Water pipes      06/23/2020

Insulation of a pitched and flat roof: the choice of materials and different technologies for installing insulation. About the intricacies of roof insulation Insulation of pitched roofs with metal rafters

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 necessary protection against cold and loss warm air can lead to the following problems:

  • lowering the temperature in the room;
  • increased heating costs in winter;
  • condensation on inner surface roofs;
  • 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 case materials for carrying out heat protection measures must meet the requirements of:

  • 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 that performs the function finish coat.

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 rafter legs install counter rails. 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.

Proper insulation of the roof of the house: technology and video

House roof insulation milestone construction or major repairs 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.

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 proper ventilation and steam and waterproofing roofing cake.

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

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 The 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 a house, a cotton wool was chosen slab insulation, then the prepared elements must be slightly compressed 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 a vapor barrier Special attention given 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 chimney and at wall junctions. On final stage sheathing is being installed using wood-containing or gypsum boards.

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


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

How to properly insulate the roof along the rafters?

There are frequent cases when owners of private houses want to turn an ordinary attic space into an attic with roof insulation. Such changes are directly related to the modification and insulation of the existing roof.

Waterproofing fits into the openings between the rafters

In addition, roof insulation with a focus on any system will be associated with the provision of ventilation and the installation of high-quality vapor and waterproofing.

1 What is the best way to insulate the roof along the rafters?

To date, the most common method of insulating a pitched truss roof is one in which thermal insulation is provided by foam.

At the same time, it is necessary to lay insulation to the rafters on a pitched roof, following a certain system.

The insulation between the rafters, which ensure the stability of the roof structure, can be fixed in one of the two most common ways, while mineral wool can be used.

Despite this, many rightly believe that it is better to insulate the rafter structure of a pitched roof with polystyrene foam to insulate the attic of a private house.

It should be remembered that when insulating the rafters on a pitched roof with foam, its fastening will focus on a certain distance.

Installation of insulation must be carried out from the bottom up

There are a lot of materials for insulating rafters and roofs in general. Most people use polystyrene foam to insulate roofs, and especially their rafters.

Providing thermal insulation of roofs and its rafters with foam plastic has a number of undoubted advantages, but you should find out what other materials and their types can be used to form reliable thermal insulation of the roof, because in addition to foam insulation, there are several more proven and reliable options.

It is worth noting that many are inclined to believe that the thermal insulation of roofs with foam plastic is a cheap and reliable option, while mineral wool is significantly inferior to the presented method.

In order to understand what methods of improving the roof and roof insulation with the help of polyurethane foam will be the most effective, you need to know how these works are performed, and what materials for roofs are the most in demand.

Indeed, along with a method based on foam insulation, such innovative technologies thermal insulation of the roof, as a spraying of polyurethane foam.

In order to understand what materials and their types to use to ensure the thermal stability of the roof, each of them should be considered separately.

2 Features of the materials used

Mineral wool, according to many, is the direct leader among those materials that can be used for roof insulation.

It has a number of advantages in comparison with the previously declared foam. Properties such as non-combustibility and a high level of fire safety of roofs when used, speak for themselves.

The presented material has a high degree of elasticity and can be laid on the roof between the rafters with an orientation to any distance.

Subsequently, the mineral wool retains its original shape, and the distance between the slab positions does not change.

Proper roof insulation

Since during installation between the beams and the presented building material there are no gaps between the elements on the roof, its use is the most relevant. The main advantages of this material for the modernization of the roof include:

  • Low cost;
  • General accessibility as in attic insulation from the inside;
  • Ease of installation;
  • Good thermal insulation qualities.

The main disadvantage of mineral wool is an increased degree of hygroscopicity. The material actively absorbs moisture into its structure, which leads to its wetting.

The distance between the fibers of the substance changes and the product rapidly loses its thermal insulation properties by 60-80%.

Therefore, before insulating with wool, you need to properly take care of its waterproofing.

Expanded polystyrene is now gaining a fairly high popularity, and, according to many experts, it is absolutely undeserved.

We nail nails along the rafters at a distance of 7-8 cm from the waterproofing film

The fact is that strengthening roofs with its use is quite fraught with serious consequences in the event of a sudden ignition of the material.

When ignited, the product begins to splash fire drops in all directions. During installation, over time, the structure of the material undergoes crumbling, and the distance between it and the roof increases, which leads to a deterioration in heat-insulating properties.

In most cases, the foam is hidden under a layer of plaster or screed. Extruded polystyrene foam, in fact, is still the same modified foam.

It is used in places where fastening needs a high degree of rigidity. This material can also burn, but does not support the combustion process.

It is perfectly capable of maintaining its original shape, and its structure is not subjected to crumbling during installation. The undoubted advantages of extruded polystyrene foam are expressed in:

Roof truss system

  • moisture resistance;
  • durability;
  • Light weight;
  • strength;
  • Rigidity;
  • High thermal insulation performance.

Polyurethane foam began to be used for roof insulation relatively recently. This material is presented in the form of gas-filled plastic.

Filling is carried out using a special unit, while the undoubted advantage is the complete absence of cracks and gaps.

submitted construction material not flammable, has a relatively low weight and holds its shape well.

Spraying can be done at a distance equal to the gap between the rafters, which helps to remove cold bridges.

A significant drawback is a pronounced vapor permeability. Because of this, you need to properly take care of the creation of supply and exhaust ventilation.

Laying insulation between the rafters

Ecowool, which is also called cellulose wool, also began to be used for insulation relatively recently.

It is not without its advantages: it does not burn, it is environmentally friendly, it is light in weight and can be blown into all the cracks. In addition, the presented material is not able to absorb moisture.

2.1 The nuances of installing insulation

This technology will be considered on the example of laying mineral wool with a layer equal to 250 mm. All types of work related to the presented method of roof insulation are most rationally performed in the early stages of building a house.

Otherwise, the attic mount will need to be removed along with the outdated roofing material.

After the truss structure is fully assembled, but the laying of the roofing material has not yet begun, it is necessary to ensure a high level of waterproofing of the roof.

For this purpose, above installed rafters a waterproofing super-diffusion membrane is laid out as when insulating the roof of a building with mineral wool.

At the same time, it is important not to confuse her sides. This is due to the fact that one of the parties is not able to pass water, and the other in reverse side does not skip steam.

Insulation and waterproofing of roofs of complex shape

Install the membrane in such a way that outer surface was the side that is characterized by its high degree of moisture resistance.

Installation starts from the cornice overhang, located below and moves to the top of the roof.

The overlap should be guided by a distance of 10-15 cm, and the sizing of the joints should be carried out using a special construction adhesive tape.

It is forbidden to lay the waterproofing film in a stretch. This is due to the fact that when winter sets in, it can shrink, which will lead to damage in the places of its fixing.

Based on this, the spreading of the material is carried out with a slight overhang, which is 2 cm per 1 m. The film is attached to the rafters by means of special brackets and a construction stapler.

If such a tool is not available, then galvanized nails equipped with a wide hat can be used.

The next step is to form a ventilation gap. Through it, the excess vapors contained in the insulation material will subsequently leave.

On top of the waterproofing layer, a crate is made of wooden slats, the thickness of which may depend on the parameter of the width of the ventilation gap itself.

Roof insulation along the rafters

The fastening of the rails is carried out using galvanized self-tapping screws. After that, roofing material is installed on top of the crate.

2.2 How to lay the insulation between the rafters?

At the beginning of the laying process, you should unpack the mineral wool and let it lie down for some time, so that the material takes the form necessary for work. Next, the web or plates are cut into the segments necessary for installation.

In this case, the parameter of the width of the mineral wool web must exactly correspond to the distance between the beams, to which 20-30 additional millimeters should be added in order to form a tension.

Mineral wool can be cut with a conventional construction knife. However, it is worth remembering that all work must be done with gloves, with a respirator on and in tight clothes in order to avoid microparticles from entering unprotected skin areas.

After that, the fabric of the product is pushed into the space between the rafters. In the process, the edges of the material, which is located near the rafters, are slightly bent.

To do this, lightly press on the middle section of the canvas, as a result of which the edges will straighten out. At this stage, the process of roof insulation can be completed.

Metal roof insulation

As a result, the rafters made of wood and the insulation between them will be reliably protected from the harmful effects of moisture, which can penetrate through the damaged areas of the roof.

WITH inside the insulation will be reliably protected from the effects of steam emanating from the room, and the entire structure presented will be maintainable.

If it becomes necessary to inspect the condition of the rafters, then first the drywall sheets will have to be dismantled, followed by the removal of the crate and vapor barrier film, and then re-installed.

If you need to carry out roof insulation in an old house, and at the same time there is no desire to remove the already laid roofing material, then you can fix the waterproofing membrane on the inside of the attic.

In this case, it will be necessary to wrap the surface of the rafters with a membrane and wrap it inside the space between them.

A layer of insulating material will need to be laid on top. Warming of a soft type roof is carried out with an orientation to the same technology that was described above.

Roof insulation from the inside

The difference lies in the fact that the crate, which forms a gap between the waterproofing membrane and the roofing material itself, is supplemented with a layer of moisture-resistant plywood. On top of a layer of such plywood, a soft roof is fastened.

2.3 Insulation of the roof under the rafters

The scheme, thanks to which insulation is made under the rafters, is rarely used in residential buildings.

As a rule, it is implemented during the construction of industrial-type structures, which are equipped with reinforced load-bearing elements made using metal.

The presented scheme can be used in the case of reconstruction of a construction site.

At the same time, in the process of carrying out work, it should be borne in mind that the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe internal space of the room will be significantly reduced.

This option can also be applied when increased requirements are put forward for ventilation.

This applies to rooms with a high degree of humidity. When insulating the roof slopes according to this scheme, the significance of the heat-insulating material is lost.

Insulation of the attic roof slopes between the rafters

This is due to the fact that due to the high degree of openness, the vapor barrier layer may be damaged.

Premises with this type of insulated roof should be ventilated frequently, or special roof fans with high power should be installed in them.

Roof insulation along the rafters: laying, how to fix


Roof insulation along the rafters - a description of the technology. What is the best way to insulate the roof along the rafters?

How to make roof insulation, the choice of materials for pitched and flat roofs

In order for the roof to perform its functions qualitatively and serve for a long time, it must be insulated. There are many materials and methods for installing a heat-insulating layer, and the choice of the appropriate technology is always carried out individually. This article will discuss how to properly install insulation on the roof of a private house.

The need for roof insulation

Of course, the final decision on whether to insulate the roof is made by the owner of the house - but before that, you need to weigh all the pros and cons. The latter include additional costs for the arrangement of the roof and the effort required to install the heat-insulating layer.

However, the financial costs and efforts will pay off in the future. The main advantage of roof insulation is that after installation, the level of heat loss of the entire building is reduced by an average of 15%. If the under-roof space is not intended to be used as residential, then the roof itself does not need to be insulated - the thermal insulation of the roof of the house in this case will be mounted on the floor of the attic or the ceiling of residential premises. In order for the structure not to rot, high-quality ventilation of the roof will be required.

The most relevant roof insulation will be when arranging a residential attic, especially if the building is located in a region with a harsh climate. In such cases, if the attic is used all year round, you will have to pay special attention to the issues of its insulation and heating. Less stringent requirements are imposed on the insulation of summer attics.

How to properly insulate a flat roof

When warming flat roof it must be borne in mind that thermal insulation can be both on the inside and on the outside. It is advisable to start with external insulation, and after the first winter, decide whether it makes sense to insulate the roof along the rafters from the inside.

The roofing pie of a flat roof consists of:

  • vapor barrier layer;
  • insulation layer;
  • waterproofing layer;
  • Bulk layer.

For the arrangement of external thermal insulation, basalt mineral wool is most often used, which is optimally suited for these purposes. However, you can choose from any type of rigid insulation - for example, expanded polystyrene would be a good option. It is also worth remembering that roofing that is prone to fire cannot be insulated with polymer heat insulators.

Pitched roof insulation

The thermal insulation of the pitched roof is installed on the truss system. Before laying the insulation on the roof, it is necessary to design it in advance in order to avoid installation errors.

The pitched roof consists of the following elements:

  • roofing;
  • waterproofing layer;
  • Thermal insulation;
  • vapor barrier material;
  • Interior decoration (optional).

Mineral wool is most often used as a heat-insulating material, which has high performance characteristics and is relatively inexpensive. The main disadvantage mineral insulation is the ability to absorb moisture, due to which the thermal insulation properties are lost over time. In addition, the presence of moisture under the roof leads to the gradual destruction of wooden parts.

To compensate for the described disadvantage, the design must be supplemented with ventilation, hydro and vapor barrier. The insulation itself on the roof of the house is laid on the wrong side of the roof during its arrangement or repair. If we are talking about repairs, then damaged wooden elements should be replaced, and new ones should be treated with protective compounds before installation.

In addition, for effective work insulation and reliability, the roof should be well ventilated, so you need to equip the ventilation ducts between:

  • Waterproofing layer and top coat;
  • Thermal insulation and waterproofing layer;
  • Vapor barrier material and inner lining.

Materials for insulation of pitched roofs

For roof insulation, various materials can be used, among which the most popular are:

The characteristics and features of the materials are different, but they all adequately protect the roof from temperature effects. It is only worth noting that it is best to select materials released in the form of plates - they are much more convenient to mount.

For the arrangement of the waterproofing layer, an ordinary roofing material or a special waterproofing membrane is most often used, which does not allow water to pass through, but ensures the removal of moisture from the heat insulator. When installing waterproofing, you need to ensure that the tightness of the material has not been violated.

However, if we are talking about a high-quality vapor barrier layer, then the best option would be a vapor barrier membrane, which works on the principle of one-way moisture transmission - condensate is removed from the insulation and does not enter the internal cavities of the roofing pie.

Roof insulation algorithm - how to lay thermal insulation

Installation of a roof with insulation is reduced to the following sequence of actions:

  1. First, the installation step of the rafter legs is measured. Plates of heat-insulating material are cut in accordance with the dimensions obtained, but 1 cm is added to them - this will enable the insulation to stay in place on its own. You can simplify this stage of work when arranging a new roof by calculating it so that the distance between the rafters corresponds to the width of the insulation boards.
  2. A waterproofing layer must be installed in the space between the rafters and the finish coat. The membrane must be attached to the rafters so that it envelops them. For fixation, you can use construction stapler, with which the waterproofing is attached to the rafter legs and the crate. Waterproofing material must be brought to the eaves so that the collected moisture goes beyond the roof. The described method of fastening does not allow to equip full ventilation, therefore, only a special waterproofing membrane should be used as a material.
  3. If the waterproofing is already installed under the upper part of the roof, then nails are driven into the rafters every 10 cm so that the distance between them and the membrane is at least 3-5 cm. waterproofing and thermal insulation material. In the event that the insulation itself is fastened with a cord, then the nails will also need to be hammered along the outside of the rafters.
  4. When using heaters released in the form of plates, installation comes down to inserting them into the space between the rafters (naturally, they will have to be squeezed a little so that they go into the gap). More rigid materials must be carefully adjusted to fit the gaps in the rafter system before properly insulating the roof. For maximum efficiency, it is worth installing a two-layer insulation.
  5. When installing narrow fragments that require joining along one of the planes, you need to make sure that the joints of the first and second layers of thermal insulation do not coincide with each other. The layer of thermal insulation should not extend beyond the rafters, and if this happens, then additional timber will have to be filled on the rafters.
  6. To fix the insulation, a cord stretched between the nails or a crate made of slats can be used. These slats need to be nailed to the rafters at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. In this case, the vapor barrier layer must be fixed before the crate is installed - due to the thickness of the rails, an air gap is provided.
  7. When installing a vapor barrier, you need to make sure that the material is installed tightly. To do this, the joints must be closed with two layers of adhesive tape. Particular attention should be paid to the points where the material is connected to the wall and chimney. When all structural elements are installed, you can proceed to the final stage - the installation of the skin.


Roof insulation is a very important part of the structure, which allows you to increase the thermal efficiency of the roof. Knowing how to properly lay the insulation on the roof, and the high-quality performance of all work will allow you to create a reliable and high-quality structure that will perform its functions throughout the entire period of operation.

Roof insulation: how to properly insulate the roof along the rafters, how to lay insulation, installation of thermal insulation, how to lay


Roof insulation: how to properly insulate the roof along the rafters, how to lay insulation, installation of thermal insulation, how to lay

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.

Proper insulation of the roof of the house: technology and video

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 composition.

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 rafters: options and rules for insulating mansard roofs

The thermal insulation of the truss structure is carried out if the active operation of the attic space formed by it is planned. Perform work both during construction and during the period of reconstruction or repair. In order for the investment of funds and physical effort not to be in vain, you should know how to insulate the rafters, which technological method should be preferred to achieve an impeccable result.

The specifics of the insulation of the rafter structure

Despite the apparent simplicity of the process of thermal insulation roof frame, this is a very serious stage. First, the roof is the lightest building construction, which is contraindicated unnecessarily weighted. However, insulated slopes are required to protect the owners from all kinds of weather phenomena along with bearing walls, otherwise there is absolutely no point in the thermal insulation of the attic.

Secondly, the enclosing coating, together with the components of the roofing pie, is in direct contact with the lower layers of the atmosphere on the outside, and on the inside it is in contact with the domestic environment with its microclimate.

The temperature difference on both sides, by definition, creates conditions for the accumulation of condensate in the thickness of the pie of the roofing system. In addition to them, steam generation is characteristic of the operated premises.

Taking into account the above factors of influence on the thermal insulation layer in the roofing pie, special requirements are imposed on the material chosen for the arrangement.

Thermal insulation of rafters should be:

  • light, so as not to create an additional load on the supporting structures of the building;
  • the most resistant to moisture, which even when perfect protection thermal insulation still penetrates or forms in the roofing cake, albeit in small quantities;
  • non-combustible, in last resort, slightly flammable or simply non-combustible;
  • noise-absorbing, i.e. capable of extinguishing sounds of various power and origin;
  • minimal thermal conductivity, so as not to increase the volume of the structure with optimal ability to retain heat.

It is important that the material chosen for the device of the thermal insulation layer does not crumple and does not settle under its own weight during its service. Because the truss structure is being equipped, then the thermal insulation will definitely be tilted.

If the insulating layer eventually slides towards the base somewhat, exposing the ridge area, heat loss will increase by approximately 40%. Therefore, when selecting material, you should choose the position in the marking of which it is indicated “for pitched roofs”.

Thermal insulation options for roof systems

The task of heaters is not to heat up the air mass, they are required to keep the heat supplied by heating and not to let in low temperatures outside. In summer, the same thermal insulation prevents the penetration of high temperatures, which on hot days on the roof often reach + 90ºС.

The materials used for the device of the pitched roof insulation system are divided into two fundamental groups:

  • Cotton. These include varieties with a fibrous structure: stone wool, glass and slag wool, etc. The insulating qualities are imparted to them by the air that fills the space between the randomly intertwined fibers. Cotton wool can be both hard and soft, i.e. crumpled.
  • Foamy. Options with a "foamed" structure, which are a collection of closed bubbles filled with an inert gas or ordinary air, which just performs the function of an insulator. These are rigid slab types of heaters.

In the device of the insulation system for truss systems, materials are used that are characterized by low thermal conductivity. Its value usually does not exceed the standard limit of 0.04 W / m ° C, which is typical for almost all types of roof insulation.

The specifics of cotton insulation

Wadded heaters easily let vapors pass into themselves and in the same way part with the moisture in their thickness. In order to prevent water from retaining in fibrous insulation, which significantly reduces the insulating properties, roofing wool is hydrophobized - the fibers are coated with a water-repellent substance.

The hydrophobic sheath prevents the fibers from getting wet, on which moisture only accumulates, and when the droplet reaches its volume, it rolls down or is weathered by the air flow. Therefore, cotton wool used to insulate truss frames is classified as vapor-permeable, but at the same time not wet materials, which is extremely important in the arrangement of roofs.

Wooden truss structures during operation emit a certain amount of moisture, which must be removed. Therefore, the best option when installing an insulation system in the space between the rafters is cotton wool, which contributes to the natural drying of wood structures.

From the inside, i.e. from the side of the premises, the wool is covered with a vapor barrier membrane. It prevents the penetration of fumes into the insulation, but partially still passes them. Outside, the cotton insulation is covered with a water-repellent polymer film, between which and the insulation leave a ventilation gap of 3-5 cm.

If a superdiffusion membrane is used as a waterproofing, then the ventilation gap is not satisfied. The membrane spontaneously releases the condensate formed in the insulation into the atmosphere, but prevents the penetration of rain and melt water into the heat-insulating layer.

It is, of course, more expensive than ordinary and reinforced polyethylene film, but it allows using narrower rafters for insulation, which brings a considerable economic effect.

Features of foam insulation boards

The subgroup of foam insulation includes all kinds of polystyrene foams, foam plastics, polyurethane foams, etc. All of them are divided into vapor-permeable and vapor-tight options.

The ability to pass household fumes depends on the method of manufacture of the material. For example, extruded polystyrene foam allows moisture to pass through in scanty amounts, because its cells are tightly sintered together by walls. There is no space between them. In addition, the closed shell of the bubble eliminates the slightest attempt to penetrate water.

Materials created by extrusion have the lowest vapor permeability, which makes it possible not to protect the insulation with vapor barrier films. However, the need for a ventilation duct in the case of the removal of condensate and a small amount of steam still remains.

Styrofoam - foamed polystyrene, which has not passed through the extruder, passes vapors. Between its cells there are channels that promote the penetration of moisture and its removal from the body of thermal insulation by ventilation. When it is used as a thermal insulation of the roof, it is necessary to use vapor and waterproofing layers and arrange ventilation ducts.

Foams are represented by rigid plates, which, unlike soft wool, do not crumple. Despite the possibility of installation in the space between the rafters, foam insulation is mainly installed on top of the rafter legs or on the inside of the room.

The fact is that it is difficult to carve out a rigidly shaped material so that it completely fills the cell in the truss system. Between him and the rafter, there will still be some kind of weakened thin line, contributing to the formation of cold bridges.

In addition, extruded insulation does not absorb moisture, which will inevitably be released by the wooden elements of the system. Therefore, in laying between the rafters, only foam plastic can be used - a heater that can pass vapors.

Foamed thermal insulation with minimal vapor permeability is available in the form of plates. Most of them are equipped with a technological edge, which greatly facilitates the laying of material. Thanks to the edge, the thermal insulation layer, installed along the rafters or from the inside, turns out to be almost monolithic, preventing the formation of cold bridges.

Ways to insulate the truss system

In the construction of the heat-insulating layer of the truss frame, both one of the materials and a complex of heaters from at least two varieties can be used. Since no one has yet invented ideal heaters, they can work perfectly in pairs, compensating for the shortcomings of a neighbor.

It is important to remember that from the side of the attic to be equipped, a layer with the lowest vapor permeability should be installed. Those. from the side of the premises you need to have more dense insulation, different the minimum amount pores and channels for collecting condensate and steam. It will become a barrier to moisture and reduce the likelihood of it getting into the thickness of the insulation.

According to the location of the heat-insulating layer relative to the rafter legs, the methods of its construction are divided into three types, these are:

  • Inter-rafter insulation. The location of thermal insulation in the space between adjacent rafters. It is supposed to use soft cotton wool and foam.
  • Insulation over rafters. Installation of a continuous heat-insulating layer on the outside of the truss structure. Rigid foam boards are used.
  • Rafter insulation on the inside. By analogy with the previous paragraph, a continuous layer is being constructed, but from the side of the room being equipped. Rigid wadded mats and all types of foam insulation are used.
  • Combined insulation. Filling the space between the rafters with insulation and installing an additional layer on top of the rafters from a side convenient for work.

The choice of method is focused on the stage of construction and weather specifics in a specific time period during which the work is planned. For example, when performing insulation during the reconstruction of the attic, it makes no sense to dismantle the unworn coating. It's easier to insulate from the inside. In addition, the production of work will not be affected by weather disasters, and the material is not threatened by getting wet with dust.

If it is planned to install thermal insulation on top of the rafters from the outside, it is not necessary to coincide with the warming procedure for a period of heavy rainfall. However, if you have to carry out work at such a time, you should schedule their implementation as soon as possible and provide for the possibility of protecting the insulation from rain in case of its sudden loss.

Such measures include covering the insulation with a waterproof awning or a waterproofing carpet prepared in advance and connected into a continuous sheet.

The thickness of the insulation system is selected in accordance with the climatic characteristics of the construction region in accordance with the requirements of SNiP number II-3-79, which analyzes in detail all issues on construction heat engineering.

Heaters are produced in the format of plates, mats or rolls, cut into mats of standard thickness of 2 or 5 cm. It will not be possible to select the material exactly according to the calculations, but it should be remembered that you should always round up.

Mineral wool thermal insulation

If you plan to install thermal insulation in the space between the rafters, no the best material than soft elastic cotton wool. The optimal size of a fragment of heat-insulating material in such cases exceeds the actual dimensions of this space by 2-3 cm in both directions.

For laying in the "cells" between the rafters, the roll is cut into pieces with the declared dimensions, or when designing the truss frame, the dimensions of the finished insulation mats are taken into account. The main thing is that the slightly compressed fragment of the insulation straightens out in the place it is supposed to and wedged between the rafters due to its own elasticity.

For those who prefer their own cutting roll insulation, you should clearly calculate the dimensions of the cut pieces. If the fragment is noticeably wider or longer, then its own elasticity will cause it to bend in the “window” intended for installation.

A bent piece will partially block the ventilation duct, due to which the thermal insulation will not be able to fully ventilate, which means that it will not work according to the characteristics declared by the manufacturer.

In order for the cotton mats not to bend and sag between the rafters, they are advised to be fixed in a special way. Nails are nailed along the line coinciding with the surface of the heat-insulating layer, which are interconnected with a fishing line. The insulation fixed in this way will not interfere with the air flows washing it.

Ideally, the rafter leg should be 3–5 cm wider than the thermal insulation system. In this case, the ventilation air from the cornice overhang to the ridge element is formed spontaneously. If the width of the rafter does not allow arranging a ventilation duct, i.e. it is equal to or less than the thickness of the insulating layer, the shortage is made up with counter rails nailed to the ribs of the rafter legs.

Reinforced thermal insulation of the truss system

The scheme of enhanced roof insulation along the rafters helps to completely get rid of cold bridges. It is clear that such a method involves filling the inter-rafter space with soft insulating material and installing rigid plates from the outside or from the inside. The work is carried out in stages, in accordance with the above technologies.

First of all, elastic cotton mats are installed in the space between the rafters. After that, a transverse rail is mounted, holding the already installed insulation and forming a frame for laying the next row of plates.

The size of the lath should be selected so that it is equal to the thickness of the insulating layer being laid, and the gratings should be positioned so that the elements of the insulation system fit snugly into the gaps between the laths.

A diffusion membrane is laid over the reinforced multi-tiered heat-insulating layer. It is laid directly on the insulating layer without fear of condensation in the thickness of the thermal insulation.

If the waterproofing protection is made of a polyethylene film, then a ventilation gap is necessarily constructed between the insulation and polyethylene. It is formed by installing a rail with the required size.

When using a superdiffusion membrane, there is no need to arrange a ventilation gap above the ridge run. The material is laid with an overlap over the ridge with the installation of a ridge protective and decorative strip on top of it.

When using polyethylene, this layer is not brought to the ridge rib. On both sides, approximately 7–10 cm are left between the edge of the waterproofing and the ridge fracture, so that condensate and household fumes can be freely discharged into the atmosphere.

You can use only mineral wool of varying degrees of hardness in a combined scheme or combine it with the installation of foam elements outside the attic or from the inside.

Installation of rigid polystyrene foam boards

Foamed rigid plates perfectly hold the load, cope with the mass of the roofing, and with snow drifts, and even with the movement of a person in case of repair operations. In all respects, it is more convenient and reasonable to build an outer continuous layer from them.

When using extruded insulating varieties, there is no point in installing a waterproofing carpet on top of a heat-insulating system and a vapor barrier analogue from inside the premises. The slabs are laid on a plank or plywood solid flooring built along the rafters, arranged with a run in rows.

If thermal insulation is arranged in two or three tiers, then the run-up rule must be observed in each layer. The butt joints of the plates cannot be located at one point in order to exclude the possibility of leakage in this place.

The heat-insulating layer of plates is fastened to the rafter legs through a solid flooring and longitudinal wooden slats installed on top of the insulation. Fixing bars at the same time form the ventilation ducts necessary for the ventilation of the roofing pie, and relieve stress from the roof. On the same bars, the crate is installed for laying the coating.

When foam insulation is located on the outside of the truss frame, the rafters themselves remain open indoors. They can be used as a non-standard interior element, as a basis for additional insulation between the rafters, or as a base for fastening the inner lining.

The technology for installing an insulating layer from the inside of the attic is no different from the outer version. A crate is also arranged under the insulation and it is fastened to the rafters. The advantage of installation from the inside is the possibility of construction at any time, the minus lies in the fact that the internal space will be slightly “eaten” by thermal insulation.

The described methods are also used when constructing an insulating system made of rigid mineral wool boards.

Combination of two types of thermal insulation

The combined scheme of insulation provides for the use of two types insulating materials in one thermal insulation system. Laying of heaters is carried out in accordance with their purpose and the technical properties laid down by the manufacturers. Soft cotton mats are placed in the cells between the rafters, rigid plates are installed outside or inside the rafter frame.

If a diffusion membrane is used as thermal insulation in the thermal insulation scheme in a combined way, ventilation products between the layers of thermal insulation and waterproofing are not satisfactory. This scheme is very difficult to implement without dismantling the coating. True, there are types of membranes that allow you to equip the truss system from the inside without removing the roof. In such cases, it is attached to the rafter legs wrapped around it.

If the inner tier of the insulation system is made of extruded foam insulation, then there is no need to use a vapor barrier layer and to install an internal crate along the rafters.

How to insulate rafters: all about roof insulation along rafters


How to insulate rafters with hard and soft types of thermal insulation materials, thermal insulation schemes, the nuances of laying insulation when arranging a pitched roof.

How to make a roof insulation from the inside with mineral wool - features of laying mineral wool on the roof

The arrangement of a warm roof implies the mandatory installation of an insulating layer. As a rule, the slopes are insulated after the completion of the assembly of the truss system, but before the installation of the roofing - and this technology is considered optimal. However, annoying overlays sometimes happen, and after the roof is assembled, it turns out that the existing insulation is not enough for normal thermal insulation.

The need for roof insulation

In such cases, it is necessary to insulate the roof from the inside with mineral wool - this allows you to compensate for the level of heat loss. About how the roof is insulated from the inside with mineral wool, and will be discussed in this article.

There are two fundamental technologies for roof insulation from the inside:

  • Laying insulation between the rafters of the frame;
  • Laying insulation over the rafters.

Each technology of roof insulation with mineral wool will be considered in more detail.

Types of heaters

Of course, it is necessary to insulate the slopes only when installing a warm roof. The heat-insulating layer is laid in the space between the rafters at the stage of roof installation, when there is no finish coating yet - this approach is quite convenient and does not require significant effort.

Roof insulation can be performed with the following types of mineral wool:

  1. glass wool. The composition of this heat-insulating material contains fiberglass with a thickness of not more than 15 microns. Glass wool can be produced in the form of rolls, plates or mats. The characteristics of such a heater are impressive: excellent thermal insulation properties, good fire resistance and complete resistance to biological factors. The material released in the form of plates is quite convenient and very easy to install. Glass wool can be safely attributed to the category of budget insulation materials, if you look at the cost of alternative heat insulators. The main disadvantage of this material is the ability to cause irritation upon contact with open areas human body, so you have to work with it exclusively in complete set personal protective equipment.
  2. Basalt (stone) wool. This material also contains fibers, but here they are represented by a natural mineral - basalt. Additional components include some carbonate rocks, bentonite clay, and several other composites. Basalt wool is characterized by complete incombustibility, excellent thermal insulation performance and resistance to mold and fungus. The structure of this material is not so strong, and at a price it exceeds glass wool by about 1.5-2 times, but the safety and ease of installation have done their job - and therefore basalt wool is in much greater demand.

There is also a third type of mineral wool - slag wool. It is pointless to consider roof insulation with your own hands from the inside with mineral wool of this type, since it is not used for internal insulation roofs due to the extremely negative impact on the human body.

Installation of mineral wool between the rafters from the inside of the roof

When laying thermal insulation material from inside the roof structure, the easiest option is to install it in the space between the rafters. True, this method is relevant only if the thickness of the insulation layer does not exceed the width of the rafters, otherwise you will have to do a combined thermal insulation of the roof.

Insulation of the roof with mineral wool from the inside in this case will look like this:

  1. First of all, you need to take building level and measure the lower level of the rafters, which should be uniform around the entire perimeter of the frame. If there are deviations from the level, it is necessary to align all the rafters so that they go in one line.
  2. A waterproofing film must be laid on top of the rafters in advance, which protects the insulation from moisture. If this film was not used during the installation of the roof, then it will no longer be possible to lay it, so the thermal insulation will be without proper protection.
  3. Mineral wool is cut into suitable pieces. When installing a heater between the rafters, the fixation of the material is carried out due to the bursting force, therefore, the cut elements should be 2-3 cm wider than the distance between the rafters. When laying the material in two layers, you need to ensure that the joints of one layer do not coincide with the joints of the other.
  4. The next step is to fit the vapor barrier. Cut strips of the membrane are installed above the insulation to protect it from moisture and air. The vapor barrier membrane is installed parallel to the roof slope and fixed with a construction stapler.
  5. The last stage is the sheathing of the insulation, for which drywall, plywood or edged board is usually used. In the future, the skin will act as a support for decorative finishes attic walls.

When installing insulation on a roof with a slope angle of less than 25 degrees, the following situation may arise: heat-insulating plates will simply fall out due to a lack of bursting force. To prevent this from happening, the insulation must be further strengthened with slats or a strong fishing line stretched between the rafters. On slopes with a large slope, this problem usually does not arise.

Do-it-yourself installation of mineral wool on rafters

In the event that the width of the thermal insulation material does not allow it to fit into the space between the rafters, its installation will have to be carried out in two stages. One layer of material will be laid according to the technology described above, and the second - on top of the already mounted layer. Such insulation of the roof with mineral wool is much more expensive, but the result is better.

Roof insulation with mineral wool along the rafters is carried out according to the following algorithm:

  1. The first steps exactly repeat the installation algorithm between the rafters - the installation step of the rafter legs is measured, after which the insulation is cut so that it can be mounted by surprise. When using rolled material, you need to let it lie down a bit in a straightened state.
  2. During installation, the edges of the plates are tucked inward, and after the installation of the insulation, they straighten out.
  3. A vapor barrier is attached to the rafters with a stapler. The rules are the same: the strips of material are laid with a slight overlap so that steam does not pass through the joints.
  4. Laths are horizontally nailed to the rafters, the thickness of which should exceed the thickness of the insulation by 1-2 cm. The distance between the laths should be sufficient for laying heat-insulating boards.
  5. Mineral wool is laid between the stuffed slats. When laying, make sure that the joints of the material do not coincide with the joints of the previous layer.
  6. Final stage - outer skin for which any finishing material can be used.

This technology of roof insulation is considered the most effective, therefore, when deciding how to properly insulate the roof with mineral wool, this option should be preferred.

Roof insulation from the inside with mineral wool is quite effective remedy to protect the roof from the cold. Knowledge of the theory and competent implementation of the chosen technology will make it possible to create a reliable roof, under which it will be possible to equip a dwelling in the future.

Insulation of the roof from the inside with mineral wool with your own hands: technology for insulating the roof with mineral wool, how to properly insulate


Insulation of the roof from the inside with mineral wool with your own hands: technology for insulating the roof with mineral wool, how to properly insulate

The thermal insulation of the truss structure is carried out if the active operation of the attic space formed by it is planned. Perform work both during construction and during the period of reconstruction or repair.

In order for the investment of funds and physical effort not to be in vain, you should know how to insulate the rafters, which technological method should be preferred to achieve an impeccable result.

Despite the apparent simplicity of the process of thermal insulation of the truss frame, this is a very serious stage. Firstly, the roof is the lightest building structure, which is contraindicated in unnecessarily weighting. However, insulated slopes are required to protect the owners from all kinds of weather phenomena along with load-bearing walls, otherwise there is absolutely no point in insulating the attic.

Secondly, the enclosing coating, together with the components of the roofing pie, is in direct contact with the lower layers of the atmosphere on the outside, and on the inside it is in contact with the domestic environment with its microclimate.

The temperature difference on both sides, by definition, creates conditions for the accumulation of condensate in the thickness of the pie of the roofing system. In addition to them, steam generation is characteristic of the operated premises.

Taking into account the above factors of influence on the thermal insulation layer in the roofing pie, special requirements are imposed on the material chosen for the arrangement.


Thermal insulation of rafters should be:

  • light, so as not to create an additional load on the supporting structures of the building;
  • as resistant to moisture as possible, which, even with perfect protection of thermal insulation, still penetrates or forms in the roofing cake, albeit in small quantities;
  • non-combustible, in extreme cases, slightly flammable or simply non-combustible;
  • noise-absorbing, i.e. capable of extinguishing sounds of various power and origin;
  • minimal thermal conductivity, so as not to increase the volume of the structure with optimal ability to retain heat.

It is important that the material chosen for the device of the thermal insulation layer does not crumple and does not settle under its own weight during its service. Because the truss structure is being equipped, then the thermal insulation will definitely be tilted.

If the insulating layer eventually slides towards the base somewhat, exposing the ridge area, heat loss will increase by approximately 40%. Therefore, when selecting material, you should choose the position in the marking of which it is indicated “for pitched roofs”.

Thermal insulation options for roof systems

The task of heaters is not to heat up the air mass, they are required to keep the heat supplied by heating and not to let in low temperatures outside. In summer, the same thermal insulation prevents the penetration of high temperatures, which on hot days on the roof often reach + 90ºС.

The materials used for the device of the pitched roof insulation system are divided into two fundamental groups:

  • Cotton. These include varieties with a fibrous structure: stone wool, glass and slag wool, etc. The insulating qualities are imparted to them by the air that fills the space between the randomly intertwined fibers. Cotton wool can be both hard and soft, i.e. crumpled.
  • Foamy. Options with a "foamed" structure, which are a collection of closed bubbles filled with an inert gas or ordinary air, which just performs the function of an insulator. These are rigid slab types of heaters.

In the device of the insulation system for truss systems, materials are used that are characterized by low thermal conductivity. Its value usually does not exceed the standard limit of 0.04 W / m ° C, which is typical for almost all types of roof insulation.


The specifics of cotton insulation

Wadded heaters easily let vapors pass into themselves and in the same way part with the moisture in their thickness. In order to prevent water from retaining in fibrous insulation, which significantly reduces the insulating properties, roofing wool is hydrophobized - the fibers are coated with a water-repellent substance.

The hydrophobic sheath prevents the fibers from getting wet, on which moisture only accumulates, and when the droplet reaches its volume, it rolls down or is weathered by the air flow. Therefore, cotton wool used to insulate truss frames is classified as vapor-permeable, but at the same time not wet materials, which is extremely important in the arrangement of roofs.

Wooden truss structures during operation emit a certain amount of moisture, which must be removed. Therefore, the best option when installing an insulation system in the space between the rafters is cotton wool, which contributes to the natural drying of wood structures.

From the inside, i.e. from the side of the premises, the wool is covered with a vapor barrier membrane. It prevents the penetration of fumes into the insulation, but partially still passes them. Outside, the cotton insulation is covered with a water-repellent polymer film, between which and the insulation leave a ventilation gap of 3-5 cm.

If a superdiffusion membrane is used as a waterproofing, then the ventilation gap is not satisfied. The membrane spontaneously releases the condensate formed in the insulation into the atmosphere, but prevents the penetration of rain and melt water into the heat-insulating layer.

It is, of course, more expensive than ordinary and reinforced polyethylene film, but it allows using narrower rafters for insulation, which brings a considerable economic effect.

Features of foam insulation boards

The subgroup of foam insulation includes all kinds of polystyrene foams, foam plastics, polyurethane foams, etc. All of them are divided into vapor-permeable and vapor-tight options.

The ability to pass household fumes depends on the method of manufacture of the material. For example, extruded polystyrene foam allows moisture to pass through in scanty amounts, because its cells are tightly sintered together by walls. There is no space between them. In addition, the closed shell of the bubble eliminates the slightest attempt to penetrate water.

Materials created by extrusion have the lowest vapor permeability, which makes it possible not to protect the insulation with vapor barrier films. However, the need for a ventilation duct in the case of the removal of condensate and a small amount of steam still remains.

Styrofoam - foamed polystyrene, which has not passed through the extruder, passes vapors. Between its cells there are channels that promote the penetration of moisture and its removal from the body of thermal insulation by ventilation. When it is used as a thermal insulation of the roof, it is necessary to use vapor and waterproofing layers and arrange ventilation ducts.

Foams are represented by rigid plates, which, unlike soft wool, do not crumple. Despite the possibility of installation in the space between the rafters, foam insulation is mainly installed on top of the rafter legs or on the inside of the room.

The fact is that it is difficult to carve out a rigidly shaped material so that it completely fills the cell in the truss system. Between him and the rafter, there will still be some kind of weakened thin line, contributing to the formation of cold bridges.

In addition, extruded insulation does not absorb moisture, which will inevitably be released by the wooden elements of the system. Therefore, in laying between the rafters, only foam plastic can be used - a heater that can pass vapors.

Foamed thermal insulation with minimal vapor permeability is available in the form of plates. Most of them are equipped with a technological edge, which greatly facilitates the laying of material. Thanks to the edge, the thermal insulation layer, installed along the rafters or from the inside, turns out to be almost monolithic, preventing the formation of cold bridges.

Ways to insulate the truss system

In the construction of the heat-insulating layer of the truss frame, both one of the materials and a complex of heaters from at least two varieties can be used. Since no one has yet invented ideal heaters, they can work perfectly in pairs, compensating for the shortcomings of a neighbor.

It is important to remember that from the side of the attic to be equipped, a layer with the lowest vapor permeability should be installed. Those. on the side of the premises, it is necessary to have a denser insulation, characterized by a minimum number of pores and channels for collecting condensate and steam. It will become a barrier to moisture and reduce the likelihood of it getting into the thickness of the insulation.

According to the location of the heat-insulating layer relative to the rafter legs, the methods of its construction are divided into three types, these are:

  • Inter-rafter insulation. The location of thermal insulation in the space between adjacent rafters. It is supposed to use soft cotton wool and foam.
  • Insulation over rafters. Installation of a continuous heat-insulating layer on the outside of the truss structure. Rigid foam boards are used.
  • Rafter insulation on the inside. By analogy with the previous paragraph, a continuous layer is being constructed, but from the side of the room being equipped. Rigid wadded mats and all types of foam insulation are used.
  • Combined insulation. Filling the space between the rafters with insulation and installing an additional layer on top of the rafters from a side convenient for work.

The choice of method is focused on the stage of construction and weather specifics in a specific time period during which the work is planned. For example, when performing insulation during the reconstruction of the attic, it makes no sense to dismantle the unworn coating. It's easier to insulate from the inside. In addition, the production of work will not be affected by weather disasters, and the material is not threatened by getting wet with dust.

If it is planned to install thermal insulation on top of the rafters from the outside, it is not necessary to coincide with the warming procedure for a period of heavy rainfall. However, if you have to carry out work at such a time, you should schedule their implementation as soon as possible and provide for the possibility of protecting the insulation from rain in case of its sudden loss.

Such measures include covering the insulation with a waterproof awning or a waterproofing carpet prepared in advance and connected into a continuous sheet.

The thickness of the insulation system is selected in accordance with the climatic characteristics of the construction region in accordance with the requirements of SNiP number II-3-79, which analyzes in detail all issues on construction heat engineering.

Heaters are produced in the format of plates, mats or rolls, cut into mats of standard thickness of 2 or 5 cm. It will not be possible to select the material exactly according to the calculations, but it should be remembered that you should always round up.


Mineral wool thermal insulation

If you plan to install thermal insulation in the space between the rafters, there is no better material than soft elastic wool. The optimal size of a fragment of heat-insulating material in such cases exceeds the actual dimensions of this space by 2-3 cm in both directions.

For laying in the “cells” between the rafters, the roll is cut into pieces with the stated dimensions, or when designing the truss frame, the dimensions of the finished insulating mats are taken into account. The main thing is that the slightly compressed fragment of the insulation straightens out in the place it is supposed to and wedged between the rafters due to its own elasticity.

Those who prefer their own cutting of rolled insulation should clearly calculate the dimensions of the cut pieces. If the fragment is noticeably wider or longer, then its own elasticity will cause it to bend in the “window” intended for installation.

A bent piece will partially block the ventilation duct, due to which the thermal insulation will not be able to fully ventilate, which means that it will not work according to the characteristics declared by the manufacturer.

In order for the cotton mats not to bend and sag between the rafters, they are advised to be fixed in a special way. Nails are nailed along the line coinciding with the surface of the heat-insulating layer, which are interconnected with a fishing line. The insulation fixed in this way will not interfere with the air flows washing it.

Ideally, the rafter leg should be 3–5 cm wider than the thermal insulation system. In this case, the ventilation air from the cornice overhang to the ridge element is formed spontaneously. If the width of the rafter does not allow arranging a ventilation duct, i.e. it is equal to or less than the thickness of the insulating layer, the shortage is made up with counter rails nailed to the ribs of the rafter legs.

Reinforced thermal insulation of the truss system

The scheme of enhanced roof insulation along the rafters helps to completely get rid of cold bridges. It is clear that such a method involves filling the inter-rafter space with soft insulating material and installing rigid plates from the outside or from the inside. The work is carried out in stages, in accordance with the above technologies.

First of all, elastic cotton mats are installed in the space between the rafters. After that, a transverse rail is mounted, holding the already installed insulation and forming a frame for laying the next row of plates.

The size of the lath should be selected so that it is equal to the thickness of the insulating layer being laid, and the gratings should be positioned so that the elements of the insulation system fit snugly into the gaps between the laths.

A diffusion membrane is laid over the reinforced multi-tiered heat-insulating layer. It is laid directly on the insulating layer without fear of condensation in the thickness of the thermal insulation.

If the waterproofing protection is made of a polyethylene film, then a ventilation gap is necessarily constructed between the insulation and polyethylene. It is formed by installing a rail with the required size.

When using a superdiffusion membrane, there is no need to arrange a ventilation gap above the ridge run. The material is laid with an overlap over the ridge with the installation of a ridge protective and decorative strip on top of it.

When using polyethylene, this layer is not brought to the ridge rib. On both sides, approximately 7–10 cm are left between the edge of the waterproofing and the ridge fracture, so that condensate and household fumes can be freely discharged into the atmosphere.

You can use only mineral wool of varying degrees of hardness in a combined scheme or combine it with the installation of foam elements outside the attic or from the inside.


Installation of rigid polystyrene foam boards

Foamed rigid plates perfectly hold the load, cope with the mass of the roofing, and with snow drifts, and even with the movement of a person in case of repair operations. In all respects, it is more convenient and reasonable to build an outer continuous layer from them.

When using extruded insulating varieties, there is no point in installing a waterproofing carpet on top of a heat-insulating system and a vapor barrier analogue from inside the premises. The slabs are laid on a plank or plywood solid flooring built along the rafters, arranged with a run in rows.

If thermal insulation is arranged in two or three tiers, then the run-up rule must be observed in each layer. The butt joints of the plates cannot be located at one point in order to exclude the possibility of leakage in this place.

The heat-insulating layer of plates is fastened to the rafter legs through a solid flooring and longitudinal wooden slats installed on top of the insulation. Fixing bars at the same time form the ventilation ducts necessary for the ventilation of the roofing pie, and relieve stress from the roof. On the same bars, the crate is installed for laying the coating.

When foam insulation is located on the outside of the truss frame, the rafters themselves remain open indoors. They can be used as a non-standard interior element, as a basis for additional insulation between the rafters, or as a base for fastening the inner lining.

The technology for installing an insulating layer from the inside of the attic is no different from the outer version. A crate is also arranged under the insulation and it is fastened to the rafters. The advantage of installation from the inside is the possibility of construction at any time, the minus lies in the fact that the internal space will be slightly “eaten” by thermal insulation.

The described methods are also used when constructing an insulating system made of rigid mineral wool boards.

Combination of two types of thermal insulation

The combined thermal insulation scheme provides for the use of two types of insulating materials in one thermal insulation system. Laying of heaters is carried out in accordance with their purpose and the technical properties laid down by the manufacturers. Soft cotton mats are placed in the cells between the rafters, rigid plates are installed outside or inside the rafter frame.


If a diffusion membrane is used as thermal insulation in the thermal insulation scheme in a combined way, ventilation products between the layers of thermal insulation and waterproofing are not satisfactory. This scheme is very difficult to implement without dismantling the coating. True, there are types of membranes that allow you to equip the truss system from the inside without removing the roof. In such cases, it is attached to the rafter legs wrapped around it.

If the inner tier of the insulation system is made of extruded foam insulation, then there is no need to use a vapor barrier layer and to install an internal crate along the rafters.

Video about the insulation of truss systems

A video about the rules for insulating the attic from the side of the equipped premises:

Thermal insulation with rigid boards:

Details about the device of the roofing pie of the insulated roof:

Compliance with technological requirements for the construction of thermal insulation along the rafters will ensure the formation optimal conditions for the operation of the attic. You can do the work yourself, saving a considerable amount for more important purposes.

The main heat loss of a building occurs through the "enclosures": walls, windows, floor and roof.

Since the roof is in direct contact with the environment, it is constantly influenced by changing weather conditions. The roof must meet the most important requirement: to maintain indoor comfort and minimize heat loss. The task is quite difficult, given the fact that the external temperature in some latitudes can range from minus 50 to plus 40-45 degrees.

How to properly organize insulation?

The very word "insulation" does not mean that the gable roof will warm up. It speaks only of taking measures to ensure that this design retains heat.

Particular attention should be paid to insulation work in the case when it is planned to use the attic as an additional living space.

The attic has a number of distinctive (from the rest of the interior) features: it is limited to surfaces with different structures:

  • attic flooring;
  • roof slopes;
  • gable walls.

The insulation of each of these parts has its own characteristics, which should be taken into account for the quality of work.

How to choose the right material for the insulation of a gable roof?

There are a number of basic requirements, compliance with which is evidence of the high quality of the insulation:

  1. The material must be waterproof. If it is hygroscopic, over time a large amount of moisture will accumulate in it, which will lead to an increase in thermal conductivity and the loss of other important properties.
  2. Indispensable quality - ability long time keep the geometric shape. If this requirement is not met, the material eventually slides to the lower part of the roof, and the upper part remains unprotected from the penetration of cold.
  3. The insulation must retain its quality characteristics for quite a long time, so that for a long time there is no need for a major overhaul of the roof.
  4. The next indispensable requirement is environmental friendliness and safety. This item is especially relevant for the roofs of residential buildings, although the roofs of industrial and utility buildings must also correspond to it. When insulating, it is unacceptable to use materials that emit toxic compounds or are dangerous from the point of view of environmental cleanliness.
  5. Resistant to sudden temperature fluctuations. In cold regions, special attention should be paid to the frost resistance of the insulation.
  6. Fire safety - the material should not be flammable.

The main methods of insulating a gable roof

When warming gable roof three main methods are used:

  • Laying insulation material between the rafters.
  • Rafter laying.
  • Laying insulation under the rafters.
  • The first method is most often used. It is the simplest and most efficient.

During installation, you must strictly follow the rules. Otherwise, not only the insulation, but the entire roof will not last long.

If installed incorrectly, the material can absorb moisture and transfer it to the rafter system in contact with it. The result is rotting of the foundation of the entire roof.

Common Mistakes

When installing heat-insulating material, mistakes are often made, which result in a reduction in the service life and loss of quality characteristics of the insulation. The most frequent of them:

  • The waterproofing layer is not installed.
  • Waterproofing installed, but not fixed. The consequence is the displacement of the insulation layer and the formation of cold gaps.
  • In many cases, when carrying out work, they forget about the need for a ventilation gap. As a result of the lack of ventilation, a large amount of condensate is formed, which penetrates into the insulation and eventually causes the rafter system to rot.
  • Another common mistake is the lack of vapor barrier.

Work order

When carrying out work on insulation, it is necessary to follow a certain sequence. The process is not particularly difficult.

    1. First of all, you need to measure the distance between the rafters.

    2. Then the insulation material is measured with a slight gap.

    3. A layer of waterproofing is installed

    4. The insulation is laid between the rafters. Thanks to the gaps left, the material fits snugly against the truss structure and holds itself in place.

    5. The insulation is laid from the bottom up. It is necessary to try to make installation with a minimum number of seams.

    6. During the laying process, care must be taken to ensure that there are no gaps, as they will lead to significant heat loss.

    7. Between the layer of insulation and waterproofing, there should be free space - at least 2 cm. When carrying out work, one circumstance must be taken into account: heaters expand by 10-30% over time.

    8. We must remember the need for ventilation gaps for free air circulation in the under-roof space, thanks to which it will be possible to avoid the formation of condensate and subsequent damage to the insulation material and the truss system.

    9. When cutting the insulation, do not leave too much clearance. This may cause the material to sag.

    10. If it was not possible to avoid sagging, it is necessary to compact the sheet, which will prevent the appearance of so-called "cold bridges".

    11. The entire surface is covered with a layer of vapor barrier.

    12. Thermal insulation material is fixed wooden blocks or planks across the rafters - a counter-lattice. In the case of an attic, the planks will serve as the basis for interior decoration.

The main types of heaters

URSA (URSA)- This is one of the modern insulating materials that fully meets the requirements.

Its basis is spatula fiber, processed according to the proprietary technology of URSASpannfilz.

The insulation has such a high level of geometric stability that it does not need to be updated or repaired for the entire period of operation.

URSA is available as 1200 x 4200 mm mats with a thickness of 150 mm. The material is rolled into dense rolls and sealed in a film.

Before use, the rolls are opened and allowed to straighten. It takes only a few minutes to achieve normal dimensions and restore thickness.

After the mat must be cut. If the step between the rafters is 60 cm ( standard size), the mat should be cut lengthwise into two parts.

In the case of a different distance between the rafters, the mat is cut across into separate plates, the length of which should be approximately 30 mm longer than the size of the rafter step.

After that, the plates are placed between the rafters (while they need to be slightly compressed). Due to the high degree of elasticity of the material, the mats stay in place on their own, and there is no need for additional fastening

Installation of this heater is so simple that even one person can carry it out. URSA is also suitable for broken gable roofs.

  • glass wool- the material has been used for a very long time and still has not lost its popularity.

However, it should be noted that this insulation has a number of serious drawbacks, as a result of which many builders do not recommend using it for thermal insulation of a gable roof:

  • glass wool perfectly absorbs moisture and loses its quality characteristics in a short time;
  • it is easily deformable and loses its geometric shape, as a result of which, when it is used, a significant complication of the roofing cake is necessary to prevent slipping;
  • material does not meet environmental safety requirements.
  • Mineral wool- a very popular material for insulation. It is obtained as a result of special processing of basalt rocks.

They are subjected to extremely high temperatures, after which the resulting mass is pressed and shaped into rigid plates. As a result of the described actions, a chaotic interlacing of fibers into a very dense micronetwork occurs. Thanks to this structure, the plates do not deform, do not absorb water and moisture, are resistant to temperature fluctuations and the effects of adverse environmental factors,

In addition, mineral wool does not emit toxic substances and does not burn.

  • Spatula heaters- this material is non-hygroscopic and easy to install. There are several types that differ from each other in the degree of density. Therefore, it can be used for internal insulation and external thermal insulation.

For maximum heat retention, a material with a high density of fibers is used. It is perfect for double pitched roofs. Due to its weight, the insulation fits snugly against the slopes, which helps prevent slipping. The material based on spatula fibers meets the requirements of environmental friendliness.

How to properly insulate a gable roof

  • After correct installation rafter legs on the inside of the rafters (starting from the lower end), it is necessary to mount the inner crate, while the step should be from 15 to 30 cm. It will be the basis for attaching the insulation layer (roll or plates).
  • From the outside, the insulation is laid in 1-2 layers. It is necessary to monitor the tight fit of the joints to the rafters. There should be no through holes in the insulation.
  • After laying the insulation, it must be covered with waterproofing (on the outside of the rafters). The waterproofing material is unwound from a roll and nailed to the rafters with a slight sag using staples.

Care must be taken not to confuse the upper and lower sides of the membrane.

  • The top has waterproofing qualities and does not allow moisture to pass through, and the lower part must allow moisture and evaporation to pass through. Layers are made with a 15 cm overlap.
  • During installation, it is necessary to ensure that the insulation and the membrane do not touch. Between them there should be a distance of 2 to 5 cm. In the upper part, at the ridge, along its entire length, it is necessary to drill air vent small size. 10 cm membranes should not be connected. This technique creates additional traction, due to which the air flow will blow moisture out of the under-roof space.
  • After laying the membrane on the rafters, it is necessary to take care of an additional ventilation cavity. For this purpose, along the rafters (right on them) a bar measuring 25 x50, 50 x 50 mm is stuffed. It can be made from pieces of 1.5-2 m.
  • Across the rafters, over the bars, a crate is stuffed (the step should be 15-30 cm).

Both the crate and the bar are best treated with an antiseptic solution.

  • The created gap for ventilation removes condensate and moisture from both the membrane and the truss system. An appropriate roofing material is mounted on the crate: corrugated sheet, metal tile, etc.
  • A vapor barrier is attached to the crate from the inside. This prevents vapors from entering interior into the insulation layer.

Instead of a crate of boards, you can use a nylon rope nailed to the rafters (on the inside).

Another way: pull the vapor barrier over the rafters, and fill the crate on top.

After completing the installation of the vapor barrier, proceed to the next step:

  • The rafters are stuffed with slats (20 x 30 mm), and on them - the inner lining: plywood, lining, blockhouse, etc.
  • In the lower part of the roof, the material should hang down and be located in such a way that moisture and the resulting condensate flow into the gutter and do not reach the insulation.

CONCLUSIONS:

  • Roof insulation is necessary to keep the house warm.
  • Work should be treated especially carefully when planning an attic device.
  • Warming is carried out in three ways: the material is laid between the rafters, on the rafters or under the rafters.
  • The material for thermal insulation must meet several basic requirements: be waterproof, retain its shape and not emit toxic substances.
  • Universal insulation is URSA.
  • Very often, mineral wool and spatula heaters are also used.
  • When carrying out work, it is necessary to adhere to a certain sequence of actions.

How to properly insulate the roof, see the video clip.

Every owner of a private house faces work on roof insulation. For those who are doing this work for the first time, there is a long process of getting acquainted with different technologies and studying the properties of modern materials. The task of roof insulation is to create a pie from insulation and waterproofing films. Regardless of the type of roof construction, the durability and effectiveness of insulation is determined by the right choice of materials and compliance with the sequence of laying each layer of the roofing pie.

Why you need to insulate the roof

A third of the heat loss of a house occurs through the roof. Therefore, high-quality roof insulation in the first place saves money on heating the house.

The infrared photo clearly shows that there is no heat loss through the insulated roof

Insufficient waterproofing and insulation of the under-roof space leads to the formation of dampness. It penetrates the load-bearing elements of the roof frame, as a result of which their service life is reduced.

Insulation of a pitched roof allows you to turn the attic into a full-fledged living space.

Common materials for roof insulation

All materials used for roof insulation are divided into two types:

  1. Cotton (or fibrous). This group includes basalt (stone) wool, glass wool, slag wool. Products of this type have different characteristics of rigidity, density, resistance to creasing and are available in the form of rolls or plates. Cotton wool insulation is considered non-loadable materials.
  2. Foamy. These materials are made from foamed polymers and are available only in the form of plates. They have high rigidity and are load-bearing materials.

Features of cotton materials

Cotton insulation has the ability to pass moisture vapor, but should not get wet at the same time. So that water condensate does not linger in the thickness of the material, its fibers are coated with a water repellent. Due to this, moisture is not absorbed by the fibers, but flows out or is vented by air currents.

Mineral wool

Due to its vapor permeability, mineral wool is considered the best material for insulating roofs with wooden rafters, as it promotes the natural exchange of moisture between wood and air.


Basalt wool is produced in the form of plates, which are conveniently mounted in cells between rafters.

But the ability to pass moisture vapor also has a negative side: you have to use a waterproofing film to protect the insulation from the side of the roof and a vapor barrier film to protect it from warm, moist air from the living quarters.

Condensation will accumulate on the waterproofing film. If it lies close to the cotton heat insulator, then moisture will penetrate into its thickness. This will lead to wetting of the insulation and the appearance of mold in it. Therefore, when using ordinary vapor-tight films for waterproofing, it is necessary to leave a gap of 2–3 cm on each side between the insulation and the film. This space is called the ventilation gap. After condensation, moisture from the surface of the waterproofing membrane will be removed by natural air circulation.

Instead of conventional waterproofing films, a superdiffusion membrane can be used. This material allows you to do without a ventilation gap, which will simplify the process of installing insulation. Such a film will save space and allow you to lay the insulation over the entire height of the rafter, completely filling the cells.

Basalt insulation

Mineral wool is often referred to as basalt insulation. However, due to the special arrangement of the fibers, basalt wool has higher thermal protection rates and is practically not susceptible to the formation of fungi and mold. This dense material does not cake, compact or burn over time.


Basalt wool retains heat better and does not react with oxygen, which usually causes mold

Basalt wool is most often used to insulate pitched roofs by mounting it into the cells of the truss structure. The advantage of all cotton materials with this method of laying is the ability to fully fill the cells without cracks and cold bridges.

This material has also become widespread by analogy with basalt insulation. It is produced both in rolls and mats of different thicknesses (up to 150 mm). Therefore, you can always choose the material in accordance with the configuration of the cells of the roof frame to minimize waste when cutting. But in terms of density, thermal conductivity and resistance to compression, glass wool is inferior to basalt insulation.


Glass wool has the worst thermal insulation performance, but is cheaper

The main argument that allows glass wool to compete with basalt insulation is the low price. Therefore, many craftsmen prefer this material, despite the well-known ability of glass wool to eventually slide down the slope with the formation of cracks and severely irritate the skin when working with it.

slag wool

Produced from blast furnace slag. Of all cotton materials, it has the widest operating temperature range (up to 300 o C). Slag wool also has the greatest hygroscopicity, so it is not used for facade insulation.


Slag wool absorbs water well, so it must be carefully protected with a waterproofing coating.

Slag wool has the most “dirty” base, therefore it is not recommended for use in residential premises. This material is usually used for insulation industrial buildings and pipelines.

Plate materials

For the manufacture of board materials use different types polymers. These are polystyrene, polystyrene, polyurethane.

An important characteristic of plate materials is rigidity and vapor permeability. The technology of using insulation in a warm roof pie also depends on this. The ability to pass moisture vapor depends on the method of molding polymer foam boards in production:


To insulate the roof between the rafters, slab foam materials are not used, since it is difficult to cut the material clearly according to the size of the cell. The inevitable cracks will become bridges of cold. In addition, if the rafters are not mounted taking into account the dimensions of the material, a large amount of waste will appear when cutting.

Pitched roof insulation technology

Pitched roofs can be insulated in the following ways:

  1. Installation of insulation between the rafters.
  2. Formation of a continuous layer of insulation over or under the rafters.
  3. Combined method.

Insulation between rafters

The easiest way is to install a single-layer ventilation insulation using a super diffuse membrane. For this method, a heater is bought, the thickness of which is equal to the depth of the cell:



Superdiffusion membrane is attached close to the insulation

If there is an old waterproofing film and it is planned to use a film with low vapor permeability (microperforated film) for padding from below, then the gap between the insulation and the film should be on both sides. To do this, it is necessary that the panel is not completely recessed into the cell, but with an indent from the edge by 2–3 cm. The same gap must be left from the attic side. The thickness of the insulation should be less than the depth of the cell by 5 cm. The emphasis for the panel can be stuffed rails around the perimeter of the cells or pieces of wire stretched over nails:

  1. A thin rail (2 cm) is stuffed along the upper edge of the cell, and nails are driven in with an indent of 2 cm from the upper edge of the timber.
  2. Nylon threads or wire are wound crosswise on the nails. Now, when laying the insulation in the cell, the necessary gap will remain between it and the film.
  3. Exactly the same operation is performed after the installation of mineral wool panels. Threads on the bottom side will not allow the material to sag or move in the cell.

To create a ventilated gap, the thickness of the insulation must be less than the depth of the cell between the rafters

Insulation with foam boards must be done in two layers. This is done in order to cover the gaps at the joints. In this case, the joints of the plates of the second row should be displaced relative to the joining of the first row.

It is necessary to select the thickness of the foam insulation so that it does not go beyond the rafters. If the material (or two of its layers) protrudes from the cells, the rafters must be built up with timber.

Video: laying mineral wool between the rafters

The lack of insulation between the rafters is the presence of cold bridges along the perimeter of the cells. Therefore, many owners use combined methods of insulation, additionally equipping the layer on top or under the rafters.

For insulation over the rafters, foam boards are perfect, which have sufficient rigidity. This material copes well with the load that it will experience under the roofing material, therefore, most often in new buildings, a continuous layer of insulation is mounted on top of the rafters from the outside. This is much more convenient than screwing the panels from the inside. In addition, you can save interior space. And if you do not combine the laying of plates with insulation between the rafters, then the open parts of the timber inside the attic will be an original element of the interior.

Foam insulation is not afraid of moisture, so waterproofing the under-roof space can be omitted

If extruded boards are used, then there is no need to put a vapor barrier under the insulation and lay a waterproofing layer on top. Work is carried out according to the following principle:


Combined insulation technologies

The most common method of combined insulation during repairs is insulation under and between the rafters. This option is the described method of insulation with one ventilation duct and an additional continuous layer from below.

This technology uses cotton materials:


This design is the simplest, most convenient and cheapest. Installation of an additional layer on top of the rafters is most convenient, it is performed with a deep revision of the roof, followed by the replacement of the roofing material. For homes in harsh climatic zones most effective way insulation will be a combination of all three methods.

Video: insulation of the roof of the cottage with a layer of foam 20 cm thick

Flat roof insulation

The same materials are used to insulate a flat roof. Restrictions may be in the use of foam insulation if high fire requirements are imposed on the coating. Perform work both outside and inside. Insulation can be single-layer and multi-layer.

If it is planned to insulate a flat roof on both sides, then first they equip the outer roofing pie, and after a season, in the absence of a leak, they perform internal insulation. Flat roofs are traditional and exploited. The choice of material and technology for forming a roofing cake depends on the type of roof.

Traditional and exploited flat roofs are insulated in different ways.

For traditional structures, the roofing cake consists of the following layers:

  1. Base. It could be concrete slab or metal profile.
  2. Vapor barrier layer.
  3. One or two layers of insulation.
  4. Waterproofing.

The composition of the pie for the exploited roof:

  1. The bearing base can only be a concrete slab.
  2. Waterproof film.
  3. Insulation.
  4. Drainage geotextile.
  5. Crushed stone bedding.
  6. Finish coating.

Insulation methods: single-layer and double-layer thermal insulation

For external insulation, many different materials are used that have a porous structure (for example, foam concrete or expanded clay). But the most popular are extruded polymer foams and mineral wool. Due to the low cost, mineral wool is a priority for many masters.


Mineral wool is often used to insulate flat roofs due to its lower cost.

For single-layer insulation, a dense material is used. Depending on the type of base, the insulation of a flat roof with mineral wool is performed as follows:


It is allowed to lay mineral wool on a metal profile without a leveling layer with flat slate.


The bottom layer of mineral wool should be thicker and less dense than the top

But in this case, the thickness of the lower insulation should be twice as large as the distance between the extreme points of adjacent profile waves.

Video: how to simultaneously insulate and waterproof a flat roof

Foam laying rules:

  1. Plates are laid on the metal profile with the long side across the profile waves.
  2. The sheets are laid with a spacing of seams and the jointing should be similar to brickwork.
  3. In multi-layer installation, the upper seams should not coincide with the lower ones.

Ways of fixing plates to the base

To fix the material, the following methods are used:


Internal flat roof insulation

If necessary, a flat roof is insulated from the inside. Usually such work is performed when the roof does not have an attic space. The technology is simple, all the difficulties are only in the need to constantly keep your arms outstretched up. But, unlike outdoor work, there is no need to rush, and the work can be done at a moderate pace:

High-quality roof insulation largely depends on what material it is decided to use. Cotton wool heaters always imply the mandatory arrangement of ventilation ducts. Extruded foam boards simplify installation technology, but they are more expensive. On large areas, this difference can result in a significant amount. At the same time, polystyrene or polyurethane foam are ideal for insulation over the rafters, and mineral wool fills the cells with high quality when insulated between the rafters. Therefore, before the final choice, you must carefully weigh all these factors, taking into account your financial capabilities.