What are linen-based heaters, how they are made, their varieties and technical characteristics, the rules for choosing the optimal natural heat insulator, instructions for DIY installation.
Advantages of linen insulation
Recently, the construction of the so-called "green houses" has become very relevant. Mainly natural materials are used as building elements. One of them is linen insulation.
The following positive factors speak about the benefits of its use:
- Hypoallergenic … Flax is not capable of causing allergic reactions. Therefore, it is optimal for insulating rooms where allergy sufferers and children live. In addition, you can work with it without using personal protective equipment, since it does not irritate the skin and mucous membranes.
- Environmental friendliness … Mezhventsovy linen insulation is made exclusively from natural ingredients. Even non-toxic boron compounds are used as fire retardants. You can even lay it on the walls from inside the room.
- Moisture resistant … Linen can get wet, but its distinguishing feature is its ability to dry quickly. At the same time, the thermal insulation qualities are not lost.
- High heat capacity … This insulation is able to store heat inside the building during the cold season, and to keep it cool during the hot season.
- Biological resistance … Rodents do not settle in flax fiber, and due to the antiseptic properties, bacteria, mold and fungi do not multiply.
- Ease of installation … The material is not dusty, does not crumble, does not require special tools during the installation process. You can quickly lay it on your own without resorting to help.
- Ease … Linen insulation is lightweight, and therefore does not exert any additional load on the foundation or walls of the building.
Disadvantages of linen insulation
Despite the large number of positive qualities, the linen heat insulator also has a number of disadvantages. Let's consider them:
- Relatively high material cost … Since it is made from natural components, then, as a rule, the price of linen insulation is higher than that of other heat insulators.
- Limited scope of use … Given the relatively loose structure, this material can be used only in those places where it will not be subject to strong mechanical stress. As a rule, the insulation is optimal for the insulation of the gap between the joints.
- The need for additional protection against wetting … It occurs in high humidity conditions. If you plan to use material for warming baths and saunas, then you need to treat the heat insulator with special hydrophobic compounds.
Selection criteria for linen heat insulator
When choosing the optimal insulation, it is necessary to rely on several criteria. First, you need to take into account the factors that indicate the quality of the product. Secondly, you should select the type of material that will suit your needs.
Features of the choice of linen insulation:
- The main indicator of quality is the availability of certificates of compliance with sanitary and epidemiological requirements. Ask the seller to provide you with all the required documentation.
- The color of linen insulation ranges from gray-greenish to brown.
- The structure of a high-quality heat insulator is durable and resilient, does not crumble.
- Pay attention to the packaging of the material - it must be intact so that direct rays of the sun and moisture do not fall on the insulation.
- A material based on short fibers and fleece is considered to be a universal linen insulation. It is free of impurities and fractions. The presence of a large amount of impurities significantly impairs the thermal insulation qualities and strength.
- If you plan to insulate a house from a profiled bar, then choose a heat insulator with a thickness of 2-3 millimeters and with a density of up to 300 grams per cubic meter. To insulate a house from a rounded log, a material up to five millimeters thick and a density of 500 grams per cubic meter is suitable. Buildings made of timber must be insulated with insulation up to 10 millimeters thick and up to 800 grams per cubic meter density.
- Linovatin is convenient to use for insulation of walls, ceilings, roofs, floors, ceilings. Oakum is suitable for sealing gaps between joints, cracks in openings. Choose felt if you need to insulate the house from a profiled bar or calibrated log.
Price and manufacturers of linen insulation
There are many manufacturers of flax-based heat insulators both in Russia and in neighboring countries. Give preference only to those that have proven themselves well and have positive reviews. Among them are the following companies:
- HORSE … Russian company for the production of linen insulation. As a rule, it specializes in the production of slabs. It grows raw materials on its own sites, uses innovative technologies in its work. Produces linen slabs under the Ecoteplin trademark. It is a versatile heat insulator. There are also specialized products - "RosEcoMat Stena", "RosEcoMat Roof", "RosEcoMat Pol" and other names. The average price is 5500 rubles per cubic meter.
- Artemis … A new Russian company that produces Val Flax linen boards using German equipment. In their composition, in addition to flax, there is a semi-synthetic fastening component. Packing price is about 1200 rubles.
- Isolina … Company from Finland. Works in collaboration with a research center to continuously improve product specifications. Produces all types of linen-based insulators and slabs. Price per cubic meter - on average from 4500 rubles.
Brief instructions for installing linen insulation
Working with natural insulation is very simple. From the tools you will need scissors, a knife, staples for fastening.
We carry out installation according to the following scheme:
- We carry out measurements if tile or roll material is used. If you plan to lay on a horizontal surface, then you do not need to use fasteners.
- If you need to cut insulation, we take a regular knife or scissors. In this case, it is not even necessary to first get it out of the package.
- If you insulate a wooden building during construction, then we cut the material into strips of the required length and width and put it between the logs. We join the tapes and fasten them with staples.
- If you are insulating the joints of an already built building, then you should use a chisel to push the tow or tape deep into the space between the crowns.
- Plates and sheets of linen heat insulator are perfectly fixed even without fasteners. To do this, we set them up between the rafters or logs.
- If the surface has a slope, then we additionally equip the crate to allow moisture to erode outward.
- If the building will be exposed to moisture, it is recommended to protect the insulation with a vapor-permeable membrane. We place it with an overlap of 10 centimeters and glue the joints with tape.
Watch a video review of linen insulation:
Linen insulation is great for insulating so-called "green" or "eco" houses built of wood. They are environmentally friendly, have good technical characteristics and are durable. Also, flax-based tile material is used to insulate ordinary brick, concrete buildings.
