Professional technology for insulating the roof of a house: a detailed diagram and instructions for thermal insulation of the roof with your own hands. How to insulate the roof of a house Mounting a pitched roof insulation from the inside

A self-built and equipped house is the real pride of any owner. An integral part of the arrangement of any residential building is the internal insulation of the roof. And if in most cases there are no problems with the thermal insulation of the walls, then the insulation of the roof structure can lead an unprepared master into bewilderment. Therefore, before proceeding to the practical part, study all the theoretical recommendations proposed below.

After installing the insulation and all related elements, the roofing system will look like a puff "pie". At the heart of the design is a system of rafters. All other elements are laid and fixed on it.

Modern roofing "pie"

In the classic version, the layers of the cake, starting from the finish roofing, are placed as follows:

  • roofing;
  • crate for mounting the finishing material. May be continuous or sparse;
  • bars of the counter-lattice. Needed to create a ventilation gap under the roofing material;
  • waterproofing film;
  • heat-insulating material;
  • vapor barrier material;
  • crate for mounting insulating materials and inner lining;
  • interior lining material.

A properly equipped roofing pie will significantly reduce heat loss in cold weather and prevent overheating of the space under the roof in the heat. Waterproofing will protect the insulation from atmospheric moisture, and the vapor barrier material will prevent the formation of condensate and the appearance of all the problems that accompany it.

What to insulate?

On the modern market there is a huge range of materials that can be successfully used for internal roof insulation. Try to avoid excessive savings - the materials must be of high quality.

Insulation parameters

When choosing a suitable insulation, you need to pay attention to a number of basic characteristics of the material, namely:

  • weight. The heavier the insulation, the more significant the load it will exert on the roof. This imposes a number of additional requirements for rafters and lathing - their configuration and strength must correspond to the characteristics of thermal insulation;
  • thermal conductivity. It is better that this parameter be as low as possible, if possible no more than 0.04 W / m * S;
  • resistance to adverse external influences.

Preferred heaters

Not so many materials meet the above requirements. Among all existing options Insulation professionals recommend giving preference to mineral wool heat insulators and foam panels. Ceteris paribus, mineral wool is more preferable.

Additional insulation materials

In combination with a heater, the roof will need to be additionally insulated using vapor and moisture insulating materials. For roof waterproofing, polyethylene and roofing felt are usually used. These materials perfectly resist moisture.

The vapor barrier layer is best equipped with the use of special membranes, glassine or modern foil materials.

Regardless of the chosen insulation (installation is still carried out in the same sequence), in the process of performing work, you must adhere to a number of basic recommendations, without which you can not count on high-quality internal roof insulation.

All rules can be combined into one brief summary of tips, namely:


Thus, even before the start of thermal insulation work, the master needs to study a fairly large amount of information and remember a number of important requirements. The work must be done with the highest quality. Properly equipped insulation will make living in the house as comfortable as possible and will significantly reduce the cost of space heating.

Use the recommendations received and remember: you need to insulate with the obligatory installation of vapor barrier and moisture barrier layers. Only such a complex will make it possible to obtain a reliable, durable and resistant to any adverse external influences roofing system. It is better to do everything right at once and live quietly in a safe house than to patch holes in the roofing cake after every heavy rain.

Preparation for roof insulation

The order of insulation remains almost the same, regardless of the type of roof, the materials used and other points. Having dealt with the main points of thermal insulation work, you can successfully apply them in practice.

First of all, carefully prepare the roof for the upcoming internal insulation.

First step. Examine the truss system. If rotten and damaged elements are found, replace them with new parts.

Second step. Treat all wooden elements with an antiseptic.

Third step. Check the condition of pipelines and electrical wiring, if these communications are laid under the roof.

Roof Insulation Guide

Proceed to work on the internal insulation of the roof. The event is held in several stages. Go through each of them sequentially, not forgetting the recommendations received earlier.

It is assumed that the rafters, crate and other necessary elements have already been installed and you just have to mount insulating materials and then lay the finish roofing.

First step - vapor barrier

Lay the film with a 10 cm overlap. To attach the vapor barrier to the bars, it is convenient to use a construction stapler with staples. Tape all seams twice. Be especially careful and thorough when sealing various difficult areas, such as the joints of the film with pipes, walls and other structural elements.

The second step is warming

ECOTEPLIN - roof insulation

Lay the selected insulation in the cells of the crate. Usually, the crate is assembled with the expectation that the step between its bars is a couple of centimeters less than the width of the insulation, so you can place the heat-insulating plates as tightly as possible. Directly, the bars of the crate should be nailed to the rafters perpendicular to them.

With a strong desire, you can do without the crate - you stuff nails along the edges of the rafter legs and pull the wire between them. She will hold the insulation plates. However, it is better not to abandon the crate - it is more reliable with it.

The insulation itself is usually laid in 2 layers. Wherein upper layer it is necessary to lay with a certain offset relative to the bottom - it is impossible for the joints of the insulation plates of both layers to coincide.

The third step is waterproofing

Place the waterproofing film so that it completely covers the insulation, crate and rafters. To fix the film, it is most convenient to use a construction stapler with staples.

Bring waterproofing under the roof overhang - this will create the conditions necessary for the effective removal of water in the future.

In the end, you just have to lay the selected roofing material on the roof.

Thus, independent internal insulation of the roof, although it is a very important and responsible event, there is nothing super complicated in its implementation. Do everything in accordance with the instructions, and very soon your house will become really cozy and warm, and heating costs in the cold season will decrease significantly.

Successful work!

Video - Do-it-yourself roof insulation from the inside

Without high-quality thermal insulation at home, save in winter period heating will not work. Walls and floors are not all ways through which heat leaves a living space. In addition to them, it is also necessary to insulate the roof.

Scheme of internal insulation

A kind of cake is a high-quality roof insulation from the inside, consisting in almost all cases of three main layers:

  1. Waterproofing
  2. thermal insulation
  3. vapor barrier

However, the basis of the whole structure is rafter system, which will act as a base link. Inside it is easiest to lay a heat-insulating layer.

Properly selected materials for each of the layers of the cake are the basis of high-quality insulation. The market is rich in various products, but you should not pay attention only to cheap options, preferring the golden mean.

The main purpose of the waterproofing layer is to protect the insulation from moisture from outside. It, accumulating inside it, destroys the structure of the material and renders it unusable. The task of the vapor barrier layer is to keep rising vapors out.

To protect against wet environments, special membrane or film materials are used. The permeability indicators of the former are better, but their market value is more expensive. Since it will not be possible to ensure complete sealing of the insulation, it is necessary to provide for ventilation gaps and seams.

Introductory video on the insulation of a pitched roof in a house

Choosing a thermal insulation material

Many manufacturers offer consumers a wide variety of heat insulators, each of which has positive and negative sides. Among all the performance characteristics, special attention is paid to the following:

  • The level of moisture absorption - the lower this ability of the materials in question, the longer their service life can be expected
  • Thermal conductivity - it should be as low as possible. However, this indicator is relative, since an increase in porosity and importance can significantly worsen it.
  • Insulators with low density have much better thermal insulation performance.

Material selection video

Your attention should also be paid to such characteristics as environmental friendliness, chemical resistance, flammability and frost resistance.

The most widespread for roof insulation from the inside are mineral wool and glass wool. They have all the necessary characteristics and are relatively easy to use.

Expanded polystyrene is no less popular. In addition to high thermal insulation properties, it practically does not absorb moisture, is durable and tough, resistant to high temperatures And open fire. A significant disadvantage is the susceptibility to settling by rodents. That is why it has not received wide distribution.

Other, less common methods of internal insulation are also possible:

  • The use of spraying is one of the most expensive methods, which is recommended to entrust professional master. If it is necessary to insulate an ordinary attic, and not - you should choose this way. Material costs will pay off with operational characteristics
  • Insulation with liquid compositions (polyurethane foam or foam concrete) is not very popular, as it requires the use of specialized equipment for work

If thermal insulation of a classic attic space is necessary, an additional one is made above the ceiling (expanded clay, sawdust, sand, etc.).

Let's start warming the roof with our own hands

The most common case is the insulation of pitched roofs with roll materials. First of all, you need to draw up instructions for yourself, following which you can count on high quality result. Consider the case when the roof has not yet been laid.

First, you need to go through the attic again and make sure that all the components are in perfect order. If defects are found (rotting, cracks, etc.), they should be repaired immediately.

Sometimes various communication systems are laid on the roof: electrical wiring, heating, water supply, etc. They are also subject to thorough inspection and elimination of defects. Only after the establishment of order can proceed to further work.

The first step is to apply a waterproofing film to the outer surface. In order for it to fulfill its purpose, several rules must be considered:

  • It is necessary to lay the film across, while at the joints an overlay of strips of about a meter is made, which is glued with adhesive tape
  • It is necessary to select material for waterproofing only after purchasing a heater so that they match each other in terms of characteristics
  • In no case should you pull it tightly over the surface. At sub-zero temperatures, it will begin to shrink and, as a result, may burst

Having completed work with waterproofing, it is necessary to proceed with the arrangement of the crate. For her, bars treated with antiseptic materials with a size of no more than 25 mm are recommended. Corrosion-resistant self-tapping screws are used for fixing

Roofing materials can be attached directly to the crate. Things will be a little different with soft roof. Between it and the wood, it is recommended to place moisture-resistant drywall or chipboard.

The next stage is laying in the gaps between the rafters thermal insulation material. It is recommended to adjust the slabs according to the width between the rafter opening, the mats are cut into pieces equal to each other.

The material is laid in such a way that there are no gaps between the elements. It should also not be pressed very tightly against the roof so that there is a ventilation gap.

Another feature is the laying of heat-insulating material not in one, but in two layers. At the same time, they are located relative to each other with an offset so that the through joints close.

Having finished laying the insulation, you can proceed to the next step - tensioning and fastening the vapor barrier film or membrane. It is recommended to nail it to the rafters with staples. It, unlike waterproofing, stretches much denser.

Next, you can proceed to the final stage of roof insulation from the inside - interior decoration. Over the vapor barrier film is stuffed wooden frame to which the desired finishing material will be attached.

Video on thermal insulation with polyurethane foam

Some Helpful Tips

Insulating the roof from the inside, not everything can go as smoothly as it seems at first. In addition, any truss system has its own characteristics.

We list a number of rules that may come in handy when performing work on roof insulation:

  1. Particular attention should be paid to waterproofing and vapor barrier when working with mineral heaters. They are most susceptible to the accumulation of moisture inside, causing a destructive effect.
  2. Sometimes, under a light roof, the roof truss system is erected from a beam of small section. In this case, you will have to use a combined thermal insulation method, placing the material not only between the beams, but also under them.
  3. When the step of the rafter system is too large, the insulation is additionally fixed with a wire, which is pulled between the screws screwed into the rafters
  4. So that the insulation is not tightly located between the rafters, its width must be greater than the similar characteristic of the openings
  5. Shouldn't do too much large number insulation layers. For example, for thermal insulation with a thickness of 20 cm, two layers of 10 cm each will be better than four layers of 5 cm each.
  6. The insulation can be placed close to the super diffusion membrane. In all other cases, it is necessary to leave a ventilation gap
  7. It is necessary to monitor the ventilation gaps, which should not be blocked by heat-insulating material

In custody

Absolutely everyone can make high-quality roof insulation from the inside, which will serve for decades, reliably retaining heat and keeping cold out. However, for those who do not want to waste their time and energy, professionals offer their services. The cost of work can vary between 5-25 USD. e. per square.

Having insulated only the outer walls of the house, it is impossible to achieve a good heat-saving result. Due to the fact that the foundation walls are deepened into cold soil, concrete becomes an excellent conductor of heat - in winter it cools quickly. And it is through it that cold and moisture will penetrate into the room.

Therefore, the most important stage in the construction of any building, country house or industrial facility is flooring and further insulation of the roof. The air inside the room is always warmer than the outside air, with a lower density, therefore, according to the laws of physics, it rises and tends to leave the building.

Roof insulation will ensure the comfort of living in the house, creating optimal temperature and saving energy costs for heating. Therefore, information on how to properly insulate the roof is in the first place among all measures for the thermal insulation of a building.

To determine the need, it is worth watching the house in winter time: if there is snow on the roof, then the heat is well preserved in the room, and if it has melted, then this indicates a loss of warm air.

What goals are being pursued?

By insulating a house from above, one of two goals can be achieved. The first goal is to create the most favorable temperature regime only inside living rooms without active use of the attic space. At the same time, thermal insulation can only be carried out from the side of the attic or ceiling inside the house. In this case, the attic itself remains cold, the air temperature in it will be similar to the street temperature.

At the same time, the space itself with such insulation of the roof is perfectly ventilated and can be used to store things that are resistant to drafts and humidity. The second goal is to make from the attic attic room or even a living room. In this case, it is necessary to insulate not only the floor, but also the roof and gables - the main measure will be the insulation of the roof from the outside.

Design matters a lot. It is the type of roof that gives an idea of ​​the possibility of using the attic and determines the procedure. There are several types of roofing.


A pitched roof is a flat surface. As a rule, they are not used for private houses, but they are often found in the architecture of city buildings, industrial facilities and household buildings - garages, baths, sheds, etc.

A gable (pitched) roof consists of two planes located at an angle to each other. Moreover, the slopes can be of different sizes: for example, in the attic, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bone slope is much larger than the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe second, and the angle between them is located closer to the edge of the roof.

The sloping roof has several slopes, i.e. the surface is a broken line. This design helps to increase the internal space under the roof, and the lower slopes have almost vertical arrangement, forming side walls for the room.

Working methods

Roof insulation technology is presented in the form of " roofing cake"- a multilayer structure consisting of external waterproofing, the insulation itself and internal vapor barrier.


If necessary, a special windproof material capable of passing water vapor is laid on the waterproofing.

When choosing a material, special attention should be paid to the supporting structures of the roof itself and the attic floor - they must withstand the load, which increases when laying heat-insulating layers.

The principle of "roofing pie" is used for thermal insulation of any type of roof according to the following scheme. The very first obstacle to wind, precipitation and cold is roofing - tiles, metal tiles, galvanized steel.

Under this material, it is necessary to leave a ventilation space up to 5 cm thick, and only then is waterproofing in the form of polymers fixed on a pre-prepared crate. The absence of an air gap can lead to constant wetting due to condensate, which will flow down, forming icicles along the eaves of the building.


After the waterproofing layer comes the insulation itself. Usually, mineral wool, polystyrene foam are used for the roof. Insulation of a pitched structure involves fixing a heat insulator between the roof rafters, and the fastening must be tight so that there are no gaps between the sheets. Hard-to-reach areas are filled with scraps of mineral wool or covered with dry material (expanded clay, for example).

After thermal insulation, a layer of vapor barrier follows. It can be glassine, roofing felt or foil film. The shiny surface should face the inside of the room. The sheets of the vapor barrier are overlapped to each other, and the joints between them are glued with metallized tape in the vertical and horizontal directions.


The scheme assumes the presence between the vapor barrier layer and the finish - siding, lining - another ventilation gap, up to 2-3 cm thick. An air gap is needed to prevent the insulator and the entire roof structure from getting wet with condensate. Thus, insulation can be done independently, knowing all the rules and being careful.

Features by type of roof

When insulating a roof with slopes, it is important to create absolutely tight layers of waterproofing and vapor barrier. In addition, the insulation itself should be located close enough to the rafters so that “cold bridges” are not created at the joints - gaps through which cold air can penetrate into the room, damaging all layers of insulation and the roof itself along the way.


First, all beams should be inspected for rot or damage - later there will be no access to these structures, as they will be covered with insulation materials. step between wooden blocks must match the size of the plates. The latter fit into the prepared frame without a gap. All small cracks are caulked or blown out with construction foam.


How to properly insulate the roof with tiles? First of all, they should not be adjacent to the floor. It is important to provide a gap between the insulator and the roof, as a constant inflow fresh air help deal with moisture. Secondly, they also have to be isolated from moisture with special films or foil.

Broken roof

Insulation of a sloping roof is the most difficult process, since here it is necessary to process several planes at once. Usually the attic in this embodiment is used as a living room.


In addition, in the lower slopes broken roof remote windows and balconies can be designed, and this makes the thermal insulation procedure even more difficult.

Without attic

If the roof is to be insulated, then the attic floor is supposed to be finished, since there is almost no free space here. The floor can be finished from above by rolling thermal insulation. Mineral wool, expanded clay or expanded polystyrene are used as materials for this. When thermal insulation of a flat structure is carried out with expanded clay or other dry means, clay or cement strainer, as an option - a wooden coating.


Thermal insulation can be carried out in a simple way- the floor of the roof falls asleep sawdust or boiler slag, straw chopped is less commonly used. It is usually sufficient to pour a layer of 5-10 cm. Flammable materials should be avoided near the pipes. The advantage of this method is its low cost and ease of operation.

Use of slabs

You can also insulate the attic floor with tiles. The execution order is as follows: a wooden formwork is made on the floor and between wooden beams install insulation boards. After all the cracks are blown out mounting foam. If mineral wool is used, then it must be additionally protected from moisture by wrapping it with plastic wrap. In addition, it is inconvenient to move around the plates, so they will have to be sheathed with finishing materials.


Another option for a non-residential attic is to fill the floor with penoizol. The potting foam is sprayed onto the surface and cures quickly to form an even layer. The insulation can isolate all the cracks and hard-to-reach corners, does not burn and does not collapse from moisture, and is not attractive to rodents.

However, this method is somewhat more expensive, as it requires special equipment to work.

Installation errors

Before you insulate the roof, you should familiarize yourself with the main mistakes in the work. Firstly, saving on thermal insulation material. Secondly, leaving gaps - roll insulation should be overlapped, since even small gaps will reduce the effect. Thirdly, insulating the attic floor should not be allowed to wooden beams remained uncovered. In this case, they will become a "cold bridge" through which cool air will penetrate into the room.


It is necessary to build up a layer of insulation so that the beam is inside the structure. When buying plates, it is imperative to check the integrity of the package - if it is broken, then there is a high probability that the cotton wool has been saturated with moisture.

Material selection

Do-it-yourself roof insulation begins with an analysis of the properties of the insulator. Particular attention should be paid to the following criteria:

  • combustibility;
  • lightness - it should be calculated whether the floors will withstand the load. The lighter the design, the better.


Before insulating the roof, it is important to analyze such a parameter as volume. Since some materials have a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, others have a low one, in the first variant it will be necessary to increase the thickness of the structure.

For plates, an additional mount should be built, which will also take up part of the free space. The main task is to insulate the room, minimizing the living space.

For ceiling insulation pitched roof experts recommend purchasing fiber material - it has low thermal conductivity, isolates the room from noise. In addition, cotton wool insulation is easy to install, durable (up to 50 years), fireproof and does not contain harmful substances.

In the cold northern latitudes, the issue of keeping warm in winter has always been an acute issue. Even many centuries ago, an established technology for roof insulation already existed.

After all, what less heat is lost from housing during heating, the less resources are wasted to maintain it, the more comfortable it is to live in the house.

Years and centuries passed, now there is no need to build a fire inside or heat the stove - central heating greatly simplifies the task.

But roof insulation is still necessary - after all, when heat lingers in the house for as long as possible, less energy is spent on heating, and living in a warm insulated house is much more comfortable.

Not so long ago, the most popular heater was glass wool. Using glass wool is cheaper than using other types of insulation, but it has some significant disadvantages that make people abandon it and insulate the roof with other materials.

For example, cotton wool is not suitable for warming inclined surfaces - it simply rolls down, exposing the very top of the roof, through which heat will seep. In addition, when using cotton wool, you need to think about how to protect it from moisture. However, cotton wool is still used in some homes, mainly because of its low cost.

Most commonly used now Styrofoam and mineral wool (e.g. rockwool). The thing is that they are devoid of the disadvantages of glass wool, but they have a number of additional advantages. - fairly durable material and is able to withstand significant loads, and mineral wool is a wonderful noise insulator. You can read more about roof insulation with mineral wool.

Choosing the perfect thermal insulation

When choosing a material, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

It is of utmost importance insulation thickness. There is no way she can be counted on. For information on how to correctly calculate the thickness, read below.

Correct calculation of the thickness of the insulation

The formula for calculating the layer thickness in meters will look like this:

Layer thickness \u003d Thermal resistance of the layer * Thermal conductivity coefficient of the material (roof thermal insulation snip).

This data is provided by the manufacturer and may vary. Specialists in a hardware store will help you find detailed information on each heater.

Many experts advise, after receiving the final result, to add to it another half of the calculated value. It is worth noting that when using backfill or crushable materials, they should be loosened from time to time so that the current layer thickness is not disturbed and remains stable.

roof insulation technology

Any properly laid roof consists of a certain sequential combination of materials that form the so-called roofing cake or a roofing plan.

Breaking the sequence or skipping one of the "layers of the pie" can lead to sad consequences., so let's take a closer look at the entire roof insulation pie, starting from the bottom and rising to the very top of the roof.

As a roof, you can choose any material you like: corrugated board , ondulin, soft tiles etc. And now consider the standard procedure for warming the attic under a gable roof:

  1. Consider all the layers of roof insulation in more detail. The first layer is interior decoration, behind it is a crate. These layers are not of great importance for the insulation, so you can skip them.
  2. Behind them is a vapor barrier.. And here it is worth stopping in more detail. does not allow warm (or even hot) air masses to interact with thermal insulation, so that moisture does not remain on the thermal insulation itself - the result of condensation. A vapor barrier must be present in each roof - after all, the insulation should not become damp.
  3. Above is the counter-lattice, on which the insulation itself is laid directly. We have already talked about it and will talk more, so let's pay attention to the top layer - waterproofing.
  4. As the name implies, waterproofing protects the insulation from water coming from above - like rain, snow, or simply moisture condensed on the roof. must also be present in each roof.
  5. Then comes empty space for ventilation and finally the roof itself. Do not forget about the insulation of the roof eaves, the easiest way to do this is with a sprayed one.

Laying rolled vapor barrier

Pitched roof insulation technology

Roofing cake in section

Extremely important observe all the installation standards for each of the layers and the procedure for insulating the roof, otherwise the insulation itself may be damaged, and then it will cease to perform its functions. If you still have questions about roof insulation, then you can find the answers in the article - "".

Flat roof insulation

When insulating a flat roof, you should decide on the purpose of the surface - whether it will be used or not. If so, then an additional concrete screed will need to be made on top of the thermal insulation (for example, if you walk on such a roof, adjust the antenna, for example). If the roof platform is not used, then the screed is not needed. You can read more about it at the link.

Note!

The main requirement for flat roof insulation is strength and durability of the material. After all, in winter flat roof a significant mass of snow will accumulate, which can deform weak fragile material.

Thermal insulation on a flat roof is of two types - single layer and double layer. As the name implies, two layers of insulation are used in two-layer insulation, respectively, one in single-layer insulation.

Thermal insulation of a pitched roof

In total, there are two types of insulation of a pitched roof - floor insulation(attic) and slope insulation(scheme of insulation of the attic roof).

At attic insulation the type and strength of the material is not so important - since there is no risk of slope, exposure and deformation of the material.

But with the attic you need to pay attention to material strength, on its ability to keep its shape and not roll.

When insulating floors, the attic should be ventilated, it is desirable to maintain a temperature in it close to the street temperature.

Roof insulation units - overhangs, parapets and roof cornice

When insulating the above elements, in addition to complying with standard requirements (waterproofing, etc.), it is important protection of the joints of the “layers” from moisture ingress during rain or snow. For these purposes, boards, lining, galvanized steel and other similar materials are used. They need to flash the roof from the end, leaving no horizontal gaps into which moisture can seep.

Warming overhangs roofs can be made with using mineral wool or finishing material- lining or corrugated board. By the same principle, the roof parapet is insulated.

Useful video

And now we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the technology of roof insulation using a practical example:

Conclusion

So, an important factor when choosing a heater is the type of roof, as well as the type of insulation, if the roof is pitched. Choosing a heater it is necessary to correctly calculate its thickness and add a little just in case. It is important to follow the sequence and correct laying of the layers, then your roof will serve you for many years, protecting your home from the cold and helping to keep warm.

In contact with

Roof insulation is one of the most important stages in the construction of a private house, so the choice of materials for it must be approached responsibly. A poorly insulated roof will cause heat leakage, discomfort from living in the house and other problems associated with paying for public utilities, so it is much easier to insulate the building.

Is it worth it to insulate the roof of the house

Whether you will insulate the roof of your house or refrain is up to you, but this type of work implies the following advantages:

Therefore, there is no need to doubt the need for roof insulation.

When choosing a material for roof insulation, consider not only its temperature characteristics, but also moisture resistance, environmental friendliness, resistance to negative formations, as well as diffusion and capillary moisture.

What materials are suitable for roof insulation

A lot depends on the right type of insulation for the roof, for example, how well the heat will stay in the building, whether the finish inside will be preserved, and so on. There are many heaters on the market today, but the most popular are:

  1. Basalt wool - has water-repellent characteristics, does not compact and does not change its qualities during operation. It is environmentally friendly and fireproof, has excellent performance in sound and heat insulation. It is used as a heater for outdoor and internal works along the roof. However, it needs additional vapor barrier in rooms with high humidity.


    When insulating with basalt wool, it is necessary to lay a layer of vapor barrier from the side of the living quarters

  2. Expanded clay - used for insulation different types roofs On flat roofs, it is laid out on the outer surface or floor slab, compacted, and then a screed is made, which leads to a significant increase in the load on the entire structure. On pitched roofs, expanded clay covers the ceilings of the attic floor.


    Expanded clay is poured into the space between the floor lags of the attic and covered from above with a vapor barrier membrane

  3. Foamed glass - the material is resistant to deformation, water, steam, does not burn, durable, and also biologically resistant. It is used for thermal insulation of any type of roof. It has poor adhesion, so polymer acetate glue must be used during installation.


    Before applying the foamed glass, the roof surface is treated with a special adhesive composition

  4. Ecowool is an environmentally friendly insulation made from recycled paper. Its excellent sound and heat insulation properties help to insulate the roof well. Microorganisms and various rodents do not live in ecowool, as it is treated with special bioprotective substances and flame retardants. It is an inexpensive and lightweight material. Disadvantages - the need to use special equipment during installation and special preparation for installation.


    To apply a layer of ecowool, special equipment is needed

  5. Sawdust is a breathable, clean and non-allergic material. However, it rots, combustible, and besides, rodents can live in it. It is used mainly for ceiling insulation and provided that the attic will not be used.


    Rodents start up in sawdust, so they are rarely used and only in non-residential premises

  6. Izolon, penofol - a material with a porous structure, very thin (several millimeters) and very light. It is able to reflect up to 95% of solar energy, so it is used as a hydro- and heat-insulating material. Isolon is produced not only in sheets, but also in rolls.


    Isolon is very easy to install and reflects heat thanks to the foil surface

  7. Minvata - made from dolomite, slag or other rocks by special technology. The material is safe, its moisture resistance is low, so it is not used in rooms with high humidity (baths, saunas, steam rooms). When used in private residential buildings mineral wool must be protected with a layer of vapor barrier from the side of the room.


    A layer of vapor barrier must be laid over the mineral wool

  8. Styrofoam is the most popular type of insulation, as it has a low cost and is easy to install. The material is made by foaming polystyrene, which is resistant to moisture, simply cut with an ordinary knife, has low thermal conductivity and is easy to install. But the foam is fragile, able to support a fire and release toxic substances at the same time, so it is used mainly in non-residential premises.


    Styrofoam highlights harmful substances when burning, so it is not recommended to use it in residential premises

  9. Penoplex is a comfortable and strong and durable material, is not subject to moisture and decay, has low water absorption and excellent resistance to compression. It is not subject to decomposition and is fireproof.


    Penoplex does not absorb moisture and does not support combustion

The roof can also be insulated with polymer foam materials, such as polypropylene foam, polyolefin foam, penoizol, and so on. However, they are not so common and quite expensive.

Photo gallery: roof insulation methods

Ecowool does not transmit heat and sound, and is also treated with special substances, so rodents do not live in it. Mineral wool must be protected from moisture with a layer of waterproofing. Polyurethane foam does not require a waterproofing layer and a crate for attaching insulation. but also the overlap between the attic and the residential floor Sprayed insulation can be applied under the existing batten construction

Comparison and review of materials for roof insulation


Tips to follow before starting work on roof insulation

Regardless of which type of insulation you have chosen, the following steps must be observed during the phased work important recommendations:

  1. The heat-shielding layer is made continuous, especially in the most important parts of the structure: adjoining the wall, windows, pipes, and so on.
  2. When using mineral fiber as insulation, remember that the area of ​​the material will increase by approximately 20% after installation.
  3. Thermal insulation boards must not block ventilation gaps.
  4. When using a superdiffusion membrane for vapor barrier, the insulation should be placed as close to it as possible. Then the ventilation gap will not be closed.


    Insulation plates must be laid close to the vapor barrier membrane, then a ventilated gap is formed from above required size

  5. When using a roofing film, several gaps are created - “above” and “under” the film.
  6. Insulation joints are placed in a checkerboard pattern in adjacent layers.
  7. Separate parts of the insulation must be carefully adjacent to each other.


    At the junction of the insulation boards, they must fit snugly against each other to prevent the formation of cold bridges.

  8. Thermal insulation is laid as tightly as possible due to its width, which should be several centimeters larger than the distance between the details of the truss system.
  9. If the rafter system has a large step, then the insulation is also attached from the side of the rooms. For this in rafter legs screws are screwed in, and a wire is pulled between the fasteners.
  10. A waterproofing layer is made if mineral wool materials are used to insulate the roof. Installation of a moisture-proof film is carried out not only with an overlap, but also by gluing all joints with adhesive tape.


    The waterproofing film must be laid from the bottom up, with an overlap, which is then glued with adhesive tape

  11. Between the rafters, the insulation is laid as evenly as possible.
  12. Cellulose heat insulator does not need a vapor barrier.
  13. The insulation must cover all the space that has been allocated for it. The formation of areas that allow air to pass through is unacceptable.


    The insulation must lie flat, without bends or distortions.

  14. Buy ready-made insulation systems, as the manufacturers, at the stage of creating the material, thought out most of the main points, from waterproofing to additional characteristics.
  15. Compliance technological processes in the arrangement of the roof guarantees you the absence of defects at all stages of work.

Do-it-yourself roof insulation

If you plan to work on your own, carefully study the recommendations above and select the insulation material. If all this is already done, then you can start.

How to prepare a roof for insulation

The first preparation of the roof for insulation is to draw up a clear work plan. Check the structure from all sides for deformation, get rid of dampness, moisture and other shortcomings. Wooden elements of the roof must be treated with an antiseptic, and metal elements with a special anti-corrosion agent.


The developed roof insulation plan should provide for the preservation of heat in the room and good ventilation of the under-roof space.

Make sure that the insulation and other materials for thermal insulation are constantly dry, as high humidity will lead to significant heat loss (up to 70%). Water and rust are unacceptable, and vapor barrier and ventilation of the under-roof space will help get rid of them.

Check for operability elements of heating, water supply, as well as electrical wires.

The second stage is preparation the right tools and materials. For work you will need:

  • hacksaw;
  • building level;
  • goniometer;
  • screwdriver;
  • drill;
  • plane;
  • Bulgarian;
  • small hammer.

Roof insulation from the inside

Works on internal insulation of the roof are carried out in the following way:


Internal insulation done no earlier than six months after the completion of the construction of the roof, which during this time should shrink completely. Otherwise, the structure will “lead” and the insulation will shift.

Video: do-it-yourself roof insulation from the inside

Roof insulation from the outside

Thermal insulation of the roof from the outside is done as follows:


Video: roof insulation with sprayed material

Insulation of the pediment from the inside

The easiest option to insulate the pediment from the inside is to lay heat-insulating material ( mineral wool or foam) between its base. The pediment in half a brick is simply insulated - a crate is made of bars and the installation of heat-insulating material is already carried out on them. You can also do this work yourself:


Gables are insulated with inside on high buildings or in the cold season, when it is impossible to work outside. Mineral wool or polystyrene, cork or penoizol can serve as a heater, which will be protected by the roof from the effects of precipitation.

Insulation of the pediment from the outside

Outside, the pediment is insulated in the following sequence:


To date, to insulate the gables from the outside, you can purchase sandwich panels. This is a heater that is located between two plywood sheets with a high degree of moisture resistance. Sandwich panels perfectly protect the attic of the building from the cold and are very quickly mounted.

In an uninsulated building, heat loss can reach 40%. It is very important to choose the right roofing insulation and make its high-quality installation. The roof needs to be insulated not only when building a new house, but also when reconstructing an old one.

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