Wintertime cold walls are a common occurrence for those who live in panel houses. Living conditions that are uncomfortable, increased heating costs, and even moisture problems can result from this. Insulating your apartment’s walls from the inside is a sensible way to make it more comfortable and energy-efficient.
Effective insulation requires using the right materials and doing the right procedures. This guide will show you which insulation types work best for panel houses and will provide you a step-by-step process to guarantee the success of your project.
Choosing the appropriate materials and adhering to a methodical procedure are crucial for achieving optimal thermal insulation and energy efficiency in panel apartments. Understanding the unique insulation requirements of panel buildings can help you avoid problems like mold and dampness while also improving comfort and lowering heating costs.
- How to safely insulate a house from the inside
- When it is impossible to insulate walls from the outside
- Is it possible to insulate inside the room
- Efficient materials
- Mineral wool
- Polystyrene foam
- Polyurethane foam
- Penoplex
- Liquid ceramics and foil insulation
- Electric warm floor
- How to properly warm the corner apartment of an apartment building
- Is it possible to insulate with outdoor materials
- Methods of thermal insulation
- How to insulate the walls of a house from the inside so that they are not cold: progress of work
- Video on the topic
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How to safely insulate a house from the inside
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Though it is deemed illogical, insulating an apartment from the inside is far simpler than doing so from the outside, particularly if the apartment is located on a high floor.
Neither extra equipment nor the assistance of high-rise experts are needed for this.
However, you must choose your insulation carefully because the apartment must be completely composed of eco-friendly materials.
When it is impossible to insulate walls from the outside
Although using external insulation has many benefits, it is not always feasible. Situations in which insulation from the street is not appropriate:
- facade work is prohibited on buildings that are of historical value, such as architectural monuments;
- when the building structure does not allow changes to the facade;
- if the wall is near an expansion joint;
- if the building houses a store, bank, government agency or other services.
In these situations, internal insulation of the room will be required.
Is it possible to insulate inside the room
Amazingly, when the inner surface is insulated, the wall not only doesn’t get warmer, it even starts to freeze. This occurs because the insulation prevents the wall’s exterior from being warmed by the surrounding air.
Warm air condensation builds up on the wall’s interior surface, destroying both the wall and the finishing layer. Selecting a material with low moisture absorption is essential for internal insulation since thermal insulation deteriorates and heat loss rises.
Additionally, the following guidelines are followed when working on internal thermal insulation:
- it is necessary to design the insulation process with a minimum number of seams or their complete absence, so that condensation does not penetrate into the space between the wall and the insulation;
- additional ventilation is installed to avoid high humidity.
If you don’t provide more ventilation, mold and fungus colonies could grow on the walls.
Efficient materials
There isn’t yet a single ideal insulation material; each has advantages and disadvantages.
A thermal insulator with minimal fibrousness and low vapor permeability and water absorption is selected for internal insulation.
Mineral wool
The raw materials used to make mineral wool are rocks or metallurgical slags.
The wool derived from slags is suitable for temporary structures’ thermal insulation because it is short-lived and of low quality. Thermal insulation in capital buildings is achieved through the use of mineral wool derived from rocks.
Characteristics of mineral wool:
- fire and heat resistance – at high temperatures it does not deform and does not lose its properties;
- chemical and biological resistance – resistant to chemicals, mold and insects;
- durability – service life – about 80 years;
- during installation, the insulation can be easily given the required shape.
Slag wool, basalt, and fiberglass are the most widely used materials, collectively referred to as mineral insulation.
Polystyrene foam
Because of ongoing advancements in production technology, this material no longer contains any hazardous materials, and the insulation itself is now more ecologically friendly.
Roll insulation made of polystyrene foam is an extruded, unpressed polymer foam that has been gas-foamed. It possesses the following advantageous traits:
- excellent thermal insulator;
- not subject to deformation;
- steam-resistant, waterproof;
- withstands temperatures from +70 to – 50 degrees;
- easy to install.
Offers good thermal protection thanks to its 2 cm thick layer.
- when heated above 80 degrees, it begins to emit toxic substances;
- does not have flexibility, begins to crumble under force;
- is flammable, when burning, it releases gas that is mortally dangerous to humans.
Polyurethane foam
Speaks of a specific kind of plastic. It has a high gaseous substance content, which offers good heat protection. Technology attributes are determined by how the original raw materials are processed; two-component sprayed materials are thought to be the best.
In addition to performing far better than comparable heat insulators, polyurethane is also the subject of ongoing technological advancements.
Penoplex
This particular kind of polystyrene foam is produced through the use of unique extrusion techniques. Penoplex is a fine-pored material made of small air grains that are separated from one another.
- low level of steam absorption;
- low heat production;
- long service life;
- stable to alkalis and saline solutions.
Negatively, formaldehyde, acetone, gasoline, and solvents.
Liquid ceramics and foil insulation
The market for liquid isolation is just getting started. With a 50 mm layer, this is the thinnest insulation yet offers the same level of thermal protection as mineral wool.
It looks like regular paint, but its structure—which is made up of the tiniest vacuum particles—converts the substance into thermal painting.
Warm plaster is a noise-, thermo-, and gydro-absorbing insulator that uses less energy.
The reflective surface of the foil heater keeps heat from escaping the space. act as a supplement to the primary form of insulation rather than as the primary heat insulator.
Electric warm floor
As insulation, an electric mat is fastened to the wall. Subsequently, a layer of mineral wool, foam, or another insulator is applied on top. Moisture will not build up inside the wall because of the heating.
How to properly warm the corner apartment of an apartment building
One major drawback of the corner apartment is that the space is constantly damp and cold and its walls tend to freeze more. A corner room needs more insulation than a regular room because condensate gathers in the corners, which helps the fungus grow.
Although it isn’t always feasible, it is preferable to insulate it from the outside.
Since two of the walls in such an apartment are directly exposed to outside influences, it is especially important to completely insulate their docking place.
The walls are treated with antifungal medications before the insulator is started, and they are then given enough time to soak before the main work is started. The material is selected with a vapor barrier film to prevent it from building up in the condensate in the corner.
The following extra steps can be taken to conserve heat in addition to applying the thermal insulators mentioned above to the walls to minimize heat loss:
- flushing the radiators and thereby increasing the degree of heating;
- add heating sections to the batteries;
- reinstall the batteries closer to the cold corner.
It is essential to install energy-saving film or heat-saving windows in the corner room.
Is it possible to insulate with outdoor materials
It is not recommended to use materials meant for outdoor use for indoor thermal insulation as they may be harmful to both human and animal health.
They release toxic substances in response to temperature changes, which build up in the human body and lead to chronic illnesses. For instance, people started experiencing headaches and spasms when they were in a foam-insulated room.
Furthermore, some materials used for outdoor work are combustible.
Methods of thermal insulation
The following techniques are used for thermal insulation, depending on the materials chosen:
- insulation of walls with sheet or roll insulators;
- liquid insulation – a thin layer of solution provides reliable energy protection;
- ecowool – a loose thermal insulator, soaked before use;
- liquid ceramic – applied with a spray or manually with a roller.
Cover the energy-efficient wall with tiles, wallpaper, or ornamental trim.
How to insulate the walls of a house from the inside so that they are not cold: progress of work
When installing internal thermal insulation, the following procedure is followed to prevent errors:
- preparation of the walls – clean the walls before plastering;
- waterproofing – polymers or polyethylene film are applied to the walls, the edges are fastened with construction tape;
- metal or wooden lathing is installed, the wood is treated with an antiseptic and fire retardant;
- insulation is applied to the space between the sheathing;
- a vapor barrier film is installed, the place of its joints is treated with a sealant.
Installing the sheathing, which can be made of gypsum board, wooden lining, plasterboard sheets, or other finishing materials, is the last step.
Reduced heat loss from extra wall finishing is required to keep the house consistently warm, cozy, and comfortable. If you install the thermal insulator according to the instructions and select the appropriate material, the insulation will be of excellent quality.
Materials | Steps |
Mineral wool | Cut panels to fit wall sections, then install between metal profiles. |
Drywall | Screw drywall sheets to metal profiles over the insulation. |
Vapor barrier | Attach the vapor barrier to the wall before applying the insulation. |
Primer | Prime the walls before installing the insulation to ensure better adhesion. |
Metal profiles | Install metal profiles on the wall to create a frame for the insulation and drywall. |
Sealant | Use sealant to fill any gaps between the insulation and the wall for better insulation. |
The energy efficiency and comfort of your apartment can be greatly improved by properly insulating the walls in a panel building. You can efficiently cut down on heat loss and enhance the living space by using the appropriate materials and doing the job in the right order.
To get the best results, every step—from surface preparation to insulation installation and wall finishing—is essential. Your home will become warmer and more energy-efficient if you take the time to carefully plan and carry out the process.
Recall that having a well-insulated apartment raises the value of your house in addition to reducing heating expenses. You can design a more sustainable and comfortable living area that will serve you well for many years to come with the appropriate strategy.