Insulating the attic from the inside if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies. Instructions for insulating an attic roof with your own hands How to choose the right insulation for an attic roof

It should be immediately noted that windproof film in this case, it is fixed in exactly the same way as when insulating materials in mats.

Wet application of the material is carried out using special equipment that sprays material mixed with water and a special glue.

Ecowool is sprayed under pressure, so the material fills all the gaps and cracks, thus creating good heat and sound insulation.

After spraying, excess material is removed using a special roller and at the same time leveled.

Another installation option could be to fill closed wall or floor cavities with wet ecowool.

A vapor barrier film is first fixed and stretched on the walls from the inside, a hole is made in it, through which the space is filled with thermal insulation material - ecowool.

The dry insulation method is excellent for laying ecowool on the attic floor. This method can be done manually or using the same equipment.

If insulation is done manually, the insulation is simply removed from the packaging and loosened. Then it is distributed between the floor beams and compacted. The thickness of the layer should be equal to the height of the floor beams.

However, it is better to install the insulation under pressure using special equipment.

Ecowool is tightened on top vapor barrier film, and on top of it slats with a thickness of 20 ÷ 25 mm are placed on the beams - this lathing will create the necessary ventilation gap. After this, the floor covering is laid.

Video: “dry” method of application ecowool

Sputtering polyurethane foam

It is increasingly used for thermal insulation of buildings both inside and outside. It is especially popular for frame buildings and attic.

The only hitch in carrying out the work yourself may be complex equipment for spraying polyurethane foam, without which it will simply be impossible to do. There is an option to rent a device from a specialized company, but this will also be expensive, not to mention buying it. In addition, you need to learn how to configure it correctly and have at least basic skills in working with it.

Perhaps it will be easier and cheaper to invite a specialist who will do this work quickly and accurately. For small volumes, the process can be started and completed in one day.

Spraying can be carried out on any surface - smooth and rough, plywood, metal or even a dense vapor barrier film reinforced with rope weaving.

Sprayed polyurethane foam forms a seamless surface, while penetrating into all small and large gaps and sealing them hermetically.

PU foam can be sprayed directly onto inner surface roof and sew up on top decorative material- this insulating layer will be sufficient if the building is located in a climate zone with mild or moderate winters.

Video: insulating the attic with sprayed polyurethane foam

So, each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Of course, the price of insulation, the complexity or availability of its installation play a big role, but still the issues of thermal insulation efficiency and safety should come to the fore, so you need to focus on the material that will create the most comfortable atmosphere in the attic room and, at the same time, bring minimum damage to the health of the residents of the house.

find out detailed information, from our new article.

The modern building materials market is replete with a variety of insulating materials. But when the question concerns complete thermal insulation for a home, you need to know the main requirements for insulating materials. In this article we will tell you which insulation for the attic is better and what characteristics of the material need to be taken into account to keep your home warm and cozy in winter.

Your insulation should be durable and immune to external factors

Any builder with experience in roofing works, will tell you that the roof of the house must be well insulated. When choosing a material, focus primarily on the characteristics and needs of the structure. We live in a temperate climate, characteristics which is hot in summer and severe frost in winter time of the year. This means that your insulation must be durable and impervious to external factors.

One of the key criteria in choosing is the thickness of the attic insulation, on which the reliability and durability of the structure depends. For cold northern regions, you will have to choose thermal insulators as thick as possible, but for residents of the southern regions, where in winter the air temperature does not drop much below zero, you can choose those that are thinner and lighter.

Video about attic insulation

The most versatile insulation - based on mineral wool. It is relatively inexpensive, but is suitable for almost any weather conditions. Although in some cases it is worth using polyurethane or other more expensive material that can fill the empty space more tightly.

We do not recommend using backfill insulation for roof insulation. Its thermal conductivity is quite high, which is why it simply cannot fully protect your home from the cold. It is much better to choose a roll or slab insulation For mansard roof with low thermal conductivity.

Manufacturers, as a rule, set their own recommendations for laying insulation. If you follow them, you can significantly increase the service life and reliability of the structure. All currently available materials differ in the method of installation depending on their weight, appearance and other characteristics.

It is best to choose insulation materials that weigh little, but are quite strong and rigid. You also need to remember the density of the material.

It is best to choose insulation materials that weigh little, but are quite strong and rigid.

In our climate zone, snowfalls are very frequent in winter, so it is necessary to take into account the load from snow cover. Heavy weight on the roof can lead to significant deformation. As a result, thermal insulation is greatly deteriorated. As a result, you will have to do the home insulation work all over again. And this is not only a big waste of time, but also money.

You also need to take into account the slope of your roof. The smaller the angle, the more snow will accumulate on it in winter, and during rain, the greater the likelihood of leakage.

The roof is one of the most important structures in the house. We advise you to make the choice of material strictly according to the following criteria:

Expect that there may be severe frosts in winter. The thermal insulation layer must withstand them. When a sudden change in temperature occurs, the material should not distort, crack or sag.
Take moisture resistance and fire safety indicators seriously. Even when directly exposed to fire, it should not ignite. Today on construction market You can find materials with fire retardants that prevent burning and slow down the spread of fire. We strongly recommend using these. If we talk about the dangers of moisture, then when the insulation is saturated with water, its properties are greatly deteriorated. Water itself is an excellent conductor of temperatures, so wet insulation simply will not perform its functions. In addition, when the material gets wet, it becomes heavily deformed and gains weight, and the entire roof structure comes under heavy load.
The selected insulation should keep its shape as efficiently as possible. It is better that the material is complete, without unnecessary seams, than to insulate the attic roof of the house with piecemeal remains in order to save money. Make sure you don’t have to pay twice - such material will not be able to fully perform its functions and even the most beautiful room it will be uncomfortable in the attic due to blowing air from under the roof.

The selected insulation should keep its shape as efficiently as possible.

There are really a lot of materials on the market. Among the most popular are fiberglass, mineral wool and polystyrene boards. But they are already quite outdated. We do not recommend using them. Today, much better quality products and liquids are being created that tightly fill voids and insulate the room from the cold.

Mainly heat loss during use modern means decreases by 50% or more. In addition, this allows you to save on other materials. For example, foam glass is extremely resistant to moisture, which eliminates the need to apply a layer of waterproofing. Foam glass is also characterized by very low thermal conductivity and impermeability to vapor particles. But let's consider other options.

Video about the process of attic insulation

Polyurethane. It is sold in liquid state, but when you apply it to a surface, it hardens and becomes very durable. As with foam glass, waterproofing is also not required. It is very convenient for attics with complex design where to work with standard materials almost impossible. All empty space is completely filled with foam, ensuring low thermal conductivity. Excellent performance properties, long service life and overall ease of application - distinctive features modern polyurethane. The polyurethane board is blown out using a special machine and waited until it hardens. It's easy even without construction experience.
Ecowool. One of its main advantages is environmental friendliness. It is made from exclusively natural materials. Basically it is ordinary cellulose. In addition, many manufacturers add fire retardants and active antiseptics to the material, which make ecowool protected from fungus and mold. And it must be said that in comparison with other materials it costs an order of magnitude cheaper. With the worst weather conditions even a layer of 20 cm can handle it. If you can’t decide how best to insulate the attic from the inside, then this is one of the most affordable and practical options. When you use ecowool, it must be precisely adjusted to the size of the compartments between the rafters. It is laid in two layers for better heat conservation. But do not forget that it is sensitive to moisture, which is why a waterproofing layer must be installed.
Polystyrene and other hard materials. Working with them is somewhat more problematic. They need to be laid on a sheathing or rafter structure. But when blown out correctly, it is polystyrene that provides best thermal insulation attics.

When blown in correctly, it is polystyrene that provides the best thermal insulation of the attic

Remember that improper thermal insulation can cause many additional problems– icing of the roof, appearance of icicles, etc. Therefore, it is very important not only to choose the right way to insulate the attic from the inside and outside, but also to correctly carry out all the work on installing thermal insulation.

Many owners of country houses and country houses in order to increase the living space, they will equip an attic space to create an office, bedroom, or living room there. Such a room is usually called an attic. It needs to be insulated.

Several are used as insulation different materials: mineral and glass wool, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, other insulation materials. But not all of these materials are suitable for thermal insulation work. attic space to convert it into a real attic.

Requirements for materials for insulation

Materials used for attic insulation must have:

Fire safety. They should not support combustion.
Perform sound protection functions that prevent the penetration of noise from the outside.
Vapor permeability function to ensure the necessary microclimate in the attic room.
Compliance with environmental, sanitary and construction standards.
Strength and durability.
Resistant to deformation.

According to the recommendations of many experts, the insulation layer should be 25-30 cm. It is better to arrange a double or triple layer. This method of insulation prevents the appearance of cold bridges. When insulating the attic, we must not forget that the pediment is also a wall of the attic. Wooden pediment requires a thicker layer of insulation than brick walls.

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Some characteristics of insulation

Foam is widely used for insulating walls, floors and ceilings. In the attic, the functions of walls and ceiling are performed by the roof of the building. It is not recommended to use polystyrene foam to insulate it for the following reasons:

all roof elements, including insulation material, must be well ventilated;
the insulation must allow air and moisture vapor to pass through well.

According to the laws of physics, warm air rises from bottom to top. Polystyrene foam does not allow moisture contained in warm air to pass through at all. This will lead to the formation of condensation from inside the room. As a result, parts will become damp within 1-3 years. truss structure, trickles of water will begin to flow through the insulation material, mold will appear, wooden parts the roofs will begin to rot.

Very common materials are mineral wool and glass wool. They have low cost and excellent resistance to high temperatures. When working with glass wool, special protective measures must be taken, since the smallest particles of glass come into contact with open areas skin cause severe irritation and significant pain. You can only work in protective clothing, gloves and goggles. The thickness of the thermal insulation layer made of mineral wool or glass wool is selected at the rate of 15-30 cm. This depends on the climatic zone in which the house is located.

Attic roof insulation elements: 1 – mineral wool; 2 – vapor and wind barrier (membrane); 3 – waterproofing; 4 – air flows; 5 – rafter; 6 – roof; 7 – attic cladding.

TO negative aspects This insulating material must be attributed to its slight deformation and hygroscopicity, which can lead to a decrease in thermal insulation properties. Glass wool is also not environmentally friendly safe materials. Therefore, it is preferable to use mineral wool. You need to purchase mineral wool based on a density of 40-45 kg per cubic meter. This is optimal. Mineral wool is a material that provides:

environmental safety;
non-flammability;
good sound insulation;
resistance to moisture and temperature changes;
frost resistance;
protection from rodents and other pests;
resistance to fungus and mold;
quick and easy installation.

You can use felt, hemp, sawdust, and reed slabs. But all these materials require preliminary antiseptic and fire retardant treatment. These operations significantly increase the life of thermal protection equipment.

Sandwich panels are more expensive than mineral wool, but guarantee the quality and durability of the insulation. They consist of several layers: vapor barrier, insulation, waterproofing, decorative.

Foam glass slabs are a relatively new and expensive insulation material. Has high strength. The material is quite elastic and resistant to various mechanical influences. Ideal for thermal protection when using soft roofing.

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Insulation of the attic room

The attic roof usually consists of rafter system, covered roofing material. The rafters are installed every 60-100 cm. These gaps are filled with insulation. It is recommended to use mineral wool or fiberglass as insulation material. This material is available in the form of slabs or mats. They are laid in layers, the number of which depends on their thickness. What should it be like? is produced based on the thermal conductivity coefficient, which is indicated in quality certificates. You can rely on the following data:

Coefficient Insulation thickness

0.035 150 mm;
0.04 180 mm;
0.044 200 mm;
0.045 205 mm;
0.046 210 mm;
0.047 215 mm;
0.05 225 mm.

With a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.04, the calculation of the average thickness of the insulation layer for different cities in Russia will be as follows:

City Thermal Insulation Thickness (mm):

Table for calculating the average thickness of the insulation layer for different cities of Russia.

Arkhangelsk 220;
Astrakhan 160;
Anadyr 290;
Barnaul 210;
Belgorod 170;
Blagoveshchensk 230;
Bryansk 190;
Volgograd 160;
Vologda 210;
Voronezh 180;
Vladimir 200;
Vladivostok 190;
Vladikavkaz 150;
Grozny 150;
Ekaterinburg 210;
Ivanovo 200;
Igarka 290;
Irkutsk 220;
Izhevsk 210;
Yoshkar-Ola 210;
Kazan 200;
Kaliningrad 170;
Kaluga 190;
Kemerovo 220;
Kirov 210;
Kostroma 200;
Krasnodar 140;
Krasnoyarsk 210;
Kurgan 210;
Kursk 180;
Kyzyl 240;
Lipetsk 180;
Magadan 250;
Makhachkala 130;
Moscow 190;
Murmansk 220
Nalchik 150
Nizhny Novgorod 200;
Novgorod 190;
Novosibirsk 220;
Omsk 210;
Orenburg 190;
Eagle 190;
Penza 190;
Perm 210;
Petrozavodsk 210;
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky 190;
Pskov 190;
Rostov-on-Don 160;
Ryazan 190;
Samara 200;
St. Petersburg 190;
Saransk 190;
Saratov 180;
Salekhard 280;
Smolensk 190;
Stavropol 150;
Syktyvkar 220;
Tambov 180;
Tver 200;
Tomsk 230;
Tula 190;
Tyumen 210;
Ulyanovsk 190;
Ulan-Ude 230;
Ufa 200;
Khabarovsk 220;
Cheboksary 200;
Chelyabinsk 200;
Chita 240;
Elista 160;
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 210;
Yakutsk 290;
Yaroslavl 200.

If the section rafter legs less layer thickness insulation material, additional wooden blocks are attached to them using nails, screws or self-tapping screws. They must be treated with an antiseptic composition. There should be ventilation in the form of an air gap between the insulation layer and the roof. The air gap is 25-50 mm. The insulation is protected on top by a windproof membrane. It is better to use Tyvek HD, Monaperm 450 VM, and Monarflex VM 310 films for this purpose.

The bottom layer of insulation for the attic is covered with a vapor barrier film and a finishing cladding is installed from lining, plasterboard or other materials.

To create comfortable conditions in the attic room, thermal insulation is needed. Then you need to insulate the roof and gables. A wide variety of materials can be used for these purposes. It is best to use mineral wool. It has excellent characteristics and is easy to install.

The thickness of the thermal insulation layer is calculated according to the region of residence.

The colder the climate, the larger the insulation layer should be. Properly installed thermal insulation significantly reduces building heating costs.

Insulating the attic from the inside will allow you to achieve an optimal microclimate.

The attic is an attic space located on top floor Houses. The façade of this part of the structure may be partially or completely formed by a roof. Careful insulation of the attic from the inside helps prevent or minimize heat loss through the roof of the house. In addition, high-quality thermal insulation is reliable protection from the formation of mold on wooden surfaces. According to current sanitary requirements line of intersection of the façade plane with the roof attic room should be located at a distance of no more than 1.5 m from the floor level. The construction of a residential attic space is economically beneficial, as it allows you to mutilate living space without using the territory adjacent to the house for development. An attic insulated according to all the rules can become a cozy bedroom, a room for children, a place to relax, a billiard room or even a home bar.

Choosing insulation for the attic

The choice of material for attic insulation, as well as thermal insulation options, should ideally be made during the design of the building. At this stage, they determine how the attic space will be used in the future, but its insulation begins only when the construction of the house is completed. When choosing insulation for the attic, be guided by the following characteristics:

coefficient of thermal conductivity;
moisture resistance coefficient;
environmental safety;
degree of ignition;
strength and durability.

Important! Thermal insulation material must meet the established sanitary standards, be environmentally friendly, and also consist of natural components.

Choice of insulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCgK_L8Ejjs

Attic insulation components

An attic space not intended for living does not need to be completely insulated. In this case, thermal insulation of the attic floor, for example with sawdust, is sufficient. In a residential attic, in addition to the floor, insulation of the gables and ceiling will be required.

Using sawdust is one of the simplest and budget options.

Although more serious insulation can be done.

High-quality thermal insulation of the attic space of a house, which allows to minimize heat loss, requires the presence of the following layers:

The result should be a similar “sandwich”.
Important! To ensure a minimum level of heat loss, follow the requirements and rules for installing thermal and waterproofing of the attic of the house.

Before you begin insulation, you should do a thorough inspection, as well as prepare the gables and roof slopes of the house. All wooden surfaces treated with an antiseptic, metal parts– special anti-corrosion composition. Proper insulation attics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czIlH8kHIpY

Types of materials used for attic insulation

To insulate the attic from the inside, materials that have the appropriate hygienic certification are used. They must contain markings for thermal conductivity and hygroscopicity, information about suitability for a certain type of work. The materials most often used for attic insulation are:

Polyurethane foam is also used to insulate pipes and large containers. various production.

The construction of a residential building involves the use various materials. When choosing insulation, take into account the purpose of the room being finished, the conditions of its operation, as well as the financial capabilities of the home owner.

Insulation with mineral wool

Today, insulation with mineral wool is the most preferred method of attic insulation. This material is environmentally friendly and has high noise insulation. The technology for insulating an attic space with a mini-slab consisting of small basalt fibers is simpler and more practical than using glass wool. The production of the latter is based on sand and glass recyclables.

When working with mineral wool, it is important to use eye, hand and respiratory protection.

The thickness of the mineral wool layer when insulating an attic space is 15-20 cm. The width of the pieces of mineral wool is equal to the distance between the rafters plus an overlap of 3 cm. Construction and waterproofing using mineral wool should be carried out using protective clothing, goggles, and respirators. Insulating the attic with mineral wool https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbQ686qYvco

Thermal insulation using foam plastic

The most practical options are to insulate the gables and roof of the house with polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene). Foam boards are characterized by low thermal conductivity, they are lightweight and easy to install e.

The characteristics of foam plastic allow it to be used not only for roof insulation.

Minuses of this material are that it is very flammable and fire hazardous. Polystyrene foam is highly toxic and can have a negative effect on the respiratory system. Expanded polystyrene in conditions high humidity quickly collapses, therefore insulating the attic with foam plastic is advisable in dry rooms with good waterproofing. A more advanced insulation material is extruded foam plastic (penoplex). Is environmentally safe pure material, consisting of small closed cells.

Penoplex plates.
Important! The main advantages of penoplex include low thermal conductivity, resistance to rotting, high strength and low cost.

Compared to ordinary polystyrene foam, foamed polystyrene foam is non-toxic and non-flammable, therefore, recently, attic insulation with polystyrene foam is more often replaced with thermal insulation by foam plastic boards. We insulate the attic with polystyrene foam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3ag3xSOx40

Insulation with polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foams (PPF) are gas-filled plastics. Based on the type of original polyurethane, they are divided into rigid and elastic. Rigid polyurethane foam is used for thermal insulation. They are sprayed in the form of a liquid that, foaming, fills all cracks and cavities structural elements roofs. Elastic polyurethanes (foam rubber) are mainly used in the form soft coverings.

Application of polyurethane foam on inner part roof slope.

Important! The technology for applying polyurethane foam is the only one that does not require the use of windproof and vapor barrier layers.

The advantages of polyurethane foam are that attic insulation with polyurethane foam is characterized by durability and resistance to organic solvents. To extend the service life of polyurethane foam insulation, it is necessary to prevent exposure to polyurethane foam sun rays. Application of polyurethane foam in the attic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27nU-KkpKOo

Using sawdust as insulation

Sawdust insulation is still widely used. To install thermal insulation with sawdust, they are pre-treated with an antiseptic and dried. They are then mixed with gypsum or cement to reduce flowability. And to protect the thermal insulation with sawdust from rodents, they add copper sulfate and slaked lime. The main disadvantages of sawdust insulation are their high flammability. Sawdust prepared in this way is used to fill the cavities of the floor, walls and roof. The thickness of the thermal insulation layer when insulated with sawdust is 20-30 cm. We insulate the attic with sawdust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcfm98Gzv2U

Rules for attic insulation

The initial stage of work when insulating the attic ceiling and gables is laying a waterproofing film to protect the insulation from moisture. The film strips are overlapped and secured with a stapler and tape.

Important! Before laying the heat insulator, it is advisable to make a sheathing in the form of wooden slats nailed parallel to each other at a distance of 50 cm. This will subsequently facilitate the installation of finishing panels.

The selected thermal insulation material fills the gaps between the sheathing and the rafters. The thickness of the heat-insulating layer is equal to the width of the rafters. You can lay insulation in several layers. To vapor barrier the insulation, film, parchment or roofing felt is applied to its surface. They are secured to the rafters with tape or wooden slats. The amount of overlap of the vapor barrier should be about 10 cm. Next, the rafters are attached to the sheathing or directly to the beams finishing panels. Insulating the attic floor involves laying a vapor barrier layer. Next, they lay in the spaces between the beams thermal insulation material. To provide waterproofing, a special film is placed on top of the insulation. Floor insulation is completed by finishing with chipboard, fiberboard, boards or other finishing material. Well-executed insulation attic floor allows you to significantly reduce heat loss through the roof of the house and thereby reduce subsequent costs for heating the building. 7 rules for attic insulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOV3GNFZJvI

Ksenia Skvortsova. Chief Editor. Author.
Planning and distribution of responsibilities in the content production team, working with texts.
Education: Kharkov State Academy Cultures, specialty “Culturologist. Teacher of history and cultural theory." Experience in copywriting: From 2010 to present. Editor: since 2016.

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Attics are wooden structures from partition walls adjacent to the roof beams. Since the roof is made using pitched technology, an impressive space is created underneath it, from which you can make a living space. The attic material, like the roof, does not have proper thermal insulation. It is also characterized by constant blowing and drafts. To make the room cozy and living in it comfortable, you need to purchase insulation for the attic and perform a number of works on cladding the attic.

Thanks to thermal insulation, it is possible to maintain a normal temperature for housing. Some materials can also provide sound insulation. By structurally improving the attic with insulation, you can kill two birds with one stone. But which insulation is better for the attic? First of all, you need to understand the characteristics that a heat insulator should have, and then choose the most optimal one.

Requirements for insulation for the attic

The key criteria for choosing a material are its cost, durability and thermal insulation properties. Good insulation must have the following qualities:

resistance to moisture;
frost resistance;
minimal hygroscopicity (the ability of a material to accumulate liquid in the structure);
environmental cleanliness;
no unpleasant odor;
fire safety;
water resistance;
minimal deformability;
thermal conductivity coefficient up to 0.04 W/m°C.

It is hardly possible to find a material that would 100% meet the above requirements. However, in the construction of private houses, a number of insulation materials are used that perfectly perform heat and sound insulation functions. These are:

mineral wool;
expanded polystyrene (aka polystyrene foam);
foamed materials (for example, polyurethane foam);
insulation made from natural fibers.

In addition to structure, materials differ in price and complexity of handling. Each type of insulation is discussed in detail below.

Mineral wool

Outwardly resembling regular mineral wool, it is made from various breeds, and is released in form of hard slabs or mats (soft sheets). There are three groups of insulation based on composition:

basalt (stone);
glass wool;
slag.

Basalt insulation is made from rocks of the gabbro-basalt group or marls (sedimentary rock with a clay-carbonate structure). For comparison: gabbro-diabase is often used in sauna stoves because it retains heat perfectly and heats up quickly. Stone insulation has a vapor permeability of about 0.3 mg/m h Pa, and thermal conductivity is about 0.035-0.04 W/m°C. Fibers basalt wool They do not prick, which makes it easier to work on lining the attic from the inside.

Glass wool consists of 1/5 of a mixture of soda, borax, limestone, sand, the rest is broken glass. The material is stronger, heavier than its basalt counterpart, and also has greater elasticity. It can easily withstand temperature fluctuations from −60 to +450 °C.

Slag material has the same length and thickness as basalt material, but has slightly lower thermal conductivity. The fibers are quite thorny; this complicates the cladding from the inside of the room. It also has high hygroscopicity. These shortcomings have made the material the least popular among representatives of mineral wool.

Each of the three types of material is an excellent sound insulator - insulation in the form of plates belongs to class “A” for the absorption of external noise, and mats - to group “B”. Often used as a fire barrier (not only in attics), since it has zero fire hazard (the most reliable group). Mineral wool is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, safe for humans, is not afraid of pests (rodents or insects), and does not reduce its effectiveness under the influence of aggressive chemical substances. However, insulation is not without the following disadvantages:

hygroscopicity is higher than desired (forces additional layers to be laid when lining the inside - vapor and waterproofing);
irritates the skin (requires working only in clothes with long sleeves and wear gloves);
generates a lot of dust (a respirator is also advisable);
stands above other materials with similar properties.

There are negative aspects, but in terms of demand, mineral wool is second only to expanded polystyrene, better known by another name.

Styrofoam

Extruded material optimally combines the required parameters of an ideal insulation, being the most popular among consumers. The key advantage of expanded polystyrene is its low thermal conductivity coefficient, usually 0.03 W/m°C. At least because of this indicator, insulation is preferable to mineral wool.

If the numbers don't tell you anything, you should turn to the practical side. When cladding the attic from the inside, to achieve the same temperature in the room, a much smaller volume of polystyrene foam will be required than cotton wool. This achieves space savings and optimal resource consumption.

The almost zero hygroscopicity of polystyrene foam extends the life of the insulation layer. Water does not flow inside; this eliminates the possibility of mold and premature deterioration of properties. Also, when using polystyrene foam, the load on the roof will be minimal. By the way, not only because of its good hygroscopicity.

1 m3 of foam weighs an order of magnitude less than the same volume of mineral wool. Therefore, it is easier to work with it, and the load is less load-bearing beams the roof does not grow regardless of the season.

Polystyrene foam for cladding an attic or other premises of a private house is mainly made in the form of slabs, which save time during fastening. You can completely insulate an attic with polystyrene foam alone.

Remarkable for ease of use next material, which cures to resemble foam but is supplied in liquid form.

Polyurethane foam

PPU is one of the highest quality roof insulation materials. This is achieved by applying it to vertical and inclined surfaces from the inside in liquid form, and when hardening it slightly increases in volume, effectively filling cracks or holes.

Light weight, low thermal conductivity coefficient comparable to polystyrene foam, resistance to extreme temperatures and other advantages put polyurethane foam on par with mineral wool and expanded polystyrene. The fact that polyurethane foam is difficult to apply to the internal sloping surface of the roof is just a misconception. Good adhesion of the material prevents the appearance of difficulties.

After hardening, polyurethane foam acquires a single structure (like polystyrene foam) that does not allow moisture or steam to pass through. This eliminates the need for additional vapor and waterproofing. However, there is one caveat - the cost.

The work of insulating the roof attic from the inside of polyurethane foam requires special equipment. Most offices providing services interior lining roofs require 300-400 rubles (per 1 m2) for applying foam. It is not difficult to calculate how many extra thousand rubles can be given to specialists.

Polyurethane foam is applied in a small layer with a thickness of 4 to 10 cm. This is enough, since thermal conductivity is 1.5-2 times better than rolled materials.

If the user has large sums to insulate the attic from the inside, polyurethane foam will become the best option purchases. Once you have completed the work of applying the material to the inside of the roof, you can hope for 30-35 years comfortable temperature indoors.

Natural fiber materials

In Central and Eastern Europe Insulation materials made of flax, wood, and hemp, held together with starch or polyester, have become widespread. There are products based on wood sawdust or seaweed. They are good, but not suitable for the attic, because they occupy a large volume. Russia learned about such insulation materials about a dozen years ago.

Natural materials have a capillary structure that allows evaporation or air masses. Their advantages include:

safety for humans;
fire resistance;
noise and heat insulation characteristics are close to the properties of polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, and mineral wool;
do not generate dust or prick when covering the inside;
self-regulation of the room microclimate;
no shrinkage;
long service life (more than half a century);
there is no need for special clothing when working.

Examples of natural insulation materials - Ecowool, Ecolinen, cotton fabric; These and other names are sometimes found on the shelves of hardware stores.

Little-known materials that are not inferior in quality to generally recognized ones. Perhaps in 10-15 years they will gain popularity.

Cost of various insulation materials

mineral wool (from 400 rubles per 1 cubic m);
polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam (1000-3000 per cubic meter);
natural insulation (price reaches 10-15 thousand rubles per cubic meter).

If you have enough finance, it is recommended to insulate the attic from the inside with polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam. More cheap material(cotton wool) is also good, you just have to tinker with it longer.

Based on the above-listed characteristics of the materials used in cladding the attic, the user can decide how best to insulate the attic and begin implementing plans. Each material is good in its own way, but science has not yet come up with an ideal one. Based on your wishes or possibilities, you can choose the most suitable one among dozens of insulation products.