Insulate the floor of the wall. How to insulate a wooden floor in a private house

Floor insulation reduces heat loss in the house and affects the temperature in the rooms.

The better the thermal insulation of the floor, the less money is spent on paying for gas or electricity for heating.

An insufficiently insulated floor leads to a decrease in the air temperature in the room, which negatively affects the health of the inhabitants of the house.

This article will discuss ways to solve the issue of thermal insulation. various types floor.

The following materials are used for floor insulation:

• mineral wool;
• foam boards;
• foamed polyurethane;
• reflective foil insulation;
• linoleum;
• Self-leveling floors.

Insulation of a wooden floor

In half of the houses with wooden floors, the joists are located 10 or more centimeters above ground level. They are fixed in wall niches and supported by stone or brick tables standing on the ground. When laying a floor on concrete, the joists are placed directly on the surface of the slab.

The floor insulation scheme is as follows: a material with low thermal conductivity is placed between the concrete or soil and the coating, and measures are taken to ensure that the material does not reduce the strength of the floor.

This scheme is used on concrete and wooden floors for any reason.

Expanded clay

This is the easiest way to insulate floors in an apartment. Remove the covering and subfloor, mark it so as not to confuse it during subsequent installation. Inspect and, if necessary, repair the joists.

Fill in expanded clay. The backfill level should be 2-3 cm below the subfloor. Reinstall and lay the covering.

Foam boards or mineral wool

Remove the covering, subfloor, repair the joists. If the floor is mounted on concrete, cut the insulation into pieces the width of the joists and lay it on the floor. If the logs are on bedside tables, cut strips of plywood 10 mm thick, 20 cm wide and 1-1.5 meters long. Place the strips at the bottom of the joists until they look like an inverted T.

Secure with self-tapping screws. The distance between the strips is 20-30 cm. Treat all the joists. Measure the distance between the joists and cut strips of plywood 5-7 mm thick to that width. The distance between joists varies, so measure separately for each sheet. After cutting out the sheets, place them between the joists. Do not leave a gap between sheets of more than 1 cm.

Cut and lay insulation on sheets. Try not to make gaps between the insulation and the joists. The amount of insulation depends on financial capabilities. If possible, install one centimeter below the subfloor level. This will improve the thermal insulation of the floor.

Cut strips of vapor-permeable film, sold in construction and hardware stores. Determine the width using the formula: average distance between lags + 15 cm.

Video - insulating a wooden floor in wooden house:

Place the film on the insulation, leaving equal projections on the joists. Wrap the protruding parts 2-4 times. Avoid wrinkles from forming. Press the hems to the joist and secure with a staple gun. Drive staples every 5 cm. Lay and secure the subfloor, then the covering.

Reflective thermal insulation

Remove the covering and subfloor, repair the joists. Cut the seal so that one piece completely covers the gap between the two joists. Do not use multiple pieces - each joint between pieces reduces the insulation efficiency by 5-10 percent.

Determine the width of the pieces using the formula - the distance between the logs + 10 cm. Place the insulation with the foil towards the top. Secure it on one side to the joist using a stapler. The fixing height is 1 cm from the subfloor level. Fasten the other side in the same way. Lay and secure the subfloor, then the covering.

Foamed polyurethane

Remove the covering and subfloor, repair the joists. If the floor is on bedside tables, install plywood as described above in the section “Insulation with foam boards or mineral wool.”

Fill the resulting niche with a layer of 2-3 cm of polyurethane foam. Wait for the mixture to completely harden and lay the subfloor and coating in place.

When working with polyurethane, use a protective suit, goggles and a respirator. The drug is toxic.

Insulation of concrete floor

Foamed sheet materials

If the height of the room allows you to raise the floor by 15-20 cm, remove the covering and remove any remaining adhesive. Fill up any uneven surfaces. Cover the entire floor with insulation. Use thick polystyrene sheets, rigid foam and other dense materials. The thickness of the sheets is 3-5 cm. Place a two-layer reinforcing mesh made of steel or fiberglass reinforcement with a diameter of 10-15 mm on top of them.

Install beacons from boards measuring 25*125 mm. These boards will provide a smooth horizontal surface of the screed and provide temperature compensation for the concrete. The drying time of the screed is 25-30 days. After drying, lay down the covering. But is a floor screed necessary? panel house, where the ceiling height is already low, it’s up to you to decide.

If the ceiling height does not allow such an increase, use wooden blocks size 30*30 or 30*60 mm. Lay them across the room along the entire length. Secure with anchor dowels. The distance between the bars is 20 cm. Fill the space between them with foam plastic 25-30 mm thick.

Cover the floor with vapor-permeable film and cover it with 20 mm thick plywood. Join plywood only on blocks. Secure with self-tapping screws 35-40 mm long. Recess the screws by 0.5-1 mm. On top, parquet, cork or linoleum.

This technology is used to insulate the floor in an apartment on the first floor, because the height of the ceilings does not allow laying two screeds.

Mineral wool or expanded clay

Expanded clay has the following characteristics:

• excellent heat and sound insulation;
• high strength;
• fire resistance;
• frost resistance;
• environmental friendliness and durability.

Carry out insulation in the same way as for foam sheet materials when the floor height cannot be increased.

Reflective foil insulation or technical cork

Remove the coating, clean the concrete from traces of glue, and fill in any uneven areas. After four days, cover the room with insulation. When using multiple pieces, ensure there are no gaps. Place the insulation with the foil facing up.

Lay plywood 25-30 mm thick on top of the insulation, securing it with anchor dowels in the amount of 9 pcs per square meter. The permissible gap size between sheets is 1 mm. On top, laminate, solid wood or linoleum.

Liquid floor

The use of “liquid floor” material gives the worst thermal insulation parameters of all those described in the article. At the same time, self-leveling floors make it possible to create a strong screed that does not require reinforcement and reduce the pressure on wooden floors. The cost of such a screed is 5-7 times higher than a traditional one.

Linoleum

In terms of thermal insulation properties, linoleums are on par with self-leveling floors. Therefore, the use of insulated linoleum alone will not give a noticeable effect. When used with any insulation, you will improve thermal insulation by 5-10 percent.

Floor insulation requires individual approach. There is no single standard the best materials or technology. It all depends on the conditions, condition of the floor and financial capabilities. Sheets of foam materials provide good insulation, but are not suitable for all floors. Foil reflective insulation has 10-20 times worse thermal insulation parameters, but is used to insulate any floor.

The wrong choice of material will lead to the fact that the strength of the floor and the height of the room will be greatly reduced. Don't try to save money by using more cheap technology. Better find less material famous manufacturer or use thinner insulation.

Video - thermal insulation of the first floor floor:

Regardless of whether you live at your dacha all year round or visit only in the warm season, high-quality thermal insulation will not be superfluous. Insulation not only provides comfort from staying in the house, but also protects the structure from dampness, external influence, destruction.

You need to start from the foundation - if the floors in the house are cold, heating will take a lot of time and energy resources. So, let's look at how to insulate the floor in a dacha on your own and with the greatest efficiency.

The choice of insulation is determined by several criteria:

• material capabilities of dacha owners;
• complexity of installation;
• durability;
• resistance to moisture and rodents.

The last point is especially important, because if the owners live at the dacha only periodically, dampness and mice are the main reason for the destruction of the floors.

The range of insulation materials is wide, and along with modern ones, many summer residents willingly use already familiar, time-tested materials. If you have a limited budget, you can choose several acceptable options.

Expanded clay– lightweight porous granules retain heat well, mice and insects do not breed in them, and the material does not emit harmful fumes. For effective thermal insulation it is necessary to ensure reliable protection from dampness and pour expanded clay in a thick layer - up to 30 cm.

Wood shavings and sawdust– cheap and environmentally friendly pure material, which can be purchased at any woodworking enterprise. The shavings retain heat well, but are afraid of moisture, so they also need high-quality protection. In addition, insects and rodents can live in it.

Slag– accessible and practical way insulation on the ground. It also needs waterproofing, but it is durable, non-flammable and mice will not grow in it.

– affordable, retains heat well and muffles sounds, and is not damaged by insects or rodents. The disadvantages include the tendency to shrink and the need to use protective equipment during installation, since thin fibers are very brittle, easily penetrate the respiratory tract and irritate the skin.

Styrofoam– easy to install, moisture resistant. It has a long service life, but in the absence of mice, since these rodents are very active in destroying it.

Application modern materials gives incomparably best result: installation is carried out with minimal labor costs, the efficiency of insulation increases significantly, you can forget about repeated repairs for at least 20 years. The only problem - high price, but the financial investment fully pays off in a few years, thanks to significant savings on home heating.

Material	Basic properties
	Eps boards are not afraid of moisture, temperature fluctuations, freezing, and thanks to their high density and special structure, they perfectly retain their shape throughout their service life. Lightweight insulation, besides, the plates have convenient system connections, so anyone can handle the installation.
	Produced in various modifications, they have increased wear resistance, less hygroscopicity, and last longer. There are mats and slabs with a foil coating that reflects heat and increases the effectiveness of thermal insulation significantly.
	Sprayed insulation forms a dense and seamless layer of insulation that is resistant to any negative influences. Thanks to its porous structure, the insulation does not place large loads on the foundation and floors, and is excellent for thermal insulation of floors on the second floor, attic and attic. True, spraying requires a special installation, as well as skills to work with it, so insulating the floor yourself using this method is problematic.
	Cellulose insulation with very low thermal conductivity. Environmentally friendly, has high sound insulation properties. The insulation is blown into the underground space using an installation, since it is quite difficult to manually evenly distribute and compact the layer.

Prices for Rockwool mineral wool

mineral wool rockwool

As bulk insulation, many people use expanded vermiculite, a granular material with a scaly structure. It is lighter than expanded clay and retains heat better and serves as excellent sound insulation. Unlike EPS and mineral wool, vermiculite is completely environmentally friendly, but it is not affected by fungi, putrefactive bacteria, and insects and mice do not live in it. Well, the only disadvantages can be attributed to high cost, which is why vermiculite is inferior in popularity to cotton wool insulation and polystyrene.

Thermal insulation methods

Insulate floors in country house can be done in two ways - by joists and by rough foundation. The first option is used for both concrete and wooden surfaces, and any of the above materials can act as insulation. The entire load goes directly to the logs, so the density of the material and its resistance to mechanical stress do not play a role. When choosing this method it is necessary to take into account that the floor will rise by 10-15 cm, depending on the total thickness of the beams, flooring and finishing coating.

Laying insulation on a rough base requires a certain rigidity from the material in order to prevent shrinkage under the influence of mechanical loads. The rough base can be compacted soil, concrete or semi-dry screed, as well as wood flooring. The thermal insulation layer can be laid directly under the coating or filled with a screed with reinforcement, which is a more reliable and durable option.

Insulation by joists

It is possible to carry out insulation along the logs both at the construction stage and during the operation of the dacha. For example, consider thermal insulation with mineral wool in slabs. According to building regulations, to insulate floors above a cold basement, a layer of material 50-100 mm thick is required; above warm rooms this figure can be reduced to 30 mm. In the northern regions, the layer thickness should be about 150-200 mm. Depending on this, it is necessary to immediately determine whether the slabs will be laid in one or two layers in order to accurately calculate the amount of material.

Besides mineral slabs you will need a film for hydro- and vapor barrier, as well as standard set tools:

• level;
• drill;
• roulette;
• construction stapler;
• mounting knife;
• jigsaw

For logs, use dry and strong timber with a section of 100x150 mm or boards 100x50 mm.

Step 1. Prepare the base: sweep away dust and debris, inspect concrete base for damage and irregularities.

Step 2. Line the surface with strips of dense polyethylene film, overlapping the edges by 15 cm. It is advisable to tape the joints with tape to eliminate the slightest risk of moisture penetration. When insulating the floor of the first floor, you can use roofing felt instead of film.

Step 3. The timber is cut to size and treated on all sides with primer with antiseptic properties. To save money, you can use drying oil or used machine oil. Lay the wood out to dry.

Step 4. Dried logs are laid on top of the waterproofing layer in increments of 58-59 cm. This distance will allow the insulation boards to be tightly laid without cutting on the sides. Each lag is set according to its level; wooden linings are used for adjustment. If large loads on the floor are not expected, the logs do not need to be screwed to the base. Otherwise, they should be secured with anchors.

Step 5. Mineral wool slabs are carefully laid between the beams, carefully straightening them into the corners. The insulation is tightly joined together, and the second layer is laid so as to completely cover the joints of the lower layer by at least 10 cm.

Insulation cutting is carried out sharp knife according to markings

Step 6. Having laid the thermal insulation, a vapor barrier membrane is rolled out on top of the mineral wool. It also overlaps by 10-15 cm, the joints are fixed with tape.

Step 7 Now we begin to install the flooring. The slabs are laid with the long side across the joists and screwed with self-tapping screws. The rows of slabs should be arranged with offset joints, while the short sides are joined exclusively along the joists.

After that all that remains is to lay it down finishing coat and enjoy the comfort of home. If you need to insulate old floors, first carefully dismantle the baseboards and flooring, inspect the base, boards and joists, and discard heavily damaged elements. Anything that can be reused must be dried in the sun and treated protective compounds. Further actions are carried out as described above, and finally boards are placed on top of the vapor barrier.

Advice. To avoid having to re-adjust the floor boards, when dismantling it is recommended to number each of them with chalk on the reverse side.

Insulation is carried out in a similar way with bulk materials - expanded clay, vermiculite, shavings. When filling in the insulation, the logs should protrude by 20-30 mm so that there is a gap for ventilation between the flooring and the insulating layer.

Insulation on concrete screed

Concrete floors are most often insulated by laying penoplex under the screed. This method is quite simple, although labor-intensive, the result is reliable and durable. In order for the insulation to lay down in an even layer, the concrete base should not have differences in height of more than 5 mm. Also, there should be no cracks through which moisture can penetrate.

To work you will need:

• penoplex insulation;
• waterproofing film;
• damper tape;
• reinforcing metal mesh with a cell of 100x100 mm;
• profiles for beacons;
• building gypsum;
• cement and sand;
• tools.

Step 1. The surface is primed in 1 or 2 layers, depending on the porosity of the base.

Step 2. After the primer has dried, a damper tape is glued at the junction of the walls and the floor around the entire perimeter of the room.

Step 3. Line the base with overlapping strips of film and secure its edges with tape. The width of the overlap should not be less than 10 cm. The edges of the film along the perimeter are placed on the wall, also to a height of 10-12 cm.

Step 4. Install a thermal insulation layer. To fix the slabs, you can only use glue, but many craftsmen additionally secure the insulation slabs with mushroom dowels, one in the center of each slab. At the joints, the insulation is tightly connected using a tongue-and-groove system. In cold regions, laying penoplex should be carried out in 2 layers, with the obligatory displacement of the upper slabs relative to the lower ones. If suddenly there are gaps between the insulation, they must be blown out with foam so that the solution does not get there when pouring.

Step 5. Mix plaster or cement-sand mortar and install beacons on top. The distance between the beacons is about a meter, each profile is strictly leveled horizontally. If the beacons are not located in the same plane, the screed will be uneven, which will complicate the installation of the floor covering in the future.

Step 6. Prepare a solution for the screed in the proportion of 1 part cement to 3 parts sand. The floor is poured in parts, starting from the far corner of the room. Pour the solution between the beacons, then stretch it with the rule. If voids form during the leveling process, apply the missing mortar with a trowel and level it again.

Step 7 After a couple of days, the profiles can be carefully removed so as not to damage the surface of the screed, and the resulting grooves are filled with fresh solution. If desired, the beacons can be left in the screed; this will not affect its strength.

After 28 days, you can lay the topcoat. While the screed is drying, it should be protected from drafts and sun rays. From time to time the surface needs to be moistened, especially in hot weather, since rapid drying promotes cracking.

Video - How to insulate a wooden floor in a country house

The floor is the coolest surface of the room. Even at relatively warm air temperatures, the floor may remain cold. There is nothing strange about this. Let's remember the laws of physics: cool air always goes down, and warm air always goes up. But that's not all. The cold penetrates into the floors of our apartments through interpanel joints, corner cracks, and damp basements. Up to 20-30% of the heat can escape from a room through a poorly insulated floor! At the same time, heating bills increase, but the rooms are still cold. In this case, it’s time to start thinking about how to insulate the floors in the apartment. This will help reduce heat loss and create a more comfortable indoor climate.

Choosing insulation material

The floor is insulated with materials with high thermal insulation properties, which prevent heat from escaping outside the room. For these purposes, the most popular are:

• Bulk materials(expanded clay, wood concrete, shavings) - have good thermal insulation qualities and are relatively inexpensive;
• Mineral wool and glass wool- effective in terms of heat and sound insulation, fireproof, not susceptible to infection by fungi and rodent attacks, hygroscopic (require mandatory vapor barrier);
• Polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam- materials are moisture resistant, not subject to deformation, do not ignite, conduct heat poorly, and dampen sound noise.

It is impossible to say which of these materials is the best. You need to choose based on your financial capabilities and the functionality of the insulated room.

Insulation of a wooden base

The traditional method of insulation is to lay the selected type of heat insulator in the space between the joists.

Scheme of insulation of a wooden floor by logs

To do this, perform the following steps. First of all, remove the old one flooring, open the floor. Lay a layer of vapor barrier, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene film. Unroll the material and lay strips on top wooden frame floors, overlapping them by 15-20 cm. The joints are securely insulated with special tape. When laying it starts vapor barrier film on the walls to a height of 3-5 cm.

Laying a vapor barrier film is necessary to prevent moisture from penetrating into the insulation layer

Insulation is laid between the joists. When using expanded clay, it is poured evenly between the joists, leveling it to the same level as a rule. Leaf or roll insulation laid close to the joists, without gaps.

Formation of an insulating layer of mineral wool

On top of the insulation (if mineral wool or glass wool was used) create another layer of vapor barrier.

The second layer of vapor barrier protects the insulation from steam penetrating into the ceiling from the room

Expanded polystyrene is an affordable insulation material that does not absorb moisture and is quite easy to install. You can read more about the use of such material in our article:.

Lay on top of an insulated floor wooden boards, thick plywood, OSB or GVL sheets.

If necessary, install the finishing coating: laminate, parquet, linoleum, carpet, etc.

Insulation of concrete floor

In most cases, the floors in apartments in city high-rise buildings are reinforced concrete slabs. The concrete floor itself is very cold, but if you add to this the gaps between the slabs and insufficiently tight joints between the walls and the floor, then it becomes truly icy. Therefore, insulation concrete surface is a top priority for residents of multi-storey buildings who want to improve the comfort in their apartments.

Each master involved in insulation develops his own formula for the ideal insulation “pie” on concrete slabs. Let's look at the most popular possible options.

Option No. 1 - insulation + screed

Significantly improve thermal insulation properties concrete floor can be done by laying insulation between the floor slab and a cement leveling screed. In this case, floor insulation in the apartment is performed as follows. The first step is to remove the old floor covering and remove the screed. The surface of the slab is cleaned of debris, dust, and unevenness from cement screed residues is eliminated.

Insulating the floor in an apartment using thermal insulation material and reinforced screed

Then a vapor barrier is performed. A polyethylene or polypropylene film is laid on the concrete base, laying the strips overlapping by 15-20 cm and extending 3-5 cm onto the walls. The overlap joints are insulated with special tape. Polystyrene foam is laid on the vapor barrier film minimum thickness 50 mm, density 25 mm. Instead of polystyrene foam, you can use polystyrene foam, mineral wool, etc. The insulation sheets are laid as closely as possible to each other so that cold bridges do not form in the seams. After this, another layer of vapor barrier is laid. If polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene were used as insulation, then this step can be skipped.

Now they're laying down metal mesh with square cells (cell side – 50-100 mm). The mesh will act as a frame for the cement screed, making it more durable. A cement screed with a minimum thickness of 50 mm is poured over the mesh. A thinner screed will be unreliable - after a while it will begin to crack and crumble. Cement strainer should dry, this will take about two weeks. After which, to strengthen the top layer, it is necessary to cover it with a primer. After all this, any decorative covering is laid on the screed.

Expanded clay is well suited for insulating concrete floors. You will learn about how to properly use such insulation in the material:.

Option No. 2 - insulation along joists, without the use of wet processes

This option is similar to insulating a wooden floor. The difference is that the thickness of the wooden floor initially contains logs, between which it is convenient to lay any type of insulation. In case of concrete floors These logs will have to be constructed independently.

Insulation of the concrete floor along the joists eliminates wet processes and does not burden the ceiling

Technology for insulating concrete floors using joists:

1. Clean first concrete slab from old screed, debris and dust.

2. Arrange waterproofing. It is convenient to use ready-made waterproofing polymer-bitumen solutions, which are applied to the concrete surface with a roller or brush. Another option is to use a vapor barrier film for these purposes, which is laid out overlapping on the floor, extending onto the adjacent walls. If you want to save money, then the most suitable material for hydro- and vapor barrier would be ordinary polyethylene film.

3. Install the logs at a distance of no more than 0.9 m from each other; if you take a step larger, the floors will sag. Instead of logs, if you plan to use bulk material for insulation, metal beacons are attached to the floor.

Installation wooden logs on concrete floor

4. Lay the selected insulation. Suitable for both mineral wool and polystyrene foam, and any type of bulk thermal insulation materials. Insulation in the form of sheets or rolls is laid out tightly, without gaps between the joists. Bulk material (for example, expanded clay) is poured between the beacons and leveled to one level using a metal rule.

5. Lay the floor. To do this, you can use sheets of plywood, gypsum fiber board, OSB, Chipboard thickness 10-15 mm. It is safer to lay them in two layers so that the seams bottom sheets covered with panels of top sheets. Thus, the floor covering will be seamless, which will eliminate the possibility of cold bridges. After laying, the layers of sheets are connected to each other and to the joists (beacons) using self-tapping screws.

Laying sheets of dense material (plywood, gypsum fiber board, etc.) on joists

6. Suitable for any finishing floor covering.

IN short video They will clearly demonstrate the process of insulation using joists:

Features of floor insulation by spraying

In addition to the insulation methods described above, there is another, professional one - spraying a thin layer of polyurethane foam (PPS) onto the base of the floor. As a result, a monolithic surface devoid of seams with a thickness of 50-100 mm is formed on the ceiling. The technology for applying PPS involves the use of special equipment and certain skills, so this work can only be done by specialists.

Equipment used for spraying high pressure, which allows you to apply the material to the floor in the form of an aerosol liquid. Within seconds, this liquid spray layer turns into rigid polyurethane foam. The effectiveness of the resulting thermal insulation layer is superior to any other insulation - PPS has a thermal conductivity coefficient that is lower than that of mineral wool, polystyrene foam, expanded clay, foam concrete, etc. In addition, polyurethane foam is absolutely moisture resistant, so it does not require additional waterproofing or vapor barrier. This material does not require floor preparation before application, is not damaged by rodents, does not rot, and does not burn. The service life of the thermal insulation layer of PPS is estimated by the manufacturers of this material at 30-50 years.

Polyurethane foam - effective method creating insulating and waterproofing coating in the apartment

Alternative methods of insulation

If heat loss through the floor is small, then you can use more in simple ways insulation. Their essence is to use a material with a low thermal conductivity coefficient as a floor covering.

The simplest thing is to lay a carpet or carpet over the existing floor. Products made from natural wool with long pile have the greatest insulating properties.

Another option is to use thickened linoleum on a warm substrate (felt, jute) or on a foam base. Similarly, you can “insulate” the laminate by laying a thickened backing made of cork, polyethylene foam or polystyrene foam underneath it.

In such a way that the floor holds even in winter comfortable temperature, optional to use additional systems heating and “warm floor” construction. In most cases, to increase the floor temperature by several degrees, it is enough to properly insulate it using available materials.

Floor insulation in residential and utility rooms(including in the garage) is usually done with the aim of reducing the level of heat loss and maintaining the temperature in them at a comfortable level. Also, the use of modern thermal insulation materials helps to improve the sound insulation of objects.

It should also be noted that for insulation of floors of various categories it is used protective material of the appropriate type, and each of these insulation materials has its own distinctive characteristics.

Thermal protection products can be divided into the following classes:

• materials with a low thermal conductivity coefficient and intended only for floors;
• characterized by increased sound insulation properties;
• materials that are resistant to deformation loads and are able to retain their structure and shape;
• protective structures with high fire resistance.

There are several types of material:

1. Materials mineral origin (mineral wool, expanded clay, cement mortars with modifying additives).
2. Wood-based panels products (plywood, chipboard, sawdust, ecowool).
3. Silicate materials (glass wool).
4. Thermal insulation materials from the group of polymers (plastics). This group includes the following types insulation:

• materials designed in the form of solid slabs (foam plastic and its varieties);
• liquid polymer heat insulators (polyurea, penoizol, penofol, heat-protective paints).

Each of the listed materials is characterized by its own special (different from others) installation technology. In this article we will briefly introduce you to these technologies and try to understand in detail how to properly insulate the floor.

Concrete floor

The materials used for concrete must have the following properties:

• high compressive strength;
• small thickness of the insulating layer;
• ability to maintain its insulating properties under increased mechanical loads and high humidity.

All these properties are possessed by materials made on the basis of polystyrene foam and its varieties. This material is also used for insulating concrete floors in garage buildings operating in the most harsh conditions. Let us consider, for example, a procedure performed using polystyrene foam ( modern variety polystyrene foam).

In preparation, a layer of gravel cushion 30–40 cm thick is first laid, which is then carefully compacted. The pillow is covered with a 10-centimeter layer of sand, and a rough concrete floor is installed.

On top of it (after drying) a layer of waterproofing is laid, which is used as plain film made of polyethylene. And only after all these operations are the polystyrene slabs themselves, at least 10 cm thick, laid. Then another layer of waterproofing should be laid, on top of which concrete screed at least 5 cm thick.

IN modern conditions for insulation concrete coverings Heat-insulating paints are increasingly being used, typical representatives of which are corundum and astratek.

The concrete floor, previously cleared of dirt and leveled using penoizol, is covered with a layer of screed and treated by applying several layers of heat-protective paint.

Wood

When insulating a wooden floor, you will be faced with a number of options. Let's take a brief look at the most common of them.

When insulating along joists, the thermal insulation is usually laid on boards or panels sewn to the joists from below. Installation of insulation must be carried out with mandatory protection by a layer of waterproofing. In this case, the latter is usually laid on both sides. As a rule, special films made of polymers are used as waterproofing (you can also use regular plastic film 0.2 mm thick).

When insulating a wooden floor using the specified technology thermal insulation boards They are usually placed in the free space between the joists. This allows you to protect them from any mechanical influences. For wooden bases Almost all types of the most common thermal insulation materials (mineral wool, polystyrene foam or glass wool) are suitable.

Good results can be achieved by insulating wood floors with any bulk materials(sawdust, for example). Expanded clay is considered the most effective bulk material, characterized by good moisture resistance and resistance to the spread of combustion.

Ecowool, which belongs to the group of wood-based materials, is also very popular these days. This insulation, when applied to the surface of the floor covering, forms a protective porous layer that has excellent thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics.

Methods of applying liquid coatings

Insulation of floors using materials from the group of liquid heat insulators based on polymers can be done either manually or using a special blowing unit (spray gun).

Using a spray gun will ensure you get a more even coat. protective coating and will reduce the consumption of insulating material by approximately 30–40%.

The manual method of forming liquid insulating coatings involves applying several layers to the surface to be treated, located perpendicular to each other, with an ordinary brush.

Video

This video shows the technology of floor insulation with material from the Rockwool company.

Comfortable living in a home largely depends on temperature regime in him. That is why home owners are increasingly thinking about how to insulate the floor.
If thermal insulation was not thought through during the construction stage, you will have to insulate the finished floor covering, which will entail additional costs. But, be that as it may, this procedure is mandatory. Agree, cold floors bring a lot of discomfort and can also cause colds. So as not to get lost in abundance various materials, you need to familiarize yourself with their characteristics and specific features.

Types of insulation

First you need to figure out how you can insulate the floor in a wooden house, because wood is a natural material that requires special care and enhanced thermal and waterproofing. Let's look at the most common insulation options, their advantages and disadvantages. After all, only after carefully studying this issue will you be able to make the right choice.

Mineral wool

This is the first way to properly insulate a floor. It is used quite often, as it has good heat and sound insulation properties, is easy to install, and has a low cost. In addition, this material is environmentally friendly, so you don’t have to worry about someone in your household developing allergies. Supermarkets offer a wide range of cotton wool: it is sold in rolls and special mats. Service life largely depends on correct installation and operating conditions. With proper care, this insulation will serve you for 30 years. Note that cotton wool allows steam to pass through, so to prevent Negative consequences, the base should be equipped with a waterproofing coating. Mineral wool can also be damaged by rodents, so when laying it, do everything necessary measures to protect her from them.

Expanded clay

Many people wonder whether it is possible to insulate the floor with expanded clay. The answer is yes. Moreover, it has a lot of advantages:

• retains thermal insulation properties even after prolonged exposure to moisture;
• has low weight, which reduces the load on the floor slabs;
• has excellent thermal conductivity;
• durable, has long term operation;
• easy to install;
• environmentally friendly;
• resistant to temperature fluctuations.

All the above points explain its popularity among professional builders. But it should be noted that for effective insulation For the floor, you need to use a fairly dense layer of material, so it is laid in a layer of 10-50 cm. Also, do not forget about waterproofing, without which the material will not last long.

Sawdust

You may be surprised, but the floor can be insulated with sawdust. IN modern construction They are not used that often, but they have a number of advantages. Firstly, this is an environmentally friendly material that certainly does not contain any harmful chemical additives. Secondly, the cost of such insulation will pleasantly surprise you, and if you consider that it is spent quite economically, then you will be able to save money from the family budget. Thirdly, sawdust can be bought at any hardware store; they are easy to work with and durable. Naturally, there are also disadvantages: fire hazard, risk of damage by rodents and insects, high moisture absorption, which significantly affects thermal insulation characteristics. If you are still thinking about how you can insulate the floor, be sure to consider these specific features, because they greatly influence the service life of the material.

Liquid insulation

Their main advantage is their relatively quick application, after which a durable waterproof film is created on the floor surface. Is it possible to insulate the floor with them yourself? Typically, for application of this material a special apparatus is used, but you can do it yourself with a brush. The only difficulty is that the coating will have to be carried out in several stages: applying the next layer is possible only after the previous one has completely dried.

Expanded polystyrene

This material is also often used in construction, so when asked whether it is possible to insulate a floor with polystyrene foam, professionals give an affirmative answer. Why did it become so widespread?

The advantages of this material include a low coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity, excellent sound insulation, durability, resistance to steam and moisture, ease of installation, preservation of properties despite temperature changes and low cost. Agree, the list is quite impressive. This option is suitable not only for owners of private houses: if you are looking for ways to insulate the floor in an apartment efficiently and cheaply, expanded polystyrene will be an excellent choice.

Styrofoam

Many people underestimate this material and think for a long time whether it is possible to insulate the floor with foam plastic, often refusing to use it. In vain, because it can provide not only good heat, but also excellent sound insulation. In addition, there is a wide range on the market from which you can choose the required density and strength of the product.

Important! The good thing about polystyrene foam is that, unlike natural materials does not lend itself to rotting processes.

Please note that for installation you will not need the help of specialists, so you can save a lot. The only downside is the possibility of fire, during which the foam can emit harmful smoke.

Izolon

Another popular material that is often used to insulate loggias and balconies. But is it possible to insulate the floor with isolon, and how well will it cope with this task? It appeared on the market not so long ago, but has already won the recognition of professionals. The fact is that it has a high reflective effect, due to which the room reduces heat losses. It can be used in combination with any base, both wooden and concrete, so it can be considered universal. Despite its small thickness, it provides excellent heat, sound and water insulation. It is environmentally friendly, resistant to rotting and moisture, so it will serve you for many years.

Penoplex

Essentially this material is foamed polystyrene, which contains many closed air cells. Is it possible to insulate wooden floor penoplex? Of course! It is quite durable, effectively retains heat, is resistant to temperature changes, and almost does not absorb moisture. Of course, there are also significant drawbacks.

Important! It is better not to use Penoplex in rooms with a fireplace or baths, because under the influence high temperature it might just melt.

This kind of insulation is quite expensive, so if you still haven’t decided how to insulate the floor, perhaps you should think about more budget-friendly and reliable materials.

Foam concrete and aerated concrete

These insulation materials are not only durable, but also resistant to negative impact external environment. As a rule, they are used when arranging load-bearing structures. In other words, foam concrete can be used both as thermal insulation and building material. Please note that it is mandatory to lay a waterproofing coating to protect the insulation from moisture.

Insulating the floor in a private home as best as possible is a task that almost all owners set themselves. And for good reason, because good, high-quality insulation will ensure not only comfortable living in your home, but will also allow you to significantly save on heating.

Important! The choice of insulation largely depends on the operating conditions, the material from which the floor is made, as well as the floor covering.

You must take all these factors into account. If you still haven’t decided how to insulate the floor, we recommend creating a list of basic requirements for the material. This will make it much easier for you to decide. For example, lovers of natural materials can use sawdust, isolon, mineral wool or expanded clay as insulation. Those who prefer modern solutions in repairs you should pay attention to penoplex, liquid insulation and polystyrene foam. Important role also plays out the montage. Please note that laying some materials requires special equipment, which will entail additional costs. Please note that not only a wooden floor can be insulated, but also a concrete or soil foundation. In any case, insulation will not be superfluous.

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