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A detailed buying guide: how to choose hand tools for masonry, tile and drywall work.
This section offers building materials for thermal insulation and finishing of buildings — for builders, facade crews and homeowners doing their own renovation. The main group is thermal insulation materials: styrofoam (EPS boards) for insulating facades, walls, floors and roofs, plus dowels (insulation plate dowels) that mechanically fix insulation boards to the substrate. Well-chosen insulation reduces heating and cooling costs and protects the structure from moisture. Tools for cutting, drilling and mixing adhesive are found in the hand, corded and cordless tool sections, and drill bits in the consumables section.
Choose insulation by where it will be used — facade, interior walls, floor, roof or foundation — since each has different load and moisture requirements. In a facade system, styrofoam is bonded with special adhesive and fixed with dowels, and the adhesive is mixed with a construction mixer. See how to choose a construction mixer.
Common facade styrofoam thicknesses are 50, 80 and 100 mm, and thermal conductivity is typically 0.031–0.040 W/(m·K): the lower it is, the better the insulation. Calculate the quantity from an accurate surface measurement with a 5–10 % reserve. Read how to choose hand measuring, marking and layout tools.
Styrofoam density (typically 15–35 kg/m³) and compressive strength grade (for example EPS 70, EPS 100, EPS 150) determine how much load the material can carry. Medium density is enough for facades, while floors and foundations need denser boards, which are cut with a sharp knife or a fine-tooth saw. See how to choose hand saws, knives, snips, files and scrapers.
Calculate the insulation dowel length as insulation thickness plus adhesive layer plus 40–60 mm of anchorage in the substrate, and the plate diameter is usually 60 mm. Dowels with a plastic pin suit concrete and solid brick, while metal-pin dowels suit hollow substrates and higher loads, with the hole drilled to the dowel diameter. Read how to choose a concrete drill bit and how to choose drill-bit diameter and length.
For facades choose self-extinguishing styrofoam (with flame retardant) and follow the fire barriers required by building codes. Store boards in a dry, shaded place away from direct sunlight and ignition sources, since UV degrades the surface. See essential fire safety rules.
Cutting, sanding and drilling insulation produces fine dust, so use a respirator and safety glasses. Wear gloves when working with adhesive and cement mixes, and use sturdy scaffolding when working at height. Read how to choose a respirator and how to choose work gloves.
At ToolsArmenia you can compare building materials by type, thickness, density and dowel length and choose the right insulation solution for your project.
