How To Insulate The Roof From The Inside In A Private House With Your Own Hands: Step-by-step Instructions With Photos And Videos

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

And severe frost is not terrible: how to insulate the roof with your own hands

No matter how modern and high-tech the heating system of the house is, it will not help to survive the frosts if the roof is badly, incorrectly or not at all in the building. Scientists have calculated that it is through the roof with illiterate insulation that up to 30 percent of the thermal energy goes away. And this is an extra expense for the owner of the premises. How to avoid them? Do roof insulation. The process can be organized independently without the involvement of specialists. The main thing is to choose material, prepare tools, study the sequence of work.

Content

• 1 Types of insulation for the roof

  • 1.1 Fiberglass: cheap and affordable
  • 1.2 Basalt wool: keeping up with the times
  • 1.3 Styrofoam: Styrofoam in other words
  • 1.4 Extruded polystyrene foam: reliability in action
  • 1.5 Ecowool: definitely safe
  • 1.6 Pure cotton and linen: super sustainable
  • 1.7 Foam concrete: this is strength
• 2 How to choose a roof insulation for a private house
• 3 Laying rules

• 4 Step-by-step instructions for laying insulation

  4.1 Video: how to install roof insulation

Types of roof insulation

Obviously, insulation is needed directly to insulate the roof. In order to perfectly fulfill their "professional duties", namely, to protect the room from the cold, the insulation must meet the following requirements:

• rigidity. The material should not be too soft, pliable, otherwise it will not stick to the selected place, but will slide down or sag;
• low water absorption capacity. If the material absorbs moisture well, it will swell quickly. The fact that it will be comfortable in the room is out of the question;
• low vapor permeability. Here everything is the same as in the case of water absorption. If the matter absorbs steam, it swells, accordingly, becomes unusable for further use;
• relatively light weight. Too heavy insulation - an additional load on the walls and foundation. If this load was not taken into account when calculating the roof, problems may arise with the operation of the building;
• self-extinguishing or non-flammable. If the roof catches on fire, the flame will quickly "eat" the entire building. That is why it is so important to pay special attention to the incombustibility of the selected substance;
• good sound insulation. When, for example, rain hits the roof, the sound is very loud. He can disturb the peace of all residents of the building. To avoid such troubles, the insulation must effectively absorb noise.

Today, all insulation is divided into:

• tiled;
• rolled;
• sprayed.

The choice, of course, remains with the owner of the premises. The first two types are easier to work with, while the third is considered more reliable, but difficult to use. For spraying, it is necessary to master the technique of applying with a pump or special spray.

There are insulation materials that should not be laid, but sprayed inside the rafter frame

Most suitable for roof insulation:

• fiberglass;
• basalt wool;
• expanded polystyrene;
• extruded polystyrene foam;
• ecowool;
• cotton;
• linen;
• foam concrete.

To understand which material to choose from, you need to understand in more detail the technical characteristics of each of them.

Fiberglass: cheap and affordable

Fiberglass is made from recycled and molten glass. It is stretched into fibers and used in construction. The pluses of insulation include:

• cheapness;
• availability;
• ease of use;
• low thermal conductivity;
• resistance to water and steam.

You need to work with fiberglass as carefully as possible, it can injure the skin

At the same time, working with fiberglass must be very careful. Glass particles on contact with skin can cause micro-cuts, which can result in serious irritation. Removing fiberglass from your hands is sometimes very difficult - you may have to see a doctor. But if you work carefully, using a protective suit, gloves and glasses, then nothing like this will happen.

Basalt wool: keeping up with the times

Basalt wool is based on foamed and molten stone. So there is no reason to doubt the strength of the coating. The advantages of such insulation material include:

• rigidity;
• resistance to fire and high temperatures;
• ease of use;
• security;
• ecological cleanliness;
• resistance to external influences;
• long-term operation.

Basalt wool is considered a very strong and reliable insulation, and it is quite easy to use it

It is easy to work with basalt wool - it is realized in the form of slabs of different sizes. They are attached to the surface using special glue or ordinary nails. However, the cost per square meter is not the lowest here, so this type of insulation is relatively expensive.

Styrofoam: Styrofoam in other words

Is it permissible to use expanded polystyrene for roof insulation? Disputes on this score between experienced builders do not subside to this day. Summarizing the numerous opinions, we can draw the following conclusion: use is permissible in those regions where there are no too harsh and frosty winters.

Expanded polystyrene for insulation is best used in warm areas where the climate is relatively mild

The expanded polystyrene itself does not absorb water and steam, but it is too subject to changes due to mechanical stress. Any increased load will render the material unusable. It turns out - money down the drain.

Extruded polystyrene foam: reliability in action

Extruded polystyrene foam is in essence a symbiosis of foam with freon or carbon dioxide. The material is really durable - this fact has been repeatedly proven during practical tests.

Extruded polystyrene foam does not burn and is not afraid of high temperatures

It is important that extruded polystyrene foam has such characteristics as:

• reliability;
• strength;
• resistance to external influences;
• durability;
• ease of use;
• low thermal conductivity;
• resistance to water and steam;
• incombustibility;
• resistance to chemical compounds;
• the ability to prevent the formation of mildew and mold.

By the way, this insulation is considered environmentally friendly. It does not burn and is firmly held in place. But the price for it is not small either. The costs will be significant.

Ecowool: definitely safe

Even from the name of ecowool it is clear that this material is very clean from an environmental point of view. In this regard, it can be used without any fear. Ecowool insulation does not harm the body and the environment. It is often used to insulate roofs, floors, walls of private houses. It is inexpensive and practical. Plus to everything:

• low thermal conductivity;
• resistance to water and steam;

• good sound insulation.

  

  Ecowool is a very clean and safe material for health, but it requires the use of special equipment

Pure cotton and linen: super sustainable

Today cotton and linen are rarely used for insulation. Only residents of very warm corners of the globe can afford such a thing. The fact is that linen and cotton absorb moisture and steam too well, they quickly lose their shape and do not have the required level of rigidity.

Cotton is an environmentally friendly material, but it absorbs moisture very actively and because of this it loses its shape and breaks down

Linen and cotton are often used as additional insulation to the main insulation. Such a system has the right to life and is successfully applied even in the regions of the Far North.

Those who think linen and cotton are cheap will have to be disappointed. Eco-friendly coatings are decent, not every owner of a building can afford them.

Foam concrete: this is strength

Foam concrete and strength are practically synonymous words. Very reliable, strong and resistant to external influences material. In addition, it is famous for:

• low thermal conductivity;
• the ability not to absorb moisture and steam;
• resistance to fire and high temperatures.

One thing is bad - foam concrete weighs a lot. If the laying of such insulation was not provided at the stage of construction of the building, then it is advisable to abandon its use. Otherwise, problems with the foundation and walls may arise.

Foam concrete is very heavy, it greatly increases the load on the walls and foundation

How to choose a roof insulation for a private house

The owner of the house is not limited in the choice of insulation for the roof. Each material has its own characteristics, pros and cons. Of course, a lot depends on how much the home master has. If finances permit, it is better to choose basalt or extruded polystyrene foam. For the budget, the materials are more modest - expanded polystyrene, fiberglass.

Basalt wool, foam concrete, expanded polystyrene are in approximately the same price segment. It is important to consider that foam concrete is quite heavy, and its use cannot always be called reasonable.

When choosing, you need to check the following material capabilities:

• whether it is able to absorb water and steam;
• does it burn;
• is it capable of self-extinguishing;
• can give and absorb heat;
• how external loads affect it.

It is good if the material can be attached to regular foam or nails. This will significantly reduce the costs and workload of the owner of the building.

In some cases, expanded polystyrene is applied by spray. This method is considered innovative, but it is very difficult to do it yourself. To do this, you have to devote a couple of days to theory, to purchase a pump or a special sprayer - this is again an extra expense. Are they budgeted for?

Spraying polystyrene foam is a difficult process, not everyone can do it correctly

It's good if there is an opportunity to test the insulation live. Its total thickness must be at least 200 millimeters. Then it will be warm and comfortable under the roof.

If a living room is planned under the roof, then the insulation layer should be thicker than if the attic is equipped under the roof

Laying rules

The process of insulating a roof involves more than simply attaching the material to wooden rafters. This is a complex technological process consisting of the following stages:

1. Surface preparation for work.
2. Installation of a waterproofing layer.
3. Ventilation device.
4. Insulation laying.
5. Installation of a vapor barrier layer.
6. Roof top coating installation.

To properly lay the insulation, you must:

1. Measure the area to be trimmed.
2. Draw up an approximate plan and drawing of insulation. Let it be approximate and schematic, but it will greatly facilitate the task.
3. Make an accurate calculation of the insulation required to complete the assignment.

What else you need to know in order to properly lay the insulation:

• you cannot start working with the material immediately after purchase. Let him lie in the attic for 2-3 days, get used to the room;
• it is necessary to carry out home hydrotesting to make sure that the material does not allow moisture to pass through;
• thermal insulation must be installed without gaps. Otherwise, cold air will penetrate inside;

• it is better to fix the material for insulation with foam or glue, but not with nails. For the rest of the roofing cake, nails are fine;

  

  Slabs of basalt wool are cut 0.5-1 cm wider than the distance between the rafters so that the insulation goes into the cell at the spur, but if desired, it can be additionally fixed with glue or polyurethane foam

• after the material is fixed, you need to let it settle for a day, only then close it from above.

And the most important rule is to act slowly and very carefully. This is the only way to properly insulate the roof.

Step-by-step instructions for laying insulation

Insulation can be laid in different ways:

• between the rafters;
• under the roof cladding;
• in front of the rafters.

Which option is preferable? It all depends on the area of the roof, its general condition and the wishes of the master.

For the production of work you will need:

• the insulation itself;
• waterproofing;
• screws, nails;
• construction stapler;
• polyurethane foam;
• wooden blocks for lathing 2-3 centimeters wide;
• protective clothing, gloves.

The process of self-insulation of the roof consists of the following steps:

1. It is necessary to carefully inspect the roofing for damage. This is done in the event that first the outer covering was laid, then they decided on insulation. If damage is present, it must be repaired.

   

   Before starting the insulation, the roof must be repaired.

2. Now you need to prepare the rafters for work - sand them, clean them of dirt, treat them with an anti-fungal compound.

   

   It is important to pre-treat wooden rafters from fungus and destruction

3. Next, a waterproofing layer is laid. Most often, modern membrane waterproofing is used, which has long proven itself positively. It is great if the insulation is self-adhesive, otherwise it can be fixed with a construction stapler.

   

   It's good if the waterproofing is self-adhesive, it is very easy to work with this.

4. Then you need to make a ventilation gap. Otherwise, condensation will accumulate under the roof, and it will be simply unbearable to operate the building. The space for ventilation is at least 5 cm. But it should not be made more than 15 cm. Bars of counter-lattice are stuffed onto the waterproofing layer, and the main lathing and roof covering are already attached to it.

   

   The lathing is mounted on a waterproofing layer and is responsible for creating a ventilation gap

5. If the insulation material is attached from the inside, it should be placed in the space between the rafters. It must go joint to joint without any gaps at all, otherwise the insulation will not be normal. It is necessary to install the plates by surprise, and coat all the resulting irregularities with polyurethane foam.

   

   It is necessary to lay the insulation joint to joint so that there are no gaps between it and the rafter beams

6. A vapor barrier membrane must be laid on top of the insulation. Often intermediate slats are nailed between it and the insulation to create a second ventilation gap. Its presence guarantees complete disposal of possible condensation.
7. After that, you can mount the topcoat. To do this, a rough crate is stuffed onto the rafters, and a finishing material is installed on top.

If all layers are made sequentially, the material is attached without gaps, only high-quality tools and coatings are selected for work, then there should be no problems with further operation. It is important to always remember about your own calculations and drawing, to be guided by them.

For the work to be as efficient as possible, it is important to make at least an approximate drawing indicating the order of work

The insulation should in no case sag more than 10 centimeters. If this happens, then there are problems with the material or with the installation. Before fastening, any material must be checked for operability right at home: you can pour it over with water, put a small load on it. If the insulation can withstand, it can be safely attached under the roof cladding material.

Video: how to install roof insulation

To keep the house always warm and comfortable, it is important to take care of high-quality roof insulation. For this, various materials can be used: basalt wool, ecowool, expanded polystyrene and its extruded analogue, flax and cotton, foam concrete. The choice depends on the financial capabilities and preferences of the owner of the building. It is important that the insulation meets all safety requirements, is clean in every sense for people and the environment. With proper installation, the insulation will last at least 20 years. And foam concrete or basalt - generally all 50!