How to use glass wool as insulation. Floor insulation in a wooden house - features, pros and cons of materials, recommendations for insulation Insulation of walls with glass wool technology from the inside

Various materials are used to insulate houses. One of the most popular is building glass wool insulation. This is a material that is compressed plates, which are obtained from thin long remelted fibers of glass, sand, lime and dolomite.

Glass wool properties

Glass wool has a high density, which provides thermal insulation and air impermeability

Glass wool insulation has a number of properties, for which it has become widespread and in demand. Among them are the following:

High density. It is formed as a result of twisting the fibers together into a kind of cocoon. This ensures thermal insulation and impermeability of cold air.
Well absorbs noise that can come from a person, animals, machines.
Fireproof material. The composition contains binder resins, but they do not belong to the group of combustible and spontaneously igniting substances.
Resistance to external influences: chemical, biological and mechanical. Fiberglass insulation does not lose its shape and size even after prolonged use, mice do not gnaw it, and fungus does not appear on it.

These characteristics make glass wool a popular material for insulating rooms.

Types of glass wool

Glass wool is classified according to the method of manufacture and use.

According to the manufacturing method

It is produced by two methods: continuous production and staple. Packed in different forms: rolls, mats, shells.

By Application

Steklovata is available in different versions depending on the application. The same factor affects the main properties: thermal insulation, sound insulation, elasticity.

For horizontal masonry (e.g. glass wool insulation).
For outdoor or indoor use.
For pitched roofs.
To fill gaps.

When choosing the form of packaging of insulation, you should focus on the scope of its application.

Material advantages

Table of comparative characteristics of various types of insulation

Glass wool is a very flexible material that adheres tightly to planes. It has high strength and vibration resistance.

At high temperatures, the material does not emit harmful toxic substances that adversely affect the human body. For many years does not lose its qualities.

The material is lightweight and leaves very little debris during use.

Wall insulation methods

For siding

insulation for siding

The walls of the house are best insulated with mats. First, the surface is leveled and dried. Then a waterproofing film is attached to it. Bars of 5x5 are stuffed on top of it. The interval between them should be 1 cm less than the width of the wool, due to this, the tightness of the material against the wall is achieved.

It is necessary to lay the mats sequentially from the bottom up. They are attached to the wall with special dowels. A layer of film is again laid on top, which is glued at the joints and attached to the bars. Finally, the wall is covered with siding.

For plaster

The use of glass wool for insulation under plaster

Pre-prepare the wall: clean and primer. A frame is made, which is attached to it. They begin to distribute cotton wool: it is attached in a checkerboard pattern using a special polymer cement adhesive. After two or three days, dowels are used for additional fastening. Then the glass wool is pasted over and plastered. The wall is primed, after which it is already possible to proceed with decorative finishing.

Roof insulation

Roof insulation is a very important part, since about 30% of heat is lost due to it. First you need to perform waterproofing. At the same time, it should be attached with a slight overhang, without stretching. Nails are driven into the rafters at intervals of 40 cm: they will hold the cotton wool until the work is completed. After that, the insulation is laid, and on top - the metal profile, which is then covered with a waterproofing film. At the end, everything is sewn up with prepared material.

Mineral wool or glass wool

Working with mineral wool is safer than working with fiberglass, which can cause damage to the skin.

Insulation of the house is an important issue on which the coziness and comfort of stay depend. The most common materials are stone heat insulator and glass wool.

The difference between mineral wool and glass wool is expressed in the following components:

Strength and elasticity. The thickness of the mineral wool is from 2 to 10 microns. For the second material, this number varies from 3 to 15 microns. At the same time, in a glass wool-based insulation, the fibers are approximately 3-4 times shorter in length. This is insignificant, but affects the density and elasticity of products.
Temperature resistance. The limiting temperature of the first is up to 700 °C, and the second is up to 450 °C.
Ease of use. The use of basalt based material is safer than fiberglass. The latter are pungent, so they can cause minor damage to the skin.
Price. Minvata usually costs more. At the same time, it will not be difficult to acquire material - it can be found in the public domain.

What is better: glass wool or basalt wool, everyone decides for himself, focusing on the distinctive features. Both materials do a good job with the main task - the insulation of rooms.

High-quality insulation of the ceiling in a house with a cold roof reduces heat costs, reduces heating costs and increases living comfort. Thermal insulation is carried out in different ways, using materials of various composition and form of release. How to choose the best option?

We will talk about which methods are most effective in installing a system that prevents heat leakage through the ceiling. We will tell you what to look for when choosing a heater. In the article we have proposed, you will find valuable recommendations for improving the thermal insulation characteristics of the house.

A cold roof is a budgetary and practical option for organizing the roof of a house for seasonal living. This design significantly saves construction costs, but does not contribute to heat conservation.

It is desirable to solve the issue of thermal insulation of the ceiling zone at the stage of building a house. However, insulation is often resorted to in the operated premises.

The warm air of the heated room rises and, in contact with the cold ceiling, quickly cools. Losses of thermal energy through an uninsulated roof and ceiling reach 25-40%

Thermal insulation of the ceiling solves a number of problems:

Reduces the intensity of cooling of heated air, contributing to savings in home heating costs.
Increases sound insulation in a room by dampening the rumble of wind or heavy rain.
In summer, the insulating material helps to keep the room cool without letting in warm air from outside.

Insulation of the ceiling increases the comfort of a private house and optimizes the microclimate of the room. Subject to the installation technology, thermal insulation eliminates the appearance of condensate on structural elements.

Methods of thermal insulation of the floor

Thinking about how to properly under a cold roof, first of all, you need to decide on the method of thermal insulation.

There are two fundamentally different approaches:

insulation from the attic;
installation of thermal insulation material from inside the room.

The first method is more preferable for a number of reasons. So, the installation technology itself is greatly simplified - there is no need to build a suspended frame or fix the insulation with glue to the ceiling.

External insulation eliminates costly repairs inside the room, and also does not reduce the height of the ceilings. The latter is especially true if the distance to the ceiling in the premises does not exceed 2.5 m.

Also, with this approach, the risks of condensation are minimized. What can not be said about the thermal insulation from the inside of the room.

If you choose the wrong insulation and do not exclude the contact of warm air with a cold plate, then water vapor from the room will accumulate - this is fraught with the appearance of dampness, fungus and the gradual destruction of the ceiling.

However, in some situations, the internal insulation of the ceiling is a necessary measure, for example:

lack of access to the attic;
reconstruction of an old building with a ready-made attic floor;
thermal insulation of the garage located in the basement.

If internal insulation is necessary, installation technology should be followed to prevent condensation inside the building. It is important to comply with two requirements: block the flow of water vapor and use insulation of sufficient thickness.

Overview of the best ceiling insulation

The choice of installation method also determines the list of possible options for heat insulators. When insulating from the attic, the range of materials is much larger - from natural compositions to technological modern solutions. Installation from inside the room imposes a number of restrictions.

Regardless of the placement method, it must have low thermal conductivity. The coefficient determines the ability of the insulator to transfer energy from heated elements to cold ones. The lower the thermal conductivity, the better the material retains heat.

An important selection parameter is moisture resistance. The ability of the material to maintain physical characteristics in a humid environment is especially important when insulating from the side of the attic, when the roofing is worn out enough

Additional requirements include:

durability;
environmental friendliness and safety for humans;
low flammability - it is better to use non-combustible insulators, compositions with minimal smoke formation;
resistance to rodents - relevant for materials placed in the attic.

It is important to take into account the vapor permeability of the insulation. But there are nuances here. When insulating a concrete slab from the attic side, a vapor permeable material must be used. For installation from inside the room, on the contrary, it is a vapor-tight insulation.

View # 1 - mineral wool insulation

The popular heat insulator holds its leading position due to its affordability, ease of installation and good thermal efficiency.

For installation under a cold roof, mineral wool with a synthetic binder, basalt insulation and glass wool are used. The last option provides the maximum thermal efficiency. The thermal conductivity of glass wool is 0.044 W / (m ° C).

However, it should be used with caution - the particles cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Glass wool is unacceptable for indoor use. Basalt insulation is deprived of these shortcomings. Additional advantages of the material: fire safety and plasticity.

General disadvantages of mineral wool materials:

water absorption;
low strength;
tendency to shrink;
the content of unsafe components - abrasive particles or formaldehyde resins.

To place the layers of mineral wool, it will be necessary to install wooden logs, it is desirable to waterproof the insulation itself from above.

Type #2 - loose cellulose insulator

Bulk material made from paper waste and pulp. To protect against decay and fire, synthetic components are added to ecowool.

The material is used for external insulation - in the attic. Ecowool is sprayed dry over the floor or applied mixed with glue. Requires special equipment to work

The characteristics of cellulose insulation and the technology of its application endowed the modern method of thermal insulation with a number of advantages:

good thermal efficiency - a thermal conductivity index of about 0.038 W / (m ° C);
the material fills all the voids and crevices, forming a solid canvas - no cold bridges are formed;
due to its light weight, it is possible to lay ecowool of any thickness;
durability of service and preservation of original properties;
environmental friendliness - ecowool does not emit toxic fumes;
low flammability and self-extinguishing ability;
vapor permeability.

Despite the mass of dignity, ecowool has not gained much popularity. The main reasons for low demand: high cost, impossibility of installation by hand.

In addition, ecowool is prone to shrinkage and wrinkling - it is advisable to equip a rigid support from above for moving around the attic.

View # 3 - plate polymer types

This group of heaters includes: foam and (EPS). Their thermal efficiency exceeds indicators of mineral wool heaters. The leader is XPS, the thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.038 W/m°C.

Expanded polystyrene is superior to polystyrene in terms of strength, rigidity and fire safety. However, in the event of a fire, XPS boards also emit toxic fumes.

Styrofoam is cheaper than polystyrene foam. Among the general advantages are:

water resistance;
low biological activity;
wide choice of geometric dimensions and thicknesses.

Both materials are vapor-tight, so they are used to insulate concrete and brick surfaces.

The material is suitable for . Penofol is placed with the foil side inside the room - the canvas not only retains heat, but also partially reflects it back.

As an independent material, foamed polyethylene is advisable to use in areas with a mild climate. In regions with severe winters, a combination of penofol and penoplex shows a good effect.

View # 4 - bulk heat insulator

Light porous material in the form of rounded granules. Contains burnt clay. The natural origin of the insulation explains its environmental friendliness.

Additional benefits of expanded clay:

fire resistance;
providing a good degree of sound insulation;
durability;
chemical inertness;
not of interest to rodents;
the heater does not give dust.

The thermal efficiency of expanded clay depends on the density of the embankment, the size of the granules.

To ensure the preservation of heat, it will be necessary to use an embankment with a thickness of 20 cm or more, in cold regions the layer is increased to 40-50 cm. This leads to an increase in the cost of the warming procedure and significantly increases the load on the ceiling.

View #5 - liquid polyurethane

Polyurethane foam is applied to the surface under pressure, a special technique is used for spraying. Polyurethane foam is an excellent solution for attic floors with complex terrain and thermal insulation of hard-to-reach places.

The main advantages of foam ceiling insulation:

formation of a seamless hermetic coating;
high adhesion with materials - polyurethane foam fills all cracks and voids;
low water absorption;
excellent thermal efficiency due to the porous structure of the hardened foam - thermal conductivity of about 0.027 W / m ° C;
preservation of qualities in wet conditions;
the possibility of multilayer spraying - relevant for cold regions;
providing acoustic insulation;
durability of the coating - service life of about 25 years;
speed of processing;
resistance to microorganisms;
lightness of the material - does not exert pressure on the overlap.

Polyurethane foam is difficult to ignite, the insulation does not spread combustion.

Spray insulation is considered one of the best solutions for attic floor treatment. The limited use of polyurethane foam is explained by the high cost of the method

The total cost includes the price of the insulation itself and the cost of attracting craftsmen with equipment. Foam spraying should not be carried out if the air temperature in the attic is below +10 °C.

View #6 - natural materials

The main advantages of folk methods: affordable cost and environmental friendliness. The technique of using and the effectiveness of such natural materials as sawdust and algae is different.

Features of insulation with sawdust

Loose woodworking waste is often mixed with chips and distributed over the ceiling from the attic side.

Warming methods:

Dry backfill. Wooden logs are mounted on the floor, the cells are filled with sawdust. The material shrinks over time and requires periodic updating.
wet method. Combine sawdust, cement and water in a ratio of 10:2:1.5, respectively. Such a thermal layer is more durable.

Weaknesses of sawdust: flammability, fear of rodents and water absorption.

Characteristics and varieties of algae

In coastal areas, algae are widely used, the second name for insulation is damask. The material is natural, good thermal insulation characteristics. Rodents do not start in algae, and the insulation itself is not afraid of moisture and does not rot.

There are three types of stone:

by weight- bales or loose rolls collected from dried pressed seaweed;
mats in nets- canvases 10 cm thick, tied with synthetic thread for ease of installation;
dense plates- up to 85% of algae are present in the composition, the rest is a binding component, for example, silicone.

In terms of thermal efficiency, kamka is significantly inferior to many heaters, the heat capacity coefficient is 0.087 W / (m ° C).

Calculation of the thickness of the thermal insulation layer

The efficiency of thermal insulation depends on the accuracy of determining the thickness of the insulation, which is part of it. In addition, the indicator allows you to calculate the loads imposed on the ceiling structure. When calculating, the values of the allowable weight and the required thermal protection are compared.

The thickness of the insulation is determined by the formula

q = R*k,

q– thickness of heat-insulating material, m;
R– thermal resistance, m 2 °С/W;
k- coefficient of thermal conductivity of the insulation, W / (m ° C).

The R value is determined from tabular data - the indicator is calculated for each region, taking into account the climate.

For example, the normalized thermal resistance of floors for Nizhny Novgorod is 4.26 m2°C/W. If you use penoplex to insulate the ceiling, you will need a layer of thermal insulation 12 cm thick

To calculate, it is enough to multiply the indicators 4.26 and 0.038. The last value is the thermal conductivity coefficient of extruded polystyrene foam. The weighting of the ceiling is calculated based on the volume of insulation and its density. The first indicator is determined by the product of the area and the thickness of the thermal insulation, the second - the tabular value.

The minimum load on the ceiling is provided by polyurethane foam and ecowool, their density is in the range of 25-60 kg / cu. m. One of the heaviest heaters is expanded clay - 180-330 kg / cu. m.

Features of mounting different materials

The tactics of action depends on the chosen material and its location - from inside the room or from the side of the attic.

Mineral wool installation

Installation of insulation is carried out on the attic floor.

When constructing a heat-insulating cake, it is important to withstand two conditions:

to ensure the protection of mineral wool from water vapor coming from inside a warm room;
arrange ventilation of the outer surface to weather moisture from the insulation.

Mineral wool slabs are laid between the beams or planks of the prepared crate. Surface mounting possible.

Before starting work, it is necessary to check the boards for rot, treat the wooden elements with an antiseptic. Make sure the roof is not leaking

The surface is cleaned of debris, if necessary, a wooden frame is constructed.

Further actions:

Install vapor barrier membrane.
Roll out rolls or place mats between beams.
Mount the wooden base, maintaining the ventilation gap between the insulation and the hard floor.

The last step can be skipped. However, it will not be possible to walk in the attic or store things there, since mineral wool cannot be pressed.

Sheathing from the inside with polystyrene foam

This option of thermal insulation is suitable for a concrete ceiling. Expanded polystyrene plates are fixed to the surface with glue and fixed with "fungi".

Before installing the insulation, the ceiling is treated with an antifungal compound and a primer.

The procedure for fixing expanded polystyrene plates:

Apply glue to the insulation, attach and press to the ceiling.
Cover the entire area with slabs, leaving no gaps between the elements.
Drill holes for fasteners with a puncher.
Kill mushrooms.
Joints and gaps between the plates should be foamed.
Cut off the remaining foam, fix the reinforcing mesh with adhesive.
Surface primed and plastered.

After the layer has dried, clean the ceiling and apply a finishing decorative coating.

Filling the attic with expanded clay

The minimum layer of bulk insulation is 20 cm. To regulate the height of the backfill, it is necessary to prepare a beacon - make the desired mark on the piece of reinforcement by securing a piece of electrical tape.

If a wooden base is insulated with expanded clay, then the ceiling must first be covered with waterproofing with a call to the walls. Suitable plastic film

There is no need to lay a hydro-barrier on a concrete base.

Sequence of work:

Pour expanded clay and evenly distribute the granules.
Check the thickness of the insulating layer. Its height should be 3-4 cm below the level of the flooring. If this norm is neglected, then when walking in the attic, the sound of rubbing the granules will be heard.
Lay a layer of vapor barrier membrane, glue the joints of the sheets with adhesive tape.
Install a rigid base. Suitable boards, fiberboard or OSB panels.

A floor over expanded clay makes it easier to move around the attic and increases the effectiveness of the heat-insulating cake.

Application of sprayed insulation

It will not work to do the work on your own, since spraying will require expensive equipment - a high-pressure apparatus. In addition, skills in working with equipment are required to evenly distribute polyurethane foam.

It is better to entrust the work to a specialized company and conclude an agreement with them for the provision of services. At the appointed time, a brigade arrives, stretches a hose with a gun into the house

Mount wooden logs on the floor of the attic. They will be needed for the subsequent fastening of the flooring.
Fill the device with components in the required proportions.
Set the gun to the minimum foam delivery force.
Apply polyurethane foam between the joists in an even layer.
Wait for the composition to dry. If the thickness of one layer is not enough, then the treatment must be repeated.
Level the hardened coating, cutting off the excess to the level of the lag.
Mount a rigid base on the boards.

To insulate a small ceiling with your own hands, you can use a disposable foam spray kit.

The kit includes everything you need: cylinders with components for the preparation of foam insulation, a spray gun, hoses, personal protective equipment

Assembly and preparation takes a couple of minutes, no power supplies are needed - the device works autonomously.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Mineral wool floor insulation technology:

Thermal insulation of the ceiling of a private house with sawdust:

Insulation of the ceiling with a cold roof is one of the conditions for comfortable and economical operation of the house. When arranging a heat-insulating layer, it is important to choose the right material. The method of installation is important, as well as the mandatory formation of a reliable cut-off of condensate.

When making a choice, the better to insulate the roof of a private household, it is necessary to take into account not only the cost of building materials, its technical characteristics, but also the nuances of installation work. You can lay the heat insulator yourself, but in some cases it is better to use the services of experienced roofers.

Rules for choosing a heater - the better to insulate

When choosing a heat-insulating material, first of all, pay attention to the type of roof, which can be pitched or flat. Features of the roof structure affect the requirements for insulation.

When choosing it, a number of parameters are analyzed:

thermal conductivity - the lower its indicator, the more effective the insulation will be;
long service life without loss of quality;
moisture resistance;
the ability to maintain the original parameters;
environmental friendliness - the insulation does not contain toxic substances;
frost resistance - in the event of a temperature difference, the performance properties of the heat-insulating material should not deteriorate;
specific gravity - preference should be given to heaters with low density, which will not weigh down the roof frame;
fire resistance;
soundproofing - is of great importance in the arrangement of "noisy" roofing, for example, from metal tiles.

When deciding on the question of how to insulate the roof of a private house, it is not advisable to make mistakes that affect the quality of thermal insulation work:

Saving money on quality. Experts recommend purchasing insulation from manufacturers who have long proven themselves well.
Laying a layer of insulation of insufficient thickness.
Violation of the technology of installation work.

All materials used for thermal insulation of roofs in private households are divided into several groups:

in the form of plates;
roll;
sprayed;
bulk.

Mineral wool for the roof of a private house

When choosing how to insulate the roof from the inside of a private house, many prefer mineral wool. It is used in the arrangement of insulation of flat and pitched roofs. This material with a fibrous structure is produced from rock melts. In the building materials market, mineral wool is sold in the form of mats (plates) and rolled products. When making a choice, one should take into account its thickness and density.

Among the advantages of mineral wool:

high degree of thermal insulation;
incombustibility;
ecological cleanliness;
parameter stability;
easy installation;
affordable price;
soundproofing;
absence of rodents and microorganisms.

Sufficiently rigid mineral fiber boards are used for external insulation of a flat roof structure. Mineral wool with a smaller thickness and density is used to insulate pitched roofs.

Insulation using this material requires the arrangement of hydro-, vapor barrier and ventilation gaps. These layers prevent moisture from collecting in the insulation. Otherwise, the heat-insulating qualities of mineral wool are reduced, and rotting processes begin in the rafter system.

glass wool

It is sold on the construction market in rolls and in the form of plates. This is an environmentally friendly insulation with good soundproofing qualities. When installing a heat-insulating layer using glass wool, roofers use protective clothing and special equipment and follow safety precautions so as not to harm their health.

Before insulating the roof in a private house with mineral wool, you need to select a vapor barrier material, and at the same time, glass wool slabs may already have a foil coating on the outside - its presence simplifies the installation of a heat-insulating layer.

Roof insulation with foam

This popular tile material is also called extruded polystyrene foam. It is used to insulate roofs. It is distinguished by high rates of thermal insulation, resistant to humid air.

Since the material does not absorb vapours, it can be laid directly on the waterproofing layer without creating an air gap. The combustibility and vapor impermeability of expanded polystyrene makes it unsuitable for arranging an insulated flat soft roof.

When insulating a pitched roof, tile foam is placed between the rafters in one layer. In this case, the edges of the material should be tightly adjacent to the wooden structures. Also, the joints of the plates must be treated with mounting foam and then glued reinforced tape on top.

How to insulate with polyurethane foam

The material is known among experts as a good choice for insulating the roof of a private house, since it has a number of advantages:

low specific gravity;
waterproofing properties due to the presence of a clogged cell structure;
soundproofing qualities;
low degree of thermal conductivity;
biostability.

Polyurethane foam is produced in the form of plates with sufficient rigidity. It can also be applied by spraying. During operation, PPU boards retain their shape, they are easy to drill and cut. The products are mounted in the same way as they equip the thermal insulation of the roof using expanded polystyrene.

Despite the fact that polyurethane foam spraying is a recent technology, it has deservedly received recognition. The application of a heat-insulating layer is carried out using equipment, which is considered the main disadvantage of this method. Of the advantages of the sprayed polyurethane foam, it should be noted the high quality of the heat-insulating layer, since the coating turns out to be monolithic - the foaming composition fills all the cracks without exception.

Penoizol

The technology for insulating the roof of a private household using penoizol has much in common with the use of another material - sprayed polyurethane foam. According to the technical characteristics, it is similar to the foam. Of its advantages, it should be noted the combination of affordable price and good quality.

When looking for a solution, the cheaper it is to insulate the roof, it is penoizol that can be called such a material. The price for it is less than that of extruded polystyrene foam, mineral wool, basalt slabs. This polymer material is completely safe for human health.

Foaming equipment is used for spraying penoizol. It is necessary to bring the hose closer to the place of arrangement of insulation and fill the gap with foam. After hardening, the thermofoam will not have a harmful effect and will not weigh down the structure. Penoizol differs from sprayed polystyrene foam by a high degree of moisture absorption (almost 5%), therefore it is necessary to lay a vapor barrier layer.

foam concrete

This material is used when it is necessary to solve the problem of how to insulate the roof of a private house with a flat roof.

Foam concrete is made from:

cement;
concrete;
sand;
means for the formation of pores.

The use of foam material leads to the creation of a strong and durable roof insulation. Since foam concrete has a low density, it does not exert high loads on the supporting frame and retains heat well.

Advantages of foam concrete:

environmental friendliness;
vapor permeability;
fire safety.

For laying foam concrete, a special mobile installation is used. As a result, the insulation layer should be 3-15 centimeters.

Expanded clay

They are used in the arrangement of flat slopes. Expanded clay refers to the bulk type of insulation. It is placed either on floor slabs or on the outer surface of the roof. The heat insulator is compacted and covered with a screed, while the required slope of the slope should be observed in order to ensure the removal of atmospheric precipitation.

When using expanded clay, loads are significantly increased both on the foundation of the building and on roof structures. This nuance should be taken into account when drawing up project documentation for a private house. The quality of such thermal insulation depends on compliance with the insulation technology.

foamed glass

Refers to environmentally friendly materials for warming the roof of the house. It has high thermal insulation performance. It is produced by foaming the glass mass with carbon.

As a result, foamed glass is resistant to deformation processes, moisture and steam, it is durable and non-combustible. This insulation is used for arranging thermal insulation on all types of roofs, regardless of what materials they are built from. When installing foamed glass, polymer acetate glue is used to ensure a high degree of adhesion.

The use of this insulation gives the soft roofing elasticity and allows it to be leveled. This is one of the best options for thermal insulation of flat roofs that are planned to be exploited.

Ecowool

For the manufacture of such insulation as ecowool, waste paper is used. This heat insulator is environmentally friendly with excellent sound and heat insulating properties. But, as you know, cellulose is a combustible material and rodents and microorganisms can damage it. For this reason, ecowool is treated with bioprotective compounds and fire retardants.

This material is lightweight and inexpensive. But the arrangement of the thermal insulation of the roof needs a special approach when it is required to mount ecowool between the rafters. Closed “boxes” are made of tiled materials, then a heater is blown into them, filling the gaps completely with it.

Of the shortcomings of the heat insulator, it should be noted the need to prepare for installation and use special equipment.

sawdust

Long before the advent of modern thermal insulation materials, sawdust, which is woodworking waste, was especially popular when it was necessary to insulate the roof of one's own house. They are environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, but flammable, which must be taken into account when choosing an insulation option. In addition, rodents like to live in them, and sawdust is also subject to the process of decay.

This bulk material is not used to insulate the roof structure, but only the ceiling. Ecowool can be used in the same way. Having laid the sawdust in an even layer, the ceilings of residential premises are qualitatively insulated in their own homes.

In order to enhance the thermal insulation performance, sawdust is mixed with clay and the attic floor is treated. Their use is possible only on condition that the attic space will not be used.

The right choice of insulation and high-quality arrangement of the roofing pie allows you to provide a favorable microclimate for its residents throughout the year in private households, and save on heating in winter.

The most important condition for comfortable living in your own home at any time of the year and with the lowest possible cost of energy used for heating and air conditioning And almost all parts of the building should be insulated. The roof is no exception, which, incidentally, is not always remembered by inexperienced novice developers.

If you look at the percentage of heat loss of any building that does not have proper thermal insulation, it is clear that the "lion's share" of them falls on the attic floor and roof. The specificity of this section of the general design of the house imposes special requirements on the materials used for its insulation. Let's try to understand this issue in order to help the reader eliminate possible errors and make the right choice. So, what is the best roofing insulation?

The need for roof insulation

First of all, it is necessary to dispel doubts about the need for roof insulation. Let's start with this.

The limited area of the site for building a house, and simply the considerations of the most efficient construction at the lowest possible cost, often move the owners to use the attic space usefully. Attic "floors" are very popular in our time, when the attic turns into a full-fledged living space, which does not differ from other rooms in terms of convenience and comfort. You can place in the attic and a utility room, for example, a warm pantry, office or workshop.

It is clear that with this approach to the useful use of the attic, there is no doubt about the insulation of the roof. Whatever type of roofing is chosen, none of them will provide the required protection against winter cold. And in the hot summer period, the roof slopes heat up in the sun to such an extent that staying in an uninsulated attic becomes not only uncomfortable, but even completely unbearable from the heat. This, by the way, should never be discounted - insulation, or rather, thermal insulation of the roof helps to ensure an optimal microclimate in the attic at any time of the year.

And what about those who do not have the conversion of the attic into a useful room in their immediate plans for construction? Maybe limit yourself to high-quality thermal insulation of the attic floor?

How is an attic floor insulated?

The ceiling of the room, bordering from above with an unheated and uninsulated attic, becomes not a "bridge", but a whole "main" for heat losses. This is eliminated by the implementation of a whole range of thermal insulation works. - read in a special publication of our portal.

Of course, you can limit yourself to this. But it would be better to listen to the arguments in favor of insulating the roof slopes, even if this is, of course, associated with additional costs:

All details of the truss system and the internal arrangement of the attic space will be protected from the destructive effects of temperature and humidity changes. Therefore, the durability of the entire roof structure as a whole will increase.

Energy efficiency increases dramatically if we consider it on the scale of the entire structure. That is, the insulation of the roof, even with high-quality thermal insulation of the attic floor, will still make its “mite” in achieving the most comfortable conditions at minimal cost from an external energy source.
Most modern insulation materials have the ability to effectively absorb sound vibrations. Insulated roof slopes will not become "resonators" in heavy rain or hail. This is especially true for roofing materials that are traditionally considered "noisy" - metal or slate.

Finally, what seems unnecessary or temporarily unfeasible today may turn into an urgent need in the future. This means that the prevailing circumstances can lead the owners of the house to the idea of the need to expand the usable area due to the attic space. So it’s better to have a warm attic right away than to subsequently do it “from scratch”, which can often be associated with the alteration or replacement of individual elements of the truss system that have already experienced a long-term negative impact of external factors. Sometimes such work cannot be carried out without temporary removal of the roofing. In a word, it will be much more expensive. So it makes sense to think ahead.

Criteria that a roof insulation must meet

To make the right choice, you need to know the criteria by which this material should be evaluated. There are many of these criteria, and it should be immediately noted that not a single heater fully corresponds to all of them. So you often have to face the choice of which of the advantages to give preference.

So, the "ideal" material for thermal insulation of the roof is one that meets all of the following requirements:

Of course, thermal insulation qualities should be put in the first position. The material must have low thermal conductivity, that is, create the maximum possible resistance to heat transfer in specific application conditions. This indicator can be estimated by looking at the thermal conductivity coefficient, which is necessarily indicated in the list of thermal insulation characteristics. To insulate the roof, where you can’t really “run up” with the thickness of the insulation and the mass of the thermal insulation structure, they try to use materials with a thermal conductivity coefficient of not more than 0.05 W / m × C °. And the lower this figure, the better.
In second place in importance can be put the density of the material. Nobody needs unnecessary overloads of the truss system. So the less the insulating layer weighs enough to create comfortable conditions, the better.
The trouble with many insulating materials is excessively high hygroscopicity, that is, the property of being saturated with moisture literally from the air. And waterlogging always leads to at least a loss of thermal insulation qualities. So, ideally, the insulation should have a minimum moisture absorption, and even better - pronounced hydrophobicity. This is especially important in roof conditions, where moisture is indispensable.
The insulation material must retain its qualities over a wide temperature range. That is, thermal insulation should “work” equally well both in extreme frosts and at the peak of summer heat.

The most important qualities of the material, especially used for roof insulation, are fire safety indicators. This applies to resistance to fire, the ability to become a flame spreader, smoke generation, toxicity of combustion products. The ideal material is seen completely non-combustible, but, alas, in this matter for a lot of heaters - far from everything is safe.
The stability of the material, that is, its durability under real operating conditions. Ideal insulation should not change shape and volume, be resistant to chemical or biological decay, spontaneous or due to external negative influence of one type or another.
The insulation should not serve as a breeding ground for microorganisms, should not be an attractive place for nests of insects, birds, mice. And this, by the way, is also a very difficult problem to solve.
The thermal insulation material during operation should not pose a danger in terms of the release of fumes harmful to human health and other environmental pollution.
For those who are going to carry out thermal insulation work on their own, the clarity and simplicity of working with the material is important, which does not require excessive effort, special experience, special equipment.
Finally, an important criterion for any building material, including insulation, has been and remains affordability.

As you can see, there are a lot of criteria for assessing the quality of thermal insulation materials. And now we will begin to “try on” them to heaters that are suitable for thermal insulation of a pitched roof.

What is the best roofing insulation?

This post will focus on the most widespread in private construction pitched roof. Flat roofs have their own specifics of thermal insulation, and the materials used for this purpose may be different. So, bulk heaters, special building mortars with special filling, high-density mineral wool slabs and other materials are widely used. This issue requires a separate detailed consideration, so it will be omitted in this article.

And for pitched roofs, where on the insulation itself will not have a significant mechanical effect, they still try to use materials with a small specific gravity. They can be roughly divided into three groups:

Insulation with fiber structure.
Rigid heaters with a gas-filled porous structure.
Sprayed heaters.

These groups are also heterogeneous - materials can vary significantly both in basic composition and in performance.

Insulating materials with a fiber structure

This group of materials has one thing in common - all of them are an interweaving of thin fibers, due to which a layer of immobilized air enclosed in them is created. And this, in turn, becomes a thermal insulation layer. But the raw materials for the production of fibers can have serious differences, up to their "nature" - mineral or organic. The first includes all varieties of mineral wool, the second subcategory - cellulose-based ecowool.

Mineral wool

For thermal insulation of building structures in residential buildings, two types of mineral wool are used. In the first of them, the fibers are formed from a melt of quartz glass, in the second, the raw materials for production are rocks of the basalt group. Hence the names - glass wool and stone (basalt) wool.

There is another type of mineral wool - it is made from waste from metallurgical enterprises, slag. But in residential construction, it has not received distribution, since it loses both in insulating qualities and in durability. Yes and in terms of environmental safety She, too, is not all right. In a word, to detain your attention on it - there is not much point.

Mineral wool prices

mineral wool

But you should take a closer look at glass wool and basalt wool.

Mineral wool based on glass fibers

For the production of glass wool, glass cullet and purified quartz sand are used as raw materials. After melting the mass in furnaces, thin fibers are drawn from it using a special technology, which are then pressed into “carpets” using binder additives. At the final stage of production, cutting into blocks or mats of the sizes established by the standard is carried out.

The production process has been worked out for a long time, there is no shortage of raw materials either, and therefore the cost of glass wool is quite affordable, which predetermines its wide popularity. The inlet form is blocks (plates), mats in rolls, and recently, easy-to-install plates in rolls have also been practiced.

TO dignity m of glass wool include the following:

- The specific gravity of the insulation is small, and therefore its laying does not require much physical effort, and the thermal insulation system does not exert a significant load on the roof structure.

- Blocks or mats of glass wool have good elasticity. That is, they can be laid in spaces that are somewhat smaller in size - after straightening they fit quite tightly both to each other and to the enclosing elements (in this case, most often to the rafter legs).

“The same quality allows you to significantly reduce the volume of material when it is packed on the production line. This property allows to reduce the overhead costs for the transportation of insulation. And after unpacking, blocks or mats, expanding, take on the specified dimensions.

- The material is flexible, that is, it can be used without additional cutting into smaller fragments for thermal insulation of complex, for example, curved or broken sections.

At the same time, glass wool also has certain limitations which should never be forgotten:

- Such a heater has a fairly high hygroscopicity. Therefore, when using it, special attention is paid to the creation of a reliable vapor barrier from the side of the attic, and to the possibility of free evaporation of moisture from the side of the roof. Otherwise, the insulation will quickly become damp and lose all its thermal insulation qualities.

— Glass fibers are characterized by rather high brittleness. This means that vibrating effects are completely contraindicated for glass wool. Small broken fiber particles become a serious irritant for the skin, eyes and mucous membranes of the respiratory system, that is, thermal insulation work should be carried out in compliance with special protective measures. Measures should be considered to completely exclude the possibility of these particles entering the atmosphere of the residential area of the house during operation, as they cause allergic reactions.

- The emission of formaldehydes, which are part of the binders, is also one of the disadvantages of the material. But this is more typical of cheap heaters of unknown brands (or even those that do not have any trademark at all - this happens too!) Leading manufacturers are trying to nullify emission indicators, and many modern types of glass wool are approved for use not only in residential and public buildings but even in educational and medical institutions.

A few more words can be added about the “branding” of glass wool. The fact is that the construction market is filled with inexpensive materials of very dubious origin. In the production of such glass wool, either outdated technologies are used, or the process of technological control is completely absent. Such mats are characterized by high fragility of fibers and strong shrinkage, and glass wool can turn into dust in just a few years. Naturally, there can be no talk of any quality of thermal insulation of the roof here. So the pursuit of cheapness often results in considerable additional costs.

If a decision has already been made to use glass wool for roof insulation, then you should pay attention to quality products, for example, Ursa or Isover companies.

For example, let's take a closer look at the insulation from the line « UrsaGeo». Suitable for roof insulation "Private house", "M -11" And "Pitched Roof", whose name speaks for itself.

The basis of all these materials is fiberglass with the addition of special mineral components that reduce the disadvantages characteristic of glass wool. Products of this series are considered completely safe for both humans and the environment.

Ursa products are characterized by a number of special advantages:

— The material belongs to the group completely non-combustible heaters. Not only does the insulation not ignite itself - it can become a barrier to the spread of flame.

- The company's technologists managed to reduce the emission of binder organic compounds to such a low level that it can be ignored altogether - it does not affect the cleanliness of indoor air in any way.

“Thanks to special mineral additives, which are the technological secret of the company, glass fibers have received additional elasticity, that is, it has been possible to reduce their characteristic fragility.

— In many types of thermal insulation "Ursa Geo", in particular, in the "Pitched Roof", an interesting technology "URSA Spannfilz" is used. Literally, this expression can be translated as "elastic felt." The special structure of the fiber board gives it increased elasticity, and the insulation blocks fit very well between the rafters, which allows you to do without even additional fastening. A tight fit eliminates the formation of voids, unfilled insulation.

- Heaters are produced in a form that is very convenient for laying. For example, the material "Pitched roof" is a slab in a roll, which greatly simplifies cutting to the desired size, if necessary.

– The manufacturer guarantees a long term of properly laid thermal insulation without loss of its insulating qualities, without shrinkage and destructuring- at least 50 years old.

The main characteristics of fiberglass insulation of the Ursa Geo line, which are excellent for thermal insulation of a pitched roof, are shown in the table.

	Private house	M-11	pitched roof
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/m×°С	0,045	0,044	0,040
Vapor permeability, mg/m×h×Pa	0,65	0,64	0,64
Fire safety class	KM0	KM0	KM0
Flammability group	NG	NG	NG
Operating temperature range, °С	60÷+220	60÷+220	60÷+220
Water absorption for 24 hours, kg/m², no more	1	1	1
Release form	mats in a roll	mats in a roll	slabs in a roll
Dimensional parameters, mm
- length	8350	7000; 9000; 10000	3900; 3000
- width	1200	1200	1200
- thickness	50	50; 10	150;200
approximate cost	1100 rub/m³	roll 1200×10000×50 mm - 1220 rub.	980 rub. with a thickness of 150 mm; 1070 rub. with a thickness of 200 mm.

Mineral wool based on basalt

Fibers obtained from the melt of rocks gabbro-basalt groups have a number of advantages over glass ones. They become thinner and longer, they have more pronounced elasticity, much less fragility. All this gives mineral wool on this basis higher performance. All the advantages inherent in glass wool are also characteristic of basalt, and there are, in addition, a number of advantages.

Prices for basalt wool

basalt wool

It is even visually noticeable that high-quality basalt wool has a pronouncedly homogeneous structure, it is given clear geometric shapes. It is much easier to work with such a heater - it is certainly not worth neglecting the means of protecting the skin and respiratory organs, but it does not cause such strong irritation as glass wool.

Better with basalt wool and with hygroscopicity - a special treatment dramatically reduces moisture absorption, and products from some manufacturers even have properties close to hydrophobicity. But this still does not give reason to refuse vapor barrier. Vapor permeability is at a height, that is, when the right conditions are created, even moisture that accidentally penetrates into the material will easily evaporate through the ventilation gaps of the roofing pie.

The products of well-known brands are doing well with the indicators of formaldehyde emission - heaters have sanitary certificates with permission for safe use in any residential premises. By the way, it will never be out of place to check the presence of a copy of such a certificate when purchasing any insulation material.

Basalt wool slabs are extremely easy to install - both due to the exact "geometry" and due to the pronounced elasticity. And besides, manufacturers provide other "chips". So, for example, the ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC boards popular with builders have an edge “spring-loaded” using a special technology, which ensures their accurate and reliable fixation at the installation site - between rafters, beams,

An excellent solution for roof insulation - ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC boards with a springy edge zone, which makes installation simple and very reliable

There are few significant shortcomings in basalt wool (if we are talking about really high-quality products of well-known brands). Perhaps, only the higher cost of the material can be attributed here.

The range of basalt heaters is quite wide. Along with the "heavyweights" in this area of \u200b\u200bproduction - the companies "ROCKWOOL", "PAROC", "TechnoNIKOL", quite worthy products are offered by the companies "Basvul", "Isobel", "Izovol" and others. Before purchasing, it makes sense to get to know the brand you like better - trustworthy companies always have informative Internet portals, and a network of representative offices is organized on the territory of Russia.

As an example, to get acquainted with the physical and operational characteristics, you can take the already mentioned above insulation " ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS". By the way, another of its advantages is that during packaging in production it is compressed more than twice due to vacuum technology. But when the packaging is removed, the plates take on the specified dimensions without any loss of their performance.

Name of the main operational parameters of the material	Indicators
Thermal conductivity coefficient (W/m×°С):	0,039
Specific Gravity (kg/m³)	30
Flammability group	NG
Fire safety class	KM0
Vapor permeability (mg/(m×h×Pa), not less than	0.03
Moisture absorption at partial immersion	no more than 1kg/m²
Dimensions	800×600mm (XL boards - 1200×600 mm)
thickness	50 or 100 mm (XL boards - 100 and 150 mm)
approximate cost	- with a thickness of 50 mm - 145 rubles / m² - 100 mm - 285 rubles/m² - 150 mm - 430 rub/m²

The service life of such thermal insulation is estimated at at least 50 years.

Fiber insulation on an organic basis - ecowool

This insulation appeared in wide use not so long ago, and is even unknown to many. And meanwhile - it shows very good thermal insulation qualities.

The basis for the manufacture of ecowool are ordinary cellulose fibers obtained from woodworking waste, paper and other scrap raw materials. The total content of cellulose in the composition of this insulation reaches 80 ÷ 85 percent. The rest is additives that ensure the biological stability of the material (boric acid) and special fire retardants that increase the resistance of cellulose to fire.

The thermal performance of ecowool is very decent: the thermal conductivity is approximately in the range from 0.038 to 0.043 W / m × ° FROM, that is, it is quite comparable with mineral wool.

The material is famous for its ecological cleanliness (hence its name), and antiseptic treatment reliably protects it from debate and decay, from damage by pathogenic microflora. Rodents and insects do not make nests in ecowool.

According to the degree of combustibility, the material belongs to the group G 2 - low combustible, self-extinguishing. Combustion products do not contain toxic substances, which is typical, for example, of synthetic heaters.

Ecowool is quite hygroscopic, so the issues of reliable hydro and vapor barrier will have to be thought through unequivocally. But due to the capillary structure of natural fibers, moisture also easily evaporates from the material without violating its qualities. Interestingly, in this way, an ecowool insulation stand is able to “automatically” maintain an optimal humidity balance in the room.

Ecowool prices

Ecowool is laid using "dry" and "wet" technologies. But applying the “wet” method, that is, by spraying, is not particularly justified on roof slopes that have a negative slope from the attic side - there will be too much waste. Therefore, most often this insulation is blown into cavities that are created using vapor barrier membranes or the inner lining of the attic.

Insulation of the roof slopes with ecowool - the material is blown into the created cavities using a special installation

The density of the insulation layer, depending on the application method, ranges from 40 to 75 kg / m³.

TO shortcomings similar insulation can be attributed to the following:

- Even the "dry method" of laying ecowool (with the exception of floor insulation) requires a special installation. In addition, well-developed skills are needed for the quality performance of such work.

- The process of laying ecowool - in any case, it turns out to be very dusty. It is impossible to start it without personal protective equipment.

The cost of ecowool ranges from 20 to 35 rubles per kilogram. She usually does for sale in sealed plastic bags, packaged in 15 or 20 kilograms.

It seems to be not so much. But if you look at the price lists for the services of manufacturers or distributors of such a heater, you can see that you still have to pay about the same amount for installation. And without special equipment - it is extremely difficult to do this. This, perhaps, is the most important "minus" of such thermal insulation.

Sprayed heaters

One of the most effective ways to insulate a roof is to spray foam insulation on the back of the roof slopes. With this approach, the thermal insulation layer becomes almost seamless, that is, without leaving cold bridges.

There are several types of such materials. But polyurethane foam is closest to “ideal” in terms of all criteria for the quality of thermal insulation.

Perhaps the most reliable and effective way to thermally insulate a pitched roof is to spray polyurethane foam.

The coefficient of thermal conductivity of PPU is very low, estimated at less than 0.03 W/m×°C. The material shows excellent adhesion to almost all surfaces. The closed cell makes the insulation layer vapor-tight, that is, in some cases, you can do without additional costs for vapor barrier.

However, all the advantages of the material are also combined with a rather high price for it. Moreover, polyurethane foam is synthesized directly at the place of work from two initial components, for which special installations are used. That is, "lovers of independent creativity", one way or another, will have to resort to calling the brigade. And it also costs a lot of money.

There is, however, a caveat - disposable mini-installations for spraying PPU have recently appeared in hardware stores. However, the price for them is not lower than the cost of professional services.

If you look at the prices of construction companies in the Central region of Russia, then the cost of spraying polyurethane foam 100 mm thick on an area of 1 m² ranges from 1100 to 1400 rubles, depending on the manufacturer of the initial components. Agree, very expensive.

You can talk about polyurethane foam for a long time and a lot, but we confine ourselves to the above brief information. The fact is that on our portal a special publication has been given to this type of insulation. By the way, it also talks about another type of foamed insulation - foam insulation, which can also be used for thermal insulation of roofs.

Prices for polyurethane foam

polyurethane foam

Special thermal insulation technology - foamed insulation

These differ from all other insulating materials, first of all, by a special application technology. Read about the advantages and disadvantages and the features of working with them in a special article of our portal.

Rigid insulation boards on a synthetic base

Polystyrene based materials

This group of heaters includes the familiar white foam and extruded polystyrene foam. Despite the similarity in chemical composition, the difference in the performance of these materials is very large.

Let's start with foam. And here we will immediately express a categorical judgment, with which, perhaps, some will not agree. Nevertheless, it is highly undesirable to use polystyrene for thermal insulation of roof slopes.

No words - the foam captivates with a low price, quite worthy thermal insulation characteristics, lightness, ease of installation. What more could you want?

But let's take a closer look at its shortcomings:

- The production of foam plastic is a fairly simple process that does not require highly sophisticated equipment. And they do this business everywhere, very often without observing any technical requirements. So talking about some quality standards is just ridiculous.

- The main disadvantage of polystyrene is its combustibility. And this material not only spreads the flame very well, but also emits deadly toxic substances during combustion. Literally a few breaths - and a person receives a powerful poisoning, leading to the most sad consequences. The statistics of tragedies in a fire show that when polystyrene foam ignites, people have little chance of surviving even with a not very big fire. Is it worth it to plant such a “bomb” on such a vulnerable section of the building from the point of view of fire danger as the roof?

Prices for PIR boards

The main component of such boards is polyisocyanurate foam (PIR for short). It is a gas-filled rigid structure with isolated cells.

Due to the special production technology and the specifics of the polymer itself, insulation boards are still considered unsurpassed for their thermal insulation properties. So, the manufacturer claims an absolutely fantastic thermal conductivity of 0.022 W / m × ° FROM! In fact, in real conditions, it can, of course, be more, but even 0.025 is a very good indicator.

The material is characterized by high mechanical strength - up to 120 kPa at 10% deformation. At the same time, the density of the plates does not go beyond 40 kg / m³

Wide temperature range of operation: from - 70 to + 110 ° С.

Almost complete hydrophobicity - a closed cell does not allow moisture to penetrate inside.

PIR-plates can be covered with foil, which gives them additional slickness from moisture. Other types of coatings are also practiced.

Many models of slabs have convenient tongue-and-groove interlocks that allow you to cover large areas with a seamless coating.

One of the "pioneers" in the production of such thermal insulation was the Russian company TechnoNIKOL. In its product range - plates for insulation of any parts of the building, including - for the roof. At the same time, the company also offers ready-made solutions - sets of materials for thermal insulation of the roof between the rafters, under them and above them - at the choice of the consumer.

The standard dimensions of the drink are 600 × 1200 mm. The thickness is chosen according to the needs - in the assortment of a number of plates with a thickness of 25 to 150 mm.

There is no doubt that such thermal insulation materials have a great future. But so far they have not received wide distribution - simply because of the high cost. So, depending on the specific type, on the type of external coating and on the thickness of the plates, the price for them varies from 11 to 15 thousand rubles per cubic meter.

TechnoNIKOL is not the only company that has mastered the production of these innovative materials. Watch a video about the insulation of a pitched roof with PIR boards from the company " Pirro Group.

Video: Insulation of roof slopes with innovative thermal insulation - PIR-plates "PirroGroup"

Appendix: How to determine how much insulation is required?

If there is certainty with the choice of insulation, then the question will inevitably arise - what thickness of thermal insulation should be made in order to ensure comfortable conditions in the attic. You will need to make a small calculation, and a convenient online calculator will help us with this.

The calculation is not particularly difficult. The algorithm is based on the fact that the thermal insulation system being created should create a total resistance to heat transfer not less than that established by the standards for a particular region, taking into account its climatic features. You can find out the normalized thermal resistance from the attached map-scheme. Pay attention - in this case we are interested in red numbers - for coatings. This indicator in the "troika" is always the largest.

The second value required for the calculation is the thermal conductivity of the insulation material. The calculator database has already entered the operational values of these coefficients for heaters, about which discussed in this publication.

If desired, you can also take into account the sheathing of the attic, if it is solid. The materials of such sheathing also have certain thermal insulation qualities. And this can give, although not very large, but still a decrease in the required thickness of the insulation. However, this item is optional, and if the skin is not taken into account, just leave the default value of its thickness - 0 mm.

The final result will be shown in millimeters. It remains only to bring it to the standard thicknesses of the selected insulation, rounded up. For example, it turned out 132 mm. You can apply two-layer insulation with 100 and 40 mm thick slabs, or use 150 mm thick slabs. Here you can choose for reasons of economy of one or another possible option and according to the planned scheme for installing insulation.

At the level with the walls, the roof of the house is the leader in heat loss, so it is simply necessary to insulate the roof of the house during construction or during the operation of housing. An insulated roof will keep the temperature in the house and provide comfortable living conditions. To get the desired result, you need to follow some rules and follow the technologies that we will tell you about in the article.

The choice of materials for insulation

The main ones for roof insulation are polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, mineral wool and glass wool. There are other materials, but they are fundamentally inferior in quality to the proposed materials, so we will not consider them, but consider how to properly insulate the roof of the house with the materials we have proposed.

Styrofoam and expanded polystyrene

Styrofoam and expanded polystyrene are a common insulation that has many qualities. Such material is not only resistant to moisture, does not stray, but also has durability.

To the listed qualities, we must add the fact that, according to statistics, these two materials have the lowest thermal conductivity, therefore, in the best way they protect the house from heat loss. In addition, polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam are quite easy to install, but more on that later.

Mineral wool and glass wool

Mineral wool and glass wool, as well as polystyrene, are excellent insulating materials, but differ in their qualities and specifics of operation. These two materials also have low thermal conductivity, have a much lower weight, unlike foam, which makes them more suitable for insulating wooden houses with a not very reinforced roof frame.

The negative quality of using mineral wool and glass wool as roof insulation is that these materials, unlike the first two, are very susceptible to moisture, and therefore require the joint use of waterproofing materials and mastics. In addition, cotton wool tends to stray and exfoliate over time. And dust granules containing cotton wool particles are very strong allergens.

roof insulation technology

So, having decided on the question of how to insulate the roof, we proceed to calculate the required amount of materials. Depending on the design of the roof frame, you may need timber and plank to create sectors in the absence of open roof rafters. The technique of roof insulation, depending on the material chosen, varies.

Roof insulation with mineral wool or glass wool

First of all, when using these materials, the inner surface of the roof is sheathed with waterproofing material or mastic, if the surface is solid. This action will help protect the insulation from moisture from the outside. The next step is the construction of sectors, they will be required in the absence of rafters in the roof structure. Insulation material is purchased with a width equal to the width between the rafters or beams of the sectors.

Next, the insulation is placed between the bars on the pre-laid waterproofing and is located as close to each other as possible. When the insulation is laid on top, it must be covered with a vapor barrier material. This action will help protect the insulation wool from moisture from inside the room. After covering with a vapor barrier, the roof from the inside can be sheathed with clapboard or other building materials for cladding rooms, so you should get a room similar to the image in the figure.

Video review: How to insulate the roof

How to insulate a roof Detailed instructions from ISOVER

Insulation with expanded polystyrene and polystyrene foam

The technique of insulation with these materials is the same as with glass wool insulation. Styrofoam sheets are stacked in sectors or between rafters. Foam sheets, as in the first case, should be stacked closely. For a better result, you can lay the foam in two layers. After laying polystyrene foam or polystyrene, the surface should be sheathed, as in the first case.

Video review: Roof insulation with polystyrene foam

Roof insulation with polystyrene foam

The methods of roof insulation described above are suitable for the insulation of private, country and country houses. The roof can be insulated both from the outside and from the inside. Roof insulation techniques vary, but the principle remains the same. In cases where wool is used, primary waterproofing and covering the insulation from above with insulating material will be necessary.

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