How to insulate a pitched roof. Roof insulation: how and what is the best way to insulate the roof. Tips for choosing materials and do-it-yourself insulation technologies (110 photos) How to insulate a pitched roof

The arrangement of a pitched roof is considered one of the most time-consuming, costly and most responsible stages of any construction. This is especially true when building a private house. If everything is incorrectly calculated, then soon the roof will have to be redone. Below we will talk about what measures need to be taken to insulate a pitched roof in order to provide the necessary temperature conditions inside the attic, as well as in the house as a whole.

Poor quality or incorrect installation thermal insulation material can cause decay wooden structures. As a result, you will have to re-equip the roof of the house, which will entail additional costs of effort and money. In order for the roof to be able to perform its functions for a long time, it is necessary to take the stage of warming the pitched roof seriously.

The choice of insulation for a pitched roof

In the modern market building materials presented a huge number of all kinds of thermal insulation materials of various origins, manufactured using a variety of technologies.

To determine the appropriate insulation for a pitched roof, it is worth considering their following indicators:

  • Low thermal conductivity, no more than 0.05 W/m×K.
  • The minimum weight, so as not to overload the roof. To determine the mass of the heat-insulating material, it is enough to know its density. For insulation based on mineral wool, 45-50 kg / m 3 is enough, and for fiberglass - 14 kg / m 3.
  • The material must be water repellent. If it gets wet, it will lose up to 60% of its useful qualities.
  • Resistance to sudden temperature fluctuations, including severe frosts and various natural influences, which seriously affects the durability of the material.
  • Ecological cleanliness - namely, release into space harmful substances during operation.
  • Fire safety. It is very good if such material does not burn and does not support combustion.
  • The ability to retain its shape for a long time, which affects the quality indicators of the heat-insulating layer.
  • Durability. Modern thermal insulation materials are distinguished by enviable durability. Insulation for a pitched roof must have a service life of at least 50 years.


The following modern heaters meet similar requirements:

  1. Mineral wool produced on the basis of basalt rocks: PAROC, eXtra, ROCKWOOL Light BATTS, ROCKWOOL Light BATTS SCANDIC, ISOROC ISOLIGHT, TECHNOLIGHT Extra, TECHNO Rocklight.
  2. Mineral wool produced on the basis of fiberglass: URSA Pitched roof, ISOVER Pitched roof, ISOVER Roll frame - M40-TWIN-50, KNAUF Pitched roof Thermo Roll-037, KNAUF COTTAGE Thermo Roll-037, KNAUF COTTAGE Thermo Plate-037.
  3. Expanded polystyrene (polystyrene) is suitable for insulating non-residential attic spaces. It is laid on the floor, and then poured with a cement-sand screed. This is due to the fact that the material burns and releases a whole list of harmful substances.
  4. Extruded polystyrene foam, like PENOPLEX, is also used in conditions where there is no contact with fire (presumably).
  5. Polyurethane foam - insulation in liquid form. It is used by spraying or filling free space.


It is worth noting that almost all cotton wool, of any origin, absorbs moist air. In this regard, the installation of such heaters is accompanied by the installation of special waterproofing films. Ordinary polystyrene or extruded polystyrene foam is also used as insulation for pitched roofs, although many experts do not recommend this.

This list includes some of the most popular heaters of our time. At the same time, you should not discount environmentally friendly heaters based on natural materials, such as seaweed, roof insulation based on flax, straw, hemp, and cork. Almost all of them are combustible, although there is one plus - they do not emit toxic substances during combustion.

Therefore, it makes sense to consider the most well-known and affordable ways to insulate pitched roofs based on modern heaters.

Roof insulation based on "Ursa - pitched roof"

Thermal insulation for pitched roofs, produced by the German company URSA Spannfilz technology, is widely used in the construction of various construction, both residential and non-residential facilities.

Insulation URSAGlasswool Pitched roof

Advantages this insulation:

  • the elasticity of this insulation allows it to be held in the spaces between the beams without sagging and the formation of cracks;
  • ease of insulation;
  • the presence of soundproofing characteristics;
  • low thermal conductivity - 0.036 W / m × K;
  • excellent flexibility of the insulation, which allows you to fill complex spaces;
  • no need for additional elements fastenings, it is held in the openings itself;
  • under the packaging, the insulation is compressed 5 times, and after unpacking it quickly returns its volume;
  • the material is practically non-flammable.


Prices for URSA insulation Pitched roof depend on the size of the mats and start at $50. for 1 cubic meter. The thickness of the material is 150 and 200 mm, but mats with a thickness of 150 mm are considered the most popular. As a rule, this thickness is always enough to insulate pitched roofs in most cases. When calculating the thickness of the insulation for a particular climatic zone, you will have to use the guidance of SNiP 11-3-79. Material is produced with a width of 1200 mm, with a length of 3900 to 4200 mm. It fits without problems between the roof truss system without joints and cracks.

Ursoy roof insulation technology

Thermal insulation for a pitched roof requires a special laying technology due to the possibility of condensate penetration into the material, as well as steam rising from the room. Basically, such a heater is used in conditions where it is necessary to insulate the roof in order to create part of the room under the residential roof.

To carry out the operation to insulate the roof slope with Ursoy "Pitched Roof", you will have to take some steps.

Before starting the installation of the roof itself, a waterproofing film is laid on top of the rafters. The type of film depends on many factors, such as the characteristics of the insulation, the roofing material and the film itself. The film is laid out across the rafter system with an overlap of 100 mm. The joints of the film are connected using a special adhesive tape. The material is fixed to the rafter system with a stapler or wide-head nails.


It should be noted that the waterproofing material in no case can not be fixed in an interference fit. There must be a sag, but not more than 2 cm per 1 meter. This is due to the fact that in the presence of sub-zero temperatures, the film will stretch even more and may tear.

A crate of bars with a section of 25x25 mm is mounted on top of the film, although it may be more, depending on the calculated data. The thickness should be sufficient so that the under-roof space is ventilated very actively. It turns out 2 ventilation gaps between the insulation and the film, as well as between the film and the roof, which does not allow condensation to appear. This means that a crate is also mounted on the other side of the waterproofing film.

Before insulating a pitched roof, roofing material is laid. It is attached either directly to the crate, or to sheets of chipboard or OSB, which are previously mounted on the crate.

After that, you can start laying Ursa "Pitched Roof". To begin with, the material is unpacked and left in this state for about 20 minutes, so that it straightens out and takes on a working state. After that, the roof insulation is cut into individual sheets. required size, adding 2-3 cm to the width. In this case, the material will fit tightly into the space between the rafters. To straighten the edges, press lightly on the canvas.


Good to know! In order not to cut the insulation and not waste precious time on this, the distance between the rafters is made slightly less than the width of the insulation by 2-3 cm.

On top of the insulation (from inside the attic), a vapor barrier film is spread, which is attached directly to the rafters. After that, the attic space is finished (if necessary). Before finishing, another crate of wooden bars or a classic one is mounted metal carcass for drywall system.

If the attic space is not supposed to be used as residential, then such a thermal insulation scheme is not entirely suitable, since in this case it is necessary to isolate the attic space by laying the insulation on the floor of the attic.

In case of purchase finished house where attic insulation is not completed, you can resort to some work. Since there is a ready-made pitched roof, the waterproofing film is laid on top of the truss system, and in such a way that it follows the relief of the structure. After that, the insulation is mounted in the gaps between the rafters. It turns out that the wooden structure is not protected from leakage, and the insulation is protected.

There is another way, similar to the first, but better. The space between the rafters is not filled with insulation, but a waterproofing film is stuffed. Hanging elements used in drywall systems are attached to the rafters. The heater is wound up by the suspensions and fastened. After that, the insulation is closed with a vapor barrier film.

A similar method of insulating pitched roofs is applicable to any type of mineral or glass wool insulation.

Warming "Penoplex"

Penoplex is an extruded polystyrene foam with acceptable strength, water-repellent properties and other characteristics. Unfortunately, the material burns, and is rarely used in private residential construction. The design of the sheets is thought out in such a way that its installation provides a continuous heat-insulating surface without the formation of cracks.

Installation of foam boards over rafters

As a rule, it is used in cases where it is not possible to use another insulation. This is possible if a residential building is being built from scratch. Penoplex plates can have a thickness of 60 to 120 mm.

Stages of work:

  • After installing the rafters, a rail is attached from below, the width of which is the thickness of the insulation. This will make it possible for the plates not to slide down.
  • Then the insulation is laid out in a checkerboard pattern.
  • A vapor-permeable waterproofing film is laid on top.
  • A crate of wooden bars is mounted, with a section of 40 × 40 mm, to ensure an air gap. The bars are fastened with self-tapping screws, but before fastening, holes should be drilled in the "foam".
  • Roofing material is mounted on top of the crate.


"Penoplex" does not require additional protection.

Laying Penoplex under the rafters

Such insulation is resorted to if the building has already been erected, and roofing dismantling is not possible. In this case, mineral wool is laid between the rafters, and Penoplex is laid on the rafters.


Thermal insulation of the attic Penoplex

This option is suitable if the attic space is not residential. To do this, the insulation boards are laid on a flat surface, which is pre-leveled with plywood sheets or cement-sand mortar.

Insulation for a pitched roof in the form of expanded polystyrene

Since this material is cheap compared to other types of insulation, it is used quite often.

When working with it, you should consider the following nuances:

  • polystyrene is poorly cut, so working with it is not very convenient;
  • it burns and releases harmful fumes when burned.


Naturally, the technology of its laying is the same as the laying of "Penoplex", with the only difference being that after laying the foam, many cracks form, which then have to be, for example, foamed. It is advisable to protect the foam from direct sunlight.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the insulation of a pitched roof is a serious process that takes a lot of effort and money. Before starting work, it is better to consult which of the materials is better or more economical.

In some cases, roof insulation from the inside is a prerequisite for a comfortable microclimate in the house. These include the conversion of a non-residential attic into a heated attic floor, as well as the replacement of roofing, such as slate, with metal tiles or corrugated board, on which condensation and frost easily form during temperature changes.

Roof ridge structure for insulation

Roof insulation from the inside is carried out using any suitable heat-insulating materials with one condition: they must provide waterproofing from the outside and vapor permeability from the inside. In other words, moisture from condensate should not enter the insulation layer, but at the same time water vapor should be successfully removed from the interior of the attic or attic space.

Principles of roof insulation from the inside

Fibrous insulation materials such as mineral wool. Unlike insulation with foam plastic, foam plastic or polyurethane foam, they conduct water vapor well, and the direction of water vapor removal from the inside to the outside is ensured by using special membrane films.

Moisture removal is necessary not only to reduce humidity in the attic room. Fibrous insulation, when wet, lose some of their heat-insulating properties, wrinkle and deform. Therefore, when insulating the roof from the inside, it is necessary to strictly observe the sequence of layers of the so-called “pie”. The first layer with inside usually happens decorative trim, any material can act as it: lining, drywall, plywood. Often it also plays the role of a filing that provides support for the insulation. Next, you need a small ventilation gap of 2-3 cm, which provides free air circulation. The next layer is a vapor-permeable membrane, and the direction of vapor removal should be directed towards the insulation. The insulation itself must be of sufficient thickness for good thermal insulation, at least 3 cm. For a residential attic floor, a layer of insulation from 10 cm is usually laid. A vapor-permeable waterproofing film with windproof properties is placed on the insulation, while the direction of steam removal should be directed from the insulation to the outside. Thus, the “heat-insulating cake” protects against the penetration of moisture into the insulation from the outside, but does an excellent job of removing water vapor from the room, which ensures comfortable humidity.

Roof insulation layers

Roof insulation technology

  1. Insulation of the roof from the inside begins with the laying of a waterproofing layer. It is more convenient to do this at the stage of covering the roof with roofing materials. Lay it perpendicular to the rafter legs with a slight sag, smooth side up. Strips of material are glued with mounting tape so as to exclude cracks and gaps. After that, counter-rails from a 50 mm bar are stuffed onto the rafter legs, and a planed board crate is placed on the bar. Roofing is laid on the board. In the case of insulating an already finished roof, the waterproofing is fixed under the rafters using a construction stapler, carefully gluing the attachment points with adhesive tape. The rafters must first be treated with an antiseptic, because with this method of fastening, their ventilation is disturbed and rotting becomes possible.

  2. Heat-insulating mats of the selected thickness are laid between the rafters by surprise or with the help of a rough filing. As a filing, you can use thin slats or strong twine, fixed to the rafters with nails. Mats should fill the entire space between the rafters, if necessary, they are cut with a sharp knife. If several layers of mats are laid to give the insulation layer the desired thickness, then the joints of the upper layer completely overlap the lower one. Wherein bottom layer insulation is placed with a shift or perpendicular.

  3. A vapor barrier film is placed on top of the insulation. The film has a smooth surface on one side - it is placed towards the insulation. The rough surface of the film easily absorbs moisture vapor, it should be directed towards the room. Proper styling vapor barrier is very important, because the throughput of the film is directed only in one direction, and if you put it the other way around, condensation will form on the surface. The film is fixed with a stapler, gluing the joints and attachment points.

  4. Guide bars or a profile are attached to the rafters over the vapor barrier, on which the selected inner lining is subsequently mounted. If the attic finish is not planned, it is possible to make a filing from an edged board with a gap of 5-10 cm, the board is pre-treated with an antiseptic.

We insulate the roof with foam insulation

There are other ways to insulate the roof, for example, the popular method of spraying foam insulation, such as polyurethane foam. For this, no special preparation is required, but the roof lathing is made solid and covered with an antiseptic. For spraying polyurethane foam, a special installation is required that supplies carbon dioxide under pressure, so it is most often impossible to do it yourself. To insulate the roof from the inside with polyurethane foam, it is necessary to call specialists who will apply a layer of foam of the required thickness to the entire attic space. After expansion and drying, the foam forms a seamless and waterproof layer with low thermal conductivity. The disadvantages of this method include its vapor impermeability, therefore, when the roof is insulated from the inside with polyurethane foam in a residential attic floor it is necessary to equip a forced hood to remove excess moisture.

Thermal insulation of the roof will save up to 25% of heat, and on metal roofs it will prevent the formation of ice and condensate, which will extend their service life. If there are living rooms in the attic floor, the insulation layer should be selected in accordance with the heat engineering calculation.

Insulation of the roof of the house is an important stage of construction or overhaul roofs. The choice of technology for installing a heat-insulating layer depends on the configuration of the roof, the type of insulation and the requirements that apply to the room located directly under the roof.

The need for roof insulation

How to insulate the roof to significantly reduce heat loss at home? First of all, you need to choose the right materials for insulation and strictly adhere to the installation technology. A high-quality insulated roof increases the thermal efficiency of the house by 15%, and allows you to turn the attic into a room suitable for year-round use.

The highest requirements are placed on the insulation of the roof of the residential attic of houses located in areas with cold winters. The roofing cake of summer attics or exploited attics may include a thinner layer of thermal insulation. The roof, under which an unused attic is located, is usually not insulated - thermal insulation is mounted on the floor of the attic or the ceiling of residential premises. An uninsulated non-residential attic is well ventilated, which prevents the wooden elements of the roof frame from rotting.

When installing pitched and flat roofs, different ways roof insulation.

Flat roof insulation

How to make an insulated roof when installing a flat roof? It should be noted that a flat roof can be insulated both from the outside and from the inside.

The composition of the flat roof pie includes:

  • vapor barrier;
  • heat insulator;
  • waterproofing layer of rolled material;
  • bulk layer (drainage + cement-sand mixture).

External insulation is most conveniently performed using mineral basalt wool. You can also use expanded polystyrene and other rigid insulation. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that polymeric heaters cannot be used when installing roofing with high fire safety requirements.

Pitched roof insulation

The roofing pie of a pitched roof is made with insulation along the rafters. It is important to figure out how to properly insulate the roof of the house in order to prevent mistakes that will eventually lead to damage to wooden structures.

The most popular insulation in private housing construction is mineral wool. It is an easy-to-install non-combustible material that can be purchased at a low price. But the very structure of cotton wool contributes to the accumulation of moisture, which causes a significant decrease in the thermal insulation properties of the material, and also, over time, provokes decay of the elements of the truss system. Thus, when creating insulation, it is important to provide proper ventilation and steam and waterproofing roofing cake.

Installation of a pitched roof heat insulator is carried out from the side of the attic during the construction or repair of the roof. If there are repair work, before laying the insulation, it is necessary to check the condition of the rafters - rotting elements must be replaced with new ones. It is also worth treating all wooden structures with a fire-retardant compound.

Pitched Roof Pie Includes:

Proper roof insulation requires high-quality air exchange, for which it is necessary to create air gaps between:

  • roofing waterproofing and roofing;
  • insulation and hydrobarrier;
  • vapor barrier and inner lining (if provided).

Air circulation (free inflow and removal) is provided by special air ducts, one of which must be located in the roof overhang, and the second - under the ridge.

Materials for thermal insulation of a pitched roof

Roof insulation technology involves the use of various materials. The most popular heat insulators include mineral wool and glass wool (in slabs or rolls), slab polymer materials- polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene. The principles of their installation are similar, but it is worth noting that it is much easier and more convenient to mount plate material.

Roofing material is usually used as waterproofing or waterproofing membrane, impervious to water, but able to remove moisture from the insulation. The vapor barrier can be made from:

  • roofing material;
  • polyethylene film;
  • parchment;
  • foil materials laid with foil towards the attic.

To create a roofing cake with high functional characteristics, it is recommended to use a special vapor barrier membrane to create a vapor barrier: it removes condensate outward from the insulation and does not let steam and moisture into the roofing cake.

Stages of work on the insulation of pitched roofs

The scheme of roof insulation is quite simple. First of all, you need to measure the distance between the rafters. Cotton wool insulation boards should be cut according to the results obtained, adding 1 centimeter. This will allow you to fix the heat insulator by surprise between the rafters. This stage of work is greatly simplified if the roofing system is initially designed and installed for the use of plate heaters of a certain width.

If there is no waterproofing between the rafters and the already installed roofing, the hydro-barrier must first be fixed. The membrane should envelop the rafters, it is most convenient to fix it with a construction stapler to the rafters themselves and to the roofing sheathing in the openings between them. The waterproofing must be led under the overhang at the bottom of the roof to ensure the removal of moisture. It should be borne in mind that with this method of attaching the hydrobarrier, the insulation has to be mounted without the necessary air gap. For this reason, it is recommended to use a superdiffusion membrane as a waterproofing.

If there is a waterproofing layer under the roofing, nails are stuffed onto the rafters in increments of about 10 cm. The nails should be located at a distance of 3-5 cm from the waterproofing layer. Between the nails it is necessary to stretch the polyethylene thread or cord, knocking them to the end. This will help create an air gap between the hydrobarrier and the insulation. If the heat insulator is planned to be fixed with a cord, and not with a sheathing for the inner lining, nails must also be stuffed along the outer edge of the rafters.

If, when determining how to insulate the roof of the house, a cotton slab insulation was chosen, then the prepared elements must be slightly squeezed and inserted between the rafters. When using stiffer foam boards and similar materials, it is important that they are accurately sized so that the boards fit snugly into the opening. Warming is recommended to be carried out in two layers. If it is necessary to mount in the opening not solid sheets, but narrower fragments, joining them in length or width, it is necessary to ensure that the joints of the second layer do not coincide with the joints of the first. The heat insulator should not protrude beyond the plane of the rafter legs. If the rafters are not wide enough to mount two layers of insulation, an additional beam is nailed to them.

The heat insulator is fixed between the rafters with a stretched cord fixed on pre-stuffed nails. Or, as a fastener, a crate of slats is used, designed for mounting the interior cladding of the room. The slats are nailed to the rafters in increments of 30-40 cm. In this case, the vapor barrier is fastened with a stapler to the rafters before the lathing is installed: the thickness of the slats allows you to create the necessary air gap between the vapor barrier and the sheathing.

When installing the vapor barrier, special attention is paid to the tightness of the layer. The panel is laid with an overlap of at least 10 cm, the joints should be glued with adhesive tape in two layers. It is necessary to perform the installation of a vapor barrier around the chimney and at the junctions with the walls with the highest quality. On final stage sheathing is being installed using wood-containing or gypsum boards.

How to insulate the roof of a house correctly: video, insulation scheme, methods


Find out how to properly insulate your roof. Watch the video on how to insulate the roof of a house using various schemes, methods and types of insulation

How to insulate the roof with your own hands

When building a private house, attention should be paid not only to the thermal protection of walls and floors, but also to the insulation of roof structures. The temperature and humidity conditions of the room, and even the service life of structures, depend on the literacy of roof insulation measures. Work on the installation of thermal insulation material can be done by hand.

The need for insulation

Everyone knows from the school physics course that heated air rises. If there is no thermal insulation, nothing prevents him from leaving the building. Because of this phenomenon, a large amount of heat loss occurs precisely through the roof or attic floors. Lack of adequate protection against cold and warm air loss can lead to the following problems:

  • lowering the temperature in the room;
  • increased heating costs in winter;
  • condensation on the inner surface of the roof;
  • the appearance of mold or fungus on the elements of the roof;
  • destruction or damage to load-bearing structures, and bringing the house into disrepair.

The insulation of roof structures, as well as the insulation of walls and floors during the construction of multi-apartment residential buildings, must be checked by state or private expertise at the design stage. The thermal insulation of a private cottage completely depends on the future owner, no one checks its availability and a competent choice, but this does not lose its importance.

Warming methods

Do-it-yourself roof insulation largely depends on the design of the roof. There are two types of roofs: flat and pitched. Most often, flat roofs are used for the construction of multi-storey buildings, but it is possible to use them in the construction of a private cottage. Flat roofs can be constructed in two ways:

In the inversion, the order of the layers has been changed. This technology is used in the arrangement of the exploited roof. As a material for insulation in both cases can be used:

  • Styrofoam;
  • extruded polystyrene foam;
  • mineral wool (in slabs);
  • expanded clay.

The latter is quite cheap, but has lower heat-shielding characteristics. In most cases, roof insulation is applied from the outside. This allows you to simplify the installation process and make competent protection from the cold from the point of view of thermal engineering.

The scheme of laying insulation between the rafters

It is necessary to remember the strength of the material; additional measures will also be required to protect the insulation from mechanical damage.

When building a private house, the option with a pitched roof is most often used. It allows you to equip the attic or attic and has a more attractive appearance. Roof insulation wooden house or any other can be done in several ways:

  • laying material between the rafters (the most common);
  • laying insulation over the rafters;
  • fastening from the bottom of the rafters.

Material selection

Insulation of the roof of a wooden house or a building made of other materials is carried out using the following materials:

Rarely used materials include:

  • expanded clay;
  • sawdust.

Scheme of roof insulation with mineral wool

Bulk materials are used to protect against the cold outside. They have an attractive price, but are quite difficult to install, so they are not widely used. It is better to use more modern technologies.

In general, materials for thermal protection measures must meet the following requirements:

  • safety, no harmful effects on humans;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • low weight to prevent excessive loads on truss system;
  • resistance to crushing and sagging, sufficient strength and rigidity;
  • soundproofing characteristics (especially important when using metal roofing);
  • resistance to fire (especially important for wooden construction);
  • if possible, good vapor permeability, which will provide additional ventilation of the room;
  • good thermal performance.

One of the most important characteristics of a material is its thermal conductivity. This value must be specified by the manufacturer. The lower the value, the smaller the thickness of the insulation will be needed. In the absence of constraint in funds, it is better to choose materials such as mineral wool or polystyrene foam. The values ​​of their thermal conductivity depend on the manufacturer and are in the range of 0.03-0.04 W / (m2*ᵒС).

Thickness calculation

It is important not only to choose the right material for insulation, but also to correctly calculate its thickness. Insufficient will lead to condensation, and excessive indicates irrational consumption. Money. You can select the value "by eye" based on general recommendations, for example, regardless of the type of roof (pitched or flat), for insulation with mineral wool or polystyrene foam, a layer thickness of 150-200 mm is required.

It is best to perform a full-fledged heat engineering calculation that takes into account modern comfort requirements and allows you to find the perfect balance of cost and quality. For a specialist, the implementation of such a calculation is not difficult. A person far from construction can use examples of calculations or the Teremok program, which is freely available and is quite simple and understandable.

Competent calculations at the design stage are aimed at saving the budget and ensuring the reliability of thermal protection.

Their implementation will not take a lot of time, but will avoid overspending during construction and additional repair costs during operation.

Flat roof insulation process

Depending on the type of roof, the insulation technology will be different. For flat roofs, the following order of layers is usually observed:

  • load-bearing structure (most often reinforced concrete pavement);
  • vapor barrier layer;
  • thermal insulation material;
  • cement-sand screed (reinforced for non-durable materials);
  • waterproofing carpet, which acts as a topcoat.

If absolutely necessary, you can work from the inside of the room, but this method has several disadvantages:

  • reducing the height of the room;
  • transfer of the dew point inside the structure;
  • inconvenience of work.

Thermal protection of a pitched roof

Before you properly insulate the roof of the house, you need to understand the order of the work. In the vast majority of cases, pitched roofs are insulated between the rafters. Warming the roof from the inside with your own hands is quite a feasible task. It is important to follow the correct order of laying materials from the bottom up:

  • interior decoration;
  • bottom crate;
  • vapor barrier;
  • rafters with insulation between them;
  • waterproofing;
  • wind protection;
  • crate;
  • roofing material.

If the thickness of the insulation is greater than the height of the rafter legs, counter rails are installed. It is better to use modern diffusion membranes as wind protection and waterproofing.

Competent insulation, regardless of the type of roof, requires a careful approach. To avoid problems during operation, it is necessary to choose the right thickness of the insulation, choose a reliable manufacturer and follow the installation technology. The fulfillment of these conditions will allow the roof to serve for a long time and contribute to the preservation of the normal temperature and humidity conditions in the building.

We insulate the roof correctly: how to avoid mistakes


Roof insulation will create heat in the house. How and what is better to insulate the roof of a private house, we will describe in detail in this article.

How to properly insulate the roof of a house: key points, methods

One of the main conditions affecting comfort in a house or cottage is a warm, reliable and durable roof. It should retain heat well, protect from moisture, protect from wind. When solving such a problem as insulating a roof, one should not save on the materials used. The roof is exposed to harsh conditions, experiencing large temperature fluctuations, the influence of precipitation, significant physical exertion under the influence of wind.

The main points of roof insulation

Roof insulation is one of the important stages of building insulation as a whole. It is the final structure of the building that performs the main function of protecting the interior from adverse external influences. High-quality thermal insulation of the roof will provide tangible savings in money during the further operation of the dwelling, reducing heating costs. After all, about 20-30% of heat loss occurs through the roof.

When deciding how to properly insulate the roof of a house, first of all, you should decide on the function of the attic room. If the attic is not planned to be made into a living room, then it is not necessary to insulate the roof from the inside. In this situation, only the attic floor should be well insulated in order to protect the premises of the uppermost floor from the effects of cold and heat loss. In a situation where a residential attic will be arranged in the attic, roof insulation from the inside is a must.

The method of performing work also depends on the design of the roof and the stage at which insulation is performed. The design can be pitched or flat, each of them has its own characteristics when performing work. When choosing a method, one should take into account the current stage of construction, since it is preferable to insulate the roof of the house at the design stage. The technology for performing work is the same for both a wooden building and a brick one.

It should be noted that before insulating the roof of a wooden house, you need to carefully inspect all the details of the roof, rafters for dampness, signs of decay and various damage. Wooden structures must be treated with an antiseptic, badly damaged areas must be replaced. Electrical wiring elements located under the roof also require careful checking.

Materials for warming the roof of the house

The modern market offers a huge selection of materials for insulation, the most common include fiberglass and polystyrene foam boards, foam concrete, foamed glass, mineral wool boards. Each type of insulation is characterized by different thermal conductivity, vapor permeability, strength and other properties. Widely used mineral wool boards, which compare favorably with other heaters in their quality characteristics. Their use is acceptable for most types of roofs.

Mineral wool boards are positioned as a fire-resistant material with low thermal conductivity, good waterproofing and noise-absorbing properties. They practically do not deform during operation.

How to insulate a flat roof

For warming flat roof two methods are used:

  • The principle of a rolling ceiling - the insulation is laid on top;
  • The principle of a false ceiling - insulation is knocked out from the inner surface of the ceiling.

Performing insulation work from the outside is simpler and convenient option. Several key points should be taken into account, among which it is necessary to highlight the ability of the supporting structure to withstand the weight of the roofing material and insulation. It is possible that insulation according to the principle of a rolling ceiling will be enough to achieve comfortable living conditions in the house. Priority work on this method is more appropriate under the circumstances. The operation of the premises in the cold season will allow us to conclude whether it is worth doing insulation from the inside, based on the principle of a false ceiling.

For insulation outside the roof, which has a flat shape, it is better to use basalt mineral wool. Choice quality materials is especially important at this stage, since it is impossible to properly insulate the roof without this component.

Phased insulation of a flat roof occurs in the following sequence:

  • With the help of a vapor barrier film, a layer is laid that serves as a vapor barrier;
  • A layer of thermal insulation made of mineral wool boards is arranged on top of the film;
  • Waterproofing is laid in the form of a rolled coating of roofing material, synthetic materials;
  • Laying bulk material - insulation.

Important! If the work is carried out during the period of precipitation, then it should be noted that the waterproofing coating must be immediately laid on the insulation, not allowing the latter to become covered with water, snow, ice. For large areas, measures must be taken to prevent precipitation from falling onto the roof surface.

Before starting work on the insulation of the roof, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface of dust and debris. If there are large irregularities, it may need to be leveled. Thermal insulation boards are glued with special cold mastic or glue. To achieve uniformity of the coating, it is necessary to lay mineral wool with half-overlapping of the seams. Laying an additional layer of slabs is allowed to improve thermal insulation, while the slabs are arranged "in a run", and the joints are glued with adhesive tape. The use of this technology avoids the appearance of "cold bridges".

Recently, the fire method of laying waterproofing has become widespread. A cement-sand screed with a thickness of more than three centimeters is being laid on mineral wool slabs. After the concrete becomes strong, the working surface is cleaned of dirt and excess sagging. The waterproofing carpet is glued under short-term exposure to fire, without changing its protective properties. The laying of the material is carried out with an overlap of ten centimeters, which ensures the strength and tightness of the coating.

How to insulate a pitched structure

The pitched roof of houses or cottages often serves as the basis for creating an attic, allowing you to get additional square meters living area. More stringent requirements are imposed on the insulation of the attic from the inside.

The design of the insulated roof was called " roofing cake» due to the fact that it consists of several layers: a ventilation circuit under the coating, a waterproofing layer, another ventilation circuit (not always arranged), a heat-insulating layer and a vapor barrier.

Waterproofing helps protect your home from moisture. When water gets under the roof, the insulation begins to lose its properties, wood structures begin to rot. In addition, the air under an insulated roof and outside can differ significantly, the temperature difference causes condensation of moisture in the air on cold structures. Condensation can also occur inside the insulation, but the device of the ventilation circuits allows you to avoid this. Under the influence of supply air, water vapor is removed from under the roof without condensation. The waterproofing layer covers the construction logs and is attached to them with a stapler.

The presence of a ventilation circuit on the roof is a prerequisite for its functioning. Admission fresh air must be arranged through a gap located on the overhang of the eaves, the exhaust is carried out through a ventilation device on the slope or ridge of the roof. It should be noted that all components of the structure must be ventilated. The ventilation device does not cause any particular problems for normal gable roofs. For roofs with intricate geometry, this task is faced with certain difficulties, since various obstacles prevent the free movement of air: ventilation shafts, chimney, windows and other structural elements.

The next layer is thermal insulation. The main characteristics of the material that affect the quality of insulation work are thermal conductivity and rigidity. The material must keep its shape, not deform under the influence of environmental conditions.

A vapor barrier layer attached to the rafters is laid on the thermal insulation layer. As a material for its device, a building membrane film is usually used.

The final stage in the insulation of the roof is the finishing of the "roofing cake" from the inside. The finished surface should be sheathed with drywall or chipboard for further wallpapering or other finishing work.

Roof insulation is an important component of the construction process, allowing you to achieve comfortable living conditions. Competent performance of work will ensure an increase in the period of flawless operation of the entire roof structure, eliminating unnecessary repairs.

How to properly insulate the roof of a house


Roof insulation technology. Tips and tricks on how to properly insulate flat and pitched roofs.

How to insulate the roof of a house?

  • Pitched roof features
  • Step-by-step instruction
  • Flat roof and the nuances of working with it

Every owner is concerned about the question economical consumption resources for heating a private house. You can partially solve the problem by performing the roof insulation procedure. Thus, it is possible to reduce heat loss by up to 15%. The complexity and result of the work largely depends on how to insulate the roof and what its design is.

If the attic space is not used, then ceiling insulation is a sufficient measure to insulate the room.

If the attic is not planned to be used, you can limit yourself to insulating the ceiling of the house. The roof itself is insulated if the room under it will be used.

Pitched roof features

The scheme of insulation of a pitched roof.

Before insulating the roof, it is important to find out exactly how this task is performed in accordance with the type of roof. The pitched roof is insulated from the inside. In an old house, be sure to check the crate for the presence of rotten or damp boards. Damaged boards must be replaced with fresh ones, after which all wooden frame elements should be treated with an antiseptic and fire-fighting impregnation.

To make an insulated roof follows from several layers. The presence of the following materials is mandatory: waterproofing, insulation layer and vapor barrier. On request or need, interior decoration is carried out. Between the roof and the insulation, an air “cushion” should be organized, and there should also be a space between the waterproofing and the insulation. This is necessary for the free removal of the resulting moisture. If a decorative finish is planned from lining or chipboard, it is necessary to provide an air gap in front of these layers.

Ensuring air circulation when insulating a pitched roof.

Before insulating the roof, two holes should be arranged between all layers to ensure free air circulation.

How to insulate the roof? To carry out work that is quite realistic to do on your own, you need the following materials:

  1. Directly insulating material. Use of mineral wool or glass wool is allowed. The second is available in slabs or in the form of a roll, however, in order to make an insulated roof, it is optimal to use slabs that do not deform. In addition, you can use foam.
  2. Roofing material can be taken as a waterproofing material. A film that protects the layers from water, but allows evaporation of the moisture formed inside, is also suitable for this task.
  3. For vapor barrier, you can choose one of the materials: roofing material, plastic film, foil, glassine. The recommended option is a special membrane that protects the insulation layer from water and steam, but allows the removal of the resulting condensate.

After choosing the material for each of the layers and preparing the roof, work can begin.

Step-by-step instruction

Between the boards of the frame, blocks of heat-insulating material cut to the width are laid.

  1. It is necessary to measure the distance between the rafters, as well as the thickness of the boards. Next - cut the plates of insulating material. At the same time, their width should be 1 cm more than the step between the rafters.
  2. If there is no insulation layer between the roof and the frame, it must be laid so that it envelops the frame beams. The material is fixed with a stapler. Having laid it around the entire perimeter, you should bring the lower edges under the bevel to organize the flow of water. Further, the thermal insulation is laid tightly to the previous layer, without forming voids.
  3. If there is already insulation under the roof, space should be provided between it and the insulation layer. For this purpose, nails are driven in between the rafters (after 3-5 cm from the waterproofing). Then a thread is fixed on them, after which the nails are driven in until they stop.
  4. Fixation of the insulating material can be carried out with a cord. In this case, nails must be hammered along the edges of the frame.
  5. The next step is the installation of insulation. Mineral wool is placed between the boards of the frame, while you need to press it lightly, in the future it will take desired shape. The foam is located in the cells between the elements of the frame. If necessary, two layers can be made. When laying slabs, do not match the joints of adjacent layers. It happens that the thickness of the frame boards is not designed for a double layer of insulation. Additional bars can save the situation.
  6. Further, as after the previous layer, a thread or cord is pulled over the nails driven into the edges of the rafters. Except this method use fastening in the form of crates of rails. They are nailed to the rafters with a distance of 30-40 cm.
  7. The next task is to fix the vapor barrier. The canvas is overlapped by 10 cm. The joints of the layers must be sealed with adhesive tape or adhesive tape, and the insulation itself must be fixed with a stapler. It is important to qualitatively fix the vapor barrier at the intersection of the roof and the pipe. The service life of the insulation layer depends on how well this area is insulated.
  8. In conclusion, you need to do the interior decoration of the roof in case you plan to organize an attic. Suitable chipboard, drywall or lining. It is important to maintain an air gap between the insulation and finishing material. This can be done using not a stapler, but pressed strips for fastening.

Flat roof and the nuances of working with it

This design involves insulation both from the inside and outside. Before insulating the roof inside, it is necessary to perform external insulation and check whether it is sufficient.

The outer layer is made of mineral wool.

Such a material has properties that are indispensable for insulation - it does not burn, it passes steam well, has low thermal conductivity and lasts a long time.

The scheme of thermal insulation of a flat roof.

An alternative material is styrofoam, but it is not good enough in fire resistance.

For external insulation, the following sequence of layers is assumed: vapor barrier, insulation material, waterproofing and bulk layer. Any type of waterproofing can be used roll material, for example - roofing material, and the bulk layer is made with expanded clay or a mixture of sand and cement.

An important criterion when choosing a material for external insulation is the strength of the supporting structure. Make sure that the frame and floors are able to support the weight and roofing materials, and insulation. In this case, it is better to use a material that is not heavy in weight - polystyrene foam or mineral wool.

The execution of work involves the following sequence of actions:

  1. Cleaning and leveling the roof surface.
  2. Laying a layer of vapor barrier.
  3. Insulation boards are installed. Fastening is done with glue or mastic, and the seams and joints must be sealed.
  4. Finally, waterproofing is installed. At the same time, it is also worth taking care of sealing the seams.

In the case when the external insulation of a flat roof is not enough, the roof should be insulated from the inside. To do this, wooden planks are screwed to the ceiling in increments of 40 cm. A foam polystyrene plate is glued to these planks using mastic or glue. Then the next one is screwed to the bar, on which the next plate is glued. Upon completion of the overlap of the entire ceiling, a plastic film is attached. You can perform further surface finishing.

When performing roofing work, it is important to observe safety precautions. With the right approach and following the technology, all work can be done independently.

How to properly insulate the roof of a house: analysis of the entire technology of work from A to Z

How to insulate the roof of a house one day and forget about it for at least 30 years? To no repairs, leaks or other problems? It's real! It is only necessary to design a roofing cake correctly, choose an eco-friendly insulation and do not forget about vapor barrier. And what and how to do, we have disclosed in detail in our step by step master classes– learn and apply, everything is simple!

So, the insulation of the roof of the house in detail!

Stage I. Design

The main factor affecting the performance of the roofing cake and its durability is the humidity regime. Ideally, of course, if there is no moisture in the roofing cake at all - in any form. But in reality, it is always there, especially when it comes to a residential building where they breathe, cook and iron.

And how protected the insulation will be in such an environment depends on how competently the roofing pie was designed and how technologically the roof of the residential building was insulated, because there are no such problems with water vapor during the construction of industrial buildings or outbuildings. Just think carefully about what kind of waterproofing you need, what kind of insulation is suitable and how to close it from moisture.

Stage II. Waterproofing

The first step is to purchase high-quality waterproofing for the roof. So, in the application of conventional waterproofing films and in the laying of a diffuse membrane, the principle is far from being the same. The steam released from the insulation settles in the form of condensate and is brought out with the help of ventilation air for both insulators, only with the following difference:

  • If a conventional film serves as a waterproofing, steam accumulates in the form of condensation right on it! Those. in the space between the insulation and the film.
  • But when using a super-diffuse membrane, steam condenses in the form of small drops directly on the membrane, but not from the side of the insulation, but from the side of the roofing.

And now, what do you think is better for roofing insulation - so that the drops hang directly above it, or are outside the dense waterproofing? Do not forget also that the air from forced ventilation it is taken simply from the street, and it is wet (for example, during rain).

Especially all this concerns fashionable metal roofs. The fact is that metal is a cold material, and condensate forms especially willingly for us. And, if you do not carefully consider the ventilation system for the evaporation of these drops, insulation from the first year of life will cease to fulfill its main functions. In general, the principle is quite simple: a "breathing" waterproofing membrane removes excess moisture from the insulation to its surface and successfully gets rid of it along with the condensate formed under the roof. Here is an example of its installation:

But what absolutely cannot be used as a waterproofing of a roofing cake of a residential building is glassine, roofing material, simple polyethylene, dense wind protection and advertising banners. And it is best to use modern membranes as waterproofing, which have additional vapor permeability. Such a film additionally removes the accumulated moisture in the insulation up, thereby maintaining its dry state.

So, the first step to a durable and problem-free roof is a high-quality "smart" vapor barrier, breathable waterproofing that can remove excess vapor from the insulation, well-thought-out ventilation. As well as additional systems such as a flow guide (special fixture from Isover) and a roofing system like Paroc Air.

Stage III. Warming

So, at this stage, we select the appropriate insulation for the roof of your house.

Mineral wool: a classic of the genre

Here are the main advantages of insulating mineral wool boards:

  • Good soundproofing.
  • Fire resistance.
  • Relatively light weight.
  • No deformation even under heavy loads.
  • Durability: service life - not less than 25 years.

Their installation is also not difficult:

It is especially convenient to insulate the attic floor with mineral wool:

If you purchased too thin insulation, then lay it in several layers, always with a joint offset of 20 cm each. It is clear that the more solid flooring we lay insulation, the less possible cold bridges we will have later.

Basalt wool: high environmental friendliness

Basalt insulation (a separate type of mineral wool) for the roof is produced with a thickness of 50-150 cm. Due to their porous structure, they hold heat well, they are difficult to get wet, and even when wet, moisture easily leaves without any damage.

True, basalt slabs have considerable weight and are not easy to work with:

Styrofoam: with extreme caution!

So, polystyrene foam, or polystyrene foam, is polyethylene foam, which is produced in the form of sheets up to 20 cm thick and can be of different density.

Not a single specialist will advise to insulate the roof of a residential building, especially a wooden one, with foam plastic. Indeed, in such a house, if the thermal insulation was done incorrectly, styrene constantly negatively affects the human respiratory tract, blood, causes headaches and other disorders. nervous system. For example, in production shops, where block foam is packed, many workers complain of a constant dry cough and frequent sore throats. In addition, foam plastic and extruded polystyrene foam at a temperature of 80 ° C begin to melt and at the same time become toxic.

But at the same time, extruded polystyrene foam is the only type of thermal insulation that is officially recommended in the design of an inverted roof. All thanks to its resistance to moisture and valuable performance properties.

A good solution in terms of insulation can be the so-called sandwich panel, when mineral wool is placed between two steel sheets. Steam can no longer enter such a structure, and therefore there is no condensation and such a moisture-sensitive insulation retains its properties for a long time.

Backfill insulation: expanded clay, sawdust and foam ball

Infill insulation is popular to this day, although well-thought-out marketing of mineral wool boards is gradually replacing them. The main advantage of bulk insulation is that it can be mixed with almost any material, and even embedded directly into the structure. The most popular types of bulk insulation:

For a residential building, for example, expanded clay is one of the best options:

Vermiculite insulates the attic floor. It is a natural stone that is mined in quarries. In terms of its properties, it is close to expanded clay, and is also good because it absorbs odors. For the attic - a significant plus, you see! A foam ball is individually frozen pores of expanded polystyrene. Usually it is mixed with special solutions.

But how to properly insulate the inside of the roof of the house with ordinary sawdust? They often insulate the floor of a non-residential attic by mixing shavings with cement. Here is the technology:

  • Step 1. We interfere with the solution: 10 buckets of sawdust per 1 bucket of cement. You do not need to add much water, the main thing is that the mixture is only slightly moist. So, for dry sawdust, take ½ bucket of water, for rotten - just one bucket. First, pour 10 buckets of sawdust into the prepared container, then gradually water them with water from a watering can and mix all the time. Then we pour a bucket of cement into the sawdust and again knead everything thoroughly. In appearance, all this will look like shavings smeared in cement, but if you squeeze a little solution into a fist, it should not disintegrate, nor should it release water.
  • Step 2. Now we lift this mixture into the attic and lay it out with a simple tamping with our feet. For insulation, 20 cm of such a layer will be enough.
  • Step 3. When the mixture dries, the screed will be a solid layer that will not bend underfoot - just crunch a little.

And if you mix them with dry clay and fall asleep between the lags of the attic floor, then there will no longer be a need for a vapor barrier for the roof.

Clay is also suitable as a binder for sawdust:

Ecowool: excellent vapor permeability

The heat capacity of ecowool can be compared with mineral wool, and other indicators are also pleasing:

  1. Fire class A. This material, due to special processing, is classified as difficult to ignite. Even in a fire, it does not support combustion and does not adversely affect the roof structure. As a result, with a strong flame from ecowool, it turns out simply charcoal, which in turn prevents the spread of fire and high temperature further.
  2. The ability to "breathe", maintaining the exchange of air with the environment and withstanding any level of humidity. That is why special vapor barrier membranes are not needed for ecowool.
  3. Preservation of properties even at high humidity - up to 23.5%, while other heaters in such conditions lose their thermal insulation by almost half.
  4. biological stability. Ecowool is not affected by fungi or insects due to special processing with borax.
  5. soundproof qualities. Ecowool is a class 2 sound-absorbing material.

This is how the thermal insulation of an ecowool roof usually looks like:

PPU: durability and practicality

The main value of polyurethane foam is durability: 1% moisture in polyurethane foam will change the thermal conductivity of this material by less than 10%. And this is a little. Another feature of the PPU structure is that the cells have a cross-linked molecular wall structure that does not allow molecules larger than a water molecule to pass inside. For comparison: an oxygen molecule is twice as large.

But let's make a couple of points. According to the correct technology, PPU is not poured into the attic, but sprayed. Here the difference is as essential as putting out a fire or putting out a burning object. In addition, the best PPU is afraid of direct sunlight: for the experiment, you can leave a piece under the sun, covering it only with a sheet of metal, and after a few days you will find only a loose substance.

Just decide first, you need internal thermal insulation, or external:

And the process itself is quite simple. First, the roof is covered from the inside with a 30-cm layer of low-density polyurethane foam coating, only 60-80 kg / m3, and on top - more dense, with a thickness of 5 to 15 mm. The average thickness of both layers is about 8 cm for the snowy Russian regions.

And now about safety: consider roof ventilation so that PPU particles do not enter the living space. After all, depending on many factors (temperature, UV rays, humidity), the walls of such cells are gradually expanded. Usually all this happens within 15-20 years, while according to world standards, the warranty period of thermal insulation should not be less than 25 years. The sprayed polyurethane foam is formed into cells with a temperature of 80-120C, and when cooled to normal room temperature cells with gas are partially discharged (and freon and a little CO2 are used as gas, the thermal conductivity of which is worse than that of air). And over the years, air diffusion in PPU continues.

Stage IV. vapor barrier

And finally, in no case do not skimp on the vapor barrier of the roofing cake in the house.

Separately, we note that the pressure of water vapor directly depends on the air temperature. So the warmer, the higher the pressure. Have you ever noticed blistering bubbles on someone's bituminous roofing? This is just the result of excess pressure, which is under the waterproofing. The same applies to heaters in a roofing cake: the more places there are accidental ingress of moisture, the worse the vapor barrier used and the higher the air temperature, the worse it is for the heater.

And fix the vapor barrier correctly:

  • Step 1. Lay a vapor barrier between the rafters, at least 0.2 mm thick.
  • Step 2. Fasten the vapor barrier to the rafters with a construction gun with staples, and seal the joints that we overlap with adhesive tape.
  • Step 3. With the same tape, we additionally close the attachment points with brackets. Necessarily!

Have you done everything as we suggested? Now you can sleep peacefully!

How to properly insulate the roof of a house: an overview of roof insulation technology


Everything about proper insulation roofs of a residential building: selection of insulation, hydro and vapor barrier, helpful tips. Video and photo instructions with detailed analysis all works

The roof is the first line of defense of the house, taking on all the blows of the elements, whether it be rain, hail, snow, wind or the scorching sun. The effectiveness of its protective functions largely depends on the quality of insulation. We are talking about both direct heat losses, which account for up to 25% of all heat losses in the house, and the protection of roof structures from external factors. Therefore, during construction or repair, it is very important to perform the insulation correctly and remember that there are no secondary elements in the design of the roofing pie.

Cold and warm roof: design features

First of all, it is necessary to distinguish between these two types of roofs. Cold means with a cold attic and insulation of the house along the attic floor. Warm - with a residential attic and insulation between the rafters. Why is it important? The fact is that regardless of the type of roofing, cold and warm roofs have a different design.

As part of a cold roof, inexpensive but durable waterproofing films are most often used. Their main task is to ensure effective condensate drainage and prevent it from getting inside the attic, including on the insulated floor.

The procedure for warming a cold roof

  1. When installing a cold roof, the waterproofing film is laid perpendicular to the rafters. Membrane rolls are rolled out with an overlap of 100-150 mm and the joints are glued with construction tape.
  2. Then the film is attached to the rafters with bars of the counter-lattice. After that, a crate is mounted across the rafters, on which the roofing is attached.
  3. For flexible tiles, the so-called "solid" crate is made, i.e. stack solid sheets of OSB or other similar material on the counter bars.
  4. The ventilation gap between the film and the roofing can be minimal, especially since the attic itself is a ventilated room.
  5. When the roof is ready, the attic floor is insulated, not forgetting to install a vapor barrier under the insulation layer.

Device and installation of a warm roof

Work on the arrangement of a warm roof, as in the case of a cold one, also begins with the installation of waterproofing. At the same time, it is important to remember that a simple film can no longer be used, since a heater will be located directly under it, which must “breathe”, giving off excess moisture into the atmosphere. Otherwise, the thermal insulation may become damp and will not perform its function well.

In order for the insulation to evaporate excess moisture, the waterproofing layer must be vapor-permeable. Therefore, instead of films, hydro-windproof membranes are used, for example, ISOVER Vetranet (AM). Not allowing water to flow down and wet the insulation and rafters, it allows water vapor to pass from bottom to top. Another advantage of Vetranet (AM) is that it can act as a temporary shelter, protecting the structure from rain and allowing roofing installation to be delayed for up to two months.

Some homeowners are trying to save money and use cheap micro-perforated films instead of a membrane, which, according to their manufacturers, also combine waterproofing properties with vapor permeability. However, not everyone knows that this is fairly observed only as long as the film is on weight. As soon as it comes into contact from below with any base, a leak immediately occurs in this place. And in a warm roof, waterproofing lies on a layer of insulation.

Important! Unlike a cold roof, a warm ventilation gap between the roofing and waterproofing should be sufficient to ensure that all excess moisture is effectively evaporated, carried away by air currents rising from the eaves to the ridge.

Calculation of the counter-beam for the ventilation gap

  • With a standard ramp slope (25-40º), the height of the counter-beam should be at least 50 mm, for steep slopes (more than 45º) - at least 40 mm. The flatter the slope, the worse the draft under the roof, therefore, with slopes of 5-25º, a counter beam with a height of at least 60 mm is needed, and with a slope of less than 5º - 100 mm.
  • The length of the slope also matters. All the above values ​​are valid for slopes up to 10 m long. If it is longer, then you need to increase the height of the ventilation gap by 10% or additionally install aeration pipes. More details on the calculation methodology can be found in SP 17.13330.2011 "Roofs".

The ventilation gap should not be interrupted so that the air flows ascending from the eaves to the ridge do not encounter obstacles, and the water rolling down the membrane does not accumulate anywhere. Therefore, no crossbars can be stuffed across between the bars of the counter-lattice.

Do-it-yourself roof insulation (step by step)

  1. The insulation is installed after the installation of the hydro-windproof membrane. It is mounted from below, from the side of the attic, between the rafters and from the bottom up. With multilayer insulation, all layers of thermal insulation of the material are laid with a run-out of seams. If the thickness of the required layer of thermal insulation exceeds the height of the rafters, then they are built up with bars of the required thickness, which are stuffed perpendicularly.
  2. From below, a vapor barrier film is mounted on the rafters. It is attached to the rafters in horizontal overlapping strips, with an overlap of 100-150 mm, using a construction stapler or nails with a wide hat. Joints and film attachment points are sealed with a vapor barrier tape or reinforced construction tape.

The disadvantage of using a conventional film as a vapor barrier is the numerous tears and punctures during its installation. Even an experienced builder will not notice everyone, as a result, the insulation may get wet in places. Therefore, for high-quality vapor barrier, we recommend using specialized membranes, for example, ISOVER Paranet (B).

This is a durable two-layer vapor barrier, which is installed with a smooth side to the insulation and reliably protects the roofing pie from evaporation. The rough internal surface allows to keep drops of condensate which are formed in the winter in heated rooms.

The choice of insulation

This is a responsible task. Thermal insulation should be light, easy to install and at the same time effective. Of the modern varieties of mineral wool, quartz is the most suitable for these conditions. The thermal conductivity of its light grades is 0.037-0.041 W / (m * ° C), which practically corresponds to the performance of polyurethane foam. At the same time, in terms of weight, quartz wool is 1.5-2 times lighter than stone wool similar in characteristics.

Due to thin (3.5-5 microns) and long (25-30 cm) fibers, it is characterized by high strength and elasticity, therefore it fills the entire space between the rafters without gaps and crevices, preventing the formation of cold bridges.

for roof insulation and attic floor it is advisable to use cotton wool in rolls, since it is more convenient to mount it whole pieces along the entire length of the rafters and in a compressed roll, 1.5-2 times more material is placed than in a package with compressible boards. As a result, the cost of transporting insulation is reduced by 1.5-2 times.

As a rule, do-it-yourself roof insulation for permanent residence involves laying mineral wool in two layers, since one (maximum 150 mm) is not enough for harsh Russian winters. In this case, for the first (outer) layer, you can use ordinary quartz wool (for example, ISOVER Warm Roof with increased sound insulation and moisture resistance), and on the second - ISOVER pitched roof Comfort with craft vapor barrier coating. The insulation is mounted between the rafters with the substrate down, after which it is glued to them with ISOVER Paranet adhesive tape.

Mineral wool does not rot and decompose from moisture

Is it possible to insulate a cold roof

Just take it and "upgrade" cold roof in the old house it will not work: the coating will have to be completely removed. This is due to two reasons: the need to organize a ventilation gap sufficient in height and to replace the waterproofing film with a vapor-permeable membrane. There is no way to do this from the side of the attic. True, if the house is “with history”, then the roofing usually still needs to be replaced.

If it was built relatively recently, then completely blocking the roof means incurring serious costs. Therefore, the decision that you will be located above the top floor, it is better to make in advance. It is even more correct to play it safe: even if it is decided to make a cold roof, you can use a hydro-windproof membrane instead of a film and choose a thicker counter beam. It is possible to equip the attic even after a few years, the main thing is that this is possible in principle.

So, all decisions are made, materials are selected, which means you can get to work. The main thing to remember: there are no trifles in the roofing business! A properly installed roof will reliably protect the house from cold, heat and bad weather and will serve faithfully for many years.


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Roof insulation from the inside best option work for several reasons.


Roof insulation is done only for residential attic rooms, due to this, heat losses are significantly reduced and the comfort of living is increased. Today, companies produce a wide range of materials for insulation, all of them have both positive and negative sides. When choosing a specific insulation, it is important to know its features and take into account the characteristics of the building truss system.

There are many names of materials for insulation, but they are all divided into two large groups.

Table. Roof insulation groups.

Name of heatersOperational and Physical Characteristics

This group includes mineral wool from basalt, glass wool from recycled glass and ecowool from waste paper. Wool insulation can be pressed in the form of mats of standard sizes or rolled. There are options for spraying liquid ecowool. In terms of thermal conductivity and weight, the listed species almost do not differ from each other. The most expensive mineral wool.

Styrofoam, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, etc. All these heaters are made on the basis of the same polymer, they differ in production technology and some additives. Most often they have the form of plates of various thicknesses and sizes, they can differ significantly in terms of physical strength. The thermal conductivity is almost the same, slight fluctuations in practice have no effect. The price range is large. Can be used in liquid form (sprayed) or as slabs.

For example, we will consider the two most common options for roof insulation from the inside. Examples are not only budgetary, but also effective. The process is divided into several stages, the final quality of the work depends on the correct implementation of each of them.

Styrofoam prices

Styrofoam

Inspection of the truss system and roofing

A very important stage of preparation for warming. Make an audit of all elements of the roofing system, check the condition of the roof covering. If problems are found, they must be fixed immediately.

Measure the distance between rafter legs, this will help you navigate the choice of insulation. The fact is that all heaters have standard sizes in width. This makes it easier and faster installation work and the amount of waste is reduced. The width of the insulation is 60 cm, but, unfortunately, some manufacturers allow fluctuations in one direction or another by several centimeters. The distance between the rafter legs should be within 56–57 cm. In practice, such correct roofs can rarely be found.

See if a windscreen is installed between the roof and the attic, if it has air vents for natural ventilation. This is very important in cases where insulation is planned to be done with mineral wool.

Prices for material for vapor barrier

Vapor barrier material

Selection and purchase of materials

The most commonly used materials for roof insulation are mineral wool and polystyrene foam, and we will focus on them in detail. If you have a simple gable roof, then its insulation is not very difficult technologically. A completely different situation is with a broken or hipped roof. These structures have many different stops, runs, ties and other elements that reinforce the truss system. During insulation, you have to cut the mineral wool or polystyrene, make various bends and bends. As a result, the complexity of the work increases and the amount of waste increases.

But this is not all the problems. Complicated roofs can never be hermetically sealed with a vapor barrier layer, there will always be places through which moist air enters the insulation. For mineral wool, this is a very unpleasant phenomenon. Experienced builders recommend complex roofs insulate with foam, and not take risks with mineral wool. Wet wool not only almost completely loses its heat-saving abilities, but also accelerates the putrefactive processes of the wooden structures of the truss system.

Roof insulation works

The technology of work largely depends on the material chosen, but for all cases there are general tips.


If it is possible to work with an assistant - excellent, the warming process will go much faster. There is no such possibility - it's okay, all the work can be done independently.

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