Arranging a living space in place of an attic has long ceased to be a rare occurrence. More and more home owners are interested in how to properly carry out renovations so that life “under the roof” is no less comfortable than in the house itself. Let's consider how to insulate an attic if the roof is already covered, what materials are best suited for this purpose and what nuances you should pay attention to.

An attic is not just a lived-in attic. There are some standards that distinguish these two premises from each other. First of all, the attic roof must have a slope. In addition, the height of the room established by the standard must be at least 2.5 m.

Focusing on attractive appearance, many decide to arrange an attic. But in reality, you have to deal with some nuances, which it is advisable to familiarize yourself with before starting work:

• the materials that were used to build the attic directly determine further heat loss in this room. Therefore, their choice should be approached very responsibly;
• Properly selected engineering solutions, which make it possible to provide all the necessary communications on the upper floor, have no less influence;
• The shape of the roof plays a significant role. It can be single-pitch, gable or broken;
• in order to hide load-bearing elements roofs, you will have to use your imagination;
• the attic can be located not only on the territory of the house, but also extend beyond its boundaries, supported by columns.

Each of these aspects has its own influence on the approach that will be required for high-quality roof insulation. But the main role still belongs to two main materials - heat and waterproofing. On the one hand, the space under the roof is in the coldest zone of the building. On the other hand, a strong difference between the temperature inside and outside often causes condensation to appear, which has a destructive effect on materials.

The best materials for do-it-yourself attic insulation

For internal insulation There are many suitable options for attics. But your choice must be made based on the characteristics of the region of residence, as well as the design features of the specific roof with which you will be working. Let's look at what options exist today and what features are typical for them.

Insulating the attic with polystyrene foam: the pros and cons of the material

Polystyrene foam is one of the most famous insulation materials, which occupies its niche among inexpensive thermal insulation materials. Its price is indeed significantly lower than many others, but this is far from its only advantage:

• polystyrene foam does not absorb moisture at all. If the material is pre-treated with an impregnation specially designed for this purpose, then the water will simply flow down over the surface;
• light weight is another advantage, which greatly facilitates transportation and installation, and also reduces the load on the roof;
• the thermal conductivity of polystyrene foam is very low, so it copes with its direct functions more than fully;
• Styrofoam is easy to cut and attach. This allows you to work with it without any problems even if you lack any experience.

Interesting! In terms of cost, this method can only be compared with insulating the ceiling with expanded clay, although now this method is used less and less.

Based on these characteristics, we can conclude that foam plastic is practically a win-win, When we're talking about about insulating the attic from the inside. But insulating walls with foam plastic from the inside also has disadvantages, and sometimes they turn out to be much more significant than the advantages:

• the vapor permeability of foam is at a very low level. As a result, the room is often stuffy and hot. This also leads to increased humidity, which causes the development of fungi and mold on wooden roofing elements;
• despite its artificial origin, this material is often damaged by rodents;
• Over time, wood tends to shrink, which leads to the formation of gaps between the foam elements. There is no way to fix this, and the only way to solve the problem is complete replacement thermal insulation material.

Many people believe that the listed disadvantages outweigh the advantages and insulating the attic with polystyrene foam is not justified. But one cannot help but admit that this is one of the most budget options, which causes a minimum of hassle, and if the installation technology is followed, it may well become an alternative to more expensive solutions.

Insulating the attic with polystyrene foam: advantages, disadvantages and features

Extruded polystyrene foam is very similar to polystyrene foam. Their specifications almost identical, with the exception of one significant aspect - installation technology. If polystyrene foam needs to be laid between the rafters, then polystyrene foam is placed on top, which eliminates the risk of cracks and gaps.

Helpful advice! Some manufacturers offer customers slabs with stepped joints, which makes the joints even stronger and more reliable. This fixation of elements together is an ideal option for insulating an attic roof.

Among other advantages of roof insulation with polystyrene foam, one cannot fail to note its low weight, which is perfectly combined with high strength and resistance to external influences. In addition, the service life of this material is quite long, provided that all the technology for insulating the attic with penoplex is followed.

Expanded polystyrene is not prone to rotting or decomposition, which is also important in the case of work on the roof. Any finishing coating can be applied on top of it, which will give an attractive appearance and provide additional protection.

Working with polystyrene foam yourself is easy: a variety of adhesive mixtures and mastics are suitable for fixing it. And in some cases they even use a construction stapler. So there is no need to purchase any expensive additional elements for installation.

But behind all these positive characteristics We must not forget about the only, but rather serious, drawback of insulating polystyrene foam from the inside of walls and roofs - the material has an increased level of flammability. For owners, this means the need for a more careful and thoughtful installation of all communications, in particular electricity.

Of course, manufacturers are trying to reduce this drawback to a minimum, but today we can say with confidence that this question remains open, and every owner who has chosen to insulate the walls from the inside with penoplex is obliged to take care of their safety.

Interesting! It is no coincidence that this material is most often chosen for insulating balconies. Expanded polystyrene has very low thermal conductivity, and at the same time on the balcony it practically does not have to come into contact with electricity.

Insulating the attic from the inside with mineral wool: a worthy alternative to penoplex

Mineral wool is another thermal insulation material that is used everywhere and is widely known for its properties. It got its name because of its fibrous structure, similar to medical cotton wool. You can buy it in rolls, which makes transportation and installation even more convenient.

Low thermal conductivity goes well with the ability to not absorb moisture. Although, if this happens, the material dries quickly without losing its appearance and technical characteristics.

Mineral wool belongs to the category of environmentally friendly and safe materials, which becomes noticeable even if the upper part of the roof is covered with metal tiles, which are prone to strong heating when exposed to sunlight. In addition, mineral wool also serves as a sound-absorbing barrier, and unlike polystyrene foam, it is not at all of interest to rodents and various insects.

Insulation of the roof from the inside with mineral wool must be done taking into account the fact that this is a fairly elastic material, even despite its soft fibrous structure. It is quite capable of being held between the rafters, provided it is properly fixed.

Helpful advice! In the process of cutting mineral wool for laying sheets between the rafters, it is necessary to leave a margin of approximately 2 cm. This will allow them to be held and not fall out even if there is no additional elements fastenings

Insulating the roof from the inside with glass wool: is it worth using this material?

In terms of its characteristics, glass wool is similar to mineral wool, but in this case, the fibers that make up the material are longer, which generally increases the elasticity of the material. Strength indicators and soundproofing abilities are also slightly higher. But when in contact with moisture, glass wool is inferior to mineral wool, absorbing more water.

The use of glass wool for insulation of residential premises does not lead to any negative consequences for the health of residents. No toxic substances are used in the production process. In addition, glass wool is characterized by low flammability.

When working with the material, safety regulations must be followed to avoid glass wool fibers getting into the air. Its small particles can cause irritation of mucous membranes, and therefore the use of a respirator and safety glasses is a must.

Helpful advice! Sometimes glass wool fibers can cause skin irritation, so it is recommended to wear closed clothing and even gloves when working with it.

Do-it-yourself insulation of an attic roof from the inside using stone wool

Stone wool is the most expensive option among similar materials. But at the same time, it is the safest for human health and, in terms of reliability, significantly exceeds all other options. Here are some of its main advantages:

• The thermal conductivity coefficient of this material is one of the lowest;
• stone wool remains completely environmentally friendly even when heated;
• the layer of this heat insulator is also an excellent noise-absorbing barrier;
• the level of vapor permeability is very high;

• the material practically does not burn;
• no mechanical loads can deform stone wool or affect its characteristics;
• the material has a long service life;
• You can purchase stone wool in the form of slabs, which are easily cut into pieces of the required length and attached to the ceiling surface.

Due to the high cost stone wool They often try to replace it with mineral wool or glass wool. But such a replacement cannot be called complete, since this affects the quality of insulation quite seriously. Many users claim that the price of the material is quite justified, and provided that the installation technology is followed, it very quickly pays off the incurred costs.

Related article:

Types of insulation for roofs and ceilings. Mineral and synthetic insulation for the roof. Insulation of the attic roof.

In addition, it is quite possible to carry out all the work on insulating the attic roof from the inside with your own hands. Video instructions can demonstrate the procedure for carrying out the work, and recommendations from specialists will help you avoid common mistakes.

Insulating the attic with ecowool is one of the most effective ways to combat the cold

Ecowool is a pre-crushed material that is first blown into the cracks, and then, using the same method, a layer is placed between the ceiling and the rafters, using a device specially designed for this. This is an expensive procedure, but it allows you to completely eliminate all risks of drafts and ensure the most effective insulation.

Ecowool consists of 80% completely natural material- paper whose properties are very similar to those characteristic of wood. With his natural origin, ecowool reduces the level of heat loss no less effectively than other materials.

One of the components that is part of ecowool is borax. According to its characteristics, it is an antiseptic of natural origin, which makes it possible to provide wooden elements roofs provide effective protection against the formation of fungus and mold.

Ecowool is applied in a thin layer, but at the same time it provides a decent level of not only heat but also sound insulation. The material retains its characteristics even after decades of use. So the not too low cost is the only drawback of this material, which is fully justified by its excellent properties.

Insulating the attic with polyurethane foam: basic technology and material features

Foamed polyurethane foam is the most modern of all the listed methods for insulating an attic. Its main difference is the complete absence of joints or gaps that could become a source of cold air. In addition, the service life of this material is one of the longest, up to 30 years.

Foamed polyurethane foam is not subject to shrinkage, even if wooden roof the house gradually begins to deform over time. Its solid structure completely eliminates the risk of moisture absorption, which eliminates the need to install an additional vapor barrier layer.

But there are also aspects that significantly complicate the process of using polyurethane foam as roof insulation with inside. This primarily concerns the application procedure, which requires complex and expensive equipment. Its purchase is almost never justified, so it is usually rented.

Another aspect is the complex application technology, which requires certain experience in this field and does not allow beginners to independently cope with the task efficiently.

Helpful advice! Perfect option– invite a team of workers who will come with their own equipment and in just a few hours will do high-quality insulation of the attic of your house.

Do-it-yourself attic insulation from the inside using penofol

Penofol is a kind of foamed polyethylene - a technology that occupies its niche among methods modern insulation walls and houses. Along with high sound insulation rates, it is also worth noting the fact that penofol has high-quality coating made of aluminum, which can be applied on one or two sides.

Here are a few more arguments in favor of using penofol for attic insulation:

• the material does not pose any threat to human health or the environment;
• its thermal conductivity is extremely low;
• the closed system of air bubbles characteristic of this material serves as an excellent barrier to steam penetration.

This method is also not cheap and requires significant financial investments to implement. But, as practice shows, it is better to spend money on quality material and thereby ensure comfortable conditions residence for many years to come.

Combining materials is not at all uncommon. Materials with compatible characteristics can be used together for insulation. For example, mineral wool and polystyrene foam go well together. The first is placed between the rafters, and the second is placed closer to the edge of the roof. This combination will allow you to achieve the desired effect and significantly save on the purchase of materials.

Can provide reliable thermal insulation in combination with other materials

As you can see from the descriptions, each insulation has its own advantages and disadvantages. The only question is to choose the most suitable option, which will satisfy the idea of ​​correspondence between price and quality of the material.

One of the most common mistakes that owners make is a rash choice in favor of the cheapest option for attic insulation. Videos and articles can demonstrate the positive aspects of a particular solution, but the choice must be taken into account all the nuances and characteristics. Attempts to save on thermal insulation material may lead to the fact that after some time of operation, you will have to carry out renovation work or even completely replace all the material.

Insulating the attic from the inside with your own hands: video and stages of work

Each material has its own fastening characteristics and should be used exclusively in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. But if we talk about general procedure carrying out work, there are mandatory stages that are carried out almost always, regardless of the material chosen.

The first layer of waterproofing material is laid out, which should protect the insulation from the destructive effects of moisture. The film is overlapped so that one layer overlaps the other by 10-15 cm. The material is secured using construction stapler, and the joints are additionally taped with tape.

Then, if necessary, a sheathing is created. For it, you can use wooden slats, the width of which is 8-10 cm. They need to be attached to the rafters, positioned parallel to each other at a distance of 50-60 cm. It is very important to check each element separately using building level. This will prevent any roof defects from occurring in the future.

A heat insulator is placed on the rafters or sheathing and secured in a suitable manner. For example, if we are talking about using any type of cotton wool sold in the form of rolls, then the material is cut into pieces the right size to lay them between the rafters. In this case, the thickness of the insulation should be such as to correspond to the width of the log. It is especially important if you decide to insulate the walls from the inside with mineral wool plus drywall. In this case everything free space must be filled with insulation.

The top layer of this “pie” is a layer of vapor barrier material, which can be used as polyethylene film, glassine or roofing felt. As with waterproofing, the selected material is overlapped. True, in this case it is better to fasten using thin wooden slats, placing them in increments of 40-50 cm. All joints must be taped.

Helpful advice! If you need to lay several layers of thermal insulation material, you need to lay a vapor barrier film between each of them. This is especially true for cold regions.

As a final step, all that remains is to take care of a suitable finishing coating, which can be attached to the sheathing or, in the absence of it, directly to the bars. It is worth taking into account the weight of the used decorative panels, since installation of the heaviest of them may require preliminary installation of a frame made of a metal profile.

The main mistakes made in the process of insulating the attic

The final result of the work, which is done by hand, directly depends on how accurately the technology and all the prescribed rules are followed. It is worth paying particular attention to the procedure for laying the waterproofing layer, since materials that are capable of absorbing moisture subsequently dry out, which often causes cold in the room.

• if the roof slope does not exceed 13°, this will cause precipitation to remain on the surface. The result is rust and leaks. All this can negatively affect the condition of the insulation, so it is important to make sure that the angle of inclination is large enough before starting work;
• installation of thermal insulation material on the walls and roof is not all the necessary work. It is also necessary to take care of insulating the windows (using Swedish technology). To do this, it is best to invite specialists to ensure that leaks are avoided. Especially if it is necessary to install windows at an angle;

• in order to provide the thermal insulation material with ventilation and the ability to dry out if it gets wet, it is advisable to leave a gap of approximately 2-3 cm between the material and the roof;
• it is strictly forbidden to skip at least one of the necessary layers of vapor or waterproofing materials;
• If the thermal insulation material is thicker than the rafters, then their height can be increased by filling additional slats yourself.

These simple recommendations can help in the work process, significantly increasing the quality of insulation. However, if for any reason there are doubts about the strength and experience, it would be better to invite a specialist. Of course, you will have to pay for this, but in this case you will not have to redo everything twice.

Insulating the attic gable from the inside is far from the most difficult task, which a home owner may encounter. Often, owners want to place a balcony on the top floor, the insulation technology of which also has its own characteristics.

As with walls, a wide variety of materials can be used to insulate the ceiling on a balcony, although it is worth noting that loggia insulation technology is often used here, which has not been mentioned before. It will help you to understand in detail the features of this process. step-by-step instruction“Do-it-yourself insulation of a balcony from the inside.”

Do-it-yourself insulation of the attic from the inside with mineral wool: video instructions

As a clear example, it is recommended to watch a training video where the technology of insulating walls from the inside with mineral wool is presented in detail. This will allow you to familiarize yourself in detail with all the nuances and avoid the previously mentioned common mistakes.

Heating own home, especially in the cold season, is not very cheap. Moreover, its effectiveness decreases if certain conditions are not met.

Many people, wanting to make their home warmer, focus mostly on its walls. This is unlikely to save you; you will still have to spend a lot on heating. Hot air will evaporate, rising up under the roof.

Before spending money on heating and heating the roof, it needs to be insulated, taking into account the structure of the residential attic floor and all the features of its operation.

Let's say you don't plan to do mansard roof residential. However, even in this case it is impossible to do without thermal insulation. To prevent the rest of the house from suffering from heat loss due to the cold attic, you need to insulate the entire attic floor, it is enough to just insulate the attic floor.

Let's still consider the option when you still plan to equip the attic for winter accommodation. But in this case, you can’t do without a properly insulated roof.

Dependence on climatic conditions

Thermal insulation materials for an attic roof and their possible use largely depend on the region of your residence. In SNIP you can see the average temperatures of your climate zone. If the temperature in winter is not sky-high, then there is no need to insulate “Siberian style”. And, accordingly, vice versa. The lower the temperature in the region, the more seriously it is necessary to approach the issue of thermal insulation of the attic room.

Below is a list of parameters that must be taken into account when choosing a thermal insulation material:

• Materials used in the construction of walls
• Pediment (its thickness)
• Climate zone
• Roof type - mansard, pitched, etc.
• Existing load on the roof and ceilings

An insulated attic roof requires high-quality thermal insulation materials that will perform their functions well. But you can insulate the attic floor using simple materials, for example expanded clay filler and even sawdust.

Selecting material for insulating the attic floor

Most important criteria things to take into account:

• Service life declared by the manufacturer
• Thermal conductivity indicators (they should be as low as possible)
• Indifference from insects, rodents and all types of fungi, but at the same time the material must be environmentally friendly and safe for you
• Non-combustibility of materials is perhaps the most serious requirement for insulation; it cannot be neglected

You have a fairly large amount of work to do. After all residential attic needs insulation of roof slopes, ceilings, walls and floors. Otherwise, insulation will result in an unnecessary waste of money, and the result will not be achieved - the attic will remain unsuitable for living in the winter.

All of the above work is carried out from inside the attic room, and, naturally, this will reduce the volume of living space.

To avoid a large loss of attic floor area, you should choose materials with minimum thickness, but with good thermal insulation qualities.

You should also find out the approximate weight of the material. After all, it will be necessary to calculate the final load on the rafters and beams. This is necessary to understand whether they will withstand it or whether additional strengthening of the roof structure will be required.

Some insulation systems require the construction of additional structures made of wood and chipboard, and this creates additional load on the roof. Also keep in mind that some insulation without proper waterproofing can add weight.

Fastening methods. A slab of ordinary polystyrene is glued or attached to the surface with screws. For mineral wool and bulk materials the frame made of boards described above is required.

Pay attention to waterproofing Special attention. After all, rain and snow come into contact, first of all, with the roof, creating the danger of moisture penetrating inside.
You should not think that waterproofing will take too much effort from you. After all, materials have long been invented that are not afraid of moisture. Expanded polystyrene and polyurethane foam are a prime example of this.

Insulation materials such as mineral wool should be waterproofed with foil or film. When exposed to moisture, this material will “gain weight”, turning into a wet lump. This can only be “cured” by replacement, which entails additional costs.

Also keep in mind that a number of thermal insulation materials with a constant temperature difference lose their properties or are completely destroyed.

How to insulate an attic roof

The owner of the house can choose insulation to suit every taste and pocket for the construction of his attic. Expanded polystyrene, mineral wool and foam glass will perfectly cope with their direct responsibilities, and you will not be left without pants.

Polystyrene and expanded polystyrene lead the list of budget insulation materials. You can purchase it in slabs of the required size.

This material for insulating an attic roof is 90% air, and therefore its thermal conductivity tends to zero.

Polystyrene foam has one significant drawback - many of its modifications are flammable. But at the same time, the load on the roof will be minimal, the waterproofing qualities will be excellent, and it is also absolutely not susceptible to attacks by rodents and mold.

To ensure that the material does not have any disadvantages at all, purchase polystyrene foam, which contains an ingredient that makes this material non-flammable. The worst thing that can happen to it is smoldering, but it is unlikely to lead to a fire.

Mineral wool has excellent environmental performance, being practically harmless to you. Materials of this kind are a product of processing other things that are harmless to humans, such as rocks.

It does not burn, perfectly insulates the space, and its service life will pleasantly surprise you. But this method of thermal insulation still has disadvantages.

As already mentioned, mineral wool can absorb moisture and become unusable if it is not waterproofed with film or foil. This leads to loss of body-insulating and thermal conductivity qualities.

When installing such material, be sure to protect yourself from getting the smallest particles of material on the skin and mucous membranes. Wear a mask and gloves, and do not allow gaps between clothing items. If installation technology is followed, glass wool can last up to half a century.

As we already wrote above, if your attic roof is not planned for living, then the process is greatly simplified, boiling down to thermal insulation of the ceilings alone.

Stages of floor insulation:

• Installing a wooden frame
• We fill in the gaps with expanded clay, sawdust, or lay mineral wool
• We put the insulation in several layers - this is necessary to cover the frame made of wooden slats
• We waterproof the thermal insulation with film, or with foil, both from below and from above
• We finish by laying boards for subsequent installation of the floor covering.

The thermal insulation is complete, now we have extra room, which can be used in the summer.

What to do if you plan to use the attic roof for year-round living?

Thermal insulation in this case will be much more serious.

It will cover all attic space structures:

• roof slopes
• gable design
• floors

How to properly insulate an attic roof diagram

Insulation of the gable of the attic roof can also be done outside the house. We suggest doing this using polystyrene foam. The slabs are installed using glue, and the structure is reinforced with “umbrella” nails.

For further finishing of the insulated wall, we will apply plaster. Before applying the plaster, a special mesh should be used to strengthen the plaster.

Such thermal insulation of the attic roof from the outside will not steal part of your usable space. The service life of this structure will be measured in tens of years.

But let’s return to the question of how to insulate an attic roof from the inside, since unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) it won’t be possible to insulate the roof from the outside.

• First, we stretch the waterproofing material - this is necessary to protect our thermal insulation from moisture.
• Preparing insulation - if you use roll insulation, then it should first be cut into pieces with an ordinary stationery knife
• We lay insulation between the roof rafters, and if gaps form, seal them with adhesive tape or foam sealant
• We cover the laid insulation with waterproofing ( different kinds films and foil)
• The last step is cosmetic finishing of the attic, on top of the insulating material

Insulating an attic roof with your own hands is not a difficult process, but it requires strict adherence to instructions. Otherwise, you will expect moisture condensation on the surfaces of the attic when the temperature changes.

The presence of ventilation is very desirable in this case, because excess moisture will be able to find a way out. Properly done waterproofing will not allow the insulation to absorb water.

By using insulation materials that are not susceptible to moisture, you save yourself from extra work on waterproofing installation.

Nevertheless, ventilation is extremely important. Vapors will circulate, passing unhindered through ceilings and walls.

Do not forget about such excellent insulation for attic roofs as polyurethane foam. It is easily applied to the surface that needs to be thermally insulated by spraying. When hardened, this material forms almost perfect surface, without flaws. It will fill all the gaps and cracks. Polyurethane foam is absolutely not afraid of moisture, and therefore its service life will pleasantly surprise you. In the next 30-50 years you won’t have to think about insulation!

Approach the process creatively, but wisely. The reward for your construction exploits will be a warm room under the attic roof. And your caring owner will turn it into a piece of paradise!

Do-it-yourself attic insulation video

The attic space can become a full-fledged part of the living space of the house if it is properly insulated from the inside. This will not only increase the usable area, but also reduce heat loss throughout the building.

To insulate the attic, you can invite specialists, or better yet, do it yourself, saving on the cost of work. The work technology and video are given below.

Thermal insulation materials that are suitable for insulating the attic

• Mineral wool (mineral basalt wool) in the form of slabs or mats is the most suitable material for thermal insulation of attics. It is fireproof, does not harm human health, and has excellent insulating and soundproofing properties;
• Polyurethane foam is a viscous self-foaming composition that is sprayed onto the roof and walls of the attic and has good performance characteristics. Reviews about this insulation are mostly positive. However, its use requires the involvement of specialists equipped with special equipment, and therefore is not suitable for independent insulation;
• Styrofoam belongs to the most affordable heat insulators, but for a residential attic it is not best material, as it is toxic and flammable;
• Glass wool Also available material. It is fire resistant, non-toxic, and has good insulating properties. A significant drawback is the presence of glass impurities in it, which brings a lot of inconvenience during installation, so glass wool is not recommended for do-it-yourself insulation;
• Ecowool– insulation consisting of cellulose and antiseptic; non-toxic and absolutely safe for humans. However, the use of ecowool requires the presence of special equipment;
• Material penoplex(improved expanded polystyrene) is moisture and fire resistant, environmentally friendly, durable. Sold at affordable price. Installation of penoplex is simple and takes little time.

In addition, sometimes for insulation, it is quite profitable and practical.

Preparatory stage

How and with what to insulate an attic roof from the inside - possible options

An attic insulated in this way can become a full-fledged room in the house, performing various functions. Carrying out insulation with your own hands will not only save family budget, but will also give confidence in the quality of the work performed.

You can learn how to choose the type of insulation, install it correctly and other important stages of the attic insulation process from this video:

Warning: Use of undefined constant WPLANG - assumed "WPLANG" (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /var/www/krysha-expert..php on line 2580

Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /var/www/krysha-expert..php on line 1802

The use of attic spaces for residential purposes has long become commonplace for most domestic developers. Due to this, it is possible to obtain a completely comfortable living space at minimal financial costs. True, for a comfortable stay one very important condition must be fulfilled - properly insulating the roof. This is the only way to not only minimize heat losses during the heating season, but also to maintain a favorable microclimate in the rooms.

Currently construction industry produces a wide range of insulation materials with high heat saving rates. To make it easier to accept optimal solution, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the performance characteristics of each of them.

Builders use two methods of insulating attic roofs, each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Insulation from outside

The arrangement of the roofing pie occurs in the following sequence: installation rafter system, vapor barrier from the attic, laying insulation, waterproofing (wind protection), sheathing and counter-lattice, roofing materials.

The advantages of this method This includes the ability to qualitatively control each technological operation and, if problems are detected, correct them in a timely manner.

But there is also a serious drawback. If it rains while laying the insulation (mineral wool), then very big troubles will arise. Cotton wool quickly absorbs a lot of water, and dries without dismantling for a very long time. The only one best option– remove materials and dry them on a level surface. But during dismantling, a lot of mineral wool is damaged and needs to be replaced, and this significantly increases the cost of the roof.

And one more problem. Wet wool bends so much that there is a possibility of damage to the integrity of the vapor barrier. This layer must be sealed, otherwise moisture freely enters the insulation with all the extremely negative consequences.

Insulation from the inside

The order of arrangement of the roofing pie changes. After the construction of the rafter system, waterproofing, sheathing and counter-lattice are laid and roofing materials are installed. You can take a big break here - attic space completely protected from precipitation.

The builders calmly carry out other internal work; further insulation does not depend on the weather and can be done at any convenient time. Insulation is installed on the attic side, fixed in the niches between rafter legs and is sealed with a vapor barrier layer.

How is vapor barrier different from waterproofing? What kind of material is vapor barrier and wind protection? Why choose membranes? Find answers to these questions in the article on our website. Peculiarities various materials and rules for their installation.

The advantage is obvious - precipitation does not have a negative impact on the quality and timing of construction warm roof. The only, and even very conditional, drawback is that it is difficult to control the gap between the wind protection and the insulation. But this is not critical for two reasons:

1. First, experienced roofers have their own methods for checking the distance between the insulation and the wind barrier.
2. Secondly, there are the most modern membranes that can be laid close to mineral wool, and their effectiveness is not reduced by this.

Several types of materials can be used to insulate an attic roof. Specific choice must take into account the cost of insulation, climate zone location of the building and customer wishes.

What materials can be used to insulate an attic roof?

A wide selection of insulation materials puts inexperienced developers in a difficult position. It is difficult for them to find objective information; each manufacturer intensively advertises only its products. Moreover, advertising is often not entirely truthful. In the table below we will try to give objective performance characteristics each type of insulation material.

Type of insulation	Description of physical and operational properties
	Quite a commonly used material for insulating various structural elements building. There are species that are highly resistant to open fire and do not exceed permissible sanitary standards for the release of chemical compounds. Such parameters made it possible to use this material in housing construction, although not in all architectural elements building. The advantages of polystyrene foam are low cost, high manufacturability, complete absence of water absorption. The latter property makes it possible to achieve significant additional financial savings on roof insulation - there is no need to install a vapor barrier, counter lathing for ventilation of the under-roof space and wind protection (hydroprotection). Disadvantage - for unknown reasons, this material is severely damaged by rodents, because of this it is necessary to provide a special set of measures to prevent them from getting into the thermal insulation layer, but this is not difficult to do, the materials are cheap.
	The insulation is made on the basis of foam plastic, the difference is increased strength parameters. For insulating attic roofs, physical strength does not matter, but because of this, polystyrene foam is much more expensive than polystyrene foam. Another disadvantage is that increased strength increases thermal conductivity; therefore, extruded polystyrene foam is inferior to polystyrene foam in terms of roof insulation efficiency.
	IN Lately is very popular among developers, but some professional builders They treat this material very critically. There are two positive qualities mineral wool: high resistance to open fire and completely environmentally safe. But these advantages can be considered conditional for several reasons. ● Firstly, if there is a big fire, then it makes no difference how the attic roof is insulated; in any case, the house will completely burn down. ● Secondly, the inside of the attic room is finished dense materials, which completely eliminates the penetration of harmful chemical substances inside the rooms. You need to know that not only foam plastic emits aldehydes, but everything plastic products, furniture varnish, etc. But no one lacquered furniture does not take outside, is not afraid of aldehydes. The disadvantages of mineral wool include high cost and significant weight, hygroscopicity, air flow (heat is removed). Pressed mineral wool has the same disadvantages as rolled mineral wool, only in an enlarged form.
	The advantages include the complete tightness of the insulation, between the foam and wooden structures there are no cracks. The disadvantages are the uneven thickness of the layer. Sealed polyurethane foam does not require vapor ingress protection. This method of insulation is recommended for use on roofs with soft roofs; continuous lathing, and this required condition. Its surface is smooth and without cracks, which allows you to apply liquid foam.

We specifically do not provide comparative indicators of thermal conductivity of various materials; they are almost the same and in practice the differences are unnoticeable.

Prices for thermal insulation materials

Thermal insulation materials

The roof is one of the most important structural elements of a building. It is exposed to a variety of environmental factors. Protects the house from high and low temperatures, precipitation, solar radiation. If the roof is not insulated in accordance with building codes, heat loss through the roof can reach a third of the total heat loss of the house. Insulating an attic roof is not as simple a process as it might seem, although it can be done with your own hands. If your house has an attic floor, the question will inevitably arise of how to insulate the attic roof. Many owners prefer to make an additional room there. Firstly, it increases the total living space of the house. And secondly, new things appear original premises. When constructing modern cottage villages, attic spaces are planned initially. But even in old houses, you can easily convert the attic into a living space with your own hands.

The insulating material used for the attic roof, in addition to preserving heat in the house, protects against acoustic vibrations. Therefore, it is important to decide what is the best way to insulate mansard roof.

First you need to decide how to insulate the roof of your attic. Today there are many options for thermal insulation materials. They are easy to install yourself.

Thermal insulation should help maintain a favorable atmosphere in the room. The house should remain warm in winter and cool in summer.

There are many nuances in installing the roof itself. The walls of the attic space are either the gables of the building or the roof slopes, or are adjacent to the slopes. This is why intense air movement begins through the roof. Because of this, it is constantly exposed to temperature changes. To avoid the above problem, insulation of the attic must be done in sequence (from the inner layer to the outer layer):

1. Vapor barrier layer.
2. Thermal insulating layer.
3. Ventilation gap.
4. Waterproofing layer.
5. Directly roofing material.

If high-quality insulation of the attic roof is carried out, then the absence of the above layers is not recommended. It is especially worth noting the roles of the heat-insulating layer and ventilation gap. It is thanks to the presence of all layers that the microclimate in attic room.

What to look for when choosing insulation

When choosing insulation, you should first look at the thermal conductivity. This is the ability to transfer and absorb heat between the attic space and the surrounding air. A material with low thermal conductivity is desirable. Firstly, this will help better protect the house from heat leaks. And secondly, it will be necessary thin layer heat-insulating material.

Properly insulated attic

On the other hand, if the attic roof is insufficiently insulated, problems begin in winter. During the winter months the roof is covered with a layer of snow. Snow is a good additional heat-insulating layer. But with insufficient insulation with your own hands, heat is lost through the roof. The snow is gradually melting. A layer of ice forms. Ice cannot retain heat. It has a mechanical effect on structures. Including the outer roof covering. This leads to its wear and gradual destruction. Sometimes, because of this, it is necessary to repair the outer roofing layer after each winter. With sufficient thermal insulation, snow does not melt in winter and does not turn into ice. The roof retains its structure, and the snow provides additional protection against heat loss. In summer the situation is reversed. When exposed to direct solar radiation, the roof tends to heat up and creates a suffocating atmosphere. If you lay a layer of insulation in sufficient quantity, this problem will not exist and a comfortable environment will be provided in the attic.

Main characteristics of insulation

When deciding how to insulate the attic roof of a house from the inside, in addition to thermal conductivity, you need to pay attention to several more important parameters of the insulating material. The most important characteristics:

• water resistance;
• weight;
• fire safety;
• durability;
• material thickness;
• environmental characteristics;
• service life.

Resistance to moisture is usually specified by the manufacturer of a particular material. Is important parameter, since the roof can leak and get wet. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a material with water-repellent properties. If this is not available for one reason or another, then the layer will have to be additionally waterproofed. The weight of the material is also of great importance. The smaller it is, the better. The total weight of the material is determined based on its relative density. Mineral wool materials should have a density of 45 to 50 kg/cubic meter. When using fiberglass, the density should be within 20 kg/m3. More heavy materials will place excessive pressure on the structure.

Insulating layers must be non-flammable. This is usually reflected in the technical documentation. As for durability, the ability of insulation to retain its shape for many years is important. After all, the roof can be multi-slope. If the insulation is deformed, the roof will simply lose its protective properties.

What materials are popular?

It is necessary to disassemble each one separately to decide how to properly insulate the attic roof. Basic materials:

• Styrofoam;
• extruded polystyrene foam;
• polyurethane foam;
• mineral wool;
• glass wool

The best way to insulate an attic roof is up to you to decide. But before that, you need to familiarize yourself with each material.

Styrofoam- this is a popular material among people who are faced with the problem of how to properly insulate an attic roof. It has suitable thermal conductivity, low density and, accordingly, low weight. Foam provides good protection from water, it is quite inexpensive. On the other hand, it has certain disadvantages. Its main disadvantage is insufficient fire safety. Also, when installing it yourself, it often crumbles. As a result, gaps appear between the rafters. This in turn leads to a decrease in the thermal insulation characteristics of the coating. Foam also has a short service life.

Extruded polystyrene foam has best characteristics. Firstly, it is non-flammable and provides the necessary fire safety. Doesn't crumble over time. Has water-repellent properties. Another advantage is that a very thin layer of material is required. The material is not recommended for insulation of residential premises.

Polyurethane foam differs from previous options in the way of installation. Thanks to this, there are no gaps left. The material retains its shape perfectly. It has the necessary fire safety and repels moisture. The disadvantage of polyurethane foam is its poor ability to pass vapors. Because of this, in the attic there may be high humidity. The problem can be solved by organizing adequate ventilation.

Mineral wool and glass wool widely known as insulating materials. They have many advantages. Excellent fire safety, retain heat well, have low density. They do not leave cracks or gaps during installation. The material provides excellent sound insulation and has a low price. The disadvantages include high moisture absorption and vapor absorption.

Important: installation of glass wool is carried out in closed clothing, a mask and gloves. Contact of material particles with skin and mucous membranes should be avoided.

Laying insulating material

When insulating the attic, do not forget about hydro- and vapor barrier

After selecting the material, it is necessary to prepare the room for installation. Insulation of the attic roof begins with determining the step of laying the insulation. We must try to ensure that the insulation sheets fit tightly between the roof rafters. This will avoid the formation of gaps and further heat loss. If you use foam, then this nuance does not matter to you. The waterproofing is laid overlapped between the rafters and the sheathing. Then they are installed using screws wooden panels providing ventilation. The insulating material itself is mounted directly on the created platform between the rafters.

Tip: the rafters themselves allow heat to pass through. It is necessary to lay an additional thin layer of insulating material on top. Be sure to remember the location of the rafters.

This will be useful when attaching various structures in the attic.

Video: brief summary of proper thermal insulation with mineral wool insulation

Thus, insulating the roof is not difficult at all. To do this, you need to choose the right material that suits you. And then, in accordance with the technology, install the insulation. As a result, a favorable climate for living will be created in the attic room.