What is foam glass and the nuances of its use, positive and negative qualities, preparatory and basic installation work, finishing the insulated ceiling with plastic panels. Ceiling insulation with foam glass is a complex of works, the main field of application of which is insulation of buildings and increasing their waterproofing properties. It does not lose its relevance, since the material has strength characteristics and is not afraid of almost any external influences.
Features of the use of foam glass
Foam glass is obtained by foaming glass with carbon-containing additives. This is an environmentally friendly insulation with unique properties.
Moisture-repellent characteristics and zero vapor permeability make this material unique in comparison with fibrous insulation, since there is no need to additionally produce forced ventilation on the insulated surface, as well as waterproofing the ceiling. No insulator has this degree of strength and durability; its service life is approximately 100 years.
The inherent qualities of foam glass, such as sanitary safety, environmental friendliness, allow it to be used for thermal insulation of containers in the food industry. Foam glass can be used to insulate a sauna or a bath, tanks with liquids and gaseous mixtures, the roof or the attic in the house.
The structure of closed glass cells allows the use of foam glass in loaded structures, such as parking, when laying underfloor heating, as well as when insulating pool bowls.
Using foam glass, the owners save the cost of thermal insulation and its installation. In addition, loads on the foundation and load-bearing structures are reduced, and the safety of housing is increased.
Scope of use of foam glass:
- When erecting very high structures, because it has strength and fire resistance.
- When it is necessary to carry out thermal insulation work in large volumes, for example, in stadiums, insulate the roof of a non-standard shape.
- Used in water facilities (water parks, swimming pools).
- The material is harmless, does not contain harmful impurities, which is why this insulator is used in medical, pharmaceutical, food industry enterprises.
- Suitable for underground structures, since, in addition to thermal insulation properties, it is protected against the effects of any microorganisms.
- It can withstand any temperature conditions and can be used for thermal insulation of pipelines.
- The absence of acids and alkalis in the foam glass, high thermal qualities and fire resistance give the right to use it at the enterprises of the oil and chemical industries.
- The only insulation used in nuclear reactors is foam glass, due to its fireproof properties.
- Foam glass is indispensable in construction as a unique heat insulator. In addition, it is used in such areas as energy, agriculture, oil and chemical industries, mechanical engineering, food, paper, pharmaceutical industries.
It is possible to increase the reliability of structures by using foam glass as an insulator, thereby saving money. It is used in industries where other insulation materials cannot be used.
Note! Since the material is not vapor-permeable, the ceiling may be susceptible to fungal attack.
Advantages and disadvantages of foam glass
Foam glass as a heater has the following advantages in use:
- It is not subject to combustion, due to this it belongs to the class of fireproof heaters, it is used both for internal insulation of a room and for external, at high temperatures not only does it not melt, but also creates a fire barrier.
- Durability, does not lose its positive characteristics for over 100 years.
- Waterproof, as the main component is glass cells that do not allow moisture and water vapor to pass through.
- No additional vapor barrier is required. Protects metal surfaces from corrosion.
- Environmental safety, does not harm people and nature, is not toxic. You can use foam glass in the food industry, for insulating containers for the production of beer, milk.
- Biological stability: possessing inorganic components, foam glass does not allow microorganisms, fungi, and rodents to develop in it.
- Acid resistance - does not interact and does not absorb solvents and acids, it is resistant to environmental influences.
- The insulation is durable, does not undergo deformation under heavy loads and mechanical stress. The strength of the foam glass is within 7-12 kg / cm3.
- Ease of use, foam glass is light in weight, because it consists of thin-walled cells.
- Does not depend on temperature changes. Withstands different temperatures in different time zones.
- Dimensional invariability, foam glass does not change under the influence of unfavorable external factors.
- Has excellent sound insulation.
- Insulation of the ceiling with foam glass slightly thickens it, which is important in covering low-rise rooms.
Among the shortcomings, it will be fair to highlight the following:
- The mass of foam glass is, on average, three times greater than that of lightweight insulation, bulky blocks put pressure on the entire structure, so it is necessary to correctly calculate the load on the supporting structures.
- The cost of the material is much higher; the production of foam glass requires more costs than other insulation.
- Since the insulation is a rather fragile product, therefore, careless handling may lead to its deformation. If the block is cracked, then you cannot glue and use it, since it has lost its qualities.
Ceiling insulation technology with foam glass
First you need to study the recommendations for fixing foam glass and prepare the necessary tool. Insulation works can be performed both at the stage of construction of buildings and during their operation. With poor insulation of roofs and ceilings, up to 15% of heat is lost, so the correct choice of a heat insulator will solve your problems in creating warmth and comfort in the house.
Preparatory work
The ceiling, which must be insulated with foam glass, is freed from dirt, debris and other contaminants. If it is whitewashed, then it should be cleaned of whitewashing or the remnants of the old paintwork removed.
The main tools for insulating the ceiling with foam glass: a hand saw or a hacksaw (you can use it to cut glass blocks), a spatula, a working bucket, a hammer, a level, a plumb line, a screwdriver, a trowel, a sharp knife-cutter, a screwdriver, a chisel.
Materials used for fixing blocks of foam glass: acrylic mastic, dowels-umbrellas (fungi), anchors, fasteners for fixing blocks, foam glass insulation, plastic panels for finishing, putty, adhesive solution.
Instructions for installing foam glass on the ceiling
When thermal insulation works with foam glass, no additional waterproofing and vapor barrier materials are required.
The algorithm for carrying out thermal insulation based on foam glass is as follows:
- Apply acrylic mastic to the cleaned surface of the ceiling using a spatula.
- We attach blocks of insulation, do not put much effort, since the foam glass is very fragile.
- Additionally, the products are fixed to the ceiling using dowels - fungi or anchors. They are fixed either in the center of each block of foam glass, or at the seams, then the dowel head will cover four elements at once. The anchor is installed in the middle of the heat insulator and is attached to the base with a dowel at the junction of the foam glass blocks.
- Seams between products are treated with mastic or polyurethane foam. The excess must be removed with a sharp knife, since the joint must be flush with the main surface.
- Once the mastic is dry and the blocks are firmly fixed, they can be wiped off gently with a damp cloth.
- After fixing the foam glass to the ceiling, it can be plastered or covered with panels or drywall.
To fix the foam glass, you can take anchors of different sizes: 30 mm for fixing blocks with a thickness of 50 to 80 mm, 60 mm for products with a thickness of 90 mm. Consumption of anchors for fastening - 4 pcs / m2.
Finishing the ceiling
The ceiling is an important component of the interior, so its decoration requires no less concentration of attention than the main installation work with a heat insulator. The finish protects the foam glass from moisture penetration and ensures the aesthetic completeness of the surface. Ceiling coverings differ in quality, cost of materials and installation.
For finishing ceilings, you can offer the following options:
- Plastering and whitewashing;
- Wallpapering;
- Sticking self-adhesive plates, different colors and sizes;
- Suspended ceilings (panel, slatted, plasterboard);
- Stretched;
- Installation of plastic panels.
When choosing a finish, the buyer considers not only the cost of the finishing coating, but also the possibility of using it on a particular surface.
If the ceiling is level enough, you can plaster it, paint it or wallpaper it over. The surface will look pretty good, and repairs will not require large material investments. However, this has its drawbacks: such a surface is not durable, when flooded, spots appear on it, or the wallpaper comes off. If the irregularities are insignificant (up to 0.5 cm), use a leveling plaster. In case of irregularities of 5 cm, in addition to plaster, it is necessary to use a masking net.
The most common materials are drywall and plastic panels. Applying these types of finishes, you can remove all irregularities from the eyes. Drywall allows you to make multi-level structures of various shapes and sizes. The panels are available in various colors, smooth and patterned, glossy and matte. The finish surface may look seamless or resemble a rail carriage. Panel ceilings are used in rooms with high levels of humidity, as well as in those where frequent cleaning is required. These are bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, loggias, swimming pools. Resistant to high humidity, they are easy to install, have a long service life, and do not require additional maintenance. The panels weigh a little, so there is no need to spend additional funds on strengthening the structures. Recommendations for fixing plastic panels to the ceiling:
- Before fixing plastic panels, you need to make a frame from a wooden or metal profile. It is easier to work with wood, but if the panels are installed in rooms with sufficient humidity, it is better to use a metal frame. First, we fasten the horizontal beams at a distance of 0.5 cm from each other, then we nail the transverse ones along the edges and in the center.
- The plastic panel of the required length is attached to the frame with a self-tapping screw. The next one is inserted with special grooves into the first one and is also fixed with a self-tapping screw. All products are fixed in this way.
- A ceiling plinth, attached with liquid nails to the ceiling panels, will help to give the ceiling a complete look. Using these recommendations and instructions, you can put plastic panels in the room yourself, without using the services of specialists.
How to insulate the ceiling with foam glass - watch the video:
Ceiling insulation with foam glass is an affordable and convenient construction technology that is used for both residential and industrial premises. Warming of premises is carried out quickly enough, and with careful maintenance of the surface, the ceiling insulated with foam glass can be used for more than a dozen years.
