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 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 the roof truss system. 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 you should choose depending on the climatic conditions of the region. If snow prevails, then a denser coverage can be preferred. And if winds are a priority, then less dense ones will be relevant thermal insulation materials.
• 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 important criterion that will limit heat loss 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 insulated stone wool the roof 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 with 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 correct installation technology, liquid polyurethane mass fills even the most hard-to-reach places roofs.

Styrofoam

This a budget option insulation of the attic perimeter of the roof. At the same time, foam plastic plates are easy to install, perfectly insulate and do not require knowledge of special complex laying technologies. 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.

One of the main activities in the arrangement of an additional residential floor in the attic of a private house is the insulation of the mansard roof. To create a heat-insulating barrier under the roof, it is necessary to choose the optimal material and perform the work correctly, on which the quality of the microclimate in the attic room will depend.

Unlike the main building, the attic does not have solid walls, which are a serious barrier to heat exchange with the external environment. The heat transfer resistance of a thin roof tends to zero, so the first feature of the insulation will be a thicker layer of heat-insulating material, when compared with a similar process on the walls of the house. If the thermal insulation barrier is insufficient, it will be difficult to heat the attic room in winter, and to achieve comfortable coolness during the summer heat.

The first feature of the attic roof insulation will be a thicker layer of heat-insulating material

During construction truss system often they do not count on an additional load, which can be an array of insulation with subsequent finishing materials. Given this fact, it is necessary to choose thermal insulation with a minimum density, and hence weight. Ideally, when the design of the attic is carried out immediately during the construction of the house, then it is possible to take into account the upcoming loads and make the roof frame with the necessary margin of safety. But this is not always the case. The decision to convert a spacious attic into a living space often comes when there is a need for additional square meters.

When converting a roof into a reliable fence against external influences, consider the features of the roofing material. If the roof is not hermetically closed, pay special attention to protection against possible ingress of moisture and wind load. Also pay attention to the "sound" of the roof. Roofing materials made of metal are very loud during rain or hail, so good noise isolation will be necessary. When deciding how to insulate the roof when arranging an attic room, consider the listed features.

To understand which insulation is better for a mansard roof, you need to know the list of modern materials from this series and their performance characteristics, while taking into account the peculiarity of their application in this situation. Now, for the insulation of building structures, the following materials are used:

• polymeric (foam, foam, polyurethane);
• produced on the basis of natural raw materials (mineral wool, ecowool);
• composite (varieties of penofol).

Polyfoam is the most popular insulation in construction due to its low cost and good thermal insulation properties.

Polyfoam is the most popular insulation in construction due to its low cost and good thermal insulation properties. The priority field of application of the polymer is the thermal insulation of facades. Inside, the foam is used with caution, mainly in technical buildings. It is not recommended to insulate housing from the inside with this polymer, due to the mismatch of the material with fire safety requirements - it is combustible and emits very toxic smoke when burned. Private homeowners often take risks using styrofoam to insulate the inside of living rooms, prioritizing the low cost of insulation and ease of use.

Extruded polystyrene foam or penoplex (the commercial name of the material) is similar in chemical structure to foam, but a fundamentally different production method contributed to a good result. Penoplex melts at high temperatures, but does not burn, it is much stronger and does not crumble when cutting, it is absolutely immune to moisture. In terms of specific gravity, polystyrene corresponds to polystyrene or slightly exceeds it (produced in various options density). In terms of thermal insulation properties, these polymers are similar, but foam plastic has slightly better soundproofing characteristics. As an attic insulation, polystyrene is a priority, if you choose from these two polymers.

Expanded polystyrene materials are available in the form of plates of various thicknesses

The described materials based on expanded polystyrene are available in the form of plates of various thicknesses. This makes it possible to produce insulation on their own. The third material from the polymer group - polyurethane foam - suggests a completely different technology for its application. It is applied to the work surface in the form of a foamed substance, which subsequently polymerizes and becomes solid. To form a heat-insulating layer, special expensive equipment is used to mix several components and apply the resulting substance to the insulated surfaces. Cured polyurethane foam has a cellular structure, low density and good resistance to heat transfer and sound transmission. This material is becoming increasingly popular for thermal insulation in construction, and mansard roof insulation is also made with it.

The most used heaters based on natural raw materials are varieties of mineral wool. The material is produced by forming mats or slabs from fibers of molten minerals. Mineral wool is produced in various densities (from loose material to rigid slabs) and is used both for outdoor work and for thermal insulation from the inside. Mineral wool does not burn, passes steam, is not toxic, retains heat well and does not allow sound vibrations to spread. For internal insulation What is the creation of a thermal barrier for the attic room, mineral wool is a good choice.

The most used heaters based on natural raw materials are varieties of mineral wool.

Roofs can be another natural-based insulation - ecowool. This heat insulator began to be used quite recently. Its basis is cellulose flakes that are wetted special composition and are applied to the insulated surface, like polyurethane, forming the necessary layer. Ecowool is used mainly for internal insulation, including for thermal insulation of the roof in the construction of attic rooms. The work is carried out by specialized teams that have the necessary equipment and know the technology of the process. The heat-insulating layer formed by cellulose flakes has approximately the same operational characteristics like mineral wool. The only difference is the ability of mineral wool to support combustion.

Penofol refers to composite materials and consists of a layer of polyethylene foam covered with polished aluminum foil. It is rarely used as an independent insulation, more often they enhance the thermal insulation effect of one of the materials listed above. This combination is also applicable for attic insulation. In this case, a mineral wool plus penofol complex is often used, which is simultaneously used as a vapor barrier from inside the attic room.

One of the ways to lay insulation is before the installation of the roof, that is, outside

When deciding how best to insulate a mansard roof, it is necessary to take into account not only the properties of the materials, but also the method of their installation. Thermal insulation measures can be carried out before the installation of the roof, that is, from the outside, and from the inside, when the roof is ready. Next, we will consider how to properly insulate the roof of the attic in both situations.

Insulation from the outside - convenient if planned in advance

It is convenient to insulate the roof during roofing work, which is usually done by master roofers. This is done when the attic room is pre-designed. More often in such situations, extruded polystyrene is used as a heater. What is the essence of technology? After construction frame structure roofs with inside slats are stuffed perpendicular to the rafters, simultaneously forming a crate for sheathing finishing material from the inside and the basis for laying insulation boards. The use of moisture-resistant foam plastic makes it possible not to use vapor barrier from the inside, you can mount the insulation directly on a wooden crate.

Penoplex plates are tightly laid in the gaps between the rafters, forming a continuous heat-insulating barrier. The thickness of the insulation layer corresponds to the transverse size of the rafters, that is, it becomes maximum. To do this, it is often necessary to lay the foam in several layers, placing the plates with mutual displacement in order to reduce the likelihood of the formation of cold bridges. The resulting gaps between the insulation and the rafters are filled with polyurethane sealant. On the top of the rafters and insulation, forming a continuous surface, a moisture-proof fabric is laid and fixed, after which the slats are stuffed for mounting the roofing material.

Ignore the application of moisture protective film, despite the hydrophobic properties of foam, it is impossible, because under the roof there is also, the service life of which the presence of moisture can greatly reduce.

It is much more convenient to make a bookmark of insulation from the outside, but practice shows that far from everyone succeeds in foreseeing the possible arrangement of an attic. If the roof is already done, dismantle roofing material for the sake of convenience of laying the insulation, it is not advisable, therefore, in such situations it is necessary to deal with internal thermal insulation. Read about how to insulate the attic roof from the inside in the next section.

Installation from the inside - methods available for implementation

How to properly insulate a mansard roof with a roof installed? The principle of thermal insulation, regardless of the material and technology used, is the same - to fill the space between the rafters with insulation as tightly as possible. This can be done with polyurethane foam or ecowool, but you will have to hire specialized teams involved in this type of activity. With the help of polystyrene foam, polystyrene or mineral wool, you can create a reliable thermal insulation barrier yourself, saving a lot of money.

Consider how to insulate a mansard roof using medium-density mineral wool as a heat insulator, which is available in the form of piece mats. This material will reliably protect the interior of the attic from external temperatures and noise, while being permeable to steam, which will create a comfortable microclimate for living in the room.

The workflow consists of the following steps.

1. 1. If the roof was made a long time ago, most likely, a moisture-proof sheet was not installed under the roofing material. In this case, you need to start by installing a protective film. It will not be possible to attach it solidly, so we cut the canvas according to the pitch of the rafters (a little more) and fix it in the gaps between the supporting bars, overlapping adjacent fragments of about 15 cm.
2. 2. We proceed to the laying of mineral wool. The material is unpleasant to work with, especially when mounted at the top (fine prickly dust falls off), so you should take care of the presence of a respirator, goggles, gloves and a closed suit. We make a pattern of fragments of mineral wool so that they are slightly wider than the pitch of the rafters. By doing this, you do not have to additionally fix the material, it will be held on its own, moreover, there will be no gaps between the insulation and the rafters. If mineral wool is laid in two layers, make sure that the seams between the individual fragments do not match.
3. 3. When all the gaps between the rafters are filled with mineral wool, a vapor barrier must be created from an appropriate film. It is more convenient to roll the canvas perpendicular to the rafters and attach it to the supporting beams with a stapler. Adjacent canvases also need to be overlapped with each other.
4. 4. The last step will be the creation of a counter-lattice (the slats are fixed perpendicular to the rafters), which will become the basis for the installation of drywall or OSB boards.

The modern building materials market is replete with a variety of insulating materials. But when it comes to complete thermal insulation for the home, you need to know the main requirements for insulation materials. In this article, we will tell you which insulation for the attic is better and what characteristics of the material should be taken into account so that in winter your house is warm and cozy.

Your insulation must be hardy and immune to external factors.

Any builder experienced in roofing will tell you that the roof of a house must be properly insulated. When choosing a material, focus primarily on the characteristics and needs of the structure. We live in conditions temperate climate, characteristics which is hot in summer and hard frost during the winter season. This means that your insulation must be hardy and immune to external factors.

One of the key selection criteria is the thickness of the attic insulation, on which the reliability and durability of the structure depends. For cold northern regions, you will have to choose heat insulators as thick as possible, but for residents of the southern regions, where the air temperature does not drop much below zero in winter, you can choose those that are thinner and lighter.

Video about attic insulation

The most versatile insulation is based on mineral wool. It is relatively inexpensive, but it is suitable for almost any weather conditions. Although in some cases it is worth using polyurethane or another more expensive material that can more densely fill the empty space.

We do not recommend using a bulk heat insulator for roof insulation. Its thermal conductivity is quite high, which is why it simply cannot fully protect your home from the cold. It is much better to choose a roll or slab insulation for a mansard roof with low thermal conductivity.

Manufacturers, as a rule, themselves establish recommendations for laying insulation. If you follow them, you can significantly increase the service life and reliability of the structure. All currently available materials differ in the way they are laid depending on their weight, appearance and other characteristics.

It is best to choose heaters that weigh little, but are strong enough and tough. You also need to remember about the density of the material.

It is best to choose heaters that weigh little, but are strong enough and tough.

In our climate zone snowfalls are very frequent in winter, so the load from the snow cover must also be taken into account. Strong weight on the roof can lead to its significant deformation. As a result, thermal insulation deteriorates greatly. As a result, you will have to do home insulation work again. And this is not only a big waste of time, but also money.

In addition, you need to take into account the slope of your roof. The smaller the angle, the more snow will accumulate on it in winter, and when it rains, the more likely it is to leak.

The roof is one of the most important structures in the House. The choice of material is recommended to be made strictly according to the following criteria:

• Expect severe frosts in winter. The thermal insulation layer must withstand them. When there is a sharp change in temperature, the material should not distort, crack or sag.
• Take moisture and fire resistance seriously. Even with direct exposure to fire, it should not ignite. Today on the construction market you can find materials with flame retardants that prevent combustion and slow the spread of fire. We strongly recommend using these. If we talk about the dangers of moisture, then when the insulation is saturated with water, its properties deteriorate greatly. Water itself is an excellent temperature conductor, so a wet insulation simply will not perform its functions. In addition, when soaking, the material is severely deformed and gains weight, and the entire roof structure is under heavy load.
• The selected insulation should keep its shape as high as possible. It is better that the material be integral, without unnecessary seams, than to insulate the mansard roof of the house with piecewise remnants in order to save money. See that you do not have to pay twice - such material will not be able to fully fulfill its functions and even the most beautiful room in the attic it will be uncomfortable due to blowing from under the roof.

The selected insulation should keep its shape as high as possible.

There are really a lot of materials on the market. Among the most popular are fiberglass, mineral wool and polystyrene boards. But they are already quite outdated. We do not recommend using them. Today, much better products and liquids are being created that densely fill the voids and isolate the room from the cold.

Mainly heat loss when using modern means reduced by 50% or more. In addition, it allows you to save on other materials. For example, foam glass is extremely resistant to moisture, which eliminates the need for a waterproofing layer. Foam glass is also characterized by very low thermal conductivity and impermeability to vapor particles. But let's look at other options.

Video about the process of attic insulation

• Polyurethane. It is sold in a liquid state, but when you apply it to a surface, it hardens and becomes very durable. As with foam glass, waterproofing is also not required. It is very convenient for attics with complex design where it is almost impossible to work with standard materials. All empty space is completely filled with foam, providing low thermal conductivity. Excellent operational properties, long service life and overall ease of application - distinctive features modern polyurethane. The polyurethane plate is blown in with a special machine and waited for it to harden. It's easy even without building experience.
• Ecowool. One of its main advantages is environmental friendliness. It is made exclusively from natural materials. Basically it is ordinary cellulose. In addition, many manufacturers add flame retardants and active antiseptics to the material, which makes ecowool protected from fungus and mold. And it must be said that in comparison with other materials it costs an order of magnitude cheaper. Even a layer of 20 cm can cope with the worst weather conditions. If you can’t decide how best to insulate the attic from the inside, then this is one of the most affordable and practical options. When you use ecowool, it must be precisely adjusted to the dimensions of the compartments between the rafters. It is laid in two layers for better heat saving. But do not forget that it is sensitive to moisture, which is why a waterproofing layer must be installed.
• Polystyrene and other hard materials. They are a little more difficult to work with. They need to be laid on a crate or truss structure. But with proper blowing, it is polystyrene that provides the best thermal insulation of the attic.

With proper blowing, it is polystyrene that provides the best thermal insulation of the attic.

Remember that improper insulation can cause many additional problems - icing on the roof, icicles, etc. Therefore, it is very important not only to choose the right way to insulate the attic from the inside and out, but also to competently carry out all the work on installing thermal insulation.

The popularity of lofts is growing rapidly. For developers, this type of housing seems to be less expensive in comparison with the cost of equipping storey premises. In addition, many homeowners are attracted by the opportunity to implement specific architectural and design solutions, substantively developed by European specialists. Why did the transfer of under-roof zones into housing stock become actual in our country only in the last 10-15 years? The answer lies in the climatic difference between continental Europe and the European part of the Russian Federation. Only modern technologies in the field of insulating materials make it possible to choose an attic insulation that provides a comfortable microclimate in a “house without walls” located somewhere in the Moscow region.

It is important to choose the right insulation for the under-roof space

The arrangement of mansard roofs is functionally and technologically different from the work carried out on the main floors and in unheated attic spaces. Attic insulation is associated with increased complexity installation processes, the need for thermophysical calculation, as well as the importance of competent development of ventilation and vapor protection.

In non-residential attic spaces, thermal insulation is laid in niches between the beams of the ceiling. The roof structure in this case plays the role of a barrier that protects the building from wind load, temperature expansion and precipitation. Insulation for the mansard roof, on the contrary, is part of roofing sandwich, designed to immediately perform all the functions inherent in walls, ceiling and roof.

More moisture enters the attic than the floor space. Water in the form of ascending vapor penetrates from below. The vapor barrier of the floor ceiling reduces the flow of moisture, but does not nullify it.

The second factor in air humidification is associated with the inevitable condensation on the lower surface of the tiles or other roofing material. Moreover, the amount of this condensate on insulated roofs is greater than on cold ones due to the increased temperature gradient. In addition, a ventilated cold attic forms a buffer air cushion that effectively dries the roof from below. The absence of such a buffer in attics reduces natural ventilation wooden rafters and the insulation itself.

The location of thermal insulation directly under the roof slopes increases the intensity of heat transfer, so attic insulation should be more energy efficient than floor insulation between housing and a cold attic.

Criteria for the selection of insulating material

What is the best way to insulate an attic? The study of the properties of heat insulators cannot give a reasonable answer to this question. It is necessary to correlate the characteristics of materials with the conditions of their work. The specificity of attics is expressed in three main rules for their insulation:

1. Terms of performance of thermal insulation works. Usually freshly sawn wood is used for rafters. In this case, it is required to withstand at least six months before the insulation is carried out with materials with high vapor permeability.
   

   Even when using dried wood, a pause of at least 2 weeks is necessary after the installation of the roofing.

2. Choice of insulation thickness. The intensity of heat flows through the roof is much greater than the loss of energy through walls or foundations. The usual mineral wool thicknesses of 100 - 150 mm do not solve problems for attic insulation even in the southern regions of Russia. It is necessary to use special calculator programs, where climatic conditions, dimensions of building structures and materials of all layers of the sandwich are substituted. In temperate continental climates, the required design thickness of an insulator for a mansard roof is almost never less than 300 mm.
3. Design of roof beams.

The height of the lumber profile should be 30-40 mm higher than the thickness of the heat-insulating layer. In this case, a sufficient ventilation gap is formed between the waterproofing and the insulation.

If work is underway to convert a cold attic into a housing stock, then an additional crate from the bottom of the rafters is usually used, increasing the installation height to accommodate the insulation layer.

To determine which insulation is best for your mansard roof, make a comparative assessment of the materials, taking into account the three rules outlined in the following order:

1. Eliminate options that do not meet your fire safety requirements.
2. Exclude options with high vapor permeability of the insulation if you do not have time to dry the wood of the rafters.
3. Calculate the required insulation layer thickness for several options.
4. Make budget options. In this case, one should take into account the exclusion of a vapor barrier membrane from the composition of the sandwich in the case of using insulating materials with a hygroscopicity close to zero.

Types of insulation materials used for mansard roof insulation

First of all, it should be noted that it is not only inconvenient, but also impractical to insulate inclined surfaces with bulk materials, since the fragments rolling down will block the ventilation gap. Therefore, sawdust, fluff pulp, expanded clay and similar heaters should be discarded. On the other hand, it is permissible to conduct insulation with plates obtained as a result of a mixture of the listed materials with clay or cement. However, the weight of such slabs should be included in the calculation of roof trusses.

Fireproof heaters

The only relatively inexpensive fireproof heat insulator is mineral (basalt) wool. It is for this reason that it has long been the most popular option for use in attic sandwiches. How to choose a good mineral wool insulation for the attic? Will a regular roll isover that we use for walls work? Such material will work well, but ... not for long. The reason for this is high capillary activity. Therefore, it is necessary to choose materials with special impregnations that reduce hygroscopicity: ROCKMIN PLUS mineral wool, Izover Pitched Roof and other brands, in the names of which there is a direct indication of the field of application that suits us.

Mixtures of insulating backfills with clay are also fireproof. The main problem clay insulation is a very large thickness of the insulating layer and its excessive weight.

Of the most modern developments PIR boards lined with heat-reflecting foil should be highlighted. They do not support combustion and have a record low thermal conductivity (0.024 W / m * K).

Heaters with the highest energy efficiency

Manufacturers of building thermal insulation have developed grades of extruded polystyrene foam (EPS) boards, specially designed for arranging attics and roofs of cold attics. These are Penoplex Pitched Roof, TechnoNIKOL Carbon Solid and other materials with a thermal conductivity coefficient of not more than 0.030 - 0.034 W / m * K. The brands are distinguished by the ability to order panels of increased length (up to 4.5 m), which significantly speeds up installation work.

XPS is a combustible material, but building codes allow its use in attic equipment. To increase fire safety, infrared screens with a foil layer should be used. Despite the fact that their vapor barrier function is not needed by XPS, the foil can significantly increase the fire resistance of the sandwich.

On average, expanded polystyrene boards make it possible to reduce the thickness of the attic insulation layer by 20% compared to mineral wool. Heat-saving champions are sprayed polyurethane foam (PPU) and the already mentioned PIR boards. Due to the high toxicity of gases released during the thermal degradation of polyurethane foam, this material is not recommended for use in equipment residential attics. PIR boards do not have this drawback and are able to replace mineral wool with a 1.5-fold reduction in layer thickness.

Heaters with high specific noise absorption

Insulation with Zhivoizol - linen heat insulator

The soundproofing properties of mansard roof insulation can be very relevant when using metal tiles, which amplify the noise of natural precipitation. Currently developed board materials, characterized by a high noise reduction coefficient with a slight loss to mineral wool in energy efficiency. Among such developments, it should be noted pressed linen insulation, known under the market brands "Termolen" and "ZhivaIzol". Plates made of this material absorb noise in all frequency spectra 20% - 30% more efficiently than mineral wool and XPS.

Conclusion

The choice of insulation for the attic roof should be carried out in parallel with the development of roof trusses and the design of the entire sandwich, which includes roof cladding, membranes and battens. When converting cold attics into housing stock, it is relevant to minimize the thickness of the insulating layer and use insulators with the lowest thermal conductivity.

The wrong choice of insulation, or its insufficient thickness, leads not only to cold in the attic room. Even if you compensate for the low temperature with intensive heating, you may encounter:

• increased roof icing;
• reducing the life of the roofing;
• failure of the drainage system.

Thus, the competent design of a roofing sandwich for attics is important not only for providing comfort to residents, but also in terms of increasing the life of the building.

Video on the topic: how to properly insulate the attic

3372 0 0

Which insulation is better for a mansard roof - choose from 5 options

A well-insulated attic floor is an excellent solution to the shortage of living space. It is realistic to insulate a room under a roof with your own hands, but with such an abundance of thermal insulation materials on the modern market, it is important not to make a mistake with the choice. To make it easier for you to decide on the type and thickness of the material, then we will analyze in detail the characteristics of 5 heaters, plus I will make a small review of prices.

Where to look when choosing

The attic is a fairly specific living space. The main difference is the absence of capital walls. More precisely, in some models there are so-called attic walls (continuation of the main wall), but their height often does not exceed 1.2 m, therefore big role they don't play with insulation.

Since there is no capital basis, the entire load in terms of insulation falls on heat-insulating materials. There are general ideas about what insulation should be for the attic floor.

• One of the most important parameters when choosing a material is the coefficient of thermal conductivity. Remember - the lower the coefficient of thermal conductivity, the better the thermal insulation is considered;

• The material must be resistant to sudden changes in temperature, with such changes it should not crack or shrink. In the attic part, only the roofing material and the windproof membrane separate the thermal insulation from the street, so it is important how many freezing cycles the insulation can withstand;
• The level of hygroscopicity is no less important for any insulation, because the ability to absorb moisture at times and moreover for a short time can increase thermal conductivity. But even if the material is hygroscopic, it is desirable that when it dries, it does not lose its properties;
• According to statistics, the attic room is considered the most fire hazardous, a dry, unprotected roof burns out in 5–7 minutes during a fire. Ideally, the insulation should not burn at all, or at least not support combustion;
• Not the last role is played by the complexity of the technology of arrangement. Even if you are not going to do it yourself, the more difficult the installation, the more the craftsmen will have to pay for it;
• Thermal insulation occupies the bulk of the roofing pie, and at such a concentration it is important that the material is completely safe for humans. Living in a poisonous "bag" is not the most The best way save.

In practical terms, when it comes to purchasing, it is important to choose the thickness of the insulation. The thickness of the material depends on several factors:

• First of all, from the material itself, but we will talk about this later;
• The second criterion is the density, here it is important to find golden mean and for each climatic zone this middle is different;
• Again, hygroscopicity, permeable materials should be taken with a margin;
• But most main characteristic thickness is the thermal conductivity, it should be as low as possible.

What kind of insulation does the market offer

If you are looking for a universal, best insulation in all respects, then I will tell you honestly - this does not exist in principle. Depending on the design of the roof and the climatic zone, there are more and less common materials.

Option number 1: foam

Styrofoam is considered a proven, reliable and, importantly, inexpensive insulation. It contains only about 3% polystyrene, and the remaining 97% is air. Polystyrene is indifferent to moisture, which means it absolutely does not absorb moisture.

With any home insulation, there is such a thing as dew point. In a nutshell, this is the place where plus and minus meet, it is in this zone that condensate settles. So, for polystyrene, the dew point is inside the plate and there, in principle, there can be no condensate.

The plates are light, but at the same time quite rigid, which greatly facilitates the calculations and installation. Like most heaters, foam has good soundproofing properties. Although not everything is so smooth, this material has a number of serious disadvantages.

The fact that the material does not absorb moisture is good, but along with this, it does not let it through. The attic is the upper room in the building, respectively, there is the highest concentration of household fumes.

If you decide to insulate the attic with foam, you will have to mount forced ventilation, otherwise the vapors will condense under the ceiling, which will lead to mold, after which the wood of the rafters will begin to deteriorate, and at high concentrations, water will simply drip from the ceiling.

Styrofoam supports combustion, although it does not burn much, in case of fire it will emit harmful, asphyxiating gases. Styrofoam is safe for humans, but rodents like to settle in these plates and it is very difficult to get them out of there.

For middle lane Russia has enough plates with a thickness of 50-70 mm, in Siberia it is already necessary to lay 100 mm and the further north, the thicker. As for the brand, plates from PSB-S-25 and denser are used here.

The prices in the article are current in autumn 2017.

Option #2: Extruded Materials

Extruded polystyrene foam is, figuratively speaking, an advanced brother of polystyrene. The same polystyrene is used here, only sheets are made by extrusion, as a result, instead of compressed balls, they get monolithic slab from expanded polystyrene.

Many consider these famous brands as "Penoplex" and "Technoplex" independent types of heaters. So - all this is extruded polystyrene foam, produced by different manufacturers.

Such plates are distinguished by a lower thermal conductivity, compared to polystyrene, it is about a third lower. Where the foam is mounted with a thickness of 70 mm, XPS can be installed with a thickness of 50 mm, plus the durability of the plates is at least 30-40 years, against 20-25 years for foam.

As for the minuses, almost everything that polystyrene has was transferred to extruded polystyrene foam (except that rodents do not live in it), plus it is almost 2 times more expensive.

Option number 3: different types of mineral wool

Not everyone knows, but the term mineral wool combines several different materials that differ in their characteristics.

Absolutely all types of wool absorb moisture, but high-density slabs have the ability to retain their characteristics after drying.

Illustrations	Recommendations
	stone wool. This direction is made from volcanic minerals. Insulating the attic with stone wool is considered the best solution. It is absolutely harmless, durable enough and does not burn. Most often, basalt wool is used for these purposes, it’s just that this mineral is the most common, and therefore affordable. The thickness of the plates for attic insulation starts from 100 mm.
	glass wool. Glass wool is much cheaper than a stone sister. The material is environmentally friendly, but not all brands of glass wool are good, budget models quickly sit down and require caution during installation (small glass needles dig into the skin).
	slag wool. According to its thermal insulation characteristics, slag wool is not much inferior to stone types of wool, but it is not worth taking it to warm the interior. This material is made from blast-furnace slag and during operation, slag wool emits phenol vapors and other dangerous poisons.

For an attic and in general any roofing cake, mineral wool must be taken in high density slabs. In no case do not take soft mats, they are not suitable for arranging the roof and will quickly become unusable.

Option number 4: ecowool

A new unique material, called ecowool, is nothing more than a waste paper recycling product. It consists of 80% natural cellulose, the rest goes to additives and binders.

Ecowool is ideal for the attic, only for its application to walls and ceilings, you need to invite specialists with special compressor equipment. This material is sprayed onto the surface. But thanks to the additives, it does not burn and does not lose its properties after getting wet.

Option number 5: polyurethane foam

Excellent material for warming any surfaces. In its structure, polyurethane foam is somewhat similar to mounting foam although the composition is different. It is not worth worrying about the solidity of the layer here, because the material is sprayed onto the walls and, after solidification, forms an airtight shell.

Polyurethane foam is durable, lightweight and does not support combustion, everything in it is good, except that the price of the material is quite high and specialists with equipment are needed to equip it.

Conclusion

The attic is a specific room and when choosing a heater for it, you need to take into account all the pros and cons that were mentioned above. The video in this article has other interesting nuances of choice. If you have any questions, write in the comments, I will try to help.