Houses made of wood require a more careful approach to floor insulation work. This is necessary, first of all, to preserve the structure itself from rotting and fungus. Warm floors make the house cozy, pleasant and comfortable to be in.

Before you start insulating the floor yourself, you need to familiarize yourself with the types and features of insulation. As well as an algorithm for performing work. This is exactly what our article will discuss.

Peculiarities

Wooden floors, unlike concrete, are much warmer. Wood is a capricious material and when building a house it is not always possible to achieve the desired effect. The ratio of thickness and thermal conductivity is often disproportionate, so insulating floors in a wood house is simply necessary.

The possibility of floor insulation exists not only in new houses, but also in those built a long time ago.

dampness;
the appearance and proliferation of mold;
the appearance of microorganisms and fungi that adversely affect the health of those living in the house;
high consumption of thermal energy to heat the house;
damage and destruction of the building.

You can carry out floor insulation work yourself. This will significantly reduce the budget. IN construction stores There is a wide range of materials that can be worked with even without specific skills.

Insulation of structures implies different types works:

insulation of floors above ground floor;
insulation of interfloor ceilings;
insulation of the floor between the living space and the attic.

In each case, materials are used not only to maintain optimal temperature regime, but also for sound insulation. A well-insulated first floor is a guarantee that the house will become comfortable for living.

Types of floor

In houses made of wood, two types of floors are used: concrete and wood.

The second option is divided into two categories:

floor boards, laminated wood;
parquet board and laminate.

You can make a concrete floor yourself without involving specialists. There are two options for laying concrete: on the ground and on logs. The most common is the first option.

All work is carried out in several stages:

priming;
sand;
thermal insulation;
waterproofing.

The next step is pouring the floor concrete screed. If a warm floor is installed, then it must be installed at this stage.

Wooden floor, like concrete covering, also has several layers:

bulk floor (rough);
waterproofing layer;
thermal insulation layer;
fine coating.

If installation of a heated floor system is necessary, it is carried out at the construction stage between the finishing and rough coatings. Wooden floor is natural material, and therefore environmentally friendly. During operation, substances harmful to humans will not be released into the air. This coating has an aesthetic and noble appearance.

How can you insulate it?

Floor insulation in wooden house carried out in order to reduce heat loss. The most commonly used and inexpensive insulation materials are expanded clay and sand. Below is a list of other popular floor insulation materials.

Mineral wool. The main features of this heat insulator are low thermal conductivity, durability, high noise insulation properties, and moisture absorption. It is also worth noting that mineral wool is environmentally friendly pure material.

In order to determine whether the product in front of you is of high quality or not, you need to check its color. Mineral wool, made from natural raw materials, has Brown color. A product in the production of which prohibited substances were used will have a yellow tint.

This insulation is produced in slabs and rolls. Roll insulation most common when used on large areas. Mineral wool is very convenient; no special knowledge or skills are required during operation. Everything can be done with your own hands. Lightweight material, breathable.

Polyurethane foam. The insulation is quite expensive. This will require not only the help of specialists, but also special equipment. The material's properties are close to polystyrene foam. But he won't stand the screed. They can be used to insulate the floor from below. The average service life of such insulation is 30 years.

Expanded clay. The material is quite common. Expanded clay is granules of baked foamed clay. The material has high performance properties and is lightweight. But with all the variety of advantages, there is one serious drawback. Expanded clay absorbs moisture very well, so when using it, it is imperative to install waterproofing.

Sawdust is a bulk insulation option. Sawdust mixed with slaked lime powder is used against mice: 8 parts sawdust to 2 parts lime. Such insulation can be poured between the rough and finished floors. The average layer thickness is 20-40 cm, depending on climatic conditions.

Isolon is polyethylene, which has a foam structure. The thickness of this coating is 10 mm. Foil coated on one or both sides. Placed on top of the cotton wool. It is also used as a covering for underfloor heating.

Which is better to choose?

A wooden house can be placed on a foundation and have a ground floor (basement), or it can be located on stilts.

Houses on stilts are in great demand among consumers. This is due to the fact that such a design does not require a large amount of time and energy during construction and operation. There are also no requirements for the soil on which the building will be located. Choosing insulation for a house on stilts requires taking into account the design features. At the right approach the house will become not only warm, but also cozy.

But with all the advantages, there is also a disadvantage: the house is located at a distance from the ground. The building is not protected by the ground floor and is exposed to winds. In this case, it turns out that the house is protected from soil moisture, but at the same time the entire floor area is exposed to winds and frost. In order for a house to please its owners, it is worth making high-quality insulation floors

Floor insulation in houses on stilts is carried out in several stages:

Preparation. Before starting work on floor insulation, it is worth ensuring full access to the joists. This is done to enable control checks. Once work begins, inspection will not be possible.
Rough floor. There are a lot of ways to create a subfloor, but still builders often use the traditional one. It is necessary to nail a beam onto the logs, which will later serve as a support for the flooring made of boards. Timber and logs are treated with special agents against rotting and fungus.

But you should not use products that create a film. This will prevent the wood from breathing, which will lead to rot. Flooring boards under the subfloor should also be treated. This is necessary to increase the service life of the material. When calculating, it is worth taking into account the weight of the insulation that will be used. Plywood can be used as flooring for lightweight insulation. If, for example, polystyrene is used, then to strengthen the bottom layer you can use reinforced mesh. This will help distribute the weight.

Vapor barrier. A vapor barrier must be used to prevent moisture from entering the insulation. For this it is better to use polyethylene or roofing felt. These materials belong to economy class. When laying them, it is necessary to provide ventilation ducts. The vapor barrier layer should be both on top of the insulation and below. This will prevent condensation formed due to temperature changes from getting onto the materials.

Finish floor. The finishing floor is the final stage of floor insulation, which can also be a finishing coating. For this, absolutely any materials can be used (solid wood, chipboard, plywood).

To make a house on stilts look presentable, as well as for additional protection from the effects of climatic conditions, experts advise making a lightweight version of the basement floor.

Caring for insulated floors

Manufacturers

Many companies are engaged in the production of materials for floor insulation. Among them and worldwide famous brands and those who are just starting their journey. Most of the companies have almost a century of history. To help you make your choice, below is a rating of the most popular manufacturers. All of them present materials with proven quality.

Knauf. The international manufacturer has over 90 years of experience. Insulation materials are popular all over the world. The products are made from natural raw materials using the latest technologies. All insulation materials are environmentally friendly and harmless. Knauf has been a leader in the market for many years.

Rockwool. The company operates on modern technologies and specializes in basalt thermal insulation materials. The advantage of this raw material is its high performance qualities and affordable price. In Russia, branches are located in the Moscow, Chelyabinsk and Leningrad regions. The company is in second place in the ranking of manufacturers of insulation materials.
Paroc. The company also specializes mainly in the production of mineral wool. Time-tested quality. The manufacturer focuses on saving thermal energy for heating living spaces and excellent sound insulation. But the disadvantage of this company is that all insulation products have a fairly high price. That is why the company ranks third.

Let's consider the main stages of thermal insulation work:

Flooring by subfloor lag This operation is carried out both during repair work and construction. wooden house. The main advantage of this flooring system is that there is no pressure on the insulation during the operation of the house. In this case, any insulating material can be used. The subfloor is made from untreated boards - inch boards (board thickness 25 mm). Before installing the boards, treat them with an antiseptic. The logs are attached to brick posts, and the edges of the logs do not reach close to the walls. The distance between them is up to 1 meter; subfloor panels are attached to them from below. You should pay attention to large gaps between the floor boards: they need to be eliminated. Next, a waterproofing film layer is laid.
The insulation is installed in the joist openings. It can be sheet, tile or roll.
Installation of a vapor barrier, and, if necessary, another layer of waterproofing (when using mineral wool or glass wool). It can be impregnated, painted and pasted over. Pasted - this is cellophane film, the most common type. Roofing felt and isoplast are also often used. When creating a vapor barrier, layers of film are overlapped on top of each other. Joints and distances near walls and partitions are taped with special tape.
Laying a clean floor and final finishing. A gap between the vapor barrier and the floor is required to provide an air gap. Planed boards are used, about 5 mm thick, and a special lock is milled onto them along the length of the board.

Scheme for insulating a wooden floor in a wooden house

Choice of insulation

Let's consider all types of insulation:

Insulation with Penofol

To carry out insulation between joists, it is better to use a combination of insulation. For example, first fill the space mineral wool. All gaps are filled with foam or sealant. Penofol is laid on top, with an overlap between the layers and on the walls of about 10 cm, with the foil facing up.

Sheets of insulation are attached with a stapler or tape and chipboard is laid on top of the joists. A gap of about one and a half centimeters is left to the walls. It is also necessary to remember about the gap between the insulation and the floor. Then the finishing floor is laid. You can only insulate with Penofol without slabs.

But there is another way to insulate with Penofol. We clean the old floor from uneven areas and lay an insulating layer. Then slats are attached to create a ventilation gap, and everything is also covered with chipboard and a clean floor. Very easy way thermal insulation.

Sheets of insulation are attached with a stapler or tape and chipboard is laid on top of the joists.

How to insulate a floor with penoplex

We lay a layer of waterproofing (polyethylene or roofing felt) on the subfloor. Then we lay Penoplex sheets into logs without gaps. We fasten the edges together with tape or glue the sheets to the base. We lay a layer of vapor barrier on top and cover it with a clean floor. When working, it is necessary to use basic rules and recommendations - the overlap between the thermal and vapor barrier panels should be at least 10 cm.

Floor insulation with penoplex

The peculiarity of this type of insulation is that a screed is made on top of the expanded clay layer, and a wooden floor is attached to it. Recommendations – it is better to entrust the calculation of the expanded clay layer to a specialist. In a wooden house, it is better to use several sizes of expanded clay granules to fill the voids as much as possible.

In a wooden house, it is better to use several sizes of expanded clay granules to fill the voids as much as possible.

Mineral wool for insulation

It is better to use slabs or mats. Rolls are inconvenient to work with and a lot of waste remains when adjusting to size. The gaps between the plates should be filled well. Cold bridges can form here, leading to heat loss. Expanded clay can be used as an additional layer. This will further increase the thermal insulation of the wooden floor in the house.

Floor insulation in a wooden house: 15 the best ways

The coldest surface of the house, of course, is the floor. This usually applies to the first least protected floor of the building, as well as separate wooden houses. Why is the floor in a lower floor apartment always cold? This is due to the fact that air rushes down. There are also drafts from under the floor below. To minimize heat loss, the floor in the house has to be insulated.

This procedure is especially necessary in houses with classic eco-friendly wooden flooring. Even if you lay wood elements (boards) tightly together, they will dry out over time. It will certainly begin to leak from the crevices. This will naturally lead to heat loss.

How to insulate a floor in a wooden house: choosing a material

Direct from the right choice The quality of the thermal insulation of the flooring depends on the material. Today, the Russian construction market has a wide selection of thermal insulators.

Penoplex, stone and mineral wool, polystyrene foam and the commonly used fiberglass are popular types of thermal insulation. Each of them has its pros and cons. Which one is better?

Fiberglass, stone and mineral wool - these materials have good thermal protection properties and excellent noise absorption. If you want to lay insulation in one layer, then use rolls or mats. The latter are considered a more elastic and durable material. the site advises installing insulation elements between the joists or under the rough flooring. Both options are acceptable.
Penoplex and expanded polystyrene can also be used. At the same time, they will delight you with an affordable price, high thermal insulation of the structure and durability. Thermal insulation from these materials is carried out by spraying. This is an effective, fairly fast and economical method. This method is most often used in new homes.

Advantage of expanded polystyrene:

minimal water absorption, and, accordingly, resistance to water;
excellent thermal insulation qualities;
shape stability;
high strength material;
volume stability;
long term operation;
stability of biological type;
immunity to various microorganisms;
the material is environmentally friendly.

Advantages of mineral wool:

the material is low in density;
the level of thermal conductivity is insignificant;
long service life;
reasonable price;
non-flammability;
environmentally friendly material;
high level of water repellency;
high chemical resistance.

All of the above materials meet environmental requirements:

The higher quality the polystyrene foam, the more environmentally friendly it is. It needs to be dried well so that no volatile compounds did not remain in the material. Otherwise, when elevated temperature they can poison a person. Styrene can cause toxic hepatitis, rarely curable leukemia, etc.
You can fit into the tight confines of ecology by using fiberglass or mineral wool, provided that these materials use non-harmful resins. Phenol-formaldehyde resins, which are undesirable, can be identified by the brown or yellow tint of the material.

Durability of thermal insulation

Various qualities must be taken into account when choosing a particular material. For example, if there is some load on the heat-protective layer, it will no longer be able to restore its original volume - some of the fibers will simply break. That is why such raw materials do not adhere tightly to the joists and floor beams. As a result, cold bridges are inevitably created on structures. Condensation can also appear where the insulation does not fit tightly.

In order not to make a bad choice and buy insulation good quality, press on a small piece of it (for example, step on it). If after such a test it returns to its former shape, then it is suitable for you. If it remains crumpled and flat, then it is best to refuse such a product.

Is it possible to improve thermal insulation qualities? When insulating, you can’t get by with mats alone. Insulated finishing options are often used: heat-insulating linoleums, two-layer carpets... Other materials can also not be neglected. The first floor can be made warmer by insulating the foundation. Basements you need to carefully check and seal all the cracks.

We insulate a wooden floor along the joists

Most often, floor insulation in a wooden house is realized through the use of logs. It is quite simple to implement and at the same time very effective. In any case, you can eliminate significant heat loss. This method is especially relevant for the basement and first floors - there the floors are closest to the ground.

The technology goes like this:

Install on a T-shaped joist base. Maintain a meter step.
Then secure the boards or panels on which you will later lay the insulation. They must be secured to a special type of cranial bars or hemmed from below.
Then lay the insulation on the flooring between the joists.
Next, you will have to take care of vapor and waterproofing. True, the need for this procedure arises only in individual cases. It all depends on the type of insulation. So, this procedure will be relevant if you use ecowool or mineral wool. Lay the vapor barrier sheets overlapping by about fifteen centimeters. Its edges should “climb” onto the wall by about ten centimeters. For waterproofing, you can use either simple polyethylene film or special types of materials.
The final stage is installation and finishing flooring

Important! You can also insulate the floor using joists that are laid on even brick columns. Insulation boards must be laid between these columns (foam plastic, fiberglass, mineral wool). The insulation layer must be covered with a layer of vapor barrier on top.

An invariable advantage of thermal insulation along joists is the ease of execution of the work. Moreover, the method is very effective. The insulation does not experience mechanical load, therefore, any thermal insulation material can be used.

What materials are there for floor insulation?

Of course, choosing insulation is not easy. You can make the floor warmer different ways using different materials:

isolon;
polyurethane foam;
polystyrene;
penofol;
mineral, glass, stone, slag wool;
ecowool.

Perfect for this purpose sawdust, foam plastic, expanded clay. The choice depends on the characteristics of the material, personal preferences and financial capabilities.

We insulate the subfloor

The entire procedure is carried out using logs.

Attach the bars to the sides of the fixed joists.
Secure the boards to them with self-tapping screws or nails. The length of the latter must correspond to the distance between the lags.
When a complete surface is formed, lay a vapor barrier on top: plastic film, glassine or some other material.
Next, lay the insulation between the joists.
Make sure that no gaps are formed.
Next is another layer of vapor barrier. The subfloor is ready.

We insulate the floor with sawdust

Sawdust is one of the commonplace types of insulation. Its main advantage is low cost and ease of filling. The insulation can penetrate even the most hard to reach places. It is also important to mention that this material is environmentally friendly. Sawdust can be used as insulation not only in pure form, but also mixed with relevant building materials.

Pellets and sawdust granules

This is a granular insulation made from a mixture of sawdust, carboxymethyl cellulose-based glue and an antiseptic fire retardant. Thanks to such components, the insulation is not only an excellent heat insulator, but also antiseptic and fire-resistant.

Sawdust concrete

It can be obtained by mixing sawdust (mainly coniferous) with cement, sand and water. It is similar to cinder concrete in terms of thermal conductivity. This is an environmentally friendly material that requires good waterproofing (since it contains sawdust).

Arbolit

Such material can be obtained by mixing cement with the required chemical components and organic fillers ( wood chips). Typically slabs are made from this material. They have good heat and sound insulation properties. This insulation is non-flammable, easy to process, and durable.

Main disadvantage– “not indifferent” to moisture.

Of all the above materials, sawdust (without adding impurities) most often serves as insulation.

We insulate the floor with mineral wool

This is a very common, popular type of insulation. It can be slag, stone, glass. Absolute non-flammability is one of the main advantages. The advantages also include: chemical and biological resistance, thermal and noise protection properties.

It is necessary to mention the disadvantages: low vapor permeability and mechanical strength.

The material is hygroscopic, resulting in a decrease in thermal insulation properties. Pay close attention to the vapor barrier layer when installing mineral wool. Such material also cannot be called absolutely safe for human health.

It is sold in slabs and mats. The latter form is made from hydrophobized mineral wool. The blue stripe marks the hard side of the slab. Please note that the markings should face up when laying. Among manufacturers the most popular are Rockwool and Izovol.

The base is mineral fibers. "Izovol" has low thermal conductivity. It has much more hydrophobic efficiency. In addition, it is chemically and biologically resistant and non-flammable.

Basalt mineral insulation is a material of the Rockwool brand:

resistant to mechanical load;
does not shrink during operation and is practically not deformed;
chemically and biologically resistant, non-flammable;
low thermal conductivity of the flooring;
absorbs sounds well due to its porous structure.
excellent noise-absorbing properties.

Insulation of floors with mineral slabs (video)

We insulate the floor with penofol

A new type of thermal insulation material. It hasn't gained much traction yet.

This is a multilayer material that comes in rolls and consists of a reflective layer (aluminum foil) and insulation (almost any insulation)... For example, polyethylene foam.

The classic version of this insulation is precisely polyethylene foam, which is held together with foil. However, all requirements modern construction this option cannot satisfy. That is why various types of penofol were invented.

More high density has classic penofol. It can withstand higher mechanical loads. The insulation can also be used as a hydro- and vapor barrier. It will perform well in tandem with insulation materials of a different composition.

Penofol comes with double- and single-sided foil.

Penofol-2000 has become a progressive version of penofol. Foamed gas-filled polyethylene is used as a base here. It costs less than its classic representative.

There is penofol and type “C” - self-adhesive. It is multi-layered: polyethylene foam, contact glue(moisture resistant) with anti-adhesive film, aluminum foil. Such insulation can be fixed to any (with few exceptions) surface thanks to glue. Accordingly, installing it is very simple and quick.

The material is laid on the surface of the base. Sheets can be laid either end-to-end or overlapping. The joints must be taped with metallized tape. If you use penofol, then there is no need to perform hydro- and vapor barrier. Aluminum foil will provide everything. We recommend that you read the material about.

We insulate the floor with foam plastic

Also one of the leading types of insulation. Possesses:

low vapor permeability;
significant fire resistance;
high strength;
low thermal conductivity;
chemical and biological resistance;
does not mold;
unsuitable for rodents;
high performance layer.

The disadvantages include the fact that it absorbs moisture, losing some of its properties. When using such insulation, you need to pay attention to hydro- and vapor barrier.

Both foamed and extruded foam are suitable for insulation. The latter has a strong structure - a mass of closed cells filled with gas molecules.

Of course, insulation has both pros and cons. The advantages include hygroscopicity, low thermal conductivity, durability, and fire safety. On the downside - harmful effects on the human body.

We insulate the floor with ecowool

This insulation is made from natural materials. It consists of 78-81% waste paper, the rest is natural additives - a mixture of cellulose fibers. The connecting component is organic antiseptic lignin, as well as boric acid.

The main advantage of ecowool is safety for humans. The advantages also include:

fire safety (smolders, not burns);
low thermal conductivity;
after drying, it restores its thermal insulation properties.

The disadvantages include high cost.

Ecowool can be applied to the surface in different ways:

manually. Wool slabs will need to be laid between the bars on boards or boards hemmed underneath. The main thing is to lay the insulation tightly and treat the joints with foam;
using special devices - mobile blowing machines. Under the influence of pressure, the insulation is supplied through a hose. There are two methods: dry (ecowool is blown into the floor cavity) and wet (ecowool is applied to the walls).

Laying ecowool (video)

We insulate the floor with isolon

New generation insulation. It is made from foamed polyethylene foam. Izolon is designed to meet new requirements for floor thermal insulation. Has a number of advantages:

small thickness - 2.1-10.0 cm. It is noteworthy that the level of thermal conductivity does not increase;
goes well with any material. Ideal for any gender;
does not absorb moisture;
does not rot, protects against the negative effects of moisture and steam;
long service life;
environmentally friendly material;
suitable for any room;
small thickness. This saves space significantly.

We insulate the floor with polyurethane foam

This insulation (hard and soft) can be obtained from isocyanate and polyol components.

Polyurethane foam has a cellular structure (bubbles filled with gas and air), provides low thermal conductivity, and is lightweight. For a number of properties, it is considered one of the best materials for thermal insulation.

The insulation must be applied to the surface by spraying. You will have to use special equipment. Polyurethane foam adheres perfectly to any material. A vapor barrier layer is not needed.

PPU floor insulation (video)

Double floors

An effective insulation option. The subfloor is used as the first layer (rough planks that are attached to the beams). There should be no gaps.

Try to fit all the boards tightly together. The finishing flooring is mounted on top. Even a topcoat made of decorative materials is suitable.

Often, instead of a rough foundation, a variety of flooring: embossed or smooth coatings with high level thermal insulation.

The mentioned material does not accumulate debris. Dust and debris can be removed from it with a vacuum cleaner or swept away. The covering must be glued to the floor using an adhesive substance. You need to glue them in separate strips. Don't forget to glue the joints too.

We insulate the fiberboard floor

For floor insulation, standard DV slabs are sometimes used. Such slabs can be placed under rough covering boards or under finishing flooring (parquet, linoleum, carpet, etc.).

The main thing is to act carefully and perform installation in stages. Maintain the alignment of the joints, avoid the formation of cracks.

The type of plates may be different:

PT-100;
M-20.

These options will prevent the cold from entering your home. Fibreboard for insulation can be used in combination with other heat insulators. For example, with mineral wool.

Underfloor heating system

The mentioned system is especially relevant for floors based on cold cement screed that require good heating.

The system will heat evenly floor surface. The result is comfortable thermal conditions throughout the entire room. The humidity level in the house will drop significantly. For the first floor of an eco-friendly wooden house, water supply is especially relevant. You can read the material about.

lay on the base of the floor concrete plates or ;
lay any type of insulation. Its thickness should not be less than two centimeters and more than ten;
lay a reinforcing mesh;
attach the piping system to the mesh with plastic clamps;
fill the floor with a cement-sand mixture;
use a backing if necessary;
install the finishing coating.

You can find out about the device and installation technology.

We create an electric heated floor system

It's much easier to install. Cable structures and safe film infrared elements are used for heating.

The cable can, if necessary, be stretched on a metal mesh, which must first be installed. Film elements can be attached directly to the screed, insulated with some kind of heat insulator.

We invite you to find out by reading the relevant article on our website.

The variety of insulation materials can confuse buyers. We list several of the most common types of thermal insulators:

Thermolife. This material usually used for light loads on the thermal insulation layer. Most often, they are used to insulate walls, roofs, and interfloor space. Equally applicable on planes of varying inclinations.
Ursa. A popular insulation material among specialists. Especially common in finishing horizontal surfaces. Advantages: good heat and sound insulation properties.
Insulation Made in China. Available in rolls. High quality at a low price. It will find application in a variety of fields.

You can insulate the floor in different ways and on your own. The choice is great. Go for it!

Kirill Sysoev

Calloused hands never get bored!

Content

One of the problems of living in a private house made of wood is a cold floor. The fact is that low-temperature air currents descend downwards, and coolness also emanates from the ground. Insulating the floor covering, which is done using a variety of materials, will help make your home cozy, warm and comfortable, and protect it from freezing.

How to insulate the floor in a wooden house from below

It is known that home is the fortress of every person, so it should always feel cozy and warm. One way to transform a living space is to insulate the floor in a wooden house from below. To get a positive result, you should carefully familiarize yourself with the range of insulation products, find out the features, and choose the most best option and complete the installation.

Installation of the thermal insulation layer has several specific nuances:

It is necessary to have two-layer insulation of the floor in a wooden house from below. It is necessary to reduce the loss of heat escaping through the rough bottom. As a rule, the floor is made of ordinary boards that are adjusted to each other. The surface will suffer from strong exposure to humidity and low temperature from the ground, so building materials must be treated with special means in advance.
Given the fact that wood absorbs liquid well, waterproofing will be needed. Before you begin to insulate a wooden floor, it is recommended to lay one-sided fiber.
Products for floor insulation in a wooden house from below should not change their characteristics when in contact with wood.

Which insulation is better for the floor in a wooden house

Very often, consumers think about what material is more profitable to use to insulate a cold floor in a wooden house from below. The choice of insulation depends on the following factors: room size, type of surface, type of wood, climate, price. It’s worth saying right away that expensive finishing materials are not always the best in quality and may simply not be suitable for a particular building. To make the right choice, it is recommended to find out what types of insulating materials there are flooring materials, study their characteristics and advantages.

Materials for thermal insulation

Range modern thermal insulation very wide. Products may differ in dimensions, characteristics, installation technologies, and so on. Insulation of floors in a wooden house is often carried out with the following building materials: mineral wool, expanded clay, penofol, polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene), polyurethane foam, sawdust, penoplex. The choice of thermal insulation layer depends on the individual preferences of the owner of the building and the characteristics of the floor covering. How to insulate the floor in a wooden house during construction or renovation of a residential premises?

Mineral wool

Cold flooring made of wood are often insulated with mineral wool. This type of sealant is available as elastic mats or durable panels. The material must be laid in a single layer. The main advantages of mineral wool:

high sound and heat insulation;
long period of practical use;
fire resistance and high humidity;
affordable price;
environmental friendliness;
This insulation is resistant to damage: mechanical and chemical influences.

Polyurethane foam

Perfect fit wooden floor a seal whose pores are closed with air and gas for insulation is polyurethane foam. This cellular material has a small mass, but retains heat well. This insulation is most resistant to the formation of fungus and mold, is not afraid of rotting, and is not susceptible to acids. Polyurethane foam is applied using a special technique and has good adhesion (adhesion to the surface). Thanks to the use of this type of thermal insulation, it is possible to insulate a floor of any shape without creating joints.

Styrofoam

Thermal insulation of floors using polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene) is different big amount pros. The structure of the material ensures a low level of vapor permeability and thermal conductivity, fire resistance, reliability, and resistance to chemical and biological factors. Expanded polystyrene has a long service life and retains its characteristics for a long time. The main disadvantage is that the seal absorbs a certain amount of liquid, which may affect some properties.

Penoplex

Insulation of a wooden floor is also done with penoplex - a very light polymer homogeneous material that does not put any load on the base of the building. It is produced by extrusion - forcing molten raw materials through the molding cavity of an extruder (special equipment). Penoplex is very durable, resistant to low temperatures, durable, characterized by minimal moisture absorption and combustion.

Expanded clay

Thermal insulation of a wooden floor can be done using expanded clay - a loose, porous product that consists of small round balls. Insulation is produced by burning slate or clay in a special oven. Expanded clay for preserving the heat of wood floors is durable and environmentally friendly materials. It has high levels of sound insulation, fire resistance, and frost resistance. There is one significant drawback: after a certain period of time, expanded clay becomes compacted under the weight of its own weight and loses its thermal insulation qualities.

Penofol

Insulation roll type for a wooden floor, which is made of polyethylene foam, which is covered with aluminum foil on top - this is penofol. This seal is not very thick (3-10 mm), but it conducts heat well and does not require additional vapor barrier. Due to its composition, penofol has several disadvantages: foil can be “eaten” by rust, and polyethylene loses strength over time.

Installation technology

Reliable and effective option laying insulation for wooden covering from below there is installation along logs - transverse boards (beams) on which the floor covering is located.

First, logs are attached to the brick foundation, the distance between which should be 1-1.2 meters (as in the photo).
Chipboard or thick plywood is mounted on the beams below using self-tapping screws. This is necessary for laying thermal insulation.
The insulating material is laid on the surface between the joists. The thickness of this layer of thermal insulation can be varied, so you need to be guided by the dimensions of the transverse boards (joists).
Waterproofing (for example, polyethylene film) is laid on top of the seal. This type of material is not always used, because some types of insulation are themselves resistant to moisture.
The final stage of installation is the installation of elements of old or new wooden flooring on the ground floor.

Wooden floors are more often than others, especially recently, used in the construction of private country houses and cottages. Floors are constructed according to wooden beams, and on reinforced concrete floors.

The thermal conductivity of wood is much lower than that of stone or concrete, making it warmer to the touch. Nevertheless, very often it is necessary to insulate wooden floors, especially on the first floors of buildings.

Types of wooden floors

The method of insulation largely depends on the design of the wooden floor. There are three types of it:

planks;
plywood;
parquet.

Plank floors are made by laying boards over joists - wooden blocks, mounted at a certain distance. Such structures are very often made in wooden houses. Plank floors can immediately form the top finishing coating, or they can be the basis for some other decorative material. In the second case, such floors are called subfloors.

To ensure that the boards in the spaces between the joists do not sag from the weight of people or any objects standing on the floor, they are connected to each other when laying. To do this, the boards are tongue-and-groove, creating a groove on one edge and a tenon on the other. When installing the floor, the boards are pulled together, the tenons fit into the grooves, creating a massive wooden shield, lying on the joists.

Plywood floors are used mainly as subfloors. Plywood is also laid over the joists and secured. Any covering can be mounted on top of plywood: linoleum, parquet, laminate.

Parquet floors are a series of slabs of hardwood that are laid in a special order to form decorative ornament. Parquet can be laid either on a rough wooden floor or on a concrete floor.

Depending on the type of floor, insulation methods will vary. To choose the right one, you need to take into account the purpose of the building - is it a residential house or a summer house. Much also depends on load-bearing structures, methods of insulation in wood, brick or aerated concrete houses may vary. It is also necessary to take into account the presence or absence of a basement under the floor.

Materials

There are many ways to protect inner space at home from the cold, but first of all you need to insulate the floor and roof, since it is through these structural elements major heat loss occurs. Only when these structures are well protected from the cold does it make sense to insulate a wooden house from the inside or outside.

It is advisable to insulate the floors of the second and subsequent floors if they are installed on concrete floors.

For insulation, various materials with a low thermal conductivity coefficient are used:

polystyrene foam or penoplex;
polyurethane foam;
mineral or glass wool;
penofol;
wood sawdust.

Each of them has its own advantages, and in most cases the choice depends on the availability of a particular material and the personal preferences of the homeowner. The thickness of the heat insulator depends on the climate in which the wooden house is located, on its location in relation to the ground level, as well as on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Thermoplastics

Note! For comparison: the thermal efficiency of 5 cm thick foam is equivalent to brickwork 75 cm thick.

It is convenient to use such materials, as they are produced in the form of sheets of various thicknesses. Transporting them to the construction site is not a hassle. They are very light and durable. You can cut polystyrene foam or penoplex with a regular stationery knife. When insulating the surface, they can be used to seal the resulting gaps at the joints with ordinary polyurethane foam. Adhesion with insulation is very good.

Polyurethane foam is a material that is more commonly seen in everyday life as foam mats. Such mats are not used in construction, and polyurethane foam is applied to the surface by spraying. Later, during the process of hardening and polymerization, it foams and hardens. As a result, polyurethane foam forms a durable, waterproof, airtight, warm coat for building structures.

Mineral wool

Various construction wools have been used as insulation for a very long time. Currently, glass wool, mineral or basalt wool are most often used.

In appearance and production technology, they are very similar to each other, differing from each other only in the raw materials used. To obtain them, raw materials are heated, melted using special equipment, and then drawn into threads. Later, when these fibers harden, looms that vaguely resemble weaving machines knit a bulky mass of low density from them.

Such insulation is produced in the form of rectangular mats of various thicknesses or in the form of rolls.

Penofol

Penofol refers to thin plates or sheets of polyethylene foam. Their thickness can be from 3 mm to 10 mm. In terms of thermal insulation qualities, this material is comparable to foam plastic or penoplex, but it is more convenient to work with due to the fact that it is flexible. Penofol is produced and supplied for sale and to construction sites in rolls 0.5 meters and 1 meter wide.

The insulation is produced in three versions - foil on one side, on both sides, or foil on one side and with an adhesive layer applied on the other. The latter option is most preferable to use, since installation of such insulation takes very little time. Enough to cut from a sheet necessary preparation and, separating protective film from the adhesive layer, attach to wooden surface and press briefly.

Sawdust

Sawdust has traditionally been used as insulation, since it was a by-product of any sawmill production, and its origin has always accompanied the production of lumber. For a very long time, sawdust was used to insulate wooden floors, falling asleep in layers between the joists.

A mass of sawdust, if it is not subject to getting wet, can lie in storage for years. closed space and don't cake. At the same time, the low density of such insulation is maintained, which provides excellent thermal insulation properties. The disadvantage of such insulation is that the sawdust cakes very quickly and even begins to rot, as soon as you wet them a little. To prevent rotting of sawdust and damage by various wood borers, they are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or the sawdust is mixed with lime.

Plank and plywood floors on joists

The ideal option is one in which the floor insulation is carried out during the construction stage of the building. In this case, you can provide for all the nuances and avoid mistakes and unnecessary time and material waste. The maximum effect from insulation will be obtained only if the level of the wooden floor of the first floor is located at a distance of at least 25-30 cm from the ground level planned around the building.

Floors in wooden houses are arranged on beams, which are laid at the same level as the first crown of the log house. Logs are laid on top of the beams, and a board or plywood covering is placed on top of them. When insulating a wooden floor during construction, you can place thermal insulation material between the beams. To do this, along their entire length, skull blocks are nailed from below, on which board or plywood flooring rests. Between two adjacent beams a space is formed that can be filled with insulation.

Note! Before laying insulation, you need to lay a layer of vapor barrier.

In this case, it must be oriented so that water vapor from the insulation escapes into the underground. They are removed from the underground space through special ventilation holes, which must be provided in the foundation. In the winter, these vents are usually closed to prevent cold air from entering the space under the floor.

If there is a basement

If there is a basement under the first floor of the house, there may be no ventilation holes in the foundation. In this case, basement ventilation must be provided. It is often performed by outputting ventilation pipe up above the roof and installed along any of the walls of the house.

Additional vapor barrier

After laying the insulation, it is necessary to install another layer of vapor barrier, the vapor permeability coefficient of which will be several times less than that of the bottom layer. To do this, you can use the most common polyethylene film or any rolled foil materials. In this case, the foil should be placed towards the internal volume of the room, then it will have a reflective effect for heat. Logs are laid over the top layer of vapor barrier, and boards or plywood are mounted.

The thickness of the log will ensure the presence of a mandatory air gap between top layer vapor barrier and floor covering. Ventilation in this gap can be ensured by drilling several holes in the floor in the corners of the room or using special slotted skirting boards.

In the case of an old building

If you have to carry out insulation in already constructed buildings, the method described above is not suitable, since it is irrational to open up existing wooden floors. In this case, if the floor height allows, the old coating can be used as a subfloor. You need to lay logs with insulation on it and a new plank covering on top of them. Just as in accordance with the method described above, a layer of vapor barrier must be laid under the insulation and a denser membrane must also be mounted on top of the insulation.

Using the same scheme as insulating the floor, you can insulate the ceiling or ceiling in a wooden house with your own hands. The difference will be that a vapor barrier layer with a high penetration coefficient will have to be mounted on top so that moisture from the insulation is removed not into the room, but into a ventilated attic or outside.

Parquet and parquet boards

Parquet floors can be either a stacked combination of individual tiles or a covering made of parquet boards. In both cases, the parquet is laid on a flat, prepared base. It can be a cement-sand screed or sheet wood material. To prevent the parquet floor from being cold, you can insulate it in several ways.

A significant insulating effect is achieved by using a foam polyethylene backing placed under parquet board. This substrate is similar in structure to the insulating material penofol. The only difference is that it does not have a foil layer.

Note! If inlaid parquet is laid on a base made of plywood or particle boards, the insulating layer of penofol can be placed under the wood base directly on the surface of the concrete slab.

When parquet tiles are glued directly onto cement-sand screed, you need to insulate it.

Penofol or penoplex are used. To do this, a layer of insulation is glued to reinforced concrete slab ceilings, and after that the screed is poured. Beforehand, penofol tape must be glued around the perimeter of the room to the thickness of the screed, or penoplex plates must be laid.

They need to be placed along all walls and partitions, including along interior ones, since they perform two functions - they isolate the screed from the cold outer walls of the building and are dampers that compensate for changes in the size of the screed due to heating.

A heating cable with a sensor from a floor heating system can be cast into a screed, you can get additional view heating. Usually it is called that - warm floor. The cable must be installed using special fasteners before concreting begins. The wires feeding the cable and connecting wires of the sensor must be brought out in advance to the installation site of the thermal controller - the heating system control panel. Periodically turning on the heating will ensure a comfortable temperature throughout the room.