Exterior decoration of buildings by siding has gained great popularity. This material is used both for cottages and for the reconstruction of multi-storey buildings. This type of finish is used not only to improve the appearance, but also for insulation.
Ventilated facades from siding are quite popular today. Their main advantage is an affordable price and a fairly simple technology that allows you to sheathe a building on your own. Siding is often used for the reconstruction and insulation of cottages and private wooden houses.
Should I use siding without insulation? Some people choose this option to save on material. But if the space between the wall and the exterior decoration is left empty, it can lead to the accumulation of condensate, dampening of the walls and the destruction of the building. The insulation for siding must be chosen carefully. Materials are characterized by thermal conductivity, moisture resistance, fire resistance and installation methods.
Polystyrene foam insulation
Expanded polystyrene can be of two main types - traditional polystyrene and extruded polystyrene foam. The first type of material consists of bubbles filled with gas. The second has a cellular structure and is produced by extrusion. Both types are available in slabs.
Materials have a fairly high resistance to moisture, have low thermal conductivity. Their main drawback is combustibility. In addition, during combustion they emit very toxic substances. Even polystyrene foam does not let air through. This leads to a violation of the air exchange of the building and requires the arrangement of high-quality ventilation. It will not work with it and save - in terms of cost, it is almost equal to mineral wool.
Mineral wool
A good insulation for siding is mineral wool. There are several types of material. The most famous is glass wool. It is made from glass production waste and is a tightly knitted glass fiber. It is cheaper than stone wool and has higher strength and elasticity. This is possible thanks to longer fibers. But glass wool during operation gives a fairly strong shrinkage.
In addition, it requires great care when laying. In the process of working in the air there is a large amount of glass dust that enters the skin, lungs and eyes, which can damage health. When working with glass wool, be sure to use a respirator, goggles and tight clothing.
Stone wool is made from basalt fibers and other similar rock. The fibers are small and impregnated with a special binder. Basalt cotton wool is not as dangerous at work as glass. Material is considered non-combustible. Even if you put mineral wool in a fire, it will not emit harmful substances, unlike polystyrene.
Such materials are available in the form of plates or rolls. Materials of the first type have greater rigidity and are easier to install. Roll materials are more difficult to work due to the size, they are more difficult to fix on the wall and they can slip over time under their own weight.
