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How to properly insulate an attic in a private house with a cold roof. Why insulate attic floors? Laying insulation on the attic floor

One of the main places of heat loss in a house is the roof. This conclusion can be made thanks to practical observations and basic physics, because warm air tends to rise. This is why the attic should be insulated. If you do not perform high-quality thermal insulation of the attic floor during the construction stage of the house, in the future, when winter sets in, there may be strong blowing from the ceiling cold air. Suspended ceiling Armstrong is an excellent solution for a private home. The question arises, how to insulate the attic of a house. At the same time, the wishes of home owners can be completely different: for some, the main thing is for it to be cheaper, for others, for the work to be easier, and for others, they want to insulate exclusively with environmentally friendly or natural materials. In this article, we will talk about the general technology of attic insulation and the materials that can be used for this.

Before moving directly to materials for insulation, I would like to clarify a little why it is necessary to insulate the attic in a private house and what function it performs. Our ancestors were not stupid or ignorant, which is why old houses stand for more than 100 years, while the house is always warm, and the roof and wooden structures are always dry. What's the secret? The thing is that the ideal insulation is air. Free, natural, always present, and also changeable depending on the time of year. Previously, the roof was always made with a gable slope, with such a slope that it was easy to linger on it. snow. Also by the way, cheap insulation. An attic space with one or two windows in the gables of the house was made under the roof slope. When necessary, these windows were kept closed, then the air trapped in the attic space acted as a heat insulator. In another situation, in the summer, for example, windows were opened at night to cool the air, and then closed before a hot day, thus controlling its temperature.

With the onset of winter, a cap of snow fell on the roof. Even in the most extreme cold, this natural insulation was enough to ensure that the temperature in the attic did not drop below zero, even if it was -25 °C outside. Attic air and additional thermal insulation of the ceiling were necessary in order to ensure a temperature in the house of about +20 - + 25 °C. At the same time, the roof slope was never insulated from the inside to prevent the snow from melting, and the rafters remained open for diagnostics and repairs. A heated attic space with an insulated slope is no longer an attic, no matter what shape it has. This is an attic, with all that follows from here.

In modern construction, these principles also work. Therefore, let's talk about how you can insulate the attic of a private house, what material to thermally insulate the attic floor, i.e. attic floor or house ceiling.

How can you insulate an attic?

First of all, the material for insulating the attic is selected taking into account what the ceiling is made of. If it is made from wooden beams, and a wooden floor is laid on top, then you can use lightweight bulk materials, rolls and slabs. Those. the choice is as wide as possible. If the ceiling is a concrete slab, then to insulate it you will have to use dense slab materials or, in extreme cases, heavy bulk materials, since a cement screed can be placed on top of them.

Bulk materials for attic insulation:

• Sawdust;
• Straw;
• Reed;
• Buckwheat tyrsa;
• Ecowool (cellulose wool);
• Flax (bulk waste from flax processing);
• Glass wool;
• Expanded clay;
• Seaweed;
• Slag;
• Chaff from grain crops;
• Foam granules.

Roll materials for attic insulation:

• Mineral wool;
• Glass wool;

Materials in slabs and mats:

• Straw;
• Styrofoam;
• Extruded polystyrene foam;
• Seaweed;
• Mineral wool in slabs.

When choosing the best way to insulate an attic, you should be guided by the thermal insulation characteristics of the material, availability in a particular region, its ability not to change its properties with temperature changes, ease of installation and then use of the room, and also, importantly, environmental friendliness, or better yet, naturalness. For example, to build a wooden house and insulate the attic with polystyrene foam would be, to say the least, stupid, because wood is a breathable material, but polystyrene foam is not. As a result, the house will be damp and disgusting, and over time, wooden structures will begin to rot and deteriorate. And, of course, the choice of insulation will depend on the financial capabilities of the owner.

How to insulate a cold attic with backfill materials

Insulating an attic with backfill materials is the oldest method that has proven itself over the centuries. Most often it is used if the floors are wooden, then it is simply poured between the joists.

The general technology of this insulation is as follows: kraft paper or other similar material (glassine, loose cardboard) is laid on wooden floors, or the floor is coated with clay, thermal insulation material is poured on top, a layer that is calculated taking into account the region of residence, boards are laid on top, on which you can will walk. The hatch leading to the attic is also insulated.

Rumors that natural insulation materials quickly cake are somewhat exaggerated. Therefore, without fear, you can choose the one that most appeals to you and is available.

Insulating the attic with flax

To insulate an attic with your own hands, you don’t need any special skills. Dexterity and basic knowledge of physics are enough. The first step is to seal all the cracks in the wooden floor. They can be covered with clay, or with modern materials. Then kraft paper is laid on top or the entire surface of the floor is coated with a 2 cm layer of clay.

Bonfire- waste from flax processing. The material is very cheap in some regions, resistant to fungi and microorganisms, does not rot, and is lightweight. Mice cannot breed in a fire, since it is impossible to make a burrow (nest) in it; it immediately crumbles, filling the passage. The material cakes, but you can always add it directly from above or replace it with a new one. The undeniable advantage of linen materials is that there are no problems with their disposal; you just need to raked them out of the attic and then burn them, which cannot be said about glass wool.

The fire is covered with a layer of 180 to 350 mm. There is nothing covering the top; for ease of walking around the attic, you can lay out the boards, but do not fill the entire space, do not make a full-fledged floor. This will allow the material to breathe and release moisture. In the attic, ventilation must be provided in the form of small or medium-sized windows. From time to time the material is checked, if it is slightly damp, the windows are opened to dry the space and linen.

When wondering how to properly insulate a cold attic, many are inclined to the old fashioned way - insulating it with sawdust. This is especially true in regions where there is wood processing nearby, where you can buy sawdust for ridiculous money or even get it for free in any quantity.

To begin with, as in the case of linen insulation, all cracks in the floor are coated with clay. You can sprinkle a little sand on top. It is necessary so that if the clay cracks, sand can be poured into the crack. Next, sprinkle everything with slaked lime and carbide. This will be protection against mice. Cover the top with sawdust in a layer of 100 - 200 mm. Since sawdust is a flammable material, they were usually sprinkled with slag waste on top. Especially in areas around chimneys or other hot objects. Instead of slag, you can use other materials, for example, treat sawdust with fire retardants. There is also nothing laid on top of the sawdust, except for boards on which one could walk.

Instead of sawdust, you can use straw or chaff from grain crops. Kraft paper or glassine is also laid under it, but you can coat the floor with clay with a layer of up to 5 cm. Straw is immediately poured in a layer of 200 - 500 mm, depending on the region and the severity of the winter cold. To reduce the flammability of straw, you can coat it with a 1-2 cm layer of clay on top. The same method is used against mice as with sawdust, or any other folk remedy.

Ecowool- a modern material, a product of processing newspapers and other waste paper with the addition of mineral binders and other additives that provide a low flammability class.

Due to the fact that ecowool can absorb moisture from the air in its fibers, it is not necessary to lay vapor barrier material, but it’s still worth laying some kind of film.

Ecowool is immediately laid directly on the wooden floors, this is done using a special blowing installation. This installation principle makes it possible to make the insulation layer monolithic, without a single crack, and it will also contain a large amount of air, which serves as a heat insulator. For many regions of Russia, a layer of ecowool of 250 mm is sufficient, but a layer of 300 or 500 mm can be arranged.

Important! After about 1 - 3 weeks, a protective crust forms on top of the ecowool. This is lignin, which binds the fibers of the top layer. Therefore, sometimes when installing this insulation, water spraying is used to speed up the process of lignin formation.

Due to the fact that ecowool cakes, its layer decreases, therefore, when blowing, you should use 5 - 15% more than the planned amount of ecowool.

Insulating an attic with fiberglass

A fairly common way to insulate an attic floor is to cover it with fiberglass in a layer of 150 - 250 mm. Although this material does not burn, does not rot, is not afraid of moisture, mice and microorganisms do not grow in it, it is quite toxic. When laying it on the attic floor, be sure to be dressed from head to toe in thick clothing, gloves and a respirator. After all the styling work, the clothes will have to be burned.

Once the material has caked, it must be replaced with a new one, and this poses some difficulties since the material is not disposed of in the usual way. The biggest inconvenience occurs when there are no windows in the attic through which it can be thrown into the street, and it has to be carried through the house.

Insulating the attic with expanded clay

Expanded clay is very suitable for insulating concrete floors. It is filled with a layer of about 200 - 250 mm, and poured on top cement strainer layer up to 50 mm. This allows you to create a floor in the attic on which you can not only walk unhindered, but also on which you can arrange or lay out unnecessary things. The cement-sand mixture for the screed should not have a liquid, but a dense consistency, so as not to flow too much into the expanded clay backfill.

How to properly insulate an attic with rolled materials

Rolled materials are good for insulation because they can be laid in the space between joists up to 180 - 200 mm high. Mostly materials are used that are easy to cut and quickly take the required shape.

Mineral wool is a modern thermal insulation material that is ubiquitous. It is very often used for attic insulation, since it does not burn, does not rot, and is not afraid of microorganisms and rodents, as well as moisture.

A vapor barrier film must be laid on the bottom of the wooden floor, the joints of which are taped with special tape, because cotton wool absorbs moisture, but practically does not release it.

Rolls can be laid on top of the film mineral wool. During work, you must wear thick clothing, as is the case with fiberglass. Vata takes its full size within 15 - 20 minutes. There is no need to cover it with anything, but you can lay down boards for walking. Waterproofing material to protect wool from leaks is laid only under the roof.

Insulating the attic with algae ladders

Seaweed ladders are an excellent natural material for insulating attics. Thanks to sea ​​salt and iodine, with which the algae are impregnated, mice do not grow in them, and they also do not rot and are not afraid of microorganisms. The ladders are pierced mats made of zostera sea grass. In terms of thermal insulation properties, this material is in no way inferior to modern synthetic materials. One of the main advantages is environmental friendliness, as well as the fact that the drains practically do not burn, only slightly smolder and do not emit toxic substances.

Algae are not afraid of moisture, so there is no need to vapor barrier the floor; you can immediately lay the drains on the floor with a layer of up to 200 mm or more. On top you can install a wooden floor or lay boards for walking.

Using algae for attic insulation is very beneficial for the health of home residents, as they provide ideal conditions and microclimate in the room, and also release beneficial iodine into the air.

Insulating the attic with linen insulation

Modern linen insulation is produced in the same rolls as mineral wool. Their only advantage is that they are absolutely environmentally friendly. Linen is an excellent choice for insulating the attic of a wooden house or a house made of other environmentally friendly materials - adobe, for example.

Before laying the rolled material, all cracks in the floor should be sealed with clay; no other vapor barrier is needed. Linen insulation is laid on top, joining neatly and leaving no gaps.

How to insulate an attic with slab materials and mats

There is no point in insulating a wooden floor with slab materials, although this is possible. These materials are mainly used for thermal insulation of concrete floor slabs. With subsequent arrangement of the floor in the attic.

Insulating the attic with polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam

Polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam is not a very dense material, but it can be used to insulate an attic. But extruded polystyrene foam is ideal for these purposes, as it is much denser. Before laying polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam, the floor slab must be checked for unevenness. The surface should be leveled so that the insulation boards can be carefully laid. A vapor barrier material should be laid on the leveled surface.

Next, the slabs are laid in a checkerboard pattern, and the joints are sealed with polyurethane foam. After the foam has dried, it is necessary to pour a cement-sand screed on top with a layer of about 4 - 5 cm. After the screed has dried, it can be used as an attic floor.

Insulating the attic with reeds

Reed slabs began to be made relatively recently, when the demand for environmentally friendly materials. In terms of thermal insulation properties, reeds are no worse modern materials. Even without treating them with fire retardants, the flammability class is G2 - G3, and after treatment - G1. The same cannot be said about polystyrene foam and EPS, which burn and release toxic substances.

Reed slabs can be used to insulate both wooden and concrete floors. In this case, a vapor barrier is not necessary. And on top you can install a wooden floor or decking.

The modern market is replete with a variety of thermal insulation materials, and sellers are trying to praise them, attributing non-existent advantages. Therefore, in conclusion, I would like to say that when choosing a material for insulating an attic, focus on the overall concept of the house and life priorities. If your house is made of environmentally friendly wood, then the insulation should be natural, so you will not only preserve the wood, but also your health. If your house is made of foam blocks or other non-breathable material, you can use mineral wool, it won’t get any worse.

Video: how to insulate an attic

Read in the article

Features of insulating an attic in a private house with your own hands

Warm and wet air from the lower floors of the house, according to the laws of thermodynamics, it rises upward. Proper insulation of the attic will determine whether all the heat goes outside or stays in the house. Hydro- and vapor barrier films will help solve the problem with excess moisture.

Selection of hydro- and vapor barrier

First of all, you should decide on the further use of the attic. If you plan to make it heated, there is no need to insulate the attic partition, nor do you need to organize a vapor barrier on the side of the lower floors. In this case, only the roof needs to be insulated.

The roofing pie from the inside out will look like this:

• vapor barrier – vapor-proof film for rooms with forced ventilation or a vapor barrier membrane with minimal vapor permeability to remove excess steam from the room;
• insulation - can be anything, but with vapor permeability higher than vapor barrier;
• waterproofing - a simple waterproof film for non-hygroscopic insulation or windproof film with one-sided vapor permeability for insulation that accumulates moisture.

If the attic is non-residential, the attic floor itself must be insulated. To reduce humidity levels in your home, avoid using impervious films and insulation, allowing moisture to evaporate through the attic. And so that moisture does not spoil the rafters by condensing on inside, you need to choose anti-condensation waterproofing for metal roofs and ensure that the cold attic is well ventilated.

Mineral and polymer insulation

Private construction is increasingly characterized by the use of mineral wool rolls or basalt slabs. All thanks to:

• simple installation - thanks to different densities, mineral wool can be wrapped around pipes, rolled out on the floor or installed in a wall frame;
• high vapor permeability - steam-saturated air calmly passes through the mineral insulation without lingering in it and providing natural ventilation Houses;
• good sound insulation - dense basalt slabs perfectly muffles sounds;
• accessibility - you can purchase mineral wool at any hardware store, and the variability of shapes and sizes will allow you to choose insulation for any need.

There are also disadvantages - mineral wool loses its properties when wet, so one must not allow a dew point to occur in the insulation and ensure unhindered evaporation of moisture from the thickness of the slabs and mats.

Foam insulation is also quite popular, because it:

• relatively inexpensive;
• easy to install;
• does not lose properties when wet;
• has low thermal conductivity.

But due to the lack of vapor permeability, houses insulated with foam plastic have a greenhouse effect and must be equipped with forced ventilation. If condensation forms between the foam and the wooden elements, this leads to rapid rotting of the wood.

Sprayed insulation

Sprayed insulation is convenient for quickly and densely filling hard-to-reach places. Ecowool, made from cellulose, is vapor permeable and allows wooden structures to breathe. It is convenient to use for insulating small attic spaces.

But ecowool is afraid of getting wet, and to use it you will need special blowing equipment.

Polyurethane foam is a strong and durable material that is not afraid of moisture, suitable for insulating large rooms. But, like any polymer insulation, it does not allow steam and air to pass through, so it is not recommended for wooden houses. Thanks to the development of the construction industry, now the insulation of polyurethane foam does not require the use of special equipment, since cylinders have appeared that operate from a construction gun on the principle of polyurethane foam.

Which mineral wool is best for the attic

According to experts in the field of private housing construction, mineral wool is considered the best thermal insulation material.

In order to verify this, we will perform a comparative analysis of cotton insulation on different bases.

Slag wool on site former USSR was popular more than 30 years ago. Its disadvantage is its high hygroscopicity. This quality is unacceptable in insulation for rooms with high humidity. Modern builders prefer modern glass and basalt products.

Comparison of mineral wool on different basis

On the Russian market we can distinguish the TOP of 7 manufacturers whose high quality products best correspond to the price:

Rockwool basalt wool

The leader is the Danish company Rockwool, which produces basalt-based thermal insulation. According to reviews from builders, it maintains a high standard of 10 points out of 10 possible, and ensures maximum quality without unnecessary unjustified overpayments.

Paroc basalt wool

Three companies occupy second place. Their performance is 9.9 out of 10:

• Paroc is a manufacturer of basalt mineral wool from Finland. His rating is 9.9 out of 10.

Mineral wool ISOVER

• The French concern "Saint-Gobain" is an international concern. He began producing his own thermal insulation materials 80 years ago. Products are manufactured based on glass and basalt rocks.

Mineral wool Knauf

The German group of companies Knauf produces insulation from glass and stone fibers.

Glass wool URSA

An international company from Spain, URSA, was formed relatively recently, after the URALITA Group concern acquired the German company Pfleiderer, or rather, its insulation business. Mineral wool is made from glass. Factories are scattered throughout Europe, and there is a representative office in Russia. The company's rating is 9.8 out of 10.

TechnoNIKOL basalt wool

The TOP is completed by two companies from Russia and Beltep from Belarus. Their products are made from volcanic rocks and are of high quality and reasonable prices. Rating indicators 9.5 out of 10.

Beltep basalt wool

Having become familiar with the best mineral wool manufacturers, the builder makes his own choice. No consensus, which of the listed brands is the best. When choosing, take into account the structural features of the roof, the climatic conditions of the region and the price.

Insulation of reinforced concrete attic floors

It is worth noting that a distinction is made between prefabricated reinforced concrete slabs and a monolithic, solid reinforced concrete floor. However, what they have in common is that they have a very smooth surface that can withstand high load. Based on this, you should choose a specific type of insulation for the attic. Let's start with the simplest one.

1. Installation of wooden beams (can be metal) or joists with insulation placed between them. In this case, you can use a variety of types of insulating material: various backfills, mats or rolls of ecowool, mineral wool, and even the most common polystyrene foam. Let's take a closer look at the types of attic insulation below.

2. Insulation without the use of logs using backfill. Expanded clay or cocktail slag can be used as backfill (in this case it will need to be isolated from the living space). Or any other type of backfill.

Insulating the attic with backfill is carried out as follows: a layer of the selected material with a thickness of twenty to thirty centimeters is poured, after which it is filled with cement mortar and a screed is made. If the attic space will not be used in the future, the screed need not be done. For additional protection and vapor barrier, it is also recommended to fix roofing felt on the slabs.

Among the disadvantages of this method, it is worth noting that the work is labor-intensive and requires a lot of time.

3. Insulation with rigid insulation (without lag). Another popular and effective way is to insulate a solid reinforced concrete floor.

In this case, either foam concrete or foam glass is most often used as a heat insulator. Both options have advantages and disadvantages.

Foam glass is a more modern, efficient and easy-to-use material, however, it is also very expensive. For this reason, heavier and coarser foam concrete is still often used. It will take a little longer to tinker with it, in addition, you will need a layer at least forty centimeters thick. But the financial costs will also be much less painful.

But in both cases you will not have to resort to “wet” work, since a screed is not required here.

How best to insulate

Let's start with the fact that you can install wooden beams on the slabs and place insulation between them. These can be backfill materials or mats of various types.

Installation technology

To install mineral wool, you will need to first prepare the attic space. To do this, you should remove all unnecessary things from there. The surface of the subfloor is cleaned of dust and dirt. If this wood flooring– It is recommended to install a layer of waterproofing.

It is best to use rolled polyethylene foam for this. In addition to thermal insulation properties, this floor insulation film has almost zero moisture absorption. A slight thickness (2-4mm) will not affect the increase in the insulation layer.

Advice
It is important to choose the right thickness of basalt wool - it should not exceed the height of the logs, taking into account the waterproofing layer. Models with a thickness of 50 mm and a density of up to 30 kg/m³ are often used.

The installation technology consists of the following stages of work:

The installation technology consists of the following stages of work.

• Preparatory work. Before installation, you need to insulate the chimney pipe. This is necessary to prevent direct contact of its surface with the heat insulator. The best option- make a small circular masonry of refractory bricks around the pipe.

• Installation of insulation on the floor should be carried out only after installing thermal insulation on the inner surface of the roof slope. This additional measure will significantly improve the thermal energy conservation rate not only of the attic space, but of the entire house as a whole.
• Installation of waterproofing protection. As mentioned above, it is best to use polyethylene foam film for waterproofing the attic. It should be located on the entire surface of the subfloor, including on the floor beams. The joints are insulated using special tape.

For fastening, you can use double-sided duct tape, but do not use a staple gun or nails. This may lead to seal failure.

• Installation of heat insulator. Proper insulation of the floor of a cold attic begins with calculating the amount of material. The main indicators are the total area of ​​the room and the distance between the beams. The latter is necessary for selection optimal model insulation. The width of standard slabs is 600 mm.

Advice
If the distance between the ceiling elements is greater, you need to use a rolled type of mineral wool. Depending on the manufacturer, its width can reach 1 m.

Having calculated the required amount of insulation, you can begin its installation.

Roll material is installed from the roof. The edge of the heat insulator should extend slightly onto the surface of the slope - this will help to avoid the appearance of gaps between the different layers of the heat-insulating layer.

The material is pressed tightly to the floor surface. It does not require additional fastening. When the entire surface between the beams is insulated, the roll is cut using a knife.

The rest of the attic floor is installed using the same scheme. After this, technological wooden flooring can be installed on top of the beams. It can be regular boards, the thickness of which will support the weight of an adult.

Backfilling of thermal insulation material

Backfilling of insulation can be done without installing a log. Expanded clay or slag is poured in a layer of 25–30 cm, leveled and filled with a thin layer of screed. It is recommended to stick roofing felt onto the slabs.

It is possible to insulate without floor joists using rigid insulation. Foam glass is considered the most effective, but also expensive. Sometimes foam concrete is used, however, it is somewhat heavy and the estimated height of its layer should be approximately 40 cm. In this case, a screed is not used.

Proper insulation of the attic floor is the main factor in maintaining heat in the house. It is important to follow the order of installation of all materials of the thermal insulation layer. You should also be concerned about operational safety - a protective structure must be installed around the chimney pipe.

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Insulation of beam floors

An option for heat conservation in such a structure is between the beams. Usually, their height is enough for this, but if there is not enough, you can fill a block on top. The floor from below is covered with molded material, say, clapboard or sheets of plasterboard, and the attic subfloor covering is laid on top of the beams: sheets of plywood, OSB boards, MDF, etc.

The insulation must be laid on a layer of special vapor barrier or polyethylene film.

On a note
If the material is foil, then lay it down with the shiny side.

The gap between the beams is then filled with insulation of the required thickness. It is recommended to lay an additional layer of insulation on top of the beams, this will help avoid “cold bridges” and reduce possible heat loss

If high-quality, well-processed timber is used for the beams, then the finishing, say, a solid board, is laid directly over the beams. The insulation is placed between them, and the attic floor covering is laid on top. This technology is quite common in houses made of rounded logs or timber.

Light fibrous materials are blown by air currents and drafts, that is, heat is removed from them. These troubles, of course, can be avoided if protection is provided with windproof, vapor-permeable materials. Thus, the thermal protection of the attic is improved. Moreover, the insulation is protected from moisture droplets. Let's say the roof has minor damage and minor leaks.

The insulation must be protected from the wind and from the eaves side. For this, slabs of high-density mineral wool or a wooden board left on edge are usually used.

Partial penetration of thermal insulation onto the external wall will ensure complete heat retention of the house.

2 Why mineral wool is used to insulate an attic

In most cases, when insulating attic floors, the consumer's choice falls on mineral wool. Its advantage is that its installation does not require special skills.

Mineral wool has excellent thermal insulation properties. Its structure consists of thin glassy fibers, the length of which ranges from 2 to 60 millimeters.

Insulating the attic with mineral wool

High sound insulation characteristics are ensured due to the presence of a large number of air pores.

These pores are located in the space between the fibers and can occupy 95% of the total volume of the insulation. Mineral wool is presented in three varieties; it can be basalt glass and stone.

Basalt wool is made using molten basalt rocks, to which binding elements are added.

2.1 Technology for insulating attic floors with mineral wool

When carrying out work related to mineral wool, it is important to comply with all safety requirements and regulations. . This is due to the fact that in the process of cutting and laying such material, air is filled tiny particles, which can enter the respiratory system and thus cause harm to human health

This is due to the fact that in the process of cutting and laying such material, the air is filled with tiny particles that can enter the respiratory organs and thus cause harm to human health.

During installation, be sure to ensure the availability of personal protective equipment. Goggles, a respirator and thick rubber gloves must be available.

The process of insulating attic floors begins with the selection of the necessary tools and additional materials. You can't do without:

Insulation

• Boards and plywood;
• Vapor barrier film;
• Mineral wool (excellent insulation for an attic roof);
• Waterproofing;
• Scotch tape;
• Roulettes;
• Knife;
• Construction stapler;
• Spatula.

The essence of insulation technology is that the insulation must be carefully laid in the space between the attic floors or beams.

To enhance the thermal insulation qualities, reliable vapor barrier protection should be used. Warm and moisture-saturated air will continuously rise from the living rooms and reach the top through the ceiling.

There, in the under-roof space, it will collide with a layer of insulation. Due to the fact that mineral wool is generally considered a vapor-proof material, it will absorb all the outgoing moisture inside itself.

If it is left without the necessary access to air and sunlight, it will gradually dry out and, ultimately, lose all its heat-insulating qualities.

Cold attic interfloor covering 20 cm min. wool

In order to avoid such destructive consequences, it is necessary to lay a vapor barrier material under a layer of mineral wool.

Before starting the main work, you will need to carefully calculate required quantity insulation.

The amount of cotton wool purchased depends on how many layers are planned to be used when covering the attic space. In addition, the thermal insulation thickness parameter directly depends on the climatic conditions in the region.

2.2 Proper insulation of the attic floor (video)

Insulation with bulk materials

The oldest method of insulation is considered to be insulating the ceiling in a private house with backfill material. Suitable if the ceilings are made of wood.

Sawdust, straw, reeds, glass wool, expanded clay, and flax can be used as bulk materials. They are inexpensive and widely available. Ecological wool will cost more. Sometimes algae, slag, and foam are used as bulk materials for insulation. As a rule, the floor is not laid on top of bulk materials; for ease of movement, several boards can be laid.

Sawdust is one of the cheapest materials; you can even get it for free if there is a working sawmill nearby. Sawdust was used as insulation hundreds of years ago. A significant disadvantage of insulating the ceiling with sawdust is that mice often like it, and they make their burrows in the sawdust, so when working, you should first pour a layer of slaked lime with carbide or use some other folk remedy. Spread sawdust in a layer of 1-2 cm. Sawdust is a material so flammable that in order to prevent the layer from igniting, it should be sprinkled with slag processing or a similar material on top

Particular care should be taken when using sawdust near chimneys and other heat sources.

Kostra (linen) is a cheap material, resistant to rotting, lightweight, and friable. Rodents and insects do not like flax, since it is inconvenient to move in flax layers - the material quickly crumbles

Insulating the ceiling in the attic using a fire has a number of disadvantages, for example, this material sometimes cakes, but you can always add a new layer! Also, the material is highly flammable, which is both an advantage in disposal and a disadvantage in operation. They fill the flax with a layer of 1.5-4 cm. If the owner decides to insulate the attic with a fire pit, then it will no longer be possible to make a full-fledged floor there, but you can lay boards for ease of movement. Linen needs to be dried, so it is suitable if ventilation is provided in the attic.

Straw is poured in a layer of 2-5 cm. To avoid fires, before pouring the material, the ceilings should be coated with a layer of clay. Straw, like sawdust, is susceptible to rodent attacks, so it will also need protection.

Ecological wool consists of recycled cellulose (recycled paper) and additives that reduce flammability. Ecowool is the most reliable and fireproof material among bulk materials; its sound insulation properties will be a pleasant bonus. In general, sound insulation is never superfluous in a house. Owners of private houses can sometimes hear, in windy weather, the sound of something falling and rolling somewhere above, in the attic. In fact, these are just plays of the wind, a frequent coincidence of circumstances. Lay ecowool on a vapor barrier film, so that there are no gaps left, in a layer of 2.5-5 cm

(it is important to take into account that ecowool cakes over time, so more in this case is better). Soon, after two weeks, lignin appears on top of the ecowool, a protective crust.

Glass wool is an old proven way to insulate an attic.

Glass wool has many advantages: safety, moisture resistance, etc. and one significant disadvantage: high toxicity. Laying should be done only in thick clothing and a respirator. After laying, the clothes are burned. In addition, glass wool cakes quickly and will have to be replaced frequently. Lay glass wool in a layer of 2-2.5 cm.

Expanded clay, although a bulk material, is also suitable for insulating concrete floors (read also: “”). It is convenient because after laying it, it is possible to create a full-fledged floor in the attic, which is difficult to achieve with most bulk materials. Expanded clay is laid in a layer of 2-2.5 cm, and a cement-sand screed is placed on top in a layer of 0.5 cm.

How to insulate an attic ceiling with bulk material, technology:

1. Place kraft paper on the floors. As a substitute, you can use cardboard, glassine or something similar. The second preparation option: coat the ceiling with 2-3 cm of clay and sprinkle with sand - so that if cracks form in the clay, the sand will fill them.
2. Add material. The thickness of the layer depends on the material itself and the expected temperatures of the area.
3. It is best to produce thermal insulation not in one, but in two layers.
4. Lay boards on top that you can walk on.

We insulate the wooden floor

The question is often asked: “How to properly insulate an attic with wooden base? Many private households have just such a cold attic.

The procedure for insulating the attic floor is as follows:

1. Carrying out processing load-bearing structures special compounds to prevent rotting, pest damage, and increase fire resistance;
2. Installation of a vapor barrier film on the side of the premises followed by installation of sheathing;
3. Laying insulation of the required thickness;
4. Construction of a subfloor from the attic side.

For ceilings with wooden floors, it is extremely important to obtain protection from pests, fire and moisture before starting insulation work, since in the future it will be impossible to do this without dismantling the insulation. . Work on insulating the ceiling from the attic should begin with isolating the insulation from steam coming from heated rooms

Vapor barrier of the attic floor is made with reinforced films made of polypropylene and polyethylene. These films have a multilayer structure, which allows them to prevent steam from passing through from the heated room into the insulation layer. One of the layers is reinforcing, which allows it to bear the loads of holding the insulating boards. The vapor barrier must be continuous and airtight. For proper laying of the strips, an overlap of at least 10 cm is made and the overlap is secured with double-sided construction tape.

Work on insulating the ceiling from the attic should begin with isolating the insulation from the steam coming from the heated premises. Vapor barrier of the attic floor is made with reinforced films made of polypropylene and polyethylene. These films have a multilayer structure, which allows them to prevent steam from passing through from the heated room into the insulation layer. One of the layers is reinforcing, which allows it to bear the loads of holding the insulating boards. The vapor barrier must be continuous and airtight. For proper laying of the strips, an overlap of at least 10 cm is made and the overlap is secured with double-sided construction tape.

The arrangement of floor beams and sheathing is carried out taking into account the expected load. Thus, when insulating the attic floor of a cold attic using bulk materials, it is necessary to provide a reinforced base. The weight of this layer will place an increased load on the floor beams and sheathing.

Mineral wool and basalt and foam materials are used as a heat-insulating layer. The most popular attic insulation is mineral wool due to ease of installation.

The selected insulation is placed between the beams. If it turns out that the height of the ceiling is less than the calculated (laid) thickness of the insulation, then timber of the required height is placed across the beams. If a cold attic is thermally insulated with mineral wool, then the laid 2nd layer should overlap the joints of the 1st.

The bulk insulation must be leveled and all voids filled with it. The insulation of the cold attic floor is complete.

The attic floor can be arranged as follows:

• sheathing or subfloor made of edged (unedged) boards;
• finished floor made of plywood and other wood sheet materials;
• leveling screed (installation of waterproofing on top of the insulation layer is required).

If there attic staircase, then the place where it passes through the ceiling must be installed with an insulated cover. The hole itself, in which the ladder is fixed, must be sealed with sealing tape. In this case, the stairs leading to the attic will not serve as a heat leakage channel.

Thermal insulation materials for attic insulation

How to insulate an attic? The following thermal insulation materials, which are offered to us in a wide range by the construction market, can be used as insulation:

• - mineral wool;
• - polystyrene foam boards (foam);
• - polyurethane foam (PPU);
• - bulk materials (expanded clay, slag, sawdust).

Mineral wool – the most popular material in private housing construction, widely used everywhere. Mineral wool, depending on the material from which it is made, is divided into three types: glass wool, stone wool and slag wool.

It is used for insulation of interfloor ceilings, enclosing structures and roofs. Mineral wool is non-flammable material, with low thermal conductivity and high sound insulation properties, resistant to aggressive environments.

Perfect for insulating a cold attic, as the load on the floor between the attic and the ceiling of the living space is minimized. But the work must be done in protective clothing and a mask, since glass wool particles, when they get on the skin, cause itching and leave small cuts.

Expanded polystyrene boards are also a traditional insulation material. This is the most economical type of insulation, which is produced in the form of slabs of foam granules. Rigid thermoplastic is 98% air and 2% polystyrene.

Expanded polystyrene boards almost do not absorb moisture and are resistant to fungus and rotting; are light in weight and easy to process and install. The disadvantage is that polystyrene foam is flammable and, when burned, releases toxic substances harmful to human health.

Polyurethane foam (PPU) belongs to the group of gas-filled plastics. Rigid polyurethane foam found wide application in construction as insulation and sound insulation, due to low thermal conductivity and vapor permeability.

Polyurethane foam can be produced directly on construction site, the spraying procedure is quite simple. There is a possibility of insulating surfaces complex shape, PPU is ideal for repairing old roofs and floors, but requires special equipment and skilled workers.

The simplest way to insulate the attic floor of a cold, unused attic is insulation bulk materials, for example, expanded clay .

Expanded clay is poured over a layer of roofing felt; the thickness of the expanded clay depends on the design of the floor and its thermal insulation properties, but, as a rule, it should be at least 15 cm. In this way, you can also insulate the attic in use; in this case, a 50 mm thick screed is made on top of the expanded clay or a flooring is installed from sheets of chipboard and other materials.

What insulation materials are most often used

The installation technology is practically no different from the traditional floor-mounted one for a living space.

It is important to choose the right material for making the heat insulator. IN Lately Most often, attic floor insulation is done with mineral wool

Why mineral wool?

This is a heat-insulating material made from basalt rocks of volcanic origin. They undergo heat treatment in a special drum-type oven. During this process, the molten mass swells and stretches into fibers. To form a dense material, they are processed with special binding materials.

As a result, a material with unique properties is formed, which is successfully used to insulate attic floors. For an objective analysis, it can be compared with other types of heat insulators - polystyrene foam and expanded clay.

• Thermal insulation. The heat transfer coefficient for mineral wool is 0.035 W/m*K. For foam plastic it is slightly higher - 0.04 W/m*K. Expanded clay has the worst performance – 0.4 W/m*k.
• Hygroscopicity. Foam plastic does not allow moisture to pass through, so if you insulate the joints during installation, you don’t have to use additional waterproofing layer. Mineral wool is hygroscopic - it absorbs moisture. But this does not lead to its swelling. Expanded clay also slightly absorbs moisture.
• Flammability. In this plan basalt insulation - perfect option. It does not burn, and its structure melts when exposed to a temperature of 700°C. This quality is very important - a chimney passes through the attic, the surface temperature of which can reach high values. Polystyrene foam, when burned, releases substances harmful to humans.

Mineral wool can be used to insulate almost any surface, even uneven ones. It is produced in soft slabs or rolls. It is advisable to use a material that has a metallized heat-reflecting surface. Cut mineral wool using an ordinary knife. Place it tightly between the beams, without jamming, without gaps. This is an inexpensive, but durable and effective option.

The work requires some precautions: glasses, gloves, and those with allergies are advised to use respirators. . The layers are laid in the same sequence:

The layers are laid in the same sequence:

• vapor barrier;
• mineral wool;
• vapor-permeable moisture-proof membrane.

The floor film is spread overlapping, and the joints must be either glued or secured through wooden slats with staples using a construction stapler. The thickness of the layer is selected based on thermal engineering standards for each specific region.

On a note
Insulating and soundproofing the floor with cotton wool materials is considered the simplest and most effective solution.

Stone wool

Mineral wool slabs today are often replaced with stone wool. Unlike mineral wool, which is often made from low-grade slag-basalt using bitumen binders, stone wool is an environmentally friendly material.

This insulation is distinguished by excellent characteristics - both technical and operational. The unique structure of the internal structure of stone wool: a chaotic arrangement of fibers, provides an effective thermal conductivity of 0.036-0.045 W/m*K. It significantly exceeds the insulation of its class in these indicators, provides excellent protection against temperature changes and guarantees microclimatic comfort.

Insulating the ceiling of a cold attic

1. In addition to thermal insulation of the attic, it is important to ensure waterproofing of insulation. The operating principle is as follows: it creates vapor barrier, which helps moisture trapped on the insulating material to evaporate. It should be noted that between the roofing covering of the roof and the insulation it is necessary to provide free space, so that moisture has the opportunity to be removed.
2. Check the condition of the material you will use for insulation. Things like this shouldn't show up mold, fungus or rot. If there are places where such troubles have arisen, then they should be removed. The remaining part of the material is treated with antifungal agents so that such situations do not recur.
3. If in the rafter system, gables or ceilings there are gaps, then these cracks need to be covered with putty or lime mortar. If damaged elements are found, they should be replaced with new ones.
4. At the same time, it must function ventilation system. If this does not happen, a large amount of moisture will accumulate on the surface of the ceiling. Therefore, vents are created that are capable of letting air through. This applies when the roof is covered with material through which air cannot pass. If the covering is slate or tiles, then this is not necessary.
5. When filling voids with insulation, it is worth filling all the empty spaces so that the cold does not have the opportunity to penetrate. If the opposite happens, then again this is fraught with the accumulation of condensation, which will cause mold and rot.
6. You should also select the desired interlayer width insulation. If the thickness of the material is not enough, it will freeze. And as a result, excessive moisture on the inner surface of the attic lining. The solution is an additional block frame.

The materials used to insulate the attic are: mineral wool, Styrofoam, expanded clay and many others.

Old-fashioned sawdust method

Let's start with the oldest insulation - sawdust. This material has a lot of disadvantages - low moisture resistance, poor thermal conductivity, etc. However, even today people use it to insulate attics. The reason is simple - it is the cheapest (sometimes even free) option. This method can be safely recommended for residents of southern regions where there is no frost. For such a climate there is no need for high-quality insulation of floors.

Tip: sawdust can be purchased for free (or for a nominal price) at any large sawmill.

Thermal insulation with sawdust is carried out in the following sequence:

• We carry out a thorough inspection of the ceilings for the presence of gaps and cracks. To prevent cold air from entering the main room through the attic, they must be sealed. Previously, clay was used for this, but today you can use more advanced compounds: sealant, cement-sand mortar etc.

Important! If the gaps between the floors are more than 2 cm, the boards need to be re-laid. . Then we sprinkle the entire space with slaked lime and carbide

This layer has several functions, but one of the main ones is protection against mice. It's no secret that rodents appear in many private homes (especially in attics). However, this composition will effectively repel them.

• Then we sprinkle the entire space with slaked lime and carbide. This layer has several functions, but one of the main ones is protection against mice. It's no secret that rodents appear in many private homes (especially in attics). However, this composition will effectively repel them.
• Now we fill the niche with sawdust - it must be dry and free of debris. Recommended layer thickness is 20 cm.
• Then it is necessary to treat the sawdust so that it ceases to be flammable: we sprinkle it with slag waste, or treat it with fire retardants.
• We cover the attic joists with boards or plywood.

Linen

This is another insulation from the old days. However, now you can find improved analogues that have many advantages:

• Environmentally friendly - only natural ingredients are used in its production. When working with your own hands, a person does not risk getting skin irritation (unlike using, for example, glass wool).
• High efficiency. Excellent technical characteristics make it possible to make the house maximally protected from the penetration of cold air.
• Easy to use.
• A variety of forms - factors. Linen comes not only loose, but also in the form of rolls or slabs. This allows you to use it to decorate the house from all sides (floor, ceiling, walls).

The process of insulating an attic using flax is practically no different from using sawdust. The only difference is that the prepared surface needs to be covered with craft paper. This measure will improve performance characteristics and protect against the influence of natural factors (mold, fungus, etc.). If you do not expect complete insulation of the roof, then you will need to cover the logs with a vapor barrier layer (for example, a membrane). For fastening we use “liquid nails” glue or a construction stapler.

Insulating the attic roof

To insulate an attic roof with your own hands, heat-insulating material is laid between the rafters. The most commonly used are rigid mineral wool slabs. They provide reliable protection and ease of installation.

The clear distance between the rafters is taken to be 2 cm less than the width of the slab and it is held in place by friction. From below, for reliable fastening, a lathing is made along which Finishing work

. It is necessary to provide an air gap on top of the insulation to remove the resulting moisture. The size of such a layer is taken to be 3-5 cm. It is ensured by the height of the rafters or by installing a counter batten. Proper insulation of the attic and attic space with your own hands can reduce heat losses and maintain the strength of structures for for a long time , which is why it is so important to pay attention to both the floor and walls, and the roof. . Wonderful example

How to use insulation to turn an attic into a comfortable living space:

A wonderful example of how you can use insulation to turn an attic into a comfortable living space:

Insulating the attic with polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam Anyone who wonders how to insulate an attic has the idea of ​​using polystyrene foam. And this is not at all accidental, since this material is even more common than mineral wool. It is also used by professional builders in their work, and for independent work

it fits perfectly. The main feature that polystyrene foam has is its reasonable price. This is actually the cheapest construction material

, which can be used as insulation for the attic.

In addition, a number of its advantages can be noted:

• Keeps its original shape perfectly.
• Unaffected by moisture.
• Low thermal conductivity, an order of magnitude lower than that of mineral wool.
• The ability to create excellent sound insulation.

But along with a large number of advantages, this material also has significant disadvantages, which include the following indicators:

• Highly flammable, just one spark is enough for the foam to begin to smolder.
• It does not allow steam to pass through, and therefore it is not possible to achieve the effect of “breathing walls” with this insulation.
• If you don’t additionally protect the polystyrene foam, then rodents will “happily” chew on it, and therefore you may end up without attic insulation.

Despite all its shortcomings, polystyrene foam still remains one of the leaders in the field of attic insulation. After all, fires do not happen so often, additional protection of the material can be used against rodents, but the “breathing effect” is not so important in a mountainous area.

Therefore, we can conclude that for such a low price this is simply an excellent option.

Modern and high-quality method of polyurethane foam

This is a complex polymer that has excellent technical characteristics. It is quite rare to implement such technology with your own hands, however, it needs lighting. In this case, similar polyurethane foam is poured. The foamed substance sets quite quickly, resulting in a monolithic structure.

In addition to high thermal insulation characteristics, polyurethane foam provides high noise absorption, as a result, the impact of raindrops on the roof will not be heard.

For application, you will need a special spraying unit (this is why few people decide to use polyurethane foam with their own hands). However, it can be rented. So, the work is done in the following sequence:

• We clean the ceiling and walls from dust and dirt. Otherwise, the sprayed substance will not adhere well.
• We first coat all wooden elements with an antiseptic (if possible, on both sides), and then with a deep penetration primer (for wood only).

Important! When working with a sprayer, do not forget to use a respirator and gloves.

• After waiting for the protective compounds to dry completely, we spray the foam substance with our own hands. We do this slowly from the bottom up.
• After waiting for it to dry completely, we cut off the excess (if any) with our own hands and cover the ceiling and walls with any sheet material (plywood, drywall, etc.).

To achieve maximum protection for your home from the cold, we recommend combining the methods described above.

Insulation of ventilation pipes in the attic

In modern private houses, the attic is often a technical floor where ventilation units and pipes for moving air - air ducts - are located. If the temperature there is significantly lower than in the premises, then the air ducts must be insulated and here’s why:

• The air passing through them is heated by energy carriers paid for by the homeowner. It is unacceptable for air to waste heat in a cold attic;
• due to temperature differences inside and outside the air ducts, condensation will constantly be released.

The cheapest way to insulate ventilation pipes is to buy rolled mineral wool and wrap it around the air duct, securing it with twine.

After which the layer of mineral wool is covered with special foil to prevent moisture from entering. But when compressed, the thermal resistance of rolled insulation is reduced, so it is better to use ready-made foam shells. They are placed on the air duct on both sides and secured with knitting wire.

It is most convenient to insulate rectangular ventilation pipes with self-adhesive foam polyethylene material. This is an excellent vapor-tight insulation, one side of which is covered with a sticky layer that adheres well to the metal surface.

How to insulate an attic in a private house with your own hands

Polyurethane foam (PPU) is now becoming a popular insulation material for roofs, gables and attic floors. Among the advantages of polyurethane foam are high mechanical and chemical resistance, low thermal conductivity and low weight. The use of polyurethane foam is especially important in the attic, because... the load on the house structure is reduced and a continuous thermal insulation layer is created without cold bridges.

Insulating the attic for the winter with polyurethane foam

Photo. Thermal insulation of polyurethane foam structures

PPU is applied to the treated surfaces of the attic of a private house by spraying using special equipment. Polyurethane foam creates monolithic coating, which perfectly protects structures from moisture and prevents heat from escaping from the room through the ceiling. Polyurethane foam is resistant to the formation of fungus and mold because it does not absorb moisture.

Insulating the attic in a private house with polyurethane foam further enhances the strength of the structure, thanks to the creation of a monolithic thermal insulation layer without gaps and cracks. Polyurethane foam is also durable and wear-resistant - the service life of this material exceeds 30 years. The layer of polyurethane foam does not require the creation of waterproofing protection, since it itself perfectly performs the functions of moisture protection of the structure.

How to insulate an attic with mineral wool in a private house

Photo. Insulating the attic of a private house from the outside

Mineral wool is quite light in weight and is produced in the form of rolls or mats. When insulating a roof independently, basalt wool and glass wool are placed between the rafters; when insulating an attic in a private house, mineral wool is placed between the joists. Cracks and voids should be avoided when laying basalt material; if necessary, all cracks are filled with foam.

For the middle strip, at least 200 mm of mineral insulation is required. It should be taken into account that mineral wool creates significant loads on floors and support pillars. Before laying the material, you should make sure that the supporting structures of the house are reliable. But these are not all the materials that can be used to insulate an attic and keep the house warm. Our ancestors insulated attic floors with sawdust, expanded clay and other materials.

How to insulate an attic in a private house with expanded clay

Photo. Insulating the attic of a house with expanded clay

Expanded clay is a bulk insulation made from balls of baked clay. Expanded clay is perfect for finishing attic floors, as it creates a continuous coating on a horizontal surface that perfectly retains heat. Expanded clay is safe and environmentally friendly, resistant to moisture and high temperatures. Thanks to its manufacturing technology, expanded clay lasts for many years without decomposing.

Expanded clay granules need waterproofing protection from roofing felt, glassine or ordinary film on the side of the warm room. The thing is that warm air is saturated with water vapor, and this can lead to an increase in thermal conductivity. When carrying out work for bulk material, a special “box” is usually created, into which the material is poured, and a rough floor made of boards is laid on top.

How to insulate an attic in a private house with sawdust

Insulating the attic with expanded clay or sawdust most often complements mineral wool, especially this rule applies to horizontal surfaces. When choosing an option for how to insulate an attic in a private home, you can wisely combine materials. In addition, for horizontal surfaces it is best to use bulk insulation, traditional for Russia. Old-fashioned methods are much cheaper and more convenient to use.

Insulation with sawdust is one of the traditional ways attic insulation. Today this method is in less demand, despite its cheapness. The main disadvantage of sawdust is that the material is easily flammable, which is not suitable for roofs. Thermal insulation of the attic with polystyrene foam also has a significant drawback - the fire hazard of polystyrene foam and the release of toxins during combustion.

Polyurethane foam

This insulation for the attic of a house, consisting of gas-filled plastics, is applied by spraying to brick, wood, metal, plaster and other surfaces. Polyurethane foam is widely used in creating thermal insulation for roofs, attics, walls, and basements.

This seamless spraying method allows you to fill absolutely all the cracks, leaving no chance for drafts. This modern technology increases heat saving by 3 times, while significantly reducing heating costs. Polyurethane foam demonstrates resistance to rotting and various aggressive environments. It gives the structures on which it is applied additional rigidity. But the biggest argument in favor of this insulation is its 50-year service life.

As for the disadvantages of polyurethane foam, it is high cost. But this price pays off by saving money on applying it, since there is no need to create a vapor and heat insulation “pie” - polyurethane foam protects against moisture, cold, condensation and loud sounds.

Expanded polystyrene

This insulation is often called foam plastic, but in terms of quality and manufacturing technology these are completely different materials, and what they have in common is the raw material from which they are made, and it is called polystyrene. Polystyrene foam is fragile, while polystyrene foam is much stronger in tearing and compression. This material is produced by extrusion - during the production process the polymer is transformed at different stages, its granules undergo melting and foaming, which leads to increased thermal insulation properties.

To keep attic housing warm, use the following properties polystyrene foam boards as excellent thermal insulation. In addition, polystyrene foam is lightweight, environmentally friendly, low cost and easy to install - the slabs are cut with a saw or a special knife. Thermal insulation characteristics boards of this insulation are preserved when exposed to moisture, since it is not hygroscopic.

The disadvantages of expanded polystyrene include poor sound insulation and instability to organic solvents. Despite the fact that it is susceptible to fire, its newest types are non-flammable and belong to a high fire safety class. Nowadays there are roofing materials on sale that are made from corrugated steel sheeting with polystyrene foam insulation. With their help, the problem of how to make an attic habitable is solved, since the heat conservation of the room is ensured (read: “How to insulate an attic”).

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is produced:

• in the form of slabs;
• in rolls;
• in the form of a bulk mixture.

The disadvantage of mineral materials is the presence of formaldehyde in them, so when working with them you must use a mask and gloves.

Insulation procedure

If you plan to install mineral wool in the attic, then before starting work you need to decide on its type (glass wool, mineral wool, basalt slabs), the density of the material (varies in the range from 30 to 200 kg/m3) and the required quantity.

All this must meet the requirements for attic insulation.

Nuances for work

The floor in the attic is also the ceiling of the house, through which heat is lost from the room. Moisture from the warm air below constantly penetrates into the attic and has a negative effect on the fiber insulation.

When wet, it loses its thermal insulation properties, and with prolonged exposure to moisture it quickly collapses. Negative influence moisture is also noted on the structural elements of the roof. Condensed water on the inside surface of the roof flows onto the rafters and beams. This leads to the destruction of supporting structures.

To protect mineral wool and the internal surfaces of the roof from water vapor, a vapor barrier made of moisture-proof material is used. It is laid between the ceiling and the insulation

It is important that the integrity of the waterproofing is not compromised.

To avoid further formation and accumulation of moisture in the attic, you need to properly organize ventilation. It is arranged through vents placed on the ridges and cornices, as well as through slatted and dormer windows. Ventilation will be quite intense if the ratio of the sum of the areas ventilation holes ranges from 0.2 to 0.5% of the attic area.

Isolation process

Working with insulating wool requires compliance with safety rules and the use of special PPE. If the attic space will not be used as a living room, then it must be made ventilated. Before you start insulating with mineral wool, you need to install ventilation gutters. They are attached under the roof with brackets to the roof frame.

If insulation is carried out using rolled material, then laying a vapor barrier is not necessary, since the wool is in a polyethylene cover. The mineral wool strips should be laid tightly and the edges taped.

In the case of using slabs, insulation is carried out on a pre-laid waterproofing coating.

You need to start insulating with cotton wool from the point farthest from the door, gradually moving towards the exit. If obstacles arise, the canvas or sheet must be cut, and in the next part of the insulation a cutout should be made in the shape of the obstacle. It cuts perfectly with a utility knife. If gaps appear, they need to be insulated with leftover material and scraps. Try not to be overzealous when compacting and bending the mineral wool, as this will negatively affect its heat-insulating ability.

If lighting fixtures are installed in the attic floors, they must be covered with special caps. Although the cotton wool does not burn, the device heats up during operation, and conditions may be created for the wooden floor to catch fire. Next, all that remains is to cover the thermal insulation by installing the floor in the attic. It can be plywood, plasterboard, chipboard or OSB board.

Mineral wool

Insulation such as mineral wool helps home owners convert the attic into a living space. It can be glass, slag, stone, depending on the raw materials used - from glass melts, blast furnace slag, rocks.

Mineral wool is produced:

• in the form of slabs;
• in rolls;
• in the form of a bulk mixture.

This variety makes it possible to use mineral wool for thermal protection of building walls, roofs, and slopes. It is used for insulation and fire protection of pipelines, furnaces and similar structures, since it can withstand temperatures of more than 1000°C. Mineral wool provides excellent sound insulation. The insulation is resistant to chemically active substances.

Experts consider mineral wool with randomly arranged fibers to be the best heat insulator. For example, slabs made of this material, having a 5-centimeter thickness in terms of thermal resistance, are comparable to the characteristics of a wall made of timber 18 centimeters thick or brickwork 90 centimeters thick.

The service life of mineral wool materials is about 50 years. The main prerequisite for this is to avoid compaction, since as a result their thermal insulation properties deteriorate.

Insulating the attic wooden house using mineral wool, they begin by creating a vapor barrier from polyethylene or polypropylene film, foil or fiberglass. Some types of mineral wool have moisture-repellent properties, so condensation does not accumulate in the insulation and thermal protection does not deteriorate. If this insulation is covered with aluminum foil, a vapor barrier is not required.

We are preparing the work front

Since the insulation technology for new and existing roofs is the same, let’s consider insulation old roof requiring more work.

Although they say that breaking is not building, the issue of dismantling must be approached wisely. The removed materials, which have retained their properties, can be used during installation, thereby saving money.

Depending on the existing roofing covering, we dismantle it. We determine the storage location at a distance from the work site sufficient to install ladders or other climbing mechanisms onto the roof. If it is intended to be reused, then we carefully lay it on a flat area on logs to maintain the correct geometric shape. If there is a large volume of sheet materials, we perform additional relaying with lags to increase the stability of the foot and uniformly distribute deforming loads.

We dismantle the existing sheathing, establishing the possibility of reusing the removed materials. We carry out storage in the same order as roofing material.

Existing rafters, supports and purlins (horizontal roof boards) are inspected. If elements are identified that are unsuitable for further use, they are replaced. This does not require special skills. Taking off old element, a new one is made in its image and likeness and installed in place.

Features of the material and its varieties

There are three types of mineral wool: slag, glass, stone (basalt). The first type is practically not used today due to its modest technical characteristics. As for glass wool, it is extremely inconvenient to work with (its fibers constantly seep through clothing and create irritation on the skin). Only special clothing and PPE can save you. Therefore, we strongly recommend using stone wool, which has the best performance (according to all criteria).

However, this is far from the only material with which you can insulate a house. Foamed polyurethane, extruded polyester, etc. are popular. However, to insulate the attic, we recommend using mineral wool. This is due to its advantages:

• Excellent thermal insulation properties (we are talking about stone wool), which is only slightly inferior to polyurethane foam. However, it does not change throughout the entire operational period.
• Flexibility. The attic roof is almost always pitched, sometimes even has complex design. In such situations, flexible rolls are quite easy to install.
• High physical strength. Polymer materials sometimes crumble, which sometimes creates inconvenience. The technology of insulating a house using mineral wool allows you not to worry about the condition of the heat insulator.
• Affordable price. Even stone wool is cheaper than polyurethane foam and similar materials. As a rule, people do not allocate large sums of money for attic insulation, so an economical alternative looks like the most reasonable option.

• Low specific gravity. If the internal floors of the attic are not too strong, mineral wool seems great solution, since it does not weigh down the structure of the house.
• Possibility of dismantling. If you fix the cotton wool using a stapler and staples, it can later be removed without practically damaging the material. This insulation technology is very convenient.

Attic insulation is an important part of the overall insulation of a home.

The insulation of any structure must be approached comprehensively. All experts say so.

After all, it is impossible to maintain the temperature regime in a house, regardless of its construction material, at the proper level by insulating only the walls.

Therefore, both the floor and the ceiling, especially the attic, are subject to thermal insulation. Question: “How to insulate an attic?” It is very acute if it concerns a wooden, private building.

Everyone knows the law of physics, according to which warm air has a lower specific gravity, therefore it always rises upward, while cold air remains at the bottom. The same thing happens in the rooms of the premises. Warm air rises to their ceiling, cold air is closer to the floor. If thermal insulation of the ceiling or attic is not carried out, then warm air freely penetrates through the structural material of the ceiling and gives it part of its energy. In a word, if you do not insulate the ceiling and attic of a house, then about 30% of all heat loss from the building passes through it.

Features of insulating the attic of a wooden house

It is necessary to insulate the attic in a residential building to avoid heat leakage.

To properly insulate an attic in a wooden structure, you need to remember a few rules:

1. Warm air always contains water impurities, that is, warm air in a room is always saturated with household steam. Wood, being constantly in an atmosphere of high humidity, can lose its technical characteristics or simply rot. Therefore, when carrying out thermal insulation of this structure, it is necessary to remember about the waterproofing layer;
2. wood is capable of passing air through itself, that is, it “breathes.” Air and steam in it can end up on the surface and in the thickness of the insulating material, even if it is located outside the structure, so an additional layer of waterproofing material is also needed here;
3. wood, in comparison with other structural materials of buildings (brick, metal structures), has a lower load-bearing capacity, because insulation material for a wooden house it should not place additional load on the floor;
4. The thermal insulation material must have fire-fighting characteristics to prevent the spread of fire in a wooden building.

Mineral wool, glass wool

Mineral wool, glass wool - the materials are environmentally friendly products, fire-resistant, lightweight, and easy to install. However, it has high rates of vapor permeability and water absorption, and therefore requires waterproofing or a vapor barrier.

Polyurethane foam

Technology of insulating the attic of a house with polyurethane foam.

Polyurethane foam - obtained from gas-filled plastics, sold in the form of pressure cylinders, applied by conventional spraying to the desired surface. Advantage - forms a seamless coating, which prevents the formation of cold bridges, has a high degree of adhesion in wooden surface, therefore it does not require additional fasteners. It is lightweight, therefore it does not exert additional pressure on the ceiling, has high heat and sound insulation, and does not absorb moisture.

Polyurethane foam does not rot, withstands aggressive environments, and microorganisms do not develop on its surface. It is characterized by strength and rigidity, it does not absorb water and does not allow steam to pass through it. The disadvantage is the high price compared to similar products.

Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene - it is mistakenly called polystyrene foam. Expanded polystyrene, unlike polystyrene foam, undergoes several additional processing stages, which is why it is characterized by increased strength. Properly organized on its basis, the insulating layer in the attic of a wooden house is vapor-tight. Expanded polystyrene is moisture resistant, but does not tolerate the action of organic solvents. It helps the fire spread.

How to properly insulate an attic - execution technique

If the attic space of a wooden house is not planned to be converted into a living room, it is enough to simply insulate the floor. Stages of the insulation process:

You can properly insulate the attic of a private house with your own hands.

• clean the surface of debris and rot, treat the floor with an antiseptic; if there are cracks, they must be additionally caulked;
• the attic is covered with a waterproofing film, but it must allow steam to pass through, otherwise the ceiling will rot;
• logs are erected, to which the finishing floor covering will subsequently be attached, and thermal insulation is laid in even layers without gaps;
• a layer of waterproofing, but it should no longer allow steam to pass through;
• if the attic will subsequently serve as a living space, the insulation is additionally covered with expanded clay and then knitted;
• finishing.

How to properly insulate a pitched roof of a wooden house

1. First, the entire surface is covered with a waterproofing film. It is laid with an overlap so that no joints are formed using construction tape;
2. Next, the insulation is laid. Mineral wool works well as a material, but only in the form of mats. It holds its shape perfectly and does not sag when in a vertical position. Mineral wool is laid between the rafters and fixed using slatted lathing or a mesh made of nylon cord;
3. the vapor barrier layer will not allow steam in the air to penetrate into the thickness of the insulation, thereby reducing its technical characteristics, but at the same time will allow the thermal insulation to “breathe”. The vapor barrier is attached to the rafters on top of the insulation and secured with construction tape;
4. finishing - fiberboard or chipboard, you can use plasterboard.

Preface. The attic protects a private home from the cold in winter and the scorching rays of the sun in summer. IN winter period The heat from the house escapes to a greater extent through the attic floors. Therefore, the question is: “How to insulate an attic in a private house?” is decided when building a house in the first place. Therefore, in this article we will consider the issue of thermal insulation of the attic with mineral wool, expanded clay and sawdust in a private house, and also show a video lesson with instructions.

The attic in a private home often remains unused due to its disorganization. It is because of this that you can make a rest room or bedroom in the attic if you choose the insulation wisely. You can entrust the work to professionals or resolve all issues yourself. We will offer several options with step-by-step instructions for insulating the attic, the gables of a wooden house and ventilating the attic floor.

How to insulate an attic in a private house inexpensively

Insulation of the external gables of the house and attic floors is carried out using various thermal insulation materials. For work, you can use inexpensive “old-fashioned” materials, as well as modern insulation materials. Most often, three types of materials are used to insulate the attic in a private house for the winter. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each of them in our review:

— insulation made of mineral wool or glass wool;
— organic derivatives (PUF);
— bulk insulation (expanded clay, sawdust with clay).

Mineral wool and glass wool are suitable not only for insulating the attic and interfloor ceilings, but also for insulating the facade of a house under siding. The use of mineral wool implies the creation of reliable moisture protection using roll waterproofing. Mineral wool has a fibrous structure that allows moisture and steam to pass through, so the insulation should be protected from the warm room side with a vapor barrier.

How to insulate an attic in a private house with your own hands

Polyurethane foam (PPU) is now becoming a popular insulation material for roofs, gables and attic floors. Among the advantages of polyurethane foam are high mechanical and chemical resistance, low thermal conductivity and low weight. The use of polyurethane foam is especially important in the attic, because... the load on the house structure is reduced and a continuous thermal insulation layer is created without cold bridges.

Insulating the attic for the winter with polyurethane foam

PPU is applied to the treated surfaces of the attic of a private house by spraying using special equipment. Polyurethane foam creates a monolithic coating that perfectly protects structures from moisture and prevents heat from escaping from the room through the ceiling. Polyurethane foam is resistant to the formation of fungus and mold because it does not absorb moisture.

Insulating the attic in a private house with polyurethane foam further enhances the strength of the structure, thanks to the creation of a monolithic thermal insulation layer without gaps and cracks. Polyurethane foam is also durable and wear-resistant - the service life of this material exceeds 30 years. The layer of polyurethane foam does not require the creation of waterproofing protection, since it itself perfectly performs the functions of moisture protection of the structure.

How to insulate an attic with mineral wool in a private house

Mineral wool is quite light in weight and is produced in the form of rolls or mats. When insulating a roof independently, basalt wool and glass wool are placed between the rafters; when insulating an attic in a private house, mineral wool is placed between the joists. Cracks and voids should be avoided when laying basalt material; if necessary, all cracks are filled with foam.

For the middle strip, at least 200 mm of mineral insulation is required. It should be taken into account that mineral wool creates significant loads on floors and support pillars. Before laying the material, you should make sure that the supporting structures of the house are reliable. But these are not all the materials that can be used to insulate an attic and keep the house warm. Our ancestors insulated attic floors with sawdust, expanded clay and other materials.

How to insulate an attic in a private house with expanded clay

Expanded clay is a bulk insulation made from balls of baked clay. Expanded clay is perfect for finishing attic floors, as it creates a continuous coating on a horizontal surface that perfectly retains heat. Expanded clay is safe and environmentally friendly, resistant to moisture and high temperatures. Thanks to its manufacturing technology, expanded clay lasts for many years without decomposing.

Expanded clay granules require waterproofing protection from roofing felt, glassine or ordinary film on the side of a warm room. The thing is that warm air is saturated with water vapor, and this can lead to an increase in thermal conductivity. When carrying out work for bulk material, a special “box” is usually created, into which the material is poured, and a rough floor made of boards is laid on top.

How to insulate an attic in a private house with sawdust

Insulating the attic with expanded clay or sawdust most often complements mineral wool, especially this rule applies to horizontal surfaces. When choosing an option for how to insulate an attic in a private home, you can wisely combine materials. In addition, for horizontal surfaces it is best to use bulk insulation, traditional for Russia. Old-fashioned methods are much cheaper and more convenient to use.

Sawdust insulation is one of the traditional methods of attic insulation. Today this method is in less demand, despite its cheapness. The main disadvantage of sawdust is that the material is easily flammable, which is not suitable for roofs. Thermal insulation of the attic with polystyrene foam also has a significant drawback - the fire hazard of polystyrene foam and the release of toxins during combustion.

Video: How to insulate an attic with mineral wool with your own hands

To understand why it is necessary to insulate the ceiling of a cold attic, let’s clarify a little why an attic is needed in a private house and what its purpose is. Our ancestors built houses that could stand for more than 100 years, while it was warm inside, and the wooden roof structure always remained dry.

Previously, gable roofs were mainly built with a slight slope of the slopes. This was done so that snow could remain on the roof in winter. Thus, snow was used as a natural insulation. One or two windows were made in the attic and kept closed in winter so that the trapped air acted as a heat insulator. In the summer, a slightly different situation occurred. Attic windows were opened at night so that the air cooled, and during the day, in hot weather, they were closed so that the air did not heat up too much, thus regulating its temperature.

When snow fell in winter, it fell as a continuous cover on the roof, simultaneously becoming a natural insulation. Even in severe frosts, the temperature in the attic did not drop below zero. Thus, the air in the attic and the insulation of the ceiling made it possible to maintain the temperature in the house at +20-25 °C. The roof slopes were not insulated to prevent the snow lying on the roof from melting. The rafter system remained open, allowing it to be inspected and repaired if necessary. Therefore, in a cold attic, only the ceiling is insulated.

If the roof slopes are insulated, then the attic becomes a heated room, i.e. an attic, which has a completely different functional purpose.

Now it remains to find out how to insulate the attic floor in a private house, and what materials are used for thermal insulation.

Materials for insulating attic floors

There is a wide range of insulation materials on the market. To make a choice, it is necessary to take into account the conditions in which the thermal insulation material will be used:

1. The material must retain its properties at temperatures ranging from -30 to +30 °C. Should not freeze during severe frosts and should not emit harmful substances in hot weather.
2. It is necessary to choose fire-resistant insulation if there is electrical wiring in the attic.
3. It is better to choose a moisture-resistant material so that when wet it does not lose its thermal insulation properties.
4. The insulation should not quickly cake in order to fulfill its purpose for as long as possible.

Before deciding on the type of material for insulating the floor of a cold attic in a private house, you need to consider what material the ceiling is made of. If the attic floor is made of wooden beams, then you can use slab, roll and bulk insulation. In the case where the attic floor is made of concrete slabs, they resort to the use of heavy bulk or dense slab heat insulators. Their use makes it possible to make a cement screed on the floor.

Materials produced in slab and mat formats:

• mineral wool (mineral wool) in mats;
• Styrofoam;
• extruded polystyrene foam;
• seaweed;
• straw.

• mineral wool;
• glass wool;
• stone wool;
• seaweed ladders;

Bulk materials for attic floor insulation:

• expanded clay;
• ecowool;
• reed;
• sawdust;
• straw;
• slag;
• buckwheat tyrsa;
• foam granules.

Insulation of the attic floor in a wooden house must be done with environmentally friendly, natural and breathable material.

How to properly insulate an attic floor with mineral wool

Mineral wool is a common and modern heat insulator. Available in rolls or slabs (mats). Does not rot or burn, rodents and various kinds Microorganisms are also not scary for her.

Insulating the ceiling of a cold attic with mineral wool begins with laying lining material on the floor. For a budget option, glassine is laid on the floor, but a more expensive and high-quality option is flooring made from vapor barrier film. The film is laid with an overlap, and the joints are taped or secured wooden slats, which are fixed with a construction stapler.

The width of the insulation is selected based on the requirements of thermal engineering standards for each region. Mineral wool is placed between the joists tightly and without gaps. The joints are taped with tape. After the insulation is laid, level boards are simply laid on the joists, thus forming the floor in the attic. This simple solution for creating a floor allows the mineral wool to “breathe” and ventilate normally if it gets wet. To prevent moisture from entering the mineral wool, waterproofing material is laid under the roof.

Mineral wool is laid using personal protective equipment: thick clothing, goggles, gloves, respirator.

Insulation of attic floor slabs with extruded polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene foam are not very dense materials, so they are used when the attic floor is a structure made of joists and beams. If thermal insulation of the slabs is necessary, insulation of the cold attic floor with extruded polystyrene foam is used. This material is stronger and therefore denser than regular foam. Before laying it, the surface of the slabs should be leveled. There is no need for vapor barrier on the warm side of the floor, since concrete slabs have almost no vapor permeability.

To aligned concrete plates lay a vapor barrier film. Next, slabs of extruded polystyrene foam are laid in a checkerboard pattern. The joints are blown with polyurethane foam. After the foam has dried and hardened, the insulating slabs are poured with concrete mortar 4-6 cm thick. When the screed is dry, it is already suitable for use as a floor. Although you can go further and put any floor covering on the screed.

Thermal insulation of a cold attic with ecowool

Ecowool is a cellulose, lightweight and loose insulation material consisting mainly of waste paper and newspapers. Other ingredients are borax and boric acid are used as flame retardants.

Before insulation, it is necessary to place a film on the floor. The procedure for laying ecowool occurs using a special blowing installation. The insulation layer is applied as a continuous cover, without creating cracks. Since ecowool contains a large amount of air, a layer of 250-300 mm is usually enough.

Do not forget that over time, the material will shrink. Therefore, apply a layer of ecowool 40-50 mm more.

After the insulation of the cold attic floor with ecowool is completed, it must be moistened. You can do this with plain water or prepare a solution of 200 grams. PVA glue on a bucket of water. Soak a regular broom in this solution and moisten the cotton well. After drying, a crust forms on the surface of the cotton wool - lingin, which will not allow the cotton wool to move.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to insulate the floor in the attic. Which one to use depends on each specific situation. The main thing is to comply the right technology laying thermal insulation! Then your home will always be warm, and the materials used will last for many years.

How to insulate an attic floor

How to insulate a ceiling in a cold attic. Insulating the attic floor with mineral wool and extruded polystyrene foam. How to properly insulate the floor in the attic.

How to properly insulate the floors of a cold attic with mineral wool?

When ensuring insulation of a private house and insulation of the roof along the rafters, one must not forget that special attention should be paid to such a place as the attic.

Development of attic floor insulation with mineral wool

Warm air tends to rise to the top, and therefore temporarily unheated room heat can escape through the cold attic space. Therefore, the issue of insulating the attic must be resolved without delay.

1 Why do you need attic floor insulation?

Insulating a cold attic floor with stone or mineral wool is generally necessary in lightly used rooms that are properly equipped with special roof ventilation.

The attic, or rather its ceilings, serves as a kind of boundary between heat and cold. In such places, the attic floors are exposed to intense moisture due to the formation of condensation.

However, you can properly insulate the floors in the attic of a house with mineral wool with your own hands. The very process of insulating the floor in the attic with mineral wool is the creation of a durable thermal insulation coating, which will have a low degree of thermal conductivity.

The technology itself for insulating mineral wool floors in the attic, as well as Energoflex thermal insulation for pipes, implies strict adherence to its stages and requirements.

The technology itself is quite simple and understandable. Good thermal insulation Attic flooring using mineral wool helps close unwanted gaps.

To do this, the insulation must be laid tightly. In most cases, mineral wool is used to insulate the attic of a house.

The presented insulation is the most suitable for this type of work; it can also be used to insulate the floor surface in the living areas of the house.

Schematic insulation of the attic floor with mineral wool

By organizing good insulation with mineral wool, the most optimal temperature will be maintained in residential premises.

If the procedure is performed incorrectly, moisture rising from the floor of the house will lead to the formation of condensation.

It will accumulate on the ceiling and then seep through the ceilings. The resulting temperature difference in those areas where the attic floors adjoin the walls of the house initiates the formation of mold and microscopic fungi, which can be causative agents of allergic diseases.

1.1 Requirements for attic insulation

The process of insulating the attic floor and insulating the roof of a house with your own hands, or rather the level of its quality, has a direct impact not only on the size of heat loss, but also on the service life of the entire truss structure and roof covering.

The fact is that water vapor located inside the heated room diffuses to the attic of the house. In order for the insulation used to provide a high degree of calculated efficiency of the thermal insulation layer, it must always be dry.

Based on this, the insulation must be protected from excessive humidification by vapors of rising heated air using a special vapor-proof material.

If the attic space is well insulated, it will not only provide high-quality thermal insulation, but will also help increase the service life of the entire roofing structure.

Insulating the ceiling of a cold attic with mineral wool

If there is no vapor barrier, steam will penetrate through the unprotected attic floors and condense on the floor surfaces.

This will lead to moisture flowing onto the rafters, which, under its influence, will begin to slowly rot from the inside.

As a result, the likelihood of destruction of the entire roofing pie increases. The thermal insulation performance of the structure is also reduced due to the fact that the tightness of the vapor barrier layer has been compromised.

Before insulating the attic, you need to drain the layer and remove moisture from the entire attic space. To do this, ventilation should be done through windows. They can be:

In order to ensure maximum ventilation intensity, the total area of ​​all ventilation openings should be equal to 0.2-0.5% of the attic floors.

If all the work is carried out correctly, then icicles will not form on the roof in winter. The insulation process itself attic space It is carried out not from the living quarters, but from the attic floor.

This is the most convenient way to lay insulation, the choice of which depends on the technology used and the design features of the structure.

1.2 Features of insulation of beam floors

When implementing such an insulation scheme using mineral wool, heat is retained in the space between the beams. Their usual height is almost always enough for this, but if necessary, several bars are packed on top.

Insulating the ceiling with mineral wool from the attic side

The lower part of the ceiling is sewn up using molded material, as when insulating the attic of a private house. For this, lining or sheets of plasterboard can be used.

The subfloor covering is laid on top of the beams. This can be a tongue and groove board, plywood sheet or OSB board. Mineral wool is placed on a previously prepared special vapor barrier layer.

An alternative can be an ordinary film made using polyethylene. If the vapor barrier material is foil-coated, then it is laid with the shiny surface down.

The intermediate distance between the beams is filled with mineral wool with the required thickness parameters. The surface of the beams must be equipped with an additional insulating layer.

This will lead to blocking the so-called cold bridges and will significantly reduce the overall level of heat loss. If timber was used to create beams High Quality, Then finishing material creep directly onto their surface.

Mineral wool is placed between them as when insulating a roof using polyurethane foam, and the attic floor is laid on top. The use of this technology is especially important in houses that are made of logs or beams.

It is important to reliably protect mineral wool from the smallest drops of moisture, this is especially true if the roof has minor coating defects that cause leaks.

The layer of mineral wool must be reliably protected from the effects of wind from the eaves. For this purpose, mineral wool slabs with a high degree of density are used.

2 Why is mineral wool used to insulate an attic?

In most cases, when insulating attic floors, the consumer's choice falls on mineral wool. Its advantage is that its installation does not require special skills.

Mineral wool has excellent thermal insulation properties. Its structure consists of thin glassy fibers, the length of which ranges from 2 to 60 millimeters.

Insulating the attic with mineral wool

High sound insulation characteristics are ensured due to the presence of a large number of air pores.

These pores are located in the space between the fibers and can occupy 95% of the total volume of the insulation. Mineral wool is presented in three varieties; it can be basalt glass and stone.

Basalt wool is made using molten basalt rocks, to which binding elements are added.

This may be a carbonate type rock, which regulates the acidity level of the substance, which entails an increase in the service life of the insulation. Glass wool exhibits high heat-resistant properties and can withstand temperatures up to +450 degrees Celsius.

2.1 Technology for insulating attic floors with mineral wool

When carrying out work related to mineral wool, it is important to comply with all safety requirements and regulations.

This is due to the fact that in the process of cutting and laying such material, the air is filled with tiny particles that can enter the respiratory organs and thus cause harm to human health.

During installation, be sure to ensure the availability of personal protective equipment. Goggles, a respirator and thick rubber gloves must be available.

The process of insulating attic floors begins with the selection of the necessary tools and additional materials. You can't do without:

The essence of insulation technology is that the insulation must be carefully laid in the space between the attic floors or beams.

To enhance the thermal insulation qualities, reliable vapor barrier protection should be used. Warm and moisture-saturated air will continuously rise from the living rooms and reach the top through the ceiling.

There, in the under-roof space, it will collide with a layer of insulation. Due to the fact that mineral wool is generally considered a vapor-proof material, it will absorb all the outgoing moisture inside itself.

If it is left without the necessary access to air and sunlight, it will gradually dry out and, ultimately, lose all its heat-insulating qualities.

Cold attic interfloor covering 20 cm min. wool

In order to avoid such destructive consequences, it is necessary to lay a vapor barrier material under a layer of mineral wool.

Before starting the main work, you will need to carefully calculate the required amount of insulation.

The amount of cotton wool purchased depends on how many layers are planned to be used when covering the attic space. In addition, the thermal insulation thickness parameter directly depends on the climatic conditions in the region.

Insulating the ceiling of a cold attic with mineral wool

Insulating the ceiling of a cold attic with mineral wool - advantages. Features of insulation of cold attic floors with mineral wool.

Rules for insulating floors with mineral wool: 1st floor and attic

When building a private house, special attention should be paid to the insulation of structures. Important elements that are directly exposed to cold air are the floors of the first floor with a cold basement, external walls, attic floors, mansard roof. Mineral wool can be used as a universal type of insulation.

Insulating the floor with mineral wool allows you to ensure comfortable temperature floors and heat preservation in the room. Due to its non-flammability, the material can be used in both wooden and stone construction without any fear.

What is mineral wool

This insulation is a material with a fibrous structure. The fibers are arranged in a chaotic manner. Each manufacturer has its own preparation recipe. All components are melted at very high temperatures and then broken into fine fibers in a centrifuge. Next, mineral wool is produced using heat treatment.

Types of mineral wool

For building a house, mineral wool is available in three types.

1. Glass. The material is made from broken glass.
2. Stone. This type can be called the most common. Most often you can find material made from basalt fiber, but it is also made from other minerals. It is easier to insulate with stone wool compared to the other two.
3. Slag. It has the lowest thermal insulation characteristics and increased fragility. Not suitable for facade works and pipelines.

In addition to this classification, there is a division according to the form in which mineral wool is produced.

1. Rolled material has low rigidity, therefore it is mostly used for insulating the walls of a house or the floor along joists.
2. Rigid mineral slabs or mats are excellent for use in insulating floors and attic roofs.

For insulation flooring It is preferable to use the second option, since hard mineral wool will ensure reliable operation of the floor under load.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

TO positive qualities mineral wool can be classified as:

• good thermal insulation;
• simple installation technology; mineral wool does not require special fastening in the floor structure;
• low degree of moisture absorption from the environment;
• reasonable price;
• resistance to high temperatures and open fire;
• safety for humans while complying with the technology;
• resistance to bacteria, mold and mildew.

Thanks to these qualities, mineral wool has become widespread in both wood and stone construction.

But one cannot help but mention its features and disadvantages, which include:

• the need for additional protection for workers: overalls, gloves, masks;
• it is necessary to protect the insulation from moisture, the technology includes vapor barrier and waterproofing;
• ability to absorb water, inability to use in wet areas;
• high degree of shrinkage when installation and operating conditions are violated;
• when laying in a wooden building between the joists, it is necessary to provide a gap of 3-5 cm between the insulation and the floor covering structure.

If these features are not taken into account, insulation will become dangerous for humans, for example, the lack of special clothing for workers will lead to particles of material getting on the skin and into the lungs. This will cause irritation, itching, and allergic reactions.

Application for floor insulation

Mineral wool slabs are used as floor insulation in a house in the following cases:

• in the floor structure of the first floor in the presence of a cold basement or underground;
• in the design of interfloor ceilings to increase sound insulation;
• in the design of the attic floor in the presence of a cold attic.

For an individual house, when installing, in all cases it is necessary that the technology be strictly followed, otherwise the insulation will not perform its function.

Insulation technology

When laying insulation, the technology must be strictly followed. The insulation “pie” depends on the type of floor, so let’s look at the instructions below.

First floor covering

If there is a cold basement or underground, insulation of the floor structure is required. Regardless of the building in which the work is carried out, wooden or stone, the layers are laid in the following order when installing mineral wool on top:

In wooden house construction, slab or roll material is laid between the joists, observing the order of the layers. It is possible to secure the material from below; this is more intelligent from the point of view of thermal engineering, but it is very labor-intensive.

Insulation with mineral wool from below

Sound insulation of interfloor ceilings

As protection against sound propagation, mineral wool is placed in the floor pie in the following order:

The event is especially effective when constructing brick or concrete house, but in a wooden one it won’t be superfluous either.

Note that in reinforced concrete floors, 3-5 cm of mineral wool under the screed is sufficient to dampen impact and airborne noise. And in wooden floors, the layer of material should be at least 5-10 cm.

Insulation of the attic floor

If the building has a cold attic, it is necessary to protect the ceiling of the upper floor. In a wooden building, mineral wool is laid between the joists, in a stone building - both between the joists and under the cement screed.

The installation procedure is the same as in the previous case. The difference lies in the material of the attic flooring and the thickness of the insulation layer.

In this case, protection of the structure is carried out to prevent excessive heat loss from the room to the cold attic. Heated air accumulates under the ceiling and, in the absence of necessary measures, easily enters the attic space, creating large heat losses for the house.

Thickness calculation

In an individual house there are no requirements for thermal protection of structures, so the thickness of the insulation can be selected approximately. It depends on the climate of the area; for most cases, protection with mineral wool 100-150 mm thick will be sufficient.

To calculate more exact value You can use the help of a specialist or the simple Teremok program. It can be found freely available on the Internet.

Mineral wool is a modern thermal insulation material that, when correct use will last a long time and reliably protect building elements. The material is suitable for working with all types of floors from basement to attic.

Insulation of floors with mineral wool: attic, floor of the 1st floor

Due to its non-flammability, the material can be used in both wooden and stone construction without any fear.

Insulation of the attic and attic floor

For comfortable operation of the building, it is necessary that the attic floor be well insulated to prevent a decrease in temperature ceiling surface below the dew point. Otherwise, moisture stains will certainly appear on the ceiling and walls, which will only worsen the appearance of the room, but will also cause mold growth and the development of fungi, which are difficult to get rid of. Therefore, increased demands are placed on the thermal protection of the attic floor.

Insulating the ceiling of a cold attic

In accordance with the standards, the heat transfer resistance for the attic floor must be no less than the following value: Ro = 4.15 m 2 °C/W. Attic floor country house insulated with slabs of mineral (basalt) or glass wool. Insulation boards must be laid in the spaces between ceiling beams or on floor slabs. Mineral wool is laid on a vapor barrier layer or on a plastic film.

Foil thermal insulation material is laid with the shiny side down. The space between the beams is filled with a layer thermal insulation material. To reduce heat loss through cold bridges, another layer of thermal insulation is laid on top of the beams.

To reduce heat loss from lightweight fiber insulation due to drafts, it is protected with vapor-permeable windproof material. The use of such material allows you to increase the thermal protection of the attic floor and protect the insulation from getting wet if drops of moisture get on it (in case of damage to the roof or leaks).

From the eaves, the insulation layer should also be protected from the wind by high-density mineral wool slabs or boards that are installed on the edge.

Roof attic insulation

An attic or attic space divided into compartments by partitions can be insulated in different ways.

• The first method: if the attic is non-residential, then only the floors – the ceiling of the building – should be insulated.
• The second method: if the attic has an attic, then you need to insulate the roof, in addition to the floors.

To insulate the roof of the attic and rooms, the following are usually used:

1. Construction felt.
2. Mineral wool in various designs.
3. Styrofoam.
4. Polyurethane foam.
5. Basalt, glass wool, ecowool.

Floors in the attic can be insulated with the following materials:

1. Construction felt, mineral wool, glass wool.
2. Foam silicate slabs.
3. Expanded clay, slag, ash, sawdust, straw, reeds.

Before insulating the attic, the joints of the floor and roof are checked, the cracks are sealed with tow soaked in lime mortar. You can also use polyurethane foam, silicone adhesives and sealants.

Before carrying out work, all wooden structures are coated with antiseptic and fire retardant compounds.

When insulating a roof made of asbestos-cement sheets, special attention should be paid to the gaps that are formed by the waves of asbestos-cement sheets. If there are cracks, they are filled with tow in lime mortar.

Availability is checked protective covers, collars and aprons in places where asbestos-cement sheets adjoin parapets, pipes and walls. The covering elements should be extended onto the protective ceilings by at least 15 cm.

An alternative option for insulating the attic is to insulate the ceiling in a private house. The effect of the work will be approximately the same.

And here are instructions for insulating an attic ceiling. We'll tell you step by step how to carry out the work from start to finish.

Insulating the attic with various materials

To insulate attic spaces and the attic in a private house, different insulation materials are used:

The insulation process is the same for all materials, so let’s look at attic insulation using mineral wool as an example.

Before you begin insulating the attic, it is necessary to waterproof the roof. Mineral wool is versatile and easy to use, has low thermal conductivity and density, withstands high temperatures well and is insensitive to aggressive environments. Mineral wool is also an excellent sound insulator.

Attic slopes can be insulated with slabs and mats made of mineral wool. The slabs are more rigid, and the mats are more elastic; this property helps to lay them better and more densely. Mineral wool mats with foil coating are also used for vapor barrier.

Since the thickness of mineral wool is usually greater than the thickness of the rafters, overlays are made on them to increase the thickness. Also, the rafter system is pre-impregnated with an antiseptic solution.

Mineral wool is laid in the spaces between the rafters on the sheathing and covered with a vapor barrier film. Vapor barrier film overlapped on rafter system. The width of the overlap of the canvas is visible on the film - a line is drawn along the edge of the canvas. The joints of the film are insulated with special glue and adhesive tape.

Floor insulation with expanded clay

Expanded clay should be laid on the attic floor on roofing felt. The thickness of the expanded clay layer is determined by the thermal conductivity of the floor, but in any case, the thickness of the expanded clay should be at least 15 cm, and better - 20-25 cm.

It is known that up to 15% of the heat from a house can escape through the ceiling. Therefore, to reduce heat losses, the ceiling is insulated with expanded clay and other materials. Expanded clay not only retains heat, but also increases sound insulation.

Expanded clay is usually used for insulation concrete floor. To do this, it is covered with a layer of 200-250 mm, and a cement screed up to 50 mm thick is poured on top. The screed will serve as the floor.

The cement-sand mortar for the screed must be of a dense consistency so that it does not flow into the expanded clay backfill.

Insulation with mineral wool

1. Mineral wool should be laid from the farthest point of the attic.
2. The insulation must be cut on a hard surface.
3. Beams, pipes, ventilation shafts, etc. should be covered with insulation.
4. Mineral wool should be laid in a layer of at least 25 cm.

When working with mineral wool, personal protective equipment is required. These include safety glasses, rubber gloves, a respirator and long sleeves. Do not work near open food or drinking water. Contact of mineral wool on the skin causes irritation and itching.

In fact, mineral wool is widely used in construction, for example, when insulating facades with mineral wool.

Insulation with polyurethane foam

The attic is insulated with polyurethane foam by spraying onto the partitions, roof, gables and attic floors, so the thermal insulation layer is obtained without seams or joints, that is, a monolithic vapor-tight layer is obtained.

Polyurethane foam has low coefficient thermal conductivity, therefore the thickness of the polyurethane foam layer is several times less than the layer of mineral wool or polystyrene foam.

The use of polyurethane foam increases the usable area of ​​the attic space.

An attic insulated by spraying a layer of polyurethane foam is not affected by humidity, condensation does not form on the walls, because the polyurethane foam retains warm air inside. Moisture does not pass through polyurethane foam and cannot settle on a cold roof.

Insulation with sawdust

Floor insulation with sawdust is used only in non-residential attics, since when walking, the sawdust will gradually become compacted, which will lead to the appearance of cracks in the concrete screed. The most common recipe for a solution using sawdust for insulating an attic floor:

1. Ten buckets of small sawdust.
2. One bucket of cement, grade no less than 300.
3. One bucket of fluff lime.
4. Ten liters of water with antiseptic. This can be boric acid, copper sulfate, laundry soap.

The volume of water varies depending on the moisture content of the sawdust. The finished sawdust solution is laid in layers 20-25 cm thick and compacted. All building materials used in the walls of the house must be vapor permeable. That is, you cannot use roofing felt, polyethylene, roofing felt and other materials that do not allow moisture to pass through.

When insulating, the top layer of sawdust is covered with panels made of plywood, fiberboard or boards. The thickness of the sawdust layer on the walls should be at least 15 cm, on the ceilings and on the floor - at least 25 cm. When insulating the floor, a cement screed 5-10 cm thick is placed on top of the sawdust.

Do-it-yourself insulation of the attic and attic spaces - materials and methods of insulation

Insulating the attic of a residential building is necessary to avoid heat leakage and to save energy resources when heating the building. Use of various insulation materials