The roof structure should not only be durable and lightweight but also thermally insulating. Proper thermal insulation of a flat roof ensures its tightness, protection against moisture, and resistance to heavy loads. The ideal material for flat roof insulation is foam concrete.
What is Foam Concrete?
Foam concrete is a fluid cementitious material made from mechanically introduced foam with fillers such as fine sand, ash, and fly ash. One of its advantages is its lightness: it is a material several times lighter than commonly used concrete. This effect is achieved by creating closed, air-filled cells within the mass.
A flat roof made with cellular concrete will benefit from the lightness of its structure, overall strength, and improved thermal insulation of the entire house. Foam concrete involves the use of a single, monolithic layer that does not require expansion joints, thereby eliminating gaps between individual building elements.
Among the features that make foam concrete ideal for flat roof insulation are:
- Lightness of the material,
- Self-leveling capability,
- Structural load-bearing capacity,
- Resistance to damage,
- Vibration absorption,
- High thermal and acoustic insulation.
Thermal insulation with foam concrete not only prevents heat loss but also allows safe movement on the flat roof, such as when snow needs to be removed or an antenna installed.
Since cellular concrete effectively dampens noise and vibrations, it is also used for insulating ceilings. The material is fire-resistant and does not emit harmful substances to occupants.
Flat Roof Insulation with Foam Concrete
Using a single type of material to insulate the entire building offers convenience and savings during construction. Compared to using styrofoam for flat roof insulation, foam concrete outperforms in many aspects:
- More stable construction,
- Monolithic and uniform material,
- Fire resistance,
- Chemical resistance,
- High insulation tightness,
- No risk of settling or buckling,
- High load-bearing capacity, allowing the installation of heavy systems on the flat roof.
For example, a flat roof made with styrofoam will be less resistant to the weight of snow, which can burden the roof structure. Using foam concrete ensures safety in this regard.
Foam Concrete as Insulating, Leveling, and Filling Layer
Cellular concrete is quickly applied and leveled on the substrate. Its yogurt-like fluidity facilitates filling corners and eliminating thermal bridges. After hardening, the layer can be processed with ordinary concrete tools, making the material easy to install and quick to execute.
Foam concrete provides good insulation for any type of flat roof — even a 20 cm layer effectively protects the house from cold! Flat roof insulation with foam concrete is simpler, faster, and cheaper.
Insulating the ceiling with foam concrete, whose price per square meter depends on the cost of the slurry, the quantity, and the density of the material, will always prove to be a cost-effective investment. Investors will not have to pay extra for the work time of the construction crew and repairs of the flat roof if it is made solely from styrofoam.
Foam Concrete — A Beneficial Offer
The unique properties of cellular concrete allow engineers to expand its applications. It is used not only for thermal insulation of flat roofs and ceilings but also for soil stabilization, compacting landslides, road construction, and subflooring. The cost of industrial flooring ranges from 45 to 150 PLN per square meter. Concrete floors are cheaper but less durable, and the work involved in their construction is more challenging and longer.
The prices for such made roofs and ceilings start at 399 PLN per cubic meter. The price includes labor, materials used, comprehensive installation, and a guarantee of solid workmanship.