What are the types of external wall insulation materials? Comprehensively analyze the characteristics of common insulation materials
External wall insulation is a key link in building energy efficiency, and selecting appropriate insulation materials directly affects the insulation effect, fire performance, and service life of the building. There are various types of external wall insulation materials commonly found in the market, each with its own characteristics. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the main types of insulation materials and their applicable scenarios, helping you make informed choices.
1、 Organic insulation materials
1. Molded polystyrene board (EPS)
Features: Light weight, good insulation performance, low price, but poor fire resistance (B2 level).
Applicable scenarios: External wall insulation for civil buildings, suitable for projects with low fire prevention requirements.
2. Extruded polystyrene board (XPS)
Features: High strength, good compression resistance, strong moisture resistance, but poor breathability, slightly higher price than EPS.
Applicable scenarios: basement insulation, roof insulation, and exterior walls with high moisture resistance requirements.
3. Hard foam polyurethane (PU)
Features: Excellent insulation performance (lowest thermal conductivity), good waterproofing, but average fire resistance (B2 level).
Applicable scenarios: High end building exterior wall insulation, especially suitable for projects with extremely high insulation requirements.
4. Phenolic foam board (PF)
Features: Excellent fire resistance (B1 level flame retardant), high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, but high brittleness.
Applicable scenarios: Public buildings with high fire prevention requirements, such as hospitals, schools, etc.
2、 Inorganic insulation materials
1. Rock wool board/rock wool strip
Features: A-level fire resistance, high temperature resistance, sound absorption and noise reduction, but high water absorption rate, requiring moisture-proof treatment.
Applicable scenarios: high-rise buildings, external wall insulation systems with strict fire prevention requirements.
2. Glass wool board
Features: Good insulation performance, sound absorption and noise reduction, but low strength, fragile.
Applicable scenarios: indoor partition walls, pipeline insulation, and places with high requirements for sound insulation.
3. Perlite insulation board
Features: Fireproof and flame retardant, high temperature resistance, environmentally friendly and non-toxic, but the insulation performance is average.
Applicable scenarios: industrial buildings, fire barriers, etc.
4. Foam cement board
Features: A-level fire resistance, high strength, good adhesion to walls, but high water absorption rate.
Applicable scenarios: external wall insulation, fire isolation tape.
3、 Composite insulation materials
1. Genuine gold board (thermosetting modified polystyrene board)
Features: The fire resistance has been upgraded to B1 level, the insulation performance is close to EPS, and the cost-effectiveness is high.
Applicable scenarios: External wall insulation for civil and commercial buildings.
2. Graphite Polystyrene Board (SEPS)
Features: superior insulation performance compared to ordinary EPS, better flame retardancy (B1 level), and high cost-effectiveness.
Applicable scenarios: Building projects that require both insulation and fire prevention.
4、 How to choose suitable external wall insulation materials?
Fire prevention requirements: Grade A materials (such as rock wool and foam cement) are preferred for high-rise buildings.
Thermal insulation performance: polyurethane>graphite polystyrene board>EPS/XPS>rock wool.
Budget: EPS/XPS offers high cost-effectiveness, while rock wool/polyurethane costs are relatively high.
Environmental factors: Use materials with high water absorption (such as rock wool) with caution in humid areas.
5、 Summary
Different external wall insulation materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, and when selecting, it is necessary to comprehensively consider fire performance, insulation effect, cost, and environmental adaptability. With the improvement of building energy-saving standards, modified materials such as graphite polystyrene board and genuine gold board are becoming mainstream in the market due to their ability to balance insulation and fire resistance. Reasonable selection of insulation materials can not only reduce energy consumption, but also improve building safety and comfort.