To begin let me remind you that the attic - it is attic space, which is equipped for human habitation or some household needs( office, greenhouse, etc.).Depending on the destination of the building, its layout, such as an attic of the roof may be of different configurations, but common insulation requirements on the inside of the attic remain unchanged.
Features and materials for thermal insulation of attics
should be understood that this room, unlike all the others, is colder, because it does not top any "thermal cushion".Therefore, the insulation, which we will do by our own hands, should be especially high-quality. Proceeding from this, the material is selected.
The difficulty lies in the fact that the surfaces are uneven, since under the roof there are beams of rafters, and they all have to be circumvented. The layer of waterproofing should be taken out under the roof in order to drain the condensate. When organizing work, you need to take into account that the end walls of the attic also need coverage - it is through them that a lot of heat goes away.
Each house has its own architecture, the shape of the roof and the material of the roofing and walls. Consequently, for each dwelling there may be some special, specifying recommendations for the warming of the attic space. Therefore, we will dwell only on the basic, mandatory activities that need to be carried out.
The choice of material depends on many factors. The design of the roof, roof, climate in the area and much more. We list only the features of some materials that can be used.
Foam plastic
One of the cheapest, and therefore popular materials for insulation. Easy to process and install. But experts point out that it has little vapor permeability. Consequently, the room can be damp. In addition, as the wooden rafters "dry up", the gaps between them and the plates of foam will increase. And these are cracks for drafts. There is one more remark. In such a cover, mice very often equip their homes, and it will be rather difficult to fight with them afterwards.
Expanded polystyrene is preferable, since such a "brickwork" has almost no joints and unattractive mice.
Mineral wool
Basalt mineral wool perfectly suits all parameters. Having great strength, does not absorb moisture, it is fireproof and practically does not conduct heat. Since it has elasticity, it keeps well in place of installation, resting its edges in the rafters. Glass wool is more durable, and as a soundproofing device is more effective. It withstands lower temperatures, but work with it requires special precautions.
The main stages of insulation work
Roof insulation
Initially, along the rafters, waterproofing is laid. And along the entire height - from the bottom and up to the ridge of the roof. However, this is not always done, because the roof material itself also plays the role of such an insulator. If the coating of roofing iron, for example, it will be enough. When installing a heater, you need to know the coefficient of its thermal conductivity. Such data can be obtained at the point of purchase( as they are indicated in the product certificate), and on the Internet. Based on this information, a decision is made whether enough of one layer or double laying will be used to eliminate possible heat loss.
When installing such a material, remember that there must be some distance between it and the roof. This air layer is necessary for high-quality ventilation in the place of laying the heater. This makes it possible to protect both it and the structural elements of the roof from decay.
The thickness of this interlayer depends on the material of the roofing. If it has a wavy form( tile, metal), then it should be at least 2.5 cm. And when using a "flat" format( roll materials, steel sheets, asbestos cement), the distance from the insulation to the roof should be doubled.
Another point - the thickness of rafters and insulator boards( for example, expanded polystyrene) can be different. If the plates are "thinner", then the first layer is laid between the rafters, and the second - on the rafters. In the case where the plates are thicker, the rafters should be filled with wooden slats, excluding such a "difference" in height. On the quality of work this will not be reflected.
To protect the insulation material from excessive humidity, a vapor barrier is placed on top. It is known that warm air rises, where it condenses. Therefore, such protection is mandatory. As a material for this layer, we use pergamine, polyethylene film, ruberoid, foil materials. Currently, the choice is large.
Heat insulation of the attic walls
This is done if the roof does not reach the floor. First, the rods are fixed to the walls for laying the heat-insulating and the next - vapor-insulating layers. The method of production is exactly the same as the above. However, here it is necessary to pre-install a waterproofing material. By the way, for finishing the walls as a heater, sheets of fiberboard are well suited. They are easy to work with, since they can be fastened with nails or screws.
High-quality insulation of the attic allows you to significantly reduce the cost of heating the house, it creates a favorable microclimate and increases the life of the elements of the structure. In addition, the owners receive at their disposal additional square meters of usable area.
