Disadvantages of polyurethane foam as a heater

Before buying any kind of material, each consumer considers the shortcomings. Polyurethane foam is no exception. About this material, which is otherwise called PPU, every builder heard a lot of information today.

Which material to choose

If you ever thought about the insulation of your home, you probably paid attention to this option as a thermal insulation. Maybe, it is he who will become the best solution, because along with the shortcomings he has a lot of advantages.

Description

Polyurethane foam, the disadvantages of which you should be aware before starting the work on insulation, is a kind of plastic. Products from it have a cellular structure. The composition of polyurethane foam is a gaseous substance, which is contained in a volume of 85 to 90%. The whole structure consists of small cells that are well insulated from each other by walls, these cells are filled with gas. The remaining percentages of the volume represent a solid part, namely the walls themselves.

Disadvantages of polyurethane foam as a heater should be considered. Varieties PPU are used today quite often, the material is popular among consumers, as it is very easy to make it, you can do it directly on the construction site. Two liquid components must be mixed, after which they will react chemically. If you observe the necessary proportions of ingredients, then the polymer will be synthesized, which is represented by hardened foam. If you change the technology of cooking, you can get polyurethane foams, which differ in characteristics from each other. Some of them are suitable for insulation of doors and windows, while others are suitable for thermal insulation of buildings made of reinforced concrete or brick. As for the third species, they are widely used for pipelines. Thus, depending on the proportions of the substances, polyurethanes can be obtained at the output, which consist of a multitude of cells of different sizes. Their walls can have different thicknesses, as well as strength.

The main disadvantage of polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam, the disadvantages of which will be presented below, can be used in many areas of construction. However, before acquiring it is important to get acquainted with the minuses of the material. As the main negative impact of sunlight on the surface, which can lead to rapid wear of products. In order to exclude the destruction of the heat insulator, it is necessary to provide for its protection. For this you can use plaster, ordinary paint and all kinds of panels. Such methods are advised by experienced builders.

The disadvantages of foam plastic as a wall warmer will allow you to understand whether it is worth using it. Protective compound can protect the insulation from ultraviolet light, and also make polyurethane foam more attractive. If we consider this minus in detail, it can be noted that the preservation of the properties of the PPU will require more funds than we carry out the work on insulation, where materials that do not require adequate protection are involved. Among other things, not all house masters are able to produce plastering works, as well as to apply coloring compounds qualitatively. As a result, the surface may be even less attractive than before the moment of refinement.

Additional minus

If you decide to choose polyurethane foam, which disadvantages for some consumers may be too impressive, then it should be taken into account that this material is a thermal insulation, which, when exposed to fire, begins to smolder. This shortcoming is noted by specialists. Despite the fact that the PPU acts as a combustible material, it is unable to cope with the fire by 100%. According to the classification, this insulation belongs to the group of flammability G-2. This indicates that ignition will not occur when exposed to low temperatures. The flame will go out, the process will stop as soon as the surface of the material is cooled. If there is a possibility of strong heating or the possibility of ignition of a certain heat insulation zone, then in this case, do not use polyurethane foam.

Why not choose PPU for insulation at home

There are undoubtedly disadvantages to polyurethane foam insulation. If you decide to produce a thermal insulation, then it is important to take into account. If you use the wrong technology in the process of work, then this can adversely affect the performance of the building. In order to exclude this, it is necessary to take into account some properties of the substance described. Thus, PPU has a small vapor permeability - this refers to a rigid variety of material. If you apply to the walls of the composition, when processing the attic floor or other panels, this will inevitably lead to the appearance of dampness on the internal surfaces and in the structure. As consequences, dampness and mold can be mentioned, but if freezing occurs, the load-bearing elements will be permanently destroyed. This point is often noted in their reviews by experienced builders.

Need for protection against fire

If you decide to purchase polyurethane foam, the shortcomings of buyers' reviews should be described in detail. After all, it is the negative moments that people notice in the first place. Thus, it is necessary to be prepared for the fact that over time the structure will lose its heat-insulating qualities, at best they can only go down. This result is not only due to aging of the material, but also temperature changes, as well as the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Quite often when using thermal insulation works, the method of spraying is used, this provides protection against the effects of open fire. If there is no desire to create an additional fire hazard situation, then it is necessary to take appropriate security measures. They also become a source of additional consumption, which is not always convenient for consumers.

Less: the need to take into account the strength of the structure

Penopolyurethane, the disadvantages, the reviews of which were analyzed in the article, provides for the need to correctly determine the strength of the structure. This is relevant in the case when the work involves blowing the insulation into the space between the walls. After this, the structure begins to expand, and subsequently foam can cause destruction. Not always the owners of private houses have the opportunity to make the correct calculations.

Why sometimes consumers refuse using polyurethane foam

If you decide to apply PPU, shortcomings, feedback about the material you need to be evaluated. So, it is undesirable to use it for insulation inside the building. This can cause the dew point to move in the outer wall towards the room. In this case the wall starts to freeze, the formed dampness becomes the reason for the spread of mold, after the wood begins to rot. In this scenario, the walls remain damp even in the summer, which adversely affects the microclimate of the premises. Experts advise, if there is no possibility to use analog materials, to apply polyurethane foam of semi-rigid type. In this case, a layer with a thickness of 30 millimeters will suffice.