Roof insulation from the inside. Do-it-yourself roof insulation inside and out. What parameters should be considered when buying thermal insulation boards

Insulation of the roof of the house is an important stage in the construction or overhaul of the roof. 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 methods of roof insulation are used.

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 for proper ventilation and steam and waterproofing of the roofing pie.

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 repair work is underway, 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:

  • finishing roofing;
  • hydrobarrier (layer of waterproofing material);
  • heat insulator;
  • vapor barrier;
  • interior decoration (optional).

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), plate 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.

As a waterproofing, roofing material or a waterproofing membrane is usually used, impervious to water, but capable of removing 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. At the final stage, the cladding is 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. Insulation of the roof of a 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;
  • small weight to prevent excessive loads on the 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 an irrational expenditure of funds. 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. Mineral wool boards have been widely used, which compare favorably with other heaters in terms of 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

To insulate a 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 a simpler and more 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. The choice of high-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, which allows you to get additional square meters of living space. More stringent requirements are imposed on the insulation of the attic from the inside.

The design of the insulated roof is called the “roofing pie” 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. The intake of 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 conventional 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, a 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

Each owner is concerned about the issue of economical consumption of 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 lightly press it, in the future it will take the 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. In addition to this method, fastening in the form of a crate of slats is used. 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 the 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 rolled material can be used as a waterproofing, 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. You should make sure that the frame and floors are able to withstand the weight of both 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? This is 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 revealed in detail in our step-by-step master classes - study 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 is taken simply from the street, and it is humid (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. After all, 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 of the 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, just charcoal is obtained from ecowool, which in turn does not allow fire and heat to spread 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 whether 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, the 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 the proper insulation of the roof of a residential building: selection of insulation, hydro and vapor barrier, useful tips. Video and photo instructions with a detailed analysis of all the work

In order to keep precious heat in the house, it is not enough to approach the issue of insulation episodically. For effective thermal insulation of the entire room, an integrated approach is required. Almost everything needs to be insulated: floors, walls, ceiling and, of course, the roof. In this article, we will look at how to properly insulate a pitched roof with your own hands. Strict adherence to technology is the secret of high-quality thermal insulation of the roof. Only a properly insulated roof has good soundproofing properties, will save money and help maintain a comfortable temperature in the house.

The main purpose of pitched roof insulation is to ensure its maximum service life while maintaining functional characteristics. Constant temperature changes, the formation of condensate on the outer and inner sides of the roof lead to the rapid aging of materials, loss of heat and excessive humidity in the premises. Thanks to proper insulation, such problems can be avoided.

A thorough inspection and analysis of the condition of the surfaces, especially the rafters, must be carried out at the initial stage. While the roof was exposed to sudden changes in temperature and precipitation, its materials could suffer. For example, excess moisture may have caused the wood to rot, or pests may have damaged the structure of the rafters. A thorough inspection will help you assess the condition of these important items.










Today, the insulation of the roof of the house is a mandatory process. Small financial investments and simple construction operations will make it possible to save a lot on heating. Indeed, as practice shows, heat loss through the roof is up to 20%. Therefore, in this article we will tell you what heaters are used for this, what technologies are used.

Roof insulation will protect the entire house from the effects of cold Source pinterest.com

Types of heat-insulating material used

The thermal insulation of the roof includes the insulation of the slopes of the structure, or rather the space between the rafter legs. Here we are not talking about the thermal insulation of the attic floor, where bulk materials can be used. Therefore, expanded clay, sawdust, perlite, vermiculite, etc. are not used in this case.

The main types of insulation that are used in the process of thermal insulation are mineral wool, polystyrene foam boards and polyurethane foam. The first two are mats and slabs, the second is a colloidal mass in the form of foam, which polymerizes in air into a durable coating with better thermal performance. But it should be noted that polyurethane foam is an expensive material.

roof insulation technology

Roof insulation is carried out using two almost identical technologies.

    Above when the roofing material has not yet been installed.

    From inside the attic when the roofing has already been installed and secured.

Ways to insulate the roof from the outside and from the inside Source cable-house.ru

First option

It starts all the same from the inside, that is, from the side of the truss system.

    First along the rafters (across) vapor barrier membrane. Laying is carried out in overlapping strips with an offset of 10-15 cm. Vapor barrier strips are attached to the rafters with metal brackets using a stapler. The joints between them are closed with self-adhesive tape or construction tape.

    Produced truss system lining plate, rack or sheet materials: plywood, chipboard, OSB, edged boards, lining, drywall, etc.

    Now the whole process carried over the top of the rafters. Between them, heat-insulating material is laid so that its edges are tightly pressed against the rafter legs. It is impossible to allow minimum gaps, which during operation will become cold bridges, that is, they will pass cold air through themselves.

    Over the rafters waterproofing membrane is laid in the same way as the vapor barrier from below. It is necessary to install a waterproofing film from the roof eaves towards the ridge across the rafter legs. In this case, the edges of the upper strips should cover the edges of the lower ones. It is impossible to stretch the film strongly, a slight sag will make it possible to compensate for the change in its dimensions at negative and positive temperatures.

    Remains only mount the crate and roofing material.

Installation of waterproofing sheathing Source interistroy.ru

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer turnkey services. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Option two

Roof insulation from the inside - on the one hand, the process is simple, on the other hand, it requires knowledge of some nuances. Let's start with thermal insulation using polyurethane foam, as the simplest, but also the most expensive.

This foam insulation sticks to any building material, regardless of its adhesive qualities. Therefore, polyurethane foam is applied without preliminary preparation of rafters and roofing material. It is supplied under pressure through a hose and a special nozzle.

Applying polyurethane foam to the roof from inside the attic Source svetvam.ru

It should be noted that polyurethane foam is a material that is afraid of sunlight. Under their negative action, it dries up, turns brown, cracks and breaks. Therefore, if there are dormer windows in the attic through which the sun will penetrate into the attic, then the insulation will have to be closed. If the sun's rays do not penetrate under the roof, then the heat-insulating layer can be left uncovered.

Insulation with mineral wool boards

We immediately denote that mineral wool is a hygroscopic material, that is, it absorbs moisture well. Under its action, it quickly loses its thermal properties. Therefore, it is important to properly waterproof the roof. From the inside, it's done like this:

    vapor barrier film installed so that it fits the rafter legs of the roof and closes the space between them (this is clearly visible in the photo below);

Waterproofing the truss system from the inside of the attic Source roomester.ru

    between the rafters mineral wool mats are laid(in the photo above, this is also clearly visible how to do this), the main requirement is that the insulation does not protrude beyond the rafters, but is pressed tightly against them;

    above stretched vapor barrier film, which is laid in strips, like the upper waterproofing, only it is stretched along the rafter legs;

Mounting on the rafter system from inside the vapor barrier membrane Source beton-stroyka.ru

    it remains only to fill on the truss system from the inside sheet or plate material.

Insulation with polystyrene boards

Insulation of the roof from the inside with polystyrene foam boards is almost no different from the previous version. It is simply necessary to indicate that polystyrene foam is a practically non-hygroscopic material. Especially in this regard, plates under the Penoplex brand showed themselves well. In all respects, it is better than mineral wool with one drawback - expanded polystyrene boards support combustion. But this does not prevent them from being used for insulation of roof structures.

We add that the advantage of using polystyrene foam plates is the ability to abandon the protective layers. That is, there is no need to use waterproofing films. Therefore, the plates are simply laid between the rafter legs. The main requirement is the minimum number of gaps and slots with minimum dimensions between the insulation boards and between them and the rafters. Therefore, the insulation is cut as accurately as possible in accordance with the installation step of the rafters.

If the gaps cannot be avoided, then they are filled with a special adhesive composition, which is similar to mounting foam, only it does not expand in volume. The material will not only fill the gaps, but also attach the insulation to the rafter legs.

Installation of foil polystyrene foam boards between rafter legs Source ezlocal.com

Today, manufacturers offer "Penoplex" with a foil coating, which increases the thermal insulation characteristics of the plates by reflecting heat radiation coming from inside the rooms of the house. That is, thermal energy is conserved.

Penofol insulation

This insulation is a layer of foamed polyethylene, coated either on one or both sides with foil. Flexible, thin and cheap, but with good thermal insulation properties, foam has recently become more often used in thermal insulation processes. In roof insulation in a wooden house from the inside (and not only in a wooden house), it is used as a roll coating.

It is simply applied from the inside of the attic to the rafter legs and attached to them with metal staples or small carnations with a wide hat. The main thing is to lay butt to butt with gluing the joint itself with a self-adhesive foil-coated film. Then, slats are punched along the rafters (this is a crate), along which sheet or slab material will subsequently be installed.

Roof insulation with foam Source evroremont-kmv.ru

Which heater is better

It all depends on such a characteristic as thermal conductivity. The smaller it is, the better the thermal properties of the material, the smaller the layer can be laid.

Please note that the thermal conductivity of penofol is not the best on the list. But the thickness of this material is 4 mm. The thickness of mineral wool is 50 mm, expanded polystyrene plates are 47 mm. In this regard, polyurethane foam still wins. It also has better thermal performance than other heaters, and the applied layer does not exceed 50 cm. In addition, foamed insulation is applied in a non-joint way. The layer is solid and durable.

Video description

Step-by-step roof insulation from the inside is shown in the video:

Generalization on the topic

Roof insulation in a wooden house (and not only) is a serious process that requires a special approach to construction work. The main task is to choose a heat-insulating material, and strictly follow the technology of its installation.

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 ensure the necessary temperature conditions inside the attic space, as well as in the house as a whole.

Poor-quality or incorrect laying of heat-insulating material can cause rotting of 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

On the market of modern building materials there is 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.
  • Environmental cleanliness - namely, the release of harmful substances into the space 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, as well as 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

The advantages of this heater:

  • 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;
  • there is no need for additional fastening elements, it is held in the openings by 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 separate sheets of the 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 metal frame for a plasterboard system is mounted.

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 the case of buying a finished house, where the attic insulation has not been 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 it is not possible to dismantle the roofing. 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.

The issue of insulating various pitched roofs today is especially relevant. Rising energy prices are forcing private home owners to reconsider their approach to roof construction. After all, it is through it that up to 30% of heat escapes. And even well-conducted thermal insulation of the floor is not a guarantee that heat losses are completely eliminated. Particular attention is paid to the thermal insulation of mansard roofs, where the roof structure additionally performs the functions of a protective structure, that is, walls.

Thermal insulation of the attic roof from the inside with mineral wool

Roof insulation

It is necessary to start dealing with the insulation of pitched roofs with heat-insulating materials. They are represented on the market by a fairly wide range, but only four are used for roofs:

  • mineral wool boards are mineral wool pressed into mats;
  • polystyrene boards;
  • polyurethane foam;
  • ecowool.

Which heater to choose

Mineral wool boards

This is a material made from rocks that are heated, melted and pulled into threads. The latter in the material itself are in a chaotic state.

As for the specifications:

  • thermal conductivity - 0.042 W / m K;
  • density - from 50 to 200 kg / m 3;
  • 100% environmental friendliness;
  • ease of laying by hand;
  • service life of 50 years;
  • combustibility class - NG (non-combustible).

Mineral wool mats

Styrofoam boards

This is expanded polystyrene, whose structure is closed balls filled with air. At the same time, air occupies 90% of the volume, which reduces the weight of the insulation and its thermal conductivity.

Specifications:

  • thermal conductivity - 0.034-0.044 W / m K;
  • density - 25-45 kg / m 3;
  • combustibility class - G3 (burns and supports combustion);
  • environmental friendliness is high;
  • installation method - manual;
  • service life - 20 years.

It should be noted that the higher the density of the insulation, the higher its thermal conductivity.


Expanded polystyrene boards

polyurethane foam

This is a foamed mass that hardens in air, turning into a durable seamless coating. In fact, this is mounting foam, only modified. The insulation itself of this type is a two-component material. Its ingredients are mixed in a special container and supplied under pressure through a hose and a nozzle to insulated surfaces.

Specifications:

  • thermal conductivity - 0.019-0.028 W / m K;
  • density - 55 kg / m 3;
  • flammability class - G2;
  • service life - 80 years;
  • environmental friendliness is high;
  • installation method - requires special equipment.

Polyurethane foam is applied to the attic roof

Ecowool

This insulation is pure cellulose made from wood. Looks like cotton wool. Here are its characteristics:

  • thermal conductivity - 0.038 W / m K;
  • density - 40-45 kg / m 3;
  • combustibility class - G1 (low combustible);
  • service life - 100 years;
  • laying method - using equipment;
  • environmental friendliness - 100%.

Ecowool - 100% natural insulation

Comparative analysis

It is incorrect to do such an analysis of insulation for roofs (different pitched roofs). Each material has its pros and cons. In addition, the price is different, and the method of installation varies greatly. For example, polyurethane foam is better than others in terms of its thermal characteristics. But it cannot be applied to the roof without special equipment. And this increases the already high price.

In this regard, mineral wool and polystyrene foam boards are the best option. They are easier to install and are inexpensive. But their service life is short.

Price comparison:

And another criterion by which insulation can be compared is the thickness of the layer being laid. Here are the positions:

  • mineral wool - 214 mm;
  • foamed polystyrene - 120-150 mm;
  • foamed polyurethane - 50-100 mm;
  • ecowool - 150-200 mm.

Comparison of building materials in terms of thickness and thermal characteristics

Pitched roof insulation technology

The insulation of mansard gable roofs is very different from the thermal insulation of single-pitched roofs. Because the latter have a small attic space, hence the difficulties of carrying out work from the inside. They are transferred outside from the side of the roofing. At the same time, we immediately indicate that polyurethane foam is not used in a single-pitched structure.

Thermal insulation of a pitched roof

So, how to properly insulate a shed roof:

  1. Along the rafters, along the ends, at the lower edges, the so-called cranial slats are stuffed along.
  2. Between the rafter legs, boards or any durable slab or sheet material are laid on the slats: plywood, chipboard, OSB, etc. The legs are fastened with self-tapping screws. Niches are formed.
  3. A vapor barrier membrane is laid on the rafter system. Installation is carried out in strips with an overlap of 10-15 cm, after which the joint is closed with a self-adhesive tape. Laying should be carried out so that the film covers the niches, emphasizing their shape.
  4. Insulation is being installed in niches.
  5. A waterproofing film is laid on top of the rafters in the same way as a vapor barrier, only stretched without sagging. Fastening to the rafters with staples from a stapler.
  6. Lathing installation.
  7. Installation of roofing material.

As you can see, warming a pitched roof is not the most difficult process, so it’s realistic to do it yourself even for a person who is far from the construction industry.


Shed roof construction with insulation

Gable roof insulation

There are two possible situations here:

  1. The roof is already covered with roofing material.
  2. Not yet covered.

Let's start with the second case because it's easier.

  1. A waterproofing film is laid on top of the rafter legs in strips. Laying method - overlap with additional fastening of the joint with adhesive tape. The laying direction is horizontal from the eaves to the ridge. It is not necessary to pull strongly, a slight sag will provide thermal expansion or contraction of the material.
  2. A counter-lattice is stuffed along the waterproofing - these are bars laid along the rafters (along). They create a ventilation gap between the roofing and the insulation cake.
  3. The crate is stuffed.
  4. Roofing material is being installed.
  5. The rest of the processes are transferred to the attic (attic).
  6. A slab insulation is laid between the elements of the truss system. The layer (thickness) of the latter should be equal to the width of the rafters.
  7. The entire pitched plane is covered with a vapor barrier membrane in the same way as with a waterproofing film on top.
  8. Panel or sheet finishing is mounted: plywood, drywall, lining, etc.

Laying waterproofing on rafters

If polyurethane foam is chosen as the heat-insulating material, then all work from the inside of the attic comes down to applying foam to the pitched plane of the roof structure. The main task is the uniformity of the applied material.

If ecowool is chosen as thermal insulation, then first a vapor barrier layer is installed from the side of the attic along the rafter system. Then holes are made in it, where a hose is inserted, supplying insulation into the space between the rafters. Thus, all areas between the rafter legs are filled. Subsequently, the holes made are sealed with tape.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the installation of ecowool is carried out using wet and dry technology. The first is when water is added to the material. In the case of pitched roof insulation, dry technology is used.


Backfilling of ecowool in the space between two films

If the roof is already covered with roofing material

Here, the technology of thermal insulation differs little from the previous one. The peculiarity lies in the fact that all work is carried out from the inside of the attic. And the main distinguishing feature is waterproofing, which is applied in strips along the rafter legs with the film recessed into the formed niches. To make it clear what is at stake, look at the photo, which shows how waterproofing should be laid and fastened.


Waterproofing membrane laid from the inside of the attic on the roof slope

All other operations are carried out according to the technology described above. That is:

  1. The slab insulation is being laid.
  2. Installation of vapor barrier film.
  3. Interior decoration of the attic.

If polyurethane foam is used, then it is simply applied to the rafter legs covered with a film. If ecowool is used, then a vapor barrier layer is laid, and the space between the two protective layers is filled with insulation.

Thermal insulation technology of a hipped roof

The process of warming a four-slope hip roof or hipped roof does not differ in any way from the thermal insulation of a gable roof. These are all the same slopes, only there are not two, but four. It just increases the amount of work being done.

The only negative point regarding plate heat insulators is a large amount of their waste. It's all in the shape of the slopes. It is trapezoid and triangular at the hip roof, and only triangular at the hip roof. This means that in places where the structure is narrowed, thermal insulation materials will have to be cut.

This does not apply to polyurethane foam and ecowool. Here, the flow rate does not change, and it corresponds to the area of ​​​​the insulated pitched areas.

What are the points to pay attention to

Despite the seeming simplicity of the operations, there are many nuances in them, on which the quality of the final result depends. And for those who decide to conduct insulation on their own, it is recommended not to miss these important points:

  • Before starting work, all wooden components and parts must be treated with an antiseptic and fire retardant. First, the first is applied, after drying the second. The antiseptic composition is a protection against biological influences (microorganisms: mold, fungi). Flame retardant - protection against fire. That is, if a fire starts, the wood will not immediately catch fire, it will take several minutes.

Treatment of rafters with an antiseptic
  • The roofing material is waterproofed. Its purpose is to prevent leaks, if any, to penetrate into the insulation pie. The second purpose is to prevent moisture from passing through itself, which has formed in the layer of heat-insulating material.
  • A vapor barrier membrane is still the same film, similar to a waterproofing one. But it is denser and does not let steam (moist air vapor). Therefore, its main task is to close the insulation layer with itself so that moisture coming from the interior of the building and passing through the ceiling cannot penetrate into it. But even with very careful installation, small gaps remain in the vapor barrier layer through which steam enters the insulation. To prevent it from remaining there, waterproofing is laid on top. It is important not to confuse the two materials with each other. Otherwise, the heat-insulating cake will quickly lose its properties. This mainly applies to ecowool and some models of mineral wool.
  • If you decide to use polyurethane foam as a heater, and do the whole process yourself, then it is recommended to purchase a mini-installation consisting of two cylinders into which components are pumped under pressure. When leaving the tanks, they are mixed in a special mixer of small sizes. And already through a hose with a nozzle, the foam is fed out. Manufacturers today offer installations with different volumes of cylinders, with different speeds of work. This equipment is reusable, just after the ingredients are used up, they are poured into containers. And you can continue to work.
  • If expanded polystyrene boards were used as a heater, then they can not be covered with a vapor barrier film. This insulation is not afraid of even a large amount of water.
  • Ideally, fill the space between the rafter legs completely, both in width and in depth.

If a decision is made to insulate the roof of your own house, then this process should not be shelved. The main thing is to decide on the choice of thermal insulation. And the operation itself is simple. Strictly follow the steps, and the high quality of the final result will be guaranteed.

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