Should I choose this material?
Nowadays styrofoam is better known as a material for packaging, and as a result, glass fiber and mineral wool are used for insulation. But the foam plastic is no worse than its characteristics and much cheaper. This material is very light, since 98% consists of air, it is strong enough and can be easily processed.
Naturally, the foam, like any other material, has its drawbacks. So, it easily forms mold and fungi, especially if there is increased humidity. He is also very afraid of fire, and no impregnations make him more resistant to it. In addition, when burning, it emits toxic fumes that are very dangerous to humans. Therefore, we should weigh all the pros and cons before insulating the attic with foam, because if the house's fire safety is low it will be very dangerous.
Insulation of the attic with foam plastic step by step
If it becomes necessary to insulate the attic or attic with polystyrene foam, it is not necessary to hire specialists for this. All you need is the necessary material, tools and knowledge of the installation process. The installation is carried out in the following order:
- The area of the coating to be insulated is measured. This is done in order to know how much polystyrene is needed for work. When measuring, it must be taken into account that there may be defects on the surface, which will have to be eliminated, and, therefore, more material will be needed;
- Having calculated the required amount of material, it must be purchased. On which foam is best used, consult a specialist;
- In addition to the insulation, waterproofing and wooden slats for the roofing are purchased;
- There is a crate, which is fastened to the roof;
- The insulation is stacked.
Now for more details on the actual installation process. First, the roof is cleaned of the old backfill, and the entire surface is covered with waterproofing material. The lining is made of bars measuring 10x10 mm. The step should correspond to the width of the foam, since it needs to be firmly inserted into the space between the strips. Thus, foam is installed throughout the roof area. After that a layer of film vapor barrier is attached to the heater, and it is covered with sheets of plywood, plasterboard or plastic panels.
Important! Polyfoam is a material that loses its properties when wet, so steam and waterproofing must be carried out.
What you need to know
There are several mandatory rules for the insulation of the attic with polystyrene foam. First, a continuous heat-insulating contour is made along the entire perimeter. Secondly, the material and rafters must be waterproofed. And, thirdly, there must be a space between the roof and the heater for ventilation. The installation process is very simple, but these rules must be observed so that the insulation is qualitative. In addition, rafters and wooden crate are required to soak with antiseptic.
It is possible to insulate the attic with polystyrene foam not only from the inside, but also from the outside. But for this it is necessary to use more dense material, since it is more resistant to physical effects and temperature changes. Also it needs to be covered with a "coat".The very process of installation is almost the same as installation inside the room.
Note! With external insulation, it is desirable to use both special screws and glue.