Repair Design Furniture

Thermal insulation of the attic floor on wooden beams. Beam insulation. Thermal insulation of the ceiling. Heated attic over reinforced concrete slab

The attic floor separates the heated part of the building from the cold part. Choosing the right material and thickness of the insulator means reducing heat loss and saving material costs during the heating season. Let's talk about the insulation of the attic floor on wooden beams with your own hands.

Construction of a wooden attic floor

The load-bearing elements in the attic wooden floor are beams. They are made from coniferous wood. The size of the section of the beams is taken according to the calculation for the load that the element perceives. We told you about the correct calculation of wooden floor beams in the article "How to calculate wooden floor beams".

For each specific climatic conditions and depending on the ability of the material to resist heat transfer, according to the heat engineering calculation, its own value of the thickness of the heat insulator is obtained.

Scheme of insulation of the attic floor: 1 - log; 2 - cranial bars; 3 - board shield or boards; 4 - vapor barrier; 5 - counter-lattice for the ventilation gap; 6 - insulation; 7 - clean floor; 8 - ventilation gap

The black floor of wooden shields or boards is mounted on cranial bars. Next, a membrane-type vapor barrier is laid, a heater is laid on it, which is covered with another layer of the membrane.

If the attic is in use, a clean floor is laid on top. If not, then running boards (min. 40 mm thick) are laid on the beams. All wooden elements are antiseptic. To ventilate wooden structures, when laying a clean floor, a gap is left between it and the insulation.

The choice of material for insulation

Bulk materials

Expanded clay

It is possible to insulate attic floors with bulk materials, which include expanded clay. It has a relatively low weight (250-600 kg / m 3) and high resistance to heat transfer. Ease of installation and relative cheapness determine the choice of this material.

Vermiculite

Expanded vermiculite is obtained by heating the vermiculite rock to a temperature of 700 ° C, which at the same time increases in volume by 25 times. Its thermal conductivity is from 0.13 W / m K, and the volumetric weight is up to 200 kg / m 3.

Perlite

Expanded perlite also belongs to loose heat-insulating materials. The perlite rock is crushed and fired to obtain a porous structure. Expanded perlite is environmentally safe, non-flammable and bioresistant, has high thermal insulation properties (0.052 W/m K). Its volumetric weight is 160-250 kg/m 3 .

piece materials

Piece insulating materials are produced in the form of: sheets, rolls, plates, mounting shells and segments. To insulate the attic floor, slabs and rolls are most often used. At the same time, a roll-type insulation is preferable, since it does not leave butt joints, which slightly worsen the resistance to heat transfer.

Basalt wool

Mineral wool slabs and rolls of basalt fibers are the most popular heat-insulating material in housing construction. It is made from crushed and melted basalt by blowing. Basalt wool has a low thermal conductivity (0.32-0.048 W / m K), low volumetric weight. This material is bioresistant, environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive.

glass wool

Glass wool in its characteristics is very close to mineral wool. It is also obtained by melting the source material, which in this case is cullet. Glass wool has longer threads, greater chemical resistance and strength, lower cost than mineral wool.

It is produced in the form of plates, mats, rolls, reinforced and with a reflective layer. The volumetric weight of glass wool is from 25 to 200 kg / m 3, heat absorption - 0.035-0.045 W / m K. The disadvantage of fiberglass is the need for personal protection during installation.

Styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene (foam plastic) also belongs to plate heaters. This is a cheap, lightweight, moisture-resistant material with good thermal insulation properties. In private housing construction, it is often abandoned due to rodent damage and low resistance to high temperatures.

Extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex) has good insulation properties, is less flammable than simple polystyrene foam, but emits toxic substances when burned.

polyurethane foam

Plate polyurethane foam (foam rubber) has a high resistance to heat transfer (0.029-0.041 W / m K) and low volumetric weight (30-80 kg / m 3). Rigid types of this material are used in construction. The sprayed polyurethane foam creates a continuous insulation of the surface, both thermally and hydro. It is also resistant to temperature extremes and durable in operation (up to 20 years).

Foam glass

Foam glass is a type of glass that has a cellular structure. It has low thermal conductivity (0.04-0.08 W / m K), water resistance, high strength and fire safety. The percentage of foam glass porosity reaches 80-95%. The volumetric weight varies from 100-200 kg/m 3 .

Peat slabs

Peat slabs belong to organic heat-insulating materials. They are made from young sphagnum moss using a wet and dry method. Under the influence of temperature, the peat fibers stick together. Peat slabs are divided into ordinary and moisture resistant. Their volumetric weight is 170-300 kg / m 3, the thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.05-0.07 W / m K.

Fiberboard

Fibrolite boards are made from wood fiber, which is first mineralized and then mixed in the required proportion (cement - water). Heat-insulating boards have a lower volumetric weight (300-350 kg/m 3) and thermal conductivity (0.085-0.95 W/m K) than a structural fiberboard.

It is quite affordable to make a fibrolite mixture yourself and lay it directly in place. It is possible to preliminarily, using a special technology in the formwork, make slabs of the desired size out of it, and then mount them on the ceiling.

reeds

As a heat-insulating material, reeds are also used, which is practically the cheapest. It is made from pressed reed stalks sewn together with steel wire.

The volumetric weight of reed is 175-250 kg / m 3, the heat absorption coefficient is 0.05-0.08 W / m K. Its disadvantages are low fire resistance and biostability, high water absorption and damage by rodents.

Ecowool

Ecowool (cellulose wool) refers to environmentally friendly heat-insulating materials. It is made from recycled cellulose raw materials with the addition of antiseptics and flame retardants. Most often they are boric acid and borax.

In stores, it can be found packed in plastic bags. When laying, ecowool is loosened and then laid out at the place of insulation. In fact, the density of the insulation should be at least 35 kg / m 3 for overlapping, which is quite difficult to determine “by eye”.

This heat-insulating material has good thermal conductivity - 0.037-0.042 W / m K, low volumetric weight (28-63 kg / m 3), moderately combustible and bio-resistant. Ecowool can prevent about 20% of humidity from passing into the inner layers, while maintaining its thermal insulation properties.

Cork slabs for thermal insulation have been used for a long time. They are made from shredded cork waste by mixing with glue or heat treatment. Pressed plates in special forms are dried at a temperature of 80 °C.

The volumetric weight of cork insulation is small and amounts to 150-250 kg / m 3, the thermal insulation index is high (0.04-0.08 W / m K). The advantages of this insulator include:

  • biostability;
  • low water absorption;
  • low volumetric weight;
  • relatively high strength as a heat-insulating material;
  • fire resistance (smolders slowly);
  • not attacked by rodents.

Features of laying thermal insulation on a wooden floor

Insulation made of mineral and glass wool is laid with mandatory vapor barrier. Absorbing water, the insulation loses its thermal properties, so careful protection against moisture is needed. The vapor barrier films are laid with an overlap of 100 mm.

A heat insulator with a reflective coating reduces the heat loss of the ceiling. It is laid down with foil. The use of penofol is justified only in baths and saunas.

If the thickness of the heat-insulating material is greater than the height of the floor beams, it is necessary to lay additional rails to create an air gap. Multilayer thermal insulation is arranged with overlapping butt joints.

The dimensions of rigid heat-insulating plates are adjusted with great care so that the gaps do not increase the thermal conductivity of the floor. Otherwise, the installation of this type of insulation does not differ from the installation of thermal insulation from mineral wool boards.

Bulk heat insulators are evenly distributed over the entire space between the beams, observing the required (calculated) layer thickness. Since almost all of them absorb moisture, such an insulator is protected from moisture by a membrane film from above and below.

The choice of material for thermal insulation of the attic floor is determined by the following criteria:

  1. Material costs, including shipping costs.
  2. Local availability of material.
  3. Ease of installation.
  4. Health safety.
  5. Fire safety.

It is possible to reduce the stress of the building structure by choosing a heater with a lower volumetric weight and a low heat absorption index.

Attic spaces, the frame of which is presented in the form of wooden trusses, are correctly referred to as "cold". These objects are not particularly resistant compared to reinforced concrete structures, but they have their own advantages.

Basically, they come down to the great possibilities of using heat-insulating materials. The classic attic floor on wooden beams is equipped with a heater with an ordinary carpentry tool, unlike reinforced concrete, where special equipment is needed.

Insulation of the attic floor, in addition to insulation, requires the installation of a competent vapor barrier and hood that prevent the formation of mold and fungus. And if you follow the technology correctly when installing the insulating material, then air exchange will be guaranteed.

The design of the attic directly depends on the parameters of the building and the purposes involving the use of this room. The under-roof space is assigned the role of a kind of air gap separating warm heated rooms from a cold roof.

At the same time, the floor in the attic room performs two tasks:

insulating. In the attic of the house, the air temperature is almost the same as the street indicators of degrees. In this case, the floors have an insulating function, thereby preventing the penetration of cold air into the living quarters.

Carrier. In most cases, the overlap along the wooden beams between the attic space and the upper floor of the house, as well as the walls, has a load-bearing function. In this regard, it must be reliable and durable, as people move along it, utensils are stored or any equipment is placed.

Therefore, in order to know the allowable load on attic floors, it is necessary to make a calculation. Then, based on their results, draw up a project from which it will be seen how to properly insulate the attic floor in the building.

The choice of material for insulation

The attic insulation technique is simple, since the material is laid directly on the floor, in the gap between the rafters and the wooden floor beams. If you plan to use the attic as an attic, then you need to insulate the roof.

To insulate the floor between the beams in the attic, several types of heaters are used:

  • Mineral wool.
  • Styrofoam.
  • Styrofoam.
  • Sawdust.
  • Expanded clay.
  • Foam.

Consider each warming product in more detail.

Mineral wool insulation

In order to save heat, the material must be placed between steam and waterproofing films. Vapor barrier protects against moist air masses that form in residential premises near the ceiling, especially at the junction with walls. The second layer protects the wool from water ingress from the roof through microcracks and holes in the roof.

They insulate the attic of the house most often from the side of the floor, rather than from the ceiling of the lower floor. For this, mineral wool is a reliable, low-cost insulating material with high compression, allowing you to cover the surface not only of the floor, but also of beams of various shapes. Such insulation is sold in rolls or plates of different thicknesses.

At the same time, it has the following advantages:

  • budget cost.
  • Ease of installation.
  • Rodents do not start in such a heater.
  • High fire safety material.
  • The ability to isolate any uneven surface.

At the same time, when working with mineral wool, it is necessary to take protective measures: wear tight clothing, work with glasses and protective gloves, and it is also advisable to use a respirator.

Styrofoam

Insulation of the attic space with foam plastic is a good option for converting it into an attic, suitable for year-round use. Such a material has a low thermal conductivity, as it is produced in the form of foamed air granules pressed into plates.

During installation, the foam must be cut in such a way that the plates fit snugly between the attic floors. Any gaps and cracks become "bridges" for the penetration of cold, and thereby significantly degrade the quality of insulation.

At the same time, it is necessary to observe the distance between the foam plastic plate and the waterproofing film of at least 2-3 cm. It is recommended to use it as a heater with a thickness of 70 mm, and in regions with a harsh climate - 100 mm.

Attention! When installing a vapor barrier film, you need to pay attention to the fact that it is facing the insulation with the right layer, according to the instructions. Otherwise, the opposite effect will be produced: all the steam will be directed towards the insulating material.

Extruded polystyrene foam

When insulating the ceiling of a residential building along attic floors, for many builders this material is considered the best option. This insulation does not cause difficulties during installation, it can be laid under any overlap of beams.

It also saves space, since you can get by with two to three times less thickness than when using the same mineral wool. Extruded polystyrene foam is different in appearance, since it is produced by different manufacturers. To insulate attic floors, the density of such a material should be about 32-34 kg / m, and its thickness should be from 40 to 100 mm.

And also manufacturers of polystyrene foam produce curly elements that lay out complex fragments in the attic floor. This insulation is convenient for installation in two layers: the first is laid between the attic floors, and the second layer is applied end-to-end along the bottom row, overlapping the wooden beams.

The main disadvantage of such a heater is that it is combustible. To reduce the fire hazard, you can lay mineral wool with expanded polystyrene, or add antipyrine.

Expanded clay

Expanded clay for the attic of a house is a traditional method of thermal insulation of a technical floor. This material is poured between wooden floors with a layer thickness of at least 150 mm. Such a mass is a universal tool that can isolate floor structures, and it can also be used as thermal insulation in conjunction with other bulk materials.

Attention! Expanded clay is a fairly light insulation, but when a thick layer is applied, the bearing surface of the floor will carry a large load.

Thermal insulation is best carried out at the construction stage of the building, since it is easy to waterproof the ceilings of the rooms under the attic and provide for an exhaust hood.

To do this, a vapor barrier film is covered on the ceiling to protect the expanded clay layer from getting wet. It is not recommended to pour it directly on the floor boards for another reason: during the operation and operation of the premises, a lot of dust is released, which penetrates into the living rooms.

Sawdust

Sawdust is a product of lumber processing in the woodworking industry. This is the cheapest insulation for attic floors, since you can buy sawdust at any sawmill for free. Thus, sawdust is now, as an option, a reliable heat insulator in attic spaces.

On a note! Sawdust are of organic origin, therefore, they are completely harmless to human health. Since ancient times in Russia, sawdust mixed with clay has been used as a heater in attics.

Sawdust has the following advantages:

  1. Low cost insulation. Probably, the popularity of such a heater lies precisely because of this factor: its cost is almost equal to the consumption during transportation.
  2. Safety for human health. Wood chips and sawdust do not cause skin irritation, allergies, poisoning, which cannot be said with full confidence about modern heaters.
  3. Low thermal conductivity. Unlike wood, chips have a porous structure, so they have an underestimated heat conductivity.
  4. Easy installation. To form a heat-insulating layer in the attic floors, no special skills are required. You just need to mix sawdust with clay or lime, and then pour it into the space between the attic floors.

The only significant drawback is the fire hazard of the material, despite the mixture with other non-combustible substances.

Foam

Recently, two types of insulating material have become popular for attic floor insulation: blown wool and ecowool. The latter material consists of 80% of cellulose fibers produced from waste paper, and 20% of additives, which are fire-fighting and antiseptic components.

Such a material has low thermal conductivity, it is very light, and looks like ordinary polyurethane foam. Both types of insulation are usually sprayed on boards between wooden beams, but sometimes ecowool is used in granules in a friable state. In this case, this mixture, as an option, is simply poured between the floor beams and compacted.

vapor barrier

The vapor barrier film protects the wooden floors of the beams from moisture formed in the air of residential premises. In addition, it protects the floors from the appearance of mold and fungus in the heat-insulating material.

Regardless of how the attic floor is made, the vapor barrier for the floor should form a continuous carpet that prevents the penetration of condensate. Particular attention should be paid to the joints with walls, where there is a high probability of condensate penetration. To do this, the covering film is overlapped and its edges are glued with adhesive tape.

Warming technology

For the correct application of insulation, follow the step-by-step instructions:

Step #1. Inspect and, if defects are found, correct them. Treat boards and timber with antiseptics and fungicides.

Step #2 Lay out the vapor barrier material, seal all gaps with mounting tape.

Step #3 Lay out (pour) insulation into the openings of wooden floors on the floor.

Step #4 Pay special attention to the joints between the plates of insulating material. Apply additional insulation if necessary.

Step #5 Lay the waterproofing film with an overlap, fasten the joints with mounting tape.

Step #6 Separately, install insulation on the ventilation duct, chimney pipes in the form of basalt wool, perlite, and it is advisable to install a special corrugation on top.

Installation of wooden beams of the attic floor

Attic ceilings are designed to separate living rooms from the under-roof space. They do not allow cold air to pass through, so their main task is their thermal insulation. And also various equipment is often installed in the attic.

In this regard, another important task is to create a solid foundation that can withstand this load. Thus, the safety of people, their comfortable living, as well as the durability of the structure depend on the quality arrangement of the wooden floor.

Attic flooring on wooden beams - standards, requirements

According to the requirements of SNiP 31-02, attic floors must withstand thermal, statistical, acoustic and fire conditions. In addition - to be energy-saving, therefore, reliable thermal insulation should be installed on the floors.

When installing an attic floor on wooden beams, all sanitary and hygienic requirements must be strictly maintained. When erecting a frame, it is necessary to build a structure, and then insulate the attic floor. At the same time, the same temperature should be maintained between the lower part of the attic and the living room. The difference in indicators in degrees according to the standards is allowed no more than 4˚С.

For the structural elements of the attic, a dry, seasoned beam with a section of 100 × 150 or 200 × 250 mm should be used, while the humidity in it is allowed no more than 20-30%. The distance between the supporting beams depends on the load, but usually it is taken at intervals of 3 to 6 meters. In addition to the bearing load, wooden floors need an ultimate margin of safety.

It must be borne in mind that the indicator of the smallest load on such load-bearing beams is 100 kg / sq. m. And the period of trouble-free operation of wooden floors according to the standards is 60 years. It is due to the fact that the wood is affected by fungus and insects, as well as a change in the strength of the beams under the influence of possible condensate.

For more information about the regulatory requirements for attic floors, see the video:

In particular, the joints between the rafters and the wall, as well as the supporting beams of the ceiling, should be protected with insulating material. Subject to all these conditions, the house will serve you faithfully for a long time.

To maintain a normal temperature and humidity regime in a private house, it is necessary to provide reliable protection against the penetration of cold air. It requires not only thermal protection of the walls and basement floors, but also insulation of the attic floor with effective materials on wooden beams.

Types of attic floors

In a private house, you can apply the following types of horizontal structures:

  • precast concrete;
  • monolithic reinforced concrete;
  • on metal beams;
  • over wooden beams.

For the construction of a wooden house, the most rational solution would be the option of overlapping on wooden beams. Wood has higher thermal insulation characteristics than concrete, but still the thermal insulation is insufficient.

Warming technology

How to insulate the attic floor so that there are no problems in the future? In the general case, do-it-yourself thermal insulation technology is almost the same. But how to install it depends on the specific situation.

Insulation of the attic floor is carried out in the presence of a cold attic. The thermal protection of the structure is performed from above, since in this case the thermal insulation is the most competent. But in some cases, another scheme is used - protection from warm air.

The answers to the question why insulation from the ceiling of the upper floor is undesirable can be the following disadvantages of thermal protection from below:

  • the insulation only protects the ceiling, and the ceiling remains cold;
  • do-it-yourself work from below is quite laborious;
  • the point of condensation is shifted inside the floor pie, which can lead to rotting of the structure along the wooden beams.

It is also important to follow the correct order of all related materials.

When insulating, you need to remember one rule: the vapor barrier is always located on the side of warm air, and the waterproofing is always on the side of cold air.

Incorrect placement can lead to the following problems:

  • wetting of the heater;
  • condensation on the ceiling surface;
  • rotting of the cold attic ceiling on wooden beams.


Whether vapor barrier and waterproofing are needed depends on the chosen insulation.

The choice of insulation

The methods of insulating the ceiling of the upper floor of the ceiling along the beams in a private house are very diverse. When doing do-it-yourself work, the insulation is placed between the lags and provides reliable thermal insulation and noise protection. There are many options for insulating the structure, the most common of them are:

  • mineral wool insulation;
  • laying on wooden beams of expanded polystyrene (polystyrene or foam plastic);
  • backfilling with expanded clay;
  • sawdust insulation;
  • filling the ceiling space with foam.

Each of these options has its own characteristics and advantages.


Mineral wool insulation between lags

Mineral wool insulation

The material is produced in two versions: plates and rolls. Thermal insulation of the attic floor with mineral wool has the following advantages:

Styrofoam


Styrofoam has become one of the most common materials for thermal insulation. He deserved a place in the top three thanks to a very attractive price. The use of this insulation in an individual house provides the following advantages:

  • high degree of protection;
  • resistance to decay and the occurrence of mold and fungus;
  • low degree of water absorption;
  • ease of installation and no need for complex tools and protective equipment;
  • the light weight of the material does not allow excessive load on the structures and allows for insulation from below.

Extruded polystyrene foam

More often this material is called a shorter word - penoplex. Being the closest relative of polystyrene, penoplex is devoid of most of its shortcomings. In the process of improving performance, the cost has increased. The material is produced fireproof, it has sufficient strength to be used as a base for flooring and a small mass for use in the construction of the ceiling.

Do-it-yourself installation is quite simple. This issue is discussed in detail in the article. The text discusses the use of both foam and foam plastic for different types of floor construction.

For people who decide to build their own wooden house, the naturalness of the materials is usually important. Here, penoplex, like polystyrene, loses to other types of insulation due to artificial origin.

Expanded clay or sawdust


Wood floor insulation

If you decide to use completely natural materials in the house, these two types of insulation will become indispensable helpers. They do not have high heat-shielding characteristics, like the previous types, but provide reliable protection from the cold with a sufficient layer thickness. Sawdust can be obtained almost free of charge, expanded clay is also an inexpensive material.

Insulation of the attic floor can be carried out by non-professionals and does not require special skills. The limitation of the application is the physical features of these materials: they cannot be used for thermal protection from below.

Foam for thermal protection

Polyurethane foam insulation is a fairly new material in construction. With the independent construction of the building, this method can provide high speed work and reliable protection from the cold. You can read about the insulation of the building, including attic floors, with foam in the article.

This provides a large selection of materials for insulation and significantly save on construction.

The insulation of the wooden floor is carried out between the joists, therefore it does not require high strength from the heat-shielding material: the main load from people, furniture and equipment will be taken by boards or timber.

A large percentage of heat loss occurs precisely through the ceiling of the upper floor, so it is so important to choose the right insulation and follow the laying technology.

Living in your cottage can be overshadowed by low indoor temperatures during the cold season and high expenses for. To avoid this, perform insulation of the ceiling of a private house. With the help of traditional and new materials, ceiling, attic or interfloor insulation is performed.


The process of floor insulation in a frame house using mineral wool

According to the laws of physics, warm air always rises. If it is not heated, the heat from the lower floor comes out through it. Heat losses can be up to 40%. Warm air escapes through small cracks in concrete, pores in wooden ceilings. Properly executed thermal insulation will prevent freezing, will reduce heating costs.

In all private houses with a cold ceiling, it is recommended to carry out thermal insulation of the ceiling. Such work can be performed at the construction stage or in an already erected house. In the second case, insulation is carried out if the coatings were made a long time ago and have lost their heat-insulating properties over time.

Materials for insulation

For thermal insulation, four groups of heaters are used:


In addition to the direct function of thermal insulation, they possess. In summer, they protect the house from high ambient temperatures. Among the main properties of heat-insulating agents, which are important for, there are:


Before the final choice of a thermal insulation agent, it is also important to analyze:

  1. Climatic conditions. The colder it is outside in winter, the thicker the insulation layer should be.
  2. Budget. Quite often, the choice depends only on the availability of money.
  3. Additional work. What else needs to be done to insulate the ceiling.

Laying mineral wool in beams before lining the ceiling with clapboard

Perhaps this is the replacement of structural elements, finishing materials, the application of additional or treatment with refractory preparations.

Sawdust

Sawdust can be used for thermal insulation of the floor. Affects its low price, availability, low cost of work. The main disadvantage of sawdust is combustibility, low moisture resistance. This leads to easy ignition, rotting, and the appearance of fungus. Therefore, sawdust is processed before laying.


The process of filling sawdust in the cavity between the beams under the flooring sheets

To reduce the moisture content and prevent the appearance of mold, sawdust is dried in a special chamber for a year. Later them, fungicides.

Hydrated lime will help reduce the risk of rodent infestation. To reduce flammability, they are mixed with flame retardants.

Thermal insulation using sawdust is carried out in two ways. Sawdust is simply poured onto the prepared surface.


This method is not required. Since the shrinkage of the material begins quite quickly, which requires regular replenishment. For the second method, sawdust is mixed with cement mortar.

Styrofoam

Plate breathable material, has a low price, does not accumulate moisture, does not rot. Mold, fungi, microorganisms do not grow on polystyrene. It has high thermal conductivity, high temperature resistance, good sound insulation. Conducts moisture well. Light weight allows it to be laid on thin ceilings. Durable.


Installation of foam sheets to the ceiling

Main disadvantages:

  1. Flammability. This is the main drawback of the material. It is not mounted where there is free air access. When used for ceilings, they must be treated with plaster or refractory preparations.
  2. Rodents. Mice love to make their nests in Styrofoam.

To exclude the penetration of rodents, use a metal fine mesh.

Expanded clay

Bulk material is the second most popular insulation. It has high thermal insulation properties, is always on sale, it is easy to lay it yourself.

It is inexpensive. Expanded clay disadvantages:


For styling, large and small particles are mixed. This combination will fill the empty space. To protect against moisture, a cement mortar is poured. Its thickness should be no more than 20 mm.

Mineral wool

It is produced in the form of a roll, rolled out on the surface, cut off. The material is inexpensive, has good thermal insulation, quickly fits. Among its shortcomings are:


The thermal barrier decreases when the wool is squeezed, so you can’t step on it; immediately after laying, flooring is made.

Penoizol and polyurethane foam

Heaters of this type are poured or sprayed. This material cannot be laid on its own, because. its application requires special equipment, protective suits, and professional skills.

Foam products fill with themselves all the slightest cracks, cracks. They do not attract insects, do not burn, and are safe for humans. The substance contains a large number of air bubbles that contribute to.
Flaws:

  1. High price.
  2. Fragility. The material does not restore its original shape after damage.
  3. Shrinkage. Penoizol has a slight shrinkage.

After complete solidification, it is necessary to replenish the settled material.

Insulation technologies

Depending on the structure, they insulate the ceiling, attic or interfloor ceilings.

Ceiling

This type of thermal insulation includes three main steps: preparation, interior work, and work in the attic. The preparatory stage begins with cleaning the surface of debris, dirt, excess items. For insulation with mineral wool, foam plastic, sawdust, load-bearing beams 50 x 100 cm in cross section are prepared. They must be checked before installation.


Scheme with the names of the elements of insulation of the attic floor in the cottage

Damaged areas are removed or replaced. Mold, fungus are removed with a grinder or ordinary sandpaper. Mandatory treatment of beams with means of fire, bioprotection.
The next step is the installation of utilities.


Detailed scheme of insulation of the attic floor

The process of attic insulation includes preparation, laying of thermal insulation outside and inside, thermal insulation of gables, finishing. Bulk products are not suitable for attic floors.

Warming is carried out with slab or roll materials. When using reinforced concrete floor slabs, they usually insulate the outer and inner parts of the roof.

First, the old flooring is removed and the truss system is checked. If necessary, they change parts, carry out repairs. If the logs are thinner than the thermal insulator, they are built up with bars of a suitable size. All wooden elements are treated with an antiseptic and fire retardant.


A vapor barrier membrane is attached to the bars with a stapler so that the smooth surface is on the side of the thermal insulation. The insulating material itself is spread or laid. Another layer of vapor barrier material is spread over the thermal insulator. All seams are closed with tape. The insulation of the attic floor is completed with the manufacture of wooden crates for fixing finishing materials.

Watch in the video the process of warming the attic floor with mineral wool.

Interfloor overlap

Insulation of interfloor ceilings begins with checking the level of the floor. If differences are noted, it is better to eliminate them with a cement-sand screed. Beams are prepared, all traces of mold are removed, treated with an antiseptic and refractory agents. The space between the beams and the structure is filled with foam, the remains are cut off. A waterproofing or vapor barrier membrane is attached to the beams.


Mounted vapor barrier membrane before insulation of the interfloor ceiling

They are wrapped in foil so that the edges remain open. This will allow them to dry better. The next step is to install the insulation. For interfloor ceilings, it is advised to use foam or mineral wool. Waterproofing is mounted on top of the insulating material and finishing work is carried out at the end.

Heat, as you know, rises. And safely leaves the room through an uninsulated attic.

Losses in winter can reach up to 15%.

To eliminate these losses, regardless of the purpose of using the under-roof space, insulation of the attic floor over wooden beams is required.

Attic insulation is a whole range of works, which, subject to technologies and requirements, corresponds to a number of features:

  • High-quality thermal insulation of the attic prevents heat loss and cold air from entering the building, which significantly affects heating costs;
  • In summer, the insulation of attic floors does not allow the building to warm up through the ceiling and allows you to maintain an optimal microclimate without resorting to air conditioning once again;
  • Insulation in compliance with technological requirements is able to pass air and prevents condensation from accumulating in the attic;
  • The use of hydro - and vapor barrier protects wooden structures from the appearance of mold, fungus, which significantly increases the service life;
  • Properly performed work on the insulation of the attic prevents the formation of ice and icicles.

The technology of work on the insulation of the attic floor

After laying wooden beams, waterproofing of the ceiling is performed. It prevents the penetration of moisture and additionally protects the insulation.

A multilayer reinforced material made of polyethylene, polypropylene can act as a waterproofing agent.

The ideal option for attaching a waterproofing is considered to be a solid layer under the beams. If this is not possible, the laying is carried out between the beams with an overlap, overlapping the wooden structures, and fixed with adhesive tape from above for tightness.

Direct insulation of the attic floor on wooden beams is carried out by laying heat-insulating materials between them.

When using bulk raw materials, the filling of all voids and the evenness of the surface are controlled. If the thickness of the insulation used is greater than the width of the wooden beams, an additional installation of the crate is required, fixed across the supporting structure.

In addition, it is necessary to provide for options for sheathing the beams themselves with heat-insulating material in order to exclude “cold bridges”.

Regardless of the type of finishing coating, it is desirable to lay another layer of waterproofing over the thermal insulation.

The floor of the insulated attic is made of boards laid across the beams, plywood, chipboard.

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Attic insulation with mineral wool

Mineral wool is a fairly popular raw material as a heat insulator for floors. The material is cheap, non-flammable, withstands fairly high temperatures, retains heat well and is easy to use.

The disadvantages include susceptibility to moisture, which requires good waterproofing when it is used.

Available in rolls and slabs. Both types are suitable for thermal insulation. But the use of the roll option allows you to simultaneously overlap the beams. Laying is carried out close to the guides, trying not to crush the mineral wool.

Mineral wool is easy to install, so it is in demand for independent work. Be sure to use protective equipment when working with mineral wool.

Clothing is required that covers all parts of the body, gloves, as well as a respirator and goggles.

Polyurethane foam as an attic heat insulator

If you choose the perfect insulation for quality characteristics, then polyurethane foam will lead the leaders.

Raw materials perfectly keep heat, non-combustible, durable, light, resistant to external influences, non-hygroscopic, uninteresting to rodents.

But all its advantages outweigh the cost of raw materials. In small towns and villages, it is problematic to purchase such a heater.

In the case of a decision in favor of the characteristics, it is necessary to decide on the type of polyurethane foam insulation.

It is easier to install ready-made slabs from this raw material, but this method has the disadvantage of joints and uncovered beams.

Polyurethane foam in the form of foam is applied by spraying and penetrates into all possible places. A thin layer is enough to obtain a protective effect.

Spraying polyurethane foam requires special tools and certain skills.

So is foam good?

Laying foam boards to insulate the attic floor between wooden beams is within the power of even a novice inexperienced self-taught builder.

Installation is carried out on top of the film, tightly adjoining the plates to each other and to the ceilings. The gaps are sealed with mounting foam.

A waterproofing layer is laid on top and finishing is performed.

The popularity of this insulation is dictated by its low cost, thermal insulation qualities and ease of installation.

All advantages are crossed out by the fire hazard of raw materials. In addition to the low melting and ignition temperature, the foam releases gases hazardous to health when heated.

Therefore, the insulation of wooden floors with foam is not the best option. Such a heat insulator is more suitable for concrete slabs and exterior finishes.

Warming with bulk materials

Expanded clay or sawdust is used for bulk insulation. Both heat insulators are environmentally friendly natural raw materials that retain heat well.

For backfilling in the attic, a crate is installed. The bulk layer reaches 250–300 mm. A finishing board or plywood is laid on top.

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When using expanded clay, it is necessary to carry out additional calculations for the bearing capacity of the floors. Expanded clay is not a light insulation and the ceiling may not withstand the load.

Sawdust, despite the seeming ease of use, requires additional processing and is not poured in its pure form, but a special composition is prepared in which sawdust is only one of the components.

To prepare the solution, the following materials are needed:

  • 10 parts of sawdust;
  • 1 part lime;
  • 1 part cement;
  • 5-10 parts liquid with antiseptic.

The choice of a heat insulator for the attic and the technology of its laying depends on the required insulation characteristics and financial capabilities.

In any case, even minimal insulation will protect the building and save on heating.

Cool attic ceiling heating

Since the roof of a cool attic serves only the function of protecting against rain, snow and partial wind, special attention should be paid to the thermal insulation of the soil. Thermal insulation heating is carried out using various thermal insulation materials with mandatory wind protection, especially from the roof side.

Thermal coating in two layers with mineral wool cylinders

The laying of the insulation is usually done directly on the cool attic floor.

Of course, if the attic does not work. This will save on a layer of waterproofing film, as well as on the organization of a full floor covering.

How to isolate the ceiling of the attic and what materials can be used for this - read below.

What is the thickness of the attic insulation?

The thickness of the thermal insulation layer does not depend on the design of the ceiling in the attic on wooden beams or reinforced concrete.

On the packaging of any insulation, the coefficient of thermal conductivity? And has two meanings: A - for a dry environment and? B - for wet. The lower this coefficient, the better the insulating properties of the material.

Based on this value, the insulation of the lower part of the attic is calculated.

Attic insulation thickness:

where R0 is the coefficient of resistance to heat transfer, which is 4.15 m in the standard? °C / W.

Floor heating over wooden beams

Most small houses and cold-roofed villas use wooden ceilings, so their thermal insulation, which we will look at first.

Installing a ceiling ceiling on wooden beams is usually carried out as follows:

  1. Lower floor;
  2. Vapor barrier;
  3. The beams overlap;
  4. insulation;
  5. waterproofing;
  6. Completion.

The ceiling device in a private house with a cold attic begins with the laying of load-bearing beams.

Since they usually have a maximum length of 4 meters, it is necessary to build supports or use metal programs for large areas.

Scheme of a wooden attic device by laying the heater in two layers

After laying the beams, a vapor barrier is created that blocks the cold attic. To do this, a vapor barrier film is fixed from the bottom, which protects the insulation from moisture penetration from the lower room.

When you are performing rigid insulation on the floor, as with foil, it is advisable to use special reinforced laminates made of polyethylene or polypropylene, as they are stronger and more firmly fixed.

It is best that the protective layer is solid.

However, the construction of a wooden attic does not always allow this. If for some reason you can't place a vapor barrier under the beams, the film is placed between the two c's overlapping them and attached with special adhesive tape to ensure a tight seal.

A wooden attic device allows the risk of damage to load-bearing structures due to decay.

Therefore, before the furnace is a cold attic, wooden beams and strips are impregnated with special solutions that prevent the formation of rot and mold.

Then the roof of the attic is insulated on the beams, for which heat-insulating material is placed between them.

If you are using loose insulation, it should be carefully leveled and tracked to fill in any gaps.

The minimum thickness of thermal insulation for attic insulation on a wooden floor, calculated using the above formula, may be greater than the width of the bearing supports. In this case, the correct size is attached to you.

Then another layer of insulation is laid between them with the obligatory covering of the joints of the previous layer.

The fact is that they are formed by the so-called cold bridges, in connection with which it loses heat loss in the house.

Mansardi timber beams usually work with floor decks of conventional processed folded crate panels or cross beams.

However, thick plywood, chipboard, MDF, and other similar materials can also be used as a finish.

If you want to use the leveling screed as a finishing coat, the cold attic watertightness above the insulating layer is required.

Heated attic over reinforced concrete slab

If you need to perform attic insulation over reinforced concrete slabs, you can do it in two ways: with or without a box.

The first method is universal, but most often used for light types of insulation.

In the attic in the attic in this case you will see:

  1. Vapor barrier steam is carried out in a cool attic, which should cover the entire layer of insulation even on the sides.

    Since the vapor barrier should be easy to lay on the floor, no special materials need to be used for this purpose—an inexpensive plastic sheeting will usually be made.

  2. At the top of the film, a wooden stick with a width equal to half the required thickness is placed on the narrow side, which should have a cold attic heater.

    The distance between the rods is usually equal to the width of the cylinder or panel of the selected insulation brand.

  3. Among the boards there is a heater for the attic. If the thickness requires more layers of thermal insulation material, it is laid by overlapping the joints of the previous layer.
  4. They are completely identical to the already installed sticks. at the same distance from each other. Between them is a second layer of thermal insulation in the attic.
  5. Cool attic waterproofing waterproofing installed on top.

    which is fixed either with a special adhesive tape or a thin stick adapted along the box. This level can be lowered if a high-quality waterproofing of a cold corrugated roof has already been completed.

  6. Sex lanes or traffic bridges are tied through sticks.

Since it is critical that the ceiling under a cold roof be sufficiently insulated to save on heating costs at home, I recommend using an overhead insulation system.

This decking minimizes the possibility of cold bridging across the wood studs as most of them will be insulated by the heater.

Another method of heating a cold attic of reinforced concrete slabs without the use of boxes is suitable in cases where they are used for thermal insulation of hard, wet insulation that is resistant to heavy loads without loss of property.

Diagram of a pressure block on a reinforced concrete block

In this case, the first section is in the attic.

Then the insulation of the plates of the attic plates is completed with a layer of thermal insulation of the calculated thickness.

A leveling screed is poured onto it. Estrich is already covering the ground floor.

If the insulation of the concrete attic is made of aerated concrete and of similar density and material properties, it is possible to refuse hydro and vapor barrier and screed.

Attic heater: which one to choose?

Before insulating the attic roof, you must remove the thermal insulation material that matches your enclosure.

Unfortunately, there is no universal option, it is better to isolate the attic. This choice depends on a number of factors, the most important of which are:

  • Thermal insulation properties of the material;
  • Fire safety;
  • Expenses;
  • Easy to install;
  • Environmental compatibility;
  • hygroscopicity;
  • Power;
  • Resistant to burning, temperature, acid and alkali.

You need to decide which of these factors is most important to you and which you can ignore.

Heating the ground floor of a cool attic with mineral wool

Mineral wool is one of the most popular floor insulation materials.

The best features of home attic insulation are varieties based on basalt fibers called rock (basalt) cotton.

Basalt fiber insulation belongs to the class of non-combustible materials with a melting point above 1000 ° C; and has excellent thermal insulation properties.

Heating the attic on wooden beams - 5 levels of work on the thermal insulation of the ceiling

However, it easily absorbs moisture, so the requirements for hydro and vapor barrier are especially high in use.

Drain in two layers of mineral wool between the heat of the attic

The heating of the overlay layer with mineral wool is best done with rollers, since the joints between the plates are not strong, but they reduce the effectiveness of thermal insulation. If you want to stack it, you need to close the beams close or aim it but not disturb the interference.

Installing mineral wool is very easy, which is why this insulation material is most often chosen when they want to insulate the attic with their own hands without the help of experts.

During work, do not forget to use personal protective equipment: thick rubber gloves, goggles and clothes that cover the entire body. For people who are prone to allergies, this kit should be supplemented with a respirator.

  • Fire safety;
  • Environmental compatibility;
  • Ease of use;
  • Relatively low price.

limitations:

  • Possibility of forming fillings, good wrinkles;
  • Hygroscopicity.

Insulation of the lower part of the attic with foam

However, all its advantages overlap with one drawback - this material is a fire hazard.

Already at a temperature of 80 ° C; polystyrene melts, releasing a huge amount of harmful substances and at a temperature of 210 ° C; there is fire. Therefore, insulating an attic over styrofoam carriers is not a good idea. However, it can be used in non-combustible materials, such as when they are laid on a concrete block by casting as concrete.

limitations:

  • nausea;
  • Very flammable;
  • It is already deformed at 60°C;
  • This is an excellent mosquito shelter.

Heated attic with expanded polystyrene foam

However, insulating a wood floor slab is not recommended.

Despite the fact that open ignition of this heat-insulating material occurs at a sufficiently high temperature, a fire is still dangerous. Firstly, extruded polystyrene supports combustion, and secondly, it releases very corrosive and toxic substances by heating at very low temperatures, in most cases causing death in a fire. Therefore, penoplex is far from the best option than insulating the attic of a house, although it is reinforced.

  • High thermal insulation properties;
  • Humidity resistance;
  • Resistant to decay;
  • high density;
  • A light weight.

limitations:

  • When heated above 80 ° C; it begins to release toxic substances;
  • Fire;
  • Deforms when heated.

Heating the attic of the house with polyurethane foam

limitations:

Heated ceiling of a cool attic with sawdust

Previously, due to the lack of other materials, insulating a cold roof with sawdust was a widespread phenomenon.

Now this method of thermal insulation is used by those who love environmental compatibility. In this case, despite popular belief, attic design using such a heater is not at all cheap. The sawdust is not stacked “dry”, but in a special solution, the production of which requires money and a lot of time.

The structure of the sawdust solution for cold attic insulation is as follows:

  • 10 tablespoons (wood is needed, which is formed when cutting and processing wood, furniture dust is too small for this purpose);
  • 1 bucket of hydrated lime (thrusters);
  • 1 bucket of cement;
  • 5-10 pieces of water with an antiseptic.

    eg with boric acid, soap or copper dome (gradually overflowed with the feed vessel, the final amount depends on the size of the sawdust).

The resulting mixture is placed on a substrate between the beams and wrapped. The thickness of the layer of such insulation for the attic ceiling should be at least 300 mm, but it is better to do more, because the thermal insulation properties of sawdust can vary greatly. On top of such a heater covering the attic, bridges are installed for movement, which can be used as leaves of chipboard or thick plywood.

  • Comparative cheap;
  • Environmental compatibility;
  • Good thermal insulation properties.

limitations:

  • Intensive independent production;
  • The thickness of the attic is great;
  • Complicated installation;
  • Differences in thermal insulation properties depending on the composition.

Thermal insulation of the lower part of the attic with expanded clay

Another relatively cheap material that can be used to insulate an attic in a private house is expanded clay.

It is made of baked clay and is one of the most environmentally friendly building materials. In addition, expanded clay has good thermal insulation properties, is stable, durable and inert to acids and alkalis.

With expanded clay it is possible to insulate the reinforced concrete and wood floor of the attic. But in the latter case, the calculation of the carrying capacity of carriers must be carefully weighed, since expanded clay insulation weighs much more than modern isolates.

Concrete floor slabs simply carry very high loads, so they can be used without additional calculations.

Thermal insulation layer of expanded clay, covered between the roof beams of the attic

If the wooden attic of the house is insulated, the bar is first made at the top of the beams, and only then the thermal insulation is poured.

Spread the clay in a layer of 250-300 mm and carefully align. Then it is covered with floor boards.

If you are insulating concrete attic floors, waterproofing the roofing with filler or coating materials, then the expanded clay is mixed with cement and filled with a layer of 350-400 mm.

  • Environmentally friendly material;
  • Good thermal insulation properties;
  • Fire;
  • Resistant to acids and alkalis;
  • Not subject to decay;
  • constant;
  • Low cost.

On the pages of materials: http://oprofnastile.ru

During the cold season, 25 to 40% of heat is lost in a heated room. In order not to heat the streets in the future, at the initial stage of construction it is necessary to decide how to properly insulate the ceiling under the cold roof.

An insulated ceiling performs three important functions:

  1. According to its composition, the insulating material is a sound insulator.

    He is a good supporter.

  2. In the cold season, the insulation material keeps the heat in the room.
  3. In summer, the heater creates a heat-insulating effect without entering the hot air.

With the development of building technologies, new materials, tips and methods for making ceiling insulation in the house. To choose the right material based on your budget and stacking difficulty, consider several options.

If you choose an insulating material, you must consider some properties:

  1. Thermal conductivity.
  2. Water resistance.
  3. material security.
  4. Durability of operations.

The following materials are widely used to insulate the ceiling and attic:

  • mineral wool;
  • sawdust;
  • expanded polystyrene;
  • polyurethane foam.

Previously, straw or hay was used instead of these heaters.

Some craftsmen still use them, but isolation requires adherence to installation technology.

Ceiling insulation is lightweight and does not overload the roof structure.

Mineral wool insulation material

Mineral wool is the leader among all materials that isolate the ceiling.

It is used for heating inside the house and the attic, according to the data, which is excellent for this.

glass wool

This insulation is made of molten high temperature glass with fine fiber extraction.

In addition, a continuous foil and roll to roll is formed. Glass wool in its properties has a weak thermal conductivity, such as basalt insulation, but there are much more casting. It is commonly used for attic insulation.

To install glass wool, we only need the interior of the attic, so it is undesirable in the rooms.

Polyurethane foam

This material is used when spraying, special equipment is needed for polyurethane foam insulation.

If necessary, it can be dispersed in several layers, so it is often used in the northern regions. When sprayed, the polyurethane foam fills the entire space and forms a tight sealed cover without stitches.

After choosing the insulation material, you can continue with the main task - how to properly insulate the ceiling under a cold roof.

Also read: How to insulate the floor in the attic

Ceiling insulation from the inside

You can do this in two ways:

  1. Gluing on ceiling tiles for thermal insulation and fixing with special clamps.
  2. Making a special container made of wood or metal on the ceiling and laying insulating material between the rails.

If you want to warm up any variation, you need to do some prep work or the insulation won't have the desired effect.

Ceiling preparation

The installation of the ceiling depends on the material from which it is made.

Wooden ceiling requires the following parts:

  1. The entire surface of the ceiling must be cleaned with an antiseptic with refractory material.

    Coat the wood surface with an antiseptic to treat each slot slowly.

  2. Then you need to fix all the cracks. If there are large cracks between the plates, they can be sealed with whales, but it is better to use foam, and when the foam has hardened, the excess part is cut with a knife.

concrete ceiling

The concrete ceiling is prepared in different ways:

  1. If the ceiling has decorative elements, they should be removed and the plaster that can be cleaned should be cleaned.
  2. Cracks in the surface must be widened, thoroughly cleaned of dust and prepared.
  3. Small gaps can be filled with grout or sealant.

    We heat the attic over wooden beams

    Large cracks should be sealed with foam. After hardening, the foam is leveled according to the level of the entire surface.

  4. The ceiling is covered with an interior base designed for use on concrete surfaces.

    After complete drying, installation work on the insulation should begin.

Installation with glue

For heating with this method, all materials will be made in the form of plates of different sizes. It can be basalt wool, expanded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene.

As an adhesive, a cement-based mortar, as well as a prefabricated foam, should be used.

The adhesive on which the cement is based is prepared according to the recipe on the package.

Attention should be paid to the specific drying time, as this affects the amount of mortar required for mixing.

If you choose prefabricated foam, apply it to the heater with a special gun.
The panel with the adhesive attached should be pressed against the ceiling and held for about a minute.

After installing a few squares of the heater, there are holes in the ceiling designed to attach the mushroom, to which the spacer nail is later launched. If there are gaps between the plates, they must be carefully filled with mounting foam. The installation of a basalt wool heater is carried out in a similar way.

This method is carried out under suspended ceilings.

Mounting between rails

Thermal insulation with a container is used if the drywall or lining will be covered by the ceiling.

You must first place marks on the ceiling to discard the lines where the container parts will be attached.

They should be located at a distance corresponding to the width of the insulation.
The wooden frame is fixed to the ceiling with screws. The metal profile is fixed with special springs that allow the hopper to lower to the required distance from the ceiling.

Then you need to install insulation. The wooden rods are built by the enemy.

The mineral wool itself is well distributed and has, and it can also be grabbed from hanging shelves.

The styrofoam is installed very carefully, as it can interrupt the panel with a good load.

If there are gaps between the box and the foam after the heater is installed, they must be filled with pre-assembled foam.

After installing the insulation, the ceiling must be covered with a vapor barrier film. On a wooden frame, it is fastened with staples or staplers and on a metal profile - using double-sided construction tape.

The stretched vapor barrier film is finally covered with plasterboard or underlay sheets.

The hybrid plates are attached to guide screws with a 150mm pitch. The seams between them are reinforced with mesh and applied to the coating layer. After drying the joints, you can fill the entire surface of the ceiling, and then finish the finishing work.