What should be the thickness of the attic roof insulation? What density should the insulation be for an attic roof? which one is better to choose, density and safety

Heating in the attic without insulating its roof is the same as heating the air outside. An attic is a room equipped for living, which is located on the top floor of a house under a roof.

It is precisely because of the location of this room that it is more susceptible to the influence of temperatures than others and comes into contact with much more than the lower floors.

Roof insulation is the most important task when organizing an attic. Insulating the attic roof from the inside will protect it from moisture, freezing and heat loss.

In addition, insulating the roof significantly reduces the cost of heating your home.

If this room is not insulated or insulated poorly, then cold air is guaranteed to penetrate into the house.

Which insulation to choose for an attic roof, basic recommendations

The air inside a room always rises. And the inner covering of the roof can form condensation, and as a result, fungus and mold. An unprotected roof begins to rot, wet spots appear, not to mention high heat loss.

In winter, the main problem with an uninsulated roof is the appearance of icicles. It is to prevent these phenomena that thermal insulation is necessary.

Attics can be used using various thermal insulation materials. The most popular insulation materials are mineral wool, ecowool or fiberglass. You can also use other insulation materials, such as polystyrene foam.

• Experts recommend using lightweight materials as roof coverings in order to reduce the load. The best insulation for an attic roof is fiberglass.
• The thickness of the attic roof insulation should not be less than 15-20 cm.
• Ventilation of the roof space must be present. It should protect the roof from getting wet and moisture penetrating.

Of course, which best insulation for an attic roof to choose is up to the owner of the house to decide.

Methods for insulating the attic

There are two ways to insulate an attic roof:

1. Insulation from the inside - roof insulation work takes place inside the building.
2. Insulation from the outside - the insulation is installed on the street side.

The method of insulation from the inside is used during the initial construction or during reconstruction or re-roofing. This method is not very convenient, because it is very difficult to properly secure the thermal insulation from the bottom of the roof.

The second method allows for better installation of insulation, but it is not protected from precipitation and the influence of weather conditions.

Such insulation is carried out only in the warm season and most builders prefer it.

Insulation for the attic - which one to choose and what to pay attention to. The most popular roofing thermal insulation materials:

• glass wool;
• polyurethane foam;
• expanded polystyrene.

All these insulation materials have their own unique qualities and are used specifically for roof insulation. When using them to insulate a residential attic, you should definitely inquire about their environmental qualities.

After studying all the features, pros and cons, you can choose insulation for the attic. Which material to choose depends on the financial and other capabilities of the home owner.

It would be better to provide waterproofing between the roof and the insulation. The optimal solution would be to equip a ventilation gap on both sides of the waterproofing.

Also, you should not skimp on the quality of materials, so that after a while you do not have to re-cover the roof.

If mineral wool is used, then it is necessary to install the lathing, since this material itself is heavy.

At the initial stages of the insulation process, it is necessary to prepare the material and carry out the interior upholstery. Then a vapor barrier is made and after that the insulation is laid. Don't forget about waterproofing.

You should pay attention to both the technological characteristics of materials and their durability and environmental friendliness. The warmth and comfort in the house depends on the correctly selected thermal insulation materials, so before starting installation work, it is better to prepare and study this issue.

Of course, you should not skimp on materials, since the stingy pays twice.

It should be immediately noted that the windproof film in this case is fixed in exactly the same way as when insulating with materials in mats.

• Wet application of the material is carried out using special equipment that sprays material mixed with water and a special glue.

Ecowool is sprayed under pressure, so the material fills all the gaps and cracks, thus creating good heat and sound insulation.

After spraying, excess material is removed using a special roller and at the same time leveled.

Another installation option could be to fill closed wall or floor cavities with wet ecowool.

A vapor barrier film is first fixed and stretched on the walls from the inside, a hole is made in it, through which the space is filled with thermal insulation material - ecowool.

• The dry insulation method is excellent for laying ecowool on the attic floor. This method can be done manually or using the same equipment.

If insulation is done manually, the insulation is simply removed from the packaging and loosened. Then it is distributed between the floor beams and compacted. The thickness of the layer should be equal to the height of the floor beams.

However, it is better to install the insulation under pressure using special equipment.

Ecowool is covered with a vapor barrier film on top, and slats 20 ÷ 25 mm thick are placed on top of it on the beams - this lathing will create the necessary ventilation gap. After this, the floor covering is laid.

Video: “dry” method of application ecowool

Sputtering polyurethane foam

It is increasingly used for thermal insulation of buildings both inside and outside. It is especially popular for frame buildings and attics.

The only hitch in carrying out the work yourself may be complex equipment for spraying polyurethane foam, without which it will simply be impossible to do. There is an option to rent a device from a specialized company, but this will also be expensive, not to mention buying it. In addition, you need to learn how to configure it correctly and have at least basic skills in working with it.

Perhaps it will be easier and cheaper to invite a specialist who will do this work quickly and accurately. For small volumes, the process can be started and completed in one day.

Spraying can be carried out on any surface - smooth and rough, plywood, metal or even a dense vapor barrier film reinforced with rope weaving.

Sprayed polyurethane foam forms a seamless surface, while penetrating into all small and large gaps and sealing them hermetically.

PPU can be sprayed directly onto the inner surface of the roof and sewn on top with decorative material - this insulating layer will be sufficient if the building is located in a climate zone with mild or moderate winters.

Video: insulating the attic with sprayed polyurethane foam

So, each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Of course, the price of insulation, the complexity or availability of its installation play a big role, but still the issues of thermal insulation efficiency and safety should come to the fore, so you need to focus on the material that will create the most comfortable atmosphere in the attic room and, at the same time, bring minimum damage to the health of the residents of the house.

Find out detailed information from our new article.

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

Several different materials are used as insulation: mineral and glass wool, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, and other insulation materials. But not all of these materials are suitable for carrying out work on thermal insulation of an attic space for converting it into a real attic.

Requirements for materials for insulation

Materials used for attic insulation must have:

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

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

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Some characteristics of insulation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Insulation of the attic room

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

Coefficient Insulation thickness

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

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

City Thermal Insulation Thickness (mm):

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

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

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

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

To create comfortable conditions in the attic room, thermal insulation is needed. Then you need to insulate the roof and gables. A wide variety of materials can be used for these purposes. It is best to use mineral wool. It has excellent characteristics and is easy to install.

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

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

September 7, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction work (laying a foundation, erecting walls, constructing a roof, etc.). Internal construction work (laying internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communications, high technology, computer equipment, programming.

I recently started converting the attic in my client's house from junk storage into living space. And I wondered what is the best attic insulation to use in this case? After all, each of the heat insulators on the market has its own characteristics, which are better manifested in certain conditions.

Therefore, today I will tell you how to choose a thermal insulation material for the job. I think this information will be of considerable interest to everyone who is going to build a house and equip it with their own hands.

Features of choosing insulation for the attic

When arranging an attic, it is necessary to carry out insulation. Moreover, regardless of whether this room will be used in winter or not. Properly selected and installed thermal insulation material not only prevents unproductive heat loss, but also protects the room from heat, creating a microclimate inside that is comfortable for people to stay in.

In addition, the insulating pie makes it possible to protect and increase the service life of building structures - roofing material, rafters, sheathing, and so on.

After insulation, all parts will be protected from moisture and temperature fluctuations, which destroy the internal structure of the material. However, to achieve the benefits described above, you must use the right insulation material.

When considering the question of which insulation to choose for the attic, first of all, it is necessary to take into account the climatic conditions of the area where the dwelling is built. The characteristics of the material used depend on this – primarily its density and thickness.

In addition, it is important to pay attention to the design features of the walls, roof, gables, roof angles, shape of the room, etc. In some cases, the configuration of the attic is so complex that it will be very difficult to perform thermal insulation with sheet materials and you will have to choose more technologically advanced options.

When choosing the best insulation for an attic room, I would advise you to pay attention to several more important criteria, which are shown in the table below.

Characteristic	Description
Temperature resistance	Thermal insulation must maintain its technical characteristics and operational properties both in severe frost in winter and in hot summer. Consecutive cycles of defrosting and thawing should not reduce the thermal conductivity of the insulation and destroy its internal structure.
Hydrophobicity	The material must be waterproof or not accumulate water inside the insulating pie. Moisture not only reduces the performance properties of the heat insulator, but also destroys it, reducing its service life.
Fire safety	Preference should be given to those materials that do not ignite during a fire and do not support the spread of flame. As a last resort, you need to buy insulation materials that contain fire retardants, which contribute to the self-extinguishing of the insulating layer. Please note that some types of insulation, when ignited, emit toxic smoke, making it difficult for people to evacuate.
Saving dimensions	The insulating material must maintain its geometric dimensions throughout its entire service life. Otherwise, after installation, the thermal insulation will shrink, forming islands of cold that nullify all efforts to insulate the under-roof space.
Strength	If you are thinking about which insulation to choose for arranging a floor, then give preference to durable heat insulators that can withstand constant dynamic and static loads. Otherwise, you need to design a system with logs to protect the insulating pie.
Ease	It is better to purchase insulation that has minimal weight so that after installation it does not place a significant load on the structural elements of the roof, attic floor and load-bearing walls of the building.

Considering the above, I cannot say 100% which is the best insulation to use to insulate an attic. Therefore, I will describe the technical characteristics of the materials that are most acceptable, from my point of view, so that you can choose the option that suits you.

Specifications

There are many insulating materials, but for arranging a room under a roof, in my opinion, those indicated in the diagram below are most suitable:

Option 1 - Mineral wool

When talking about this type of insulation, I will have in mind one type of thermal insulation - basalt wool, since it has higher technical characteristics than glass wool and slag wool.

This heat insulator is made from a volcanic mineral - basalt. The raw material is melted in furnaces at high temperatures, after which it is formed into thin fibers, which are then glued together with resins.

Thanks to this, the material acquires increased strength and does not pose a danger to human health. However, these are not all the advantages that I personally value and thanks to which I most often use basalt wool in my work.

Other advantages are:

1. Low thermal conductivity. The fibers in basalt wool are spaced a certain distance apart, and the spaces between them are filled with air, which is known to be a poor conductor of thermal energy. The thermal conductivity coefficient of the material is 0.032-0.048 W/(m*K), so the thickness of mineral wool for effective insulation is no more than 10 cm.
   To convince you, I will resort to some comparison. A standard 10 cm layer of insulation with a density of 100 kg per cubic meter retains heat with the same efficiency as a 110 cm wall made of red brick or a 160 cm wall made of silicate blocks.

1. High vapor permeability. Insulating the attic with mineral wool from the inside in no way prevents air from penetrating through the roof structure. This is due to the fact that the material has an open cell structure filled with air.
   This is very important for residential premises, where a large amount of water vapor is formed as a result of human activity. Excess moisture will escape through the insulation layer, creating a comfortable microclimate for living in the attic. The vapor permeability of mineral wool is 0.3 mg/(m*h*Pa).
2. Minimal moisture absorption. The material has hydrophobic properties, so it does not lose its technical characteristics when water flows through the roof space. The basalt wool fibers themselves are absolutely waterproof, and the accumulation of moisture inside the insulating cake is prevented by hydrophobic additives in the adhesive resins.
   Research shows that in direct contact with liquid, high-quality basalt wool absorbs no more than 2% of the liquid from its own volume. However, I still recommend using waterproof membranes when constructing a roofing pie.

1. Fire safety. Cotton wool is made from a mineral of volcanic origin, so it does not ignite in a fire. According to the classification of building materials, the described insulation has the NG index (non-flammable). Basalt wool melts and loses its properties when the temperature exceeds 1100 degrees Celsius.
   Based on the above, basalt wool is like no other material suitable for arranging attics. In this case, the insulation layer will not only perform heat-insulating functions, but also serve as a fire barrier.
2. Mechanical strength. As I already said, the fibers of basalt wool in the insulation are located chaotically and many of them are oriented perpendicular to the insulating mats, which determines the ability of the material to withstand high compressive loads.
   When the insulation mats are deformed by 10%, it has a compressive strength ranging from 5 to 80 kPa (the exact value depends on the density of the material).
   Translated into simple language, this means that dense mineral mats can be used to insulate the attic floor under. At the same time, the integrity of the insulating layer is fully guaranteed throughout the entire service life.

1. Soundproofing properties. The open structure of the material ensures that the insulating layer absorbs sound waves very effectively. For an attic, this criterion is one of the most important, since the noise made by rain falling on a hard roof often causes discomfort for people living in the attic.
   Moreover, mineral wool has the ability to reverberate sound waves, therefore protecting not only the attic itself, but also the adjacent rooms from noise.
2. Environmental friendliness. Mineral fibers themselves are absolutely safe for humans, but formaldehyde resins used for gluing can become a source of emission of chemical compounds harmful to health. To avoid this, the material is subjected to secondary heat treatment, during which the phenol is neutralized. The final emission is much less than the safe level established by regulations, and is no more than 0.05 mg per square meter. meter of material per hour.
   Another advantage of basalt wool is that the mats themselves do not prick, do not cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in people prone to this.

1. Biological and chemical resistance. Mineral wool is absolutely neutral to aggressive biological environments. Mold and fungus do not develop in the thickness and on the surface of the insulation, the material is not prone to rotting, and is not damaged by rodents and insects.

In addition, basalt fiber tolerates chemicals well, so it can come into contact with construction solutions and is not damaged by acids dissolved in rainwater, which can leak under the roofing.

1. High price. There are more economical solutions that are not inferior in efficiency to the material described above.
2. Presence of seams. Mineral mats are joined to each other and to the rafters. As a result of a loose fit, cold bridges may form in these places.

Option 2 - Expanded polystyrene

I often used ordinary polystyrene foam, which is correctly called polystyrene foam, to insulate attics, although with some reservations. And the point here is not only in cost (and the price of polystyrene foam is really the lowest among alternative materials), but in a large number of other advantages.

I'll tell you about the most important of them:

1. Low thermal conductivity. As with mineral wool, polystyrene foam does not conduct heat well due to the air contained inside. However, here the gas is enclosed in small closed cells glued together. Moreover, the polymer occupies only 2% of the total volume of insulation, and the rest is filled with air. Considering that the latter is devoid of convection, this has a positive effect on the heat-retaining properties.
   The thermal conductivity coefficient of expanded polystyrene is lower than that of mineral wool and ranges from 0.028-0.034 W/(m*K). However, the exact answer to the question of what layer is needed to insulate attic walls depends on the density of the selected material. In most cases, 5-10 cm is enough.
2. Classic construction foam does not allow air to pass through due to its hermetically sealed structure. To equip the attic, you can use extruded polystyrene foam, which transmits from 0.015 to 0.019 mg/(m*h*Pa).
   And if we talk about water absorption, then the opposite is true. Simple polystyrene foam can absorb up to 4% of liquid from its own volume, and extruded polystyrene foam - no more than 0.5%.

1. Good strength. Both regular and extruded polystyrene foam tolerate mechanical loads well. But if you are going to insulate the attic floor using a reinforced concrete slab, then buy EPS. If ordinary foam plastic can withstand a bending load of 0.02 to 0.2 kg per square centimeter, then for extruded foam this figure is 0.4-1 kg.
2. Chemical cost. The good thing about polystyrene foam is that it does not react in any way to household detergents, alkaline solutions and mineral fertilizers. In addition, it can be coated with bitumen resins, cement mortars and similar materials.
   However, polystyrene foam disintegrates upon contact with acetone, turpentine, varnishes, drying oil and petroleum products. In addition, it is not recommended to expose polystyrene foam to direct ultraviolet rays, so the insulating layer in the attic must always be protected with external decorative materials.

1. Sound absorption. Expanded polystyrene does not absorb sound well. However, if you lay it in a layer of 10 cm, it copes with the absorption of noise during rain. But if necessary, polystyrene foam must be combined with effective sound insulators in order to completely damp out noise from outside.
2. Antiseptic. Manufacturers of expanded polystyrene have conducted scientific studies that have proven that the development of any living organisms on the surface of this insulation is impossible. Therefore, using polystyrene foam to insulate the attic, you can be 100% sure that mold and mildew will not appear in the insulating layer.
   Rodents are a different matter. Although they do not feed on polystyrene foam granules, they still like to build passages and nests in the thermal insulation layer. Damaged foam loses its heat-retaining properties. If your house is located on a remote summer cottage, full of mice, it is better to give preference to basalt wool, which is too tough for them.

1. Flammability. Polystyrene foam, as you probably know, belongs to the category of the most flammable insulating materials (G3 and G4). In addition, the material is highly flammable and contributes to an increase in the source of fire, while emitting toxic smoke that is harmful to human health.
   To insulate the attic, it is necessary to use only such polystyrene foam, in the production of which substances - fire retardants - are added to the composition of the raw materials. They will not protect the foam from fire, but will limit the spread of fire and make it possible to evacuate people from the attic floor.
2. Lifetime. The service life of the insulation provided by the manufacturer is 30 years. However, such results can be achieved if the installation and operation technology of expanded polystyrene is strictly followed.
   The most important thing is to choose the right thickness of the insulating layer during the insulation process. For central Russia, it is enough to install a sheet of polystyrene foam 10 cm thick or two sheets of 5 cm each. If you use thinner foam, the effectiveness of thermal insulation will be low; if it is too thick, the insulating cake will collapse as a result of exposure to some external factors.

1. Environmental friendliness. In the production of polystyrene foam, gases that are harmful to the environment are not used. However, during operation the insulation begins to oxidize. Moreover, this process takes place faster in classic polystyrene foam compared to EPS.
   The oxidation process begins when the surface is heated above 30 degrees Celsius. This releases toluene, formaldehyde, methyl alcohol, acetophenone and many other dangerous substances. Therefore, when using polystyrene foam to insulate attics, it is necessary to provide ventilation gaps to help cool the material.

As you can see, expanded polystyrene - regular and extruded - can be used to insulate the attic, albeit with some reservations. However, the latter are entirely justified by the savings in money.

If the economic factor does not matter to you, I recommend paying attention to sprayed insulation, which I will discuss below.

Option 3 - Polyurethane foam

This insulation belongs to the category of sprayed heat insulators. It is made from polymer raw materials, which foam as a result of a special chemical reaction and, after hardening, form a porous insulating layer of closed cells filled with carbon dioxide.

To insulate attics, you can use two types of insulation:

1. Two-component. It is formed by mixing polyol (component A) and polyisocyanate (component B) in a special device, followed by spraying the mixture onto insulated structures using a gun connected to a compressor. This composition is used to insulate large surfaces.
2. One-component. Supplied in metal cans with a capacity of 1 liter, completely ready for use. Spraying occurs using a gun on which the container is placed. Such insulation (for example, Polinor) is used to treat small, hard-to-reach areas of the attic and is often combined with other insulation materials.

Two-component polyurethane foam comes in different densities and structures. For internal work on insulating the under-roof space, I recommend using the Ecotermix 600 composition with an open cell structure and a density after hardening of 9 to 12 kg per cubic meter.

Due to its porosity, the material has a low thermal conductivity coefficient and effectively protects the room from unproductive heat loss.

Now I’ll tell you about the specific technical characteristics of sprayed polyurethane.

1. Low thermal conductivity. Carbon dioxide is as poor a conductor of thermal energy as atmospheric air. Therefore, in terms of thermal conductivity, this insulation is not inferior to the alternatives described above.
   The exact value of λ is 0.023 W/(m*K) for a material with a density of 32 kg per cubic meter. I usually spray polyurethane foam so that its surface, after hardening, is at the same level as the lower edge of the rafters. That is, the insulation layer is 100-150 mm.

1. Moisture absorption and air infiltration. The material does not absorb water, so there is no need to take additional measures to protect it from moisture. In addition, it well protects insulated structures from exposure. This property is used to insulate metal parts and pipes, which are simultaneously protected from corrosion.
   As for vapor permeability, it all depends on the structure of the cells. The material for outdoor use has closed pores and is therefore not classified as “breathable”.
   And the attic can be insulated with an open-cell heat insulator, which allows you to remove excess moisture from the wooden rafters and regulate the level of water vapor in the air.
2. Good strength. After hardening, polyurethane foam has sufficient compressive strength. Therefore, the insulation layer can not only be covered with sheet materials such as plywood or drywall, but also plastered with a thin layer of cement mortar.
   What also attracts me personally is the ability of polyurethane foam to further strengthen the roof truss structure itself, strengthening the enclosing walls of the attic and without placing a large load on other structural elements.

1. Chemical resistance. The insulation tolerates contact well with alkali-containing building materials, as well as acids dissolved in rainwater. What you should be wary of is contact with petroleum distillates, which melt the foam.
   Another important point is UV protection. Polyurethane foam disintegrates when exposed to sunlight, so it must be carefully protected from them.
2. Sound absorption. According to this indicator, the foam is more reminiscent of polystyrene foam than mineral wool. It protects the room well from impact noise created by raindrops falling on metal tiles or profiled sheets. But polyurethane foam cannot be used as an independent sound insulator.
   Sprayed insulation with an open cell structure absorbs airborne noise better, so use it.

1. Antiseptic. The presence of polymers in the spray foam and zero water absorption means that microorganisms cannot develop on the surface and in the thickness of the insulating layer, so additional antiseptic treatment of the insulating layer is not required.
   The same applies to insects and rodents. Mice don't like foam, so you don't have to worry about such an unpleasant neighborhood.
2. Flammability. The material, due to the presence of fire retardants in component A, belongs to categories G2 and G3. Although the insulation is flammable, it does not contribute to the spread of an open flame.
   In addition, the material has the ability to self-extinguish, since when melted, carbon dioxide is released from the cells, reducing the oxygen concentration at the site of fire.

1. Lifetime. Research shows that polyurethane foam is guaranteed to retain all technical characteristics and performance properties for at least 50 years.
   And if the installation technology is followed, the insulating layer will last as long as the rafter structure of the enclosing walls of the attic itself.
2. Environmental friendliness. The level of emission of harmful chemicals after application and hardening of polyurethane foam does not exceed the values ​​​​set by regulatory documents .

Despite the high cost of not only the material, but also the installation services, polyurethane foam is often used for thermal insulation of attics, as it has many positive properties:

1. High adhesion to any surfaces. When sprayed from a mounting gun, polyurethane foam adheres to any surface, regardless of their porosity, roughness, temperature, slope, and so on. Therefore, foam can be sprayed directly onto the roof rafter system, without the use of additional fasteners.
2. Simplicity and speed of application. Thanks to the installation procedure mentioned above, the time required to process the room is minimized. Typically, it is possible to insulate a medium (and even large) attic within one working day. But for this you need to have the necessary equipment, the purchase or rental of which is quite expensive.
3. Multifunctionality. The material not only plays the role of an effective heat insulator, but also protects the attic rafter system from the destructive effects of moisture and cold.

But, as in all other cases, only you will have to decide whether to use polyurethane foam. Although I personally see no reason to abandon the described insulation technology.

Summary

Now you know about all the technical characteristics of popular materials and can make an informed choice yourself. The video in this article, presented below, tells how to insulate an attic from the inside with your own hands using mineral wool.

What insulation did you choose? You can post your answers in the comments to the material.

• Date: 08-01-2015
• Views: 691
• Comments:
• Rating: 57

• Some characteristics of insulation
• Insulation of the attic room

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

Several different materials are used as insulation: mineral and glass wool, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, and other insulation materials. But not all of these materials are suitable for carrying out work on thermal insulation of an attic space for converting it into a real attic.

Requirements for materials for insulation

Materials used for attic insulation must have:

Table of comparative characteristics of insulation materials.

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

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

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

Stages of attic roof insulation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ecowool attic insulation scheme.

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

Coefficient Insulation thickness

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

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

City Thermal Insulation Thickness (mm):

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

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

http://youtu.be/_XLdgPEloHg

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

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

http://youtu.be/BtxWZViuuHk

To create comfortable conditions in the attic room, thermal insulation is needed. Then you need to insulate the roof and gables. A wide variety of materials can be used for these purposes. It is best to use mineral wool. It has excellent characteristics and is easy to install.

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

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

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Insulation for attic roof

The operation of attic spaces directly depends on the quality of their construction. Their peculiarity is that they do not have thick walls; their functions are performed by the roof slopes. Therefore, temperature changes are felt in them more than in the whole house - they cool and heat up faster.

The situation can be improved by installing an insulating layer. If done correctly and with high quality, there are no sudden changes in temperature during the day and across seasons. Thus, the thermal insulation layer makes it possible to make the microclimate of the attic room favorable, equalizing the temperature in it.

When insulating an attic roof, they resort to the same principles as when insulating conventional roofs.

Thermal insulation diagram of the attic roof from the inside

The technology for insulating an attic roof involves creating a kind of multi-layer cake, each layer of which performs a specific function and complements the functional characteristics of the other layers.

The attic cake, when moving from inside the room to the outside, has the following structure:

The sequence of layers, as well as their presence, should not be disturbed. The most significant influence on comfortable living in the attic floor is the influence of the ventilation gap and thermal insulation. There are special requirements for their quality.

Features of attic roof ventilation

High-quality roof ventilation system equipment will allow you to effectively resist the worst enemy of any structure - condensation. Construction errors result in both material costs for their elimination and damage to the health of the nervous system.

There are two ways for moisture to enter the house:

With the first one everything is more or less clear. The second is associated with vapors generated as a result of life activities. Microscopic particles of moisture lead to the destruction of metal fasteners and insulation, rotting of the rafter system and, ultimately, the destruction of the house.

To avoid negative consequences, various condensate moisture removal systems are created. The most optimal and effective is a combination of several methods.

Increased requirements for ventilation characteristics are imposed on attic (attic) rooms, as well as houses covered with soft roofing.

The mechanism of condensation formation is based on the gradient (difference) between external and internal temperatures. To reduce it, it is necessary to create free air space that ensures unhindered air movement.

However, such spaces cannot always be created. Therefore, a ventilation and evaporation removal system is designed for attic roofs. It is located in the attic pie - a ventilation gap.

Choice of insulation

Which insulation to choose and buy? The most important component of an attic cake is the thermal insulation layer. It is its quality that will determine the functionality of the room.

The type of insulation depends on the needs of the structure, which in turn are determined by several factors:

They need to be taken into account when choosing insulation. Thus, thin insulation is not suitable for areas with low temperatures, but for warm regions it is acceptable. As a rule, to insulate attics, they resort to roll or slab insulation and practically do not use backfill.

What kind of insulation should it be?

Attic insulation must meet the following criteria:

• the material being used should not be susceptible to crushing or cracking. Its general properties should not change even in severe frosts, and should also remain unchanged after going through a full freeze-thaw cycle;
• The accumulation of moisture in the thermal insulation material is unacceptable. Otherwise, its insulating properties are reduced, the weight increases and the load on the entire roofing structure increases;
• the material must have low flammability. Despite the fact that such materials are practically not flammable, they are capable of melting under the influence of high temperatures or open fire. In this case, an important property of the insulating material is the absence of toxic substances in its composition. It must contain fire retardants - substances that slow down the spread of flame;
• maintaining the original shape throughout the entire operational period. This property is influenced by resistance to the formation of cracks, cavities and other defects.

Types of insulation for attics: making the right choice

The modern construction market is saturated with a variety of insulation materials.

Along with traditional ones, it also contains innovative thermal insulators:

• mineral wool;
• polystyrene foam boards;
• liquid polyurethane;
• ecowool, etc.

Each of them has its own advantages. In order to correctly decide on the insulation, you need to get acquainted with its operational characteristics, talk with construction specialists, i.e. get as much information as possible.

The desire for environmental friendliness is making ecowool, which is a product of cellulose processing with the addition of antiseptics and fire retardants, increasingly popular. Its low cost is also attractive.

How to properly lay and protect insulation from moisture?

Regardless of the type of roof, the insulation must be laid equally in the space between the rafters. When laying, it is not allowed to create a gap between the insulation and the rafters. Thermal insulation should be equal to 1/3 of the thickness of the rafter system.

When using thin insulation, multi-layer installation is allowed. The insulation is fastened with staples. To protect thermal insulation from moisture, a vapor barrier is used.

It can be:

• film with mesh;
• polyethylene film;
• perforated film;
• fabric film.

If the attic is damp, it is better to use foil films.

• Use thermal insulation of the required density that retains its shape well.
• Solid insulation materials should not be used, as they do not provide tight joints. In these cases, polyurethane foam is not a solution.
• The use of waterproofing is mandatory.
• Prevention of the appearance of cold bridges is ensured by shifting the slabs by ½ length.
• Crevices should be avoided.
• Opt for the thickest insulation. So, if you need to fill 200 mm of insulation, you should use two 100 mm slabs, but not 4 50 mm slabs.
• Follow the manufacturers' recommendations when performing installation work.

How to insulate with mineral wool?

Insulation with mineral or basalt wool is carried out in several stages:

• cleaning surfaces from debris and dirt;
• installation of guide profiles. It is mounted at a height of 60 cm;
• special mineral glue; fastening of slabs with construction fungi or dowels;
• reinforcement of fixed slabs using special glue.

Insulation installation technology

Roof insulation begins with planning and performing preparatory work:

• window installation;
• conducting communications;
• internal insulation of the roof structure.

The right step is to plan the work, allowing you to highlight the main stages and sequence of installation, as well as purchasing the required amount of building materials. The next action is carried out if necessary and consists of eliminating roofing defects.

• creating a waterproofing layer. If traditional membrane materials are used, a ventilation gap must be created. The bars are attached to the top of the rafters;
• laying insulating material in the space between the rafters;
• Fastening the waterproofing can be done using nails or staples.

When insulating with mineral wool blocks, they are positioned in such a way that the length of the block is 2 - 3 cm greater than the rafter distance.

Soundproofing

The attic space can be divided by partitions into several rooms. In addition to all other work, soundproofing measures must be carried out to make these rooms comfortable for living.

Sound insulation of the under-roof space is provided by thermal insulation materials, since, along with heat, they also have sound insulation properties. The technical characteristics of each of these materials also contain sound insulation indicators.

As the thickness of the insulator increases, the quality of sound absorption increases. Thus, the use of 200 mm mineral wool insulation allows high-quality noise insulation. You should not use materials with a sound absorption coefficient less than 0.6. This is, for example, polystyrene foam.

Window

Windows, vertical or inclined, installed in the roof slope are called mansard. They provide a large amount of light and fresh air into the room. Modern windows for under-roof rooms are characterized by high levels of thermal insulation and sound absorption. They can be remote or electronically controlled.

Ventilation system

The roof ventilation system ensures the removal of excess moisture from the entire roof structure. Thanks to the counter-lattice, a ventilation gap is created that ensures air circulation.

In cases where the system is installed correctly, the ventilation ducts ensure the unimpeded exit of moist air to the outside through the ventilation ridge or aerators.

The arrangement of the ventilation system involves air inflow either through a gutter or near the eaves, the outflow of air should occur in the area of ​​​​the highest point of the roof.

When creating this system, it is impossible to do without additional capital investments, but they are justified and will quickly pay for themselves, ensuring efficient removal of condensate.

Attic vapor barrier

To protect the thermal insulation layer, special vapor barrier materials, which are films, are used.

It is applied to the inside of the insulation (a 10 cm overlap is required in both the horizontal and vertical directions). All joints are sealed using connecting tape.

The vapor barrier is also attached to the rafter system. A prerequisite for laying this layer is to create a small gap using slats.

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The thickness of the attic insulation depending on the choice of material

The arrangement of attic rooms in private houses and cottages involves increasing the living space with a minimum of financial investments and costs of materials. Since the additional upper floor is intended for further use, the logical action would be to carry out measures to insulate it.

Warming “pie”

Experts use various types of insulation depending on the design of the building, the climatic conditions of the location of the building, and the financial capabilities of the owner. However, the layer-by-layer arrangement of materials necessary for insulating an attic looks approximately the same (see How to properly insulate an attic):

• outer covering;
• counter-lattice;
• waterproofing layer;
• insulation;
• vapor barrier with fixative;
• decorative coating.

Depending on what is supposed to be insulated: roof, walls, floor, the diagram may change slightly, but the principle of constructing the “pie” will be approximately the same.

Note!

When choosing insulation, you must independently or with the involvement of professionals make the optimal calculation for the amount of materials required. This will help to avoid a significant reduction in the height or linear parameters of the room due to the thickness of the “pie” layers.

Mineral wool

Using mineral wool will perfectly protect the room not only from cold or excessive heat, but also from noise. However, the disadvantage of the material is its high hygroscopicity, which necessitates the use of a waterproofing layer to increase moisture resistance.

When creating a thermal insulation layer for the roof, the thickness of the insulation for the attic can vary in the range of 15 - 20 - 25 cm, which depends on the structural features of the rafter system. In order for the mineral wool to fill the required space, the width of the canvas should be 2 cm larger.

Thanks to the use of thermal insulation, sufficient conservation of comfortable heat, breathability, and eco-cleanliness of the internal layers without the development of fungus, mold, and microbes will be ensured in the attic.

Extruded polystyrene foam (EP)

Builders consider the use of extruded polystyrene foam to be one of the most profitable materials both in terms of costs and in preventing heat loss.

Before using EP, you should check the treatment of the construction product with substances that increase fire resistance, or ensure their presence in the constituent components.

EP is easy to install and follows the same installation steps as mineral wool. When determining how thick the penoplex should be, it is necessary to know the parameters of the space to be filled in order to take into account the location of the material.

The fact is that to insulate the roof or walls of an attic room, a thickness of 7 - 10 cm will be sufficient. After laying and securing the polystyrene foam sheets and carrying out the interior finishing, we can confidently say that the heat on the upper floor will be fully retained .

If EP is intended to be used in regions with low temperatures, then for greater confidence in thermal insulation, experienced experts recommend laying two layers. Such actions will pay off in energy costs for heating not only the attic, but also the rooms whose ceilings serve as the floor of the upper room.

Styrofoam

If you decide to use foam plastic for thermal protection of the roof, then the thickness of the attic insulation will not exceed 10 - 15 cm. Such parameters will not create problems with a significant reduction in usable space.

Discussions regarding polystyrene foam as a thermal insulation material do not subside among builders, which is due to its special characteristics (see What is better, foam plastic or penoplex?).

Among the positive properties are:

• tightness of the slabs,
• no delaminations,
• maintaining thickness due to the fact that the material does not sag;
• good sound insulation;
• low price;
• lightness, due to which the pressure on the structure is insignificant.

The negative aspects of choosing polystyrene foam for attic insulation include its weak vapor permeability and low thermal conductivity.

Basalt insulation

Basalt insulation is characterized by the following features:

• resistance to mechanical deformation,
• sound insulation,
• hydrophobicity,
• energy saving,
• non-flammability,
• durability.

When calculating the optimal thickness, it is necessary to take into account all its characteristics in order to select a layer sufficient for insulation. Typically, for any of the Russian regions, the best thickness is considered to be 150 - 200 mm. For areas with severe frosts, a two-layer laying of basalt slabs will be required.

Is it worth insulating the attic?

The question is relevant, since the cost of any of the above or other insulation materials cannot be called low, the costs will definitely be there. But if the owners of the house have a desire to create another living space while simultaneously insulating the roof (there is no way around this point), and also spend time in a cozy and warm space, then it is better to insulate the attic. After determining how thick the insulation layer should be, all that remains is to purchase the selected material and begin to carefully carry out the work.

Successful and economical solutions for preserving heat in the attic!