Rising energy bills are prompting us to look for solutions to reduce the demand for electricity and heat, or to use them more efficiently. Nevertheless, the ecological aspect is no less important in this case – at the current rate of consumption we are in danger of irreversible devastation of the planet.
To address these challenges, manufacturers are coming up with various types of solutions aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. One of them is thermal paint. Such insulating paint is intended to act as a thermal insulation coating, preventing excessive heat escape from the building. Does this solution really work? How to check its effectiveness?
What are thermal insulation paints and how do they work?
Insulating wall paint is a specialized product with thermal insulation properties. Its key property is to reflect thermal radiation (hence its other name: reflective paint). Thermal insulating coatings achieve this remarkable effect thanks to the glass microspheres in their composition, in which there is a pressure as close as possible to a vacuum, increasing thermal resistance.
As for heat-insulating paints, user reviews are generally positive. It is worth remembering that the effectiveness of such a solution depends, among other things, on the knowledge of the thermal insulation coating contractor. Even the best thermal insulation paint will not work if you apply too thin a layer or lay it incompetently. In addition, different products are suitable for different applications – there is thermal insulation paint for the roof, thermal insulation facade paint, as well as interior thermal insulation paint (for walls and ceilings). Each is characterized by slightly different performance characteristics and exhibits different degrees of resistance to environmental conditions.
Interior and exterior thermal insulation paints
Insulating a building inside and outside requires the use of different paints. Exterior thermal insulation paint is characterized by high resistance to adverse weather conditions – that is, to rain, snow, hail, but also to intense UV radiation.
Depending on the season, exterior heat-insulating paint affects the indoor temperature in different ways. In winter, it reduces heat loss, making it harder for heat to escape from the house. In summer, on the other hand, it protects against too much sunlight, thus reducing or completely eliminating the need to use air conditioners or fans. In the former case, we mostly save fossil fuels, in the latter – electricity.
Interior thermal insulation paint used indoors has very good reviews. Its use is no more complicated than with standard paints, although you need to apply more layers (usually 2-3). At the same time, it is worth remembering that paint-thermal insulation does not eliminate the need for heat in the house – the premises still need to be heated in winter. However, it protects against excessive heat escape to the outside, which translates into real savings during the heating season.
Thermal insulation paint instead of Styrofoam – is it possible?
Many users wonder whether thermal insulation paint can replace traditional methods of insulating houses (including Styrofoam). In practice, such a solution is rarely used. Rather, thermal coating is an additional means of insulation, supporting the effect of standard insulation. Thus, it is possible to use thinner Styrofoam, achieving a better effect.
As the only method of thermal insulation, heat-insulating paints are most often used when this is the only way to make a building more energy-efficient – for example, in the case of a house that is listed as a historic building, if the conservator does not agree to the use of traditional insulation material such as Styrofoam or mineral wool.
How to evaluate whether the insulating paint works?
The effects of thermal insulation paint can be seen in the form of lower electricity bills or lower fuel consumption needed to heat the house. On the other hand, the easiest, fastest and surest way to plan and verify the effectiveness of a thermal insulation coating is to order a thermal imaging test.
The procedure can only be carried out by professionals with the right equipment and knowledge. TERMOCENT specialists will not only perform the test itself, but also interpret the results and provide you with a detailed report with guidelines. These can form the basis for the application of thermal insulation paint, as well as for evaluating the effectiveness of the coating already laid on the outside or inside of the building.
