Country houses often have an attic floor. This is a kind of attic space. But if it is properly equipped, then it will make a wonderful living room. However, we should not forget that this room needs not only an interesting finish, but also high-quality insulation. After all, in summer, thanks to the large roof area, the room heats up quickly. In winter - instant cooling. Therefore, if you decide to equip an excellent room, initially check out how to insulate the roof of the attic from the inside.
Main Features
When insulating the attic, it is necessary to consider high-quality thermal insulation. At the same time, the room under the roof has many features that should be considered during the repair.
Professionals recommend that before insulating the roof of the attic from the inside, provide for the following points:
- Roof configuration. Most often, the roof is differentinclined surface. It is rare to find a strictly horizontal roof. Accordingly, the heat-insulating layer will have to be laid on an inclined plane. Solid sheets will not cause any particular difficulties. But with soft rolls you have to work hard.
- Thermal insulation. For roofing, wood or other lightweight materials are usually used, which are characterized by water-repellent characteristics. But such a roof often does not have sufficient thermal insulation. You can often see gaps in the wooden crate. And this provides even more heat loss.
- Insulation of gables. The attic consists not only of the roof. Therefore, do not forget about the frontons. Attic insulation will not provide the necessary thermal insulation if you do not insulate these walls.
- Vapor permeability. Steam condensate rising from the rooms accumulates under the roof. Therefore, when choosing insulation for the roof, be sure to choose a material with excellent vapor permeability.
- Safety. Since the attic will become a living space, then choose an eco-friendly material. It must be non-flammable and completely fireproof. In addition, this material must not be harmful to he alth.
Choice of insulation
Initially, you should determine what material you will use. After all, the thickness of the thermal insulation and the number of required layers depend on its technical characteristics. Therefore, warming from the inside, start with the study of suitable materials.
Modern market providesthe widest range of heaters. Consider the most popular of them.
Styrofoam insulation
The material is quite convenient for laying on inclined surfaces. In addition, if you decide to insulate the roof of the attic from the inside with your own hands using foam, then the cost of such repairs will be quite affordable. After all, the price of the material is relatively low.
The advantages of this insulation are:
- low thermal conductivity;
- light weight;
- easy to install.
A foam attic, despite the advantages described above, also has a number of disadvantages that this material gives it. Therefore, before choosing such a heater, check them out.
The main disadvantages of Styrofoam are:
- insufficient vapor permeability;
- Emits toxic substances when ignited;
- attractive to rodents.
Mineral wool
This material is very often used for insulation. Mineral wool consists of synthetic and bas alt fibers combined with stone chips.
The material has the following advantages:
- at a small price;
- high thermal insulation;
- environmentally friendly;
- light weight;
- fire safety (mineral wool does not burn);
- high vapor permeability.
Thinking about which insulation to choose for the attic, many owners prefer mineral wool. After all, thismaterial differs not only in fine characteristics. It is very easy to mount.
Professionals say you don't even need to use fasteners. It is enough to cut out the plates, the dimensions of which are 2-3 cm larger than the distance between the rafters. Such pieces will fit perfectly between the crossbars and will not fall out.
Extruded Styrofoam
This is another material that can be used to insulate the attic. It is produced in the form of certain slabs with a porous texture.
The advantages of the material are:
- high strength;
- moisture resistant;
- excellent thermal conductivity.
However, along with the advantages described above, expanded polystyrene has serious disadvantages:
- high flammability;
- airtight;
- the ability to release toxins during combustion or oxidation (provoked by heat);
- high cost.
Given such moments, it is extremely rare to insulate the attic from the inside with polystyrene foam. Most often, this material is used for gables. At the same time, it is often used for facade work. After all, expanded polystyrene does not absorb moisture and does not let it through.
Use of polyurethane foam
This is a liquid insulation for the attic. It can be applied to any surface without any problems. This material will become an indispensable solution for roofs with complex configurations.
However, to work with such materialProtective suit and special installation required. That is why polyurethane foam insulation is most often entrusted to hired specialists. Of course, the cost of work increases many times.
But it is polyurethane foam that creates a monolithic continuous layer that does not let the cold through. In addition, such a surface does not need additional vapor barrier layers.
Use of environmental materials
Today, many owners choose heaters that are highly safe for both human he alth and the environment. They contain virtually no chemical fibers and do not emit toxic substances when burned.
Such materials are:
- ecowool;
- eco-friendly;
- fabric cotton insulation.
The main advantages of such heaters are the following properties:
- high quality thermal insulation;
- breathability;
- high sound insulation;
- hypoallergenic;
- excellent air filtration.
Roofing cake
So, if you decide to insulate the attic roof from the inside with your own hands, then you need to familiarize yourself with the intricacies of installation in detail. In order for the room to become habitable, it will be necessary to form a certain roofing pie under the roof, consisting of several layers.
Let's consider it in detail, starting from the inner surface:
- Drywall. This material is almost always used fordecorating the walls of the room.
- Vapor barrier layer. It provides condensate outlet to the outside. It is recommended to perform vapor barrier with a special membrane. It is overlapped (approximately 10 cm), and glued on top with adhesive tape. The vapor barrier layer must be continuous, not containing any cracks or gaps.
- Crate. This is the next layer of the roofing pie. It performs several functions at once. The crate supports the insulation. In addition, it is the basis to which the vapor barrier membrane is attached. And it is this layer that provides an extremely important gap for ventilation under the roof.
- Insulation. It is located above the crate. Depending on the selected material, as well as on the planned end result, the insulation can be laid in one or several layers.
- Waterproofing layer. It is designed to protect the insulation from getting wet. The layer is important enough. When planning how to insulate the attic roof from the inside, be sure to remember the need for waterproofing. So you protect the insulation from premature damage.
- Crate. This layer is necessary to create a ventilation space between the waterproofing film and the roof. Such a gap allows moisture accumulated on the water-repellent membranes to erode. However, it is important to provide for the possibility of condensate evaporation. To do this, special holes are made at the base of the slopes. Their value depends entirely on the chosen material for the roof. For example, roofs covered with tiles, corrugated board, need holes, approximately 25 mm. And for roofs withwith flat materials, the size of such holes increases to 50 mm.
- Windproof vapor barrier. It is mounted above the second crate. It allows you to provide warmth and comfort indoors even with the strongest wind. This insulation is laid over the rafter legs and carefully secured with battens.
- Roof covering. This is the final layer of the roofing cake.
Insulation technology
Having de alt with the varieties of materials, having carefully studied what the roofing cake consists of, you can proceed directly to work. So, consider how to insulate the attic roof from the inside on your own.
The most demanded material is still mineral wool. It is often used for such purposes. That is why we will analyze how to properly insulate the attic roof from the inside with mineral wool.
The technology of work consists of the following steps:
- Preparation. Initially, try to protect yourself from various kinds of problems. Check if the room is sufficiently ventilated. Stock up on protective gear. They are: respirator, construction gloves, goggles.
- Checking the rafters. This is the next stage of your work. Now you need to check how evenly the rafters are located. This task is carried out using an aluminum long profile. It should be attached to the rafter legs. The bars, if properly installed, will be in full contact with the profile.
- Measuring the distance between the rafters. Take measurements in at least 2 differentlocations.
- Preparation of mineral wool boards. Now you can start working with the heater. To do this, using the measurements taken earlier, slabs of the appropriate dimensions are cut out of mineral wool. However, remember that the dimensions of such fragments should be approximately 2-3 cm larger than the measurements you took. This will ensure good placement of the plates between the rafters and eliminate the need to fix the insulation with additional fasteners.
- Installation of mineral wool. To lay the insulation, it is slightly compressed and placed in a niche between the rafters. The mineral wool should return to its original shape. If wrinkles or bubbles form, be sure to level the material. This continues the insulation from the inside of the entire surface. The place where the wall is combined with the extreme rafter is sealed with sealant.
- Laying the vapor barrier. When laying a special film, fix it with a stapler (in increments of 15-20 cm). Overlap individual fragments, and glue the joints with a special tape.
- Decoration of window openings. They are equipped with special structures made of wooden bars, maintaining a distance of 40-60 cm. Vertical slats are fixed with self-tapping screws. Under them, a base is drawn up, which will then become the junction of the drywall with the film. The frame is filled with insulation. On the slopes it is covered with a film.
- Insulation of the attic walls. It's time to think about frontons. They are insulated in the same way as the roof. Carefully work out the ends of the roof. Now create a metal frame on which drywall will be attached. Betweenwith such details, the insulation is again laid. From above it is closed with a metal profile.
- Installation of vapor barrier film. It is attached to the frame with electrical tape and glue. Installation of drywall occurs with self-tapping screws.
Insulation of the attic with polystyrene foam
If you decide to use this material, which is, in fact, a modern, improved successor to foam, then the technology will be slightly different. If your roof is installed correctly, then a layer of waterproofing is already provided.
Insulation of the attic with polystyrene foam consists of the following steps:
- Processing of wooden elements. Start from this stage. All wooden structures must be carefully treated with an antiseptic. It is recommended to open such surfaces also with a flame retardant. Be sure to allow time for the product to soak in and dry completely. Moldy or rotten elements must be replaced.
- Fixing sheets. Extruded polystyrene foam is placed in the openings between the rafters. To fasten the material, you can use staples, corners, thin slats (they are nailed across the rafters). To ensure ventilation, leave a gap between the sheets and waterproofing of 2-5 cm. Expanded polystyrene is laid very carefully, leaving no distance between the sheets and rafters. If gaps are nevertheless formed, then they are sealed with mounting foam or pieces of the material itself. Sometimes expanded polystyrene is laid in several layers. When the insulation is completely laid out, you should get a flat surface that does not contain any cracks orlugs.
- Installation of vapor barrier. For the next layer, a special film is used, which may look like a perforated or foil membrane. Fasten it with a stapler, overlapping. The joints are sealed with a special tape.
- Fine finishing. This is the final step. Depending on your desires, you can decorate the room with clapboard, drywall, plastic or other materials. This finish is mounted close to the vapor barrier layer. If desired, you can make a thin crate, consisting of slats, and attach selected materials for finishing on it.
Wall insulation
If the roof in your room does not reach the floor, then the room must have side surfaces. If you do not take care of the walls, then, no matter how well you insulate the roof, the attic will continue to be cold. Of course, work on a vertical surface is much easier than under a roof.
It is quite easy to insulate the walls of the attic on your own. The technology of work is almost the same as for the roof. Therefore, if you were able to insulate the roof on your own, then this task will not cause you any difficulties. So, what algorithm should be followed?
Stages of attic wall insulation:
- Initially attach special rails to the surfaces.
- Now lay down the insulation layer.
- Following it, a vapor barrier must be provided.
- Don't forget waterproofing. For walls, this is no less important than for the roof. Therefore, pre-lay the appropriate waterproofing material.
- Fiberboard sheets can be used as insulation for wall decoration. It is easy to work with such material. It attaches beautifully with screws or nails.
Conclusion
Now, knowing how to insulate the roof of the attic from the inside, you can easily cope with this task. And even if you do not plan to use the attic for a living room, you still need to take care of the roof. After all, high-quality insulation significantly reduces the cost of heating a house. In addition, it provides a homely microclimate in the cottage. And, importantly, it significantly extends the life of structures.
