Solve the problem of lack of useful living space in country house You can arrange the attic space. This part of the building is not distinguished by thick enclosing structures, so for all-season use, the owner of the building must install correctly selected thermal insulation. In our article we will talk about which insulation is best for mansard roof.

At the moment, there are many products on the domestic construction market that can be used as insulation for an attic roof or other enclosing structure, gable.

How does heat exchange occur in the attic?

Work on insulating the attic began after installation heating system in the attic, because such materials allow you to save warm air in the middle of the house. In the absence of a heating system, laying thermal insulation does not always give the desired effect. The heat here is retained by a small air gap, which is located between the ceiling and the roof; this is also facilitated by a layer of snow on the roof.

When installing a heating system on the attic floors, the heated air will tend to rise, it will quickly heat the roof and melt the snow. To reduce energy losses, the owner of the house must provide insulation for the facade of the building. This work can be done using one of the methods described below:

1. Insulation of the roof of the house from the inside. In this case, it would be advisable to lay insulating mats in the space between the roof rafters. This method of reducing energy losses is considered one of the most expensive, but in some cases it is considered the only one possible solution. Many people ask what is the best way to insulate an attic roof. One of possible options installation is considered mineral wool with further installation of a vapor barrier film.

2. Another method of insulation is external thermal insulation. Experienced builders recommend this particular method, because when joining insulation boards, the possibility of the formation of cold bridges is reduced. It is advisable to carry out such work during the installation of the roof, while thermal insulation materials are laid on vapor barrier film. This element is fixed to the rafters using staplers. At the final stage of the work, the insulation is protected from moisture with a waterproofing film, the rolled products are fixed with the same stapler and installation of the roof covering begins.

If we compare internal and external insulation, the latter option has worse protection against precipitation. Materials for external insulation must hold their shape well and not allow moisture to pass through. For those who do not know what is the best way to insulate an attic roof from the outside, it is advisable to choose polystyrene foam.

What characteristics should the insulation have?

Most roofers know that the effectiveness of insulation of the roof, as well as the gable part of the building, depends not only on the quality of the work performed, but also on the type of thermal insulation material. Before you start purchasing a product you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements that the selected insulation must meet:

1. First, you need to take into account the resistance of thermal insulation to external aggressive factors. The best insulation for the roof and gable of the building throughout the entire period of operation must retain its original dimensions and structure. Insulation materials are resistant to influences such as sudden temperature fluctuations, moisture ingress, and changing freezing and thawing cycles.

2. The second requirement is low hygroscopicity. The term “hygroscopicity” itself indicates the ability of a material to absorb moisture. Moisture in the insulation structure reduces thermal insulation properties products, promotes the formation of fungi and mold, increases the weight of a particular element.

3. The third requirement is low thermal conductivity, the possibility of hermetically joining adjacent parts. Products with low thermal conductivity retain heat indoors in winter. Besides this, effective insulation for the attic roof will create coolness in the summer.

4. And the last, but important requirement is safety during operation. It is necessary to insulate the attic roof from the inside, as well as sheathe the pediment with elements of increased fire safety. Such products should not ignite when exposed to high temperatures and should support the combustion process. Another important point– thermal insulation materials must be absolutely safe for human health and not cause allergies or other diseases.

If you don’t yet know what is the best way to insulate the roof of a house, check thermotechnical calculation and calculate the thickness of thermal insulation products. This parameter is selected according to climatic conditions for a particular region. For example, in central Russia it is advisable to install a thermal insulation layer minimum thickness 15 centimeters. In this case, the joints between adjacent products must be overlapped by the next row of slabs.

Types of materials for attic insulation

Mineral

This subspecies includes products that have a fibrous structure; they fall into construction stores in the form of rolls or slabs and are called mineral (basalt or stone) wool. The main types of raw materials for the production of such elements are waste from the glass industry and metallurgy. Stone wool is obtained from hard stone by melting, it has a fibrous structure. This material has excellent heat and sound insulation characteristics, is not affected by rot and mold, and can withstand high temperatures of up to 900 degrees.

Stone wool slabs and rolls have a soft structure, so they are used to insulate the attic with inside. The thermal conductivity of this thermal insulation is within 0.4 W/m, but this value can double after moisture enters the structure of the material. To prevent this from happening, mineral wool is protected from dampness by attaching a vapor barrier and waterproofing film.

Thermal insulation materials based on polymers

Not everyone knows what is the best material to use for insulating the gable and roof from the inside and outside. Experienced builders recommend using polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam for this purpose. A similar method is used to insulate old civil buildings. The described technology has several advantages:

• Small mass. Each of the foam boards weighs several tens of grams, which reduces the load on load-bearing walls and the roof structure.
• Such products have minimal hygroscopicity. The surface of polystyrene foam repels moisture, so mold and mildew do not appear on it. The absence of moisture in the structure means the absence of destruction during freezing and thawing of the liquid, preserving the original properties of the insulation. There is only one answer to the question of which insulation to choose for the gable - polystyrene foam.
• The products in question, in addition to increased thermal insulation characteristics, do not conduct sound. In this regard, foam plastic is considered an indispensable material for finishing civil buildings located near highways. Expanded polystyrene will reduce the noise of rain on a roof covered with corrugated sheets or metal tiles.
• One more useful property The described products are fireproof. The plates do not burn, but melt under the influence of fire.
• An important characteristic of polystyrene foam is the simple installation of slabs on smooth surfaces. The consumer can choose the insulation of the required thickness and install it with his own hands. Such products can be quickly cut using hand saw or a sharp knife.

The main disadvantage of the material under consideration is fragility; its structure is destroyed under minor mechanical loads. A similar problem can be solved by using products of increased strength and density (extruded polystyrene foam) or penoizol. The latter is blown between the rafters over a pre-laid plastic film.

Thermal insulation of the attic using natural components

People who take responsibility own health, are trying to understand which insulation for an attic roof is better. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to natural products that are made from fibers of agricultural crops such as flax or hemp.

Ecowool is quite expensive; it contains up to 12% antiseptics (additives that prevent rotting processes) and 7% antipyrine (minimizes the effects of fire). The technical characteristics of natural thermal insulation materials are as follows:

• Thermal conductivity indicators are the lowest among all described types of insulation - 0.032 W/m;
• The degree of moisture saturation in such products is almost 2 times less than in mineral wool or glass wool;
• Natural insulation materials have a second class of flammability. According to this indicator, they are significantly inferior to stone wool;
• Ecowool has a loose structure, its density reaches 75 grams per square meter;
• Another important advantage of natural thermal insulation materials is the high degree of sound absorption.

According to experienced builders, ecological wool ranks first among insulation materials for attics of frame, timber and log buildings. It goes perfectly with wood; its use can reduce 30% of the family budget’s 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). Hobby: 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.

All parts after insulation 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 a few more important criteria which are shown in the table below.

Characteristic	Description
Temperature resistance	Thermal insulation must retain its technical specifications And operational properties and at severe frost in winter, and in the heat of 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 materials emit toxic smoke when ignited, 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 a minimum 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. Raw materials are melted in furnaces at high temperature, after which thin fibers are formed from it, 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), therefore 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 insulation layer with a density of 100 kg per cubic meter retains heat with the same efficiency as a 110 cm red brick wall 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 as a result of human activity, large number water vapor. 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 classification building materials, the described insulation has the index NG (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 for insulation 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 and do not cause irritation. skin 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 withstands exposure well chemicals, so it can come into contact with mortars and is not damaged by acids dissolved in rainwater, which may 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. Polystyrene foam is good because 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 insulation 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 in a remote summer cottage, abounding in 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. Service life. 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 middle zone In 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, no gases are used that are harmful to the environment. 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 equip ventilation gaps, promoting cooling of 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 it forms 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 space and is often combined with other insulation materials.

Two-component polyurethane foam comes in different densities and structures. For interior works For insulation of the roof space, I recommend using Ecotermix 600 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 bottom 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 take additional measures it is not necessary to protect it from moisture. In addition, it well protects insulated structures from exposure. This property is used for insulation 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 excess moisture to be removed from 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 due to irradiation sun rays, 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 a metal tile or profiled sheet. 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. Service life. 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 truss structure attic enclosing walls.
2. Environmental friendliness. The level of emission of harmful chemicals after application and hardening of polyurethane foam does not exceed those specified regulatory documents quantities .

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 spraying from mounting gun polyurethane foam adheres to any surface, regardless of their porosity, roughness and temperature, slope, and so on. Therefore, you can spray foam directly onto rafter system roofs, 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. Usually, 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.

Resume

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.

An attic space is an additional space in the house that can be used for personal use. You can make a living room or office in it, where it is quiet, cozy and warm. But to create this warmth, silence and comfort, you need to try a little. Most important stage in the construction of the attic roof - its insulation. After all, without it, staying in this room will be impossible in the autumn and winter.

The main question that arises when insulating is which insulation is best for an attic roof? After all, there are many options, but how to do it? right choice? Let's look at the criteria by which you need to choose a heat insulator and compare the most popular materials.

Criteria for choosing insulation for the attic

The choice of material for the attic must be approached quite seriously. They all have their pros and cons.

But when choosing insulation for an attic roof, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Thermal insulation characteristics of the material.
2. Good sound insulation insulation.
3. Ease of installation.
4. Insulation resistance to high temperatures.
5. Ecological cleanliness.
6. Long service life.
7. Economical.
8. The property of insulation to repel moisture.
9. The versatility of the material.

It is clear that the main criterion by which insulation is evaluated is its ability to retain heat. This is very important for an attic space. In addition, the material must be universal so that it is possible to insulate not only the roof, but also the floors and walls of the attic. And if you don’t want to hear gusts of wind and the sound of rain, then it should well insulate the attic from noise. All these criteria are important, and it is better if the insulation meets most of them.

Let's look at everything suitable materials using an example, and let’s find out which one insulation will do for this purpose.

Insulation for attic roof

So, the most popular materials for insulating an attic roof are mineral wool, glass wool, polyurethane foam (PPU) and polystyrene foam. They are most consistent with the indicators we talked about earlier. But there are also new materials that have not yet been studied so much. One of them is ecowool. We will look for the best insulation from this list.

Mineral wool for attic insulation

One of the environmental insulation materials, which consists of molten rocks, clay and synthetic fibers. The material is lightweight, has good vapor permeability and low hygroscopicity. Therefore, it is difficult to overestimate the material. It can be purchased in stores such as in roll form, and as slabs. The sizes and thickness vary, from 5 to 10 cm. Due to its fibrous structure, the material retains heat well. There is always a large amount of air in the fibers. The good news is that cotton wool is also vapor-permeable (able to breathe).

Pay attention! Mineral wool will not harbor rodents, which cannot be said about polystyrene foam.

If we talk about the disadvantages of insulation, the main one is low resistance to moisture. If the material gets wet, it will lose its properties. That's why special attention need to be given to the waterproofing layer. And yet, the insulation quickly accumulates dust. Still, I am pleased with the high fire resistance. In case of fire, cotton wool can retard the fire.

The most popular brands that are suitable for attic insulation are Ursa and Izover. The second insulation option has quite high rate sound insulation, combined with other advantages. And Ursa products are sold in convenient rolls that are easy to install.

The service life of mineral wool for the attic is 50 years. It does not rot, does not bloom and does not become moldy.

Basalt wool for attic insulation

This is one of the safest and known species mineral wool. It is made on the basis of basalt - natural stone. It is melted under technological conditions and made into thin fibers. You won’t believe it, but such cotton wool does not burn even at temperatures up to 1000˚C! The thing is that only at this temperature does the stone begin to melt. There is only one drawback - mice really love this insulation. But in the attic they are easy to deal with.

The most popular brand of insulation is Rocklight. The products have excellent heat and noise insulation, do not burn and are quite easy to install. And more importantly, with such quality, the price is quite reasonable. The insulation can last for many years without caking and maintaining all its properties.

Glass wool - I want it, but it hurts

Using glass wool is not a new method. It has proven itself well over the years. This material is quite cheap, and installation is not that difficult. IN indoors it is non-toxic and not harmful to the body. And due to the fact that it contains no organic substances, rodents do not eat it. I would also like to note that glass wool has a second degree of fire resistance. That's pretty good.

If we talk about the disadvantages of the material, it lies in its composition. Glass wool has fine glass dust. When it comes into contact with the skin, it begins to itch, and if the dust gets into the eyes, it causes damage to them. The same goes for respiratory tract. Therefore, when insulating an attic roof with glass wool, it is important to take care of safety. All work is performed in a protective suit, respirator gloves and goggles with a rubber element. Only then will you not get hurt.

Pay attention! After all the work, don’t even think about washing your clothes, it won’t help. It will have to be thrown away.

Anyone who has ever tried insulation with their bare hands prefers not to deal with it. Although if you do everything according to technology, then this is a worthy option.

Insulating the attic with polystyrene foam - cheap, but risky

The most affordable and popular material for attic insulation. Moreover, it insulates both the roof and the walls and floor. The main advantage of the material is its low weight, ease of installation and good thermal insulation properties. All insulation work can be done with your own hands, without the help of specialists. It is especially convenient to insulate sloping walls and roofs.

Polystyrene foam has several levels of density. Due to this, it has good sound and thermal insulation performance. In addition, it keeps its shape throughout the entire period of use without shrinking. Its rigidity affects the strength of the material (bending and compression). But there is one drawback: it burns very well. The denser the material, the better it burns. Therefore, for insulating an attic roof, rigidity is not the main indicator. After all, there is no need to walk on its surface.

Pay attention! If you want to use foam, you need to get all the rodents out!

Ideal option for attic insulation - PPU

The advantage of polyurethane foam is that it can be supplied in two forms:

1. As finished slabs.
2. As a spraying agent.

It is preferable to choose the second option, since spraying achieves a monolithic structure, without seams and, accordingly, cold bridges. All of the above roof insulation materials do not have this parameter. The room will be perfectly thermally insulated, there will be no noise, etc. Foamed polyurethane foam has many advantages:

1. The best indicator for heat conductivity. Surprisingly, a 2.5 cm layer of polyurethane foam is identical in thermal conductivity to 8 cm mineral wool! Only expanded polystyrene came close to polyurethane foam, lagging behind only by half.
2. It is equally important that for insulation with foamed polyurethane foam there is no need to make a frame or special fastenings. The material is sprayed onto any surface and has high adhesion to it.
3. We mentioned the absence of cold bridges. Due to monolithic design they simply don't exist.
4. If a chimney or hood passes through the attic, sealing around them can easily be done by spraying. This also applies to others complex shapes roofs.
5. The most terrible enemy mansard roof- moisture. It is quite difficult to protect yourself from it. But for PPU this is not a problem. It does not absorb moisture, does not become damp, can come into contact with any material and is vapor permeable (breathes).
6. Rodents do not touch polyurethane foam; it does not become moldy, mildew or rot.
7. And finally, this attic insulation does not burn.

If we talk about the disadvantages, then there is only one - to carry out insulation you need to have special equipment for spraying. Nothing will work without him. Therefore, you will have to hire professionals. Otherwise, this is an ideal option.

Which insulation for an attic roof is better, based on its thermal conductivity.

Ecowool as insulation for the attic

An interesting new product is ecowool, made from waste paper. To produce it, they take newspapers and other paper, cut it finely and treat it with special means so that the insulation does not burn or rot. The material is environmentally friendly. Still, some are confused by the presence of dangerous lead in newspapers. But this technology has already been forgotten. The material has good indicators of heat conservation, sound insulation and fire resistance.

However, it will not be possible to do the entire installation of insulation yourself, since the method is new and requires a special approach.

Which is better - rolled material or slabs

Now let's move from theory to practice. For most, the type of material sold (rolls or slabs) is very important. Some people like to work only with rolls, while others do the opposite. After all, it’s easier to simply cut the insulation to the required length, roll it out and secure it.

In practice, this is how it all works out. Roll material more convenient and easier to install. The work is done very quickly and conveniently: we measured, rolled out the insulation, cut it and installed it. It is especially pleasant to work when the rafters have a pitch of 61 cm. Then the roll just needs to be cut in half, and the parts will fit perfectly and tightly into the space.

With slabs it is a little heavier, and the formation of cold bridges is greater. After pruning, more waste remains. But such insulation is easier to transport. However, what kind of insulation to choose for the attic is a purely personal matter.

High-quality insulation of the attic roof, thanks to the reduction of heat loss from the room through the roof, which reaches 50-55% of the total heat loss, makes it possible to make the attic floor comfortable for year-round living.

This article will discuss all types of the most popular thermal insulation materials. We will compare their technical characteristics to find out which thermal insulation is best for insulating an attic with your own hands and is it worth buying?

1 Requirements for attic insulation

Attics, as a rule, are completely wooden structures, formed from partition walls installed on adjacent to the roof wooden beams, and the roof of the house itself.

The roofing of a one or two-story private house is, in most cases, carried out according to slope technology. The supporting frame is made of wooden rafters and covered with slate or similar roofing material.

You don’t need to be a construction expert to understand that the thermal insulation of an uninsulated attic is very poor. None of the materials used in its construction have a sufficiently low thermal conductivity; moreover, due to the lack of solidity, the attic roof is characterized by drafts and constant air blowing.

In order to reduce heat loss in the attic, protect the room from drafts and make it comfortable for regular living, it is necessary to properly insulate the attic roof.

In fact, the requirements that materials must meet for thermal insulation of the attic at , are almost identical to those put forward for conventional thermal insulation pitched roof, however, there are several important differences.

Since the attic is a living space, with the help of thermal insulation it is necessary to give it those characteristics that it lacks due to design features. It's about about sound insulation.

The thin roofing materials used to create the roof have virtually zero noise reduction. This problem is especially noticeable if your home is located near a highway or railroad.

In such cases, for insulation it is better to choose materials that have good soundproofing properties. Mineral wool fits these criteria well; its sound insulation index is about 55 dB, which allows it to effectively cope with noise traveling through the air.

Insulating the attic roof with materials with soundproofing properties allows you to kill two birds with one stone - improve temperature regime indoors, and increase acoustic comfort.

2 Types of thermal insulation materials

An analysis of thermal insulation materials on the market shows that only three types of insulation fully meet all of the above requirements:

• Foam insulation - liquid penoizol and foam insulation;
• Mineral wool insulation;
• Insulation made from extruded polystyrene foam.

Let's figure out which of these materials is better to choose for thermal insulation of the attic roof.

2.1 Extruded polystyrene foam

Thermal insulation materials based on extruded polystyrene foam are the most popular insulation materials on the market due to the optimal ratio of cost and functional characteristics.

Traditional strong point polystyrene foam insulation has a low thermal conductivity coefficient, which is 0.03 W/mk, which is approximately 0.005 W/mk better than that of mineral wool.

In practice, this advantage is manifested in the fact that for insulation with extruded polystyrene foam, which is similar in efficiency, a thinner layer of material will be needed than when insulating with mineral wool, as a result of which the insulation will not eat up a lot of free space.

One of the key advantages of extruded polystyrene foam is its almost zero hydrophobicity. Such insulation does not absorb water, which has a positive effect on its durability, since moisture is the main enemy of any thermal insulation - when water is added to the insulation, mold grows in the insulation, and it quickly collapses during the process of rotting.

Also, the accumulation of water is fraught with the fact that the mass of thermal insulation increases, and, as a result, the load on the attic roof increases. Since the roof frame is usually made of wooden rafters, which have limited strength characteristics, it is recommended to avoid heavy loads on them.

The low load on the load-bearing structures of the attic roof is facilitated by the minimum weight of extruded polystyrene foam - the weight of one insulation board with a density of 31 kg/m3 is about 500 grams as with.

Expanded polystyrene insulation They are mainly manufactured in the form of slabs, which greatly simplifies working with this material. One person can insulate an attic roof with slab insulation with his own hands, without any additional help.

The main manufacturer of extruded polystyrene foam in domestic market is the company Penoplex. In addition to the attic roof, penoplex can be used to insulate the walls and floor of the room.

Insulation of the attic roof with extruded polystyrene foam "Termite"

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Penoplex “Roof” slabs are intended directly for the roof; let’s look at their technical characteristics.

• Thermal conductivity coefficient: 0.03 Vi/μ;
• Moisture absorption when completely immersed in water for 24 hours is 0.4% of the total volume (at the same time, the insulation is not prone to further moisture gain; when immersed for 28 days, water absorption does not exceed 0.5%);
• Vapor permeability coefficient: 0.013 Mg/m*h*Pa;
• Flammability class - G3 (normally flammable material);
• Elastic modulus – 15 MPa;
• Resistance to compression at linear deformation of 10% - 0.25 MPa;
• Sound insulation index - 23 dB, same as .

Penoplex slabs have dimensions of 120*60 centimeters, while their thickness can range from 2 to 15 cm.

In general, we can conclude that it is better to insulate the attic roof with penoplex in the case when you need relatively inexpensive material, an easy-to-handle and do-it-yourself insulation material that has good thermal insulation characteristics.

2.2 Mineral wool

A good material for insulating an attic roof with your own hands is mineral wool. There are three main types of mineral wool insulation:

• Rock wool – produced by forming threads from molten basalt rocks;
• Glass wool – made from melted glass cullet;
• Slag wool – made from blast furnace slag, which is a waste product from the metallurgical industry;

The price, as well as the technical characteristics of these materials, differ greatly from each other.

Technical characteristics of mineral wool insulation:

• Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/μ: slag wool (SHW) – 0.045, glass wool (SV) – 0.04, basalt wool (BV) – 0.035;
• Moisture absorption in 24 hours from volume: SHV - 1.9%, SV - 1.7%, BV - 0.09%;
• Temperature range without loss of insulation characteristics: ShV - up to 250, NE - up to 450, BV - up to 600 degrees;
• All materials comply with the flammability class NG (non-flammable as).

Insulation, if finances allow, is better done basalt wool(TechnoNIKOL) - of all the options, it has minimal thermal conductivity and high durability; glass wool (Ursa) is also a good choice; its characteristics are not very different from stone wool, but the cost is 20-25% lower.

It is better not to use slag for insulating an attic roof with your own hands. In a similar price category, preference should be given to ordinary polystyrene foam, or insulation with the same penoplex, which is a little more expensive, but more effective.

2.3 Foam insulation

Foam thermal insulation materials such as liquid penoizol or foamed polyurethane foam are a clear example of what high-quality insulation for an attic roof should be.

Such materials do not put a serious load on the load-bearing structures of the roof, since they have minimal weight, they have the lowest thermal conductivity of all insulation materials on the market, and a considerable list of advantages, but there is one thing. This “but” lies in the high cost of foam insulation.

For work on thermal insulation of a roof with polyurethane foam you will have to pay about 350 rubles per square meter of surface, with liquid foam insulation - about 200 rubles/m2, this does not take into account the cost of the material itself.

At the same time, it is impossible to make such thermal insulation with your own hands due to the fact that the production of foam insulation requires special equipment, and it is irrational to use foam sold in small cylinders for full thermal insulation, since this will further increase the total cost of the project.

In general, if your financial capabilities do not limit the choice of material that will be used for insulation, then preference should be given foam insulation, namely polyurethane foam.

2.4 Do-it-yourself attic roof insulation technology (video)

Arranging an attic with a competent approach solves the problem of shortage of living space in a residential building. But in order to use the room under the roof all year round, you will need high-quality thermal insulation, especially if the construction site is located in central Russia or even further north.

The building materials market offers traditional and new ways to solve this. In order not to get lost in the abundance of materials, our article will tell you which insulation is best suited for an attic roof and gable, how to choose and install it.

Heat exchange in the attic

Thermal insulation of the attic is relatively new construction technology, which became popular after heating reached the under-roof spaces. In attics that are not heated, insulation is not so important.

After all, the air gap between the ceiling and the slopes covered with a snow cap perfectly retains heat in living rooms. Installation of a heating system in attic floor changes the situation in the opposite direction: the heated air rises to the ridge and gives off its heat to the roofing material, due to which the snow from the roof melts.

To reduce energy losses, it is necessary to provide insulation of the attic roof and gable using one of the popular methods:

Compared to insulation from the inside, the outside is less protected from moisture. In addition, so that the weight of the roof and snow do not damage the integrity of the layer, for external thermal insulation choose materials that can hold their shape well.

General material requirements

Although the quality and method of installation to a certain extent influence the efficiency of insulation of the attic roof and gable, the main thing is to correctly determine which material will best cope with this task. The builder claims that good insulation must have the following qualities:

• Resistance to external factors. It is important that the thermal insulation material withstands sharp changes temperatures, repeating cycles of defrosting, freezing, without cracking, without changing its shape or structure.
• Low hygroscopicity. The insulation for the gable and attic roof has low hygroscopicity, that is, it does not absorb moisture. Since an increase in humidity reduces the effectiveness of thermal insulation by half, it increases the weight roofing structure leads to the formation of mold and rot.
• Low thermal conductivity. Materials with low thermal conductivity do not heat up and “seal” heat from inside the room, reducing the cost of heating the attic.
• Safety. For cladding the gable and roof, insulation with a high fire safety class is used, which is non-flammable and does not support combustion. In addition, it is better to use materials that are not harmful to health and do not cause allergies.

When deciding which material is best to use for roof insulation, please note that the thickness of the layer is selected depending on climatic conditions in the construction region - for central Russia it is recommended to use insulation with a thickness of at least 150 mm.

Types of materials

Mineral thermal insulation materials

This category includes insulation with a fibrous structure, produced in the form of a roll or slabs, called mineral wool. It is made from waste from the glass industry and metallurgical production.

But to insulate the attic, builders recommend stone wool on a basalt basis. Its operating temperature is 800-900 degrees, it does not burn and does not support combustion, and has high thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics.

Typically, stone wool is used for, since the slabs, and especially the rolls, have a fairly soft structure that crumples under the weight of the roofing material.

The thermal conductivity of this type of insulation is 0.035-0.04 W/m, but during operation and moisture accumulation this value increases by half over 3 years of use. Therefore, for effective thermal insulation it is necessary to protect mineral wool from dampness using waterproofing and vapor barrier.

Polymer thermal insulation materials

Recently, builders have begun to widely use expanded polystyrene-based materials to insulate the pediment and roof from the outside or inside. This method has become the most popular method for renovating old residential buildings. It has the following performance qualities:

1. Light weight. Layers of insulation based on polystyrene foam weigh just a few grams, so they do not increase the load on the rafter system.
2. Low hygroscopicity. Expanded polystyrene does not absorb moisture at all, so it does not suffer from dampness, mold, or lose its thermal insulation qualities during operation.
3. Does not conduct heat or sound. These properties make expanded polystyrene indispensable for houses located in the area of ​​busy highways and buildings with resonant roofing materials (metal tiles, corrugated sheets), which increase noise during rain.
4. Fire resistance. Polystyrene foam insulation does not burn, but melts slowly, therefore it is considered safe.
5. Easy to install. A wide range of material thicknesses from 10 to 500 mm makes it easy to use for self-installation. It is also not required to install it. special tool, and you can cut the layers with a knife or saw.

The only drawback of polystyrene foam is its fragility. During installation and operation, the sheets are easily damaged and crumble. But this problem is solved by the use of extruded polystyrene foam, which is blown special equipment under the film between the roof rafters.

Natural thermal insulation materials

Those who primarily value environmental safety, as well as the natural origin of materials, should take a closer look at natural insulation for roofing. They are made from fibers of industrial agricultural crops - hemp, flax.

In addition to cellulose, ecowool contains 12% antiseptic and fungicidal additives and 7% fire inhibitors. Performance characteristics natural insulation compared to mineral insulation:

• Low thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of ecowool is lower than that of mineral materials, they are 0.032 W/kg.
• The absorbency of ecowool is two times less than that of mineral thermal insulation materials based on glass, basalt, and slag.
• Flammability class G1-G2, that is, in terms of fire safety, ecowool is less safe than mineral-based insulation.
• Ecowool has a looser structure than mineral wool, its density is 30-75 g/cubic. m.
• Natural types of thermal insulation materials absorb sound 10% better.

Experienced builders note that ecowool is the best material for insulating the inside of log, frame, timber houses with an attic, since its characteristics are close to those of natural wood, its use reduces heating costs by 30%.

Thermal insulation of residential attic premises same prerequisite comfortable use as an organization natural light and ventilation. Remember that insulating an attic during construction is much more convenient and effective than during operation.

Video instructions