The brick country house looks beautiful and soundly, such structures are very strong and durable. However, a brick from a tree, for example, differs in that buildings built from this material heat up much longer and keep heat worse. That is why you should take care of high-quality insulation of such a building. How is the insulation of brick houses outside using modern methods? What are the advantages of thermal insulation of the facade, compared with the insulation of the walls of a brick building from the inside? This will be discussed in this article.
Brick walls: thermal insulation features
Architectural structures made of brick have some characteristic features. First of all, a brick can be of two types - solid or hollow, and in many respects the thermal conductivity of the wall will depend on the type of material used. Another criterion that affects the thermal conductivity of a brick wall is the type of masonry (solid or so-called “well”, with an air gap). Ultimately, it is these moments that will determine the thickness of the insulation layer.
When planning to purchase materials for high-quality insulation of a brick residential building, do not forget about the following points:
- thermal insulation materials are of two types: for external decoration and for internal work (the difference between them is significant);
- the coefficient of thermal conductivity, as well as the density of the insulation material will determine the weight of the insulating layer and its thickness;
- the insulation should be absolutely safe for health, the more natural it is, the better.
By warming a brick structure, you change the appearance of your home. You can, for example, make insulation for siding and other modern materials - it is convenient, beautiful and practical. For example, vinyl siding imitating various natural materials will become very aesthetic, and at the same time, a budget option.
Why is it better to insulate the outside than the inside?
What solution will be more effective - to make insulation of walls in a brick house from the outside or to make insulation of brick houses from the inside with your own hands? Homeowners are interested in both the practical and economic aspects of this issue.
Of course, if there is a choice - to make external insulation or insulate the house from the inside, it is worth choosing the first option. When insulating the internal walls of the premises, the usable area is lost, since for warming it will be necessary to create a frame, and then sheathe the walls with plasterboard.
Do-it-yourself insulation of external walls: modern technologies
Modern materials, in the richest assortment presented on the market, make it possible to choose the technology of warming the walls of a wooden house that best suits both your ideas about style and comfort, and financial capabilities. Today, experts talk about two of the most popular modern insulation technologies:
- sandwich technology: insulation of brick buildings is laid at the stage of their construction. After the walls are built, a frame is installed on them - wooden or metal. It is in the frame that the insulation material will subsequently be laid, and then the material for decorative finishing (siding, etc.) will be attached. Such a procedure can be carried out exclusively if the foundation of the building is sufficiently strong and hardy. Siding, block house and other fashionable materials for facade decoration can be mounted on a frame with a heater embedded in it;
- “Wet facade”: another modern technology, when the insulation is mounted using special adhesive compounds, and on top it is covered with a special reinforced mesh and, finally, a material for decorative decoration. In this case, you can use stone wool, polystyrene foam, or polystyrene foam to warm the building with a brick yourself, and use decorative plaster, siding and other popular materials as the finish.
What to insulate - with mineral wool or polystyrene?
And for the thermal insulation of the building outside, and for insulating it from the inside, most often two types of materials are used: polystyrene foam and stone (mineral) cotton wool.
Among the most important advantages of mineral wool:
- incombustibility;
- excellent sound insulation;
- high vapor permeability;
- long period of operation;
- with equal success it is used both for thermal insulation on the outside (for siding, etc.) and for insulation from the inside (for internal work it is considered the best option).
The main advantages of warming brick houses with foam:
- excellent thermal insulation properties;
- resistance to the appearance of fungi, to the development of bacteria;
- low water absorption;
- low cost in comparison with other materials;
- convenience in DIY installation.
The process of warming a brick house with foam
Step 1. We will prepare the necessary tools:
- impact drill (perforator);
- a hammer;
- sharp knife;
- putty knives for foam;
- mounting adhesive (regular tile adhesive is also suitable);
- fixing material;
- reinforced mesh;
- putty;
- primers for wall surfaces;
- polyurethane foam.
Step 2. We clean the walls, carefully level them, primer.
Step 3. We spread the glue, lubricate it with a spatula with foam sheets.
Step 4. We apply insulation to the wall, then we press it well. We fix the sheets at 5-6 points using dowels, nails.
Step 5. After 3-4 days, when the sheets are completely dry, you should blow out the cracks with foam.
Step 6. Putty seams and irregularities with adhesive solution.
Step 7. We reinforce the foam sheets with a special mesh, which is also mounted on glue. Glued mesh with a slight overlap.
Step 8. After the insulation material has dried out, decorative, finishing of the facade is carried out. It can be vinyl siding, block house, plaster and other materials.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the video instructions for a complete understanding:
Polystyrene insulation of a brick building
Quite often you hear that polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam are one and the same material. However, this statement is absolutely incorrect. The fact is that polystyrene and polystyrene are, in fact, made from the same raw material, but the methods for their manufacture are different. Polyfoam is produced in a "dry" way, the granules are processed with steam for reliable "adhesion". Expanded polystyrene is produced by extrusion, when the granules are melted, forming a homogeneous material. In terms of strength, density and soundproofing, expanded polystyrene is several times superior to polystyrene. Such a heater is conveniently mounted under vinyl siding and other materials for finishing the facade. In general, the process practically does not differ from the mounting of foam. Its installation for wall insulation with your own hands is as follows:
Step 1. The walls are cleaned of dirt, plaster, dust, etc. Large cracks are putty, the surface is primed.
Step 2. The starting profile is installed: it is fastened along the perimeter of the structure with dowels and nails. The profile is checked for strict horizontalness using the building level.
Step 3. The insulation-polystyrene foam is attached: this can be done with the help of anchors, construction glue or special pastes. The adhesive is applied in the middle of the plate, as well as around the perimeter. Then the plate is carefully pressed against the wall.Additionally, it is advisable to fix the material with dowel nails.
Step 4. The joints between the plates are sealed: it is best to use mounting foam for these purposes.
Step 5. On top of the insulation sheets, a reinforcing mesh is mounted that is resistant to acids and alkalis. A galvanized corner is mounted in the corners for the reliability of the entire structure. The grid is fixed to the building glue, on top - another layer of glue.
Step 6. Applying a primer, and then - apply the plaster. If desired, plaster can be given any texture, this will increase the aesthetic characteristics of the building. You can also use siding, block house and other facade materials that are popular today for decorative decoration.
Do-it-yourself insulation of the facade of a brick house with mineral wool
Step 1. Installation of the cornice (start profile).
In order for the insulation of brick houses outside with mineral wool to be of high quality, it is necessary to install a metal cornice from the basement of the building, where the first row of insulation begins. It will become a reliable support for the plate material. The cornice is mounted on a dowel-nails.
Step 2. We lay the first row, we begin to stack all subsequent rows in a checkerboard pattern. If your winters are very cold, the insulation can be put in two layers. We fix the stone wool slabs with glue. Well pressed to the surface of the wall.
Step 3. If there are irregularities, we grind the stone wool slabs using special graters.
Step 4. We do the punching of the insulator. We drill a wall, then use plate-shaped dowels for punching.
Step 5. Perform reinforcement. A layer of the protective mixture is applied, a reinforcing mesh is applied to it, and finally another layer of the mixture.
Step 6. After the wall is completely dry, it is primed, and then the finish is done - the surface is plastered. Subsequently, siding or other suitable materials may be used to decorate the walls.
Video about mineral wool insulation:
Using high-quality materials to insulate the building from the outside or inside and observing the simple rules, you can carry out the insulation of a house with your own hands. Proper thermal insulation of internal and external walls is a high level of comfort in the house and a significant savings in utilities.