9 best heaters for a frame house

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.

More and more people in Russia prefer frame houses. The main advantage of this structure is its low price. The main problem that needs to be solved by the owners at the design stage will be the choice of insulation. It is the quality of the heat insulator that will determine the level of comfort in the rooms, the amount of fuel consumed to heat the house in a cold season. There is a variety of heaters in the domestic market, so a novice builder can get confused. The recommendations of our experts will help you determine the priority characteristics of the material.

Recommendations for choosing insulation for a frame house

Thermal conductivity. The most important indicator that indicates the effectiveness of a heat insulator is the thermal conductivity coefficient. The lower it is, the more reliable the protection from cold will be. However, the thermal conductivity of a building material, measured in an ideal environment, changes dramatically under real conditions. In addition, heat loss depends on the level of humidity, density and thickness of the insulation.

The basis of the insulation. All modern thermal insulation materials can be grouped according to the type of base.

1. Mineral materials are of natural origin, therefore they are valued by experts for their environmental friendliness. They have a long service life, ease of installation, and a low coefficient of thermal conductivity. This group should include basalt wool, foam glass, glass wool, expanded clay and slag materials.
2. Polymer heat insulators are resistant to moisture and biodegradation, soundproofing qualities, and lightness. But in terms of environmental friendliness, they are inferior to mineral insulation. In addition, the ventilation system will require additional costs due to the airtightness of the material. Manufacturers every year increase the range of synthetic heat insulators; today, foam plastic, foam insulation, polyurethane foam wool, extruded polystyrene are in vogue.
3. The basis of the insulation can also be organic components of plant origin. This is flax, waste from the woodworking and paper industry. The advantages of such materials include environmental friendliness, affordability, lightness. The traditional sawdust was replaced by cellulose wool, cork agglomerate, pressed flax fiber (FLAXAN ).

Durability. When a new house is being built, the owner dreams of children and grandchildren living comfortably in it. Therefore, when choosing a heater, it is important to pay attention to such parameters as moisture resistance, resistance to biological damage, strength. Only such materials will last more than 100 years.

Features of installation. Every homeowner has a different perspective on how to conduct construction work. Someone fully relies on specialists, someone is able to build a house on their own. Materials such as polystyrene, mineral wool, FLAXAN are easy to install and easy to cut. And for the application of modern polymer (penoizol, polyurethane foam) or organic (ecowool) heaters, professional equipment is indispensable.

We have selected 9 of the best heaters for a frame house for a review. All of them are used on construction sites in Russia for the construction of frame houses. When allocating seats, the editorial board of the magazine proceeded from the opinions of experts, taking into account the reviews of domestic consumers.

Rating of the best heaters for a frame house

Nomination	a place	Insulation	rating
Rating of the best heaters for a frame house	1	Basalt wool	5.0
	2	Foam glass	4.9
	3	Glass wool	4.8
	4	Ecowool	4.7
	5	FLAXAN	4.6
	6	Slag insulation	4.5
	7	PENOISOL	4.4
	8	POLYURETHANE FOAM	4.3
	9	XPS	4.2

Basalt wool

Rating: 5.0

Basalt wool is in great demand among builders. This insulation has become very popular in the construction of frame houses. Experts explain this fact by the technical characteristics of the material. Since the basis of cotton wool is a natural mineral (basalt), ecologists have no complaints about it. Firefighters allow the use of insulation due to its resistance to fire. Homeowners are pleased with properties such as moisture resistance, strength and durability. Neither rodents nor insects make nests in basalt. The mineral is not affected by mold and fungi.

All the positive qualities of basalt wool are complemented by a reasonable price and ease of installation. Therefore, Russian users vote for the heater with a ruble, which allows it to lead the pedestal of our review.

Advantages

• environmental friendliness;
• ease of installation;
• fire safety;
• resistance to biological damage.

disadvantages

• not found.

Foam glass

Rating: 4.9

Today, among heaters, the leader in such important parameters as thermal conductivity and durability is foam glass. While the growth of sales is held back by the high price of insulation. However, experts advise putting on the scales of its many virtues. First of all, the block form of the material will be convenient for the construction of a frame house. The second important point is moisture resistance, so you can save on vapor barrier. This material surpasses its competitors in terms of durability, service life exceeds 100 years. Finally, it should be noted fire safety, environmental friendliness and strength of foam glass.

Those owners of frame houses who have preferred foam glass do not regret the money spent. They are satisfied with the comfortable microclimate in the rooms and the economical consumption of fuel resources.

Advantages

• low thermal conductivity;
• durability;
• environmental friendliness;
• moisture resistance.

disadvantages

• high price.

Glass wool

Rating: 4.8

The demand for such traditional material as glass wool remains high. The product is convenient for installing a thermal insulation layer in frame houses. The material is easy to cut, thanks to its flexibility and softness, it is possible to fill all the voids to the maximum. Low price remains an important attractive factor. Insulation is used both in the construction of walls and in the construction of a roofing cake. The advantages of fiberglass include incombustibility, low thermal conductivity, resistance to biodegradation. However, due to the tendency to absorb moisture, you will have to take care of effective hydro and vapor barrier.

What users hate the most is the prickly glass wool. Therefore, when working with a heat insulator, it is necessary to arm yourself with personal protective equipment.

Advantages

• low price;
• ease of installation;
• low thermal conductivity;
• versatility.

disadvantages

• high moisture absorption;
• many small spicy fractions.

Ecowool

Rating: 4.7

People have learned to turn waste from the paper industry into an effective insulation. Ecowool got this name for its environmental friendliness and characteristic appearance. The heat insulator has versatility in use, it fills all the voids in the frame house. Ecowool has a very low thermal conductivity. But the more the material absorbs water, the worse the thermal insulation properties become. Spraying is considered the best application option; this will require special equipment. Experts appreciated the excellent noise protection, the material is able to delay up to 60 dB.

Consumers buy ecowool for a neutral effect on allergy sufferers, a democratic price and good performance.

Advantages

• low thermal conductivity;
• ease;
• environmental friendliness;
• noise insulation properties.

disadvantages

• absorbs moisture strongly;
• professional installation is required.

FLAXAN

Rating: 4.6

The safest insulation for human living, according to experts from the Dutch research institute NIBE, today is a material called FLAXAN. The Russian innovative product was awarded the highest environmental friendliness class 1A. It is made of flax using a patented technology with high-temperature processing of raw materials. The advantages of a heat insulator include low thermal conductivity, good sound insulation, durability (over 75 years). The insulator contains an aluminized film, which, due to perforation, regulates air and vapor permeability. Flaxan is produced in the form of slabs and can be used in the construction of walls, floors, roofs.

As for the disadvantages, the main one is the high price. In addition, the material burns well.

Advantages

• environmental friendliness;
• low thermal conductivity;
• good sound insulation;
• vapor permeability.

disadvantages

• high price;
• flammability.

Slag insulation

Rating: 4.5

Slag insulation materials are considered effective heat insulators at an affordable price. They are widely used in the construction of walls and roofs of frame houses. Waste from the metallurgical industry becomes the basis of the material, which explains the low price. Experts have highlighted such advantages of a construction product as light weight, durability (over 50 years). Builders do not have problems with laying insulation, it is well cut, completely fills the voids. The heat insulator falls into the TOP-6 of our review.

As for the disadvantages of slag insulation, one of them is hygroscopicity. Therefore, a good hydro and vapor barrier is required. Domestic users faced another negative point. There is a low quality product on the market.

Advantages

• low thermal conductivity;
• affordable price;
• ease of use;
• ease.

disadvantages

• hygroscopicity;
• different quality.

PENOISOL

Rating: 4.4

Penoizol has a high penetrating power. It is a foam material that easily fills into all cavities and niches. The heat insulator is supplied to walls or ceilings using special equipment. Experts note the high speed of creating a monolithic heat-insulating layer. The insulation is moisture resistant, mold and fungi do not appear in it, rodents and insects do not like it. The only problem solved with a ventilation system is air tightness.

So far, users have little experience in using penoizol as a heat insulator. They believe it is important to purchase quality material. Otherwise, the insulation efficiency may be low.

Advantages

• fast insulation;
• moisture resistance;
• biostability;
• high penetrating power.

disadvantages

• air tightness;
• high price.

POLYURETHANE FOAM

Rating: 4.3

Polyurethane foam can be an alternative to penoizol. The material is sprayed onto the surface of walls, floors or roofs in several layers. Experts consider the main advantages of the product to be resistance to combustion, biodegradation, durability, and low thermal conductivity. Since a continuous airtight layer is formed, a ventilation system will have to be made in the frame house. But absolute moisture resistance will allow homeowners to save on steam and waterproofing.

For domestic consumers, the high price becomes a deterrent when choosing this insulation. Not only the material is expensive, but also the services of builders. Although some users consider the cost to be recouped by saving fuel and electricity.

Advantages

• low thermal conductivity;
• high speed of application;
• fire resistance;
• moisture resistance.

disadvantages

• a ventilation system is required;
• high price.

XPS

Rating: 4.2

Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) is widely used in modern housing construction. It is used to insulate basements, floors and attics. Experts explain some restrictions on use by moisture and air tightness. But the excellent thermal insulation properties neutralize the disadvantages of the material. For example, the thermal conductivity of a 5 cm thick slab is comparable to brickwork 90-95 cm wide. To create a continuous heat-insulating layer, you will have to fill the joints with construction foam. Insulation closes our review.

Domestic users are satisfied with the efficiency of thermal insulation, moisture resistance and ease of installation. XPS is disliked by rodents, insects and microorganisms. The disadvantages include the high price.

Advantages

• ease of installation;
• moisture resistance;
• high thermal insulation properties;
• resistance to biological damage.

disadvantages

• high price;
• air tightness.

---

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.