Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
The glazed balcony becomes another room where you can relax, work or even sleep. But double-glazed windows do not provide complete thermal insulation, and the efficiency of the convector installation is reduced due to heat loss. To ensure a sufficient temperature on the balcony and save on heating, we present a rating of the best balcony heaters. These materials are sandwiched between the outer wall and the inner lining, increasing thermal and acoustic insulation. TOP-6 is based on the characteristics of the goods and reviews of the masters, so it will help you take an objective look and choose the right insulation.
Rating of the best heaters for the balcony
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | rating |
| Rating of the best heaters for the balcony | 1 | Penoplex | 5.0 |
| 2 | Penofol | 4.9 | |
| 3 | Izolon | 4.8 | |
| 4 | Mineral wool insulation | 4.7 | |
| 5 | Styrofoam | 4.6 | |
| 6 | Foam polyurethane | 4.5 |
Penoplex
Rating: 5.0
In the first place in our rating is penoplex, which is manufactured by the Technicol company and others. The material is rectangular plates of extruded polystyrene foam, produced at high temperature and extruded under pressure from the extruder. This provides a uniform structure and a closed shape of the cells, thereby reducing the thermal conductivity of the insulation for the balcony. The indicator is 0.032 W / mK and reliably protects the walls from freezing in winter and overheating in summer. Buyers in the reviews note that the insulation is easily cut with a construction knife and it is not difficult to maintain a straight line. Penoplex is sold with a section of 30, 50, 80 or 100 mm, which is convenient for selection, depending on the wall thickness on the balcony.
We put the insulation in first place in the rating not only because of its high insulating properties, but also because of the ease of installation. Each panel has an L-shaped edge, so it fits tightly like a constructor. This eliminates the formation of 'cold bridges' and requires foaming joints only in the corners or at the point of contact with the load-bearing wall of the house.
Advantages
- sold with a section from 30 to 100 mm;
- the package can contain from 4 to 10 sheets;
- thermal conductivity 0.032 W / mK;
- there are no fine fibers and dust in the structure;
- zero water absorption.
disadvantages
- high price;
- emits pungent smoke on contact with fire;
- with a strong bend, it can break;
- large sheets are difficult to transport;
- pliable to impacts (dents remain, which then do not align).
Penofol
Rating: 4.9
The second insulation for the balcony from our rating is a sheet material in a roll. The flexible structure is convenient for compact transport and stacking on uneven surfaces. Penofol is made from polyethylene foam, characterized by closed cells that reduce the transfer of heat or cold. In terms of thermal conductivity, it is inferior to the leader of the rating – its indicator is 0.049 W / mK, but the insulation is much thinner, which does not require the creation of a wide space inside the wall. They produce insulation with a section of 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 mm. This is an environmentally friendly product belonging to the G1 flammability class, i.e. completely not supporting the spread of fire. Buyers in reviews share that it is very easy to lay penofol – even a beginner can handle it.
According to our experts, the insulation for the balcony deserves a place in the rating due to the presence of a foil layer. Such a screen has a cross section of 14-20 microns and can be on one or two sides. Thanks to the aluminum in the composition, the insulation effectively reflects direct sunlight falling on the balcony and prevents it from overheating in the summer heat. Thermal reflection is 97%.
Advantages
- thickness of 3-10 mm does not 'eat up' the inner space of the balcony;
- takes any surface shape;
- easily cut with scissors;
- you can cut out the required segment with curved lines;
- suitable for operation at -60 … + 100 degrees.
disadvantages
- you need to buy a whole roll;
- vapor permeability is almost absent – 0.001 mg / mh Pa;
- Delays little noise (only 20 dB).
Izolon
Rating: 4.8
The third place in the rating is occupied by isolon insulation, which is made by foaming polyethylene. It differs from the first type in non-crosslinked granules, which are then physically crosslinked. The result is a soft cellular structure that takes the shape of the surface well. In consistency, it resembles insulation for jackets, only more rigid. Izolon is perfect for insulating a balcony, since its thermal conductivity is 0.036 W / mK. With a density of 30 kg / m3, the material weighs very little. Insulation is sold in rolls with a width of 1.2 m and a length of 12.5-20 m. The cross section is from 2 to 10 mm, which helps to insulate the balcony, and does not create thick walls that take up useful space. The substance is suitable for use at temperatures of -40 … + 70 degrees.
Our experts included the insulation in the rating due to the presence of an additional sticky layer. It is closed from the factory with paper, and during installation it opens and ensures reliable fixation to the balcony walls. This technology has many positive reviews from the masters, since it simplifies installation. The adhesion force at 180 degrees is 1.0-5.0 N / cm.
Advantages
- different thickness from 2 to 10 mm;
- does not occupy the inner space on the balcony;
- easy to cut in a straight line and curve;
- villi do not fly in the air when laying;
- easily repeats surface irregularities.
disadvantages
- have to buy a roll;
- easily damaged by stretching;
- accidentally punctured during installation.
Mineral wool insulation
Rating: 4.7
The fourth position in the rating belongs to mineral wool. It is made from rock or slag, therefore it is called basalt. Insulation for the balcony is produced in slabs or rolls with a cross section of 30 to 200 mm, which is convenient for selecting the amount of insulation. The thermal conductivity is rather low and amounts to 0.035-0.040 W / mK. The substance differs in density from 15 to 200 kg / m³. But users in the reviews warn that the outer cladding of the balcony should be well insulated from water leakage, otherwise the mineral wool will lose its shape and its heat-saving properties. Mineral wool does not prick, but it is necessary to carry out work in a mask so as not to swallow the villi.
We have included insulation for the balcony in the rating due to its more affordable price compared to higher competitors. Mineral wool, in addition to thermal insulation, provides high noise insulation – it will be quiet and comfortable on the balcony, despite the screams of children or the sounds of cars outside the windows. The insulation is vapor-permeable – the accumulated condensate will go outside without destroying the finishing materials.
Advantages
- absolutely does not burn and does not emit toxic smoke when in contact with fire;
- does not form cold bridges;
- easily cut into required segments;
- does not require an exact fit (you can crush excess parts in the corner);
- ensures the passage of steam outside.
disadvantages
- when laying in the air, villi fly;
- loses its shape when wet;
- takes up a lot of cross-sectional space;
- large volume during transportation.
Styrofoam
Rating: 4.6
The fifth step in the rating of heaters for the house was placed by the good old foam. The substance is released from polymers by foaming. 98% of the material consists of air, and the remaining 2% are plastics, in the form of a cell shell. Thin baffles promote low heat and sound transmission. The product is produced in slabs with a section of 20-50 mm. You can cut it with a long knife or a hacksaw, but at the same time it crumbles a little. The masters in the reviews advise to blow out the joints of the plates and the edges with polyurethane foam to exclude the formation of 'cold bridges'. The advantage of the insulation is increased lightness. It does not load the supporting structure. Outside, you can even finish the styrofoam with plaster (which you can't do on mineral wool or isolone), so the decoration of the inside of the balcony is expanding.
Our experts have added insulation to the rating because of its cheapness. The price of foam is much lower than competitors. The material has good elasticity – the compressive strength is 60 kPa, therefore, if you accidentally press on the balcony wall with a hard object, it will not break. The foam also retains its shape without additional substrates, which simplifies installation.
Advantages
- affordable price;
- retains its shape for a long time;
- service life 20-30 years;
- no phenol and formaldehyde in the composition;
- increased mechanical strength.
disadvantages
- crumbles when cutting;
- use on the balcony in combination with foam;
- absorbs water;
- when burning, it smokes a lot.
Foam polyurethane
Rating: 4.5
The last place in the rating is taken by gas-filled plastic based on polyurethane. Insulation for the balcony is 85% gas. Depending on the type of raw material (polyurethane), the resulting material can be hard or soft. The product is sold in sheets and rolls with a section from 10 to 80 mm. There is a technology for spraying a substance in liquid form directly onto the surface to be insulated, but for this you need to call a special service with an apparatus. The density of foamed polyurethane ranges from 300 to 650 kg / m³, which exceeds the performance of competitors. Shore hardness ranges from 75 to 98 units. The masters in the reviews praise the material for the fact that it can be cut with approximate accuracy – excess parts are easily squeezed to fit into size, and the gaps can be repaired with leftovers.
The experts decided to add the insulation to the rating due to its slight compression shrinkage. The material retains its shape despite stress and pressure. The second advantage of the insulation is resistance to light – the substance does not dry out when rays penetrate through the cracks in the finish, which is practical on balconies located on the sunny side.
Advantages
- moderate flexibility;
- well cut with a knife or scissors;
- resistant to dynamic loads;
- operating temperature -20 … + 80 degrees;
- low shrinkage under pressure.
disadvantages
- when burning, smokes strongly;
- absorbs water;
- does not let steam through;
- expensive technology for spraying.
Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
