Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

Arrangement of living space on the site of an attic space has long ceased to be a rare phenomenon. More and more homeowners are interested in how to properly repair, so that life “under the roof” is no less comfortable than in the house itself. Consider how to make attic insulation, if the roof is already covered, which materials are best suited for this purpose and what nuances you should pay attention to.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: preparation of the room

Attic – is not just a habitable attic. There are some rules that distinguish these two rooms from each other. First of all, the roof of the attic must necessarily have a slope. In addition, the standard height of the room must be at least 2.5 m.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

Focusing on the attractive appearance, many decide on the arrangement of the attic. But in reality, we have to face some nuances, which it is desirable to familiarize with before starting the work:

  • the materials used for the construction of the attic, directly determine further heat loss in this room. Therefore, their choice should be approached very responsibly;
  • The right choice of engineering solutions, which make it possible to provide all the necessary communications on the upper floor, has no less impact;
  • a significant role is played by the shape of the roof. It can be single-slope, gable or broken;
  • in order to hide the bearing elements of the roof, it is necessary to show imagination;
  • the attic can be located not only in the territory of the house, but also go beyond it, relying on columns.

Each of these aspects has its influence on the approach that will be required for high-quality roof insulation. But the main role still belongs to the two main materials – heat and waterproofing. On the one hand, the space under the roof is in the coldest area of ​​the building. On the other hand, a strong difference between the temperature inside and outside often causes condensation to occur, which has a destructive effect on materials.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

For the inner insulation of the attic there are many suitable options. But you need to make your choice based on the characteristics of the region of residence, as well as the design features of a particular roof with which to work. Consider what options exist today and what features are typical for them.

Polyfoam – one of the most famous heaters, which occupies its niche among inexpensive insulation materials. Its price is indeed significantly lower than that of many others, but this is not its only advantage:

  • foam does not absorb moisture at all. If the material is pretreated with a special impregnation, water will simply flow down the surface;
  • low weight is another advantage that significantly facilitates transportation and installation, as well as reduces the load on the roof;
  • the thermal conductivity of the foam is very small, so that it copes with its direct functions more than fully;
  • foam is easy to cut and attach. This allows you to work with him without any problems even in the absence of any experience.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

Interesting! In terms of cost, this method can be compared only with insulation of the ceiling with expanded clay, although now this method is used less and less.

Based on these characteristics, it can be concluded that foam plastic is almost a win-win option when it comes to warming the attic from the inside. But the insulation of the walls from the inside of the foam also has drawbacks, and sometimes they turn out to be much more significant advantages:

  • vapor permeability of foam is at a very low level. As a result, the room is often stuffy and hot. It also leads to an increase in humidity, which causes the development of fungi and mold on the wooden elements of the roof;
  • despite its artificial origin, this material is often exposed to damage from rodents;
  • over time, wood tends to shrink, which leads to the formation of cracks between the elements of the foam. This is impossible to fix, and the only way to solve the problem is to completely replace the insulating material.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

Many believe that these shortcomings are more than advantages and the insulation of the attic with foam plastic is not justified. But it must be admitted that this is one of the most budgetary options, which delivers a minimum of hassle, and if the installation technology is observed, it may well become an alternative to more expensive solutions.

Extruded polystyrene foam is very similar to foam plastic. Their technical characteristics are almost identical, with the exception of one significant aspect – installation technology. If you need to lay the foam between the rafters, then polystyrene foam is put on top, which eliminates the risk of cracks and gaps.

Helpful advice! Some manufacturers offer customers plates with stepped joints, which allows to make joints even more durable and reliable. Such fixation of elements among themselves is an ideal option for warming the roof of the attic.

Among other advantages of polystyrene foam roof insulation, it is impossible not to mention its low weight, which is perfectly combined with high strength and resistance to external influences. In addition, the operational life of this material is quite long, subject to compliance with the entire technology of insulation of the attic penoplex.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

Expanded polystyrene is not prone to the processes of decay or decomposition, which is also important in the case of work on the roof. On top of it can be applied any topcoat that will give an attractive appearance and provide additional protection.

It is easy to work with polystyrene foam by yourself: various adhesive mixtures and mastics are suitable for fixing it. And in some cases even a construction stapler is used. So for installation there is no need to purchase any expensive additional elements.

But behind all these positive characteristics we should not forget about the only, but rather serious lack of insulation by polystyrene foam from inside the walls and roof – the material has an increased level of flammability. For owners, this means the need for more careful and thoughtful summarizing of all communications, in particular, electricity.

Of course, manufacturers are trying to reduce this disadvantage to a minimum, but today we can confidently say that this question remains open, and every owner who has opted for wall insulation from the inside of the penoplex must take care of their safety.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

Interesting! It is no coincidence that this material is most often chosen to insulate the balcony. Styrofoam has a very low thermal conductivity, and at the same time on the balcony, he almost does not have to come into contact with electricity.

Mineral wool – another insulating material that is used everywhere and is widely known for its characteristics. It received its name because of the fibrous structure, similar to medical cotton. You can buy it in rolls, which makes transportation and installation even more convenient.

Low thermal conductivity is perfectly combined with the ability to not absorb moisture. Although, if this happens, the material dries quickly, without losing its appearance and technical characteristics.

Minvat belongs to the category of environmentally friendly and safe materials, which becomes noticeable even if the upper part of the roof is covered with metal tile, which is prone to strong heating under the influence of sunlight. In addition, the mineral wool also serves as a sound-absorbing barrier, and unlike foam plastic, it is completely not of interest for rodents and various insects.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

Warming of the roof from the inside of the mineral wool should be done taking into account the fact that it is a fairly elastic material, despite its soft fibrous structure. He is quite capable of holding between rafters under the condition of high-quality fixation.

Helpful advice! In the process of cutting mineral wool for placing sheets between the rafters, it is necessary to leave a reserve of about 2 cm. This will allow them to hold and not fall out even if there are no additional fastening elements.

According to its characteristics, glass wool is similar to mineral wool, but in this case, the fibers that make up the material are more long, which generally increases the elasticity of the material. Somewhat higher and strength indicators and soundproofing ability. But when in contact with moisture, glass wool yields to mineral wool, absorbing more water.

The use of glass wool for insulation of residential premises does not lead to any negative consequences for the health of residents. No toxic substances are used in the production process. In addition, glass wool is characterized by a low flammability index.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

In the process of working with the material requires compliance with safety regulations to avoid the ingress of glass wool fibers into the air. Its small particles can cause irritation of the mucous membranes, and therefore the use of a respirator and goggles is imperative.

Helpful advice! Sometimes glass wool fibers can cause skin irritation, therefore, in the process of working with it, it is recommended to wear closed clothes and even gloves.

Stone wool is the most expensive option among such materials. But at the same time, it is the safest for human health and, by the degree of reliability, far exceeds all other options. Here are some of its main advantages:

  • thermal conductivity coefficient of this material is one of the lowest;
  • stone wool remains completely environmentally friendly even when heated;
  • the layer of this heat insulator is also an excellent noise barrier;
  • vapor permeability is very high;

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

  • the material practically does not burn;
  • no mechanical loads can deform stone wool or affect its characteristics;
  • material differs in the long term of operation;
  • Stone wool can be purchased in the form of slabs that are easily cut into segments of the required length and attached to the ceiling surface.

Due to the high cost of stone wool, it is often attempted to be replaced with mineral wool or glass wool. But such a replacement cannot be called a full-fledged one, since it affects the quality of the insulation quite seriously. Many users argue that the price of the material is justified, and subject to the installation technology, it very quickly pays for the costs incurred.

Insulation of the attic from the inside, if the roof is already covered: materials and technologies

As an illustrative example, it is recommended to watch the training video, which details the wall insulation technology from the inside of the mineral wool. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with all the nuances and avoid the common mistakes mentioned earlier.

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