Insulation of the floor with expanded clay under the screed: advantages and a detailed description of the technique, the secrets of the correct execution of work. Expanded clay floor insulation: pros and cons Expanded clay as a floor insulation

Expanded clay personifies a real salvation when choosing a simple and durable material that can solve two important repair tasks at once: warming and leveling the surface. Moreover, insulation is applicable not only to the floor. Expanded clay is equally well suited for filling or pouring into the floor, walls and even under the ceiling. This versatile material is not a novelty in the field of construction, it has been used for more than a dozen years, and during this time only favorable reviews have been deservedly received. What is important - expanded clay is a completely ecological material; no chemical additives are used in its production. In fact, expanded clay is obtained from clay shale granules by firing at a sufficiently high temperature (over a thousand degrees Celsius) with their further processing in a furnace drum. The decision to insulate the floor with expanded clay would be the right one, since this truly unique material has no direct competitors.

Expanded clay properties

The main purpose of expanded clay is the use of this bulk material as a heater. The material has a wide list of properties that allow it to take a leading position when choosing a preliminary insulation coating. We highlight the main properties of expanded clay, thanks to which its success was ensured:

thermal insulation level. A layer of poured expanded clay with a thickness of only 10 centimeters corresponds in its performance to a wood coating, the thickness of which is three times greater. Compared to brickwork, the difference is ten times in favor of bulk material. The thermal conductivity of expanded clay is only 0.12 W / mK,
High strength (depending on the selected grade, the density of the material varies from 250 to 600 kg per cubic meter).
Excellent degree of sound insulation (which is important for city apartments of a standard layout).
Durability (in fact, expanded clay is clay, so you can be sure that the expanded clay layer will survive the life of buildings, especially typical nine-story buildings).
Resistance to chemicals.
Heat resistance and fire resistance.
Frost resistance (expanded clay is absolutely insensitive to temperature changes).
Insignificant weight with a large amount of coverage (backfilling of the expanded clay layer does not require special frames and reinforcing structures).
Low price (wholesale price is from 2.5 US dollars for a bag weighing 20 kilograms).
Easy to install (the material does not require special preparatory work).

Expanded clay for the floor has only one drawback - this is the low moisture resistance of the material. When absorbing moisture, the granules keep it in their structure for a long time, as a result of which it is important to comply with all requirements when using backfill.

Preparation for floor insulation with expanded clay

Backfilling with expanded clay does not require much labor, but nevertheless, all the necessary preliminary calculations should be made and thoroughly prepared before starting work:

The first step is to calculate the load on the surface, because the floor accounts for the most effort. The required thickness of the coating layer is determined in order to provide not only reliable, but also high-quality coating in the future.
All potholes and cracks in the old floor must be repaired.
After that, a layer of waterproofing is applied to the floor, which can also be covered with a dense polyethylene film. It is important that the edges of the film, when laying, go onto the walls about 10 centimeters above the fill level. After installation of the floor surface, all excess will be removed, which will not disturb the aesthetic appearance of the coating.

These works will not take much time, and after their completion, you should start laying the floor. It should be noted that laying does not require special building skills. In fact, anyone can make a flat floor with expanded clay, the installation video of which is presented below.

Filling the floor with expanded clay

Depending on the floor covering, several different methods for insulating the floor with expanded clay are used. In this article, we will talk about the main varieties and features of providing reliable coverage for each type of floor:

Paul on the lags. If the logs (wooden beams, which are placed horizontally and are used to create a support for the floors of the building) are placed directly on the ground, then the surface should be cleared first. Then, if the logs are supposed to be removed, a layer of roofing material should be spread over the entire surface, on top of which a layer of expanded clay of various fractions will be directly poured. If it is supposed to leave the logs and use them in the future, then the laying concept is somewhat different. After removing the flooring, roofing material is laid in the gaps between the lags, which serves as a waterproofing, and after that the expanded clay is already filled. On top of which a layer of foil vapor barrier is laid, after which an additional layer of thermal insulation (which is polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene), then a cement screed is poured. If the logs are fixed on brick supports, then expanded clay is poured under the floor to the level of the log, after which the flooring from the boards and layers of vapor barrier, as well as additional insulation, are laid on top.

Backfilling of expanded clay on a concrete floor. Most of all, this method is suitable for those rooms where the height of the ceilings allows you to raise the floor level to a significant mark. In principle, this is possible and even will be relevant for typical panel houses, the floors in the apartments of which, even with a stretch, cannot be called warm and comfortable, especially in the cold season. Before work, the old flooring should be dismantled (often a layer or two of old linoleum laid simply on top of a bare concrete slab), after which large potholes should be repaired. Following this, a layer of expanded clay is dry-filled onto the bedded polyethylene film, which is a waterproofing layer. Backfilling should be done from left to right, starting from the walls and gradually moving towards the doorway. For uniform falling asleep, beacons-slats are used, allowing you to set the same even level for the floor of the entire room. The first beacon should be mounted at a distance of 3 centimeters from the wall, the next beacons are located in parallel, taking into account the length of the rule that is used to set the level. After that, the coating is wetted with the so-called "cement milk" for better adhesion of the granules on the surface to each other. "Milk" is a mixture of mixed cement and water in proportions: one part of cement to four parts of pure water. Experts recommend using expanded clay for the floor, the fraction of which has a different value for the size of the granules. For apartments, the best option is to mix granules with a diameter of 10 mm and expanded clay sand, or small granules with a size of 5 mm. Later, when the expanded clay layer was evenly distributed over the floor and fixed with cement mortar, a day later it is covered with a screed. It should be remembered that foil vapor barrier should be laid over any layer of thermal insulation.
Concrete floor in non-residential premises. In places where the creation of a heat-insulating layer is required, provided that these are non-residential premises, for example: a garage or a bathhouse, a simple laying technology is sufficient. After laying the waterproofing strips, a special solution is prepared from expanded clay and concrete, with proportions for 1 part of water, 2 parts of sand, 1 part of cement and 3 parts of expanded clay are added. Then the prepared solution is evenly distributed over the surface and, if necessary, leveled according to the level of the beacons.

Dry expanded clay screed. This method is distinguished by its simplicity and, perhaps, is most optimally suited for warming and leveling floors in standard apartments. The essence of the technology is simple: on the floor, previously cleaned of the old coating and possible debris, as well as dust, waterproofing is laid, then dry expanded clay of various fractions is poured over pre-installed beacons. Next, moisture-resistant chipboard or OSB boards are laid on expanded clay, after they are fixed with sealant and self-tapping screws, you should proceed with the installation of any finishing coating: be it linoleum, parquet or laminate.

Expanded clay for the floor, the price of which allows the use of this type of insulation without hitting any budget, is good and not demanding on operating conditions and climate. However, you should follow the basic recommendations:

to achieve a better thermal insulation effect, expanded clay is used separately and as a dry backfill, without mixing with concrete,
the thickness of the layer should be calculated primarily from the allowable load that will fall on the floor,
it is advisable to fix the exposed beacons with alabaster mortar, which tends to harden quite quickly (literally within a couple of minutes),
to maintain the integrity of the structure and reduce the risk of mechanical deformation, it is recommended to additionally reinforce the expanded clay layer with a metal mesh,
for better adhesion of the granules to each other, it is imperative to use fractions of different sizes (in other words, mix large granules with smaller ones),
the maximum strength of the floor is reached only at the end of the fourth week, despite the fact that it is possible to walk on the floor after a few days, so it is recommended to wait until the due date.

Necessary waterproofing for expanded clay

The above material repeatedly mentioned the need to lay a waterproofing material before backfilling. This material is currently available in different versions:

bitumen mastic,
material with bituminous impregnation,
polymer blends,
cement mixture with the addition of polymer structures,
rubber-coated hydrobarriers,
thick polyethylene film.

The last indicated variety is one of the most common and economical. However, polyethylene-based materials have a poor degree of vapor permeability, unlike other types of waterproofing. According to experts, the best available option is a combination of bituminous mastic and bitumen-based materials (the same roofing material, for example). Such a composition is distinguished by durability and good waterproofing properties, which, together with sufficient vapor permeability, make it one of the most popular.

However, as an element capable of providing effective waterproofing, the use of such a familiar material as silica gel is considered. Said material is dried gel granules obtained from silicic acid solutions. Silica gel has a high degree of moisture and vapor absorption, which allows it to be used to eliminate the only drawback of expanded clay - poor moisture resistance. It should be noted that silica gel granules should be used only for dry backfilling of floors, preventing moisture from getting on it. Silica gel can be used in the following variations:

mixing it with dry expanded clay of different fractions at the rate of 1 part of silica gel per 10 parts of expanded clay,
or by covering the floor with a uniform layer of granules 10 millimeters thick before filling with expanded clay.

A similar method has not become widespread in the construction industry due to the specificity of silica gel granules, since the following features should be taken into account:

despite its effectiveness in absorbing moisture, silica gel is a flammable and explosive material,
often manufacturers add cobalt chloride to it, which can be harmful to health and, in fact, is a carcinogen,
Silica gel dust contains particles harmful to the body.

So, as you can see, the use of silica gel is a controversial decision, however, this material is able to serve as a good adsorbent. When using it as a substrate before filling expanded clay, particles of granules will not penetrate into the ceiling, and even more so into the air, so you should not be afraid of its direct effect on the body. However, the need to use such material will be more dictated by the desire to attract innovative ideas and depend on the specific situation.

The advantage of choosing expanded clay for floor insulation

This material has been used for a long time and, thanks to its undeniable advantages, has stepped far into the construction industry. In fact, expanded clay is the only type of insulation that is absolutely safe and environmentally friendly, which distinguishes it from other insulation materials. The porous and granular structure will make it easy to insulate and soundproof not only the floor, but also the walls with the ceiling. The granules will easily penetrate even into hard-to-reach places and voids in the walls and will ensure complete occupancy of the space, so that the thermal insulation of any room will not be difficult. In addition, it is worth noting that due to the low weight of the granules and their properties, the use of expanded clay will be a good support for any floor covering.

Can expanded clay as a heater in the wall compete with modern heaters; how and where it is better to use it as a heater; Is there any economic benefit from using this material - let's turn to the experience of FORUMHOUSE users.

Despite the fact that this insulation has been used in construction for a long time, there are many different speculations and rumors about its properties and methods of application. Some builders scold this material, believing that it is subject to strong moisture accumulation. Others consider it ideal for the independent developer. Here is a comment from a member of our portal:

dumbass FORUMHOUSE user

The following experiment came out by itself - expanded clay in bags stood on my street for two years. Recently, I opened the bags and saw that nothing was left of it - the balls turned into damp dust.

Any building material, be it expanded clay, brick, foam and aerated concrete, etc. with improper use, installation, storage and operation, it will lose its qualities.

user343 FORUMHOUSE user

I think I just got "undercooked". I somehow had to collect expanded clay, which had lain on the ground for 30-40 years. Granules even overgrown with moss. I sifted it from the ground, after which there were more whole granules than fragments.

The properties of the material directly depend on the quality of the feedstock and on whether, when making expanded clay, the plant complies with all stages of production. Hence: for different manufacturers, expanded clay of the same fraction and density may differ from each other.

Therefore, you can buy both a "pig in a poke" and a relatively cheap, but high-quality product, which, if used correctly, will show all its positive properties.

To choose this material, you first need to decide for what purposes it is needed, and what they will be insulated with.

bagdanova FORUMHOUSE user

I need it as a wall insulation and as a filler for lightweight concrete. So I thought about which factions to choose.

According to a forum member with a nickname soniikot, as a filler for lightweight concrete, it is better to take fractions of 5-10 or 10-20, because. the higher the bulk strength, the higher the grade of expanded clay concrete will be.

A specific brand is selected depending on what requirements are imposed on the wall material. Also, the user of our portal advises, before buying expanded clay in meshes, to study reviews on the Internet about the plant and the supplier company. It happens that negligent sellers, offering expanded clay cheaply, mix dirt into bags or overweight buyers.

Where to buy expanded clay

FORUMHOUSE is often asked how to choose this material. To get an exhaustive answer from experienced builders, you need to clarify in which region of the Russian Federation the construction is supposed to be, what kind of house is being built, according to what project. This will help to understand why and where the insulation will be used.

A general rule that is useful to everyone: product characteristics (density, brand, frost resistance, etc.) must comply with the declared technical parameters, which can be found on the manufacturer's website. Upon delivery, they should bring “honest” cubes and kilograms, and not “air”. It is worth paying attention to where you buy expanded clay - the price from intermediaries and directly from the manufacturer's company will vary markedly; also see how long the manufacturer has been on the market, what kind of equipment it has. You should not throw all your strength into buying cheap expanded clay, listen to the opinion of those who have already been built, and look for a manufacturer who has proven himself well.

Is it profitable to insulate with expanded clay

If we are talking about a wooden house, then in order to insulate it with expanded clay, you will have to build a powerful foundation (because the granules weigh more than stone wool), think about how to place a scattering of granules so that they do not spill out, etc. d.

Note: because the cost of heaters in Moscow and different regions can vary significantly, the final price is calculated based on local characteristics and the availability of certain materials.

Expanded clay is one of the most popular building materials due to its versatility. The material, having good technical parameters, is relatively cheap, therefore it is often used as an insulating filler for floors, walls and ceilings. One of the advantages of expanded clay can be considered a feature of its production: the filling material is made of clay and does not contain any synthetic substances. Not many heaters can boast of the same environmental friendliness. Expanded clay is most often bought as a floor insulation. Reviews of experts focus on its fire resistance and soundproofing qualities, which allow the use of expanded clay when installing both concrete and wooden floors.

Basic properties

The use of expanded clay backfill for floor insulation is due to a number of material properties. This loose insulation is usually used as a preliminary layer of insulation. Its level of thermal insulation is quite high and exceeds the similar characteristics of wood three times, and the brick base - almost ten times.

When insulating expanded clay floors, you can be sure of the strength of the future coating, since the material can withstand up to 600 kg of load per meter of surface. These characteristics are sufficient to ensure that the entire floor structure can withstand the weight of the furniture placed in the room and the mass of moving people.

It is possible to make bulk insulation with the help of material granules both in private houses and high-rise apartments. Expanded clay has good soundproofing properties, which are very important for creating a comfortable environment in the apartments of old houses, where the soundproofing of floor slabs leaves much to be desired. For country houses, one of the most important qualities of raw materials for backfilling is its resistance to low temperatures. This feature of expanded clay is relevant in the winter, when the lower layers of the floor can freeze and lose their performance properties.

Expanded clay as a floor insulation is characterized by fire and heat resistance, indifferent attitude to the effects of chemicals, as well as a long service life. Backfilling of clay granules weighs little, its laying can be done independently without the help of specialists. Installation of any reinforcing structures is not required, since the weight of the material is really small.

Among the disadvantages of insulating the floor structure in this way is only the low resistance of expanded clay to moisture. Backfill granules absorb moisture and can hold it for a long time. In order for the insulation layer itself and the entire floor structure to last as long as possible, it is necessary to ensure good waterproofing. If all the rules for working with backfilling are followed, problems with the accumulation of water in the granules can be avoided: this will extend the life of the floor.

Before buying material and directly insulating the floor with expanded clay, you need to know a few important points, the observance of which will allow you not to make a mistake with the amount of purchased raw materials and to correctly carry out all backfilling work.

Backfilling of clay granules can have different thicknesses depending on the operating conditions of the future floor. When carrying out work in private homes, which are most often done on the ground, experts recommend focusing on a backfill height of 10-15 cm. Such parameters are suitable for standard weather conditions. If you are insulating floors in a house located in a more severe climatic zone, then the backfill level must be increased to 40 cm.

If you wish to increase the thermal insulation characteristics of the future coating, expanded clay granules can be mixed with foam crumbs. This mixture is suitable for floors in a wooden private house and for the first floors of high-rise buildings.

The strength of the new floor will depend on the integrity of the clay granules. Bulk material is usually supplied in bags, so individual particles may crumble during transport. Because of this feature of expanded clay, the bulk part of the floor shrinks - this shrinkage is natural. To get a mound of the required thickness, purchase material in advance with a margin.

To increase the ability of the floor to withstand significant loads, expanded clay for floor insulation is recommended to be shed with liquid cement. These precautionary measures will prevent the spread of the embankment when pouring the concrete screed. In some cases, you can additionally use a reinforcing mesh. It is not recommended to mix granules with concrete for screed: first an embankment is made, then a screed is poured. This order of work will provide the best level of thermal insulation of the floor.

For a floor insulated with expanded clay, good waterproofing is important. As a standard way to protect the granules of the material and the floor itself from moisture, you can use the flooring of their plastic film, the joints of which are well glued with adhesive tape. The edges of the film are displayed on the walls of the room in which the floor is made, to the level of the final coating.

When insulating floors with expanded clay, it is necessary to monitor the evenness of the embankment. To do this, you can install special beacons and guides. At the beginning of the work, the beacons are attached to the base with a cement mortar, then the expanded clay itself is poured, preferably without elevation changes and any irregularities. To ensure good strength, experts also recommend alternating granules of different sizes: large particles mixed with small ones will provide better adhesion of the material.

Backfill technologies

The technology of backfilling expanded clay granules may differ depending on the type of flooring. The procedure for insulating wooden and concrete floors will be different.

Floor insulation with expanded clay, carried out in a wooden house, is carried out by various methods, depending on the design of the future floor. If wooden logs lie directly on the ground, then the sequence of work is as follows. First, the surface is cleared and logs are removed, a layer of roofing material is spread on the base, on which clay granules of different fractions are poured.

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If the logs are supposed to be left and used further as the base of the floor, then the roofing material is laid between the logs. On top of expanded clay, it is required to lay a layer of foil material, which will act as a vapor barrier, and mount a layer of additional foam insulation. After completing all of the above work, you can proceed to the installation of the rough coating.

If the logs are not placed on the ground, but on brick pillars, then the expanded clay is poured to a height up to the level of the log, after which the boardwalk is installed and the vapor barrier and an additional heat-insulating layer are laid.

Insulation of the concrete floor with expanded clay can be done in those rooms where sufficient ceiling height allows such work to be carried out. Before pouring the granules under the screed, it is required to carry out preparatory work, during which the old floor is dismantled. In addition to dismantling the old coating and cleaning the surface, it is necessary to repair all potholes and cracks in the base of the slab. Then, a waterproofing film can be laid on a flat surface and the expanded clay embankment itself can be made.

Backfilling is recommended to be done from left to right, starting from the walls. The layer of granules must be even, therefore, to maintain the required height of expanded clay, it is best to use beacons-slats. Lighthouses are exposed from the wall at a distance of the length of the rule. The filled granules are covered with liquid cement. A special solution is also called "cement milk" and is a mixture of cement and water in a ratio of 1 to 4. This stage of work is not recommended to be skipped, since it is the pouring of expanded clay with diluted cement that keeps the granules together, preventing them from spreading further.

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After laying the layers of vapor and thermal insulation, the structure is poured with a concrete screed. All work, with some knowledge, can be done by hand without the involvement of professional builders.

Expanded clay can be used as a heat-insulating material for non-residential premises. It is suitable for creating floor structures in garages and baths of simple construction. Warming is done in a slightly different way. Expanded clay is mixed with water, sand and cement - the resulting mixture is poured onto a previously laid waterproofing layer and leveled.

Often, clay granules are also used for dry floor screed, the technology of which is quite simple. The old coating and all debris are removed from the floor surface, then waterproofing is laid and beacons are installed for smooth backfilling. After the floors are insulated with expanded clay, a layer of fiberboard boards is mounted on the embankment, which are attached to self-tapping screws or sealant. Upon completion of all work, you can immediately proceed to the installation of the floor covering. Dry screed does not require drying time, therefore, it significantly reduces the time for creating a new floor in the apartment.

When insulating floors with expanded clay in apartments, it should be noted that such a layer of thermal insulation is recommended to be used in cases where you plan to pour a concrete screed. The use of the dry method is not always advisable in terms of respiratory safety. Expanded clay refers to environmentally friendly materials, but dust particles from crumbled granules can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. If you plan to install a wooden floor in your apartment, then these particles can easily be in the air. Strict observance of the rules for installing a floor with expanded clay thermal insulation will help to avoid unpleasant consequences.

It is not at all difficult to perform floor insulation with expanded clay, even in the absence of ...

Thermal insulation of the floor with the help of expanded clay allows not only to reliably protect the house from the cold, but also to significantly save on materials. This insulation is one of the most affordable and easy to use, and with proper installation it is also very durable. It is not at all difficult to perform floor insulation with expanded clay, even in the absence of experience, the main thing is to carefully study the technology.

Expanded clay refers to loose heaters; it consists of oval and round granules with a porous structure. It is obtained by firing clay of low-melting types, due to which the material acquires high depravity with a small weight.

Expanded clay of three fractions is used in construction:

A 10-cm layer of expanded clay in terms of thermal insulation properties is equal to brickwork 1 m thick or a wooden coating 25 cm thick. Other advantages of expanded clay:

The disadvantage of expanded clay is its hygroscopicity; granules, saturated with moisture, keep it inside for a long time and almost completely lose their properties. Damp insulation sags unevenly and contributes to the deformation of the floor covering. To prevent this from happening, when using expanded clay, they must equip reliable waterproofing.

Expanded clay insulation methods

In construction, 3 ways of laying expanded clay are used - dry, wet and combined. To choose the right one of the options, you should first familiarize yourself with each in detail.

With the dry method of thermal insulation, the material is simply poured between the lags or beacons, and a draft floor is mounted on top - boards, chipboard, plywood. To protect against moisture, the base under the insulation must be covered with waterproofing material. To increase the density of the heat-insulating layer, expanded clay is recommended to take different fractions and mix before backfilling. Such insulation is carried out very quickly and does not require much effort.

Wet styling

When insulating in this way, expanded clay is mixed with liquid concrete and fills the space between the beacons. This option is excellent for floors with large height differences where a thick leveling screed is required. Due to the lightness of expanded clay, the load on the base is significantly reduced; the screed itself dries faster and does not crack as much. When choosing a wet method, it should be borne in mind that the thermal conductivity of the material increases dramatically, which means that its efficiency will be much less than with dry installation.

With combined insulation, dry expanded clay is poured between beacons, leveled, then the top layer is shed with a liquid cement solution and, after drying, a standard screed is made. Cement mortar makes it possible to strengthen the expanded clay layer and avoid its deformation when pouring the screed. Additionally, a reinforcing mesh is used if a large load on the floor during operation is expected.

For insulation you will need:

nail puller;
hacksaw or jigsaw;
roulette;
marker or pencil;
building level;
shovel;
a hammer;
electric drill;
self-tapping screws;
sand;
waterproofing film or coating materials;
damper tape.

The option of arranging a wooden floor on a concrete base is being considered.

Step 1. Dismantling the coating

Floor boards are removed and taken out of the room; logs are carefully examined and checked by level.

Checking the lag and partial replacement of rotten ones

If the bars are in good condition, do not have deflections or other deformations, they are left in place. In case of minor damage, individual beams are replaced, and if the logs are very old, loose and rotten, everything is removed to the concrete base.

Step 2. Surface preparation

The floor is cleaned of debris, small cracks are rubbed, corners are inspected.

Deep cracks in the corners are covered with mortar or blown out with foam.

The joints are also foamed around the perimeter of the floor and walls. The surface is covered with a layer of sand, which is well compacted. When using coating waterproofing, sand is not needed.

Step 3. Waterproofing

Polyethylene or a special membrane is spread on the floor so that the edges of the material close the walls around the perimeter by 7-10 cm; while the logs are also under the film. If a whole web is not enough, pieces of the film are overlapped and the joints are fixed with construction tape. On the bars, the waterproofing must be fixed with a stapler, carefully distributing the film in the recesses between the lags.

When using coating waterproofing, the mixture is applied to the dust-free concrete with a paint brush or roller, capturing the walls to a height of 15-20 cm. In this case, the logs are installed on top of the protective layer. Bituminous mastic, liquid rubber, bitumen-polymer mixtures and cement-polymer-based mastics are suitable for coating. It is necessary to apply the composition in 2-3 layers; each layer dries for about 3 hours, so waterproofing will take time. Finally, a damper tape is fixed along the perimeter of the walls at the height of the subfloor, which will help to avoid deformation and cracking of the screed during temperature changes.

Step 4 Installing the Rails

So, if the lags were completely dismantled, you need to install new ones. To do this, take strong wooden slats or timber, cut to the size of the floor, primed with an antiseptic solution and dried. The height of the wooden frame for the floor should be at least 10 cm. Each rail must be level and parallel to the others so that not a single part protrudes from the horizontal plane.

The slats are screwed to the floor with screws using metal corner plates, one side of which is adjacent to the tree, the other to the base of the floor. The extreme fasteners are placed 2-3 cm from the ends of the rails, all subsequent fasteners - in increments of 50 cm.

Step 5. Expanded clay backfill

Large and small expanded clay is mixed, and then it is poured between the lags or guide rails. In the corners, the insulation is carefully straightened with your hands so that there are no voids left. Having filled the entire space, the expanded clay layer is carefully tamped, trying not to damage the granules. Waterproofing is laid on top, fixed with a stapler.

Step 6. Installing the flooring

On the bars protruding from the insulation, a subfloor made of plywood, chipboard or boards is stuffed, and then the topcoat is laid. The film protruding around the perimeter is cut with a knife, the joints are closed with skirting boards.

If there is soil under the floor instead of a concrete base, the insulation technology is performed somewhat differently:

the soil is leveled and rammed;
pour a layer of gravel about 10 cm;
then a layer of sand is poured and compacted well;
the next layer is expanded clay, its thickness is from 15 to 25 cm;
after leveling and compaction, the wooden floor is installed.

Insulation under a concrete base

When insulating the floor under the screed, the preparation of the base is carried out as standard: the old coating is dismantled, the cracks are sealed, the surface is cleaned of dust. Then the base is covered with liquid waterproofing or covered with a film.

The joints around the perimeter of the floor must be closed, so the film is wound on the walls. The damper tape is attached last at the level of the future screed. Now you can start warming.

Step 1. Installation of beacons

Lighthouses should be metal, it is best to use T-shaped aluminum rails. They knead a little cement or gypsum mortar to fix the beacons, take the first rail and lay it under the wall opposite the doorway on the mortar. Be sure to check the location of the guide with a level, if necessary, press it into the solution or, conversely, raise it. The height of the beacons should not exceed 10 cm, and the distance between them - from 0.5 to 1 m.

Step 2. Filling insulation

The space between the beacons is filled with a mixture of expanded clay of different fractions and leveled with a rule or a piece of plywood. Particular care should be taken to fill corners and joints where voids can form. After that, expanded clay is carefully tamped so as not to damage the granules.

Step 3 Reinforcement

A metal mesh with large cells is laid on the insulation, leaving 4-5 cm indents from the walls around the entire perimeter. The mesh should not have dents or bulges, protruding sharp edges.

Step 4. Making a screed

For a screed, take 3 parts of sifted sand and 1 part of cement, mix thoroughly with water to a uniform thick consistency and pour portionwise onto the floor between the guides. The screed is leveled with a long rule, running along the beacons and removing excess mortar. Now you need to wait for the concrete to dry completely and you can lay the floor.

Expanded clay concrete screed

If the draft base is too uneven or it is necessary to greatly raise the level of the floor, an expanded clay concrete screed is performed. First, the surface is freed and cleaned of dust, cracks and joints are foamed, waterproofing is laid. After that, proceed to the main process:

Drying takes at least 3 weeks, but it is better to wait a month. The first days the surface of the screed is periodically watered so that cracks do not appear. Such a base is strong enough and warm, it lasts a long time.

Advantages of expanded clay	Expanded clay disadvantages
Good thermal conductivity of expanded clay - grade 500 has a thermal conductivity index of 0.12-0.15 W / m * K	We have to fill up a thick layer of expanded clay - more than 50 cm, because. otherwise, sound and heat insulation will be poor
Expanded clay weight - from only 250 kg / m3 versus 2500 kg / m3 of concrete	It is an absolutely moisture-resistant material, it is recommended to use either a waterproofing film or not to use expanded clay at all
With its help, the operational life of wooden floors is extended up to 50 years.
Resistance to chemically aggressive environments
Environmental friendliness
Relatively low cost

Video - Floor insulation with expanded clay

How to properly insulate the floor with expanded clay?

About expanded clay and its properties

Description of insulation technology

Wanting to perform floor insulation in a private house using concrete floor insulation, a person quite often prefers expanded clay. Such a technology is extremely simple - for which it is appreciated by those who wish to do the work with their own hands, without resorting to the paid services of specialists.

However, despite its simplicity, expanded clay insulation is very effective and durable. It is not surprising that this material is still in demand, despite the appearance of a number of modern heat insulators.

1 Why insulate the floor?

When the goal of thermal insulation work is the highest possible quality of the result, attention should be paid to the insulation of all parts of the structure - that is, not only to the walls. Insulation of the floor and ceiling of the house are no less important nuances, without which the microclimate in the room will still be far from ideal.

If the issue of ceiling insulation with Izospan B vapor barrier is even more or less clear (so that warm air does not leave the room - since it will rise up), then the need for floor insulation is often forgotten, considering it unimportant.

As a result, it will not be very pleasant to walk on the surface after finishing work is completed: because of the cold. Moreover, in the room itself, the temperature can be normal and comfortable, but walking barefoot on the floor is already cool.

The most common reason for this is an uninsulated basement. The cold and moisture reigning in it lead to the fact that the ceiling between the basement and the rooms on the first floor also freezes. As a result, the floor surface in the living area will be cold, and this will not be affected in any way by the insulation of the walls or ceiling.

2 About the use of expanded clay as a heater (video)

3 About expanded clay and its properties

Bulk materials began to be used to insulate houses more than one decade ago - much earlier than foam plastic and mineral wool appeared. Of course, initially it was not expanded clay, but sawdust, sand and clay.

This material, like the infrared warm floor under the tiles, began to be widely used as an insulator about a few decades ago. He gained popularity very quickly, and has not lost it to this day (whereas the once popular polystyrene and mineral wool are gradually losing demand, giving way to more convenient counterparts).

Expanded clay itself is a small pebbles that have a rounded shape. For its production, clay and shale-containing rocks are used, processed in a special way: under the influence of high temperatures (over +1000 degrees) and centrifugal force.

The raw material is rapidly rotated in a large red-hot oven, forming into small granules with different diameters and "baking".

Expanded clay insulation is most often used for the floor, as well as for the ceiling (from the side of the attic). Less commonly, the material is used for backfilling into voids between partitions - that is, for wall insulation.

4 About the pros and cons of material and technology

Let's consider why it is so valued and why it is so popular to insulate the floor (and other parts of the house) with expanded clay. The list of advantages of the material is as follows:

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10 "Dry" screed

One of the most popular modern options. It differs from the usual (“wet”) screed in simplicity and speed - you don’t need to prepare a solution, or level it, pour anything in, or wait until it hardens - everything is ten times easier.

In fact, the technology is the same as when laying boards on logs, only gypsum fiber boards (GVL) are used instead of boards. The advantage of this technology is not only in simplicity, but also in the fact that the result is a perfectly smooth and even floor, ready for fine finishing. And if necessary, the coating can be easily dismantled (unlike a “wet” screed, which would have to be broken).

Wooden construction is mainly country houses. Moreover, both new buildings and those that were built long ago as summer cottages. Today, these buildings are increasingly used for year-round living. Therefore, the issue of warming all parts of the house becomes urgent.

The floor in wooden buildings is one of the coldest parts of the entire structure. According to various estimates, up to 20% of the internal heat in the premises goes through the floors in wooden houses. It makes sense not only to design good insulation during the construction of a new house, but also to attend to the alteration of the floor in an already built one, but without floor insulation. Moreover, usually a residential wooden house is installed on a relatively high foundation. And this allows you to conduct insulation from below, without changing the level of the finished floor and without reducing the height of the room.

Floor insulation

When erecting auxiliary wooden buildings, the floors can be located near the ground itself or even laid directly on the ground. In this case, an insulating layer is still necessary, only it will have to be laid, deepening into the ground.

Any insulation of wooden floors must be carried out in compliance with the following rules:

Mandatory laying of waterproofing in two layers. The bottom layer protects the insulation from moisture from the ground. The top layer - from the penetration of water through the boards of the finishing floor.
Draft and finishing wooden floor elements are treated with special anti-rotting agents.
For insulation, a material is selected that does not change its properties upon contact with wood.

Despite the recent appearance of modern insulating materials, expanded clay insulation of a wooden floor still finds its application. And there are reasons for this.

Expanded clay: pros and cons

Insulating expanded clay - granules made by foaming and subsequent firing of clay.

Scheme of the production of expanded clay granules

It has a number of advantages when used as thermal insulation.

Advantages:

Low thermal conductivity. The very clay from which it is made is considered a good heat insulator. And the pores created inside, filled with air, further reduce the thermal conductivity. As a heat insulator, it is several times more effective than clay bricks and twice as good as wood.
Light weight. An increase in the thickness of the expanded clay layer does not lead to a significant load on the floors.
Cheapness. Despite the fact that it is inferior in thermal conductivity to many modern materials, its use allows you to save money, losing slightly as insulation.
Fire safety. This material not only does not burn, but also does not emit any toxic substances when heated strongly.
Resistant to temperature extremes. Thermal insulation properties do not change in heat or frost.
Resistant to household chemicals and humidity. Even when wet, mold does not form on it.
Complete environmental friendliness. Made from natural material, it is not completely harmless.
In addition to heat-insulating properties, it is also a good sound insulator.
Convenient to use. To work with it, you do not need to have special skills, and do not require special tools and devices. The fact that expanded clay is a bulk material excludes any requirements for observing exact dimensions when laying.
Long period of use. It is believed that it retains its properties for decades.

Flaws

Expanded clay also has disadvantages. But their list is incomparable with the advantages:

Large volume of heat-insulating layer. To create high-quality thermal insulation, the thickness of the expanded clay pillow should be at least 10 cm. But in practice, the expanded clay layer is usually 20–30 cm, rarely 40 cm. In some designs of wooden floors, such insulation leads to a decrease in the space between the floor and the ceiling.
Low moisture resistance. When a large amount of water gets on it, it absorbs it. This leads to an increase in the weight of the thermal insulation. Over time, moisture will evaporate from expanded clay granules, but this is a long process.
Laying expanded clay, for all its simplicity, is a tedious task. Filling a thick layer, leveling with obligatory accuracy so as not to destroy the shell of the granules - all this takes a lot of time.

Varieties of expanded clay

The quality of expanded clay as a heater also depends on the options for its production. Depending on the size, three main groups of expanded clay granules are distinguished. And although there are recommendations for its use for each group, a mixture of granules of different sizes is usually used in one layer.

Expanded clay fractions

Crushed stone - granules with a diameter of 20 to 40 mm. Recommended for backfilling the main layer of thermal insulation.
Gravel - from 10 to 20 mm. Used to create thin layers.
Sand - the smallest granules with a diameter of 5 - 10 mm. Suitable for insulating small voids in floor structures. In a mixture with large fractions, it allows you to fill the gaps between the granules. It is used to create a "wet" concrete heat-insulating screed.

In addition to size, expanded clay insulation varies in density. Industrially produced expanded clay is divided into several categories with a density of 200 to 800 kg / m3.

Methods for creating heat-insulating layers of expanded clay

In general, the expanded clay insulation device differs little from the use of other materials. Expanded clay is located under the finishing floor with the use of moisture-proof materials.

Expanded clay insulation, general principle

Depending on the location of the insulated floor (on logs laid on the foundation, on the ground or on a concrete base), the technology by which expanded clay is laid under the wooden floor also differs.

Backfill between lags

This is the easiest way to lay expanded clay pillows. In this case, wooden logs serve as the basis for the floor. If they are on the foundation, then shields or subfloor boards are attached to them. They can be knocked down to the joists from below or fastened to bars nailed to the joists on the side. The use of lightweight expanded clay is an advantage - the load on the subfloor is small.

The next steps are:

The logs themselves and the boards of the subfloor are recommended to be treated with anti-rotting agents. This is especially necessary when creating a new insulation in a long-built house.
The space between the lags is lined with a waterproofing film. As a substitute, you can choose polyethylene or roofing material. If transverse bars are installed between the lags, then each cell is covered separately.
Expanded clay granules are poured into the prepared gaps between the lags. It is recommended to mix large and small fractions of expanded clay to fully fill the volume.
After backfilling, the expanded clay layer is leveled along the upper edges of the log. Logs act not only as a support, but also as an indicator of the level of backfilling of insulation.
It is advisable to lightly tamp the leveled expanded clay layer. When tamping, it is necessary not to damage the granules, as they will absorb moisture through cracks.

Expanded clay, covered on a wooden draft floor along the logs

Installation of the floor along the logs can also be carried out on a concrete base as a subfloor. The technology of backfilling expanded clay in this case is no different.

Backfilling of expanded clay on logs on a concrete base

Expanded clay backfill for a wooden floor on the ground

Such floors can be arranged in utility rooms or garages. But the expanded clay pillow is not laid out directly on the ground. The procedure is as follows:

The top layer of the earth is removed.
A layer of gravel falls asleep. It will perform the function of waterproofing, protecting expanded clay from moisture from the ground.
The gravel is covered with sand, which must be carefully compacted.
A protective film is laid over the sand.
The insulating layer of expanded clay is poured onto a sand cushion, leveled and lightly rammed.
Further arrangement of the floor depends on the wishes of the builder. You can lay the floor immediately on top of expanded clay, you can fill the expanded clay layer with concrete, forming a "wet" screed. And you can use a layer of expanded clay as a rough insulation, creating another warming level above it, on top of which lay a finishing floor.

Expanded clay bedding as a rough floor on the ground

Concrete screed using expanded clay

If it is planned to install a concrete base under the floorboards, then it is possible to insulate such a floor by “embedding” expanded clay in a concrete screed:

The base prepared for the screed is closed with waterproofing.
The entire surface is covered with expanded clay. Fine fractions are predominantly used.
The expanded clay layer is leveled and compacted.
For greater reliability, a reinforcing mesh is placed on top of expanded clay.
The last stage is concrete pouring.

Concrete screed on expanded clay cushion

Dry expanded clay screed

This method of flooring has become known recently. The preparatory part depends on the base on which it is planned to arrange the screed - on the ground, on a rough wooden floor or on a concrete slab.

The base is covered with a protective film, on which expanded clay is poured. After leveling the expanded clay pillow, it is closed with sheets of plywood or gypsum fiber. Bonding sheets - on glue, or self-tapping screws.

Scheme of dry screed with insulation

Final work

Any option for installing an expanded clay insulating layer means the completion of the rough stage of flooring. The insulating layer must be closed with a hydro- or vapor barrier material. And already on top of this insulation made of plywood or other sheet material, a substrate is fixed that matches the selected floor covering.

With the option of flooring on logs, a wooden finishing floor can be installed directly on them, without creating a separate substrate.

Section of a wooden floor with expanded clay insulation

The popularity of creating environmentally friendly buildings in a forest or remote area from the city is growing every year.

To do this, all owners strive to use appropriate materials both for organizing the structure itself and for interior decoration in the premises.

The most famous eco-building option is a wooden house. Often there are questions about how and with what to insulate the floor in this building, since many materials are not suitable for environmental friendliness. One of the solutions to the problem is to insulate the floor with expanded clay in a wooden house.

Insulation of the floor of a wooden house, options for insulation

Wood is a material that holds heat well. Only the structures of wooden houses are made in such a way that the supporting elements of the flooring are wooden logs, which are located at a distance of 40-80 cm from each other.

These elements are made of edged boards with dimensions of 50 x 150 mm and 50 x 200 mm.

They are laid on the initial level of the building, the strapping of which is bars 150 x 150 cm or 150 x 100 cm, connected to each other “overlaid”. The binding rests on the foundation.

It depends on the foundation how to perform the subfloor.

The draft floor in a wooden house is often mounted on logs.

For the construction of wooden houses, 3 foundation options are most often used:

monolith;
strip foundation;
piles.

Each of these types has its own characteristics and recommendations for use in certain conditions. If a wooden house is placed on a monolithic foundation, then the concrete itself will be the rough flooring, but if on a pile or tape, then the subfloor is made of wooden boards, which are hemmed from the bottom of the log.

To prevent cold air from entering the building through the floor, it is recommended to insulate it. The insulation is laid on the subfloor, which is pre-covered with a waterproofing film.

To date, the range of heaters that are suitable for use in wooden houses is quite diverse.

For floor insulation use:

products based on mineral and basalt wool;
glass wool;
Styrofoam;
expanded polystyrene;
expanded clay.

Each material with which insulation is made has certain indicators of thermal conductivity. The same insulation (its type) can be produced with different thermal conductivity and density.

Expanded clay as a floor insulation in a wooden house, its properties

Expanded clay is an environmentally friendly material

Expanded clay is considered a natural and environmentally friendly material that is widely used in construction work for various purposes.

Many professionals consider expanded clay to be the first insulation that has excellent thermal insulation and sound absorption properties.

This material is also used for the production of building blocks, as well as for organizing a screed and a rough floor surface.

This material absorbs sound well and is less dusty than concrete screed.

Expanded clay, as a heater, has unique properties, it can simultaneously cover and insulate the floor.

This building material is widely used in construction.

It has a number of advantages, but there are also disadvantages.

The advantages of expanded clay include:

the material emits an insignificant amount of dust and debris, many times less than a cement-sand screed;
excellent sound-absorbing properties, due to which expanded clay is used not only for floor insulation, but also for backfilling walls;
good indicators of thermal insulation;
simple installation process that can be carried out by one person.

Expanded clay has much less disadvantages than advantages. These include the flowability of the material and its price. Despite the fact that it has been on the construction market for quite a long time, the cost of it does not decrease.

Expanded clay itself has the appearance of granules and small rounded stones. To obtain this product, a clay composition is used with the addition of shale rocks, which undergo additional heat treatment.

The formation takes place at a temperature reaching 1000 0 C until the granules are completely mixed. For more information about modern heaters, see this video:

Floor insulation in a wooden house with expanded clay

Warming or organizing a screed using expanded clay can be done in two ways. A distinction is made between the method of dry laying of expanded clay and wet (organization of a screed with the addition of cement and sand).

Floor insulation "dry method"

Before backfilling the material, line each cell with waterproofing material

Before organizing the dry method of warming a wooden house with expanded clay, it is necessary to treat the rough floor (if it is made of wood) with an insect and mold repellent, only after that it is worth laying a waterproofing membrane.

It is better to lay the film in each cell (gaps between lags) separately. If it is not possible to purchase modern waterproofing material, you can fully replace it with roofing material.

Filled granules must be compacted

After the waterproofing on the flooring is equipped, you should proceed to filling the gaps with expanded clay.

When pouring insulation into the cells between the lags, it should be distributed at the same time so that there are no unfilled areas, while slightly tamping the material. The level of the filled expanded clay should coincide with the top of the supporting logs.

To organize floor insulation in wooden houses, experts advise using this fine fraction building material so that individual granules fit as tightly as possible to each other, thereby creating a greater density of the insulated cover.

It is possible to lay expanded clay immediately in bags

Some builders use expanded clay, poured into plastic bags, to insulate the flooring of houses.

At the same time, the bags are selected in large sizes and the material is not completely filled into it, leaving the possibility of uniform distribution during laying.

Installation of a layer of insulation using expanded clay in bags avoids debris and dust, and also contributes to the uniform use of all material.

The thickness of the expanded clay layer is limited by the height of the log. For a certain region of the country, experts recommend an individual layer of expanded clay for floor insulation.

Insulation of the floor with expanded clay by the organization of a "wet" screed

A wet screed based on expanded clay is used as a heater, leveling cover and rough flooring, on which the finish coating is already laid.

Under expanded clay, it is advised to lay roofing material

Before laying the screed, it is worth rolling out the roofing material over the entire surface of the monolithic foundation, and its edges should go on the walls (up) by 10-15 cm. The screed - insulation should not come into contact with the frame of the house.

The proportions of the solution for organizing the coating are as follows, for 1 kg of cement there are 4 kg of expanded clay and 3 kg of sand. Water is added to the composition during kneading at the discretion of the builders. For more information about floor insulation with granules, see the emt video:

When organizing both wet and dry screeds, it is necessary to calculate in advance the amount of expanded clay for flooring a certain area.

To do this, you need to know: the area of \u200b\u200bthe room, the thickness of the insulation layer and the weight of 1m 3 of the material. To correctly create a solution for a wet insulating screed based on expanded clay, you can use the examples of material ratios shown in the table.

Expanded clay is a universal building material that does not lose its popularity and competes with other types of insulation. Thermal insulation and noise reduction are the most important properties of expanded clay, which it does not lose even after many years of operation.