The insulation is similar to penoplex. What is better to choose for insulating the outside walls of a house: polystyrene foam or penoplex? General properties of foam plastic and penoplex

The room must meet all the parameters and be not only beautiful, but also cozy and warm. Therefore, immediately after the construction of the building, the choice of insulation begins.

On modern market presented large selection insulation materials, but the most popular are penoplex and technoplex.

Technoplex is a specialized brand of extruded polystyrene foam, widely used for insulation of premises. Thanks to the graphite included in its composition, it has gray and increased strength.

In terms of moisture resistance, technoplex is excellent material, which practically does not allow moisture to pass through, and is also well adapted to sudden changes temperature.

Main features:

1. High resistance to wet environments.
2. Reduced level of frost resistance.
3. Adaptability to mechanical damage.
4. Easy to install.
5. Long service life.

Main disadvantages:

• Low vapor permeability.
• High fire hazard.
• Most relevant for indoor thermal insulation.

Specifications:

• Density - 35 kg/m3.
• Thermal conductivity - 0.029-0.030 W/m*K.
• Water absorption - no more than 0.2%
• Compressive density at 10% deformation is 0.24-0.25 MPa.
• Bending strength - 0.35 MPa.
• Vapor permeability - 0.18-0.20 mg/m*h*K.

Penoplex is a tile insulation made from extruded polystyrene foam. This heat insulator has a bright orange color, so it is difficult not to recognize it.

Main features:

1. Its light weight (this is especially taken into account when working at heights).
2. Low vapor permeability.
3. Possibility of processing the material with cement, glue, saline solution, putty, primer, etc.
4. Low moisture resistance.
5. The ability to carry a high load, provided that it exerts an impact evenly over the entire area.
6. Suitable for insulation both indoors and outdoors.
7. Long service life (up to 40 years).
8. Universal (possibility of insulation both indoors and outdoors).

Main disadvantages:

• High fire hazard.
• Susceptible to attacks by rodents.

Technical indicators:

• Density - 29-35 kg/m3.
• Thermal conductivity - 0.03 W/m*K.
• Water absorption - 0.4%
• Compressive strength at 10% deformation - 0.25 MPa.
• Bending strength - 0.35-0.4 MPa.
• Vapor permeability - 0.02 mg/m*h*Pa.

General features

If you analyze the technical indicators of both insulation materials, you will notice that they do not have decisive differences:

1. Temperature regime (considering the fact that in the CIS countries temperatures of -70°C rarely occur).
2. These materials are heat-insulating and also environmentally friendly.
3. In fact, they are not subject to dissolution in both water and soil.
4. Used for individual construction and subsequent thermal insulation.
5. They are destroyed when exposed to solvents and bitumen glue.
6. Lightweight.
7. They do not require special skills for installation work.
8. Approximately the same price segment.

Main differences

With the help special equipment You can easily compare the strength of these insulation materials. In terms of mechanical compressive strength at 10% deformation, both materials show the same results.

The tensile strength for penoplex becomes approximately 0.6 MPa, for technoplex – 0.3 MPa.

Therefore, we can say that the first heat insulator is several times resistant to static deformation, so it is able to withstand a much heavier load, unlike the second.

The most acceptable temperature for the technoplex is the range from -70°C to +70°C, for the second insulation - from -50°C to +75°C. However, as mentioned above, temperatures in our areas do not often reach these levels, so this question is a formality.

In terms of thermal conductivity, penoplex does not exceed 0.028-0.031 W/mK, and for the technoplex under the same conditions - 0.031 W/mK. Therefore, we can call them not particularly different from each other in this indicator.

But in terms of moisture absorption, technoplex is the leader, which is almost 2 times higher than penoplex.

Experiments were conducted that if extruded polystyrene foam is left in liquid for 28 days, then its volume will increase by only 0.2%. This indicates its extremely low level of water absorption.

However, this material can retain its properties for high-quality operation after repeated freezing and defrosting.

Regarding the price issue, both heat-insulating materials do not differ significantly in price. Unless penoplex is 10% cheaper than its competitor.

But you need to take into account the fact that insulation materials are often purchased in large quantities, so when purchasing extruded polystyrene foam you can save a tidy sum.

Thus, after spending comparative analysis two competing insulation materials, we can conclude that there are practically no significant differences between them. The biggest difference can only be noticed in the price.

What should you choose?

As mentioned above, there are no big differences between insulation materials, so the choice remains with the buyer and his personal preferences. However, penoplex appeared on the market much earlier than technoplex and already managed to gain the trust of craftsmen. But many, due to the difference in price, consider it unreasonably expensive and, if possible, purchase a technoplex.

Therefore, the main selection criterion is the intended application. Technoplex is declared as an internal insulation, penoplex - as a universal one.

Thus, the answer to the question - which insulation to choose from extruded or extruded polystyrene foam is superficial. It all depends on the scope of its application and customer confidence.

If you are thinking about the question of which is better - foam plastic or penoplex, then you need to pay attention not only to the fact that these materials have similar names, but also to the production technology, as well as characteristics. Some people wonder why manufacturers need to fool people and produce almost identical materials.

Which material to choose

To answer these questions, you need to understand the differences and then draw conclusions. In fact, these materials are not just similar, but almost identical. The main one is the first root “foam-”, which indicates the porosity of the structure. Penoplex and foam plastic are easy to install, have little weight, almost do not absorb moisture, do not rot, and also easily withstand the effects of external negative factors.

In addition to the advantages, it is also worth highlighting the disadvantages, which include poor tolerance to solvents such as acetone. This should also include other chemically aggressive substances. As practice shows, penoplex and foam plastic are characterized by low strength and require external protection. The first difference is that polystyrene foam has white, while penoplex has a canary shade. However, this is not at all full list differences, which will be discussed below.

Comparison of the main properties of insulation materials

First of all, consumers decide what holds heat better - polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. This is what is discussed in the article, but before choosing, it is important to decide what properties you need to pay attention to. At first glance, it may seem that penoplex is still better, because it has more impressive resistance class indicators, and the working layer of insulation in it is almost 2 times smaller. It absorbs moisture 4 times less, and to be more precise, it does not absorb it at all.

A big advantage is also low flammability, especially when compared with this parameter characteristic of foam plastic. If you are concerned about the question of what is better to insulate a balcony - foam plastic or penoplex, then it is also important to pay attention to the density. For the latter material it is 2.5 times higher than for traditional polystyrene foam. As practice shows, you can walk on foam plastic, and it will only be partially pressed through, but penoplex is not afraid of long-term heavy loads. That is why penoplex is used for, but polystyrene foam is preferred not to be used in such work.

Experts draw the attention of consumers to the fact that in general the performance of penoplex is, of course, better, but in the main areas they differ little. Having learned about this, many consumers refuse to pay more, because if you need to insulate the walls, then its strength and water absorption coefficient do not play a role. This can also be said about the thickness of the working layer, but the cost will influence the choice.

If you still cannot decide which is better - polystyrene foam, the facade surface can be covered with the first option, but only if we are talking about exterior finishing. This is also true for floor insulation in situations where there are funds and a desire to use high-quality materials. In all other cases, traditional polystyrene foam will be sufficient. But it is better not to use it for finishing the facade, because it will not have the best effect on the fire safety of the building.

Comparison by composition

The materials described in the article are actively used in construction, mostly in the field of thermal insulation; they can also be used to insulate sound. They are manufactured using similar technologies, which involve foaming polystyrene. Polystyrene foam is insulating material, which contains 98% air and 2% polystyrene. This affects the low cost, because the stove requires only 2% of raw materials. Penoplex acts as a synthetic material for thermal insulation; it is made from extruded polystyrene foam; it is created using the technology of foaming raw materials.

Comparison of thermal insulation qualities

If you are thinking about the question of what is better - polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam, then first of all you need to pay attention to the quality of thermal conductivity. These parameters differ for the materials described. varies within the range of 0.035-0.05 W/m*C, whereas for penoplex this parameter is 0.028 W/m*C. This allows us to conclude that penoplex retains heat somewhat better. If you take a slab of 25 mm polystyrene foam, it will be identical in thermal insulation qualities to a 20 mm slab of polystyrene foam. The first option is only slightly inferior to the second, and on large areas this can result in good savings space.

Comparison by water absorption

When consumers think about the question of which is better - polystyrene foam or penoplex, they pay attention to the ability to absorb water. It must be admitted that penoplex does not like water, and absorbs no more than 0.4% of it per month. But the polystyrene foam has not gone far, its water absorption is 4% in 30 days. In this regard, penoplex was also a little ahead. It is also necessary to take into account that penoplex is vapor permeable, which cannot be said about polystyrene foam. The latter still has this indicator.

Strength comparison

Quite often, experts wonder what is better - polystyrene foam or penoplex. When trying to decide on this, you also need to pay attention to strength. If polystyrene foam is clamped and pressure is applied to it, it will become clear that penoplex is capable of withstanding a pressure of 0.5 MPa, whereas for polystyrene foam this parameter is 0.2 MPa. There is a significant difference here, so it is best to cover the floor with the first analogue, which is especially important for garages, runways and skating rinks. However, it is also necessary to take into account the density of the foam, which is lower and equal to the limit from 15 to 35 kg/m3; for the second material this parameter varies from 28 to 45 kg/m3. This indicates that the specific gravity is also less.

Comparison of materials by operating temperature

Quite often in construction today penoplex or polystyrene foam is used. You can decide which is better after reading the information presented in the article. For example, it is also necessary to take into account the temperature at which normal operation is possible. In this regard, the difference is almost imperceptible, because both materials feel great when used low temperatures, but if the thermometer does not fall below -50 °C. After reaching this mark, the material begins to lose its properties, while the upper maximum reaches +70 ° C, which is true for polystyrene foam, and 75 ° C for penoplex. These insulating materials should not be exposed to direct sun rays. If you put a piece of foam plastic in the sun, the result will not take long to appear.

Comparison by cost

Today, penoplex or polystyrene foam is very accessible. Which is better, you can decide after reading the positive and negative sides these materials. The most pressing issue for consumers today remains cost. Surely you have never seen a material with the best quality characteristics cost less than an analogue that is inferior in many factors. Due to the fact that penoplex takes the lead in many respects, it costs more than polystyrene foam, and the price can be one and a half times higher. This is why most consumers today choose polystyrene foam, due to its lower cost. We must admit that given choice in some types of work it may be justified, because the materials used for thermal insulation of a number of structures will hardly differ in properties.

Selecting thermal insulation based on flammability

As practice shows, both of the described materials burn well, but polystyrene foam does it more slowly, because it belongs to the G3 category. If we are talking about penoplex, then it can be classified as category G4. Numbers from 1 to 4 indicate the degree of flammability - from weak to strong. However, manufacturers today are trying to solve these problems by impregnating materials with fire retardants at the production stage. But this does not at all indicate that the thermal insulation will not catch fire at all. It will burn, but a little worse, while releasing toxic substances from fire retardants.

Selection of material by area of ​​use

Quite often, modern developers wonder what is better - penoplex or. To solve this problem, it is necessary to decide on which part of the building the material will be installed. For example, for a façade it is best to choose polystyrene foam, since it is cheaper and can allow air to pass through. This choice will reduce the cost of vapor barrier, because the wall will not lose its ability to breathe. For internal insulation At home, it is best not to use such materials, although they themselves are environmentally friendly, they can be impregnated with special solutions. The latter emit toxic substances during operation.

If you are thinking about what is the best way to insulate a house - foam plastic/penoplex - then the latter option is better to choose for loggias or balconies. It has lower thermal conductivity and does not reduce as much interior space. But if available flat roof and the need to insulate it, both options are suitable. The ceiling can also be thermally insulated with any material of your choice. However, this decision is justified if you do not plan to walk through the attic afterwards. Otherwise, it is best to choose penoplex. Both materials are suitable for floor insulation, but it is better to make the rough surface using joists.

Conclusion

If you are also one of those consumers who are thinking about the best way to insulate walls, it is recommended to consider polystyrene foam/penoplex before going to the store. An analysis of their main quality characteristics will allow you to understand which material to give preference to. For example, there are surfaces and structures that are better insulated with foam plastic, penoplex or mineral wool. Everything will depend on the budget and the desired effect.

The “i” is dotted. The calculations have been made, the tools are ready, the technologies have been studied, and our hands are itching. There's just a little bit left to do. Which insulation manufacturer should I buy? What is better technoplex or penoplex? Comparison and technoplex will help you make an informed choice. We will summarize the results at the end of the article.

There is an opinion that technoplex is an analogue of penoplex. After all, the basis of both insulation materials is polystyrene foam. But this is not entirely true. Yes, the materials themselves are produced using the same technology. But, there are slight differences in the production of technoplex: graphite nanoparticles are added to the molten mass while actively mixing the melt.

Keeping warm

The materials under consideration are insulation materials, therefore the main characteristic under evaluation should be considered the specific heat transfer coefficient. A lower number means that less heat leaks per unit thickness of the material. This indicator for penoplex is 0.03, for technoplex – 0.029.

The tighter the better

Density is of no small importance for thermal insulation materials. Its resistance to mechanical loads, ability to withstand compression, and degree of heat retention depend on it. Both “candidates” are produced in slabs for various purposes with different densities. Let's consider their ranges in the brands presented for research. Penoplex sheets have densities from 28 to 47 kg/m3, while technoplex - 25 - 45. Moreover, their density range is equally good - 20 units.

From density to strength

Strength indicators are important for heat insulators when used as insulation under screeds different ways manufacturing and insulation of curved elements. Therefore, two parameters are considered at once: compressive and bending strength. Who is the leader here, penoplex or technoplex slabs? How will the same density characteristics affect strength? Penoplex has 0.2 - 0.5 MPa and 0.25 - 0.7 MPa, and technoplex has 0.2 - 0.5 MPa and 0.3 - 0.35 MPa, respectively.

We don't need water

The ability to absorb water, in general, has a negative effect on the heat-retaining ability. Therefore, the lower the number, the more water-saturated conditions the material can be used without compromising the insulation properties. Again we stop at a crossroads: technoplex or penoplex materials, which is better? The water absorption of the samples is measured in relation to the volume of immersed material and is expressed in %. This value for penoplex is 0.4%, and for technoplex – 0.2%.

Save on vapor barrier

The vapor permeability coefficient will tell the consumer whether it is possible to use a heat insulator without laying a vapor barrier membrane. This figure shows how much water vapor a unit of material thickness passes through per hour. The higher the number, the worse. 0.007 - 0.008 mg/mchPa, and technoplex, which differs in composition, is 0.005-0.011.

Safe for me, safe for you

It is impossible not to compare both materials in terms of their effect on environment and interaction with her. Who to give preference: penoplex or technoplex?

The fire hazard of the materials is the same. They belong to the category of substances that support and spread combustion. When they burn, gases that are unsuitable for breathing are released into the atmosphere. Because of this, they are not recommended for use in insulation without additional measures to ensure fire safety, for example, treat with thermite composition.

The chemical and biological activity of these insulation materials is the same due to the use of one source material: not afraid of contact with the majority building materials and solutions, are not attacked by insects and rodents, do not rot and do not spread fungus.

Environmental safety is ensured by the extremely stable position of the components. During the entire service life, there is no release of substances and compounds harmful to humans into the environment.

Both materials are destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, so their use without shelter is not recommended.

Both the wall and the floor rejoice at a large piece

In addition to hidden characteristics important role Externally assessed parameters also play a role. These include, for example, linear dimensions. Due to the presence of several qualifications in this category, we will consider them separately.

The width of both insulation materials is not very diverse and is fixed at 580 and 600 mm for technoplex and penoplex, respectively.

Another indicator, the length, is a little pleasing, especially for the technoplex. If penoplex has a slab length of 1200 mm (2400 mm only for the slab of maximum density), then its opponent has 1180, 2380, 3000, 4000 and even 4500 mm. What a scope!

The range of slab thicknesses allows you to save money when combining a thermal insulation layer without resorting to installation large quantity excess material. According to this parameter, penoplex shows results from 20 to 150 mm, with a more modest 20-120 mm for technoplex.

Simplicity, but not that

Both materials can be cut perfectly with a construction knife. Insulation materials have special grooves for tight jointing of adjacent sheets. What's the difference? Penoplex has 2 types of grooves: straight and L-shaped; The technoplex has 3 types: straight, L-shaped, S-shaped. The latter type is useful when docking in two planes simultaneously.

Easy to use, easy to buy

Penoplex is produced at factories under the same name in Perm, Leningrad region(Kirishi), Novosibirsk, Taganrog and Irkutsk. This manufacturer has 10 official representative offices in all federal districts of Russia.

At the enterprises of the TechnoNIKOL group of companies in Mineralnye Vody, Novoulyanovsk, Uchaly (Bashkortostan), Ryazan, Yurge (Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region). And also has 10 representatives throughout Russia.

Both manufacturers have their dealers in each regional (territorial) center, as well as in major cities regions.

Reviews

I needed insulation, but somehow I don’t really understand them, so the choice was difficult. But I decided to purchase Technoplex, which I am very happy about. This one showed himself thermal insulation material more than good, although some friends insisted that it was not worth buying.

Alexey. Astrakhan

I am far from a beginner in the construction craft and have a fairly good understanding of insulation materials. For five years now, different buildings I use Technoplex. This product performs excellently. Technoplex does not require additional heat insulation, unlike analogues such as polystyrene foam.

Oleg. Krasnodar

Despite the fact that Penoplex has quite a lot of disadvantages, it has more advantages. Compared to polystyrene foam, it is simply ideal. If at some point the price of Penoplex becomes an order of magnitude lower, then polystyrene foam and other analogues will simply disappear from sale as unnecessary.

Ruslan. Voronezh

Let's sum it up

The comparison results are summarized in a table, where the advantage of the material by position is estimated at 1 point, equality - 0.5 points, loss - 0. It is interesting how different the final results for each manufacturer will be.

The issue of price, which has too many components, was deliberately not addressed. Moreover, evaluation by cost is the easiest of the evaluation indicators of the material.

Existing analogues of Penoplex and Technoplex, for example, Stirex, were not included in this analysis. The obtained result of a small study is quite conditional. Comparing the entire line of products cannot give a complete answer to the question: “Which insulation is better?” In each specific case, it is necessary to choose the material that will fully provide the necessary thermal insulation of the building.

In the face of an abundance of offers of various types of thermal insulation, choose suitable option insulation material is quite difficult. Ravaterm, polyspen, stirex, penofol, penoplex and technoplex are just some of the foam materials used for insulating external and interior spaces. True information about what it is modern insulation based on styrene polymers, there are not so many, so many experts prefer to collect practical reviews on which is better, technoplex or penoplex. This is a complex and time-consuming path, so first it is better to compare the characteristics and draw a conclusion about how penoplex and technoplex differ, and what is the difference between them.

What is foamed polystyrene

Penoplex is produced by the company of the same name according to its own original technology and is a pressure-foamed, extruded polystyrene. Approximately the same data can be found from open sources about Technoplex insulation produced by the TechnoNIKOL company. Details technological process TechnoNIKOL and Penoplex are not reported, but based on fragmentary data the following conclusion can be drawn:

• Granulated raw materials - high purity polystyrene - are mixed with a gasifier, heated to high temperature and pressed through calibrated micro-holes;
• When passing through a nozzle with several hundred microholes, the main stream of polystyrene is broken into microfilaments, the polymer molecules are stretched, form bonds with each other and are simultaneously strengthened by pressure;
• At the moment of exiting the dies, polypropylene foams in measured doses and turns into a porous material of millions of tiny frozen bubbles.

The general picture of the production of technoplex and penoplex is the same, but there are slight differences in the composition of the materials and strength characteristics. According to the TechnoNIKOL company, the technoplex includes not large number amorphous carbon or graphite, so that the rolling rolls can better form a sheet of the required thickness.

For your information! In the cheapest and simple technologies In production, light freons mixed with carbon dioxide are used as pore-forming gases. Modern methods production involves the use of powder and liquid gas-forming agents.

Comparing technoplex and penoplex

In fact, the composition of technoplex and penoplex is much more complex; it includes stabilizers, flame retardants, antioxidants and substances that slow down secondary polymerization. The difference may be in temperature, pressure and the use of gas-forming agent.

What is the difference between foamed polystyrenes?

What's the difference? The powder or liquid gas-forming agent can be better mixed and distributed throughout the volume of polystyrene granules, so such insulation materials have more stable thermal insulation characteristics.

But this is not the only reason why modern production technoplex and penoplex refuse to use freon:

• In the sealed cells of new, unused material, freon gas remains for some time, which is formally considered safe, but in practice it is better to get rid of it, since it often leads to lung problems, especially in children;
• Over time, the gas is replaced by air and water vapor. If not the purest raw materials with styrene residues were used for the production of expanded polystyrene, then gradually part of the contents of the technoplex cells will be squeezed out into the environment.

For “technical” grades of EPS, for example, penofol, such processes are not of particular importance. According to the manufacturer, penofol is best used for insulating foundations, basement parts of buildings, and for use in the construction of highways, so a mixture of freon and carbon dioxide. The contact compressive strength of penofol is approximately equal to the strength characteristics of technoplex.

The use of the extrusion process makes it possible to obtain a linearly oriented structure and very dense elongated pores. As a result, extruded polystyrene foam resists water and water vapor significantly better, and has higher bending and compressive strength. Therefore, all extruded polymer foams used for insulation - penofol, technoplex, penoplex - have the best strength characteristics, how they differ from expanded polystyrene, or in other words - polystyrene foam.

Main characteristics of technoplex and penoplex

Most reliable way To determine which insulation is better, compare their main characteristics. Most important parameter- thermal conductivity, for penoplex the coefficient is 0.029-0.030 W/m∙K, for technoplex - 0.030 W/m∙K. The difference is negligible, so both materials retain heat equally well.

The second characteristic concerns strength. According to reviews, penoplex cuts better and is less deformed during installation. The bending strength of technoplex is almost two times lower than that of penoplex, but its manufacturer initially states that its products are best used for internal thermal insulation, and penoplex better withstands pressure from heaving of the soil and the mass of the concrete foundation.

The third characteristic concerns water absorption. In this part, penoplex resists water better than TechnoNIKOL products, almost twice as much - 0.1% versus 0.2%. But both indicators are significantly better than those of foam plastic - 0.5% and mineral wool - almost 10%. In addition, extruded polystyrene foam practically does not change its characteristics even after thousands of freeze-thaw cycles.

The last factor is the price of insulation; in this case, technoplex looks better, whose cost per square meter is 10-15% lower than its competitor.

Comparison of polystyrene foam with other types of insulation

The main competitors of expanded polystyrene foam are mineral felts and fiber mats. When asked what is better, penoplex or mineral wool, it can be argued that for private one- or two-story buildings it is better to use penoplex as the most effective thermal insulator. For exterior finishing In high-rise buildings, it is better to use mineral wool, for one reason - absolute fire safety. Expanded polystyrene, even with flame retardant additives, can emit large amounts of toxic gases when heated at high temperatures, so for high-rise buildings it is better to avoid unnecessary risks.

On the other hand, it is better not to use mineral wool for damp basements and semi-basements, since the fiber instantly absorbs water. In addition, in the production of certain grades of mineral or basalt wool phenol-formaldehyde resin is used, which is highly toxic and carcinogenic. In general, it is better not to use such brands for insulating residential premises.

One of the competitors for technoplex is isolon, a material based on foamed and modified polyethylene. Of all the listed materials, Izolon is best suited for insulating walls and ceilings inside residential premises. The coefficient of thermal conductivity and water absorption of polyethylene foam of the PPE brand is almost equal to the similar characteristics of technoplex. The PPE layer can withstand prolonged heating up to 80 o C for 24 hours. Izolon PPE has good sound and noise insulation, and the main advantage is that the environmental friendliness and safety of such thermal insulation is better than that of the most expensive brands of EPS.

Polyethylene foam, even with strong heating, does not emit toxic decomposition products. The main disadvantage of the material is its excessive flexibility and softness. Isolon laid on the wall requires additional finishing with rigid boards, for example, plasterboard or MDF. It is impossible to lay a layer of plaster or paste wallpaper over isolon, so it is better to use it in conjunction with external EPS insulation.

Conclusion

An attempt to compare the characteristics of which insulation is better, penoplex or technoplex, can only be accepted as preliminary assessment materials. Most foamed polystyrenes have very similar characteristics, so in order to get the full picture, you need to take into account feedback on practical use different brands insulation.

Today, the building materials market offers a large number of different insulation materials. They are different performance characteristics, cost and scope. Insulation materials can also be made from natural and artificial components. Both groups of materials are popular.

Many buyers are interested in what is better - polystyrene foam or penoplex? They belong to the category of completely synthetic substances. These materials and their differences will be discussed further.

When considering which is better - foam plastic or penoplex, you should consider the features of each of the presented insulation materials. They have many similarities, as they are made from the same material. However, its processing is significantly different.

Both presented materials are lightweight. Insulation of this type does not absorb moisture. Also artificial materials are not subject to rotting, which allows them to be used in almost any weather conditions. These artificial insulation materials are resistant to exposure to solvents (acetone, gasoline).

Apply in construction work Ah penoplex and polystyrene foam are very simple. They do not weigh down the structure. Also, the cost of the presented materials remains invariably affordable for all categories of buyers. This makes both presented insulation materials popular among buyers.

However, penoplex and polystyrene have a number of differences. Some buyers think that these are completely the same materials. However, this is far from the case.

Making foam plastic

In our country, penoplex or polystyrene foam is widely used for insulation. Consideration of their features will help you figure out which is better. Polystyrene foam appeared before penoplex. It is made from polymer materials.

To make polystyrene foam, polystyrene granules are first made. They consist of isoprene and pentane. They are treated with gases and foamed to obtain light balls. To obtain polystyrene foam, polystyrene is treated with water vapor. This happens chemical reaction. The balls swell and increase in volume. Pentane leaves them.

The polystyrene beads are further processed. To form insulation boards, the balls are subjected to high blood pressure. They can also be processed with elevated temperatures. This material has balls in its structure. If you look closely you can easily see them.

Penoplex production

There is an official expert opinion on the question of which insulation is better. Foam plastic or penoplex? They are very similar. The fact is that they are both made of polystyrene. Penoplex is more new development technologists. Thanks to a special production technology, this material has received certain advantages over foam plastic.

It is also a vapor-proof material. This property leads to the accumulation of moisture under the surface of the foam. This entails the development of rotting processes and the appearance of fungus. This leads to the establishment of an unfavorable microclimate in the apartment. Therefore, polystyrene foam is not recommended for installation indoors. They mainly insulate external walls.

Technical characteristics of polystyrene foam

Should also consider technical specifications materials, choosing between polystyrene foam or penoplex. What is best for the facade, floor or other objects will help you understand the basic qualities of the presented materials.

Polystyrene foam is a flammable material. Its thermal conductivity is 0.04 W/m. This indicator is typical for many other types of thermal insulation. The presented material can be used at temperatures from +70 to -40 ºС. The foam is characterized by a compression density of about 8 t/m². The moisture absorption rate of the material is 2.1%.

Foam plastic has a long service life. He reaches 30 years of age. At the same time, foam plastic sheets of different sizes and thicknesses are available for sale. This allows it to be used for different conditions. Most often, sheets with a thickness of 10 cm are purchased. The cost of polystyrene foam is invariably acceptable. A sheet with a thickness of 5 cm and an area of ​​0.5 m² can be purchased at a price of 40 rubles.

Properties of penoplex

For various construction works, foam plastic or penoplex is used. What is better for floors, walls, facades and other objects? Advice from professional installers will help you make a decision.

Penoplex is characterized by special qualities. It features a durable design. Therefore, penoplex is used to insulate the floor. Moreover, in this case, you don’t even need to create an additional frame. The weight of the screed and the structures in the room will be evenly distributed across the slabs. They won't push through.

At the same time, penoplex has improved thermal insulation properties. This allows the thickness of the slabs to be reduced. A sheet of polystyrene foam 3 cm thick is identical in insulation properties to polystyrene foam 8 cm thick. Even in the Far North, extruded polymer slabs thicker than 10 cm are not used. All positive qualities polystyrene foam not only inherited this material, but also improved it.

Negative qualities of penoplex

Owners of houses and apartments have a question: what is better to insulate walls - polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam? Both show high thermal insulation characteristics. Extruded durable polymer has many advantages over foam. Why hasn't the more fragile material been discontinued yet?

The fact is that the cost of polystyrene foam remains invariably cheaper. Penoplex costs about 120 rubles. per sheet with an area of ​​0.6 m² and a thickness of 3 cm. Therefore, cheaper foam plastic is often purchased for insulating walls and ceilings.

In addition, expanded polystyrene has the same vapor permeability. This also leads to moisture accumulation inside the walls. This leads to the development of rotting processes and the formation of fungus. In this case, other insulation materials turn out to be more attractive for installation.

Technical characteristics of penoplex

There are several recommendations on how best to insulate a house. It is quite simple to decorate a façade, ceiling or other objects with polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. However, before purchasing this or that material, you need to know its technical characteristics. Penoplex has many advantages compared to polystyrene foam.

Extruded insulation has a thermal conductivity of 0.029-0.03 W/m. Moreover, it can be used for more low temperatures. Penoplex can withstand frost down to -50 ºС.

In this case, the compressive density will be much higher than that of foam plastic. This figure is about 21 t/m².

The material also has a lower water absorption rate. It is 0.5%. This indicates a much slower destruction of the material under the influence of moisture. The service life of penoplex is 50 years. It is also a flammable material that should not be installed in areas with a high fire hazard.

Expert opinion

Which is better - polystyrene foam or penoplex? Experts give a clear answer to this question. In terms of its characteristics, penoplex significantly exceeds those of foam plastic. Therefore, this material was able to gain its place in the market. Even with significantly higher cost extruded material is often purchased for various construction works.

Penoplex also inherited some of the disadvantages of polystyrene foam. This is a vapor-tight and flammable material. However, it fully copes with its thermal insulation functions. This allows us to talk about high efficiency penoplex. Polystyrene foam has a fairly limited area of ​​application. This is also a drawback of the presented material.