As you know, one of the main tasks of the roof of any building is to protect the structure from moisture penetration and the influence of other external factors. In addition, the roof must reliably retain heat in the house. In this regard, it is necessary to know what the technology of roof insulation is. We will talk about this further.
Material: general selection information
Many decide to insulate the roof from the inside with their own hands. It is logical that the owners of residential buildings are faced with the question of what material to choose. The minimum thickness of the insulating layer is 25 mm. The optimal indicator is considered to be 10 cm. Today on the market you can see a variety of insulating materials for roofs. Modern products have high performance characteristics. When choosing a material, a number of important factors must be taken into account:
- Cost.
- Performance properties.
- Resistant to mechanical damage.
The type of roof also affects the choice of material. Roof can be:
- mansard,
- pitch,
- flat,
- marquee.
Do-it-yourself roof insulation from the inside can be done using widely used materials. These include, in particular:
- foamed glass,
- mineral wool boards,
- foam concrete,
- fiberglass boards,
- polyurethane foam,
- styrofoam.
The presented materials are designed for different types of roofs and have differences in the level of water absorption, environmental friendliness, thermal conductivity and vapor permeability. Factors such as price and strength must also be taken into account when choosing insulation. Quite often, the roof is insulated with foam from the inside. It is quite practical and easy to install material. It is also common to insulate the roof from the inside with mineral wool. This is due to the fact that this material has the ability to withstand fairly high temperatures. It also has a low thermal conductivity. In addition, fiber boards are considered a versatile material. With it, you can carry out the insulation of a wooden roof of any type.
Features of fibrous materials
Today it is possible to insulate the roof from the inside with mineral wool on various bases. It can be used:
- bas alt,
- fiberglass,
- cellulose,
- foam glass.
Insulation of the roof from the inside with your own hands is recommended to be carried out using the firsttwo types. However, one should not forget that fiberglass does not have a high moisture-absorbing property. When using mineral wool, it is necessary to additionally lay hydro and vapor barrier layers. One of the varieties of glass wool is Izover. Due to the use of a special technology during production, air is present in the structure of the material. Due to it, "Isover" has a fairly low thermal conductivity. In addition, the material has a high level of sound insulation. One of the undoubted advantages of glass wool is its durability. The operating period can be up to half a century. In addition, it does not burn.
Additional materials
When insulating the roof from the inside with your own hands, it is necessary to equip waterproofing. The most common materials in this category are:
- polyurethane,
- mastic,
- roofing material and others.
In addition, when performing roof insulation, various films are used to protect the insulation. They can be:
- polyethylene,
- perforated,
- reinforced with fabric or mesh.
It should be noted that the above lists are far from complete. Among the existing range, it is quite difficult for many to decide on the choice of insulation. In this case, you should consult with specialists or more experienced craftsmen. Incorrectly selected material and errors during its installationcan lead to heat loss in the home.
Main recommendations
When insulating a pitched roof from the inside, care must be taken to ensure that the insulation does not block the ventilation gap. When using a superdiffuse membrane during operation, the installation of the material is carried out close to it. If a traditional roofing film is used, then it is necessary to provide gaps above and below it. The joints of the insulation of adjacent rows should be staggered. For a tighter fit of the insulation to the rafters, the width of the material should be greater than the distance between the structural elements of the roof. Insulation plates should be laid tightly to each other. With a large step between the rafters, the material must also be fixed from the side of the room. To do this, screws are screwed in and a wire is pulled between them. It will additionally support the insulating material. With a small cross section of the rafters, the insulation is placed under and between the beams.
Preparation
First of all, it is necessary to check the roofing elements for integrity. If traces of decay, damage, dampness are found, such parts are replaced. All structural elements must be treated with an antiseptic. If there are wires or pipes for heating or water supply, it is also necessary to assess their condition. The areas where the material is supposed to be laid are cleaned of dirt and dried.
Stacking process
Slab and roll are best suited for pitched roofingheaters. Laying materials is carried out in the crate between the rafters. In the process, a vapor barrier layer is also installed under the insulation. A sealing tape is laid on top. A gap must be left between the roofing and the insulation. Insulation can also be laid on top of the rafters. If this work is done correctly, the material will also be a good sound insulator.
Most common mistakes
The first of these is the wrong choice of material width. The insulation should not be narrower than the distance between the rafters. Otherwise, gaps will form. This, in turn, will significantly reduce the quality of roof insulation. The second mistake is wetting the material. This should not be allowed under any circumstances. Otherwise, the metal elements will begin to rust, and the wooden parts will rot. As a result, the roof space will become filled with an unpleasant odor. In addition, if the material is very wet, then water leakage into the building is inevitable. Another mistake is ignoring the use of vapor and waterproofing. If this protection is not provided, then all funds and time will be wasted.
Mansard roof insulation: features
When planning the arrangement of the roof of such a room, it is necessary to take into account some of the nuances. So, at high humidity in the attic, reinforced films are used, on one of the sides of which a special foil is applied. When insulating a mansard roof, special attention should be paid to the ceiling connection areas.with outside walls. In these places, the insulation should adhere as tightly as possible to vertical surfaces. Otherwise, "cold bridges" may form. If there are cornices, it is also necessary to carry out their insulation. In this case, cold air will not penetrate into the space under the roof. In difficult areas, a construction stapler is used to fix the film. This is quite convenient and greatly facilitates the process of laying the insulating material. Wooden slats are also used for fastening.
In closing
Despite the fact that the described process of insulating the roof with your own hands seems to be quite simple, you must follow all the recommendations. One of the common mistakes made by owners of residential buildings is the choice of cheap material for insulation, saving on hydro and vapor barriers. However, as practice shows, such aspirations do not justify themselves. Poor roof insulation results in significant heat loss. In this case, not only the material itself is damaged, but also the structural elements of the roof. In addition, the operational life of cheap heaters is quite small. After a few years, all the work will have to be redone. And if there is damage in the truss system - repair it as well. Properly equipped thermal insulation will significantly save on heating and electricity. Special care should be taken to protect the attic space.
