Stekloizol: features, material characteristics, scope

Stekloizol belongs to the broad category of roll waterproofing materials. It is most often used for the purpose of waterproofing the roof, therefore it is considered a roofing material. However, glass insulation can be used to waterproof the basement and foundation. Also, stekloizol is used in the construction of swimming pools, boiler rooms, arrangement of bathrooms and other wet rooms, where reliable waterproofing is required.

Glass insulating structure: fiberglass or fiberglass is the basis. On both sides of the base, a bituminous binder is applied – bitumen with the addition of modifiers and plasticizers. On top of the bitumen there are protective layers of polyethylene film. The front side of the roofing roll material is coated with abrasive grit for additional protection and increased mechanical strength.

There are several types of glass insulation: HPP, HKP, CCI and TKP. The first letter of this marking indicates which base was used: X is glass fiber, T is, respectively, fiberglass. The second letter indicates the purpose of the material: K – roofing, P – means lining. The last letter is always P – from the film that is part of the material.

Glass insulating properties:

• It is not afraid of decay, ultraviolet radiation, pests, it is distinguished by its biological resistance. However, it becomes soft in direct sunlight..
• The minimum service life is 20 years, if all installation rules have been followed.
• The material can be laid on any surface.
• The installation process is simple and accessible to non-professionals.
• Two layers of polyethylene film guarantee a high level of water resistance. Even in the case of direct exposure to water, glass insulation will withstand such a load.
• The material is strong, yet flexible, elastic, so it can be laid on surfaces with complex geometry.
• The thickness of the bituminous impregnation ranges from 2 to 4 millimeters. Depending on this, the weight of one roll varies from 25 to 30 kilograms.
• Heat resistance – up to 80 ° C.
• Water absorption during the day – no more than 1%.

On the Russian market, the leading manufacturer of glass insulating and the developer of this material is the Technonikol company. Glass insulation is sold in rolls 9, 10 or 15 meters long, and always 1 meter wide. The price of the material varies depending on the brand and ranges from 32 to 58 rubles per square meter. A roll with a length of 9 meters of the TKP brand with a powder of gray granulate will cost about 500 rubles, of the HPP brand without powder – 330 rubles.

Important! When calculating the amount of glass insulation you need, it should be borne in mind that on each side there will be gaps of about 20 centimeters. In addition, the installation is overlapped – on the roll itself there is already a strip 10 centimeters wide allocated for this purpose.

Glass insulation installation includes the following steps:

1. Cleaning the surface from debris.
2. At least one layer of primer is applied to the concrete surface, all cracks and potholes are repaired. On a wooden surface, you will need a crate of boards, which are covered with polymer or bitumen mastic.
3. It is possible to cut the roll material directly at the place of work, be sure to take into account overlaps and overlaps.
4. The glass insulation is heated with a gasoline or gas blowtorch, which ensures the adhesion of the material, and then gradually rolls out. It is more convenient to work together.
5. To avoid air bubbles and loose fit, the material is rolled from above with a roller or just a pipe with a diameter of about 20 centimeters.

Important! At frosts below -10 ° C it is not recommended to work with glass insulation, it becomes brittle and brittle. Also, you can not work in rain and strong wind, because the process involves the use of a torch, blowtorch.

Stekloizol can be confidently called a modern analogue of the good old roofing material. It takes its rightful place among the popular waterproofing materials, largely due to its quite affordable price, reliability and ease of installation. Alternatively, glass-insulation can be replaced with “Bikrost”, these are materials with very similar characteristics.