Rating of polyurethane foam. How to choose polyurethane foam for exterior and interior use

Anton Tsugunov

Reading time: 6 minutes

Properly selected and correctly applied polyurethane foam for windows is an important component of their quality installation. It is difficult to imagine installing modern PVC window structures without this easy-to-use and reliable material. A novice master will have to understand the differences and features of foam in order to choose a composition from the wide range offered by stores.

Properties and scope of material

Polyurethane foam is a liquid polyurethane solution pumped into a container under pressure. When exposed to air, it quickly hardens and at the same time increases significantly in volume.

There are 2 types of foam expansion:

1. Primary (when the composition leaves the cylinder). Provides ease of use: the solution can effortlessly fill any shaped recesses.
2. Secondary. Among the disadvantages: an increase in the volume of sealant during final polymerization can deform the window elements. Therefore, it must be taken into account when carrying out work.

Completely hardened material acquires unique useful qualities:

• Low thermal conductivity is achieved due to air bubbles located in the thickness of the frozen material. If not for the price, foam could well be considered as an alternative to conventional insulation materials.
• The presence of air voids increases the sound insulation of the entire window design: vibrations transmitted to the window are damped by foam. Thus, it is in addition to the installed rubber seals, enhancing soundproofing.
• Cured foam does not allow penetration electricity, has water-repellent properties, is not susceptible to rotting or mold.

• High adhesion rates make it possible to use foam as a fixing material: it securely fixes window or door frames, as well as other elements, in place.
• Depending on the brand, the composition does not support combustion or is completely resistant to fire.

Due to its special properties, the foam is ideal for outdoor and interior works. But, like any material, it has disadvantages:

• After hardening, the excess composition is cut off. And if the cut surface is not treated appropriately, then water will get into the open pores. Over time, this causes the material to deteriorate.

• The frozen composition does not withstand exposure to ultraviolet radiation, so it must be protected from direct contact sun rays.
• You have to follow the rules for storing cylinders: strictly in a vertical position at a temperature range from +5 ˚С to +25 ˚С.

The high adhesion of the foam allows it to adhere reliably to surfaces made of different materials. Therefore, you should work with the composition very carefully: if it gets on your hands or other parts of the body, you can only wipe it off with the top layer of skin, which will take at least several days. When pouring, be sure to use gloves. You should also securely cover all surfaces on which the solution may drip.

If foam does get on the floor, furniture or other surfaces, it can be removed in several ways, which are described.

The use of this design provides the following advantages:

• The ergonomics of the gun allows the master to fill cracks with one hand. The second remains free, due to which you can work alone at certain stages.
• The gun makes it possible to accurately dose the volume of solution released. This reduces consumption by reducing unnecessary waste.
• A thin, long nozzle will easily deliver the solution into hard-to-reach cracks and holes.
• The cylinder can be used in any position.
• The reusable valve ensures the safety of the solution between repairs.

When choosing professional cylinders, you do not need to solve the frequently asked question: where can the remaining solution be usefully used?

• Professional compositions have better performance characteristics than household ones. For example, they have a lower secondary expansion coefficient, which makes their use more convenient.

Techniques for pouring foam using a professional gun are shown in the following video.

Mr. Build strongly recommends: for installation plastic windows use only professional polyurethane foam. Secondary expansion will not create unnecessary load on the structure or displace frame elements. The density of the professional compositions is maximum, and this will ensure the best quality of fastening, insulation and sealing of the seam.

Choose a gun based on budget, ergonomics and service life. For a single procedure, the cheapest one with plastic parts will do, but for professional use give preference to collapsible high-quality models.

Household foam has less outstanding performance characteristics: worse adhesion, a higher coefficient of secondary expansion, and less material yield from the cylinder. It is sold in containers equipped with a plastic tube for supplying the solution. It is screwed onto the valve before blowing begins. It is recommended to use the entire bottle at once.

Working with household foam is less convenient: both hands are used, and the can must be placed bottom up. This will ensure a more complete release of the solution. Use it with extreme caution, in the least important places. Fill the seam to no more than 50% depth!

Soundproofing foam

If the windows themselves do not transmit noise, then the polyurethane foam on which they are mounted is an excellent conductor of noise, since it is light, hard, and has a closed cellular structure, which facilitates the unhindered passage of sound waves.

Compared to conventional construction foams, the use of MAXFORTE SoundFLEX foam adds more than 10 dB to sound insulation, which is equivalent to a noise reduction of 2-3 times.

The difference between regular mounting foam and soundproofing foam can be seen in the video:

If you squeeze a piece of polyurethane foam in your hand, it will simply collapse, unlike specialized soundproofing foam. Like a sponge, it will return to its shape. It does not harden and thus does not become a sound bridge.

Winter or summer?

Foam is divided according to the seasonality of its use. It happens:

1. Summer, suitable for work at temperatures above +5 ˚С.
2. Winter, allowing you to seal cracks at temperatures down to -18˚ C.
3. All-season. Seen and used less frequently. Professionals advise using it during transition periods in autumn and winter or getting by with the first two varieties.

Flammability of foam

The compositions also differ in flammability parameters:

• B1 – the highest fire safety class, does not ignite even upon contact with open fire.
• B2 – does not burn on its own, without an additional heating source. Such compositions are called self-extinguishing.
• B3 – lowest flammability class. This material is not recommended for use, especially in residential areas.

Rules for choosing foam for installing PVC windows

The composition most suitable for a particular case is selected. What to look for when choosing?

• The temperature at which the cracks will be sealed. It is used to choose winter, summer or all-season foam.
• On the secondary expansion coefficient. The lower the value, the better. It is recommended not to use formulations with an indicator of more than 15–20%. Professional foam easily fits into such a framework, but with household choice should be done carefully.
• For expiration date. No one can predict how the behavior of the solution will change after storage time. It's better not to take risks.
• To the fullness of the cylinder. Underfilling is a common occurrence. It’s easy to check: to do this, weigh the canister. A full container of 750 ml weighs about 900 g.

HELPFUL INFORMATION: What can you paint with? wooden floors in the apartment: review of materials

Polyurethane foam is a modern building material, without which it is impossible to imagine installing windows or doors. It can also be used to seal cracks in masonry and fill any other cavities. The market offers a huge range of this type of product, professional (for mounting gun) and adapter types.

Our review contains the best polyurethane foams for construction work. The rating position is based on the characteristics of the product, as well as reviews from professional builders who constantly work with this material.

Often there is too much foam to fill a small volume of voids. Often people throw away most of the material due to the drying of the foam at the exit of the cylinder. To reuse a foam container, you should listen to simple tips professionals.

• Adapter or household cylinder with a tube, after a single use, it must be placed on the bottom and left in that position. You can place a container under the tube to collect the remaining foam. When complete hardening occurs, the tube is disconnected from the cylinder and the dried foam is removed using a long wire. The remaining polymer can then be reused.
• When using a gun, it is better to use a special flush, which is supplied in similar cylinders with a mount for the gun. To do this, simply rearrange the gun and press the trigger to wash under pressure.

TOP 10 best polyurethane foams

10 DEXX

Best price
A country: Germany (produced in Russia)
Average price: 140 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.2

DEXX universal polyurethane foam is perfect for working with any building material when performing home repairs and even professional construction. The possibility of use in the temperature range from -10 °C to 35 °C means that it can be used for its intended purpose all year round. Once completely cured, this product is non-flammable and non-toxic.

Work with DEXX is carried out using a special gun, the amount of filler formed reaches 30 liters. The density and structure of this professional polyurethane foam ensures high-quality adhesion to the surface and airtight filling of voids. This material also provides excellent protection against moisture and noise, which is important when installing windows or external doors. Buyers give mostly positive reviews about this filler, noting its good performance characteristics. No one considered even a small yield of polyurethane foam to be a disadvantage due to the most affordable price on the market.

9 Profile

The best choice for winter
Country: China
Average price: 251 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.2

Professional polyurethane foam Profil will become best choice if necessary, carry out construction and installation work V winter period because she retains her specifications at temperatures down to -10 °C. The pistol system allows you to use this filler more rationally due to the precise dosage of the required volume.

Profil polyurethane foam has excellent filling, sound insulation and heat-saving properties. It is used for installing window and door blocks, filling joints and seams. Users note in their reviews the reliability and durability of this filler, the large volume of foam produced and the possibility of use at any time of the year. All these characteristics are greatly enhanced by the availability of an affordable price.

8 PROFFLEX PRO GOLD

Best product yield
Country Russia
Average price: 296 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.3

One-component polyurethane foam PROFFLEX PRO GOLD is distinguished by the most high performance, due to which it is popular among professional builders. The manufacturer guarantees the output of 65 liters of high-quality polyurethane filler. Installation work on building structures, windows and doors can be carried out in a temperature range from 5 °C to 35 °C, which guarantees correct hardening.

The products of this manufacturer are characterized by an accelerated drying process; complete hardening occurs within two hours. Professional polyurethane foam PROFFLEX PRO GOLD is an environmentally friendly product and fully complies with all quality standards, which is confirmed by certificates. In reviews, owners often note very economical consumption, and optimal density, which guarantees the stability of the material before it hardens.

7 IRFIX B1

There is no secondary expansion. Fire resistant
Country Russia
Average price: 320 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

When performing installation and sealing work in places with increased fire safety requirements, the best choice would be a professional fire resistant foam IRFIX B1. It is perfect for laying cables, installing a chimney or fire doors. Polyurethane foam does not emit toxic substances and is absolutely safe for environment, thanks to which it can be safely used in residential premises.

Ease of use is ensured by a special applicator. The clever composition of this mixture with a low degree of re-expansion allows you to accurately dose the amount of material during the application process, while avoiding accidental overuse, which, in addition, will add work in the form of trimming excess. IRFIX B1 polyurethane foam has very high adhesion to almost all building materials, which significantly expands the range of its applications.

6 Moment Installation

High adhesion
Country Russia
Average price: 339 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.5

By itself favorable price can be purchased at different regions countries polyurethane foam Moment Installation. You can buy a can of this insulating substance at any provincial store. It is available for use with or without a pistol. The most commonly available foam is all-season foam, which is suitable for jobs such as installing windows and doors, filling voids, and sealing seams. Distinctive feature The material is density and homogeneity. The foam has good adhesion to various building materials. After complete drying, an insulation is formed that is not toxic or harmful to the human body.

The advantages of domestic foam Moment Installation include affordable price and good quality. Sometimes there are fakes that have unpleasant smell And yellow. Such foam can squeeze out door frames or window sills when hardened.

5 TechnoNIKOL 65 Constant

Low shrinkage rate
Country Russia
Average price: 357 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The domestic foam TechnoNIKOL 65 Constant has the best universal qualities. It is a polyurethane material that has an increased yield from the cylinder. The product has moderate expansion and increases in volume after filling the voids. The presence of a special formula allows you to maintain volume during the drying process. After hardening, no shrinkage or secondary expansion is observed. Polyurethane foam clings well to the most popular building materials. The exceptions are polyethylene, silicone and fluoroplastic. The product can be used for fixing doors and windows, installing wall panels, roof insulation and plumbing.

In reviews, consumers speak flatteringly about the availability of TechnoNIKOL 65 Constant foam, predictability, and wide scope of application. The main disadvantage of the product is its absence in stores in small towns.

4 Makroflex Standard

The most popular polyurethane foam in Russia
Country: Estonia
Average price: 280 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.6

The most popular polyurethane foam among homeowners and professional builders is Makroflex Standart. This brand is so popular in our country that you can find the products in the most remote parts of Russia. Foam is intended for sealing cracks and voids, although it is often used as thermal insulation material. Spray cans often flash when installing windows and doors, filling cracks in old houses, garages, barns, etc. K strengths foam should be attributed to good adhesion to a wide variety of building materials. Moreover, it has a homogeneous structure and does not suffer from secondary expansion.

Thanks to the promotion trademark Makroflex Standard polyurethane foam is in demand in our country. Affordable price goes well with technical properties. But reverse side became popular big number fakes In addition, reviews note shrinkage of the material after drying.

3 KRAFTOOL KRAFTFLEX PREMIUM

High fire resistance
A country: Germany (manufactured in Switzerland)
Average price: 345 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

High-quality polyurethane foam KRAFTOOL KRAFTFLEX PREMIUM is made on the basis of polyurethane with the addition of various additives that significantly improve the technical characteristics of the product. This foam is professional and is used with a mounting gun. It is perfect for all-season use for both interior and exterior work. Since this polyurethane foam filler has increased fire resistance, it can be safely used when installing fire doors and windows, as well as for filling any voids and carrying out sealing work.

KRAFTOOL KRAFTFLEX PREMIUM foam has high sound and thermal insulation properties. Complete hardening of the material occurs within 12 hours. Its consumption is very economical - with a cylinder volume of 750 ml, the output is up to 45 liters of solid filler. You can store an incompletely used cylinder of polyurethane foam for quite a long time and in any position thanks to the patented Super Valve (SVS) system.

2 Tytan O2

Low temperature resistance
Country: Poland
Average price: 435 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Tytan O2 winter foam is very popular and respected among domestic builders. It is affordable and has all the necessary qualities. The product is especially distinguished by its adhesion to building materials even in winter conditions. When hardened, the volume is well preserved and shrinkage does not form. And the structure of the polyurethane foam is dense and fine-celled. It is Tytan O2 that professionals choose when they have to install windows and doors in new buildings in frosty weather. The advantages of the insulator include non-toxicity and harmlessness to the human body. This modification also works great when used indoors.

The winter version of Tytan O2 polyurethane foam has many positive feedback. Professional builders They are delighted with the retention of working properties at low temperatures. Weak point The product is fragility outside buildings, fear of ultraviolet radiation.

1 Soudal Soudafoam

Best Fire Retardant Foam
Country: Belgium
Average price: 409 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

In the assortment of the Belgian company Soudal you can find different types polyurethane foam. The fire-resistant modification, which is intended for sealing chimneys, stoves, has excellent quality. plumbing pipes etc. Under certain conditions, the hardened insulator can withstand a fire test for 360 minutes. Foam is also used to increase fire safety, for example, when sealing roofs, installing insulating materials, restoration of the thermal envelope in air conditioning systems. Soudal is famous for its slight secondary expansion, dense and finely porous structure. Has good adhesion.

Professional builders in their reviews highlight such advantages of Soudal polyurethane foam as high quality, wide range of application, no shrinkage. Foam does not tolerate exposure to sunlight, so protection of the seam from UV rays is required.

No repair is complete without polyurethane foam. Is it worth taking the first cylinder you come across? Do you need to focus on popular brands? What is better - foam with a straw or professional? RMNT will help you understand these issues and reveal some secrets of manufacturers.

Polyurethane foam - how it works

Polyurethane foam, along with other types of sealants, is one of the most popular types of insulating materials.

Polyurethane foam (another name is polyurethane foam sealant) is a mixture of two main chemical substances produced from crude oil - polyol and isocyanate. The reaction of these liquids leads to the formation of polyurethane foam - the same composition that comes out of a can of foam.

In the production of foam, various accelerators of chemical processes (catalysts), adhesion enhancers (surfactants), antifreeze and fire-resistant additives and filler gases are also used.

According to the chemical composition, polyurethane foam can be one-component or two-component.

Single-component foam is most widely represented on the building materials market. The polymer included in its composition, when sprayed from a container, enters into a chemical reaction with moisture from the air and, as a result, increases in volume and hardens. The hardening process lasts about a day and depends on the volume of foam used and atmospheric conditions. That is why it is not recommended to foam large voids at once - the composition will not be able to react with air and will remain liquid. To speed up the hardening of the foam, manufacturers recommend additionally moistening the surface. The disadvantage of one-component foam is its short shelf life due to the possibility of uncontrolled chemical reactions occurring in the cylinder.

Two-component foam (also called structural foam) is mainly used in professional construction. In a special cylinder there are two active ingredients are stored separately and connected only when activated. Arising between them chemical reaction does not require additional exposure to air and occurs much faster - two-component foam completely hardens in 20-30 minutes. An additional advantage of this composition is the increased shelf life. But such foam is not suitable for repeated use - after mixing the components, the container must be used completely. Therefore, two-component foam is most often used by window workers and roofers for large volumes of work.

Professional or household - what to choose

There is a widespread belief that household foam (foam with a tube) is a product for beginners, but professional foam (pistol foam) is only for masters of their craft. This is partly true: household foam is most often used for one-time and rough work and does not require special skills, while professional foam requires the use of a fairly expensive gun and a certain skill. But these are not all their differences:

	Household	Professional
Packing	From 300 ml and above	From 750 ml and above
Foam output	Medium, some may not be blown out of the container	High, virtually waste-free
Secondary expansion (foam expansion during curing)	Significant increase in volume - up to two times	Virtually absent
Shrinkage (reduction in size after complete drying)	About 5-7%	From 0 to 3%
Tool	Not required, the cylinder is equipped with a special plastic adapter tube	A mounting gun is required, the cost of which exceeds the price of a foam cylinder several times
Areas of application	One-time work that does not require precise dosage (for example, installing doors and sealing cracks)	Thermal insulation and seam sealing requiring precise application
Opportunity a lot single use balloon	Usually the entire cylinder is used at a time to reuse Before storage, it is necessary to remove any remaining foam from the tube with an aerosol propellant	Used several times. It is recommended to store the opened can with a gun attached to it - when the nozzle is closed, the foam in the gun does not harden. Excess foam is removed with a cleaner.

Many manufacturers take advantage of the fact that household foam is most often purchased by non-professionals, who may use this product only once in their lives. Therefore, the quality requirements for production are often underestimated: in household cans, the volume of filler gas is often increased by reducing the volume of polymer. This leads to the fact that when same size and the weight of the can, the yield of “tubular” foam is lower than that of professional foam. However, given the cost of the mounting gun, it is unlikely that anyone will splurge on purchasing it in order to foam the seams once window box. And it will not be easy for a beginner without experience to cope with professional foam.

Choosing foam - reading the label correctly

We have already looked at the most important differences between household foam and professional foam. What else should you pay attention to when buying foam?

1. Temperature conditions for use. The temperature in degrees must be indicated on the can:

• summer foam - from +5 to +35 °C
• winter foam - from -10 to -35 °C
• all-season foam - from -10 to +35 °C

Important! The indicated numbers indicate the permissible temperature during work! Hardened foam of any season can withstand temperature changes from -40 to +90 °C. But when working with foam at low temperatures, it is worth considering that the yield decreases in proportion to the cooling of the environment.

2. Foam coming out of the container. On many cylinders you can see flashy slogans like “Yield increased!”, “Yield up to 65 liters!” Simple arithmetic will help here: from 1 kg of pure polymer, an average of 65 liters of foam is obtained. The volume of the largest cylinder is about 950 grams, of which approximately 150 grams is gas, 100 grams is the weight of the cylinder itself. 950 - 150 - 100 = 700 grams of polymer in the dry residue, that is, approximately 45 liters of foam at the output. But it is unlikely that anyone will begin to measure the volume of the resulting foam - this is what advertising is designed for.

3. It’s trivial, but be sure to check the expiration date and appearance foam bottle. At long-term storage And mechanical damage a chemical reaction may begin inside the container - the foam will thicken or harden and you will not be able to squeeze it out.

4. Check the weight of the container and shake it slightly - the contents should be quite heavy and easily roll around the container. It makes sense to compare two cylinders of the same volume, but different in price and manufacturer - the difference can be quite noticeable.

Foam brands - proven manufacturers and newcomers to the market

Now any building materials store offers a choice of polyurethane foam with a wide range of prices and manufacturers. We'll look at the brands you're most likely to choose from:

Manufacturer	Price category	pros	Minuses
Macroflex	250-560 rub.	It has good adhesion and a uniform structure. Foam yield corresponds to the declared	IN Lately The quality has deteriorated sharply; the foam shrinks when dried. Often counterfeited
Moment Installation	250-450 rub.	Quite dense and homogeneous structure. Paints well. Can be found at any hardware store	Gives a large secondary expansion, requires dosed use. After a year or two it loses elasticity
Soudal	250-650 rub.	A high-quality product, available in several versions - winter, summer and fire-resistant. Non-toxic, with low odor. Fine porous, non-shrinking	Not sold everywhere. It does not like sunlight (like most foams) - it changes color and crumbles. Requires additional paint coating
Penosil	200-600 rub.	Low secondary expansion, bright White color, excellent foam yield	Not intended for outdoor use - when high temperatures(from +35) stops foaming
Titan	220-460 rub.	Loved by installers for its dense structure and slight secondary expansion. Does not shrink. Recommended for thermal insulation of heating and water supply systems	Average foam yield. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation, it loses its properties after about a year.

All of the above manufacturers are leaders in the polyurethane foam market. They are known to almost everyone due to mass production and significant advertising support.

However, any consumer should understand that the more popular the brand, the brighter and more spectacular the packaging, the more more money the company spends on marketing research and advertising. These costs cannot but affect the cost of the final product. But often the quality of promoted brands begins to limp, to put it mildly.

But manufacturers just entering the market are trying with all their might to take their place in the sun - they focus on the quality of the foam, and not on the appearance of the cylinder. But unknown brands should be purchased only after first checking the availability of all certificates. Having a sanitary-hygienic certificate and a quality certificate will protect you from purchasing a counterfeit or low-quality product.

High-quality foam and pleasant to work with. In the next article, “How to understand silicone sealants: advice from a professional,” you will learn about the varieties silicone sealants and areas of their application.

Video on the topic

Although polyurethane foam appeared on the construction market relatively recently, it has already gained a strong position and popularity among buyers. Why is she so appreciated? Firstly, it is sealed, it works like soundproofing material and does not allow water to pass through. Secondly, polyurethane foam is easy to use. And thirdly, it penetrates into the most hard to reach places, reliably filling small gaps.

In addition, this material, if installed correctly, lasts for many years, allowing you to postpone the next repair for a long time.

Which polyurethane foam to choose: pay attention to types and properties

The foam cylinders presented on the counter can be divided into two large groups:

• professional
• household

Household polyurethane foam is applied using a special tube. Experts warn: such foam is good only for eliminating some minor defects. It can be used to seal cracks, fill cavities, and so on. But for serious installation work, only professional types of foam are required.

Professional foam should be applied with a special gun. Why is this type of foam better for installation? The reasons are as follows:

• professional foam comes out of the bottle many times faster
• it expands less
• the material dries faster.

For dacha work and ordinary household polyurethane foam may also be suitable as a sealant for some areas. But if you want a high-quality, reliable result, your approach must be serious.

Which polyurethane foam to choose for installing windows and doors

As we have already found out, it is better to use only professional foam for installation. Installation of plastic windows and doors is no exception.

True, you can also use household polyurethane foam, but for entrances it is better to use professional types of sealant.

Professional polyurethane foam reduces the risk of violating the integrity of the seams, which means the tightness of PVC windows and entrance and interior doors rises. If this is important to you, do not neglect this advice.

When installing windows, it is also important to consider the outside temperature. Polyurethane foam is divided into summer and winter. Summer is designed for temperatures from +5 to +30 degrees. And the winter one can be used in frosts down to -20. It is worth considering that the cylinder itself should not be cooled - according to the instructions, the packaging temperature should not fall below +5.

The same recommendations apply to other types of installation. For example, the answer to the question which polyurethane foam is best for outdoor use is obvious. You should choose only professional cylinders and take into account weather conditions.

Other important characteristics of polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam may differ in composition. It can be single-component or two-component. The second is less common, but has best qualities- lasts longer, withstands large temperature changes and hardens faster. In addition, it has less secondary expansion. The fact is that the foam expands twice - the first time immediately after application, and the second time within a few hours after hardening.

Another important characteristic is the flammability class. Polyurethane foams are divided into types:

• flammable
• self-extinguishing
• fire resistant

Most types of polyurethane foam belong to the flammable class. They are marked B3. Such foams should only be used in non-residential premises and street structures.

Self-extinguishing foams of class B2 can be used in residential buildings because they are fireproof.

Absolutely fire-resistant and the safest - foams marked B1. They are not flammable.

Properties worth paying attention to:

• foam volume (usually indicated on the packaging)
• hardening speed
• expansion after release
• porosity
• no shrinkage after hardening.

All these properties affect the speed and quality of work.

Take all these tips into account and get started! Remember about the types of polyurethane foam, its main properties and fire safety classes. Follow the recommendations - and then you will achieve high-quality and reliable results.

Fill a seam, crack, install a window or door block, glue the insulation - for all these works and a dozen others, polyurethane foam is used. If you go to any hardware store, you will see at least a dozen items. And in large or specialized ones there can be hundreds. Which one should you choose? Which polyurethane foam is better? Depends on conditions, tasks and requirements.

What is polyurethane foam and how is it formed?

Polyurethane foam is a foamed polymer that quickly hardens (polymerizes) in air. Release form: metal cylinders of various volumes. The cylinder contains a prepolymer in a liquid state and a propellant gas. Substances called propellant gases are characterized by having a low boiling point. Created in a balloon high pressure. When the outlet valve opens, the compound is pushed into an area of ​​lower pressure. When released, the propellant gas boils, forming a large number of air bubbles and inflating the foam.

The choice of polyurethane foam depends on the conditions and tasks

Next, in air, the resulting foam polymerizes - it becomes rigid and hard. The curing process requires water, so it is recommended to wet the surfaces before application. Moisture is also taken from the air. Since there is little moisture in frosty air, there are certain compositions for such conditions.

Properties

Do not confuse polyurethane foam with glue. By the way, there is glue in similar containers that also foams. But there is a completely different composition and nothing can be securely glued to the mounting foam. It can support/hold in a certain position, but none has the strength of an adhesive connection. So don't be confused. This is not its area of ​​application.

How to understand which polyurethane foam is better? You need to know its properties

To correctly understand where polyurethane foam can be used, you need to know about its properties. They are very good:

• Mounting property. This is tying, connecting, attaching (not gluing) parts of a structure.
• Soundproofing. Polyurethane foam cannot be called soundproofing, but it reduces the noise level.
• Thermal insulation. Due to large quantity air enclosed in thin polymer bubbles reduces thermal conductivity.
• Good adhesion to almost all building materials. Cannot be used only with silicone, rubber, and some also with polyethylene.

Main Application construction foam- installation. It’s not for nothing that it’s called polyurethane foam. But it is also not bad as insulation and sound insulation. Not perfect, but not bad. Filling seams, cracks, sealing/thermal insulation of communication inputs - this is its area of ​​application. In this it is difficult for her to find competitors. How were such gaps filled in the past? They hammered it with rags and covered it with mortar. Foam in this regard is much more convenient and has better properties.

Important Features

Any type of polyurethane foam has two important characteristics — primary and secondary expansion. Primary expansion is how much the mass increases in volume before the end of polymerization. There are foams with both high primary expansion and low ones. Which polyurethane foam is better - with large or small expansion? It’s impossible to say for sure. They are used in different cases. Low expansion foam is good for filling small cavities, as well as for layer-by-layer filling of deep seams, when installing EPS. Large expansion is more beneficial when filling cavities, using as sound insulation, thermal insulation.

Specifically speaking, for doors, it is better to take foam with low expansion. Moreover, both primary and secondary. Unfortunately, this is a professional foam, so you will also need a gun.

The left picture is an illustration of a large secondary expansion. Do you see how the primary frame has been torn apart? Well, the difference between foams is in density and “fluidity”

Secondary expansion is an increase in foam volume after completion of the polymerization process. Which polyurethane foam is better for this reason? Definitely the one with the smaller secondary expansion. Why? Because this process is difficult to predict. A possible consequences serious - deformation of flexible or moving parts. For example, a window frame or door jambs may bend if the foam increases too much. And even the spacers that are installed do not always help.

Why then do we need construction foam with high secondary expansion? It has its own area of ​​application - filling cavities and cracks in rigid and stable materials and structures. For example, in concrete, as a filler with thermal insulating properties between the wall and the brick finish. Foam with higher secondary expansion is cheaper. For large volumes this is important.

Foam output

Another thing you need to pay attention to is the foam output. This is the volume that can come out of the cylinder. It is indicated in liters. Typically, the larger the cylinder, the greater the yield. But not always. With the same cylinder size, the difference in output can be about 20-30%. It can be determined by mass. The heavier the cylinder (weight indicated), the greater the yield will be.

As you can see, identical-looking cylinders contain different quantities foam

What else is worth knowing is that the actual yield of polyurethane foam is usually less than declared (this is more often the case with household types). To ensure the required volume, it is necessary to accurately select the proportions of the prepolymer and filler gas. And not all brands can boast of this. Here is a list of those who consistently produce the declared volumes:

• Soudal (Soudal) professional lines (not household).
• Penosil (Penosil) Gold (Gold) and Premium (Premium).
• Moment Installation (very inexpensive and widespread).
• Wellfoam (WellFom).
• Hilti (Hilti).
• Kim Tec (Kim Tek).
• Den Braven (Den Braven).
• Illbruck (Illbrook).
• Tytan (Titanium) (some batches either do not work at all or produce less than half of what was declared).

Perhaps there are others good brands construction foam. But these are the ones that, according to builders, very rarely fail. When purchasing, look at production date. After a year, the valve begins to poison, the filler gas comes out, and the output, accordingly, decreases.

To good foam retained its properties, it must be stored correctly

Note! You need to work with polyurethane foam, which has room temperature. In cold weather, you need to pre-warm it. Even winter or all-season.

Types and applications

All cylinders with polyurethane foam can be divided by area of ​​application: household and professional. They are also different in appearance. Professional ones are made for a special pistol. It won't be possible to work without it. Household ones have a push valve (as in aerosols) and a long thin tube. Of course, these are not all the differences. There is a difference in properties:

• Curing speed. Professional ones harden faster. Some brands become hard after 30 minutes. “Normal polymerization time” is 24 hours. This is how long it is recommended to wait after applying the foam before continuing work.
• Amount of secondary expansion. For professional ones it is about 30-50% of the primary volume, for household ones it can be 130-250%.
• Dimensions of cavities. Foam consisting of small bubbles is considered good. This is what distinguishes professional ones, although some household ones also have few large cavities. But they are not cheap either.

Which polyurethane foam is better, we decide by characteristics

Of the entire list, the most unpleasant is the large secondary expansion. Why is this bad? Because when foaming windows, door frames, strongly expanding foam can bend the wood or profiles. Well, because it grows too actively, it is difficult to dose, which leads to large overspending. So the difference in price turns out to be quite insignificant. If it remains at all.

When and where to use these types of polyurethane foam? Household foam is also suitable for filling cavities and holes in rigid structures. For example, Boxer, Ultima, Cosmoflex, Wellfom, Storehouse. When installing doors and windows, it is better to work with a professional. These are Ilbrook, Penosil, Soudal, Titan.

Species by season

Polyurethane foam is divided into temperature conditions applications. There are the following types:

• Summer. Use at temperatures above zero, but not lower than +5°C.
• Winter. It can be used in frosts down to -18°C.
• All-season. Its stated range is from -10°C to +35°C, but it is optimal to use it somewhere in the region from +10°C to zero. At lower temperatures, winter is better, at higher levels, summer is better.

Which polyurethane foam is better: which one is suitable for temperature conditions?

In a heated room we use summer foam; if we foam windows in winter, we use winter or all-season foam, depending on the temperature outside. In general, the “specialized” one—summer or winter—performs better. They are adapted for certain conditions, and this is always more reliable than the universal option (all-season).

When working in winter, do not leave the foam in the cold. Bring it into a warm place. If it gets too cold, it will be too fluid and won’t hold its shape. In general, we always keep the foam warm. And one more thing - more foam comes out of a warm balloon.

By flammability

Polyurethane foam must also be selected based on flammability. There are three classes:

• flammable - the cylinder is marked B3;
• self-extinguishing (no fire, it does not burn) is marked B2;
• non-flammable (even in fire it retains its properties for a certain period of time) is designated class B1.

Flammable and non-flammable mounting foams. The degree of flammability is indicated by the letter B and numbers from 1 to 3. B1 - non-flammable, B2 - self-extinguishing, B3 - flammable

In wooden and frame buildings, it is best to use non-flammable construction foam. It should also be used in rooms with increased fire safety requirements. In houses there is such a room - . Every serious manufacturer has fireproof/non-flammable polyurethane foam. You need to watch it in a professional line. For example, Tytan B1, Soudal FR, Den Braven (Den Braven), Kim-Tec (Kim Tek).

There are also two-component polyurethane foams. But they harden very quickly, so they are used by professionals, and even then not all. You need skill to work, but two-component foam costs a lot.

Special types

There are some types of work that require special properties.

The brands listed are far from the only ones. There are others too. Look at serious manufacturers of construction chemicals, read the characteristics, look for reviews. We are already accustomed to the fact that the stated characteristics do not always coincide with reality.

Guns for professional polyurethane foam

If you decide to use professional polyurethane foam, you will need a gun for it. There is a wide range of prices here. But for one-time use, you can take an inexpensive one. The price does not affect the amount of foam. It’s just that the more expensive ones better control the intensity of foam output and deliver it over a greater distance.

Professional polyurethane foam requires a special gun

The ability to adjust the feed intensity is available in any, but the level of control is different. After use, if the cylinder is not empty, it can remain in the gun for 2 weeks or a month. During this period, you can simply continue working. But a “loaded” pistol must be stored in a warm room, not in direct sunlight.

When replacing the cylinder, if the foam flows normally, no additional manipulations are needed. If the foam stops coming out and the container is not yet empty, the nozzle may be clogged. Then the nozzle can be washed. If the liquid comes out without problems, then the problem is in the cylinder. Usually the propellant runs out prematurely, but the copolymer can also run out. After finishing the work, the cylinder is removed, the gun (nozzle) is washed with a solvent (spray foam cleaner). No other manipulations are required.

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