On the features of the production of foam glass and its use as a heater, the positive and negative properties of the material, the preparation of the floor before thermal insulation, the performance of basic work, leveling and decorative surface finishing. Floor insulation with foam glass is a technology based on the use of high-quality and modern heat-insulating material. The many positive qualities inherent in it put it in a leading position among all heaters. Today, foam glass can be used in the insulation of residential buildings and industrial facilities.
Features of floor insulation with foam glass
This insulation is a foamed glass consisting of a huge number of glass cells. It is this structure that determines the stability of its characteristics even over time.
In terms of chemical composition, it is close to ordinary glass, and the main difference lies in the method of production. The basis is the same broken glass that is involved in the production process at all glass factories. It is pounded to a powdery state and sent to an oven, where it melts and swells under the influence of high temperatures.
The mass is evenly cooled and allowed to spread in shape. The finished material contains cells filled with gas, which serve as a product of boiling and coal release. The resulting glass in foamed form increases in volume up to 15 times. As soon as the finished product is completely cooled, it is sawn into separate blocks.
There are 2 main forms in which foam glass is produced: these are cast blocks and granules. The granular form can be of such varieties as sand, crushed stone and gravel, which respectively indicate its size. They also differ in production technology. As for the blocks, the broken glass is mixed with the derivative gases that the coal gives off.
In granulation, glass is also crushed first, but the melting process takes place at a higher temperature, reaching 1000 degrees Celsius. Soda, quartz sand, limestone and sodium sulfate are also added to the raw materials. As a result, grains are formed, which can be from 1 mm to 1 cm in volume and have a different shape, more often round, oval, closed. The porosity of such a material usually ranges from 80-90%.
Floors in buildings insulated with such material should consist of the following layers:
- Immediate base - soil;
- The base, which is concrete, as well as beams, bulk, based on natural materials, etc.;
- Thermal insulation made of foam glass, which can be made in a load-bearing version or free;
- Surface for finishing coat;
- Final finishing.
In a number of areas, foam glass is particularly effective, for example:
- If it is necessary to insulate large areas at once.
- Great for objects that are somehow related to the aquatic environment (in pools, water parks, saunas).
- Strength and fire resistance makes it possible to use it in the construction of high-rise buildings.
- It can be used for restoration work in old buildings.
- The material is relevant for the thermal insulation of basements and underground premises.
- It is used for thermal insulation of pipelines due to its ability to perfectly cope with any temperature changes.
- This material is widely used in the nuclear industry, at enterprises of the chemical and oil industries, because of its fire resistance, as well as resistance to aggressive and acidic environments.
Advantages and disadvantages of floor insulation with foam glass
This material has received many praise for its practical application in insulation. First of all, this is excellent thermal insulation, but there are other aspects that our readers will be interested in learning about:
- Environmental safety along with the hygiene of the material.
- High frost resistance, allowing it to be used even in regions with severe winters.
- Low flammability and complete non-flammability.
- Ease of installation, which does not require significant qualification skills, as well as ease of processing with conventional tools for any size.
- To connect blocks of foam glass, it is enough to use any building mixture, glue, bitumen.
- Resistance to chemically active reagents and acids in particular.
- Lack of emission of harmful vapors and toxic substances.
- Resistance to destruction while maintaining the original shape and size.
- Low material density.
- A wide scope of application of this insulation (can be used for thermal insulation of the floor, as well as roofs, balconies, loggias, basements, ceilings, etc.).
- Huge service life, which can reach 100 years.
- The material is not susceptible to erosion, the spread of mold and mildew, since it does not contain any biological compounds, which makes it possible to insulate unventilated rooms with them.
- High strength that eliminates the need for additional fasteners during installation.
- Moisture resistance, which is due to the fact that the material does not allow water to pass in either direction.
- Sanitary safety based on the fact that the cells are equipped with micro-holes, which create a positive microclimate and give clean air.
- Domestic insects or rodents will not be able to start in the foam glass.
- Noise isolation and more.
It is important to take into account the negative aspects of foam glass, which can interfere with its use, especially in residential areas. The material is particularly fragile due to any possible deviation from production technology. Since the heat insulator is not elastic, but, on the contrary, is not subject to compression, it can crack when other structural elements are displaced.
Another point: the material is based on glass, and the insulation blocks are characterized by a significant mass. This makes it necessary to carefully calculate the load on the supporting structure. By itself, foam glass does not cope well with shock loads. If it has been cracked, then it becomes of little use as a heater.
Despite the fact that the insulator is classified as durable, this is not always useful. After all, the rest of the materials that are involved in the construction of the building may not be designed for such a long service life. But when dismantling the structure and replacing it, it will be difficult to keep the foam glass blocks intact.
One of the key disadvantages of this heat insulator is its relatively high production cost. This is due to the expensive equipment that is involved in the production cycle.
Floor insulation technology with foam glass
Slabs made from this heat insulator can be laid not only on concrete, but also on wooden floors, as well as on dry sandy substrates. Using foam glass blocks, it is possible to exclude deformation and subsidence of the material, as well as to provide reliable thermal insulation and perfect waterproofness.
Preparatory work before installing foam glass
Among the materials we need the following: the insulation itself - foam glass for the floor, leveling mixture, mounting foam, material that will be used for finishing cladding, building tape, waterproofing material or mixture, nails, screws, dowels, glue, reinforcing mesh, cement, sand …
Among the tools it is necessary to prepare: a construction knife, a paint brush, an electric drill, a perforator, a construction level, spatulas of various widths, a hammer, as a rule, a trowel.
First of all, the floor surface is cleaned from the remnants of the previous coating. After that, it is assessed in what state it is at the moment. It is not difficult to remove minor defects - these include potholes, bumps, and the like. They can be knocked down with a hammer and sealed with leveling compounds.
But special attention should be paid to the presence of gaps between the slabs if the lower floor of the building passes under the room. They can be sealed with the same cement mortar that will be used to create the screed. Therefore, the gaps are filled with it, leveled with a spatula and left in this form to dry completely.
If defects are properly eliminated, the floor is cleared of debris, dust and dirt. Final cleaning is done with a vacuum cleaner. The surface is now ready for priming. These works do not require special skills at all - it is enough to arm yourself with a roller, but you will have to cover it 2 times. A second layer is applied after the first one is completely dry.
To create a solution for the screed, cement of the M400 brand is taken, the sand must be cleaned, and not just river sand. A mixture of 3 parts of cement and 1 part of sand is mixed and diluted with water until a homogeneous mass is created, without lumps. The proportions must be observed, and the solution itself must be continuously stirred, so as not to cause premature solidification and subsequent cracking.
You can use damper tape to insulate the walls, which is available at any hardware store. It will not allow moisture that is present in the solution to seep into the lower floors. In addition, it compensates for all temperature differences, and also acts as a waterproofing in corners and at joints. It is very simple to glue it: its protective layer is removed from the tape and well pressed against the wall, it is glued with an overlap at the joints, and the excess is cut off from the bottom, from the floor.
Pour the screed onto the prepared floor with an assistant. One person is constantly stirring the solution. Begin pouring from the side of the wall opposite to the entrance to the room. To create a flat surface, special beacons are used. The mortar is leveled with a trowel, but for tightening it is better to apply the rule.
Despite the fact that the screed will harden in a day, it will take about a week to completely dry. During this time, the surface will need to be slightly moistened 2 times a day to prevent cracking.
Instructions for installing foam glass on the floor
To make a floor insulated with foam glass, the following sequence of operations is required:
- A thin layer of sand is poured onto a previously prepared surface, which must be pre-cleaned. The layer thickness is approximately 0.5 cm.
- On top of the heat-insulating layer, we lay a reinforcing screed. In the case when a cold basement is located under the thermal insulation, it is necessary to form the main insulation from the inside of the fence grate.
- Pellets are poured onto the floor. They need to be evenly distributed and lightly tamped without using force.
- Then, in the working container, the filling fastening mixture is prepared. The proportions of cement and sand should be approximately 1 to 5.
For those who are interested in fast and simple foam glass insulation technology, the following algorithm can be proposed. First, the laitance is prepared and mixed with the granular material. Using the level, construction beacons are placed on the floor surface. In the intervals between the guides, a prepared solution is poured, which is evenly distributed by the rule. As soon as the screed is completely cured, tiles can be laid on top.
Finishing the floor
Consider the option of laying floor tiles after the insulated surface has completely hardened. First you need to finish the floor leveling. It is best to use special ready-made mixtures for these purposes, which are sold in construction departments. Pouring is done from the far end of the room, with a gradual advance towards the door. It is necessary to wait until the surface is completely dry, which usually takes 2-3 days.
Ceramic tiles are usually used as flooring. Before you start laying it, it is advisable to cover the floor with a primer, which will give the joint greater strength. As soon as the ground paint is completely dry, the tiles are laid out in the room to see how it will lay down and orient yourself according to the drawing. If you have to cut the material, then separate pieces are best placed in inconspicuous places.
They begin to line the tiles from the far corners of the room. In the process of performing work, it is fixed with a special glue, which is diluted according to the instructions. It is good if special markings are indicated, in accordance with which the tiles will be laid. This will ensure that the geometry and pattern are preserved.
An adhesive mixture is applied to the floor with a spatula, a tile is applied on top and tapped tightly with a hammer. The glue must be poured so that it is evenly distributed over the surface. In this case, its consumption will reach 8 kg per 1 m2… In order to form the seams between the tiles, it is necessary to install special crosses. During the entire installation process, it is imperative to check the evenness of the floor using a building level.
As soon as the solid tiles are laid out, they begin to install the pieces - incomplete products. You can cut them with a special tile cutter or even an ordinary metal hacksaw. After laying all the products, the surfaces are allowed to stand for 3 days for the adhesive solution to dry completely. At this time, the floor must be protected from stress: do not bring furniture, once again do not enter the room, etc.
To give the surface a final look, the seams are sealed with a sealing compound. After that, it is washed off with a damp sponge, and the remnants of the sealant are carefully removed. Thus, the insulation of the floor with foam glass and the final finishing are completed.
You can resort to the grouting procedure, since the tile is only at first glance even, but in fact it may differ by a millimeter. The seams are able to hide these flaws, including those that appear during the installation process. Grouting not only prevents the accumulation of dirt and dust in them, but also performs an aesthetic function. Now you can arrange furniture and other interior items.
How to insulate the floor with foam glass - watch the video:
Many experts admit that foam glass has a great future in the domestic building materials market, despite its price. Today it is used more in luxury cottage construction. The scope of application of the material can be significantly expanded by creating blocks, individual in size and shape.
