Choose insulation for a pitched roof. Basic rules for insulating a pitched roof. Criteria by which it is recommended to select insulation material for pitched roofs

The construction of a private house is accompanied by an understanding of the whole system of "little things", each of which affects future comfort. This time we will talk about the thermal insulation of the roof. Of course, the easiest way is to entrust all the work on the design and installation of insulation to specialists. However, the real owner will not be hindered by the knowledge of the basic rules and capabilities, so it is much easier to detect the mistakes of builders in the early stages, when their correction has not yet gone into the category of “building again”. In addition, the insulation of a pitched roof is not so difficult to understand; many craftsmen generally do it with their own hands.

People far from construction may not realize the importance of roof insulation. Nevertheless, thermal insulation is really necessary - both to reduce the cost of heating a house (so that most of the heat does not go into the sky), and to be able to equip an attic living space, and to increase the durability of the roof itself (that is, all the elements involved in its creation). ). And if the loss of heat through the roof and the residential attic do not need comments, then it is worth telling a little more about the effect of insulation on durability. With a “bare” uninsulated roof, we get this kind of picture:

• the roof has an outdoor temperature, that is, in the winter season from 0 to minus 20-30 degrees;
• in the house itself, the air is warm and humid, and this air tends to rise (everyone knows the laws of physics);
• meeting with a cold coating, the air cools, and the moisture from it condenses on beams, rafters and other roofing materials.

As a result, we have constantly wet roof surfaces, which leads to rotting of wood and corrosion of metal parts. How long do you think the roof will last in such conditions? So warming up is a must!

How to insulate a pitched roof - theory

Proper roof insulation is the installation of the so-called heat-insulating "pie" of several layers that perform various functions. The main elements of the "pie" are (from bottom to top):

• interior cladding of the attic
• air layer
• vapor barrier film
• insulation
• air gap again
• moisture and wind protection with sufficient vapor permeability
• and again the air gap
• external roofing materials

Layered arrangement of thermal insulation elements

The overall scheme is surprisingly simple, isn't it? And almost anyone can make sure that the project is consistent with the above. By the way, for a better understanding of why the layers are arranged in this way, watch a short video:

Selection of materials

Theory is theory, but it's time to move on to practice. And first of all, you need to select all the necessary materials, tracking not only prices and quality, but also the compatibility of elements. Consider the main options for materials of all three categories: hydrobarrier, insulation and vapor barrier.

Waterproofing, also known as wind protection

When choosing a material for waterproofing, you should clearly understand what characteristics it must meet. So, a reliable hydrobarrier should:

• retain water, preventing it from seeping inside, to the insulation;
• pass from the inside to the outside steam that could pass through the thermal insulation layer;
• have sufficient strength and elasticity for long-term operation;
• retain its properties in a wide temperature range (approximately from -40 to +40°C), as well as when exposed to wind and ultraviolet radiation.

Wind and moisture protection - "breathing" diffusion membranes

Before going shopping, it is worth considering in more detail the various options for moisture protection currently available on the construction market. The most common are the following types (in ascending order):

• rolled - a dozen varieties of roofing material, of which euro- and glass-roofing material are becoming increasingly popular, since they can be easily docked hermetically due to the ability to tightly melt the seams (joints);
• film - many variations belonging to two categories: polyethylene and polypropylene (they are most often called waterproofing), and in the second case, when laying, you need to carefully monitor the correct orientation of the moisture permeability of the sides, but - a bonus - in modern films at the edges is often already present double-sided tape, which is convenient to fasten the panels;
• diffusion membranes - "breathing" materials that allow moisture to pass only outside.

All the materials presented are fully consistent with the above characteristics, well, plus or minus. So choose based on requests and wallet.

It should be remembered that tightness is important when installing a hydro-barrier - the material should envelop the rafters, and between them it should be fastened with slight sagging (maximum bend - no more than 2 cm at the lowest point)

Insulation for pitched roof

For the heater, we also present the necessary functionality. High-quality thermal insulation material should have the following qualities:

• low thermal conductivity, due to which heat is retained inside the house (the lower this indicator, the thinner the insulation layer is needed);
• the ability to keep the shape for a long time (that is, until the end of the service life);
• optimal density - heavy insulation under its own weight is quickly crushed, losing its useful qualities;
• resistance to temperature extremes;
• fire safety;
• environmental friendliness - the insulation must be chemically resistant and biologically inert both in its normal state and when heated;
• long service life (while maintaining all useful characteristics)

Insulation for pitched roofs - basalt wool

In principle, there are quite a lot of materials that meet all the specified properties, especially if different brands are taken into account. However, most often two categories of insulation are used in attic roof insulation:

• mineral (basalt) wool
• fiberglass

Both that and other thermal insulation are produced in rolls and slabs, the width of which corresponds to the standard distance between the rafters. Therefore, the calculation and installation of insulation is the easiest step in the formation of a roofing "pie".

It should be remembered that the laying of heat-insulating materials is carried out in such a way that there are no gaps between the supporting structures and the insulation - the tightness of the fit will prevent the formation of cold bridges

Vapor barrier layer

The requirements for vapor barrier are very similar to those for a hydro barrier, with the exception of one point. The vapor barrier material must meet the following characteristics:

• if possible, complete moisture and vapor tightness;
• high strength;
• sufficient elasticity;
• stability with annual temperature change.

Vapor barrier materials

Many believe (and not unreasonably) that the usual dense plastic film in its qualities is consistent with the above list. And yet I would like to slightly expand the information about the vapor barrier. So, modern science provides a good choice of membrane materials:

• with a reflex (reflective) layer - it has increased vapor and heat resistance, therefore it is most suitable for use in apartment-type attics (with living rooms, a kitchen and a bathroom)
• with limited vapor permeability (steam transmission coefficient (Sd) in the range of 2-4 m) - differs in diffusion ability, which makes it possible to get rid of residual moisture in rooms where there is no constant vaporization (that is, in which people do not live permanently)
• with variable vapor permeability - changes the ability to pass steam depending on moisture (from Sd = 5 m in a dry state to Sd = 0.2 m in a wet state), which makes it possible not to make an air gap between the membrane and the inner lining of the attic space

Now you can choose the material that will best suit your desires, so go for it.

It should be remembered that vapor barrier (as well as moisture protection) should be as tight as possible, therefore, it is necessary to fasten the material across the supporting elements close to the insulation, and the panels must be laid on top of each other with a minimum overlap of 10 cm and glued using the most convenient accessories - double-sided tape, glue or adhesive tape

As promised - nothing complicated. But now you can easily control the work of roofing designers or even independently install the roof insulation. Happy construction days!

The main heat loss of a building occurs through the "enclosures": walls, windows, floor and roof.

Since the roof is in direct contact with the environment, it is constantly influenced by changing weather conditions. The roof must meet the most important requirement: to maintain indoor comfort and minimize heat loss. The task is quite difficult, given the fact that the external temperature in some latitudes can range from minus 50 to plus 40-45 degrees.

How to properly organize insulation?

The very word "insulation" does not mean that the gable roof will warm up. It speaks only of taking measures to ensure that this design retains heat.

Particular attention should be paid to insulation work in the case when it is planned to use the attic as an additional living space.

The attic has a number of distinctive (from the rest of the interior) features: it is limited to surfaces with different structures:

• attic flooring;
• roof slopes;
• gable walls.

The insulation of each of these parts has its own characteristics, which should be taken into account for the quality of work.

How to choose the right material for the insulation of a gable roof?

There are a number of basic requirements, compliance with which is evidence of the high quality of the insulation:

1. The material must be waterproof. If it is hygroscopic, over time a large amount of moisture will accumulate in it, which will lead to an increase in thermal conductivity and the loss of other important properties.
2. An indispensable quality is the ability to maintain a geometric shape for a long time. If this requirement is not met, the material eventually slides to the lower part of the roof, and the upper part remains unprotected from the penetration of cold.
3. The insulation must retain its quality characteristics for quite a long time, so that for a long time there is no need for a major overhaul of the roof.
4. The next indispensable requirement is environmental friendliness and safety. This item is especially relevant for the roofs of residential buildings, although the roofs of industrial and utility buildings must also correspond to it. When insulating, it is unacceptable to use materials that emit toxic compounds or are dangerous from the point of view of environmental cleanliness.
5. Resistant to sudden temperature fluctuations. In cold regions, special attention should be paid to the frost resistance of the insulation.
6. Fire safety - the material should not be flammable.

The main methods of insulating a gable roof

When insulating a gable roof, three main methods are used:

• Laying insulation material between the rafters.
• Rafter laying.
• Laying insulation under the rafters.
• The first method is most often used. It is the simplest and most efficient.

During installation, you must strictly follow the rules. Otherwise, not only the insulation, but the entire roof will not last long.

If installed incorrectly, the material can absorb moisture and transfer it to the rafter system in contact with it. The result is rotting of the foundation of the entire roof.

Common Mistakes

When installing heat-insulating material, mistakes are very often made, the result of which is a reduction in the service life and loss of quality characteristics of the insulation. The most frequent of them:

• The waterproofing layer is not installed.
• Waterproofing installed, but not fixed. The consequence is the displacement of the insulation layer and the formation of cold gaps.
• In many cases, when carrying out work, they forget about the need for a ventilation gap. As a result of the lack of ventilation, a large amount of condensate is formed, which penetrates into the insulation and eventually causes the rafter system to rot.
• Another common mistake is the lack of vapor barrier.

Work order

When carrying out work on insulation, it is necessary to follow a certain sequence. The process is not particularly difficult.

1. First of all, you need to measure the distance between the rafters.

2. Then the insulation material is measured with a slight gap.

3. A layer of waterproofing is installed

4. The insulation is laid between the rafters. Thanks to the gaps left, the material fits snugly against the truss structure and holds itself in place.

5. The insulation is laid from the bottom up. It is necessary to try to make installation with a minimum number of seams.

6. During the laying process, care must be taken to ensure that there are no gaps, as they will lead to significant heat loss.

7. Between the layer of insulation and waterproofing, there should be free space - at least 2 cm. When carrying out work, one circumstance must be taken into account: heaters expand by 10-30% over time.

8. We must remember the need for ventilation gaps for free air circulation in the under-roof space, thanks to which it will be possible to avoid the formation of condensate and subsequent damage to the insulation material and the truss system.

9. When cutting the insulation, do not leave too much clearance. This may cause the material to sag.

10. If it was not possible to avoid sagging, it is necessary to compact the sheet, which will prevent the appearance of so-called "cold bridges".

11. The entire surface is covered with a layer of vapor barrier.

12. The heat-insulating material is fixed with wooden bars or planks across the rafters - a counter-lattice. In the case of an attic, the planks will serve as the basis for interior decoration.

The main types of heaters

URSA (URSA)- This is one of the modern insulating materials that fully meets the requirements.

Its basis is spatula fiber, processed according to the proprietary technology of URSASpannfilz.

The insulation has such a high level of geometric stability that it does not need to be updated or repaired for the entire period of operation.

URSA is available as 1200 x 4200 mm mats with a thickness of 150 mm. The material is rolled into dense rolls and sealed in a film.

Before use, the rolls are opened and allowed to straighten. It takes only a few minutes to achieve normal dimensions and restore thickness.

After the mat must be cut. If the pitch between the rafters is 60 cm (standard size), the mat should be cut lengthwise into two parts.

In the case of a different distance between the rafters, the mat is cut across into separate plates, the length of which should be approximately 30 mm longer than the size of the rafter step.

After that, the plates are placed between the rafters (while they need to be slightly compressed). Due to the high degree of elasticity of the material, the mats stay in place on their own, and there is no need for additional fastening

Installation of this heater is so simple that even one person can carry it out. URSA is also suitable for broken gable roofs.

• glass wool- the material has been used for a very long time and still has not lost its popularity.

However, it should be noted that this insulation has a number of serious drawbacks, as a result of which many builders do not recommend using it for thermal insulation of a gable roof:

• glass wool perfectly absorbs moisture and loses its quality characteristics in a short time;
• it is easily deformable and loses its geometric shape, as a result of which, when it is used, a significant complication of the roofing cake is necessary to prevent slipping;
• material does not meet environmental safety requirements.

• Mineral wool- a very popular material for insulation. It is obtained as a result of special processing of basalt rocks.

They are subjected to extremely high temperatures, after which the resulting mass is pressed and shaped into rigid plates. As a result of the described actions, a chaotic interlacing of fibers into a very dense micronetwork occurs. Thanks to this structure, the plates do not deform, do not absorb water and moisture, are resistant to temperature fluctuations and the effects of adverse environmental factors,

In addition, mineral wool does not emit toxic substances and does not burn.

• Spatula heaters- this material is non-hygroscopic and easy to install. There are several types that differ from each other in the degree of density. Therefore, it can be used for internal insulation and external thermal insulation.

For maximum heat retention, a material with a high density of fibers is used. It is perfect for double pitched roofs. Due to its weight, the insulation fits snugly against the slopes, which helps prevent slipping. The material based on spatula fibers meets the requirements of environmental friendliness.

How to properly insulate a gable roof

• After the correct installation of the rafter legs on the inside of the rafters (starting from the lower end), it is necessary to mount the inner crate, while the step should be from 15 to 30 cm. It will be the basis for attaching the insulation layer (roll or plates).

• From the outside, the insulation is laid in 1-2 layers. It is necessary to monitor the tight fit of the joints to the rafters. There should be no through holes in the insulation.
• After laying the insulation, it must be covered with waterproofing (on the outside of the rafters). The waterproofing material is unwound from a roll and nailed to the rafters with a slight sag using staples.

Care must be taken not to confuse the upper and lower sides of the membrane.

• The top has waterproofing qualities and does not allow moisture to pass through, and the lower part must allow moisture and evaporation to pass through. Layers are made with a 15 cm overlap.

• During installation, it is necessary to ensure that the insulation and the membrane do not touch. There should be a distance of 2 to 5 cm between them. In the upper part, at the ridge, a small ventilation hole must be drilled along its entire length. 10 cm membranes should not be connected. This technique creates additional traction, due to which the air flow will blow moisture out of the under-roof space.
• After laying the membrane on the rafters, it is necessary to take care of an additional ventilation cavity. For this purpose, along the rafters (right on them) a bar measuring 25 x50, 50 x 50 mm is stuffed. It can be made from pieces of 1.5-2 m.
• Across the rafters, over the bars, a crate is stuffed (the step should be 15-30 cm).

Both the crate and the bar are best treated with an antiseptic solution.

• The created gap for ventilation removes condensate and moisture from both the membrane and the truss system. An appropriate roofing material is mounted on the crate: corrugated sheet, metal tile, etc.
• A vapor barrier is attached to the crate from the inside. This avoids the ingress of fumes from the interior into the insulation layer.

Instead of a crate of boards, you can use a nylon rope nailed to the rafters (on the inside).

Another way: pull the vapor barrier over the rafters, and fill the crate on top.

After completing the installation of the vapor barrier, proceed to the next step:

• The rafters are stuffed with slats (20 x 30 mm), and on them - the inner lining: plywood, lining, blockhouse, etc.
• In the lower part of the roof, the material should hang down and be located in such a way that moisture and the resulting condensate flow into the gutter and do not reach the insulation.

FINDINGS:

• Roof insulation is necessary to keep the house warm.
• Work should be treated especially carefully when planning an attic device.
• Warming is carried out in three ways: the material is laid between the rafters, on the rafters or under the rafters.
• The material for thermal insulation must meet several basic requirements: be waterproof, retain its shape and not emit toxic substances.
• Universal insulation is URSA.
• Very often, mineral wool and spatula heaters are also used.
• When carrying out work, it is necessary to adhere to a certain sequence of actions.

How to properly insulate the roof, see the video clip.

The most important condition for comfortable living in your own home at any time of the year and with the lowest possible cost of energy used for heating and air conditioning And almost all parts of the building should be insulated. The roof is no exception, which, incidentally, is not always remembered by inexperienced novice developers.

If you look at the percentage of heat loss of any building that does not have proper thermal insulation, it is clear that the "lion's share" of them falls on the attic floor and roof. The specificity of this section of the general design of the house imposes special requirements on the materials used for its insulation. Let's try to understand this issue in order to help the reader eliminate possible errors and make the right choice. So, what is the best roofing insulation?

The need for roof insulation

First of all, it is necessary to dispel doubts about the need for roof insulation. Let's start with this.

The limited area of ​​​​the site for building a house, and simply the considerations of the most efficient construction at the lowest possible cost, often move the owners to use the attic space usefully. Attic "floors" are very popular in our time, when the attic turns into a full-fledged living space, which does not differ from other rooms in terms of convenience and comfort. You can place in the attic and a utility room, for example, a warm pantry, office or workshop.

It is clear that with this approach to the useful use of the attic, there is no doubt about the insulation of the roof. Whatever type of roofing is chosen, none of them will provide the required protection against winter cold. And in the hot summer period, the roof slopes heat up in the sun to such an extent that staying in an uninsulated attic becomes not only uncomfortable, but even completely unbearable from the heat. This, by the way, should never be discounted - insulation, or rather, thermal insulation of the roof helps to ensure an optimal microclimate in the attic at any time of the year.

And what about those who do not have the conversion of the attic into a useful room in their immediate plans for construction? Maybe limit yourself to high-quality thermal insulation of the attic floor?

How is an attic floor insulated?

The ceiling of the room, bordering from above with an unheated and uninsulated attic, becomes not a "bridge", but a whole "main" for heat losses. This is eliminated by the implementation of a whole range of thermal insulation works. - read in a special publication of our portal.

Of course, you can limit yourself to this. But it would be better to listen to the arguments in favor of insulating the roof slopes, even if this is, of course, associated with additional costs:

• All details of the truss system and the internal arrangement of the attic space will be protected from the destructive effects of temperature and humidity changes. Therefore, the durability of the entire roof structure as a whole will increase.

• Energy efficiency increases dramatically if we consider it on the scale of the entire building. That is, the insulation of the roof, even with high-quality thermal insulation of the attic floor, will still make its “mite” in achieving the most comfortable conditions at minimal cost from an external energy source.
• Most modern insulation materials have the ability to effectively absorb sound vibrations. Insulated roof slopes will not become "resonators" in heavy rain or hail. This is especially true for roofing materials that are traditionally considered "noisy" - metal or slate.

• Finally, what seems unnecessary or temporarily unfeasible today may turn into an urgent need in the future. This means that the prevailing circumstances can lead the owners of the house to the idea of ​​​​the need to expand the usable area due to the attic space. So it’s better to have a warm attic right away than to subsequently do it “from scratch”, which can often be associated with the alteration or replacement of individual elements of the truss system that have already experienced a long-term negative impact of external factors. Sometimes such work cannot be carried out without temporary removal of the roofing. In a word, it will be much more expensive. So it makes sense to think ahead.

Criteria that a roof insulation must meet

To make the right choice, you need to know the criteria by which this material should be evaluated. There are many of these criteria, and it should be immediately noted that not a single heater fully corresponds to all of them. So you often have to face the choice of which of the advantages to give preference.

So, the "ideal" material for thermal insulation of the roof is one that meets all of the following requirements:

• Of course, thermal insulation qualities should be put in the first position. The material must have low thermal conductivity, that is, create the maximum possible resistance to heat transfer in specific application conditions. This indicator can be estimated by looking at the thermal conductivity coefficient, which is necessarily indicated in the list of thermal insulation characteristics. To insulate the roof, where you can’t really “run up” with the thickness of the insulation and the mass of the thermal insulation structure, they try to use materials with a thermal conductivity coefficient of not more than 0.05 W / m × C °. And the lower this figure, the better.
• In second place in importance can be put the density of the material. Nobody needs unnecessary overloads of the truss system. So the less the insulating layer weighs enough to create comfortable conditions, the better.
• The trouble with many insulating materials is excessively high hygroscopicity, that is, the property of being saturated with moisture literally from the air. And waterlogging always leads to at least a loss of thermal insulation qualities. So, ideally, the insulation should have a minimum moisture absorption, and even better - pronounced hydrophobicity. This is especially important in roof conditions, where moisture is indispensable.
• The insulation material must retain its qualities over a wide temperature range. That is, thermal insulation should “work” equally well both in extreme frosts and at the peak of summer heat.

• The most important qualities of the material, especially used for roof insulation, are fire safety indicators. This applies to resistance to fire, the ability to become a flame spreader, smoke generation, toxicity of combustion products. The ideal material is seen completely non-combustible, but, alas, in this matter for a lot of heaters - far from everything is safe.
• The stability of the material, that is, its durability under real operating conditions. Ideal insulation should not change shape and volume, be resistant to chemical or biological decay, spontaneous or due to external negative influence of one type or another.
• The insulation should not serve as a breeding ground for microorganisms, should not be an attractive place for nests of insects, birds, mice. And this, by the way, is also a very difficult problem to solve.
• The thermal insulation material during operation should not pose a danger in terms of the release of fumes harmful to human health and other environmental pollution.
• For those who are going to carry out thermal insulation work on their own, the clarity and simplicity of working with the material is important, which does not require excessive effort, special experience, special equipment.
• Finally, an important criterion for any building material, including insulation, has been and remains affordability.

As you can see, there are a lot of criteria for assessing the quality of thermal insulation materials. And now we will begin to “try on” them to heaters that are suitable for thermal insulation of a pitched roof.

What is the best roofing insulation?

This post will focus on the most widespread in private construction pitched roof. Flat roofs have their own specifics of thermal insulation, and the materials used for this purpose may be different. So, bulk heaters, special building mortars with special filling, high-density mineral wool slabs and other materials are widely used. This issue requires a separate detailed consideration, so it will be omitted in this article.

And for pitched roofs, where on the insulation itself will not have a significant mechanical effect, they still try to use materials with a small specific gravity. They can be roughly divided into three groups:

• Insulation with fiber structure.
• Rigid heaters with a gas-filled porous structure.
• Sprayed heaters.

These groups are also heterogeneous - materials can vary significantly both in basic composition and in performance.

Insulating materials with a fiber structure

This group of materials has one thing in common - all of them are an interweaving of thin fibers, due to which a layer of immobilized air enclosed in them is created. And this, in turn, becomes a thermal insulation layer. But the raw materials for the production of fibers can have serious differences, up to their "nature" - mineral or organic. The first includes all varieties of mineral wool, the second subcategory - cellulose-based ecowool.

Mineral wool

For thermal insulation of building structures in residential buildings, two types of mineral wool are used. In the first of them, the fibers are formed from a melt of quartz glass, in the second, the raw materials for production are rocks of the basalt group. Hence the names - glass wool and stone (basalt) wool.

There is another type of mineral wool - it is made from waste from metallurgical enterprises, slag. But in residential construction, it has not received distribution, since it loses both in insulating qualities and in durability. Yes and in terms of environmental safety She, too, is not all right. In a word, to detain your attention on it - there is not much point.

Mineral wool prices

mineral wool

But you should take a closer look at glass wool and basalt wool.

Mineral wool based on glass fibers

For the production of glass wool, glass cullet and purified quartz sand are used as raw materials. After melting the mass in furnaces, thin fibers are drawn from it using a special technology, which are then pressed into “carpets” using binder additives. At the final stage of production, cutting into blocks or mats of the sizes established by the standard is carried out.

The production process has been worked out for a long time, there is no shortage of raw materials either, and therefore the cost of glass wool is quite affordable, which predetermines its wide popularity. The inlet form is blocks (plates), mats in rolls, and recently, easy-to-install plates in rolls have also been practiced.

To dignity m of glass wool include the following:

- The specific gravity of the insulation is small, and therefore its laying does not require much physical effort, and the thermal insulation system does not exert a significant load on the roof structure.

- Blocks or mats of glass wool have good elasticity. That is, they can be laid in spaces that are somewhat smaller in size - after straightening they fit quite tightly both to each other and to the enclosing elements (in this case, most often to the rafter legs).

“The same quality allows you to significantly reduce the volume of material when it is packed on the production line. This property allows to reduce the overhead costs for the transportation of insulation. And after unpacking, blocks or mats, expanding, take on the specified dimensions.

- The material is flexible, that is, it can be used without additional cutting into smaller fragments for thermal insulation of complex, for example, curved or broken sections.

At the same time, glass wool also has certain limitations which should never be forgotten:

- Such a heater has a fairly high hygroscopicity. Therefore, when using it, special attention is paid to the creation of a reliable vapor barrier from the side of the attic, and to the possibility of free evaporation of moisture from the side of the roof. Otherwise, the insulation will quickly become damp and lose all its thermal insulation qualities.

— Glass fibers are characterized by rather high brittleness. This means that vibrating effects are completely contraindicated for glass wool. Small broken fiber particles become a serious irritant for the skin, eyes and mucous membranes of the respiratory system, that is, thermal insulation work should be carried out in compliance with special protective measures. Measures should be considered to completely exclude the possibility of these particles entering the atmosphere of the residential area of ​​the house during operation, as they cause allergic reactions.

- The emission of formaldehydes, which are part of the binders, is also one of the disadvantages of the material. But this is more typical of cheap heaters of unknown brands (or even those that do not have any trademark at all - this happens too!) Leading manufacturers are trying to nullify emission indicators, and many modern types of glass wool are approved for use not only in residential and public buildings but even in educational and medical institutions.

A few more words can be added about the “branding” of glass wool. The fact is that the construction market is filled with inexpensive materials of very dubious origin. In the production of such glass wool, either outdated technologies are used, or the process of technological control is completely absent. Such mats are characterized by high fragility of fibers and strong shrinkage, and glass wool can turn into dust in just a few years. Naturally, there can be no talk of any quality of thermal insulation of the roof here. So the pursuit of cheapness often results in considerable additional costs.

If a decision has already been made to use glass wool for roof insulation, then you should pay attention to quality products, for example, Ursa or Isover companies.

For example, let's take a closer look at the insulation from the line « UrsaGeo». Suitable for roof insulation "Private house", "M -11" and "Pitched Roof", whose name speaks for itself.

The basis of all these materials is fiberglass with the addition of special mineral components that reduce the disadvantages characteristic of glass wool. Products of this series are considered completely safe for both humans and the environment.

Ursa products are characterized by a number of special advantages:

— The material belongs to the group completely non-combustible heaters. Not only does the insulation not ignite itself - it can become a barrier to the spread of flame.

- The company's technologists managed to reduce the emission of binder organic compounds to such a low level that it can be ignored altogether - it does not affect the cleanliness of the indoor air in any way.

“Thanks to special mineral additives, which are the technological secret of the company, glass fibers have received additional elasticity, that is, it has been possible to reduce their characteristic fragility.

- In many types of thermal insulation "Ursa Geo", in particular, in the "Pitched roof", an interesting technology "URSA Spannfilz" is used. Literally, this expression can be translated as "elastic felt." The special structure of the fiber plate gives it increased elasticity, and the insulation blocks fit very well between the rafters, which allows you to do without even additional fastening. A tight fit eliminates the formation of voids, unfilled insulation.

- Heaters are produced in a form that is very convenient for laying. For example, the material "Pitched roof" is a slab in a roll, which greatly simplifies cutting to the desired size, if necessary.

– The manufacturer guarantees a long term of properly laid thermal insulation without losing its insulating qualities, without shrinkage and destructuring- at least 50 years old.

The main characteristics of fiberglass insulation of the Ursa Geo line, which are excellent for thermal insulation of a pitched roof, are shown in the table.

	Private house	M-11	pitched roof
Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/m×°С	0,045	0,044	0,040
Vapor permeability, mg/m×h×Pa	0,65	0,64	0,64
Fire safety class	KM0	KM0	KM0
Flammability group	NG	NG	NG
Operating temperature range, °C	60÷+220	60÷+220	60÷+220
Water absorption for 24 hours, kg/m², no more	1	1	1
Release form	mats in a roll	mats in a roll	slabs in a roll
Dimensional parameters, mm
- length	8350	7000; 9000; 10000	3900; 3000
- width	1200	1200	1200
- thickness	50	50; 10	150;200
approximate cost	1100 rub/m³	roll 1200×10000×50 mm - 1220 rub.	980 rub. with a thickness of 150 mm; 1070 rub. with a thickness of 200 mm.

Mineral wool based on basalt

Fibers obtained from the melt of rocks gabbro-basalt groups have a number of advantages over glass ones. They become thinner and longer, they have more pronounced elasticity, much less fragility. All this gives mineral wool on this basis higher performance. All the advantages inherent in glass wool are also characteristic of basalt, and there are, in addition, a number of advantages.

Prices for basalt wool

basalt wool

It is even visually noticeable that high-quality basalt wool has a pronouncedly homogeneous structure, it is given clear geometric shapes. It is much easier to work with such a heater - it is certainly not worth neglecting the means of protecting the skin and respiratory organs, but it does not cause such strong irritation as glass wool.

Better with basalt wool and with hygroscopicity - a special treatment dramatically reduces moisture absorption, and products from some manufacturers even have properties close to hydrophobicity. But this still does not give reason to refuse vapor barrier. Vapor permeability is at a height, that is, when the right conditions are created, even moisture that accidentally penetrates into the material will easily evaporate through the ventilation gaps of the roofing pie.

The products of well-known brands are doing well with formaldehyde emission indicators - heaters have sanitary certificates with permission for safe use in any residential premises. By the way, it will never be out of place to check the presence of a copy of such a certificate when purchasing any insulation material.

Basalt wool slabs are extremely easy to install - both due to the exact "geometry" and due to the pronounced elasticity. And besides, manufacturers provide other "chips". So, for example, the ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC boards popular with builders have an edge “spring-loaded” using a special technology, which ensures their accurate and reliable fixation at the installation site - between rafters, beams,

An excellent solution for roof insulation - ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC boards with a springy edge zone, which makes installation simple and very reliable

There are few significant shortcomings in basalt wool (if we are talking about really high-quality products of well-known brands). Perhaps, only the higher cost of the material can be attributed here.

The range of basalt heaters is quite wide. Along with the "heavyweights" in this area of ​​\u200b\u200bproduction - the companies "ROCKWOOL", "PAROC", "TechnoNIKOL", quite worthy products are offered by the companies "Basvul", "Isobel", "Izovol" and others. Before purchasing, it makes sense to get to know the brand you like better - trustworthy companies always have informative Internet portals, and a network of representative offices is organized on the territory of Russia.

As an example, to get acquainted with the physical and operational characteristics, you can take the already mentioned above insulation " ROCKWOOL LIGHT BATTS". By the way, another of its advantages is that during packaging in production it is compressed more than twice due to vacuum technology. But when the packaging is removed, the plates take on the specified dimensions without any loss of their performance.

Name of the main operational parameters of the material	Indicators
Thermal conductivity coefficient (W/m×°С):	0,039
Specific Gravity (kg/m³)	30
Flammability group	NG
Fire safety class	KM0
Vapor permeability (mg/(m×h×Pa), not less than	0.03
Moisture absorption at partial immersion	no more than 1kg/m²
Dimensions	800×600mm (XL boards - 1200×600 mm)
thickness	50 or 100 mm (XL boards - 100 and 150 mm)
approximate cost	- with a thickness of 50 mm - 145 rubles / m² - 100 mm - 285 rubles/m² - 150 mm - 430 rub/m²

The service life of such thermal insulation is estimated at at least 50 years.

Fiber insulation on an organic basis - ecowool

This insulation appeared in wide use not so long ago, and is even unknown to many. And meanwhile - it shows very good thermal insulation qualities.

The basis for the manufacture of ecowool are ordinary cellulose fibers obtained from woodworking waste, paper and other scrap raw materials. The total content of cellulose in the composition of this insulation reaches 80 ÷ 85 percent. The rest is additives that ensure the biological stability of the material (boric acid) and special fire retardants that increase the resistance of cellulose to fire.

The thermal performance of ecowool is very decent: the thermal conductivity is approximately in the range from 0.038 to 0.043 W / m × ° With, that is, it is quite comparable with mineral wool.

The material is famous for its ecological cleanliness (hence its name), and antiseptic treatment reliably protects it from debate and decay, from damage by pathogenic microflora. Rodents and insects do not make nests in ecowool.

According to the degree of combustibility, the material belongs to the group G 2 - low combustible, self-extinguishing. Combustion products do not contain toxic substances, which is typical, for example, of synthetic heaters.

Ecowool is quite hygroscopic, so the issues of reliable hydro and vapor barrier will have to be thought through unequivocally. But due to the capillary structure of natural fibers, moisture also easily evaporates from the material without violating its qualities. Interestingly, in this way, an ecowool insulation stand is able to “automatically” maintain an optimal humidity balance in the room.

Ecowool prices

Ecowool is laid using "dry" and "wet" technologies. But applying the “wet” method, that is, by spraying, is not particularly justified on roof slopes that have a negative slope from the attic side - there will be too much waste. Therefore, most often this insulation is blown into cavities that are created using vapor barrier membranes or the inner lining of the attic.

Insulation of the roof slopes with ecowool - the material is blown into the created cavities using a special installation

The density of the insulation layer, depending on the application method, ranges from 40 to 75 kg / m³.

To shortcomings similar insulation can be attributed to the following:

- Even the "dry method" of laying ecowool (with the exception of floor insulation) requires a special installation. In addition, well-developed skills are needed for the quality performance of such work.

- The process of laying ecowool - in any case, it turns out to be very dusty. It is impossible to start it without personal protective equipment.

The cost of ecowool ranges from 20 to 35 rubles per kilogram. She usually does for sale in sealed plastic bags, packaged in 15 or 20 kilograms.

It seems to be not so much. But if you look at the price lists for the services of manufacturers or distributors of such a heater, you can see that you still have to pay about the same amount for installation. And without special equipment - it is extremely difficult to do this. This, perhaps, is the most important "minus" of such thermal insulation.

Sprayed heaters

One of the most effective ways to insulate a roof is to spray foam insulation on the back of the roof slopes. With this approach, the thermal insulation layer becomes almost seamless, that is, without leaving cold bridges.

There are several types of such materials. But polyurethane foam is closest to “ideal” in terms of all criteria for the quality of thermal insulation.

Perhaps the most reliable and effective way to thermally insulate a pitched roof is to spray polyurethane foam.

The coefficient of thermal conductivity of PPU is very low, estimated at less than 0.03 W/m×°C. The material shows excellent adhesion to almost all surfaces. The closed cell makes the insulation layer vapor-tight, that is, in some cases, you can do without additional costs for vapor barrier.

However, all the advantages of the material are also combined with a rather high price for it. Moreover, polyurethane foam is synthesized directly at the place of work from two initial components, for which special installations are used. That is, "lovers of independent creativity", one way or another, will have to resort to calling the brigade. And it also costs a lot of money.

There is, however, a caveat - disposable mini-installations for spraying PPU have recently appeared in hardware stores. However, the price for them is not lower than the cost of professional services.

If you look at the prices of construction companies in the Central region of Russia, then the cost of spraying polyurethane foam 100 mm thick on an area of ​​1 m² ranges from 1100 to 1400 rubles, depending on the manufacturer of the initial components. Agree, very expensive.

You can talk about polyurethane foam for a long time and a lot, but we confine ourselves to the above brief information. The fact is that on our portal a special publication has been given to this type of insulation. By the way, it also talks about another type of foamed insulation - foam insulation, which can also be used for thermal insulation of roofs.

Prices for polyurethane foam

polyurethane foam

Special thermal insulation technology - foamed insulation

These differ from all other insulating materials, first of all, by a special application technology. Read about the advantages and disadvantages and the features of working with them in a special article of our portal.

Rigid insulation boards on a synthetic base

Polystyrene based materials

This group of heaters includes the familiar white foam and extruded polystyrene foam. Despite the similarity in chemical composition, the difference in the performance of these materials is very large.

• Let's start with foam. And here we will immediately express a categorical judgment, with which, perhaps, some will not agree. Nevertheless, it is highly undesirable to use polystyrene for thermal insulation of roof slopes.

No words - the foam captivates with a low price, quite worthy thermal insulation characteristics, lightness, ease of installation. What more could you want?

But let's take a closer look at its shortcomings:

- The production of foam plastic is a fairly simple process that does not require highly sophisticated equipment. And they do this business everywhere, very often without observing any technical requirements. So talking about some quality standards is just ridiculous.

- The main disadvantage of polystyrene is its combustibility. And this material not only spreads the flame very well, but also emits deadly toxic substances during combustion. Literally a few breaths - and a person receives a powerful poisoning, leading to the most sad consequences. The statistics of tragedies in a fire show that when polystyrene foam ignites, people have little chance of surviving even with a not very big fire. Is it worth it to plant such a “bomb” on such a vulnerable section of the building from the point of view of fire danger as the roof?

Prices for PIR boards

The main component of such boards is polyisocyanurate foam (PIR for short). It is a gas-filled rigid structure with isolated cells.

Due to the special production technology and the specifics of the polymer itself, insulation boards are still considered unsurpassed for their thermal insulation properties. So, the manufacturer claims an absolutely fantastic thermal conductivity of 0.022 W / m × ° With! In fact, in real conditions, it can, of course, be more, but even 0.025 is a very good indicator.

The material is characterized by high mechanical strength - up to 120 kPa at 10% deformation. At the same time, the density of the plates does not go beyond 40 kg / m³

Wide temperature range of operation: from - 70 to + 110 ° С.

Almost complete hydrophobicity - a closed cell does not allow moisture to penetrate inside.

PIR-plates can be covered with foil, which gives them additional slickness from moisture. Other types of coatings are also practiced.

Many models of slabs have convenient tongue-and-groove interlocks that allow you to cover large areas with a seamless coating.

One of the "pioneers" in the production of such thermal insulation was the Russian company TechnoNIKOL. In its product range - plates for insulation of any parts of the building, including - for the roof. At the same time, the company also offers ready-made solutions - sets of materials for thermal insulation of the roof between the rafters, under them and above them - at the choice of the consumer.

The standard dimensions of the drink are 600 × 1200 mm. The thickness is chosen according to the needs - in the assortment of a number of plates with a thickness of 25 to 150 mm.

There is no doubt that such thermal insulation materials have a great future. But so far they have not received wide distribution - simply because of the high cost. So, depending on the specific type, on the type of external coating and on the thickness of the plates, the price for them varies from 11 to 15 thousand rubles per cubic meter.

TechnoNIKOL is not the only company that has mastered the production of these innovative materials. Watch a video about the insulation of a pitched roof with PIR boards from the company " Pirro Group.

Video: Insulation of roof slopes with innovative thermal insulation - PIR-plates "PirroGroup"

Appendix: How to determine how much insulation is required?

If there is certainty with the choice of insulation, then the question will inevitably arise - what thickness of thermal insulation should be made in order to ensure comfortable conditions in the attic. You will need to make a small calculation, and a convenient online calculator will help us with this.

The calculation is not particularly difficult. The algorithm is based on the fact that the thermal insulation system being created should create a total resistance to heat transfer not less than that established by the standards for a particular region, taking into account its climatic features. You can find out the normalized thermal resistance from the attached map-scheme. Pay attention - in this case we are interested in red numbers - for coatings. This indicator in the "troika" is always the largest.

The second value required for the calculation is the thermal conductivity of the insulation material. The calculator database has already entered the operational values ​​of these coefficients for heaters, about which discussed in this publication.

If desired, you can also take into account the sheathing of the attic, if it is solid. The materials of such sheathing also have certain thermal insulation qualities. And this can give, although not very large, but still a decrease in the required thickness of the insulation. However, this item is optional, and if the skin is not taken into account, just leave the default value of its thickness - 0 mm.

The final result will be shown in millimeters. It remains only to bring it to the standard thicknesses of the selected insulation, rounded up. For example, it turned out 132 mm. You can apply two-layer insulation with 100 and 40 mm thick slabs, or use 150 mm thick slabs. Here you can choose for reasons of economy of one or another possible option and according to the planned scheme for installing insulation.

The installation of a pitched roof is not just one of the most complex and time-consuming processes for building a private house, but also a very crucial moment. After all, in case of incorrect calculations or installation errors, the roof will have to be done again. Equally responsible and difficult is the insulation of a pitched roof, designed to provide optimal temperature conditions in the attic, attic and throughout the house. Errors in the installation of heat-insulating material can lead to the fact that it gets wet, ceases to perform its functions, and, as a result, the wooden structures of the roof rot. There will be nothing left but to make a completely new roof. To avoid such unfortunate consequences, you need to know a few important rules for the insulation of pitched roofs and choose the right material for insulation.

How to choose insulation for a pitched roof

The modern market is replete with a variety of thermal insulation materials, but each of them is good in its place. In order not to make a mistake with the choice of insulation for a pitched roof, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics of the material:

• Low thermal conductivity, less than 0.05 W/m*K;
• Light weight so as not to overload the roof structure. To determine the weight, you should pay attention to the density of the material. For mineral wool insulation, 45 - 50 kg / m3 is enough, and for fiberglass 14 kg / m3.
• The material should not absorb moisture, ideally if it is waterproof. If, for example, a cotton wool insulation gets wet, it will have to be completely replaced, since it will lose more than 60% of its properties.
• Resistant to temperature extremes, severe frosts and numerous cycle changes. This directly affects the durability of the material.
• Environmental friendliness is equally important. The material should not emit extraneous odors or substances into the space.
• Fire safety is one of the main requirements for insulation. It is desirable that the material is completely non-combustible and does not support combustion.
• Dimensional stability for a better fit to the roof structure, without the formation of gaps. Also, this property will protect against a situation where the material slides off the roof, exposing the upper part.
• Durability. Not everyone is warmed by the idea of ​​making a major overhaul of the house soon, so it is better to choose a heat-insulating material for a pitched roof that can last 50 years without changing its properties.

Almost all requirements are met by such heat-insulating materials:

1. Mineral wool based on basalt rocks: PAROC eXtra, ROCKWOOL Light BATTS, ROCKWOOL Light BUTTS SCANDIC, ISOROC ISOLIGHT, TECHNOLIGHT Extra, TECHNO Rocklight.

1. Mineral wool based on fiberglass: URSA Pitched roof, ISOVER Pitched roof, ISOVER Roll Frame-M40-TWIN-50, KNAUF Pitched roof Thermo Roll 037, KNAUF COTTAGE Thermo Roll-037, KNAUF COTTAGE Thermo Plate-037.
2. Styrofoam or simply polystyrene is only good for insulating attic non-residential premises by laying it on the floor, followed by pouring it with a cement-sand mixture. Such precautions are due to the fact that the material is combustible and, during combustion, releases extremely toxic substances and droplets.
3. Extruded polystyrene foam, for example, PENOPLEX material. This material is also used only in places where it will not have direct contact with fire.
4. polyurethane foam- liquid heater of the sprayed type.

Important! Although all cotton wool does not absorb moisture, it is well absorbed by the air enclosed between the fibers of the cotton wool, so the installation of such materials requires additional protection against leaks and condensate in the form of a waterproofing film. Expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene foam, if desired, are also used to insulate pitched roofs, but this method is not recommended by experts.

Here we have listed only the most popular materials in modern construction. But also do not forget about environmentally friendly natural materials: seaweed, linen roof insulation, straw, hemp and cork. Most of these materials are combustible, but both polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam have a combustibility class G3-G4, however, they are quite often used to insulate a pitched roof. In the event of a fire, although natural materials will burn, they will not emit toxic substances at the same time.

Below we will consider only the most popular options for insulating pitched roofs using different materials.

Roof insulation with Ursa Pitched roof

Recently, the Ursa Pitched Roof fiberglass-based insulation has become increasingly popular for thermal insulation. This type of insulation was developed on the basis of the German technology URSA Spannfilz, but modified taking into account the climatic conditions of Russia and the construction technologies used here.

Insulation URSA Glasswool Pitched roof

Advantages of URSA Glasswool insulation Pitched roof:

• Increased elasticity allows the material to hold tightly in the space between the rafters, without sagging or forming cracks.
• The lightness of the material.
• Excellent soundproofing properties.
• Low thermal conductivity 0.036 W/m*K.
• Good flexibility of the material allows installation on complex architectural forms, hard-to-reach places and uneven surfaces.
• It does not require additional fastening, it is enough to mount it "by surprise" between the rafters.
• In the package, the material is compressed 5 times, which greatly facilitates transportation. After unpacking, Ursa quickly takes on a working shape within 10 - 15 minutes.
• The material does not burn.

For the Ursa Pitched Roof insulation, the price depends on the size of the mats and starts from $50. for 1 m3. The thickness of the mat can be 150mm and 200mm. The most popular material is 150 mm thick, this is quite enough for warming pitched roofs in many cases. More precisely, the required thickness of the Ursa insulation can be calculated according to SNiP II-3-79, taking into account the climatic zone in which the house is located. The width of the material is 1200 mm, and the length is from 3900 to 4200 mm. This is quite enough to lay the material between the rafters without gaps and joints.

How to insulate a pitched roof with Ursa

The main feature of the installation of glass wool insulation is the need to lay a waterproofing film so that leaks and condensate do not enter the material, and a vapor barrier film to protect against steam rising from the living space.

Most often, this insulation is used when it is necessary to insulate the under-roofing space of a pitched roof in order to make the attic room residential.

To insulate the pitched roof of a private house using Ursa Pitched roof insulation, you must do the following:

• Even before the installation of the roof, a waterproofing film should be spread on top of the rafters from the outside. The type of film is selected on the basis of the project documentation of the house, taking into account the characteristics of the heat-insulating material, roofing material and vapor barrier film. The waterproofing film is laid across the slope with an overlap of at least 100 mm. The connection of the canvases is carried out using special self-adhesive tapes. The material is fixed to the rafters with stapler brackets or special galvanized nails with a wide flat head.

Important! In no case should waterproofing material for roofing be laid in an interference fit. Otherwise, with the onset of winter cold, the film may shrink and tear at the attachment points. Therefore, the canvases are laid with sag, but not more than 2 cm per 1 m.

• A crate of wooden bars, at least 25 mm thick, is stuffed on top of the waterproofing film. The thickness of the bars is selected depending on what size the ventilation gap should have for sufficient ventilation of the under-roof space. The crate is also fixed with the help of corrosion-resistant self-tapping screws. Holes in the bars are made in advance so as not to injure the waterproofing film once again.

Important! In order to additionally protect the heat-insulating material from getting wet, the waterproofing film can be laid not immediately on the rafters, but on the crate nailed to the rafters. A counter-lattice is mounted on top of the film, to which the roofing material is already fixed. Thus, two ventilation gaps: between the insulation and the film, between the film and the roof provide maximum protection against condensate.

• Roofing material is laid on top of the crate. Most materials can be fixed directly to the crate. And for the installation of a soft roof, sheets of chipboard or moisture-resistant plywood should be laid on top of the lathing, and the roofing material should be fixed to it.
• Thermal insulation material Ursa The pitched roof is laid from the inside of the roof into the space between the rafters. The material must be unpacked and allowed to rest for about 20 minutes so that it takes on a working shape and straightens. Then the insulation is cut into the necessary pieces so that the width of the web is 20 - 30 mm more than the distance between the rafters. This will ensure the fixing of the material "by surprise". The material is pushed into the space between the rafters. To straighten the edges, you need to press the middle of the canvas. The material will spring and straighten.

Important! Ideally, the step of the rafter legs is selected taking into account the width of the insulation (1200 mm) that will fit between them. This will greatly facilitate installation, as well as save time and money due to the fact that the material does not have to be cut along and there will be less offcuts.

• A vapor barrier film is laid on top of the insulation from the inside of the room, fixed directly to the rafters with brackets.
• Next, the crate is mounted from the inside of the attic or attic room, finishing materials will be attached to it.

On this roof insulation is ready. If the attic is not planned to be made residential, then this insulation technology is not suitable. Insulation must be laid on the floor of the attic, isolating the ceiling.

If you have purchased a prefabricated home that has no roof insulation and you don't want to remove the roofing, you can cheat a little to the detriment of the wooden roof structure. In the finished pitched roof from inside the attic, the waterproofing film is laid on top of the rafters, carefully inserted into the space between the rafters, then the insulation and vapor barrier film are laid. In this case, the wooden rafters are not protected from leaks, but the insulation is protected.

Another way, better, as it provides sufficient ventilation of the under-roof space. The space between the rafters remains free, a waterproofing film is laid on top of the inside of the room. Suspensions for a plasterboard ceiling are fixed to the rafters, insulation plates are inserted into them, and a vapor barrier film is placed on top. An additional crate will be required to arrange the finish.

In conclusion, I would like to note that this pitched roof insulation technology is suitable for any mineral wool or glass wool insulation for a pitched roof.

Penoplex - a material based on extruded polystyrene foam, has exceptional strength, does not absorb water, and therefore does not require waterproofing. But at the same time, the material is combustible, therefore it is extremely rarely used in residential private construction. The main advantage of this material is that it is possible to provide a continuous heat-insulating surface without cold bridges.

Laying Penoplex on top of the rafters

The most successful installation option for this heat-insulating material, if it is not possible to use another material, is used only for new construction. The thickness of Penoplex plates is from 60 to 120 mm.

The sequence of work is as follows:

• After mounting the truss structure, a fixing rail is laid below, with a thickness not less than the thickness of the heat-insulating material. It is necessary so that the insulation plates do not slide off the roof.
• We lay out the Penoplex insulation boards in a checkerboard pattern, starting from the bottom of the fixing rail.
• We lay a vapor-permeable waterproofing film to protect the material from leaks and condensate.
• We mount the crate on top of wooden bars with a thickness of at least 40 mm. This is necessary for the ventilation gap. We fix the bars with self-tapping screws, but we make holes in advance so as not to accidentally split the Penoplex plates.
• We mount roofing material on the crate.

From the inside, Penoplex does not require any protection.

Laying Penoplex under the rafters

This method is used if the house has already been built and there is no desire or opportunity to remove the roofing material. Mineral wool insulation can be laid in the space between the rafters, and Penoplex plates can be laid out on top of the rafters and secured with a crate nailed from below from the inside of the room. Installation of additional thermal insulation with Penoplex plates will provide a solid surface without cold bridges in the form of wooden rafters.

Laying Penoplex on the attic floor

This method is used if the attic space is not planned to be made residential. The slabs are laid on the floor between floors. In this case, the surface must be even. For leveling, plywood boards or a cement-sand screed are used. On top of the insulation boards, it is also necessary to pour a 40 mm thick screed.

Expanded polystyrene is a fairly cheap material, so many are tempted by the opportunity to insulate a pitched roof with it. In fact, this is not the best option for several reasons:

• Styrofoam is an inflexible material. It is inconvenient to work with, cut and stack.
• The material burns and releases toxic substances.

Expanded polystyrene can be laid both in the space between the rafters and below the rafters. When installing in the inter-rafter space, a lot of cracks are formed that need to be repaired. Installation of insulation under the rafters is carried out using the same technology as the installation of Penoplex. Further, it must be hidden with a finish, since polystyrene foam is afraid of sunlight.

In conclusion, I would like to clarify that if you plan to carry out the insulation of a pitched roof yourself, be sure to first consult with a specialist about the material, its thickness and installation method in your particular case. Ideally, it is better to pre-create an insulation project.

The issue of insulating various pitched roofs today is especially relevant. Rising energy prices are forcing private home owners to reconsider their approach to roof construction. After all, it is through it that up to 30% of heat escapes. And even well-conducted thermal insulation of the floor is not a guarantee that heat losses are completely eliminated. Particular attention is paid to the thermal insulation of mansard roofs, where the roof structure additionally performs the functions of a protective structure, that is, walls.

Thermal insulation of the attic roof from the inside with mineral wool

Roof insulation

It is necessary to start dealing with the insulation of pitched roofs with heat-insulating materials. They are represented on the market by a fairly wide range, but only four are used for roofs:

• mineral wool boards are mineral wool pressed into mats;
• polystyrene boards;
• polyurethane foam;
• ecowool.

Which heater to choose

Mineral wool boards

This is a material made from rocks that are heated, melted and pulled into threads. The latter in the material itself are in a chaotic state.

As for the specifications:

• thermal conductivity - 0.042 W / m K;
• density - from 50 to 200 kg / m 3;
• 100% environmental friendliness;
• ease of laying by hand;
• service life of 50 years;
• combustibility class - NG (non-combustible).

Mineral wool mats

Styrofoam boards

This is expanded polystyrene, whose structure is closed balls filled with air. At the same time, air occupies 90% of the volume, which reduces the weight of the insulation and its thermal conductivity.

Specifications:

• thermal conductivity - 0.034-0.044 W / m K;
• density - 25-45 kg / m 3;
• combustibility class - G3 (burns and supports combustion);
• environmental friendliness is high;
• installation method - manual;
• service life - 20 years.

It should be noted that the higher the density of the insulation, the higher its thermal conductivity.

Expanded polystyrene boards

polyurethane foam

This is a foamed mass that hardens in air, turning into a durable seamless coating. In fact, this is mounting foam, only modified. The insulation itself of this type is a two-component material. Its ingredients are mixed in a special container and supplied under pressure through a hose and a nozzle to insulated surfaces.

Specifications:

• thermal conductivity - 0.019-0.028 W / m K;
• density - 55 kg / m 3;
• flammability class - G2;
• service life - 80 years;
• environmental friendliness is high;
• installation method - requires special equipment.

Polyurethane foam is applied to the attic roof

Ecowool

This insulation is pure cellulose made from wood. Looks like cotton wool. Here are its characteristics:

• thermal conductivity - 0.038 W / m K;
• density - 40-45 kg / m 3;
• combustibility class - G1 (low combustible);
• service life - 100 years;
• laying method - using equipment;
• environmental friendliness - 100%.

Ecowool - 100% natural insulation

Comparative analysis

It is incorrect to do such an analysis of insulation for roofs (different pitched roofs). Each material has its pros and cons. In addition, the price is different, and the method of installation varies greatly. For example, polyurethane foam is better than others in terms of its thermal characteristics. But it cannot be applied to the roof without special equipment. And this increases the already high price.

In this regard, mineral wool and polystyrene foam boards are the best option. They are easier to install and are inexpensive. But their service life is short.

Price comparison:

And another criterion by which insulation can be compared is the thickness of the layer being laid. Here are the positions:

• mineral wool - 214 mm;
• foamed polystyrene - 120-150 mm;
• foamed polyurethane - 50-100 mm;
• ecowool - 150-200 mm.

Comparison of building materials in terms of thickness and thermal characteristics

Pitched roof insulation technology

The insulation of mansard gable roofs is very different from the thermal insulation of single-pitched roofs. Because the latter have a small attic space, hence the difficulties of carrying out work from the inside. They are transferred outside from the side of the roofing. At the same time, we immediately indicate that polyurethane foam is not used in a single-pitched structure.

Thermal insulation of a pitched roof

So, how to properly insulate a shed roof:

1. Along the rafters, along the ends, at the lower edges, the so-called cranial slats are stuffed along.
2. Between the rafter legs, boards or any durable slab or sheet material are laid on the slats: plywood, chipboard, OSB, etc. The legs are fastened with self-tapping screws. Niches are formed.
3. A vapor barrier membrane is laid on the rafter system. Installation is carried out in strips with an overlap of 10-15 cm, after which the joint is closed with a self-adhesive tape. Laying should be carried out so that the film covers the niches, emphasizing their shape.
4. Insulation is being installed in niches.
5. A waterproofing film is laid on top of the rafters in the same way as a vapor barrier, only stretched without sagging. Fastening to the rafters with staples from a stapler.
6. Lathing installation.
7. Installation of roofing material.

As you can see, warming a pitched roof is not the most difficult process, so it’s realistic to do it yourself even for a person who is far from the construction industry.

Shed roof construction with insulation

Gable roof insulation

There are two possible situations here:

1. The roof is already covered with roofing material.
2. Not yet covered.

Let's start with the second case because it's easier.

1. A waterproofing film is laid on top of the rafter legs in strips. Laying method - overlap with additional fastening of the joint with adhesive tape. The laying direction is horizontal from the eaves to the ridge. It is not necessary to pull strongly, a slight sag will provide thermal expansion or contraction of the material.
2. A counter-lattice is stuffed along the waterproofing - these are bars laid along the rafters (along). They create a ventilation gap between the roofing and the insulation cake.
3. The crate is stuffed.
4. Roofing material is being installed.
5. The rest of the processes are transferred to the attic (attic).
6. A slab insulation is laid between the elements of the truss system. The layer (thickness) of the latter should be equal to the width of the rafters.
7. The entire pitched plane is covered with a vapor barrier membrane in the same way as with a waterproofing film on top.
8. Panel or sheet finishing is mounted: plywood, drywall, lining, etc.

Laying waterproofing on rafters

If polyurethane foam is chosen as the heat-insulating material, then all work from the inside of the attic comes down to applying foam to the pitched plane of the roof structure. The main task is the uniformity of the applied material.

If ecowool is chosen as thermal insulation, then first a vapor barrier layer is installed from the side of the attic along the rafter system. Then holes are made in it, where a hose is inserted, supplying insulation into the space between the rafters. Thus, all areas between the rafter legs are filled. Subsequently, the holes made are sealed with tape.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the installation of ecowool is carried out using wet and dry technology. The first is when water is added to the material. In the case of pitched roof insulation, dry technology is used.

Backfilling of ecowool in the space between two films

If the roof is already covered with roofing material

Here, the technology of thermal insulation differs little from the previous one. The peculiarity lies in the fact that all work is carried out from the inside of the attic. And the main distinguishing feature is waterproofing, which is applied in strips along the rafter legs with the film recessed into the formed niches. To make it clear what is at stake, look at the photo, which shows how waterproofing should be laid and fastened.

Waterproofing membrane laid from the inside of the attic on the roof slope

All other operations are carried out according to the technology described above. I.e:

1. The slab insulation is being laid.
2. Installation of vapor barrier film.
3. Interior decoration of the attic.

If polyurethane foam is used, then it is simply applied to the rafter legs covered with a film. If ecowool is used, then a vapor barrier layer is laid, and the space between the two protective layers is filled with insulation.

Thermal insulation technology of a hipped roof

The process of warming a four-slope hip roof or hipped roof does not differ in any way from the thermal insulation of a gable roof. These are all the same slopes, only there are not two, but four. It just increases the amount of work being done.

The only negative point regarding plate heat insulators is a large amount of their waste. It's all in the shape of the slopes. It is trapezoid and triangular at the hip roof, and only triangular at the hip roof. This means that in places where the structure is narrowed, thermal insulation materials will have to be cut.

This does not apply to polyurethane foam and ecowool. Here, the flow rate does not change, and it corresponds to the area of ​​​​the insulated pitched areas.

What are the points to pay attention to

Despite the seeming simplicity of the operations, there are many nuances in them, on which the quality of the final result depends. And for those who decide to conduct insulation on their own, it is recommended not to miss these important points:

• Before starting work, all wooden components and parts must be treated with an antiseptic and fire retardant. First, the first is applied, after drying the second. The antiseptic composition is a protection against biological influences (microorganisms: mold, fungi). Flame retardant - protection against fire. That is, if a fire starts, the wood will not immediately catch fire, it will take several minutes.

Treatment of rafters with an antiseptic

• The roofing material is waterproofed. Its purpose is to prevent leaks, if any, to penetrate into the insulation pie. The second purpose is to prevent moisture from passing through itself, which has formed in the layer of heat-insulating material.
• A vapor barrier membrane is still the same film, similar to a waterproofing one. But it is denser and does not let steam (moist air vapor). Therefore, its main task is to close the insulation layer with itself so that moisture coming from the interior of the building and passing through the ceiling cannot penetrate into it. But even with very careful installation, small gaps remain in the vapor barrier layer through which steam enters the insulation. To prevent it from remaining there, waterproofing is laid on top. It is important not to confuse the two materials with each other. Otherwise, the heat-insulating cake will quickly lose its properties. This mainly applies to ecowool and some models of mineral wool.
• If you decide to use polyurethane foam as a heater, and do the whole process yourself, then it is recommended to purchase a mini-installation consisting of two cylinders into which components are pumped under pressure. When leaving the tanks, they are mixed in a special mixer of small sizes. And already through a hose with a nozzle, the foam is fed out. Manufacturers today offer installations with different volumes of cylinders, with different speeds of work. This equipment is reusable, just after the ingredients are used up, they are poured into containers. And you can continue to work.
• If expanded polystyrene boards were used as a heater, then they can not be covered with a vapor barrier film. This insulation is not afraid of even a large amount of water.
• Ideally, fill the space between the rafter legs completely, both in width and in depth.

If a decision is made to insulate the roof of your own house, then this process should not be shelved. The main thing is to decide on the choice of thermal insulation. And the operation itself is simple. Strictly follow the steps, and the high quality of the final result will be guaranteed.