Insulating the walls in an apartment building: methods, pros and cons

In modern apartment buildings, before the exterior finish, the walls are insulated. In old apartment buildings, tenants sometimes have to carry out thermal insulation on their own, hiring masters to treat the whole house or the area belonging to individual apartments. Used insulation of walls from the outside or from the inside.

Exterior insulation

To insulate an apartment building from the outside, foam plastic (the cheapest option), polystyrene foam, more expensive mineral wool or the most modern foam glass is used. Whatever material is used, the technology of installation and finishing is important. Ventilated facade - the most expensive insulation, but condensation, mold does not form, the wall is not spoiled.

Pros of the exterior finish:

• The walls are insulated from freezing and overheating.
• Usable area of the apartment is not reduced.
• No need to remove the interior finish before insulation and make it anew.
• External insulation works do not interfere with the life of the owners.

Disadvantages of external insulation of walls:

• You need to hire professionals. If you have the skills, residents of the first floors can perform the work themselves.
• When the insulation of an apartment building is not carried out simultaneously over the entire surface of the walls, but by the tenants individually, you get a coating of different heights, colors and textures. This rarely looks stylish or pleasant.
• The boundaries of the insulation, made «patchwork» runs along the floor slabs. Mildew may appear in an insulated apartment in the area of the joint between the wall and the floor. Difference in temperature between insulated and non-insulated areas of the wall gradually destroys the base material.
• Due to precipitation and temperature differences, complete sealing of the insulated surface is impossible. Therefore, to ensure that the coverage was as reliable as possible, choose high-quality materials and hire professionals.

Internal insulation

There are several ways to insulate walls in apartments from the inside:

• Treatment with polyurethane foam. A mixture is applied to concrete walls, which is blown to a cellular foam. It is puttyed on top. The cured material does not emit harmful fumes. Plus - good insulation from the cold. Minus - it requires finishing. The surface can be deformed from the impact.
• Styrofoam insulation. The material can emit harmful substances. Foam sheets are fixed with cement or glue. Between the wall and the foam can be gaps in which condensation and mold can develop.
• Lay mineral wool in the frame. Condensation does not form. However, moisture protection and surface finish is required.

Insulation of walls from the inside is used when it is not allowed to carry out external insulation, not to violate the decorative appearance of the building, when there is no possibility to hire climbers. Such work can even be done yourself. Of the disadvantages of internal insulation can be noted:

• Reducing the area of the premises, especially if the frame is installed.
• Heat exchange in the walls is disturbed. From the outside they freeze, and from the inside heat does not come in. The material of the walls deteriorates over time, cracks arise.
• Condensation and mold often occur inside.
• Quality ventilation is required.
• For the duration of the work at the same time throughout the apartment will have to live elsewhere.

Regardless of which type of insulation is preferred in a particular case, it is necessary to choose high-quality materials. Professional masters will prompt the best option and conduct the work correctly.