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» Which roof is best to choose for an attic. How to insulate an attic roof and how to prepare the roof of a private house for winter living. Which insulation is best for the attic?

Which roof is best to choose for an attic. How to insulate an attic roof and how to prepare the roof of a private house for winter living. Which insulation is best for the attic?

Attics are wooden structures from partition walls adjacent to the roof beams. Since the roof is made according to slope technology, an impressive space is formed under it, from which you can make a living space. The attic material, like the roof, does not have proper thermal insulation. It is also characterized by constant blowing and drafts. To make the room cozy and living in it comfortable, you need to purchase insulation for the attic and perform a number of works on cladding the attic.

Thanks to thermal insulation, it is possible to maintain a normal temperature for housing. Some materials can also provide sound insulation. By structurally improving the attic with insulation, you can kill two birds with one stone. But which insulation is better for the attic? First of all, you need to understand the characteristics that a heat insulator should have, and then choose the most optimal one.

Requirements for insulation for the attic

The key criteria for choosing a material are its cost, durability and thermal insulation properties. Good insulation must have the following qualities:

  • resistance to moisture;
  • frost resistance;
  • minimal hygroscopicity (the ability of a material to accumulate liquid in the structure);
  • environmental cleanliness;
  • no unpleasant odor;
  • fire safety;
  • water resistance;
  • minimal deformability;
  • thermal conductivity coefficient up to 0.04 W/m°C.

It is hardly possible to find a material that would 100% meet the above requirements. However, in the construction of private houses, a number of insulation materials are used that perfectly perform heat and sound insulation functions. These are:

  • mineral wool;
  • expanded polystyrene (aka polystyrene foam);
  • foamed materials (for example, polyurethane foam);
  • insulation made from natural fibers.

In addition to structure, materials differ in price and complexity of handling. Each type of insulation is discussed in detail below.

Mineral wool

Outwardly resembling regular mineral wool, it is made from various rocks and is available in the form of hard slabs or mats (soft sheets). There are three groups of insulation based on composition:

  • basalt (stone);
  • glass wool;
  • slag.

Basalt insulation is made from rocks gabbro-basalt group or marls (sedimentary rock with clay-carbonate structure). For comparison: gabbro-diabase is often used in sauna stoves because it retains heat perfectly and heats up quickly. Stone insulation has a vapor permeability of about 0.3 mg/m h Pa, and thermal conductivity is about 0.035-0.04 W/m°C. The fibers of basalt wool do not prick, which facilitates the work of lining the attic from the inside.

Glass wool consists of 1/5 of a mixture of soda, borax, limestone, sand, the rest is occupied by broken glass. The material is stronger, heavier than its basalt counterpart, and also has greater elasticity. It can easily withstand temperature fluctuations from −60 to +450 °C.

Slag material has the same length and thickness as basalt material, but has slightly lower thermal conductivity. The fibers are quite thorny; this complicates the cladding from the inside of the room. It also has high hygroscopicity. These shortcomings have made the material the least popular among representatives of mineral wool.

Each of the three types of material is an excellent sound insulator - insulation in the form of plates belongs to class “A” for the absorption of external noise, and mats - to group “B”. Often used as a fire barrier (not only in attics), since it has zero fire hazard (the most reliable group). Mineral wool is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, safe for humans, not afraid of pests (rodents or insects), does not reduce its effectiveness under the influence of aggressive chemical substances. However, insulation is not without the following disadvantages:

  • hygroscopicity is higher than desired (forces additional layers to be laid when lining the inside - vapor and waterproofing);
  • irritates the skin (work only in long sleeves and gloves);
  • generates a lot of dust (a respirator is also advisable);
  • stands above other materials with similar properties.

There are negative aspects, but in terms of demand, mineral wool is second only to expanded polystyrene, better known by another name.

Styrofoam

Extruded material optimally combines the required parameters of an ideal insulation, being the most popular among consumers. The key advantage of expanded polystyrene is its low thermal conductivity coefficient, usually 0.03 W/m°C. At least because of this indicator, insulation is preferable to mineral wool.

If the numbers don't tell you anything, you should contact practical side. When cladding the attic from the inside, to achieve the same temperature in the room, a much smaller volume of polystyrene foam will be required than cotton wool. This achieves space savings and optimal resource consumption.

The almost zero hygroscopicity of polystyrene foam extends the life of the insulation layer. Water does not flow inside; this eliminates the possibility of mold and premature deterioration of properties. Also, when using polystyrene foam, the load on the roof will be minimal. By the way, not only because of its good hygroscopicity.

1 m3 of foam weighs an order of magnitude less than the same volume of mineral wool. Therefore, it is easier to work with it, and the load is less load-bearing beams the roof does not grow regardless of the season.

Polystyrene foam for cladding an attic or other premises of a private house is mainly made in the form of slabs, which save time during fastening. You can completely insulate an attic with polystyrene foam alone.

The following material is notable for its ease of use; when hardened, it resembles foam plastic, but is supplied in liquid form.

Polyurethane foam

PPU is one of the highest quality roof insulation materials. This is achieved by applying it to vertical and inclined surfaces from the inside in liquid form, and when hardening it slightly increases in volume, effectively filling cracks or holes.

Light weight, low thermal conductivity coefficient comparable to polystyrene foam, resistance to extreme temperatures and other advantages put polyurethane foam on par with mineral wool and expanded polystyrene. The fact that polyurethane foam is difficult to apply to the internal sloping surface of the roof is just a misconception. Good adhesion of the material prevents the appearance of difficulties.

After hardening, polyurethane foam acquires a single structure (like polystyrene foam) that does not allow moisture or steam to pass through. This eliminates the need for additional vapor and waterproofing. However, there is one caveat - the cost.

The work of insulating the roof attic from the inside of polyurethane foam requires special equipment. Most offices providing services interior lining roofs require 300-400 rubles (per 1 m2) for applying foam. It is not difficult to calculate how many extra thousand rubles can be given to specialists.

Polyurethane foam is applied in a small layer with a thickness of 4 to 10 cm. This is enough, since thermal conductivity is 1.5-2 times better than rolled materials.

If the user has large amounts of money to insulate the attic from the inside, PPU will become the best option purchases. Once you have completed the work of applying the material to the inside of the roof, you can hope for 30-35 years comfortable temperature indoors.

Natural fiber materials

In Central and Eastern Europe Insulation materials made of flax, wood, and hemp, held together with starch or polyester, have become widespread. There are products based on wood sawdust or seaweed. They are good, but not suitable for the attic, because they occupy a large volume. Russia learned about such insulation materials about a dozen years ago.

Natural materials have a capillary structure that allows vapor or air masses to pass through. Their advantages include:

  • safety for humans;
  • fire resistance;
  • noise and heat insulation characteristics are close to the properties of polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam, and mineral wool;
  • do not generate dust or prick when covering the inside;
  • self-regulation of the room microclimate;
  • no shrinkage;
  • long service life (more than half a century);
  • there is no need for special clothing when working.

Examples of natural insulation materials - Ecowool, Ecolinen, cotton fabric; These and other names are sometimes found on the shelves of hardware stores.

Little-known materials that are not inferior in quality to generally recognized ones. Perhaps in 10-15 years they will gain popularity.

Cost of various insulation materials

  • mineral wool (from 400 rubles per 1 cubic m);
  • polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam (1000-3000 per cubic meter);
  • natural insulation (price reaches 10-15 thousand rubles per cubic meter).

If you have enough finance, it is recommended to insulate the attic from the inside with polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam. More cheap material(cotton wool) is also good, you just have to tinker with it longer.

Based on the above-listed characteristics of the materials used in cladding the attic, the user can decide how best to insulate the attic and begin implementing plans. Each material is good in its own way, but science has not yet come up with an ideal one. Based on your wishes or possibilities, you can choose the most suitable one among dozens of insulation products.

An attic space is an additional space in the house that can be used for personal use. You can do it in it living room or an office where it is quiet, cozy and warm. But to create this warmth, silence and comfort, you need to try a little. Most important stage in the device mansard roof- its insulation. After all, without it, staying in this room will be impossible in the autumn and winter.

The main question that arises when insulating is which insulation is best for an attic roof? After all, there are many options, but how to do it? right choice? Let's look at the criteria by which you need to choose a heat insulator and compare the most popular materials.

Criteria for choosing insulation for the attic

The choice of material for the attic must be approached quite seriously. They all have their pros and cons.

But when choosing insulation for an attic roof, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

  1. Thermal insulation characteristics of the material.
  2. Good sound insulation insulation.
  3. Ease of installation.
  4. Insulation resistance to high temperatures.
  5. Ecological cleanliness.
  6. Long service life.
  7. Economical.
  8. The property of insulation to repel moisture.
  9. The versatility of the material.

It is clear that the main criterion by which insulation is evaluated is its ability to retain heat. This is very important for an attic space. In addition, the material must be universal so that it is possible to insulate not only the roof, but also the floors and walls of the attic. And if you don’t want to hear gusts of wind and the sound of rain, then it should well insulate the attic from noise. All these criteria are important, and it is better if the insulation meets most of them.

Let's look at everything suitable materials using an example, and let’s find out which one insulation will do for this purpose.

Insulation for attic roof

So, the most popular materials for insulating an attic roof are mineral wool, glass wool, polyurethane foam (PPU) and polystyrene foam. They are most consistent with the indicators we talked about earlier. But there are also new materials that have not yet been studied so much. One of them is ecowool. The best insulation we will search specifically from this list.

Mineral wool for attic insulation

One of the environmental insulation materials, which consists of molten rocks, clay and synthetic fibers. The material is lightweight, has good vapor permeability and low hygroscopicity. Therefore, it is difficult to overestimate the material. It can be purchased in stores such as in roll form, and as slabs. The sizes and thickness vary, from 5 to 10 cm. Due to its fibrous structure, the material retains heat well. There is always a large amount of air in the fibers. The good news is that cotton wool is also vapor-permeable (able to breathe).

Note! Mineral wool will not harbor rodents, which cannot be said about polystyrene foam.

If we talk about the disadvantages of insulation, the main one is low resistance to moisture. If the material gets wet, it will lose its properties. That's why Special attention need to be given to the waterproofing layer. And yet, the insulation quickly accumulates dust. Still, I am pleased with the high fire resistance. In case of fire, cotton wool can retard the fire.

The most popular brands that are suitable for attic insulation are Ursa and Izover. The second insulation option has a fairly high noise insulation rate, combined with other advantages. And Ursa products are sold in convenient rolls that are easy to install.

The service life of mineral wool for the attic is 50 years. It does not rot, does not bloom and does not become moldy.

Basalt wool for attic insulation

This is one of the safest and known species mineral wool. It is made on the basis of basalt - natural stone. It is melted under technological conditions and made into thin fibers. You won’t believe it, but such cotton wool does not burn even at temperatures up to 1000˚C! The thing is that only at this temperature does the stone begin to melt. There is only one drawback - mice really love this insulation. But in the attic they are easy to deal with.

The most popular brand of insulation is Rocklight. The products have excellent heat and noise insulation, do not burn and are quite easy to install. And more importantly, with such quality, the price is quite reasonable. The insulation can last for many years without caking and maintaining all its properties.

Glass wool - I want it, but it hurts

Using glass wool is not a new method. It has proven itself well over the years. This material is quite cheap, and installation is not that difficult. IN indoors it is non-toxic and not harmful to the body. And due to the fact that it contains no organic substances, rodents do not eat it. I would also like to note that glass wool has a second degree of fire resistance. That's pretty good.

If we talk about the disadvantages of the material, it lies in its composition. Glass wool has fine glass dust. When it comes into contact with the skin, it begins to itch, and if the dust gets into the eyes, it causes damage to them. The same goes for the respiratory tract. Therefore, when insulating an attic roof with glass wool, it is important to take care of safety. All work is performed in a protective suit, respirator gloves and goggles with a rubber element. Only then will you not get hurt.

Note! After all the work, don’t even think about washing your clothes, it won’t help. It will have to be thrown away.

Anyone who has ever tried insulation with their bare hands prefers not to deal with it. Although if you do everything according to technology, then this is a worthy option.

Insulating the attic with foam plastic is cheap, but risky

The most affordable and popular material for attic insulation. Moreover, it insulates both the roof and the walls and floor. The main advantage of the material is its low weight, ease of installation and good thermal insulation properties. All insulation work can be done with your own hands, without the help of specialists. It is especially convenient to insulate sloping walls and roofs.

Polystyrene foam has several density levels. Due to this, it has good sound and thermal insulation performance. In addition, it keeps its shape throughout the entire period of use without shrinking. Its rigidity affects the strength of the material (bending and compression). But there is one drawback: it burns very well. The denser the material, the better it burns. Therefore, for insulating an attic roof, rigidity is not the main indicator. After all, there is no need to walk on its surface.

Note! If you want to use foam, you need to get all the rodents out!

Ideal option for attic insulation - PPU

The advantage of polyurethane foam is that it can be supplied in two forms:

  1. As finished slabs.
  2. As a spraying agent.

It is preferable to choose the second option, since spraying achieves a monolithic structure, without seams and, accordingly, cold bridges. All of the above roof insulation materials do not have this parameter. The room will be perfectly thermally insulated, there will be no noise, etc. Foamed polyurethane foam has many advantages:

  1. The best indicator for heat conductivity. Surprisingly, a 2.5 cm layer of polyurethane foam is identical in thermal conductivity to mineral wool at 8 cm! Only expanded polystyrene came close to polyurethane foam, lagging behind only by half.
  2. It is equally important that for insulation with foamed polyurethane foam you do not need to make a frame or special fastenings. The material is sprayed onto any surface and has high adhesion to it.
  3. We mentioned the absence of cold bridges. Due to monolithic design they simply don't exist.
  4. If a chimney or hood passes through the attic, sealing around them can easily be done by spraying. This also applies to other complex roof shapes.
  5. The most terrible enemy mansard roof- moisture. It is quite difficult to protect yourself from it. But for PPU this is not a problem. It does not absorb moisture, does not become damp, can come into contact with any material and is vapor permeable (breathes).
  6. Rodents do not touch polyurethane foam; it does not become moldy, mildew or rot.
  7. And finally, this attic insulation does not burn.

If we talk about the disadvantages, then there is only one - to carry out insulation you need to have special equipment for spraying. Nothing will work without him. Therefore, you will have to hire professionals. Otherwise, this is an ideal option.

Which insulation for an attic roof is better, based on its thermal conductivity.

Ecowool as insulation for the attic

An interesting new product is ecowool, made from waste paper. To produce it, newspapers and other paper are taken, finely chopped and processed. by special means so that the insulation does not burn or rot. The material is environmentally friendly. Still, some are confused by the presence of dangerous lead in newspapers. But this technology has already been forgotten. The material has good indicators of heat conservation, sound insulation and fire resistance.

However, it will not be possible to do the entire installation of insulation yourself, since the method is new and requires a special approach.

Which is better - rolled material or slabs

Now let's move from theory to practice. For most, the type of material sold (rolls or slabs) is very important. Some people like to work only with rolls, while others do the opposite. After all, it’s easier to simply cut the insulation to the required length, roll it out and secure it.

In practice, this is how it all works out. Roll material is more convenient and easier to install. The work is done very quickly and conveniently: we measured, rolled out the insulation, cut it and installed it. It is especially pleasant to work when the rafters have a pitch of 61 cm. Then the roll just needs to be cut in half, and the parts will fit perfectly and tightly into the space.

With slabs it is a little heavier, and the formation of cold bridges is greater. After trimming remains large quantity waste. But such insulation is easier to transport. However, what kind of insulation to choose for the attic is a purely personal matter.

Solve the problem of lack of useful living space in country house You can arrange the attic space. This part of the building is not distinguished by thick enclosing structures, so for all-season use, the owner of the building must install correctly selected thermal insulation. In our article we will talk about which insulation is best for an attic roof.

Currently on domestic construction market There are many products that can be used as insulation for an attic roof or other enclosing structure, pediment.

How does heat exchange occur in the attic?

Work on insulating the attic began after installation heating system V attic spaces, because such materials allow you to save warm air in the middle of the house. In the absence of a heating system, laying thermal insulation does not always give the desired effect. The heat is retained here by a small air gap, which is located between the ceiling and the roof, this is also facilitated by a layer of snow on the roof.

When installing a heating system on the attic floors, the heated air will tend to rise, it will quickly heat the roof and melt the snow. To reduce energy losses, the owner of the house must provide insulation for the facade of the building. This work can be done using one of the methods described below:

1. Insulation of the roof of the house from the inside. IN in this case It would be advisable to lay insulation mats in the space between the roof rafters. This method of reducing energy losses is considered one of the most expensive, but in some cases it is considered the only possible solution. Many people ask what is the best way to insulate an attic roof. One of possible options installation of mineral wool with further laying of a vapor barrier film is considered.

2. Another method of insulation is external thermal insulation. Experienced builders recommend this particular method, because when joining insulation boards, the possibility of the formation of cold bridges is reduced. It is advisable to carry out such work during the installation of the roof, in which case the thermal insulation materials are laid on a vapor barrier film. This element is fixed to the rafters using staplers. At the final stage of work, the insulation is protected from moisture. waterproofing film, fix the rolled products with the same stapler and begin installing the roofing.

If we compare internal and external insulation, then last option has poorer protection against precipitation. Materials for external insulation must hold their shape well and not allow moisture to pass through. For those who do not know what is the best way to insulate an attic roof from the outside, it is advisable to choose polystyrene foam.

What characteristics should the insulation have?

Most roofers know that the effectiveness of insulation of the roof, as well as the gable part of the building, depends not only on the quality of the work performed, but also on the type of thermal insulation material. Before you start purchasing a product you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements that the selected insulation must meet:

1. First, you need to take into account the resistance of thermal insulation to external aggressive factors. The best insulation for the roof and gable of a building should retain its original dimensions and structure throughout the entire period of operation. Insulation materials are resistant to influences such as sudden temperature fluctuations, moisture ingress, and changing freezing and thawing cycles.

2. The second requirement is low hygroscopicity. The term “hygroscopicity” itself indicates the ability of a material to absorb moisture. Moisture in the insulation structure reduces the thermal insulation properties of products, promotes the formation of fungi and mold, and increases the weight of a particular element.

3. The third requirement is low thermal conductivity, the possibility of hermetically joining adjacent parts. Products with low thermal conductivity retain heat indoors in winter. In addition, effective insulation for the attic roof will create coolness in the summer time of the year.

4. And the last, but important requirement is safety during operation. It is necessary to insulate the attic roof from the inside, as well as sheathe the pediment with elements of increased fire safety. Such products should not ignite when exposed to high temperatures and should support the combustion process. Another important point– thermal insulation materials must be absolutely safe for human health and not cause allergies or other diseases.

If you don’t yet know what is the best way to insulate the roof of a house, check thermotechnical calculation and calculate the thickness of thermal insulation products. This option is selected by climatic conditions for a specific region. For example, in middle lane It would be desirable for Russia to arrange thermal insulation layer minimum thickness 15 centimeters. In this case, the joints between adjacent products must be overlapped by the next row of slabs.

Types of materials for attic insulation

Mineral

This subspecies includes products that have a fibrous structure; they fall into construction stores in the form of rolls or slabs and are called mineral (basalt or stone) wool. The main types of raw materials for the production of such elements are waste from the glass industry and metallurgy. Stone wool is obtained from hard stone by melting, it has a fibrous structure. This material has excellent heat and sound insulation characteristics, is not affected by rot and mold, and can withstand high temperatures of up to 900 degrees.

Plates and rolls stone wool have a soft structure, so they are used to insulate the attic with inside. The thermal conductivity of this thermal insulation is within 0.4 W/m, but this value can double after moisture enters the structure of the material. To prevent this from happening, mineral wool is protected from dampness by attaching a vapor barrier and waterproofing film.

Thermal insulation materials based on polymers

Not everyone knows what is the best material to use for insulating the gable and roof from the inside and outside. Experienced builders recommend using polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam for this purpose. A similar method is used to insulate old civil buildings. The described technology has several advantages:

  • Small mass. Each of the foam plates weighs several tens of grams, which reduces the load on load-bearing walls and roof structure.
  • Such products have minimal hygroscopicity. The surface of polystyrene foam repels moisture, so mold and mildew do not appear on it. The absence of moisture in the structure means the absence of destruction during freezing and thawing of the liquid, preserving the original properties of the insulation. There is only one answer to the question of which insulation to choose for the gable - polystyrene foam.
  • Products in question, except for increased ones thermal insulation characteristics, do not conduct sound. In this regard, foam plastic is considered an indispensable material for finishing civil buildings located near highways. Expanded polystyrene will reduce the noise of rain on a roof covered with corrugated sheets or metal tiles.
  • One more useful property The described products are fireproof. The plates do not burn, but melt under the influence of fire.
  • An important characteristic of polystyrene foam is the simple installation of slabs on flat surfaces. The consumer can choose insulation required thickness and install it yourself. Such products can be quickly cut using hand saw or a sharp knife.

The main disadvantage of the material under consideration is fragility; its structure is destroyed under minor mechanical loads. A similar problem can be solved by using products of increased strength and density (extruded polystyrene foam) or penoizol. The latter is blown between the rafters over a pre-laid plastic film.

Thermal insulation of the attic using natural components

People who are responsible for their own health are trying to understand which insulation for an attic roof is better. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to natural products that are made from fibers of agricultural crops such as flax or hemp.

Ecowool is quite expensive; it contains up to 12% antiseptics (additives that prevent rotting processes) and 7% antipyrine (minimizes the effects of fire). Specifications natural thermal insulation materials are as follows:

  • Thermal conductivity indicators are the lowest among all described types of insulation - 0.032 W/m;
  • The degree of moisture saturation in such products is almost 2 times less than in mineral wool or glass wool;
  • Natural insulation materials have a second class of flammability. According to this indicator, they are significantly inferior to stone wool;
  • Ecowool has a loose structure, its density reaches 75 grams per square meter;
  • Another important advantage of natural thermal insulation materials is the high degree of sound absorption.

According to experienced builders, ecological wool ranks first among insulation materials for attics of frame, timber and log buildings. It matches perfectly with wood, its use can reduce costs by 30%. family budget for heating.

Most regions of Russia can “boast” of the prevalence of cold, which leads to heating of premises using heating systems. And if available attic floor the situation is becoming extremely serious. After all, the attic has the most large area contact with open air, which winter period It gets quite cold. Therefore, the insulation of a room of this type should be approached very responsibly.

Due to the occurrence of large temperature differences across to different parties roof, the flow of heat begins to move towards the cold. Therefore, the task of insulating the attic is to put an obstacle in the way heat flow and reduce its heat loss. For this purpose they can be used various insulation materials, that is, materials with low thermal conductivity.

When deciding which insulation is best to use for the attic, it is important to consider not only quality characteristics material, but the design features of the attic, the materials of its manufacture, as well as the expected temperature indicators inside this room.

What properties should attic insulation have?

Each material has its own advantages and negative sides. In most cases, a consumer choosing insulation for an attic pays attention to the following:

  • The ability of a material to retain heat.
  • Operational period.
  • Moisture resistant.
  • How simple and easy it is to perform installation work.
  • Is it possible to save on material?
  • To what extent does the material reduce noise and extraneous sounds?
  • Is it possible to use the material universally?


The second most important thing is the versatility of the insulation. Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to use one insulation for the roof, floor and walls of the attic. In this case, you need to carefully study the manufacturer’s recommendations on the packaging: if the term “station wagon” is present, you can safely purchase material for insulating the pitched walls of the attic and the floor. Usage universal insulation helps to avoid the problem of varying degrees of insulation of surfaces.

The next significant property when deciding which insulation to choose for an attic is sound and noise absorption. Even taking into account the fact that in attic room there is no noise or trampling from neighbors; the roof definitely needs sound insulation. This is especially true for attic rooms, the roof of which is covered with metal profiles and metal tiles. Insulation with good soundproofing properties helps create a comfortable environment in a residential attic.


An excellent choice for insulating an attic can be a material with low flammability. This property is very important for rooms with a wooden supporting structure. When choosing insulation for an attic roof, you should remember the rule: the higher the risk of fire of the attic frame, the more non-flammable the insulation should be. Only in this case can the degree of fire on the entire floor be reduced.

Of no small importance for attic insulation are its hydrophobic properties, since water vapor will always be present in the room. It is best to use materials with low water absorption. Otherwise, it is recommended to use additional waterproofing.

Popular materials for attic insulation - which is better

To find out which insulation is best for the attic, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of some materials. Materials based on mineral wool and fiberglass are very popular when insulating an attic; little-known insulation materials are slightly behind them: ecowool, foil board and natural materials.

Glass wool

Among budget materials To insulate the attic, you can use fiberglass wool. She's different simple installation, lack of toxicity. The absence of organic components in the material makes the material uninteresting for rodents. But the main advantage of glass wool is its low degree of combustion.


A disadvantage is the presence of fine glass dust, which can cause damage to the mucous membrane of the eye and irritation on the skin. However, this problem can be solved by using personal protective equipment.

Mineral wool for attic roof

In the composition of this material you can find small stone or clay chips, as well as a small amount of fiberglass. Mineral wool is based on synthetic fibers, so it is safer for human health. The material is characterized by low weight, good vapor permeability and low hygroscopicity, which makes the material no less popular than glass wool.

The multilayer structure of mineral wool allows you to retain heat due to the fact that air can be retained in the layers.

However, the material contributes to the accumulation of dust and has poor resistance high humidity. But this problem can be solved by performing waterproofing work.

Mineral wool belongs to a high fire safety class; particles of quartz sand in the material help to retard even open fire.


Among large quantity mineral wool manufacturers, there are two leaders who are most suitable as an answer to the question of which mineral wool is best for the attic.

Izover insulation has high thermal insulation properties and perfectly absorbs excess noise. Therefore he is ideal option for arranging a children's room or home cinema in the attic. In addition, such insulation will protect against the noise that raindrops make when hitting metal surfaces. Such properties of the material are ensured by the presence of special air lenses in the insulation cavity.

Ursa insulation materials contain only natural raw materials, in particular we're talking about about quartz sand and fiberglass. Consequently, the material does not pose a danger to the environment and human health. It retains heat perfectly, absorbs most noise and sounds, and is not damaged by rodents. The density of mineral wool for the attic ranges from 30 to 225 kg/m3.

Mineral wool is characterized by a fairly long service life; for half a century the material does not bloom or rot.

Basalt or stone wool

The most popular and safest type of mineral wool is basalt wool. This material is based on natural stone - basalt, which under high temperature is melted and stretched into thin fibers. Basalt wool is able to withstand heating up to 1000 0 C, but is not able to resist rodents.


The most popular brand of stone wool, Rocklight, is characterized by its ability to retain heat, absorb excess noise, fire resistance and easy installation. At the same time, basalt insulation for the attic is sufficient High Quality can be purchased at a relatively low price.

Another advantage of the material is durability and the ability to “breathe” over a long period of use. The vapor permeability of the insulation is of great importance when finishing the attic, as it prevents the appearance of mold and various fungi.

Extruded polystyrene foam

Simple and easy installation, no irritation on the skin during operation and a fairly low cost are just minor advantages of expanded polystyrene. However, in most cases the material is used in combination with other insulation materials. For example, the gaps in the frame are filled with mineral wool, and polystyrene foam is laid on top.

Styrofoam

Most cheap option insulation for the attic - polystyrene foam. It is lightweight, so the work can be done independently, without involving experienced craftsmen. This property is especially important when insulating sloping roof walls.

Foam is excellent soundproofing material, as it has several levels of density. In addition, it is not characterized by shrinkage during operation.


The density of insulation for an attic roof in this case shows the degree of its resistance to mechanical loads, but denser foam plastic is less resistant to fire. Therefore, to insulate the attic roof, you can choose materials with less rigidity, since in this place significant loads will not be placed on the insulation.

Polyurethane foam

Spraying polyurethane foam is in a good way attic insulation. In addition, the material has the following properties:

  • Excellent degree of thermal protection.
  • Possibility of insulation without a frame and special fastenings.
  • The absence of seams, which are always conductors of cold.
  • Creating tightness in hard-to-reach places.
  • Lack of response to anyone roofing material, excellent resistance to moisture and vapor permeability.
  • Good grip on any surface.
  • Polyurethane foam is not afraid of rodents and insects, and is also not affected by mold and rot.


But polyurethane foam still has a drawback: it cannot be applied independently without special equipment.

Natural wool

In some regions, natural wool or felt is used as roof insulation. These materials have good vapor permeability and excellent thermal insulation properties.


Wool can be used independently, but its use in a roofing pie is considered more effective.

For the Caucasian region, wool is the most affordable insulation material, which gives big advantage before ready-made, more expensive materials. But in this case, do not forget about insects and rodents that can live in natural material.

Ecowool

Relatively recently, a new insulation material has appeared on the construction market - ecowool. For its production, waste newspapers are used, which are pre-shredded and treated with fire retardants and antiseptics. At the same time, dangerous lead, which, according to many, is contained in newspapers, is completely excluded from ecowool.


The composition of the material fully complies with environmental requirements, even during the smoldering process and with a sharp change in temperature. This property makes ecowool more effective and profitable compared to mineral wool and expanded polystyrene.

But due to insufficient knowledge, insulation with this material is carried out only by specialized construction organizations.

Which one to choose: rolled material or mats

When choosing insulation for the attic, the question may arise: is it better? roll material or slabs? In this case, the answer will be individual for everyone, since everyone has different preferences.

Practical experience shows that material in rolls is more convenient to use. Simply roll out the roll to the desired length and cut off a piece. In addition, when insulating a roof that has a standard distance between the rafters, you can easily cut the material in half and fill the free space with them.


In the case of insulation boards, the advantage is convenient transportation. However practical use turns out to be more problematic since the slabs are rectangular in shape.

In conclusion, it should be recalled that when buying insulation for the attic, it is very important to pay attention to the packaging. There should be no scratches or damage on it that indicate a leak. Only in this case is protection against moisture getting into the insulation guaranteed before starting installation work. Moisture that gets onto the material through poor-quality packaging leads to the insulation getting wet and changing its shape. As a result, installation becomes difficult in many ways, and gaps form between the slabs. In addition, damp material becomes a favorable environment for the growth of mold and mildew, which damage appearance surfaces and become a source of unpleasant odors.

It should be immediately noted that the windproof film in this case is fixed in exactly the same way as when insulating with materials in mats.

  • Wet application of the material is carried out using special equipment that sprays material mixed with water and a special glue.

Ecowool is sprayed under pressure, so the material fills all the gaps and cracks, thus creating good heat and sound insulation.


After spraying, excess material is removed using a special roller and at the same time leveled.


Another installation option could be to fill closed wall or floor cavities with wet ecowool.


A vapor barrier film is first fixed and stretched on the walls from the inside, a hole is made in it through which the space is filled thermal insulation materialecowool.


  • The dry insulation method is excellent for laying ecowool on the attic floor. This method can be done manually or using the same equipment.

If insulation is done manually, the insulation is simply removed from the packaging and loosened. Then it is distributed between the floor beams and compacted. The thickness of the layer should be equal to the height of the floor beams.

However, it is better to install the insulation under pressure using special equipment.


Ecowool is tightened on top vapor barrier film, and on top of it slats with a thickness of 20 ÷ 25 mm are placed on the beams - this lathing will create the necessary ventilation gap. After this, the floor covering is laid.

Video: “dry” method of application ecowool

Sputtering polyurethane foam

It is increasingly used for thermal insulation of buildings both inside and outside. It is especially popular for frame buildings and attic.

The only hitch in carrying out the work yourself may be complex equipment for spraying polyurethane foam, without which it will simply be impossible to do. There is an option to rent a device from a specialized company, but this will also be expensive, not to mention buying it. In addition, you need to learn how to configure it correctly and have at least basic skills in working with it.


Perhaps it will be easier and cheaper to invite a specialist who will do this work quickly and accurately. For small volumes, the process can be started and completed in one day.

Spraying can be carried out on any surface - smooth and rough, plywood, metal or even a dense vapor barrier film reinforced with rope weaving.

Sprayed polyurethane foam forms a seamless surface, while penetrating into all small and large gaps and sealing them hermetically.

PU foam can be sprayed directly onto inner surface roof and sew up on top decorative material- this insulating layer will be sufficient if the building is located in a climate zone with mild or moderate winters.

Video: insulating the attic with sprayed polyurethane foam

So, each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Of course, the price of insulation, the complexity or availability of its installation play a big role, but still the issues of thermal insulation efficiency and safety should come to the fore, so you need to focus on the material that will create the most comfortable atmosphere in the attic room and, at the same time, bring minimum damage to the health of the residents of the house.

Find out detailed information from our new article.