Foiled polystyrene foam board. The use of polystyrene foam for heated floors

Underfloor heating systems should be installed in accordance with regulations, one of which requires the use of thermal insulation to reduce losses and direct heat flow V the right side. Today we will look at expanded polystyrene for heated floors, its features and advantages over other materials.

The use of polystyrene foam for heated floors

Purpose and criteria for choosing thermal insulation

If we look at the structure and operating principle of the underfloor heating system, we will find that for its normal operation, insulation is required between the heating elements and the floor slab.

This requirement is quite logical: otherwise, a significant part of the thermal energy will be spent on heating the floor slab and the room located below, since the thermal conductivity of concrete is quite high.

If a sufficient layer of material with low thermal conductivity is placed between the heating elements and the concrete, then almost all the useful thermal energy will be spent on heating the floor surface. That is, we will turn the entire heat flow in the direction we need, namely upwards.

In this case, we will be able to use a system with a low coolant temperature, since it will be enough to warm the surface. This will not only save electricity or gas, but also reduce the cost of the entire system through the use of more efficient and inexpensive materials, will make it safer and easier.

Since there are many insulation materials and materials with low thermal conductivity, we should find out the criteria by which we will choose thermal insulation.

So, the criteria:

1. Low thermal conductivity. The value of the thermal conductivity coefficient plays a very important role, as it affects the thickness of the thermal insulation layer. The thinner the layer, the less living space the system will “steal”;
2. High compressive strength. The insulation layer will be located between the floor surface and the floor slab, that is, it will take on the entire load that the materials will exert flooring, leveling and furniture. The insulation must withstand this load without deformation;
3. Moisture resistance. The material must have a low water absorption coefficient, otherwise during a system leak, when used on the ground or in wet areas the insulation will become saturated with moisture and lose its thermal insulation qualities. There is no possibility to ventilate the insulation to remove moisture;
4. Safety. The material should not highlight harmful substances when heated to 60-70 degrees. Usually the coolant temperature does not rise above 55 degrees, but a reserve is required;
5. Biological resistance. The material must not become a habitat or breeding ground for insects, mold, bacteria or rodents;
6. Durability. The insulation should serve no less than the underfloor heating system itself. Replacing the insulation will require disassembling the entire structure and reassembling it, so such a replacement should be excluded;
7. Smooth surface. Obviously, it is advisable for us to use the material in the form of slabs with a uniform thickness, as this will simplify the installation of the floor.

Now that the criteria for choosing a thermal insulation material are listed, we can easily select the option that best meets these criteria. To do this, we will consider the main materials and, using the method of elimination, we will focus on the appropriate one.

Why expanded polystyrene?

The first criterion on our list is low thermal conductivity. And here are several options:

• foam plastics(polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, polystyrene foam, etc.),
• fibrous materials(stone, slag or glass wool),
• Cork tree;
• foam glass.

You can immediately exclude fibrous materials from this list, since they are afraid of moisture and have a low compressive strength. Also, foam glass is not suitable for us, since it is too expensive and has a large thickness.

What remains is balsa wood, polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam. The latter is applied in liquid form, in addition, its price is too high. Other foams are too soft and will simply shrink under the screed.

Consequently, of all the materials, polystyrene foam turned out to be the most suitable in terms of its characteristics, cost and ease of installation.

Features of expanded polystyrene

What are the features of expanded polystyrene? I propose to consider those that influence the choice of this material as a thermal insulation substrate for a heated floor:

1. Low thermal conductivity. Extruded polystyrene foam has one of the lowest thermal conductivity coefficients, which is 0.029-0.034 W/m*K. Only polyurethane foam is more effective in this regard, but its application and the foam itself are too expensive;

1. High compressive strength. In this indicator, extruded foam plastic is superior to most insulation materials. For 10% linear deformation, a pressure of 250 kPa or more than 100 kg/m² will be required;
2. Low water absorption. After 24 hours of being in water, only 0.1% of the foam volume is filled with moisture. That is, even when immersed in water, the material retains its qualities by 99%;
3. Fire safety. The grades approved for use in construction have the following fire resistance indicators: G1, V2, D3, RP1 (according to SNiP 21-01-97);
4. Heat resistance. The operating temperature range is from minus 50 to plus 75 degrees. Short-term heating up to +110 °C is possible. The material fully matches temperature conditions using heated floors;
5. No corrosion. Polyfoam is absolutely not afraid of mold, bacteria, moisture, acidic or alkaline environment and other destructive factors;
6. Low density. The density of expanded polystyrene is 30-35 kg/m³. This means that thermal insulation will not create a significant load on;

1. Durability. As a substrate for heated floors, extruded PPS will last at least 50 years. There is simply no data on its further fate yet, but a number of studies suggest that after this period the material almost completely retains its qualities and can be used further;

1. Toxic safety. Expanded polystyrene does not emit toxic compounds such as phenol, formaldehyde, etc. The same cannot be said about dense stone wool.

Ravaterm is another brand with good quality.

Advantages

When using extruded EPS boards you will get a lot of advantages, including:

• Easy installation. The instructions for laying the slabs do not require you to have special tool, special skills, knowledge and abilities. Almost everyone can handle laying thermal insulation with their own hands;

• Quality geometry. Plates from reputable manufacturers (TechnoNIKOL, Penoplex, URSA, etc.) are distinguished by their correct geometry and high-precision milling of edges, locks, bosses and other elements;

• Soundproofing. In addition to cutting off the ceiling from heating, the foam layer will provide sound insulation sufficient to prevent neighbors below from hearing the gurgling of water in the system pipes;

• Affordable price. Compared to other options, such as balsa wood, polyurethane foam or foam glass, the cost of PPP is quite affordable and differs significantly;
• High efficiency. The material copes well with its responsibilities and ensures almost complete absence of heat loss;

• No smell. High-quality polystyrene boards do not emit odors. The material can be confidently laid in a bedroom or other room without fear of smelling a chemical aroma;
• Additional moisture protection. The material is completely waterproof and has a very low vapor permeability coefficient. Thanks to this, your floor will be additionally protected from moisture coming from below, and your neighbors will be protected from flooding.

Conclusion

I have clearly shown that when considering various options Insulation for heated floors turned out to be polystyrene foam that was the most effective and suitable in all respects. If you want to learn more about the material, watch the video in this article and ask questions in the comments.

Penofol is a combined material made of foamed polyethylene and aluminum foil thickness 4-10 mm. It prevents heat loss in three directions - through convection, conduction and in the infrared spectrum.

Most other insulators have only one of these properties. This means that a thin sample can replace insulation materials of much greater thickness. There are several modifications of polyethylene foam, which differ in the placement of aluminum foil on one or both sides and the presence of an adhesive layer.

The scope of use of the material is quite wide. It does not have pores and does not allow air to pass through, so it is often used to insulate the floors of saunas and baths. The product copes with the insulation of concrete and wooden flooring. Penofol is also present in the structure of heated floors.

Installation of insulation is always carried out on the sheathing. It is necessary to create a gap above the foil. The air passing through it will remove accumulated moisture.

In most cases, Penofol is used with other insulation materials. It interacts well with polystyrene foam, penoplex, mineral wool and other products. It is also used as an independent heat insulator.

Advantages and disadvantages of floor insulation with Penofol

1. Aluminum foil does not allow moisture and steam to pass through, so the product can be laid in damp areas, such as basements. When creating an insulating layer, special membranes for hydro- and vapor barrier are not required.
2. Penofol is multifunctional. After laying on interfloor ceilings it not only retains heat, but also soundproofs the apartment.
3. When used together with other insulation materials, it enhances their heat-insulating properties. For example, in steam rooms, the aluminum layer reflects thermal energy and helps maintain a high temperature.
4. The material is highly environmentally friendly and does not emit fumes harmful to humans.
5. The canvas is thin; after laying it on the floor, the ceiling height changes by an insignificant amount. A 4 cm thick product replaces mineral wool with a 10 cm layer. This property allows you to insulate foundations in rooms where changing the size of the flooring is unacceptable.
6. The insulator is sold in rolls and is easy to spread and cut, which reduces installation time.
7. The product does not burn and can be used in fire hazardous areas.
8. Rodents don't like him.

Penofol floor insulation technology

The insulator can be used to insulate surfaces made of any material. Before laying Penofol on the floor, stock up on glue to fix it to the base and reinforced tape to seal the joints. They will improve the quality of the heat-insulating layer.

Selection of materials for floor insulation

Penofol for flooring is available in various designs. For insulation, rolls with special letter designations are used:

• Type “A” - with a foil layer on one side;
• Type “B” - with a metal layer on both sides;
• Type “C” - with foil on one side and a sticky surface on the other;
• Type “ALP” - foil layer covered with polyethylene.

1. There is permission to use the product indoors. The degree of toxicity is indicated in the certificate of conformity.
2. Withstands large temperature changes.
3. Has antiseptic properties.
4. Does not lose its characteristics throughout the entire life of the house.
5. For the best fixation, special solvents are added to the glue, and they are different for each material. If this factor is not taken into account, the substance may damage the sample.

Adhesive tape is a metallized (aluminum) reinforced tape designed for sealing and thermal insulation of surfaces. The main indicators that it should have:

• High degree of adhesion. It depends on the thickness of the adhesive layer, the minimum value is 20 microns.
• Ability to resist water, dust, bacteria.
• High strength and wear resistance.
• Saving characteristics long time in the range from -20 to +120 degrees.

Laying Penofol on a concrete base

Features of the work:

1. Clear concrete surface from dirt and add a layer of expanded clay.
2. Prepare cement laitance and pour the mixture onto the base. The solution will ensure that the granules set and cover them with a film. Stop working for a day to allow it to harden. After hardening, you can move freely on the insulation.
3. Fill the expanded clay with screed and level it to the horizon.
4. Roll out a roll on the floor with a 10-15 cm overlap on the wall. Cut off the excess with scissors. If there is no adhesive layer on the insulator, secure it to the base with a special means. The use of a clamp is optional, but it will prevent the insulator from moving during installation finishing coating.
5. Before gluing, thoroughly clean, vacuum and prime the concrete surface. Apply the product to the entire canvas, on the side without foil. Coat the edges especially carefully.
6. After applying the solution, do not touch the material for a couple of minutes so that the glue hardens a little. Place the sheet on the concrete, smooth it out and hold it until it sets.
7. For insulation concrete base, instead of expanded clay, you can use polystyrene foam or high-density polystyrene foam 5-10 cm thick. In this case, it is better to lay Penofol type “C” on it, which is easily fixed with an adhesive layer.
8. Place the second strip next to it end-to-end, and glue the connection of the blades with aluminum tape.
9. Install the slats on the base in increments of 35-40 cm along the entire length of the room and secure with dowels. Align the surface of the beams in a horizontal plane using a hydrostatic level. If you plan to fill the space between the beams with other insulation, for example, foam plastic, mineral wool, their height should be 5 cm greater than the thickness of the insulator to organize a ventilated space.
10. Buy beams in sizes 100x100 or 100x150 mm, where 150 is the width. The length of the beams should correspond to the size of the room so that they do not have to be extended. Modification of the slats negatively affects the stability and strength of the frame.
11. Cover the main insulation with a second layer of Penofol with the foil side facing the room.
12. Place 12mm thick boards or plywood on top of the beams to create a finished deck. Linoleum or laminate is suitable as a floor covering.

All lumber must be treated with antiseptic agents or drying oil.

Installation of Penofol on a wooden surface

In the first case, the canvas is spread under the boards. The sequence of operations when insulating a floor with Penofol is as follows:

• Remove the boards from the joists. Inspect the lumber, replace rotten and damaged elements.
• Impregnate new ones with products to protect against insects, fungus, and dampness. Place newly installed beams in increments of 30-40 cm and secure them to the base with anchors.
• Place shims or wedges under sagging beams.
• Make sure that there is a gap of 1-2 cm between the beams and the walls. Check the position of the upper ends of the beams in the horizontal plane.
• Nail boards or panels to the bottom surfaces of the joists to create a subfloor. If this is not possible, secure them to the cranial bars.
• If the main insulation absorbs moisture well (for example, mineral wool), place Penofol on the subfloor.
• Install thermal insulation blocks between the joists. It is advisable to lay them in several layers, with overlapping joints.
• Make sure that there are no gaps between the slabs and joists. If necessary, seal them with foam or sealant.
• Place on top mineral wool Penofol with an overlap of 10-15 cm on adjacent sheets, on joists and on walls.
• Secure the product with an industrial stapler or foil tape. Make sure that after laying the finishing coating there is a 4 mm gap above the insulator for ventilation.
• After laying Penofol on the floor, attach finishing boards or chipboard sheets to the joists, leaving 1.5 cm gaps between the lumber and the wall.
• Install the flooring on top.

1. Before insulating the floor with Penofol, inspect the boards and replace damaged elements.
2. Place the roll marked “C” with the sticky side down and glue it to the boards. Fix other samples to them with special glue.
3. Mount a sheathing on top that will provide a gap between the foil and the finished floor.
4. Attach 12 mm thick hardboard or chipboard to the joists.
5. Install the flooring.

Use of Penofol in the "warm floor" system

The technique for arranging such a heating system in a room looks like this:

• Fill the floor with concrete screed with the addition of expanded clay.
• After the cement has completely hardened, cover the surface with a product of grade “A”, “C” or “ALP” with foil facing up. In this position, the heat will be reflected into the room.
• Place the sheets end-to-end, without gaps, with an overlap of 10-15 cm on the wall, which allows you to isolate the floor from impact noise.
• Glue the joints of the canvases for waterproofing and vapor barrier with reinforced tape.
• Place heating elements (cables or water tubes) on Penofol.
• Cover the heating system elements with metal mesh.
• Screed the floor. Level the surface in a horizontal plane.
• After the solution has hardened, trim the edges of the Penofol.
• To make the solution dry faster, it is allowed to turn on the heating elements little by little. It is not recommended to heat the base for a long time; cracks may appear in the screed.
• Install the floor covering.

Cloth marked “ALP” is used when the insulation is poured with concrete, which can destroy other modifications of foamed polyethylene.

To create a comfortable indoor climate, you need Special attention pay attention to thermal insulation of structures. To insulate the floor, for example, you can use foil polystyrene foam, which will help retain heat in the house and prevent condensation from forming on the base, which will prevent it from getting wet and will not allow mold and fungi to multiply there. This product is considered today the most effective among other types of insulation.

This foil insulation is a special material that is made by squeezing polystyrene granules. Produced only in slab form. The cost is on average 100 rubles per sheet. Standard size one sheet – 2 square meters. There may be other parameters.

Due to its characteristics, the substance can be installed in rooms with high humidity and where it will be subject to mechanical stress. Bacteria and fungi do not multiply on its surface.

Characteristics of foil polystyrene foam

The heat insulator has the following distinctive qualities:

1. Creates a seamless surface after installation.
2. Ecologically pure.
3. Easy to install.
4. Resistant to moisture.
5. Has high resistance to cracking and compression.
6. Provides additional sound insulation.
7. Does not burn.
8. Resistant to temperature changes.

Extruded polystyrene foam looks like foam rubber and has many pores, but is durable. The plate itself has a smooth surface and can be different color. It was possible to obtain such a thermal insulator thanks to the combination of hydrogen and carbon atoms. During manufacturing, the substance is foamed using volatile agents. Steam can also be used. Thanks to this, the sheets do not absorb moisture, are durable and provide not only additional thermal insulation foundation, but also its waterproofing.

Thermal insulation mats made of polystyrene foam can be used in different places, and this depends on the following indicators:

1. Properties of the installation site.
2. Properties of the mat itself.

The substance is usually installed to insulate walls or floors in bathrooms or kitchens. After installation, there is no need to further treat the surface to preserve its properties for a long time.

Installation of heated floors on penoplex is carried out using two technologies, which are often used by craftsmen. This:

1. A geomembrane is placed under the polystyrene foam itself. Then the heated floor is laid on polystyrene foam, and the pipes are attached directly to the sheets and the whole thing is filled with screed. The joints are pre-caulked to prevent cement from getting in there.
2. A membrane is placed on the thermal insulator. Polyethylene can be used to organize waterproofing.

To carry out the work you will need:

1. Level.
2. Penoplex.
3. Glue.
4. Primer.
5. Film.
6. Mesh for reinforcement.

There should be no debris at the installation site of the sheets. It is recommended to make a sand base for the product. Its thickness can be 1-2 centimeters. The pillow must be compacted and leveled.

When polystyrene foam is placed on concrete, it must be laid underneath reinforced mesh. It is installed over the entire area of ​​the room. Then the structure is poured with concrete.

It is important during installation to avoid gaps between the sheets. They can be glued together using tape.

When installing the product on walls, you must first clean their surface from old finishing materials. It is also important to prime the area and treat it with an antiseptic to prevent mold and mildew from appearing there.

You can see the features of floor insulation using foil insulation in the video:

Conclusion

As you can see, the technology for laying this insulation is not complicated, and therefore even one person who has no skills in this matter can handle the work. To ensure the durability of the structure, you only need to qualitatively prepare the surface under it and tightly lay polystyrene foam.

The convenient-to-use form of the thermal insulator will facilitate the installation process, make it possible to save money and time on work, creating comfort and warmth in the house.

Updated:

2016-08-27

In fact, foil penoplex is a type of expanded polystyrene. The name is due to the name of the Russian manufacturer that produces these products - Penoplex. Therefore, you should not panic if, instead of penoplex, you are suddenly given a package of material that says expanded polystyrene. They are the same thing, just with different names.

Modern foil foam has a number of advantages. To begin with, we note that this material serves as insulation and is covered with a layer of metal foil on top. This ensures reliability and absence of corrosion on the products.

The main advantages of the material include:

• Long service life, which can be 50 years or more;
• High levels of strength, resistance to mechanical stress;
• Resistant to moisture;
• Excellent sound insulation properties;
• Good heat resistance;
• High degree environmental safety, guaranteed by international certificates;
• The material is easy to work with; you can install penoplex yourself without any problems;
• There is no need for additional protection or processing of the foil layer.

If we talk about the shortcomings, then the only more or less obvious disadvantages that can be highlighted is the cost. Today the price for a package of foil foam is about 4 thousand rubles. The material is also sold individually, which allows you to do work on a small area of ​​the room or decorate a small room without spending money on extra slabs that you will not need in the end.

Otherwise, foil penoplex is superior to its competitors in many ways and has a wide range of advantages and capabilities.

Working with foil material

Working with foil foam is quite simple. The whole process includes several stages:

1. Preparing the premises;
2. Creation of a thermal insulation layer from foil foam;
3. Laying material on walls, ceilings, floors.

Let's consider each stage of installing penoplex separately.

Preparing the premises

Often foil penoplex is used to insulate loggias, balconies, kitchens and other rooms. From balconies we often want to make a more comfortable room, favorable in terms of microclimate. But the presence of numerous holes, voids, cracks does not allow you to feel comfortable on the balcony in winter or late autumn, since builders don’t really think about the thermal insulation of this part of the apartment or house.

The preparation is as follows:

• To begin with, all old finish. Cleaning is carried out down to the concrete base;
• The walls, ceiling and floor are checked for the presence of all kinds of deformations, chips, cracks, crevices, etc. They must be sealed with appropriate compounds;
• Between concrete slabs there are joints for which you will need epoxy putty and protective tape;
• If there are any on the balcony plastic windows, do not forget to insulate them. To do this, fill all gaps polyurethane foam. In some cases, during the installation process metal-plastic windows craftsmen use mounting tapes that serve as vapor-tight and vapor barrier protection. If they are present on your balcony, you will not have to additionally insulate the windows;
• The floor surface can be treated with waterproofing paint. In this case, the mixture should be applied to walls approximately 15 centimeters high, no less.

Creating a thermal insulation layer from foil material

Now you will need thermal insulation materials. In such situations, foil penoplex has proven itself to be the best.

To be fair, we note that we're talking about about the combination of penoplex with roll material, the basis of which is aluminum foil.

If we talk about the sequence of work at the second stage, it looks like this:

• Using disc-shaped dowels, penoplex is mounted on walls, floors or ceilings. Or maybe on all surfaces at once;
• In some areas the penoplex will have to be trimmed a little. This is done using a regular painting knife;
• Gaps will form between the penoplex panels, which must be filled with polyurethane foam. This helps prevent the formation of so-called cold bridges;
• A foil material is applied on top of the penoplex, which will additionally play the role of a vapor barrier membrane;
• The connection of penoplex and foil layer is carried out using a self-adhesive coating or special adhesives. Be sure to make sure that the adhesive is suitable for polystyrene boards;
• Glue the resulting joints with tape;
• Such manipulations make it possible to create a multilayer structure, which in its essence resembles an ordinary thermos;
• Aluminum foil will reflect thermal radiation, and penoplex with its porous structure will not allow heat to escape.

Laying finishing material

Installation of finishing materials on the floor, ceiling or walls depends on what exactly you have chosen for the particular room where the work is being carried out.

It is important to note that the thermal insulation obtained at the previous stage does not have high strength indicators, therefore additional finishing is necessary.

To do this, a screed based on sand and cement is laid on top of the insulating structure. In this case, be sure to adhere to the minimum requirements for the thickness of the screed - 10 millimeters. Once the screed is completely dry, you can begin laying laminate, wood, tiles, linoleum and other materials, the range of which is now huge.

This foil material creates an excellent, effective protective layer. With the help of penoplex you can achieve excellent results on thermal insulation. The cost of the products is at a fairly affordable level, and it certainly will not become an obstacle.

Water heated floor systems are widely used for heating private houses and cottages. Floor heating can be used as the main heating or an additional heat source, used together with radiator heating. To increase heating efficiency, when installing the system, special attention is paid to thermal insulation of the subfloor.

If you install a system pipeline without insulation, then most of the heat will go down. Warm air and poor ventilation under the subfloor lead to the formation of condensation, which, in turn, causes the development of fungi and pathogenic bacteria that threaten the occupants of the house and destroy the foundation.

What can be done to ensure that the water heated floor system works for the benefit of the home, and not to the detriment, creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort, and saving money on energy costs? To achieve the desired result, materials that have thermal insulation properties. And the most affordable of these materials is polystyrene foam for heated floors.

Expanded polystyrene: history of appearance

Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene foam in the form in which it exists now appeared in the middle of the last century thanks to the developments of the German company BASF. The main component of this material is styrene, a chemical compound obtained by heating the resin of the Styrax tree.

In the 30s of the last century, DOW specialists managed to synthesize styrene, as a result of which such a polymer as polystyrene became known to the world. It was from that time that polystyrene began to be widely used in the production of cases for televisions, telephones and other equipment, as well as as a thermal insulation and packaging material.

Expanded polystyrene is a foamed polymer. It is made by heating the polymer with steam and filling the resulting voids with gas. Thanks to special technology it appears unique material, characterized by its lightness and ability to resist compression, which allows it to remain unchanged in size.

Popular types of polystyrene foam

Polystyrene foam is usually produced in the form of slabs. The most popular among consumers polystyrene foam board the following types:

In the production of expanded polystyrene we use various technologies, defining its characteristics, scope of application and installation methods.

Pressless expanded polystyrene

The manufacturing process of this type of material is that polystyrene granules are placed in hot water, and after swelling, they are dried and foamed, placed in special molds or an extruder.

Considering the low cost of production, such foam plastic has a very affordable price, and therefore is especially popular among citizens who are puzzled by the installation of a warm water floor.

Extruded polystyrene foam

The foam of this type is produced by mixing polystyrene granules with a foaming agent under pressure and at a high degree of heating. The result is a viscous mass, which is extruded using a special tool equipped with an extrusion head.

Laying extruded polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam for heated floors is especially popular among installers installing water-based systems. Plates made from this material are also widely used in other areas of construction, for example, for insulating roofs, foundations and facades of houses.

Foiled polystyrene foam

This foam has distinctive feature, consisting in the presence of an additional metallized layer. This material is often used in underfloor heating systems, as the foil layer acts as a reflector, increasing heating efficiency by evenly distributing heat.

When installing a warm water floor, it is always necessary to lay an additional layer of foil under the pipeline, acting as a reflector. The use of foil polystyrene foam eliminates this need.

However, when laying it, it is necessary to take into account that the concrete screed in which the system is placed completely corrodes the thin layer of aluminum that covers the slabs in a short period of time. Therefore, this material must be protected with an additional layer of waterproofing.

It should be noted that foil polymer insulation can be used when installing water and cable heated floors. But it cannot be used when laying infrared mats.

Profile polystyrene foam

Usage of this material facilitates the work when installing a heated floor system, as it eliminates the need to lay a reinforcing mesh to which the pipeline is attached, apply markings and install guides, since all these functions are performed by bosses located over the entire surface of the slab.

The distinctive features of such a plate are the following factors:

• the bosses themselves, which make it possible to easily lay a water pipeline or an electric heated floor cable, regardless of the chosen scheme;
• increased mechanical strength, secured high density material;
• the presence of a shell that acts as a vapor barrier that protects against moisture;
• a layer of laminated foil, impervious to chemical attack;
• the presence of locking connections, thanks to which the slabs are laid without gaps;
• availability on bottom side slabs with a relief pattern that provides ventilation and smoothes out minor unevenness in the base.

Advantages of expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene board, compared to other types thermal insulation materials, has a number of advantages. On what basis can polystyrene foam be laid?

Foamed polymer boards are produced in various color scheme, which in no way affects technical specifications material. They can be laid on the following bases:

Features of laying the thermal insulation layer

Expanded polystyrene slabs are laid on a base that has been previously cleared of debris and leveled using appropriate solutions. Next, waterproofing is laid on the base of the floor, and polystyrene foam boards are placed on top of it. If a slab without bosses is used, then metal or plastic mesh, to which the cable or pipes of the water heated floor will be attached.

The last stage of arranging the heating system is pouring cement-sand screed, promoting uniform distribution heat.

Companies that produce polystyrene foam for heated floors claim that this material can last 50 years. However, tests conducted by scientists have shown that heated floors laid on polystyrene foam slabs will function flawlessly for more than 60 years. And if we add to these factors the affordable cost of materials, we can say that polystyrene foam is ideal insulation not only for underfloor heating systems, but also for various types finishing works.

Video: Foam plastic, extruded polystyrene foam and PIR