Mixer      03/03/2020

Thermal insulating roof coverings. Roof insulation from the inside: choose insulation and do the installation yourself. Roof insulation under rafters

In the cold northern latitudes, the issue of maintaining heat in winter has always been an acute issue. Even many centuries ago, there was already an established technology for roof insulation.

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

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

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

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

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

Most often used now polystyrene foam and mineral wool (for example rockwool). The thing is that they do not have the disadvantages of glass wool, but they have a number of additional advantages. - quite durable material and is able to withstand significant loads, and mineral wool is excellent sound insulator. You can read more about roof insulation with mineral wool.

Choosing the ideal thermal insulation

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

It is extremely important insulation thickness. There is no way to miscalculate her. Read below to learn how to correctly calculate the thickness.

Correct calculation of insulation thickness

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

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

These data are provided by the manufacturer and may vary. Detailed information Specialists at a hardware store will help you find each insulation material.

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

Roof insulation technology

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

Violation of the sequence or skipping one of the “layers of the pie” can lead to dire consequences, so let's look at the whole roof insulation pie in detail, starting from the bottom and going up to the very top of the roof.

For the roof, you can choose any material you like: corrugated board , ondulin, soft tiles etc. Now let’s look at the standard procedure for insulating an attic under a gable roof:

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

Laying rolled vapor barrier

Insulation technology pitched roof

Sectional roofing pie

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

Thermal insulation of flat roofs

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

Note!

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

Thermal insulation on a flat roof comes in two types - single-layer and double-layer. As the name suggests, double-layer insulation uses two layers of insulation, while single-layer insulation uses one.

Thermal insulation of pitched roofs

There are two types of pitched roof insulation - insulation of floors(attic) and insulation of slopes(attic roof insulation diagram).

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

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

When insulating floors, the attic must be ventilated; it is advisable to maintain a temperature close to the outside temperature.

Roof insulation units - overhangs, parapets and roof eaves

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

Insulation overhangs roofs can be done with with help mineral wool or finishing material- lining or corrugated sheets. The same principle is used to insulate the roof parapet.

Useful video

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

Conclusion

So, important factor When choosing insulation, it depends on the type of roof, as well as the type of insulation if the roof is pitched. Having chosen insulation, you need to correctly calculate its thickness and add a little just in case. It is important to follow the sequence and correct placement of layers, then your roof will serve you for many years, protecting your home from the cold and helping to retain heat.

In contact with

A house built and furnished with one’s own hands is the real pride of any owner. An integral stage in the arrangement of any residential building is the internal insulation of the roof. And if in most cases no problems arise with the thermal insulation of walls, then the insulation of the roof structure can confuse an untrained craftsman. Therefore, before starting the practical part, study all the theoretical recommendations proposed below.

After installing the insulation and all related elements, the roofing system will look like a layer cake. The design is based on a rafter system. All other elements are laid and secured onto it.

Modern roofing “pie”

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

  • roofing;
  • lathing for installation of finishing material. Can be solid or sparse;
  • counter-lattice bars. Needed to create a ventilation gap under the roofing material;
  • waterproofing film;
  • thermal insulation material;
  • vapor barrier material;
  • lathing for installation of insulating materials and internal cladding;
  • inner lining material.

A properly installed roofing pie will significantly reduce heat loss in cold weather and will prevent overheating of the space under the roof in the heat. Waterproofing will protect the insulation from atmospheric moisture, and the vapor barrier material will prevent the formation of condensation and the occurrence of all related problems.

How to insulate?

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

Insulation parameters

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

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

Preferred insulation materials

Not many materials meet the above requirements. Among all existing options Insulation professionals recommend giving preference to mineral wool heat insulators and foam panels. All other things being equal, mineral wool is more preferable.

Additional insulation materials

In combination with insulation, the roof will need to be additionally insulated using vapor and moisture insulation materials. For roof waterproofing, polyethylene and roofing felt are usually used. These materials are highly resistant to moisture.

The vapor barrier layer is best equipped using special membranes, glassine or modern foil materials.

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

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


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

Use the recommendations received and remember: insulation must be done with the obligatory installation of vapor barrier and moisture barrier layers. Only such a complex will make it possible to obtain a reliable, durable roofing system that is resistant to any adverse external influences. It’s better to immediately do everything according to the rules and live peacefully in safe home than patching holes in the roofing pie after every heavy rain.

Preparing for roof insulation

The insulation procedure remains almost the same regardless of the type of roof, materials used and other points. Having understood the main points of thermal insulation work, you will be able to successfully apply them in practice.

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

First step. Inspect the rafter system. If you find rotted or damaged elements, replace them with new parts.

Second step. Process everything wooden elements antiseptic.

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

Guide to internal roof insulation

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

It is assumed that rafters, sheathing and other necessary elements have already been installed and all you have to do is install the insulating materials and then lay the final roofing covering.

The first step is vapor barrier

Lay the film with a 10-centimeter overlap. To attach the vapor barrier to the bars, it is convenient to use a construction stapler with staples. Double-seal all joints with duct tape. Be especially careful and thorough when sealing various difficult areas, such as the junction of the film with pipes, walls and other structural elements.

The second step is insulation

EKOTEPLIN - roof insulation

Place the selected insulation in the cells of the sheathing. Usually the sheathing is assembled so that the step between its bars is a couple of centimeters less than the width of the insulation, so you can place the insulating boards as tightly as possible. The sheathing bars themselves must be nailed to the rafters perpendicular to them.

If you really want to, you can do without the sheathing - you stuff it around the edges rafter legs nails and stretch the wire between them. It will hold the insulation boards. However, it is better not to give up the sheathing - it is safer with it.

The insulation itself is usually laid in 2 layers. In this case, the top layer must be laid with a certain offset in relation to the bottom one - it is impossible for the joints of the insulation boards of both layers to coincide.

Third step - waterproofing

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

Place waterproofing under the roof overhang - this will create the conditions necessary for effective water drainage in the future.

At the end, all you have to do is lay the selected roofing material on the roof.

Thus, although independent internal insulation of the roof is a very important and responsible undertaking, there is nothing overly complicated in its implementation. Do everything in accordance with the instructions, and very soon your home will become truly cozy and warm, and heating costs during the cold season will significantly decrease.

Good luck!

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

An insulated roof is reliable protection buildings and preventing heat loss, saving energy costs for insulation. Therefore, the arrangement of the roof is a priority task when constructing a residential building. In this case, they can be used for thermal insulation different materials, differing in characteristics, installation method and efficiency. Knowledge of these features will allow you to choose the ideal coating for arranging a specific roof of a building.

Types of roof insulation

There are several options for insulating the roof of a private house. The choice of the desired type is made depending on what function the attic space performs, and this could be a living space, a storage room or simply an insulated attic. In any case, thermal insulation eliminates the penetration of cold through the roof area and ensures comfort in the house.

The roofing pie of an insulated residential building consists of several layers

The organization of insulation is necessary in the case of arranging an attic space in the attic. If it is used in economic purposes or is not functional, then you can do without insulation, but it is worth equipping the ceiling of the room or the floor of the attic.

The arrangement of the roof in order to prevent heat loss in the house can be internal or external. The first option is optimal for roofs of any type and involves installation of heat insulating material from inside the room under the roof. The features of this type are expressed as follows:

  • the structure of the roofing pie is created from the rafter system, installation of waterproofing and sheathing, and external roof covering. Then a heat insulator and a vapor barrier membrane are installed from the inside, and then follows finishing premises;
  • a gap of about 3–5 cm is left between the vapor barrier and the insulation, which is necessary to remove moisture. This will help protect the construction materials from rotting;
  • All popular heat insulators can be installed from the inside of the room, calculating the thickness of the layer and taking into account the technology of work.

At internal insulation roofs are possible different ways thermal insulation

In the second case, the material is laid outside, which is often convenient for pitched roofs with rafter system. Such external insulation requires careful calculation of the weight of the heat insulator, since there is a load on load-bearing elements roofs The option is optimal for flat roofs, and during installation they use rigid slabs, on top of which pebbles or concrete slabs are laid.

If external arrangement of a pitched roof is required, then such work is carried out outside the building. The roof covering, load-bearing sheathing and waterproofing film are first removed. After this, from boards 20 mm thick with inside rafters, a base is installed on which the insulation will be laid on the outside.

Video: external roof insulation using Polinor

Thermal insulation materials and their characteristics

To arrange the roof, you can use different materials, which are presented in a wide range and differ in characteristics, appearance, cost and installation method. It is these factors that are taken into account when choosing a particular component, and it is also important that the characteristics of the insulation must correspond to the climatic characteristics of the region, the type of roof and the method of arrangement. Another ideal material should have high sound insulation, long term service and resistance to moisture and fire, light weight.

The roof can be equipped with different materials, but the insulation must have high characteristics

Among the wide variety of materials, the following structures are in demand and practical:

  • mineral wool - well-known, affordable and practical option heat insulator, characterized by a service life of up to 25–30 years, minimal water absorption, low weight, good sound insulation and low thermal conductivity. The fibrous structure and high rigidity make cotton wool optimal for insulation. Manufacturers such as Rockwool, IZOVOL, Knauf, Paroc present many material options in rolls and slabs, for example, with reflective film, which provides a high heat-retaining effect;

    The Paroc brand produces practical and quality options mineral wool

  • structures based on polystyrene are in demand and diverse. These are expanded polystyrene, penoizol, extruded polystyrene foam. They are very light, presented in the form of slabs, have good sound insulation and low thermal conductivity. Insulation of this type is characterized by high flammability and destruction under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. The companies "Penoplex", "Extrol" and "Novoplex" produce different variants structures based on polystyrene affordable price;

    Penoplex is practical and easy to install on different surfaces

  • Heat insulators made of cellulose fibers are loose and light fibrous structures. They do not rot and are not exposed to moisture, have antiseptic properties and provide good protection from the noise outside. Fire retardants make the material resistant to fire. Manufacturers Izotek, Ekovata-Center and others produce modern cellulose materials at an affordable price.

    Cellulose materials are laid on horizontal surfaces, providing protection against heat loss

All of the listed structures are in demand not only for arranging the roof, but also the basement, floor, utility rooms, walls. In each case, installation is carried out using a certain technology, but all heat insulators are easy to install and provide protection against heat loss.

Video: thermal insulation of the roof from the outside with mineral wool

How to prepare a roof for insulation

Before installing the insulation directly, you should prepare the roof. This is necessary both when arranging a room for the attic, and for simple thermal insulation of the attic floor.

Basic rules of preparation:

  • All wooden elements of a pitched roof or concrete surface are cleaned of traces of mold and rot. You can remove such dirt from wood sandpaper, and from concrete - with a spatula;
  • after cleaning, dry the surface and apply an antiseptic intended for a specific material, for example, wood;
  • wooden and metal parts of the roof after cleaning are coated with anti-corrosion or bitumen paint. Regular oil will also work, because these structural elements need protection from moisture and fungus;
  • during preparation, check the reliability of fastening of all structural elements of rafters, partitions and other parts of the pitched roof. In the case of a concrete roof, all cracks, chips and leaks are eliminated.

The surface to be insulated must be clean, dry and undamaged

To treat surfaces, brushes, spatula, and roller are used. Dust is best removed with a vacuum cleaner and dried concrete surfaces You can use a hair dryer. This will remove all dirt and prevent rotting of the structure.

Choosing a roof insulation method

Existing roofing materials are installed different methods and therefore you need to pre-select it. The methods differ not only in technology, but also in the area on which the work will be carried out.

To eliminate heat loss through the roof, the following arrangement options are suitable:

  • fixing the material between the rafters. This method involves placing insulation between the rafters. Slabs or rolls are optimal for this purpose, but it is worth considering that the rafters should be approximately 4–5 cm larger than the thickness of the heat insulation layer. This can be achieved by adding supports, that is, attaching additional boards. A vapor barrier film is installed on top of the rafters, and then finishing of the room begins;

    Insulation between rafters is convenient and does not require special skills

  • laying the material along the rafters is carried out in the case when the required thickness of the insulation is greater than the width of the rafters. This method is also applicable if a roof covering has already been laid. To carry out the work, a sheathing made of metal profile or wooden boards, and then fix the heat insulator;

    Sprayed polyurethane foam refers to insulation along rafters

  • For a cold pitched roof, insulation of the attic floor is optimal. In this case, logs are installed, in the space between which heat insulation slabs are laid, and granular components, for example, expanded clay or cellulose material, are poured. The attic floor is laid on top of this structure.

    Floor insulation is suitable when there is no need for thermal insulation of roof slopes

All methods differ in the cost of work carried out by professional craftsmen. The most affordable way to insulate the attic floor is because in this case you only need to equip the horizontal surface and not work with slopes, corners and other difficult areas.

Stages of installation of thermal insulation

The arrangement of the roof from the inside is in demand. For this purpose, mineral wool in slabs or rolls is convenient, but you can use penoplex, polystyrene foam, since their installation technology is similar to laying mineral wool.

You first need to calculate the amount of material. To do this, calculate the area of ​​the roof slopes from the inside, then determine the area that can be covered by one roll of mineral wool or a package of slabs. The average thickness of the thermal insulation layer should be at least 15–20 cm, which is optimal for roofing made of corrugated sheets, metal tiles, and soft roofing.

The minimum thickness of the thermal insulation layer is 15 cm

The arrangement of the roof is carried out using tools such as a tape measure, nails and a hammer, strong thread, a sharp knife, wooden blocks(if extension of rafters is required). Mineral wool slabs or rolls should first be cut into pieces of a width equal to the distance between the rafters.

Basic actions when arranging the roof:

  1. The prepared pieces of material are placed tightly in the space between the rafters. No glue or other materials are used for this. fasteners. If the material has a reflective coating, then it should be located indoors. The material should not be compressed too much, since its low thermal conductivity is ensured by its fibrous and airy structure.

    For easier fastening, you can install profile elements and lay them between them.

  2. After laying the slabs in one row, nails/screws are attached to the outer rafters or profiles, and a strong thread made of synthetic fibers is pulled over them in a zigzag manner. Thus, the slabs will be securely fixed between the rafters.

    You can use wire to secure the mineral wool.

  3. When laying each next row, make sure that the joints of the slabs of the previous rows are not located next to each other. There should be no gaps between the wool slabs and the rafters. After all areas have been arranged, a vapor barrier film is attached to the rafters, but without stretching it too much, and then the room is finished.

    To finish the attic, you can use lining, but it must be treated with an antiseptic

Vapor barrier is an essential component of the roofing pie, because such a film protects the insulation from moist air from the premises. Without this, thermal insulation will not be durable and effective even when using the best material.

Video: features of installation of the material “Izover”

To arrange the roof and prevent heat loss, you can use different materials, but you always need to take into account their characteristics. Insulation technology also requires attention, because correct manipulations will ensure a good result.

Thermal insulation of the roof is important stage when installing the roof of any building in Moscow. These works require attention Special attention. To perform high-quality thermal insulation, the roof structure must be stable and durable and comply with standards fire safety. Well-executed thermal insulation helps create a comfortable environment and also reduces the cost of heating the building. To equip it, it is recommended to use high-quality materials and install roof insulation in accordance with technology. The specialists of the Roof Technology company will make any building in Moscow warmer.

Prices for all types installation work for roofing are presented on the “Price List” page.

Insulation technology

When choosing thermal insulation materials, you need to take into account factors such as temperature regime and the level of humidity of the building, its geographical position, exposure to mechanical loads and precipitation, diffuse and capillary moistening of insulation.

As the range of humidity and temperature increases, the requirements for thermal insulation of the entire roof also increase. The materials used to install roof insulation in Moscow differ from each other in thermal conductivity, density and composition.

Installation of insulation involves the following steps:

  • installation of under-roof insulation;
  • installation of roof insulation directly;
  • arrangement of vapor barrier.

Violation technological process at any stage of work entails serious consequences. If the heat-insulating material is poorly laid, it will penetrate into the house. cold air, which will entail additional energy consumption for heating.

When installing roof insulation, the Roof Technology company in Moscow uses ISOROC and ROCKWOOL materials, which have such positive properties as:

  • The ability to maintain thermal protection properties and volume during repeated moistening and drying.
  • They counteract the accumulation of moisture if the ventilation space is properly arranged.

Installation of insulation for different types of roofing

The type of insulation material depends on the type of roof. Roofing flat design insulated using foam boards or mineral wool. The material is laid on the prepared surface, after which it is covered with pebbles or poured with concrete. It is acceptable to use expanded clay as insulation. The material is scattered onto the floor slab, after which it is compacted and covered with rolled roofing felt or concrete screed.

Important! Polystyrene foam can be used if there are fireproof cushions that protect the insulation.

Thermal insulation of a pitched roof in Moscow

Roof insulation is installed from the inside for both flat and pitched roofs. Warming is carried out at roofing works during the construction of the building. To perform thermal insulation, in the attic of a house the material is laid between the ceiling joists on top of the floors. In attics, insulation is installed directly along the roof slope. When using the attic space for non-living purposes, the roof insulation is installed from the inside, hiding it under the boardwalk.

To protect thermal insulation material And building construction from exposure to condensation and moisture, waterproofing is installed. Protective material mounted between the rafters with an overlap, attaching it to the boards using construction stapler. After this, all joints and seams are carefully sealed.

Installation of roof insulation: mounting methods

Thermal insulation of the roof is secured in the following ways:

  • glue;
  • put into the crate;
  • into the flooring;
  • anchors and nails with wooden blocks.

According to the rules, a pitched roof is made along the rafters with a pitch corresponding to the size of the insulation. Thermal insulation material should fit as tightly as possible to the walls and rafters. During installation, the formation of cracks and gaps that lead to heat loss is unacceptable. If necessary, several layers of material are used, shifting the joints for greater reliability. If gaps cannot be avoided, they are carefully sealed with sealant.

Insulation price

When performing light thermal insulation, it is enough to glue the material. The cost of installing roof insulation in this case is reduced. The insulation is fastened using liquid nails or facade adhesive with frost-resistant properties.

Roof insulation is often installed using mixed methods. So, polystyrene foam is initially placed in the sheathing, after which it is additionally secured with dowels.

Depending on the complexity of the roof, the cost of installation work is sq. m of roof insulation in Moscow can vary from 70 to 100 rubles. For laying vapor and waterproofing you will have to pay from 42 to 59 rubles. for each type of work.

Thermal insulation of the roof, as well as attic and attic rooms is one of the most important and necessary steps home improvement. And now we will try to understand what exactly the roof insulation process consists of and what are the reasons for its need.

Constant positive temperature in the house and attic room depends directly on the thermal insulation of the enclosing structures - attic floors, external walls - as well as on the insulation of the roof, roof, attic. Such measures contribute to the formation of a comfortable microclimate in the rooms of the house and increase the chances of effective energy saving.

Roof insulation

A competent approach to the process of thermal insulation of a pitched roof will provide you with additional conditions for transforming the attic into an attic. This will add another advantage - expanding the usable space in the house.

When renovating a building, you can also reduce energy consumption by additional insulation walls, roof and facade. Moreover, based on new building codes, the requirements regarding the thermal resistance of walls and ceilings have increased significantly. Therefore, during construction from scratch, during reconstruction and modernization, as well as during major renovation thermal insulation is impossible without the use of effective materials.

Criteria for choosing thermal insulation materials

The durability and stability of the thermophysical, as well as physical and mechanical properties that are part of the design of the roof insulating material fencing depends on the influence of various factors. They must be taken into account when choosing a particular material.

The following factors should be considered:

  • geographical location of the house or building;
  • changes in humidity and temperature depending on the season (winter-summer);
  • diffusion humidification of the roof and walls;
  • capillary humidification of the roof and walls;
  • exposure to mechanical loads;
  • influence of wind and snow loads(their degree depends on the angle of the roof).

Please note that technological features installation flat roofs differ significantly from the features of the technology for installing pitched roofs.

This directly concerns the roof insulation itself. Therefore, the choice of thermal insulation for a roof depends not only on the properties of the thermal insulation material, but also on the type of roof itself.

Thermal insulation materials vary in their composition, density, as well as in the thermal conductivity coefficient, which expresses the average amount of heat loss from the insulation (1 sq. m per unit of time). Increased requirements for roof insulation are also associated with increasing humidity and temperature differences, which lead to increased heat loss from the material. Physical and technical qualities, in turn, affect the operational reliability of the structure and thermal efficiency.

Functions of roof insulation

In addition to the above, roof insulation is also responsible for the following functions:

  1. Reduces the impact of temperature fluctuations on most roof coverings. This creates protection against the formation of cracks that can occur due to uneven temperature changes.
  2. Transfers the center of condensation formation to the outer layer of thermal insulation. Thanks to this function, the concrete or reinforced concrete roof deck does not become damp.
  3. In addition to the roof covering, thermal insulation protects against air fluctuations from outside the house.
  4. It affects the reduction of temperature changes in the internal air, as well as the ceiling surface (even in the attic).
  5. Forms a favorable microclimate, increasing the temperature of the inside of the ceiling covering.
  6. In cold weather, it prevents the formation of condensation in the roof “pie”. This is especially important for certain types of premises, such as warehouses.

Thermal insulation for flat roofs: roll insulationmiand masticmimaterialami

The following materials are used to insulate a flat roof:

  • Styrofoam
  • extrusion insulation
  • hard (mineral wool).

Each of them has certain qualities that serve as selection criteria for different types flat roofs.

For example, foam insulation is used for unused roofs and only if the composition of their roofing “pies” contains a fireproof cushion that protects the insulation.

What is called a fireproof pillow? It can serve as a screed (on top of the insulation) and reinforced concrete floor(bottom of insulation).

As for extruded insulation, it is applicable for coatings on inversion roofs (operational inverted) and on loaded roofs.

On lightweight structures and flat unused roofs with screeds, mineral wool insulation (hard) is used.

The type of roof, as already mentioned, greatly influences the method of installing insulation, therefore there are several options for the process of laying insulation.

Lightweight roofs require one approach to the device, loaded roofs require another, and ordinary roofs require a completely third approach. And we need to remember this.

Pitched roofs and their insulation

There are various scenarios for insulating attic and attic spaces. This is due to the fact that premises of this type differ fundamentally in their design. There are also differences in roofing installation technologies. So, the roof in the attic room is insulated along the slope itself, and in the attic the insulation is laid between the joists in the ceiling, on top of the ceiling slabs.

When planning to use the attic as an additional, but non-residential room, when laying insulation you need to know that the thermal insulation layer must be hidden under the wooden flooring made of boards.

Please note that if the insulation layer is not protected by plank flooring, then during operation of the room the roof insulation may be significantly damaged!

If the attic is rarely visited, for example, in the case of a control check, then to protect the thermal insulation layer from damage, it will be possible to get by with the flooring of pedestrian ladders.

Full living room in the attic will require more effort, but will also provide more opportunities in terms of expanding the usable area of ​​the house. Here you will need to make an effort - to arrange an attic.

Installation of attic insulation

When setting up an attic, first of all you need to build an under-roof ventilation system. At the same time, comply with all the rules of roof insulation installation technology. And this is where various difficulties and mistakes may await you.

If you are not sure of the correctness of your actions, then it is better to resort to the advice of professional builders, otherwise incorrect installation technology can lead to complete dismantling of the roof and replacement of insulation!


If we compare the installation of an attic and the installation of an attic, then when insulating the latter, a couple more cubic meters of insulation will be required. Accordingly, more boards will also be needed. And, most importantly, do not forget about installing a vapor barrier and waterproofing, since the first can prevent the insulation layer from getting wet (due to the penetration of moisture vapor), and the second will protect the roof insulation from condensation that forms on the inside of the roof covering.

Remember also that the attic and attic are built under a pitched roof, which requires the use of a certain type of insulation with the appropriate physical and technical qualities. Insulation materials for such purposes are of low and medium hardness, and their density ranges from 35 to 125 kilograms per cubic meter.

Typically, for pitched roofs, insulation with a mineral or fiberglass base is selected. Glass wool insulation is fraught with large heat losses, since their main quality is high thermal conductivity. But with all this, glass wool material is financially beneficial.

And mineral wool insulation is characterized by a low percentage of environmental friendliness.

Vapor barrier problems that arise when installing roof insulation

Classic roof insulation in the form of a pie has the following scheme:

  1. Vapor barrier.
  2. Thermal insulation.
  3. Wind and moisture protection.

In Soviet times, glassine was used for vapor barrier purposes, mineral wool was used for thermal insulation, but waterproofing was neglected or, in as a last resort, used roofing felt or the same glassine.

Today glassine has been replaced by vapor barrier membranes - polyethylene films(characteristics 22 mg/m2/day). Mineral wool has given way to expanded polystyrene (regular or extruded) and today is losing demand, and perforated polyethylene (characteristics - 1000 mg/m2 day) successfully serves as wind and moisture protection for the roofing “pie”.

Almost everyone looks like this country houses. Of course, many buildings are well equipped and able to cope with winter cold. But still, most houses cannot withstand the winter with dignity and the owners are forced to put up with either huge energy costs, or cold and severe frosts, or even leave the house for a while. winter time.

It’s even more annoying that after the winter cold and snow, when everything seems to be behind us, a thaw sets in and brings with it a new serious problem - roof leaks.

But in fact, the problem is not roof leakage, but something else. What? In order to maintain order, we will consider the functions that lie on each part of the thermal insulation “pie” of the roof.

What is vapor barrier: main functions

The need for vapor barrier is associated with preventing the penetration of steam into the area of ​​​​the thermal insulation layers. For what? Let's imagine that there is no vapor barrier.

For detailed interpretation we'll need to delve a little deeper into physics. So, a molecule of water or steam has a very small size, but high level kinetic energy. Therefore, it can pass through any material, except glass, metal and water itself. Even vapor barrier films made of special high-quality polyethylene still allow steam to pass through (22 mg per 1 m2 per day). In addition, the desire of steam to leak through the roof is associated with a huge accumulation of molecules in the space under the roof. Simply put, warm air indoors can't help but move upward.


This process means that the steam that comes from the house seeps through the mineral wool and cracks at the joints of polystyrene boards or through cracks in the roof surface. In such cases, the temperature drops sharply, and the steam molecule first forms frost, and then a layer of ice. It subsequently fills all the cracks or, if there is any, mineral wool, which is an open-porous material. Ice builds up over time and, accordingly, the thermal insulation properties of the insulation deteriorate, and in the case of mineral wool they completely disappear, which makes it completely unsuitable.

So, vapor barrier is needed so that the thermal insulation material performs its functions efficiently.

As for thermal insulation, we have already discussed this in detail above.

But wind and moisture protection, consisting of a film material, includes three functions performed to protect thermal insulation:

  • improving the characteristics of insulation due to protection from moisture;
  • wind protection;
  • steam exhaust

Exactly the same steam that nevertheless leaked through the vapor barrier membrane. This is the essence of perforated material: the holes are so small that rain and wind cannot pass through them, but steam can pass fifty times better than through a vapor barrier film. It is this difference that can ensure uniform steam output at a temperature difference of 50 degrees Celsius.

So, having understood all the features of roof thermal insulation, we came to the conclusion that the main thing in this process is to choose the right material, follow all the rules for installing thermal insulation, taking into account the type of roof of the building (pitched, flat), and also, in the case of a pitched roof, decide Will the attic space be used and to what extent? By choosing the right approach and knowing the nuances of installation (don’t forget about vapor barrier and moisture protection!), you can insulate the roof of your house perfectly!