Ways to Use Concrete with Foam Plastic

Insulation plays a crucial role in keeping our homes warm and comfortable. However, it’s more crucial than ever to find effective and environmentally friendly insulation solutions due to the growing concern for environmental sustainability. Using concrete and foam plastic together is one creative method that is gaining popularity. Numerous advantages, including increased structural strength and energy efficiency, are provided by this special combination.

Concrete has long been used in construction because of its reputation for strength and adaptability. But when combined with foam plastic, it becomes even more useful. Because it is lightweight and insulating, foam plastic is frequently used for insulation. It enhances concrete by providing an additional layer of thermal protection. This combination reduces energy consumption and helps to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature by forming a strong barrier against heat loss.

The fact that concrete and foam plastic can serve as a single material for both structural support and insulation is one of its key benefits. In the past, structural components and insulation have been treated as distinct entities in construction. Nevertheless, a more efficient method is made possible by the incorporation of foam plastic into concrete, which lessens the requirement for extra materials and streamlines the construction process.

Additionally, foam plastic concrete offers versatility in terms of application and design. Adaptable to different architectural styles and specifications, this composite material can be used in residential, commercial, or industrial structures. Concrete with foam plastic is versatile enough to be used in a wide range of construction projects, from classic brick and mortar homes to sleek, contemporary designs.

Concrete with foam plastic not only has thermal insulation qualities, but it also helps to insulate sound, making the interior environment calmer and quieter. Homes next to busy roads or in noisy urban areas will especially benefit from this. Residents’ quality of life and wellbeing can be enhanced by lowering external noise pollution.

Advantages of using foam plastic

Foam plastic is widely regarded as the best material for insulating floors by experts. It has many beneficial qualities and is reasonably priced:

• high level of thermal insulation – foam plastic perfectly retains heat, which is due to its structure consisting of round granules. There is an air cushion between them, preventing the leakage of warm air;
• excellent level of sound insulation – foam layer in the floor screed will protect the neighbors below from various noises, primarily from the sound of footsteps;
• fire resistance – this material is characterized by a short burning period and has the ability to self-extinguish. Even if the fire reaches the foam layer during a strong fire, no harmful compounds will be released during heating;
• long service life – foam plastic is not subject to shrinkage, rotting and can serve for several decades without losing its characteristics.

Foam plastic works great for insulating floors.

This material is a great alternative for floor insulation because of all these qualities. In addition to the aforementioned qualities, it has a very simple work process and is easily machined.

Features of foam plastic

Foam board grade	PSB-C15	PSB-C25	PSB-S25F	PSB-C35	PSB-C50
Material density, kg/m3	10-11	15-16	16-17	25-27	35-37
Compressive strength at 10% linear deformation, MPa, not less	0,05	0,1	0,12	0,16	0,16
Bending strength, MPa, not less than	0,07	0,18	0,2	0,25	0,3
Thermal conductivity in a dry state at a temperature of 25 (+-5 degrees), W / (m * K), not more than	0,037	0,035	0,037	0,033	0,041
Humidity of boards, %, not more	1	1	1	1	1
Self-burning time, sec, not more	3	3	3	3	3
Water absorption in 24 hours, %, not more	1	1	1	1	1
Service life, years (minimum-maximum)	20-50	20-50	20-50	20-50	20-50

Foam layer and screed pouring

Starting from the wall across from the doorway, the foam plastic is placed on the screed that hasn’t dried yet. Arrange the insulating components in a staggered pattern and use rubbing motions to secure them. Construction tape is used to seal seams, preventing the cement composition from penetrating the layer. After that, until the thermal insulation layer is totally dry, work is suspended for a few days.

Arranging foam boards

Foam plastic installation for the floor beneath the screed

After the foam has been firmly affixed to the base, apply the reinforcing layer next. Usually, a metal mesh with mesh dimensions of 10*10 cm is used to create it. However, you cannot place it directly on the foam as this will prevent it from serving its intended function of lessening the pressure on the insulation. The foam layer has plastic supports installed on it to maintain the mesh’s suspended position.

Mesh reinforcement is put in place.

Beacons must be installed in order for the mortar to be distributed uniformly throughout the surface. The elements can be arranged in any order, and the distance between them shouldn’t be longer than the rule’s length.

Before using, cement mortar is made and spread over the foam plastic and grid. The cement mixture needs to be well compacted once the reinforcing layer is fully submerged beneath it. There are two ways to complete the work with the screed:

• the floor is leveled according to the beacons;
• Beacons are equipped with profiles for GPB, and then the leveling is carried out according to them.

Either way, the last layer of cement should be roughly 8 cm thick. The screed can be safely walked on after three days, and repair work can be resumed a week after it is poured. But the surface won’t become strong enough until it has dried completely, which takes 28 days. In order to prevent drying out and cracking, the screed is now periodically misted with water.

In general, it’s common to hear complaints regarding cement screed cracking. A breach of the process’s technology results in the appearance of this annoyance. Particularly when working in large rooms and refusing to cut shrinkage joints. Twelve hours after the cement layer is poured, the joints are formed.

About one-third of the screed’s thickness should be the depth of the seams. They are cut with specialized tools.

Proceed with the installation of flooring, which can be anything at all, after the surface has finished hardening. The floor will remain at room temperature if the thermal insulation is installed correctly and there are no heat-releasing cracks in the walls or ceiling.

Floor covering	Prices, rub/m2
Linoleum	100-700
Polyvinylchloride coatings	On average from 1000
Cork flooring	On average from 1600
Laminate	170-1250
Tile	300-1500
Carpeting	70-2000
Parquet	1000-2600
Poured floors	On average from 800-1000

Foam house construction instructions

After determining the material’s advantages and disadvantages, installation can begin. However, you must first get everything ready.

Stage 1. Tools, materials

The task will need:

• foam blocks;
• finishing material;
• sand;
• wires, pipes;
• metal reinforcement ø12 mm;
• steel wire for binding;
• 600-grade cement;
• water;
• crushed stone;
• concrete mixer.

Stage 2. Foundation

The foundation is built first in a house construction. A standard strip foundation is the best choice, but it all depends on the local soil conditions.

A support is added to the foundation after it has been poured. Wooden planks measuring 50 by 60 mm are positioned around the foundation’s perimeter for this reason. Boards of a comparable thickness should be used to lay down the remaining area.

Kindly take note! The wood is treated with an antiseptic and fire retardant after it is laid. Step Three

Step 3. Assembly of the structure

The thermodome is assembled similarly to a constructor; the blocks are nested one into the other, fitted with fittings, and then assembled into the walls.

Blocks of foam, assembly

Step 1: Clean, level, and thoroughly dry the foam blocks in order to get them ready for assembly.

Step 2: The blocks are then put together to form walls and joined together with grooves. Blocks are rearranged with reinforcement between each row.

Step 3: Get the mortar for concrete ready. In order to achieve this, a concrete mixer is filled with a mixture of cement, crushed stone, and sand in a ratio of 1:3:3, then filled with enough water to create a liquid mixture.

Step 4: Mortar is poured into the spaces between the block layers after five rows have been run. It is best to tap each block’s side surface when pouring, as this will cause the concrete to shrink more densely.

Step 5: Put the next five rows of blocks together to form a portion of the wall, then pour mortar once more. Until the construction is finished, the process is repeated.

Step 6: The house’s wiring, sewage, and other communications systems are installed right into the walls. The walls are then finished and covered with a roof. It is typical that piping should be installed in the still hollow walls, and electrical wiring should pass through the grooves that have already been pre-drawn; grooving the foam plastic should not present any issues.

The selection of roofing materials is also unrestricted. Since the foam house is a monolithic construction that can support any weight, you can even cover it with real shingles.

Note: It is best to begin building the thermodome during the warm season, when the temperature is not below -10ᵒC.

For an extended period, Styrofoam blocks maintain their original characteristics. There is even a belief that, given the right circumstances, a house constructed with these blocks could last up to 100 years.

Expanded Polystyrene House

Stage 4. Finishing

As previously stated, the thermodome’s wall finishes, both inside and out, are essentially unrestricted. Using decorative plaster or regular paint and creating plasterboard lining from the inside is more cost-effective.

Advantages of polystyrene foam blocks

The building material mentioned above has a lot of advantages.

– Excellent insulation against sound and heat. The fact that you won’t need to purchase needless extra materials in order to insulate the structure also helps to drastically lower the cost of construction.

Polystyrene concrete benefits

– This material will aid in obtaining a less powerful foundation because of its small mass.

– The processing and manufacturing of this building material are straightforward. The foam blocks of the specified type are incredibly easy to saw and mount.

– The material mentioned above has a 100-year service life.

– Reasonable price. By using basic tools and understanding the fundamentals of the process, this material can be produced on its own.

Expanded polystyrene concrete application

– The materials used to make these foam blocks are safe for the environment. There are no toxins present at all in this material.

– Outstanding defense against biological and chemical effects.

Resistance to cracking is a positive attribute. The material is not destroyed in the event of a strong impact.

Disadvantages of expanded polystyrene concrete

This material has negative attributes in addition to positive ones.

1. Not very good connection strength with the materials necessary for fastening. Anchor fasteners can cause the blocks to collapse.
2. Window or door constructions with great problems can be mounted in concrete fences.
3. Low degree of fire resistance. Blocks are not combustible, but the influence of excessive temperature can provoke the loss of strength of the building material.
4. Blocks need additional plastering.
5. When using this material it is necessary to pre-design ventilation systems.

It is impossible to refer to polystyrene concrete blocks as universal due to their technical specifications. Today’s builders are using polystyrene foam concrete a lot because of its many benefits. This material is very helpful if you want to build a house or create sound and heat insulation with your hands.

Mix preparation

Foam crumbs make up the majority of the mortar. It comes in two varieties:

• ready-to-use granules;
• crumbs can be obtained by crushing the foam on a special crusher.

Crushing Styrofoam is more cost-effective than purchasing pre-made granules. Additionally, any leftover sheets can be used; using entire sheets is not required.

The proportion of ingredients used to prepare concrete is as follows:

• 1 part water;
• 1 part of cement;
• 2 parts sand;
• 4 parts crumb.

It is preferable to use M500 brand cement instead of a lower-quality alternative when preparing mortar. The actual reason why higher-grade cement is needed is because the use of foam admixture itself weakens the final mortar. In this instance, adding Styrofoam to the concrete won’t significantly lessen its strength.

Foam

Pros and cons of handmade crushing

As previously mentioned, the foundation of foam concrete is a crumb, which you can easily make with your hands and does not necessarily need to be purchased from a store. Nevertheless, there are several drawbacks to this strategy:

• higher material consumption compared to the finished product;
• the strength of the ready-mix concrete will be lower. This is due to the fact that the solution will contain chopped granules and increase the percentage of water absorption. In addition, this is also affected by granules of different sizes.

One of the benefits is that it’s far more cost-effective this way. Any kind of foam can be utilized for the task.

Preparation of mortar

The kneading technique itself is identical to the traditional one. For mixing, a concrete mixer works best. Additionally, the order of the works is as follows:

• Cement and sand are loaded into the tank;
• foam granules are added afterwards;
• Then the mixture is well mixed and water is added to it.

All that’s left to do is wait for the solution to be thoroughly combined before using it for the task.

Crucial! In order to counteract foam concrete’s primary drawback—its low strength—special strengthening additives must be added to the mixture.

Granules that are ready

1 Advantages of frame constructions

Frame houses perform noticeably better when they are insulated with foam, which siding will be installed on top of. It gets better:

• Thermal insulation characteristics;
• Noise insulation;
• Vapor permeability;
• Performance indicators.

It is reasonable to assume that using foam insulation for either the inside or outside of a frame house would be a wise choice, given that Penoplex serves a multitude of protective purposes.

With the advancement of technology, it is now possible to consider using extruded polystyrene foam as an alternative to foam insulation for the attic, and to utilize it for both internal and external wall insulation in frame houses.

You can use Penoplex or minwool for the same purpose. With the proper amount of neatness, siding will be able to press the insulation from the inside to the wall’s surface.

Use mineral wool to insulate the frame house from the inside. There are guidelines and recommendations that must be followed before installing siding on the exterior of the walls.

Furthermore, siding offers the insulation layer and the walls a dependable degree of protection. Presently, the majority of private homeowners favor frame constructions because they are highly profitable and cost-effective to build.

The actual construction is fairly straightforward; it consists of a wood frame that is placed on top of an installed foundation.

Foam plastic insulation for the exterior of the frame house

After that, plywood or OSB boards—which resemble Knauf Therm foam—are used to sheath the installed frame. It is important to note that the cost of the wood used to build frame houses is significantly less than that of their alternative analogs.

Furthermore, the cost of an existing frame house is significantly less than that of a similar structure built using brick or stone.

It takes just fourteen days to construct a building of this kind. The interior walls are then completed. The very low weight of the entire structure has no effect on its strength properties.

This also helps to maintain a light load on the building’s entire foundation structure. All of this indicates that the homes of the frame type are dependable shielded against abrupt base subsidence, which may result in splits and fractures.

Assortment of foam blocks

Foam block serves as the primary framework for forming a monolithic wall or a section of the foundation beneath the reinforced concrete mix that is being poured. Thermoblock surfaces are exposed to a variety of facing operations, furniture product fixes, and engineering communications installations.

Various types of foam blocks can be used to pour concrete, depending on the intended use:

• plug – end at the end of the pilasters;
• corners of entrance groups, bay windows;
• thin wall elements to form an internal partition of a household room;
• corner parts of the foundation, facade, inner wall;
• Intermediate blocks for walls;
• blind ties for window and door openings.

Because of their physical properties, foam materials can be filled with multiple cells to fill walls and can be easily cut by hand with a hacksaw. During assembly, a gradual shift of 25 cm with respect to the previous foundation belt is applied in order to align the ends of the inner empty space. Foam blocks spare the exterior wall of the house from rough finishing.

Using concrete with foam plastic can be revolutionary for insulation and heating in your home. Making your home more comfortable and energy-efficient is possible when you combine the insulating qualities of foam plastic with the durability of concrete. These cutting-edge techniques provide both structural strength and thermal efficiency, from lightweight concrete panels for roofs and floors to insulating concrete forms (ICFs) for walls. Foam plastic and concrete combine to provide homeowners with better temperature control, lower energy costs, and a smaller environmental footprint. This makes it an excellent option for contemporary building and remodeling projects.

Styrofoam and concrete, addition of Styrofoam to concrete

Foam and concrete are categorized as building materials and are widely used. If we consider the second composition in this list, then at the moment it is considered the most used and the most applied in such a sphere. The reason for this is that at a relatively low cost it is possible to obtain a high quality construction using the monolithic method. Depending on what characteristics are required, different proportions are used. The price strongly depends on the cement content of the mixture. The higher the percentage of this component relative to the others, the greater the strength characteristics. Additionally, the growth of other parameters is provided: frost resistance, wear resistance, durability, water resistance and mobility. Quite often there is a need to achieve some improvement in certain properties of this type of material. Foam and concrete are relatively recently used together, as they provide increased thermal insulation qualities. To achieve a similar effect, several methods can be used. The greatest efficiency implies performing the thermal insulation separately, because it allows to achieve an excellent result. The disadvantages include low resistance to moisture, as well as some other features that play an important role in the process of operation. All this should be taken into account to guarantee the expected result and some other benefits. Foam and concrete allows for resistance to external factors. Both materials are highly water resistant. If we consider foam plastic, it is completely inert to moisture and it does not have any effect on it.

There are some features that ensure the effectiveness of using such a bond only in some cases. Foam and concrete is well suited when it is necessary to create a floor under the garage or other structures of a similar type. The cost of carrying out the work is minimal. It is significantly lower than that required in the process of creating other types of objects. This factor can be considered as the main advantage. It is illogical to use concrete and foam in residential buildings. As practice shows, concrete floors are used under parquet and some other types of coverings. Properly performed insulation will give a much better effect, albeit at a higher cost. Laying the material on the second and subsequent floors is considered questionable for the reason that the protection between floors will not give the expected effect. It is worth studying more carefully the addition of foam to concrete, because this type of work is considered relatively new and in specific situations can provide quite a serious advantage. First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of mixing. It is recommended to use a foam crusher or special pellets, which can be purchased in building materials stores. When foam is added to concrete, they must have the same dimensions. The total amount relative to other components is determined according to needs. You have to make a choice between durability and thermal insulation qualities. Styrofoam in concrete means that the strength index is reduced. Its reduction leads to a number of negative effects, which includes the inability to withstand loads above a certain maximum. There are some significant advantages to such a process as adding foam to concrete. They consist in the fact that the resulting material will have pores, but its moisture permeability and frost resistance will not decrease in the process of operation

This is crucial because it broadens the range of current applications that are possible.

The size of the granules added during the mixing stage is one of the many factors that affect the strength of concrete made from foam plastic. Their resistance to loads decreases with increasing diameter.

Disadvantages of polystyrene foam blocks

• Blocks cannot withstand high temperatures. The temperature limit is 90ºC.
• Blocks are fire hazardous. Additional fire safety measures are required.
• Blocks are easy to damage. Despite the apparent strength, the block is easy to pierce even with a finger. It is necessary to putty the walls.

Furthermore, some contend that polystyrene foam and all "chemistry" are detrimental to the environment. I am unable to disprove this fact in any way. Polystyrene foam blocks fully adhere to all GOST and norm requirements, as well as sanitary regulations. But sometimes it is difficult to persuade someone of something that should be obvious. Herein lies the role of the psychological component. Despite the fact that foam plastic is widely available and has been used for a long time to insulate buildings and decorate interior spaces.

Polystyrene foam blocks cost roughly 4-5 u.е. This price is typical, in theory. For instance, you can use brick to compute the overall cost of construction. Both inside and outside the house, Thermodom provides you with a wall that is ready for finishing. Almost any material can be applied to the finish, including putty, wallpaper, paint, siding, etc. If your home is made of brick, you will also need to insulate the surfaces with the same foam plastic, which will cost even more, and plaster and putty at least the interior walls.

Because the high price already includes finished, finished, and insulated walls, you shouldn’t be alarmed by it. Advantageous? Yes, in my perspective!

As of right now, GOST permits the construction of thermodomes up to 15 meters tall, or 4-5 stories.

Advantages of the building material

To the use of foam plastic with concrete specialists began to resort to relatively recently. The combination of these materials increases the thermal insulation properties of the walls. One of the main advantages of the polymer is considered to be moisture resistance. In addition, foam plastic increases the resistance of the structure to external factors. At the same time, the cost of performing such work is minimal. Prices are lower than the cost of creating other types of objects. This feature is the main advantage. Nevertheless, despite the obvious advantages, the combination of concrete and crushed stone is not characterized by durability. To increase this indicator, it is necessary to mix the solution in the correct proportions: crumbs (balls) of foam plastic, as well as other components.

Foundation

The most crucial component of the building is the foundation. This serves as your home’s foundation. It needs to be completed accurately and well in order to further prevent a number of challenges and issues that can come up during the building’s construction as well as during operation. The kind of foundation is chosen based on the findings of geodetic surveys conducted at the "spot" of the building, while also considering the unique characteristics of the undertaking and the designer’s advancements.

The foundation should be buried to a depth of 100 to 120 cm, which corresponds to the freezing point of the local soil in the Kiev region.

The design solution states that the entire space beneath the foundation must be filled with a layer of crushed stone and river sand prior to pouring concrete. Rainwater underneath the foundation is being diverted by doing this. A number of other procedures are also required for the correct laying of the foundation, but since they are comparable to conventional construction methods, we won’t go into detail about them here.

The only significant distinction is that the thermoblock wall weighs 360 kg instead of 980 kg and is 25 cm thick, which allows for a much thinner foundation when compared to a brick wall made of two bricks. The foundation for the Thermodom wall only needs to be 30 cm thick, as opposed to 60 cm as it would be in a brick home. It is more than sufficient to support the required weight and save a significant amount of money on supplies and excavation labor. It is essential to waterproof the entire area and level the foundation with mortar before building walls.

PHOTOS OF OUR PROJECTS

Production of foam plastic blocks to order

In addition to costs, the price list (PDF) includes comprehensive guidelines for using permanent formwork.

What questions remain? – 15 minutes to process an application.

Formwork blocks with adjustable core (BNO):

Total measurements (DxWxB): 1210–150/250–300 mm.

Wall thickness:	KTD polystyrene foam grade	KTF foam polystyrene grade
50/50	709,00 rub/m2	1175,00 rub./м2
50/75	845,00 rub/m2	1425,00 rub./м2
50/100	980,00 rub/m2	1670,00 rub./м2
75/100	1090,00 rub/m2	1920,00 rubles./м2

Advantages of foam blocks for construction companies

Foam blocks are used to make foundation belts and wall formworks, which lower heat loss and conserve energy while a building is in use. By using polymeric material reinforcement and hardware cutting, thermoblocks can be produced quickly.

Foam block has numerous benefits and is inexpensive enough for all citizens with average incomes to purchase.

• excellent insulation against street noise;
• time saving on erecting a quality foundation with the help of foam plastic, concrete and reinforcement;
• easy installation of engineering systems;
• do not let in moisture, wind, frost;
• foam plastic walls "breathe", which provides a comfortable microclimate in the room.

Important information about foam blocks

The lintels that connect the integral, indivisible, monolithic foam blocks for concrete pouring are located between the layers of solidified concrete pouring. They are a good substitute for brick walls, which are far more expensive and lack the necessary level of warmth in the space when they don’t have foam panels.

Contemporary foam blocks for building can be used in any quantity and have the perfect surface for quick and simple finishing.

• bark plasters;
• putties;
• metal roofing;
• paints;
• Wallpaper;
• siding.

Styrofoam thermoblocks are commonly utilized in the construction of retaining walls, pool formwork, and building foundations.

Buy foam blocks for construction

To place an order for high-quality blanks for insulation and construction, get in touch with "Sistema Industrial Group." Foam blocks in the required size and thickness can be purchased here for a reasonable price. The structure will be produced and shipped to the customer’s address promptly.

An assortment of our creations

How to stir the Styrofoam and cement mortar together

The floor slabs will be stressed when the screed is completed using cement mortar. This is terrible, so you have to add foam crumbs to the cement mixture to drastically reduce it. The simultaneous increase in sound and heat insulation is a significant factor.

Crumbs should be treated with a special solution before being added to cement.

You may utilize these crumbs:

• crushed, obtained by crushing foam pieces;
• primary, specially produced for use in building mortars.

The cost of the first type is lower than that of the second.

How much cement should be used to make foam crumb for concrete mortar? Everything is very easy to understand:

• 4 to 5 buckets of fine foam crumbs;
• 1 part of M 500 cement;
• 2 parts coarse sand;
• 1 part of water.

Blend all the ingredients together using a concrete mixer. It will only take five minutes or less, and you’ll be left with a slightly dry mixture that looks like buckwheat groats.

Concrete with crumbs – negative points

As was previously mentioned, there is a high degree of soundproofing and thermal insulation in the mortar mixture with a light filler (foam crumb). Furthermore, this material does not absorb moisture and is not porous.

However, foam balls that interact with sand and cement mortar are not robust. They are destroyed by the action of oxygen. They’ll destroy everything in about twenty years.

For this reason, plastering over concrete that contains crumb foam is essential. Additionally, a material like foam plastic isn’t always completely safe. Foam balls simply melt when heated and release toxic gas because they combine with sand and cement to become non-combustible.

Instructions for preparing concrete with foam plastic crumbs

First, the concrete mixer needs to be filled with cement and sand. Pour the crumb after that. The components should now be combined before adding the water. It is imperative to consider the ratios of cement to foam crumbs to prevent the mixture from disintegrating in the future. Once all the ingredients have been combined, add the water and stir until the mixture is homogenous.

The final product will be positively differentiated from pure concrete by the following attributes:

• Reduction of heat conductivity;
• Light weight, with the possibility of reducing the stresses on the foundation;
• Increased soundproofing;
• Significant cost reduction.

However, in spite of all its benefits, this product’s durability is conspicuously lacking. The ratio of crumbs from foam plastic and other components must be maintained for this indicator to be normal.

Advantages of polystyrene foam formwork

As we recently discovered, foam plastic works better for formwork. It is a material that is safe for the environment to use, as no harmful materials are used in its production. Additional benefits of this content are as follows:

1. easy installation, which saves a lot of time and money;
2. long service life;
3. The possibility of digging a not too deep trench during installation;
4. cost-effectiveness;
5. Drainage is sufficient for waterproofing protection of the foundation;
6. Foam boards are not as attractive to rodents as other materials and, in addition, do not rot;
7. high thermal insulation values, allowing significant savings on insulation;
8. installation channels in the blocks, intended for laying various kinds of communications.

The structures do, of course, have some shortcomings, albeit minor ones. These may consist of:

1. impossibility of construction in the winter period;
2. mandatory grounding of the house under construction;
3. Humidity in such walls will be very high, in connection with which it will be necessary to arrange forced ventilation.

Nothing is simpler than using polystyrene foam to insulate the foundation!

We suggest that you thoroughly read our article on using polystorol foam to insulate the foundation.

How to calculate the cost of construction

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the cost savings resulting from the use of foam formwork, let’s compute the approximate cost of wall construction. The size of the building being built and the current cost of the material—more information on this is provided at the end of the article—are the basis for the calculations. The following is an approximation of the necessary material calculation:

1. concrete – about 125 liters per 1 m. sq. (the price depends on the cost of the required materials);
2. foam plastic formwork – 3.3 pieces per 1 m. sq. (about 500 rubles);
3. reinforcement – about 10 kilograms per 1 m. sq. (specific cost depends on current prices).

If we base our calculations on the prices in Moscow, the approximate cost of building a single floor will be as follows (not including the cost of the work itself):

1. total area (various openings are not included) – about 180 m. sq.;
2. concrete mortar for this area – about 27 cubic meters, that is, 81 thousand rubles;
3. the price of the formwork itself – about 88.2 thousand rubles;
4. rebar – 1800 kilograms or 37.8 thousand rubles.

It turns out that 207 thousand rubles is the average cost of all the consumable materials for one floor.

Dimensions of fixed formwork made of foam plastic

Name	Dimensions	Thickness of thermal insulation
interior	outer
Series 25 (not detachable)
Basic wall block	1250x250x250	50	50
End wall block	1250?250?250	50	50
Corner wall block (right/left)	700?250?250	50	50
500?250?250
Series 30 (not detachable)
Basic wall block	1250?300?250	50	100
End wall block	1250?300?250	50	100
Corner wall block (right/left)	1250?300?250	50	100
500x300x250
Series 35 (detachable)
Wall block	1200?300?250	50	100
Series 50 (not detachable)
Main wall block	1250?300?500	50	100
End wall block	1250?300?500	50	100
Corner wall block (left/right)	450?300?500	50	100
650?300?500

Foam on construction sites

Foam blocks can be utilized as an additional or independent building material in construction. Recently, an all-Styrofoam house was constructed in Alaska. Technology construction is fairly easy. Polystyrene foam standard slabs and blocks are used to realize the design construction. They are welded together after being shaped, measured, and overlapped. The construction is then adhered to both sides using cement-based mixture boards.

Under harsh circumstances, these homes have proven their worth. They save up to 80% on electricity and are inexpensive. Maybe they will come to Russia, but for the time being, we use foam blocks in construction as non-disassembled formwork or as insulation.

A viable option for improving a home’s insulation and heating is to mix concrete with foam plastic. Homeowners can benefit the environment, save money, and increase energy efficiency by taking advantage of these materials’ special qualities.

Excellent thermal insulation qualities of concrete are one of the main benefits of utilizing foam plastic in construction. Regardless of the outside weather, the foam plastic acts as a barrier to heat transfer, assisting in the maintenance of a comfortable temperature inside the house. This is a wise financial decision for homeowners as it can eventually lead to large savings on heating and cooling expenses.

Additionally, the combination of concrete and foam plastic provides strength and structural integrity, guaranteeing that homes will be well-defended against the weather for many years to come. This combination offers greater resistance to moisture, pests, and other common sources of damage than conventional building materials like wood or brick.

Incorporating concrete with foam plastic into home construction has benefits beyond utility; it also supports sustainability objectives. Homes can lessen their environmental impact and help create a greener future by minimizing the need for frequent maintenance or replacements and reducing energy consumption.

To sum up, combining concrete with foam plastic is a viable method for improving the insulation and heating of residential buildings. For homeowners looking to improve the comfort, efficiency, and sustainability of their living spaces, this approach presents a compelling option thanks to its superior thermal performance, durability, and eco-friendly features.

Video on the topic

Foam lacquer paint concrete floor

🔨Polystyrene concrete, testing of compositions. Crushed concrete, fiber, no sand

CONCRETE ETCHING (SECRET TECHNOLOGY)

Lacquer from gasoline xylene and Styrofoam All the truth from my experience. What became of it after the winter. Is it worth it?

Thin concrete wall constructions. Construction technology of monolithic dome houses. SCIP

Correct Polystyrene Concrete with your own hands. Theory.

Foam scraps are a real treasure, never throw away

I don"t throw away leftover foam anymore! Experiments and applications!