Roof insulation is correct. How to properly insulate the roof of a house using mineral wool? Prices for windproof membranes

When building a private house, you should pay attention not only to the thermal protection of walls and floors, but also to the insulation of roof structures. The temperature and humidity conditions of the room, and even the service life of the structures, depend on the correctness of roof insulation measures. You can do the installation of thermal insulation material yourself.

The need for insulation

Distribution of heat loss in a private house

Everyone knows from school physics that heated air rises. If there is no thermal insulation, nothing prevents him from leaving the building. Because of this phenomenon, a large amount of heat loss occurs through the roof or attic floors. Lack of necessary protection from cold and loss of warm air can lead to the following problems:

lowering the room temperature;
increased heating costs in winter;
condensation on the inner surface of the roof;
the appearance of mold or mildew on roof elements;
destruction or damage to load-bearing structures, and bringing the house into disrepair.

The insulation of roof structures, as well as the insulation of walls and ceilings during the construction of multi-apartment residential buildings, is necessarily checked by state or private expertise at the design stage. Thermal insulation of a private cottage depends entirely on the future owner; no one checks its availability and wise choice, but this does not make it lose its importance.

Insulation methods

Do-it-yourself roof insulation largely depends on the roof structure. There are two types of roofs: flat and pitched. Most often, flat roofs are used for the construction of multi-story buildings, but they can also be used in the construction of a private cottage. Flat roofs can be constructed in two ways:

ordinary roofing;
inversion roofing.

In inversion, the order of layers has been changed. This technology is used when arranging a serviceable roof. The following can be used as insulation material in both cases:

Styrofoam;
extruded polystyrene foam;
mineral wool (in slabs);
expanded clay

The latter is quite cheap, but has lower thermal protection characteristics. In most cases, roof insulation is applied from the outside. This allows you to simplify the installation process and make protection from the cold that is competent from a thermal engineering point of view.

Layout of insulation between rafters

It is necessary to remember the strength of the material; additional measures will also be required to protect the insulation from mechanical damage.

When building a private house, the option with a pitched roof is most often used. It allows you to equip an attic or attic and has a more attractive appearance. Insulation of the roof of a wooden house or any other can be done in several ways:

laying material between the rafters (the most common);
laying insulation on top of the rafters;
fastening from the bottom of the rafters.

Material selection

Insulation of the roof of a wooden house or building made of other materials is carried out using the following materials:

mineral wool (more details can be found in the article “Insulation of the roof from the inside with mineral wool”);
polystyrene foam (for more details, see the article “Roof insulation with foam plastic technology”);
polyurethane foam (spray foam).

Rarely used materials include:

expanded clay;
sawdust.

Scheme of roof insulation with mineral wool

Bulk materials are used to protect against the cold outside. They have an attractive price, but are quite difficult to install, so they are not widely used. It is better to use more modern technologies.

In general, materials for thermal protection measures must meet the requirements:

safety, absence of harmful effects on humans;
environmental friendliness;
low weight to prevent excessive loads on the rafter system;
resistance to creasing and sagging, sufficient strength and rigidity;
sound insulation characteristics (especially important when using metal roofing);
fire resistance (especially important for wooden construction);
if possible, good vapor permeability, which will provide additional ventilation of the room;
good thermal protection characteristics.

One of the most important characteristics of a material is its thermal conductivity. This value must be indicated by the manufacturer. The lower the value, the smaller the thickness of the insulation will be needed. If you are not short on money, it is better to choose materials such as mineral wool or expanded polystyrene. The values of their thermal conductivity depend on the manufacturer and are in the range of 0.03-0.04 W/(m2*ᵒC).

Thickness calculation

Table with the main characteristics of materials

It is important not only to choose the right material for insulation, but also to correctly calculate its thickness. Insufficient will lead to condensation, and excessive indicates waste of money. You can select the value “by eye” based on general recommendations, for example, regardless of the type of roof (pitched or flat), for insulation with mineral wool or expanded polystyrene, a layer thickness of 150-200 mm will be required.

It is best to perform a full thermal calculation that takes into account modern comfort requirements and allows you to find the ideal balance of cost and quality. For a specialist, performing such a calculation will not be difficult. A person who is far from construction can use examples of calculations or the Teremok program, which is freely available and quite simple and understandable.

Competent calculations at the design stage are aimed at saving the budget and ensuring the reliability of thermal protection.

Their implementation will not take much time, but will allow you to avoid cost overruns during construction and additional costs for repairs during operation.

The process of insulating a flat roof

Thermal calculation of an attic roof

Depending on the type of roof, the insulation technology will be different. For flat roofs, the following layer order is usually followed:

load-bearing structure (most often reinforced concrete covering);
vapor barrier layer;
thermal insulation material;
cement-sand screed (reinforced for weak materials);
waterproofing carpet, which serves as a finishing coating.

If absolutely necessary, you can carry out work from inside the room, but this method has several disadvantages:

reducing the height of the room;
transfer of dew point inside the structure;
inconvenience of work.

Thermal protection of pitched roofs

Before properly insulating the roof of a house, you need to understand the procedure for carrying out the work. In the vast majority of cases, pitched roofs are insulated between the rafters. Insulating a roof from the inside with your own hands is a completely feasible task. It is important to follow the correct order of laying materials from bottom to top:

interior decoration;
bottom sheathing;
vapor barrier;
rafters with insulation between them;
waterproofing;
wind protection;
sheathing;
roofing material.

When the thickness of the insulation is greater than the height of the rafters, counter-battens are installed. It is better to use modern diffusion membranes as wind protection and waterproofing.

Proper insulation, regardless of the type of roof, requires a careful approach. To avoid problems during operation, it is necessary to select the correct insulation thickness, choose a reliable manufacturer and follow the installation technology. Fulfillment of these conditions will allow the roof to last a long time and help maintain normal temperature and humidity conditions in the building.

When building a house or reconstructing it, most often its owners come to the conclusion that the roof and ceiling must be insulated in order to prevent loss of thermal energy. To insulate the roof of a wooden house from the inside, you need to choose the right thermal insulation material and install it, following the technology.

It has long been established through experience and calculations that heat losses occur through every element of a house’s structure. For example, from 20 to 30% of the heat is lost through the attic floor and roof, which means that the same part of the amount paid for its burning is wasted. Therefore, having once invested in high-quality insulation of your home, you can save on heating for all subsequent years.

It should be noted that if the house is located in a region with a mild winter climate, then many home owners prefer to insulate only the attic floor. However, thermal insulation of the roof at different times of the year can perform three functions:

— in winter it keeps the house warm;

- in summer it does not allow the attic to heat up, which means the house will be cool;

— in addition, insulation is an excellent sound insulator, so the rooms will always be quiet, even during heavy rain and with any type of roofing.

Based on these arguments, we can conclude that it is best to insulate and soundproof not only the attic floor, but also the roof itself.

You may be interested in information about how liquid insulation is produced

Types of insulation for roof structures

The choice of insulation must also be made with skill, taking into account the technical and operational characteristics of the material. In this case, special attention should be paid to the following:

Low thermal conductivity.
Increased moisture resistance.
Low flammability.
Environmental cleanliness.
Durability of the material.

The materials used to insulate the roof and attic floor from the inside include:

Mineral wool in slabs and rolls.
Ecowool made on a cellulose basis.
Expanded polystyrene (foam plastic).
Penoizol and sprayed polyurethane foam.
Expanded clay of different fractions (insulation of floors).

In addition, natural materials such as straw, slag, sawdust and dry leaves were traditionally used. Some builders still use these insulation materials today, but they require special treatment, since they are not moisture resistant, which means putrefactive processes and the formation of microflora colonies are possible in them.

All materials used for thermal insulation of the roof are relatively light in weight, so they will slightly add weight to the rafter and ceiling structure.

This table presents the main characteristics of the most popular insulation materials today:

Material parameters	Materials	Thickness, mm
		50	60	80	100	120	150	200	250
Density, kg/m³	Mineral wool	100-120
	Expanded polystyrene	25-35
	Polyurethane foam	54-55
Thermal resistance, (m²°K)/W	Mineral wool	1.19	1.43	1.9	2.38	2.86	3.57	4.76	5.95
	Expanded polystyrene	1.35	1.62	2.16	2.7	3.24	4.05	5.41	6.76
	Polyurethane foam	1.85	2.22	2.96	3.7	4.44	5.56	7.41	9.26
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/(m×°K)	Mineral wool	0,038-0,052
	Expanded polystyrene	0.037
	Polyurethane foam	0.027
Weight 1 m², kg	Mineral wool	15.2	15.8	17.6	20.9	23.2	26.7	32.4	38.2
	Expanded polystyrene	9.8	10	10.5	11	11.5	12.3	13.5	14.8
	Polyurethane foam	11.2	11.7	12.8	13.9	15	16.6	19.3	22

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is most often used to insulate roof structures, since this material is easy to install and is well suited in its parameters for thermal insulation of attic spaces in a wooden house.

One of the most convenient materials is mineral wool.

Since this material is made from different raw materials, its characteristics and prices vary somewhat. And to choose the best option, you need to consider each of its types:

Slag wool is produced from blast furnace slag and consists of fibers 5 ÷ 12 microns thick and 14 ÷ 16 mm long. This option is the most unsuitable for insulating an attic, so don’t be fooled by its low cost, since the insulation will have to be done again in a couple of years.

Slag wool is quite hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture well and, once saturated with it, it settles and loses its thermal insulation qualities. In addition, it has low heat resistance and is classified G4. This insulation can withstand temperatures of only 300–320 degrees, which is a low indicator for its use in wooden structures.

The thermal conductivity of the material is 0.48 ÷ 0.52 W/m×°K, which is much lower than that of the other two types of mineral wool. During installation, you will notice that the slag fibers are quite fragile, brittle and brittle. Therefore, it is best not to use this type of mineral wool for residential premises.

Glass wool. This type of insulation is made from molten sand and broken glass. The thickness of the fibers is 4 ÷ 15 microns, and the length is 14 ÷ 45 mm - these parameters give the material elasticity and strength. The random arrangement of fibers promotes airiness and improves the insulating qualities of the heat insulator.

Improved modern glass wool is designed on for heating up to 460 ÷ 500 degrees, which is much higher than that of slag wool. The thermal conductivity of this type of mineral wool is 0.030 ÷ 0.048 W/m×°K.

Glass wool is widely used for insulating stone buildings; it is also suitable for the roof of a wooden house. If thermally insulated an attic version of the under-roof space, then glass wool is often used in combination with polyurethane foam.

Due to the fact that glass wool fibers are very thin, brittle and brittle, they easily penetrate the fabric and can get into the mucous membranes of the eyes or into the respiratory tract. Therefore, when starting installation work, you should protect yourself with protective equipment by wearing a suit made of thick fabric, special glasses, a respirator and gloves.

Basalt (stone) wool is made from mountain gabbro - basalt breeds The thermal conductivity of basalt insulation is 0.032 ÷ 0.05 W/m×°K, the material can withstand temperatures up to 550 ÷ 600 degrees.

Working with stone wool is much easier, since its fibers are not so brittle and thorny, their thickness ranges from 3.5 to 5 microns, length from 3 to 5 mm. They are located chaotically and their interlacing gives the insulation good strength, so the material is quite resistant to mechanical damage.

Prices for basalt wool

basalt wool

In addition, basalt insulation is inert to chemical influences and tolerates the destructive influence of the external environment.

All types of mineral wool for insulating surfaces are produced in rolls or mats (blocks) of different sizes. Today in construction stores you can find foil material, which is more effective for insulation, since foil reflects and retains heat indoors.

The main disadvantage of all types of mineral wool is the fiber binding substance, which is often made on the basis of phenol-formaldehyde resin. It constantly releases toxic substances into the air that are dangerous to human health. Therefore, it is impossible to call any type of mineral wool absolutely environmentally friendly.

You might be interested in information about what it is

Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene has become the most popular material for insulating houses, and all this is due to its affordability and ease of installation. But for that to the attic was thoroughly insulated, without the formation of cold bridges, it is necessary to ensure a tight fit of the heat insulator to the surfaces, which is difficult to achieve using polystyrene foam, since it does not have the proper flexibility. Therefore, it is combined with other insulation materials, including sprayed polyurethane foam.

Plates of ordinary polystyrene foam - polystyrene foam (left), and extruded

Polystyrene foam has an average thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.037 W/(m×°K), but it also depends on the density of the material, as well as its thickness.

Moisture absorption ordinary polystyrene foam is up to 2%, which significantly exceeds this parameter for extruded polystyrene foam - here the threshold is about 0.4% of the total volume of the material.

Prices for expanded polystyrene

expanded polystyrene

The most dangerous quality of expanded polystyrene is its flammability, and when ignited, the material melts, simultaneously creating thick smoke. The smoke emanating from it is extremely toxic and hazardous to health.

Therefore, when choosing this insulation, it is necessary to take into account all its positive and negative properties and protect the house as much as possible from possible emergency situations. Particular attention will need to be paid to reliable insulation of the wiring and proper installation of chimney ducts (pipes).

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is applied to roofing and ceiling structures by spraying with help special equipment. Spraying is carried out in several layers, so the coating can be quite thick. With this method of application, polyurethane foam penetrates into all cracks and crevices, so the insulating layer will be completely sealed. Hardening and expanding, the insulation acquires a high density, and its thermal conductivity is only 0.027 W/(m×°K), at moisture absorption no more than 0.2% of the total volume of material. This means that there is no loss of its thermal insulation qualities.

Sprayed polyurethane foam quickly expands and hardens, and its excess is easily cut off with a sharp knife, which adds convenience in adjusting the finished coating to the level of the rafter system for further finishing or roofing work.

By using this material, you can avoid waterproofing, wind protection and vapor barrier - it copes well with the whole range of problems, without retaining steam or allowing moisture to enter the room.

Polyurethane foam can be sprayed onto any surface: horizontal, vertical or inclined, as it has high adhesion to all building materials.

Ecowool

Ecowool is made from small particles of cellulose. Laying this material can be done in a “dry” or “wet” way.

Environmentally friendly material - ecowool

In the first case, the insulation is scattered between the floor beams and compacted as far as possible by rolling. It will not be possible to install it on walls and roof structures using this method.
For the “wet” installation method, special equipment is required, where the dry substance is mixed with adhesives and then distributed under pressure using a pipe onto the floors and walls.

“Wet” laying of ecowool

Another option for insulating ecowool is to fill the space between the rafter legs, after attaching finishing material to them, for example, plasterboard or wooden lining. In this case, you need to correctly calculate the amount of material - it will depend on the height of the rafters, which will determine the thickness of the thermal insulation.

Ecowool has a number of advantages over other insulation materials, and these include the following:

This is an environmentally friendly material that does not emit any harmful fumes into the environment.
Ecowool is able to “preserve” surfaces, preventing fungal and putrefactive formations from developing.
If during the operation of the house it turns out that the thickness of the insulating layer on the roof is insufficient, then it can be increased or the already laid material can be compacted.
Installation of insulation is carried out quite quickly.
Ecowool has a long service life without losing its original thermal insulation qualities.
Cellulose insulation material is necessarily treated with fire retardants, therefore it has very low flammability and a tendency to self-extinguish. In addition, ecowool does not produce smoke, and even more so, it does not emit substances hazardous to the human body.
Ecowool applied to any surface forms a seamless, hermetic coating of the required thickness.
The insulation is a “breathable” material, so it does not retain moisture.
The payback period for such insulation is one to three years.

The table below shows the comparative digital characteristics of two environmentally friendly materials - ecowool and expanded clay, which will be discussed below and discussed below.

Material parameters	Expanded clay gravel	Ecowool (cellulose)
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/(m°K)	0,016-0,018	0,038-0,041
Density, kg/m³	200-400	42-75
Density of connection to the structure	Depending on the faction:	Tight fit, seals all cracks and cracks well
	- 15-20 mm - presence of voids;
	- 5-10 mm - tight fit.
Linear shrinkage	absent
Vapor permeability mg/Pa×m×h	0.3	0.67
Chemical inertness	neutral
Flammability	incombustible	G1-G2 (lowly flammable material, because it is treated with fire retardants
Moisture absorption,% by weight	10-25	14-16

Expanded clay

Expanded clay is very often used to insulate the attic floor of a wooden house. Of course, the rafter system is made of expanded clay thermally insulate difficult, but pouring it between the floor beams onto previously prepared surfaces will not be difficult.

This material is made from specially prepared clay that undergoes high-temperature heat treatment. Expanded clay is produced in four fractions, starting from expanded clay sand and ending with large elements measuring 20 ÷ 30 mm.

Fraction, mm	Bulk density, kg/m³	Total density of material, kg/m³	Compressive strength MPa
1 - 4	400	800 - 1200	2,0 - 3,0
4 - 10	335 - 350	550 - 800	1,2 - 1,4
10 - 30	200 - 250	450 - 650	0,9 - 1,1

Prices for expanded clay

expanded clay

Advantages of this material:

Ecological cleanliness. It does not cause allergic reactions and does not release toxic substances into the surrounding atmosphere.
The insulation does not lose its original thermal insulation qualities throughout the entire period of operation.
For insulation, you can choose a material of a suitable fraction - the density of the backfill will depend on this. The finer the fraction, the denser the backfill.
Expanded clay is a non-flammable material, which is a very important quality for a wooden structure. This insulation is used to insulate chimney pipes from wooden floors, pouring it into a box built around them.
Another important advantage of this material is that it is not tolerated by domestic rodents. If the house is located on a suburban area, then mice may well live in it even in the attic, and some insulation materials create quite suitable conditions for this - but not expanded clay!

You might be interested in information about what it is

Auxiliary materials

In addition to thermal insulation materials, the insulating “pie” uses waterproofing (windproof) and vapor barrier films.

Waterproofing is necessary to protect insulation against condensation, which can be collected between the heat insulator and the roof. In addition, this material performs a windproof function, preventing cold, dust and moisture from getting from the air directly onto the insulation, as well as into the attic.

This membrane must have steam-permeable ability - excess moisture in the insulation will simply evaporate into the atmosphere.

If insulation is carried out in an already assembled structure and there are no plans to change the roofing material, under which there should be a waterproofing membrane, then for insulation you will have to use sprayed polyurethane foam - it does not require protection from the wind, and it can be sprayed onto on a reliable base made of boards or directly onto the roofing.

When thermally insulating roof slopes, the insulation is covered with a vapor barrier film from the attic side. Vapor barrier is intended to protect thermal insulation material and wooden elements of the rafter system from moisture penetration from the inside.

As you know, excess moisture that gets on insulation and wood can lead to mold and rot, as well as an unpleasant odor, which over time will spread into living rooms.

If it is planned to equip a heated room in the attic, then the vapor barrier film must be secured under the wall finishing.

When insulating the floor, a vapor barrier is laid under the insulation, on the boards and beams of the structure, since it should retain heat in the rooms below and not allow wet vapors from them to get into the thermal insulation layer.

The protective membrane is produced in different thicknesses and can be made of foil or non-woven material. If a film with a foil surface is used, then it is mounted on the roof slopes with the reflective side towards the attic. When insulating the floor, it should be turned towards the lower room. This is done so that the heat is reflected into the attic or towards the living rooms and does not escape outside. The canvases are glued together with foil tape, which will help create the integrity and tightness of the membrane.

If you want to save money, you can use old proven methods of vapor barrier, when the cracks between the attic floor boards, as well as their joints with the beams, are well coated with a paste made from lime and clay. Such protection will not only create a high tightness of the ceiling, but will also protect the wood from pests, and will also allow the insulating layers to “breathe”.

When the lime or clay has dried well, you can proceed to insulation operations. By the way, wooden houses have been insulated with sawdust for a long time - for this they were mixed with the same clay and a little lime was added to the mixture, which gave the composition elasticity. In addition to sawdust, other natural materials were also used for insulation, which were dried and placed between the floor beams.

This method of vapor barrier and insulation is still used today, as it helps to save quite a decent amount. But all such work is very labor-intensive and requires certain knowledge, skill and time.

Those home owners who they want the work to go faster, they use modern materials.

How to calculate the required insulation thickness?

It is not enough to decide on the type of insulation based only on its environmental friendliness, ease of installation and cost. It is very important to correctly calculate the required thickness of the thermal insulation layer. This is also necessary for to create comfortable conditions in the room to avoid overpaying for excess material.

Rasche T t of the required insulation thickness is determined by special guidelines documents - SNiP 23 — 02-2003 " Thermal protection of buildings"and the Code of Rules SP 23-101-2004 "Design thermal protection of buildings" They contain formulas for calculations that take into account a very large number of parameters. But, with some acceptable simplification, we can take the following expression as a basis:

δth= (R – 0.16 – δ1/ λ1– δ2/ λ2 – δ n/ λ n) × λut

Let’s begin to understand the quantities available in the formula:

δth– this is the desired parameter, the thickness of the layer of thermal insulation material.
R– required table value of thermal resistance (m²×° WITH/W) insulated structure. These parameters are calculated for each region of Russia in accordance with specific climatic conditions. Such thermal resistance will ensure, with a properly designed heating system, maintaining a comfortable temperature in the room of +19°. The diagram below with a map of Russia shows the meaning R for walls, ceilings and coverings.

When calculating the insulation for the roof, the value “for coverings” is taken, for the attic floor - “for the floors”.

δ nand λn— the thickness of the material layer and its thermal conductivity coefficient.

The formula allows you to calculate the thickness of insulation for a multilayer structure, taking into account thermal insulating properties of each layer, from 1 before n. For example, a roofing “pie” will consist of a continuous sheathing of plywood over rafters with a roofing material covering on top. Below there is a layer of insulation that has to be calculated, and then the ceiling will be lined with natural wooden lining. Thus, three layers will be taken into account: lining + plywood + roofing felt.

Important - only those outer layers that fit tightly to each other are counted. For example, flat slate can be taken into account, but wavy slate cannot. If the roof design involves a ventilated roof, then all layers located above the ventilated gap are not taken into account.

Where to get the values? Measure the thickness of each layer ( δ n) – it won't be difficult. The value of the thermal conductivity coefficient ( λ n), if it is not indicated in the technical documentation of the material, can be taken from the table below:

Estimated thermal performance indicators of some building and thermal insulation materials
Material	Density of materials in dry state, kg/m3	Calculated coefficients under various operating conditions
		ω		λ		μ
		A	B	A	B	A, B
λ - thermal conductivity coefficient (W/(m°C)); ω - coefficient of mass ratio of moisture in the material (%); ; μ - vapor permeability coefficient (mg/(m h Pa)
A. Polymer
Expanded polystyrene	150	1	5	0.052	0.06	0.05
Same	100	2	10	0.041	0.052	0.05
Same	40	2	10	0.041	0.05	0.05
Extruded polystyrene foam	25	2	10	0.031	0.031	0.013
Same	28	2	10	0.031	0.031	0.013
Same	33	2	10	0.031	0.031	0.013
Same	35	2	10	0.031	0.031	0.005
Same	45	2	10	0.031	0.031	0.005
PVC1 and PV1 foam plastic	125	2	10	0.06	0.064	0.23
Same	100 or less	2	10	0.05	0.052	0.23
Polyurethane foam	80	2	5	0.05	0.05	0.05
Same	60	2	5	0.041	0.041	0.05
Same	40	2	5	0.04	0.04	0.05
Perlite plastic concrete	200	2	3	0.052	0.06	0.008
Same	100	2	3	0.041	0.05	0.008
Thermal insulation products made from foamed synthetic rubber "Aeroflex"	80	5	15	0.04	0.054	0.003
Extruded polystyrene foam "Penoplex", type 35	35	2	3	0.029	0.03	0.018
Same. type 45	45	2	3	0.031	0.032	0.015
B. Mineral wool, fiberglass
Stitched mineral wool mats	125	2	5	0.064	0.07	0.3
Same	100	2	5	0.061	0.067	0.49
Same	75	2	5	0.058	0.064	0.49
Mineral wool mats with synthetic binder	225	2	5	0.072	0.082	0.49
Same	175	2	5	0.066	0.076	0.49
Same	125	2	5	0.064	0.07	0.49
Same	75	2	5	0.058	0.064	0.53
Soft, semi-rigid and hard mineral wool slabs with synthetic and bitumen binders	250	2	5	0.082	0.085	0.41
Same	225	2	5	0.079	0.084	0.41
Same	200	2	5	0.076	0.08	0.49
Same	150	2	5	0.068	0.073	0.49
Same	125	2	5	0.064	0.069	0.49
Same	100	2	5	0.06	0.065	0.56
Same	75	2	5	0.056	0.063	0.6
Mineral wool slabs of increased rigidity with an organophosphate binder	200	1	2	0.07	0.076	0.45
Semi-rigid mineral wool slabs with starch binder	200	2	5	0.076	0.08	0.38
Same	125	2	5	0.06	0.064	0.38
Glass staple fiber boards with synthetic binder	45	2	5	0.06	0.064	0.6
Stitched glass fiber mats and strips	150	2	5	0.064	0.07	0.53
URSA glass staple fiber mats	25	2	5	0.043	0.05	0.61
Same	17	2	5	0.046	0.053	0.66
Same	15	2	5	0.048	0.053	0.68
Same	11	2	5	0.05	0.055	0.7
URSA glass staple fiber boards	85	2	5	0.046	0.05	0.5
Same	75	2	5	0.042	0.047	0.5
Same	60	2	5	0.04	0.045	0.51
Same	45	2	5	0.041	0.045	0.51
Same	35	2	5	0.041	0.046	0.52
Same	30	2	5	0.042	0.046	0.52
Same	20	2	5	0.043	0.048	0.53
Same	17 .	2	5	0.047	0.053	0.54
Same	15	2	5	0.049	0.055	0.55
B. Plates from natural organic and inorganic materials
Wood fiber and particle boards	1000	10	12	0.23	0.29	0.12
Same	800	10	12	0.19	0.23	0.12
Same	600	10	12	0.13	0.16	0.13
Same	400	10	12	0.11	0.13	0.19
Same	200	10	12	0.07	0.08	0.24
Fiberboard and wood concrete slabs based on Portland cement	500	10	15	0.15	0.19	0.11
Same	450	10	15	0.135	0.17	0.11
Same	400	10	15	0.13	0.16	0.26
Reed slabs	300	10	15	0.09	0.14	0.45
Same	200	10	15	0.07	0.09	0.49
Peat thermal insulation slabs	300	15	20	0.07	0.08	0.19
Same	200	15	20	0.06	0.064	0.49
Gypsum slabs	1350	4	6	0.5	0.56	0.098
Same	1100	4	6	0.35	0.41	0.11
Gypsum cladding sheets (gypsum plasterboard)	1050	4	6	0.34	0.36	0.075
Same	800	4	6	0.19	0.21	0.075
G. Backfills
Expanded clay gravel	600	2	3	0.17	0.19	0.23
Same	500	2	3	0.15	0.165	0.23
Same	450	2	3	0.14	0.155	0.235
Same	400	2	3	0.13	0.145	0.24
Same	350	2	3	0.125	0.14	0.245
Same	300	2	3	0.12	0.13	0.25
Same	250	2	3	0.11	0.12	0.26
D. Wood, products made from it and other natural organic materials
Pine and spruce across the grain	500	15	20	0.14	0.18	0.06
Pine and spruce along the grain	500	15	20	0.29	0.35	0.32
Oak across the grain	700	10	15	0.18	0.23	0.05
Oak along the grain	700	10	15	0.35	0.41	0.3
Plywood	600	10	13	0.15	0.18	0.02
Cardboard facing	1000	5	10	0.21	0.23	0.06
Multilayer construction cardboard	650	6	12	0.15	0.18	0.083
E. Roofing, waterproofing, facing materials
- Asbestos-cement
Asbestos-cement flat sheets	1800	2	3	0.47	0.52	0.03
Same	1600	2	3	0.35	0.41	0.03
- Bituminous
Petroleum bitumens for construction and roofing	1400	0	0	0.27	0.27	0.008
Same	1200	0	0	0.22	0.22	0.008
Same	1000	0	0	0.17	0.17	0.008
Asphalt concrete	2100	0	0	1.05	1.05	0.008
Products made from expanded perlite with a bitumen binder	400	1	2	0.12	0.13	0.04
Same	300	1	2	0.09	0.099	0.04

Please note that there are two values given for materials λ n– for operating modes A or B. These modes provide for specific humidity conditions - both by the region of construction and by the type of premises.

To begin with, it is necessary to determine the zone - wet, normal or dry - using the diagram map.

Then, by comparing the zone and features of the room, according to the proposed table, determine the mode, A or B, according to which select the value λ n.

Room humidity conditions	Operating conditions, A or B, by humidity zone (according to the schematic map)
	Dry zone	Normal zone	Wet area
Dry	A	A	B
Normal	A	B	B
Damp or Wet	B	B	B

λut – thermal conductivity coefficient for the selected type of insulation, according to which the thickness is calculated.

Now, having written out the thickness and thermal conductivity coefficient for each layer, you can calculate the thickness of the insulation. Please note that the formula requires the thickness to be specified in meters!

To make the task easier for the interested reader, a special calculator has been placed. It provides calculations for three layers (not counting insulation). If the number of layers is less, then simply leave the extra column blank. The thickness of the layers and the final result are in millimeters.

Roof insulation is one of the most important stages in the construction of a private house, so the choice of materials for it must be approached responsibly. A poorly insulated roof will lead to heat leakage, discomfort from living in the house and other problems associated with paying for utilities, so it is much easier to insulate the building.

Is it worth insulating the roof of a house?

Whether you choose to insulate the roof of your house or abstain is up to you, but this type of work implies the following advantages:

Therefore, there is no need to doubt the need for roof insulation.

When choosing a material for roof insulation, consider not only its temperature characteristics, but also moisture resistance, environmental friendliness, resistance to negative formations, as well as diffusion and capillary humidification.

What materials are suitable for roof insulation?

A lot depends on the correct type of insulation for the roof, for example, how well the heat will be retained in the building, whether the finishing inside will be preserved, and so on. Today there are many insulation materials on the market, but the most popular are:

Basalt wool - has water-repellent characteristics, does not compact and does not change its qualities during operation. It is environmentally friendly and fireproof, has excellent sound and heat insulation properties. It is used as insulation for external and internal roofing work. However, it requires additional vapor barrier in rooms with high humidity.

When insulating with basalt wool, it is necessary to lay a layer of vapor barrier on the residential side
Expanded clay - used for insulation of different types of roofs. On flat roofs, it is laid out on the outer surface or floor slab, compacted, and then screeded, which leads to a significant increase in the load on the entire structure. On pitched roofs, expanded clay is used to cover the ceilings of the attic floor.

Expanded clay is poured into the space between the floor joists of the attic and covered with a vapor barrier membrane on top
Foamed glass - the material is resistant to deformation, water, steam, does not burn, is durable, and is also biologically resistant. It is used for thermal insulation of any type of roof. It has weak adhesion, so during installation it is necessary to use polymer acetate glue.

Before applying foam glass, the roof surface is treated with a special adhesive composition
Ecowool is an environmentally friendly insulation material made from waste paper. Its excellent sound and heat insulation properties help to insulate the roof well. Microorganisms and various rodents do not live in ecowool, as it is treated with special bioprotective substances and fire retardants. This is an inexpensive and lightweight material. Disadvantages are the need to use special equipment during installation and special preparation for installation.

To apply a layer of ecowool you need a special technique
Sawdust is a breathable, clean and non-allergenic material. However, it rots, is flammable and, in addition, rodents can live in it. It is used mainly for ceiling insulation and provided that the attic will not be used.

Sawdust harbors rodents, so they are rarely used and only in non-residential premises
Isolon, penofol - a material with a porous structure, very thin (several millimeters) and very light. It is capable of reflecting up to 95% of solar energy, so it is used as a hydro- and thermal insulation material. Isolon is produced not only in sheets, but also in rolls.

Izolon is very easy to install and reflects heat thanks to its foil surface
Mineral wool is produced from dolomite, slag or other rocks using special technology. The material is safe, its moisture resistance is low, so it is not used in rooms with high humidity (baths, saunas, steam rooms). When used in private residential buildings, mineral wool must be protected with a layer of vapor barrier on the side of the room.

A layer of vapor barrier must be laid on top of the mineral wool.
Foam plastic is the most popular type of insulation, as it is low cost and easy to install. The material is made by foaming polystyrene, which is resistant to moisture, can be easily cut with a regular knife, has low thermal conductivity and is easy to install. But polystyrene foam is fragile, capable of supporting a fire and releasing toxic substances, so it is used mainly in non-residential premises.

Polystyrene foam emits harmful substances when burned, so it is not recommended to use it in residential areas
Penoplex is a comfortable, strong and durable material, not susceptible to moisture and rot, has low water absorption and excellent resistance to compression. It is not subject to decomposition and is fireproof.

Penoplex does not absorb moisture and does not support combustion

The roof can also be insulated with polymer foam materials, such as polypropylene foam, polyolefin foam, penoizol, and so on. However, they are not so common and are quite expensive.

Photo gallery: methods of roof insulation

Ecowool does not allow heat and sound to pass through, and is also treated with special substances, so rodents do not live in it. Mineral wool must be protected from moisture with a layer of waterproofing. Polyurethane foam does not require the installation of a waterproofing layer and lathing for attaching the insulation. To achieve the maximum degree of thermal protection, it is necessary to insulate not only the roof, but also the roof. but also the ceiling between the attic and the living floor. Sprayed insulation can be applied under the existing sheathing structure

Comparison and review of materials for roof insulation

Tips to follow before starting roof insulation work

Regardless of what type of insulation you have chosen, when carrying out the work step by step, you must follow the following important recommendations:

The heat-protective layer is made continuous, especially in the most important areas of the building: adjacent to the wall, windows, pipes, and so on.
When using mineral fiber as insulation, remember that the area of the material will increase by approximately 20% after installation.
Thermal insulation boards should not cover ventilation gaps.
When using a superdiffusion membrane for vapor barrier, the insulation should be placed as close to it as possible. Then the ventilation gap will not be closed.

The insulation boards must be laid close to the vapor barrier membrane, then a ventilated gap of the required size will be formed on top
When using under-roofing film, several gaps are created - “above” and “under” the film.
The insulation joints are placed in a checkerboard pattern in adjacent layers.
The individual parts of the insulation must adhere carefully to each other.

At the joints, the insulation boards must fit tightly to each other to prevent the formation of cold bridges
Thermal insulation is laid as tightly as possible due to its width, which should be several centimeters greater than the distance between the parts of the rafter system.
If the rafter system has a large pitch, then the insulation is also attached from the side of the rooms. To do this, self-tapping screws are screwed into the rafter legs, and wire is stretched between the fasteners.
A waterproofing layer is made if mineral wool materials are used to insulate the roof. Installation of the moisture-proofing film is carried out not only with an overlap, but also by gluing all joints with tape.

The waterproofing film must be laid from bottom to top, with an overlap, which is then taped with adhesive tape.
The insulation is laid between the rafters as evenly as possible.
Cellulose insulation does not require a vapor barrier.
The insulation must cover all the space that has been allocated for it. The formation of areas that allow air to pass through is unacceptable.

The insulation should lie flat, without bends or distortions.
Buy ready-made insulation systems, since manufacturers have already thought through most of the main points at the stage of creating the material, from waterproofing to additional characteristics.
Compliance with technological processes in roofing installation guarantees the absence of defects at all stages of work.

Do-it-yourself roof insulation

If you plan to work on your own, carefully study the recommendations outlined above and select the insulation material. If all this has already been done, then you can start.

How to prepare a roof for insulation

The first step in preparing the roof for insulation is to draw up a clear work plan. Check the structure from all sides for deformation, get rid of dampness, moisture and other defects. Wooden roof elements must be treated with an antiseptic, and metal ones - with a special anti-corrosion substance.

The developed roof insulation plan should provide for heat retention in the room and good ventilation of the under-roof space

Make sure that the insulation and other materials for thermal insulation are always dry, since high humidity will lead to significant heat loss (up to 70%). Water and rust are unacceptable; vapor barrier and ventilation of the under-roof space will help get rid of it.

Check the functionality of the heating elements, water supply, and electrical wires.

The second stage is preparing the necessary tools and materials. To work you will need:

hacksaw;
building level;
goniometer;
screwdriver;
drill;
plane;
Bulgarian;
small hammer.

Roof insulation from the inside

Work on internal roof insulation is carried out in the following way:

Internal insulation is done no earlier than six months after the completion of the roof, which should shrink completely during this time. Otherwise, the structure will “lead” and the insulation will shift.

Video: do-it-yourself roof insulation from the inside

Roof insulation from the outside

Thermal insulation of the roof from the outside is done as follows:

Video: roof insulation with sprayed material

Insulation of the gable from the inside

The easiest option to insulate a pediment from the inside is to lay thermal insulation material (mineral wool or polystyrene foam) between its base. A half-brick pediment is simply insulated - a sheathing is made of bars and heat-insulating material is installed on them. You can do this work yourself:

Pediments are insulated from the inside on tall buildings or in the cold season, when work cannot be done outside. The insulation can be mineral wool or polystyrene foam, cork material or penoizol, which will be protected by the roof from the effects of precipitation.

Exterior gable insulation

From the outside, the pediment is insulated in the following sequence:

Today, sandwich panels can be purchased to insulate exterior gables. This is insulation, which is located between two plywood sheets that have a high degree of moisture resistance. Sandwich panels perfectly protect the attic of a building from the cold and are very quickly installed.

In an uninsulated building, heat loss can reach 40%. It is very important to choose the right roofing insulation and carry out its high-quality installation. The roof needs to be insulated not only when building a new house, but also when reconstructing an old one.

The need for insulation

lowering the room temperature;
increased heating costs in winter;
condensation on the inner surface of the roof;
the appearance of mold or mildew on roof elements;
destruction or damage to load-bearing structures, and bringing the house into disrepair.

Insulation methods

In inversion, the order of layers has been changed. This technology is used when arranging a serviceable roof. The following can be used as insulation material in both cases:

Styrofoam;
extruded polystyrene foam;
mineral wool (in slabs);
expanded clay

The latter is quite cheap, but has lower thermal protection characteristics. In most cases, roof insulation is applied from the outside. This allows you to simplify the installation process and make protection from the cold that is competent from a thermal engineering point of view.

Layout of insulation between rafters

It is necessary to remember the strength of the material; additional measures will also be required to protect the insulation from mechanical damage.

laying material between the rafters (the most common);
laying insulation on top of the rafters;
fastening from the bottom of the rafters.

Material selection

Insulation of the roof of a wooden house or building made of other materials is carried out using the following materials:

Rarely used materials include:

expanded clay;
sawdust.

Scheme of roof insulation with mineral wool

In general, materials for thermal protection measures must meet the requirements:

safety, absence of harmful effects on humans;
environmental friendliness;
low weight to prevent excessive loads on the rafter system;
resistance to creasing and sagging, sufficient strength and rigidity;
sound insulation characteristics (especially important when using metal roofing);
fire resistance (especially important for wooden construction);
if possible, good vapor permeability, which will provide additional ventilation of the room;
good thermal protection characteristics.

Thickness calculation

Competent calculations at the design stage are aimed at saving the budget and ensuring the reliability of thermal protection.

Their implementation will not take much time, but will allow you to avoid cost overruns during construction and additional costs for repairs during operation.

The process of insulating a flat roof

Depending on the type of roof, the insulation technology will be different. For flat roofs, the following layer order is usually followed:

load-bearing structure (most often reinforced concrete covering);
vapor barrier layer;
thermal insulation material;
cement-sand screed (reinforced for weak materials);
waterproofing carpet, which serves as a finishing coating.

If absolutely necessary, you can carry out work from inside the room, but this method has several disadvantages:

reducing the height of the room;
transfer of dew point inside the structure;
inconvenience of work.

Thermal protection of pitched roofs

interior decoration;
bottom sheathing;
vapor barrier;
rafters with insulation between them;
waterproofing;
wind protection;
sheathing;
roofing material.

When the thickness of the insulation is greater than the height of the rafters, counter-battens are installed. It is better to use modern diffusion membranes as wind protection and waterproofing.

We insulate the roof correctly: how to avoid mistakes

Insulating the roof will create warmth in the house. We will describe in detail how and what is the best way to insulate the roof of a private house in this article.

What is the best way to insulate the roof of a house: choosing materials for insulation

When choosing the best way to insulate a roof, it is important to take into account not only the cost of the material itself, its technical parameters, but also the installation features. You can install many types of heat insulator yourself, but in some cases the use of special equipment is required.

Principles for choosing insulation

To choose the right insulation for your roof, you should first pay attention to the type of roof. It can be flat or pitched - depending on the design features, some requirements for the material differ.

In general, when selecting a heat insulator for a roof, the following parameters are assessed:

thermal conductivity (the lower this parameter, the more effective the insulation);
moisture resistance;
long service life without loss of performance properties;
stability of shape (material capable of maintaining geometric parameters is more reliable);
specific gravity (preference is recommended to be given to materials with low density that do not weigh down the roof structure);
frost resistance (with temperature changes, the thermal insulation material should not lose its properties);
sound insulation (this parameter is one of the key ones when choosing insulation for a roof covered with a “noisy” roofing material);
fire resistance;
environmental friendliness (the material should not emit toxic substances).

The best insulation for roofing is a lightweight, non-flammable, safe and durable material that is suitable for the design of the roof frame.

Errors that significantly affect the quality and reliability of roof insulation include:

savings on quality (it is recommended to use insulation from reputable manufacturers);
installation of a heat-insulating layer that is not thick enough;
violation of installation technology (insufficiently high-quality waterproofing and vapor barrier, presence of joints and through seams in the insulation layer, lack of ventilation gaps in the pitched roof pie).

Today on the construction market you can find a wide range of thermal insulation materials for roofing. First of all, these are materials:

Each type of insulation has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Mineral wool

Roof insulation with mineral wool is today one of the most popular thermal insulation options for flat and pitched roofs. This insulation has a fibrous structure and is made from rock melts. Mineral wool is supplied to the market in the form of rolls or slabs (mats).

When choosing this insulation, you need to carefully consider the thickness and density of the material.

The advantages of mineral wool include:

high level of thermal insulation;
affordable price;
non-flammability;
environmental Safety;
ease of installation;
biostability (does not rot, is not damaged by rodents, insects and microorganisms);
vapor permeability;
soundproofing;
stability of geometric dimensions.

Rigid basalt slabs made of mineral fiber are used for external insulation of flat roofs. Mineral wool of less thickness and density is suitable for insulating pitched roofs. Stone wool acts as one of the fire protection elements of the roofing system.

Insulating a roof with mineral wool requires a careful approach to ensuring reliable hydro- and vapor barrier of the heat-insulating layer and creating ventilation gaps. This avoids moisture accumulation in the insulation. Otherwise, the thermal insulation properties of mineral wool will deteriorate, and the rafter structures may begin to rot.

Glass wool

Glass wool is a time-tested thermal insulation material, similar in its characteristics to mineral wool. Melted glass is used to make it. Glass wool is available in rolls and slabs. This is a non-flammable, environmentally friendly insulation with soundproofing properties.

When installing glass wool thermal insulation, it is necessary to use protective equipment and follow certain installation rules to avoid health hazards.

Before insulating a roof with mineral wool, you need to select a material to create a vapor barrier, while a number of manufacturers produce glass wool slabs with a foil coating on the outside. This speeds up and simplifies the installation of this thermal insulation material.

Expanded polystyrene

Extruded polystyrene foam (foam) is a popular board material that is used for roof insulation. It is characterized by high thermal insulation characteristics and is resistant to moisture. Due to the fact that polystyrene foam does not absorb vapors, the slabs can be mounted directly on the waterproofing without creating an air gap in the pitched roof.

The flammability of polystyrene foam and its vapor permeability make this roof insulation material unsuitable for installing flat soft roofs.

When insulating a pitched roof, foam slabs are laid between the rafters in one layer. It is necessary to ensure that the edges of the slabs fit snugly against the wooden structures. The joints must be filled with polyurethane foam, and reinforced tape must be glued on top.

Polyurethane foam

low thermal conductivity;
low specific gravity;
soundproofing properties;
biostability;
waterproofing properties (due to the clogged cell structure).

Polyurethane foam is produced in the form of rigid slabs, and can also be applied to the roof structure by spraying.

PPU slabs have sufficient rigidity. They are easy to cut and drill and do not lose their shape during use. Their installation is carried out using the same technology as thermal insulation of the roof with slabs of extruded polystyrene foam.

Spraying polyurethane foam is a modern technology that has already earned recognition. The application of the insulating layer is carried out using special equipment, and this is the main disadvantage of this material. The main advantage of sprayed polyurethane foam is the ability to create a monolithic heat-insulating layer, since the foaming material fills all the cracks.

Roof insulation with foam insulation is similar to using sprayed polyurethane foam. In terms of its technical characteristics, penoizol (urea-formaldehyde foam) is close to conventional polystyrene foam. The advantages of the material include the combination of its price and quality. Taking into account the thermal conductivity coefficient, the cost of penoizol is lower than mineral wool, basalt slabs, and extruded polystyrene foam. The polymer material is safe for human health.

Spraying of penoizol is carried out using a foaming unit. The hose approaches the installation site of the insulation, and the foam fills the required gap. Thermofen in its frozen form is a material that does not weigh down structures and does not have any harmful effects on them.

Penoizol differs from sprayed polystyrene foam in its higher level of moisture absorption, which is about 5%. Therefore, there is a need to install a vapor barrier.

When installing a flat roof, various materials are used to insulate the roof of the house. These include foam concrete, consisting of:

concrete;
cement;
sand;
blowing agent.

Foam material allows you to create durable and reliable roof insulation. Due to its low density, foam concrete does not create high loads on supporting structures and retains heat well. The advantages of the material include:

For the installation of foam concrete, a special mobile installation is used. The insulation layer can be from 30 to 150 mm.

This material is also used when installing flat roofs. Expanded clay is a bulk insulation material that is laid on the floor slab or the outer surface of the roof. The material must be compacted and covered with a screed, while maintaining the required angle of the roof slope to ensure the removal of precipitation.

The use of expanded clay leads to a significant increase in loads on building structures and the foundation of the building, which must be foreseen at the design stage. The quality of such insulation largely depends on the correct execution of installation work.

Foam glass

When choosing how to insulate the roof of a private house, you can pay attention to an environmentally friendly material with high thermal insulation characteristics - foam glass. This material is made by foaming glass mass with carbon, it differs:

resistance to deformation;
durability;
biostability;
resistance to steam and water;
non-flammability.

Foamed glass is used for thermal insulation of all types of roofing, regardless of the materials from which it is made. When installing insulation, it is important to take into account its low absorbency and use polymer acetate glue to ensure high adhesion.

The use of foam glass allows you to add elasticity to a soft roof and level its surface. This is a suitable material for arranging flat roofs in use.

Ecowool (cellulose) is an insulation material made from waste paper. This is an environmentally friendly material that has excellent heat-insulating and sound-proofing qualities. To avoid such disadvantages of cellulose as flammability and susceptibility to damage from rodents and microorganisms, ecowool is treated with fire retardants and bioprotective compounds.

Ecowool is a lightweight and cheap material. But insulating a roof with ecowool requires a special approach when it comes to installing a heat insulator between the rafters. Closed “boxes” should be created from slab materials, into which ecowool is blown, completely filling all the cracks. The disadvantages of this insulation include the need for special preparation for installation and the use of specialized equipment.

Roof insulation with sawdust was popular before the advent of modern high-tech materials. Wood processing waste is an environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, breathable, but flammable material, which must be taken into account when choosing a heat insulator. In addition, sawdust is susceptible to rotting and can serve as a habitat for rodents.

Using bulk material such as sawdust, it is not the roof structure of the house that is insulated, but the ceiling. Ecowool can be used in the same way. A uniform layer of sawdust allows for high-quality insulation of the ceiling of residential premises. To improve the thermal insulation properties, sawdust can be mixed with clay and treated with the attic floor.

The use of sawdust is possible only if the attic space is not in use.

The correct choice of insulation and high-quality installation of the roofing pie will allow you to provide a healthy microclimate in your home all year round, and save on heating in winter.

What is the best way to insulate the roof of a private house: mineral wool, sawdust, ecowool

Find out how best to insulate the roof of a private house. Comparison of materials for roof insulation with mineral wool, sawdust and ecowool

How to properly insulate a roof in a private house?

How to properly insulate the roof of a house
Selection of insulation material
The procedure for roof insulation

Having owned a private house, it is necessary to ensure a certain temperature regime in it for comfortable living. To accomplish this task, you need to maintain the required temperature in his rooms. To comply with this condition, the house must be properly insulated. As you know, heated air rises to the ceiling and then to the roof. Heat loss through the roof of a house is over 30%. Therefore, to maintain heat in the house, especially if there is an attic space under the roof, it is necessary to insulate the attic from the inside. To do this, you need to know how to insulate the roof of a private house correctly.

Scheme of a roof made of corrugated sheets.

How to properly insulate the roof of a house

To properly install thermal insulation in a private home, you need to know how to insulate the roof and what is the sequence of work performed.

Firstly, in order for the roof of the house to be insulated correctly, insulation materials should be selected correctly. In this matter, it is better to consult a specialist.

Secondly, during the preparation and calculation of materials, it is necessary to take into account the roof configuration.

Thirdly, when deciding how to properly insulate a roof, you need to consider the strength characteristics of the roof itself.

Before starting roof insulation work, it is necessary to carefully inspect the roof of the house from the inside. Any detected defects and various damages must be repaired. Then all wooden structures, especially rafters and sheathing, must be coated with antiseptic and fire retardants. Inspect the pipelines and electrical wiring running through the attic. If necessary, cover the pipelines with thermal insulation (protection against condensation), and place the electrical wiring in a protective casing.

Selection of insulation material

To know how to insulate the roof of a house, you need to study the characteristics of the materials used for this. Materials widely used for roof insulation include:

Ensuring air circulation when insulating a pitched roof.

mineral wool and glass wool;
expanded polystyrene;
foam concrete;
polyurethane foam;
liquid polyurethane foam.

All types of insulation have their own indicators of thermal conductivity, breathability, moisture resistance and environmental friendliness. Insulation materials have different strength and service life and, of course, cost.

The most popular is mineral wool in the form of mineral wool slabs. It has the following advantages:

Low thermal conductivity coefficient.
Fire resistance.
Suitable for any type of roof.
It is quite easy to install even by one person.

The disadvantage of mineral wool is its high moisture absorption coefficient. When wet, it loses its heat-insulating properties and strength qualities.

The procedure for roof insulation

The insulation process begins with the installation of insulation. The insulation is installed from inside the attic between the rafters. A wind-moisture-proof membrane (waterproofing film) must be installed on top of the insulation. It is installed on the rafters and secured with a counter-lattice during the construction of the house. The sheathing is attached to the counter-lattice, and then the roofing covering.

Roof slab insulation scheme.

Thus, between the sheathing and the waterproofing film, a ventilation channel with a height of about 50 mm is obtained, providing ventilation of the under-roof space. With the help of this channel, moisture vapor that has penetrated from inside the attic is removed, which prevents the insulation from getting wet. For effective ventilation, supply ducts are installed under the roof canopy, and exhaust openings are installed in the ridge part.

The insulation boards must be installed very tightly between the rafters so that when it shrinks, cold bridges do not arise. To do this, they must be approximately 10 mm wider than the distance between the rafters. The slabs must be installed in two layers in a checkerboard pattern so that their joints overlap. The slabs should be installed in such a way as not to block the ventilation gap of the under-roof space. The slabs are secured by placing bars with a cross section of 50x50 mm on the rafters. Since the thermal conductivity of rafters is higher than that of insulation, it is recommended to place another layer of insulation between the fastening bars. In the case where the distance between the rafters is greater than the width of the slabs, they are additionally secured with tensioned wire fixed to the surface of the rafters. A vapor barrier membrane is attached over the installed insulation. It is installed with overlapping strips of approximately 10 cm, the joints are fastened together with tape.

After completing the roof insulation work, the attic space is sheathed from the inside with clapboard or sheets of plasterboard.

Knowing how to insulate a roof and doing this work yourself, you can significantly improve the comfortable living conditions in your home and save money.

What is the best way to insulate the roof of a house: choosing materials for insulation with your own hands (photo)

How to insulate a roof in a private house yourself. Step-by-step instructions for insulating an attic space. Features of the work. Rules for choosing insulation.

What is the best way to insulate the roof of a private house?

Heat loss through the roof of a one-story house can be up to 30% of the total, so increased requirements are placed on the choice of insulation.

Proper insulation of the roof of a private house reduces heat loss and heating costs in winter, and also maintains a comfortable indoor temperature in summer, preventing it from rising.

Depending on the characteristics of the implementation of the pitched roof and the building materials used, the following are distinguished:

warm roof,
cold attic (ventilated roof).

Warm roof consists of several layers (“pie”) of materials with different characteristics: waterproofing, vapor barrier, thermal insulation. Laying them on the roof structure in a certain sequence allows you to achieve the best operating conditions for each layer.

If it is planned cold attic, then only the attic floor is insulated along the floor joists. The roof slopes are not insulated from the inside. This solution improves the humidity conditions during the operation of the roofing pie.

Roof insulation materials

When choosing insulation for a pitched roof, you need to take into account a number of requirements: the material must keep its shape throughout its entire service life, not form voids, and maintain thermal insulation properties.

Among the large range of insulation materials on the market, the most suitable for insulating the roof of a private house and meeting the specified requirements are:

Mineral wool

It is a fibrous insulation made from molten and frozen rocks. It has a high degree of thermal insulation and dampens noise well.

Available in rolls or slabs, due to its light weight it is easy to transport and install on site. During use, it does not lose its shape or shrink.

Popular brands: Rockwool, TechnoNIKOL, Izolight.

density 35 – 40 kg/cub.m,
thermal conductivity 0.036 – 0.041 W/(m*K),
incombustible,
water absorption 1 kg/sq.m,
vapor permeability 0.3 mg/(m*h*Pa).

Glass wool

Mineral wool based on fiberglass is produced using a similar technology, by remelting quartz sand or cullet. The material holds its shape well, retains heat, does not allow sound to pass through, and can withstand temperatures up to 500° without burning. Also available in the form of slabs or rolls.

Popular brands – Ursa, Knauf.

density 15 – 20 kg/cub.m,
thermal conductivity 0.035 – 0.042 W/(m*K),
incombustible,
water absorption<1 кг/куб.м.

Polyurethane foam

Sprayed polyurethane foam insulation (PPU) is a liquid that, under certain conditions, enters into a chemical reaction, foams, and then hardens into a porous solid material that forms an insulating layer.

The thermal insulation properties of polyurethane foam are high, it hermetically covers the entire surface to be treated, does not emit harmful substances after hardening, and adheres to any base.

To apply sprayed two-component polyurethane foam, special equipment is required. Some types of polyurethane foam are available in easy-to-use aerosol cans, for example Polynor insulation. Working with this material is no more difficult than spraying polyurethane foam.

density 60 – 80 kg/cub.m,
thermal conductivity 0.023 – 0.032 W/(m*K),
incombustible,
water absorption 0.002 kg/cub.m.

Expanded clay refers to bulk insulation - these are porous clay granules, light in weight and different in size. It has a low thermal conductivity coefficient, a high level of sound absorption, is absolutely environmentally friendly, and non-flammable. It is often used to insulate attic and interfloor ceilings.

density 300 – 500 kg/cub.m,
thermal conductivity 0.09 – 0.1 W/(m*K),
incombustible,
water absorption 10 – 25%.

There are a number of insulation materials, the use of which as thermal insulation materials for the under-roof space is undesirable due to unfavorable “side” effects:

Ecowool. It is made from cellulose fiber, therefore it is a highly flammable material, despite being treated with fire retardants. Its application requires complex equipment, and during use, ecowool shrinks over time - it becomes compressed and loses its heat-insulating properties.

Sawdust– a natural product that is unsafe from a fire point of view: it ignites quickly and burns well. Sawdust provides a favorable environment for the development of microorganisms and habitat for rodents and other small animals. Absorbing moisture well, they rot and mold, shrink, and their thermal insulation properties gradually decrease.

Expanded polystyrene. This material is available in the form of rigid slabs. It is undesirable to use expanded polystyrene for roof insulation, since when the temperature rises to 80°C, it releases toxic substances that are life-threatening. This material is used as insulation only under plaster or concrete-cement screed.

Comparison of the main characteristics of insulation materials

Work order

1. Installation of waterproofing film

When installing waterproofing, leave a gap of 4–6 cm between the film and the heat-insulating material. This is necessary for unhindered air circulation, due to which moisture evaporates. To provide the necessary ventilation gap, a counter-lattice made of bars is placed on the rafters.

The film is laid across the slope and secured with staplers with an overlap of 10 cm. The upper fragments are placed on the lower ones, and the seams are secured with adhesive tape.

2. Laying thermal insulation

Thermal insulation material is measured and cut taking into account the distance between the rafters. The insulation is laid from bottom to top in the spacer between the rafters, this ensures reliable fixation and the absence of gaps. Remains and excess insulation are not thrown away, but are used for thermal insulation of hard-to-reach places.

3. Installation of a vapor barrier layer

When installing the film, it is important not to confuse the outer and inner surfaces, since the vapor barrier is designed in such a way that it does not allow moisture to pass into the material, but brings it out.

The vapor barrier is fixed with staplers along the rafters. The overlap is done at least 10 cm both along and across the roof slopes, and the seams are secured with sealing self-adhesive tape.

The final stage is the installation of the counter-lattice, which serves as the basis for the interior decoration of the attic space.

Common mistakes when installing insulation

Violation of the technology for installing heat insulators can lead to the following negative effects:

the formation of “cold bridges” – occurs when the integrity of the “roofing pie” is violated (for example, the gaps between the insulation are not coated with moisture-resistant mastic),
the formation of many icicles on the eaves in winter - occurs when warm air from the room penetrates through the roof, which leads to melting of snow,
increased heat loss, in comparison with the calculated ones, occurs when laying damp thermal insulation materials or when carrying out work at high humidity.

There are a large number of thermal insulation materials for roofs on the market. Choosing the right insulation will ensure the maintenance of a comfortable temperature in the house, the absence of toxic emissions, reducing heating costs in winter and air conditioning in summer.

How to insulate the roof of a private house: choosing insulation material

Technology for insulating the roof of a private house: choice of material, diagram and procedure for installing insulation.

A reliable, warm roof is one of the main conditions for comfortable living in a home. This is also important from an economic point of view: high-quality roof insulation will save a lot of money due to less thermal energy consumption. In addition, insulating the roof will make the attic a living space. Therefore, you should take this work seriously, you need to use only high-quality materials and perform installation correctly. The question of how to properly insulate the roof of a house worries everyone who has started construction. Let's try to answer it and give examples of using the most popular insulation materials.

You can insulate a roof with your own hands using various materials, the most popular of which are mineral wool and glass wool. But you shouldn’t limit your choice only to them: you can also do roof insulation with your own hands using polystyrene foam, expanded polystyrene, fiberboard, and so on. To determine which material should be used, it is necessary to consider all their advantages and disadvantages and learn about the basic properties.

A useful quality of glass and mineral wool is its lower specific gravity than, for example, that of expanded polystyrene. It is also worth noting their low thermal conductivity and fire safety. But they are also not without their drawbacks: over time, the materials can cake, which leads to a change in thermal insulation parameters for the worse. Cracks and cavities appear that are not covered by slabs or sheets, resulting in the formation of “bridges” of cold. In addition, cotton insulation with poorly executed moisture and vapor barrier is capable of absorbing moisture, which also leads to a deterioration in its basic parameters.

In addition, their installation is a rather complicated procedure, but an additional unpleasant moment can be the spillage of small particles, which can pose a health hazard if they get into the respiratory system or eyes.

Manufacturers offer consumers a large selection of insulation materials

Expanded polystyrene, on the contrary, is a moisture-resistant and durable material; it does not change its geometric dimensions throughout its entire service life. Its thermal insulation characteristics are even higher than those of cotton insulation. Installing polystyrene foam is not difficult (the work can be done in just a few hours), and the material itself is absolutely safe. But this is not the cheapest material. However, given its effectiveness, we can conclude that the costs will be justified. In order to turn an attic space into a living space, it makes sense to use exclusively polystyrene foam.

Properties of thermal insulators

It is known that high-quality roof insulation is possible under three conditions: good material, competent roof design and correctly performed installation are required. When choosing insulation, in addition to the above characteristics, other properties should be taken into account. We list the most relevant of them:

Each of the insulation materials has its own characteristics. To eliminate the influence of some negative aspects on the quality of insulation of the roof of a house, they are taken into account in the roof design. For example, the insulating material can be insulated from rodents or from moisture in the air.

How to insulate a roof from the inside: preparatory work

To know how to properly insulate a roof, you need to understand the sequence of work. First you need to waterproof the roof. It will be more reliable if a layer of waterproofing is laid on a frame made of rafters and joists, and on top of it - roofing material, which is now often used as metal tiles. After this, you can begin laying insulation from the attic side.

When laying any material, it is necessary to ensure the presence of a “vent”: that is, an air gap between the waterproofing and insulation. This will also contribute to thermal insulation: metal tiles heated in summer will transfer heat indoors to a lesser extent. The width of the “vent” should be within 100 mm.

A ventilation gap is created between the waterproofing material and the insulation.

To fulfill this requirement, there are two ways. The first involves packing wooden boards onto the load-bearing beams in such a way that they limit the position of the slabs or sheets, creating free volume. Another way is that this function is performed by a nylon rope or stainless steel wire, stretched and secured in a similar way.

After completing the work on installing the “vent”, it is necessary to fill wooden beams at a distance approximately equal to the width of the slabs, which should be installed between them “in a spacer”. This design does not require fixing the material; you can also attach a second layer of insulation or finishing material to these beams.

Features of the use of glass wool and mineral wool

First you need to decide on the width of the insulation. The beams mentioned above are not always needed, since in some cases slabs or sheets can be laid between the rafters.

Plates of cotton wool insulation are placed tightly to each other

The work must be performed in special clothing, with safety glasses and a respirator. First, the waterproofing film is laid, after which the cotton material is laid so that its slabs are located tightly to each other. After this comes the turn of the vapor barrier: it is designed to protect against internal moisture. The vapor barrier layer is attached using a stapler directly to the beams or rafters. Adjacent film panels should overlap each other at a distance of about 100 mm.

In addition to laying heat-insulating material, it is necessary to provide hydro- and vapor barrier

A decorative layer is attached on top, which is used as plasterboard or wooden lining.

Roof insulation with polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam

Polystyrene foam is relatively cheap, so information on how to insulate a roof with foam plastic will be useful to those who decide to use it. Since the principle of installing thermal insulation with its help is no different from the principles of working with expanded polystyrene, further information will concern both materials.

The presence of a “vent” is also mandatory and is ensured in the manner described above. Sections are constructed for fixing foam sheets if they are missing. The sheets themselves should be pressed against each other as tightly as possible. A second layer can be laid on top of the first layer, but the density of the material should be less: this will improve the thermal insulation of the roof. The second layer can be attached to the rafters or slats with self-tapping screws. If there are still gaps that are not filled with insulation, they must be filled with polyurethane foam.

Foam sheets must be installed in the spacer between the rafters

After laying the slabs, you should also begin decorative finishing of the surfaces of the attic walls.

Thermal insulation of flat roofs

There are two methods to do this job:

rolled ceiling method (involves laying insulation on top);
false ceiling method (installation of insulation is carried out from the inside).

It is more convenient and easier to do work outside. But at the same time, the strength of the structure should be taken into account: it must withstand the weight of the insulation. Since this method is mainly used for roofs with concrete floors, there is no need to worry about the strength of the structure.

External insulation is performed using basalt mineral wool. All work can be divided into the following stages:

a layer of vapor barrier material is laid;
mineral wool slabs are laid;
waterproofing is installed, which can be used as synthetic materials and roofing felt;
bulk insulating material (for example, expanded clay) is laid;
a cement screed with a thickness of about 30 mm is performed;
waterproofing is installed (slate, metal tiles or euroroofing felt).

Mineral wool slabs are laid on the base on top of the vapor barrier

It should be noted that before starting to lay the insulation (for concrete floors), the base surface must be cleaned of dirt and dust.

During operation it will become clear whether such insulation will be sufficient. If the temperature in the under-roof room in winter is comfortable, you can stop at this stage. If you need better insulation, you can lay an additional layer of insulation, but from the inside.

goodkrovlya.com

How to properly insulate a roof: features of thermal insulation for pitched and flat roofs

Today there is no need to convince anyone of the need to comply with energy saving requirements.

Any homeowner pays special attention to the issue of insulation of his home.

And first of all, he needs to know how to properly insulate the roof of a house and what materials are best to choose.

Preparatory work

If the building was built quite a long time ago, before insulating the roof, you need to assess the condition of all its elements.

This is especially true for pitched roofs with wooden rafters.

Rotten beams need to be repaired or replaced.

If the roof is leaking somewhere, it also needs to be repaired.

The owner of a newly built wooden log house should not immediately begin insulating the roof - it is better to do this after the building has settled. This usually takes about 6 months. During shrinkage, all cracks will expand to their maximum size, so it will be clear where additional repairs and particularly intensive insulation will be required.

Materials used to insulate the roof from the inside

How to properly insulate the roof of a house from the inside and what materials are needed for this?

All modern thermal insulation materials have approximately the same thermal conductivity coefficient - within the range of 0.035 - 0.040 W/m*degree.

However, this does not mean that the choice of thermal insulator is of no importance.

First of all, you should know that they are all divided into two large groups:

Mineral wool: Mineral wool is similar in structure to regular cotton wool (hence the name), but its fibers are made from molten stone (basalt wool), quartz (glass wool), slag and similar materials.
Polymer heat insulators: the most famous representatives of this group are polystyrene foam (can be foamed and extruded), PVC foam, polyethylene foam and polyurethane foam (better known as polyurethane or construction foam). All these materials have a porous structure, which determines their thermal insulation properties.

Some polymer heat insulators, for example, polystyrene foam (in everyday life - polystyrene foam) are cheaper than mineral wool. However, it should still be considered more preferable.

This point of view is based on a number of advantages of this material:

Environmental friendliness: mineral wool is modified stone or glass. These materials are natural (glass is molten sand) and under normal conditions do not emit any volatile substances, especially harmful ones. The same cannot be said about polymers. When cold, they are safe, but with relatively little heating they begin to disintegrate into gaseous substances harmful to health. In summer, the roof will heat up noticeably, and fumes will certainly be released. Even if the attic is not residential, some of them will still end up in the lungs of the residents.
Non-flammability: when in contact with fire, mineral wool only heats up and melts in places, while its polymer analogues burn with might and main and emit very toxic smoke. Even those varieties that are positioned as non-flammable, for example, polystyrene foam with a fire retardant additive, emit strong and harmful smoke upon contact with fire.
Biological stability: neither rotting fungi, nor mold, nor larger living creatures are interested in mineral wool. But some polymers, oddly enough, are very loved by rodents. For example, mice gnaw out entire holes in polystyrene foam. A city dweller cannot understand, but for the owner of a private house this problem is very relevant.

The most significant drawback of mineral wool is its hygroscopicity (absorbs water well) for internal insulation it does not matter at all; you will only need to protect the material from below with a vapor barrier film.

It should, however, be recognized that in the traditional version this heat insulator is inferior to foam plastic in ease of installation, since it has the appearance of a soft flexible mat (foam plastic is available in the form of hard slabs) and hurts your hands.

Roof insulation with foam plastic

But those who are embarrassed by these shortcomings can purchase a modern variety - an elastic mineral wool slab. It does not prick, and you don’t even need to fasten it - just push it between the rafters, where it will be held by the spacer force. True, such a product costs somewhat more than ordinary mineral wool.

Also today, rigid mineral wool slabs are produced that can withstand significant loads.

Obviously, the method of insulation will depend on the type of roof. Let's consider two options - pitched and flat.

Pitched roofs

The technology for insulating a pitched roof will depend on how the attic is used.

If it is in use or is an attic, then the roof itself needs to be insulated.

If the attic is not in use, insulate the attic floor by laying insulation on it or under it (on the ceiling of the living space below).

It is not advisable to insulate the roof of a non-residential attic: without insulation it will be better ventilated, which means wooden rafters will last longer.

Insulating the ceiling is not difficult at all, so we will consider installing thermal insulation on the roof. In this case, it is located inside, and not outside, as when insulating a flat roof.

An insulated roof must have several layers (starting with the outer layer):

Roofing covering.
Ventilated gap.
Waterproofing material. This function can be assigned to roofing felt or plastic film. If you use a modern material - a superdiffusion membrane, then there is no need to create a ventilation gap between it and the roofing.
Ventilated gap.
Insulation.
Vapor barrier material (if mineral wool acts as insulation).

In this capacity you can use:

polyethylene film;
roofing felt;
glassine;
special foil films: laid so that there is foil inside the room, which will reflect infrared (thermal) radiation.

Pitched roof

You can use a modern vapor barrier membrane, which releases steam from the insulation, but blocks its movement in the opposite direction (it is important to lay such a film on the correct side).

Another ventilated gap and internal lining (in residential attics) complete the design.

Due to the presence of blown gaps, moisture in the form of steam and condensation does not accumulate in the roof structure. Air enters them through special openings (vents) in the pitched overhang, and exits through the same openings under the ridge.

Flat roof

On a flat roof, they try to place thermal insulation on top of the floor slab. If this is not enough, then you should attach an additional insulating layer to the bottom of the slab, that is, to the ceiling of the room below, and disguise it with a suspended ceiling.

Insulation over the slab is carried out as follows:

A vapor barrier film is laid on the base, extending it onto the parapet to the thickness of the insulation. Individual pieces of film are placed overlapping and taped with double-sided tape.
Next, special hard mineral wool slabs are laid.
If the base does not have a slope (this is typical for concrete slabs), a special type of mineral wool slabs is laid on top of the main insulation, providing a slope of 1.5%.
The next step is either to lay the screed, and on top of it the roofing covering (for 1-layer technology), or the roofing covering immediately (for 2-layer technology).

Some manufacturers produce materials for 1-layer installation, others for 2-layer installation. In the first case, slabs with a compressive strength of 45 kPa are used, in the second - slabs with a strength of 70 kPa (bottom layer) and 30 - 35 kPa (top layer). The 1-layer scheme involves laying a cement-sand screed on top of the thermal insulation; a 2-layer screed is not required. But you need to take into account that in the 2-layer version, due to negligence, you can damage the 1st layer while laying the 2nd.

Scheme of typical flat roof insulation

The thickness of mineral wool insulation for residential buildings at the latitude of Moscow is 200 mm, for industrial buildings - from 140 to 160 mm.

The slabs must be attached to the base using special so-called. disc screws - to a wooden base, or dowels - to a concrete one.

If for some reason it is not possible to purchase rigid mineral wool slabs, you can insulate a flat roof the old fashioned way - with expanded clay or foam concrete.

If you decide to insulate the floor from below, then you can use ordinary mineral wool in the form of a flexible mat: it is laid on the ceiling, covered with a vapor barrier and fixed with slats screwed to the ceiling.

Some nuances

To ensure a guaranteed gap of 30 - 50 mm between the layers of insulation and waterproofing, nails are driven into the rafters at this distance from it in increments of 100 mm.

Nylon threads are pulled between them.

They will serve as limiters when installing a mineral wool heat insulator.

The latter can be of two types:

Elastic plate. Before installation, it is trimmed to a width 10 mm greater than the clearance between the rafters. The slab is held in place by a spacer force, but for reliability it must be secured with a nylon cord stretched between nails or with wooden slats.
Flexible mat. It is stretched between the rafters and sewn to their side surfaces with a construction stapler.

If you place a heat insulator only between the rafters, the latter will act as “cold bridges”. Therefore, it is usually laid in two layers: the 1st layer is placed between the rafters, and the 2nd layer covers both the first layer and the rafters from below (not a slab is used, but an ordinary mineral wool mat). Since the rafters will later be needed to attach the vapor barrier, their location must be marked with a stretched fishing line.

Video on the topic

No comments yet

microclimat.pro

Roof insulation along rafters and how to properly install insulation

There are many options for roof insulation necessary to save fuel consumption. One of them is laying insulation between the rafters. This method of thermal insulation is most often used when it is necessary to use the attic space as an attic. If there is no such need, then the owners of private residential buildings prefer to insulate the ceiling. This is due to the fact that such insulation is more effective. Warm air will not escape outside the room, and if you only insulate the roof along the rafters, you will also have to heat the attic space.

This article will discuss exactly how to properly insulate a roof along the rafters. It should be said that carrying out such work does not have any technical difficulties. Any person who has held construction tools in his hands at least once in his life can cope with such a task.

Popular materials for roof insulation along rafters

It is worth noting that the use of thermal insulation materials to insulate the roof along the rafters allows not only to combat heat loss during the cold season. Thermal insulation materials can provide excellent protection from heat in summer. They not only prevent warm air from escaping, but also prevent the attic from heating up during hot weather.

Before you figure out how to properly insulate a roof, you need to understand what materials are most often used for such purposes. The modern market is replete with a variety of building materials used for roof insulation. There are both modern insulation materials on sale, which have been used for decades, as well as those launched for sale relatively recently, both domestically produced and foreign.

You can insulate the roof with expensive and cheap materials. First of all, you need to pay attention not to their cost, but to their performance characteristics. Currently, mineral wool and glass wool are most often used to insulate the roof along the rafters. These materials should be discussed in more detail.

Glass wool

This material consists of the finest glass threads, pressed into fairly voluminous layers. It is worth understanding that the use of glass wool involves the need to use personal protective equipment. Otherwise, small particles of material may get into the skin, eyes and respiratory system.

The positive characteristics of this material include strength, elasticity and non-flammability. Thanks to this, it can be used to properly insulate the roof between the rafters.

Mineral wool

The most popular and popular material for roof insulation is mineral wool. It consists of gabbro-basalt fibers, which are bonded to each other with various combined compounds.

Mineral wool has a number of advantages over glass wool. For example, it is much more flexible and safer to use. Its use does not require any precautions.

Mineral wool is characterized by the following indicators:

high fire resistance. Mineral wool does not burn. When exposed to high temperatures, it simply collapses;
this material has high elasticity, thanks to which it can be easily fixed anywhere, including between the rafters;
due to the fact that mineral wool has a constant shape, it is possible to avoid the possibility of gaps forming between the rafters and the insulation;
the thermal insulation characteristics of mineral wool are at a fairly high level;
such insulation is easily fixed between the rafters.

One of the most important advantages of this insulation is its affordable price. It is worth understanding that, like any other material, mineral wool has not only positive characteristics, but also negative ones. Mineral wool has a high hygroscopicity rate. In other words, over time, mineral wool accumulates a large amount of moisture, which is why its performance characteristics suffer. However, one negative point cannot cover a lot of positive ones, which is why mineral wool is very often used in various construction and installation works.

Preparing the roof for installation of insulation

In order to properly insulate the roof, it is necessary to follow the sequence of construction work. Each component of thermal insulation will successfully perform its assigned functions only if it is in its place.

To comply with the technology of thermal insulation of the roof, the insulation between the rafters must be laid in several layers replacing each other. Among other things, in the process of roof insulation it is necessary to properly arrange ventilation, vapor barrier and waterproofing. Thanks to this, mineral wool will accumulate moisture less intensively and will last longer.

The insulation of the rafter system is carried out by installing the layers by surprise. In this regard, when preparing insulation sheets, it should be taken into account that their size should be 2-3 centimeters greater than the distance between the rafters. If for some reason this is not possible, then it is necessary to build a frame into which layers of insulation can be laid so that they hold securely and do not sag. If the attic is not converted into a living space, then the installed thermal insulation material can be secured using ordinary fishing line.

Arrangement of waterproofing and ventilation

It is worth taking care of the waterproofing layer in advance. If the roof insulation is carried out at the stage of its installation, then superdiffuse film can be used as a waterproofing material. It is laid directly on the rafters. Thus, the film does not allow moisture to pass through from the outside, but vapor from the opposite side.

The film is attached from bottom to top. In other words, it needs to be stretched from the eaves overhang to the ridge. The canvases are laid with significant overlap and secured to each other with construction tape. The waterproofing material is attached to the rafters using staples or nails with a wide head. The fixed waterproofing material must not be tensioned. When the temperature drops, it contracts, which can cause damage. Thus, the waterproofing membrane must be laid with slack.

In most cases, thermal insulation of the roof is carried out at the stage of roof installation, but if the need for work arose later, the waterproofing membrane will have to be fixed from the inside. It is worth noting that in such a situation, waterproofing, as well as thermal insulation, will be less reliable and durable.

The roof is waterproofed from the inside by wrapping the rafters and securing it in the space between them. Next, preparatory work should continue according to the standard scheme.

After the waterproofing is installed, you should proceed to the formation of ventilation. For these purposes, it is necessary to make a ventilation gap, thanks to which vapors will be removed from the heat-insulating material. Ventilation installation is quite simple to implement. All you need is to lay a sheathing of wooden slats over the waterproofing film.

Roof insulation technology

During the preparatory work, the thermal insulation material was unpacked and cut into pieces of the required sizes. All that remains to be done is to place it in the intended place. After the layers of insulation have taken their places, it is necessary to protect the material from vapors coming from the living space. For these purposes, you can use the same waterproofing film. The rules for its installation are no different from those described above.

The final stage of roof insulation between the rafters is the installation of finishing material. Most often it is attached to the surface of the rafters. This completes the insulation. If the materials are positioned correctly, in compliance with all the rules described above, then they will be able to properly perform their functions for a long time.

By following the sequence of actions and the technology of using materials, you can achieve excellent results and significantly reduce the cost of fuel required to heat the room. It should be noted that the created structure is subject to repair, which can be performed at any time.

build-experts.ru

Insulating the roof of a house from the inside with your own hands

During the period when the thermometer drops to minus levels, the problem of heat preservation in residential premises invariably gains relevance. The latest technologies in construction, helping to solve the problem of strengthening low-rise buildings in terms of thermal insulation, have several different directions. It is this circumstance that makes many developers think about how to insulate the roof of a house from the inside with their own hands, in order to take into account all the positive aspects of this event.

Modification of the building will be especially valuable for those objects that, during the construction of low-rise buildings, intended to use this type of space in the future for arranging premises suitable for habitation. If at the very beginning of construction it was supposedly planned to insulate the roof from the inside with mineral wool or other material in order to protect the building from loss of energy resources and equip free premises for housing, then all work in terms of improvement should be taken into account when installing the roof.

Roof insulation system from the inside

The well-known expression: “Close the doors, don’t let the heat out” does not entirely correspond to the truth. Heat leaves the room not only through window and door openings, although these elements of the building are an important factor when taking into account the conservation and conservation of energy resources. A properly designed and insulated roof from the inside can retain from 18 to 29% of the total heat in the house. Here it is important to know the laws of physics: when heated, the air rises, where it enters the atmosphere in all possible ways, but if the building is properly insulated, the air circulates inside it, which means the resources spent on heating the building are saved significantly.

Thanks to a unique system that resembles the presence of a pie layer, a quality of sealing from the inside of the roof is achieved that can protect the building not only from moisture and cold currents entering the interior, but also from heat loss from the inside. The insulation system consists of three main elements:

Vapor barrier. An element whose task is to retain the accumulation of warm air in the upper part of the room and prevent condensation that forms as a result of cooling of the air in the attic.
Insulation. The purpose of the element is clear based on its name. As insulation, which is used for these purposes, several materials that are completely different in their technical characteristics can be used simultaneously.
Waterproofing. With the help of this element, reliable protection of the building is ensured from the ingress of precipitation in the form of rain and snow. This layer is laid almost immediately under the roof, which enhances the protective function of the element.

The basis of the entire system is the rafter structure, thanks to which all other elements are installed. Before you begin insulation, you need to familiarize yourself in detail with the available options, the technology used for installation and, based on this information, choose the most appropriate option.

Thermal insulation: selection of material according to characteristics

Not all developers know how to properly insulate the roof of a house from the inside due to the lack of necessary information about the material that can be used for these purposes. Any construction insulation has its own technical characteristics, which have both positive aspects and disadvantages. Manufacturers pay the greatest attention to the following main points, which affect both the operational period and its suitability when used for thermal insulation.

Moisture absorption. The less the insulation absorbs moisture during operation, the longer and better it does its job.
Thermal conductivity. The lower the thermal conductivity, the better; this circumstance depends on factors that are taken into account during manufacturing, namely porosity and density.
Density. Insulation with low density is considered the best in terms of technical characteristics.

When choosing the right material, important factors in production and operation are environmental friendliness, its resistance to fire, frost resistance, strength and durability under the influence of an aggressive environment. In addition, you should also take into account the type and configuration of the roof, the price and features of the installation work.

Features of insulation of pitched roofs

It is easier to carry out work on insulating a pitched roof from the inside with a material that does not have a high density. Insulation of a pitched roof is carried out directly on the sheathing of the rafter system. In order for the insulation of a pitched roof to be carried out in accordance with technological rules, it is necessary to protect the insulation, which will be used as thermal insulation, on both sides with special layers: waterproofing on top, vapor-permeable on the bottom. It is important that there is a gap between the thermal insulation and the roof, the so-called ventilation duct, which will provide the buffer zone necessary during operation.

Insulating a roof from the inside with your own hands on a pitched roof is not as simple a task as it initially seems: young specialists often make annoying mistakes and mistakes, which later affect the operation. Let's list the main ones:

The option used must exactly match the dimensions; any lack of insulation at the joints is considered a defect in the work, which will later be reflected in the operation of the building as heat loss.
The use of insulation with a high percentage of moisture absorption. This feature may have little effect on the material itself, but the roof, especially if a metal profile is used, may suffer from corrosion ahead of time. Rafters and sheathing may also suffer (rot), since these elements are made of wood.
Failure to use all elements during installation. There are a number of experts who believe that the presence of a vapor barrier or waterproofing is not always required; this is one of the common and serious mistakes that will affect the operation of the building.

When choosing vapor barrier and waterproofing, several modifications are used, specially created for these purposes. It may differ in its technical characteristics, so you need to pay attention to this factor.

A very similar technique is used when it is necessary to insulate a pitched roof. Moreover, the choice of insulation option and the installation itself are not much different.

Features of attic arrangement

Carrying out work on insulating the roof from the inside yourself is a doubly responsible task if in the future you plan to use the attic space as an additional living area. Here, too, the main task before starting work is the choice of material, and experts advise paying attention to the most popular technologies:

Mineral wool.
Polyurethane.
Expanded polystyrene.

Each of the listed materials is good in its own way, but there are also nuances both during installation work and during operation.

Insulating an attic roof from the inside with your own hands using mineral wool is good because it is soft in structure, and making it in the form of mats makes it possible to tightly fit the joints. When arranging an attic roof from the inside with your own hands, it is important to take into account that during operation the insulation does not rot, is environmentally friendly and has all the necessary thermal insulation properties. Insulating the roof from the inside with mineral wool meets all the technical characteristics listed above; the only thing that needs to be taken into account is the type of base from which it is made and the density. It is easier to insulate a roof from the inside with mineral wool from a material that is made from stone or basalt rocks, although fiberglass has better technical characteristics in terms of thermal insulation.

Polyurethane and expanded polystyrene are considered more modern materials intended for use in landscaping for the purpose of thermal insulation. Another option is to use polystyrene foam. It has excellent thermal insulation properties. Insulating a roof with foam plastic from the inside is very beneficial for several reasons, the main ones being the high level of protection of the room from heat loss and excellent performance data: it does not rot, and is not susceptible to moisture destruction. Its main disadvantage is considered to be increased flammability, so experts do not recommend insulating the roof of a wooden house from the inside for reasons of safe operation of the building.

Features during installation work

Insulation of an attic roof from the inside can be done in several ways; this largely depends on the rafter arrangement system, the density of the sheathing and the material chosen for the arrangement. If you do the roof insulation from the inside with your own hands using mineral wool, it is important to use a waterproofing layer during installation that separates the roof from the insulation. When insulating an attic roof from the inside, during installation it is important to lay it in such a way that it fits tightly, without gaps, but at the same time there is a ventilation gap between the waterproofing and the insulation itself. There is no need to throw away slabs and mats damaged during transportation; they can be cut and used in places where there are gaps between the rafters and the insulation. For ease of installation, many manufacturers produce their products in the form of slabs; this same manufacturing method is a very convenient format for transportation.

For those who have never independently engaged in this type of work, it is advisable to use video tutorials for familiarization, which also, in addition to installation, contain tips on how and what is the best way to insulate the roof of a house.

When insulating the roof of a wooden house from the inside, you should study the design and thickness of the rafters in advance, and if the insulation is a little wider, you may need to use additional fasteners. Insufficient thickness of rafters is a very common occurrence when arranging attic spaces, so when faced with this problem you need to be prepared for additional costs during installation. In this case, you can fully insulate the attic roof by laying thermal insulation material on top of the rafter system. This will completely solve the problem of the required insulation density and eliminate the presence of cracks during installation.

How to insulate windows for the winter