What insulation is better for attic insulation. How is the attic roof insulated and how to prepare the roof of a private house for winter living

29.08.2019

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

Several are used as a heater. different materials: mineral and glass wool, foam plastic, polyurethane foam, other heaters. But not all of these materials are suitable for thermal insulation of the attic to convert it into a real attic.

Requirements for insulation materials

The materials used to insulate the attic must have:

Fire safety. They must not support combustion.
Perform soundproofing functions that prevent the penetration of noise from the outside.
The function of vapor permeability to ensure the necessary microclimate in the attic room.
Compliance with environmental, sanitary and building codes.
Strength and durability.
resistance to deformation.

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 the wall of the attic. A wooden gable requires a thicker layer of insulation than brick walls.

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Some characteristics of heaters

Widely used for insulation of walls, floors and ceilings foam. In the attic, the functions of the walls and ceiling are performed by the roof of the building. It is not recommended to use foam for its insulation for the following reasons:

all elements of the roof, including the insulation material, must be well ventilated;
the insulation must pass air and moisture vapor well.

Warm air, according to the laws of physics, rises from the bottom up. Styrofoam does not let the moisture contained in warm air pass at all. This will cause condensation to form inside the room. As a result, within 1-3 years, the details of the truss structure will become damp, streams of water will begin to flow along the insulation material, mold will appear, wooden details the roofs will 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 observed, since the smallest particles of glass, when they get on open areas skin cause severe irritation and significant pain. Work only in protective clothing, gloves and goggles. The thickness of the thermal insulation layer from 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.

Warming elements mansard roof: 1 - mineral wool; 2 - vapor barrier (membrane); 3 - waterproofing; 4 - air flows; 5 - rafter; 6 - roof; 7 - attic sheathing.

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 among the environmentally friendly materials. 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;
incombustibility;
good sound insulation;
resistance to moisture and temperature extremes;
frost resistance;
protection against rodents and other pests;
resistance to the appearance of fungus and mold;
quick and easy installation.

For you can use felt, hemp, sawdust, reed slabs. But all these materials require preliminary antiseptic and flame retardant treatment. These operations significantly increase the terms 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.

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

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Insulation of the attic

The attic roof usually consists of a truss system covered with roofing material. Rafters are installed every 60-100 cm. These gaps are filled with insulation. As a material for insulation, it is recommended to use mineral wool or fiberglass. 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 she be? produced based on the coefficient of thermal conductivity, which is indicated in the quality certificates. You can refer to the following data:

Insulation thickness coefficient

0.035 150 mm;
0.04 180 mm;
0.044200 mm;
0.045205 mm;
0.046 210 mm;
0.047215 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 Russia will be like this:

City 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;
Yekaterinburg 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 less than the thickness of the layer of insulating material, additional wooden bars are attached to them using nails, screws or self-tapping screws. They must be processed antiseptic composition. Ventilation in the form of an air gap must remain between the insulation layer and the roof. The air gap is 25-50 mm. From above the insulation is protected by a windproof membrane. It is better to use Tyvek HD, Monaperm 450 VM, Monarflex VM 310 films for this purpose.

From below, a layer of insulation for the attic is covered with a vapor barrier film and the finishing lining is mounted from clapboard, drywall or other materials.

For creating comfortable conditions in the attic room needs thermal insulation. Then you need to isolate 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 features and is easy to install.

The calculation of the thickness of the heat-insulating layer is made according to the region of residence.

The colder the climate, the larger the insulation layer should be. Properly arranged thermal insulation significantly reduces the cost of heating a building.

The attic of a private house can be used to store unnecessary things, or you can equip a full-fledged living space on this area with all the advantages that an attic floor provides. The most popular option is a bedroom or a children's room, but you can also arrange a gym or even a greenhouse here.

To bring these ideas to life, it is necessary to insulate the roof, so the question of which insulation is best suited for a mansard roof is especially relevant for those who want to equip additional square meters.

General requirements for thermal insulation materials

The roof structure is not monolithic. If it is not completely insulated, then cold air, penetrating inside through the cracks, will inevitably lead to the formation of condensate on wooden structures and, as a result, the appearance of fungus and mold.

If you want to use the attic all year round, then it is necessary that the insulation meets the following performance characteristics:

Overview of thermal insulation materials

About 30% of heat is lost through the roof, therefore, regardless of what materials were used for roofing, a mansard roof requires high-quality insulation.

The range of thermal insulation materials on the market today is so diverse that it is not at all difficult to get lost in this abundance. Below I have reviewed the most popular types of insulation, with all their advantages and disadvantages.

Modern glass wool is made from glass waste and is fundamentally different from the glass wool that everyone remembers from Soviet times. It's safe soft material which does not cause irritation in contact with the skin.

Glass wool is a universal insulation suitable for all types of surfaces and has the following technical characteristics:

low thermal conductivity;
does not ignite;
resistance to temperature extremes in the range from -200 to +500 ° С;
vapor permeability;
water absorption coefficient up to 15%;
environmentally friendly;
excellent sound insulator.

In addition, glass wool has several disadvantages:

undergoes shrinkage during operation;
fibers have low density and increased brittleness;
in terms of thermal insulation characteristics it is inferior to mineral wool.

When choosing an attic insulation, you should not forget about small pests that are often found in private homes - glass wool is inedible, so you are not threatened by the neighborhood with rodents.

Mineral wool

The structure of mineral wool consists of thin synthetic fibers randomly intertwined with each other. Cells with air are formed among the fibers, which provide the unique thermal insulation properties of the material.

The composition of the fibers includes small stone chips, clay, a small amount of fiberglass and many other ingredients. Among the advantages it is worth noting:

excellent vapor permeability;
low hygroscopicity;
noise-absorbing properties;
fire safety.

Even a non-professional can insulate the attic roof with mineral wool - the material is easy to use and practically waste-free. Due to the soft structure, it easily fills all the voids and the heat-insulating layer has no seams (when using rolls, in the case of plates, there will still be seams).

Despite all the advantages of mineral wool, it also has disadvantages:

according to some experts, its fibers have carcinogenic properties;
as a binder in the manufacture mineral plates phenol-formaldehyde resin is used, which releases free formaldehyde for quite a long time.

This is one of the varieties of mineral wool, which includes a natural component - basalt. Under production conditions, it is melted, and it turns into a thin fiber. The melting point of basalt is 1000°C, which is why the insulation is able to withstand heating up to this temperature.

Among fibrous heaters, basalt wool has the best technical specifications and the highest price.

The only drawback compared to similar materials - big weight, which must be taken into account when insulating the attic (the rafter system must be designed for such a load).

When buying basalt wool, give preference to a trusted manufacturer (for example, TechnoNIKOL products), since some unscrupulous companies, in an effort to reduce the cost of products, use components that emit toxic substances.

All mineral wool heaters are universal and are perfect for both attic insulation and floor, wall and facade insulation. However, due to the ability of the fiber to accumulate moisture, before insulating the attic, it is necessary to make high-quality waterproofing of the surfaces.

Extruded polystyrene foam

It's relative the new kind insulation in the market of thermal insulation materials, but has already gained great popularity. Extruded polystyrene foam is a "relative" of polystyrene, but due to manufacturing features, it surpasses it in terms of technical characteristics.

EPP passes through the extruder, resulting in a material whose structure consists of closed cells that can prevent the absorption of steam and moisture from the outside.

The properties of this unique material are striking in their versatility:

thermal conductivity is lower than that of many insulating materials;
even when completely immersed in water, there is no water absorption;
tolerates frost well;
resistant to most chemicals;
no need for additional waterproofing;
absolutely harmless;
service life up to 50 years;
sufficiently high compressive strength.

One could say that extruded polystyrene foam the best insulation for the roof, because with all the advantages it has a fairly low cost. However, there are two points that negate all its advantages - flammability and vapor tightness.

In view of this, it is categorically not recommended to use it for thermal insulation of a wooden truss system, although there are a lot of materials on the Internet about the use of EPP as a heater for roofing, including attic.

Styrofoam

Represents a budget option insulation. Its advantages:

The low price and the possibility of do-it-yourself installation can significantly save money.
it is practically weightless, and does not create an additional load on the roof structure.
Due to its environmental friendliness, it is suitable for all types of premises, including children's institutions.

Unlike EPP, which has a closed structure, there are technological pores between the foam plastic granules, allowing steam to penetrate through it.

The disadvantages include the property of polystyrene is highly flammable (although there are types with a flammability class G1, i.e. non-combustible) and small rodents like to make their holes in it, so experts do not recommend using this material for internal attic insulation.

The video below shows a test for burning foam and polystyrene foam.

PPU

Polyurethane foam is a modern material applied to the insulated surface by spraying. It is due to the method of insulation that PPU has many undeniable advantages:

when warming, the construction of an additional frame is not required;
the heat-insulating layer turns out to be monolithic and excludes the appearance of cold bridges;
absolutely not afraid of moisture and at the same time vapor permeable;
if there are engineering structures or complex architectural forms in the attic, the joints are easily sealed by spraying;
excellent adhesion to any type of surface, except for polyethylene;
a layer of 25 mm can replace 80 mm of mineral wool;
polyurethane foam is not liked by mice and insects, it is not subject to rotting and mold formation.

The disadvantages include the inability to perform insulation on their own - the work must be done by a team equipped with special equipment for spraying, which will require considerable financial costs.

Ecowool

What insulation can be better for an attic than an environmentally friendly, non-causing allergic reactions, material? Ecowool has all these advantages - a heater for 80% consisting of waste paper and waste paper production, and 20% - from an antiseptic and additives that prevent ignition.

Of its advantages, it is worth noting:

with high quality - affordable cost;
seamless thermal insulation layer;
the possibility of blowing into hard-to-reach places;
economical consumption when warming the room;
high soundproof properties.

Unfortunately, like any other material, ecowool is not without drawbacks:

during operation it is able to decrease in volume;
accumulates moisture in itself, which leads to an increase in thermal conductivity;
the application method is similar to PPU - the help of specialists and the use of special equipment will be required;
drying time of the heat-insulating layer - from two to three days;
it is not recommended to use near sources of open fire, because under the influence of high temperatures, ecowool can begin to smolder (after all, it is 80% paper).

Sawdust

Most ancient way insulation, which, despite the variety of modern materials, is still used. There are good reasons for this:

this is the most cheap way insulation;
100% environmental friendliness;
work can be done by a person with minimal experience;
a roof insulated with sawdust has sufficiently high heat-saving qualities if cement or clay mortar is added to the sawdust.

Despite all the advantages, insulation with sawdust is a very laborious process, which is increasingly becoming a thing of the past, giving way to modern technological materials. In addition, it is of little use for attic insulation, and is more used for thermal insulation. flat roofs outbuildings.

Calculation of the thickness of the insulation

The thickness of the insulation for attic insulation is calculated using a table of thermal conductivity coefficients of materials.

Table 1. Thermal conductivity coefficients of heaters

The exact indicator is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging - this value depends on the density of the material and the technology used in the production.

The thickness of the heat-insulating layer is calculated by the formula:

where R is the thermal resistance for the roof of a certain region, λB is the thermal conductivity of the insulation.

City		City	Thermal resistance R (m 2 * 0 C/W)
Moscow	4.67	Nizhny Novgorod	4.79
Krasnodar	3.54	Omsk	5.34
Sochi	2.95	Magadan	6.1
Rostov-on-Don	3.96	Chelyabinsk	5.09
St. Petersburg	4.6	Tver	4.71
Krasnoyarsk	5.37	Novosibirsk	5.5
Voronezh	4.46	Samara	4.76
Yekaterinburg	5.19	Permian	5.17
Irkutsk	5.62	Ufa	4.96
Volgograd	4.18	Kazan	4.91
Astrakhan	3.97

Table 2. The coefficient of thermal resistance for the roof of some Russian cities

Let's say that you live in Moscow and want to insulate the attic with extruded polystyrene foam. The minimum thickness of the insulation will be 4.67*0.036=0.16 m.

The best option for insulating the roof of a residential building would be basalt wool.

Installation of this insulation does not take much time, it will help to avoid unnecessary debris (if you foresee the distance between the rafters a little less than the width of a roll or basalt wool mat) and save money if you do the work yourself. An additional important bonus is that the material is harmless to health and non-flammable, which eliminates the need to treat wooden structures with flame retardants.

For a bath, it is necessary to select a heater that does not absorb moisture, and extruded polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam will do it best.

They have similar characteristics, so when choosing, be guided by the amount that you have (polyurethane foam spraying will be more expensive than polystyrene foam finishing).

In conclusion - a video review of various heaters and their areas of application:

Of course, all of the above about the choice of material for insulating the attic roof is not the ultimate truth, since a lot depends on financial capabilities, climate and a number of other factors. If you disagree with something, or have personal experience attic insulation (even if negative) - be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.

If the master plans to make the attic room residential, then it is necessary to choose the right insulation for the attic. In this case, it is very important to take into account the basic requirements for the coating and the conditions of its operation. After all, the living space is somewhat different from the cold attic. About which insulation is best for a mansard roof, we analyze in detail in the material below.

If you do not know which insulation to choose for the attic roof (what requirements to apply to it), then pay attention to the following information. In order for the insulation of the attic room to serve not only for a long time, but also not to harm the residents of the house who will live in the attic rooms, the material must meet the following requirements:

Environmental friendliness. Especially when you consider that the attic rooms will be heated. And an increase in temperature provokes evaporation from the insulating coating. In turn, evaporation is what a potential tenant of the upper rooms of the house will breathe.
Lightweight insulation. The mass of material will form the total load of the construction cake on truss system roofs. And accordingly, the smaller it is, the stronger and more durable the roof will be.
Insulation density. The level of possible deformation under the influence of sedimentary load directly depends on its density. So, snow lying on the roof can eventually deform the insulation material with its weight. And even with the descent of the crust from the roof, a soft insulation with a low density will no longer restore its structure. In addition, the deformation of the coating will lead to a decrease in thermal insulation properties. However, in turn, a material with a lower density will retain heat better. Here it is worth choosing depending on climatic conditions region. If snow prevails, then a denser coverage can be preferred. And if winds are a priority, then less dense heat-insulating materials will be relevant.
Low flammability. In particular, for attic rooms it is better to use heaters marked G-1 and G-2. They have the most low level flammability.
Good moisture repellency. It is important to understand here that attic insulation will be exposed to vapors from inside the room. And if the vapor barrier is not properly laid or deformed, the material can accumulate moisture. And this over time can lead to its deformation, which will reduce the level of thermal insulation.
Good soundproofing properties. This is because the sound of rain on a mansard roof can disturb the occupants underneath. Especially if the roof is covered with corrugated board or metal tiles. Although it is better not to do this for residential upper premises.
Inertness to biological microorganisms. That is, the insulation for the mansard roof should not rot and mold. Otherwise, these same fumes will poison the residents of the upper rooms.
Low thermal conductivity. This is the most main criterion, which will limit the loss of heat from the room through the roof space.

Important: if the insulating coating is laid on the rafter legs, then ideal option will be light and dense material. If the design of the upper part of the house involves the use of frame panels, then it is better to use heavier plate heaters.

Overview of insulation for the attic

Below is a rating of insulating materials-heat insulators for the roof of the attic. We will start with the most optimal ones, and end up with more budgetary and controversial ones. So, thermal insulation in the attic can be carried out using the following materials.

stone wool

It is also called ecowool. Such a coating is the best insulation to date. It is the most demanded when warming the attic floor. The material has proven itself well due to the following technical characteristics:

Excellent (low) thermal conductivity. For stone wool, it is 0.039-0.045 W / m K. Thus, heat loss from the attic space will be minimal.
Fire resistance. Stone wool does not burn or melt, which is why it is most often used for roof insulation.
Does not accumulate moisture. This indicator is due to a special water-repellent impregnation, which is applied to basalt fibers during the production of ecowool.
Good sound absorption. Under the insulated stone wool roof, you will sleep soundly and comfortably.
High strength plates. Even a long static load does not deform stone wool.
The ability to pass vapor through itself without moistening the structure of the material. That is, stone wool simply breathes, providing air circulation in space.

Important: if you decide to use a stone wool insulation layer, then you definitely need to make high-quality vapor and waterproofing of the roof.

Extruded polystyrene foam

If you don't know which better insulation for the roof of the attic, then you can use this type of foam. It is worth remembering here that extruded polystyrene foam can have a different density. And the higher it is, the heavier the coating plates will be. It is worth knowing that for high-quality roof insulation, the thickness of the attic insulation should be from 10 cm. From such mixtures, the insulation will undergo deformation, which means that its thermal insulation properties will eventually come to naught.

Distinctive advantages of extruded polystyrene foam are:

Excellent moisture resistance;
Inertness to microorganisms and chemicals;
High sound insulation;
Excellent thermal insulation properties;
Fire resistance.

Important: when insulating the attic with slab materials, all joints must be carefully sealed mounting foam.

Penofol

Pretty modern insulating material, made in the form of rolls. Gradually, this insulation replaces the usual rolled mineral wool. The features of this coverage are:

Good sound and heat insulation;
Inertness to moisture;
Protection of the insulated room from radioactive waves from the outside.

However, it is worth knowing that such a material undergoes significant deformation under prolonged static loads. That is why penofol is ideal when used in windy but snowless regions.

Liquid polyurethane

This type of insulation is suitable for both walls and floor panels of the house. Its main feature is that liquid polyurethane is sprayed in a continuous layer, which means that the material will have no cold bridges at all.

The advantages of the material are:

Good soundproof properties.
Low thermal conductivity due to the cellular structure.
Inertness to aggressive environments.
Environmental friendliness (however, when spraying and 10 minutes after the procedure, it is worth being in a protective mask). After hardening, the material is absolutely safe for humans.
Service life is about 30 years.
Low thermal conductivity.

However, liquid polyurethane also has disadvantages:

The material may become overgrown with condensate if the vapor barrier is not properly organized;
Under direct sunlight loses its basic properties;
Flammable and capable of smoldering.

Important: with the right installation technology, liquid polyurethane mass fills even the most inaccessible places on the roof.

Styrofoam

This is a budget option for insulating the attic roof perimeter. At the same time, foam plastic plates are easy to install, perfectly insulate and do not require knowledge of special complex technologies styling. However, you should pay attention to the fact that the foam is attractive to rodents, and an open flame leads to smoldering and ignition of the insulation. If your house is a country house (not capital), and you want to better insulate the attic of a small cottage, then this option will be quite acceptable.

Mineral wool

Long familiar to craftsmen, rolled material for insulating walls and roof space is used less frequently today. However, during installation, the thickness of the insulating mineral wool layer for the roof should be 10-20 cm. However, despite the fact that mineral wool is laid almost waste-free due to the possibility of cutting it, you should always remember that this insulation is able to accumulate moisture. So, when wet, it will increase its mass. Thus, a large load will be exerted on the roof frame. In addition, wet mineral wool insulation can slide down over time, which will form cold bridges.

Important: solid insulation such as polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam must be laid on top of the roof sheathing. If we are talking about mineral wool or ecowool, then they are placed between the rafter legs under the crate. And remember, no matter selected material alwaysneedbut strictly observe the technology of its installation.

Building technologies today make it quite simple and effective to achieve not only an excellent result in the construction of individual housing, but to make it as convenient and, most importantly, economical as possible.

One of these methods is the use of insulation in the arrangement of the attic. However, questions arise - what kind of insulation for a mansard roof is better, how best to use it, what should be taken into account when choosing a material?

In itself, the space under the roof has some features due to its location. What requires non-standard approaches to the issue of arrangement.

The features of this room that affect the choice of insulation are:

the area of the attic space that can be used for arrangement;
features of the roof, its slope, type of supporting structures, their condition;
the presence of engineering communications at home or the need for their laying;
the possibility of using certain materials for insulation without additional work to strengthen the roof structure.

At the same time, even at the planning stage, it is useful to think about how the attic thermal insulation work will be carried out - during the construction of the roof structure or after the roof has been erected.

The correct calculation and choice of insulation material will allow the best way use the properties of the material, and achieve the greatest energy efficiency of the room, minimizing heat loss.

Today, the market for insulation materials is so vast that it is easy to get lost in the offers of various manufacturers and choose a material that is not quite suitable for the attic of a particular house. Each material has individual characteristics which we will now try to consider.

Fibrous types of heaters include heaters based on various kinds of fiber.

Conventionally, such materials can be of plant origin - for example, technical wool as a result of cotton processing or viscose fibers from various types of vegetation, and mineral - for example, glass wool or mineral wool, which are based on the finest fibers of glass or basalt.

Fibrous heaters are classified, in addition, according to various parameters:

physical properties;
production method;
the quality of the binder fibers;
the location of the fibers and their connection method;
chemical properties;
technical and operational qualities, including hygroscopicity and fire safety.

The thermal insulation properties of such materials are based on the ability to transfer heat between the fibers, that is, the smaller and thinner the fiber, the lower the thermal conductivity of the material.

Cellular heaters include materials that have a cellular structure in their structure - these are various types of foam concrete heaters, foam plastic, foam glass, cellular concrete.

The preservation of heat by these materials is achieved due to the preservation of closed cells in the structure of the material, which prevent the spread of heat.

Unlike fibrous materials, cellular insulation is easier to process, it is easier to work with them due to the fact that they are easier to cut and fit to size, they are easier to glue, and if the construction budget is reduced to the “super-economy” option, after a little processing, a layer can be applied to them decorative plaster or wallpapering.

Glass wool - natural thermal insulation material fibrous structure obtained by passing molten slag or quartz sand through a centrifuge. As a result, thin fibers are formed that settle on the walls of the chamber.

Despite the very decent age since the beginning of the widespread use of this insulation, glass wool is still an excellent insulating material. The main component of glass wool is microscopic glass tubes, the smallest particles of glass.

Glass wool has excellent properties, however, it requires caution when working on the insulation of residential premises - glass wool particles can enter the human body when inhaled, from where they are not excreted.

Glass wool has excellent thermal insulation properties and is practically indispensable for the construction of a heat-insulating cake - it does not burn, does not rot, retains heat well, in addition, it perfectly absorbs noise. Another advantage of the material is that glass wool does not absorb water.

Insulation based on staple fibers consist of pieces of fiber of vegetable or other origin, for example, viscose fibers and are pieces of 40-70 mm. Compressed fibers into slabs are used for insulation of various premises, including attics. It is preferable to use staple fibers of synthetic origin.

They are lighter, and the weight for roof insulation is one of the main factors. Such materials are classified in different ways, one of the classifications is the density of the material, the higher, the more reliably heat is retained. A big plus of staple fiber is environmental friendliness, because the material is natural.

A minus and quite significant is, of course, the ability to absorb moisture, and if the material is not processed special formulations, becomes an excellent place for the development of fungi. Therefore, such a heater requires additional waterproofing.

Mineral wool is an excellent insulating material of natural origin. It is made from basalt rocks. First, basalt is crushed to a fine fraction, the resulting mass is heated to a melting point, after which, according to the principle of glass wool production, it is passed through a centrifuge, as a result of which mineral or stone wool is obtained from basalt fibers.

This material is essentially unique - it does not burn, the fibers perfectly retain heat, it has excellent sound insulation - it does not let noise through. In addition, mineral wool does not rot, it does not spread the development of the fungus. But there is also back side- mineral wool has a large mass. This is one of the main factors that must be considered when insulating the roof.

When using this material, it is necessary to use beams of a rather impressive size that can withstand not only the snow mass, but also the weight of the insulation. In addition, it must be borne in mind that mineral wool still absorbs water and, accordingly, increases its mass.

Cellulose insulation based on natural cellulose fibers is the most eco-friendly look material for insulating the roof of the attic. It is light, made from wood fibers, has good performance, both in terms of weight and thermal conductivity, but unlike other types of materials, natural cellulose fibers are susceptible to decay, fungus can develop in them, and they absorb moisture.

The use of cellulose insulation requires the arrangement of reliable waterproofing and vapor barrier. In addition, a well-thought-out ventilation system of the space is required. The removal of warm air from the insulation cake will reduce the effect of temperature on the cellulose and extend its service life.

Polyurethane foam - this insulation is more familiar under the name foam rubber. It has good structural qualities - it is easy to mount, it is light and perfectly retains heat, it is not afraid of moisture.

The material is produced in various types, and if desired, you can order pieces of material from the manufacturer right size minimizing the amount of waste. But, polyurethane foam is a very combustible material, and this is a significant drawback for rooms with a fireplace or just stove heating.

And of course, water, problems with waterproofing of the roof drag the absorption of liquid by the foam rubber and, as a result - bad smell, excessive moisture, rotting of wooden structures of the roof.

The choice of insulation for the attic is in many ways not an easy task. In most individual constructions, the norms and rules for the construction of a roof are not always observed, often developers resort to simple material savings for the sake of momentary benefits, forgetting about further stages of construction.

Weight is one of the main criteria

In addition, when assessing the thermal insulation qualities, when choosing a material for insulation, you need to know that in the attic room, where it will be attached to the rafters, the weight of the structure will increase significantly, and therefore the weight of the roof will also increase.

The calculation of the roof structure and the insulation layer in this case must be carried out for the maximum load on the roof, providing for:

ways to strengthen rafters and beams;
the maximum load on the roof with the greatest snow cover, take into account the effect of wind force, and foresee the situation of snow melting;
the weight of the insulation and the ability of the truss structure to withstand the entire mass in the absence of additional reinforcing structures.

Such a calculation will allow you to accurately calculate the weight that the roof can withstand. Determine the weakest points and rationally distribute the insulation cake itself.

When installing a constructive pie, it is useful to use additional reinforcing structures, and transfer part of the load from the insulation to additional structural elements roofs.

One of the best opportunities for today to arrange reliable thermal insulation of the attic is to use Rockwool basalt thermal insulation for insulation.

A material specially developed for thermal insulation of attic rooms, thanks to a multilayer technology for forming a coating using a unique foil surface. Basalt thermal insulation Rockwool will allow, at lower costs, to significantly increase the thermal insulation of the room, which is achieved:

uniform distribution of insulation with a heat-reflecting surface applied to it;
ease of installation of Rockwool basalt thermal insulation;
significant cost savings - Rockwool insulation will ultimately cost less than other basalt insulation.

The use of such a relatively new material as foam glass will significantly reduce the time for the installation of a thermal insulation cake. Thermal insulation from foam glass blocks perfectly retains heat.

The installation technology allows using special glue to create additional waterproofing of the surface of the blocks.

The reliability of the connection of the blocks and the roof, even of small dimensions, makes it possible to create excellent sound insulation of the room, because foam glass is able to dampen up to 90% of noise. A significant disadvantage of this still relatively expensive technology is the need for a more accurate calculation of the truss structure and the material itself.

biological inertness

In many ways, the durability of both the roof and the constructive insulation cake depends on the high-quality biological protection of all elements of the roof.

In view of this, it is necessary to take into account:

hygroscopicity of the material;
reliability of the waterproofing layer and vapor barrier layer;
the quality of the insulation (if you plan to use a heater made from plant materials);
carrying out additional processing by means of bioprotection of both insulation and wooden structures.

The solution of these and other problems is largely ensured by the use of materials that have the greatest biological inertness, that is, absolutely neutral to the effects of fungi, microorganisms, insects and animals - basalt insulation or glass wool.

Ventilation system

Proper processing with appropriate materials for bioprotection of wooden structures and the insulation itself, periodic inspections and timely measures to repair the coating can avoid additional costs for maintaining the attic.

However, as in any living space, the attic requires a device effective system ventilation - steam, hot air must be quickly and most importantly correctly removed from the room.

Such a ventilation system is equally necessary both for removing steam from the interior and from the roof cavities. Moisture removal should be designed even before the installation of insulation and cover the entire volume of the attic.

Some subtleties of insulation for a mansard roof

The developed technology for installing attic insulation requires a clear sequence of all technological operations. Such an algorithm of work will allow all the work to be carried out qualitatively, and to prevent errors in the work.

In fact, the sequence of work is quite simple:

cleaning the premises from debris, airing, installation of the necessary lighting fixtures;
treatment by special means wooden structures;
conducting repair work roofing;
carrying out work to strengthen roof structures;
waterproofing device;
installation of a heater;
checking the effectiveness of ventilation;
vapor barrier device;
Finishing work.

In many ways, the effectiveness of attic insulation work depends on proper organization and timeliness of their implementation. This is especially true for their independent implementation.

The best success can be achieved only with the correct and consistent implementation of all stages:

initial stage planning, calculation(not only construction guides can help here, but also computer programs, for example "Architects", "Foreman");
preparatory stage- collection of materials, storage, preparation of tools, clarification of calculations, details, drawing up a construction plan;

main stage:

preparation of the workspace;
roof insulation;
floor insulation device;
insulation of partitions and gables;
installation of hidden communications.
the final stage - finishing work, decorating the room.

Completion of work on the installation of thermal insulation of the roof ultimately ends with an external inspection of the condition of the roofing, exit points for ventilation ducts, cable outlets and chimneys.

Identified defects must be promptly corrected. The presence of defects in such roofing elements as wind boards, ridges, cable exits and chimneys is fraught with leaks and gradual ingress of moisture into the insulation.

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

Mineral wool insulation

Criteria for choosing a heater for the attic

High-quality insulation allows you to make the attic suitable for year-round use. When choosing a heat insulator, it is necessary to pay attention to performance characteristics materials, including compare :

soundproofing properties;
ease of installation;
moisture resistance;
resistance to biological destruction;
lifetime;
profitability;
environmental friendliness;
fire safety.

But the main quality by which the material for insulation is evaluated is its coefficient of thermal conductivity, on which the ability to retain heat in the 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 heat insulator can be used for walls, roofs and floors, the insulation of all structures will last the same period.

Soundproofing properties are a particularly important parameter if the roofing is made of metal (folded roof, metal tiles, corrugated board). Gusts of wind, rain and hail make such a roof “sound”, and staying in the attic will cause discomfort.

Plate heaters well-known manufacturer

Since the roof frame is usually made of wood, it is desirable to use a fire-resistant and non-flammable insulation. Otherwise, an accidental fire will lead to the fact that the entire attic and roof will quickly be engulfed in fire.

So that condensation does not form on the wooden structures of the truss system and gables and the insulation does not lose its thermal insulation properties due to moisture penetration, it is necessary to insulate the attic room with vapor and moisture-proof material, or use reliable hydro and vapor barrier. This affects the speed and complexity of the installation of the insulating layer, affects the preferences when choosing a material.

Insulation thickness

Table 1. The dependence of the thickness of the insulation on the coefficient of thermal conductivity

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 heaters

Polyurethane foam and ecowool - modern materials, which can be used as a heat insulator for attic rooms, but their installation requires the use of specialized equipment, the invitation of specialists. The rest of the popular heat insulators are available in the form of plates or roll materials of various densities and thicknesses.

The insulation is cut along the width of the span between adjacent rafter legs (or the gap between the laths of the lathing on the walls) and inserted by surprise. If the calculated thickness of the heat-insulating layer exceeds the width of the rafter leg, bars of a suitable section are stuffed onto 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 roll material(possible with a foil vapor barrier outer surface) is attached over the rafters with continuous joined strips. This will prevent the formation of cold bridges.

Laying a heat insulator between the rafters

Let us consider in more detail the main pros and cons of popular heaters that are suitable for thermal insulation of the attic roof and gables.

Fibrous roll and plate heaters

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

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

an increase in the moisture content of the fibrous insulation leads to a sharp decrease in its thermal insulation properties;
the insulation that has accumulated moisture (especially glass wool) is crushed, deformed, forming cold bridges;
the wood of the truss system begins to rot from contact with moisture.

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

Roofing pie with waterproofing over insulation

Air exchange through fibrous insulation will be carried out only if the waterproofing and vapor barrier layer is made of special gas-permeable membranes. The vapor barrier must 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 entering it.

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

Super diffusion membrane

If a film is used as a vapor barrier, this will reduce the cost of construction, but this will nullify an important advantage of fibrous insulation - gas permeability. Perforated film should not be used, as it allows steam to pass through, which will accumulate in the insulation.

Performance characteristics of fibrous insulation

glass wool. To her positive qualities can be attributed:

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

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

Mineral wool. The composition of the material includes fibers of various origins (production material - clay, stone, quartz sand, glass, etc.). Mineral wool is characterized by a multilayer inhomogeneous structure with air lenses. Due to this, the material dampens sound waves well. Mineral wool (primarily Isover, Ursa) is recommended for those who decide to make metal roofing.

Such a 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 spread combustion. Basalt wool should be chosen 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

Basalt wool is resistant to fungus, but can be damaged by rodents. This is a good sound insulator, easy to install. But when choosing a material for insulating the truss system, one should take into account the rather large weight of stone wool slabs.

If you have to choose a fibrous heat insulator, pay attention to the density of the material. The heat insulator should not lose shape even during prolonged use. For mineral, basalt wool, the density index 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 foam, extruded polystyrene foam (these two types of insulation are available in the form of sheets and plates 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 truss system and will successfully cope with the task of retaining heat.

The disadvantages of polymer insulation include extremely low vapor permeability. Gas exchange is not carried out through insulated structures, therefore, one cannot do without a well-thought-out ventilation system in the attic room.

Attic insulation with polyurethane foam

Thermal insulation made of extruded polystyrene (foam) and polyurethane foam will not allow heat and steam to pass to the roof truss frame, therefore, there is no need to install a vapor barrier from the side of the room. Although the dew point at internal insulation the gables will shift towards the heat insulator, moisture dangerous for wood will not condense.

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

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

If you decide to choose an inexpensive foam plastic, it is better to mount the insulation according to the same principle as fibrous plate materials. Unlike extruded polystyrene foam with a solid closed-cell structure, the foam consists of many individual granules compressed into a board. Technological pores remain between the structural elements, which are able to pass steam to wooden structures.

A suitable foam density is 35 kg/m3, the material must not crumble into individual balls when broken. Since the foam plastic smolders when ignited, releasing toxic substances and mice easily gnaw through it, 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 purchased good stuff and take into account all the subtleties of its installation.