Is it necessary to insulate the walls of a house made of aerated concrete from the outside and inside, the thickness of the insulation

One of the most important choices a homeowner must make when building a home is whether to insulate the walls. This question becomes even more important for people who use aerated concrete. Despite its excellent thermal properties, is aerated concrete still in need of additional insulation? The need for aerated concrete walls to be insulated from the inside and outside is examined in this article.

It’s critical to comprehend the advantages and restrictions of aerated concrete. This material has good thermal insulation, is fire resistant, and is lightweight. Its inherent insulating qualities, however, might not be sufficient in some climates to guarantee a pleasant interior temperature all year round. Insulation can improve your home’s energy efficiency and possibly lower your heating and cooling expenses.

Another crucial element is the insulation’s thickness. If it’s too thin, it might not offer enough heat resistance. If it’s too thick, you might have to cut costs and save less space. Finding the ideal balance between cost and space constraints is essential to attaining maximum thermal performance.

This article will address the need for insulating aerated concrete walls, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of external versus internal insulation, and offer suggestions for choosing the right insulation thickness. This guide will assist you in making an informed choice whether you are building a new home or trying to make an existing one more energy-efficient.

Consideration	Details
External Insulation	Helps prevent heat loss and protects aerated concrete from weather damage. Recommended thickness: 50-100 mm.
Internal Insulation	Can be used if external insulation is not possible. Helps improve thermal comfort. Recommended thickness: 30-50 mm.
Combined Insulation	Using both internal and external insulation provides the best thermal efficiency. Ensure proper moisture control to avoid condensation issues.
Cost	External insulation can be more expensive due to labor and materials, but it"s generally more effective. Internal insulation is often cheaper but might reduce living space.

Why is it necessary to insulate such houses?

Buildings made of aerated concrete blocks require highly skilled construction. The materials are affixed to a specific adhesive base and can be identified by their distinct geometric shapes. Building a reinforced foundation is not necessary for structures, but it is necessary to increase the walls’ capacity to withstand heat and moisture and to putty them securely.

A few words about the nature of the material

A lightweight porous concrete is called aerated concrete. A foaming agent (such as aluminum powder) is added to the cement-lime mortar during the material’s manufacturing process.

Hollow cells form and hydrogen starts to leak out of the concrete composition during the process. After that, the blocks undergo heat treatment in high-pressure autoclaves as the last step of preparation to strengthen the material’s mechanical strength. The raw materials develop qualities of low heat conductivity and strength.

Why insulate such structures?

The properties of the building material must be considered when determining whether to insulate a home constructed of aerated concrete. The blocks’ pores improve thermal insulation, but they also let in moisture and are permeable to vapor. Insulating compounds are required to protect gas silicate wall panels.

The standard thickness of the blocks is between 300 and 500 mm, and this is chosen based on the average regional temperature. Without sealants and insulating compounds, aerated concrete walls in the Moscow area and the center of Russia must be at least 70 cm thick. Thermal insulation has a standard thickness of 10 cm; if the partition is smaller than 300–400 mm, more substantial insulation for aerated concrete is required.

Choice of material

Aerated concrete comes in multiple density levels (starting at 350 units), with steps ranging from 50 to 600 units. This must be considered when selecting the blocks. Since it has the highest indicator and is the most resilient, it can be applied in thin layers both inside and outside the structure. Slabs 50 mm thick can be used in place of a layer of porous materials.

High-quality, certified materials that are chosen for the area’s proper humidity level and the wall’s load capacity are required.

The technical specifications of the composition are considered during the selection process. Since porous wall panels let oxygen and moisture through, the insulating material shouldn’t obstruct the diffusion process. The composition’s vapor permeability should be greater than the limitations of the building’s constituent parts.

Types of materials for insulation

The following kinds of insulation compounds are used to insulate homes made of aerated concrete:

• mineral wool;
• foaminglex;
• Styrofoam;
• polyurethane foam;
• vermiculite, etc.D.

Technical properties (mass, density, composition), installation methods, and costs vary amongst materials.

Styrofoam

Foam is lightweight and simple to prepare and apply. Inside, the blocks are made of cavities that are filled with gas bubbles created during the composition-making process. Buildings intended for residential and commercial use can be constructed with foam. One benefit of the material is that it can be used independently and is inexpensive.

Aerated concrete walls with foam are constructed with multiple layer styling. Compounds with high heat capacity and thermal conductivity are used to finish interior walls. Polystyrene foam is not used for external insulation and is best suited for interior work because it prevents steam from passing through.

In order to avoid rot and building destruction, experts advise against using the material in areas with high humidity.

After the wall panels are ready, polystyrene foam can be used to insulate homes against heat loss in arid southern climates. Installing a ventilation system will be required to stop condensation from building up on the walls. Building designers must consider the substantial thickness of the foam blocks. A building finished with polystyrene foam will have less internal operational space.

• aesthetics;
• high degree of heat retention in the room;
• light load on wall panels and foundation;
• high sound insulation;
• resistance to biological organisms (mold, fungus);
• prevention of temperature fluctuations in the room.

Penoplex

Penoplex can be used to insulate aerated concrete walls. Extruded polystyrene foam is produced under high pressure and temperature conditions. It is imperative to consider the material’s high cost.

• small thickness;
• high vapor barrier characteristics;
• non-flammability of the composition allows preventing the development of a fire.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is made and marketed in rolls or slabs. The raw material is safe to use, composed of environmentally friendly raw materials, has high noise insulation qualities, is vapor-permeable, and is fire resistant.

Wool has a high operating period due to its resistance to mold and fungus. Waterproofing must be applied when fixing because the composition permits moisture to pass through and cause condensation. It is not permitted to use acrylic plaster when finishing a building from the outside with mineral wool as this will promote condensation formation.

• glass fiber;
• slag fibers;
• stone wool.

The structure (fiber length and thickness), load resistance, thermal conductivity characteristics, moisture resistance, and fire resistance of the materials vary.

Glass wool is made up of long fibers that can be as thick as 15–50 mm and as thin as 5–15 microns. The material is strong and elastic, but it must be used with protective gear (gloves, goggles, respirator) and in accordance with safety regulations when in use. The material has a thermal conductivity of 0.03–0.052 W/(mK). The maximum temperature that can be heated is + 450 °C. The material’s degree of hygroscopicity is average.

Slag residue from blast furnaces is used to make slag wool. Its fibers are 4–12 microns thick and can reach a length of 16 mm. When the room’s humidity level is high, the material’s residual acidity may have a detrimental effect on the metal.

Due to its high moisture absorption capacity, slag wool is best utilized indoors; it is not appropriate for exterior structure decoration or water supply system construction. The substance is brittle. A temperature of +300°C is the upper limit for heating, and the thermal conductivity coefficient ranges from 0.46 to 0.48 W / (mK).

Technically speaking, stone wool is comparable to slag wool, but it is not brittle and does not harm surfaces. Cotton wool is simple to work with and doesn’t need complicated protection when being repaired. The maximum temperature at which mineral raw materials extracted from rocks may be heated is +600°C. The composition has a thermal conductivity of 0.077–0.12 W / (mK). The composition has an average hygroscopicity index.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is a viable insulation material for a house built with aerated concrete. Using specialized high-pressure spraying equipment, the composition is applied to the panels. Uneven surfaces can be covered with polyurethane foam; the material fills in voids and imperfections to create a seamless, smooth finish.

Raw materials can be sprayed into locations that are difficult to access. One benefit of using polyurethane foam for facade insulation is that it sticks well to surfaces, negating the need to construct a frame.

It is vital to choose materials for the building’s interior decoration that inhibit steam penetration when using polyurethane foam as thermal insulation. Materials for vinyl wallpaper, alkyd dyes, cement chip plaster, ceramic tiles, etc. are ideal for decorating.

Simple technologies for insulating a house

The best technologies are chosen when choosing how to insulate an aerated concrete home:

• "wet facade";
• application of primer to panels;
• wadded facade;
• facing with foam;
• fastening with dowels, etc..

Simple and cheap

Simple technologies are used to install insulation on the exterior and inside. Plaster, foam plastic, or dense blocks of mineral wool are used to decorate the surface after the slabs are affixed to the wall panels with an adhesive base.

Creating a cotton facade is simple. Wall panels must be cleaned, primed, and prepared with multiple layers. Four layers of plaster will be needed for D400 gas blocks and three layers for D500 and D600 blocks. One or two primer layers for sturdy walls. When the primer layers are dry, the insulation is laid out.

An L-shaped profile is used to fasten insulating materials horizontally. Materials are chosen for various slab insulation compositions and vary in width. Anchors are used to secure the structure horizontally in steps of 250–300 mm.

The local climate must be considered when determining whether or not to use mineral wool and an adhesive base for insulating aerated concrete. Stone or glass wool can be adhered to special glue in regions of moderate humidity found in the central part of Russia.

A notched trowel is needed for the task. Applying the composition in a thick, uniform layer is how the material is fixed on lightweight cellular concrete. Its application to multiple wall sections is utilized in brick and concrete buildings.

The materials may be fastened with umbrella-style dowels. The insulating cotton wool is first secured to the dowels, followed by the application of a layer of adhesive, the attachment of the serpyanka, and another coat of adhesive. Decorative plaster is used to finish the surface once the compositions have dried.

Capital ventilated insulation

It is advised to consider the labor costs and duration of the project when determining whether an aerated concrete home with capital ventilation systems needs to be insulated. This technique enables the use of siding in addition to decorative plaster for facade finishing. Aerated concrete blocks with a strong foundation and excellent strength are used for ventilated facade decoration.

The characteristics of porous materials must be taken into consideration when selecting anchors for installation tasks. Reinforced fasteners with a complicated configuration are needed to secure the compositions. It is not advised to use plastic screws. When screwed, anchors should be simple to insert into the hole and should expand or release hooks.

Priming the wall panels is required before repairing the siding. Next, secure the load-bearing bars with anchors spaced no more than 0.5 meters apart.

Following the beam installation, the insulating composition slabs must have an adhesive base applied before being fixed to the wall panels positioned in between the beams. Next, attach the strips and wind protection, which will serve as the foundation for the facing finish and guarantee that openings for the ventilation system are created. On top, facing material is fixed.

Interior finishing of aerated concrete

The design elements of the home and the local climate must be considered when determining whether insulated aerated concrete is required inside the structure. Plaster and minimal insulation thickness are the best options. Plaster should be applied in a layer as thick as 5-7 mm when decorating high-humidity areas (such as bathrooms and kitchens), and ceramic tiles should be placed on top.

For maximum comfort and energy efficiency, aerated concrete homes must have well-insulated walls. Although aerated concrete has good thermal qualities, adding more insulation will help the house stay cooler in the summer and save a lot of heat in the winter. In addition to reducing energy costs, proper insulation improves the sustainability of a home’s interior.

The best course of action is frequently to insulate the external walls. It maintains the walls’ structural integrity by shielding the aerated concrete from moisture and temperature changes. For external insulation, materials such as mineral wool or polystyrene can offer superior durability and thermal performance. The insulation’s thickness, which normally varies from 50 to 150 mm, will depend on the climate and particular energy-efficiency targets.

Although it is typically less common, internal insulation is an additional option. When external insulation is impractical because of architectural restrictions or aesthetic considerations, it may be helpful. Care should be taken when installing interior insulation to prevent problems like condensation and mold growth. Insulating plaster and rigid foam boards are good materials for internal insulation; their typical thicknesses range from 30 to 100 mm.

Overall, it is important to take into account variables like climate, building design, and personal preferences when deciding whether to insulate from the outside, the inside, or both. Choosing the best insulation plan for your aerated concrete house can be facilitated by speaking with a building expert. In addition to enhancing comfort and energy efficiency, proper insulation extends the life of your home.

To maximize comfort and energy efficiency, aerated concrete homes must have well-insulated walls. Adding external and internal insulation helps to further reduce heat loss, prevent moisture problems, and ensure a stable indoor climate even though aerated concrete offers good thermal properties. The climate and particular building requirements will determine how thick the insulation should be, but for best results, a layer of 50–100 mm on the outside and 30–50 mm on the inside is generally advised.

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