How to insulate a roof in a multi-story building. Do-it-yourself roof insulation from the inside. Guide to internal roof insulation

When building a house or reconstructing it, most often its owners come to the conclusion that the roof and ceiling must be insulated in order to prevent loss of thermal energy. To insulate the roof of a wooden house from the inside, you need to choose the right thermal insulation material and install it, following the technology.

It has long been established through experience and calculations that heat losses occur through every element of a house’s structure. For example, from 20 to 30% of the heat is lost through the attic floor and roof, which means that the same part of the amount paid for its burning is wasted. Therefore, having once invested in high-quality insulation home, you can save all subsequent years on its heating.

It should be noted that if the house is located in a region with a mild winter climate, then many home owners prefer to insulate only the attic floor. However, thermal insulation of the roof at different times of the year can perform three functions:

— in winter it keeps the house warm;

- in summer it does not allow the attic to heat up, which means the house will be cool;

- in addition, insulation is an excellent sound insulator, so the rooms will always be quiet, even during heavy rain and for any type roofing.

Based on these arguments, we can conclude that it is best to insulate and soundproof not only the attic floor, but also the roof itself.

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Types of insulation for roof structures

The choice of insulation must also be made with knowledge of the matter, taking into account technical and performance characteristics material. In this case, special attention should be paid to the following:

  • Low thermal conductivity.
  • Increased moisture resistance.
  • Low flammability.
  • Environmental cleanliness.
  • Durability of the material.

To materials used for roof insulation and attic floor from the inside, include:

  • Mineral wool in slabs and rolls.
  • Ecowool made on a cellulose basis.
  • Expanded polystyrene (foam plastic).
  • Penoizol and sprayed polyurethane foam.
  • Expanded clay of different fractions (insulation of floors).

In addition, natural materials such as straw, slag, sawdust and dry leaves were traditionally used. Some builders still use these insulation materials today, but they require special treatment, since they are not moisture resistant, which means putrefactive processes and the formation of microflora colonies are possible in them.

All materials used for thermal insulation of the roof are relatively light in weight, so they will slightly add weight to the rafter and ceiling structure.

This table presents the main characteristics of the most popular insulation materials today:

Material parameters Materials Thickness, mm
50 60 80 100 120 150 200 250
Density, kg/m³ Mineral wool100-120
Expanded polystyrene25-35
Polyurethane foam54-55
Thermal resistance, (m²°K)/W Mineral wool1.19 1.43 1.9 2.38 2.86 3.57 4.76 5.95
Expanded polystyrene1.35 1.62 2.16 2.7 3.24 4.05 5.41 6.76
Polyurethane foam1.85 2.22 2.96 3.7 4.44 5.56 7.41 9.26
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/(m×°K) Mineral wool0,038-0,052
Expanded polystyrene0.037
Polyurethane foam0.027
Weight 1 m², kg Mineral wool15.2 15.8 17.6 20.9 23.2 26.7 32.4 38.2
Expanded polystyrene9.8 10 10.5 11 11.5 12.3 13.5 14.8
Polyurethane foam11.2 11.7 12.8 13.9 15 16.6 19.3 22

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is most often used to insulate roof structures, since this material is easy to install and is well suited in its parameters for thermal insulation of attic spaces in a wooden house.

One of the most comfortable materials- mineral wool

Since this material is made from different raw materials, its characteristics and prices vary somewhat. And to choose the best option, you need to consider each of its types:

  • Slag wool is produced from blast furnace slag and consists of fibers 5 ÷ 12 microns thick and 14 ÷ 16 mm long. This option is the most unsuitable for insulating an attic, so don’t be fooled by its low cost, since the insulation will have to be done again in a couple of years.

Slag wool is quite hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture well and, once saturated with it, it settles and loses its thermal insulation qualities. In addition, it has low heat resistance and is classified G4. This insulation can withstand temperatures of only 300–320 degrees, which is a low indicator for its use in wooden structures.

The thermal conductivity of the material is 0.48 ÷ 0.52 W/m×°K, which is much lower than that of the other two types of mineral wool. During installation, you will notice that the slag fibers are quite fragile, brittle and brittle. Therefore, it is best not to use this type of mineral wool for residential premises.

  • Glass wool. This type of insulation is made from molten sand and broken glass. The thickness of the fibers is 4 ÷ 15 microns, and the length is 14 ÷ 45 mm - these parameters give the material elasticity and strength. The random arrangement of fibers promotes airiness and improves the insulating qualities of the heat insulator.

Improved modern glass wool is designed on for heating up to 460 ÷ 500 degrees, which is much higher than that of slag wool. The thermal conductivity of this type of mineral wool is 0.030 ÷ 0.048 W/m×°K.

Glass wool is widely used for insulating stone buildings; it is also suitable for the roof of a wooden house. If thermally insulated an attic version of the under-roof space, then glass wool is often used in combination with polyurethane foam.

Due to the fact that glass wool fibers are very thin, brittle and brittle, they easily penetrate the fabric and can get into the mucous membranes of the eyes or into the respiratory tract. Therefore, when starting installation work, you should protect yourself protective equipment wearing a suit made of thick fabric, special glasses, a respirator and gloves.

  • Basalt (stone) wool is made from mountain gabbro - basalt breeds The thermal conductivity of basalt insulation is 0.032 ÷ 0.05 W/m×°K, the material can withstand temperatures up to 550 ÷ 600 degrees.

Working with stone wool is much easier, since its fibers are not so brittle and thorny, their thickness ranges from 3.5 to 5 microns, length from 3 to 5 mm. They are located chaotically and their interlacing gives the insulation good strength, so the material is quite resistant to mechanical damage.

Prices for basalt wool

basalt wool

Besides, basalt insulation inert to chemical influences and tolerates the destructive influence of the external environment.

All types of mineral wool for insulating surfaces are produced in rolls or mats (blocks) different sizes. Today at construction stores you can find foil material that is more effective for insulation, since foil reflects and retains heat indoors.

The main disadvantage of all types of mineral wool is the fiber binding substance, which is often made on the basis of phenol-formaldehyde resin. It constantly releases toxic substances into the air that are dangerous to human health. Therefore, it is impossible to call any type of mineral wool absolutely environmentally friendly.

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Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene has become the most popular material for insulating houses, and all this is due to its affordability and ease of installation. But for that to the attic was thoroughly insulated, without the formation of cold bridges, it is necessary to ensure a tight fit of the heat insulator to the surfaces, which is difficult to achieve using polystyrene foam, since it does not have the proper flexibility. Therefore, it is combined with other insulation materials, including sprayed polyurethane foam.

Plates of ordinary polystyrene foam - polystyrene foam (left), and extruded

Polystyrene foam has an average thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.037 W/(m×°K), but it also depends on the density of the material, as well as its thickness.

Moisture absorption ordinary polystyrene foam is up to 2%, which significantly exceeds this parameter for extruded polystyrene foam - here the threshold is about 0.4% of the total volume of the material.

Prices for expanded polystyrene

expanded polystyrene

The most dangerous quality of expanded polystyrene is its flammability, and when ignited, the material melts, simultaneously creating thick smoke. The smoke emanating from it is extremely toxic and hazardous to health.

Therefore, when choosing this insulation, it is necessary to take into account all its positive and negative properties and protect your home as much as possible from possible emergency situations. Special attention it will be necessary to pay attention to reliable insulation of the wiring and correct installation chimney channels (pipes).

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is applied to roofing and ceiling structures by spraying with help special equipment. Spraying is carried out in several layers, so the coating can be quite thick. With this method of application, polyurethane foam penetrates into all cracks and crevices, so the insulating layer will be completely sealed. As the insulation hardens and expands, it acquires high density, and its thermal conductivity is only 0.027 W/(m×°K), at moisture absorption no more than 0.2% of the total volume of material. This means that there is no loss of its thermal insulation qualities.

Sprayed polyurethane foam quickly expands and hardens, and its excess is easily cut off using sharp knife, which adds convenience in adjusting the finished coating to the level of the rafter system for further finishing or roofing work.

By using this material, you can avoid waterproofing, wind protection and vapor barrier - it copes well with the whole range of problems, without retaining steam or allowing moisture to enter the room.

Polyurethane foam can be sprayed onto any surface: horizontal, vertical or inclined, as it has high adhesion to all building materials.

Ecowool

Ecowool is made from small particles of cellulose. Laying this material can be done in a “dry” or “wet” way.

Environmentally friendly material - ecowool

  • In the first case, the insulation is scattered between the floor beams and compacted as far as possible by rolling. It will not be possible to install it on walls and roof structures using this method.
  • For the “wet” installation method, special equipment is required, where the dry substance is mixed with adhesives and then distributed under pressure using a pipe onto the floors and walls.

“Wet” laying of ecowool

  • Another option for insulating ecowool is to fill the space between the rafter legs, after securing them to finishing material, for example, drywall or wooden lining. In this case, you need to correctly calculate the amount of material - it will depend on the height of the rafters, which will determine the thickness of the thermal insulation.

Ecowool has a number of advantages over other insulation materials, and these include the following:

  • This is an environmentally friendly material that does not emit environment no harmful fumes.
  • Ecowool is able to “preserve” surfaces, preventing fungal and putrefactive formations from developing.
  • If during the operation of the house it turns out that the thickness of the insulating layer on the roof is insufficient, then it can be increased or the already laid material can be compacted.
  • Installation of insulation is carried out quite quickly.
  • Ecowool has a long service life without losing its original thermal insulation qualities.
  • Cellulose insulation material necessarily treated with fire retardants, therefore it has very low flammability and a tendency to self-extinguish. In addition, ecowool does not produce smoke, and even more so, it does not emit substances hazardous to the human body.
  • Ecowool applied to any surface forms a seamless, hermetic coating of the required thickness.
  • The insulation is a “breathable” material, so it does not retain moisture.
  • The payback period for such insulation is one to three years.

The table below shows the comparative digital characteristics of two environmentally friendly materials - ecowool and expanded clay, which will be discussed below and discussed below.

Material parametersExpanded clay gravelEcowool (cellulose)
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/(m°K)0,016-0,018 0,038-0,041
Density, kg/m³200-400 42-75
Density of connection to the structureDepending on the faction:Tight fit, seals all cracks and cracks well
- 15-20 mm - presence of voids;
- 5-10 mm - tight fit.
Linear shrinkageabsent
Vapor permeability mg/Pa×m×h0.3 0.67
Chemical inertnessneutral
FlammabilityincombustibleG1-G2 (lowly flammable material, because it is treated with fire retardants
Moisture absorption,% by weight10-25 14-16

Expanded clay

Expanded clay is very often used to insulate the attic floor of a wooden house. Certainly, rafter system expanded clay thermally insulate difficult, but pouring it between the floor beams onto previously prepared surfaces will not be difficult.

This material is made from specially prepared clay that undergoes high-temperature heat treatment. Expanded clay is produced in four fractions, starting from expanded clay sand and ending with large elements measuring 20 ÷ 30 mm.

Fraction, mmBulk density, kg/m³Total density of material, kg/m³Compressive strength MPa
1 - 4 400 800 - 1200 2,0 - 3,0
4 - 10 335 - 350 550 - 800 1,2 - 1,4
10 - 30 200 - 250 450 - 650 0,9 - 1,1

Prices for expanded clay

expanded clay

Advantages of this material:

  • Ecological cleanliness. It does not cause allergic reactions and does not release toxic substances into the surrounding atmosphere.
  • The insulation does not lose its original thermal insulation qualities throughout the entire period of operation.
  • For insulation, you can choose a material of a suitable fraction - the density of the backfill will depend on this. The finer the fraction, the denser the backfill.
  • Expanded clay is a non-flammable material, which is a very important quality for a wooden structure. This insulation insulates chimney pipes from wooden floors, pouring it into a box built around them.
  • One more important advantage This material can be called that it is not tolerated by domestic rodents. If the house is on suburban area, then mice may well live in it even in the attic, and some insulation materials create quite suitable conditions for this - but not expanded clay!

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Auxiliary materials

In addition to thermal insulation materials, the insulating “pie” uses waterproofing (windproof) and vapor barrier films.

  • Waterproofing is necessary to protect insulation against condensation, which can be collected between the heat insulator and the roof. In addition, this material performs a windproof function, preventing cold, dust and moisture from getting from the air directly onto the insulation, as well as into the attic.

This membrane must have steam-permeable ability - excess moisture in the insulation will simply evaporate into the atmosphere.

If insulation is carried out in an already installed structure and there are no plans to change the roofing material, under which there should be waterproofing membrane, then for insulation you will have to use sprayed polyurethane foam - it does not require protection from the wind, and it can be sprayed onto on a reliable base made of boards or directly onto the roofing.

  • When thermally insulating roof slopes, the insulation is covered with a vapor barrier film on the side attic space. Vapor barrier is intended to protect thermal insulation material and wooden elements of the rafter system from moisture penetration from the inside.

As you know, excess moisture that gets on insulation and wood can lead to mold and rot, as well as unpleasant smell, which will eventually move into living rooms.

If it is planned to equip a heated room in the attic, then the vapor barrier film must be secured under the wall finishing.

When insulating the floor, a vapor barrier is laid under the insulation, on the boards and beams of the structure, since it should retain heat in the rooms below and not allow wet vapors from them to get into the thermal insulation layer.

The protective membrane is produced in different thicknesses and can be made of foil or nonwoven fabric. If a film with a foil surface is used, then it is mounted on the roof slopes with the reflective side towards the attic. When insulating the floor, it should be turned towards the lower room. This is done so that the heat is reflected into the attic or towards the living rooms and does not escape outside. The canvases are glued together with foil tape, which will help create the integrity and tightness of the membrane.

If you want to save money, you can use old proven methods of vapor barrier, when the cracks between the attic floor boards, as well as their joints with the beams, are well coated with a paste made from lime and clay. Such protection will not only create a high tightness of the ceiling, but will also protect the wood from pests, and will also allow the insulating layers to “breathe”.

When the lime or clay has dried well, you can proceed to insulation operations. By the way, wooden houses For a long time, they were insulated with sawdust - for this purpose they were mixed with the same clay and a little lime was added to the mixture, which gave the composition elasticity. In addition to sawdust, other materials were also used for insulation. natural materials, which were dried and placed between the floor beams.

This method of vapor barrier and insulation is still used today, as it helps to save quite a decent amount. But all such work is very labor-intensive and requires certain knowledge, skill and time.

Those home owners who they want the work to go faster, they use modern materials.

How to calculate the required insulation thickness?

It is not enough to decide on the type of insulation based only on its environmental friendliness, ease of installation and cost. It is very important to correctly calculate the required thickness of the thermal insulation layer. This is also necessary for to create comfortable conditions in the room to avoid overpaying for excess material.

Rasche T t of the required insulation thickness is determined by special guidelines documents - SNiP 23 02-2003 " Thermal protection buildings"and the Code of Rules SP 23-101-2004 "Design thermal protection of buildings" They contain formulas for calculations that take into account a very large number of parameters. But, with some acceptable simplification, we can take the following expression as a basis:

δth= (R – 0.16 – δ1/ λ1– δ2/ λ2 – δ n/ λ n) × λut

Let’s begin to understand the quantities available in the formula:

  • δth– this is the desired parameter, the thickness of the layer of thermal insulation material.
  • R– required table value of thermal resistance (m²×° WITH/W) insulated structure. These parameters are calculated for each region of Russia in accordance with specific climatic conditions. Such thermal resistance will ensure, with a properly designed heating system, the maintenance of comfortable temperature at +19°. The diagram below with a map of Russia shows the meaning R for walls, ceilings and coverings.

When calculating the insulation for the roof, the value “for coverings” is taken, for the attic floor - “for the floors”.

  • δ nand λn— the thickness of the material layer and its thermal conductivity coefficient.

The formula allows you to calculate the thickness of insulation for a multilayer structure, taking into account thermal insulating properties of each layer, from 1 before n. For example, a roofing “pie” will consist of a continuous sheathing of plywood over rafters with a roofing material covering on top. Below is a layer of insulation that has to be calculated, and then the ceiling will be lined with natural wooden clapboard. Thus, three layers will be taken into account: lining + plywood + roofing felt.

Important - only those outer layers that fit tightly to each other are counted. For example, flat slate You can take it into account, but the wavy one can no longer be taken into account. If the roof design involves a ventilated roof, then all layers located above the ventilated gap are not taken into account.

Where to get the values? Measure the thickness of each layer ( δ n) – it won't be difficult. The value of the thermal conductivity coefficient ( λ n), if it is not indicated in the technical documentation of the material, can be taken from the table below:

Estimated thermal performance indicators of some building and thermal insulation materials
Material Density of materials in dry state, kg/m3 Calculated coefficients for different conditions exploitation
ω λ μ
A B A B A, B
λ - thermal conductivity coefficient (W/(m°C)); ω - coefficient of mass ratio of moisture in the material (%); ; μ - vapor permeability coefficient (mg/(m h Pa)
A. Polymer
Expanded polystyrene150 1 5 0.052 0.06 0.05
Same100 2 10 0.041 0.052 0.05
Same40 2 10 0.041 0.05 0.05
Extruded polystyrene foam25 2 10 0.031 0.031 0.013
Same28 2 10 0.031 0.031 0.013
Same33 2 10 0.031 0.031 0.013
Same35 2 10 0.031 0.031 0.005
Same45 2 10 0.031 0.031 0.005
PVC1 and PV1 foam plastic125 2 10 0.06 0.064 0.23
Same100 or less2 10 0.05 0.052 0.23
Polyurethane foam80 2 5 0.05 0.05 0.05
Same60 2 5 0.041 0.041 0.05
Same40 2 5 0.04 0.04 0.05
Perlite plastic concrete200 2 3 0.052 0.06 0.008
Same100 2 3 0.041 0.05 0.008
Thermal insulation products made from foamed synthetic rubber "Aeroflex"80 5 15 0.04 0.054 0.003
Extruded polystyrene foam "Penoplex", type 3535 2 3 0.029 0.03 0.018
Same. type 4545 2 3 0.031 0.032 0.015
B. Mineral wool, fiberglass
Stitched mineral wool mats125 2 5 0.064 0.07 0.3
Same100 2 5 0.061 0.067 0.49
Same75 2 5 0.058 0.064 0.49
Mineral wool mats with synthetic binder225 2 5 0.072 0.082 0.49
Same175 2 5 0.066 0.076 0.49
Same125 2 5 0.064 0.07 0.49
Same75 2 5 0.058 0.064 0.53
Soft, semi-rigid and hard mineral wool slabs with synthetic and bitumen binders250 2 5 0.082 0.085 0.41
Same225 2 5 0.079 0.084 0.41
Same200 2 5 0.076 0.08 0.49
Same150 2 5 0.068 0.073 0.49
Same125 2 5 0.064 0.069 0.49
Same100 2 5 0.06 0.065 0.56
Same75 2 5 0.056 0.063 0.6
Mineral wool slabs of increased rigidity with an organophosphate binder200 1 2 0.07 0.076 0.45
Semi-rigid mineral wool slabs with starch binder200 2 5 0.076 0.08 0.38
Same125 2 5 0.06 0.064 0.38
Glass staple fiber boards with synthetic binder45 2 5 0.06 0.064 0.6
Stitched glass fiber mats and strips150 2 5 0.064 0.07 0.53
URSA glass staple fiber mats25 2 5 0.043 0.05 0.61
Same17 2 5 0.046 0.053 0.66
Same15 2 5 0.048 0.053 0.68
Same11 2 5 0.05 0.055 0.7
URSA glass staple fiber boards85 2 5 0.046 0.05 0.5
Same75 2 5 0.042 0.047 0.5
Same60 2 5 0.04 0.045 0.51
Same45 2 5 0.041 0.045 0.51
Same35 2 5 0.041 0.046 0.52
Same30 2 5 0.042 0.046 0.52
Same20 2 5 0.043 0.048 0.53
Same17 . 2 5 0.047 0.053 0.54
Same15 2 5 0.049 0.055 0.55
B. Plates from natural organic and inorganic materials
Wood fiber and particle boards1000 10 12 0.23 0.29 0.12
Same800 10 12 0.19 0.23 0.12
Same600 10 12 0.13 0.16 0.13
Same400 10 12 0.11 0.13 0.19
Same200 10 12 0.07 0.08 0.24
Fiberboard and wood concrete slabs based on Portland cement500 10 15 0.15 0.19 0.11
Same450 10 15 0.135 0.17 0.11
Same400 10 15 0.13 0.16 0.26
Reed slabs300 10 15 0.09 0.14 0.45
Same200 10 15 0.07 0.09 0.49
Peat thermal insulation slabs300 15 20 0.07 0.08 0.19
Same200 15 20 0.06 0.064 0.49
Gypsum slabs1350 4 6 0.5 0.56 0.098
Same1100 4 6 0.35 0.41 0.11
Gypsum cladding sheets (gypsum plasterboard)1050 4 6 0.34 0.36 0.075
Same800 4 6 0.19 0.21 0.075
G. Backfills
Expanded clay gravel600 2 3 0.17 0.19 0.23
Same500 2 3 0.15 0.165 0.23
Same450 2 3 0.14 0.155 0.235
Same400 2 3 0.13 0.145 0.24
Same350 2 3 0.125 0.14 0.245
Same300 2 3 0.12 0.13 0.25
Same250 2 3 0.11 0.12 0.26
D. Wood, products made from it and other natural organic materials
Pine and spruce across the grain500 15 20 0.14 0.18 0.06
Pine and spruce along the grain500 15 20 0.29 0.35 0.32
Oak across the grain700 10 15 0.18 0.23 0.05
Oak along the grain700 10 15 0.35 0.41 0.3
Plywood600 10 13 0.15 0.18 0.02
Cardboard facing1000 5 10 0.21 0.23 0.06
Multilayer construction cardboard650 6 12 0.15 0.18 0.083
E. Roofing, waterproofing, facing materials
- Asbestos-cement
Asbestos-cement flat sheets1800 2 3 0.47 0.52 0.03
Same1600 2 3 0.35 0.41 0.03
- Bituminous
Petroleum bitumens for construction and roofing1400 0 0 0.27 0.27 0.008
Same1200 0 0 0.22 0.22 0.008
Same1000 0 0 0.17 0.17 0.008
Asphalt concrete2100 0 0 1.05 1.05 0.008
Products made from expanded perlite with a bitumen binder400 1 2 0.12 0.13 0.04
Same300 1 2 0.09 0.099 0.04

Please note that there are two values ​​given for materials λ n– for operating modes A or B. These modes provide for specific humidity conditions - both by the region of construction and by the type of premises.

To begin with, it is necessary to determine the zone - wet, normal or dry - using the diagram map.

Then, by comparing the zone and features of the room, according to the proposed table, determine the mode, A or B, according to which select the value λ n.

Room humidity conditions Operating conditions, A or B, by humidity zone (according to the schematic map)
Dry zone Normal zone Wet area
Dry AAB
Normal ABB
Damp or Wet BBB
  • λut – thermal conductivity coefficient for the selected type of insulation, according to which the thickness is calculated.

Now, having written out the thickness and thermal conductivity coefficient for each layer, you can calculate the thickness of the insulation. Please note that the formula requires the thickness to be specified in meters!

To make the task easier for the interested reader, a special calculator has been placed. It provides calculations for three layers (not counting insulation). If the number of layers is less, then simply leave the extra column blank. The thickness of the layers and the final result are in millimeters.

Insulating the roof of a house is an important stage of construction or overhaul roofs. The choice of technology for installing a heat-insulating layer depends on the configuration of the roof, the type of insulation and the requirements for the room located directly under the roof.

The need for roof insulation

How to insulate a roof to significantly reduce heat loss at home? First of all, you need to choose the right materials for insulation and strictly adhere to the installation technology. A high-quality insulated roof increases the thermal efficiency of the house by 15%, allowing you to turn the attic into a room suitable for year-round use.

The highest demands are placed on insulating the roof of a residential attic of houses located in areas with cold winters. The roofing pie of summer attics or exploited attics may include more thin layer thermal insulation. The roof, under which an unused attic is located, is usually not insulated - thermal insulation is mounted on the attic floor or the ceiling of the living premises. An uninsulated non-residential attic is well ventilated, which prevents rotting of the wooden elements of the roof frame.

When installing pitched and flat roofs, we use different ways roof insulation.

Thermal insulation of flat roofs

How to make an insulated roof when installing a flat roof? It should be noted that a flat roof can be insulated both from the outside and from the inside.

It is recommended to carry out external insulation first, and then winter season determine the need for internal insulation.

The composition of the flat roof pie includes:

  • vapor barrier;
  • heat insulator;
  • waterproofing layer from roll material;
  • bulk layer (drainage + cement-sand mixture).

External insulation is most conveniently performed using mineral basalt wool. You can also use polystyrene foam and other rigid insulation materials. It should be taken into account that polymer insulation cannot be used when installing roofing coverings with high fire safety requirements.

Insulation of a pitched roof

The roofing pie of a pitched roof is made with insulation along the rafters. It is important to understand how to properly insulate the roof of a house in order to avoid mistakes that will ultimately lead to damage to wooden structures.

The most popular insulation in private housing construction is mineral wool. It is easy to install non-flammable material, which can be purchased at a low price. But the structure of the wool itself promotes the accumulation of moisture, which causes a significant decrease in the thermal insulation properties of the material, and also, over time, provokes rotting of the elements of the rafter system. Thus, when creating insulation, it is important to provide proper ventilation and steam and waterproofing of the roofing pie.


Installation of a pitched roof heat insulator is carried out from the attic side during the construction or repair of the roof. If there are renovation work, before laying the insulation, it is necessary to check the condition of the rafters - rotting elements must be replaced with new ones. It is also worth treating all wooden structures with a fire-retardant compound.

The pitched roof pie includes:

Proper roof insulation requires high-quality air exchange, for which it is necessary to create air gaps between:

  • under-roof waterproofing and roofing;
  • insulation and water barrier;
  • vapor barrier and internal lining (if provided).
Air circulation (free inflow and removal) is ensured by special vents, one of which should be located in the roof overhang, and the second under the ridge.

Materials for thermal insulation of pitched roofs

Roof insulation technology involves the use various materials. The most popular heat insulators include mineral wool and glass wool (in slabs or rolls), slab polymer materials - polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam. The principles of their installation are similar, but it is worth noting that installing slab material is much simpler and more convenient.

As waterproofing, roofing material or a waterproofing membrane is usually used, which is impermeable to water, but capable of removing moisture from the insulation. The vapor barrier layer can be made of:

  • roofing felt;
  • polyethylene film;
  • glassine;
  • foil materials laid with foil towards the attic.

To create a roofing pie with high functional characteristics, to create a vapor barrier, it is recommended to use a special vapor barrier membrane: it removes condensation outside from the insulation and does not allow steam and moisture to pass into the roofing pie.

Stages of work on insulating a pitched roof

The roof insulation scheme is quite simple. First of all, you need to measure the distance between the rafters. The slabs of cotton wool insulation should be cut according to the results obtained, adding 1 centimeter. This will allow you to fasten the heat insulator between the rafters. This stage of work is greatly simplified if the roofing system is initially designed and installed based on the use of slab insulation boards of a certain width.


If there is no waterproofing between the rafters and the already installed roofing, you should first secure a water barrier. The membrane should envelop the rafters; it is most convenient to fasten it with a construction stapler to the rafters themselves and to the roof sheathing in the openings between them. The waterproofing must be installed under the eaves at the bottom of the roof to ensure moisture drainage. It should be taken into account that with this method of fastening the hydrobarrier, the insulation must be installed without the necessary air gap. For this reason, it is recommended to use a superdiffusion membrane as a waterproofing material.


If there is a waterproofing layer under the roofing, nails are placed on the rafters in increments of about 10 cm. The nails should be located at a distance of 3-5 cm from the waterproofing layer. It is necessary to stretch a polyethylene thread or cord between the nails, tamping them to the end. This will help create an air gap between the hydrobarrier and the insulation. If the heat insulator is planned to be fixed with a cord, and not with a lathing for internal lining, it is also necessary to hammer nails along the outer edge of the rafters.

If, when deciding how to insulate the roof of a house, cotton wool was chosen slab insulation, then the prepared elements must be slightly compressed and inserted between the rafters. When using stiffer foam boards and similar materials, it is important to accurately size them so that the boards fit snugly into the opening. It is recommended to carry out insulation in two layers. If you have to mount not solid sheets into the opening, but narrower fragments, joining them along the length or width, you need to make sure that the joints of the second layer do not coincide with the joints of the first. The heat insulator should not protrude beyond the plane of the rafter legs. If the rafters are not wide enough to install two layers of insulation, additional timber is nailed to them.

When making a choice about the best way to insulate the roof of a private household, it is necessary to take into account not only the cost of the building material, its technical characteristics, but also the nuances of the implementation installation work. You can install the insulation yourself, but in some cases it is better to use the services of experienced roofers.

Rules for choosing insulation - the better to insulate

When selecting thermal insulation material First of all, pay attention to the type of roof, which can be pitched or flat. Features of the roofing structure affect the requirements for insulation.

When choosing it, a number of parameters are analyzed:

  • thermal conductivity - the lower its value, the more effective the insulation will be;
  • long service life without loss of quality;
  • moisture resistance;
  • ability to maintain original parameters;
  • environmental friendliness - the insulation does not contain toxic substances;
  • frost resistance - in case of drop temperature regime the thermal insulation material should not deteriorate its performance properties;
  • specific gravity– preference should be given to low-density insulation materials that will not weigh down the roof frame;
  • fire resistance;
  • sound insulation – has great importance when installing “noisy” roofing coverings, for example, metal tiles.


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

  1. Saving money on quality. Experts recommend purchasing insulation from manufacturers that have proven themselves well for a long time.
  2. Laying a layer of insulation of insufficient thickness.
  3. Violation of installation technology.

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

  • in the form of slabs;
  • roll;
  • sprayed;
  • bulk.

Mineral wool for the roof of a private house

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

Among the advantages of mineral wool:

  • high degree of thermal insulation;
  • non-flammability;
  • environmental cleanliness;
  • stability of parameters;
  • easy installation;
  • affordable price;
  • soundproofing;
  • absence of rodents and microorganisms.


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

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

Glass wool

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


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

Roof insulation with foam plastic

This popular tile material is also called extruded polystyrene foam. It is used to insulate roofs. It has high thermal insulation and is resistant to moisture.

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


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

How to insulate with polyurethane foam

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

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


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

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

Penoizol

The technology for insulating the roof of a private household using penoizol has much in common with the use of another material - sprayed polyurethane foam. Its technical characteristics are similar to polystyrene foam. Among its advantages, it is worth noting the combination affordable price and good quality.

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


Foaming equipment is used to spray penoizol. You need to bring the hose closer to the place where the insulation is being installed and fill the gap with foam. After hardening, the thermofoam will not have any effect harmful effects and will not weigh down the structure. Penoizol differs from sprayed polystyrene foam in its high degree of moisture absorption (almost 5%), so it is necessary to lay a vapor barrier layer.

Foam concrete

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

Foam concrete is made from:

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


The use of foam material results in the creation of strong and durable roof insulation. Since foam concrete has low density, it does not have high loads on load-bearing frame and retains heat perfectly.

Advantages of foam concrete:

  • environmental friendliness;
  • vapor permeability;
  • fire safety.

To lay foam concrete, a special mobile installation is used. As a result, the insulation layer should be 3–15 centimeters.

Expanded clay

It is used when arranging flat slopes. Expanded clay refers to bulk type insulation. It is placed either on the floor slabs or on the outer surface of the roof. The heat insulator is sealed and covered with a screed, and the required slope of the slope must be observed to ensure the removal of precipitation.


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

Foam glass

Environmentally friendly clean materials for insulating the roof of a house. It has high thermal insulation properties. It is produced by foaming glass mass with carbon.

As a result, foam glass is resistant to deformation processes, moisture and steam, it is durable and non-flammable. This insulation is used to provide thermal insulation on all types of roofs, regardless of what materials they are made of. When installing foam glass, polymer acetate adhesive is used to ensure a high degree of adhesion.


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

Ecowool

To make insulation such as ecowool, waste paper is used. This heat insulator is environmentally friendly with excellent sound and heat insulating properties. But, as you know, cellulose is a flammable material and can be damaged by rodents and microorganisms. For this reason, ecowool is treated with bioprotective compounds and fire retardants.


The light material and inexpensive. But the installation of roof thermal insulation requires a special approach when it is necessary to install ecowool between the rafters. Closed “boxes” are made from tiled materials, then insulation is blown into them, completely filling the cracks with it.

Among the disadvantages of the heat insulator, it should be noted that it is necessary to prepare for installation and use special equipment.

Wood sawdust

Long before the advent of modern thermal insulation materials, it was especially popular to insulate the roof when necessary. own home used sawdust, which is a waste product from wood processing. They are environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, but flammable, which must be taken into account when choosing an insulation option. In addition, rodents love to live in them, and sawdust is also susceptible to rotting.

This bulk material they do not insulate the roof structure, but only ceiling. Ecowool can be used similarly. Having laid the sawdust in an even layer, in own homes high-quality insulation of residential ceilings.


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

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

Roof insulation plays a huge role in completing construction work. Having built a house or cottage, you have to think about how to make the building as comfortable, warm and cozy as possible. Regardless of whether there will be living space in the attic or not, the roof must be insulated in any case. This will reduce heat loss and contribute to energy saving.

Do-it-yourself roof insulation

Roof insulation work does not have to be done with the help of a specialist; everything can be done with your own hands. The whole process should start with the selection necessary materials and creating a work plan and scheme. Any roof consists of an outer (roof) and an inner (ceiling and rafter frame) parts.

All insulation work is carried out only after checking these components, and if necessary they are repaired. Then deleted excess moisture and get rid of dampness and mold.

To prevent bacterial damage to wooden structures, treatment is carried out inner surface roofs with an antiseptic, and for protection metal structures from rust, treat such surfaces with anti-corrosion compounds.

Insulation materials

Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of materials for roof insulation. The most popular are:

  • Mineral wool (fiberglass, stone slabs);
  • Extruded polystyrene foam;
  • Polyurethane foam.

The material you choose is determined by the features of the roof. For example, it is preferable to insulate pitched roofs with fiberglass.

Fiberglass

U of this material excellent heat insulating and sound insulating properties. Fiberglass is also durable, its service life reaches fifty years, it is fire-resistant and vapor-permeable. And, of course, the price; purchasing such material is a very inexpensive pleasure.

The most popular materials in use are mineral wool and polystyrene foam. This popularity is due to the ease of manipulation with them.

Mineral wool

Depending on the original type of material (stone or glass), mineral wool is divided into two types:

— the fibrous structure of the material, formed by melting small particles of rock, as well as various slags and mixtures obtained in industrial metallurgy, makes the product truly unique.

The material is not afraid high temperatures, and is also quite resistant to aggressive chemicals.


Glass wool- a heat-insulating material containing air fibers that are particularly durable. The product is obtained by melting ordinary glass. Like stone wool, the insulation is highly resistant to chemical products and does not burn.

The thermal conductivity of glass wool is 0.05 W/m°C at 25°C. During operation, glass wool practically does not shrink, and its fibrous structure, even after a long period of time, remains the same elastic and elastic.

Mineral wool has excellent characteristics in the following indicators:

  • Low thermal conductivity;
  • Excellent sound insulation;
  • Fire resistance, which is very important for roof material;
  • Highly environmentally friendly and durable.

Foam plastic and penoplex

Both insulation materials have a fairly small specific gravity, so their use does not weigh down the roof, and also does not require the additional use of material insulating from steam, since neither foam plastic nor absorb moisture.

Polyurethane foam

One of modern materials is .

It does not need to be glued or nailed to the surface, but is applied by spraying onto it. This material has excellent adhesion to surfaces and as a result a durable, seamless structure is formed that does not allow cold or moisture to pass through.

Insulating the ceiling in a house with a cold roof

Once the materials have been selected, you can proceed directly to the process of laying the material. The specifics of this process depend on the roof design and the future use of the attic.

If the attic is not intended to be used as a living space, then the insulating material is placed on the attic floor between the joists, and not between the roof rafters. A membrane is laid on top to improve vapor permeability, then it can be covered with any floor covering.

To prevent the formation of “cold bridges,” the insulation should fit as tightly as possible to the joists. To do this, when cutting insulation, its size must be determined according to 1-2 cm. wider than the distance between the joists.

Insulating the attic from the inside

If you decide to equip the attic as a living space, you should insulate the roof with your own hands using a different technology:

  1. Initially, a waterproofing layer is laid to protect the insulating material from getting wet. To do this, a waterproofing membrane is laid on top of the sheathing and secured with counter-lattice bars;
  2. Then the insulation itself is laid between the rafters. To avoid the formation of gaps, during installation you should follow the same technology as when insulating the ceiling - the insulation should be wider by 1-2 cm.
  3. As a vapor-permeable layer, a vapor barrier film is attached on top of the insulation and overlapped at the joints;
  4. The film is secured on top with bars, which will serve as the basis for the finishing.

How and with what to insulate a flat roof

Insulation of a flat roof takes place according to a slightly different scheme. The beginning of work is the determination of the purpose of the room. The intended use of the attic as a gym or some other place for entertainment suggests that the roof must be really strong to withstand serious loads.

  1. To form slight slope roofs on reinforced concrete slab make a cement screed;
  2. Then, as in the case of pitched roof lay a waterproofing layer;
  3. Upon completion of these works, everything is covered on top with a layer of heat-insulating material (foam plastic, stone wool, extruded polystyrene foam, etc.), on top of which a layer of fiberglass or geotextile is laid.
  4. And the final stage is the filling of pebbles or a layer of gravel and the subsequent laying of floor or paving slabs.

If there is no living space under the roof, then the vapor barrier layer and insulation are laid in the attic, and the waterproofing layer is placed under the roofing material. And in case of complete non-use of the attic space of a flat roof, insulation is carried out either from the inside or from the outside.

By insulating your roof you will not only get additional square meters, but also reliable protection for the home from severe frosts in winter and sultry heat in summer.

A house built and furnished with one’s own hands is the real pride of any owner. An integral stage in the arrangement of any residential building is the internal insulation of the roof. And if in most cases no problems arise with the thermal insulation of walls, then the insulation of the roof structure can confuse an untrained craftsman. Therefore, before starting the practical part, study all the theoretical recommendations proposed below.

After installing the insulation and all related elements, the roofing system will look like a layer cake. The design is based on a rafter system. All other elements are laid and secured onto it.

Modern roofing “pie”

IN classic version The layers of the pie, starting from the finishing roofing, are placed as follows:

  • roofing;
  • lathing for installation of finishing material. Can be solid or sparse;
  • counter-lattice bars. Needed to create ventilation gap under roofing material;
  • waterproofing film;
  • thermal insulation material;
  • vapor barrier material;
  • lathing for installation of insulating materials and internal cladding;
  • inner lining material.

A properly installed roofing pie will significantly reduce heat loss in cold weather and prevent overheating of the space under the roof in hot weather. Waterproofing will protect the insulation from atmospheric moisture, and the vapor barrier material will prevent the formation of condensation and the occurrence of all related problems.

How to insulate?

On modern market There is a huge range of materials that can be successfully used for internal roof insulation. Try to avoid excessive savings - materials must be of high quality.

Insulation parameters

When choosing a suitable insulation, you need to pay attention to a number of basic characteristics of the material, namely:

  • weight. The heavier the insulation, the more significant load it will place on the roof. This imposes a series additional requirements to rafters and sheathing - their configuration and strength must correspond to the characteristics of thermal insulation;
  • thermal conductivity. It is better for this parameter to be as low as possible, if possible no more than 0.04 W/m*C;
  • resistance to adverse external influences.

Preferred insulation materials

Not many materials meet the above requirements. Among all existing options Insulation professionals recommend giving preference to mineral wool heat insulators and foam panels. All other things being equal, mineral wool is more preferable.

Additional insulation materials

In combination with insulation, the roof will need to be additionally insulated using vapor and moisture insulation materials. For roof waterproofing, polyethylene and roofing felt are usually used. These materials are highly resistant to moisture.

The vapor barrier layer is best equipped using special membranes, glassine or modern foil materials.

Regardless of the chosen insulation (installation is still carried out in the same sequence), during the work process you must adhere to a number of basic recommendations, without which you cannot count on high-quality internal insulation of the roof.

All the rules can be combined into one brief summary of tips, namely:


Thus, even before starting thermal insulation work, the master needs to study a fairly large amount of information and remember a number of important requirements. The work must be done to the highest possible quality. Properly equipped insulation will make living in the house as comfortable as possible and will significantly reduce the cost of heating the premises.

Use the recommendations received and remember: insulation must be done with the obligatory installation of vapor barrier and moisture barrier layers. Only such a complex will make it possible to obtain a reliable, durable and resistant to any adverse external influences. roofing system. It’s better to immediately do everything according to the rules and live peacefully in safe home than patching holes in roofing pie after every heavy rain.

Preparing for roof insulation

The insulation procedure remains almost the same regardless of the type of roof, materials used and other points. Having understood the main points of thermal insulation work, you will be able to successfully apply them in practice.

First of all, carefully prepare the roof for the upcoming internal insulation.

First step. Inspect the rafter system. If you find rotted or damaged elements, replace them with new parts.

Second step. Treat all wooden elements with an antiseptic.

Third step. Check the condition of pipelines and electrical wiring if these communications are laid under the roof.

Guide to internal roof insulation

Start working on the internal insulation of the roof. The event is held in several stages. Go through each of them sequentially, not forgetting the recommendations received earlier.

It is assumed that rafters, sheathing and other necessary elements have already been installed and all you have to do is install the insulating materials and then lay the final roofing covering.

The first step is vapor barrier

Lay the film with a 10-centimeter overlap. It is convenient to use for attaching vapor barrier to bars construction stapler with staples. Double-seal all joints with duct tape. Be especially careful and thorough when sealing various difficult areas, such as the junction of the film with pipes, walls and other structural elements.

The second step is insulation

EKOTEPLIN - roof insulation

Place the selected insulation in the cells of the sheathing. Usually the sheathing is assembled so that the step between its bars is a couple of centimeters less than the width of the insulation, so you can place the insulating boards as tightly as possible. The sheathing bars themselves must be nailed to the rafters perpendicular to them.

If you really want, you can do without lathing - you hammer nails along the edges of the rafter legs and stretch the wire between them. It will hold the insulation boards. However, it is better not to give up the sheathing - it is safer with it.

The insulation itself is usually laid in 2 layers. Wherein upper layer it is necessary to lay them with a certain offset in relation to the bottom one - it is impossible for the joints of the insulation boards of both layers to coincide.

Third step - waterproofing

Place the waterproofing film so that it completely covers the insulation, sheathing and rafters. To fix the film, it is most convenient to use a construction stapler with staples.

Place waterproofing under the roof overhang - this will create the conditions necessary for effective water drainage in the future.

At the end, all you have to do is lay the selected roofing material on the roof.

Thus, although independent internal insulation of the roof is a very important and responsible undertaking, there is nothing overly complicated in its implementation. Do everything according to the instructions, and very soon your home will become truly cozy and warm, and heating costs during the cold season will be significantly reduced.

Good luck!

Video - Do-it-yourself roof insulation from the inside

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