Insulation specific weight: density and weight of 1 m³

Every physical body has characteristics that describe its properties. For thermal insulation materials, one of the main physical indicators is density, or specific weight of the insulation. Material density is usually measured in kg/m³. The importance of knowing how much a cubic meter of insulation weighs depends on the area of application.

• Density and porosity of a thermal insulator are inversely proportional. If density is high, material porosity is low. And vice versa: the more porous the insulator, the better it retains heat by holding air in the pores.

• Insulation weight must be known when calculating loads on structures. However, cellular concrete should not be considered insulation, because its density is quite high and exceeds 400 kg/m³.

• Most insulating materials need an additional protective layer. Knowing their density helps determine how strong the protective coating should be. Low material density means weak physical bonding of structural particles and, as a result, faster destruction.

• Insulation materials of different densities have specific purposes. Some are made for insulating floors, roofs, walls and ceilings, while others are intended for high loads in road construction. Depending on the purpose and required strength, thermal insulation materials of the appropriate specific weight should be selected.

Specific Weight of Different Types of Thermal Insulation

Density values differ not only by insulation type, but also by modification of the same material. The manufacturer must specify parameters such as the volumetric weight of the insulation, which corresponds to material density, and the weight of the insulation package.

• Mineral wool has a wide density range. The material with the highest specific weight, 190-200 kg/m³, is used for roof insulation. Insulation weighing 35 kg/m³ is used for installation in frame structures.

• EPS foam boards usually have a density of about 10-35 kg/m³, while denser special grades are less common. Application depends not only on density, but also on compressive strength, combustibility, water absorption and manufacturer recommendations.

• Extruded polystyrene foam has density within 28 to 35 kg/m³ and depends on production technology. Its range of use is very wide. Especially dense types are used in road construction.

• Penoizol applied in liquid form has very high porosity and a density of 10 kg/m³. The material is very fragile, but has good thermal insulation properties. It requires an additional coating.

• Foamed polyethylene is used for insulating floors, frame structures and engineering systems. The specific weight of ordinary roll material is about 24 kg/m³. Reinforced or foil-faced types may have density up to 60 kg/m³.

• Foam glass is used for thermal insulation of roofs, facades and foundations. It is strong, dense, resistant to aggressive environmental effects and does not require an additional coating. Its specific weight reaches 400 kg/m³. Lightweight types have density around 100 kg/m³. Foam glass thermal conductivity is comparable to basalt wool values.