Basalt insulation for attic roof. Insulation of the attic roof

If the attic space remains uninhabited, the air in the under-roof space serves as good thermal insulation (along with insulation of the ceiling). In the case of the attic, everything is completely different: here the thermal insulation is very close to the roofing material and the task is not only to insulate the attic, but also to create such conditions that the entire roofing system will serve for a long time.

Let us say right away that all wood that is used in the construction of the roof must be treated with antiseptics. Indeed, everything: battens and counter-battens, and rafters. All wooden parts. It is also necessary to make them less flammable. To do this, they are treated with fire retardants. All elements that are located on the street side are treated with compounds for exterior work. Treat all wooden parts facing indoors with impregnations for interior works. If you use a composition for outdoor use indoors, the specific smell will remain for several years. If it’s the other way around, the wood outside may be damaged: the degree of protection is insufficient. Therefore, do not save on this matter.

More. Before describing how to insulate an attic roof with your own hands, it is worth recalling this: a ventilation system must be organized in the under-roof space. For this purpose, special ventilation holes. Through them, air escapes from under the roofing material, carrying away excess moisture. And it must get under the roof deck through the overhangs. There is absolutely no way to do everything hermetically. This is where the air intake comes from. This is the only way the condensate will dry out in a timely manner and the roof will last a long time.

Proper insulation of the attic

To ensure that the attic floor is warm in winter and cool in summer, there are no problems with high humidity, and icicles do not freeze on the roof, it is necessary to properly insulate the roof. But in the case of roofing, insulation, vapor and waterproofing are a complex solution and one without the other works very poorly, or does not work at all.

If the sloping roof is also walls attic floor, the pie will be as follows (from inside to outside):

• internal cladding (plasterboard or lining);
• sheathing;
• vapor barrier;
• insulation (the thickness of the insulation depends on the region and parameters of the insulation, for middle zone Russia is about 200 mm);
• superdiffusion membrane;
• ventilation gap;
• sheathing;
• roofing covering.

The photo shows the insulation of a broken line mansard roof in graphic form. Please note: a superdiffusion membrane (indicated in blue) is placed above the insulation. Its purpose is to prevent formed condensation or precipitation that has seeped through the roofing from entering the insulation and to remove the steam that did get into the mineral wool, ensuring its drying. Therefore, with vapor permeability from 1500 g/m2. This layer is often called waterproofing (which is what it actually is), only the waterproofing is vapor-permeable.

Laying waterproofing

Ideally, it is laid exactly as shown in the figure: wrapping the rafters and laying closely on the insulation. Often, to save money, it is rolled out over the rafters, but not by pulling it, but by making a sag of 3-5 cm. This option also works well: moisture gets to the surface, and then rolls down and is removed outside the roof. Here's another one important point: The membrane must extend into the drainage gutter. Then moisture will be removed from the under-roof space.

A few more points on laying the membrane. It rolls out across the rafters, starting from the bottom. The first row runs into the gutter. The next one rolls out with an overlap of 10-15 cm. And so on until the ridge. At the ridge, the membranes on both sides are cut along the upper edge and secured. A strip rolls along the ridge, going down from one side and the other of the roof. This creates a coating along which water flows all the way to the drainage gutter.

Vapor barrier and rules for its installation

It is worth talking separately about vapor barrier. This should also be a membrane. Polyethylene or polypropylene film will not work: its characteristics are not the same. The vapor permeability of this layer (expressed in g/m2) should be minimal. Ideally, it is equal to zero. That is, this layer should not allow vapors to pass from the room into the insulation layer. When using mineral wool as insulation, this is very important: when it gets wet, it loses more than half of its properties, and when it freezes in a wet state and then melts, it completely crumbles into dust.

Therefore, the vapor barrier film is also laid with one panel overlapping the other. Moreover, these joints are glued with special double-sided vapor-impermeable tape (it looks like adhesive rubber). An ordinary painter's or stationery tool will not work. They do not provide 100% steam protection. In addition to the joints, all junctions are also glued: from below, from the sides, from above.

There is a line marked on the vapor barrier. It marks the border from which the next layer begins (this is the amount of overlap) and the line along which the canvases are fastened with tape

The vapor barrier is usually attached to the joists using staplers or, as in the figure, with internal sheathing slats for installation of the sheathing. In this case, another ventilation gap is formed, which will dry out the finish and membrane. This gap is desirable, but not required. In principle, the lining can be mounted directly on top of the membrane.

Thermal insulation

How best to insulate a sloping roof is a complex question and there is no clear answer to it. Mineral wool is used, only hard, with a density of 30-50 kg/m3. Since the attic roof usually has a large angle of inclination, soft materials can slide. It is for this reason that it is better to take slabs. Although in this case you will have to adjust the pitch of the rafters to the size of the insulation: it should be 10-15 mm less than the width of the slab so that the material fits between the beams and holds well.

Thermal insulation should be laid so that there are as few cold bridges as possible. For central Russia, 200-250 mm of mineral wool is usually required. These are several layers of mats. When laying between rafters, the slabs are positioned so that the seams of one row overlap the next. The width of the insulation, as already mentioned, should be slightly wider than the distance between the rafters. Then the slab becomes tight, eliminating the presence of cracks. If the width is larger/smaller, you have to cut the material. In this case, the chance of getting a smooth edge is small and there are a lot of residues left.

If the dimensions of the rafters do not allow laying all the insulation, planks of the required thickness are stuffed across the side of the room. The remaining insulation is placed between them. A vapor barrier and, if necessary, lathing for finishing are already attached to the top. This option is even better: cold bridges are completely eliminated, even covering the rafters. This method requires slightly higher installation costs, but the attic will definitely be warmer, which will reduce heating costs.

How to insulate an attic roof: work order

The good thing about the attic floor is that it allows the completion of construction to be extended. It is immediately necessary to lay and secure the superdiffusion membrane on the rafters, along with the sheathing and roofing material. And insulating the attic can be done from the inside after some time.

But please note: the waterproofing layer must be installed together with the roofing. This is the main mistake of many developers: they do not install this membrane. As a result, it is either necessary to remove the roof and lay it, or to invent systems to correct this deficiency. The whole problem is that in this case there is no cheap solution that guarantees the normal condition of the materials.

We insulate from the outside

If you do everything at once, the order of work is as follows:

With this option, working with insulation is not difficult: it is easy to lay, it rests on the sheathing (laces).

Insulation from the inside

This option allows you to push back interior decoration for the required period (useful if there is a shortage of funds). After installation rafter system here's what you need to do:

• roll out and secure the waterproofing;
• fill the sheathing (if necessary, counter-lattice);
• install roofing material.

That's all for the first stage necessary work. Once you are able to continue, you will need to insulate the attic roof from the inside. It will no longer be so convenient to work: you will have to make an enclosing structure that will prevent the insulation from being pushed out higher than necessary. The cotton wool itself will have to be fixed somehow: it tends to fall on your head. The order of work is as follows:

A few notes on how thermal insulation material can be laid. If these are mats made of high-density mineral wool and their width is slightly larger than the pitch between the joists, everything is relatively simple: they themselves hold up well.

If rolled mineral wool is installed, everything is more complicated. When insulating the attic roof from the inside, it is laid from bottom to top. Take the lace construction stapler. Roll out the cotton wool, press it against the slats, fasten a piece of lace with staples, drawing the letter Z. This is how you secure the first layer, followed by the second and all subsequent ones.

In general, if you want the attic roof to be warm, it is better to use mineral wool mats of the required density of 30-50 kg/m3. They are tough enough to hold their shape well. Softer rolled materials on vertical surfaces or with a large slope cake, settling down, and the thermal insulation of the attic roof deteriorates.

What is the best way to insulate an attic roof?

As mentioned above, the most popular material for insulating an attic roof is mineral wool. She is good, but not at all ideal: she is afraid of moisture. That is why it requires such careful protection from all sides so that it retains its properties.

Foam plastic (expanded polystyrene)

The roof is sheathed with foam plastic or extruded polystyrene foam - EPS. Polystyrene foam (grades PSB-S-25, PSB-S-35) has good characteristics, but when burned it emits harmful substances, although there are self-extinguishing brands (with special additives). It is better to use them for roof insulation.

The main advantage of polystyrene foam: low price. It is easy to install: it is placed between the rafters, all joints are sealed polyurethane foam. It is convenient to insulate the attic from the inside with polystyrene foam: you order slabs of the required size - 10-15 mm larger than the gap between the rafters - and place them tightly. Due to their elasticity, they hold up very well.

A ventilation gap is also left on the roof side and waterproofing is installed. But it protects the wooden structure more, since polystyrene foam is not afraid of moisture, practically does not absorb it, and does not conduct steam. This is where the main drawback lies. Since the material does not allow steam to pass through, it is necessary in the attic good system ventilation, and this is an additional cost.

EPS has best characteristics: under equal conditions, its thickness is two times less than mineral wool of the specified density and one and a half times less than that of foam plastic. It also has a locking system that reduces the risk of gaps through which heat can escape. Another plus: extruded polystyrene foam is not liked by mice and insects; fungi and mold do not grow on it. What limits its use: a respectable price. You also need a ventilation system.

EPPS brands - Extrol, STIREKS, PENOPLEX, URSA XPS, Technoplex, PRIMAPLEX, Styrofoam, KINPLAST, Teploizolit, GREENPLEX. Although the technology is the same, there are some differences in characteristics, so compare when choosing.

Not long ago, a new type of insulation appeared: expanded polystyrene foam. It is applied in liquid form to the surface, reacting with air, increasing in size many times over, filling all the cracks and forming a monolithic layer. This is, perhaps, the only way today to correct the situation and efficiently insulate the attic if, when installing the roofing, they forgot to lay a layer of waterproofing.

Ecowool

This insulation has good characteristics (thermal conductivity coefficient 0.036-0.040 W/m² °C), but special technology application. It is necessary to organize a closed cavity into which the composition will be poured. In the case of an attic roof, the side parts are rafters; they are nailed to them from below and above sheet material(Fibreboard, GVL, plywood, etc.).

A feeding sleeve is launched into the formed cavity, from which loosened cotton wool emerges under pressure. It fills all cavities, forming a single layer of insulation.

The main advantage of ecowool compared to all the insulation materials described above: it conducts vapor. It can absorb moisture up to 20% of the volume and then release it. That is, there is no need to organize a vapor barrier: humidity is regulated naturally, as is the case with wood. The ventilation gap between the roof and the insulation should be the same, as should the properly organized movement of air masses in it.

The question of which insulation is best for the attic is relevant for those who have decided to equip a living space under the high pitched roof of a private house. The attic differs from an ordinary room in the house due to increased heat loss. This is explained by the fact that it usually does not have permanent external walls without window openings, and on both sides and above the room is separated from the street only by a roofing system of small thickness.

Mineral wool insulation

Criteria for choosing insulation for the attic

High-quality insulation makes the attic suitable for year-round residence. When choosing a heat insulator, you need to pay attention to the performance characteristics of the materials, including comparing:

• noise insulation properties;
• ease of installation;
• moisture resistance;
• resistance to biological degradation;
• lifetime;
• efficiency;
• environmental friendliness;
• fire safety.

But the main quality by which insulation material is evaluated is its thermal conductivity coefficient, on which the ability to retain heat in a room depends.

From the point of view of ease of installation and use of insulation, preference should be given to universal materials. If the same thermal insulator can be used for walls, roof and floor, the insulation of all structures will last the same period.

Sound insulation properties - especially important parameter, if the roofing deck is made of metal (seam roofing, metal tiles, corrugated sheeting). Gusts of wind, rain and hail make such a roof “sound”, and staying in the attic will cause discomfort.

Since the roof frame is usually made of wood, it is advisable to use insulation that is fire resistant and flame retardant. Otherwise, an accidental fire will cause the entire attic and roof to quickly become engulfed in fire.

To wooden structures the rafter system and gables did not form condensation and the insulation did not lose its thermal insulation properties due to moisture penetration, it is necessary to insulate the attic space with a vapor- and moisture-proof material, or use reliable hydro- and vapor barrier. This affects the speed and complexity of installing the insulating layer and influences preferences when choosing a material.

Insulation thickness

Table 1. Dependence of insulation thickness on thermal conductivity coefficient

The manufacturer indicates the thermal conductivity coefficient on the packaging of the material. This indicator depends on the production technology and the density of the insulation. The table below shows the average values:

Table 2. Thermal conductivity coefficients of some insulation materials

Polyurethane foam and ecowool – modern materials, which can be used as a heat insulator for attic spaces, but their installation requires the use of specialized equipment and the invitation of specialists. Other popular heat insulators are available in the form of slabs or rolled materials of varying densities and thicknesses.

The insulation is cut along the width of the span between adjacent rafters (or the gap between the sheathing slats on the walls) and inserted at random. If the calculated thickness of the heat-insulating layer exceeds the width of the rafter leg, bars of a suitable cross-section are placed on the rafters from the side of the room.

Two-layer insulation is considered the most effective - after the gaps between the rafters are filled with a heat insulator, another layer of rolled material (possibly with a foil vapor barrier outer surface) is attached over the rafters with continuous joined strips. This will eliminate the occurrence of cold bridges.

Let's take a closer look at the main pros and cons of popular insulation materials that are suitable for thermal insulation of attic roofs and gables.

Fiber roll and slab insulation

• glass wool;
• mineral wool;
• stone (basalt) wool.

Their key advantage and at the same time disadvantage is the ability to pass steam. Theoretically, wet warm air from the attic will leave through a breathable interior lining, heat insulator and roofing system, which will help maintain a favorable microclimate in the room. In practice, the following difficulties exist:

• an increase in the humidity of fiber insulation leads to a sharp decrease in its thermal insulation properties;
• insulation (especially glass wool) that has absorbed moisture becomes wrinkled and deformed, forming cold bridges;
• The wood of the rafter system begins to rot from contact with moisture.

To avoid these problems, it is necessary to install a vapor barrier on top of the insulation from inside the room. And between the roofing covering and thermal insulation should be laid waterproofing material.

Air exchange through fibrous insulation will only take place if the waterproofing and vapor barrier layer is made of special gas-permeable membranes. The vapor barrier should allow air to pass through, but retain moisture coming from the room. A gas-permeable waterproofing barrier must release moisture from the insulation and prevent water from penetrating into it.

Membrane materials are much more expensive than conventional or reinforced film, roofing felt or glassine. But these investments will pay off due to the durability of not only the insulation, but also the roof truss system.

If you use film as a vapor barrier, this will reduce the cost of construction, but this will reduce to zero the important advantage of fiber insulation - gas permeability. Perforated film should not be used, as it allows steam to pass through and will accumulate in the insulation.

Performance characteristics of fiber insulation

Glass wool. To her positive qualities can be attributed:

• fire safety (2nd degree of fire resistance);
• environmental safety (does not contain resins);
• unattractive to mice (they do not build nests and passages);
• affordable price.

The main disadvantage is that when working with the material, caustic glass dust is formed; installation of the heat insulator requires care and the use of protective equipment. In addition, over time, glass wool tends to deform and wrinkle, especially when moisture penetrates.

Mineral wool. The material contains fibers of various origins (manufacturing materials - clay, stone, quartz sand, glass, etc.). Mineral wool is characterized by a multilayer heterogeneous structure with air lenses. Due to this, the material dampens sound waves well. Choosing mineral wool (primarily Isover, Ursa) is recommended for those who have decided to make metal roofing.

This heat insulator is fire-resistant, does not rot, and is easy to install. But rodents can settle in it, whose nests, passages and waste products reduce operational properties insulation.

Basalt wool . Consists of fibers obtained by melting rock. Withstands heat up to 1000 degrees, does not propagate combustion. You should choose basalt wool carefully, checking quality and safety certificates: some manufacturers, in an effort to reduce the cost of products, use resins that emit toxic substances.

Basalt wool is resistant to fungus, but can be damaged by rodents. This is a good sound insulator and easy to install. But when choosing a material for insulating a rafter system, you should take into account enough heavy weight slabs from stone wool.

If you have to choose a fiber insulator, pay attention to the density of the material. The heat insulator should not lose its shape even after prolonged use. For mineral, basalt wool, the density indicator should be about 40-45 kg/m3.

Polymer materials for insulation

We choose a polymer heat insulator for the roof and walls of the attic. This can be polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam (these two types of insulation are available in the form of sheets and slabs of various thicknesses), as well as polyurethane foam, which is applied to structures by spraying.

The advantages of polymer insulation include low weight and low thermal conductivity. Such thermal insulation will not overload the rafter system and will successfully cope with the task of retaining heat.

The disadvantages of polymer insulation include extremely low vapor permeability. There is no gas exchange through insulated structures, so you cannot do without a well-thought-out ventilation system in the attic.

Thermal insulation made of extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex) and polyurethane foam will not allow heat and steam to pass through to the roof rafter frame, therefore, there is no need to install a vapor barrier on the room side. Despite the fact that the dew point during internal insulation of gables will shift towards the heat insulator, moisture, dangerous for wood, will not condense.

All joints and junctions of thermal insulation made of penoplex must be filled with polyurethane foam and (after removing excess foam) taped reinforced tape so that the insulation layer is airtight.

Manufacturers produce penoplex of various densities. For pitched roofs and attic walls, where heat loss is high, it is advisable to use slabs with a density of 30-35 kg/m3.

If you decide to choose inexpensive foam plastic, it is better to install insulation according to the same principle as fiber board materials. Unlike extruded polystyrene foam with a continuous closed-cell structure, polystyrene foam consists of many individual granules pressed into a slab. Technological pores remain between the structural elements, which are capable of allowing steam to pass to wooden structures.

A suitable foam density is 35 kg/m3; at a break, the material should not crumble into individual balls. Since polystyrene foam smolders when ignited, releasing toxic substances and is easily chewed through by mice, this is not the most best material for internal insulation.

Polymer insulation for the attic should not be considered as a soundproofing material for the roof - it will not save you from the sound of raindrops. But if you insulate the floor with it, it will reduce the vibration load from steps, creating acoustic comfort in the rooms under the attic.

The selected insulation option will last for many years if you purchase good material and take into account all the details of its installation.

Arranging an attic with a competent approach solves the problem of shortage of living space in a residential building. But in order to use the room under the roof all year round, you will need high-quality thermal insulation, especially if the construction site is located in central Russia or even further north.

Market building materials offers traditional and new ways to solve this. In order not to get lost in the abundance of materials, our article will tell you which insulation is best suited for an attic roof and gable, how to choose and install it.

Heat exchange in the attic

Thermal insulation of the attic is relatively new construction technology, which became popular after heating reached the under-roof spaces. In attics that are not heated, insulation is not so important.

After all, the air gap between the ceiling and the slopes covered with a snow cap perfectly retains heat in living rooms. Installing a heating system in the attic changes the situation in the opposite direction: the heated air rises to the ridge and gives off its heat to the roofing material, due to which the snow from the roof melts.

To reduce energy losses, it is necessary to provide insulation of the attic roof and gable using one of the popular methods:

Compared to insulation from the inside, the outside is less protected from moisture. In addition, so that the weight of the roof and snow do not damage the integrity of the layer, for external thermal insulation choose materials that can hold their shape well.

General material requirements

Although the quality and method of installation to a certain extent influence the efficiency of insulation of the attic roof and gable, the main thing is to correctly determine which material will best cope with this task. The builder claims that good insulation must have the following qualities:

• Resistance to external factors. It is important that the thermal insulation material withstand sudden temperature changes, repeated cycles of defrosting and freezing throughout its entire service life, without cracking or changing its shape or structure.
• Low hygroscopicity. The insulation for the gable and attic roof has low hygroscopicity, that is, it does not absorb moisture. Since an increase in humidity reduces the effectiveness of thermal insulation by half, it increases the weight of the roofing structure, leading to the formation of mold and rot.
• Low thermal conductivity. Materials with low thermal conductivity do not heat up and “seal” heat from inside the room, reducing the cost of heating the attic.
• Safety. For cladding the gable and roof, insulation with a high fire safety class is used, which is non-flammable and does not support combustion. In addition, it is better to use materials that are not harmful to health and do not cause allergies.

When deciding which material is best to use for roof insulation, please note that the thickness of the layer is selected depending on the climatic conditions in the region of construction - for central Russia it is recommended to use insulation with a thickness of at least 150 mm.

Types of materials

Mineral thermal insulation materials

This category includes insulation with a fibrous structure, produced in the form of a roll or plates, called mineral wool. It is made from waste from the glass industry and metallurgical production.

But for attic insulation, builders recommend basalt-based stone wool. Her working temperature is 800-900 degrees, it does not burn and does not support combustion, has high thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics.

Typically, stone wool is used for, since the slabs, and especially the rolls, have a fairly soft structure that crumples under the weight of the roofing material.

The thermal conductivity of this type of insulation is 0.035-0.04 W/m, but during operation and moisture accumulation this value increases by half over 3 years of use. Therefore, for effective thermal insulation it is necessary to protect mineral wool from dampness using waterproofing and vapor barrier.

Polymer thermal insulation materials

Recently, builders have begun to widely use expanded polystyrene-based materials to insulate the pediment and roof from the outside or inside. This method has become the most popular method for renovating old residential buildings. It has the following performance qualities:

1. A light weight. Layers of insulation based on polystyrene foam weigh just a few grams, so they do not increase the load on the rafter system.
2. Low hygroscopicity. Expanded polystyrene does not absorb moisture at all, so it does not suffer from dampness, mold, and does not lose its thermal insulation qualities during operation.
3. Does not conduct heat or sound. These properties make expanded polystyrene indispensable for houses located in the area of ​​busy highways and buildings with resonant roofing materials (metal tiles, corrugated sheets), which increase noise during rain.
4. Fire resistance. Polystyrene foam insulation does not burn, but melts slowly, so it is considered safe.
5. Easy to install. A wide range of material thicknesses from 10 to 500 mm makes it easy to use for self-installation. Also, its installation does not require a special tool, and you can cut the layers with a knife or saw.

The only drawback of polystyrene foam is its fragility. During installation and operation, the sheets are easily damaged and crumble. But this problem is solved by the use of extruded polystyrene foam, which is blown special equipment under the film between the roof rafters.

Natural thermal insulation materials

To those who value above all environmental safety, as well as the natural origin of materials, it is worth taking a closer look at natural insulation for roofing. They are made from fibers of industrial agricultural crops - hemp, flax.

In addition to cellulose, ecowool contains 12% antiseptic and fungicidal additives and 7% fire inhibitors. Performance characteristics natural insulation materials compared to mineral ones:

• Low thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of ecowool is lower than that of mineral materials, they are 0.032 W/kg.
• The absorbency of ecowool is two times less than that of mineral thermal insulation materials based on glass, basalt, and slag.
• Flammability class G1-G2, that is, in terms of fire safety, ecowool is less safe than mineral-based insulation.
• Ecowool has a looser structure than mineral wool, its density is 30-75 g/cu. m.
• Natural types of thermal insulation materials absorb sound 10% better.

Experienced builders note that ecowool is the best material for insulating the inside of log, frame, timber houses with an attic, since its characteristics are close to those of natural wood, its use reduces heating costs by 30%.

Thermal insulation of residential attic spaces is the same prerequisite for comfortable use as the organization of natural lighting and ventilation. Remember that insulating an attic during construction is much more convenient and effective than during operation.

Video instruction

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

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

to convert it into a real attic.

Requirements for materials for insulation

1. Materials used for attic insulation must have:
2. Fire safety. They should not support combustion.
3. Perform sound protection functions that prevent the penetration of noise from the outside.
4. Vapor permeability function to ensure the necessary microclimate in the attic room.
5. Compliance with environmental, sanitary and construction standards.
6. Strength and durability.

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

Return to contents

Some characteristics of insulation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Return to contents

Insulation of the attic room

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

Coefficient Insulation thickness

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

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

City Thermal Insulation Thickness (mm):

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

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

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

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

For creating comfortable conditions The attic space needs thermal insulation. Then you need to insulate the roof and gables. A wide variety of materials can be used for these purposes. It is best to use mineral wool. It has excellent characteristics and is easy to install.

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

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

Most regions of Russia can “boast” of the prevalence of cold, which leads to heating of premises using heating systems. And if there is an attic floor, the situation becomes extremely serious. After all, the attic has the largest area of ​​contact with open air, which in winter period It gets quite cold. Therefore, the insulation of a room of this type should be approached very responsibly.

Due to the emergence of a large temperature difference on different sides of the roof, the heat flow begins to move towards the cold. Therefore, the task of insulating the attic is to place an obstacle in the path of heat flow and reduce its heat loss. For this purpose they can be used various insulation materials, that is, materials with low thermal conductivity.

When deciding which insulation is best to use for the attic, it is important to consider not only quality characteristics material, but design features attic, materials for its manufacture, as well as the expected temperature indicators inside this room.

What properties should attic insulation have?

Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. In most cases, a consumer choosing insulation for an attic pays attention to the following:

• The ability of a material to retain heat.
• Operational period.
• Moisture resistant.
• How simple and easy it is to perform installation work.
• Is it possible to save on material?
• To what extent does the material reduce noise and extraneous sounds?
• Is it possible to use the material universally?

The second most important thing is the versatility of the insulation. Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to use one insulation for the roof, floor and walls of the attic. In this case, you need to carefully study the manufacturer’s recommendations on the packaging: if the term “station wagon” is present, you can safely purchase material for insulating the pitched walls of the attic and the floor. The use of universal insulation helps to avoid the problem of varying degrees of insulation of surfaces.

The next significant property when deciding which insulation to choose for an attic is sound and noise absorption. Even taking into account the fact that there is no noise and trampling from neighbors in the attic room, the roof definitely needs sound insulation. This is especially true for attic rooms, the roof of which is covered with metal profiles and metal tiles. Insulation with good soundproofing properties helps create a comfortable environment in a residential attic.

An excellent choice for insulating an attic can be a material with low flammability. This property is very important for rooms with wooden load-bearing structure. When choosing insulation for an attic roof, you should remember the rule: the higher the risk of fire of the frame attic room, the more non-flammable the insulation should be. Only in this case can the degree of fire on the entire floor be reduced.

Of no small importance for attic insulation are its hydrophobic properties, since water vapor will always be present in the room. It is best to use materials with low water absorption. Otherwise, it is recommended to use additional waterproofing.

Popular materials for attic insulation - which one is better

To find out which insulation is best for the attic, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of some materials. Materials based on mineral wool and fiberglass are very popular when insulating an attic; little-known insulation materials are slightly behind them: ecowool, foil board and natural materials.

Glass wool

Among budget materials To insulate the attic, you can use fiberglass wool. It is characterized by simple installation and lack of toxicity. The absence of organic components in the material makes the material uninteresting for rodents. But the main advantage of glass wool is its low degree of combustion.

As a disadvantage, we can highlight the presence of fine glass dust, which can cause damage to the mucous membrane of the eye and irritation on the skin. However, this problem can be solved by using personal protective equipment.

Mineral wool for attic roof

This material contains fine stone or clay chips, as well as a small amount of fiberglass. Mineral wool is based on synthetic fibers, so it is safer for human health. The material is characterized by low weight, good vapor permeability and low hygroscopicity, which makes the material no less popular than glass wool.

The multilayer structure of mineral wool allows you to retain heat due to the fact that air can be retained in the layers.

However, the material contributes to the accumulation of dust and does not resist high humidity well. But this problem can be solved by performing waterproofing work.

Mineral wool belongs to a high fire safety class; particles of quartz sand in the material help to retard even open fire.

Among large quantity mineral wool manufacturers, there are two leaders who are most suitable as an answer to the question of which mineral wool is best for the attic.

Izover insulation has high thermal insulation properties and perfectly absorbs excess noise. Therefore, it is an ideal option for arranging a children's room or home cinema in the attic. In addition, such insulation will protect against the noise that raindrops make when hitting metal surfaces. Such properties of the material are ensured by the presence of special air lenses in the insulation cavity.

Ursa insulation materials contain only natural raw materials, in particular we're talking about about quartz sand and fiberglass. Consequently, the material does not pose a danger to the environment and human health. It retains heat perfectly, absorbs most noise and sounds, and is not damaged by rodents. The density of mineral wool for the attic ranges from 30 to 225 kg/m3.

Mineral wool is characterized by a fairly long service life; for half a century the material does not bloom or rot.

Basalt or stone wool

The most popular and safest type of mineral wool is basalt wool. This material is based on natural stone- basalt, which under the influence of high temperature is melted and stretched into thin fibers. Basalt wool can withstand heating up to 1000 0 C, but is not able to withstand rodents.

The most popular brand of stone wool, Rocklight, is characterized by its ability to retain heat, absorb excess noise, fire resistance and easy installation. Wherein basalt insulation enough for an attic High Quality can be purchased at a relatively low price.

Another advantage of the material is durability and the ability to “breathe” over a long period of use. The vapor permeability of the insulation is of great importance when finishing the attic, as it prevents the appearance of mold and various fungi.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Simple and easy installation, no irritation on the skin during operation and a fairly low cost are just minor advantages of polystyrene foam. However, in most cases the material is used in combination with other insulation materials. For example, the gaps in the frame are filled with mineral wool, and polystyrene foam is laid on top.

Styrofoam

Most cheap option insulation for the attic - polystyrene foam. It is lightweight, so the work can be done independently, without involving experienced craftsmen. This property is especially important when insulating sloping roof walls.

Polystyrene foam is an excellent soundproofing material, as it has several levels of density. In addition, it is not characterized by shrinkage during operation.

The density of insulation for an attic roof in this case shows the degree of its resistance to mechanical loads, but denser foam plastic is less resistant to fire. Therefore, to insulate the attic roof, you can choose materials with less rigidity, since in this place significant loads will not be placed on the insulation.

Polyurethane foam

Spraying polyurethane foam is in a good way attic insulation. In addition, the material has the following properties:

• Excellent degree of thermal protection.
• Possibility of insulation without a frame and special fastenings.
• Lack of seams, which are always conductors of cold.
• Creating tightness in hard-to-reach places.
• No reaction with any roofing material, excellent resistance to moisture and vapor permeability.
• Good grip on any surface.
• Polyurethane foam is not afraid of rodents and insects, and is also not affected by mold and rot.

But polyurethane foam still has a drawback: it cannot be applied independently without special equipment.

Natural wool

In some regions, natural wool or felt is used as roof insulation. These materials have good vapor permeability and excellent thermal insulation properties.

Wool can be used independently, but its use in a roofing pie is considered more effective.

For the Caucasian region, wool is the most affordable insulation material, which gives a great advantage over ready-made, more expensive materials. But in this case, do not forget about insects and rodents that can live in natural material.

Ecowool

Relatively recently on construction market appeared new insulation- ecowool. For its production, waste newspapers are used, which are pre-shredded and treated with fire retardants and antiseptics. At the same time, dangerous lead, which, according to many, is contained in newspapers, is completely excluded from ecowool.

The composition of the material fully complies with environmental requirements, even during the smoldering process and with a sharp change in temperature. This property makes ecowool more effective and profitable compared to mineral wool and expanded polystyrene.

But due to insufficient knowledge, insulation with this material is carried out only by specialized construction organizations.

Which one to choose: rolled material or mats

When choosing insulation for the attic, the question may arise: is it better? roll material or slabs? In this case, the answer will be individual for everyone, since everyone has different preferences.

Practical experience shows that material in rolls is more convenient to use. Simply roll out the roll to the desired length and cut off a piece. In addition, when insulating a roof that has a standard distance between the rafters, you can easily cut the material in half and fill the free space with them.

In the case of insulation boards, the advantage is convenient transportation. However, practical application is more problematic since the slabs are rectangular in shape.

In conclusion, it should be recalled that when buying insulation for the attic, it is very important to pay attention to the packaging. There should be no scratches or damage on it that indicate a leak. Only in this case is protection against moisture getting into the insulation guaranteed before starting installation work. Moisture that gets onto the material through poor-quality packaging leads to the insulation getting wet and changing its shape. As a result, installation becomes difficult in many ways, and gaps form between the slabs. In addition, wet material becomes favorable environment for the growth of mold and mildew, which spoil appearance surfaces and become a source of unpleasant odors.