EXPANDED CLAY AND ITS ADVANTAGES: THERMAL, WATER, SOUND, AND VAPOR INSULATION

Expanded clay is a versatile building material produced by melting and firing low-melting clay. A special manufacturing process forms lightweight granules with a porous structure. These granules are round in shape and typically range in size from 0 to 20 mm.
The finished product offers a wide range of advantages, including:

1. Water and vapor insulation. Unlike wood, expanded clay is not affected by cold (including freezing), hot water, or chemically active environments. It resists moisture, steam, and chemical exposure without rotting, molding, or disintegrating. Its water absorption rate generally does not exceed 20% of its total volume. These properties make expanded clay highly moisture-resistant and ideal for use in foundations, basements, crawl spaces, intermediate floor slabs, roofing, well linings, and in the insulation of heating, sewer, drainage, and water supply systems. For optimal results when insulating foundations, roofs, floors, or attics, the use of additional waterproofing or vapor barrier films is recommended.
2. Thermal insulation. The average thermal conductivity of expanded clay ranges from 0.07 to 0.16 W/m·K. It also has greater thermal inertia compared to mineral wool, due to its higher density. This makes expanded clay suitable for insulating inter-floor spaces, basements, attics, roofs, and engineering utilities. It helps significantly reduce heat loss and buffer interior spaces from external temperature fluctuations, allowing for a more stable indoor climate and lower heating costs. The material’s insulation performance depends directly on the size and bulk density of the granules.
3. Sound insulation. The porous structure of expanded clay granules effectively reduces sound transmission. The higher the quality grade, the better it performs as an acoustic barrier. It is therefore an excellent option for soundproofing applications. For instance, placing it beneath wooden flooring significantly improves sound insulation, preventing creaks and noise even during long-term use.