Insulation of the attic with foam plastic: technology of work. Everything about roof insulation with polystyrene foam: from the choice of thickness to the thermal insulation of the attic roof Attic insulation with foam plastic from the inside

Many use the attic as a living space, while others use it to store temporarily unnecessary things. Constantly using heaters in the attic is quite expensive, so it is much easier to insulate it. Attic insulation from the inside with foam is one of the most popular options.

Is it possible to insulate the attic with polystyrene foam - the builder's dilemma

Foam opponents point to its flammability. However, such criticism is largely unfair. Any material can be attributed to a certain degree of combustibility, some materials ignite easily and quickly, while others are quite resistant to fire. In total, there are five groups of combustibility of materials: G1, G2, G3, G4 and NG (non-combustible).

As for the foam, it burns only in the presence of an open flame, that is, it belongs to the G1 group. Self-combustion of this material is impossible. If the effect of fire on the material is over, it goes out very quickly. Compared to wood, which supports combustion, Styrofoam is much safer.

Expanded polystyrene and penoplex - differences from polystyrene

In addition to foam, there are other foamed plastic materials on the construction market. For example, extruded polystyrene foam. In all its qualities and properties, expanded polystyrene is almost identical to polystyrene, the technology of its manufacture is different. The granules from which the foam is made, in the case of expanded polystyrene, are melted, mixed with components that give it volume, and passed through an extruder. As a result, the structure of the plate is completely monolithic, the molten granules form a continuous chain.

Due to this, expanded polystyrene acquires high fracture and damage strength. Attic insulation with extruded polystyrene foam from the inside is considered more appropriate, since the material does not crumble from exposure to heat, rodents bypass it. The thickness of expanded polystyrene, which is also often called penoplex, is from 20 to 150 mm. It has excellent qualities: light weight, good waterproofing, zero water absorption, environmental friendliness and durability. It is ideal for insulating floors, walls and sandwich panel coverings.

Attic insulation with polystyrene foam - the secrets of a warm attic

So, let's take a closer look at the question: how with foam! To be satisfied with the result, it is necessary to strictly follow all the stages of this work. Before proceeding directly to the insulation of the attic, it is necessary to measure the room that you will insulate in order to determine how much material you will need. Styrofoam should be taken with a margin - 10% will be enough.

How to insulate an attic with polystyrene foam - a step-by-step diagram

Step 1: Install and process the crate

Prepare the wooden crate in advance. Cover it with antiseptics and flame retardants - the first means will protect the wood from fungus and decay, the second - from fire. It is desirable to treat all the wooden elements of the attic with antiseptics, as well as to conduct a thorough inspection of the premises for the presence of mold, rust, and fungus. If the problem is identified, it is necessary to eliminate not only the visible consequences, but also the cause of the occurrence.

Step 2: Attaching the waterproofing

To prevent rain and snow from getting inside the room, we attach a waterproofing layer. This is a very responsible occupation, which must be carried out with extreme care so as not to damage the material. To do this, you can use double-sided construction tape or, in extreme cases, a stapler. This is one of the most time-consuming procedures, because you need to go around every beam, every rafter.

Step 3: Installing the Styrofoam

After the waterproofing layer is installed, proceed to fixing the foam. Styrofoam must be pre-cut to size. It just needs to be inserted into the holes between the rafters, into the frame of the crate. The thickness of the foam for attic insulation depends only on your capabilities and the free space that you can allocate for insulation. It is best to lay the plates in two rows, with a total thickness of up to 15-20 cm. The width depends on the distance between the rafters where the foam is inserted.

It should fit snugly into this space, so when cutting, make it 1-2 mm wider than the distance for insulation.

The heat in the room depends on how tightly the foam is installed. If everything is done correctly, cold street air will not penetrate into the attic. Try to use only large, solid slabs so that there are as few joints as possible during the installation process. If whole slabs are over, and you still need to insulate several squares, it is better to buy more material than to insulate with slices from cutting.

Having finished with the installation of foam, you can proceed to the final stage of attic insulation. A vapor barrier must be installed. Before you install a vapor barrier layer, you need to carefully consider ventilation. Professionals recommend simply leaving a distance of 15 cm between the inner finishing skin and the vapor barrier layer. This distance will serve as ventilation.

Ventilation in the room is also necessary in order to get out all the accumulated moisture. The room must always remain dry so that building materials do not collapse, and the microclimate is safe for your health.

When arranging in the attic space under the roof of an attic dwelling, it is necessary to insulate the roof structures, since it is through them that the bulk of the heat of the room is lost. If you decide to choose attic insulation with foam, then you need to familiarize yourself with the features of this insulation. In our article we will talk about the insulation of the attic with foam, the pros and cons of this material.

There is still no consensus among experts on whether it is possible to insulate attic roofs with foam. If we talk about it as a heat-insulating material, then it has many positive aspects. However, the thermal insulation of the roof with foam wraps some of its pluses into minuses.

Those who advocate attic insulation with polystyrene foam argue this with the following positive points:

• Convenience and ease of installation. The material is easily cut to required sizes. It can be easily and simply fixed with a mounting tape. Therefore, this insulation is often placed between the rafter legs and the joints of the plates are glued with tape. We can say that this is the simplest version of insulation.
• The most important plus for homeowners is the reasonable price of the material.
• In addition, the product does not shrink and has good thermal insulation qualities and good moisture resistance, which is very important for roof insulation.
• If the attic is insulated from the inside with a high-density material, then 10 cm thick plates will be enough. Thanks to this, the useful height of the room can be maintained.
• According to some masters, the rafters are cold bridges, so they also need to be covered with heat-insulating material. If we talk about mineral wool and polystyrene foam, then with the help of the latter this can be done much easier and faster. It is enough to lay one layer of material between the rafters, and fix the second one on top with overlapping rafter legs.

To be completely honest, it is worth noting that some experts, on the contrary, do not recommend insulating the attic with foam:

• Roof insulation should be made with materials that will ensure the dryness of the wood and have sufficient vapor permeability. This is necessary for the natural ventilation of the wooden truss system. Since the foam plastic has low vapor permeability, it will not be able to remove excess moisture from wooden structures, which will quickly lead to their deterioration.
• Since gaps form between the foam sheets and the wooden structures themselves, they are often sealed with polyurethane foam. This allows you to fix the insulation well and achieve tight thermal insulation. But the trouble is that due to temperature changes and external influences, the foam seam quickly collapses, as a result, cold bridges form at the joints.
• Styrofoam not only refers to combustible materials, it also releases toxic compounds during combustion. This is especially dangerous, because the material insulates the attic from the inside over large areas. Even if the roofing is non-combustible, the foam will do its dirty work.
• Warming mansard roof this heat insulator is undesirable due to harm to human health. When this material is attached to the walls of the house from the outside, it does not affect the person, but with inside no interior finish will protect the attic from the released styrene.

Important! With thermal exposure, the rate of release of toxins from the foam increases. This may be due to the internal heat in the house or the sun-hot roof.

As you can see, this material has so many drawbacks that it is much better to insulate the attic with polystyrene foam. It is considered non-flammable and does not emit harmful compounds. Moreover, polystyrene foam is a vapor-permeable product, which is much more beneficial for a wooden roof frame.

Warming technology

If you still decide to prefer this material, we will tell you how to properly insulate the attic with foam. The process is carried out in several stages:

1. First of all, it is necessary to check the truss system for wear. If damaged rafters are identified, they are replaced with new elements.
2. Next, we perform waterproofing. To do this, a layer of waterproofing material is rolled out on the roof surface in the direction of the ridge. Waterproofing is laid in strips from the ridge element with an overlap of adjacent strips of at least 15 cm. The material is attached to the rafters construction stapler. The joints are additionally glued with tape.
3. Now from the side of the attic, you can start laying the insulation. For this slab insulation cut according to the distance between the rafters. After laying the foam, all cracks and joints are filled mounting foam.
4. Next, another layer of thermal insulation products is laid. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the joints of the plates between adjacent layers do not coincide.
5. If you want to sew up the rafters with insulation to get rid of cold bridges, then the first layer of the heat insulator is attached in the same plane as the bottom edge of the rafters, and the second is glued with polystyrene glue on top of the first layer. Only the direction of laying the plates is reversed. In this case, the heat insulator layer must completely cover the truss system.
6. After that, additional fixation of the plates is performed with the help of boards stuffed across the rafters.
7. You can start laying the vapor barrier and making the interior cladding of the room.

Attic - the room is warm, if the roof is not finished with a layer of insulation from the inside, such a room should rather be called an attic. The attic is being built to expand the usable area of ​​the house, so it must be insulated in accordance with the requirements of sanitary building codes.

There are many materials for insulation, however, many prefer to produce insulation in the old proven way, using foam. This material has proven its capabilities with time, all its pros and cons have long been studied, everyone can do the installation of polystyrene with their own hands.

The benefits of foam

Insulation of the attic with foam plastic can be carried out both at the construction stage and after its completion, when a temporary and financial opportunity arises. Styrofoam is deservedly popular, having pros and cons, the material is easy to install and is inexpensive. Insulation of the attic with foam plastic can be done with your own hands in two or three days, the material can be cut at any angle without difficulty, but it is precisely the affordability that determines the increased demand for it.

Polyfoam has undeniable advantages, these are:

• light weight, low load on the supporting structure of the roof, at home;
• convenient dimensions, foam plastic is produced in sheets convenient for roof insulation, which are installed in the gaps between beams, rafters;
• has high rates of thermal insulation;
• hygroscopic;
• provides high-quality noise absorption;
• durable;
• always freely available at a low price.

Styrofoam combines all the desired price and quality criteria, provides good protection attic rooms, the room under the roof is guaranteed against fungal formations and mold. will delight you with warmth and comfort.

The disadvantages of foam include:

What is needed to insulate the attic with foam

If the foam is chosen as a heater for the attic, then you should calculate the required amount of material and prepare the tools and consumable fasteners necessary for its installation. To insulate the attic (room under the roof) with foam, you will need:

• vapor barrier perforated film to cover the entire roof area from the inside;
• timber with a section of 40x40 for arranging the fixation of the insulation from the inside;
• mounting foam;
• sharp knife for cutting foam;
• stapler;
• hammer;
• nails.

In order to properly insulate the attic with foam plastic with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with some rules.
If during the installation of the rafter system, the entire roof structure was not waterproofed, a layer of roofing material should be laid to prevent water from flowing and moisture from entering the attic.

Insulation of the attic should be carried out in a complex, insulating not only the roof from the inside, but also the ceiling, walls, floor of the attic, cutting off the so-called cold rooms.

It is advisable to use foam layers 150 mm thick to insulate the attic room from the inside. Styrofoam sheets should be laid in several layers, shifting the joints in order to eliminate heat loss and increase the efficiency of insulation. The ceiling, attic walls are insulated with sheets of material from the inside and outside.

Attic insulation technology

If the right amount of material has been prepared for insulation, vapor barrier, and everything else, you can proceed directly to the process of attic insulation. To clearly understand how to insulate the attic with foam, you need to imagine. These places are equipped with insulation. All work under the roof can be divided into several stages.

In the truss system, gaps, gaps, and gaps are often found between the beams. All this should be removed, tightly sealed with mounting foam. And proceed to the first stage of attic insulation.

At the first stage, waterproofing is laid. For the convenience of fixing, it is better to use a stapler, shooting materials to the rafter system of the crate.

The second stage is the installation of insulation. Here you need a heater with a layer thickness of 70mm, which corresponds to the size of the rafter leg. It is better to fix the insulation with large nails, for strength after fixing the insulation, you need to tie the nail heads together with a small wire.

The next step is vapor barrier. It is better to use foil materials here, the foil serves as a heat reflector, keeping it in the attic, improving the quality of insulation. The vapor barrier is overlapped, covering the insulation and rafters.

The last, fifth stage is to prepare for finishing work. They mount the crate, on which drywall, slabs are then installed, then wallpaper is glued, painted, or lining is mounted.

When insulating the attic, you should not use cellophane, the material that does not allow air to pass through has a detrimental effect on insulation, destroying materials.

The feasibility of insulation with polystyrene foam

What is polystyrene foam. This is a type of foam that has its pros and cons. The production of expanded polystyrene takes place using polymeric substances, styrenes, which dissolve under the influence of high temperatures and are filled with gas, which increases source materials in volume, fills them with pores.

Styrofoam is used not only in construction, it is used to make containers for food products, the material is considered less safe for human health. The thermal conductivity of expanded polystyrene and polystyrene is the same, but the toxicity is higher, so its use in construction is limited by the type of building, location. According to some technical and operational indicators, expanded polystyrene surpasses its counterpart, lower thermal conductivity, higher bending strength, compression, linear deformation, higher density.

It would not be superfluous to mention another representative of the foam family - foam plastic. This is extruded polystyrene foam, a material considered environmentally friendly, suitable for use as a heater in residential premises. Advantages of the material in durability, strength. Does not emit toxic gases, does not burn, is inert to an acidic environment, aggressive effects environment. Absolutely hygroscopic, made by extrusion, the material can breathe, which means it creates a beneficial atmosphere for the roofing cake and the entire roof structure. It is more plastic, and contrary to the opinion about the complexity of its use, it is easy to use even for beginners who started warming with their own hands.

Which of the insulation options to choose is up to the owner, but obviously, the extruded material has significant advantages over other members of the foam family. The use of expanded polystyrene is not recommended for wooden houses. Attic insulation with polystyrene foam is effective only if there is good forced and natural ventilation.

How to do the installation of polystyrene foam in the attic with your own hands

Insulation with polystyrene foam is a simple technology available to everyone. Light weight allows you to do all the work with your own hands, even without the involvement of assistants. Attic insulation with extruded polystyrene foam is also easy to do with your own hands.

Extruded polystyrene foam does not require additional waterproofing, it can be used to insulate surfaces from the inside and outside. To insulate the attic gable roof extruded material is the best.

In order for the expanded polystyrene sheets to better lie on the surface of the crate, its step should be made smaller. The plates are fixed with glue plus small self-tapping screws on the dowels. The surface must be cleaned and primed before applying the adhesive. The basis of the glue is cement, so it is not worth applying it with a too greasy layer. The foam surface should be puttied with a special solution using a reinforcing mesh. The room looks after such decoration residential, cozy.

Lining the roof from the inside with expanded polystyrene layers can be carried out by the above-described flooring method, embedding in a crate with mechanical fastening similar to fastening foam sheets.

Attic over the bath great way to have additional comfortable rooms with relatively little loss of time and money. But the comfort of the premises can be achieved only under one condition - all construction operations will be carried out in strict accordance with the existing requirements of building codes and regulations.

Of course, one must take into account how architectural features buildings, and the climatic zone of residence. Any warming costs money, we will tell you how not to throw it to the wind, what conditions to follow in order to guarantee the desired effect.

You need to start, as always, from the very beginning. The effectiveness of insulation largely depends on the chosen material, you need to understand their features and characteristics, only such knowledge will help you make the best choice of building materials in each case.

Today, so many different thermal insulation materials are produced that it is very difficult for some consumers to figure it out. Manufacturers often take advantage of this, and with the help of not entirely honest advertising, they artificially inflate the prices of their products. Let's look at some of the most striking examples.

It sounds tempting, not everyone understands, but attractive, as manufacturers call their products. The phrase “environmentally friendly” is necessarily added to these words, and the consumer is ready to pay big money. At the same time, the companies “modestly” keep silent that basalt volcanic rocks are 60-80% ordinary glass, and the rest are impurities that are removed during production.

In principle, their products are ordinary long-known glass wool. Due to the use of "free" glass, the cost of mineral wool should be much less than the cost of glass wool. But advertising does its job, due to its action, the price increases significantly.

Mineral wool prices

mineral wool

glass wool

Previously, glass wool was difficult to work with, it caused rather unpleasant irritations on the skin. Outdated technologies did not allow making the fibers very thin. The thick glass fibers were strong enough to damage the top layers of the skin. Now technology makes it possible to reduce the diameter of glass fibers to 6 microns, to the touch such products are no different from cotton wool.

But the buyer reacts negatively to the word "glass wool", manufacturers do not use it today. A striking example of expensive ordinary glass wool is the Izover brand. An incomprehensible word and the absence of "glass" makes it possible for manufacturers to raise the price of their goods made of ordinary glass.

What do we recommend? For attic insulation, mineral or glass wool is an excellent material in all respects, but you should not buy fashionable well-known brands. Their performance does not quite meet the high price. There is an opportunity to buy glass wool - take it, in terms of quality it is no worse than the most fashionable items, and at a cost thirty percent cheaper. Any mineral wool is safe for health, unlike other modern thermal insulation materials.

Another tip for mineral wool. It can be rolled or pressed.

Insulating the attic with rolled mineral wool will cost about one and a half times cheaper than pressed one. The thermal conductivity of both options differs by no more than twenty percent. Think before you start warming the attic in the bath.

glass wool prices

glass wool

A few words about polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam and ecowool

These are the so-called "budget" heat-insulating materials, the average price is one and a half to two times lower than that of mineral wool. Main general disadvantage release chemicals into the air. The number of these compounds is regulated by the sanitary authorities, but they are necessarily present in one percentage or another.

Very technologically advanced, easy to cut, not afraid of moisture. But he is afraid of rodents, after a few years they can “grind” foam sheets into powder, it will crumble and, as a result, the quality of thermal insulation will decrease.

The "sibling" of polystyrene, universal use, has slightly increased physical strength.

polyurethane foam

The most "harmful" insulation, it is not recommended to be used for residential premises. The main advantage is that it is applied in liquid form to any complex surfaces. After cooling, it forms an impervious coating.

Also sprayed, can be used for insulation in hard-to-reach places finished buildings. It is made from woodworking waste and waste paper; to slow down the processes of decay, it is impregnated with antiseptics. And then here "eco" is understood only by advertising agents of manufacturing companies.

We hope that this knowledge will allow you to consciously select materials for attic insulation, we are sure that additional knowledge has not bothered anyone yet. Now you can talk about the technology for performing work on the insulation of the attic above the bath. We will consider the two most common options - mineral wool and foam sheets were used as heaters.

Styrofoam prices

polystyrene foam

Insulation of the attic must begin even during the construction of the roof. Between roofing and the rafter system must be waterproofed. Let's start with the roof. Initial data: during the roofing, a waterproof membrane has already been installed.

Step 1. Carefully inspect all wooden nodes of the truss system. They must be in excellent condition, after warming from the inside, access to them will become impossible. Measure the roof, purchase materials. We recommend using pressed mineral wool mats.

Nominal dimensions of mats and maximum deviations from nominal dimensions according to GOST 21880-94

For the price, this material is in the middle price segment; in terms of its performance, it is completely suitable for use during insulation. Increase the measured amount of mineral wool by at least 10%.

For effective insulation roofs, the thickness of mineral wool should be at least ten centimeters; in colder regions, the thickness should be increased to 15 centimeters. Mineral wool is sold with a thickness of 5 and 10 cm. If you buy the material in rolls, you will be able to make the roof insulation almost seamless - they will decrease heat loss from the interiors.

Step 2 It is very good when the builders, during the construction of the rafter system, calculated the distance between the rafters, taking into account the width of the mineral wool mats. This will not only speed up the work, but also reduce the amount of unproductive waste of material. The distance between the rafters should be 1 ÷ 2 centimeters less than the width of the mat, the edges of the mute will shrink and provide a tight, stable fit. If this is not done, measure the dimensions between the rafters, add one or two centimeters to them and cut off the mats.

Step 3 Insert cotton wool between the rafters.

If you need to increase the width of the mats by using thin strips, then you will have to fix the sheets with hardware. Use thin carnations with wide caps or mushroom dowels. It is difficult to find these in the store - increase the diameter of the hats yourself. Make special washers from thick polyethylene, galvanized sheet, pieces of fiberboard and other hard thin materials. Carnations need to be driven into the laths of the crate.

Perform this operation very carefully. What is caution about? Firstly, the sharp part of the studs should not pierce the slats through - the waterproofing may be damaged. Secondly, the mats should not compress at the fixation points, the caps should only support the material in the desired position.

Avoid gaps and gaps between the joints of hotel pieces. If you decide to put cotton wool in two layers, then the joints should overlap. Some manufacturers make the surfaces of the mats different from different sides. On the one hand they are smooth, on the other rough. The smooth side has good water-repellent properties, it must be laid against the roofing, the rough surface of the mat must be facing into the room. Thus, additional protection of the insulation against moisture penetration will be provided.

According to this scheme, install insulation on the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe roof. Pay attention that mineral wool sits more or less firmly in niches, if problem areas are found, further strengthen it.

Important. It is impossible to lay mineral wool mats with a height of more than three meters, it can shrink. And this will result in a significant loss of heat from the room. In order to avoid such an unpleasant situation, we recommend making wooden jumpers as needed at the right distance.

Step 4 Now you should protect the insulation from moisture. Water condenses from moisture at the so-called dew points, and they will always be located in the insulation layer.

Water in cotton wool is a big problem. The fact is that wet mineral wool drastically worsens its heat-saving performance. And that's not all the problems. Natural ventilation is almost completely absent in the “pie”, wet cotton wool dries for a very long time. At the same time, direct contact of the waterlogged material with the rafters is maintained all this time. In conditions high humidity and high temperature in wooden structures, destructive processes begin very quickly. Moreover, no one treats the rafters with antiseptics.

The vapor barrier layer is laid in rows from the bottom up, the overlap of the material is at least ten centimeters. To ensure complete tightness, the seams must be sealed with adhesive tape. The vapor barrier is fixed with a stapler to the rafters.

Step 5 Make a crate to fix the finishing plates.

For lathing, you can use slats 20 × 50 or cheap grades of boards of about the same thickness. The parameters of the crate depend on the linear characteristics of the upholstery material. Plasterboard, plywood or OSB sheets can be used. Natural lining looks great, but this is the most expensive option for roof sheathing.

Video - Roof insulation with mineral wool

Foam insulation

We insulate the attic with foam

The thickness of the foam sheets must also be selected taking into account climate zone residence. Universal can be considered 10 ÷ 15 centimeters, to achieve this thickness, the foam will have to be laid in two layers.

There are two ways to fix foam boards:

• the first, cheaper, - with ordinary thin carnations with large hats to the roof sheathing. This method is no different from the one described above in the case of mineral wool insulation;
• the second way - construction foam. It is somewhat more expensive and takes longer, but better quality.

Choosing mounting foam

Important. Do not buy household foam, use only professional.

Household foam comes complete with a plastic tube through which the foam is delivered to the right place.

It seems that everything is fine, you can work, and at a cost it is somewhat cheaper than a professional one. But it's not. Firstly, if you did not have time to immediately use up the entire can of household foam at once, then after half an hour you can throw all the rest in the trash. It will freeze and it will be impossible to use it further.

Secondly, it is very inconvenient to use a flexible tube to fill narrow gaps. The tube bends at the slightest effort, it must be guided with the second hand, and even such a “technology” does not always work.

Professional foam has a significantly improved quality, and a special gun makes it possible to use one started bottle at any time until it is completely used up.

The cost of a pistol varies, but on average does not exceed the cost of three foam cylinders. Within a few days of performing work on the insulation of the attic of the bath, it will pay off and begin to bring direct profit.

Model	Price
	350 rub.
	810 rub.
	660 rub.
	1 520 rub.

The tube of the gun is metal, it allows you to foam the narrowest gaps without any problems.

It will take more than one day and more than one bottle of foam to insulate the attic, do not throw money into the trash can, immediately buy a professional gun and polyurethane foam.

Prices for mounting foam

polyurethane foam

Attic insulation technology with foam

So, the materials are purchased, you can start work on insulation. And in this case, we will take into account that the waterproofing under the roofing is already in place.

Now it is needed not so much to prevent the foam plastic from getting wet (he is not afraid of water), but to guaranteed protection from the moisture of the truss system. After insulation with polystyrene foam, natural ventilation is completely blocked, wet rafters will quickly begin to rot with all the unpleasant consequences.

In the example of performing insulation, we will use the method of working with mounting foam.

Step 1. Remove the distance between the rafters, transfer them to a foam sheet and cut out the insulation along the lines.

It is better to cut thin foam plastic with a sharp construction knife; to cut thick foam (more than five centimeters), use an ordinary hand saw.

During cutting, the measuring line should be left intact, which will allow to increase the dimensions by a few millimeters and thereby increase the strength of pressing the sheet to the rafters.

Video - Cutting foam with a hair dryer with a nozzle

Step 2 With foam from a gun, carefully apply a thin, solid line on the rafters where the bottom of the styrofoam sheet fits, let it dry for about five minutes. The fact is that the foam does not hold well on fresh foam, in addition, in places of pressing it ceases to increase in volume - there are risks of the formation of unclosed cracks.

Step 3 Carefully place the styrofoam in the desired location. It is highly desirable that the surface of the sheet does not touch the waterproofing layer. In these places, a dew point may appear, and condensed water will fall on the elements of the truss system. This is a very undesirable phenomenon.

Step 4 Continue in the same way to lay the first layer of foam.

In order for the work to move quickly, organize them correctly. For those few minutes that the foam dries up, you need to measure the next sheet and cut it out. Apply a line of foam under the second sheet and prepare the third sheet. Inserted the second - work in the same way with the next one. This algorithm of work makes it possible to significantly reduce the time of attic insulation.

All joints between individual sheets should be carefully foamed. At first, it is difficult to guess the amount of foam, but after a few sheets, experience will appear and the foam will lie down as much as necessary.

Step 5. The first layer is laid - start doing preparatory work under the second layer of foam. With a sharp knife, cut off all the foam protruding beyond the plane of the insulation, the fit of the two layers should be as tight as possible.

Once again check the tightness of the joints, if problem areas are found, they must be corrected by foaming.

Step 6 Start laying down the second layer of Styrofoam.

Very important. The joints must be overlapped. In this way, an increased guarantee of tightness is achieved.

Step 7 The process of laying the second layer of foam is no different from the above. Once again, we remind you - do the work very carefully and carefully. Small gaps not only increase heat loss, it is not even a major problem. The trouble is that it is these cracks on the inside of the skin that will have a dew point, small areas of plywood, OSB or drywall will be constantly wet. And this will certainly become noticeable over time. finishing walls - on wallpaper or decorative plaster spots will appear.

Step 8 Although the foam is not afraid of moisture, we strongly recommend that you make a vapor barrier. Without it, moist air can penetrate to wooden structures truss system and condense on them. You already know what awaits the elements of the roof in this case.

Step 9 Nail the crate under the upholstery boards and start finishing.

Video - Roof insulation with foam

Front walls

The insulation of these structures has features depending on the method of construction of the bath. If the pediments are made of the same material as facade walls(timber, foam blocks, bricks), then before insulating them, you need to make niches for foam plastic or mineral wool. For them, boards or slats should be used with a width not less than the thickness of the insulation material.

If the pediments are made of vertical supports, sheathed with clapboard on the outside, then no preliminary preparation is required. In most cases, a 50 × 150 mm board is used for the vertical supports of the truss system, and this width is quite enough for high-quality wall insulation.

floors

Most of the baths in all rooms have insulated flows, which means that the attic floors do not need such construction activities. If for some reason the ceilings of the bath do not have thermal insulation, you will have to do it. Although there are options here - the uninsulated ceiling of the rooms in the bath automatically makes the floors of the attic room warm. Decide for yourself what to do in your case. Take into account the specific purpose of the attic in the bath, the frequency and time of using these rooms.

If you decide to insulate the floor, you can use the same foam or mineral wool. The laying technology has one fundamental difference - the vapor barrier layer must be placed under the thermal insulation, and the waterproofing layer must be placed on top.

Conclusion

Never save on the thickness of the insulation layer. If it gets too hot, you can always open the windows to ventilate the rooms. And if it is too cold, you will have to spend additional substantial cash for heating to comfortable temperature values.

We did not consider options with "ecowool" and liquid polyurethane foam for several reasons.

Video - How to insulate the attic

Video - Proper insulation of the attic and attic ceiling

The arrangement of living space on the site of the attic has long ceased to be a rare occurrence. More and more home owners are interested in how to properly carry out repairs so that life “under the roof” is no less comfortable than in the house itself. Consider how to make attic insulation if the roof is already covered, what materials are best suited for this purpose and what nuances you should pay attention to.

The attic is not just a habitable attic. There are some norms that distinguish these two rooms from each other. First of all, the attic roof must necessarily have a slope. In addition, the height of the room established by the norm must be at least 2.5 m.

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

• the materials that were used to build the attic directly determine the further heat loss in this room. Therefore, their choice should be approached very responsibly;
• Properly selected engineering solutions have no less influence, which allow providing all the necessary communications on the top floor;
• the shape of the roof plays a significant role. It can be single-sided, double-sided or broken;
• in order to hide the load-bearing elements of the roof, you will have to show imagination;
• the attic can be located not only on the territory of the house, but also go beyond it, relying on columns.

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

The best materials for do-it-yourself attic insulation

For internal insulation attic there are many suitable options. But your choice must be made based on the characteristics of the region of residence, as well as the design features of the particular roof with which to work. Consider what options exist today and what features are characteristic of them.

Attic insulation with foam plastic: the pros and cons of the material

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

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

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

Based on these characteristics, we can conclude that the foam is almost a win-win option when it comes to insulating the attic from the inside. But the insulation of walls with foam plastic from the inside also has disadvantages, and sometimes they turn out to be much more significant than the advantages:

• the vapor permeability of the foam is at a very low level. As a result, the room is often stuffy and hot. It also leads to an increase in humidity, which causes the development of fungi and mold on the wooden elements of the roof;
• despite its artificial origin, this material is often damaged by rodents;
• over time, wood tends to shrink, which leads to the formation of gaps between the foam elements. It is impossible to fix this, and the only way to solve the problem is to completely replace the heat-insulating material.

Many believe that the listed disadvantages are greater than the advantages and insulation of the attic with foam plastic is not justified. But it must be admitted that this is one of the most budget options, which delivers a minimum of hassle, and subject to the installation technology, it may well become an alternative to more expensive solutions.

Attic insulation with polystyrene foam: advantages, disadvantages and features

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

Useful advice! Some manufacturers offer customers plates with stepped joints, which makes the joints even more durable and reliable. Such fixation of the elements among themselves is an ideal option for insulating the roof of the attic.

Among other advantages of roof insulation with polystyrene foam, one cannot fail to note its low weight, which is perfectly combined with high strength and resistance to external influences. In addition, the operational life of this material is quite long, subject to the entire attic insulation technology with foam.

Expanded polystyrene is not prone to rotting or decomposition processes, which is also important in the case of roof work. It can be topped with any topcoat that will give an attractive appearance and provide additional protection.

Working with expanded polystyrene on your own is simple: a variety of adhesive mixtures and mastics. And in some cases, even a construction stapler is used. So for installation there is no need to purchase any expensive additional elements.

But behind all these positive characteristics, one should not forget about the only, but rather serious, drawback of polystyrene foam insulation from the inside of the walls and roof - the material has elevated level flammability. For owners, this means the need for a more careful and thoughtful summing up of all communications, in particular, electricity.

Of course, manufacturers are trying to minimize this drawback, but today we can say with confidence that this issue remains open, and every owner who has made a choice in favor of insulating the walls from the inside with foam plastic is obliged to take care of his safety.

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

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

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

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

Mineral wool belongs to the category of environmentally friendly and safe materials, which becomes noticeable even if the upper part of the roof is covered with metal tiles, which are prone to strong heating under the influence of sunlight. In addition, mineral wool also serves as a sound-absorbing barrier, and unlike polystyrene, it is completely of no interest to rodents and various insects.

Insulation of the roof from the inside with mineral wool should be done taking into account the fact that this is a rather elastic material, even despite its soft fibrous structure. It is quite capable of being held between the rafters, subject to high-quality fixation.

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

Insulation of the roof from the inside with glass wool: is it worth using this material

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

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

In the process of working with the material, safety regulations are required to avoid getting glass wool fibers into the air. Its small particles can cause irritation of the mucous membranes, and therefore the use of a respirator and goggles is a prerequisite.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related article:

Types of insulation for roofs and ceilings. Mineral and synthetic roof insulation. Mansard roof insulation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Attic insulation with polyurethane foam: technology basics and material features

Foamed polyurethane foam is the most modern among all the listed ways to insulate the attic. Its main difference is the complete absence of joints or gaps that can become a source of cold air. Moreover, operational period of this material is one of the longest, and is up to 30 years.

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

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

Another aspect is sophisticated technology application, which provides for a certain experience in this area and does not allow beginners to independently cope with the task in a quality manner.

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

Insulation of the attic from the inside with your own hands using penofol

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

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

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

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

It is not uncommon for a combination of materials. Materials that match in characteristics can be used for insulation together. For example, mineral wool and polystyrene foam are perfectly combined with each other. The first is laid between the rafters, and the second is placed closer to the edge of the roof. This combination will achieve the desired effect and significantly save on the purchase of materials.

Can provide reliable thermal insulation in combination with other materials

As you can see from the descriptions, each insulation has its own advantages and disadvantages. The only question is to choose the most suitable option that will satisfy the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bmatching the price and quality of the material.

One of the most common mistakes that owners make is a rash choice in favor of the cheapest option for attic insulation. Videos and articles can demonstrate the positive aspects of a particular solution, but you need to choose taking into account all the nuances and characteristics. Attempts to save on heat-insulating material can lead to the fact that after some time of operation, it will be necessary to carry out repair work or even completely replace the entire material.

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

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

The first layer of waterproofing material is laid out, which should protect the insulation from the damaging effects of moisture. The film is overlapped in such a way that one layer is 10-15 cm on top of the other. The material is fastened with construction stapler, and the joints are additionally glued with adhesive tape.

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

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

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

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

As a final step, it remains only to take care of a suitable topcoat, which can be attached to the crate or, in its absence, directly to the bars. Consideration should be given to the weight of the decorative panels, since the installation of the heaviest of them may require the preliminary installation of a metal profile frame.

The main mistakes made in the process of attic insulation

The end result of the work that is done by one's own hands directly depends on how accurately the technology and all the prescribed rules are observed. Particular attention should be paid to the procedure for laying the waterproofing layer, since materials that are able to absorb moisture later dry out, which often causes cold in the room.

• if the slope of the roof does not exceed 13°, this will cause precipitation to be retained on the surface. The result is rust and leaks. All this can adversely affect the condition of the insulation, so it is important to make sure that the angle of inclination is large enough before starting work;
• installation of thermal insulation material on the walls and roof - that's not all necessary work. It is necessary to take care of the insulation of windows (according to Swedish technology). To do this, it is best to invite specialists to surely avoid leakage. Especially if you want to install windows at an angle;

• in order to provide ventilation to the heat-insulating material and the ability to dry out if it gets wet, it is advisable to leave a gap of about 2-3 cm between the material and the roof;
• it is absolutely impossible to skip at least one of the necessary layers of vapor or waterproofing materials;
• if the heat-insulating material exceeds the rafters in thickness, then their height can be increased by filling additional slats on their own.

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

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

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

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

As an illustrative example, it is recommended to watch a training video, which presents in detail the technology of wall insulation from the inside with mineral wool. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with all the nuances in detail and avoid the previously mentioned common mistakes.