Innovations in floor insulation – the role of polyurethane foams

One of the most important issues in the design and construction of buildings today is their energy demand. This needs to be kept as low as possible in order to minimise operating costs resulting primarily from the need to generate and distribute heat, which means emitting greenhouse gases and therefore having a negative impact on the climate and causing air pollution. To this end, it is important to use materials that eliminate the risk of thermal bridges and provide good insulation of the envelope, i.e. the roof, walls and floors. In the case of the latter, however, the mechanical strength of the insulation will also prove important. Polyurethane PUR foams are therefore often chosen for floor insulation. Let's take a closer look at them.

What makes PUR rigid foams special?

Rigid polyurethane PUR foams are a material characterised by a very low thermal conductivity coefficient (lambda is from 0.023 W/mK), which means they are excellent insulators. Another great advantage is their relatively low weight and ease of processing, which makes it possible to produce perfectly fitting parts with high dimensional stability. A distinguishing feature of PUR foams is their closed-cell structure, which makes the foam rigid and resistant to mechanical impact. For industrial floors exposed to high loads, e.g. from heavy equipment inside the building, PUR foam with a higher density, e.g. S-50, is used.

Insulation of polyurethane PUR foam floors

PUR rigid closed-cell polyurethane foams are the material of choice for floor insulation. They withstand the weight of the elements laid on them perfectly, without changing their dimensions or losing their thermal insulation properties. Their important advantage will also be their relatively small thickness, providing good protection while taking up little space (100cm PUR = approx. 160cm polystyrene). Available in sheets of various sizes, they work well in single and family housing as well as commercial buildings.