Foreword... Most owners of private houses try to carry out small repairs on their own. This also applies when the owner of a country house wants to insulate the attic for winter living with his own hands. Various heat-insulating and finishing materials can be used for work. Consider how to achieve the result yourself, when the attic will be suitable for living at any time of the year. We will tell you how to insulate the attic for winter living with foam and mineral wool.
In winter, in most of Russia, a lot of money is spent on heating a private house. But thanks to high-quality insulation of the strip foundation and other building structures, including the attic and interfloor floors, heating costs can be significantly reduced. Before starting work, it is important to choose insulation, determine the thickness of the attic insulation and calculate the required amount of material.
How to insulate the attic for winter living
Photo. Attic insulation with foam
The choice of insulation and the thickness of the thermal insulation layer for converting an attic into a living space is determined by how severe frosts are in winter in your region. If it is very cold in your area in winter, then you will need to install insulation with good thermal insulation characteristics, at least 200 mm thick. In northern latitudes, thermal insulation has to be laid in several layers.
Be that as it may, it is not worth saving when buying skylights and basalt thermal insulation, otherwise living conditions in the attic of a private house in winter will be far from ideal. Many people choose polystyrene for work, because of the ease of installation of expanded polystyrene plates and their low cost. But the choice in favor of extruded polystyrene foam would be more deliberate.
Like foam, extruded polystyrene foam is produced in the form of plates. But, extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex, technoplex or URSA XPS) is distinguished by the best thermal insulation characteristics and high strength. Basalt wool, for example, Izorok mineral wool, despite the need to protect against moisture with vapor barrier films, is environmentally friendly, low thermal conductivity and fire resistance.
Calculation of materials for insulation step by step
As you understand for successful work, it is not enough to choose the right material. To ensure high-quality insulation of the attic for living in winter without cold bridges, it is extremely important to calculate the thickness of the thermal insulation for this structure. Many factors should be taken into account, the dependence of the thickness of the insulation of a building structure on all factors can be represented by the following formula:
L is the thickness of the heat-insulating material, in meters;
K is the thermal conductivity of the heat-insulating material;
A1 - heat transfer index for the inner surface of the wall: 8.7 W / m * ° С;
A2 - heat transfer index for the outer surface of the wall: 23 W / m * ° C.
Comparison of heaters by thermal conductivity
The thermal conductivity of the insulation can be found in the manufacturer's certificate. Using the formula presented above, you can easily calculate the thickness of the insulation of any room in the house. In this case, you should determine exactly what kind of insulation you will use to equip the attic. When determining the thickness of the insulation, take into account that the insulation of the gable of the attic made of bricks and the roof requires different thicknesses of the heat-insulating layer.
It is also important to know, in order to calculate the amount of thermal insulation, what area will be processed. The area of the windows in the attic should be subtracted from this area. As a result, you will receive the amount of material that will be enough to carry out the work. When self-insulating the attic for winter living, additional materials will be required: vapor barrier, foam, dowel-fungi, as well as a comparison of heaters in terms of thermal conductivity.
How to insulate an attic for winter living
Photo. Insulation of the attic of the house with mineral wool from the inside
If basalt wool or glass wool is used, which, when wet, lose their thermal insulation characteristics, then the insulation should be protected with vapor barrier on the right side from the side of the warm room. The need to use vapor barrier films is due to the fact that warm air contains moisture, and when it passes through the thermal insulation, it cools down and the moisture falls into condensate.
When using extruded polystyrene foam, additional waterproofing is not required, since this insulation does not absorb moisture and retains its original characteristics at any humidity. Therefore, penoplex, like any other extruded polystyrene foam, is popular for insulating the columnar foundation of a house.
Outdoor insulation is always considered the best option. With this option, the insulated structure is in a warm circuit and is not subject to freezing. This reduces the risk of mold and mildew due to condensation. But when arranging the attic of an already built house, it is very difficult to place thermal insulation under the roof, since this is due to the removal of the roof from the roof.
Most owners of private houses resort to internal insulation of the attic when converting it into a living space. For this, a frame made of timber for future rooms is being built in the attic, which is subject to thermal insulation. How is the work carried out for external and internal insulation? Let's take a closer look at all the technologies and give step-by-step instructions on how to insulate the attic of a residential building with our own hands.
Photo. How and what to insulate the attic in a private house
How to insulate an attic: step by step instructions
The attic can be insulated with two methods from the inside and outside. Thermal insulation of the attic for winter living outside is carried out even at the stage of building a house - this is nothing more than insulation of a gable roof. Self-insulation of the attic from the inside is carried out when the roof is already covered, when deciding to convert the attic into a living space. Let's take a closer look at both approaches to understand the difference between them.
Carrying out work with external thermal insulation
Insulation of the attic of the house with mineral wool outside
In the “pie” of insulation, a ventilation gap of at least 2 centimeters should be provided for the weathering of vapors and condensate from the vapor barrier. Ventilation openings are created in the lower and upper parts of the roof slope, so that air flows from below along the ventilation gap in the roof, collects excess moisture from the surface of the vapor barrier membrane and leaves through the upper openings in the roof.
It is worthwhile to insulate the roof and attic of the house outside only in sunny, warm weather. Before installing thermal insulation, it is necessary to carefully inspect the surface of the walls. The wood is covered with antiseptics, and the metal with bitumen mastic to protect it from corrosion. All wet areas should be dried. A step-by-step instruction for insulating an attic for living in winter looks like this:
- From the bottom of the rafters, a crate of boards is stuffed;
- The rafters and lathing are covered with a vapor barrier;
- Thermal insulation material is laid between the rafters;
- The insulation is covered with a roll vapor-waterproofing;
- A crate of boards is stuffed on top of the "pie" of insulation;
- The roofing material is attached to the crate with self-tapping screws.
Carrying out work with internal thermal insulation
Photo. Sheathing of the attic frame with plasterboard
It is necessary to carefully select thermal insulation. The material should be lightweight so as not to load the attic floors, be easy to install, environmentally friendly and fireproof.
To achieve the best result, basalt insulation should be installed without cracks and gaps. When laying slab insulation, the gaps should be filled with polyurethane foam. When laying the vapor barrier, make sure that the sheets of material go with an overlap of at least 20-30 mm.
When carrying out work from the inside, the insulation is carried out in a slightly different way. The step-by-step instruction looks like this:
1. A crate is stuffed onto the rafters or a prepared frame;
2. The structure is covered with a film that provides wind protection;
3. A layer of insulation is placed between the frame or rafters;
4. The insulation is closed from the inside with a vapor barrier film;
5. A crate for the ventilation gap is stuffed onto the structure;
6. The lathing is closed with drywall sheets or OSB boards.
How to insulate an attic for winter living: video, photo, DIY insulation
Consider how to achieve good insulation of the attic in the house, what materials and technologies to use so that the attic is suitable for winter living.
How to insulate the attic for winter living?
An attic is an attic space that can be used for permanent residence. Its peculiarity is that the roof of the house in it is both walls and a ceiling. If the insulation was not carried out at the stage of arranging the roof of the house, then the thermal insulation system can be organized from the inside in an already finished house.
This is a rather difficult event, because it is required to equip multilayer insulation in order to avoid the formation of condensation associated with the fact of direct contact of the roof with cold outside air and the penetration of warm air from the inside of the room. In this regard, the question of how to insulate the attic for winter living is not easy. First of all, it should be understood that in order to independently carry out work, it is imperative to study the technology of insulation and have certain construction skills, as well as the ability to handle construction tools.
The structure of the attic thermal insulation system and the choice of insulation
An effective attic insulation system should consist of the following layers:
The figure below shows a diagram of the roof insulation system.
In connection with the large assortment of heaters on the modern market, the question always arises, which material is better to choose. Perhaps we can say with confidence that to equip the attic thermal insulation system with your own hands, you should give preference to environmentally friendly mineral wool slabs made of basalt fiber (see Basalt insulation: Dimensions). Their main advantages are low thermal conductivity and good soundproofing qualities. It is extremely easy to lay them. The only thing that is needed when installing mineral wool slabs is to reliably protect them from moisture from the outside and from steam from the inside.
The sequence of work when insulating the attic
First of all, before starting work, you should check the roof for possible leaks and, if found, eliminate them.
After preventive measures, it is necessary to perform work in the following sequence:
- Installation of a waterproofing layer. For this, special membranes are used. As a rule, the waterproofing material is laid directly on the battens during the construction of the mansard roof. But, if this has not been done, then the moisture-proof membrane is installed from the inside between the rafters at a distance of approximately 5 cm from the batten. This air gap will provide good ventilation. The moisture-proof material is attached to the rafters with a construction stapler.
By far the largest heat loss occurs through the roof of the attic. But at the same time, you should also take care of the insulation of the gable walls and the floor of the living quarters.
How to insulate the attic for winter living?
An attic is an attic space that can be used for permanent residence. Its peculiarity is that the roof of the house in it
How to insulate an attic for winter living: useful tips
To make a reliable and long-term roofing threshold, you need to properly insulate the attic roof, and then you can feel comfortable indoors during the winter.
Today we will tell you how to insulate an attic roof for a country house, what heaters exist for attic roofs and how to install them correctly. The article also includes a training video on this topic.
Features of the structure of the insulating layer of the roof: video
The microclimate in the house during winter living in the attic depends on how correctly the insulation of the attic roof was carried out. If you have correctly insulated the roof, in winter, the attic will keep warm, and in summer, thermal insulation will prevent the air from overheating under the attic roof.
Attic roofs can be insulated in the same way as other roof structures, however, more stringent requirements are imposed on attic roofs due to the specific design of the attic. As a rule, walls in attics are formed by gables and roof slopes. For this reason, it is hot here in summer, and winter living is almost impossible due to low temperatures.
The mansard roof cake consists of several layers:
Each of these layers must be present in the construction of a mansard roof, since it plays a very important role. Particular attention should be paid to the ventilation and thermal insulation layer, since the comfort of living in the attic floor directly depends on their quality.
When choosing a suitable insulation for the roof under the attic it is imperative to pay special attention to the thermal conductivity of the insulation material... This figure should be as low as possible to protect the room from heat leaks.
In a room with heating, the largest heat loss occurs through the roof, as warm air rises upward, it passes through the roof cake and passes to the final roof covering, which is covered with a layer of snow in winter. The porosity of snow and its inner pockets at ambient temperatures below two degrees of frost become an external heat insulator for the roof.
If the roofing heat loss is too large, the roof heats up, and the snow begins to melt, forming an ice crust, which is very dangerous for the roofing material, in addition, ice increases the load on the attic roof... Proper internal insulation will prevent snow from melting in winter.
In summer, excess heat passes from the roof into the attic, which is why sometimes even the air conditioner cannot cope with the task of maintaining a comfortable temperature level in the attic. As in the previous case, proper insulation will not allow the room to overheat in the heat. Of course, it will still be hotter in the attic than in other rooms, but it will not be too hot either.
Mansard roof ventilation and its features
Unlike other types of roofs you need to insulate the attic roof in a slightly different way due to the peculiarities of its design and ventilation. If we compare the roof of the attic and the usual one, it can be noted that the dimensions of the ventilation space between the space from the inside and the roof will differ:
- on a regular roof, ventilation takes place through an attic with dormer windows;
- The ventilation space on the attic roof is very small and takes up about 15 cm.
In order to properly equip and insulate the attic roof, it is important to properly build and ventilation.
How to insulate the roof in the attic: the choice of insulation
Even at the stage of preparation for the installation of the roof structure for the attic, you should decide how you will insulate it. Remember that the correct type of insulation and its correct technical characteristics are the key to high-quality insulation of the premises and comfort at any time of the year. Today on the market there are a lot of materials for roof insulation. The most common among them are:
- glass wool;
- mineral wool;
- polyurethane foam;
- extruded polystyrene foam;
- foamed glass;
- thermal insulation with natural raw materials (wood chips, granulated paper, seaweed, etc.).
The criteria for choosing a heater are as follows:
- moisture resistance;
- coefficient of thermal conductivity;
- fire resistance;
- environmental friendliness of the material.
Remember also that the attic roof should be insulated with insulation, the thermal conductivity coefficient is at the level of 0.05 W / m * K and below.
The moisture resistance of the insulation should be as high as possible, so it will serve as long as possible. You also need to pay attention to the fire resistance of the insulation material in order to protect the attic from fire.
Description of mineral wool and glass wool
Many people insulate the roof with mineral wool, which is made on the basis of molten rocks. The advantages of mineral wool are:
- keeps warm well;
- does not rot over time;
- resistant to temperature fluctuations;
- resistant to aggressive substances;
- almost does not absorb moisture.
Structures of different thicknesses based on mineral wool are very suitable for roof insulation, when the width of the rafter pitch does not differ from the mineral wool mat.
Another material for insulating roofs - glass wool is made from glass melt, its properties are close to those of mineral wool, then it has a lower temperature threshold, which is 450 degrees with a minus. Other properties of glass wool include the following:
- good heat and sound insulation performance;
- frost resistance.
- When using glass wool, waterproofing must be done correctly.
Like mineral wool, glass wool belongs to budget materials. for insulation of the attic roof. However, both materials have a drawback: you need to create a thick layer of insulation and several layers of hydro and vapor barrier.
Roof insulation with polymeric materials
Inside the roof of the attic can be insulated with polymeric materials such as expanded polystyrene or polyurethane foam... The latter has such properties;
- excellent heat preservation ability;
- ease;
- duration of operation;
- does not let steam through;
- not exposed to moisture.
And the second material, expanded polystyrene, allows you to insulate roofs with maximum efficiency, since it has a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.05 W / m * K. In addition, it does not allow steam to pass through, and has a flammability class from G1 to G4, depending on the model.
Polymer insulation is more expensive than mineral wool and glass wool, in addition, they are of artificial origin.
If you want to insulate the roof with environmentally friendly materials, then you can use foam glass, granulated paper, mats based on natural materials. They are environmentally friendly, but the glass is too fragile, and other heaters are extremely difficult to install and have high flammability.
It is also extremely important not only to choose the right material for insulating the attic roof, but also to calculate its thickness. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the climate in your region., since the thickness of the insulation also depends on the average air temperature at a particular time of the year, as well as how long the heating season lasts. In addition, special formulas will allow you to calculate this indicator yourself, they can be quickly found on specialized construction resources. Also, the calculation work includes the calculation of the cultivated area in the attic, excluding the area of doors and hatches with windows.
How to install insulation for a mansard roof with your own hands
To insulate the roof of the attic, you need to carry out the following work in the following sequence:
- prepare the attic space for the installation of insulation;
- lay an insulating layer;
- fix the material.
During preparation, you need to decide what will be the step of installing the rafters. Wherein the rafter system must be reliable, that is, the step should not exceed the recommended parameters. If you have prepared this or that material in advance in order to insulate the roof, the rafters must be placed so that the insulation plates or mats fit tightly between them from the inside. This will simplify the technology of insulation and significantly reduce waste from insulation.
Above the level of thermal insulation, between the rafters and the battens, a waterproofing layer should be overlapped, starting from the lower edge of the ramp. After that, install the counter-rails made of wood. Their thickness should create the desired ventilation gap. The slats can be attached to the rafters with nails or self-tapping screws. Insulation must be laid and fastened to the previously prepared structure between the rafters.
When insulating an attic, it is not necessary to stop only at installing an insulating layer between the rafters, but it is better to additionally lay a continuous layer of insulating material on top of the laid insulation mats or slabs. For laying out a solid layer it is recommended to choose thin insulation, this will significantly improve the quality of insulation of your attic.
But this method also has its drawbacks. For example, the rafters are hidden and in the future it will be extremely difficult to use them to fasten other structural elements. It is advisable when working to correctly mark where the rafters are located.
A vapor-permeable film must be laid on top of the thermal insulation to remove excess moisture. Further, the structure must be equipped with a crate, and in conclusion, the ceiling must be sheathed from the inside.
Of course, our advice is not a complete instruction on how to insulate a roof in an attic. Re-read special training manuals, watch the training video, consult with friends about this, and only then get to work.
We have introduced you to the recommendations regarding the insulation of mansard roofs, and how to choose the right insulation material and install it. Your comfort during your stay in the attic at any time of the year depends on how well you do it.
How to insulate the attic roof for winter and summer living, insulation for the attic: video installation
Types of insulation for mansard roofs and which ones are better to use for insulating an attic for winter living, a video on the topic of insulating a roof in an attic.
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The desire to live better, to have spacious houses, separate rooms for each family member and guests is a completely natural aspiration of our fellow citizens. Improving living conditions can be achieved in two ways: build large and expensive houses using traditional technology, or use modern solutions and convert the attic into living quarters. These are the so-called attic rooms, this method allows you to achieve the assigned tasks with minimal financial losses.
Thanks to the successful combination of the quality of housing, the comfort of living and the estimated cost of construction work, attic spaces are very popular among domestic developers. Currently, there are many technologies and special materials for the insulation of such premises. In order to make the right and informed choice, it is recommended that you briefly familiarize yourself with their physical and operational characteristics.
The industry produces a wide range of materials used for building insulation. Regardless of the production technology, they must all meet several universal requirements.
These are general requirements, and popular heaters meet optimal performance to varying degrees.
What materials can be used to insulate the attic roof
We will give a short description of all possible options, and based on objective characteristics, it will be easier for developers to make the right choice.
Table. Types of insulation for the attic
| Insulation name | Physical and performance characteristics |
|---|---|
| The most advertised material for roof insulation. It has good indicators of heat saving, is technologically advanced, easy to cut and fit. Minvata does not emit any harmful chemical compounds into the air, does not burn, and is allowed for use without restrictions. These are the positive qualities of the material, but there are also negative ones. Mineral wool is very hygroscopic and can absorb large amounts of moisture. As a result, the thermal conductivity increases sharply, next to the damp cotton wool all the wooden structures of the truss system quickly rot. To protect against moisture penetration, it is necessary to use special membranes, and this is an additional increase in the estimated cost of construction. In addition, the price of mineral wool is the highest among all existing heaters. | |
| A very popular material. In many important performance indicators, it surpasses the characteristics of mineral wool: it has low thermal conductivity (better than that of mineral wool), it is perfectly cut, it is easily installed in the niches of the rafter legs, and has a minimum weight. It does not absorb moisture, there is no need for it to install moisture and vapor protection, which has a positive effect on the cost of attic rooms. It is also one of the cheapest roofing materials available. As for flammability, modern types have special additives, now the material does not support open combustion. This means that a short circuit cannot ignite the foam. The amount of evaporation of chemical compounds does not exceed the established norms, and the insulation itself is additionally covered with finishing materials, which further reduces the likelihood of negative consequences. Another advantage is that roofs can be insulated with foam not only from the inside, but also from the outside, laying it under the roof covering. | |
| Like polystyrene, it is recommended to use it if it is necessary to insulate the roof from the outside. In terms of physical parameters, it does not differ from foam plastic, except for increased values of mechanical strength. But for roof insulation, strength is not decisive. Disadvantages - high cost. | |
| During the insulation of structures, it is blown out using special equipment. During solidification, the polyurethane foam expands and hardens. The most unsuccessful material from all points of view. To achieve a thickness of 10-15 cm, it is necessary to repeat the processing three times, it is expensive, time-consuming and economically ineffective. Experienced builders are strongly discouraged. | |
| A fairly new and uncommon insulation, made from pulp waste or waste paper. The advantages include only one thing - the absence of harmful compounds. All actual performance characteristics are significantly worse than the heaters described in the table above. |
Prices for thermal insulation materials
Thermal insulation materials
Before deciding on the choice of insulation, it is recommended to carefully compare the objective characteristics of materials, while not paying much attention to the marketing moves of manufacturers, but to trust independent information.
And one more very important point: if the thickness of the insulation does not correspond to the climatic zone, then you should not expect a big effect from such insulation. There is no need to save, it is better to make the thickness with a margin of about five centimeters.
Amid rising house prices, more and more boring attics are turning into wonderful lofts. To ensure the comfort of the future inhabitants of this room, the insulation of the attic walls must be performed at the highest level. Let's find out with what materials and technologies it is best to do this.
How to insulate the walls of the attic - in search of a solution
Insulation of the attic can and should be considered in the complex of energy saving works. Even if you do not plan to settle in the attic in the near future, it should definitely be insulated - the greatest heat loss in a residential building is quite rightly attributed to the walls, basement and roof. It is because of the cold ceiling that the entire second floor in winter can be unsuitable for a comfortable life.
On the market you will find many proposals for materials, and construction crews are not lagging behind in a variety of proposals. It doesn't matter whether you carry out the insulation of the attic walls with your own hands or invite builders, you have to choose materials for insulation. We recommend avoiding, no matter how attractive its cost may look. Firstly, it has low vapor permeability, which is why there will be constantly high humidity inside the attic - not the best "company" for rafters, drywall and lining.
Secondly, in the process of drying out the rafters, gaps are formed between them and the foam, through which the street cold will penetrate into the room. And thirdly, mice often take root in polystyrene. Extruded polystyrene foam is a little more expensive than polystyrene, but it is much more suitable as a heater, and the laying technology is completely different. To avoid the appearance of cracks in the process of drying the rafters, polystyrene foam plates are laid on top of them. If you choose this material, look for tongue-and-groove slabs.
Warming with basalt mineral wool is especially common. In terms of its qualities, it is an ideal insulation for attic walls: it is not flammable, does not rot, does not absorb moisture, is durable and, of course, has a low thermal conductivity. Mineral wool is produced both in soft rolls and in the form of more elastic slabs. The latter are easier to work with - by cutting off a piece a few centimeters wider, you can insert the slab between the rafters, and it will be held by its own elasticity. In the case of soft material, you will have to additionally make a net of threads that will hold the cotton in its original position.
Glass wool is a material similar to mineral wool, and the technology of work is also identical. However, there are still some differences. So, the fibers of glass wool are longer, and this makes the material more durable and elastic. The hydrophobicity of this type of insulation is somewhat lower, but the thermal insulation coefficient is higher. Quite often, the choice problem is solved simply and effectively - both materials are chosen. The floor is insulated with glass wool, and the rafters are insulated with mineral wool.
How to insulate the walls of the attic - from the inside, without seams and fasteners
Ecowool is a more modern way of insulating an attic. The insulation technology itself is especially good. Pre-crushed material is blown into all cracks and voids between ceilings and rafters using a hose and a special apparatus. The hose can be reached where a person's foot has never gone, that is, to the most remote corners, where, bending over, one cannot squeeze through.
Ecowool itself consists of 80% cellulose - ordinary crushed waste paper mixed with flame-extinguishing and antiseptic substances, most often boric acid and brown, can act in this capacity. A small amount of lignin is used to bind the fibers into a monolithic shell, which is activated when moistened. The thermal insulation properties of this material are no worse than those of glass wool, but glass wool is more dangerous for human health - its fibers irritate the respiratory tract. Ecowool also has a high sound insulation index.
Another sprayed insulation is polyurethane foam. The service life of this material is at least 25 years. It also does not need to be additionally fastened - due to its high adhesion to all materials, except for polyethylene, it will perfectly adhere to both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The polyurethane layer perfectly fills all voids during the spraying process. True, a special installation is required for its deposition. However, the unit can certainly be rented - the process of using it is quite simple and will be understandable even to a person who is far from construction. Typically, one portable unit is sufficient for 100 square meters of floor space.
Insulating the walls of the attic from the inside - step by step
If the attic was planned during the construction of the house, then the roof structure will have a special shape - in such cases, the roof elements themselves act as the walls of the attic. If additional space is created inside the attic, additional construction of internal walls with a height of 1–1.5 meters may be required. In this case, the height of the attic itself should be at least two meters, and the width - at least two and a half meters.
Three scenarios are possible:
- The thermal insulation layer is laid on top of the supporting frame.
- Thermal insulation materials are laid from inside the room.
- The space between the structural elements of the frame is filled with thermal insulation.
The first scenario is feasible if the attic is a pre-planned and designed part of the house, and the insulation is carried out in a complex of works on the facade. In this case, the rafter structures are directly elements of the attic room, and the insulation is carried out on top of them. Internal walls may not be insulated.
In the second case, a layer of insulation is laid from the inside of the attic, after which finishing work is carried out. The third option is possible only in the case of wooden rafters, since metal elements will freeze and accumulate condensation.
It is important that the thickness of the insulation is less than the thickness of the elements themselves - in this case, air circulation will occur between them.
Floor insulation, as a rule, is laid between the logs or directly on the subfloor, after which a tongue or other leveling material is laid. Until now, they do not forget the numerous homemade products and the old grandfather's method mixed with lime. Lime prevents mice from entering the space between the subfloor and subfloor. However, this material is quite flammable, so if you want to arrange a room with a lot of electrical equipment in the attic, then it is better to use a different technology.
If ecowool is used for spraying, then you first need to fill a special crate on the surface, to which it will cling. Polyurethane foam does not need any lathing, it is applied from the inside to the already assembled roof, then it is sewn up with plasterboard plates.
It is very important to observe all ventilation rules when insulating - the risk of thermal insulation getting wet always exists. The only thing that can prevent rotting, mold, or at least unpleasant odors is good ventilation. It is also better to entrust the issue of installing windows to specialists who are well versed in their business - they must prevent the possibility of water flowing into the room. Please note that the price of such flaws or mistakes can be very expensive for you, up to the overhaul of the entire attic room.
The attic in the house is a space with great potential. It has a spacious area to serve as a place for storing things or seasonal vacations, and a non-trivial shape that can become the basis for the embodiment of design ideas. It is a big omission not to use its opportunities.
You can organize the space of the attic floor in different ways. But the most rational of them is the arrangement for living quarters. Self-insulation of the attic from the inside will help with this. The choice of material and the order of work will also not be difficult after a detailed consideration of the features of the materials and the process of insulation.
Why insulate?
A good, warm attic has a number of advantages over a non-insulated floor:
- Can be used as living quarters all year round.
- An uninteresting form is suitable for interior decoration in an unusual style.
- The upper floor, due to its isolation and uniqueness, can serve as a bedroom, study or children's room. Of course, children especially like it in the attic.
- Skylights are designed differently from ordinary ones and let in a lot of light. This is useful if a children's room is located there, and is also suitable for other purposes, because natural lighting is always better than artificial.
- When transferring the function of any room in the house to the attic floor, a lot of useful space is freed up.
At the same time, the insulation of the attic, despite the name, also works in the opposite direction. Summer stuffiness and heat concentrated under the roof of the house are not the best companions of comfort. To prevent the air in the attic floor from heating up because the sun heats the roof all day long, thermal insulation is needed.
Many people forget about this, choosing to insulate the attic from the inside, and instead of a room for all-season use, they get an option for wintering. It is impossible to be there in summer because of the high temperatures and stuffy air.
Why insulate the attic is clear: increase the usable area of the house by converting the attic into a living space. Exactly what type of room this will be depends on the individual needs of the family. There may be a greenhouse, a dining room (which is very convenient, since it will be as easy as shelling pears to arrange a hood, and the smells of food will definitely not penetrate into other rooms), a children's room, a bedroom, an office, a room for pets, a dressing room, a guest room.
Roof design options
The convenience of the attic for living largely depends on its size and the shape of the roof, which forms the walls and ceiling of the room. The form also affects the complexity of the insulation procedure. The type of roof is laid during construction in accordance with the design of the building.
In total, there are about a dozen types of roofs, to one degree or another, suitable for arranging an attic:
- Shed. The slope can be on the left or right side. This determines the layout of the future house, designed in accordance with building codes. This type of roof is not the best, but also not the most inconvenient option for a living space. At least one half of the attic is suitable for a person to fit in it at full height and can move freely. The second can be reserved for organizing storage systems or a bed.
- Gable or gable. It is widespread in both symmetrical and asymmetrical versions. In an attic of this type, all free space is concentrated in the place where the roof has the highest point. There is less of it under the slopes, and if the slope is gentle, then most of the area will not be used.
- Hip. The roof has four slopes: two in the shape of a trapezoid, two in the shape of beveled triangles.
- Shatrovaya. A type of hip roof, which is erected over the base of a square-shaped house. All 4 slopes in this case have the same form of beveled triangles.
- Semi-hip. This is a kind of gable roof, in which, for practical purposes, the side slopes on the pediment are cut off. It is more convenient for arranging the attic floor than the previous two options.
- Slightly less common is the half-hip hipped roof. Its gable parts are formed by windows, and under them there are slopes.
- Mansard roof. It is recognized as optimal, since it is the closest to the cherished U-shaped living space. Such a roof does not impose any restrictions on the arrangement of functional areas inside the attic floor. It can easily accommodate a child's room, which can later be converted into his own office or bedroom.
- Broken or multi-plated. These are options for complex design ideas. It is impossible to say unequivocally how suitable they are for arranging a warm attic, since their shape can be very diverse. But those species that are most similar to the U-shape are definitely suitable for this purpose.
Load calculation according to SNiP
When it comes to insulating the attic, it is necessary to consider several types of SNiP: general rules for the arrangement of residential premises and the rules for choosing materials for thermal insulation of a residential building.
- Calculation of the load on the supporting structures of the building. The own weight and thickness of materials, decorative finishes, interior arrangement of the attic significantly increase the load on the supporting structures in any type of house. The maximum permissible load for each option is different, but the planned changes should not exceed it.
- Correct assessment of the structures being built. For the reconstruction of a house, which in many cases will include the conversion of an attic into a residential attic, legal grounds are needed. Each case is different.
In one, if the documents are drawn up correctly and the construction of the house occurs immediately with the attic, it can be redone in any way without unnecessary red tape.
In a private house, the construction of an attic depends only on the height of the floors and compliance with the load norms on the supporting structures; in an apartment building, it is important to take into account its status. If it is an architectural monument, the construction of the attic will not work.
- Compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards. They regulate the minimum height of the attic room, the degree of its illumination and insolation - protection from ultraviolet rays.
- The number of floors in the house. Building codes allow a maximum of three floors, while basement and basement rooms that protrude more than a meter above the ground are also considered. If, after insulating the attic, it becomes a full-fledged living space and the fourth floor in the house, then such a construction will be considered illegal. In theory, it should be demolished.
- The degree of fire resistance. It is measured in minutes and in most positions is:
- for the lower floors 60 minutes,
- for the attic - 30, since the fire spreads upward and the risk of fire on the lower floors from the attic is less.
When arranging an attic, especially a wooden one, for living quarters, you need to comply with all the requirements: treat the wood with special impregnations that prevent the spread of flame, choose fire-resistant materials, and lay high-quality communications.
It is also important to calculate which layer is needed when using different materials. As a rule, the recommended thickness and density of foam, mineral wool, polyurethane foam or foam glass is indicated by the manufacturer or GOST for a specific material.
Review of materials: pros and cons
The construction market offers the materials themselves in abundance. In this case, only insulation is not enough, since the technology implies the layer-by-layer use of materials for various purposes:
- Roof and wall material. These are the elements that form the basis of the attic space. The walls of the house can be wooden, brick, block. For the roof, choose profiled sheets, ondulin, slate, metal or ceramic tiles.
- Bars for counter-lattice. The timber is used wooden, mounted on the rafters. A counter grill is necessary to create air circulation so that condensation does not form under the roof sheet material.
- Windproof and waterproofing. Used polypropylene and polyethylene films, various non-woven roll materials. In priority films with anti-condensation coating. They are laid with an overlap of 20-25 cm between the beams and the roofing material, glued together.
- Thermal insulation. Various types of insulation, which are laid at a distance of 25 cm from the waterproofing film under slate or tiles, and 45-50 cm under sheet materials.
- Vapor barrier. It is necessary on the outside of the insulation to protect it from vapors and moisture contained in the indoor air. Various film and foil materials are used to prevent the formation of condensation and the greenhouse effect.
- Internal lathing. Decorative finishing of the ceiling and walls. In some cases, when the height of the roof allows, you can "hem" the ceiling. The air space between it and the roof will make the thermal insulation more effective.
If there are no questions with most of the points, then the choice of insulation is the most crucial moment. Its choice is wide, which is both a plus and a minus, since it is necessary to evaluate a large number of options.
Insulate the attic:
- sawdust;
- mineral wool;
- ecowool;
- basalt type of cotton wool;
- polyurethane foam plates (PPU);
- extruded foam;
- penoplex;
- foam glass;
- construction foam;
- foil-clad and heat-reflecting material.
The use of sawdust for thermal insulation is a proven and effective method. It is cheap, the mixtures are prepared with their own hands, but with the availability of alternative materials, the method is already outdated. A lot of time is spent, working with sawdust is clean, but unpleasant, and the flooring will not differ in durability. Environmental cleanliness in this case is probably not at hand, because wood fibers are an excellent breeding ground for organisms.
Ordinary styrofoam is also a thing of the past. It has a number of advantages: low weight, low price, ease of installation alone, rather long service life, good insulating properties. But the disadvantages are still significant: fragility and fragility, retains moisture inside, a suitable environment for the reproduction of living organisms, a thick layer of material is needed.
Mineral wool is a more topical insulation material. Its advantages:
- high coefficient of thermal insulation;
- resistant to moisture, chemicals and alkalis;
- provides good ventilation in the room;
- helps to increase noise insulation;
- high coefficient of fire resistance;
- long service life;
- strength;
- safety for residential use.
Flaws:
- With poor organization of the waterproofing and vapor barrier layers, falling on the material of precipitation, mineral wool loses several percent of its thermal conductivity.
- Capable of accumulating dust over time.
- High-quality mineral wool is quite expensive, but it is environmentally friendly. There are often fakes on the market in which the formaldehyde content exceeds the norm. They are harmful to health and are prohibited for use in residential premises.
Ecowool, in essence, is cellulose fibers in three quarters of the composition, and the remainder accounts for substances that allow the use of cellulose as a building material - borax and boric acid. They increase the fire resistance of cotton wool, prevent the appearance of microorganisms, fungi, and rot.
The advantages include the good ability of the insulation to keep warm in the room, not impede ventilation, high-quality insulating properties, natural and safe raw materials in the basis of ecowool.
The material also has a minus, and significant. Ecowool is not produced in the form of plates or sheets, it is a loose fiber that must be applied wet using special equipment. And to work with the equipment, you will need qualified installers.
In addition to ecowool, foreign manufacturers also offer other types of insulation based on plant fibers: ecolen and cotton fabric insulation.
Another type of cotton wool is basalt. It is related to the mineral. Since its components are present in the composition, the basis of the material is basalt rock. Basalt imparts unique qualities to the material.
Its advantages:
- components of organic origin without formaldehyde and harmful resins;
- thermal insulation qualities, noise insulation;
- does not ignite, does not support combustion;
- biostable;
- the plates are convenient and easy to use;
- serves for tens of years.
Flaws:
- high cost of insulation per square meter with basalt slabs;
- absorbs moisture well.
The third type of cotton wool - glass wool - has similar characteristics. It is more convenient to use, since the material is rolled.
Extruded foam or extruded polystyrene foam combines the qualities and advantages of mineral boards and conventional foam, thanks to a special production technology.
Its performance is mostly positive:
- lightweight, but durable - this allows you to use it for insulation in large quantities, to work with it just alone;
- closed pores of the material are moisture resistant;
- easy to cut into fragments, it is unbreakable and does not crumble;
- does not arouse interest, as a habitat, either in fungi or in rodents;
- low cost.
The disadvantages include: vapor permeability, low fire resistance.
The group of new generation gas-filled plastics also includes polyurethane foam (PPU). Its advantages make the material one of the best for insulating an attic floor: it is lightweight, moisture-resistant and fire-resistant, does not accumulate dust, does not attract living organisms, and is very durable.
There are two types: sheet and spray. Sheet material is very convenient in that it does not crumble in the process of cutting fragments and closely fits the part to the part. The sprayed type of protection creates a monolithic layer under the roof, due to which it is not afraid of precipitation and cold ingress. And also it has good adhesion to various surfaces, is resistant to the appearance of microorganisms and allows you to carry out installation work as soon as possible.
The sprayed material provides better thermal insulation and helps to muffle extraneous sounds, but it has two serious drawbacks. Firstly, for application, you will need an expensive service from professionals with special equipment. Secondly, it is so dense that it "does not breathe." Humid and stuffy air will accumulate in the room if additional ventilation was not possible.
It is advisable to use both types of PPU at the same time. Large areas are covered with sheet material, and hard-to-reach places and crevices are sprayed. This will completely solve the problem of even the coldest attic.
Foam glass is an uncommon and unfairly relegated material. The reason for this is simple - the price is very high. Foam glass, as the name implies, is obtained by foaming glass fiber. The result is a porous (cellular) material that is absolutely not susceptible to fire, safe, durable and meets all the requirements for insulation. If financial possibilities allow, then foam glass as thermal insulation should be considered first of all.
A separate group from the derivatives of plastic and glass are foil materials for insulating premises from the inside. By themselves, they have a small thickness, therefore they are often combined with various variations of foamed cellular materials, which are inside between two layers of foil.
The advantages of reflective materials are obvious:
- Light weight and small thickness. An attic is rarely large, especially considering that its dimensions are hidden by the shape of the roof, and a 20 mm foil sheet is much more practical than 200 mm of foam.
- The material is easy to cut, does not crumble, does not slip on the surface.
- There are variants of self-adhesive sheets, in which one side is covered with a reflective layer and the other with an adhesive adhesive. They greatly simplify installation work.
- Foil is an excellent heat reflector. Thanks to her abilities, in the cold season, heat does not leave the room, but in hot weather it remains outside.
- Reflective coatings are hydrophobic; they simply repel water.
- It is at the same time insulation from precipitation, dust, wind, cold.
- Despite the minimum thickness, it copes with the noise insulation function.
- Elastic and flexible.
- Biostable.
- Does not emit toxins and formaldehyde when heated.
- Long lasting.
How to choose?
The choice of a suitable insulation is a crucial stage in the arrangement of a living space on the attic floor.
There are several important factors to consider:
- Accounting for climatic conditions. If severe frosts are raging in the region in the cold season, you need to choose a cellular or porous insulation. Its structure allows warm air to fill empty spaces and keep the room warm. It works like PVC profiles and double-glazed windows. The more layers of cells, the better the material, so the layer thickness should be more than 1-2 cm.
- For regions with high humidity, the hydrophobicity of the material is in the first place. All types of cotton wool are undesirable here, but derivatives of polyethylene and plastic will be just right. You can safely use polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam.
- With a large amount of precipitation in winter, giving a load on the roof, lightweight materials are preferable. For example, Styrofoam and Foil.
- Accounting for indicators of moisture and fire resistance. Even if the climate is not teeming with rain, protecting the insulation from moisture is very important. Wet material ceases to perform its functions, since its thermal conductivity changes, and gains weight.
- As for fire safety, it is rather the observance of all SNiP norms. Choosing a fire-resistant material is not difficult. Most manufacturers add substances called fire retardants to organic raw materials for the manufacture of insulation. They prevent the spread of fire.
- The ability of the material to keep its shape. Measured as modulus of elasticity and resistance to deformation. It depends on this whether it will create a monolithic reliable protection or will begin to sag and drafts and blown places will appear in the room. The undisputed leaders in this regard are not sheet materials, but sprayed materials.
- Material coefficients for several characteristics: thermal conductivity, vapor permeability, sound insulation index.
- Composition of the substance. For the arrangement of a living room in the attic, it is recommended to use environmentally friendly materials, without resins, formaldehydes and toxic substances. Various impregnations are permissible if their presence meets the requirements of GOST.
The type of materials used in the finishing of the roof also matters.
For metal tiles
It is correct to carry out insulation of the attic ceiling under such material with the help of a layer that is not afraid of moisture. Features of the structure and installation of metal tiles are such that water can get under it. It is optimal here to use foamed materials based on plastic or glass, but if the choice fell on mineral wool, it is important to take care of a good waterproofing layer.
It is also necessary to choose a material with an anti-condensation coating. After the condensation reaches a certain temperature, it also turns into water that is dangerous for the insulating layer. The problem can be solved with polypropylene films, geotextile coatings and superdiffuse membranes.
The disadvantages of metal tiles include the fact that their unusual shape allows sediments to accumulate between the layers of the coating, which is almost impossible to make completely sealed. High-quality ventilation under the roof will help to minimize the damage from this as much as possible. Natural in this case may not be enough, it is necessary to equip a compulsory one.
Such problems also apply to ceramic embossing and slate sheets. They all have the same shape, which does not allow the sheets to fit closely.
For corrugated board
It is less problematic with respect to leaks and condensation, since the sheets are tighter, and the joints are treated with sealant and paint. But the material has its own characteristics. Firstly, it is very cold and the insulation must be of high quality and impressive in thickness. Secondly, during the rain, it is very noisy under the roofing made of corrugated board; you need a material with high sound absorption rates.
From the list of suitable materials, it is necessary to exclude thin foil sheets, fiberglass, cellulose insulation of the ecol type. Their thickness and sound insulation indicators are insufficient to ensure a comfortable stay in the attic under the roof decking.
For the attic above the bath
Along with the type of roofing materials, the location of the attic must be taken into account: either it is located above all living quarters, or above part of the house.
One of the problematic options is the attic above the bathhouse. With such an arrangement, it is difficult to equip a living space in it. It is more suitable for a relaxation room, a small living room or a play area, which is necessary after bath procedures.
The main difficulty in choosing materials lies in the microclimate of the room above the bath, which is different from the microclimate above the living rooms. The temperature and humidity conditions in it are unstable, and the possibility of condensation is very high. Of course, under such conditions, neither sawdust, nor cotton wool, nor ecological cellulose-based insulation are suitable. It requires hydrophobic materials like expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foam, foil coatings, good vapor barrier, forced ventilation.
Winter residence houses
There is no universal solution for insulating the attic for winter residence. It all depends on the climatic conditions and materials used in the construction of the house.
Long and harsh winters - solid, porous, temperature-resistant insulation. Warm climate - any material suitable for the type of roof.
In a private wooden house, due to the properties of wood, to retain heat of a fairly thin insulation. Materials based on cellulose, glass or plastic are also suitable. You can use foil with a minimum thickness.
In brick houses with roofs made of corrugated board, tiles or slate, additional insulation in the form of air spaces is required. These can be dense porous materials and several layers between them. Insulation of a frame house does not require much effort, since its design already provides for all the features of specific climatic conditions. Any moisture-resistant and fire-resistant materials are suitable here.
How to insulate with your own hands?
The technology for creating thermal insulation in the attic is also available to non-professionals. The key to success is not in the experience of installation work, but in the correct selection of material, the sequential implementation of actions to create a continuous insulated contour and accuracy.
The procedure is as follows:
- Calculation of the permissible load and optimal material thickness.
- Selection of materials and necessary tools (including safety equipment).
- Premises preparation: cleaning, dedusting, processing of wooden structures with protective impregnations.
- Installation of the lathing. This is an important and mandatory step that amateurs unknowingly skip. The device for thermal insulation of the attic without lathing and counter-lathing is considered a gross mistake. It is nailed from the inside over the entire roof area.
- Laying a waterproofing film or diffuse membrane. The mount should not be tight, it is better to let the material sag a little. The sheets are overlapped on each other (15-25 cm) and fastened with tape or foil. A gap of 20 to 50 cm is required between the membrane and the crate.
- Insulation installation. The methods are different, depending on the type of material and the location of the rafters. Roll material can be attached with a slight overlap and fixed with tape or stapler. Insulation sheet for finishing the roof and walls is laid tightly, taking into account a slight shrinkage in the future. The abutment is made as close as possible, the seams are processed with tape. You can use screws and nails for very dense materials.
It is important to dock well in the corners of the pediment and in such difficult areas as the ridge, valley, overhangs. For this, small pieces of material are used, separated by an improvised way.
Particular attention is paid to the contour of the windows. The room will remain cold if warm air comes out through the cracks near the window.
The sequence is as follows: insulation of the roof, ceilings, pediment, partitions, walls. The floor can be insulated both before and after.
Floor insulation is more variable, since it is less influenced by precipitation, winds and frosts.
It can be dry backfill, sawdust, and mineral wool:
- Installation of vapor barrier. It is laid with an overlap, like a membrane, and is fixed in different ways. Typically, there is a line on the material that marks the width of the joint between two sheets.
- Lathing if necessary.
- Decorative finishing.
Frequent mistakes
The correct thermal pyrog for roof insulation is installed in compliance with many nuances.
Non-professionals often make the same mistakes that affect the quality of the thermal insulation of the attic:
- no ventilation gap from the ceiling to the membrane. As a result, the insulation freezes and ceases to work;
- strong sagging of the membrane - this reduces the gap required for ventilation and leads to the formation of condensation;
- attempts to save on insulating materials, laying them without the necessary joints, as a result of which gaps are formed and heat goes out, warming up the roof, and not the room;
- tamping the material to such an extent that it warps and crumples, losing its properties;
- unsewn cornices - this leads to the fact that precipitation gets free access to the insulation and saturates it with moisture;
- lack of ventilation;
- lack of tape or tape at the joints of the sheet material.
- Use hard and dense materials or dusting. They are better fixed and do not deform in the process.
- Increasing the distance between the attic ceiling and the top of the ridge will create an "air cushion" and improve the quality of the warm circuit.
- It is better to leave the ventilation gap not only between the crate and the membrane, but also between the membrane and the insulation.
Each room of a private house needs to be insulated, especially if it is under a roof. If you neglect this or violate the insulation technology, then in the cold season the wind will blow into all the cracks, as a result of which condensation will accumulate on the rafters and the ceiling, which will definitely lead to rotting of the wooden parts of the roof. That is why you need to foresee all the nuances in advance and properly insulate the attic space.
How to insulate the roof of the attic from the inside
The range of thermal insulation materials is so large that it is quite difficult to immediately decide on the choice of insulation suitable for the attic.
- Fiberglass material is the cheapest, but still has many advantages. For example, it does not burn, is non-toxic, adheres well to other materials and retains heat. The operational properties are retained only under the condition of full compliance with the installation technology. But fiberglass also has disadvantages. This material does not emit harmful substances, but fine dust from fragments of fiberglass can appear in the room. As a result of contact with such dust, skin problems may arise, it will begin to itch, which may cause scratches that will not heal for a long time. Therefore, it is very important to use a respirator while working with the material and carefully observe safety precautions. Also, fiberglass is difficult to lay on walls that are inclined, which means that when insulating the attic, difficulties can arise.
Fiberglass insulation can cause permanent discomfort
- Mineral wool is a natural insulation with the addition of synthetic fibers that increase its performance. Its main advantages are lightness, environmental safety, soundproofing properties. Therefore, such material is almost ideal for insulating the attic. It can be produced both in the form of slabs and in rolls. For insulation of the attic, it is more convenient to use the first option.
Mineral wool is considered a good insulation material due to its fire resistance.
- Polyfoam is a material that perfectly combines good thermal insulation properties with a low price and ease of installation. This material will slightly weigh down the attic structure and practically does not require special skills for installation. However, the foam is not able to pass steam. There is also another significant drawback - mice love it.
Styrofoam may appeal to mice
- Polyurethane foam. Unique insulation with a liquid structure. For application, a special spray device is used. After that, the polyurethane foam hardens and forms a monolithic coating without seams, which means that the presence of cold bridges is excluded.
Polyurethane foam initially has a liquid structure
- Foil materials perform several functions at once: insulation and mirror reflection, which does not allow heat to go outside. This is possible only if the material is laid with an aluminum layer inside the attic. It is also imperative to leave a 5 cm gap between the insulation and the vapor barrier.
Foil insulation performs several functions at once
Video: foam or mineral wool - what to choose
Basic rules for insulating the attic from the inside
Warming the attic from the inside implies the arrangement of a constructive pie. It has a certain scheme, which is not recommended to deviate from:
- Plasterboard cladding.
- Vapor barrier. The use of a membrane is recommended. The vapor barrier layer is a coating created from a roll of material with an overlap of 10 cm. The canvases must be fastened along vertical and horizontal joints using a special adhesive tape.
Vapor barrier prevents condensation
- Sheathing. It performs three functions at once: it holds the heat-insulating material, is the basis for the vapor barrier layer, and forms a ventilation space (which is not always needed, mainly when using foil-clad insulation).
- Heat insulating layer. Can be stacked in several layers if necessary. When insulating the attic from the inside, the insulation is placed in the space between the rafters.
Most often, the insulation fits into the space between the rafters.
- Waterproofing layer. It is necessary to protect the insulation from getting wet. If this rule is neglected, the thermal insulation layer will lose its performance properties. It is recommended to leave a ventilation gap between the insulation and the waterproofing so that condensation does not form inside the cake.
- A counter grill is required to provide a ventilation gap. Additionally, you need to make holes in the area of the base of the slopes and valleys. The width of the ventilation gap depends entirely on the roofing material used. When covered with slate or other similar material, this parameter is 25 mm, when installing flat material - 50 mm.
- Wind isolation. This layer has a windproof function, it retains heat in case of excessive ventilation in the ventilation gap. Wind insulation is laid over the rafters, fixed with slats. After laying the material, they carry out finishing work on the arrangement of the roof.
When insulating the attic, it is important to observe a certain sequence of layers.
Warming methods
Insulation of the attic from the inside can be done in several ways:
- Installation of insulation between the rafters. This method is considered the simplest, therefore, when insulating with your own hands, it can be safely applied. There are certain rules that must be followed in this case. First of all, this concerns the presence of a ventilation gap, which must necessarily be between the hydro and thermal insulation layers. This will prevent condensation from building up. It is also recommended to carefully monitor the thickness of the insulation. It must fully match the thickness of the rafters. That is why mineral wool is most often chosen when choosing this method of insulation.
The dimensions of the insulation board must be larger than the dimensions of the space between the rafters.
- Complex insulation. In this case, several types of heat-insulating material are used at once, which have hydraulic properties. However, there is a risk of condensation accumulation as there is no ventilation gap and the ceiling height is reduced.
- Installation of insulation over the rafters. This method allows you to save usable space. The rafters themselves can play the role of interior decor. When insulating, it is very important to equip a hydro and vapor barrier layer.
Rafters can be part of the interior decor
Do-it-yourself attic insulation from the inside in stages
The peculiarity of the attic is that this attic floor is almost entirely formed by the roof surface. It is an inclined part of the rafter system, which needs insulation. Additionally, you can insulate the floor of the attic.
Materials and tools
Most often, mineral wool is used to insulate the attic from the inside, so a list of tools and materials will be given accordingly. For insulation you need:
You will also need the following materials:
- insulation itself - mineral wool, which is recommended to be cut into suitable pieces in advance;
- wooden counter rails.
Roof insulation
The slopes of the attic are sloped, which means that to insulate them, you need to use a material that does not deform over time. It is also recommended to take not a solid sheet of insulation, but its pieces. This will allow the material to fit tightly between the rafters, and it will not sag under its own weight. The whole process of roof insulation is as follows:
- Cut the rock wool into pieces that are slightly larger than the space between the rafters.
You can lay material between the rafters or under them
- Fill the gaps with heat-insulating material as well. To do this, cut a strip 2–2.5 cm larger than the gap from the roll of mineral wool under the ruler. Drive the resulting piece of material with force into the slot.
- In the place where the roof changes its plane, it is very important to correctly join the pieces of insulation. First of all, this concerns the ridge and the junction of the roof with the wall.
- The insulation must be covered with a vapor barrier membrane that overlaps and is fastened with brackets.
Overlapping vapor barrier membrane
It is strictly forbidden to use polyurethane foam to seal the gaps between the insulation plates. Therefore, it is recommended to pre-cut the material, taking into account the margin, so that the insulation lies end-to-end to each other.
Video: how to insulate the attic roof from the inside
Insulation of floors
During the construction of a private house equipped with an attic, one of three types of overlap is used. That is why there are three ways to insulate them:
On a horizontal surface, you can use roll material, on a vertical surface - take pieces of material of the appropriate size.
Warming of gables
The method of insulation depends on the structure of the building:
Insulation of partitions
To insulate the attic partitions of a private house, it is better to choose mineral wool slabs. This is due to the fact that it is impossible to weight the structure, and it is also recommended to ensure its fire resistance. To insulate partitions, you need:
