What is foam glass, how is it produced, types of material, technical characteristics, pros and cons, features of choosing a high-quality insulation, installation technology.
Advantages of foam glass
Foam glass "inherited" many of its advantages from silicate glass. Others received due to the presence of gas microcapsules.
The main advantages of this insulation are:
- Excellent thermal insulation performance … This almost universal material insulates walls, foundations, roofs and pipes well. It is actively used to isolate objects with increased fire hazard and where there are high temperatures.
- Durability … Most manufacturers of this material indicate at least a hundred years of operation without loss of insulating qualities. Temperature changes will not cause destruction of the foam glass. Its operating ranges are from +650 to -250 degrees. Also, the insulation is not subject to deformation, shrinkage and other changes in dimensions during operation.
- Good sound insulation … A block or layer of foam glass granules 100 millimeters thick can drown out the rumble of a tractor under the house. With such insulation, you can not be afraid of the penetration of extraneous sounds from the outside.
- Incombustibility … This material is practically incapable of burning. At high temperatures, the foam glass will only melt without emitting any harmful compounds and smoke.
- Ease of installation … The installation of blocks or slabs of foam glass is similar to the installation of foam concrete. This material is cut with an ordinary hacksaw. It is also easy to work with due to its low weight. A cubic meter of insulation weighs about 160 kilograms.
- Sanitary safety … Foam glass will not become a place of concentration of pests, and also does not produce any harmful volatile compounds. It can be used in public buildings, child care facilities and hospitals.
Disadvantages of foam glass
There are few disadvantages of this insulation. But they, of course, must be taken into account when choosing a material as a heat insulator:
- High cost … Foam glass is by far the most expensive insulation among all existing ones. The high price of foam glass is explained by the fact that its production is associated with high energy costs. Annealing of material is a technologically complex process that requires a lot of energy and the availability of modern expensive equipment.
- Low impact strength … Despite its stiffness and good compressive strength, foam glass is brittle and can crack easily under strong impacts. In addition, cracked blocks are unsuitable for insulation as their thermal insulation properties deteriorate.
- Low steam permeability … In certain conditions, almost zero vapor permeability of the insulation can be a disadvantage. If the foam glass itself is not susceptible to mold and mildew, then the wall it covers can become infected.
Criteria for choosing foam glass
The choice of this insulation is still a rather difficult procedure, since it is not very widespread in the domestic construction market, and its quality criteria are not fully understood. However, there are certain recommendations that should be followed when buying foam glass:
- Plates or blocks must be the same size. Examine the structure of the material - the cells should be separate and not touch each other.
- Check the value of vapor permeability when purchasing granular foam glass. Insulation production technologies for different companies may differ, which will affect this indicator. If this data is absent in the documentation, then it is better to refrain from buying such a product altogether.
- Before buying foam glass, it is recommended to carry out a calculation showing the optimal thickness of the material so that the dew point is located in it, and the outer wall does not cool below 5 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, condensation may form.
- Purchase products only from trusted foam glass manufacturers. Savings in this case can result in even greater financial losses. After all, the material is expensive, and it is better to buy a quality product for this money, and not a fake.
Note also that it is better to insulate buildings that are being built with foam glass than those that have already been erected. This is explained by the fact that insulation has already been incorporated into the project of a house under construction, so the walls can be made thin and cold (for example, one and a half bricks).
If the thickness of the brickwork is greater, or foam or gas silicate blocks with thermal insulation characteristics were used during construction, then a thicker layer of foam glass will need to be installed. The reason for this is the dew point, which needs to be shifted into the insulation layer.
Price and manufacturers of foam glass
For the first time foam glass was produced in Russia, but now it is produced in many countries of the world. The most respected manufacturers are:
- Pittsburgh Corning … This is the American leader in the production of foam glass. The plant began operating in the 40s of the last century. Now the company's representative offices and production facilities are located in many countries of the world, including Russia. Foam glass is produced under the FOAMGLASS brand. It is used in industrial and civil construction. The composition of foam glass from this manufacturer is distinguished by the complete absence of harmful additives and impurities. This is an environmentally friendly material, the quality of which is confirmed by numerous certificates.
- SAITAX … The Russian company, which is considered one of the largest in the country for the production of foam glass in blocks and granules. The manufacturer is constantly improving technology, expanding the range of products. Foam glass from SAITAX was used to isolate government facilities, sports complexes and administrative buildings.
- Gomelglass … A company from Belarus, which has been operating since the beginning of the 40s of the last century. During this time, she entered the international level, supplying her products to many countries around the world. The manufacturer publishes all certificates and documents confirming the high quality of foam glass in granules and blocks.
- Building heat-insulating materials plant … This is a Ukrainian manufacturer that produces foam glass using its own unique technology. Research centers of Ukraine and foreign experts worked on it. The company currently produces tile and block materials. In the near future, it is planned to produce granulated foam glass.
As for the prices for this insulation, they are approximately the same for all of the above manufacturers. Shaped and block heat insulators are the most expensive - 9-16 thousand rubles per cubic meter. Crumbs and crushed stone from foam glass are cheaper - about 5 thousand rubles.
Brief instructions for installing foam glass
Foam glass slabs and blocks are excellent for external thermal insulation. Granular material is often used to insulate floors and foundations. Installation of foam glass is similar to aerated concrete masonry - an adhesive composition is used in the process.
The work is carried out according to the following scheme:
- We clean and level the wall. We check the verticality with a building level.
- We distribute special assembly glue on the surface of the foam glass.
- We press the product firmly and tightly against the wall.
- If necessary, you can attach the blocks to the walls with additional dowels. However, be very careful not to split the material.
- Cover the foam glass with a layer of plaster.
- If you are laying foam glass slabs on the floor, under the screed, then they do not need to be fixed with glue. It is enough to join tightly, and seal the joints with polyurethane foam.
- You can also pour granular material under the screed. It is enough to pour it out in an even layer and smooth the foam glass over the surface.
Be careful when trimming slabs if necessary. Be careful not to split or crack. Watch a video review of foam glass:
Foamed glass is the thermal insulation material of the future. The characteristics of foam glass are close to ideal, in addition, there are varieties of heat insulators that allow you to use it in different situations and for different purposes. A significant drawback of the material at the moment is its high cost.
