What is a "Penoplex Foundation"

On the market of building materials, Penoplex Foundation was widely used. What is this material and what is it more attractive in comparison with other heat-insulating compounds? Let's try to understand this question.

general characteristics

Extruded polystyrene foam for thermal insulation "Penoplex Foundation" is specially designed for reliable protection of foundations. If you apply the insulation of the foundation "Penoplex" in the cottage, the heat dissipation into the atmosphere by the construction of the whole building will be reduced by 20 percent.

This material is successfully used for buildings in areas characterized by severe frost and high humidity. The thickness of the plate "Penoplex" is available with values from 20 to 100 mm. "Penoplex Foundation" is made "with a quarter" - the chosen configuration of the edges of the plates allows to avoid the formation of bridges of cold. This production technology ensures durable thermal insulation of surfaces.

Extruded polystyrene foam "Penoplex" successfully resists prolonged contact with water, does not interact with soil alkalis and acids when in direct contact with the ground. This material is not subject to bioavailability, does not change its physical and chemical properties when exposed to groundwater.

"Penoplex Foundation": characteristics

• The density is 29.0-33.0 kg / m ³ .
• The ultimate strength in the case of static bending is not less than 0.4 MPa.
• Absorption of water in 24 hours - no more than 0.4 percent (by volume).
• Water absorption for 28 days - 0,5% by volume.
• Resistance to fire - group G4 (according to F3-123).
• The coefficient of thermal conductivity (at 25 ° C) is 0.03 W / (m × ° K).
• Standard dimensions, mm: width / length - 600х1200.
• Thickness, mm: 7 gradations from 20 to 100.
• Range of operation (temperature) - from -50 to +75 ° С.

Comparison with other materials

According to the heat-insulating properties, a sheet of a penoplex with a thickness of 2 cm corresponds to a thickness of 3 cm of the foam layer, 3.8 cm of mineral wool, 25 cm of wood, 27 cm of foam concrete, and 37 cm of brickwork. Thus, it is clear why the use of "Penoplex" for the thermal insulation of foundations is preferable to the use of other materials.

Areas of use

"Penoplex Foundation" finds application in the following areas:

• As a middle layer in three-layer constructions from foundation blocks ;
• As a non-removable formwork for pouring the substrate;
• For insulation from below the slabs of the undisplaced buildings and the lower surface of shallow foundations ;
• For insulation and moisture protection of the basement of buildings;
• For insulation of vertical surfaces of foundations;
• For insulation of blind areas in private houses with insufficient degree of insulation of the foundation;
• For the warming of the cellars of buildings.

Technology of thermal insulation of horizontal surfaces

For this application, and it concerns the cases of warming of the lower surface of the slabs and the soles of the band (including shallow) foundations, the plates "Penoplex Foundation" are 50 mm (or 100 mm).

1. Remove the top soil layer of the marked area to a depth in accordance with the construction project. To achieve evenness of the bottom, the bottom 20-30 cm is selected manually. The whole area is covered with a layer of sand and it is rammed.
2. Do temporary molding and pour it without reinforcement with a thin layer of concrete, getting a concrete foundation.
3. After hardening, the latter is laid on it without gaps plate "Penoplex Foundation", then make a waterproofing layer of thick polyethylene film, gluing tape joints of strips.
4. Manufacture is made in the usual way (with reinforcement) of the slab foundation, after hardening of which the formwork is removed and the "Penoplex" plates are insulated by its side walls.

Technology of thermal insulation of vertical surfaces

It is used on the foundations. And also for additional insulation of the constructed buildings. In the latter case, the foundation is first dug out to the depth of its bedding or to the depth of freezing of the soil.

1. The foundation is cleaned of dirt and dust, and its surface is leveled with cement mortar. Waterproofing with polymeric or bitumen mastic on a water basis (without solvents - they destroy "Penoplex").
2. Dilute, mix and leave for maturing glue for expanded polystyrene. With the help of the level, the lower boundary of the stacking of plates is marked on the foundation.
3. With the help of glue, applied to the "Penoplex" plate with blots in several places, install it on the foundation, pressing it for a few seconds. The following plates are fastened, combining the mounting grooves. The installation of several layers is carried out with displacement both vertically and horizontally in the same way.
4. For the underground part of the foundation, a stronger fixation of the "Penoplex" is not required - after filling, it will be pressed firmly by the soil. To insulate the aerial parts of the socle "Penoplex" it is necessary additionally to fix with the help of so-called dowel-nails with a wide plastic perforated cap, which allows to tightly press the heater to the wall. To do this, drill holes in the foundation material to a depth of 30-40 mm through the slabs. The length of the drill is chosen based on the thickness of the insulation.
5. Decorative finish of the plinth is performed directly on top of the insulation plates. After reinforcing their mesh and processing the primer. In this case, you can use decorative plaster or tiling (stone) with a tile adhesive.

Warming of the footbridge

Thermal insulation of the soil is used to reduce the estimated depth of foundation and reduce the cost of its construction.

1. To do this, after the drainage of the foundation and its vertical external thermal insulation, fill it (using sand and gravel) 10-15 cm below the ground level.
2. Perform formwork from boards in 1 meter from walls in height approximately 25 see.
3. The base of the blind area is leveled, rammed and stacked with "Penoplex" plates.
4. Close the "Penoplex" with a plastic film with a slight elevation on the plinth, then fill the formwork with concrete, leveling it with a slight slope from the walls of the building.
5. After solidifying the concrete, remove the formwork and decorate the blind with paving slab or stone.

Thus, we have clarified the main points concerning the properties and application of the building material "Penoplex Foundation." Its price is about 4200 rubles / m ³ . This is quite expensive, but the material justifies its price by high performance.