Polyurethane foam insulation with your hands
The contents
- Technical characteristics of the polyurethane foam
- Carry out thermal insulation with polyurethane foam with your hands
Polyurethane is a unique material that has many useful properties. Its technical characteristics are several times higher than that of extruded polystyrene or mineral wool.
If you compare polyurethane foam for insulation with other similar materials, the first thing you need to pay attention to the ease of installation. It is not surprising that many people decide to pay him with my own hands.
Insulation with polyurethane foam is carried out by means of the gun. With it, you own hands can adjust the power flow. Initially, it is desirable to set a minimum power of jets to be used to operate the device.
Technical characteristics of the foam ↑
Before moving on to the insulation with your hands, you need to fully understand the properties of the material. This will allow to properly use it, achieving the maximum result.
First we need to make one important clarification. There are two types of polyurethane foam: rigid and soft. For construction and insulation it is best to use the first option. This material is resistant to mechanical damage and protects the main structure from damage. Of course, it can be applied with your hands.
The unique technical properties of polyurethane foam for insulation, prevent corrosion on the metal. This is because the material that you apply with your hands, is waterproof. More precisely, its water absorption is not more than three percent per day.
Also worth noting is the excellent sound insulation qualities. However, it is not so simple. The level of soundproofing depends on the physical parameters of the material. Simply put, changing its composition to achieve a better or worse sound.
There are three main parameter of foam, which you need to pay attention if you want to achieve silence in the house:
- thickness,
- the ability to pass air,
- elasticity.
Also when carrying out calculations it is necessary to consider the rigidity of the frame construction, insulation which you will conduct your own hands with the help of polyurethane foam. The best is a semi-flexible material type.
Separately need to talk about the heat resistance of the polyurethane foam, which many use to hold the insulation with your hands. The material can be divided into three types:
- self-extinguishing,
- nonflammable,
- inflammable.
From this we can conclude that the polyurethane foam used for insulation of the hands, will help to increase the fire safety of the whole structure.
Moreover, the resistance of the substance can be further improved by adding to the basic consistency of special additives. Some builders go ahead and change the chemical formula for better insulation of the premises with their hands.
As additional materials are most often used ordinary phosphorus. A good alternative are the Halogens. But the last option can be a bit pricey. Fortunately, there is one trick that will allow you to save money and get the fire-resistant coating.
It is necessary to apply a thin fire-resistant polyurethane foam on a bowl of plain material. Particularly relevant such precaution is in industrial areas where the risk of fire is high. However, in this case it is better to apply several layers.
An important parameter of foam, which you can apply for warming your hands, is the density. It can vary in a wide range. Approximately 25 to 70 kilograms per cubic meter, but exceptions are possible. It all depends on the goals you want to achieve.
Hold the polyurethane foam insulation with your hands ↑
The preparatory stage ↑
In order to carry out polyurethane foam insulation you will need specific equipment. It is best to rent. Special attention should be paid to setting. When properly set-up parameters the result can be unpredictable.
In the implementation of polyurethane insulation with their hands should consider a number of factors, principal among them are:
Insulation can be done in the process of construction. Can be treated as a separate region, and the entire surface entirely. For example, are often insulated with a cap. This allows to avoid the accumulation of moisture indoors.
It is very important to fill the foam cavity. As an example, consider the slab of the first floor floor. Technology it is best to handle the cellar. In this case, for reliable insulation their hands to be filled with foam all the space.
The process of insulating ↑
Polyurethane foam insulation is a simple process. So it can be done with your hands, just follow the algorithm:
- Carefully evaluate the condition of the surface you want to process. If necessary, remove from the walls of the old coating. This should be done only when you doubt its stability. An excellent example in this context is the old crumbling plaster.
- Install on the walls of the crate. To create it can be used as wooden bars and metal profiles. The thickness of the elements directly depends on the layer of foam, which you are going to put their hands.
- In some cases, the crate can help the insulation uneven walls. Properly installed bars will help to smooth the surface that you make with your own hands. But in order to achieve the desired result, you need to use a level.
- When the surface is properly prepared, you can take a gun and spray the foam with your hands.
- Very important role is played by the adjustment. If, for example, you want to cover the walls with your hands not too thick layer, then make the appropriate settings of the device.
- Start spraying the walls need bottom. Particular attention should be paid to the elements of the sheathing. They need to be handle carefully.
- Polyurethane foam must be applied in a thin layer. You must bear in mind that immediately after applying it gain volume. If the thickness of the insulation will be insufficient — will nailite another layer.
- Once the foam hardens, you will need to align. It’s not as difficult as it may seem. Simply carefully cut off high areas.
- After the surface is aligned, it is necessary to carry out the installation of siding. This will improve the insulation of polyurethane foam, moreover, such a coating has excellent aesthetic appearance. Alternatively, you can use the clapboard.
- When sprayed polyurethane foam for insulation on the outside — you can just plaster the walls to give them a beautiful and completed look. Some builders go further and make additional brickwork. In the end, inside the wall is a kind of layer.
- In the plaster need to use grid. It is fastened on the crate. Then you can slowly apply the grout to the wall.
As you can see, to do home insulation with PUR foam with your hands is easy. Just follow this algorithm. Moreover, the warming of the floor, many of them can be neglected. A bonus is the ability to hide all communications under a thick layer of foam.
The results ↑
Polyurethane foam for insulation has many useful properties and unique characteristics that allow it to be much better than the closest analogues in the form of mineral wool or extruded polystyrene. Important advantages can be attributed to the high speed of installation, good heat properties, and mechanical stability.