Insulation allows you to use your summer house during the winter months and off-season, reducing heating costs. Maintaining a comfortable temperature requires a comprehensive approach. Between a third and half of heat loss occurs through the walls. To choose... outside or whether it is more profitable to insulate them from the inside, it is important to consider all the pros and cons of the technologies.
Features of external insulation
In country house construction, two main systems are used: curtain-wall ventilated cladding and thermally insulated, bonded plaster. Less commonly used is finishing with a modern composite material—thermal panels, which consist of an insulating layer and decorative tiles. The advantages of this method include quick installation, a wide selection of exterior finishes, and the strength and durability of the façade. However, installing thermal panels requires preliminary wall alignment and the use of specialized tools. Due to the expense of this method, the first two options are more common.
Thermal insulation-coupled scheme
The insulating and decorative layers are tightly interwoven, forming a single structure with the base wall. The plaster facade system is considered a "wet" type. During installation, adhesives, thermal insulation boards (made of mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, or foam plastic), and reinforcing polymer meshes are used to secure and protect the layers. For the final finishing, the primed facades are coated with decorative plaster. The work is carried out in several stages, only in warm, dry weather: each layer must dry completely.
Ventilated curtain wall
Installation is technically simpler than the "wet" method. Timber, slats, or steel profiles are used to create the frame (sheathing). Before installation, the wooden surfaces are treated with antifungal and insecticides. After the emulsion has completely dried, the waterproofing film is attached with a construction stapler, and the joints are overlapped. The material has a smooth and a napped side. To ensure it wicks away moisture without allowing it to penetrate, it is installed with the glossy side facing out.
You may be interested in:The sheathing is screwed to the walls, and the space between the vertical elements is filled with insulation, such as mineral wool or fiberglass. Another layer of waterproofing is applied on top, and then the exterior finishing begins, including the installation of siding and paneling. All structural elements are connected point-by-point, creating a warm façade that forms a framed extension to the exterior walls.
Advantages
The advantages of the technology include:
- preventing freezing of walls and basements, protection from the formation of microcracks under adverse weather conditions;
- prevention of condensation and mold formation inside the building, as the dew point shifts outward;
- does not affect the area of residential premises;
- Insulation can be carried out both at the construction stage and later, without damaging the interior decoration.
The disadvantages of these methods include high cost, extensive labor, and changes to the facade's appearance. Installation is only performed at above-zero temperatures.
Features of internal insulation
To maintain a comfortable temperature in a country house, it's advisable to eliminate drafts and heat loss through cracks. To achieve this, install modern double-glazed windows, lay insulation on the floor and between the ceilings, and apply weatherstripping to doorways. Cracks are sealed, and wooden surfaces are treated with a protective compound against fungus and rot.
You may be interested in:The walls are cleaned and a foil-clad insulation sheet is attached to them, preferably double-sided, to reduce the risk of condensation. A gypsum board facing layer is applied on top. It's important to avoid gaps between the fiberboards; they must be joined seamlessly. Areas where the insulation sheets are loosely attached to each other or to the wall surface can cause thermal bridges.
The advantages of internal wall insulation are:
- lower costs for materials and installation;
- carrying out work regardless of the season;
- fast turnaround times;
- the ability to hide surface defects and level them.
The disadvantage of this method is that the dew point shifts toward the room. Condensation of moisture directly within the insulation leads to changes in the microclimate, increased humidity, and mold growth on the interior walls. The area of the rooms also decreases after installation.
To ensure the dacha can be used during the cold season, comprehensive insulation is installed. The walls are protected from the outside, and internally, thermal insulation is applied to the interfloor ceilings, floors, and attic, and window and door openings are sealed.