The basement of a house can be used or unused, warm or cold. A heated basement usually does not create problems for residents. Cold is drawn into the house from the unheated room. How to insulate a floor above a cold basement?

Methods for insulating the floor above the basement

There are two ways: treat the basement with heat-insulating material and insulate the ceiling on the side of the house. In the first case, the choice of insulation is small: either sheet/plate materials, which are fixed with mushroom-type dowel-nails, or spraying liquid polyurethane foam.

When insulating the ceiling from above, various bulk substances are also used.

In addition to installing thermal insulation in the house, you can install a “warm floor” system, water or electric. The design of a heated floor pie also includes waterproofing and insulation - otherwise, most of the heat from the cable or pipes will go into the basement.

What material can be used to insulate the floor?

Here is a list of materials that can be used to insulate the floor above an unheated basement on the side of the house:

1. On a flat base, the insulation boards are laid out end-to-end on the floor and connected to each other with tape.

2. When laying on wooden joists, the slabs are placed between the joists face to face; fixation is not necessary.

3. When pouring the screed, another layer of waterproofing is laid on top.

During the construction of a house, care should be taken to arrange not only the living space, but also the basement. For example, high-quality thermal insulation of the basement is carried out in order to avoid heat loss, as well as to protect a private house from the destructive effects of groundwater.

This article will discuss how to insulate a floor in a basement, what tools and materials will be needed for this.

Selection of materials for floor insulation

Currently, there is a huge variety of materials and systems that are optimally suited for thermal insulation of a basement floor. Here are some of them:

Warm floor system.

The electrical system is a conventional heating cable, in which the transformation takes place electrical energy to thermal. If you use water system, a coolant is used here, which, when heated, releases heat to the entire room.

Expanded clay.

A concrete screed is made, but it cannot protect the basement from the penetration of cold, so a layer of expanded clay is poured on top. The layer thickness must be at least 10 cm. This material It is widely used for thermal insulation of floors due to the fact that it prevents the penetration of moisture and cold.

Polystyrene.

This is a highly effective thermoplastic plastic that is resistant to temperature changes and protects the room from heat loss, which is important for the basement.

Each of these materials has its own characteristics and device features. Next, the technology of insulating the floor in the basement using expanded clay will be discussed in detail.

Materials and tools

For work you will need following materials and tools:

• expanded clay;
• hydro insulating material;
• wooden logs;
• bitumen mastic;
• screwdriver, level, hacksaw.

Technologies

Preparatory stage. First you need to clear the basement extra items, things and unnecessary garbage. All this will interfere with your repairs and insulation of the floor in this room. You should also make sure that the floor surface does not contain visible defects (protrusions, potholes). If such defects exist, they must be removed, removed using a hammer or knife.

Don’t forget to prepare expanded clay, which not only helps to insulate the surface, but also significantly reduces the noise level in the room. The process of thermal insulation using expanded clay is quite easy job which you can do yourself.

Laying thermal insulation. A layer of vapor barrier is placed on the floor surface of soil or concrete. The material is installed exclusively with an overlap; it should not contain any defects in the form of cracks, holes, etc. The final result and quality of thermal insulation will largely depend on this.

Note! Thermal insulation material must perform two main functions: protect the floor from moisture penetration, and also be resistant to loads.

The material should not be deformed under the influence of soil. Its thermal insulation properties are ideally maintained for many decades to come.

Next, wooden logs are used, which are laid at a distance of half a meter from each other, leveled using building level and secured with self-tapping screws. After installation wooden beams completed, you need to proceed directly to insulating the floor with expanded clay.

The material is poured between the logs, then leveled well, using the logs as beacons. It is recommended to use not pure expanded clay, but a material that is mixed with a certain amount of gravel.

The final stage. All that remains is to lay the moisture-resistant material on top of the logs. If further improvement is planned flooring it could be plastic film. You can put plywood on top of it and pour screed. Sometimes bitumen mastic is used as waterproofing.

Insulation of heated floors

Another way to insulate a basement floor is to use special heating elements. A warm water floor is considered the warmest, but it is much more expensive than expanded clay insulation. Moreover, its installation process is more complex. At the same time, you will protect yourself from a cold floor, cold penetration into the basement, and, accordingly, into the house.

For this you will need cement, sand, special bends and fittings, plastic pipes. It is also worth buying the floor covering that you choose, based on your financial capabilities and preferences regarding the quality of the material.

Plastic pipes must be distributed along the entire perimeter of the basement. Experts advise doing this in a known way“accordion”, since in this way you can ensure maximum heat transfer. The pipes are connected to the autonomous heating system.

Insulation of the floor in the basement - important work, which must be completed during the construction of the house. If you have already bought a house and it has a basement that needs insulation, you should get to work without putting it off until later.

Low floor temperature – common problem, which is associated with the penetration of cold air masses through cracks. To ensure comfort and warmth in the room, it is recommended to performfloor insulation in wooden house from below.

This article describes how installation work is carried out, what materials need to be purchased, as well as other important nuances.

Why is it worth insulating floors?

Warm flooring provides comfortable accommodation in the house.From temperature values ​​that are stored in living rooms, the health of residents and their well-being largely depends.

To reduce heat loss as much as possible, you need to figure out how to properly install insulation, what materials have best characteristics and the longest service life. It is also worth noting that the choice of thermal insulation material is influenced by many factors that cannot be ignored. For example, it is necessary to take into account not only the material from which the building is constructed, but also the number of floors, as well as whether the building is built on the ground or built under it basement(basement).

Why is it necessary to insulate floors?

Insulation of the wooden floor below in a private housecarried out in several cases.

If it occurs:

• the need to get rid of the cold floor of the room, which is located above the basement;
• desire to insulate the attic floor;
• need for thermal insulation interfloor ceilings, in this case, not only the premises are insulated, but additional sound insulation is also achieved.

When to do bottom insulation correctly

Floor insulation above a cold basementIt is better to do it from below, while insulation above the attic is recommended to be done from above. This approach is technically sound and allows you to achieve best results. But when implementing thermal insulation from below, some problems sometimes arise:

• limited choice of materials;
• unreliable fixation of insulation;
• due to the fact that installation work is carried out on the ceiling, the craftsmen quickly get tired;
• the difficulty of implementing the assigned tasks in low-level conditions.

At the same time, by taking care of insulation from below, the following problems can be eliminated:

• the appearance of fungus and mold on the surface of a wooden structure;
• excess fuel consumption when heating the premises;
• disruption of the functions of structures due to their decay;
• lack of conditions to maintain optimal mode temperature and humidity in rooms.

When designing a private house, it is necessary to consider thermal insulation measures at this stage.By taking care of the heat in advance, you will be able to eliminate many problems in the future.

Attention!In order to economize cash and labor costs, many choose the top option to insulate a wood floor.

The essence of this technology is to lay rigid sheets of thermal insulation between the subfloor and the floor covering. Of course, this option is more profitable, but it is only suitable for those regions where the climate is warm and mild.

In a region where winters are quite cold, it is still better to insulate from below. It is recommended to choose this thermal insulation option if there is a minimum space between the ground and the floor level.

If this gap is large enough, the insulation procedure will be expensive.

Advantages of underfloor insulation

Floor insulation in a wooden houseshould be carried out from below; this option is technically correct. The advantages of this technology are as follows:

• during the operation of the house, the height of the ceilings in the rooms does not change;
• the ceiling, made of wood, is reliably protected from freezing;
• there is no need to purchase rigid insulation materials that can withstand the weight of large pieces of furniture and household appliances;
• the condensate deposition line can be shifted outside the wooden structure, so that the building does not rot.

Techniques for performing insulation work for floors

There are two main options for thermal insulation:

1. Thermal insulation on joists. When choosing this technology, the insulation in the form of slabs has to be laid out in a checkerboard pattern. Stitches also need to be re-dressed. You should first lay a special film to ensure waterproofing. The material can be fixed using either dowels or glue. Having completed the installation of the slabs, the seams are carefully sealed using polyurethane foam, and then the floor covering is attached to the logs. If you choose reliable insulation, such a floor will retain heat.
2. Insulation completed with screed. If you are thinking abouthow to insulate the floor in a wooden houseThat's right, consider a thermal insulation option that involves creating a concrete screed on top of the thermal insulation layer. First of all, waterproof the base. The next step is laying a mesh made of fiberglass. As a result, the structure becomes stronger. Next, concrete mortar is applied over the mesh.

Attention!The finish can be any: linoleum, tiles, laminated flooring, parquet boards.

Prices for mineral wool

mineral wool

How to choose the right heat insulator

Do not know, What is the best way to insulate floors in a wooden house?? Familiarize yourself with the basic requirements for thermal insulation materials, and it will be easier for you to choose the right materials. Due to the presence of certain features in the implementation installation work can only be used individual species insulation materials. The list of requirements for them is as follows:

• high reliability and efficiency indicators;
• minimum weight of material;
• ease of use;
• ability to withstand fire to achieve high levels fire safety wooden buildings;
• maximum possible density.

Materials for thermal insulation work

From technical parameters The quality of the created thermal insulation layer depends on the insulation material.

Check out the features suitable materials for insulation and decidethe better to insulate the floor from below in a wooden housein your case, so that it is most profitable and effective.

Now the market represents wide choose thermal insulation materials, but it is recommended to choose from the best and most popular options, such as penoplex, mineral wool, penofol, expanded polystyrene.

Mineral wool

Manufacturers of building materials offer several types of mineral wool:

• slag;
• stone;
• glass

Among the advantages we can highlight high level heat and sound insulation, non-flammability, biological resistance, resistance to aggressive substances.

Minuses:

• insufficiently high resistance to mechanical stress, this is due to the strength of the material;
• low vapor permeability;
• lack of absolute safety for human health;
• loss thermal insulation properties due to the gradual absorption of moisture.

Mineral wool can be purchased in the form of flexible mats and rigid slabs.

Attention!When installing slabs, one thing should be taken into account important feature: they must be placed with the hard side facing outwards, which is easy to identify - it is marked with a blue stripe.

Buyers mainly prefer Rockwool and Izovol, which are based on mineral wool. The first option of insulation can withstand loads, does not deform and retains heat well.In a wooden house, floor insulation with IzolonIt is also more preferable than mineral wool, since this material has low thermal conductivity, it is not flammable and is more moisture resistant.

Expanded polystyrene

You decidethe better to insulate the floor in the country house from below? Consider another insulation option - expanded polystyrene, which is known to many as polystyrene foam. It’s not for nothing that it still remains popular, because there are many advantages, but the number of disadvantages is insignificant.

The benefits include:

• fire resistance;
• high levels of strength and thermal insulation;
• the ability to withstand biological effects and the influence of chemical factors;
• long service life due to structural features.

There are much fewer disadvantages, and they are insignificant, but these disadvantages can be eliminated: the material has low vapor permeability, is susceptible to the negative effects of moisture and, as it is absorbed, loses its ability to insulate - by providing high-quality vapor and waterproofing.

Prices for expanded polystyrene

expanded polystyrene

Penoplex

Insulation of the floor in a wooden house from below with penoplexmore effective than thermal insulation made using two previous versions insulation materials. Penoplex is made in the form of slabs by foaming extruded polystyrene foam; it is also quite often used to implement thermal insulation measures.

Attention!The slabs are more protected from the negative effects of moisture, they prevent heat loss, and are practically not susceptible to the development of bacteria and fungi.

Here are some benefitsinsulation of wooden floors with penofol(roll material):

1. High thermal insulation performance.
2. Excellent performance.
3. Simple installation process.
4. No need for additional security vapor and waterproofing, since for these purposes the insulation contains a layer of foil.

Most often, the insulation in rolls contains reflective and translucent materials. During installation, layers of penofol are placed with a slight overlap or end-to-end. For reliable fixation, metallized tape is attached to the joint area.

Prices for Penoplex

penoplex

Instructions for organizing installation work

Do you want to know how to insulate the underground in a wooden house? First of all, check out general rules performing installation work. Any insulation is fixed in this order:

• creation of a waterproofing layer;
• formation of thermal insulation;
• applying vapor barrier material;
• attachment structural elements floors;
• laying decorative floor coverings.

Experts assure that when the layers are formed in this order, the thermal conditions will be optimal and it will be possible to ensure the necessary circulation of moisture in living rooms.

Thinking through thermal insulation on ground floor, it is necessary to prepare beams with a cross section of 50-100 mm. These elements are attached from below using a layer of insulation, after which the floor is covered with boards.

Read more about how to make a warm floor on a balcony. detailed instructions will help you understand all the nuances!

If there is a wooden floor on the ground floor, the beams are connected to bars, the cross-section of which is 50x50, not more than 50x100. A layer of insulating material is placed between them. After the waterproofing layer, sheathing is done with boards.

Most often, the installation of the heat-insulating layer is carried out along joists:

• lay the logs on the finished foundation, maintaining certain gaps between the beams - about one 1 m, maximum 1.2 m;
• fasten sheets of chipboard or plywood with self-tapping screws, as a result you will have a base for applying a layer of insulation;
• distribute insulation material between the joists. Determine the appropriate thickness of the insulation taking into account its features, but remember that the insulation material should not be thicker than the log;
• form a waterproofing layer. Experts advise going through this stage to achieve the best possible results. You can skip it, but before you give up this stage, pay attention to the features of the selected material. If you purchased insulation for installation that is unable to repel moisture, it is still worth forming a layer of waterproofing;
• install the floor covering. You can apply old version or update the coating with new material.

Carrying out insulation of the floor from the basement belowand in other parts of the house, follow the specified sequence of actions.

What tools and materials will be required

The following tools and materials are required when laying thermal insulation:

• insulation;
• building level;
• screwdriver;
• a staple gun filled with staples;
• self-tapping screws;
• lumber (bars measuring 50x50 mm, boards);
• reinforced tape;
• a tool designed for working with wood;
• materials for steam and waterproofing ( vapor barrier membrane, special film for waterproofing);
• sheets for creating a subfloor.

Floor waterproofing

Since the air in the basement is not heated, condensation may form on the warm floor.

In cases where moisture is constantly present on the structure, ideal conditions for the formation of fungus and mold, subsequently the process of decay begins. It doesn’t matter whether the wood was processed special means before use or not.

Condensation violates the thermal insulation properties of the insulation, gradually penetrating into it, it increases its thermal conductivity. This problem can be prevented by installing a layer of moisture insulation on the cold air side.

Vapor barrier

From the living quarters, instead of condensation, warm steam is formed, which also passes through the insulation and, upon cooling, turns into moisture. The harm to the insulation is that, unlike condensation, water is not present on the surface, but inside the structure. In this option, there is a risk of damage to the thermal insulation material with its subsequent destruction, and also increases the likelihood of rotting of wood elements. It is to prevent evaporation that a vapor barrier layer is needed.

The most simple option protection against condensation and steam is a polyethylene film. In some cases, when providing thermal insulation for the basement floor, the waterproofing layer is covered with a moisture-windproof membrane, which not only effectively retains moisture, but also does not allow air to pass through.

Despite the fact that it is possible to increase the level of thermal insulation in a house during its operation in order to reliably insulate the building, it is better to think through this issue at the design stage. If the construction was completed a long time ago, you caninsulation of an old wooden floor without dismantling, which will not cause much discomfort for residents.

Instructions for forming hydro- and vapor barriers

Waterproofing

Vapor barrier

This task is performed after laying the thermal insulation layer. If mineral wool is used, it is important that there are no gaps in the cells. When laying expanded polystyrene and polystyrene foam, no reserve is left; the slabs are cut exactly to the size of the cells.After installation is completed, to increase the reliability of the insulation, the seams are filled with polyurethane foam.

Vapor barrier is performed in this way:

• install a protective membrane on top of the heat-insulating layer;
• securely attach the film along the joists and perimeter using staples;
• along wooden logs attach counter-battens (elements in the form of bars), which will become the basis for the floor covering;
• Attach the slats staggered across the surface sheet material, for example, plywood. As finishing coating you can use any material taking into account your own preferences, for example, linoleum, laminated flooring or parquet.

How to insulate a concrete floor in a house

If you're interested,how to insulate the floor in an old wooden housewhere the floor is made of concrete, read the step-by-step instructions:

1. Create a multi-layer base that will provide reliable protection for the insulation. In no case do not abandon the waterproofing layer, since concrete allows moisture to pass through well, and it will gradually transfer to the layer formed for thermal insulation.
2. Make a sheathing consisting of metal or wooden slats. Lay the resulting frame (this step is required when implementing classic version insulation of the floor from below using mineral wool).
3. Cutting the insulation into strips required size, install it into the cells by surprise.
4. Next, proceed to organizing work aimed at protecting the heat-insulating layer from fumes.
5. On top vapor barrier film place the counter-batten and plywood or other material of the same type (without the use of the batten the work process goes faster, but later there will be difficulties associated with installing the sheathing).

Sawdust floor insulation technology

Consider economical option with sawdust. Work is carried out before the flooring is laid.

Before insulation, treat the sawdust with a special antiseptic and dry thoroughly. By doing this you can protect the material from mold and rodents.

When the insulation is ready for use, use a shovel to evenly distribute slaked lime. To determine required amount of this material, focus on the amount of sawdust (you will need 1/10 of the insulation taken).

At the next stage, be sure to add gypsum, it will add strength to the thermal insulation material. Maintain a ratio of 17:2:1 (sawdust: lime: gypsum). After adding water, prepare a moderately cool solution.

Fill the cells gradually, placing the solution in small portions.

Insulation of floors with mineral wool

Make sure the boards to be treated are dry. If not, dry them thoroughly first.

Create a layer of waterproofing, then lay mineral wool, after cutting it into pieces required sizes. Use thin stainless steel wire and staples as fasteners. The wire can be replaced plastic mesh. The thermal insulation layer will protect against steam using a special membrane.

Floor insulation with penofol

Install the insulation so that its reflective side is directed downwards, that is, towards the warm space.

Attach the insulation to the joists, maintaining a small gap between it and the rough surface. Secure the material with slats, filling them in a perpendicular direction, or with construction staples.

Insulation of basement floors

If the house has a basement, the process of increasing the thermal insulation properties of coatings should begin with this room, since heat loss is the highest in it.

If you want to knowhow to insulate a floor without opening it, consider this procedure:

• prepare wooden slats of small thickness, securely attach a film that provides a vapor barrier to the ceiling lining. Make sure that the overlap is 10 cm;
• stuffing wooden blocks, keep gaps between them corresponding to the size of the slabs with which you plan to insulate;
• place insulation boards into the cells, secure them securely with slats or wire mesh;
• Attach boards on top of the insulating layer.

The process of insulating the floor is quite simple and can be done independently. The choice of material remains with the consumer. Consider all the options presented and choose the one that suits your case best.

Often, under the floor of a private house there is a basement or an unheated garage. IN winter time year, the temperature in such rooms drops significantly and begins to cool the floors of the first floor so much that the usual microclimate is disrupted.

The problem can be solved by additional heating device, but it is best to insulate floors in a private house with a cold subfloor. This will help not only keep the living rooms warm, but also avoid the formation of condensation on the basement ceiling.

Insulation of the floor above a cold basement can be carried out using the following materials:

• Penoplex appeared relatively recently. The insulation is produced on the basis of polystyrene with the introduction of gas and pouring into molds. The result is a dense sheet with many small pores, thanks to which the material has high thermal insulation characteristics. Its synthetic base provides immunity to biological organisms. In addition, penoplex does not burn, does not absorb moisture, and has a long service life.

• Penofol is made from polyethylene foam with the application of an aluminum film, as a result of which the plate receives reflective characteristics. The absence of pores completely eliminates the passage of air.

• Loose expanded clay is used as insulation on the ground floor side and consists of balls of different fractions. It is completely environmentally friendly, non-flammable, and retains heat perfectly. The material can withstand heavy loads.

The choice of one or another insulation is determined depending on the installation method and the location of the insulating layer.

Principles of installation work

The sequence of insulation stages depends on the materials used and the implementation of the process itself:

1. Insulating the floor on the basement side involves attaching the underground to the ceiling. It includes layers of approximately the following materials: polyethylene for protection against moisture, selected insulation, polyethylene vapor barrier, plywood as cladding.
2. The insulation of the floor above the basement is carried out using joists that will serve as support for the floor covering. The process is implemented both by sheet and loose insulation materials with the obligatory arrangement of hydro- and vapor barriers.

In addition, if there is a sharp change in temperature in the lower and upper rooms, it will be necessary to ensure high-quality ventilation between the film and the surface of the ceiling, for which a sheathing of thin slats is installed.

When installing from below, there are several options for fixing the heat insulator:

• through an adhesive substance;
• fixing several transverse slats on top of the sheets;
• by cutting out the appropriate pieces and installing them end-to-end with the joists.

Technology and features of floor insulation from below in a wooden house

The easiest way is to install an insulating layer on top of a wooden floor. However, it may be that the ceiling level does not allow you to steal even a few centimeters of room height. Then the floor insulation in the wooden house from below is realized. The process is carried out in the following sequence:

1. A grid of thin planks is nailed to the ceiling to ensure ventilation and prevent the formation of condensation, to create a basis for fixing all the constituent layers.
2. A layer of polyethylene is nailed to the sheathing with a stapler. In this case, it is important to create a single structure, for which the individual strips are laid overlapping and taped. The film will be applied to the walls at a distance of up to 20 cm.
3. One of possible ways install insulation. If it is made up of small sheets, they try to join closely so that there are no gaps for heat to escape.
4. This is followed by another layer of moisture protection. Wherein important aspect is the presence of a subsequent facing protective ball. If it is not available, it is better to choose foil material.
5. Both layers of waterproofing are glued together with tape, thereby creating an airtight cushion on the ceiling.

It is better to insulate the wooden floor of the first floor above the basement using polystyrene foam or sheets mineral wool, because these materials are lightweight, easy to install and, with proper protection from moisture penetration, can last for many years.

Strengthening wooden beams and joists

Insulation of the ceiling above the basement in a private house or apartment with sufficient high ceilings It is best to do it along the lags. This method allows you to use any material. All work is much easier to implement than with the ceiling method.

The process is somewhat similar to the stages of the previous installation. It looks like this:

1. IN wooden structures It is best to remove the floor covering and expose the already installed joists. You can also mount a separate layer, installing in increments of approximately 60 cm wooden beams 5x10 cm. They are laid edge up, secured to the walls using metal corners.
2. Spread over the entire surface plastic film or diffusion membrane to provide vapor and waterproofing. Where the joists are located, it is recessed, and the edges are placed on the walls by at least 20 cm. The joints are taped with construction tape or foil tape.
3. In the resulting cavities between the beams, sheet insulation is installed or a layer of expanded clay is poured along the upper level of the tree. The material is leveled and allowed to rest for several hours.
4. The further stage of installation depends on the type of insulation. If it is bulk material, it can be poured concrete screed. Synthetic porous slabs are not subjected to this procedure. On the contrary, they leave some space between the future floor covering for better ventilation.
5. Then follows another layer of polyethylene, connecting it along the perimeter with the previous one.
6. The final stage is the laying of floorboards and plywood sheets and subsequent decorative processing.

Insulation over concrete floors

Insulating the floor above an unheated basement with concrete floor carried out in the same way as in the case of wooden building. The difference may be the method of fixing the logs, since pre-drilling holes for dowels will be required. In addition, concrete is a cold material and is prone to condensation forming on the surface. Here it is important to ensure high-quality ventilation and reliable waterproofing of the insulation.

It is most reliable to carry out work on the side of the first floor with a cold underground, using expanded clay and carrying out a screed with preliminary reinforcement of the plane.

It is important to properly insulate the floor, as this will prevent heat losses from the building and will provide maximum comfortable temperature. There are two ways of insulation: from above and from below. Each case must be considered separately, since when thermal protection of different elements of a building is carried out, only one of them will be competent from the point of view of thermal engineering. When is it better to use floor insulation in a wooden house or in a country house from below?

Basic structures for insulation

Thermal protection of vertical elements in a private house is required in three cases:

1. insulation of the floor above a cold basement;
2. interfloor ceilings;
3. attic floor in the presence of a cold attic.

In the second case, work is carried out to improve sound insulation characteristics.

Insulation in a wooden house helps prevent the following problems:

• overconsumption in the heating system;
• violation of the temperature and humidity conditions of the room;
• rotting of floor structures;
• the appearance of mold and mildew.

In a private house or country house, it is worth thinking about carrying out thermal insulation measures at the design stage.

In what cases and why is insulation from below correct?

It is better to insulate the floor above a cold attic from above, but the thermal protection of the floor above the basement is technically more competent to perform from below. This has its reasons:

• there is no reduction in the height of the room on the ground floor;
• there is no need to choose dense rigid insulation that will withstand the loads from residents, furniture and equipment;
• protection from freezing not only of the floor, but also of the entire wooden floor;
• displacement of the dew point (the line on which condensation falls) to the surface of the ceiling from the thickness of the structure, which prevents rotting.

But when carrying out work in a private house or country house, some difficulties may arise specifically related to work from below:

• the need for more reliable fastening of the insulation;
• the difficulty of working in low subfloor conditions;
• the need to work on the ceiling leads to rapid fatigue of workers;
• restrictions on types of insulation.

So if you are looking for more simple ways insulation, we recommend that you read the following articles:

Material requirements

The peculiarities of the method of carrying out work force the use of only certain thermal insulation materials. The basic requirements when carrying out heat protection measures in a private wooden house or in a country house from below include:

1. small mass of insulation, since the place of attachment to the ceiling experiences increased loads;
2. Ease of use;
3. high efficiency;
4. structure coherence (bulk materials are not suitable);
5. if possible, fire resistance, since when carrying out work in a wooden house it is necessary to ensure maximum fire safety.

There are many options for materials that satisfy all these requirements.

Materials for bottom insulation

• mineral wool produced in the form of rolls;

Mineral wool in the form of rigid slabs can also be used; it is installed between the beams of a wooden floor in a country house or in an individual building from below so that the width of the slab is slightly greater than the clear distance between the beams. In this case, the rigid insulation will be held in place due to friction. The same applies when installing thermal protection on an attic roof.

Mineral wool insulation has the following advantages:

• high efficiency;
• non-flammability;

The main disadvantage of the material is that workers need reliable protection from contact of fibers with the skin and lungs: gloves, overalls, masks.

You can also use inexpensive polystyrene foam in the country house and at home. Its main advantage, of course, is cost, but there are others:

• good thermal insulation;
• low degree of water absorption;
• ease of installation;
• there is no need for complex tools or special clothing.

The fact that the material has low strength is not important when insulating from below, but flammability and instability to simultaneous exposure negative temperatures and humid environments are clear disadvantages. The solution to the second issue can be reliable waterproofing and protection from steam. Due to its low cost, this type of material has become quite widespread.

The third insulation option was polyurethane foam. This type thermal protection has the following positive characteristics:

• ease of installation;
• reliability of fastening due to penetration into cracks, irregularities and inaccessible places;
• effectiveness as thermal protection;
• resistance to biological influences.

Installation technology

The fastening methods for each material are different, but when installing reliable thermal protection, it is necessary to follow the order of layers, which is the same for all. When insulating from a cold basement or underground, materials for insulation and protection of the insulation are arranged in the following order:

1. waterproofing;
2. thermal insulation layer;
3. vapor barrier;
4. floor design;
5. floor construction.

Compliance with just this order will ensure normal temperature and humidity conditions in the house. Next, it is necessary to consider in more detail the arrangement of protective materials.

In a house with existing wooden floor 1st floor insulation from below can be done by attaching bars with a cross section from 50x50 to 50x100 to the beams below and placing insulating material between them. After waterproofing, the resulting pie can be hemmed with boards.

Waterproofing

Cold air from the basement can fall out in the form of condensation onto the warm surface of the ceiling. The constant presence of moisture on the structure will lead to the formation of mold or mildew, and subsequently to rotting, even if the wood is treated special compounds. In addition, condensation is very harmful to the thermal insulation layer. It can lead to increased thermal conductivity. To avoid this, a layer of waterproofing is laid on the cold air side.

Vapor barrier

From the outside warm room the situation is changing. The problem here is not the water in liquid state, and warm steam. Penetrating into the thickness of the material, as it approaches the outer surface, the steam cools and turns into water. This process is especially dangerous because, unlike the previous case, moisture does not form on the surface, but in the thickness of the structure. This increases the risk of wetting and destruction of the insulation and rotting of wood elements.

A vapor barrier layer prevents steam from penetrating from the room.

When insulating the floor top floor the arrangement of layers changes. Based on physics, it is necessary to place protection against steam on the warm air side, and against moisture on the cold air side.

In the simplest case, polyethylene film can be used as both types of protection. When insulating a basement floor, moisture and windproof membranes are sometimes used as waterproofing. They do not prevent air movement, but reliably retain moisture.

In order to reliably protect the house from the penetration of cold, it is necessary to think about this at the design stage, but measures to protect the basement floor from below allow work to be carried out during operation.

This installation method does not require dismantling the floor covering and does not create uncomfortable conditions for residents.

Video about floor insulation from the basement side with polyurethane foam:

It is important to carefully choose the material for insulation and follow all the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will ensure reliable and long-term operation. The thickness of the layer is selected depending on the climatic region and the selected insulation. Knowing the thermal conductivity and thickness of the layer, even a non-professional can perform competent calculations. This is possible thanks to convenient program"Teremok", presented in the public domain.