiency and maintain a comfortable indoor climate. Even though aerated blocks are lightweight and insulating, they still need extra insulation to provide the best possible thermal performance. Comfort and energy savings can be greatly improved by choosing the appropriate materials and installation techniques for these walls.

Aerated block walls can be insulated in a number of ways, both internally and externally. Every approach has pros and cons that vary based on a variety of factors, including climate, financial constraints, and individual preferences. Although internal insulation can be more practical and less disruptive to install, external insulation is frequently chosen due to its efficacy in lowering thermal bridges and shielding the structure from the elements.

Weighing considerations like moisture resistance, thermal resistance, and installation ease is part of selecting the proper insulation materials. Mineral wool, polystyrene, and polyurethane foam are common choices with different advantages. Homeowners can guarantee that their aerated block house stays comfortable and energy-efficient all year round by investigating these materials and comprehending their qualities.

Insulation Type Advantages Disadvantages
Mineral Wool Excellent thermal and sound insulation, fire-resistant, breathable Can absorb moisture, requires proper installation
Polystyrene Foam High thermal insulation, lightweight, moisture-resistant Not breathable, can be flammable without additives
Polyurethane Foam High insulation efficiency, seals gaps, moisture-resistant Expensive, requires professional installation
Fiberglass Good thermal and sound insulation, affordable Can irritate skin and lungs, not moisture-resistant
Natural Insulation (e.g., cellulose, hemp) Eco-friendly, breathable, good thermal performance May require thicker layers, can be more expensive

The role of the correct choice of material for thermal protection

To guarantee that a wall composed of aerated blocks measures more than 3.2 m 2 C/W in terms of standard indicators for thermal resistance It will be necessary to add more insulation because of:

  • D500(300mm) + 100mm insulation
  • D500(350mm) + 50mm insulation.

The thickness of the heat insulator will need to be increased further if the objects are situated in the northern and eastern regions.

Aerated concrete has unique characteristics that must be considered when choosing heat-resistant materials, chief among them being its high vapor permeability. This substance not only retains heat energy well but also lets steam through with ease. There are two continuous processes of moisture exchange occurring within its walls: forced and natural.

The primary components for providing thermal protection to walls made of aerated concrete are heat-resistant plaster, Penoplex, and mineral wool. It is strictly forbidden to use polystyrene foam for these types of walls because it is vapor-tight and will retain water inside the wall.

For external mounting

The best and most recommended method of protecting aerated concrete walls is external insulation.

Enough is said. For this kind of thermal protection arrangement, there are numerous options:

  1. “wet” lightweight design;
  2. “wet” heavy;
  3. dry installation with ventilation sheathing;
  4. frameless installation.

The "wet" version with a light plaster finish is the most basic. The dilution of adhesive mixtures with water gave rise to the moniker "wet" method.

From inside a room made of aerated concrete

Rarely, and only in cases when it is not possible to install the system outside, is a thermal protection system installed inside.

If this is the case, thermal insulation needs to be installed on the ceiling, floor, and walls as well. If not, there won’t be any way to stop the cold from entering the space.

What is suitable for insulation?

Using metal screws and dowels is not appropriate when working on aerated concrete blocks for thermal insulation. Adhesives and unique chemical anchors are used to secure the slabs.

Because even tiny chips and cracks in aerated blocks have the potential to cause the wall’s total collapse. While installing thermal insulation within a wall is considerably simpler than that on the exterior, the two areas of a wall require different installation techniques.

For external mounting

The lifespan of the house is greatly extended by external thermal protection for the walls, which also aids in the removal of moisture vapor from the wall material. It is not possible to use foam plastic or other vapor-tight insulators for these purposes because aerated concrete has increased vapor permeability.

They interfere with the environment’s and the room’s vapor exchange. At the interface where the insulation and wall meet, moisture will start to condense and add to the moisture buildup in the gas blocks. Mold will grow on the walls as a result of the blocks’ excessive moisture saturation and subsequent rot.

The majority Mineral wool composed of inorganic fibers is the most effective choice for providing thermal protection for an aerated concrete house. This design makes it possible to block the flow of cool air currents, keeping heated rooms’ exterior walls from losing heat.

Benefits of utilizing mineral wool in aerated concrete wall external thermal protection systems:

  • non-flammable material;
  • very high vapor permeability;
  • additional noise protection.

The next most common type of wool is called basalt wool, which is made from rocks rather than quartz and has a structure akin to mineral wool.

Although the thermal conductivity of both materials is actually equal at 0.036 W/(m 2 *C), basalt wool has a higher fire resistance indicator and doesn’t contain any polymer substances. The installation of basalt wool requires a frame, which is the only thing that makes it worse than mineral wool.

Penoplex is an additional well-liked insulation for exterior gas-block walls. It is a contemporary version of polystyrene foam with enhanced vapor permeability and fire resistance. The thermal conductivity of the insulation is 0.03 W/(m 2 *C).

From inside the room

Penoplex can also be mounted indoors on specific frames that have facing material applied to the finishing coat. Installation of basalt wool indoors is also permitted.

Warm plaster is a new technology that has gained popularity recently for protecting walls from the inside. This is a standard dry plaster mixture with crumbs and other fillers added for insulation. It’s put on the wall. These compositions offer strong thermal protection, good vapor permeability, and a low rate of flammability.

What is the best means of protection against the cold??

Experts believe that mineral wool and Penoplex are the best materials for thermal protection in aerated concrete homes. Both types of insulation are adaptable and can be utilized both inside and outside load-bearing walls.

To determine which is the best, you must examine the features of Penoplex (PP) and mineral wool (MV):

  • in terms of fire resistance, MV has the best performance;
  • In terms of moisture resistance, PP comes first;
  • resistance to mechanical damage – MV;
  • environmental safety – MV;
  • thermal insulation: MV – 0.036 W/(m 2 *C), PP – 0.03 W/(m 2 *C);
  • durability – PP;
  • cost – PP;
  • sound insulation – MV.

Selecting appropriate insulation materials for the walls of an aerated block home is essential to improving energy efficiency and preserving a cozy interior environment. This post will walk you through the top insulation choices for internal and external applications, outlining the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Regardless of your goals—maximizing thermal performance, cutting expenses, or guaranteeing simple installation—we’ll offer helpful guidance to help you decide wisely and get the best results for your house.

Installation cost and price of materials per m2

The cost of insulation and consumables, labor costs for hired personnel, and transportation make up the entire cost of thermal insulation work.

The following variables determine the cost of the work:

  • type of insulation: mini-ply or Penoplex;
  • type of installation: external or internal, frame or frameless, “wet” or with a ventilation system;
  • geometric complexity of wall structures;
  • transport interchange, type of transport necessary for transportation and loading and unloading;
  • the need to rent equipment;
  • the permissibility of storing building materials in the local area; if the process of building walls is delayed, then it is better to store the material indoors, protected from moisture;
  • the need to use scaffolding, if the house is multi-storey;
  • level of qualification of the performers.

In Moscow and the surrounding area, the developer pays approximately 2400 rubles per square meter for labor costs; prices are 15–25% lower outside of this area.

By Russian Federation region, the average cost of materials for insulating homes made of aerated concrete is as follows:

Name Dimension Average prices
Basalt wool
TechnoNIKOL rub./m 2 180
Paroc rub./m 2 210
Rockwool rub./m 2 110
Baswool rub./m 2 165
Minvata
Ursa Geo rub./m 2 150
Rocklight rub./m 2 89
Knauf rub./m 2 165
Isoroc rub./m 2 200
Penoplex
100 mm rub./m 2 480
50 mm rub./m 2 260
30 mm rub./m 2 220

Maintaining comfort and energy efficiency in an aerated block home requires careful selection of the insulation material. Even though aerated blocks already have good insulation qualities, their effectiveness can be greatly increased by including external or internal insulation. This contributes to lower energy costs and year-round comfort in the home.

Polystyrene foam, mineral wool, and polyurethane foam are common materials used for exterior insulation. They shield the aerated blocks from weather-related deterioration and offer a strong thermal barrier. These materials also enable different finishes, such as siding or stucco, which contribute to maintaining the house’s aesthetic appeal.

Conversely, options for internal insulation include cork panels, reflective foils, and drywall that has insulation built into it. These materials effectively improve indoor temperature control without sacrificing usable space. They are also a convenient option for homeowners because they are reasonably simple to install and maintain.

Ultimately, a variety of factors, including financial constraints, local climate, and personal preferences, will determine whether to insulate internally or externally. Each approach has benefits, and an aerated block house with proper insulation will surely experience increased comfort, reduced energy expenses, and better thermal efficiency. A warm and cozy home environment can be created by carefully choosing and installing insulation materials to ensure their longevity and effectiveness.

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Milan Yashina

Design engineer, specialist in development of design documentation. I will help you correctly design your home or other building.

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