As you know, one of the main tasks of the roof of any building is to protect the structure from moisture and other external factors. In addition, the roof must reliably retain heat in the house. In this regard, you need to know what the technology of roof insulation is. We will talk about this further.
Material: general information for choice
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 which material to choose. The minimum thickness of the insulating layer is 25 mm. A figure of 10 cm is considered optimal. Today, on the market, you can see a variety of insulation materials for roofs. Modern products have high performance characteristics. When choosing a material, it is necessary to take into account a number of important factors:
- Cost.
- Operational properties.
- Resistance to mechanical damage.
The type of roof also affects the choice of material. The roof can be:
Roof insulation from the inside with your own hands can be carried out using widely used materials. These include, in particular:
- foam glass
- mineral-cotton slabs,
- foam concrete
- fiberglass plates,
- polyurethane foam
- polystyrene foam.
The presented materials are designed for different types of roofs and have differences in terms of water absorption, environmental friendliness, thermal conductivity and vapor permeability. When choosing insulation, factors such as price and strength must also be considered. Quite often, the roof is insulated with foam from the inside. It is quite practical and easy to lay material. Roof insulation from inside with mineral wool is also common. 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 universal 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 may use:
- basalt,
- fiberglass,
- cellulose,
- foam glass.
Do-it-yourself insulation of the roof from the inside is recommended using the first two types. However, one should not forget that glass fiber 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. Through the use of special technology in the production of air in the structure of the material. Due to it, Izover 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 operational period can be up to half a century. In addition, it does not burn.
Additional materials
Carrying out the insulation of the roof from the inside with your own hands, it is necessary to equip the waterproofing. The most common materials in this category are:
- polyurethane,
- mastic,
- roofing material and others.
In addition, in the implementation of roof insulation, various films are used to provide insulation protection. 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 assortment, it is quite difficult for many to decide on the choice of insulation. In this case, consult with specialists or more experienced craftsmen. Incorrectly selected material and installation errors can lead to heat loss in the house.
Key recommendations
When insulating the pitched roof from the inside, it is necessary to ensure that the insulation does not overlap the ventilation gap. When using a superdiffuse membrane during operation, the material is mounted close to it. If a traditional under-roofing film is used, then gaps must be provided above and below it. Joints of insulation of adjacent rows should be staggered. For a more snug 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 insulation material. With a small cross section of the rafters, the insulation is laid under and between the beams.
Training
First of all, it is necessary to check the roofing elements for integrity. If traces of decay, damage, dampness are detected, 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 in which it is supposed to carry out the laying of the material are cleaned of dirt and dried.
Material laying process
For pitched roofs, slab and roll insulation are best suited. The laying of materials is carried out in the crate between the rafters. In the process, a vapor barrier layer for insulation is also installed. A sealing tape is laid on top . A gap must be left between the roof covering and the insulation. The insulation can be laid on top of the rafters. If this work is done correctly, the material will 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 to wet the material. This should not be allowed in any case. Otherwise, the metal elements will begin to rust, and the wooden parts will rot. The roofing space as a result will become filled with an unpleasant odor. In addition, if the material turns out to be very wet, then water leakage into the building is inevitable. Another mistake is ignoring the use of steam and waterproofing. If this protection is not provided, then all the money 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 nuances. So, with high humidity in the attic, reinforced films are used, on one side of which a special foil is applied. When warming the attic roof, special attention should be paid to the areas where the ceiling is connected to the external walls. In these places, the insulation should be as sweaty as possible against vertical surfaces. Otherwise, cold bridges may form . In the presence of eaves it is also necessary to carry out their warming. In this case, cold air will not penetrate 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 insulating material. Also used for fastening and wood slats.
Finally
Despite the fact that the described process of roof insulation with your own hands seems quite simple, you must follow all the recommendations. One of the common mistakes of owners of residential buildings is the choice of cheap material for insulation, saving on waterproofing and vapor barrier. However, as practice shows, such aspirations do not justify themselves. Poor arrangement of roof insulation leads to 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 rafter system, repair it too. Properly equipped thermal insulation will significantly save on heating and electricity. With special care, you should approach the protection of the attic room.