The best way to insulate an attic: the best thermal insulation materials for arranging an attic roof. Warm attic How to make a warm attic

To insulate an attic with your own hands, you need to choose the right insulation for the roof, and Finishing work will give your insulated attic comfort and beauty.

Do-it-yourself warm attic

Simple attic renovation

Need for conducting repair work in the attic there may be various reasons. Someone just needs to update in order to use the attic in warm weather. Other house owners plan to make this premises residential, which necessitates the need to carry out many complex procedures. Depending on the chosen approach, the specifics of repair work in the attic may vary.

When the attic is not intended to be used for living, repairs do not pose too many problems. For example, in such a case it may be necessary to either perform the usual decorative works. The attic is finished in such a way that it can be used comfortably during the warm period. Restrictions on choice finishing materials under such conditions does not exist.

However, sometimes relatively complex activities are required. The attic may require wiring, installation of additional electrical equipment, and so on. That is, you still don’t need to think that a non-residential attic creates only simple tasks. But if you want to make it suitable for permanent residence, you will have to carry out rather labor-intensive activities.

Creating a residential attic

Due to the correct arrangement of the attic, it can also be made residential. But in this case, ordinary finishing is no longer enough. It will be necessary to additionally create a special heating system. Most often it is played by a warm electric floor.

It can be installed relatively quickly as it does not require any complex communications. Just keep in mind that the operation of an electric heated floor is associated with additional expenses. They can be reduced if you create high-quality insulation in the attic.

Thermal insulation of the attic assumes that thermal insulation materials laid along the roof slopes from the inside. But there is no need to insulate the floor in the attic. It will be possible to increase thermal insulation if you use wood materials to decorate the attic.

The attic in the house is a space with great potential. It has a spacious area to serve as a place for storing things or seasonal recreation, and a non-trivial shape that can become the basis for the implementation design ideas. Not using its capabilities is a big omission.

You can organize the space of the attic floor different ways. But the most rational of them is arrangement for living quarters. This will help self-insulation attics from the inside. The choice of material and the order of work will also not be difficult after a detailed consideration of the characteristics of the materials and the insulation process.

Why insulate?

A nice, warm attic has whole line advantages over an uninsulated floor:

• Can be used as a living space all year round.
• An uninteresting shape is suitable for interior design in an unusual style.
• The upper floor, due to its isolation and unusualness, can serve as a bedroom, office or children's room. Of course, children especially like it in the attic.
• Dormer windows are designed differently than regular ones and let in a lot of light. This is useful if there is a children's room there, and is also suitable for other purposes, because natural lighting is always better than artificial lighting.
• When transferring the function of any room in the house to attic floor, a lot of usable space is freed up.

At the same time, insulating the attic, despite the name, also works in the opposite direction. Summer stuffiness and heat concentrated under the roof of a house are not the best companions for comfort. To prevent the air in the attic floor from heating up because the sun heats the roof all day, thermal insulation is needed.

Many people forget about this when choosing to insulate the attic from the inside, and instead of a room for all-season use, they get an option for wintering. In summer it is impossible to stay there due to high temperatures and stuffy air.

Why insulate the attic is clear: increase usable area home by converting the attic into living space. What specific type of room this will be depends on the individual needs of the family. There can be a greenhouse, a dining room (which is very convenient, since it will be easy to arrange a hood, and the smells of food will definitely not penetrate into other rooms), a children's room, a bedroom, an office, a room for pets, a dressing room, a guest room.

Roof design options

The convenience of an attic for living largely depends on its size and the shape of the roof, which forms the walls and ceiling of the room. The complexity of the insulation procedure is also influenced by the shape. The type of roof is laid during construction in accordance with the design of the building.

In total, there are about a dozen types of roofing, to one degree or another suitable for arranging an attic:

• Single-pitch. The slope can be on the left or right side. This is determined by the scheme of the future house, developed in accordance with building codes. This type of roof is not the best, but also not the most inconvenient option for a living space. At least one half of the attic is suitable for a person to fit in it at full height and be able to move freely. The second can be reserved for organizing storage systems or a bed.

• Gable or gable. Available in both symmetrical and asymmetrical versions. In an attic of this type everything free space concentrated in the place where the roof has the highest point. There is less and less of it under the slopes, and if the slope is flat, then most of the area will not be used.
• Hip. A roof with four slopes: two in the shape of a trapezoid, two in the shape of beveled triangles.

• Tent. A type of hip roof that is erected above the base of the house square shape. All 4 slopes in this case have the same appearance of beveled triangles.
• Half-hip. This is a type of gable roof, in which, for practical purposes, the side slopes on the gable part are cut off. It is more convenient for arranging the attic floor than the previous two options.
• Half-hip is slightly less common hipped roof. Its pediment parts are formed by windows, and slopes are located under them.

• Mansard roof. It is considered optimal because it is closest to the cherished U-shaped shape of a living space. Such a roof does not impose any restrictions on the arrangement functional zones inside the attic floor. It can easily accommodate a child’s room, which can later be converted into his own office or bedroom.
• Broken or multi-pincer. These are options for complex design ideas. It is impossible to say unequivocally how suitable they are for arranging a warm attic, since their shape can be very diverse. But those types that are most similar to the U-shape are definitely suitable for this purpose.

Load calculation according to SNiP

When it comes to attic insulation, it is necessary to consider several types of SNiP: general rules for the arrangement of residential premises and the rules for choosing materials for thermal insulation of a residential building.

• Calculation of the load on the load-bearing structures of the building. The dead weight and thickness of materials, decorative finishes, and interior design of the attic significantly increase the load on support structures in any type of house. Each option has its own maximum permissible load, but planned changes should not exceed it.

• Correct assessment of erected structures. For the reconstruction of a house, which in many cases will include the conversion of an attic into a residential attic, legal grounds are needed. Each case is individual.

In one, if the documents are completed correctly and the construction of the house occurs immediately with the attic, it can be remodeled in any way without unnecessary red tape.

In a private house, the construction of an attic depends only on the height of the floors and compliance with load standards on supporting structures, in apartment building it is important to consider its status. If this is an architectural monument, the construction of an attic will not be legalized.

• Compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards. They regulate minimum height attic space, the degree of its illumination and insolation - protection from ultraviolet rays.
• Number of floors in the house. Building codes allow a maximum of three floors, with basements and basements that protrude more than a meter above the ground also counting. If, after insulating the attic, it becomes a full-fledged living space and the fourth floor in the house, then such a building will be considered illegal. In theory, it is subject to demolition.

• Fire resistance level. It is measured in minutes and in most positions is:

1. For lower floors 60 minutes
2. for the attic - 30, since the fire spreads upward and the risk of fire on the lower floors from the attic is less.

When arranging an attic, especially a wooden one, as a living space, you need to meet all the requirements: treat the wood with special impregnations that prevent the spread of flame, choose fire-resistant materials, and lay out communications in a high-quality manner.

It is also important to calculate which layer is needed when using different materials. As a rule, the recommended thickness and density of polystyrene foam, mineral wool, polyurethane foam or foam glass is indicated by the manufacturer or GOST for a specific material.

Review of materials: pros and cons

The materials themselves construction market offers in abundance. However, insulation alone is not enough, since The technology involves the layer-by-layer use of materials for various purposes:

• Material for roofing and walls. These are the elements from which the base of the attic space is formed. The walls of the house can be wooden, brick, block. For the roof, choose corrugated sheets, ondulin, slate, metal tiles or ceramic tiles.
• Bars for counter-lattice. The timber used is wooden and mounted on the rafters. The counter grille is necessary to create air circulation so that condensation does not form under sheet material roofs.

• Windproofing and waterproofing. Polypropylene and polyethylene films, various non-woven roll materials. Priority is given to films with anti-condensation coating. They are laid with an overlap of 20-25 cm between the beams and roofing material, stick together.
• Thermal insulation. Various types of insulation, which are laid at a distance of 25 cm from the waterproofing film under slate or tiles, and 45-50 cm under sheet materials.
• Vapor barrier. It is necessary on the outside of the insulation to protect it from vapors and moisture contained in the indoor air. Various film and foil materials are used to prevent the formation of condensation and the greenhouse effect.

• Internal lathing. Decorative finishing ceiling and walls. In some cases, when the height of the roof allows, you can “hem” the ceiling. The air space between it and the roof will make thermal insulation more effective.

If there are no questions with most of the points, then the choice of insulation is the most crucial moment. Its choice is wide, which is both a plus and a minus, since it is necessary to evaluate a large number of options.

Insulate the attic:

• sawdust;
• mineral wool;
• ecowool;
• basalt type of wool;
• polyurethane foam plates (PPU);
• extruded foam;
• penoplex;
• foam glass;
• construction foam;
• foil and heat-reflecting material.

Using sawdust for thermal insulation is a proven and effective method. It is cheap, the mixtures are prepared by hand, but if available alternative materials the method is already outdated. A lot of time is spent, working with sawdust is clean but unpleasant, and the flooring will not be durable. Ecological cleanliness in this case is most likely not beneficial, because wood fibers are an excellent medium for the reproduction of organisms.

Ordinary polystyrene foam is also a thing of the past. It has a number of advantages: light weight, low price, ease of installation alone, fairly long service life, good insulating properties. But the disadvantages are still significant: fragility and fragility, retains moisture inside, a suitable environment for the reproduction of living organisms, a thick layer of material is needed.

Mineral wool is a more relevant insulation material. Its advantages:

• high thermal insulation coefficient;
• resistant to moisture, chemicals and alkalis;
• provides good ventilation in room;
• helps improve sound insulation;
• high fire resistance coefficient;
• long service life;
• strength;
• safe for residential use.

Flaws:

• If the waterproofing and vapor barrier layers are poorly organized and precipitation gets on the material, mineral wool loses several percent of its thermal conductivity.
• Capable of accumulating dust over time.
• High-quality mineral wool is quite expensive, but is environmentally friendly. There are often fakes on the market in which the formaldehyde content exceeds the norm. They are harmful to health and are prohibited for use in residential areas.

Ecowool in its essence consists of cellulose fibers in three-quarters of the composition, and the remaining share consists of substances that allow the use of cellulose as a building material - these are borax and boric acid. They increase the fire resistance of cotton wool and prevent the appearance of microorganisms, fungi, and rot.

The advantages include the good ability of the insulation to retain heat in the room, not to interfere with ventilation, high-quality insulating properties, natural and safe raw materials based on ecowool.

The material also has a disadvantage, and a significant one. Ecowool is not produced in the form of slabs or sheets, it is a loose fiber that must be applied wet method when using special equipment. And to work with the equipment you will need qualified installers.

In addition to ecowool foreign manufacturers They also offer other types of insulation based on plant fibers: eco-leen and cotton fabric insulation.

Another type of cotton wool is basalt. It is related to mineral. Since its components are present in the composition, but the basis of the material is basalt rock. Basalt imparts unique qualities to the material.

Its advantages:

• components of organic origin without formaldehyde and harmful resins;
• thermal insulation qualities, noise insulation;
• does not ignite, does not support combustion;
• biostable;
• the plates are convenient and easy to use;
• serves for decades.

Flaws:

• high cost of insulation square meter basalt slabs;
• absorbs moisture well.

The third type of wool – glass wool – has similar characteristics. It is more convenient to use because the material is rolled.

Extruded polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam combines the qualities and advantages mineral slabs and ordinary polystyrene foam, thanks to special production technology.

His performance characteristics mostly positive:

• lightweight but durable - this allows it to be used for insulation in large quantities, just work with him alone;
• the closed pores of the material are moisture resistant;
• easy to cut into fragments, it is unbreakable and does not crumble;
• does not arouse interest as a habitat for either fungi or rodents;
• low cost.

The disadvantages include: vapor permeability, low fire resistance.

The group of new generation gas-filled plastics also includes polyurethane foam (PPU). Its advantages make the material one of the best for insulating the attic floor: it is lightweight, moisture-resistant and fire-resistant, does not accumulate dust, does not attract living organisms, and is very durable.

There are two types: sheet and sprayed. Sheet material is very convenient in that it does not crumble during the cutting of fragments and the part fits closely to the part. The sprayed type of protection creates a monolithic layer under the roof, due to which it is not afraid of precipitation and cold. It also has good adhesion to various surfaces, is resistant to the appearance of microorganisms and allows installation work to be carried out in the shortest possible time.

The sprayed material creates better thermal insulation and promotes muting extraneous sounds, but it has two serious drawbacks. Firstly, application will require the expensive service of professionals with special equipment. Secondly, it is so dense that it “does not breathe.” Humid and stuffy air will accumulate in the room if it was not possible to organize additional ventilation.

It is advisable to use both types of polyurethane foam simultaneously. Large areas are covered with sheet material, and hard to reach places and cracks are treated by spraying. This will completely solve the problem of even the coldest attic.

Foam glass is a rarely used and unfairly relegated material to the background. The reason for this is simple - the very high price. Foam glass, as the name implies, is produced by foaming glass fiber. The result is a porous (cellular) material that is absolutely insensitive to fire, safe, durable and meets all the requirements for insulation. If financial capabilities allow, then foam glass as thermal insulation should be considered first.

A separate group from derivatives of plastic and glass are foil materials for insulating rooms from the inside. By themselves they have a small thickness, so they are often combined with various variations foamed cellular materials that are located inside between two layers of foil.

The advantages of reflective materials are obvious:

• Light weight and small thickness. An attic is rarely large, especially considering that its dimensions are hidden by the shape of the roof, and a 20 mm foil sheet is much more practical than 200 mm foam.
• The material is easy to cut, does not crumble, and does not slip on the surface.
• There are options for self-adhesive sheets, in which one side is covered with a reflective layer and the other with an adhesive adhesive. They greatly simplify installation work.
• Foil is an excellent heat reflector. Thanks to its abilities, during the cold season, heat does not escape from the room, but in hot weather it remains outside.
• Reflective coatings are hydrophobic; they simply repel water.
• This is at the same time insulation from precipitation, dust, wind, and cold.
• Despite minimum thickness, copes with the function of sound insulation.
• Elastic and flexible.
• Biostable.
• They do not release toxins or formaldehyde when heated.
• Durable.

How to choose?

Choosing suitable insulation is an important stage in arranging a living space on the attic floor.

There are several important factors to consider:

• Taking into account climatic conditions. If severe frosts rage in the region during the cold season, you need to choose cellular or porous insulation. Its structure allows warm air to fill empty spaces and keep the room warm. This works like PVC profiles and double glazing on windows. The more layers of cells, the better material, so the layer thickness should be more than 1-2 cm.
• For regions with high humidity, the hydrophobicity of the material comes first. All types of cotton wool are undesirable here, but derivatives of polyethylene and plastic will be just right. You can safely use polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam.
• At large quantities precipitation in winter, which puts a load on the roof, lightweight materials are preferred. For example, foam and foil.

• Accounting for moisture and fire resistance indicators. Even if the climate is not full of rain, protecting the insulation from moisture is very important. Wet material ceases to perform its functions, as its thermal conductivity changes, and gains weight.
• As for fire safety, it is rather compliance with all SNiP standards. Choosing a fire-resistant material is not difficult. Most manufacturers add substances called fire retardants to organic raw materials for the production of insulation. They prevent the spread of fire.

• The ability of a material to hold its shape. Measured as modulus of elasticity and resistance to deformation. It depends on this whether it will create monolithic, reliable protection or will begin to sag and drafts and ventilated places will appear in the room. The undisputed leaders in this regard are not sheet materials, but sprayed materials.
• Material coefficients for several characteristics: thermal conductivity, vapor permeability, sound insulation index.
• Composition of the substance. To furnish a living room in the attic, it is recommended to use environmentally friendly materials, without resins, formaldehydes and toxic substances. Various impregnations are acceptable if their availability meets the requirements of GOST.

The type of materials used to finish the roof also matters.

Under metal tiles

It is correct to insulate the attic ceiling under such material using a layer that is not afraid of moisture. The design and installation features of metal tiles are such that water can get under them. It is optimal here to use foam materials based on plastic or glass, but if the choice falls on mineral wool, it is important to take care of a good layer of waterproofing.

It is also necessary to choose a material with an anti-condensation coating. After condensation reaches a certain temperature, it will also turn into water, which is dangerous for the insulating layer. The problem can be solved using polypropylene films, geotextile coatings and superdiffuse membranes.

The disadvantages of metal tiles include the fact that their unusual shape allows precipitation to accumulate between the layers of the coating, which is almost impossible to make completely airtight. This will help mitigate the damage as much as possible. high-quality ventilation under the roof. Natural in this case may not be enough; it is necessary to arrange a forced one.

Such problems also apply to ceramic relief coating and slate sheets. They all have the same shape, which does not allow the sheets to fit tightly.

Under corrugated sheets

It is less problematic in terms of leaks and condensation, since the sheets fit more tightly, and the joints are treated with sealant and paint. But the material has its own characteristics. Firstly, it is very cold and the insulation must be of high quality and impressive in thickness. Secondly, when it rains, it is very noisy under a corrugated roof; you need a material with high sound absorption rates.

From the list suitable materials It is necessary to exclude thin foil sheets, fiberglass, and cellulose insulation of the eco-friendly type. Their thickness and sound insulation performance are insufficient to ensure comfortable stay in the attic under corrugated sheeting on the roof.

For the attic above the bathhouse

Along with the type of roofing materials, you need to take into account the location of the attic: either it is located above all the living spaces, or above part of the house.

One of the problematic options is the attic above the bathhouse. With this location, it is difficult to arrange a living space in it. It is more suitable for a relaxation room, a small living room or a play corner, which is necessary after bath procedures.

The main difficulty when choosing materials lies in the microclimate of the room above the bathhouse, which is different from the microclimate above living rooms. The temperature and humidity conditions in it are unstable, and the possibility of condensation is very high. Of course, under such conditions neither sawdust, nor cotton wool, nor ecological insulation based on cellulose. This requires hydrophobic materials such as polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam, foil coatings, good vapor barrier forced ventilation.

Winter living houses

Universal solution for attic insulation winter accommodation does not exist. It all depends on the climatic conditions and materials used in the construction of the house.

Long and harsh winters - solid, porous, temperature-resistant insulation. Warm climate - any suitable roofing material.

In private wooden house due to the properties of wood, it is sufficient to retain heat thin insulation. Materials based on cellulose, glass or plastic are also suitable. You can use foil ones with a minimum thickness.

IN brick houses with roofs made of corrugated sheets, tiles or slate, it is necessary additional insulation in the form of air spaces. These can be dense porous materials and several layers between them. Insulation frame house does not require special efforts, since its design already provides for all the features of specific climatic conditions. Any moisture-resistant and fire-resistant materials are suitable here.

How to insulate with your own hands?

The technology for creating thermal insulation in the attic is also available to non-professionals. The key to success is not experience installation work, but in the correct selection of material, sequential execution of actions to create a continuous insulated contour and accuracy.

The procedure is as follows:

• Calculation permissible load And optimal thickness material.
• Selection of materials and necessary tools(including safety equipment).
• Preparation of the premises: cleaning, dust removal, treatment of wooden structures with protective impregnations.
• Installation of sheathing. This is an important and mandatory step that amateurs skip out of ignorance. Thermal insulation of an attic without lathing and counter-lattice is considered a gross mistake. It is nailed from the inside over the entire roof area.
• Laying a waterproofing film or diffuse membrane. The fastening should not be tight; it is better to let the material sag a little. The sheets are overlapped (15-25cm) and secured with tape or foil. A gap of 20 to 50 cm is required between the membrane and the sheathing.
• Installation of insulation. The methods are different, depending on the type of material and the location of the rafters. Roll material can be attached with a slight overlap and fixed with tape or a stapler. Sheet insulation for finishing the roof and walls is laid closely, taking into account slight shrinkage in the future. The connection is made as close as possible, the seams are treated with tape. You can use screws and nails for very dense materials.

It is important to fit well in the corners of the gable and on such difficult areas, like a ridge, valley, overhangs. To do this, small parts of the material are used, separated by hand.

Particular attention is paid to the contour of the windows. The room will remain cold if warm air escapes through the cracks near the window.

The sequence is as follows: insulation of the roof, ceilings, pediment, partitions, walls. The floor can be insulated both before and after.

Floor insulation is more variable, since it is less affected by precipitation, winds and frost.

This can be dry backfill, sawdust, or mineral wool:

• Installation of vapor barrier. It is laid overlapping, like a membrane, and fixed in different ways. As a rule, there is a line on the material marking the width of the junction of two sheets.
• Lathing if necessary.
• Decorative finishing.

Common mistakes

The correct thermal pie for roof insulation is installed in compliance with many nuances.

Non-professionals often make the same mistakes that affect the quality of attic insulation:

• lack of ventilation gap from the ceiling to the membrane. As a result, the insulation freezes and stops working;
• severe sagging of the membrane - this reduces the gap required for ventilation and leads to the formation of condensation;
• attempts to save on insulating materials, laying them without the necessary joints, as a result of which gaps are formed and heat escapes outside, warming the roof, not the room;

• compacting the material to such an extent that it warps and wrinkles, losing its properties;
• unlined cornices - this leads to the fact that precipitation has free access to the insulation and saturates it with moisture;
• lack of ventilation;
• absence of adhesive tape or tape at the joints of sheet material.

1. Use hard and dense materials or spraying. They are better fixed and do not deform in the process.
2. Increasing the distance between the attic ceiling and the top point of the ridge will create an “air cushion” and improve the quality of the warm circuit.
3. It is better to leave a gap for ventilation not only between the sheathing and the membrane, but also between the membrane and the insulation.

An attic is an under-roof space used as a living space or for household needs. The first architect to use the attic for such purposes was F. Mansara, and it is from his name that the name of the attic comes from. Today, the attic floor is an integral part of many new private houses being built in the European part of our country. Also, often in houses that are already in use, an unused attic is converted into an attic. This technique allows you to significantly expand the usable area of ​​the house.

But in order for all this beauty to please you for many years, and at the same time save energy, you need to approach some very carefully. design features during the construction of an attic. One of the disadvantages of attics is the very complex and demanding technology of their thermal insulation.

In this article we will talk about how you can quickly and efficiently insulate an attic with a 30-year guarantee!!!

When using the attic in winter time Many problems may arise related to its poor quality or insufficient insulation. The basis for such problems lies in the attic design itself, because most of the enclosing structures are a pitched roof, and in any house this is the weakest point in terms of insulation requirements. Warm air, saturated with moisture vapor, tends upward and it is there that it should meet maximum resistance, which means insulation should be as effective as possible.

Not simple task– choose insulation for the attic, because this insulation should be as efficient as possible, not afraid of moisture and be a relatively light material.

Design modern attics usually looks like this:

Roofing material (metal tiles, soft roof or clay tiles);

The air gap formed by the counter-lattice (at least 50mm);

Wind-, waterproofing film;

Lathing;

Rafter structure (supporting structure);

Insulation is installed inside the rafters;

Vapor barrier film to protect the insulation from moisture from the inside;

Interior decoration.

In general, the design is very cold, because there's nothing in it brick walls, no folded timber, but only metal or solid plywood and insulation, and it is the insulation that performs the functions of enclosing wall structures. Please note that the thickness of the insulation, as a rule, cannot exceed 150 - 200 mm, because This is the depth of the rafter structure.

In standard projects, mineral insulation or expanded polystyrene (foam plastic) are used as insulation.

These insulation materials are not very suitable for insulating the attic, and here's why:

Each of these insulation is sheet, which means movement between individual sheets is possible;

To install these insulation it is necessary to install suspended structure which will hold the insulation between the rafters;

These insulation materials require high-quality vapor barrier;

Mineral wool begins to decompose and microorganisms (fungus and mold) grow in them, therefore the rafter structure begins to rot;

T.K. Mineral insulation absorbs and retains water; they constantly add weight, increasing the load on supporting structures.

Agree that quality Russian construction leaves much to be desired, so you should not rely on the human factor and think that it is possible to make a high-quality vapor barrier using vapor barrier film and a stapler.

Our company offers modern method insulation of attics using a polymer, highly efficient and very technologically advanced material.

Advantages of polyurethane foam when insulating attics:

You can spray any required thickness insulation layer in multiples of 10mm;

Polyurethane foam is applied directly to the insulated surface, which eliminates the presence of cold bridges (fastener elements);

It has high adhesion(1-2 kg/cm2) to all building materials and does not require surface preparation other than dust removal;

Polyurethane foam is durable and retains its physical properties for decades;

Environmentally friendly and does not cause allergic reactions;

Has additional soundproofing and waterproofing properties;

The spraying method allows you to apply polyurethane foam to the surface of any configuration and shape, which is especially important when insulating attic floors;

Very high speed carrying out the work - insulating an average attic takes 1-2 days;

Polyurethane foam is not eaten by rodents and bacteria do not grow in it, which guarantees a good microclimate in the room;

The low density (25-45 kg/m3) of the material makes it possible not to create additional loads on the load-bearing structures of the attic;

Polyurethane foam (PPU) - environmentally friendly and absolutely safe material, not highlighting in environment harmful substances. Its structure consists of many tiny bubbles filled with air. PPU contains 98% closed pores, which makes this material and insulation and waterproofing and vapor barrier.

Polyurethane foam does not absorb water and is a vapor-proof material, therefore there is no need to install additional vapor and waterproofing layers. At the same time, there are open-cell types of polyurethane foam that allow steam to pass through and are a “breathable” material, which allows you to choose required material, based on the design of the attic and the requirements.

PPU is characterized by the lowest thermal conductivity coefficient of all those presented on the world market, so the thickness of such insulation can be several times less than that of other materials. Its use makes it possible to increase the usable area of ​​the attic.

Another advantage of polyurethane foam is the solidity of the layer, which is formed thanks to the method of spraying polyurethane foam onto any surface. Polyurethane foam adheres to almost any building materials except polyethylene.

Insulating the attic with polyurethane foam significantly reduces the level of external noise, prevents the accumulation of snow and the formation of icicles. During the hot season, the temperature inside the premises does not increase, since the polyurethane foam prevents the air from heating up from the heated metal. On the contrary, in winter the heat inside the house is retained long time, thereby reducing the cost of heating it.

Such insulation made it possible to achieve the standardized value of heat transfer resistance of the attic enclosing structures in accordance with SNIP 02/23/2003, and to obtain excellent indicators for sound insulation of the attic room.

Not long ago a unique method appeared thermal imaging control, which is based on a device - a thermal imager that sees heat leaks in the infrared spectrum.

Below are the roofs of houses that have poor thermal insulation, which causes the snow on the roof to melt and icicles to form.

And this is what houses with good thermal insulation in the attic or roof look like. The snow does not lie on the roof in a thick, even layer, snow does not melt and icicles do not form.

This device allows us to proudly say that attic insulation using polyurethane foam spraying is the most effective method insulation for today!

By choosing energy-saving polyurethane foam, you get your money back!

Having spent once on comprehensive insulation, you save all heating season. Heating costs are reduced by more than TWO times, so in two to three years the cost of insulation work is fully covered due to a significant reduction in current heating costs.

Our mission is to rid you once and for all of freezing walls and cold bridges.

An attic is a comfortable attic, which is often used as a living room or additional technical space. It differs in that it requires enhanced thermal insulation, since it has large area contact with cold atmospheric environment.

Depending on the purpose of using the attic, insulation materials are chosen that differ in the degree of thermal conductivity, density, and flammability. Let's figure out how best to insulate the attic so that it turns from a cold attic into a room suitable for living or storing things.

No matter how large the room is, there is always a need for one more room - a guest bedroom, a playroom, a gym, or just a convenient storage room.

By regulatory documentation, the attic is a room formed by the facade and roofing sheeting. According to sanitary standards, the distance from the floor to the line of intersection of the wall with the roof should be at least 1.5 m, and to the ceiling - 2.5 m. In this case, the area with a “high” ceiling (2.5 m or more) should occupy 50% of the total area attics.

It is obvious that in private housing construction there are deviations from the standards. For example, the configuration of the attic space can be influenced by factors such as the shape and size of the roof: houses with a high roof have higher attic ceilings, but the floor area is narrower.

However, with all the advantages of an additional comfortable room, there are nuances that increase the cost of construction and finishing work:

• window installation;
• hydro- and thermal insulation.

The last point is also important because literally everything will have to be insulated: the floor, gables, walls, often consisting of two parts - the facade and the roof. At the same time, the same requirements apply to thermal insulation materials as to insulation for residential premises. In addition to suitable technical characteristics they must be absolutely safe.

An example of how the shape and height of the roof can affect the size of the attic - therefore, the features of the under-roof space must be taken into account when planning the living space

Review of thermal insulation materials for roofing

Today on the market you can find everything: from long-proven glass wool to natural and foil materials, which are still less commonly used in practice. Let's consider the best way to insulate the walls and floor of the attic from the inside so that the attic space becomes warm and does not have to be repaired in the near future.

Option #1 – glass wool

Glass wool has gained popularity due to its low cost, so if you want to save on thermal insulation, you can use rolled mats or slabs that are more convenient for installation. The raw materials for production are specially purified quartz sand and glass industry waste.

In addition to affordable cost and light weight, the material has the following advantages:

• elasticity, which allows you to lay slabs or mats with a tight fit to each other and to the rafters;
• flexibility, useful for insulating complex roof areas;
• unattractiveness to rodents, which is explained by the lack of natural materials in the composition.

However, there are also plenty of shortcomings. For example, these include high hygroscopicity, which requires the use of vapor barrier on the inside and ventilation to evaporate moisture on the outside.

Due to its fragility, fiberglass breaks down, and its smallest particles of dust spread in the air, creating hazardous environment for good health. In addition, dubious companies use formaldehyde as a binder in production, so it is better to use a more expensive but safe material.

Option #6 – sprayed polyurethane foam

Spraying foam thermal insulation on the inside of the roof is an excellent opportunity to create seamless, durable insulation without cold bridges and seams that require filling. One of the highest quality “sprayers” is polyurethane foam, which creates an effective thermal insulation layer.

Advantages of sprayed insulation:

• thermal conductivity coefficient – ​​0.03 W/m×°C and less;
• optional use of vapor barrier;
• good adhesion to various surfaces;
• lack of preliminary preparation;

The thin but dense layer created by hardened polyurethane foam is also excellent soundproofing protection, which is important for an attic used as a bedroom.

Each owner uses the space under the roof differently, depending on their goals. Some people set up a bedroom here, others - a spacious living room, others - a hall intended for playing table tennis or billiards. Some owners have quite successfully equipped a children's room in this area. And some are sure that the best option for this space - winter Garden. How many people, so many decisions. But everyone comes to the same conclusion: the view that opens from the windows of the top floor, definitely amazing.

Insulation installation diagram.

Who was the first to use the attic for residential purposes?

The load on the “attic” floor, compared to the floors below, is too small, so there is a minimum amount of load-bearing structures. This helps create the most spacious, even “airy” rooms. - This is a living space located in the attic space. It received this name after the name of the French architect F. Mansart. It was he who first began to use the attic for residential and commercial purposes.

Attic insulation

In order for the attic to turn into an attic, you will need to perform a certain set of fairly simple work. First you need to think about important question about how to make it so that the room gets daylight. Before equipping the attic, the owner needs to decide whether this space will be used beneficially in cold period time. If you need a warm attic, then you need to properly insulate the attic space.

We create a reliable protective screen

Since the attic, as a rule, has a fairly large total area for contact with the external environment, its heat loss, especially in winter months, are too large and represent somewhere around 20 - 25% of the heat loss of the entire building. The goal of a true owner will be to ensure that costly energy leakage is kept to a minimum. Achieving such an effect will become quite possible provided that the most reliable protective screen is created from quality material, intended for thermal insulation.

We withstand insulation technologies

However, no less an important condition Its achievement is its application in the most precise accordance with established insulation technologies. The warm screen will also perform a life-saving function for the attic in summer period in case of possible overheating.

Consequences of poor-quality insulation

• excessively high humidity inside the attic;
• icing of overhanging roof eaves;
• freezing of window junctions;
• constant occurrence of leaks and the formation of icicles.

Thermal insulation of the attic is extremely important and necessary construction process. In many ways, the durability and reliability of a given room depends on it, so the option of saving money spent on purchasing materials for insulation is completely inappropriate here.

Choosing the right insulation

The modern market for thermal insulation materials is rich and diverse. Attic construction will require, first of all, insulation materials with properties such as high environmental friendliness, fire safety, minimal hygroscopicity, and very high water resistance.

Wherein important point It is mandatory to have absolutely all of the above characteristics. The absence of any of the listed qualities in a given thermal insulation material, for example, not very good water resistance or not being highly hygroscopic, worsens it thermal resistance and, as a consequence, leads to a serious change not only in its dimensions, but also in a deterioration in its strength characteristics. All these shortcomings will manifest themselves in heat loss and a significant deterioration in living conditions.

What to remember when creating thermal protection for the attic?

Creating thermal protection attic, it is necessary to join the insulation boards as carefully as possible, always remembering that even the slightest gap will manifest itself and will serve as a source through which precious heat leaks out of the room. Remember that thermal insulation material is laid both under and above the rafters, and not just between them. A combined method is also possible. In this case, the slabs are mounted side by side between the rafters, as well as above (under) them in the sheathing of the attic itself.

We protect the insulation from water ingress

When installing insulation boards, there is a need to protect it from the possibility of water ingress and leaks, wind penetration and steam droplets that form inside the room. For this purpose, reliable water and wind protection, as well as vapor barrier (vapor barrier and waterproofing film, superdiffusion membrane ISOROC, etc.).

We insulate attic windows

Another important point to remember when constructing a roof is the need for ventilation. Speaking of, we need to remind you that special attention should be paid to the implementation of insulation skylights. It is especially important to ensure that the calculated thickness of the insulation is absolutely the same along the entire contour of the window opening, otherwise freezing is quite possible in those places where there will be a lower thickness of the insulation.

We insulate the gables of the attic

We do it using insulation in layered masonry located between the outer protective decorative layer finishing and load-bearing wall. In order to prevent possible accumulation of moisture in the insulation, it is recommended to use a vapor barrier.

We insulate the attic walls

If, in the construction of the walls of a given room, a system called a “ventilated facade” has been used, when there is a gap of approximately 40–150 mm between the insulation and the protective and decorative cladding, then in order to provide maximum protection for such thermal insulation from heat and moisture blowing out of the gap, As a rule, a waterproof membrane is used. It is not at all necessary to insulate if the roof of this room has been insulated, starting from the top and continuing to the very bottom. We produce only after the floor has been insulated.

Thermal insulation of walls is done as follows: on the back side of the racks, which are supports future wall, after 30 – 40 cm stuff wooden slats. It is on them that thermal insulation needs to be laid. Pre-cut insulation sheets the right size, placed very tightly between the supports. On top, the entire surface of the future wall is covered with a vapor barrier and hemmed with slats in the same way as the ceiling is decorated.

Pay attention to the joints

The attic vapor barrier can ensure maximum tightness, and its joints must be taped with tape. Ceiling insulation is usually carried out by laying the following layers: vapor barrier, insulation, hydrobarrier, floor, flooring. Such a “layer cake” will 100% prevent the exit warm air from the rooms below. Typically, either mineral wool or polystyrene foam is used as insulation.

We insulate the attic using mineral wool

If you decide to insulate the attic space using mineral wool, a better option would be to use mats made from mineral wool. They do not settle over time and keep their shape much better. Mineral wool needs to be laid in two layers.

We insulate the attic using polystyrene foam

Option, compared to using mineral wool, is a less desirable option. Definitely, foam retains heat well, but, in turn, it does not prevent mice from entering and appearing. However, the use of polystyrene foam is completely acceptable. It is advisable to lay the foam sheets in two layers. Therefore, it turns out that you need to purchase sheets 50 mm thick. And then they are laid between the rafters so that the joints belonging to the sheets of the first layer do not coincide with the joints of the sheets from the other layer.