Warming of attic floors on wooden beams: technology, features and reviews

Mansards and attics are infrequently designed for further use as residential premises. Usually under such plans leave the possibility of further alteration, the main point of which is thermal insulation. Similar work, as a rule, is performed on the basis of wooden structures, since concrete and reinforced concrete bases are initially trimmed with protective and heat-insulating materials. In other cases, the insulation of the attic of the house, attic floor or attic can be carried out as an optional addition, the main purpose of which is to provide a comfortable microclimate.

Features of the attic insulation on the beams

Attic rooms, the construction of which is represented by wooden farms, is rightly called "cold". Such facilities are not characterized by high power resistance in comparison with concrete platforms, but have their advantages, many of which just boil down to the wide possibilities of using insulators. Traditionally, the insulation of the attic floor made of wood is carried out throughout the plating, which is laid on the crate. If, in the case of reinforced concrete, a special installation tool is often required, the equipment of the wooden structure with a heater can be carried out with ordinary joinery. Of course, the best option is the initial calculation of the use of a particular insulator as a complement to the beam structure. In this case, the master will be able to perform the correct and most rational arrangement of the beam elements, from the point of view of further insulating installation. However, foam materials in this respect are not exacting and organically enter into the power structure of any attic.

General requirements for insulation

The main task is to save heat. At the same time, attics and lofts are not always insulated to create a favorable microclimate directly at the site of work. Objects with "cold" attics, for example, it is advisable to supplement the insulation panels and to maintain the optimal temperature regime on the lower floor. In addition, the insulation of attic floors on wooden beams should also provide a waterproofing function. By itself, the choice of a lightweight wooden structure implies a decrease in protective properties, in terms of forming a barrier against moisture and steam. In part, this function is performed by the outer skin in the roofing material, but it may not be enough. Therefore, the list of characteristics of the main layer of internal insulation must include a moisture-proof function.

Isolation technology

In effect, the warming operation is the execution of a multilayered deck, which will act as a universal insulator. The work is carried out at the stage when the crate is completed. That is, as a base should be prepared draft base, which can simultaneously represent the floor of the attic and the ceiling of the lower room. It is located beams, the length of which can reach 4 m. It is best to use multi-storey insulation of attic floors on wooden beams, the technology of which provides for separate laying of steam, heat and waterproofing. First of all, the film material is laid. Usually, polypropylene or polyethylene is used for this - in both cases preference should be given to reinforced solid decking. Then follows the main layer of thermal insulation, the variants of which will be considered separately. It is also worth combining the function of heat and waterproofing, using a coating with a film protective layer. The final stage will be the final finish of the insulation. To do this, you can apply wood chip panels or logs - depending on the requirements for further operation of the room.

Warming of mineral wool

Stone or basalt mineral wool is considered to be the most common type of heat insulator, which is used not only in work with attic rooms. For convenient laying, the material should be purchased in a roll. This will allow you to perform the operation without the difficulties associated with performing calculations on the size of the cover. Work also begins with the laying of the film base, on which the basic warming of the attic floor will be further formed. With your hands in the construction mittens should be tightly tampered with the insulator throughout the area in the inter-beam farms. The height of the flooring can correspond to the width of the beams - the main thing is that no large voids are formed. Further, the material is covered with finishing panels.

Warming with expanded polystyrene

In terms of performance of objective functions, this is the optimal solution. Foamed polystyrene foam is beneficial both for its thermal insulation properties and as a barrier against the effects of moisture. That is, when laying it is possible to restrict oneself only to polystyrene foam, without using auxiliary layers for hydro and steam insulation. Typically, the insulation of attic floors on wooden beams is the laying of pre-cut panels of suitable shape in the truss between the beams. But it is important to take into account that the weak point of foam is flammability. If in the insulation of a reinforced concrete structure this disadvantage does not really matter, then in the work with a wooden attic the situation is reversed. Eliminate this flaw will help incorporate an additional refractory layer, which can be represented by a foil thin insulator. The fireproof layer is laid on top of the foam, and then the finishing finish is mounted.

Thermal insulation with polyurethane foam

This is a specialized heat insulator, which is oriented to use in residential areas. The advantages of polyurethane foam include hygroscopicity, resistance to moisture, incombustibility and ecological purity. The material is available on the market in the form of panels, which are easily processed at home, allowing you to form the desired slabs. As a result, by simple manipulations, it is possible to perform a high-quality and long-lasting insulation of the attic floor over wooden beams. Installation is carried out without the use of auxiliary layers of refractory and waterproofing protection, since polyurethane foam on both sides has special barrier coatings. However, for the sake of economy and if there is no need for universal insulation, you can use a simplified version of polyurethane foam without external layers of protection.

What material should not be used for thermal insulation?

Almost all loose insulators are not suitable for the attic insulation with wooden beams. These include sawdust, expanded clay, slag, etc. The exclusion of such options from the spectrum of suitable solutions is due to their common disadvantage. Qualitative isolation in this case is possible only under condition of formation of a thick layer of a mound. As a result, a hard and not always acceptable, for reasons of structural reliability, insulation attic floor. Ways of forming heat-insulating embankments can be used in working with lower floors and with concrete overlappings, but in the structure of wooden beam farms this solution reduces the overall reliability of the roof.

Reviews of insulator manufacturers

In the domestic market, insulators are widely represented by different brands. The greatest confidence among specialists is the products of Izospan and TekhnoNikol. The products of these companies cover both the segment of waterproofing and universal solutions for heat savings. Qualitative warming of attic floors on wooden beams will help to execute and materials of such foreign companies, as Juta and Tyvek. Users note, in addition to the effective performance of basic functions, the high durability of such facilities and ecological purity.

Conclusion

When choosing a means of attic insulation, a number of aspects of the future operation of the premises should be considered. If the object is to be used as a dwelling, the best solution is to use traditional mineral wool. But if we are talking about a comprehensive increase in the energy-saving function, then the insulation of attic floors on wooden beams should be performed by universal insulators. It will also not be superfluous to assess the possibilities of transition of the basic insulation of floors to the under-roof space. But in this case it is important to make an emphasis on the preservation of heat in the attic, and on protection from water with steam evaporation.