To insulate or not to insulate a cold attic? It would seem, why worry about additional insulation, if it is not residential attic? The cold attic itself is the space between the ceiling of the house and pitched roof- plays the role of an additional air gap in the thermal insulation of the building. But it alone is not enough to prevent the penetration of cold and hot air from the street into the room. Maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the building and minimizing heating costs is possible only by protecting the horizontal ceiling from freezing - a kind of “fifth wall” in the thermal circuit of the house. We'll tell you how to do this in our review.
Technology and ecology
How do you usually insulate a cold attic? In an effort to save as much as possible on building materials, many use ordinary sawdust, believing that it is an environmentally friendly and affordable insulation material. But in addition to being labor-intensive to install, they are highly flammable and therefore a fire hazard. Another significant drawback- they may harbor rodents or insects.
Another popular material used for attic insulation is polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam. Does not rot, is not afraid of corrosion, holds heat well. But at the same time, it does not allow water and steam to pass through, due to which condensation can form in the under-roof space, which is completely unacceptable.
It is absolutely fireproof, vapor permeable, does not shrink and absorbs sound waves well. And its improved environmental characteristics and service life of more than 100 years make it an undoubted favorite for those who build a reliable home for themselves - with love and attention to detail.
Installation stages
Flooring with wooden joists is the most common type of flooring in a private home. Experts recommend maintaining a distance between the logs of 600 mm (along the axes) or 580-590 mm “in the clear”. Subject to these standards, installation thermal insulation boards 600 mm wide occurs without waste and extra effort for trimming, spaced between the joists.
The thickness of the thermal insulation layer is calculated taking into account the characteristics of the construction region, as well as the purpose of the building.
Also, when installing thermal insulation, it is important not to forget about creating a vapor barrier so as not to let warm air vapor from the living room into the system. The vapor barrier should be laid from the ceiling side and hemmed from the bottom of the wooden logs - this will protect not only the mineral wool, but also the wooden logs from moisture. To be sure of the tightness of the vapor barrier layer, the sheets must be laid with an overlap of at least 100 mm and the seams must be taped.
From below, the ceiling can be hemmed with large-sheet material: OSB-3 boards, plywood or plasterboard.
In order to maintain the energy efficiency of stone wool slabs for a long time, it is necessary that moisture is promptly removed from the material if it enters the attic space. For this purpose, experts recommend laying a wind- and moisture-proof vapor-permeable membrane in the upper part of the “pie”. However, this is not a necessary condition, especially if the membrane is already laid in the roofing slope.
Important! Vapor barrier film is not allowed to be laid on both sides of the insulation. This can lead to waterlogging of the material inside the system and loss of thermal insulation properties GreenGuard UNIVERSAL slabs.
As you can see, installation is very simple and does not take much time. And competent, fireproof, environmentally friendly attic insulation will help maintain comfort in the house for many years. from insulating your home with GreenGuard UNIVERSAL slabs right now!
The issue of building insulation is now more pressing than ever. Most people start with insulating the walls, but end there, however, as you know, warm air tends to rise and go through the roof, so insulation attic floor plays an important role. Like everyone else construction work insulation should be carried out efficiently. But how to insulate the attic floor to get the maximum benefit?
When choosing insulation for the attic floor, it is important to take into account its heat-shielding properties, strength, and resistance to exposure external factors. The type of flooring will also play a role: concrete and wooden floors have their own characteristics. So, how to insulate an attic floor?
Popular insulation for attic floors
Types of insulation:
- Basalt mineral wool.
- Expanded clay.
- Foam plastic.
- Sawdust.
Mineral wool
Most often, attic floor insulation is carried out using mineral wool. What are its features and why is this insulation so popular?
Mineral wool is laid between the wooden beams of the attic floor
Advantages of mineral wool:
- High thermal insulation. For example, to insulate an attic floor with mineral wool, you will need a layer thickness 3.5 times less than when using expanded clay.
- Easy to install material. This insulation is not difficult to use even for those who are doing insulation for the first time.
- Fire safety. Mineral wool is not easily flammable, therefore, if a fire occurs, it does not serve as a rapid carrier of fire, which, for example, cannot be said about polystyrene foam.
- Long service life. If you lay the mineral wool correctly, it will not roll down and will not create cold bridges.
- Affordable price.
It is thanks to all these advantages that insulating an attic floor with mineral wool is a widely used method of saving heat in a room.
However, this insulation also has disadvantages. In particular, due to its ability to absorb moisture, the insulating layer of mineral wool may no longer provide the same thermal insulation as before. Also, when insulating the attic floor with mineral wool, it is important to follow safety precautions. Mineral wool fibers can cause irritation if they come into contact with the skin, so you should work with it in thick clothing, goggles, a respirator and, of course, gloves.
Expanded clay
Another material for insulating attic floors is expanded clay. Although this insulation is rarely used, it still has a number of advantages.
Expanded clay is a very popular thermal insulator in the past.
Advantages of expanded clay:
- The cost of insulation.
- Good thermal insulation performance. However, to truly achieve good result, the thickness of the expanded clay layer should be about 35-40 centimeters.
- Fire safety.
However, expanded clay as an insulation also has significant disadvantages:
- More weight compared to other insulation materials. Thermal insulation of a wooden attic floor creates a load on the beams, so when choosing expanded clay, this point should be taken into account.
- Inconvenience during installation. Lifting large amounts of expanded clay into your attic can be a lot of work.
Foam plastic
Polystyrene foam is one of the the best materials for insulating walls, so some decide to use it for thermal insulation of the attic floor. And although polystyrene foam has advantages, it is still not recommended for use.
Attic floor insulated from below with foam plastic
Advantages of polystyrene foam:
- Waterproof. This is a plus compared to the widely used mineral wool.
- Affordable price.
- Easy to install. Lifting sheets of foam plastic and laying them on the attic floor is not difficult.
Despite these advantages, polystyrene foam as insulation has a number of significant disadvantages.
Disadvantages of polystyrene foam:
- High flammability. If the fire reaches the insulation, it is unlikely that it will be possible to extinguish the fire.
- Intolerance to high temperatures. At a temperature of +60°C the material deforms, at +80°C it begins to melt, which causes the release of toxic substances, and at +210°C the foam ignites.
- Fragility. Polystyrene foam can crumble, which reduces its thermal insulation properties.
In view of these disadvantages, especially the unsafety in case of fire, it is better not to use polystyrene foam as insulation for a wooden attic floor. After all, the combination of foam plastic with wooden beams is very dangerous. However, this insulation can be used for thermal insulation of concrete floors.
Sawdust
This method of insulation was very popular earlier, before the advent of modern thermal insulation materials. It is not without its advantages, although they are very insignificant compared to other insulation materials.
Advantages of sawdust:
- The absence of toxic substances, as well as the natural origin of the insulation.
- Relatively affordable price.
If we talk about the disadvantages of sawdust, we can note:
- The need to prepare a solution consisting of sawdust, cement, lime and water. All other insulation materials are purchased ready-made.
- Large weight, which creates additional load on the floor.
- Large thickness of the insulation layer.
Important! Having analyzed all the advantages and disadvantages of different insulation materials, many come to the conclusion that mineral wool is an ideal option, because it has high thermal insulation properties, is fireproof, easy to install, and also has affordable price. As for its disadvantages, hygroscopicity can be compensated for by installing a vapor barrier and waterproofing, and the inconvenience when laying mineral wool can be compensated by compliance with safety regulations.
Installation process
Having decided on the material for thermal insulation, the question arises: how to properly insulate the attic floor? If we talk about mineral wool, what density should it have and what layer of insulation will be best?
Selecting the layer and density of mineral wool
It is better to do insulation with mineral wool in two layers
In short, the larger the layer of mineral wool, the better. However, you need to remember that mineral wool has its own coefficient of thermal conductivity. The lower this coefficient, the higher the thermal insulation properties, and, therefore, you can lay a smaller layer of wool or have greater efficiency insulation. Mineral wool with a thickness of 15-20 centimeters is often used, however, to ensure increased thermal insulation, a 30-centimeter layer of insulation can be used. It is also worth noting that with equal insulation thickness, two layers of mineral wool are always better than one.
You also need to pay attention to the density of mineral wool, because it varies: from 30 kg/m3 to 220 kg/m3. Thermal insulation properties practically do not depend on density. Denser insulation is used for facades and floors under screed. Mineral wool with a density of 35 kg/m 3 is also suitable for attic flooring, because the insulation will be located on a horizontal, non-loaded surface.
Vapor barrier
Since mineral wool tends to absorb moisture, you need to start insulation by laying steam insulating material.
Vapor barrier - the first layer of insulation
Important! It is best to lay a layer of vapor barrier under the wooden beams, because otherwise they will be very susceptible to rotting. Still, if you let it vapor barrier film under beams is impossible; they need to be impregnated with solutions that protect against rot and mold.
The best option is to lay a continuous layer of vapor barrier, but due to the size of the attic this is not always possible, so all joints must be taped with special tape to ensure tightness. The edges of the vapor barrier must be raised above the level of the future insulation and taped with the same tape.
Thermal insulation
When working with heat-insulating materials, you need to wear special clothing
Next comes the installation of insulation. It must be laid so as to completely fill the entire space between the wooden beams. If we are talking about mineral wool, then it does not need to be pressed or squeezed. It should completely cover the space between the beams, leaving no cracks or gaps. It would also be a good idea to cover the floor beams themselves with heat-insulating material, because they can serve as a kind of cold bridges.
When laying mineral wool, it is very important to protect yourself, and especially your respiratory tract, from insulation fibers. Therefore, you need to use a respirator, as well as gloves, goggles and long sleeves.
Waterproofing
We complete the insulation of the attic floor with waterproofing and subfloor installation
Due to the property of mineral wool to absorb moisture, waterproofing must be laid over the layer of mineral wool. This is also necessary if the insulation will be poured over concrete screed.
If the attic is constantly used, a subfloor can be made on top of such a heat-insulating “pie”. Its role can be a concrete screed or OSB boards. If the attic is practically not used, then you can simply lay boards on top of the existing beams. Then, if necessary, go up to the attic, moving around it will not create difficulties.
As you can see, insulating the attic floor is an accessible task, even for those who have never done it. You need to decide on the material for thermal insulation, although most often it is mineral wool. When installing a heat-insulating “pie”, it is important to remember the need for vapor barrier and waterproofing. This will allow you to achieve high results insulating the attic floor.
Video: we discuss the floor structure in detail
Review of the structural details of the attic floor insulation device. What is a sufficient layer of insulation for a cold attic? What are the specifics of the work on laying thermal insulation for the attic floor?
A large amount of heat escapes through an uninsulated attic, for which money is paid. As a result, the room temperature does not rise, and utility costs increase. The only way out is to insulate the cold attic with inexpensive building materials. If you have time and extra money, you can insulate the roof, but this is not necessary, because it is enough to insulate the ceiling from the attic and all the heat will remain in the room.
Why do you need attic insulation?
If the attic is not insulated, the likelihood of mold growing in the room increases
The floor area in a private house is equal to the area of the ceiling, through which most of the heat evaporates. A cold living space creates more moisture, making it more likely for mold to form, which can lead to respiratory diseases in the future. The most unpleasant sensations occur in the bathroom, where the floor and walls do not have time to dry, creating discomfort; in addition, the cold in the bathroom contributes to colds when there is a sharp change in temperature. Children in such conditions get sick more often.
Most insulating materials drain water well, so when insulating, condensation will not accumulate on the walls. Warm air dries out excess moisture, the walls and floor warm up.
If you insulate the roof slopes and gables, moisture will not form in the attic and the smell of mold will not be heard. It's more difficult work, but feasible, since the materials are light in weight.
It is best to carry out the attic insulation work yourself, so as not to spend extra money on labor costs. You need to choose insulation according technical specifications, calculate its quantity and lay it using available technologies. The entire work may take 1 day.
Materials for thermal insulation
On the insulation market you can find both natural and artificial materials. Their difference lies in cost, efficiency, service life, thermal conductivity coefficient.
Mineral wool
Basalt wool
Mineral wool or its varieties - glass wool, basalt insulation, slag wool - are distinguished by an increased coefficient of thermal conductivity due to a structure of randomly arranged fibers. Cold air in winter does not penetrate into the room from outside, and in summer it is cool in it, since the cotton wool does not allow air flows cooled by the air conditioner to pass through.
- The material does not crumble and does not cause an allergic reaction. You can work with stone wool without protective equipment.
- Service life is about 50 years.
- Volcanic rock mineral wool comes in different densities - you can choose suitable option for any region, including the coldest.
- Basalt wool is a lightweight material, so one person can handle its installation.
- Basalt mineral wool does not burn. You can melt it very high temperatures, so the attic will be safe.
An additional advantage of basalt insulation is the reduction of noise levels in the room, since sound waves cannot pass through the layer of air located among the fibers. Moreover, the denser the material, the less air gap and the more sounds it lets through, so insulation can be selected with average thermal conductivity and sound insulation.
You can insulate the chimney with basalt insulation, then even more heat will remain in the room where there is a stove or fireplace.
When using glass wool and slag wool, you will have to wear a protective suit, goggles and gloves, as the thin fibers break and can get into the respiratory system, eyes and skin. These materials are also not flammable, but melt at much higher temperatures. low temperatures. In this case, the material loses its structure and useful properties.
Foam plastic
Polystyrene foam does not weigh down the ceiling structure, but has a low strength coefficient
Insulating the attic in a house with cold roof can be done using polystyrene foam. This material also has advantages:
- Low weight and cost.
- Doesn't highlight harmful substances when heated, therefore chemically neutral and safe.
- Contains a fire retardant that does not support combustion.
- Microorganisms and mold do not grow in polystyrene foam.
- Does not weigh down the ceiling structure.
Disadvantages:
- Low strength coefficient, so it is required additional protection material in the form of boards laid on top supported by logs. This will require extra costs and time.
- The material does not allow air to pass through, so dampness and condensation may form in the room.
- Rodents that live in private homes damage foam plastic and build burrows from it, so additional coverage is needed.
Polystyrene foam is most often used for exterior work under plaster. It is not profitable as insulation for an attic in a private house - it requires large investments to protect the material itself.
Insulating the ceiling with polystyrene foam in a house with a cold roof is more profitable to do from the inside, but this can lower the ceilings.
Penoplex (expanded polystyrene)
Thanks to the spongy structure, penoplex is easy to cut
Penoplex insulation is made from granules synthetic material polystyrene or polystyrene foam. This is insulation, which is a porous structure with separately located cells. The honeycombs do not touch each other, which on the one hand is positive quality, on the other hand, a negative point. The fact is that polystyrene foam does not allow moisture to pass through well; it will accumulate inside the room, causing dampness.
The advantage of polystyrene is its cost and small thickness. The air inside makes up 98% of the total volume of the material, which is why it is so cheap. Compared to stone wool, the thermal conductivity coefficient is lower. To achieve good thermal insulation, you need to buy polystyrene foam of greater thickness, which will cost more.
Penoplex is flammable, so in terms of fire safety absolutely useless. The melting point is 75 degrees, so it cannot be laid next to heating devices. In the attic, this could be the chimney from the stove.
Polyurethane foam
Insulation with polyurethane foam
In terms of service life, as well as heat-retaining characteristics, it is worth paying attention to polyurethane foam, which is applied by spraying. In this case, there is no need to construct logs for laying mineral wool or expanded clay, and save money by purchasing cheap, fragile materials.
For short time you can create a monolithic floor in the attic, in which rodents will not settle, mold will not grow, and cracks will not appear. When using polyurethane foam, you do not have to buy additional vapor and waterproofing.
Bulk expanded clay
Expanded clay is resistant to fire and moisture
You can insulate the attic with expanded clay. This durable material, which is used in bulk with prepared cells. If you need to move around the attic, you will have to build a floor on top wooden joists. Advantages of expanded clay:
- strength;
- durability;
- does not absorb moisture;
- retains heat well;
- allows air to pass through;
- can be used in combination with other materials, which is preferable.
Most often, expanded clay is combined with mineral wool or polyurethane foam is sprayed onto it, so as not to waste time constructing the frame.
Thermal insulation layer thickness
To insulate the attic in a house with a cold roof, you can use thermal insulation materials any density, since the premises are not residential. If you plan to lay mineral wool on the roof slopes, you can prepare a material of lower density and thickness, since as a result the ceiling insulation will be double, but laid in two places.
For ease of movement on soft insulation, it is necessary to construct paths from wood or other material so as not to violate the properties when compressing the heat-insulating layer.
Preparing the attic for insulation
The attic is prepared for insulation
Before starting work, it is necessary to calculate the area of the room and the amount of building materials. The main thing is the thickness of the insulation, which is needed in middle lane, where temperatures can drop to minus 30 degrees. The thickness of the mineral wool must be at least 20 cm.
After calculations:
- Remove all debris and dust so that the seal does not absorb it.
- Seal cracks in the roof using construction foam.
- Remove sharp objects. They can damage the protective layer of cotton wool.
After cleaning you can bring building materials, tools, as well as an additional lamp for illumination.
Vapor barrier
Vapor barrier is a prerequisite when working with mineral wool
According to the laws of physics, warm air saturated steam, will always rise up, passing through walls and ceilings. This process is called diffusion.
Different materials have different degrees of vapor permeability. High resistance to the diffusion process can be caused by the formation of condensation or accumulation of moisture between floors. In such places, the floors are usually made of wood, and wood, when saturated with moisture, loses strength.
When the lower room warms up and the upper room is cold, a vapor barrier is required. If you use stone wool, you can buy a material with a hydrophobic coating, which will not let steam into the cold room above, where it will form water droplets.
IN technical documentation There are two concepts: steam resistance and vapor permeability coefficient. These are different concepts.
To organize a vapor barrier, two materials are used - a film to cover the entire area and adhesive tapes to connect layers of hydrophobic insulation so that steam does not penetrate into the cracks.
The characteristics by which vapor barriers are selected must take into account strength ( polyethylene film not suitable), resistance to ultraviolet radiation, as sometimes they get into windows sun rays that can damage materials.
Waterproofing
Installation of the waterproofing layer
To protect the attic from flooding, and the ceilings and repairs from water stains, it is recommended to lay a layer waterproofing material on the roof slopes.
- Fused - overlapped and joined using a torch. Most cheap option– synthetic materials.
- Sprayable. A one-piece membrane film is created.
- Powder. Water is added to it immediately before installation.
- Liquid – suitable for concrete floors, absorbing into their surface.
- Coating based on bitumen.
Before you buy waterproofing, you need to re-read the properties: the material must allow air to pass through, but retain water. Some cheap films create a greenhouse effect in a cold, unheated attic, causing the walls to become moldy.
In order for the house to be warm, and we do not have to overpay for heating, we need to take care of high-quality insulation walls, floor and roof. It is also important to insulate the ceiling of a private house in the attic. There are several options for how to insulate an attic in a private home inexpensively and efficiently. How to do it yourself, what materials can be used for this? Let's consider this issue in more detail.
How to insulate the attic of a private house correctly?
An attic is a space under a sloping roof that is not used for residential purposes. If the roof slopes are not thermally insulated, insulating material can be placed on the ceiling dividing the space under the roof with living rooms.
The roof space that is not used for living often lacks an insulating layer, which creates the need to lay a buffer zone to insulate the roofing. The complete absence of such insulation is allowed only when the room is unheated, for example, a garage. In other cases, it is necessary to retain the heat that is used for heating living rooms, since warm air tends to rise. To save money spent on heating, it is necessary to prevent its leakage through the roof.
Before starting renovations, it is very important to learn how to properly insulate an attic in a private home; many factors should be taken into account. These include roof design features and attic height.
What is the best way to insulate the attic of a private house with a concrete floor?
Concrete floor - monolithic or prefabricated, is usually intended for residential attics. Sometimes, however, this solution is also used for non-residential roofs. What and how to insulate the attic floor in a private house made of concrete?
The concrete floor is insulated after construction and finishing of the roof. This operation will be easy as long as we have easy access into the attic, and also if the height of the attic allows for free movement.
The most commonly used material in such cases is mineral wool. Especially recommended are compressed mats, which are gradually expanded up to the nominal thickness. The resilient surface easily fills all the nooks and crannies of the attic. The mats should be placed close to each other without any gaps between them that could lead to heat loss.
It is much more difficult to achieve this result with stiffer materials such as expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene or polyurethane foam.
To create a structure, the insulation must be laid between wooden beams, to which boards or wood panels, forming the floor.
You can also make a mineral lining from a mineral solution, which is poured onto the insulation insulated with foil, but this solution is rarely used.
How to insulate the attic of a house with bulk insulation?
If the attic is too low, then the work is not very difficult and time-consuming, good decision There will be insulation using one of the bulk insulating materials:
- granulated cotton wool;
- polystyrene granules;
- cellulose fibers.
The thickness of the insulating layer depends on the material used and the thermal permeability of the ceiling. The average thickness is approximately 20 cm.
How to insulate a wooden ceiling?
If the ceiling is wooden, it is better to insulate the attic of a private house with your own hands in a slightly different way. Thermal insulation is placed primarily between the beams. In this case, materials made from mineral wool or wood derivatives are used. How to insulate the attic of a private house with mineral wool? Thanks to their excellent elasticity, slabs or mats fill gaps between ceiling beams very well. Before insulating the attic of a private house with mineral wool, you should lay a lining from the bottom of the roof. If it will be a plasterboard suspended ceiling, it is good to place an additional layer of insulation on the underside of the attic. Will also be isolated wooden beams, which has a very positive effect on the heat transfer of the entire layer.
Additionally, if the ceiling is insulated this way, it will be easier to build a batten or OSB floor on it. If you decide not to insulate suspended ceiling, then an additional heat-insulating layer will be located in the attic. Construction of the floor will then be more difficult for two reasons. First you need to be perpendicular to ceiling beams nail beams with a cross section of 4 x 6 cm and put an insulating layer between them; in addition, the surface of such a floor will ultimately be higher, thereby reducing the height of the attic.
Photo. When insulating a wooden ceiling, the insulating material is placed primarily between the beams
For insulation wooden ceilings Polystyrene is not used in its traditional form, but the space between the beams can be filled with polystyrene granules. However light weight such backfill, despite good thermal insulation, does not provide the ceiling with satisfactory sound insulation. Also this type of insulating material does not provide sufficient fire protection wood
Among loose insulation materials much more profitable than granules made of mineral wool or cellulose fibers. Both products have very good thermal insulation properties and provide good sound insulation and protect the structure in the event of a fire.
In buildings that have an unused attic, it is cost effective to implement a truss roof structure. Precast elements replace traditional rafters. They form large triangles that are located tightly next to each other.
The space under the roof with this design is severely limited by beveled beams. However, it is almost impossible to insulate such an attic using slabs or mats. Most rational decision in this case, blower insulation is done using polystyrene granules or cellulose fibers.
The space is filled with air flow through holes in the gable walls, through a hatch in the roof, or through the so-called inspection hole.
Bulk material can scatter very densely throughout all the nooks and crannies of this attic. Insulation work should be carried out only after the construction of the ceiling is completed. It is also necessary to check whether the ceiling can support the weight of such insulation, and appropriate reinforcement may need to be provided.
Attic ventilation
Since many thermal insulation materials, including mineral wool, reduce their insulating properties as a result high humidity, you need to make sure that the attic space is provided with sufficient ventilation. Good ventilation provide air intakes on the eaves and exhaust openings made in the gable walls. They must be protected with a net to prevent the entry of birds and small animals. It is advisable to cover the top layer of insulating materials with high elasticity with a windproof film, then less heat will be blown out of the insulation.
How to insulate an attic in a private house video
For a comfortable stay in a private residential or country house It is very important how warm and cozy it is.
Feeling of warmth, maintaining an acceptable comfortable temperature with minimal costs for heating - important aspect living in a house.
When insulating the walls of a house, many people neglect insulating the attic.
Even if the attic is not residential, it is important to insulate the floor between the attic and the adjacent residential floor during the construction stage in order to reduce heat loss from residential premises.
But it is possible to insulate an already used building to improve its properties. Today we will talk about how to properly insulate the attic of a private house, the types of materials and methods of insulation.
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.
Used for insulation interfloor ceilings, enclosing structures and roofing. Mineral wool is a non-flammable material, with low thermal conductivity and high sound insulation properties, and is 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 look 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 rot; 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 is widely used in construction as insulation and sound insulation, due to its 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 ceilings, but requires special equipment and worker qualifications.
Most in a simple way insulation of 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 chipboard sheets and other materials.
We carry out insulation of the attic with our own hands
If height attic space does not allow the construction of residential or auxiliary premises there over time, then it is enough to insulate only the ceiling. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to waterproof it, then lay the selected insulation between the floor beams, on top of which a vapor barrier film is laid overlapping.
The joints of the film are covered with adhesive tape or special glue. On reinforced concrete floor To lay mineral wool, it is necessary to make a lathing, the pitch of which is equal to the width of the insulating material (roll or slab), and the thickness of the bars is equal to the thickness of the insulation.
In the attic room, in addition to the floor, it is necessary to insulate the roof from the inside. The work is carried out similarly to floor insulation.
Mineral wool insulation is laid between the rafters, a vapor barrier is installed on top, and then the sheathing is filled.
Attaches to the sheathing moisture resistant drywall, fiberboard sheets or lining. Between the insulation and finishing an air gap remains on the walls.
If polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene is used to insulate the roof, then an air gap is not required.
Before starting work, it is necessary to inspect all structures. Often, replacement of any wooden elements is required. Next you need to treat with an antiseptic wooden elements. Produce installation work on the installation of hidden electrical wiring.
In an unused attic, ventilation vents must be provided. They are usually done on the gables of the roof. IN mansard roof Vents are also installed for free air circulation under the skin - in the ridge and overhangs.
Modern roll materials for insulation they are often produced with foil top layer, which serves as a vapor barrier. The slabs are laid in a foil layer inside the room and secured to each other with adhesive tape.
Insulation attic space not a luxury, but a necessity, since it will subsequently save energy costs and the costs will more than pay off.
Useful video
