9 best insulation for walls

*Review of the best according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, it is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. Before buying requires consultation with a specialist.

This review is dedicated to the best insulation for walls. For the rating were selected 9 nominees from well-known domestic and foreign manufacturers of building materials. We have divided all the insulators into two groups – some based on polystyrene foam, and others on the basis of mineral wool.

When selecting specific products we took into account the technical qualities of the material, its insulating properties, ease of installation, environmental friendliness, as well as the reputation of the manufacturer. Among the key criteria for choosing is the practical side of the issue – how good the material is in real operating conditions in different regions of the country.

To get all the necessary information, we took data from the manufacturers’ official websites, from marketplaces (e.g., Yandex.Market), from review sites, construction forums and other public sources.

How to choose insulation for walls

When selecting insulation, the following points should be taken into account:

Type of installation.

Thermal conductivity.

Vapor permeability.

Additional qualities of the material.

According to the type of installation, the heaters can be divided into three groups – for internal application, for external laying and universal. If you initially do not know how the walls will be insulated, it is better to take a universal option.

Thermal conductivity – one of the key indicators, which affects the choice of a particular sealant. The lower this index, the more heat will be retained inside the room. In parallel, it is necessary to consider the density of the material and the thickness of the board. The higher the density, the heavier the insulation and the higher the load it puts on the wall. It is best to find the optimal value between thickness, density and thermal conductivity.

The vapor permeability of the material allows the walls to “breathe”. If this indicator is too small, there is a great risk of moisture formation inside the insulation, which over time will lead to mold, fungus and other micro-organisms.

When choosing a particular material for insulating walls, you need to pay attention to additional properties. One of the key points – resistance to fire. It is low-quality insulation that catches fire first when wiring short circuits in the wall of the house. The main thing is to choose noncombustible materials from trusted manufacturers. Also of additional qualities is noise absorption, resistance to moisture, as well as minimal susceptibility to biological influences (the material should not be an environment for the development of microorganisms, and it also should not attract rodents, insects and other pests).

Correctly chosen insulation will provide keeping warmth in winter for many years, reducing your expenses for heating and air conditioning.

9 best insulation for walls

The best insulation based on polystyrene foam

In this category, there are four types of polystyrene boards, which are used for external and internal insulation of facilities. Despite the fact that the materials are similar to each other, each of them has its own distinctive characteristics.

PENOPLEKS Comfort

Rating: 5.0

Our review opens with foam polystyrene boards PENOPLEKS Comfort from the Russian manufacturer. The insulation is made by foaming the polymer components into a homogeneous mass with the further formation of plates with an extruder. Distinctive feature – a large number of small bubbles filled with air. They play the role of a kind of barrier, keeping heat on one side and keeping out the cold on the other. Thanks to the even structure, the strength of the board increases.

Depending on the specific labeling, the thickness of the plates can be from 2 to 12 cm, sheet size also varies. Among the features should be noted a special L-shaped shape of the edges, which facilitates installation of panels and eliminates the formation of cold bridges in the joints of the plates.

PENOPLEX Comfort is one of the lightest heat insulation materials, and its density is only 20-35 kg/m³. It is also worth mentioning the environmental friendliness of the material, which allows using it inside and outside the object. Due to the small thickness of the sheet insulation does not take up much space in the room. Owners of private homes prefer to use it for external insulation.

Among the advantages of the material users note the low weight, ease of installation (even alone), high mechanical strength and durability. The disadvantages of some users include the high cost of insulation.

We recommend PENOPLEKS Comfort for the use as internal and external thermal insulation of residential and commercial properties.

Advantages

• Ease of installation.
• Low weight.
• High thermal insulation properties.
• Comfortable cutting.
• Does not absorb moisture.
• Good durability.

Disadvantages

• High cost (according to consumer reviews).

XPS TECHNOPLEX

Rating: 4.9

The next position in our review – XPS TECHNOPLEX from the Russian producer of building materials “Tekhnonikol”.

The material is available in plates of thickness from 10 to 100 mm, which allows you to choose the right option, depending on the climate zone, the type of facility and other factors. Like other foamed materials, XPS TECHNOPLEX has good heat-insulating qualities, as well as resistance to moisture. The material does not attract insects and is not a habitat and reproduction of microorganisms.

Throughout life (over 50 years) insulation does not emit any harmful chemical compounds, so it can be used indoors. For attaching to surfaces you can use special dowels “mushrooms”, mounting foam or glue for polystyrene.

According to user reviews, the material has high thermal insulation, is easy to install and does not require any preventive maintenance. Critical disadvantages were not identified, only some consumers noted not very high density, especially on sheets with small thickness.

We recommend XPS TECHNOPLEX as one of the best polystyrene boards in its price range.

Advantages

• Low weight.
• Easy installation.
• Does not emit any harmful substances.
• Can be used indoors.
• Does not attract insects.

Disadvantages

• Weak density on sheets with small thickness (according to customer reviews).

TECHNONIKOL CARBON ECO

Rating: 4.8

Another type of extruded polystyrene foam from Technonikol is CARBON ECO. Unlike counterparts by other manufacturers, the insulation contains carbon particles that improve the molecular structure of the material, providing additional strength and increased service life. According to the manufacturer’s information, the board retains its operational and technical properties for 50 years.

CARBON ECO sheets can be easily mounted on any surface with standard fasteners (plastic dowel “mushroom”) or with polystyrene foam glue. The presence of L-shaped edges not only facilitates the process of cladding the walls, but also eliminates the so-called “cold bridges” that appear in the joints of the plates.

Among the features of insulation is the presence of the mark “leaf of life”, which speaks of the environmental friendliness. This is evidence that the material has undergone voluntary independent certification, confirming the safety of CARBON ECO in residential construction.

On the positive side, users note the high quality of the material, ease of installation and the presence of a special edge on the perimeter, which provides a tight connection sheets. Critical disadvantages have not been identified.

Optimal balance between price, technical qualities and usability allows CARBON ECO insulation to occupy one of the top positions in our ratings and in its product niche.

Advantages

• Certificate “Leaf of Life”.
• Increased performance due to carbon particles.
• Service life is not less than 50 years.
• L-shaped locking edge.

Disadvantages

• No critical drawbacks detected.

KNAUF Therm WALL PRO

Rating: 4.7

KNAUF Therm Therm WALL PRO polystyrene boards from the well-known European producer of plaster mixes and other building materials rounds out this category.

The foamed polystyrene is available in 100×120 cm slabs and 5 or 10 cm thick. This allows you to quickly lay insulation over large areas. Foamed polystyrene is easy to cut, so no problems with facing surfaces with irregular geometry will not arise. Sheet density is 13 kg/m³, so the foam is lightweight and sufficiently resistant to deformation and other external influences.

Among the features of the material is worth noting environmental friendliness. Styrofoam does not emit any harmful substances during installation and during the entire service life. The boards are not affected by moisture, do not attract insects and rodents, and are not an environment for the growth of fungus and mold.

It is also worth noting the versatility of the material It can be used when creating a double brick facade as a layer between the rows in the frame structures and ventilated facades. It is also suitable for traditional “wet” insulation with subsequent reinforcement and decorative plastering.

The advantages of the material are its low weight, the large size of the plates, easy installation and high thermal insulation qualities. The only disadvantage of expanded polystyrene is that it is a flammable material, which is why it is recommended for thermal insulation of exterior facades.

Reasonable price, high performance, ease of installation and long service life allowed for KNAUF Therm WALL PRO expanded polystyrene boards to take one of the leading places in its product group.

Advantages

• Large sheet area.
• Easy processing.
• High thermal insulation qualities.
• Versatile use.

Disadvantages

• The material is subject to combustion (group G3).

The best mineral wool based insulation

For this category we have selected the 5 best mineral wool insulation. Each material has its own characteristics and advantages, due to which it is considered one of the best in its product group.

Rockwool Acoustic Batts

Rating: 5.0

This category opens Rockwool Acoustic Butts stone wool from the international insulation manufacturer.

Due to the presence of basalt in its composition, the material has received high fire resistance (insulation can withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees). The composition does not contain any environmentally hazardous substances, and the boards themselves do not emit any harmful compounds in operation. It allows you to use the insulation indoors.

The material is not interesting for rodents and insects, and it is not a habitat and reproduction of fungus, mold and other microorganisms.

The key feature of Rockwool Acoustic Butts is its additional sound insulating properties. Special additives and the special structure of the boards reduce noise in the room and protect it from external influences.

High technical and operational characteristics allow the use of rockwool for insulation and additional sound insulation in apartments, private houses and commercial properties.

Consumers consider the high quality of the boards, easy installation and extra soundproofing as a positive factor. Among the disadvantages, some users pointed out not always a homogeneous structure of the boards.

We recommend Rockwool Acoustic Batts as one of the best solutions for thermal insulation and noise absorption in its price category.

Advantages

• Non-combustible material.
• Environmentally friendly.
• Additional soundproofing.

Disadvantages

• Not all boards have a homogeneous structure (according to consumer feedback).

GreenGuard Universal

Rating: 4.9

The next insulator in our review – it is GreenGuard Universal from the Russian factory “Tekhnonikol”. The material is available in the form of slabs sized 1200h600mm and 50 mm thick. Thanks to the small thickness, the insulation will not take much space for installation inside the building, and is suitable for the arrangement of multi-layered facade systems.

The material is based on basalt and biopolymer binding components. The absence of harmful and hazardous substances ensures environmental friendliness and safety of the boards. According to the manufacturer, stone wool has a special fiber structure, which provides it not only high thermal insulation qualities, but also additional noise reduction.

Thermal insulation does not burn, is not affected by moisture, and is not an attractive material for animals, birds and insects.

The versatility of the material allows it to be used to insulate facades, interior partitions, ceilings, attics and attics.

Consumers note the high thermal insulating qualities, the natural composition of insulation and affordable price. The disadvantages some users include too much dust, which appears when working with rock wool, so you must use gloves, respirator, goggles and a special protective suit.

We recommend GreenGuard Universal as one of the few insulation materials that contains no synthetic resins or additives.

Advantages

• No synthetic components.
• High thermal insulation properties.
• Suitable for multi-purpose application.

Disadvantages

• When working too much dust, you need to use PPE.

Ursa Terra

Rating: 4.8

Our review continues with the mineral wool Ursa Terra from the famous European manufacturer of insulation and other insulating building materials.

The product is available in slabs of 610×1250 mm dimensions and 50 or 100 mm thickness. Among the features of the material is a stable, uniform structure due to reinforced fibers and polymeric binder components.

The plates belong to the universal material that can be used for insulation of walls, pitched roofs, as well as for ceiling overlaps. Mineral wool thickness of only 10 cm keeps the same amount of heat as a brick masonry thickness of 180 cm. This demonstrates the high thermal insulating properties of the products.

The material is environmentally friendly and non-combustible, which allows its use for interior decoration of residential premises.

Users note that the slabs hold their shape well, do not crumble and do not break. Among the disadvantages, some consumers have indicated that the material pricks, like glass wool.

High thermal insulation qualities, ease of installation and long service life allowed for the insulation Ursa Terra to become one of the best in its price group.

Advantages

• Does not crumble, tear or break.
• Serves more than 50 years.
• High thermal insulating properties.

Disadvantages

• It pricks like glass wool (according to consumer reviews).

Isover Warm Home Plate

Rating: 4.7

The next insulator in our review – Isover Warm House Plate from the famous French manufacturer SAINT-GOBAIN. The material is made in Russia and corresponds to all European quality standards.

The material is available in slabs of size 1170h610 mm and a thickness of 50 or 100 mm. The basis – fiberglass and mineral wool. Natural components (limestone, sand, soda) are used for insulation. The production process uses a patented technology of forming fibers TEL. The principle of the technology consists in drawing thin strands of glass from the common molten mass in a rotating centrifuge in a hot environment. As a result, the board weighs half as much as equivalent basalt wool boards. Manufacturing technology is unparalleled in the world, but the company has sold licenses to some manufacturers of insulation materials.

Glass wool is completely environmentally safe, has high thermal insulation qualities and serves more than 100 years.

The advantages of the material users include high performance qualities and easy installation. No critical disadvantages, but you need to remember that you work with glass wool, so you need to worry about personal protective equipment (PPE).

We recommend Isover Warm Home Plate as one of the best insulation materials based on glass fiber for its value-for-money ratio.

Advantages

• The unique patented manufacturing technology.
• Low weight, high thermal insulation properties.
• Resource is not less than 100 years.

Disadvantages

• Everything related to the use of glass wool.

Technoblock Standard

Rating: 4.6

Completes our review another board insulation from the company “Tekhnonikol” – Tekhnoblok Standard. It is a mineral wool based on basalt and similar natural minerals.

The insulation is available in plates of size 600h1200 mm and a thickness of 30 to 200 mm. A large size range allows you to choose the best solution for insulating residential and commercial properties in any climatic zone in Russia.

Among the advantages of the material is a low price, service life of not less than 50 years and good performance. The boards do not burn, hold their shape well and are not attractive to insects, birds, animals and microorganisms.

The manufacturer recommends using this insulation only for internal works.

The advantages of the material are its large dimensional mesh, precise dimensions and high thermal insulating properties. The disadvantages some users include a strong fine dust, which appears when working with mineral wool. The use of respirator, gloves, special uniforms and eye protection are mandatory.

We recommend mineral wool Tekhnoblok Standard for internal insulation of any residential and commercial properties.

Advantages

• Service life of 50 years.
• Optimal balance between price and quality.
• Large dimensional grid.

Disadvantages

• Only for internal works.
• A lot of fine dust during work with the material.